[{"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-299":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},1240125,1667,"Chapter 299: Zhuge Jihee (4)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-299",299,"\u003Cp>What’s going on? What’s happening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, Zhuge Jinseon rolled his eyes, trying to grasp the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just what happened here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did things go wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he here right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head felt as heavy as a stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would you like to try this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t believe his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow Phoenix on the left, the Poison Phoenix on the right…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Jinseon recognized all of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a young prodigy of the Central Plains, it was impossible not to know them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn’t introduced themselves, but Zhuge Jinseon realized who they were immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And… I’m not sure about the last person…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unbelievably beautiful woman, beautiful enough to make anyone lose their mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That woman was staring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cold blue eyes locked onto Zhuge Jinseon, forcing him to turn away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…What is going on right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had to pinpoint where things went wrong, it was likely when he got greedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person who was forcing down food exhaustedly between a bunch of girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching him had been his biggest mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…I should’ve just hunted Demons instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was his mistake to choose an easy path because he saw some crazy bastard lying down on the ground in the middle of an exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He should have realized he was special, lying there in the middle of the exam, but his greed blinded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For him to be the True Dragon of all people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only thought that he looked scary and didn’t expect him to be a magnate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The True Dragon, Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youngest martial artist to reach Peak Realm, and the younger brother of the greatest prodigy, the Sword Phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragons and Phoenixes were chosen from numerous stars, and he was a Young Prodigy that was given a grand title that meant that he was a true dragon out of the Dragons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His incredible strength at such a young age was already well known across the Central Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that, he possessed the strength to overpower both the Sword Dragon and the Water Dragon simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that he was a person who enjoyed many colors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…A philanderer surrounded by beautiful women, they say? And every one of them supposedly stunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Central Plains were always awash with rumors and exaggerations, making it hard to believe everything said about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the last part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered how he would have a bunch of girls when he looked like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, despite my doubts, it seemed the rumors weren’t exaggerated—everything appeared true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appeared to be the very definition of a philanderer, surrounded by women feeding him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all people, to be captured by a bastard like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, it was said that he didn’t really have a good personality, considering he was the little brother of the Sword Phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Though it was worse than the rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had the look of a predator eyeing its prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had asked him to be his friend or something like that, but all Zhuge Jinseon could feel was,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You dared to mess with me, so I’ll make you suffer until your last breath…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or something along those lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made him shiver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He honestly almost pissed his pants when Gu Yangcheon offered such a thing with such a scary face like his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem is…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Jinseon secretly clenched his fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t fathom why the True Dragon had dragged him here, but the important part was,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Do you have a sister?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was what the True Dragon asked Zhuge Jinseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He doesn’t know, does he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His meeting with the True Dragon was an unfortunate coincidence caused by his mistake, but he couldn’t help but wonder about all that happened since.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What’s your name?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he answered that question,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Add your surname.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The True Dragon had insisted on knowing his surname.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t bluffing when he grabbed his neck and threatened to break his arm if he didn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he really a martial artist from the Orthodox Sect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon was nothing like he had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Surely he doesn’t know, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Jinseon wondered if the True Dragon knew about his true identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to swallow the nervousness rising within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely, he wasn’t caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The True Dragon shouldn’t have any information about his identity or his goals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he somehow did know, Zhuge Jinseon at least had to keep his sister hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what the cost was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It-It’s fine, I was bound to run into him eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was the Snow Phoenix, the Poison Phoenix, or the True Dragon, if they all passed the entrance exam, they were bound to run into each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Jinseon wondered if that was really the case.,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But maybe this is actually fortunate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s been half forced to come here, but it honestly worked out in his favor since the situation turned out this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the True Dragon had even helped him pass the exam by getting bands for him too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it’s beneficial… right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, his eyes locked with someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made direct eye contact with the True Dragon who had dragged him here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment their eyes met, Zhuge Jinseon felt like he couldn’t breathe anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…He’s too scary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was so frightening that Zhuge Jinseon felt like his knees would give up just by looking at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Y-Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice trembled every time Gu Yangcheon called him a friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why does he keep calling me like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this just another way of saying ‘slave’ to him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m certain I became a slave after being captured by the True Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you not going to eat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The True Dragon picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and asked Zhuge Jinseon while showing it to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-I don’t really have the appetite right now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? You should eat well. You are still so young, tsk tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Zhuge Jinseon’s response, the True Dragon simply shrugged and went back to shoving food into his mouth, seemingly unconcerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of that, the side dishes in front of him were quickly being swapped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ones swapping the dishes were none other than the hands of the Snow Phoenix and the white-haired lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were busily switching out side dishes for the True Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…They are going that far?