[{"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-171":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},1240197,1667,"Chapter 170: Would You Like To Go With Me? (1)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-171",171,"\u003Cp>༺ Would You Like To Go With Me? (1) ༻\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the room, brimming with medicines and bandages, a golden light swept through, radiating an unmistakable sharpness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this wave of light failed to reach Jang Seonyeon; it dissipated right before his eyes, akin to a dissipating fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite it being a surprise attack, Jang Seonyeon didn’t lose his smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if he knew that this was going to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Child, your way of greeting is rather on the aggressive side.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a voice devoid of any rhythmic charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And contrary to the speaker’s words, his expression remained chillingly devoid of emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon tilted his head after seeing Wi Seol-Ah’s reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether it’s you, or that kid from yesterday, none of you show any sign of shock. How lame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon, rather, Dok Gojun chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah then asked while looking at Dok Gojun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you know that I was coming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, how could I not know when you were showing that much bloodlust towards this child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah was a master in hiding her killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, she had been more careful than ever so that she didn’t give any trouble to this child she was borrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So then how…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she could even finish thinking, Dok Gojun spoke to Wi Seol-Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems like you know who I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words were said with utmost certainty. The statement confirmed that the person before her was not Jang Seonyeon, but rather an existence inside his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah had to hide her gasp after hearing Dok Gojun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t utter such nonsense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that were not the case, you wouldn’t be this perturbed,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah masked her unease, regulating her breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hid everything she could think of, but Dok Gojun continued to say otherwise as if he knew the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you, I wonder? Inside that strong child, resides a colossal beast. Yet, you appear bereft of any such power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right as Dok Gojun finished talking, Wi Seol-Ah swung her hand once more, stronger than last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon’s arm had been sliced off. But when Wi Seol-Ah saw that, she frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did her attack land at his arm when she had aimed for his neck, but the arm that had been sliced off wasn’t even bleeding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dok Gojun’s smile broadened as he observed the severed limb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see, you are…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then started whispering as if he realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did he deflect the attack with his energy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t necessarily impossible, but it wasn’t possible with the level Jang Seonyeon was at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant that it was the power of that unknown existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his arm having been sliced off, Dok Gojun’s expression remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are rather impatient, huh. We haven’t even had a proper conversation yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have nothing to say to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t want to speak to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because all she had planned to do was finish what she had come here for and then leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She began to charge her Qi again,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite having only a little bit of her energy left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her attack from earlier seemed to have worked after she had used more energy to charge it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by that, she needed to use even more energy to make her attack effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dok Gojun interjected once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have nothing to say even if it’s about that child, the one that you care for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah paused for a moment after hearing Dok Gojun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the energy inside her hand started to waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dok Gojun smiled at her clear reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are an honest child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah was about to strike once more upon hearing Dok Gojun’s words, but he continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have planted my seed within that child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I even gave him the one with the best quality, so the child should like it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah’s hair stirred in response to this revelation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the room was filled with such formidable pressure and murderous intent that Jang Seonyeon’s body began to crush, yet he maintained his smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, child. It’s not a power that would harm him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t utter such revolting things, how are you even saying such nonsense in your current state?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just the fact that the existence had taken over Jang Seonyeons’ body completely made Wi Seol-Ah lose all trust in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was especially more the case because the Wi Seol-Ah knew that the entity was Dok Gojun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether you believe it or not, is irrelevant. What truly matters is something else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ddddddd-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure on the room pressure intensified, causing the furniture to vibrate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So is this a plea for your life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am absolutely indifferent to whatever choice you make. I simply wanted to have a conversation with you, that is all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of conversation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to slice his neck off this instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t want to converse with such a loathsome individual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, she needed to be cautious if he was in the least bit related to Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dok Gojun, observing her, asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you sacrifice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah bit her lips hearing his question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In order to become like that, what did you have to sacrifice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you curious about that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Child, I’m just curious how you were able to accomplish something I couldn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he asking about manipulating time to change history?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am the same as you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah couldn’t give a response to Dok Gojun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t deny his claim, since he was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she couldn’t agree as well, because he hadn’t been fully accurate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may be a little brighter, and more cunning, but in the end, our nature is the same. How could we be any different when we started from the same point?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be clear on what you want to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just curious. How did someone like you end up like this? Was it your fault or the child’s, that you’ve become like this? I’m simply curious. I have always been like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah clenched her teeth, unwilling to entertain this conversation any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Dok Gojun continued to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That boy isn’t a creation of mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Words that were filled with certainty, Dok Gojun spoke with certainty ever since the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Neither is that child. Which is why I’m even more fascinated, since two children have caught my attention, when they aren’t even creations of mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I couldn’t care less about your intention.