Childhood Friend of the Zenith Chapter 393

"Gu... Hero?"

"Yes?"

I responded in a confused tone to Moyong Biyeon’s words. Hero? Did she recognize sohow?

'How?'

Even if she did recognize , the title felt odd.

"Hero"…? That wasn’t exactly the sort of title a senior like Baekryeongum would use for .

As I stood there looking at Moyong Biyeon, who seed to have a puzzled expression herself, she spoke up, sowhat uncertainly.

"No, that can’t be right. The hero I rember was more…"

More…?

"Handso…?"

"…What?"

Hearing her murmured words, I snapped, unable to help myself.

'Damn it.'

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted it.

I’d observed her temperant firsthand, and it was apparent she had a more fiery personality than one would assu from her appearance.

But contrary to my worries, Moyong Biyeon just stared at my face, looking perplexed.

Was she mistaking for soone else?

'If she’s confusing with soone from the Gu family…'

There was only one person she could be mistaking for.

'Is it Father?'

I decided to ask her directly.

"Do you happen to know the head of our family?"

"The head of your family?"

Her eyes narrowed as she looked between and Gu Yeonseo.

"Could it be... are you... the Little Lord of the Underworld…?"

Damn it.

I had to clench my eyes shut at the ntion of that cursed nickna.

No matter how many tis I hear it, I never get used to it. I vowed once more to track down whoever coined that nickna.

And to make it worse, hearing it from soone else’s mouth only made my blood boil.

"…I am Gu Yangcheon of the Gu family."

I did my best to maintain my composure, closing my eyes and tolerating it.

"Oh my..."

Moyong Biyeon stepped closer and took my face in her hands, despite my efforts to pull away.

What was this woman doing?

"So you’re… the son of the great Gu Hero?"

"Hold on… Senior, your hand…"

"Now that I look at you, I see the resemblance. Especially around the eyes… yes, the eyes…"

"Senior…?"

"Oh dear, what happened to your eye? Such a precious eye, too…"

It was as if she couldn’t even hear as she kept squeezing my face, her eyes wild with a strange intensity.

Gu Yeonseo was watching, bewildered, seemingly as lost as I was.

Unable to bear it any longer, I shoved her hands away.

"What are you doing?"

I snapped with a hint of irritation, yet Moyong Biyeon just smiled at , seemingly amused.

"You've got a temper, just like your father. I like that."

Instead of taking offense, she looked at with an expression full of nostalgia, which only made feel more uncomfortable.

As I wiped my face, I asked her again.

"Are you acquainted with the head of our family?"

"We knew each other back in the day. Though I wonder if he still rembers ."

From her wistful tone, it seed they had so history together.

But what kind of relationship could make her act this way?

Moyong Biyeon kept looking at with a curious, almost sentintal gaze, as if she were seeing my father through .

As I averted my gaze, she spoke again.

"I’d heard rumors, but seeing you in person… It really is remarkable. I suppose blood doesn’t lie."

In that mont, I could feel her energy assessing .

What the hell, was she really just scanning outright? Unbelievable.

Inspecting soone with energy like this could easily spark a duel.

Yet Moyong Biyeon seed unfazed, scrutinizing . Though I didn’t like it, I tolerated it, as she had just saved Gu Yeonseo.

When she was done, surprise flashed across her face.

"Impressive… I thought it might have been an exaggeration, but…"

Though she didn’t finish her sentence, I knew she’d been about to ntion my level.

'So that’s why she addressed formally before—she thought I was soone else.'

Since I had reached Hwagyeong, she probably hadn’t expected to be a re disciple, which explained her attitude.

"This part doesn’t just resemble him… You might even surpass it."

"Thank you for the complint, but I think you’re standing a little too close."

Though it sounded like praise, the proximity was uncomfortably close.

I would have preferred it if she took a few, no, a lot of steps back.

At my words, she finally took a hint and stepped back, saying,

"Sorry, I was just excited to et you, little brother."

"…Little brother?"

The casual way she called herself my "sister" was jarring.

Sister? As far as I knew, Moyong Biyeon was at least—

'About the sa age as my father, right?'

While she looked young, so did the Sword Queen, but they were both from the sa generation as my father.

So, at the very least…

Calling herself my sister was, well, a bit shaless.

Of course, I refrained from comnting.

'If I point it out, she might just kill .'

The glint in her eye suggested she wouldn’t take it well.