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just who is the True Dragon to them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as if Zhuge Jinseon was hallucinating and none of it seemed real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, are you not thirsty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I a- …Wait, what did you put in there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing special. Just a leaf that’s good for digestion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What’s the name of that leaf?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heeryung Leaf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s… a poisonous herb that paralyzes your insides.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How silly! Young Master, do you really think a person would be paralyzed just by drinking this? I felt better whenever I drank this when I felt sick.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know, they call it a poisonous herb for a reason…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person who cheerfully offered a poisonous tea was none other than the Poison Phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was rather strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that the True Dragon was engaged with the Sword Dancer from Namgung Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, is the beautiful lady over there…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the white-haired lady, Namgung Bi-ah, who had the Sword Dancer title?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was highly likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was said to be the greatest beauty of Anhui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her beauty lived up to those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first time Zhuge Jinseon had seen someone more beautiful than his sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right. Friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to talk so formally, we are friends, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-Mhm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Friend my ass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he call this a friendship?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Jinseon didn’t know much about friendship, having no friends of his own, but he was certain this wasn’t it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Save me, sis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought of his sister in his mind and grinded his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to endure it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You will run into danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sister had warned him before he set off to the Central Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I don’t want you to go, but if you insist, I wish you good luck, little brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sister was always right, and it seemed like she was right once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shouldn’t have gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Jinseon regretted his decision, a wave of sadness washing over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh by the way, I moved your accommodations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Pard- I mean what? What do you mean by that…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You told me you sleep in some run down place. How could you afford to sleep in a place like that? I moved all your belongings, so sleep here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the True Dragon speak with a smile,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Jinseon was now certain that his future was fucked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That devil of a bastard really is going to use me as a slave for the rest of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had messed with the wrong guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I run away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now wasn't the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Jinseon prioritized his goal over everything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have to let myself be known in the Heavenly Dragon Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have to meet many people, build connections, and gain many things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I must revive my sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally, he intented to reveal his surname one day and reclaim his destroyed clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he set off to the Central Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Jinseon thought about what his sister asked of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Jinseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sister gently touched his cheek with her pale, withered hand and earnestly pleaded with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-No matter what happens, you must’nt use that power. Promise with your sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made a pinky promise with her, feeling her powerless shaky pinky finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He steeled himself with determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can do it, Jinseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He decided to forget about the name, Zhuge Jinseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, he was Cheol Jinseon of Eulpyung Cheol Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Gu Yangcheon watched Zhuge Jinseon intently, his eyes glowing with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************I thought to myself while observing Cheol Jiseon who wore a stiff expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard, he keeps rolling his eyes around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear he had a lot on his mind, as the bastard continued to work his brain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, it looked like he had resolved something within himself,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it’s for certain that he’s hiding something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could tell from his reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like he wasn’t used to hiding things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was utterly predictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It works out in my favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made things easier for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was simpler to keep an eye on him if he was close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll keep him around me for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I found him so quickly, I needed to keep him close and win him over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best approach was to become close to him,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I’m not too fond of that, so I’ll keep it brief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t good at getting close to people, so I’d give it a shot for now, but honestly, who knew what would happen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far, the start wasn’t bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We became friends, and I even moved him from that shithole he was staying in—so he should be happy, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It already feels like I’ve gotten closer to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was doing well, considering it was me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ve really grown, Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For you to make friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flinches whenever he sees me, but I’m sure that’ll change with time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I briefly filled my stomach and took a sip of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My tongue tingled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this strange sensation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Tang Soyeol slightly averted her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hey you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teehee.