[{"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-203":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},1240229,1667,"Chapter 202: I'll Be Back (2)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-203",203,"\u003Cp>Ill Be Back (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, I thought I was mistaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And understandably so, because Wi Seol-Ah shouldnt be here right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why are you here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the most random occurrence to have happened to me recently, surprising me even more than when I got a glimpse of Gu Huibi through the Marble of Celestial Captivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was Wi Seol-Ah here when she shouldve been asleep at home at this time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you going somewhere?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to ask her a question, she beat me to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master, are you going somewhere?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the ebony night sky, Wi Seol-Ahs swollen eyes bore into mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I initially considered running away without uttering a word, but those eyes held me captive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was just planning on going somewhere for a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You wouldnt know even if I told you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is Young Master going to such a place alone, then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ahs response left me momentarily speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone carried an uncharacteristic gravity, due to which, I wasnt able to run my mouth easily like normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both I and the sisters were worried about you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oddly, it felt like she was scolding me, even though the Wi Seol-Ah I knew of wouldnt typically do so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I continued to gaze at her, struggling with unfamiliar emotions, she pressed on; her eyes boring into me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master, why do you always insist on doing things alone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When have I ever done that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You are doing it right now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its because that place is far too dangerous for all of you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerous?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes. So I cant do much about-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If its so dangerous, then why areyougoing there all alone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ahs persistent arguments kept the conversation from coming to an end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I briefly considered raising my voice, saying that these two were separate matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing her tear-stricken face, my words faltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The appearance of her crying was far too pitiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I worked hard. I trained diligently and I learned how to use a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ahs tearful words made me furrow my brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You learned what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She learned and trained swordsmanship?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From whom?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it perhaps the Sword Venerable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only possibility I could think of right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my previous life, Wi Seol-Ah had been the Sword Venerables successor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her swordsmanship, mirroring his, made it pretty obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the issue lay in the fact that she had taken up the sword in this life as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That should not have happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was I, who wanted her to avoid the sword in this life more than anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I believed that I was given this life for that very purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she should not ever wield a sword in this life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why are you learning how to use a sword?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Because only then, could I protect Young Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ahs words struck me with the force of a blunt weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When did things get so twisted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far too many unexpected events had blurred the line, making it impossible to pick a specific point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What nonsense are you spouting? Youll protect me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might have been different in my previous life, but now Wi Seol-Ah was a mere servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She might possess beauty and physical strength beyond her years, but at the end of the day, she had to remain a servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was my only hope. Because even if she were to live a life of servitude, at the very least, she could live in peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldnt keep her as my servant forever, but just for now, that was my wish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite my intentions, Wi Seol-Ah persisted, her voice trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I I can do it I was told that I could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By whom? Your grandfather?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah fell silent, unable to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, no matter how much I thought about it, the only person who would say such words was the Sword Venerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he really have said those words to her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something I honestly couldnt fathom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I learned about Wi Seol-Ahs sword training, the pieces fell into place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it made sense why she disappeared everyday before dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that all for her training?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Did she find me here because she went out to train?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This late at night?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That didnt seem likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As my mind raced, Wi Seol-Ahs voice broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can you just not go?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried a profound sadness, tugging at my heartstrings. But even that wouldnt sway my resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter was far too important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You said that its dangerous. So can you just not Ugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right as I was about to explain my circumstances, Wi Seol-Ah abruptly halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She held back her tears, swallowing her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was happening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stared at her in confusion, Wi Seol-Ah spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understand\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understand what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she giving up because she knew that Id still refuse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah wiped her tears off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you cant do that, then could we\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Wi Seol-Ah flinched, her sentence remaining unfinished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hesitation hung in the air, seemingly trying to speak after coming to a different conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, she stopped herself, swallowing her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As this process repeated a few times, tears formed in her eyes, threatening to spill over like a bowl brimming with water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah appeared oddly unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then What is it that I can do? Im useless like this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her in such a state pained me. Yet, as I was about to step closer to console her\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a number of presences coming from the clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had likely noticed my disappearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldnt afford to linger, I would be in a lot of trouble if I were to get caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swiftly, I took something out from my pocketa crimson accessory gifted to me by the Celestial Plum Blossom, courtesy of the Second Elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I forced it onto Wi Seol-Ahs hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Mas\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry, lets talk after I return, okay? I wont be long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Briefly ruffling her hair, I launched myself forward, leaving Wi Seol-Ah behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I got further away, concern for her gnawed at me, but I couldnt afford to turn back just because of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like Wi Seol-Ah and I had much to talk about,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that can wait for after I return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First and foremost, I had to put out the urgent fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was my sole focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Gu Yangcheon left, Wi Seol-Ah found herself alone, wiping away the endless tears that streamed down her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clutching the accessory he had given her, she stared in the direction he had gone to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a voice spoke to Wi Seol-Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Child]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice, she had an expression of anger on her facesomething quite rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why cant I?