[{"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-334":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},1240310,1667,"Chapter 334: Mother (1)","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-334",334,"\u003Cp>[ It was the only choice I had. The child was crying with great sadness, so that’s what this old tree did for the child, and that’s the only reason I could find. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Traveling through time and returning to the past also places heavy burden to the soul. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned at tree words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s because I was very familiar with that story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ The child made a choice, but it’simpossible to alter one’s own fate**. ]**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ However, that child succeeded in something.Perhaps that’s why you, my apostle, can speak with me now**. ]**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the World Tree said, Yeon Il-Cheon had succeeded in sealing the Blood Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the Blood Demon would resurrect one day, and the world does not make the same mistake twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The end will come, no matter what.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what Yeon Il-Cheon told me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what happens, the end will come. Whether it be by the hands of the Blood Demon, or by another force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world that the World Tree speaks of. Is it similar to that of a God?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that the same God revered by the Wudang and Shaolin Sects?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that what it is?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that’s strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The World Tree’s existence had been erased, but that meant it once existed in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered what the Tao Clans were like in that world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a being as powerful as the ruler already in the world, could they have worshipped another God?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now isn’t the time to think about that though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. There was still much to learn, and I couldn’t afford to waste time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Then… sigh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed halfway through my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation was way too hard to handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, I’m supposed to clean up the mess my ancestors left behind?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That might be debatable, but that’s how it seemed to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know what to ask first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard as there were so many things to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuck…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mind was in turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did things end up like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should I ask first?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I start by asking about the seed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or should I ask about the Heavenly Demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe I should ask about this place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps I should begin with my regression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or what about…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Apostle. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I struggled to focus, the World Tree spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ You seem very tired, apostle. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s not like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was very difficult, and very heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said you weren’t responsible for my regression, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ That’s correct. I am not responsible for you going back in time. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tree had also said it no longer had the strength to do such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that really true though?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the tree was lying to me-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I slapped myself, my head jerking from the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I did it to snap myself out of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an old habit of mine, questioning everything to see if it was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t able to trust anyone and I had everyone as my enemies, but the few people who had stood by me died for me, and that’s how I developed this habit to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…All is fine, it’s good and all, but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wrapped my hands around my head and put aside my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I wanted from the World Tree wasn’t the truth of the world, nor its hidden secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just wanted to ask one simple question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it that you want from me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I need to do, what I must do from now on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was expected of me in this cursed situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to know, desperately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Apostle. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You said this to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am the flame that will burn away all burdens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what the World Tree said to me in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it just because I knew how to control flames?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That couldn’t be it, no matter how much I thought about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Did I say that to you? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, but I don’t know how I would do such a thing. The only thing I know how to burn to ashes…is people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To burn away the burdens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did the tree say such a thing to me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I had to ask earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do I need to do first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to know what I needed to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More and more people joined my side, one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Funnily enough, I cared about all of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the calamity was approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to know, to protect those by my side, because a greater secret lay behind the Heavenly Demon, whom I once thought was my only enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t for myself, but for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said I have the power to burn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ …Apostle. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it’s the Blood Demon or the Heavenly Demon, I’ll do it to survive, and to protect them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So please tell me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Apostle, yes. Was Yeon Il-Cheon also your apostle? The one who received your mark.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the tree called me an apostle, I wondered if Yeon Il-Cheon had held the same title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ …That’s right, that child was an apostle as well. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeon Il-Cheon called me a calamity when we met. He said that I would bring the world to an end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the calamity will not end there, and another will storm our way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That, according to the World Tree, is the way of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I believed that would be the Heavenly Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ You met that child? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, he left a memory of his past.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a pleasant encounter, but I did meet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ That child left a memory… ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The World Tree seemed lost in thought, but I couldn’t afford to wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it that you want? What do you want for you to…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mid-sentence, something suddenly came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait… Did I end up in this place in my past life because you summoned me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ That’s not the case. Just like back then, me meeting you is only a coincidence. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made me glad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both events occurred because Cheol Jiseon ripped open a Gate of Demons, but the thought that it could all have been orchestrated by the World Tree was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, please tell me what you want from me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who told me about how I was able to burn away all burdens, how to escape from this world, and leaving me with a mark, was the World Tree in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Do you want me to help you escape from this world and put you back into the normal world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The World Tree offered a faint smile at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ That is not possible. