[{"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-140":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},1240166,1667,"Chapter 139: Harmonic Sword Jang Cheon (1)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-140",140,"\u003Cp>༺ Harmonic Sword Jang Cheon (1) ༻\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had already been a week since I arrived in Hanam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was snowing today as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As proof of the current weather, there was enough snow on the ground to make the whole world white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time I stepped on the snow, it made a cute sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Woah! Wow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah, bundled up in fur, had a bright face as she was captivated by the snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was understandable since there wasn’t much snow or rain back in Shanxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weather must’ve been rather cold today because my ears were starting to ache a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master! Where are we going right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah asked while hopping towards me like a rabbit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I brushed back Wi Seol-Ah’s black hair with my hand when she approached me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It seems like she grew a little.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like me, Wi Seol-Ah had also grown this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had to point out a difference, our eye levels were around the same height before…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, I was a little taller than her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spoke while playing with Wi Seol-Ah’s hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Murim Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of place is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing much. It’s just a place filled with darkness pretending to be pure and bright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I get it! Gomoku at home looks like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gomoku…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I tilted my head in confusion, Hongwa, who was next to us, explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She is referring to the cat that comes by our place from time to time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is a cat back at my place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hongwa seemed momentarily shocked by my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh, was this something that I shouldn’t have said?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hesitated for a bit, then spoke after making up her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m sorry. We will get rid of the cat immediately when we retur- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you saying…! I was just curious, that’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could one just get rid of a cat…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Achoo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard someone sneezing after I finished talking to Hongwa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I turned around, I saw Namgung Bi-ah wiping her nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked bundled up, but was she still feeling cold?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fur clothing currently adorning Namgung Bi-ah was given by Tang Soyeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You cold?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then flow your Qi around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t cold since the martial arts I learned happened to be Flame Arts, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t the case for Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Typically, for cases like this, one would flow their Qi around to find some sort of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Too lazy…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How are you lazy about that…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Namgung Bi-ah wasn’t one to do that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jeez, she’s lazy about even that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Observing Namgung Bi-ah’s hands, now red from the cold, I reached my hand out to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah paused briefly, seemingly puzzled, but then cautiously reached out to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You say you are cold, but you don’t even wear any gloves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too la- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to talk to her would only cause a headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grabbed Namgung Bi-ah’s hand and infused it with warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cold hand in mine felt like ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She should have, at the very least, wrapped her hand in clothing or tucked them into her pockets if it was that cold for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was making me concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After using a little bit of my Qi, Namgung Bi-ah’s hand quickly became warmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now her face had become red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is your face cold now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let go of her hand and tried to reach toward her cheek, but Namgung Bi-ah backed away after flinching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…S…Stop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah tried to cover her face, realizing that it had turned red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Struggling to cover her face with her clothing, she eventually resorted to using her long hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was successful in covering her face thanks to her long hair, but she looked quite funny in such a state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no idea what she was doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hand, which had been hovering awkwardly since it failed to reach Namgung Bi-ah’s cheek, was instead taken by Wi Seol-Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Woah! Young Master’s hand is so warm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then started to rub her cheek against my hand to savor the warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a little disappointed every time I felt Wi Seol-Ah’s cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After noticing that subtle difference, I spoke to Wi Seol-Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You lost weight again, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want me to scold you, seriously?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W…Why would you scold me for that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because it’s something you deserve getting scolded for!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was this happening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I even told Hongwa to feed her more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To answer my curiosity, Hongwa quickly spoke to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am feeding her well 3-4 times a day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about midnight snacks?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She eats them herself, without me telling her to do so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by what Hongwa just told me, it did seem like she was eating well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why wasn’t she gaining weight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was quite puzzling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just words without evidence either because I could see for myself that she had a healthy appetite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then how much did she eat back when I thought she had a little bit of weight?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a few months ago, so did that mean she just ate that much before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought was a little scary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wi Seol-Ah seemed like she was hiding something from me recently, as she spent more time alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hiding something from me, huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was at the age where she would keep secrets,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I still couldn’t help but be bothered by it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I was fidgeting with Wi Seol-Ah’s cheek…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a presence approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I looked back, wondering what it was, it turned out to be Tang Soyeol, wearing an embarrassed expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Tang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Gu…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she reached her hand out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s strange?