Childhood Friend of the Zenith-Chapter 645: Cold Air (1)

TL Notes: 

In this translation, all references to Huashan have been rendered as Mount Hua for clarity and to maintain consistency with traditional English translations of wuxia and xianxia literature.

Mount Hua is one of the Five Great Mountains and a significant cultural and martial arts symbol.

__________________________________________________

It felt like my mind had completely frozen.

I didn’t even know where to start thinking.

It was like that.

‘What is this man even saying?’

I tried to make sense of it, but it was no use. It was just too absurd.

“You’re saying I’m the reincarnation of the Mount Hua Divine Sword?”

I, the reincarnation of Shin Noya? Or rather, the body meant to house his remnant will?

Hearing that, I thought to myself:

‘What kind of utter nonsense is this?’

It was an outrageous claim.

How could events possibly unfold in a way to lead to that conclusion?

With a thoroughly bewildered expression, I spoke to Namgung Myung.

“That’s impossible.”

“Why?”

Why? His question made me scoff.

“I am not a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.”

I could list dozens of reasons why it couldn’t be true, but this was the simplest one.

From my attire to my mastery of martial arts techniques like fist fighting, there was nothing to suggest I was a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.

‘All I have is the energy I absorbed from Noya and the honorary disciple plaque they gave me.’

The energy from the artifact and the plaque they handed me while calling me an honorary disciple.

And yet, they were saying I was Shin Noya’s reincarnation?

‘It would make more sense if they said Yeongpoong was Noya’s reincarnation.’

That made much more sense.

If Yeongpoong were declared Noya’s reincarnation, it would’ve been far easier to believe.

‘There are too many things that align.’

Yeongpoong was also a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.

His martial arts and internal energy techniques were the same, and he was hailed as Mount Hua’s greatest prodigy, brimming with talent.

If Shin Noya’s body had been reincarnated, it made much more sense for it to be Yeongpoong rather than me.

‘Even if not Yeongpoong, there would be plenty of others more fitting than me.’

That had to be the case.

“So, why does that matter?”

Namgung Myung’s response made it clear that my words meant nothing to him. His indifference furrowed my brows.

“Excuse me?”

“I could tell the moment I saw you that you weren’t a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. I’m not blind.”

“Then why are you so certain that it’s me?”

“Because that doesn’t matter.”

“It doesn’t matter?”

“Let me ask you instead. Why would his reincarnation need to be a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Shin Noya spent his entire life as a member of the Mount Hua Sect.

If he were to reincarnate, it would make sense for him to be reborn within the sect. If he were reborn into a family or sect that practiced martial arts techniques he’d never used—like fist arts or spearmanship—it would only be inconvenient.

‘Noya wielded a sword.’

Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.

I wasn’t saying it had to be that way, but wasn’t it far more fitting?

“Hm.”

Namgung Myung nodded slightly at my words.

“That makes sense.”

His quick acknowledgment caught me off guard. I had expected a lengthy debate, but his easy agreement felt anticlimactic.

“But even that doesn’t serve as a reason.”

Namgung Myung’s gaze swept over me as though scanning me.

“Martial arts and origins don’t define whether someone is his reincarnation.”

I focused on his words. His characteristic decisiveness demanded my attention.

“The reason he came to be known as the Mount Hua Divine Sword was simply that he was born and raised in Mount Hua and happened to wield a sword.”

Though his expression revealed some dissatisfaction, his words carried undeniable truth.

It was a subtle difference.

But that subtle difference made it even more compelling.

“Shin Cheol, do you know what else he was called aside from the Mount Hua Divine Sword?”

“...I don’t.”

Another title?

I truly didn’t know. Historically, I had never heard of anything else associated with him. Could there have been another name?

If there was, it might have been something like “Mount Hua’s Mad Dog” or “Mount Hua’s Lunatic.” Something along those lines.

Considering that the Thunder Blade of Zhongyuan was once known as the Thunder God, it seemed plausible.

“The Supreme Sword of Zhongyuan.”

“...!”

“That was another of his titles.”

Hearing that name from Namgung Myung felt like a heavy weight pressing down on me.

Of course, it would.

The word “supreme” carried weight on its own, but hearing Namgung Myung, of all people, say it made it even more significant.

Among those of his era, Namgung Myung would undoubtedly have been a top contender for the title of Supreme Sword of Zhongyuan—perhaps even the closest to achieving it.

And yet, without hesitation, Namgung Myung referred to Shin Noya as the Supreme Sword.

That stark acknowledgment sent an unsettling shiver through my chest.

As I stood there, speechless, Namgung Myung continued as if this wasn’t the end.

“If he had picked up a spear in an unknown martial clan, he would’ve been called the Supreme Spear of Zhongyuan.”

With each word, my eyes widened further.

The more he spoke, the clearer it became what Namgung Myung was trying to convey.

