[{"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-247":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},1240273,1667,"Chapter 247: Unintended Companion (4)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-247",247,"\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a surprised reaction by accident as soon as I saw Namgung Bi-ah’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been waiting for me at the camp entrance since she arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since when…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wonder how long she waited for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that I think about it, I think I left without telling her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…But there was no way that I could tell her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I also didn't know that Moyong Hi-ah would appear instead of Gu Jeolyub.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah's face was cold as ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering that Namgung Bi-ah usually had almost no change in her expression, this much difference meant that I was in big trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…About that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What can I use as an excuse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or do I even need to bother giving her one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technically, I'm a victim too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I can't afford to tell her everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I thought about the Moyong Hi-ah I saw last night, my mouth could hardly open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world ending because of the marble, my ass. At the current moment, it seemed I was the one who was about to meet my end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to move my lips to try to give her the best excuse I could, but no words came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the while, Namgung Bi-ah stared at me without saying anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like she was waiting for me to say something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What do I say to her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It may have only been a few seconds, but it felt a hundred times longer to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, Namgung Bi-ah waiting for me in silence scared me because I didn't know what would come after that silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like my brain stopped working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to say something, but it wasn't as easy as I hoped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should head in first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are busy, Young Master Gu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah spoke to me after stepping forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s telling me to go in just like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t that make the situation worse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I do that, it'll look like I'm running away after hearing Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether my thought mattered or not, Moyong Hi-ah continued to speak while staring at Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The sword dancer. Wouldn't it be better if you talked to me instead of the young master? I have a feeling we have something to talk about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah still remained silent despite hearing Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Namgung Bi-ah seemed to be uncomfortable as she frowned a little, but she didn't say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Am I wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Moyong Hi-ah asked again, Namgung Bi-ah avoided eye contact with her and looked in my direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strange look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked like she wanted me to do something, so I thought about not going,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Head… inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I stopped when I heard Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want me to leave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing her speak with a calm expression, I hesitated whether or not to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine… but when you return… Tell me everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it an agreement?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying those words, Namgung Bi-ah turned around and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by her direction, it seemed like she was heading into a forest where there weren't too many people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Namgung Bi-ah started to walk away slowly, Moyong Hi-ah too started following her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I enjoyed our last time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you have to say it so strangely?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing my response, Moyong Hi-ah smiled while covering her mouth with her fan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her reaction made her seem rather happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Huh? Did she do that on purpose?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered if Namgung Bi-ah being here was caused by Moyong Hi-ah, but I had no proof to say so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only had my suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Moyong Hi-ah followed Namgung Bi-ah's footsteps, I, who was left alone, just watched in which direction the two girls disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Did I survive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I think the fact that I am here now means that I have survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I for some reason felt extremely uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a few minutes since Moyong Hi-ah had started to follow Namgung Bi-ah's footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, they entered a forest with close to no people in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With almost no one around, Moyong Hi-ah felt alarmed for some reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I have brought some escorts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t think that the Sword Dancer would cause harm to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah wasn’t fond of her due to her personal reasons, but Moyong Hi-ah who was calculative and rational knew that she wasn’t the type of person to do such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah who was walking slowly stopped first, then Moyong Hi-ah who was following her stopped afterwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a time when the sun was beginning to rise after midnight, Namgung Bi-ah turned and made eye contact with Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Moyong Hi-ah saw Namgung Bi-ah’s darker blue eyes, she thought that it looked like gems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beautiful person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the best way to describe Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hand and foot gesture, and even her breathing sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah was a beautiful flower in human form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s also incredibly strong at that, and dignified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had many things that Moyong Hi-ah herself didn’t dare to have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She is a person with the thing that I want the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s who Namgung Bi-ah was to Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was someone who seemed similar to her, yet so different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she was the person who had the thing Moyong Hi-ah wanted the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah had to do justice to the emotion she felt in her chest when she thought of Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, this was definitely jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A feeling so toxic, dark, and disgusting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was certainly jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you just going to continue staring at me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sword Dancer. You called me here because you had something to say to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah suppressed these emotions, while Namgung Bi-ah just stared at Moyong Hi-ah without saying anything, whether she knew it or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt frustrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wondered why she remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to go near that man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not wanting what is hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even to look at him because they were engaged and would marry in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what Moyong Hi-ah wanted Namgung Bi-ah to tell her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the result of her nervousness, so Moyong Hi-ah wanted to see that Namgung Bi-ah wasn't the perfect person she thought she was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sword Danc- …”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Not me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Moyong Hi-ah tried to call Namgung Bi-ah out of frustration, Namgung Bi-ah suddenly cut her off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…But you… are the one who has something you want to tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah's soft words flowed like a breeze that came and entered Moyong Hi-ah's ears, and these words felt especially critical to Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that not right…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah replied, but she felt it herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That she was completely shaken inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just from a simple phrase such as that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The almighty Moyong Hi-ah?