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could’ve sworn I saw Tang Soyeol with gloves on just a moment ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Really expensive-looking fur gloves at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, Tang Soyeol had bare hands without such gloves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My hands are also col- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Tang Soyeol could finish, Namgung Bi-ah quickly grabbed Tang Soyeol’s hand away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…My hand is still warm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah rubbed Tang Soyeol’s hands with her hands, which retained some warmth from my touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol’s hands appeared warmer, but she seemed more disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What a dog-like mess… Or should I say cat-like mess?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Elder Shin spoke with a sigh, I identified the person he had in mind when he mentioned a cat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Still as harmonious as ever, even after a few days, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Moyong Hi-ah, who I didn’t see for a few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had vanished after encountering Namgung Cheonjun and I barely got to see Moyong Hi-ah after that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, around the time we left Bacheonmaru, Moyong Hi-ah appeared again and joined us on our trip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since we were all headed to the Murim Alliance, I didn’t really say much, noticing that Tang Soyeol also wanted to go with her for some reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike her time at Bacheonmaru, Moyong Hi-ah wasn’t wearing a mask at the moment, but her face was still the same as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cat-like face that held a strange aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she emanate that charming aura even when she stood still due to the way her eyes looked?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps her sky-blue eyes contributed to that charming aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I was staring at her for a moment, my eyes met with Moyong Hi-ah’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When our eyes met, Moyong Hi-ah responded with smiling eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was so charming and seductive that it would’ve instantly charmed any guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s wrong with her?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for me, nothing she did would be more uncomfortable than this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it usually signaled trouble whenever she made that expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah was well aware of her own beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew that her face had the power to captivate men effortlessly and she was a woman who knew how to take advantage of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And usually, whenever she made that face, it was to take advantage of whoever she charmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, since I already knew her true intentions, it made me dislike her even more, even though I had already disliked her quite a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I did also get used to something like that because of the girls around me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just looking at Wi Seol-Ah and Namgung Bi-ah for a while made other girls look like mere clay statues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded slightly to Moyong Hi-ah’s smile and looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Brat.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yeah?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…I… For some reason, feel cold recently.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Pardon…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do spirits also feel cold? Elder Shin seemed to be weak to cold last time as well, so could it be a real issue?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Why do all those girls always come to you? It’s so strange that I feel cold. Is it my time to die or something?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ugh… I thought you had an actual problem.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was worried for nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was a man who had already spent hundreds of years in the afterlife talking like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Do you know my pain!? Do you know how I felt when I couldn’t even engage ein romance with anybody because I was busy with clan work!?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why are you blaming that on me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was getting increasingly weird… Should I actually just try to find a female ghost or something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…But how would I find such a thing?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I go visit the Wudang Sect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually no, they might try to exorcise Elder Shin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What are you talking about? Why would they exorcise me?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No matter how you look at it, Elder Shin looks more like an evil spirit because of your personali- ‘\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You, come here. Even if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll make sure to drag you with me when I go up to heaven.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Elder Shin was on the brink of yelling in frustration, Muyeon came towards me and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Muyeon finished speaking, my eyes were already looking at the giant building in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let alone the Gu Clan, the wall in front of me dwarfed even the Tang Clan I saw back in Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the imposing wall laid even larger buildings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a place that was called the heart and the center of the Orthodox Faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Murim Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For me, it had been several years since I last laid eyes on this place, including both my past and present life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t too difficult to enter the Murim Alliance. After all, I spent a few days in Bacheonmaru…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I had more than enough proof to show them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was currently in the waiting room so that I could participate in the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A gold room, huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The change in treatment from the silver room I had in Bacheonmaru raised some questions in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No need to think too deeply… It’s obviously because of the Dishonored Venerable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The recommendation letter I showed back in Bacheonmaru, along with the invitation letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like the Murim Alliance was already notified of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was already able to see the benefits of a Heavenly Venerable’s recommendation letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it had its downsides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh well, I couldn’t really do anything about it since it had already happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The meeting will start in around 15 minutes. If you need a change of clothing – “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. I brought my own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament may be for the young prodigies to showcase their talents and growth to the world…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Murim Alliance’s main goal was to foster connections among everyone present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tournament served as a platform for noble bloodlines to gather, allowing them to network, introduce themselves, and forge connections for the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without that, the noble clans would have little incentive to send their blood relatives to this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…It’s all gone wrong. It wasn’t like this back in my days.