[{"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-152":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},1240178,1667,"Chapter 151: Friendly Martial Arts Competition (4)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-152",152,"\u003Cp>༺ Friendly Martial Arts Competition (4) ༻\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days have passed since the tournament kicked off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was another fight after the first one, but it didn’t attract as much attention as Tang Soyeol’s fight did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was because it was unbelievable that one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes got eliminated right from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to that, word spread like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you hear? The Poison Phoenix has already been eliminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell are you saying? Did you drink this early in the day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why don’t you believe me? I swear it’s real.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was indeed unbelievable, but evidence was all around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The son of the Alliance Leader?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah! I heard that the Poison Phoenix couldn’t even use her power to the fullest and fainted. They said that they were in different leagues.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…And that’s the Poison Phoenix we are talking about? Is that really possible?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, he is the bloodline of the Harmonic Sword… Wait, isn’t there an open spot in the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, which is why everyone is excited, since a new dragon might be born.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what about that other boy? You know, the one from the Gu Clan… “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was what it meant to be part of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The symbol of the greatest genius that represented the Orthodox Faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Murim Alliance knew that as well, which was why they put an immense amount of effort into arranging a good bracket when hosting tournaments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As things could turn out badly if two genius prodigies met early in the first round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can tell just by looking at this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That the Murim Alliance was pushing for Jang Seonyeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that he could become the new star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thing that piqued my curiosity at this point; The absence of some of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes from the tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense that the Sword Phoenix would sit this one out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew my crazy sister’s personality and it was perfectly possible that she skipped it just because she felt like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Sword Dragon…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Water Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did they really not come out of their own will?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m not sure.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, I started to suspect that perhaps the Murim Alliance had a hand in their absence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about the Celestial Plum Blossom I met back in Mount Hua, he didn’t strike me as the kind of person who’d let such things slide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one never knew what went on in someone else’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Tsk.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, the Snow Phoenix and the Lightning Dragon were able to make it to the next rounds of the tournament without breaking a sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the same applied to Gu Jeolyub and Namgung Bi-ah as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah, especially, won while maintaining a bored expression throughout all of her fights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And some of the crazy folks who were smitten by that appearance started spreading rumors about her being the flower of Namgung Clan or something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which really made me realize once again how many crazy fuckers there were in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Gu Jeolyub was a bit unexpected though.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew that Gu Jeolyub had talent, but he did get lucky with the bracket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he was put against an opponent who was considered somewhat weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there were more unexpected outcomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because some of the people that I thought would undoubtedly win ended up losing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This included the young man I faced named Bi Yeonsum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…He got extremely unlucky this time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t bad at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was able to precisely put his Qi into his sword, which meant that he was among the top young prodigies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the problem was that he had to face me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did I go too hard on him?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I should have taken it easier on him, but I was in a hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I also wanted to show what I was capable of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My name is Woo Leehyun, and I’m a third-generation disciple of the Wudang Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Yangcheon from Shanxi’s Gu Clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the way he held his sword, pointing it out slightly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the way he stared and breathed…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s from the Wudang Sect, huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was able to see it right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not from his introduction, but from the aura I felt from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked like a calm martial artist, maybe a year or two older than me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the second day of the tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was also the fight that was deemed the most crucial, as it would determine who advanced to the top eight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was stretching, Woo Leehyun suddenly spoke to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard many things about you,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That you finished all your earlier opponents in one blow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh… yeah, it kinda just happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I resist when I could blatantly see their opening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every opponent I faced left themselves vulnerable, whether it was their chin or chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would have died by getting stabbed if it was a real battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kids these days I swear… tsk tsk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And did a rumor spread again during that time?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I did hear just earlier about some people talking about me being the disciple of the Dishonored Venerable or whatever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the buzz about me had faded somewhat due to Jang Seonyeon’s victory over Tang Soyeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Leehyun responded to my words with a glint in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t be defeated that easily like the others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone said that too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If you’re gonna get ready, at least fix your leg- …Never mind.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s the point of criticizing him in my thoughts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had my own reservations about the Wudang Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it reminded me of that one guy who boasted incessantly about his amazing sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disciple Woo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I also ask you something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Leehyun seemed somewhat nervous when he heard that I had a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He probably thought I was also going to taunt him like he did to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why did he even taunt me in the first place if he’s gonna be so nervous?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It did irk me a little that he taunted me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, my intention when I called him over wasn’t to provoke him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems like the Water Dragon is not participating in this tournament.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Leehyun’s expression oddly worsened when I brought up the famous young prodigy of the Wudang Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why are you asking about that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was strongly against this question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew the reason behind his unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I guess he’s still the same as ever.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Water Dragon was a crazy maniac like Peng Woojin, but in a different way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because in the Wudang Sect, he wasn’t called the Water Dragon, but something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A guy too embarassing to show in public.