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean, I'm the one who has something to tell you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah stared at Moyong Hi-ah after listening to her, and Moyong Hi-ah felt as if her emotionless gaze could pierce through her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t afford to be shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t break down either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… don’t have anything to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah just nodded after listening to Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t push Moyong Hi-ah any further, and she looked like she was going to let Moyong Hi-ah off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, Moyong Hi-ah didn't like Namgung Bi-ah's appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she be so calm like that? Surely, she saw what I did back there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is no way that she doesn’t know what kind of feelings I have for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you only staring at me like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t like the way she looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She's felt this way ever since they first met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her beauty, which made her seem to live in a different world all by herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shines even more brightly when she swings her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lives her life peacefully, as if she had nothing to complain about in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the fact that Namgung Bi-ah was the one on her little mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah didn't like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you hate it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you hate me, who’s trying to steal what’s yours?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah’s eyebrow frowned slightly upon hearing Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant that Namgung Bi-ah showed a reaction, and Moyong Hi-ah continued after seeing that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you hate me who’s trying to ruin your place of peace?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first time that Namgung Bi-ah spoke clearly to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They haven't had a proper conversation in the year they've been together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their relationship began to break down ever since Moyong Hi-ah began to receive heat from Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, along with Namgung Bi-ah having feelings for Gu Yangcheon and Moyong Hi-ah also telling him how she felt about him, their relationships weren’t going to get better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I knew it, so you hate me t- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I don’t care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s what he wants, I don’t care what it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah's eyes were still blue, but it felt like their light was getting brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be mistaken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a firm and cold voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah, who didn't have her usual tired look, and her slow way of speaking made her look completely different from herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah bit her lips slightly after seeing Namgung Bi-ah like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What do you mean by \"don't be mistaken”? That I won’t be able to steal Young Master Gu away from you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah lightly shook her head after hearing Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that not what she was referring to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s not mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Namgung Bi-ah,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I belong to him instead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah looked like she was trying to correct an important part when she gave such a response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is narrow-minded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she suddenly spoke badly about Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon would’ve coughed consecutively if he heard this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was narrow-minded? What was she suddenly on about…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t dare to understand what she was saying, Namgung Bi-ah continued to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is so narrow-minded and the bowl that holds his capacity for tolerance is so small that me being in there already makes him full.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was narrow-minded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Namgung Bi-ah said that he was completely full with only her in there, it also meant that she was full of confidence, and to Moyong Hi-ah those words felt like thorns stabbing into her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant that Namgung Bi-ah already belonged to him, and that she was taking up the only space he had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah wondered where Namgung Bi-ah got such confidence from, but she couldn’t argue with what she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sword Dancer, you- “\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So either he increases such tolerance, such capacity... or he kicks me out for someone else. That's his decision.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While listening to her words, Moyong Hi-ah felt that Namgung Bi-ah won’t be kicked out without an easy fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she be like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is she not worried at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she have this much belief because of their clans having engagement?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t understand, nor did she want to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, she still couldn’t say anything in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had thousands of answers in her head that would cut off Namgung Bi-ah's words, but the emotions in her heart wouldn't let her words leave her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew full well that no matter what kind of answer she gave, she couldn't win against Namgung Bi-ah's simple and unbelievable words and convince her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah then spoke again, trying to calm Moyong Hi-ah who was trying to keep her eyes from shaking while breathing heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Namgung Bi-ah took a step forward, Moyong Hi-ah unconsciously took a step back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t have her sword out nor was she showing any killing intent, but Moyong Hi-ah felt difficult towards Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t use your nervousness to take advantage of him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah’s body started shaking after hearing Namgung Bi-ah’s cold and sharp words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t because of fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because it was something that she least wanted to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This is what I wanted to say to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah who was watching Moyong Hi-ah, then walked past her after finishing her sentence and started to head towards the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hi-ah, left alone, stood still for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she sat down on the ground and stayed there for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The frontlines, Gu Clan’s campsite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain’s tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I arrived at Gu Huibi's tent after leaving the two of them behind, I gave a report on the examination of the marble in the center of the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was very worried about what Moyong Hi-ah and Namgung Bi-ah were talking about, but another part of me told me that if I went, I would die under their pressure.ell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hopefully Namgung Bi-ah takes care of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was slow and naive and not good at talking down to people, so I hoped she wouldn't be swayed around by Moyong Hi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I decided to go and check on her after finishing my report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all my thoughts went out the window after hearing Gu Huibi just now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-Who came, you said?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Huibi had a complicated expression on her face after hearing my question, and I just continued to stare at Gu Huibi with a complicated expression of my own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Huibi then spoke, breaking the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Lady of Gu Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother is back in the clan right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She has made her return to the clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Аdvаnсеd сhарtеrѕ аvаіlаblе оn gеnеѕіѕtlѕ.соm\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Іlluѕtrаtіоnѕ оn оur dіѕсоrd - dіѕсоrd.gg\u002Fgеnеѕіѕtlѕ\u002Fgenesisforsaken\u003C\u002Fp>",2295,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","57aed3472077e72791a481d04d5f9c6489eb968120ee722bcf405da04384b6c4","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-248","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-246",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]