[{"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-316":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},1240292,1667,"Chapter 316: The Dragon's Diary (7)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-316",316,"\u003Cp>In a room filled with darkness, a single flickering candle provided just enough light to light the gloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dribble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were two teacups in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the old man’s graceful movement, the cups slowly filled with fragrant tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered what kind of tea it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scent was new to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had a sweetness that surpassed even the Celestial Plum Blossom tea from Mount Hua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I took in the scent, a voice whispered in my ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…I’ve never been more speechless in my life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice belonged to the Water Dragon, seated next to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he complaining so much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You are even shameless about it, isn’t that a bit much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still bitter about me selling him out earlier, but I gave him a look completely void of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You’d have done the same in my place, you know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-How can you even say that? We’ve barely met. I’m not like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I got fooled by you so many times in my past life, so I’m sure you aren’t like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selling out my friend—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A move I learned from none other than the Water Dragon himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever Moyong Hi-ah caught us up to something behind the scenes, the Water Dragon always bailed, selling me out in the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also did the same whenever the Celestial Sword got angry at us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard would’ve done the exact same thing this time too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Who cares? It didn’t even work. How can you be so narrow-minded?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…Now, I’m sure. You are a crazy bastard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Yeah, reverse card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard the Water Dragon grind his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Water Dragon was seething with anger, and I thought he was about to yell at me,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems like you two have lots to say to each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But our telepathic conversation came to an abrupt halt when we heard the voice of the Qinghai Sword in front of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like the Qinghai Sword noticed us talking to each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After taking a sip of tea, the Qinghai Sword sighed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not sure if I should be impressed that two students are conversing telepathically, or if I should punish you for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Telepathic communication required extreme control of Qi and it was possible for Peak Realm martial artists to do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here were two students using it like it was nothing. It was indeed surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I wasn’t really surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The tea in front of you is made from willow leaves. I grow them myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered what it was, and it seemed like it was one of the hobbies the Qinghai Sword had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Try it. You’ll probably like it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the Qinghai Sword’s invitation, I took a sip of the tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hot,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this is nothing to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could literally conjure flames in my hands, so this mild heat was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The taste of it was pretty decent as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its slightly sour but sweet taste made it similar to green plum tea, but even sweeter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I let the warmth of the tea seep into me, warding off the cold,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qinghai Sword gently set his teacup down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will now ask you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the atmosphere had begun to relax, it tightened with his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What were you doing in there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was direct, no beating around the bush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sharpness, cutting straight to the point, was fitting for one of the Five Great Swordsmen of the Central Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know things would turn out this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that memory of the past hadn’t caused any hassle there, I would’ve been able to run away without any problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My head started spinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things never seemed to go smoothly for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would’ve happened if Elder Shin hadn’t saved me back there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Definitely nothing good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know what the memory was trying to do to me, but judging by how the space around me began to crumble, I could safely assume that I would’ve been heavily injured without Elder Shin’s help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, why is this old man so silent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Elder Shin saved me with his mysterious power and I was dragged here by the Qinghai Sword, I’d been calling out to him, but he hadn’t responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he fall back asleep again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he sleep-talking before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qinghai Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at him, trying to figure out what to do, but he stared back with those strange white pupils of his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like he wasn’t going to let me go easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I couldn’t blame him—how could he in a situation like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After steadying my breath, I answered the Qinghai Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was looking for a secret vault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t bother with pointless excuses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew lying would only make things worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things had already escalated, so I had to face it head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Secret vault?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qinghai Sword put on a strange expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it would. It implied that there was a secret vault beneath the Heavenly Dragon Academy—and that a Young Prodigy like me knew about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was only the beginning though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had asked the Sword Queen for help, but I had a backup plan just in case things turned out this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, I didn’t know if it was going to work or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was busy working my brain, the Qinghai Sword asked me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If there really is a secret vault here, how do you know about it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing a very expected question, I slowly pulled a pass from my pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qinghai Sword’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw the pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the First Class Beggar’s Pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A symbol of the Beggar’s Sect Leader, given to me by the Immortal Healer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d shown it to the Beggar King before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I always wondered when and where I could use this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Will this work?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one reason I’d shown it to the Qinghai Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was very simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was implying that I got the information from the Leader of the Beggar’s Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though of course, I didn’t actually get that information from their leader, and even if the Qinghai Sword had a way to contact their leader, I could simply say that I heard it from another person of Beggar’s Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if that doesn’t work though?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I’m simply fucked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I’d really considered the worst-case scenario, I wouldn’t have gone searching for the secret vault in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The First Class Beggar’s Pass, huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did the leader directly give you that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I cannot answer that question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know you are not in a situation where you can choose to respond or not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do know that. However, I still cannot answer that question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was basically telling him to cut me open if he really wanted the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feared he might actually do it, but I had no other choice. Explaining further would only make things worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Forget how you got the information. What did you see inside the secret vault?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There was nothing in it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha… there was nothing, you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obviously a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d gotten into this mess because of that place—there was definitely something in there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What frustrated me more was that I hadn’t even been able to check the treasures in the room. I hadn’t taken a single thing. But I couldn’t let that frustration show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The secret vault closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I checked later, but the entrance that the Water Dragon and I entered from disappeared, and it seemed like the Formation around it also disappeared with it as if it never existed there in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it the power of the memory?