I held my tongue, feeling an unsettling presence emanating from her.

Noticing her approval, Moyong Biyeon smiled, saying to both Gu Yeonseo and ,

"Nice to et you both. So your nas are Yangcheon and… Yeonseo?"

"Yes."

"That’s a sha. I didn’t bring any money, so I don’t have much to give…"

"Oh, no…! I couldn’t possibly accept anything from Senior Baekryeongum… urk?"

Gu Yeonseo tried to refuse, but I discreetly jabbed her in the side to silence her.

She shot a reproachful look, but I had my reasons.

'If she offers, why refuse? Just accept it.'

It was from a connection to my father, after all.

There would be no repercussions for accepting sothing like that.

The only things I’d reject were items that could cause trouble later.

Watching this, Moyong Biyeon laughed out loud.

"Haha! You two are quite different."

She then pulled sothing from her clothes and handed it to both of us.

As I took it, I wondered what it was.

It looked like jade, but I had no idea what it was used for.

"What is this?"

"It’s nothing special. Just a little gem you can put into a piece of jewelry."

Just a gem. My interest faded imdiately.

Seeing my reaction, Moyong Biyeon laughed even harder.

"This kid is hilarious! How can you be so visibly disappointed?"

"I’m not disappointed. Thank you…"

"I see! Well, this has been the most fun I’ve had in a while."

Glad to see she’s having fun.

Ignoring her laughter, I stuffed the jade into my pocket.

What was I supposed to do with jade? Not exactly useful for .

Unlike , Gu Yeonseo seed thrilled to have received sothing from Baekryeongum, an idol among female swordsn.

Leaving her to her thoughts, I continued to observe Moyong Biyeon.

Why was she here, exactly?

After so thought, I realized it wasn’t particularly unusual.

After all, the Moyong Family Head was here as well.

I just hadn’t expected to run into her like this.

After a long look at , Moyong Biyeon asked,

"Hey."

"Yes?"

"If you’re really the Little Lord of the Underworld, I’ve heard you get along well with my niece."

"Ah… yes."

Her sudden question caught off guard.

So Baekryeongum had a niece…

Considering she was the sister of the Moyong Family Head, her niece must be Moyong Heea.

It seed she knew of my connection to her.

Upon hearing my answer, Moyong Biyeon smiled and continued.

"Even if she seems a bit cold, please understand. She has a warm heart beneath it all."

I nodded.

A simple familial concern, I suppose.

Nodding along, I found myself speaking aloud.

"She’s not particularly cold."

"Eh?"

It was worth correcting.

"Seolbong isn’t a cold person. Neither outwardly nor inwardly."

"…"

"So there’s no need for to understand her."

My relationship with her might not have been ideal in the past life.

But I knew she wasn’t a purely cold and harsh individual.

She always acted logically, choosing the most optimized path for any situation.

And she bore the burden of the consequences herself.

The decisions she made, which often involved sacrifices, were paradoxically made out of a desire to save as many as she could.

And…

'I rember the nights she cried her heart out.'

I knew that on nights when no one was around, she’d silence her voice and cry to the wind.

Moyong Biyeon seed amused by my words, smiling.

"…Not bad. Not bad at all."

I wasn’t sure what she found impressive, but Moyong Biyeon took a step back, saying,

"Unfortunately, I have sowhere to be, so I’ll have to go. Let’s et again soti, okay?"

She seed to have run out of things to say and looked ready to leave.

And she wanted to et again…

"Sure."

It was clear I found the idea botherso.

But I gave a polite response regardless. I could say whatever needed saying.

It seed Moyong Biyeon interpreted my response differently.

"How can you be so blatantly bored? You’re a riot."

"…It’s a misunderstanding."

Her words, delivered with ghostly accuracy, made flinch.

How does she know?

I was keeping a pretty good poker face.

For so reason, my reaction amused Moyong Biyeon, and she laughed again, wiping tears from her eyes.

"This has been fun. Oh, one more thing."

Was there more to say? This brief conversation had already left feeling drained.

She was the type of person I’d prefer to avoid lengthy conversations with.

"Um…"

She seed to hesitate, as if considering whether or not to speak. She then shook her head and said,

"Never mind."

"Alright."

"Are you not curious?"

"If you’re done, then asking would be impolite."

"Wow."

Moyong Biyeon looked at , amused, before breaking into laughter.

To be honest, I hadn’t asked because I didn’t want to know.

And it seed she had figured that out too.

