[{"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-324":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},1240300,1667,"Chapter 324: Hands-on Training (4)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-324",324,"\u003Cp>They were all looking upwards while talking to each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their focus was drawn to the massive wooden board hanging above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every student’s name was listed on the board for a single reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It displayed their grades for training and performance over the past two months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Brother Chu, did you do well?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I’m doomed… My name’s closer to the bottom than the top. My father’s going to beat me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Same here… I’ll probably be kicked out of the house when I return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mix of joy and despair filled the air among the students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some sank into despair, while others sighed in relief, seeing their names near the top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were still Young Prodigies with little experience in the Central Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those from sects or prestigious clans, it was likely their first time being ranked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might serve as a wake-up call to reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were chosen for their talents, but there were always greater geniuses above them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hallway fell silent at the sound of a single footstep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hey, hey!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of the students quickly their gazes away from the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned toward the figure approaching them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each approaching step, the crowd of students instinctively parted, making way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man smiled warmly, thanking the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Meteor Sword!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man cutting through the crowd was a well-known figure at the Heavenly Dragon Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was not only strikingly handsome but also incredibly talented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was none other than Jang Seonyeon, the Meteor Sword, and the son of the current Leader of the Murim Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just two months, most sword-specializing martial artists had gravitated to his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a testament to their respect for his talent and character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A student, likely a swordsman, cautiously addressed the Meteor Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“C-Congratulations, Master Jang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon glanced at the student, whose voice trembled with nervousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The student flinched, but Jang Seonyeon smiled kindly, acknowledging him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, everyone gazed up to him in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone congratulated Jang Seonyeon, whose name was at the top of the board, marked with the number “two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This indicated he had ranked second out of hundreds of students, an impressive achievement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor had it he excelled in both lectures and hands-on training, and no one questioned his accomplishments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly everyone agreed that the Meteor Sword was more than deserving of his high rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also showed how good of an image Jang Seonyeon had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that the Academy this year was filled with monsters, something not only the students but everyone in the Central Plains knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them were bloodlines from the Four Noble Clans, as well as descendants of sects and clans just beneath them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earning second place in a field of prodigies, including the Six Dragons and the Three Phoenixes, was a remarkable feat, and he deserved the praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, Jang Seonyeon ground his teeth as the congratulations poured in from every side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struggled to suppress the anger welling up inside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…I feel sick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students’ voices were nothing but noise in his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His frustration threatened to make him physically ill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just want everyone to shut their mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his thoughts, Jang Seonyeon didn’t let it show through his expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t let this minor annoyance undo everything he had worked for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blocking out the noise, Jang Seonyeon began scanning the names on the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barely recognized any of the names listed at the bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he didn’t waste his time remembering the names of those he considered beneath him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…The Water Dragon and the Sword Dragon ranked low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He noticed that two of the Dragons and one of the Phoenixes had ranked surprisingly low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor had it the Water Dragon skipped lectures to take naps, while the Sword Dragon struggled in academic subjects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those reasons explained their poor rankings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear they didn’t particularly care about their standings at the Heavenly Dragon Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Jang Seonyeon clicked his tongue in annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feel a bit better now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geniuses without greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made him feel a bit glad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, he couldn’t fully approve—it seemed as though they lived their lives carelessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t able to explain his emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it’s better this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was his conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, it was better this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they had taken things seriously and become his rivals, it would have only caused him more trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon kept his eyes scanning the board, his face still wearing the mask of a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison Phoenix… as I expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the weakest of the Phoenixes, the Poison Phoenix, hadn’t achieved a high rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d heard she had been spending time with the daughter of the Peng Clan, but it didn’t concern him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison Phoenix was far too weak for Jang Seonyeon to waste any thought on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For that reason, she held no interest for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Snow Phoenix…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Snow Phoenix, with similar martial prowess to the Poison Phoenix, ranked higher than Jang Seonyeon had anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had excelled in lectures, earning one of the top scores in that category.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the Snow Phoenix was more talented in other fields rather than martial arts, but he didn’t expect her to earn such a rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, none of them had claimed the highest rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he got closer to the top of the board, he began to see familiar names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Dancer is unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Ugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon fought to suppress his anger at the sight of her name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory of their encounter during the entrance exam still stung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still wasn’t happy about his defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled the overwhelming presence she exuded, effortlessly commanding intense Lightning Qi with her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’texpecther to dowellin the lectures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had scored lower in lectures compared to the Snow Phoenix or himself, but it seemed like her martial strength saved her score.