[{"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-30":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},1239956,1667,"Chapter 29: The Iron Maiden (1)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-30",30,"\u003Cp>༺ The Iron Maiden (1) ༻\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The road to the Tang Clan was easily one of the most comfortable paths we’d traveled through on our journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was probably well maintained due to the fact that it was a road that led to a town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, thanks to that, the escorts who always seemed nervous looked to be a bit calmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe they were calmer because we were traveling alongside people from the Namgung Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The point was that the road to the Tang Clan gave us no issues whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So the first time after I ate a yakgwa, the potato I was holding didn’t look appetizing at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The yakgwa was so good… I feel bad for potatoes, but I think that yakgwa is tastier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is a potato a potato?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah… Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the road gave us no issues, it didn’t mean we couldn’t get trouble from elsewhere. For example;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is this Namgung Bi-ah lunatic always coming here?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My head ached every time I looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why… Why are you always here!?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a blue carriage ready and waiting for her, so why did she insist on traveling with us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah did nothing to help this matter as she continuously chirped to Namgung Bi-ah… even after I’d specifically told her not to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need to scold her seriously…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also weird how the other Namgung lunatic suddenly seemed indifferent to everything that was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been half-expecting Namgung Cheonjun to follow me around judging by how he had acted towards me up until this point, but instead, he was just sitting quietly in his carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So he’s fine with things staying like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could not understand the thought process of these lunatics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some time had passed since we left, and the sun was now setting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could understand Namgung Bi-ah since she was a martial artist and all, but the fact that Wi Seol-Ah had been tirelessly talking to her through the day thoroughly impressed me—particularly since we still needed to travel a part of the route on foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I guess she has been ‘built different’ ever since birth…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Then again, it’d be weird for her to be tired considering how much she ate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah was someone who ate a lot but, even if she was going to walk for a little while, it would just burn off everything she just consumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I think that she had a truly blessed body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, I ate less than Wi Seol-Ah, but this stupid hip of mine was already showing signs of fat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life is so unfair…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After staring at the sky for a long period of time, someone in the crowd shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can see the flag of Tang Clan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like what he said, I could see the green flag that had the word ‘Tang’ written on it in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their numbers looked to be a little less than our currently mixed crew of Gu Clan and Namgung Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I caught sight of the flag, I began to quickly straighten my clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh, my hair had gotten messed up back when I took a nap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is why it’s such a hassle to meet folks from the noble clans…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least I didn’t have to treat the Namgung Clan this way because of what Namgung Cheonjun and Namgung Bi-ah did, so I was sort of thankful for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I prepared to get off the carriage once it slowed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I went out, I saw Namgung Cheonjun already greeting the people of Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while, Cheonjun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope you have been well, Brother Tang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there something bothering you these days? Your face doesn’t look too well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s probably because of the long trip.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right, since you guys came from far away. I honestly didn’t expect for you to come here as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My sister promised to come here, and I felt nervous about sending her alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Lady Bi-ah. Hmm, yeah, that makes sense. I always feel this, but you Namgung siblings always look like you have a good relationship, meanwhile our Soyeol is getting fiercer as the days pass by.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sharing a laugh with the person Namgung Cheonjun was speaking to, he then turned around and looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Young Master Gu! Come on over!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since when did we get close enough for him to call me with such a smile?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a bit sick at the appearance I saw him display after seeing his true self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I went closer to them, I could clearly see the face of the man that was talking to Namgung Cheonjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man looked to be around 30 years of age, and had a rather innocent-looking face, despite the fact that he had the blood of Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the Young Lord of Tang Clan, Tang Jooyeok.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know what his current title was, but in my past life he had been called the Poison Lord when the Demonic Cult appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jooyeok looked at me and came towards me with calm steps to greet me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you are the Young Master from the Gu Clan. I heard that people from the Gu Clan was also coming to our clan. Thank you for coming all the way here. I am Tang Jooyeok.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was able to get a grasp on his character because he was being courteous to me, even though I was much younger than him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I showed respect back to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Gu’s-“\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to introduce myself, but I quickly remembered that I had told these Namgung guys that I was Gu Jeolyub.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did I do that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Gu Jeolyub kid never helps, I never liked him, ever since the first time I met him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came here in place of the Lord of Gu Clan. He told me to tell you that he apologizes for not being able to participate in the event.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to make up a fake excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, Tang Jooyeok didn’t seem to care and had a smile on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s understandable considering Lord Gu is busy with his work. It’s only a small festival for the Tang Clan, so we are thankful that you came here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the bullshittery greeting was about to end, Namgung Bi-ah reached us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slightly bowed her head to Tang Jooyeok and greeted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while, Bi-ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bi-ah becomes prettier as days pass by, I couldn’t tell it was you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh right, our Soyeol caused you trouble, right? I’m sorry about that. The kid still hasn’t matured yet and caused trouble for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No it’s all good… It was a promise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for understanding. Soyeol seemed to have been waiting for a while. Cheonjun and Young Master Gu as well, you should start going before it becomes nighttime; we will guide you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally… I was able to finish this long trip and arrive at the Tang Clan of Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would have been a nicer trip if Namgung Bi-ah, who was always next to me, and that Namgung Cheonjun, who continued to give me a death stare, didn’t behave in this manner for seemingly no reason…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sigh… I just want a dumpling.