Childhood Friend of the Zenith
Chapter 379: White Heavenly Sword (3)

Shock was the first thing Moyong Tae felt as he watched the young man’s rising flames.

…So it’s true, he has reached the Fusion Realm.

After witnessing the Lesser King of Hell prove himself, jealousy crept into Moyong Tae’s heart.

Competitiveness was ingrained in every martial artist by nature.

Faced with his opponent’s remarkable talent, Moyong Tae’s jealousy only deepened.

Although Moyong Tae had ceased his sword training, he had once been a genius martial artist, and that innate competitiveness still lingered within him.

The young man had achieved the Fusion Realm before even turning twenty.

Calling him talented was an understatement.

Many had dubbed the Lesser King of Hell a monster or the brightest star of his generation.

Yet, it was difficult to believe such claims without witnessing it firsthand.

Even so, Moyong Tae found himself gulping nervously as he observed Gu Yangcheon.

…I see.

Having seen it with his own eyes, he quickly acknowledged it.

Moyong Tae was now certain.

The young man before him was destined to become the Zenith of the future.

He was the brightest star of this era. Feeling the heat radiating from him, Moyong Tae admitted that Gu Yangcheon would one day stand at the center of his generation.

However,

That doesn’t mean I have to see him in a favorable light.

Even if Gu Yangcheon was destined to become the Zenith, that wasn’t what mattered to Moyong Tae.

To him, the only thing that mattered was his daughter.

- …I greet the Lord of Moyong Clan as a blood relative of Shanxi’s Gu Clan.

Gu Yangcheon repeated the same words he said before.

It’s too late.

However, he was too late.

He should have said this the first time he was asked the question.

Over the past few days, Moyong Tae had spent time with Moyong Hi-ah, and all she talked about was Gu Yangcheon.

- Master Gu, he-

- Hey father, you know that Master Gu-

- This is something Master Gu likes and-

…

Hearing his daughter speak so brightly, Moyong Tae felt as though his heart was being torn apart.

The daughter he raised so preciously was smiling so happily for a good-for-nothing bastard.

How could he feel good about it?

Even if Gu Yangcheon was the only one capable of saving his daughter, Moyong Tae found it hard to suppress his anger.

Yet, it was his daughter who ultimately calmed him down.

- …Please don’t hate Master Gu so much. Could you please give him one chance?

Moyong Tae didn’t believe that he would ever see Gu Yangcheon in a good light, but Moyong Hi-ah was asking her father something for the first time in her life.

She had never asked for anything before.

She disliked the thought of burdening her clan because of her condition, so she endured silently, never showing her pain.

So when she made this request, with such a pitiful expression, it deeply shocked Moyong Tae.

He had to go see Gu Yangcheon.

What exactly are you?

Moyong Tae wondered what Gu Yangcheon was for him to steal his own treasure.

He needed to understand just how extraordinary Gu Yangcheon was to accomplish such a feat.

Even if Gu Yangcheon had refused to give his name and backed down, Moyong Tae still wouldn’t have taken Moyong Hi-ah back to the Moyong Clan.

Only Gu Yangcheon knew how to treat Moyong Hi-ah’s condition.

Moyong Tae didn’t understand how the bastard’s heat could help his daughter, but he was at least certain that it was the only way to cure her, as not even the Immortal Healer was able to come up with anything.

Because of that, he wasn’t going to risk his daughter’s life.

Still, he would’ve received a definitive answer.

It would have meant that once Gu Yangcheon cured Moyong Hi-ah, he intended to sever all ties with her.

However, Gu Yangcheon stated his name in the end.

Moyong Tae wasn’t happy about this fact.

If he didn’t say his name,

Moreover, Gu Yangcheon seemed to understand the significance behind Moyong Tae’s demand for his name.

Yet, he not only gave his name but also took the initiative to challenge Moyong Tae to a duel.

…I’m not fond of this either.

Moyong Tae wouldn’t have gone through with any of this if not for his daughter’s plea to give Gu Yangcheon a chance.

He had to suppress his anger.

Press.

For now, he had to teach that bastard a lesson.

Moyong Tae also had to hear an answer from him.

He had to determine what this bastard could do for his daughter, and whether he held any place for her in his heart.

Moyong Tae was determined to find out.

As Gu Yangcheon charged toward him, Moyong Tae began to move, his sword gleaming brightly.

This Sword Force was only able to come from a swordsman who has overcame his wall.

Gu Yangcheon closed in on Moyong Tae, his body wreathed in flames.

He’s extremely fast.

Moyong Tae opened his eyes wide.

Gu Yangcheon’s speed caught him off guard.

