[{"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-164":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},1240190,1667,"Chapter 163: The Thing I Wish To Show (3)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-164",164,"\u003Cp>༺ The Thing I Wish To Show (3) ༻\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ting… ting… ting…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the basement deep underneath the Murim Alliance Palace at Hanam…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound that rang in his ears was the same as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly moved, following the torches mounted up on the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stairs that led downwards appeared as endless as ever and the sound that continuously rang weighed heavily on his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your expression doesn’t look that great.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Cheonjun gulped when he heard that voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because the question held no emotion, let alone concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you making fun of me right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No way, what reason would I have to make fun of you? It probably wouldn’t even be that fun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man completely covered in black, from head to feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin smiled lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was just a bit funny.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin’s expression couldn’t be seen as he was only looking straight ahead, but Namgung Cheonjun knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Peng Woojin’s playful voice, he wasn’t smiling right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What is funny to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could it not be, when the almighty Lightning Dragon is shaking that much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who… are you saying is shaking-!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Cheonjun, who was about to shout, fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because Peng Woojin turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he looked into those obsidian-like eyes, the heat that was boiling inside of him completely died away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost as if he was terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Cheonjun clenched his teeth, silently fuming over his wounded pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you so scared of?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin’s emotionless face and a calm voice that matched it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Cheonjun found it hard to deal with such traits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin looked into Namgung Cheonjun’s eyes for a moment before speaking again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t understand. Is it because of the defeat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Judging by how your expression rotted right away, I must be half correct, at least.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time Peng Woojin spoke, it pierced deeply into Namgung Cheonjun’s chest, leaving scars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be more accurate, it felt like he was stabbing at old wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Cheonjun lost against Gu Yangcheon in a duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, in a humiliating manner at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the almighty Namgung Cheonjun couldn’t find an excuse for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were simply in different leagues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Cheonjun didn’t want to admit it, but the martial artist in him was already acknowledging it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a martial artist, Gu Yangcheon has reached a level he could hardly even imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…A bastard like him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even while cursing at him in his mind, Namgung Cheonjun felt sick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he kept questioning if he was even in a position to say such words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most importantly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…The energy disappeared…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power he finally managed to acquire had disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Cheonjun couldn’t help but wear a grim expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Where did it go?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a new power that would’ve put him far beyond the other Dragons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although short, Namgung Cheonjun felt its strength during his duel against Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as such, it was that much harder for him to forget about such power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he knew the strength of it, he wanted it back even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why… why… why did it disappear?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His longing turned into a thirst that left him parched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was even more so since he had gotten a sip of it once before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I have that power, whether it’s the Water Dragon, Sword Dragon, Sword Phoenix, or even Peng Woojin standing before me, I might be able to surpass them all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The taste of that power had left Namgung Cheonjun yearning for it even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin looked at Namgung Cheonjun, then looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How lame.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What an ugly color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, maybe I can’t even call it a color anymore.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man who had still shined with color before, albeit in a tiny amount, had now lost all of his color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, Peng Woojin had lost interest in Namgung Cheonjun completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no interest in someone who was void of color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did he say that the Heavenly Qi disappeared?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin remembered Namgung Cheonjun shouting in arrogance and how his face fell in despair as he admitted to losing that newfound power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was pathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he tried to progress not with his own power, but with power given from a different source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How far did he expect to progress with power given to him like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He doesn’t even know what he looks like.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t matter anymore though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever means he held, it didn’t matter to Peng Woojin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped caring about him after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting that aside…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin found it a bit interesting how he lost his power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He may have lost all interest in the Lightning Dragon, but he was interested in the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They said that he used it before the power fully integrated into his body. Perhaps, that’s the problem?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was before the power made its home inside his body, so maybe it disappeared when he exhausted it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This theory made sense, but Peng Woojin still wondered if his theory was really correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reflecting on the final moments of the duel between Gu Yangcheon and the Lightning Dragon, Peng Woojin clearly remembered the appearance that Gu Yangcheon had shown to Namgung Cheonjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the dark atmosphere that sent shivers down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t show it outside, but his killing intent rampaged inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin definitely felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that face full of annoyance the true appearance of that boy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or, was there more to it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin was curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About the existence of Gu Yangcheon himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What in the world are you hiding, Young Master Gu?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin touched his mouth with his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, his lips were forming a smile on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How problematic.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to control himself so that he wouldn’t burst out in excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His utter glee that kept erupting inside made it uncomfortable for his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Peng Woojin relished this feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy emitted such a light, so how could he not be excited?