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a shitty experience this trip turned out to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tang Clan of Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A noble clan that had spread their name throughout Sichuan, known to possess the most knowledge in the field of poison and blacksmithing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sword Art’ for the Namgung clan,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Spirit’ for the Peng clan,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And ‘Keen Eye’ for the Moyong clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the other mentioned clans, the Tang Clan was probably a step behind, but they had something great that the other three clans didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Military Exhibition of Tang Clan was created for that reason as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their martial art was famous for the use of poison, but their skills in the forge were also incomparable to others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weapons crafted by the clan’s greatest blacksmiths were widely regarded as masterpieces and works of art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tang clan was responsible for making most of the weapons that the Murim Alliance utilized, and they were particularly respected as they had forged the Sword Emperor’s weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many clans would gladly line up for a chance to receive weapons made by the Tang clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just that they don’t hand out these weapons lightly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t know whether it was because of their noble name or not, but they didn’t give their weapons easily to outsiders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they were offered money. Then again, it’s not like they were lacking in money anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyways, the Military Exhibition of Tang Clan basically existed to brag to others about their weapons, which had reached near perfection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My guess on why they were holding this exhibit was something along the lines of:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are great at crafting weapons. If you treat us nicely, then we can offer you these weapons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, something like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I did hear something about the Tang Clan giving out one of the weapons in the Military Exhibition of Tang Clan,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t something I cared about. Of course, if I were to get it, I could sell it for a high price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know what intentions the Tang Clan had for them to show off their weapons, but that wasn’t what I came here for in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have to be ready to find the secret vault.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t forget the real reason why I’d come here: Geumyeonchun, and their secret vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days after the Military Exhibition of Tang—I only had three days. And the only info I had on the secret vault was a vague location of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even that information wasn’t something I wasn’t entirely sure about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I didn’t find the secret vault in the three days I had, I would need to go to Beggar’s Sect and spread the information about the Golden Nature Clan’s secret vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How complicated.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you thinking about so deeply, Young Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah spoke to me when she saw me struggling with my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Tang Jooyeok’s guidance, I finally arrived at the Tang clan of Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had come here in my previous life as well, but seeing the clan again after only having a faint memory of it was astounding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tang clan looked to be bigger than the Heaven market I had gone to for the Nine Dragons Ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘When all is said and done, they are indeed a noble clan.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The roots of the Orthodox factions were different, even in size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After arriving and unpacking my belongings, I planned to take a look around the place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t tell me not to wander around, so I felt like I could at least do that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I told them that I was going for a walk, and with Wi Seol-Ah quickly tagging along, we went for the walk together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After following the road for a while, a forest filled with trees appeared. How big does a clan have to be for it to have a forest within it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crick, crick.With each step, I heard the sound of crickets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I moved my steps after the sound of the crickets which filled up the forest, and when I noticed some fireflies along the way, I realized that it would soon be summer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking for a bit, I ran into an artificial lake. It wasn’t a large lake and instead seemed to have been intricately designed—the delicate decorations were something that even I had to applaud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight of fireflies hovering above the lake as well as the lotus flower floating on its surface made for an undeniably beautiful sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When even someone like me could appreciate its beauty, Wi Seol-Ah was understandably mesmerized by the lake before her. A large smile adorned her face as she looked on with glittering eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered if I should pat her head at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t, in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s so pretty, Young Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I agree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-Ah started following the fireflies, dancing with them. At that sight, I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, I would look for signs of the Wi Seol-Ah I knew in my previous life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wi Seol-Ah now didn’t have her moonlight hair, nor did she have her sharp cold eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She instead had black hair that resembled the sky at night, and a face that was always brimming with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was so different from the girl from my previous life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So, why am I always looking for that Wi Seol-Ah in the current Wi Seol-Ah?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked at the thought I had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why am I even thinking about this? It’s just a passing thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s nothing; let’s start going back, it’s almost bedtime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’d spent enough time admiring the scenery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I turned around, already envisioning the good night’s sleep I would finally be able to enjoy after arriving at the clan…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp voice pierced through my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned towards the direction the voice had come from and saw Namgung Bi-ah looking at me with an astonished expression and someone else standing alongside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mysterious newcomer was the owner of the voice. And she soon spoke to me once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a place outsiders aren’t allowed to enter. Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the moonlight beamed upon her, I was able to see her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I recalled exactly who this woman was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green eyes that were blatantly noticeable even at night time were already a dead giveaway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison Queen, Tang Soyeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the first person in history to be immune to any kind of poison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the ‘Iron Maiden’ who fought against thousands of demons that would appear in Sichuan in the near future, all by herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my past life, she was one of the people who I’d personally killed with my own hands.\u003C\u002Fp>",2351,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","5032077f989374014c3b98dbc48821ec4c5e1d4838bbddba1cdb5151b3c6eb8e","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-31","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-29",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]