However, Moyong Tae prided himself on never lagging behind anyone in terms of speed.

His sword slashed towards the air.

He aimed directly for Gu Yangcheon’s chest.

Going easy on him as a senior? There was no such thing here.

This fight was about his daughter. No father would gamble with his daughter’s future.

That was what Moyong Tae believed in.

As soon as Gu Yangcheon came, Moyong Tae’s sword flashed light.

Gu Yangcheon furrowed his brows at the sight of the sword.

Swish-!

He twisted his body to dodge the sword.

A glowing trace of Moyong Tae’s sword lingered in the air after it missed its mark.

Swoosh-!

The trees behind Gu Yangcheon began to topple, cut down by the Sword Force that had barely missed him.

Gu Yangcheon didn’t look behind him as he knew that letting his guard down for one second meant his death.

Instead, he stepped forward, closing the distance toward Moyong Tae.

He stomped hard on the ground, using it as the starting point for his next attack.

He twisted his waist.

Gathering Qi into his fist, he waited until it was fully charged, then unleashed a powerful strike.

Fiery Fangs of Beast.

Blaze-!

Flames shaped like a ferocious beast coiled around Moyong Tae before surging past him.

Upon seeing the situation, Gu Yangcheon immediately glanced to his side.

Turning his head, he caught sight of a sword blade swinging toward him.

It meant that Moyong Tae never got hit by the flames in the first place.

Gu Yangcheon swung his fist enhanced with Qi.

Clang-! He fist collided with the sword, deflecting it away from him.

Moyong Tae hadn’t expected such a counter from Gu Yangcheon.

He punched the blade?

Deflecting a sword strike with a punch was an uncommon tactic in battles between swordsmen and close-combat martial artists.

Given that the sword was enhanced with Qi, a single mistake could have cost him his life.

Yet, despite the danger, Gu Yangcheon swung his fist without a hint of hesitation.

This bastard…

Moyong Tae found himself reconsidering his opinion of Gu Yangcheon.

Gu Yangcheon moved as if he had years of experience in real battle situations.

However, Gu Yangcheon was still way too young for him to have any real experience at all.

Could it all stem from sheer natural talent?

Moyong Tae’s gaze sharpened.

Though he hadn’t intended to fight seriously, he now began to wonder just how far he would need to go.

He also felt his heart beat faster.

Only after a few exchanges of attack, his instinct was telling him that Gu Yangcheon was a threatening opponent.

Then,

Pow-! Gu Yangcheon spotted an opening and drove his fist toward Moyong Tae.

However, his fist appeared slower than before.

Is it a feint?

Moyong Tae considered slashing his arm right then but hesitated.

The feint was far too obvious.

Then,

Blaze-!

Flames exploded from Gu Yangcheon’s fist and blocked Moyong Tae’s vision.

Was this a follow-up to the earlier feint?

This pointless attack won’t…!

Moyong Tae kept his senses spread across the area, swiftly swinging his sword to disperse all of Gu Yangcheon’s flames.

He immediately located Gu Yangcheon again.

But in that brief moment, Gu Yangcheon had already created some distance, and something hovered above his palm.

It was a large, glowing marble.

…That is.

Moyong Tae gulped nervously.

His instinct kicked in, making him tense as he sensed the immense Qi radiating from the sphere.

That was dangerous.

His instincts screamed danger.

Cgkkk-

Moyong Tae instantly concentrated his Qi into his sword.

Without hesitation, Gu Yangcheon hurled his Flaming Sphere at Moyong Tae. The large, fiery orb flew toward him, radiating intense heat in all directions.

Moyong Tae swung his sword, now enveloped in radiant white Qi.

He knew dodging would have been wiser, but he couldn’t afford to retreat.

He had to fight against it.

The Righteous Dragon Follows the Sword.

The Righteous Dragon Accompanies the Talented.

The Moyong Clan’s sword art gleamed from Moyong Tae’s blade as it charged toward Gu Yangcheon’s Flaming Sphere.

Claaang-!

“…What?”

To his surprise, Moyong Tae’s Sword Force, gleaming with white light, sliced cleanly through the Flaming Sphere.

Moyong Tae blinked in confusion at the unexpected outcome.

Based on the sheer power emanating from the Flaming Sphere, it shouldn’t have been so easy to cut through.

Boom-! Blaaze-!

The Flaming Sphere exploded midair, sending waves of heat and wind in all directions, though its force was weaker than expected.

Something was strange.

Just as Moyong Tae sensed something amiss, he felt a sudden presence.

“Shoot…!”

It was Gu Yangcheon’s presence.