"Well then. Let’s et again, little brother. I’m off."

"Yes, Senior."

"That last part was kind of boring."

Moyong Biyeon frowned as if dissatisfied, though I could guess why.

No matter what, I wasn’t about to call soone who was basically my father’s peer “sister.”

With a sigh, she turned and leapt away, disappearing into the distance.

Had she really left?

I didn’t sense her presence anymore, so I withdrew the Qi barrier I’d set around us.

It felt like a storm had just blown through.

"I’m completely drained."

With a sigh, I turned to Gu Yeonseo, who still seed stunned.

"Let’s go now, shall we?"

"Ah, yes…"

Finally coming to her senses, Gu Yeonseo nodded and followed as I headed toward the inn.

"...Thanks."

"Hm?"

I turned around at the soft murmur behind .

It sounded like Gu Yeonseo had said sothing, but I hadn’t caught it clearly.

I looked back at her, but she just kept her head down, following quietly.

"What did you say?"

"…It was nothing."

Gu Yeonseo avoided my gaze, seemingly unwilling to repeat herself.

What was that about?

Inside the inn operated by the Moyong Family, which served as one of their outposts in Hanan, Moyong Heea was quietly sipping tea by herself when soone burst through the door, surprising her.

"Hey! My little niece!"

"Aunt?"

"You’re even prettier than the last ti I saw you!"

The cheerful woman who had just barged in was Moyong Heea’s aunt, soone she hadn’t seen in years.

"How did you…?"

"I heard my niece had gone through a lot. How could I not co?"

"A…?"

Moyong Heea’s aunt, Baekryeongum Moyong Biyeon, walked over and gently pinched her cheek. Then, with a look of surprise, she said,

"Wow, look at that flawless skin. Youth really is sothing."

"A-Aunt."

"I used to be like that too. You look more like than your parents, honestly. You want to be my daughter instead?"

Caught off guard by the barrage of words, Moyong Heea felt her mind go blank. Ever since she was young, her aunt had been a handful.

Among the distinctive personalities of the Moyong Family’s bloodline, Moyong Biyeon had always been particularly eccentric.

As Moyong Heea struggled to keep up with her aunt’s whirlwind of words, the leader of the Baekcheongumdae appeared on the upper floor.

"What are you doing here?"

He was looking at his sister with a mixture of disbelief and exasperation.

"Hey, big brother!"

"…Sister."

Moyong Biyeon waved at him with a grin, and he felt a headache coming on.

"Long ti no see?"

"What brings you here without any notice?"

"Look at you. Do I have to notify anyone to co see my family?"

Feigning offense, she looked at him, and he replied firmly.

"If you’re coming back after years of no contact, then yes, so notice would be nice."

His sister had left years ago, announcing her intention to travel through Zhongyuan.

Knowing her personality, he hadn’t stopped her. If she set her mind on sothing, she’d do it no matter what anyone said.

He was paying for that decision now, though, as she had reappeared out of the blue.

Rubbing his temples, he asked her,

"So, is your journey over?"

"Kind of? Oh, by the way, Family Head."

Her choice of title was disrespectful, but he let it slide. He knew from experience that pointing it out would only exhaust him.

"Yes, go on."

"That Peng brat is still as disrespectful as ever. How can he age without maturing?"

"…You ran into the Peng Family Head?"

"By chance, yeah."

"Are you alright?"

Seeing his concern, Moyong Biyeon chuckled inwardly. Blood was blood, after all.

"Oh, this sister is fine…"

"No, I was asking if the Peng Family Head is alright."

"…What?"

Taken aback, she stared at him, unable to believe it. He noticed but didn’t retract his words.

He knew all too well how things could spiral if his sister lost her temper.

"No, we didn’t fight. We just exchanged a few words."

"Well, that’s a relief."

She sighed and pulled out a chair, plopping down with a thud.

"He used to be cute, but he’s gotten weird as he got older."

"Sister, you haven’t changed a bit."

"Really? Thanks for the complint."

"That was an insult."

When would she ever mature?

It would be nice if she took her own advice about growing up, instead of lecturing the Peng Family Head. Despite the years apart, she was just as she had always been.

Moyong Biyeon shot him a look, then sipped the tea Moyong Heea had made earlier.

"By the way, niece."

"Yes, Aunt?"

"That kid isn’t so bad."

"Huh?"

Moyong Heea looked surprised by the sudden shift in conversation, prompting Moyong Biyeon to continue with a grin.