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t fond of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was the fact that he had lost to someone he had once defeated,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You are boring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or the words she said to him, he wasn’t fond of either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head, dismissing the thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…What about her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then started to look for the name he wanted to see the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the one he desired above all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already knew her name would be, so he didn’t have to search long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third. Wi Seol-Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her name was directly underneath his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she worked hard it seems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was an idiot without any intellect before, but Wi Seol-Ah worked on her flaws and earned a good score in lectures as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all… She is the descendant of the Sword Venerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her talent in martial arts was monstrous, and she never forgot anything she learned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her beauty was also incredible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon’s thoughts continued to churn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I’ll make her mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swore to himself that he wouldn’t let Wi Seol-Ah slip away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered the promise he made with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he claimed first place by the end, she would be his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For that reason, he had no intention of letting her outscore him, no matter the cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…There is a problem though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite how well things seemed to be going, Jang Seonyeon clenched his fist at the sight of the problem that lay before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same problem that had been gnawing at him, the one that had haunted his mind for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon raised his eyes and looked at the name that was written above his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struggled to contain his emotions as he gazed at that name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why? How could that bastard’s name be on the list?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it sent a wave of darkness through his emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-The first place this time will probably be…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Probably the Meteor Sword…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What about the hands-on training…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shut up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voices around him seemed to grow louder, as if determined to make him feel worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to rip all of their mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t that make them become silent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t do that though…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he couldn’t afford to do such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to protect the image he’d carefully crafted and endure, just a little longer, for the sake of his future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jang Seonyeon secretly fixed his expression along with that thought,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s all this fuss about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp voice stabbed into the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Jang Seonyeon’s calm, measured steps, his footsteps were rough, carrying the irritation of someone dragged there unwillingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Eek!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One student recoiled in shock at the sight of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His reaction was a stark contrast to the one he had when he saw Jang Seonyeon earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To that reaction, the person who just arrived, frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong with him? Woocheol, is something happening today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard something was being announced, so wouldn’t that be the reason why everyone is gathered here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Announced?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man with a towering physique explained to the smaller young man in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pe Woocheol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jang Seonyeon remembered who he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, another handsome young man spoke with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seemed like they made a ranking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Water Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Water Dragon who had brushed off Jang Seonyeon’s approach with a lazy expression, now wore a completely different look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How pointless. They need to calm down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man responded bluntly to the Water Dragon, then continued toward the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students parted instantly as the fierce-looking young man drew nearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even gulped in nervousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Bastard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon frowned the moment he laid eyes on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man noticed him too and responded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring how unsettling that smile was, Jang Seonyeon ground his teeth again, knowing full well it was meant to mock him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Been a while huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Good to see you. Master Gu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon forced the greeting out, each word painful to utter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your face twists every time you look at me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not sure what you are talking about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see, just keep pretending then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, Jang Seonyeon’s teeth were nearly worn down from all the grinding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard never failed to get under his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was the way his insults were always so blatant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You came in first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more than that, he was the biggest obstacle standing in his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First place,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had claimed the top rank among all the students in the Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had the highest score in the entrance exams and was the most infamous student at the Heavenly Dragon Academy, though for all the wrong reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…True Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the one person Jang Seonyeon wanted to eliminate the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon began to wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon already knew that he was talented in martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he forget the humiliation he’d suffered during the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a monster, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon had no choice but to admit that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The True Dragon was a monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was able to admit that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he is also intelligent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon never thought Gu Yangcheon would put in the effort, yet he’d still outscored even the Snow Phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…How is that even possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could that be? Perhaps, he’d made a deal with the instructors behind the scen-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must be very frustrated, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s words snapped Jang Seonyeon out of his thoughts, and he quickly masked his expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon smirked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Work harder next time. Though I’m not sure if there will be a next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Master Gu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s because you don’t eat that much. Work on your appetite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon continued to mock and get on Jang Seonyeon’s nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What made it worse was that Gu Yangcheon didn’t even seem to care about his rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon wasn’t fond of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you saying it was obvious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he implying that being in first place was a given?