[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith":3,"chapter-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-137":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Childhood Friend of the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1240163,1667,"Chapter 136: Long Time No See, Brother-In-Law (1)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-137",137,"\u003Cp>༺ Long Time No See, Brother-In-Law (1) ༻\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had to point out one thing about Moyong Hi-ah…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was more of a strategist rather than a swordswoman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside her icy demeanor, she possessed a talent for quick, rational decision-making.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the decisions she made were always correct, even when she was in a difficult situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While talented young prodigies like Wi Seol-Ah played a significant role in rescuing people from the Abyss…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realistically speaking, Moyong Hi-ah was probably the one who contributed the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a woman who did not hesitate to speak up when it came to making rational and logical decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was definitely an invaluable ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an enemy, she instilled utter fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what about her now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wonder what she was to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My name is Moyong Hi-ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As far as I could tell , she wasn’t on my side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slam-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I began to think after closing my room’s door. What was that just now…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was it a dream?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I even thought this was a dream, since it was the first thing I encountered upon waking up this morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky-blue eyes that I looked into still lingered in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She had her veil off.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even just yesterday, she was covering her face, but the Moyong Hi-ah I had met was unmasked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sharp eyes and beautiful cat-like face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her movements filled with confidence, knowing better than anyone that she was beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Snow Phoenix Moyong Hi-ah. It was undoubtedly her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I was more curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did she come to me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she wanted to discuss what happened yesterday, she would’ve been better off going to Gu Jeolyub instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock knock-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she was rushing me, I heard a knock from the other side of the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to just go back to sleep after closing the door on her, but this was Moyong Hi-ah we were talking about, so it wasn’t going to be that easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, I let out a sigh and slightly opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wanted to thank you for yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s what you want, then shouldn’t you- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To you, wouldn’t that be the right thing to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes were filled with certainty already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was why it was even more strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had led her to believe that she should be thanking me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not sure what you are talking about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I, indeed, didn’t do anything yesterday. So I didn’t get why she was acting this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After staring at my reaction for a bit, Moyong Hi-ah spoke with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You aren’t surprised.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pardon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then covered her mouth with a fan. It was a familiar fan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was familiar, since Moyong Hi-ah always had it with her, even in our past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It has been a while since I’ve met someone who remains unfazed despite hearing my name or seeing my face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned a little after hearing her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like I had chosen the wrong reaction to go for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Typically, this only happens with people who are completely oblivious to the world, but I don’t see Young Master Gu in that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems like you know who I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I researched a little yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah just bluntly told me that she did a background check on me right in front of my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant that she was confident in dealing with any problem that could pop up and also was a way of telling me that she wouldn’t tolerate any lies from me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah continued to speak with the same expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems like you also know who I am, right, Young Master Gu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sky-blue eyes gleamed as they locked onto me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much I looked at it, this definitely was a woman that I did not want to get involved with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She’s way too sharp.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was smart, but there was something unique about how Moyong Hi-ah assessed people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman with a smart brain that could back her sharp instincts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already annoying enough when someone possessed just one of those traits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would that be a problem?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. Not at all. Like I said earlier, I came here as I just wanted to thank you for yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This early in the morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Morning… Well, it’s more like noon now, Young Master Gu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it already noon? Why did no one wake me up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[A few did pass by you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Elder Shin.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[But when they saw you sleeping and snoring, they simply let you be.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been exhausted lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Constantly stabilizing the energy within my body, combined with lengthier training sessions and camping outdoors, had taken its toll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was a bit concerned about how no one came to wake me up,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…But do I really snore?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the most shocking thing to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…Out of everything, that’s what surprises you? Seriously, you brat, you really are a dumbass.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I mean, it was quite important though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah interrupted my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just came here today to introduce myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold atmosphere I felt after hearing her, probably wasn’t solely due to the weather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that I met you, I can indeed feel something different about you compared to others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must be mistaken. Maybe you became a little dense because of the cold weat- …”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wonder what she felt from me in such a short amount of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I had to shut my mouth because I unconsciously spoke to her rudely out of habit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, Moyong Hi-ah didn’t seem to care much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, to be more specific, rather than her caring, it seemed more like she didn’t find it important for her to care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I shall see you next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really don’t need to bother- …Never mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I almost uttered the same words I used to say to her in my past life whenever I saw her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought I fixed that habit, but my tongue must’ve malfunctioned due to the cold weather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah then spoke while smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I will bother and see you next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She heard me. Dammit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah turned away, seemingly unaffected by my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she started to go upstairs, which was the Golden Floor of the building, with me still in her line of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant that I was a potential target of hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the problem? Every time, something occurred that hadn’t happened in my past life, making it difficult to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After she left, I was able to smell the scent Moyong Hi-ah left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The small cold breeze was left by her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, she still had that annoying trait of hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah’s expressions and movements appeared entirely natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her charm was different from Wi Seol-Ah’s cuteness, or Namgung Bi-ah’s elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sexiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a sexiness that ordinary guys wouldn’t be able to resist, falling right into her trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her soft hand gestures and seductive stare complemented Moyong Hi-ah’s beautiful face, making her incredibly seductive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I knew that it was all an act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She’s a girl with a mouth that is sharp like a sword, but seeing her act like that…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made me feel uneasy rather than making my heart stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Shin interrupted as I was thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for some reason, it sounded like he was in a heated mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You’re telling me that you did the ‘you know what’ with that woman?