Childhood Friend of the Zenith-Chapter 684: Tang So-Yeol of the Tang Clan (1)

A woman with light green hair smiled brightly, standing beside a blonde woman who couldn’t seem to raise her head for some reason.

Seeing Tang So-yeol and Wi Seol-ah appear suddenly, I tilted my head.

“What the hell? Why are you here?”

“We’re here to register for the tournament!”

The answer was obvious.

If we ran into each other here, it must mean they were here to register for the Martial Arts Tournament.

However...

“You’re registering?”

“Yes!”

“You too?”

“...Yes.”

I hadn’t expected these two to participate.

Judging by the tokens they were holding, they had already registered.

“...Were they interested in this kind of thing?”

Tang So-yeol was from a prestigious family and regularly attended events like Yongbongjihoe, so it wasn’t entirely surprising.

But for Wi Seol-ah to join the tournament? That was unexpected.

I’d always thought she wasn’t interested in such things.

Moreover...

“I even went out of my way to keep her unnoticed.”

I’d been making efforts to keep Wi Seol-ah under the radar. Yet here she was, walking straight into the tournament, leaving me bewildered.

“Was I too distracted?”

Between the chaos I’d been dealing with lately, I hadn’t had the time to keep up with Wi Seol-ah’s interests.

Perhaps I’d failed to notice that she had taken an interest in the tournament.

Tsk....

This was becoming troublesome.

I glanced around, surveying the surroundings.

Just yesterday, the registration area had been bustling with noise and activity.

“...Wow....”

“Whoa....”

Now, however, the crowd seemed subdued, with only murmurs of admiration filling the air.

Most of the gazes were directed our way.

“No.”

To be precise, they were focused on Wi Seol-ah.

“She’s beautiful... How can anyone be so beautiful?”

People’s breaths caught as they gazed at her, as if enchanted.

And this was with her trying to suppress her presence.

Tang So-yeol, having undergone training with the Shadow King, had all but erased her presence, leaving people barely aware of her.

But Wi Seol-ah, even while deliberately dampening her aura, still drew every gaze.

Her beauty had reached a level far beyond expectations, making her the center of attention wherever she went.

I couldn’t let it continue.

Sighing, I released a wave of Qi, cloaking Wi Seol-ah in an additional barrier.

Whoosh!

The barrier lessened her presence slightly, but even after using a significant amount of energy, the effect was minimal.

Clicking my tongue in frustration, I muttered, “Where the hell is your veil?”

“...It felt too hot to wear,” she replied with an awkward smile.

No, it wasn’t quite awkward—it was more like she was annoyed.

I responded immediately.

“Hot? At your level, if you feel hot, it’s a fucking illness.”

“...”

Wi Seol-ah’s lips pressed together, clearly displeased.

I was trying to look out for her, but she didn’t seem to appreciate it.

Still, with her aura subdued, the reaction from the crowd lessened somewhat.

“So, you already registered?”

“Yes.”

“Yep! We’re planning to give it our all!”

Why the hell are you giving it your all?

That question stayed lodged in my throat, unspoken.

Sure, they were martial artists, so it made sense they’d want to participate. Fine.

There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with them entering.

“But it’s definitely going to cause trouble.”

Thinking this, I turned my focus elsewhere, extending my senses cautiously.

Buzz.

As I cast my senses outward, I carefully examined the surroundings.

“They’ve been watching us.”

Six Martial Alliance warriors were stationed around the registration area, and ten others were observing covertly.

Among them, five seemed to be from the Wudang Sect.

“Their attention is already on us.”

I knew they were stationed here to prevent any incidents, but their gazes were unmistakably fixed on Wi Seol-ah.

And it wasn’t surprising.

“...The successor of the Sword Master? That beautiful young ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) lady?”

“Yes, I heard it clearly.”

“I’d already heard the rumors from the Divine Dragon Hall, but... to think she’s a woman.”

The stories about Wi Seol-ah were already spreading.

Even with her aura suppressed, it was too late to stop the rumors.

Not that it mattered much.

“This was bound to come out eventually.”

Once Wi Seol-ah had taken up her sword, it was only a matter of time before the truth surfaced. The fact that it had stayed hidden this long was a feat in itself.

“Wait here.”

With a sigh, I turned away, intending to finish my errands.