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious how excited he was as he formed a smile on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How disappointing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin wanted to go see Gu Yangcheon right this instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t right now, which was why his desire grew larger and larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, an entrance appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A giant door glowing in a blue light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One might question why there was no guard stationed at such a secretive place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Peng Woojin knew that there was no need for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he expected, when Namgung Cheonjun went closer to the door, it started to open as if it had been awaiting his arrival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thuuuuud-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the door opened along with a loud sound,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman appeared from the door and welcomed the two men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin looked at the woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face wasn’t visible as she was wearing a veil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the fascinating thing was that Peng Woojin still couldn’t see through her even with the use of his Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant that it was no ordinary woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin then asked the woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the Chief Abbott here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Heavenly Eye has not arrived yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin was certain that he would be the first to arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He left a message saying that he would be late as he had something to discuss with the Harmonic Sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin then glanced behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Cheonjun seemed to have reached the peak of desperation, his sweat dripping in abundance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he struggled to find the right words, the woman spoke on his behalf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin, hearing this, wore an unexpected expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard that outsiders aren’t usually permitted to enter, but then how come you’re allowing me in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Dancer has allowed it, saying that both of you are welcome to come inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin’s interest was piqued by her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That fastidious woman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were sharp like a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin, who knew how important the ‘Dancer’ was to the woman, definitely crossed the line by saying such words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the woman with the veil showed no reaction despite hearing Peng Woojin’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll be guiding you now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only continued to speak in an emotionless tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing that appearance of hers, Peng Woojin shook his head lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are as lame as ever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having lost all interest, Peng Woojin passed by the woman, and Namgung Cheonjun followed hurriedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the two men entered into the darkness,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman looked at the staircase the two men came down from for a very long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if something was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the woman was done, she turned around and proceeded back into the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following that…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slaaam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant door slammed shut, plunging the area back into darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The semifinals ended and nighttime came right after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t feel particularly tired, but I was mentally drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because many others started to see me differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because I won against the Pissing Dragon and overpowered the Snow Phoenix as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget about the young prodigies, even those around me were looking at me in a way that made me uncomfortable, so how could I not become mentally tired?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This kind of feeling always makes me exhausted.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the gazes I received in my past life were a far cry from what I was encountering now, which meant it was a different sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the end, I was still sick of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve experienced way too many things to be excited by thi-…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, Young Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did something happen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah asked while rubbing her head on my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hair accessory I had given her emitted a pleasant, flowery scent that reached my nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No… why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem like you’re in a good mood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I covered my mouth with my hand after hearing Wi Seol-Ah’s bright words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was I actually in a good mood without realizing it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I’m getting goosebumps.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did I really become excited about getting attention because I won against children?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about it that way, it made me look pathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I felt my mood begin to sour, a hand that resembled a white gem suddenly reached out and landed on my forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Suddenly… your mood seemed like it was getting worse…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the hand of Namgung Bi-ah who was lying on the medical room bed. After hearing her, I put on a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who’s worried about who?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just make sure you stay lying down as you don’t need to worry about me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While saying that, I observed Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword wound that had torn through her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew that she was a first-rate martial artist and that the injury was light, but the fact that it could have been dangerous did not change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doctor said that it wouldn’t leave a scar, so I guess that was a silver lining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Namgung Bi-ah didn’t really seem to care whether it left a scar on her or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Tang Soyeol went wild saying that she can’t allow that to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I want to leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Namgung Bi-ah suddenly spoke, I shook my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because I know you would go to the training area right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You don’t need to look at me that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon returning from my duel earlier, the first thing Namgung Bi-ah did after seeing me was say that she wanted to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would understand if she wanted to just leave and do nothing else, but I knew that training was her goal just from seeing how she was searching for her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is she looking at me like that too?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did she learn to make her eyes look so pitiful?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, whether it was Wi Seol-Ah or Namgung Bi-ah, they seemed to have figured out the power of their beauty and started to use it as an advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I strictly said no to her, Namgung Bi-ah went back to her usual expression right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she spoke in a disappointed tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Soyeol said… that he would listen if I did this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis… I definitely recall that I didn’t teach you this so that you could use it here, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To prove her innocence, Tang Soyeol appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was shivering, suggesting that the outside was quite cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon her arrival, I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you go somewhere?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh… I went to see Young Lady Moyong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was listening to her, I flowed my Qi around to produce heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol’s expression then started to relax as the cold was going away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While watching that, I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you say Moyong, you mean the Snow Phoenix?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt this last time too, but it seemed like there was something between Tang Soyeol and Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they didn’t really seem that close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had to list one thing, it seemed like Tang Soyeol felt uncomfortable with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was she bullied or something?