[{"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-240":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},1240266,1667,"Chapter 240: Battlefront (10)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-240",240,"\u003Cp>After Hwangbo Cheolwi brought back the unconscious people to the Hwangbo Clan's base, which was located a little further away from the Murim Alliance's territory, chaos ensued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Objects soared through the air, making loud noises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant figure, who seemed to fill the entire tent despite its considerable size, continuously hurled objects with overwhelming anger coming out of his giant body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That bastard…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The table crumbled to the floor, shattered by the giant's hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, Hwangbo Cheok, ground his teeth, reflecting on his encounter with that martial artist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True Dragon…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The True Dragon, Gu Yangcheon, had made a name for himself by sweeping the tournament of Dragons and Phoenixes. It was a name that had reached even Hwangbo Cheok's ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not have heard it when it was the birth of a new Dragon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had become a hot topic in the Central Plains recently, with a future that appeared promising due to his exceptional talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He's still just a young prodigy in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was nothing but a young prodigy. Or at least, that's what the True Dragon was in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that bastard… dares to mess with me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire tent shook as Hwangbo Cheok swung his fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants around him trembled in fear, but Hwangbo Cheok continued to scream without a care for their presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His infuriation stemmed not just from his loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought that there wouldn't be any more monsters after the one from Peng Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, Hwangbo Cheok shuddered as he recalled the monster that resided in that clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being that seemed to exist in an entirely different realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That predatory gaze looking down on everyone was something that Hwangbo Cheok couldn't tolerate, especially as the future Lord of the clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was all the more reason why one bastard like him was more than enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwangbo Cheok clenched his fist as he thought about the young man's title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mighty Hwangbo Cheok…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost to a mere young prodigy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did he have actual experience in the Central Plains, but he also was proficient in using his Qi. There was no way a young prodigy could compare to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, there shouldn't have been any way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am the one who will lead the great Hwangbo Clan one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was set to live a life of fame and glory while leading the clan, so he couldn't allow such a disgraceful incident to tarnish his reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…What if I kill everyone who witnessed it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn't no one know about this humiliating defeat if none of those untrustworthy witnesses were alive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwangbo Cheok nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had made his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ughh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly pain shot through his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the arm that the bastard twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arm that had been broken by the bastard hadn't left any permanent damage, and Hwangbo Cheok had been informed that his arm would return to normal after some rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He considered himself lucky, as it was rare to come out of such an encounter without any permanent injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, Hwangbo Cheok had suspected that the bastard had intentionally done this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is no way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But only individuals with a history of killing others and knowledge of torture techniques would be capable of such an act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he was talented, this wasn't something that could be achieved with just talent. It must have just been a coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it wasn't, there would be no other explanation for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last table in the tent shattered under Hwangbo Cheok's fury. He murmured to himself, consumed by anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What should I do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing behind him, he saw another figure with a similarly imposing physique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Hwangbo Cheolwi, his younger brother, the second son of the Hwangbo Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I'm asking you, what am I, Hwangbo Cheok, supposed to do after being humiliated like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwangbo Cheolwi remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only stared at Hwangbo Cheok with a strange expression on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At such a reaction, Hwangbo Cheok chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwangbo Cheolwi felt frustrated, clearly seeing his brother's underlying emotions from his laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What am I supposed to do? Father would be so happy to hear about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… brother, you were just ambushed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ambushed? Did it look like an ambush to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it was more like an assassination attempt. That would be a more fitting description.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As much as he wanted to look down on him, Hwangbo Cheok knew that the young martial artist had overcome his wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not know when he experienced it firsthand?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't some ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man's very gaze was different, his body language was different, and the speed of their decision-making was also different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was simply outclassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And that's exactly why I'm so angry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't bear the fact that he, a member of the mighty Hwangbo Clan, had been defeated by a smaller and younger martial artist through sheer strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adding insult to injury, the fact that others witnessed everything only intensified Hwangbo Cheok's anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think I should do, brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, you should send a letter to the Gu… “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwangbo Cheolwi burst out in mocking laughter upon hearing his brother's suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since when did my brother become so rational?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A letter, hmm… That's not a bad idea. It might actually prove more beneficial for us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Violence was being inflicted upon the collateral line within the Hwangbo Clan's territory, and as an outsider, the True Dragon had no right to interfere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, he not only attacked the martial artists of the clan but also their blood relatives. This would provide the Hwangbo Clan with greater justification, and they would receive a lot of compensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about my pride?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That's…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Hwangbo Cheok's serious tone, Hwangbo Cheolwi couldn't dare to question the importance of the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood that martial artists valued pride above all else, even if such pride held no actual value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his brother's hesitation, Hwangbo Cheok smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don't worry. There won't be any 'cleanup' as you're imagining it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwangbo Cheok chuckled, taking Hwangbo Cheolwi's silence as a sign of concern for his brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His laughter subsided as he thought about his next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard seemed to have overcome his wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The defeat he suffered, coupled with the manner in which his escorts—who were well over Peak Realm—were easily thrashed, the True Dragon was a martial artist who had overcome his wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sending his troops would thus be futile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't think I could even kill him in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would've been fine if he was from some obscure clan, but he, too, hailed from a well-known noble clan, though it's probably not as esteemed as the great Hwangbo Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All in all, it meant that nothing good would come out from recklessly laying hands on a blood relative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which is what makes that bastard even weirder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it took him a bit to realize that Hwangbo Cheok was a blood relative of the Hwangbo Clan, even then, even if he had the power to do so, could he really afford to beat him up like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless he's truly a maniac…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the eyes he had seen earlier, a shiver ran down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really did seem like a lunatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…The one good thing is that this is the frontlines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a place teeming with Demons, where dangerous things happened every day. The fact that he was in such a place was the most important part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what happens…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It won't look strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While massaging his aching shoulders, Hwangbo Cheok called out to his brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know where the Sixth Elder is right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his question, Hwangbo Cheolwi hid his shock. He had a feeling he knew what his brother was planning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>****************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being on shift at the frontlines wasn't all that special.