But then—

“L-Lea...!”

Before Bong Soon could finish her hurried exclamation, I cut her off.

“Address me properly.”

I couldn’t afford for unnecessary rumors to start here.

After my correction, Bong Soon nodded vigorously. Did she understand?

“Uh, Young Master! Who are those people!?”

“...”

There were a few concerns, but I decided to let it slide for now. She got the gist, which was enough.

“They look so precious! Can I bite them? I wanna bite them!”

“Why the hell would you bite someone?”

“They look so expensive! Cute and expensive! I wanna bite them!”

Expensive-looking....

Honestly, it wasn’t a bad description.

The latter part of her statement was the problem.

“She’d actually bite them if I let her.”

Shaking my head, I grabbed Bong Soon by the arm and pulled her along.

Seong Yul followed closely behind.

When we arrived at the registration desk, the crowd seemed slightly larger than yesterday.

Reaching into my robes, I activated my authority quietly.

In an instant—

Rustle.

Two recommendation letters materialized in my hands.

“Take these and register.”

I handed the letters to Bong Soon and Seong Yul.

“Okay!”

Bong Soon grabbed hers and dashed to the registration desk, while Seong Yul paused and asked hesitantly,

“What... are these?”

“It’s a recommendation.”

“...!”

The Martial Arts Tournament required an official recommendation letter for registration, and neither Bong Soon nor Seong Yul had one.

Bong Soon was an obvious case, and Seong Yul was practically a fugitive.

That’s why I used my authority to forge the letters and handed them over.

“Go on. Get it done.”

“...Understood.”

Though he seemed to have more questions, Seong Yul followed Bong Soon to the desk.

Watching them leave, I thought to myself:

“The letters won’t last long. At best, half an hour.”

The recommendation letters weren’t large, but the densely packed text and seals meant the authority’s effect wouldn’t hold for long.

Still, judging by the line, they’d finish in time, and no one would notice.

I had even altered their affiliations and names, so unless the Martial Alliance conducted a thorough check, there shouldn’t be any issues.

“And the Martial Alliance isn’t exactly known for being meticulous.”

Trusting their laziness, I waited. Before long, both returned holding their tokens.

“Master! Look, I’m Pi Yeon-yeon!”

Bong Soon beamed as she showed me her token, clearly thrilled about having a new name.

“...Fine. You’ll be Pi Yeon-yeon for now.”

The name was a pseudonym I’d prepared.

It was a surname from the western regions, one I’d arranged through Nahi to ensure it wouldn’t draw suspicion.

Bong Soon wouldn’t have to worry about being identified.

The real issue, however, was...

“Master Jin, you’ll have to manage yourself carefully for now.”

“...Yes.”

Seong Yul, now posing as Jin Im-seok of the Gwangju Jin family, would have a harder time.

Patting him lightly on the shoulder, I added quietly,

“-The Kunlun Sect folks will be here soon. If anything feels off, lay low.”

“...”

Seong Yul nodded, his discomfort evident.

I wasn’t forbidding him from going outside or even participating in the tournament if he wanted.

But he knew, as well as I did, that it would be risky if he caught the Kunlun Sect’s attention.

Still, Seong Yul likely understood:

“If I don’t participate, I’ll be useless.”

If he chose to enter, I’d be willing to offer some support.

Not to completely avoid problems, but to ensure they wouldn’t spiral out of control.

As Seong Yul gripped the token tightly and slipped it into his pocket, I couldn’t help but smirk before turning away.

Now that registration was complete, today’s most pressing task was done.

“Next, I need to contact the Demon Vanguard and prepare to set some bait.”

It was time to start laying the foundation for the larger plans.

“And I need to consult the Divine Doctor about that curse as well.”

Even on what I thought would be a relatively easy day, there was always something piling up. As always, today was no exception.

“At least Bumdong hasn’t shown up since then.”

It had only been a day since the confrontation with Bumdong. While I doubted anything significant could happen in such a short span, I wasn’t one to take chances.

I’d already made contingency plans in case Bumdong acted unpredictably.

“I just hope he doesn’t try anything stupid.”

Adding Bumdong’s antics to the mix would make things more complicated. If he stayed quiet, it’d be easier to deal with him later when the time came to discard him.

I glanced up at the sky, lost in thought.

“It’s not like I have any free time, but I might be able to squeeze in a meal before the next task.”

