[{"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-162":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},1240188,1667,"Chapter 161: The Thing I Wish To Show (1)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-162",162,"\u003Cp>༺ The Thing I Wish To Show (1) ༻\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had once heard this advice: Just go with the flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of sticking to a planned path, follow wherever your sword leads you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some people proclaimed that this was the process of enlightenment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword would move ahead of one’s eyes…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Qi inside the sword would flow beautifully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like calm ripples on a lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principle of nature?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah didn’t know such a complicated thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she did was let her body be carried by the flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She always thought it was strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wondered why she could never achieve a satisfying sword technique…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why she could only manage a decent one with the help of her Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every swing of her sword made her feel that something was amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Namgung Bi-ah continued to swing her sword anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She always lacked answers and didn’t know how to find them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, she felt like she knew the answer now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she finally seemed to have found a path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sword resonated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded as if the sword was telling her that she found the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flowing line before her eyes unveiled a path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should she follow that path…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or should she not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah was never one to hesitate anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As such, she decided to just take the path and regret it later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, she wasn’t afraid to set foot on a path she had never taken before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tip of the sword gently traced the line of the path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it flowed along with the path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was smooth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the swing of a sword always this smooth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no resistance as the sword cut straight through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with aZap!Lightning Qi started to intertwine with the flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t something Namgung Bi-ah had intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It just naturally happened as she followed the path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this the process of becoming one with the sword?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strange sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t feel unpleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, it felt like a restraint had been loosened, making her much more at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah saw the end of the flowing path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the opponent she was fighting against, but something beyond him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the distant end of the path, someone was standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Who is that…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t clearly see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the person’s attire, they appeared to be from the Namgung Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah wondered who it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it her father or her grandfather?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or if it weren’t those two… Was it her great-grandfather?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t feel like any of those people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least to Namgung Bi-ah, it felt like a stranger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she followed the path, she drew closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very slowly, so slow to the point that you would need to focus to see the movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, with each step, she inched closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because of this, Namgung Bi-ah felt convinced that this wasn’t a wrong path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…A little more.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t know why, but for some reason, she wanted to reach there a little bit faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt like she needed to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt like this was the right path for her to take.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as she pushed forward, she sensed that she might deviate from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Namgung Bi-ah thought,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh, I can’t rush this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that realization, Namgung Bi-ah slowed down her steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t hesitate there as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her unsteady movements became firm once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as that happened…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Hm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She heard a voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Not bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing far away from Namgung Bi-ah, the man, who had his hands behind his back, continued to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Come slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– You will fall if you rush without knowing your limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– With that in mind, come to where I’m standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still couldn’t see the man’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, Namgung Bi-ah still felt like she needed to reach him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exuded an air of relaxation and pride…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his prideful appearance strangely suited him way too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Then I shall award you a present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the last line that he whispered in a satisfied tone…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah finally opened her eyes, which had been closed for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis…? Sis!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…! Sis Bi-ah woke up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through her blurred vision, she saw two girls: one with black hair and the other with green hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when her vision gradually cleared, she saw the two cute-looking girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She realized that it was a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt way too real for her, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So much so that she would’ve believed it if someone had told her that it wasn’t a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How are you feeling…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It hurts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body ached from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, it hurts… Is your chest okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Chest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah looked down at her chest after hearing Tang Soyeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw that it was wrapped in a bandage meant for treatment, not a compression bandage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thankfully they said it would heal with some rest as the sword didn’t cut deeply into it, and that it wouldn’t leave a scar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like only her chest suffered an injury, but for some reason, she felt pain all over her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like muscular pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Muscular pain…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something she hadn’t felt ever since reaching a certain level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she couldn’t fathom why it had suddenly returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah attempted to move her body, but Tang Soyeol and Wi Seol-Ah quickly stopped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay put.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can’t get up yet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Omph…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you think of moving around so recklessly when you’re this hurt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…But you… also got up right awa-”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That’s different!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol had no excuse, so she resorted to shouting back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Tang Soyeol did move recklessly after her fight as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting that aside…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah really wanted to get up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to relive the sensation she felt in her dreams and during her duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt like she couldn’t afford to let them slip away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh, the duel…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought in mind, Namgung Bi-ah realized one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I lost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That she was defeated in her fight. When that thought came to mind, her heart sank heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She so confidently told him that she would prove herself, but she lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol, who could relate, struggled to find words of comfort for Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she know what to say to her when she was grappling with her own defeat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether she fought well or not….