Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Thud.

The torn flesh mask dropped to the floor.

I glanced at it briefly before turning my eyes to the man standing in front of me.

The alluring woman from just moments ago had vanished, replaced by a strikingly handsome man.

His silver hair, faintly glowing under the light, gave him an almost otherworldly presence.

I couldn't help but marvel at the transformation.

'No matter how many times I see it, it's still incredible.'

How was something like this even possible?

Everything had changed in an instant.

Disguises were supposed to be superficial, limited to layering materials over the body.

There were always telltale signs—a misalignment here, an unnatural curve there.

Especially when a man disguised himself as a woman.

Physical differences often made it impossible to pull off convincingly, at least not without glaring flaws.

'But this... this is flawless.'

The Shadow King had bypassed every limitation.

Slender limbs, softened curves, and even a full chest—all so natural that no one would have questioned it.

How?

'At first, I thought he was using some kind of Qi transformation technique.'

But that didn't seem to be the case.

If I had to guess—

'It's the black outfit.'

The tight-fitting martial attire clung to his body, accentuating and reshaping his form.

It felt almost like the clothes themselves had forced his body to adapt.

'But wouldn't that restrict movement?'

If the suit exerted enough pressure to alter the body's shape, it should have hindered flexibility.

Yet, the Shadow King moved as freely as ever.

Not only that—he moved with feminine grace.

It was no wonder no one had suspected a thing.

'That stiff bastard actually went this far.'

I still remembered my shock the first time I saw him act like a woman.

This was the Shadow King—a man so emotionless he seemed almost mechanical.

And yet, he had been prancing around, batting his eyelashes and giggling like a courtesan.

'He even changed his voice.'

I didn't know how he had done it, but the delicate, lilting tone he'd used as Yeon Hong had been flawless.

He hadn't just disguised himself—he'd become her.

It was then that I understood something.

'So this is why no one's ever uncovered his identity.'

I had assumed he killed every witness to keep his secret, but now I saw the truth.

His disguises were simply that good.

'He even disguised a missing arm... and adjusted his height.' Chapter provided via M|V|L@EMPYR.

I remembered him losing an arm not long ago.

Yet here he stood, whole and intact, as if nothing had ever happened.

Not only that, but he'd somehow changed his height as well.

The Shadow King wasn't short—not by any means.

Yet as Yeon Hong, he had appeared tall and elegant without it seeming out of place.

'How did he manage that?'

Height was one thing you couldn't fake.

It should have been the biggest giveaway, but no one had noticed.

'Is he using Qi?'

Maybe he was suppressing his presence, manipulating perception through Qi.

If that was the case, how was he applying it so subtly?

It was fascinating.

Not that I needed such techniques myself, but seeing something so novel piqued my curiosity.

"You never fail to impress."

I offered genuine praise, to which the Shadow King responded without hesitation.

"I can teach you if you're interested."

His tone was as casual as if he'd offered me tea.

"...No, that won't be necessary."

I shook my head.

As impressive as it was, I didn't have the time to add disguise techniques to my already overwhelming list of skills to master.

'I've got enough on my plate as it is.'

I was curious, sure, but curiosity alone wasn't enough to warrant the effort.

"I'll ask if I change my mind."

"Understood."

"By the way, Shadow King."

"Yes?"

"...Was there any particular reason it had to be a woman?"

The disguise was impressive, but why go through all that trouble to create Yeon Hong?

Wouldn't it have been simpler to just disguise himself as another man?

"This form is more convenient."

His reply was as emotionless as ever.

"The gender ratio makes it easier to manage people this way."

"...Hmm."

Manage, huh?

Was he referring to the way he'd lured all those men into competing for Yeon Hong's attention?

If so, he wasn't wrong.

'They were practically eating out of his hand.'

The men would scramble to do his bidding, desperate for even a sliver of his affection.

In that sense, it was an effective management strategy.

'Still... I can't help but feel bad for them.'

Throwing themselves at a woman, only to discover later that she was a man in disguise?

The fallout wouldn't be pretty.

Not that it mattered.

'It's the Shadow King. He won't slip up.'

If anyone could maintain the illusion, it was him.

"Fine. As long as you get the job done, it doesn't matter how you do it."

I decided to drop the subject and get to the main point.

"I just came back from meeting with the Celestial Stream Sect Leader. Do you know anything about him?"

"Yes."

The Shadow King answered immediately.

I had suspected as much, given his extensive intelligence network.

"Anything specific I should keep an eye on?"

He paused briefly before replying.

"I doubt I know anything you don't already."

"Hmm."

In other words, I'd have to investigate further myself.

"I can look into it if you'd like."

"No, that won't be necessary. I already have another lead for that."

The Shadow King simply nodded.

"Instead, I need you to investigate something else."

"Name it."

"I've heard the Celestial Stream Sect Leader is working with another faction on something. I need you to find out who they are."

"Understood."

"...Uh, that's it?"

His immediate agreement caught me off guard.

There wasn't even a hint of hesitation.

"Any deadlines?"

"...The sooner, the better. Ideally within three days—before the Azure Dragon Leader arrives."

"Noted. I'll get started immediately."

"...Thanks."

I was about to offer a polite bow, but—

"...Huh?"

He was already gone.

Even the mask and clothes he had discarded were nowhere to be seen.

"Still as fast as ever."