“If he had wielded a bow, he would’ve been praised as a divine archer. If he had walked the path of an assassin, no one would’ve known his face or name.”

No matter what he learned or wielded, he would have reached the pinnacle.

It was near reverential praise.

“Perhaps fist techniques would’ve been too much, given Yeon Ilcheon’s existence. But regardless, that’s the kind of person he was.”

His mention of fist techniques being an exception was likely due to Yeon Ilcheon.

Even setting that aside, the weight of his words made me think.

A man who could have reached the peak no matter what he pursued.

When I thought of the Shin Noya I knew, it didn’t align perfectly. But putting that aside—

‘That has nothing to do with me.’

Compared to me, such descriptions felt utterly alien.

The pinnacle. Supreme in Zhongyuan.

Those were terms I had never associated with myself.

Hearing that Shin Noya lived for the world and wielded his sword for that purpose only made my thoughts clearer.

‘I could never do that.’

The idea of living for the world...

Not for myself, not for someone I cared about, but for the world?

‘What kind of madness is that? Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t.’

I couldn’t, and I didn’t want to.

That was the kind of person I was.

So I desperately hoped it wasn’t true.

While I could accept continuing Noya’s work and living as his successor, I couldn’t share his mindset or follow his path.

I knew that about myself all too well.

In some ways, Noya and I were similar. In others, we were entirely different and incompatible.

Which is why—

‘I can’t be Noya’s reincarnation.’

Namgung Myung must have been mistaken. He had to be.

“Why are you so certain it’s me? From what you’ve said, he was an incredible person. I’m nothing like him.”

“Successor, how old are you?”

“Twenty.”

If I included my previous life, the number would be much higher, but there was no need to delve into that.

“I see. At your age, neither Shin Cheol nor I had reached this level. Judging by your current accomplishments, you don’t seem lacking at all.”

“...”

His words made me frown.

“No, it’s...”

If not for my regression and the countless opportunities I had seized, I never would have reached this level. My talent was far below theirs.

I couldn’t explain that to him, which only made the situation more frustrating.

To him, reaching this level of cultivation at my age might make me seem like an unprecedented prodigy. But this wasn’t something I achieved through talent alone.

That’s why his words didn’t resonate with me.

Noticing my discomfort, Namgung Myung spoke with a curious expression.

“Successor, it seems like you’re not trying to uncover the truth but rather hoping it’s not you.”

“...”

I couldn’t deny it.

“Why is that?”

“Do I need to explain?”

For a moment, my composure faltered, and my tone grew sharper.

“It doesn’t matter. Whatever reaction you have, it won’t change the truth.”

Namgung Myung’s calm response left me unsure whether to feel relieved or annoyed.

“Successor.”

When he called for me, I looked at him.

“You asked why I’m so certain it’s you.”

“...Yes.”

The idea that I was Shin Noya’s reincarnation was something none of the remnants I had encountered ever claimed.

How could he be so sure?

In response, Namgung Myung pointed at a part of my body.

I followed his gaze. It was my arm.

“That artifact bound to your left arm.”

It was Guijeong, Shin Noya’s cherished sword, now devoid of its original color and glowing faintly blue.

“That is the proof.”

“...!”

Hearing his words, my eyes widened.

“What do you mean by that?”

That was proof?

‘How could that possibly be proof?’

Guijeong was something I had acquired from the storerooms of the Divine Dragon Pavilion.

It was an item that Noya had found for me, one that had clung to my arm and refused to come off. For a long time, I didn’t even know what it was.

Eventually, I learned it was Noya’s cherished sword, Guijeong, and figured out how to use it. It proved useful, but how could it possibly be evidence?

“How is Guijeong proof of anything?”

“Guijeong follows you. What further proof do you need?”

Ah, was it because I had been using Guijeong? If so, there was room for an explanation.

“In the past, I also used your cherished sword.”

“My cherished sword?”

“Yes, Noe-a.”

“...”

I had once used Noe-a, the sword wielded by Namgung Myung, the Thunder Blade of Zhongyuan, during my time in Sichuan.

Noe-a was said to be a sword that only accepted someone of Namgung family blood, yet for some reason, I had been able to wield it.

Even the remnant of Namgung Myung within Noe-a had shouted in confusion, wondering how this could be. It was likely due to some peculiarity in my constitution.

So perhaps Guijeong was simply another artifact I could use.

“It’s different.”

Namgung Myung once again firmly denied my assumption.

“Different?”

“Forcing something to obey and having it follow you willingly are two entirely different matters.”

“What do you mean...?”

“Do you truly believe Noe-a followed you?”

I paused to think about the situation. Did Noe-a really follow me?

‘...Hmm.’

I had used Noe-a, but the backlash I experienced afterward had been intense.

I had forced it into submission, so calling it “following” was questionable.

“I’m not sure if it followed me, but it’s true that I used Noe-a.”