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just another pointless attempt to comfort someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is he…? Did he go somewhere…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol couldn’t help but feel strange after hearing Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah didn’t stop at asking ‘Where he was,’ but ‘Did he go somewhere’ instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she was certain that Gu Yangcheon was here at one point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Her belief in him is quite scary.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, it also made Tang Soyeol envious of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was able to feel the bond between the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting that aside, Gu Yangcheon was, indeed, here not long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol responded to Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…He left a bit ago. He has a fight to attend, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol herself felt that it was very mean of her to say that as if it was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one reason why Namgung Bi-ah thought that Gu Yangcheon was here before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…There is no stench.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she could smell a faint trace, it was barely noticeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the little bit of heat that was left had let her know that he was here not too long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m glad…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah felt a sense of relief along with that warm sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it meant that the horrible stench that she smelled during her fight had disappeared once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t know why the stench came back at that moment…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she wondered if it would come back to her again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She started to feel a bit scared with that thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I must go to him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to go to him and check, hoping the thing that made her nervous wasn’t real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah tried to move her body again,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wi Seol-Ah stopped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis, we told you that you can’t move!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Namgung Bi-ah made a dissatisfied expression after hearing Wi Seol-Ah, Tang Soyeol spoke as if she had been waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They said that you need some time before you can start moving again. The injuries are one thing, but the insides of your body are also messed up…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And Young Master Gu told us to stop you from getting up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after hearing Tang Soyeol’s last line, did Namgung Bi-ah listen and lie back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like the little stubbornness she possessed flew away whenever Gu Yangcheon was involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Tang Soyeol, that side of Namgung Bi-ah seemed endearing yet slightly vexing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also… he told me to deliver his words to you when you wake up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes widened in anticipation upon hearing Tang Soyeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis, isn’t your reaction a little too different compared to before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did he say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you don’t listen to me, but you do listen to him…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol smiled after seeing this side of Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Jeez, I really need to remember that Sis is a very strange person.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was a good match.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah’s hair swayed gently in response to Tang Soyeol’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest well, it’s my turn to show you now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the complete message, Namgung Bi-ah’s dimmed eyes gradually regained their clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s what he wanted me to deliver to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah, who had her eyes wide open with shock for a moment, slowly closed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis, why are you suddenly closing your eyes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…He told me to rest well, didn’t he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol rubbed her face, wondering how her cold and beautiful Sis had turned into this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I mean… He is that handsome… but you can’t live with someone just because you like his fac… fa… maybe you could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh, maybe you could after all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol thought it was strange at first, but as she pondered it further, it didn’t seem entirely impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Soyeol.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re good at imitating him…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right? I thought it was pretty spot-on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah… it sounded exactly like him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah started to rub her shoulders due to the chills she got from how accurate Tang Soyeol’s imitation was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it that similar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a rather good imitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though not in the voice department, but more of the way he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His unique harsh way of speaking in a seemingly emotionless tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be more precise, it was a shitty way of speaking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that part of him held a certain charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Though it seems like it’s only us who think that way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was better that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already had way too many girls following him anyway, so having three girls who knew Gu Yangcheon was already enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Though it feels like four.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason why Tang Soyeol had that sudden thought was because she was reminded of Peng Ah-hee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that they had broken off their engagement also implied that they had been engaged at some point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it seemed like Peng Ah-hee didn’t harbor any ill feelings towards Gu Yangcheon either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it wasn’t as if they were viewing each other in a romantic light…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol couldn’t help but feel somewhat bothered by it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was that she was also the one who forced herself to be included in his group, so she couldn’t really say much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ugh…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And another girl came to her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow Phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, Tang Soyeol was bothered by her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather, Tang Soyeol felt guilty about the Tang Clan’s surname when it came to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…No way, right?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt uneasy thinking about her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Snow Phoenix had no interest in Gu Yangcheon and no reason to do so, and it was a pointless concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what Tang Soyeol told herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, you should rest for a while, Sis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah didn’t respond since she had fallen asleep already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked so urgent, but just by hearing that Gu Yangcheon told her to rest, she became like this…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that Tang Soyeol had nothing to say to this despite the oddity of the situation…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was because Tang Soyeol felt that she too would do the same thing if faced with the same situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After staring at Namgung Bi-ah for a bit, Tang Soyeol asked Wi Seol-Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it okay if you don’t go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Gu’s duel, don’t you want to go see it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting herself aside, Tang Soyeol thought that it’d be appropriate for at least Wi Seol-Ah to go, so she asked her…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wi Seol-Ah only responded back with a smile, indicating that it was okay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that, Tang Soyeol let out a fake cough and turned her head away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…It’s hard to talk to her for some reason.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol knew that Wi Seol-Ah was a servant, but she felt it was difficult to talk to her for some reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting aside the fact that she was a direct servant of Gu Yangcheon, she was just a difficult person for Tang Soyeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol wondered. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she definitely felt that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s okay. Young Master said he’ll be back right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol tilted her head after hearing Wi Seol-Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did Gu Yangcheon ever say that? She couldn’t see Wi Seol-Ah’s expression as her face was covered by her long hair, but the tone of her voice sounded a bit lower than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Tang Soyeol tried to catch a glimpse of Wi Seol-Ah’s face…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m hungry, do you want to go eat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah quickly shouted at Tang Soyeol with a bright face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Uh, uh sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What to eat… What does Sis Soyeol like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ehh? I’m fine with anyth- Oh, I have some leftover poisonous herb from yesterday, so maybe-”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we should eat food!