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a young prodigy wanted to showcase their training, physical prowess, and their belief as a martial artist…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There are better places than this one.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that would be the Heavenly Dragon Academy established by the Murim Alliance, an educational institution for swordsmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or the separately run Heavenly Dragon Festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those places would be better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavenly Dragon this, Heavenly Dragon that, and even the title Heavenly Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like the Murim Alliance really liked the name Heavenly Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Heavenly Dragon, huh…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered why I was reminded of that giant snake I saw back in the secret vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon that bore an uncanny resemblance to what I thought a dragon would look like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still had a clear memory of that snake looking at me with its golden eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Isn’t this too random of a thought?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even I thought that I brought this up quite randomly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was I nervous or something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Me becoming nervous in this kid’s playground?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more likely that my physical body was getting nervous rather than my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or at least that was me coping about the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, your clothes- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right. I’ll leave it to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hongwa came towards me and carefully helped me wear my uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changing clothes was such a hassle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, I had to since the first day of the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament was a gathering day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was so that everyone could meet each other, socialize, and also make friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And because of that, I was practically forced to change clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Father, who I thought wouldn’t care, gave me clothes to change into, so this day must be quite important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While changing my clothes without complaints, I spoke to Hongwa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you please skip the accessory part?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, don’t worry, Young Master. I knew you’d feel that way, so I didn’t bring any.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, that made me a little sad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, for something like this, shouldn’t she say, ‘Our Young Master used to love shiny and expensive things, but now he doesn’t want any?’ while acting surprised?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They get used to it way too quick…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like Hongwa also got used to me, having raveled with me a fair bit along with Wi Seol-Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t this too simplistic?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is simplistic?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red clothing with some gold accents could seem simplistic compared to other people’s uniforms…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This cost probably way more than your salary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it certainly wasn’t some ordinary clothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hongwa’s eyes became huge after hearing my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the Gu Clan’s relatively modest buildings and my frugal lifestyle after resurrection…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu Clan’s clothing had always been of exceptional quality and value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He doesn’t cut corners when it comes to something like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could never figure out what Father was thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was looking for a string to tie my hair…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah came with a string as if she was lying in wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I tie them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? My hair?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hongwa tried to scold Wi Seol-Ah right away after hearing her request, but I blocked her with my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yayy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a difficult request at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After my permission, Wi Seol-Ah quickly went behind me and started to run her fingers through my hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed to lack skill, but there shouldn’t be any problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Hongwa would fix it for me if it seemed too weird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was Wi Seol-Ah ever good with her hands?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that I knew of, from my memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in my past life, I remember her struggling to tie a simple knot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsurprisingly, the more Wi Seol-Ah fiddled with my hair, the more Hongwa’s expression became filled with despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…S-Seol-Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let Big Sis… do the rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m also quite curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing, Young Master, there is no problem…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I believe that when such despair was so obvious on your face?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is nothing wrong with the Young Master’s hair.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I find out you are lying, you have to wear the same hairstyle as mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…There is a tiny bit of a problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Wi Seol-Ah backed away in disappointment and Hongwa started to fix my hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, I felt a presence outside the waiting room door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Young Master Gu, are you in here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“J-Just a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hongwa’s hands grew more frantic upon hearing the voice outside the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like things weren’t going well for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– We need to see him righ- Ah! Alliance Leader, wai- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t even give them permission, but the door slid open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but wonder why someone was intruding when there was still some time left until the gathering time began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize for suddenly com- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I halted upon locking eyes with the man who had entered and he, too, came to a sudden stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a middle-aged man who bore a kind expression and the word ‘Alliance’ was emblazoned on his uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he was also a man that I knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alliance Leader…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Leader of the Murim Alliance, the Harmonic Sword, Jang Cheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He currently held the reins of the Murim Alliance and commanded great attention and respect among the Orthodox Faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why did such a man come to see me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right as Jang Cheon was about to say something, he covered his mouth slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Didn’t that man look like he was about to laugh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t laughing at my hair, right…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can rate\u002Freview this series here.\u003C\u002Fp>",2896,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","4cc68936ad2514b2ffc112cb81b1ae62444c484b0859f308a7837e4388f9d837","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-141","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-139",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]