My heightened sense of Qi allowed me to barely detect his presence, yet the Shadow King's speed remained as relentless as ever.

'Too bad. If I could fully track his movements, I'd practically be untouchable.'

I thought about it for a moment.

'If I can keep up with the Shadow King's speed... would that mean I've reached the level of the Three Sovereigns?'

Probably.

How long would it take? No—

'No more than three years. I'll finish this in three years, no matter what.'

It wasn't a matter of wondering how long—it was a matter of setting a deadline and making it happen.

Breaking through to the Sovereign level within three years.

The determination burned within me, and before I knew it, a faint laugh escaped my lips.

'If anyone else heard that, they'd call me insane.'

If it were that easy, anyone and everyone would have done it already.

How could anyone possibly climb to the realm of the Sovereigns in just three years?

It was a ridiculous goal no matter how I thought about it.

But—

'Didn't one of those so-called "great" Sovereigns already say it?'

Even if something seems impossible—

"Make it possible. No matter what."

I recalled the mad words of Paejon, who repeated that mantra like a habit.

"Let's move on to the next task."

There was still plenty to be done.

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

It was well past nightfall—time for most to be asleep—though the guards would still be keeping watch around the base.

At that late hour, someone knocked on my door.

It was Tang So-yeol, fresh from training.

"I greet the Leader."

Her hair was slightly damp, as if she had quickly washed up after practice.

I glanced at her briefly before clearing my throat.

"Sorry for calling you so late."

"No need to apologize. I should be here regardless."

"...I told you, you don't need to speak so formally when it's just the two of us."

"Ah."

Hearing my words, Tang So-yeol's stiff demeanor cracked.

She quickly switched to her usual cheerful grin.

"Sorry! It's a habit... hehe."

"How's the deputy leader role treating you?"

At my question, she hesitated for a moment before answering.

"It's a bit hard since there's still so much I don't know, but I'm doing fine!"

"You know, if it's too much, I can find someone else to take over."

There was no shortage of candidates.

Wi Seol-ah, Namgung Bi-ah, or even some of the other unit members would gladly step up if asked.

I meant it as reassurance—that she could step down anytime if she felt overwhelmed.

"No! I can do it! Trust me."

Her response came immediately, her eyes blazing with determination.

"...Right. That's good, then."

I still didn't understand why she was so eager for a position that involved nothing but extra work.

"Anyway, let's focus on the main issue."

I had called her here for a reason, after all.

"I need you to send a letter to the Tang Clan's leader. We'll probably have to visit them soon."

"...The Tang Clan?"

"Yeah. Since we're already in Sichuan, you should take the chance to check in with your family. Let them know I'll be stopping by, too."

"...Okay. But didn't you already have direct contact with my father?"

"...I did."

Past tense.

As Tang So-yeol said, I had been in regular contact with the Tang Clan, mostly regarding the restoration of the Dokcheon Pill.

Originally, I dealt directly with the Poison King himself, but lately, I'd been communicating through the young clan leader instead.

The reason?

"...Your father's a bit upset with me right now. So I need you to smooth things over."

"Wait, upset? Why? What happened?"

"It's... complicated. Just do me this favor."

I couldn't tell her the truth.

Especially not her.

It wasn't even my fault—it was the Poison King's temper.

If I explained what happened, she'd probably go straight to her father, and then—

'He won't just stay angry—he'll escalate.'

The Poison King was unpredictable.

What started as irritation could easily turn into outright hostility.

That's why I needed Tang So-yeol to act as a buffer.

If I told him directly, he'd no doubt prepare some ridiculous "welcome" for me.

"Just let him know I'll be visiting—and make sure to mention you'll be with me."

"Okay... When should I say we're coming?"

"Probably in about five days. After the Azure Dragon Leader arrives."

Three to five days—that should be enough.

'Enough time to plant bait, dig into the Celestial Stream Sect Leader, and deal with the branch leader.'

I needed that time to set everything in motion.

Of course, it depended on how the Shadow King moved and whether the branch leader acted according to plan, but—

'No problem.'

I wasn't too worried.

I trusted the Shadow King's skills, and the branch leader seemed predictable enough.

Plus, Cheol Ji-seon was already working behind the scenes.

'The only variable left is how I move.'

My decisions over the next few days would determine everything.

But one thing wouldn't change—the goal.

Everything was set up to make that happen.

"So, I'll leave this to you."

"Got it."

Tang So-yeol nodded, and I glanced out the window.

The full moon hung high in the night sky.

For some reason, it felt like everything was falling into place.

"Now then... maybe it's time to scatter some bait."

"Huh? Bait?"

Tang So-yeol ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) tilted her head, confused by my murmur.

I smirked and replied lightly.

"I've got some things to catch."

"Wait... are you talking about fishing?"

"Something like that."

It was fishing, alright—just not for fish.

'I'm after a dragon.'

The Azure Dragon of the Martial Alliance.

I intended to bait him, reel him in, and carve him up like sashimi.

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

Four days later—

Just as I had predicted, the Azure Dragon finally arrived.

Azure Dragon Leader, Ilcheon Sword, stormed into the Sichuan branch with his entire unit in tow.

And—

"Star King—!!"

Not quietly, either.

"You bastard—!! Where are you?! I'll kill you right this instant—!!"

He was already brandishing his sword, absolutely livid.

'Well... that escalated quickly.'

I barely held back a smirk as I listened to his furious roar echo through the halls.