Night had fallen. The warriors of the Tang Clan and the Paega family began their patrols and night watches.

Sensing that the time had come, I rose to my feet.

“…”

As soon as I stood, I felt an unfamiliar presence beside me. What is this?

Upon realizing who it was, I let out a small sigh. At this time, there was only one person who would take a spot next to me.

‘When did she get here?’

As expected, it was Namgung Bi-ah.

In this cramped sleeping space, having someone as tall as her squeeze in made it feel even more suffocating.

On top of that…

‘How did I not notice?’

The real issue was that I hadn't even woken up when she crawled in next to me. Sure, I had grown accustomed to her presence, but this was dangerous.

Namgung Bi-ah wasn’t the type to leave much of a trace, but not noticing her approach in my sleep? What if someone had come with a blade aimed at my throat?

‘Though she wouldn’t do that to me.’

I was growing careless. Whether it was because Namgung Bi-ah's skill had increased or because my own edge was dulling, I couldn’t be sure.

In any case, I needed to be more cautious.

With that thought, I carefully got up.

“…”

Not wanting to wake Namgung Bi-ah, I cautiously stood and lightly stroked her hair.

Despite not seeming to take much care of it, her hair still felt as smooth as silk.

Doing this made me feel like a bit of a creep.

Realizing this, I quickly let go and stepped outside the carriage. Outside, the White Lotus Sword was already waiting for me.

She must have glanced inside the carriage as I exited, because she gave me a sly grin.

“You’re really enjoying yourself, huh?”

It seemed she had seen Namgung Bi-ah lying inside. What am I going to do with this woman's shamelessness?

“…It’s not like that.”

“Oh, I know, I know. You don’t need to explain.”

“You clearly don’t know anything. What are you even talking about?”

“When you’re young, that’s just how it is! Why ask so many questions? I’ll just pretend I didn’t see anything, alright?”

…Please.

I had a lot to say, but for now, I chose to ignore the White Lotus Sword’s antics. There were more important matters at hand.

I glanced in the direction where I felt his presence, my thoughts filled with anxiety.

‘Can I pull this off in one night?’

If everything went as planned, it should be possible.

I also hoped it would, but one could never be certain.

Fwoosh—

As I wrapped heat around my body, I sensed the faint qi from the White Lotus Sword.

Even though she had a quirky personality, she was still a high-level martial artist, sharp enough to understand the situation.

She didn’t ask where I was going or what I was doing.

At the same time, the faint killing intent and the way she had just finished tending to her sword showed that she knew what I expected from her.

‘As expected.’

She wasn’t someone to be underestimated. After confirming this, I immediately increased my speed and leapt forward.

My destination was the place where the Green Forest bandits were gathered at Gui Moon Mountain.

 

Dokgun (Poison Lord) Tang Bisung.

He was the former head of the Tang Clan and the grandfather of the current Poison King.

People in the martial world believed that if he had lived longer, he would have joined the ranks of the "Three Supremes" and made it the "Four Supremes" by becoming the Poison Supreme.

He was a master of poison arts, said to be nearly immune to all poisons, and was highly respected within the Tang Clan for having elevated its status after a period of decline.

But in reality, he wasn’t as virtuous as he seemed.

At least not in the eyes of Tang Deok.

“A failure.”

Tang Deok remembered the cold gaze with which Tang Bisung had looked down at him.

Behind him, the cold stone floor was piled with the bodies of children, all around the age of nine or ten.

Each of those children had been granted the Tang surname by Tang Bisung himself.

“Master, but this child has the bone structure you desired…”

A man had hurriedly spoken to Tang Bisung, but the elder’s gaze hadn’t wavered.

“Even if his body is perfect, if he cannot learn poison arts, he’s useless. Dispose of him.”

At that command, Tang Deok had screamed.

He had begged for his life, crying out in desperation.

But even in the face of his pleas, Tang Bisung hadn’t stopped walking.

Only after the sound of Tang Bisung’s footsteps faded completely did the men who had been silent up until then move toward Tang Deok.

It was only when their hands covered his vision that Tang Deok awoke from his long nightmare.

His eyes snapped open, the black pupils reflecting the moon above. Only then did Tang Deok realize he had been dreaming.

“…Hah.”

With a heavy sigh, Tang Deok lifted his massive body.

It had been a shitty dream.

No matter how much he tried to forget, that memory remained vivid.