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her every syllable dripped with frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cant ask him to stay, Im not allowed to follow him either Then what can I even do?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even at Wi Seol-Ahs cries of frustration, the owner of the voice remained silent,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aware of her emotions more intimately than anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Sis said it yourself That I could achieve my goal if I worked hard, that I could protect the Young Master. But then why am I not allowed to do anything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[There isnt anything you could do, as of now.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dont understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Didnt I let you come here and see him, because you wanted to?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After learning that he was going somewhere in secret, with the help of the voice, Wi Seol-Ah went after Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was I the only one who wanted this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah couldnt understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Sis also wanted this, didnt you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing as how Wi Seol-Ahs question was only met by silence, her words seemed to have struck home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tried to say something, anything, but her heavy lips stayed shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You are so unfair, Big Sis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt that the voice was unfair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You also like Young Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She really liked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah knew that better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In some ways, the emotions swirling within the voice were far denser and heavier than Wi Seol-Ahs own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why do you always choose to hide, Big Sis?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made Wi Seol-Ah even more confused as to why she always stayed silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she liked him that much, shouldnt she express her feelings toward him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the young Wi Seol-Ah, her actions seemed foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How fascinating]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[To think I couldve become like you, if my circumstances were just a little different]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subtle differences in their lives, right from the very beginning, slowly shaped Wi Seol-Ah into who she was today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the eyes of the past Wi Seol-Ah, her current self appeared entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She no longer hesitated to speak her mind and was a lot more honest and unafraid of expressing her emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that even if she directed those feelings toward Gu Yangcheon, she was certain he wouldnt hate her or push her away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This transformation was only possible due to Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, despite her envy of the present Wi Seol-Ah\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt sorry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not letting Wi Seol-Ah speak her mind\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoping that she wouldnt reveal her emotions\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even the farewellthese were all choices she had made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of these left her unable to say anything to her younger self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah, who had been venting her frustrations, fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didnt need to hear anything else; their shared emotions told Wi Seol-Ah everything she needed to know about the feelings her older self held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clutching the accessory Gu Yangcheon had given her, she wiped away her tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her thoughts lingered on the boy she couldnt stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reminisced the memory of Gu Yangcheon ruffling her hair, prompting Wi Seol-Ah to touch her own hair, the place where the imprint of his hand remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her older selfs words were still difficult for her to understand and it was painful for her to see Gu Yangcheon always getting hurt, but\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I miss you\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she wanted right now was to see the one who had left her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the sole wish of the Young Wi Seol-Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the northern reaches of the battlefront stood a blue mountain adorned in towering dead trees and rugged rocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A once vibrant place covered in lush, elegant greenery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That emerald glow had now faded, its former allure now gone, leaving behind a desolate landscape of charred trees and blackened corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the heart of that giant mountain, which had but a few traces left, raged an inferno. The heat was blistering, threatening to consume anyone who dared to gaze upon it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames danced alongside the scorching air, spiraling upward like a colossal whirlpool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their voracious hunger spared nothing, violently devouring their surroundings without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of a sudden, the flames that had burned the mountain vanished, as if they had never existed in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, the towering inferno that was ravaging its surroundings, ceased as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames disappeared as swiftly as they had appeared, leaving behind a gaping crater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center, stood a fierce mana figure whose mere gesture had obliterated everything in its path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of corpses lay strewn around the crater, their bodies burnt, scorched, reduced to ashen remnants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing that mans absolute might, they could do nothing but accept their inevitable demise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them were martial artists of the Black Palace, and this place, once a branch of the Black Palace\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now bore no trace of its former existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everything had turned to ashes with just his single gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the man observed the corpses surrounding him, he slowly turned his head and looked behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, someone who hadnt been present before, knelt before the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The messenger, still respectfully kneeling, carefully handed a letter to the man and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My Lord, a letter from the Second Elder has arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, Gu Cheolun, wasted no time in opening the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The letter contained only a few words written in the Second Elders rough handwriting, but they were enough to make Gu Cheoluns eyebrow twitch, even if for an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For within that letter, lay something that he had long desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having read the letter, Gu Cheolun issued an order without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain of the First Swordsmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, my Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prepare the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His once emotionless eyes had now turned crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure he exuded overpowered everything in its vicinity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the colossal mountain cowered before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolun spoke as he began walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We are going to the Misty Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Declaring as such, Gu Cheolun disappeared, along with his flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can rate\u002Freview this serieshere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>dvnd htr vlbl n gntl.m\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>llutrtn n ur drd drd.gg\u002Fgntl\u003C\u002Fp>",2137,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","a8aaa44ca3609d82e972fe8f18bbb2560f650241202b6cc08593e82078a99b4e","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-204","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-202",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]