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you suddenly bringing that up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This is an important matter.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It’s a matter that decides if I should kill you or not, so how is it not important?”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rubbed my temples, overwhelmed by the headaches that were coming to me all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did Elder Shin get dementia or something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by how Elder Shin didn’t seem to be right in his mind, I began to truly worry that even spirits could suffer from dementia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it became noon, I quickly washed my face and headed to the dining room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was thanks to Wi Seol-Ah calling me after she noticed that I woke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are eating dumplings again…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah asked me with a confused face as I ate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you tired of them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You also eat yakgwa all day, every day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-I don’t eat it all day!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? Should I ask Hongwa then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah became silent after I used this special move on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like she was sulking as her lips pouted a little bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled slightly after seeing her like that and then I put some food on Wi Seol-Ah’s plate as an apology, but someone unexpectedly reached out and touched the back of my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t even check who it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since there was only one person who would do that while sitting next to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Your hair…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it weird?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It feels spiky now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah touched my hair, attempting to tame the unruly strands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I allowed her to continue, finding her touch rather pleasant and Namgung Bi-ah focused harder as she got more and more into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hey, wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suddenly became aware of something peculiar happening. I shifted slightly, causing Namgung Bi-ah to back away in disappointment, but it was already too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol, who had been eyeing me strangely, burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahaha! Young Master Gu…! It suits you so well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could you say such an insulting joke…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… it really does suit you. It’s so cute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like there was a ponytail on the center of my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly tried to untie my hair as I felt it dangling whenever I shook my head around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-Ah kept stopping me playfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you not gonna let go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t you just stay like this… for a bit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It suits you well, Young Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Muyeon, who was in the back while working as an escort, tried his best to hold in his laughter, but you’re telling me it suits me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jeolyub, too, held his mouth shut while looking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, are you laughing at me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N…No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t think that’s a no. It seemed like you were.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Gu Jeolyub, who had been feeling down because of what happened yesterday, was on the verge of laughter because of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You all…!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, I tried to force my way out of this with strength. However, I glanced in the direction of an unexpected presence I felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person descending the stairs was Moyong Hi-ah, her mask back on once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she approached my direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah, who walked with calm steps, looked around but flinched when she noticed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though she had her face covered, I knew that she was staring at my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I quickly untied my hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though it seemed like she had something to say as she approached, the silence lasted a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Her shoulders are shaking.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Moyong Hi-ah’s shoulders after hearing Elder Shin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw it. Her shoulders were definitely shaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Is she laughing?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found it funny that even Moyong Hi-ah was trying to hold in laughter,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that also meant my appearance just a moment ago was that ridiculous, which was more humiliating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Do you have something you want to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pffb… It’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It sounds like you’re laughing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No way. You must have misunderstood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice returned right back to normal after hearing my suspicious remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah then softened her voice and turned her attention away from me to address Tang Soyeol instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It has been a while, Lady Tang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol frowned a little because of the sudden greeting, but her eyes widened after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like she recognized her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Lady Moyong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems like you know who I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by how they called each other, they didn’t seem that close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it like that in my past life too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was indeed rare to see them together in past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Did you arrive yesterday?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I was coincidentally able to get help from Lady Tang, for which I’m grateful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like she was talking about how Tang Soyeol made Hwangbo Cheolwi back off yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol averted her gaze from Moyong Hi-ah, as if she was bothered by something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite that, Moyong Hi-ah continued to talk to Tang Soyeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you are okay with it, is it possible that I join you for a meal, considering we’ve all crossed paths here by fate? I haven’t eaten yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you usually skip lunch?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah looked at me after I spoke without even realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Fuck… I messed up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This damned tongue of mine acted again on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because of the memories that I kept being reminded of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Are you not going to eat that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– If I eat around this time, my stomach tends to feel sick, so I always skip lunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Then I’ll eat it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Don’t touch it. How annoying of you, I plan to have it for dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Then you should’ve said something sooner!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– You didn’t ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Ugh, my head hurts. What is Wi Seol-Ah doing, not keeping this bitch in check?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I certainly couldn’t call it a pleasant memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How does… Young Master Gu know that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You just look like it. I took a guess and it seems I was right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pardon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like Moyong Hi-ah also had that habit at this point of time, as she made a shocked expression, so I had to react swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You really aren’t right in your head, huh.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Shin spoke in a worrying tone. I too was starting to feel out of sorts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was I like this all of a sudden?