‘Is it coming back now because the time has come?’

The closer he got to his goal, the clearer the memories he wanted to forget became.

It was only natural. Tang Deok knew he was still living for that very reason—because he hadn’t been able to forget.

Creak.

Tang Deok stretched his muscles as he moved through the brush. After walking a short distance, he reached a place where his men were gathered.

The moment Tang Deok appeared, the men who had been resting immediately stood at attention.

“Chief.”

“The situation?”

“They’ve set up camp for the night, looks like they’re planning to stay put.”

Tang Deok's gaze drifted into the distance. The thick underbrush prevented him from seeing far, but he knew the Tang Clan’s forces were nearby.

The bloodline of that old man he wanted to tear apart with his own hands.

If Tang Deok had one lifelong grudge…

‘It’s that I didn’t get to kill that old bastard myself.’

Dokgun Tang Bisung. That damned man had gone and died of old age before Tang Deok could kill him.

As the thought crossed his mind, Tang Deok’s fists clenched automatically.

That bastard had caused so much misery, yet in the end, he just wasted away and died.

The rising anger and bloodlust that radiated from Tang Deok made the bandits around him tremble.

The energy he exuded was rough and terrifying.

Tang Deok glared at his men, his voice filled with cold malice.

“Our target is when they cross the river. Until then, we wait.”

“With the current pace, it’ll take at least seven days and nights to reach the river, sir.”

Before the man could even finish, Tang Deok’s hand shot out and grabbed him by the head.

“Urgh…”

His massive hand was more than enough to engulf the man’s skull.

“You want to go and die a meaningless death right now?”

“…N-no, sir…”

“Even if we’re in a hurry, we still have to be smart. Understand?”

“Yes…yes, sir…”

Only after receiving the man’s reply did Tang Deok release his grip.

Tang Deok wanted nothing more than to charge in and kill them all right now, but even he knew that attacking when both the Poison King and the Paega family’s leader were present would be foolish.

That’s why they were waiting for the crossing.

With the Tang Clan transporting prisoners on a confined boat, the odds would shift in their favor.

It was an ideal situation.

It had been twenty years since the Tang Clan had last taken charge of a transport mission like this. To Tang Deok, this was a miracle of timing.

That’s why he was willing to be patient.

He had waited so long for this moment. What was another seven days?

If he could bring about the downfall of the Tang Clan by waiting, then he would wait as long as necessary.

Tang Deok suppressed his bloodlust and steadied his breathing. He couldn’t afford to act rashly and ruin everything.

“When the scouts return, report immediately. Especially if you find out anything about So-yeomra.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tang Deok ground his teeth as he spoke that name.

So-yeomra was still a mystery to him.

He had no idea how the brat had managed to locate the scouts he’d sent, but the fact that So-yeomra knew of his presence was even more puzzling.

‘How did he know?’

How had So-yeomra known and even gone so far as to provoke him?

Did the Poison King know as well?

Tang Deok considered changing his plans slightly, just in case.

The important thing was that So-yeomra knew something about him, including the word he had used to mock him.

[Failure.]

That was what So-yeomra had told him to relay.

That alone told him…

‘…Could he possibly know?’

Did So-yeomra know not only his name but also his true identity?

‘That can’t be.’

Everyone who had been involved in that incident was dead. His brothers, everyone who had taken part, had all died.

Except for the bloodline of the Tang Clan.

‘But how could he know?’

The word had struck a nerve, enough to make Tang Deok uneasy.

Could it really be a coincidence?

Tang Deok tightened his grip on his spear, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling.

‘If I catch him, I’ll have to ask him before I kill him.’

‘If I catch him, I’ll have to ask him before I kill him.’

He had already decided to capture So-yeomra. Once he did, he would interrogate him thoroughly. As Tang Deok reaffirmed this resolve and continued walking through the forest, he suddenly stopped.

“…!”

He halted his steps and narrowed his eyes, sensing something.

Though the tall trees blocked his view, Tang Deok could feel it—a presence, something far ahead. Without hesitation, he swung his spear toward the direction of the unknown presence.

Whoosh—!

Crack—! The immense force of the spear shattered the trees in front of him, sending a gust of wind that leveled everything in its path.

But the powerful energy didn’t travel far.

Boom—! Whoosh—!

At a certain point, the force exploded and dissipated. Tang Deok immediately realized what had happened.