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sure, yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Does she not like herbs?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I wonder why… poisonous herbs are tasty.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol secretly made a disappointed expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the arena of the semifinals…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The buzz from earlier had yet to die down, as it seemed like people had no intention of stopping their conversations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense that people were this hyped up since they just witnessed a fight of such level in a young prodigy tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for Moyong Hi-ah, it wasn’t something she was particularly fond of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such attention might be helpful in the future…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Moyong Hi-ah wasn’t capable of showing such an astounding performance the spectators were hoping for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He was in a whole different league.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Alliance Leader’s son, Jang Seonyeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strength he showed was way beyond the levels of other young prodigies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which made Moyong Hi-ah wonder how he was pushed back, up until the changing point in the middle of the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it also didn’t feel correct to say that he was holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…That lady too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah, the Lightning Dragon’s sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her beauty was enough to make people breathless…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was the same case for her sword skills as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sword dance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah still couldn’t forget the sword dance Namgung Bi-ah performed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was so beautiful that, despite Jang Seonyeon’s victory, it was Namgung Bi-ah who remained at the forefront of Moyong Hi-ah’s thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the way she had moved in the final moments of the fight, it couldn’t even be described in words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she danced with her sword, it made Moyong Hi-ah completely forget about Namgung Bi-ah’s disheveled appearance during the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the fact that, among so many people, only Namgung Bi-ah had remained visible…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was very shocking for Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m next in line after such a remarkable performance.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People were already giving Namgung Bi-ah and Jang Seonyeon new titles after witnessing their fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah let out a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Since the Lightning Dragon is already eliminated,’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Do I have any purpose of climbing this high up in the tournament?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah never really wanted to participate in the tournament to begin with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t do much about the banquet meeting, but she didn’t want to waste her energy by participating in this optional tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the reason why she still participated in the tournament was because of…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Father.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Phoenix, the Water Dragon, and the Sword Dragon, who had demonstrated their superiority over other Dragons and Phoenixes, were absent from the tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As such, they couldn’t afford to have no Dragons and Phoenixes in the tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s probably the agreement they made.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ugh…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She really felt that her title of Snow Phoenix was pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wondered how far she had to go with such a fake title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I feel like I’ll become exhausted.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Or maybe, I already am.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she still couldn’t talk back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she knew how much the clan and her father were risking for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah quietly drew her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her opponent was already up on the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Gu Yangcheon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy who stood on the opposing side. The fight was about to start at any moment, but the boy was looking somewhere else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Where is he looking at?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Moyong Hi-ah followed his gaze, it led to the highest point of the Murim Alliance building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where the Alliance Leader and other higher-ups from the Alliance were gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I wonder why he’s looking up there.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah didn’t know much about the boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing she learned from him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that the boy was hiding his power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or was it even correct to say that he was hiding his power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he just didn’t have any worthy opponent to unleash his full strength against.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah’s instinct told her as much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was Jang Seonyeon, who was being hailed as the Meteor Sword…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or the Sword Dancer, Namgung Bi-ah…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lightning Dragon, the Poison Bee…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or even herself…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like none of them had caught that boy’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did it seem that strange to her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are you looking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe that was why Moyong Hi-ah suddenly addressed Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I just had some miscellaneous thoughts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They talked a few times, but the way he responded just now wasn’t his usual relaxed but rude way of talking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed so indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice sounded so indifferent that it felt like it held no emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Moyong Hi-ah continued to look into his eyes, Gu Yangcheon suddenly spoke to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of a sudden…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It came out of nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did Gu Yangcheon do something to warrant an apology from her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah searched her memories, but couldn’t recall any such incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Moyong Hi-ah was rather annoyed at how he tried to ignore her most of the time as if he was disgusted…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t blatant enough for him to apologize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you suddenly apologizing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon tried to respond back to Moyong Hi-ah’s question…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Semifinals, Gu Clan’s Gu Yangcheon vs. Moyong Clan’s Moyong Hi-ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the judge cut them off so Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t hear the rest of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, she quickly figured out the reason behind his apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Begin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blaze-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Woah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all Moyong Hi-ah could say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just an instant, Moyong Hi-ah was left breathless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because the intense heat that shouldn’t have existed in the midst of winter suddenly took over the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The winter breeze was blocked by the heat, making it difficult for people to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames danced and spiraled around the arena endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few seconds…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small sun had formed on top of the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In between those flames, Gu Yangcheon only stared at Moyong Hi-ah with a calm expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that, Moyong Hi-ah spoke with a spiritless tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Isn’t this a bit too much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was in a different league.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nowhere near enough to describe it in such words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the sun suddenly appear in a playground for stars?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was beyond too much; it had to be an incredibly nasty act of violence and misconduct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can rate\u002Freview this series here.\u003C\u002Fp>",3385,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","196a1c3718ebad36aab2716ac622c41514201abd143a983dcdfabe258a4befc8","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-163","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-161",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]