Maybe I could take the group to grab something to eat.

“We could try that dumpling place I went to with Peng Woo-jin yesterday.”

Deciding to make the most of this brief window, I turned back toward the area where Tang So-yeol and Wi Seol-ah were waiting.

But as I approached, I frowned.

Someone was standing near them.

“Who the hell is that?”

A man was talking to Tang So-yeol, his stance overly familiar.

I walked closer, tuning into the murmurs from the surrounding crowd.

“...Isn’t that Oil Sword!”

“They said he’d be joining the tournament, but I didn’t think it was true!”

“Oil Sword is really participating in the Martial Arts Tournament?”

“Oil Sword?”

The crowd’s whispers were all directed at the man standing in front of Tang So-yeol.

Everyone’s attention was fixed on him, so it wasn’t hard to figure out who he was.

And, unfortunately, he was someone I recognized.

Oil Sword Baek Cheong-shin.

He was a righteous sect martial artist from the renowned Baek family in Liaoning and one of the current top 100 masters in Zhongyuan.

Though he didn’t look to be over forty, his cultivation had already surpassed the Hwagyeong level, meaning he was likely older than he appeared.

With his sly features and noble aura, he wasn’t exactly unattractive. A refined middle-aged man, you could say.

Baek Cheong-shin clearly knew how to play to his strengths. Beyond his considerable martial skill, he had another reputation...

“He’s quite the lecher.”

His countless tales involving women were almost as famous as his swordsmanship.

And now this infamous flirt was chatting with Tang So-yeol and Wi Seol-ah?

My frown deepened as I slowed my steps and focused on listening in.

First, I needed to understand what was going on.

******************

“Look! It’s one of the Top 100 Masters!”

“They say he’s the Oil Sword! A master of his caliber actually came to the tournament?”

“Unbelievable... We’re lucky to witness such a legend with our own eyes.”

“That’s not the point! Isn’t it more important that a Top 100 Master is competing in the tournament?”

Voices of admiration and excitement swirled around the area.

Hearing them, the man’s lips curled into a subtle smile.

“Yes, praise me more, you ignorant fools. That’s right, I’m the great Oil Sword.”

Baek Cheong-shin, also known as the Oil Sword, reveled in the adoration. He could barely contain the laughter bubbling within him.

The words caressing his ears were music to him. Baek Cheong-shin lived for praise and admiration.

“Of course, this is only natural. After all, I’m a man you’d never get to see otherwise.”

Keep staring.

Keep worshipping.

The fervent attention and admiration of others were the fuel that kept him going.

“I heard Oil Sword reached the Hwagyeong level. His presence is truly extraordinary.”

“Just yesterday, I saw several Peak Masters, but... the Hwagyeong is in a league of its own.”

“Indeed, ordinary masters can’t even compare to those of the Absolute level.”

Flattering words, as always.

Yet even amidst the praise, a faint annoyance flickered across Baek Cheong-shin’s face.

“Comparing me to mere Peak Masters? Tch.”

How dare they liken him to such trash.

He was the real deal, the pinnacle of martial arts. To be compared to younger fools who hadn’t even scaled the wall was an insult.

Tch, tch.

Though his irritation grew, Baek Cheong-shin kept his expression composed, maintaining his radiant smile.

He had no choice.

Before him was something—or rather, someone—he adored almost as much as admiration itself.

Women.

Baek Cheong-shin loved women.

Young, beautiful women.

And the two standing before him were treasures he couldn’t resist.

“I’d heard the rumors, but such shallow words can’t do justice.”

Baek Cheong-shin spoke, his eyes scanning over Tang So-yeol.

A petite woman with light green hair—she was quite the beauty.

One of the finest he’d seen in a while.

Yet behind her...

“The other one is on a whole different level.”

Standing behind Tang So-yeol was another woman—a blonde whose beauty surpassed anything Baek Cheong-shin had ever encountered.

Just looking at her made his mouth water.

He wanted to take her away immediately.

“But I must hold back.”

Baek Cheong-shin suppressed his rising desires.

He had to.

That woman was poison.

A beautiful, deadly poison that could kill him the moment he touched her.

“They said she’s the successor of the Sword Master.”

The very thought sent chills down his spine.

Anyone who understood what it meant to be a Sword Master knew how terrifying her background was.

