Childhood Friend of the Zenith - Chapter 235

Chapter 235: Battlefront (5)

When night fell upon the forest at the frontlines, a gentle breeze whispered through the trees.

Rustle-

As the moon revealed itself, casting its radiant light upon the land, Moyong Hi-ah walked through the forest, bathed in its ethereal glow.

Despite the warm weather, she still wore thick garments.

Her porcelain skin was still cold, but now she knew what warmth was, unlike just last year.

She could now even enjoy the cool night air.

Little by little, Moyong Hi-ah embraced the gentle breeze, her eyes closed, when suddenly...

“I heard you were looking for me.”

A voice spoke, drawing closer to Moyong Hi-ah.

To her surprise, it was Gu Jeolyub who approached her.

She opened her eyes, acknowledging his presence, and observed him.

Gu Jeolyub appeared somewhat exhausted, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his brow.

“You must've been training.”

“I was... just... stretching a bit.”

Gu Jeolyub averted his eyes, avoiding her gaze.

If Gu Jeolyub had to pick the most difficult individuals in this place, first would be the devil himself, followed by the First Lady of the house, then the Captain, and the third would be the Snow Phoenix standing right before him.

...Sigh.

Even right now, underneath the darkness that seeped through the moonlight, the Snow Phoenix's sky-blue eyes gleamed with an icy coldness, her mouth hidden behind her fan.

Does the Young Master realize?

That her eyes held a different gaze when she looked at others.

She assessed their worth, determining whether they would be of use to her, or would bring her harm.

One may question what right she had to judge another's worth, but her unique aura made her judgments seem natural.

Among all the members of the noble clans, Gu Jeolyub believed that the Snow Phoenix embodied nobility the most.

Though I don't get why a noble lady like her acts like that in front of the Young Master.

Oddly enough, the Snow Phoenix's enigmatic aura and piercing gaze that made it hard for others to approach her, all disappeared in front of the Young Master, as if they never existed.

I think it's only the Young Master that fails to realize that..

With a quiet sigh, Gu Jeolyub straightened his disheveled outfit, a result of his training.

“...May I ask why Lady Moyong was looking for me?”

“Ah, it's nothing major.”

Smile.

Moyong Hi-ah replied, staring at Gu Jeolyub with a faint smile.

That smile would've seemed alluring in the past, but by now, it just intimidated him.

“We have something to discuss, you know?”

The Snow Phoenix spoke, her tone surprisingly gentle—a rare occurrence.

Gu Jeolyub knew what her gentle tone meant—he was in trouble.

“Um... what do you mean by that...?”

“I saved you, didn't I?”

“...!”

Upon hearing the Snow Phoenix's words, Gu Jeolyub fell silent.

Unperturbed, the Snow Phoenix carried on.Neew updates at novel/bin(.)com

“About that martial artist from the Alliance you brought back, you left him there on purpose, didn't you? Knowing I would come.”

“Uh...about that...”

“The Sword of Heroic Flame seems to be more clever than I gave him credit for.”

He was caught.

He had resorted to such an option to avoid getting beat up, but it had been immediately detected by Moyong Hi-ah.

Did she help me while knowing that?

He was able to escape thanks to Moyong Hi-ah's help, so it was only fair to acknowledge her help.

Concealing his trembling gaze and the cold sweat on his forehead, Gu Jeolyub responded...

“I happened to have free time, and I just thought it would be delightful to see the Young Master.”

Flutter-

Waving her fan, Moyong Hi-ah approached Gu Jeolyub.

“But now that I think about it, what goes around should come around, don't you agree?”

“Huh? I'm not sure what you mean...”

“Oh, is that so? Then, shall I inform the Young Master about your actions?”

“I am willing to serve you with my life on the line!!”

“I've always liked that enthusiasm of yours, Sword of Heroic Flame.”

Catching another glimpse of her smile, Gu Jeolyub unintentionally gulped.

“...What is it that you wish for me to do?”

“Ah, it's nothing special. At first... I thought I didn't need such a thing, but what happened earlier changed my mind.”

“Huh?”

“...I knew he was a bit slow on the take, but spending time with him made me realize he's far worse than I imagined.”

Crack-!

Though Moyong Hi-ah's face remained concealed behind her fan, Gu Jeolyub definitely heard the sound of something shattering on the other side.

Naturally, he pretended not to notice.

Moyong Hi-ah swiftly changed her expression and addressed Gu Jeolyub with the same alluring smile as before.

“I want the Sword of Heroic Flame to help me. It's nothing too difficult, something that even you can accomplish.”

“...Um, what if I were to... perhaps... refuse your request...?”

“Oh? Are you curious?”