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Wi Seol-Ah’s enraged voice, Dok Gojun responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will not interfere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I simply wait and observe, as in this case. I am merely a curious person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah detested his composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more so the case as she could sense the sinister and violent power concealed within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So in her eyes, he appeared fake, feigning normalcy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you worried that I will harm the child?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you are aware, then don’t you dare touch a single hair of his.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She charged her Qi while grinding her teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or I’ll infiltrate your nest and unleash havoc.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Wi Seol-Ah let out a dense bloodlust, Dok Gojun became slightly shocked at her ominous warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem to know more than I had expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And do you believe I won’t act, even with that knowledge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I continue to use this body at this rate, then I will be pushing this child’s body beyond its limit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My soul will likely rot away, and I won’t even be able to give him my farewell that I had desperately wished for.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, Wi Seol-Ah couldn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was willing to take all the sufferings onto herself, if it meant that she was able to reduce the burdens of others, even if it was only by a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is my soul worth, anyway?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When compared to everything the others had done for her, what Wi Seol-Ah had done for them in return seemed negligible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made her feel that her soul had no value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dok Gojun responded to Wi Seol-Ah in an amused tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I mentioned it earlier, but I have no intention of harming that child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah couldn’t believe his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he had already confessed to planting his seed within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah knew what kind of end one would meet if they had Dok Gojun’s seed within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if what he was saying was true, then she felt that she had already committed a sin for not being able to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That child will appreciate it, too, as it’s a gift I bestowed upon him, having grown fond of him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be mistaken. He would find your meddlesome act repulsive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t someone who sought such power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a person capable of standing on his own feet, and he would do the exact same in this life as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he had escaped the shackle of himself, Gu Yangcheon will surely be able to fly up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was precisely what Wi Seol-Ah was here for in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah continued to glare at Dok Gojun, but he retained his composure, despite him being threatened and put into a dangerous situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah knew where his heart was located.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was in a basement located deep inside this very land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah couldn’t afford to go for that heart, so she was forced to hold herself back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, she had all the intention to rampage if Dok Gojun persisted in his plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dok Gojun assured Wi Seol-Ah with a small, calming gesture, as her anger grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My power cannot harm the child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that he wouldn’t harm him, but that he couldn’t, was what he meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finished speaking, Dok Gojun’s demeanor changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah remained vigilant, since even that could have been an act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gradually tightened her grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Judging by your reaction, whatever the entity inside that boy’s body is, even you don’t know about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ravenous beast that’s sleeping inside his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dok Gojun couldn’t help but smile at the thought of that terrifying being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will continue to wait. I’ve waited many years for this, so how could I harm that child?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoke began filling the room, one not made of Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I desire nothing more than to see that child’s potential grow, which is why I gifted him so generously. And since we’ve established a connection, he will come to me in due time. You know yourself that it’s the natural order of things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Dok Gojun spoke, he grabbed his own neck, leaving Wi Seol-Ah wide-eyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I hope you’ll still stand by that child,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a bit of a waste, but I’m not that sad about it. This is a sacrifice I have to make for my cause and also a gift to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah charged toward Jang Seonyeon, attempting to grasp his body, but dense smoke obstructed her path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our conversation today was quite engaging. I look forward to our next meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah used her energy to disperse the smoke and rushed towards Jang Seonyeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Craaack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he unflinchingly twisted his own neck, collapsing to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his unsettling posture made it seem like he had died, Dok Gojun’s voice still emanated from Jang Seonyeon’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was nice seeing you, my daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that last phrase…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon lost the light in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah hid her emotions and quivering shoulders. She had an urge to vent her anger and destroy everything around her, but she forced herself to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she wasn’t in a situation where she could afford to do so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was this life or her past one, she struggled with the fear of helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What does the Celestial Sword even signify, and why am I the Zenith?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m this incompetent and powerless. Ultimately, I wasn’t able to change anything this time either.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah clenched her lips and waved her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A golden flame enveloped Jang Seonyeon’s body, erasing all traces of him in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the lingering energy, Wi Seol-Ah shivered with her head bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I’m sorry.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was reminded of his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of how she wished she could have done for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she still felt like a hindrance to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She contemplated going to the basement to unleash her rage, but she knew that doing that would potentially create even more burdens for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t do anything for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her actions felt limited, she felt helpless, despite having reached the Zenith, Wi Seol-Ah still carried immense guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Foolish bitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was reminded of what he said to her back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah at this point, understood very well the emotions he felt when he had said those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Wi Seol-Ah continued to stay silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**********\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A day later, the tournament held its final event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Cheon personally congratulated the winners of both the finals and the losers’ bracket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the middle of the arena, with numerous spectators, Gu Yangcheon stood before Jang Cheon, wearing his usual unamused expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah, who observed the scene, clenched her fist and controlled her rough breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to Gu Yangcheon…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon stood perfectly fine, despite having twisted his neck just the day before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can rate\u002Freview this serieshere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Аdvаnсеd сhарtеrѕ аvаіlаblе оn gеnеѕіѕtlѕ.соm\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Іlluѕtrаtіоnѕ оn оur dіѕсоrd – dіѕсоrd.gg\u002Fgеnеѕіѕtlѕ\u003C\u002Fp>",2253,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","17cd9bba67731a695735ecda1ce680f854d104dd146b0734e4c1dcfe98186cba","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-172","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-170",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]