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon wasn’t happy about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did everything he could to build his image and maintain it, but Gu Yangcheon did everything he wanted, and he didn’t care about what others thought of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon’s fists clenched as an emotion surged within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Meteor Sword, feeling jealousy over a bastard like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t admit it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have to get rid of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly needed to wipe him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to ensure Gu Yangcheon ceased to exist before it was too late, before the wall between them became insurmountable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon’s gaze shifted to a member of Gu Yangcheon’s group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the person hiding in fear behind Pe Woocheol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the most important key to Jang Seonyeon, and a very useful person for his future paths as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to him, Jang Seonyeon was able to endure all of the insults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon enough, the smirk on Gu Yangcheon’s face would turn into despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations, Master Gu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing this, Jang Seonyeon maintained his smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As expected, you are impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s face twisted in disgust at Jang Seonyeon’s congratulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really are a nasty bastard… I wouldn’t be able to smile due to anger, yet you somehow manage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, why would I be mad at you when you deserve my praise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I might lose my appetite if I stay here any longer. Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon turned around as if he wasn’t amused anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His group immediately followed, without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like it wasn’t just Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one in his group seemed to care about their rankings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seonyeon had to continue working hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he let his guard down for even a moment, his killing intent might slip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept the smile plastered  on his face as he watched Gu Yangcheon walk away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he silently vowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just you wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll haveyou on your knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************I scratched my back as I headed toward the cafeteria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s so itchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The constant prick of killing intent tickled my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suppose having sharper senses wasn’t entirely a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made it impossible not to feel Jang Seonyeon’s irritating killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Jang Seonyeon’s face was bad enough, but that nasty aura of his made it unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I might’ve actually lost my appetite if I stayed there longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing ruins my appetite faster than looking at that bastard’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I continued to walk, Pe Woocheol spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, you’re amazing as always…! First place!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve already said that three times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My name was at the top, but he seemed happier about it than I did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where was yours written?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pe Woocheol paused, thinking about my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I think it was written around the middle, but I’m not sure. I didn’t really pay that much attention.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should’ve focused on your name more than mine, you idiot…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t expect him to score high; he always looked half-dead during lectures. As expected, he landed somewhere in the middle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But first place huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t really feel that proud since I expected it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, I was worried about the possibility of instructors taking points off because of how rude I was to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully though, it seemed like none of the instructors held any grudges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe they did take some points off, but I ended up in the first place anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said it before, but I knew more about Demons than anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d encountered countless Demons during my time serving the Heavenly Demon and consumed endless Demonic Stones for Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should obviously know a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop the flattery, and let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard there’s meat today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you happy? You know you’re supposed to be a Taoist, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s a Taoist? Is that something to eat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Never Mind. Just eat it all will you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, I was used to the Water Dragon’s constant nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite being in a different group, he was always hanging around mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really seems like he is going to follow me around every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the Water Dragon, I shifted my gaze to Cheol Jiseon, who trailed behind us silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Are you going to continue acting that way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon flinched when I addressed him telepathically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That sour expression of his had been obvious since earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I told you it’s fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew exactly what was on his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of that, I had to give him a helping push.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Don’t worry about it, and do what the Jang bastard tells you to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon started to speak aloud without realizing, then quickly clamped his mouth shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry… I bit my tongue accidentally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that, I sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if he fails his mission?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hey friend, you know that…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon shook his head, unsure of what I meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like he didn’t know what I was referring to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-If you don’t do as I say, I’m going to kill you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You said you wanted to live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon’s face went pale at my threat, laced with killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t want to push him this far, but if he failed, it’d be a huge problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-So, let’s do a good job, yes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon nodded as I spoke with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by Jang Seonyeon’s expression, it seemed he was planning exactly what I’d expected. Everything now depended on how well Cheol Jiseon followed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could tell from the way Jang Seonyeon looked at me earlier, and from the prick of his killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t long from now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I even made a backup plan just in case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I had to do was just wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was playing their part, just as I had planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just hoped nothing unexpected came up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that, a few days passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your hands-on training begins now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day that bastard and I had been waiting for finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>",3005,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","55718e5116a14cd35815c625b17ddd49d6933e92a54c9c26d4ff94589cf6b6b7","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-325","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-323",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]