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah stood awkwardly and without saying much, she looked back at Tang Soyeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to Moyong Hi-ah’s request to join in our meal, Tang Soyeol couldn’t help but feel pressured and she looked like a nervous puppy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way she looked at me wasn’t because she was looking for help, but because she was more concerned about how I would feel if she let her join us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some hesitation, Tang Soyeol asked me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Gu… Is it okay if Lady Moyong joins us for the meal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I began to wonder, judging by her cautious reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered if Tang Soyeol had her weakness caught by Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Woah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That word came out from Moyong Hi-ah’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like she was surprised by how Tang Soyeol was asking for my permission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I assessed the situation and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol let out a quiet sigh upon hearing my response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it a sigh of relief?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, it seemed like that sigh had both relief and nervousness in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Personally, I would’ve originally denied her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I had no reason to involve myself with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there was one reason why I changed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Moyong Hi-ah was the one who approached us first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was that simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Moyong Hi-ah was the one who approached someone first, it meant she had a good reason for doing so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by Tang Soyeol’s response, it seemed that refusing her request would pose some problems for her, which was why she was acting that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So you did this for the Tang Clan’s girl?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I guess you could say that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Then just say you did it for her. Why beat around the bush?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m not entirely sure myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled insincerely and then glanced at Wi Seol-Ah and Namgung Bi-ah, who were still engrossed in their meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to gauge their reactions since I let Moyong Hi-ah join us without asking for their opinions,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thankfully, they didn’t seem to care that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though both of them were keeping an eye on Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jeolyub, who had played a part in yesterday’s events, froze like a rock when Moyong Hi-ah sat next to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike his handsome face, it seemed that he wasn’t very adept at dealing with women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Namgung… correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah ignored Gu Jeolyub, and directed her words to Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah nodded in response to Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t too weird that she knew, since Namgung Bi-ah definitely looked like she was from the Namgung Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting aside her eye-catching hair color and eyes…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She always wore the same blue uniform of the Namgung Clan, making me wonder if it was her only attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nice to meet you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Likewise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize for suddenly joining you like this. Did my presence bother you in any way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A little…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Pardon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah asked again as if she had just misheard her, but Namgung Bi-ah didn’t change her answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was a little bothered, but it’s fine…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to hide my shock after hearing Namgung Bi-ah, who was sitting next to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah actually answered her, when it was just a question that wasn’t meant to be answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I didn’t think she’d do that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by how Namgung Bi-ah usually was, I thought that she would’ve ignored the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah also appeared somewhat taken aback by her response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh, I apologize. But I’m thankful that you understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, she gave a quick apology with a smile on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering how she didn’t leave the spot even in this situation, it indeed seemed like she had a valid reason for being here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I wonder.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wonder what it was for Moyong Hi-ah to be here out of all places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t think it’s for Tang Soyeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost in my thoughts, a tingling sensation pricked at my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like I wasn’t the only one that felt it, as all the martial artists in the room looked towards the entrance of the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sensation everyone felt was definitely lightning Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t be more familiar with it at this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since there was always someone right next to me who possessed lightning Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Namgung Jin’s lightning Qi, it was a level lower,and it was much more unstable than Namgung Bi-ah’s as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, it was enough to make all martial artists concentrate on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, this Qi is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard that he would participate this year, and he really did come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard everyone talking around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not too surprising, since the Poison Bee is here too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But still, I thought that he wouldn’t come because of what happened with the Sword Dragon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As people chattered, the door creaked and someone came in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, I checked on Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah seemed visibly disturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one that came in while attracting everyone’s attention, was a remarkably handsome young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bore a striking resemblance to Namgung Jin and had the same hair color as Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, and also the man who was certain to inherit the position of the lord of the Namgung Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lightning Dragon, Namgung Cheonjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arrival in the building commanded immediate attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by how different he looked, it seemed like he had improved compared to the last time I saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seems like his genitals also recovered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at him and felt a little bad, thinking about what happened in our last meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I did go a little overboard back then.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was being so annoying at the Military Exhibition of Tang, so I broke his arm and kicked his critical spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reflecting on it now, breaking his arm was understandable, but the kick had been a bit too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And thinking about that, I think I was able to understand a little bit of Moyong Hi-ah’s motives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is it because of him?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah, too, was looking at Namgung Cheonjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t too weird, given their history in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So the reason why she wanted to join us for n our meal was because…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not for me or Tang Soyeol, but for Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That seemed most likely and this conclusion seemed to fit perfectly with all the pieces of the puzzle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Cheonjun, exuding confidence as he displayed his lightning Qi, came to a halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems like he noticed us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More specifically, he noticed Namgung Bi-ah, who was sitting next to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Namgung Cheonjun called, Tang Soyeol abruptly turned her head and started retching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Tang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sorry. I get sick when I see something so greasy like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She retched for a while and fixed her gaze on me. Then, she let out a sigh before going back to her normal expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I feel better now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked as if she had been suffering from a hangover, but miraculously recovered after consuming something refreshing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how one looked at it, this girl definitely could not be considered normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can rate\u002Freview this series here.\u003C\u002Fp>",3531,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","fc4076cdf4b1bf8d0da257d7637d0c4c3f3ab6c806284058c632f9f5b2b316c5","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-138","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-136",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]