Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 718

Whoosh—!

The blade sliced through the air with a heavy resonance.

Slower than a sword, perhaps—

But its sheer size and density created an oppressive weight, like a towering mountain descending.

And when wielded by someone beyond Hwagyeong, the blade’s weight turned into devastating power.

BOOM—!

The Blade King’s sword struck the ground.

Crack—!

The solid floor split apart, debris flying everywhere.

It was raw, unbridled destruction—

And it wasn’t over yet.

“Hah!”

A sharp breath escaped Peng Zhou as he twisted his body.

Black Blade Tempest.

A half-spin unleashed a wave of compressed Qi—

A thick Blade Force erupted outward.

CRASH—!

The destructive energy carved through the arena.

It was a spectacle that left jaws hanging—

A technique built purely for destruction, overwhelming in its might.

And yet—

“No way…”

“What the hell are we seeing?”

The audience murmured, their shock almost palpable.

But it wasn’t awe for Peng Zhou’s power.

No—

Their eyes were glued to Bi Eejin.

The Twin Dragon.

A descendant of the Seoan Bi Clan—Paejon’s disciple—known as a Late-Stage Grandmaster.

Before the match, everyone had assumed he wouldn’t even last a moment.

Even as Paejon’s disciple, he was expected to crumble.

“The Blade King’s presence is overwhelming, and yet…”

“He hasn’t moved. Not even once.”

Amid the devastation of the arena—

One spot remained untouched.

Bi Eejin.

He hadn’t moved a single step since the match began.

Rooted in place—

Effortlessly deflecting Peng Zhou’s attacks.

‘No… he’s not blocking them.’

He wasn’t just stopping the blows.

He was redirecting them—

Deflecting the Blade King’s movements, dissipating the Blade Force, and denying him any openings.

All he’d done was lower his clasped hands.

That was it.

Standing like a stone, Bi Eejin neutralized everything.

‘…What a terrifying old bastard.’

I exhaled sharply, the sight leaving me stunned.

It wasn’t just impressive—it was absurd.

Could I do that?

I considered it seriously—

‘No chance.’

The answer came immediately.

I couldn’t.

Dodging? Sure.

But standing still and dismantling such an assault? Absolutely not.

Yet Paejon—someone ranked lower than me—was doing it with ease.

‘The crazy old man.’

I had unlocked Mind’s Eye as well.

But what he was doing was something else entirely.

Even if you could predict movements, neutralizing them without moving was another level.

To be fair—

He didn’t deflect everything.

He blocked when necessary.

But he turned most attacks into opportunities to redirect rather than resist.

“Tch!”

Peng Zhou infused his blade with Qi.

The massive Blade Force surged toward Bi Eejin, clearly meant to crush him.

And then—

Flick.

Bi Eejin extended his hand and slipped through the cracks of the Qi.

THUD—!

“...!”

Peng Zhou’s sword shifted.

The Blade Force grazed past Bi Eejin’s head—

Barely missing him.

The crowd gasped.

Had the Blade King miscalculated?

No—

Bi Eejin had redirected his attack.

‘Unbelievable.’

The technique seemed simple, but it wasn’t.

With Mind’s Eye, I saw it clearly.

Peng Zhou had unleashed waves of Qi, any one of which could cause fatal damage.

Yet Bi Eejin had stepped directly into the flow, disrupted it, and thrown off Peng Zhou’s momentum.

It was insane.

You’d have to believe—absolutely believe—that you wouldn’t fail to even attempt it.

And he did it while standing perfectly still.

‘And this old man had the audacity to lecture me about restraint?’

Watching him pull off moves like that, who was he to talk?

Despite my grumbling thoughts, I couldn’t look away.

‘Shit.’

I’d been bored out of my mind earlier—

But now, I was hanging onto every one of Paejon’s movements.

‘He’s doing this on purpose.’

I already knew it.

Even with such subtle movements, he was showing me something.

[Watch closely.]

That’s what his actions seemed to say.

Like he was guiding me—showing me a path I had yet to take.

I focused, determined not to miss even a breath.

And then—

- Pay attention.

His voice reached me through Qi Transmission.

- I’m giving you a demonstration.

The words barely registered before—

Step.

Bi Eejin took a single step forward.

Tap.

His foot touched the ground.

And then—

BOOM—!

“...!!!”

Peng Zhou’s body was launched into the air.

 
   ******************
   

"You’re lucky."

It was a phrase Peng Zhou had heard countless times.

Born into the Peng Family of Hebei, he had been deemed fortunate from the start.

The son of the family head—

Blessed with wealth, status, and the unwavering love of his parents.

His father, Peng Tae-woo, adored his frail wife so much that—

Even after she bore only one child, he refused to take concubines.

There was no struggle for succession.

No battles between siblings to inherit the family name.

His position as the next head of the Peng Family was secured from birth.