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It simply involved standing in areas where the Gate of Demons frequently formed, just in case something happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it could be seen as a form of patrol, having done this both at noon and at night, doing it at night was far more dangerous and tiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That's why I told her I didn't want the night shift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I muttered in frustration, gazing up at the moon in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know about other clans, but in the Gu Clan, blood relatives weren't given much favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only concession I got was being exempt from night watch. But if I wasn't going to perform that duty, I had to work just as hard in other ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, it was essentially the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…It really is a shitty household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, the Captain, Gu Huibi was working even harder, on top of her training, so I couldn't really complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would just have to do whatever she asked of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out multiple sighs, I moved my body forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmph…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like I had moved a bit too much due to my emotions, as the lady sleeping beneath me stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unngh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is she just sleep-talking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Mm… Mmph…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled by her breathing suddenly being blocked, the lady opened her eyes letting out some strange noises, and got up from my knees wearing a tired expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her, I couldn't help but laugh wryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How nice of you, seriously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seemingly unbothered by her disheveled hair, she maintained her tired expression and slowly rested her head on my shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeeaah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you not to come if you're going to act like this. What's the point of coming here if you're just going to sleep?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah dozed off without even pretending to listen to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already strange that she followed me all the way here, considering I had to stay up all night, especially after she went deep into the frontlines with Gu Huibi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just go back and sleep if you're going to doze off here. Why make things harder for yourself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Unngh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You're not even pretending to listen to me anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the process, my eyes fell upon the accessory I had gifted her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are still wearing this piece of crap, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looks a bit worn out, should I buy her a new one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I reached out to examine it further,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah who I had assumed to be asleep, grabbed my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, that's mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, I know. It is yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I'm not going to give it to you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won't take it, even if you want me to. Where would I even use something like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting her do as she pleased, I turned my attention to another person, who was quietly gazing at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bastard's also a pain in the neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pardon…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bastard, Bi Yeonsum, stammered, clearly taken aback by my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I asked why you were here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, uh… The Vice Captain told me to come along with Brother Gu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My expression soured at the brat's response that sounded more like an excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That person always sends me someone new.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Vice Captain had a habit of assigning newcomers to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Gu Jeolyub and Muyeon around, how come I was always the one having to deal with this kind of situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was it that the Vice Captain had said again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about enduring hardships better if one experienced it right from the start?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It kind of sounded like an insult to me…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a frustrated sigh, causing Bi Yeonsum to hesitate a little before speaking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… Brother Gu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I'm really thankful for earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his words I looked towards Bi Yeonsum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself probably knew how difficult his request was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he was affiliated with the Murim Alliance, it wasn't as simple as him not wanting to return. They likely had their own reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they might have already passed it off as a casualty, and might actually prefer us taking him in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it would also harm them if they argued about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I joined the Murim Alliance because I thought they were the pinnacle of the Orthodox Sects… but they are—“\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to tell me your history, I'm not really curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was his high hopes for the Murim Alliance, or them being different from his expectations, I wasn't really interested in hearing a story as common as that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't one to pry into someone else's life story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Bi Yeonsum's gaze kept drifting towards Namgung Bi-ah, who had dozed off while leaning against my shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried not to stare, but his eyes seemed to move instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You might burn a hole through her face if you keep staring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugfh… I'm sorry…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Namgung Bi-ah had a face that was hard to resist, it didn't sit well with me when others ogled her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had taught Namgung Bi-ah how to hide her presence, and she usually did a good job of lowering her presence with Qi. But it seemed like she couldn't maintain it when she dozed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I reprimanded Bi Yeonsum, he thankfully adjusted his posture and only looked forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Gu Jeolyub, he seemed to have been educated properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That idiot needed a good beating every now and then to keep him in line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I guess he was a little better now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I wasn't really sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to say, considering I didn't really pay much attention to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pondering a bit, I pulled out a few letters from my pocket and opened them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been expecting them, and sure enough, they had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I guess one could consider it fortunate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I went through the letters carefully, one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them was from Tang Soyeol, as I expected. It contained her usual questions about my well-being, things like whether I was eating properly, had I gotten fatter, and other minute things filled the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading her letter stirred up some strange emotions within me, but it wasn't an unpleasant feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I read through the rest of her letter filled with stuff like how she should've been there, and repeated concerns asking if Namgung Bi-ah and especially Moyong Hi-ah did anything to me, but couldn't help but pause for an instant at the last line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-But to think that soon enough I'll be able to go see the Young Master, it makes me so so happy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-The Young Master is going there, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? What does she mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I doubted she was referring to the Military Exhibition of the Tang Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I racked my brain, trying to figure out if I was forgetting something important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then it hit me. I quickly went through the letters in my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the letters from Tang Soyeol, the Hao Clan, and the Beggar's Sect, there was one letter far more important than those.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn't it… too soon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A memory resurfaced after reading Tang Soyeol's letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to the last letter, opening the letter with the word Gu written on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a letter that didn't have much written on it, but I couldn't help but be flabbergasted as I read the last line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The simple handwriting definitely belonged to Father, and it contained only work-related information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-The Eldest Son of the main clan will be returning from the frontlines. There will be no more extensions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-And on his return, he will attend the Heavenly Dragon Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Fuck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A time that I had been \u002Fgenesisforsaken\u003C\u002Fp>",2608,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","2f4f74e403ad8af238aaf0b6594841d5019eeda08a207a1ac1d3851087bf1907","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-241","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-239",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]