Casually asking out of curiosity, Gu Jeolyub felt the air get colder.

The chill was so bone-deep that even Gu Jeolyub, though possessing less internal heat than Gu Yangcheon, still had a substantial amount of heat, could sense it.

“I pray for your sake, that you aren't that curious.”

Seeing Moyong Hi-ah speak with her face full of a smile, Gu Jeolyub nodded.

...I gotta change the order.

He was certain that she was far more dangerous than the devil.

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

The year I spent on the frontlines was far from pleasant.

For martial artists of Orthodox Sects like myself, the frontlines were in some ways one of the most undesirable places to visit.

Yet, the Gu Clan's Fifth Swordsmen Army stayed active close to the central area. As a result, the year I spent here was anything but peaceful.

Rustle-

As night fell, I moved through the forest with light steps.

If he knew that, then maybe he would sweat less in front of me.

Really, that guy didn't know how to be grateful.

Tsk tsk...

I had kindly boosted his realm, kept him company in case he was lonely, and even handled his problems for him.

So why does he always tremble in fear whenever he sees me?

Back in my days, you wouldn't dare treat your savior like that...

Come to think of it, I'm kinda pissed.

I should make him suffer a bit more.

Around twice as much when I go back.

“Ahh, Sis is so touched! For my little brother to come all the way out here, this late at night, just to see her.”

“I just happened to be on duty.”

“You're just embarrassed to admit it, aren't you?”

“...Sister, did you suffer a head injury or something?”

She seemed fine from the outside, but her unusual behavior made me concerned that she was severely injured in the head.

“I'll say it again... I just happened to be on—”

Step-

I involuntarily shut my mouth in the middle of my response.

For a moment, It felt like even the wind held its breath at the sound of her footsteps.

The group then shifted, as if opening a path for her to walk through with ease.

Sss...

The breeze returned once again.

Moonlight poured down, enveloping the girl walking towards me in its radiant glow. Her bluish-white hair shimmered delicately in the moon's embrace.

How beautiful.

It was as if the very essence of beauty had taken human form.

“...”

I stood there, unable to tear my gaze away from her.

My eyes traced her from head to toe, taking in every little detail.

Her hair, untouched despite the battle she had just come from, seemed to shine even brighter. Her attire, which she wore out of comfort, remained pristine.

It even made me think that she had never entered combat, but the crackling Lightning Qi I could sense from her told me that she had fought with all her might.

That makes sense.

Only then could so many return without a single injury.

The girl approached with an expressionless face, her rich blue eyes seemingly containing the ocean. I found myself speaking...

“Did you eat?”

The roughness of my words contradicted my emotions.

Even I found my own words lacking.

After hearing my question, the girl came a step closer.

Our gazes, once level, now had me looking down on her.

Slowly, she opened her mouth to respond.

“...I didn't eat”

Her reply was brief and slow.

“I told you to eat if you are going to be out and about.”

“Sorry...”

“Make sure to eat when you return, I left some for you.”

“Okay...”

She took another step forward.

Her steps were so light that it seemed as if she might just float away.

Along with it came an unfamiliar scent of flowers.

How could this be?

The flowers I thought had already bloomed to their fullest, now blossomed even more beautifully, to the point where I couldn't dare to pluck them anymore.

The girl drew close, close enough for me to reach out and touch her.

She lowered her head ever so slightly, her hair gently swaying, revealing the top of her head.

“...”

Her movement might seem random, but I knew why she was positioned that way.

It was a habit that she had developed in the past few months.

Despite being bothered by all the prying gazes from those behind her, I raised my hand up and tenderly stroked her head.

Her hair still felt as soft as ever.

“Good work.”

“...Yeah.”

After offering her a brief compliment and feeling a sense of awkwardness, I lifted my hand away. The girl before me, Namgung Bi-ah, lifted her head.

“...Hm.”

I had to hide my reaction when our eyes met because Namgung Bi-ah was smiling.

“I told you not to smile like that.”

“Hmm...?”

“I told you not to smile in public. That's a weapon.”

Namgung Bi-ah's beauty was indeed a weapon, an extremely strong one at that.

Hearing my words, she responded with a hint of frustration.

“...I didn't smile in public...”

“Then what about now?”

“...It's because I'm only in front of you...”

“...”

I shouldn't have asked her.

I felt my ears heating up, so I turned my head away, looking back at the path I came from.

“...Let's head back.”

It felt awkward to stand still like this.

As I scratched the back of my head, a tingling sensation ran through me.

-What a fucking show you two are putting on.

“...”

I heard someone mutter from behind.

It was undoubtedly Gu Huibi's voice.

I heard every word clearly, but I chose to pretend I hadn't. I started to move, taking steps /genesisforsaken