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teehee you say…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please… this is really good for digestion Young Master. Please drink it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An ordinary person would die if they drink this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I told her I wasn’t going to drink it, but Tang Soyeol insisted that I drink this poisonous tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nah… They won’t die… I think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is she hesitating? She’s only making it scarier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why do you keep trying to make me drink poisonous tea?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-It’s not bad to build up your immunity to poison, you know. Plus, it tastes good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t think that Tang Soyeol made me drink poisonous tea because she wanted to kill me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But even if I drink this, it wouldn’t boost my immunity, and it doesn’t even taste good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless I drank a bucket or bathed in poison, my immunity wasn’t going to increase with such a small amount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, most people would die before they could build up any immunity if they drank or bathed in poison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it wasn’t for Tang Clan’s Mind Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tang Clan’s Mind Art enabled one to use Poisonous Arts and become a skilled assassin working behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also made it possible for Tang Soyeol to consume and even enjoy poisonous herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Thousand Poisons Immunity huh…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was self-explanatory. She had immunity to almost all types of poisons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a peak state that the Tang Clan had long dreamed of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of Tang Soyeol’s eyes was turning a bright green as she neared that state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my past life, the Poison Queen was known to have reached the Ten Thousand Poisons Immunity state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I thought about that, it was right to call Tang Soyeol the greatest when it came to poison in the Central Plains, though I didn’t know about her martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s also still too early to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol was mediocre as a martial artist, but she put effort into her training, so her level would naturally rise over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day, I’d have to assume she will become the Poison Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But of course,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The future will be different this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I will change the Poison Queen’s fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I won’t let her meet such a miserable end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How ironic that I’m now trying to save the person I once killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reflected to myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I secretly felt guilty every time I saw Tang Soyeol, so I will try my best to save her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Anyway, I’m good, so you can drink it instead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I drink from the cup you drank from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-It was a joke. Hehe…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I made a somewhat disgusted expression, Tang Soyeol played it off as a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a joke, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I rubbed my shoulders to shake off the chills, Namgung Bi-ah, who was pouring water for me, spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was through a telepathic voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hmm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I responded right away, but this was bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even speaking telepathically made my Dantian ache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-That person… who is he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah asked, glancing at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was asking about Cheol Jiseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What do you mean, who? I told you he’s a friend, didn’t I?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I responded, puzzled by her question, but Namgung Bi-ah fixed me with a strong gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if she knew that that wasn’t the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How sharp of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She usually spaced out, but she was sharp when it came to things like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps she’s just pretending to be dumb and she is actually sharp all the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I even considered that possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring into Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes, I gave in and answered her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-A dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Dagger?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Yes, a dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dagger I wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dagger that could kill Jang Seonyeon and perhaps cut through every obstacle in my path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power that bastard possessed was that valuable, and that’s what Cheol Jiseon meant to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of that, I couldn’t let him go and had to keep him around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes locked with Cheol Jiseon’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled at him, though he still seemed nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile was meant to put him at ease,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ughh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the bastard curled up in fear as soon as he saw my smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…That bastard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could give him some love taps as a friend, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m sure of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s how all my friends were like in my past life too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though back then, I was the one getting beaten up\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, it felt like things were going to be different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************Four days had passed since that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entrance exam was finally over, and the day to attend the Academy had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, no one from my crew failed the exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was somewhat obvious though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was a bit concerned about Gu Yeonseo, but it she managed to pull through\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After climbing up on the opposite side of the hill I took the exam in, I saw a mountain in the shape of a snake appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had a proper name, but everyone simply called it Snake Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How do I say this, I actually preferred it this way because of how simple it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued up the path until I reached the top, where the enormous structure of the Heavenly Dragon Academy came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was disgustingly massive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The buildings of the Namgung Clan and Tang Clan were impressive in size, but the Heavenly Dragon Academy dwarfed them, owing to its purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if they built a whole fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are just wasting money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m sure that merchants and people didn’t donate for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did they need to make it so big?