As one who had reached the heavens in swordsmanship, her mentor’s name alone was enough to dissuade any reckless advances.

It was a bitter pill to swallow.

Though his desire for her was maddening, Baek Cheong-shin restrained himself.

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But, there was still Tang So-yeol.

“If I’m not mistaken, are you not the treasured daughter of the Tang Clan?”

Tang So-yeol frowned slightly at his words, but even that expression was beautiful.

“Have I mistaken your identity?”

“...No. As a member of the Tang Clan, I greet Senior Baek Cheong-shin.”

Tang So-yeol performed a polite salute, her expression calm.

The murmurs from the crowd grew louder.

“The Tang Clan? Then that must be the Poison Phoenix.”

“Poison Phoenix? Wait, did they say the Tang Clan?”

The gazes directed at Tang So-yeol multiplied, and the murmurs turned cold.

“That despicable clan?”

“Didn’t they get expelled from the Four Great Clans after being caught kidnapping children for experiments?”

“What nerve, showing her face here after all that.”

Stories about the Tang Clan overshadowed Tang So-yeol’s personal reputation. Her expression darkened slightly.

Baek Cheong-shin chuckled awkwardly and spoke, feigning regret.

“Ah, it seems I made a mistake. I didn’t mean for this to happen....”

“...It’s fine. This is a burden I must bear.”

While her words were composed, the situation was exactly as Baek Cheong-shin intended.

Though the backlash was more intense than expected, it was within his calculations.

With his usual smug smile, he stepped closer to Tang So-yeol.

“I truly regret causing such an awkward situation. To make amends, though it may be insufficient....”

He paused, lowering his voice slightly.

“If you would allow it, may I treat you to a meal at a fine establishment? What do you say?”

Baek Cheong-shin’s tone was gentle, almost sweet, but Tang So-yeol’s response was immediate and cold.

“That won’t be necessary. Your offer is appreciated, but I must decline.”

Her refusal was firm, without the slightest hint of hesitation.

“....”

Baek Cheong-shin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Did she just reject him? Him?

Tch.

“So she has some pride, huh?”

A fallen clan’s daughter, acting all high and mighty.

“She should be grateful that someone like me is even giving her the time of day.”

What a foolish woman.

Despite his annoyance, Baek Cheong-shin deepened his smile, leaning further into his smug act.

“Come now, there’s no need to be so formal. It’s no trouble at all. Don’t worry and join me—just a light conversation over a meal....”

As he continued to push, his irritation began to creep into his voice.

Despite her beauty, she was just a woman from a fallen clan. How dare she defy him?

To make matters worse, the atmosphere around them was growing tense, with onlookers starting to whisper.

If this dragged on any longer, it would become troublesome.

Eventually, unable to suppress his frustration, Baek Cheong-shin reached out and grabbed Tang So-yeol’s wrist.

“Enough. Just come along now.”

His words turned curt, abandoning any pretense of courtesy.

Her pale, cold wrist in his hand, he couldn’t help but salivate.

Though he wanted to take her right then and there, that would cause too much trouble.

If she kept resisting now, she’d yield eventually. They always did.

But as he tried to pull her along—

Grip.

“...?”

She didn’t budge.

“What...?”

Baek Cheong-shin turned to look at her, confused.

Even though he was using strength, Tang So-yeol stood firm, staring at him coldly.

“Did I not use enough force?”

He doubted it. He’d given it more than enough strength.

While he hesitated, confused by the situation—

“...Haah....”

A faint sigh escaped Tang So-yeol’s lips.

A sigh?

Did she just sigh at him?

In my face?

While Baek Cheong-shin stared in disbelief, Tang So-yeol leaned in slightly, speaking in a low, frigid tone.

“Senior, is your brain connected to your crotch, or are you just hard of hearing?”

“Wha...?”

Baek Cheong-shin froze, his face twisting in confusion.

What did she just say? Did he hear her wrong?

As he opened his mouth to question her again, Tang So-yeol’s eyes turned even colder.

“I’ve held back long enough, but it seems I need to make myself clear.”

Taking a step closer, she whispered directly into his ear.

“...You couldn’t have me even if I were dead. So fuck off, you pathetic piece of shit.”

“...!”

Baek Cheong-shin’s face went rigid as her words sank in.