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was probably getting such treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because despite his talent, he had a really nasty personality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the reason why Woo Leehyun showed so much discomfort was because he didn’t want to discuss the Water Dragon with others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was happy now that I checked that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was just curious. We are quite close actually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh? Young Lord Gu and our Senior Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was looking at me as if I was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was obviously referring to my past life since I hadn’t really become friends with him yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, something like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I spoke with a smile on my face, Woo Leehyun actually became even more nervous and tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why though…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did everyone back away whenever I smiled?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was quite sad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I let out an emotional sigh, the judge announced the start of the match, deeming both sides ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Leehyun held his sword and got into his stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I saw that, I nodded in my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not bad.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of tensing his strength, he loosened himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the principles of the Wudang Sect’s Sword Arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It emphasized blocking rather than slashing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And changing the flow of the attack instead of blocking outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Mount Hua’s Sword Arts were about letting the roots grow deep within the ground…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wudang Sect’s Sword Arts was akin to becoming a calm lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not bad… but…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to have fully understood the principle of his clan’s Sword Arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, it didn’t really make sense for a third-generation disciple of the Wudang Sect to have already mastered their clan’s Sword Arts to the fullest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As such, it really exemplified how exceptional the Water Dragon was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by how he pointed his sword in a careful position, he seemed to be waiting for my movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A good decision.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was probably due to the fact that everyone who had charged at me head-on had ended up collapsing on the ground as if they were dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, more cautious opponents started to appear in my fights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I moved my foot slightly, Woo Leehyun’s eyes followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze was quite sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It makes sense why the Wudang Sect sent him here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard that some other representatives from the Wudang Sect came in place of the Water Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it seemed like Mount Hua didn’t send anyone at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did anyone else from the Ten Sect Alliance come?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know as I didn’t look that far into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a challenging time for young prodigies right now. Because even just a few years ago, young prodigies had been emerging in the world at a rapid rate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, now, it felt more like a stagnant period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the current generation being dominated by the Meteor Generation, comprising only the most outstanding young prodigies…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This era was a hell for young prodigies to thrive in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stood still and continued to watch him, Woo Leehyun’s sword began to move slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword traced the symbol of his clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strike he initiated showed that he trained endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this guy also had his chin wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Leehyun fainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We weren’t in the same league to begin with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I had mentioned his vulnerability, it wasn’t as if he could have blocked or changed the flow of my attack anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Victory goes to Gu Yangcheon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I heard the judge, I exited the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His crew would probably take care of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A single blow this time too…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was his opponent weak…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You, do you think the Wudang Sect Clan is a joke? You’re going to get punished if you keep thinking that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But seriously, whether it’s the Wudang Sect or your mom… Does it really make sense that he’s defeated everyone with one blow? We should consider that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I began to overhear more people talking about me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, I had expected them to start talking sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, if I showed this much, they should’ve already found out something was up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because of how many unexpected situations there were?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this rumor could work in my favor if it spread further, so…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I knew it… he really is the Dishonored Venerable’s- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahhhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t hold back and yelled, causing those bastards to quickly scatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ugh, this personality of mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t believe I exploded again.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This shitty personality always seemed to get the best of me. I was becoming frustrated with how easily I lost my cool, so I ruffled my hair in exasperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s please behave like your age, Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was calming down my anger, I sensed someone approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s… wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet, chilly voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, I would have raised my guard when sensing someone approaching, but the scent I smelled along with the presence put me at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her bluish-white hair gently swayed in the winter breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I responded to Namgung Bi-ah, who was looking at me with a worried expression. Because it really was nothing after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had just lost my temper over something insignificant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you do well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew that she was fighting around the same time as me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, judging by how she was here right now and how her uniform wasn’t dirty at all, I could see it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who was your opponent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I don’t know…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She really didn’t seem to know. I couldn’t help but feel bad for her opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were defeated without even getting the chance to say their name. How sad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re… going somewhere? Medical room…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh, what do you mean medical room all of a sudden? I’m not hurt anywhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Soyeol.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. She’s probably receiving good treatment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I did secretly visit Tang Soyoel this morning, although she was still asleep and unaware of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Then where are you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where you were.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head in confusion, not quite grasping what I meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her eyes widened as realization struck her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then looked at me with a strange expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like she was thinking, ‘So you were worried about me’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah smiled in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she shook her head like it was nothing. I really didn’t like how she looked right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t believe a dumbo like her was looking at me so proudly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Where is Seol-Ah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I chewed on my tongue absentmindedly, Namgung Bi-ah asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She went out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today too…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, she seemed busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was starting to feel a little sad about that too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sounded like she would be cheering me on the whole time, yet she never appeared in the spectator seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there hadn’t been any particularly long fights for her to watch yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Though she did seem tired due to how busy she was.