"You know, that boy you’re chasing after? The Little Lord of the Underworld, was it?"

"...!"

"He’s pretty entertaining."

"...Aunt. Did you et Lord Gu?"

Moyong Heea’s eyes widened at the revelation that her aunt had t Gu Yangcheon. It was completely unexpected.

"How did you two et?"

"Eh? Just happened."

Seeing her niece’s expression, Moyong Biyeon couldn’t help but smile.

'Oh, this…'

That look was all too familiar. It reminded her of herself, of the way she had looked when she was caught up with soone in her own past.

'What would you call this?'

And the families were even the sa. Was this fate, perhaps?

As she thought about the boy she’d t earlier, she felt a wave of nostalgia.

'He’s so similar.'

He was so much like the man she had once loved with all her heart. Being his son, perhaps it was inevitable.

His appearance didn’t match exactly, but the defining features were there, especially that unique gaze.

'Not sure about his looks, but his talent seems to have surpassed his father’s.'

It seed he had inherited, if not surpassed, the talent of his father, who had been hailed as a prodigy.

'…He’s reached Hwagyeong, right?'

Though she wasn’t entirely sure, his energy was undeniably powerful, far beyond what one would expect of a late-stage martial artist.

Still, the energy he was emitting was unlike anything she had encountered before.

'I thought the rumors were blown out of proportion, but it turns out they were underestimating him.'

The boy had left her with much to think about.

Not just about him, but also about her niece, who seed to be chasing after soone so reminiscent of the man she once loved.

'At least it’s better this ti, I guess?'

After all, unlike him, this boy didn’t seem to be surrounded by romantic rivals. He wasn’t the sort to attract endless attention, judging by his looks.

As she mused over these thoughts,

"That damned brat… No, did you say you t with the Gu family’s descendant?"

The Family Head’s question interrupted her thoughts, as he couldn’t overlook that detail.

Seeing his face, Moyong Biyeon burst into laughter.

"Looks like you still haven’t shaken that attitude."

It reminded her of when he used to pick fights over so unknown guy she was chasing.

Of course, the results had been…

'He ended up a bloody ss.'

She recalled a young Family Head who couldn’t even lay a finger on her.

She had always been on a completely different level.

Thinking of his daughter now, she wondered if he had stayed quiet knowing this was happening.

Probably not.

As that thought crossed her mind, she turned to him and asked,

"Family Head."

"Yes…"

"You didn’t go and et him, thinking you could set him straight, did you?"

"…"

"No, surely not. You wouldn’t do that at your age, would you? Not as the Family Head?"

Moyong Biyeon looked at him expectantly, but he rely clenched his lips shut. She scowled in response.

"You…"

"Enough with the nonsense. Just tell why you’re here."

He tried to change the subject, but she looked at him in disgust.

Why were Family Heads always like this, whether it was the Peng Family or her own brother?

"As I said, I ca to see my niece."

"Oh, sure you did."

"You little—"

The old temper was about to flare, but she held back, rembering her niece was present. She couldn’t curse him out in front of his daughter.

Barely keeping her temper in check, Moyong Biyeon sighed deeply and pulled sothing from her sleeve.

She hadn’t co here just to visit; there were things she needed to take care of.

"Here."

"What is it?"

He took the item from her hands. It was a letter.

He was about to open it when—

"It’s a letter from the Ice Emperor."

Her words froze him in his tracks.

The Ice Emperor.

The ruler of the frozen Northern Sea, the master of the Ice Palace.

The father of the woman who had once been his own half.

The Family Head stared at her in disbelief.

"How… how did you…"

"Don’t let it show, and read it discreetly. Our niece here is as sharp as I am."

Despite the serious tone of her voice, Moyong Biyeon wore a bright, carefree expression.

After finishing the tea in one gulp, she stood up.

Seeing this, Moyong Heea looked at her with wide eyes as Moyong Biyeon addressed her.

"I’ve made my appearance, so I’m off."

"Huh? You’re leaving already?"

"I’ll just be gone a little while. I’ll be back soon."

Moyong Heea looked a bit disappointed. Moyong Biyeon almost considered staying, finding her niece adorable.

"I have soone to et."

But she had to go.

The letter was part of her purpose here, but ultimately, she had co to et "that person."

Moyong Biyeon was not one to delay important matters.

She began walking, her destination the place where the Gu family’s people had gathered.