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he erase the vault after trying to implode it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that’s the case,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s possible that the secret vault was a made-up area in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entrance was real and judging by how the Water Dragon remembered it, it wasn’t fake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t just create a space; he’d stopped time within it too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this even be considered martial arts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Shin said that it was Yeon Il-Cheon’s power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was able to do that much, then was he even human anymore?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, how were we able to get out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Water Dragon, not long after I disappeared, he sat down and yawned but he found himself outside after a blink of his eyes and he saw me lying down behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of time, it was barely ten seconds\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But considering how long my conversation with the memory lasted, that was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant that time was indeed stopped in that room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as what I experienced wasn’t just an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I be glad about it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had evidence that it wasn’t an illusion, right on my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it wasn’t visible to the Qinghai Sword, since I covered it with cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As you heard from the Water Dragon, there wasn’t enough time for me to search for anything in there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to use this to my advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only I experienced the difference in time between the room and the outside, so I could play this card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though of course, it was up to the Qinghai Sword to believe the Water Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I personally wouldn’t have believed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would’ve made him speak the truth by beating him up, but that’s only because of my personality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So you lost consciousness as soon as you entered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t very convincing. Who would believe that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you entered Heavenly Dragon Academy knowing about the secret vault beneath it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t deny it now that I had already admitted to knowing about the vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qinghai Sword fell silent, clearly thinking something over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Since there was an unknown secret vault down there, I shall inform this incident to the Murim Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your punishment will be decided after I finish talking with the Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could I be suspended for this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, but I might also be interrogated by the Murim Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t think they’ll go that far though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t know about the secret vault beneath the Academy either, so I’m sure they wouldn’t want this news spreading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The important part to them though, was what was inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they did interrogate me, I didn’t take anything from the vault. And if they couldn’t even find it, it wouldn’t be a huge deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will also send a letter to Gu Clan about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Oh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that could be a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Father finds out I caused trouble in the Heavenly Dragon Academy…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m fucked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn’t let this slide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I caused trouble everywhere I went, and this time, the punishment could be serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Getting punished by Father was a huge problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His anger was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Since it’s already this late, I will stop for today and call you two separately another day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was already midnight, the Qinghai Sword decided to let us go for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also told us not to tell anyone about the secret vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering how he said that he’ll call the Water Dragon and I one more time, he wasn’t going to let us off easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Am I going to be suspended?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a high possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I wouldn’t mind being suspended, but I still had important things to take care of at the Academy, even after dealing with the vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still needed to deal with Jang Seonyeon and Cheol Jiseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand looks strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I noticed something odd about the Qinghai Sword’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t able to see it clearly since he was hiding it with cloth, but something was off about it, though I didn’t know what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may both leave now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was observing the Qinghai Sword’s hand, he told us to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had braced for more interrogation, but he let us go surprisingly easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How do I say this, he doesn’t seem to be in the best condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps his tired voice and exhausted expression was one of the reasons why he let us leave so early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outwardly, he seemed the same, but I could sense a difference in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I set aside my thoughts about the Qinghai Sword and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to appreciate the fact that, for now, I was free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After bowing in respect alongside the Water Dragon, I left the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I stepped outside, I was greeted by the Sword Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed she had been waiting for me all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Water Dragon seemed a bit startled at the sight of the Sword Queen, then shot me a curious look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I shall be taking my leave first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He directed his words toward the Sword Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like he noticed that the Sword Queen had a business with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would have made sense for the Sword Queen to stop him, given she wouldn’t want him spreading rumors about our relationship, but she didn’t bother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman…? What’s she going to do if others found out about it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the Water Dragon left, the Sword Queen quietly began walking, and I followed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, the Sword Queen seemed to be in a hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We soon found ourselves back on the path where we first crossed paths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have some things to talk about, correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could we not do it another day, since it’s midnight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Queen’s expressionless stare said everything—there would be no waiting until another day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was telling me that she couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Queen stalled the Qinghai Sword due to my request, but she was expecting something in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Stone of Mount Hua that was supposedly inside the secret vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had promised her I’d bring it to her if I found it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you earlier, but I didn’t have time to bring anything out of the secret vault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Stone of Mount Hua, my ass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nearly died in there when the space collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry to the Sword Queen, but-“\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Arm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her terse response made me flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roll up your sleeves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue at her certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like I was caught already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sword Queen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You might be able to fool the Qinghai Sword, but you can’t fool me. Especially not when my eyes have blossomed in plum flowers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy scent of plum flowers radiated from my arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like the Sword Queen noticed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had tried my best to hide it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I guess it didn’t work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This isn’t the Stone of Mount Hua.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roll it up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sigh, I rolled up my sleeve, her serious tone leaving me no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Revealing what was tied to my arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Queen lost her words after checking my arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I had said earlier, this wasn’t the Stone of Mount Hua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t look like a stone, and it didn’t feel like one either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The object glowed pink, wrapping around my arm like silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t think it felt this way originally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Elder Shin controlled my body, I had definitely grabbed this in the vault, but back then it felt more like a large marble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I woke up, though, it had wrapped itself around my arm like a bandage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was it on my left arm though when I’m right-handed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, it really annoyed me.\u003C\u002Fp>",2598,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","a50861d190f8f0434c3fa04fc2c4e97cddd4c36a34fbf53eac7812f036b569ad","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-317","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-315",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]