And yet—

Behind the words of praise—

Peng Zhou always heard the unspoken meaning.

"Lucky, but undeserving."

A man of mediocre talent who achieved everything through chance rather than merit.

He had heard it all his life.

And it festered—

An inferiority complex that took root and grew deeper with every passing year.

He carried it through childhood—

Through adolescence—

And into adulthood.

Even after becoming the Blade King and inheriting the title of Six Thrones, the whispers persisted.

They mocked him, comparing him unfavorably to past champions.

But no matter what they said—

Peng Zhou never believed he could lose to someone like Bi Eejin.

"Kugh!"

He staggered under the crushing impact.

Pain exploded in his chest as Qi surged around him—

Desperately trying to reinforce his broken defenses.

CRACK—!

The hastily formed shield shattered.

It was expected.

Peng Zhou redirected his body, preparing to counterattack—

But—

THUD!

"Guh?!"

His knee buckled.

Bi Eejin's foot pressed down, locking his joint in place.

Thud—! Thud—!

Two rapid punches followed.

The first struck his chest—

BOOM—!

The second slammed into his stomach.

"Kuh-hah!"

Agony burst through his body.

His balance wavered.

The hits didn’t stop.

Bi Eejin drove his knee deeper, forcing Peng Zhou lower.

His center of gravity collapsed.

CRACK—!

Another blow—this time to the ribs.

"Gah—!"

Peng Zhou grit his teeth, planting his feet to stop from toppling entirely.

He couldn’t go down.

Not here.

Not now.

Eyes burning, he glared through the haze of pain—

But all he saw was another incoming strike.

Desperate, Peng Zhou poured Qi into his blade.

Black Iron.

A signature technique of the Peng Clan—

Forged to cut down overwhelming opponents.

This wasn’t the time to hold back.

He needed to create distance—

To survive.

But—

"Tsk."

Bi Eejin clicked his tongue.

It wasn’t frustration.

It wasn’t surprise.

It was disappointment.

"What…?"

Peng Zhou froze, staring into Bi Eejin’s eyes.

It was unmistakable.

Pity.

‘How dare he…?’

Anger flared.

The boy looked at him as if he were pathetic.

It was unforgivable.

Peng Zhou’s vision turned red.

He would kill him.

He would cut him down where he stood.

But before he could swing—

CLANG—!

His blade twisted.

Bi Eejin had struck the flat of the blade—

Redirecting it effortlessly.

CRACK—!

The sword embedded itself into the ground.

Peng Zhou yanked at the hilt—

"Tch!"

But Bi Eejin’s foot pinned the blade in place.

It wouldn’t budge.

Peng Zhou gathered his strength to force it free—

WHAM—!

A kick to the chest sent him sprawling.

"Gah!"

His sword slipped from his hands as he rolled across the ground.

He forced himself upright—

Bracing for another attack—

But it never came.

Bi Eejin stood motionless, still by the fallen blade.

"...?"

Peng Zhou frowned.

"Idiot."

The word struck like a slap.

"What did you say?!"

Peng Zhou’s eyes widened in disbelief.

What? Stupid?

Was he talking to him?

Unable to believe what he had just heard, Peng Zhou let out a scoffing laugh.

“The flow of Qi is completely distorted, and the best you can do is struggle like that?”

Twin Dragon had no intention of stopping and continued to address Peng Zhou.

“Black Iron requires advanced internal Qi control. Even the former family head maintained a disciplined stance while using it, and yet you dare try to alter its form? Someone like you, without the qualifications or ability, is truly disgraceful.”

“You bastard...!!”

Unable to hold back any longer, Peng Zhou gritted his teeth and stood up.

“How dare you mention anyone else in front of me!”

Not only did he mention the former head in the presence of the current one, but he even had the audacity to lecture him as if offering advice.

That wasn’t something a mere late-stage Qi practitioner should dare to do.

“You...! Your talent may be exceptional, but do you think someone like you can instruct me?”

Despite his words, there was no denying it.

Twin Dragon blocked every move and treated him like a plaything.

Look at them.

Even the spectators, who had been nervously holding their breaths, had fallen completely silent.

The duel between the Divine Dragon and the Crescent Moon Sword had been a clash of dazzling brilliance.

But there was none of that here in the match between Twin Dragon and Peng Zhou.

It was an unrefined, raw fight—nothing but pure martial combat devoid of techniques.

This wasn’t because Peng Zhou lacked the ability to use elaborate techniques.

It was because Twin Dragon made it impossible for him to use them.

‘How the hell is that possible?’

Despite his growing frustration, Peng Zhou’s eyes trembled in disbelief.

He was faster.

He was stronger.

It was clear from their brief exchanges.

Yet, he couldn’t catch him. He couldn’t even touch him.

What a bizarre sensation.