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But judging by how Tang Soyeol took care of that Hwangbo pig last time, she didn’t really seem to have a weak personality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her friend, Peng Ah-hee, said it herself that Tang Soyeol had a quite strong personality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face seemed quite different from her personality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had to compare them with animals, Wi Seol-Ah was like a puppy, Namgung Bi-ah resembled a cat…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Tang Soyeol seemed the most like a squirrel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rodents always did have a fierce personality…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing, really. Did you eat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t yet, so that I could eat with you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol replied, her embarrassment showing as she smiled shyly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm? Are we eating?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah’s eyes widened at the mention of food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I then started to squeeze Wi Seol-Ah’s cheeks as if I had been waiting for the chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wuhhh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You lost even more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wuhh…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could tell as soon as I touched them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Wi Seol-Ah’s cheeks had lost fat again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to that, she became prettier as days went on, but I was very disappointed as the sensation of touching her cheek became worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you sure you’re eating two bowls a meal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah… I had three earlier…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why is this happening, what are you hiding in your stomach?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why are you losing weight when you eat that much in a day?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I even told her to have night snacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I expressed my curiosity, Tang Soyeol spoke as if it was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Gu… you never touched Seol-Ah’s stomach, right? What’s there to hide when it’s that slim?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it weirder for me to touch it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol realized what I said was true, so she nodded her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Wi Seol-Ah spoke while pulling on her clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stomach? Do you want me to show you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Wha… What would I do by seeing it? Just stay still.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was ready to lift her clothing at any moment, so I hurriedly pulled her hands down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t only us in the medical room, what was she doing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seemed curious…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because I rejected her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah had a disappointed look on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she really so carefree that she had nothing else to be disappointed about besides something as trivial as this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was thinking about giving her a finger flick, but instead, I ruffled her hair with my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While doing so, I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How was the Snow Phoenix?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About Moyong Hi-ah’s condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Huh, she didn’t have too big of a problem. Her clan was more concerned about her than the doctors, so it’s likely better for her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would indeed be better than relying solely on the medical room doctors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when I thought about the disease Moyong Hi-ah had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To my knowledge, the servant who accompanied her might be a servant, but she was also famous for her medical capabilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was one of the students of the Immortal Healer, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She probably didn’t get injured since I did hold back.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to that, I had to use more Qi than expected, but the outcome was still okay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, for the sake of the Snow Phoenix who forced herself to come this high up in the tournament, I wanted to exchange a few strikes with her, but because the Snow Phoenix was not in her right mind at the time, I had to end it fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not that I know why she was like that back then.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because she was still young compared to her in my past life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Snow Phoenix in my past life was a woman who didn’t know how to be dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a woman so cold that I could see her standing in the snowfield all alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman who didn’t flinch even in the face of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one moment that the Snow Phoenix became shocked in my memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And considering the fact that I was responsible for it, I couldn’t help but be a little bit concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If Elder Shin was here, he would’ve raged at me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That old man would’ve scolded me about how I had another woman around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I wonder when he’ll wake up again.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t think he had disappeared completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, I could feel his presence inside me, especially as I reached higher levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s been a few days since I met Jang Seonyeon. While I understood that such a thing could happen in my fight against Ya Hyeoljeok…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was my emotional shock really that much for him to sleep for this long?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t believe there is not one thing I could figure out.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that I didn’t understand my own body was beyond annoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was lost in my thoughts, I suddenly heard a voice that roused me from my contemplation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I go… see tomorrow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah asked me carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was likely referring to the upcoming fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where do you think you’re going with your body?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can move…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew how much Namgung Bi-ah wanted to train right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she not have the desire to move, when she had such an enlightenment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If it was enlightenment I would forget in a short time, I would’ve moved right away,’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But looking at her, it didn’t seem like Namgung Bi-ah would forget about her enlightenment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, a sword dance was ceaselessly playing out in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She probably wanted to swing it at this instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the reason why she was holding back was probably because of what I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to tell her that she should rest tomorrow as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might seem like I was being overprotective, but her chest wound made it difficult for me to say otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tomorrow…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, I knew that she was restraining herself, the martial artist in her just for me, so I felt like I couldn’t hold her back any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine if you… are careful. You can move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, I gave her the response she wanted to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After I gave her my approval, Namgung Bi-ah put on a smile as if she had been waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I wanted to show it to her too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like how she wished to show me…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I, too, had something I wanted to show her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the meaning might be different compared to hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the next day…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I met Jang Seonyeon on the arena stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I had been eagerly awaiting had finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can rate\u002Freview this series here.\u003C\u002Fp>",3254,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","db2cbfd065fdf2a5cd9c9342cb03cdaeedd7b7db1513576f427959a3cc827a13","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-165","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-163",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]