Gu Yangcheon had hidden himself the moment the Flaming Sphere exploded and was now right in front of Moyong Tae.

He struck his fist out.

It was then that Moyong Tae realized.

From the moment Gu Yangcheon had blocked his vision, he had been setting up this precise moment.

Hah.

Monster… He’s truly a monster.

Even though he hadn’t gone all out, Moyong Tae couldn’t believe he had been bested by a mere brat. He was speechless.

How could a bastard like this exist in the current generation? Moyong Tae was left in awe.

Acting on instinct, Moyong Tae raised his sword to defend himself.

Crack-! Moyong Tae’s defensive barrier shattered the moment Gu Yangcheon’s fist connected.

It was clear that Gu Yangcheon’s fist was packed with immense Qi.

Clang-! The fist then clashed with the sword.

Moyong Tae struggled to deflect the blow, but the force was too great, he was lifted off the ground, unable to fully absorb the impact.

He was sent flying back, the force propelling him through the air for a brief moment.

“Ugh.”

Clack-! He stabbed his sword in the ground and slowed down his body from being pushed back.

The moment he came to a stop, he fixed his gaze on Gu Yangcheon, readying himself for another exchange.

However, Gu Yangcheon remained motionless, standing at the exact spot where he had struck Moyong Tae.

Seeing this, Moyong Tae frowned slightly, his brows knitting together.

Is he waiting for me?

It appeared that Gu Yangcheon was deliberately waiting for Moyong Tae to regain his footing.

To be humiliated like this from a bastard who stole my daughter.

Moyong Tae’s spirit went up in flames.

He exhaled sharply before speaking to Gu Yangcheon.

“I’m sorry.”

Gu Yangcheon flinched at Moyong Tae’s unexpected apology.

“What are you saying all of a sudden…?”

“I underestimated your abilities and didn’t take this fight seriously. For that, I offer my apology.”

Moyong Tae hadn’t fought earnestly because he viewed Gu Yangcheon as an inferior martial artist.

Thus, he offered his apology as a fellow martial artist.

“You’re strong, Young Expert. Therefore, I’ll take this seriously from now on.”

“Wait, you really don’t have to… How about we consider this as my defeat and- “

Crack.

Whether Moyong Tae heard him or not, he raised his sword and resumed his battle stance.

Then, his Qi spread to the surroundings.

“…Shit.”

Gu Yangcheon bit his lip as he felt the intensity of Moyong Tae’s Qi.

It felt completely different from before.

He realized that Moyong Tae hadn’t been taking him seriously until now.

I’m fucked.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

Gu Yangcheon frowned as this isn’t what he had hoped for.

He had thought all he needed to do was prove himself to the White Heavenly Sword.

Moyong Tae’s reaction only left Gu Yangcheon more perplexed.

What do I do? It really seems like he’s going to go all out now.

Without the Qi shielding his body, the razor-sharp Qi emanating from the White Heavenly Sword would have shredded Gu Yangcheon’s clothes by now.

It was that powerful.

…Maybe it’s not too late to run away.

He wanted to flee, but Moyong Tae’s expression told him he couldn’t afford to.

Do I really have to do this?

Just as Gu Yangcheon began wondering if he really had to fight the White Heavenly Sword for real,

Thud…

He immediately turned his head toward the source of a heavy presence he had suddenly sensed.

Someone had appeared in the midst of Gu Yangcheon’s clash with the White Heavenly Sword.

Then,

Swoooosh-!

The person who appeared started pouring their Qi out.

In an instant, both Gu Yangcheon’s and the White Heavenly Sword’s Qi were suppressed.

“…Ugh.”

Gu Yangcheon flinched as the oppressive Qi washed over him.

It was hot.

It was scorching, even for Gu Yangcheon, who specialized in Flame Arts.

Yet, the Destructive Flame Arts within Gu Yangcheon’s body began to resonate with the overpowering Qi suppressing his flames.

It was understandable.

This sudden heat was identical to the one he wielded himself.

The only difference was that its intensity far exceeded Gu Yangcheon’s, easily overpowering his flames.

The man responsible for suppressing both fighters fixed his gaze on Moyong Tae, whose sword was still drawn

Clad in a red outfit that billowed in the wind, his searing presence continued to expand outward.

“White Heavenly Sword.”

“…!”

In a deep, commanding voice, he called out to Moyong Tae.

Gu Yangcheon could see it clearly.

The man’s expression showed clear anger, something rarely seen from him.

Startled by the man’s sudden appearance, Moyong Tae froze as Gu Cheolun glared at him and spoke.

“What are you doing?”

The moment Gu Cheolun finished speaking, his black hair transformed into a fiery crimson red.