What kind of situation was this?

Why was he being overpowered by someone like that?

As his pride crumbled, Peng Zhou began to lose his composure.

“Teaching?”

Twin Dragon spoke to him.

The contempt in his voice was undeniable.

“Me? Teach you?”

The corner of his mouth lifted into a sneer.

“Why would I waste something so precious on someone like you?”

“...!”

“Know your place. You’re not even worth that much to me.”

Peng Zhou nearly lost his grip on reality for a moment at those words.

And then, Twin Dragon grabbed Peng Zhou’s blade and flung it aside.

Whoosh—crack!

The sword embedded itself in the ground beside Peng Zhou.

“Pick it up. A martial artist shouldn’t lose their weapon.”

“Hah…!”

Peng Zhou’s face turned red as he looked at the sword lying next to him.

“You dare... mock me?”

“Hm.”

Grinding his teeth, Peng Zhou glared at Twin Dragon.

‘Too late.’

Twin Dragon judged him silently.

That man was already too late.

Even after witnessing everything, he still underestimated Twin Dragon.

His anger continued to smolder instead of cooling down, meaning that by the time the fire died, Peng Zhou’s entire will would have already burned away.

It was clear that he was already breaking apart and crumbling.

‘...Such a pity.’

But the pity wasn’t for Peng Zhou.

‘He would’ve been a good example for my disciple.’

Twin Dragon had expected better.

But after seeing this mess, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

‘Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age.’

Perhaps that’s why he had overestimated him.

He thought Peng Zhou would be more capable, but he turned out to be nothing more than trash.

In fact, even the little monk called the Divine Dragon seemed better by comparison.

Though Peng Zhou’s strength might be superior, his lack of value made him no better than garbage.

To Bi Eejin, that’s all Peng Zhou amounted to.

‘Should I have held back a little more?’

Despite double-checking, he had failed to control his strength.

Would things have been different if he had gone easier on him?

And then.

—If the opportunity arises... I humbly ask you to look after my son just once.

Bi Eejin recalled the words of Peng Tae-woo, the former head of the Peng family.

‘I’d forgotten about that.’

Words he wouldn’t have even considered under normal circumstances.

He had kept them in mind only because Peng Tae-woo had left an impression on him.

Though, considering he had forgotten until now, it hardly counted as keeping them in mind.

‘What a bother.’

He had no other thoughts.

There was no reason to feel guilty.

It wasn’t his fault the man’s son turned out to be useless.

“Hm.”

What to do now?

While Bi Eejin pondered,

Rumble—!

Peng Zhou gripped his sword and stood up, channeling his Qi.

His blade darkened.

Using Black Iron, it began to emit black mist.

“I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you.”

Murderous intent filled the arena.

Despite his flaws, Peng Zhou was still a top-ranked martial artist.

As he gathered his killing intent and Qi, the vibrations around him grew more intense.

It was clearly dangerous.

And yet, Bi Eejin merely observed.

In fact, he welcomed it.

‘I was wondering if I’d get to show something. This works.’

He had worried about leaving the audience unimpressed, but this solved the problem.

‘Who would’ve thought I’d care what my disciple thinks?’

The thought amused him.

But perhaps it was only because his disciple had proven to be worth it.

Swish.

Bi Eejin extended his hands slightly forward.

It looked as though he was holding an invisible orb.

As soon as he assumed that stance—

Whoosh...

A faint wind began to swirl at his feet.

His hair fluttered, and energy began to gather in his hands.

Peng Zhou, meanwhile, was breathing heavily as he completed his preparations.

His blade had already surpassed Black Iron and formed a massive blade aura.

Black Iron Great Silent Steel.

A technique passed down through the Peng family for generations.

Highly compressed blade energy capable of devastating not only opponents but also the surrounding area.

Peng Zhou poured all his Qi into it, determined to obliterate Twin Dragon.

The sheer intensity of his attack left the spectators trembling.

Their instincts told them just how dangerous it was.

“Huff... huff…!”

Even Peng Zhou struggled to endure his own energy.

His breathing grew ragged as he raised his blade.

Shiiiiing.

A calamity tore through the air.

The compressed energy split the atmosphere, releasing hissing steam as it destabilized under its own pressure.

It fell.

Like a pillar crashing down on Twin Dragon.

And yet.

Twin Dragon’s expression remained calm.

He focused solely on completing the sphere in his hands.

And when it was done—

“It’s ready.”

He smiled, satisfied, as he gazed at the gray sphere in his hands.

At that moment.

Peng Zhou’s attack reached him.

The blade aura was about to strike his head.

Bi Eejin casually clapped his hands together, crushing the sphere.

Clap!

Tua Pacheonmu.

Fifth Form.

Heaven-Breaking Strike.

KWA-BOOOOM—!!!

The heavens shattered at Bi Eejin’s command.

.