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was my only impression of the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I walked inside, guided by an escort, I arrived in a room where everyone had already gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each and every one of these people had sharp Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noble clans and noble Sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only bastards from such places had gathered here, so it was no surprise it felt this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though of course, they are still little children in my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a few sharp Qi poking me here and there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastards with this kind of Qi were certainly going to become big one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the distance, I spotted an old man standing on a platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qinghai Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the current head of the Kunlun Sect and one of the top five swordsmen in the Central Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like the martial artists who set up formations also were from Kunlun Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They feel pretty different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t expected to see that man in a place like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had some history with that man in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it wasn’t a pleasant one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some time, all the Young Prodigies gathered, and when the moment arrived,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-We welcome all of you stars that made it to the Heavenly Dragon Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qinghai Sword spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In summary, it was a long and tedious speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Welcome. Congratulations. Work hard. You are our future!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something along those lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, I didn’t remember most of it since I tuned out halfway through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t seem all that important anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Lastly, we will introduce the stars who had the highest scores in the entrance exams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Firstly, the first group’s Jang Seonyeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked up as soon as I heard the familiar name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the room filled with murmurs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Jang Seonyeon is the Meteor Sword, right? As expected, he really is talented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Isn’t it impressive considering his age?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-He has a good nature, but he’s even handsome. He has everything, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I happened to be near him during the exam… and the way he cut the stone…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their words only grazed my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone’s eyes were on Jang Seonyeon as he walked forward, called by the Qinghai Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-However, being called first means that he ranked the third highest… Does this mean that there are two others who scored higher?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Then it’s obviously the Water Dragon or the Sword Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qinghai Sword patted Jang Seonyeon’s shoulder and congratulated him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Congratulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Thank you…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon responded respectfully, but he didn’t look particularly pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bastard is failing in keeping his expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was his pride wounded by coming in third?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He doesn’t know how to appreciate anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the Qinghai Sword called another person’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Next… the first group’s Wi Seol-Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze as soon as I heard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Why is her name being called?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was rather out of the blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like no one else had heard the name before either, as the crowd started buzzing again..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Who’s Wi Seol-Ah? What household is she from? Is she from a Sect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-She scored higher than the Meteor Sword, yet it’s the first time we heard this name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through that crowd, someone stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She immediately drew everyone’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because Wi Seol-Ah wasn’t wearing the face cover she usually did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone gasped aloud without even realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her golden wavy hair and striking eyes, Wi Seol-Ah’s beauty had fully bloomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…Oh, the Sword Emperor…! The Sword Emperor’s descendant…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-That Young Lady is the descendant of the Sword Emperor…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumors of the Sword Emperor’s descendant had already been circulating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was such a peculiar martial art, so there was no way she could hide it if she had to use it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Is that fine?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The presence of the Sword Emperor’s descendant was so overwhelming that it made everyone forget about Jang Seonyeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was problematic how impactful it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Congratulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah also showed respect and took her place next to Jang Seonyeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, it felt like her eyes met with mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When our eyes met, Wi Seol-Ah gave me a light smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if she was telling me that she was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t plan any of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the crowd grew rowdy after Wi Seol-Ah’s appearance,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-If the Sword Emperor’s descendant scored the second highest, then just who is the last person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as everyone began to wonder, the Qinghai Sword announced the final name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Lastly, the person who scored the top score.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last person who was going to stand on that stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to how two unexpected people were called up on the stage, the last person was the most important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That person would attract everyone’s attention after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, I felt cold sweat dripping my back..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, I knew what was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much I thought about it, it was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still, there is a chance that…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That it’s not me, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Second group’s Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chance, my ass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hope was shattered in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world only seemed straightforward with me only when it came to things like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, it would’ve been stranger if I didn’t score the highest after having done all of what I did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I began to walk forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, for some reason, it felt eerily quiet compared to when Jang Seonyeon and Wi Seol-Ah were called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I slightly sharpened my senses wondering what was going on,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…Jeez… Look at how he looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Gu Yangcheon is the True Dragon, right? The little brother of the Sword Phoenix…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-His sister is famous for her personality, and the True Dragon is just like her, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-He might look this way, shut your mouth. We have to be quiet if we don’t want to get on his bad side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems bad rumors have already spread about me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was all because of Gu Huibi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m sure I wasn’t to blame..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought to myself as I walked towards the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a way to start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a dogshit beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>",3875,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","79284e6bd695e8fadfcc2aa6219db32e30d6fe6ba657d2d20bff689a3a91c57f","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-300","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-298",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]