Someone had blocked his attack.

And then he sensed it—a thick, intense heat radiating from beyond.

It was deep and scorching.

Tang Deok leapt toward the source of the heat. As he drew closer, it became unmistakable. Through the darkness, a single, vivid crimson flame was burning brightly.

The heat told him all he needed to know.

That flame was calling to him, signaling its location, inviting him closer.

‘Calling for me?’

Tang Deok grinned widely as he picked up speed, the fragments of burning embers brushing past his face.

In an instant, Tang Deok arrived at the center of the flames.

Boom—!

As his massive frame crashed into the ground, the impact created a loud explosion and a gust of wind, scattering the dust and dirt around him.

Whoosh—!

With a single sweep of his spear, the dust cleared. His vision restored, Tang Deok looked ahead and let out a dry laugh.

“…How ridiculous.”

It was absurd.

Tang Deok expanded his senses, but no matter how hard he tried, the only presence he could feel was the figure in front of him.

As he realized this, Tang Deok spoke.

“Are you alone?”

The young man answered.

“As you can see.”

“…Hah, all by yourself? No reinforcements?”

“What would I need those for? If you’re worried, let me assure you—the Poison King isn’t coming.”

Tang Deok found it hard to believe, but before he could dwell on it, another question arose.

“What kind of confidence is this?”

Tang Deok’s savage grin widened as he observed the figure.

Though the young man was small in stature, his presence was unmistakable.

Standing with flames wrapped around his body, hands clasped behind his back, he simply stared at Tang Deok without reacting.

Tang Deok continued speaking.

“Hiding in the shadows, trying not to be noticed would’ve been the smart move. Yet here you are, exposing yourself out of sheer arrogance?”

At this, the young man finally tilted his head slightly and asked.

“Hide? Why would I?”

“You should’ve hidden. Because now that I’ve found you, I’m going to tear you apart…!”

There was no way Tang Deok didn’t recognize this young man. How could he not know the brat who had provoked him?

A young master of flame techniques.

Just remembering those unique traits made it easy for Tang Deok to know who this was.

“Nice to see you again, So-yeomra.”

Hah.

What was so funny?

At Tang Deok’s words, the young man—So-yeomra—suddenly burst into laughter.

Seeing this, Tang Deok’s brow furrowed deeply.

“What’s so funny? Have you gone mad from the fear of death?”

“Ah, sorry. It’s been a while since we’ve met, and it just struck me as funny.”

“What?”

“You’ve been an idiot since the old days.”

At So-yeomra’s mocking words, a vicious aura erupted from Tang Deok.

“…You dare…? It seems the world has inflated your ego. Do you even know who you’re talking to…?”

“Who? Just a failed experiment.”

That was the final straw.

Tang Deok’s reason snapped in an instant.

It was clear now. So-yeomra knew something. And confirming that made Tang Deok feel a strange sense of relief.

“Fine, then. I will personally kill you right here.”

Tang Deok gripped his spear, ready to unleash his qi when—

Grumble.

“…!”

Suddenly, a strange pain surged through Tang Deok’s stomach, forcing him to clutch his abdomen.

As he started to panic at the unfamiliar sensation, he heard a voice from in front of him.

“I’m glad you like the gift I sent.”

The voice was laced with amusement.

Step, step.

So-yeomra walked closer, his eyes meeting Tang Deok’s as he said calmly.

“Let’s have a little chat first.”

Tang Deok’s eyes widened as he realized something unsettling.

So-yeomra’s pupils were glowing a deep shade of violet.

_____________________

TL Notes:

 

So-yeomra (소염라), which translates to "Little Yama" (Yama being the ruler of the underworld in East Asian mythology), is the nickname of Gu Yangcheon (구양천), the male protagonist of Childhood Friend of the Zenith.

Gu Yangcheon is a fierce martial artist with extraordinary abilities, notably Demonification (Ma-inhwa, 마인화), which allows him to harness demonic energy. His journey in the story is marked by brutal training, particularly with Amwang (the Shadow King), and a complex past filled with political intrigue, vengeance, and personal growth. His powerful and destructive fighting style, combined with his strategic mind, earns him the formidable reputation encapsulated in the name So-yeomra.

This title reflects both his fearsome strength and the darker aspects of his character, as he is deeply tied to the themes of death and vengeance throughout his journey.