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was rare to see Wi Seol-Ah exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because even when she worked a lot, she always looked bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she did skip work from time to time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I should ask one day.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The easiest way to ask was to find Hongwa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even Hongwa was hard to find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slam-! Slam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I walked and pondered, I started to hear sounds in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sounds led me to the first group’s arena, where Namgung Bi-ah had fought just earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that spot currently…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is it those guys again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jeolyub and Hwangbo Cheolwi were fighting against each other. Those guys again, huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a karmic bond they had. Maybe they were fated to meet each other at this point?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, I could only see it that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slaaam-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwangbo Cheolwi’s heavy, massive hand punched through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to his giant physique, his movement was quick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slam-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Gu Jeolyub was faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had mentioned this at the banquet and Bacheonmaru as well, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t really have to watch this fight if I’m being honest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, that dumbass wouldn’t lose as long as he didn’t make any mistakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So why did you come…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found myself at a loss for words after hearing Namgung Bi-ah’s sudden question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, why did I come?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was just bored.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My response felt rather uncool, even to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reminded me of what Elder Shin had said about me aging backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…That old man is not a Taoist I swear.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Taoist, my ass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he was even called a hero at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah… because you were bored.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this, Namgung Bi-ah responded kindly, pretending to be fooled by my words, but her eyes were already twinkling with amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah, who almost never smiled, showed this side of her from time to time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This side where she smiled with her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did my life end up being treated like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Victory goes to Gu Jeolyub.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long was I lost in my thoughts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was able to regain my consciousness thanks to the judge’s announcement, but the duel was already over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jeolyub’s sword had reached Hwangbo Cheolwi’s neck, while Hwangbo Cheolwi’s fist had passed by Gu Jeolyub’s cheek, missing him, and was frozen in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woaaah-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the fight ended, the spectators cheered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An evenly matched fight had a way of making the audience’s hearts race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it was even…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when it shouldn’t have been?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It shouldn’t have been close at all? Gu Jeolyub should’ve easily won?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jeolyub even shook Hwangbo Cheolwi’s hand. What was going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What am I watching right now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, the duel ended in a warm-hearted manner. Why did it feel so wholesome…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Gu Jeolyub descended from the fight stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked down with a proud face with everyone cheering for him, he froze when he noticed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even flinched when I called him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he still couldn’t hide his proud face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must be happy, your mouth really wants to lift up, eh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oof, it’s not like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not like that, my ass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… never mind, you did well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was going to scold him for barely managing to win, but I decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I honestly didn’t expect Gu Jeolyub to make it this far. Though the same went for Hwangbo Cheolwi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, so what brings the Young Master here- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I stopped here as I happened to pass by, wondering if there were any fights left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jeolyub nodded in understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had indeed come to see the remaining fights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you see at the end, by any chance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jeolyub, who would rarely speak to me out of fear, suddenly spoke to me for some reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a slightly excited tone at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I dodged Young Master Hwangbo’s Tiger Fist Barrage and used my sword to- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh… you know Hwangbo Clan’s martial arts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm? No, Young Master Hwangbo shouted the name of his skill as he attacked me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…He shouts the names of his attacks as he uses them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he sane?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Might as well kindly tell your opponent something along the lines of, ‘Hey, I’m attacking your left now~’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imagining how that giant fought like that made me feel a bit queasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You didn’t do that either, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why can’t you answer? You piece of- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-I did not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right? If you did, there’s no way I could lift up my face due to the embarrassment I’d feel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would Young Master feel that way if I do that- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because we have the same surname, you idiot… That’s an embarrassment for the entire clan, seriously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he wasn’t mature, there was no way he actually did something like that. Surely, he didn’t shout out the name of his attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he did, fuck our shared surname; I was going to burn him to ashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was struggling with my thoughts, Namgung Bi-ah approached me and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey… aren’t you going to watch the others?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Others?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah then pointed somewhere with her finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her finger definitely pointed to where the arena was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t even really curious anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was where Namgung Cheonjun and Moyong Hi-ah were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And those two would obviously advance to the top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the bracket practically spelled it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as expected…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I started to overhear people talking about what happened just now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumors tended to spread faster than the wind in this small place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just as predicted, those two made it to the top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t think much up to this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As there hadn’t been many surprises so far, except for the fact that Tang Soyeol and Jang Seonyeon were put against each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the last fight of the day ended…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eagerly awaited new bracket was revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Woah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing about the new bracket, I was pleasantly surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first fight of tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Namgung Cheonjun of Namgung Clan vs. Gu Yangcheon of Gu Clan\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t fathom how this happened, but this was quite an amusing situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but break into a smile as soon as I saw the bracket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can rate\u002Freview this series here.\u003C\u002Fp>",3330,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","5f7ca442e7d9d276d54a2434dbc68852cbd97f783bf9df378ed9025936126613","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-153","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-151",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]