“Of course. All artifacts would bow their heads before you.”

“What?”

“You are a dragon, are you not?”

“...!”

The calmness with which he said it hit me like a dagger.

The moment I heard it, I failed to keep my expression neutral.

‘He knew?’

I hadn’t particularly tried to hide it, but I also hadn’t revealed it openly. Since Namgung Myung hadn’t mentioned it until now, I thought he might not know.

But it seemed he had known all along.

“Are you saying my being a dragon is connected to my ability to use Noe-a?”

I didn’t bother denying that I was a dragon. It felt like a waste of time.

“Of course. After all, artifacts come from dragons.”

“Pardon?”

I froze at Namgung Myung’s words.

I had heard before that artifacts were items created from high-ranked beasts.

And those beasts had come to be called dragons.

But to think this was connected to my situation?

“Dragons are the masters of artifacts. Even if an artifact accepts a human as its master, it will inevitably be drawn to a dragon.”

“In other words...”

Because I was a dragon, I had been able to use Noe-a.

Furthermore, it meant I could wield any artifact if I wished.

“So, could my ability to use Guijeong be the same?”

Just as I had used Noe-a, wasn’t it possible that I could use Guijeong under similar circumstances?

“As I said, there is a difference between being followed and being forced. Guijeong follows you.”

I wasn’t entirely sure what the difference was, but I thought I had a vague understanding of the latter.

Guijeong follows me.

Unlike the intense backlash I experienced after using Noe-a, there was nothing like that with Guijeong.

I could use it whenever I wanted.

Even after using it, there were no repercussions.

I had thought this was simply because I carried a small fragment of Noya’s energy and his will.

‘But was that not the case...?’

As I reflected on this, memories from the past surfaced.

That day in Wudang when I first saw Guijeong, and it flew directly toward me.

‘...’

There was too much evidence to deny it.

And the reality of the situation was closing in on me.

“Senior...”

“Enough.”

I was about to ask more questions, but Namgung Myung raised his hand, stopping me.

“I only came to confirm the situation and ask a favor. I didn’t intend to have a long conversation.”

“But—”

“Besides, there is no time.”

Crack!

As soon as Namgung Myung spoke, a sound echoed through the space.

My gaze shifted.

Cracks appeared in the air around us.

It was a familiar sight. It was the sign of a conversation coming to a forced end.

Seeing this, I gritted my teeth.

‘Damn it, I still have so many questions.’

Though I had learned a lot, my curiosity had only grown.

If Noya’s reincarnation had been successful, and I had inherited his body, where had his will gone?

And what had Namgung Myung intended to accomplish here?

I hadn’t even gotten an explanation for why he had gone to the North Sea. Was this really how it was going to end?

Feeling desperate, my gaze darted around.

“I will arrange for another conversation soon. But next time, I hope Shin Cheol will be with us.”

“When you say next time... does that mean you’re not disappearing for good?”

It was a small relief to hear that.

“I can’t promise much time, but this too is part of my role.”

Tap.

Namgung Myung reached out and tapped my forehead with his finger.

I didn’t avoid it. No, I couldn’t.

The motion was so natural that I didn’t even think to react.

In that moment—

Zzzzt!

A faint current coursed through my body.

It felt as though lightning energy was seeping into me.

“What... is this?”

“The order has been corrected. Now, find Shinkang.”

“Pardon?”

“Even if it wasn’t part of our plan, if Shin Cheol chose you, then that too is fate. It doesn’t matter what you are. So, head there next.”

“...!”

His abrupt words carried a lot of weight.

“And.”

As he spoke, Namgung Myung gestured toward a specific direction.

It was where the Black Lion and the palace lord stood.

“If possible, save the Ice Palace heir.”

“The palace lord...?”

It was an unexpected ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) request.

To suddenly ask me to save the palace lord in this situation?

I looked at Namgung Myung with confusion, and he added:

“I owe them a personal favor. They’ve given me much, so I hope you’ll do this much in return.”

“Heh.”

I let out a dry laugh at his words.

So that was what this whole conversation had been leading to.

Why did Namgung Myung care about saving the palace lord?

I was curious, but I couldn’t ask.

“If you want to move forward, I trust you’ll handle this. Think of it as a stepping stone.”

If I wanted more answers, I had to comply. His words were framed as a request, but they felt closer to a demand.

As I stared at him in disbelief—

Crack! Crack!

The cracked background began to collapse.

It was the signal that the end had arrived.

As the fragments fell and the vibrations in the air grew louder, Namgung Myung looked at me.

“Oh, and successor.”

I didn’t have time to respond.

“Beware of Yeon Ilcheon.”

“What...?”

I tried to urgently ask about his cryptic warning—

Boom!

But the surging vibrations silenced me.

The turbulence forced my eyes shut.

And when I opened them again—

“Vioe-gun—!!”

Everything had already returned to its original state.