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why did you choose me out of all people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ I just… want my children to live on. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The World Tree wished for the people of my world to continue living.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that why you chose me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did that really make sense? How would that make sense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t something I was able to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why me out of everyone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t have the strength for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ No, apostle. You are capable. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to ask how the tree was so sure,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Before wediscuss that**, there is a story you must hear. ]**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A story?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The World Tree cut me off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Are you aware of the being that resides within you? ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gasped at the World Tree’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The being the tree spoke of was none other than the beast within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do you… know about that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[To learn that-]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn’t the only shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The World Tree brought up something I had forgotten about for a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[We must first talk about your mother.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was about my mother who disappeared long ago in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************Tap, tap, tap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon ran as fast as he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breathless and with numb legs, Cheol Jiseon pushed on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is that…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze remained fixed on the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky, slowly turning black, grew darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No… that’s not the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t the sky at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more like a barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black barrier engulfed the area, as if a formation had been set in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a small area either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite already engulfing two mountains, it still reached out towards the Heavenly Dragon Academy a bit further away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just what is happening…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon grinded his teeth and ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It definitely wasn’t a peaceful situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon thought to himself as he ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I… Where am I going right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He started running in a panic, unsure of whom to turn to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What about the instructors?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he wasn’t the only one witnessing this, surely the instructors had seen it too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the eerie silence around him sent chills down Cheol Jiseon’s spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon spun around instinctively, reacting to a sudden shift in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved out of instinct,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pwoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ughhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it seemed like he was a bit late, as he felt something stabbing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon’s body was flung backward by the impact, the attack laced with Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Cheol Jiseon’s body effortlessly rolled on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff… Huff!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced down, realizing he’d been struck in the thigh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a dagger stuck in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ughh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon gritted his teeth against the pain,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing? You nearly killed him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice cut through the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the haze of pain, Cheol Jiseon saw a figure in black approaching, a sword in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We were told to kill after checking their faces. Do you want to be killed by the Great King?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A few won’t matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another voice spoke from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that this man had thrown the dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought we were only supposed to spare the ladies of the Four Noble Clans, and we are allowed to kill everyone else I thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That rule probably only applies to the instructors. Watch yourself if you don’t want trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man clicked his tongue at the rebuke, then yanked Cheol Jiseon up by the hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know this face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other man approached, studying Cheol Jiseon’s face closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed him by the chin and observed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh no.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he frowned as if something went wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at the mole on his face and his clothes. He’s one of those the Great King ordered us not to kill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh, really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you going to do now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think? We leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon was paralyzed with fear from the ambush, but his eyes darted around, taking in every detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them has it on their chest, and the other has it on their left wrist… they are both dragons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon was observing their features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, I was itching for a taste of blood, but I’ve got things to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who had thrown the dagger patted Cheol Jiseon’s cheek a few times, unapologetically, before rising to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like he really was going to let Cheol Jiseon go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he… doesn’t kill me, then what about the others?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon thought about what the two men said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Only the ladies of the Four Noble Clans came, and we are allowed to kill everyone else I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant that they were going to kill everyone besides a few students with importance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering how the instructors aren’t here…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It either meant they were involved, or that the place was overrun with enemies like these.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Is this a planned ambush?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon suddenly remembered when the Meteor Sword assured him not to worry about his ambush on Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this perhaps related to the Meteor Sword?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His leg should be fine after he stops the bleeding. No poison was used.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man smirked as he turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like he was heading off to find other prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon couldn’t afford to let him go like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved his fingertips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hadn’t been long since he last opened the gate to the Abyss, so he couldn’t open it again, but he couldn’t afford to let those men escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to find the sensation with his hand, but he wasn’t able to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a power he so wanted to get rid of, and of course it didn’t work out in his favor in times like this one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Cheol Jiseon was moving his fingertips,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shall we start going to another-“\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who stood up, stopped talking midway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon followed the man’s gaze, sensing something unusual in his reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, something fell right in front of Cheol Jiseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“H… Huaghh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon let out a scream in reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a severed head that had suddenly fallen before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, it was the head of a person who just observed Cheol Jiseon earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which bastard…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining man gathered his Qi,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sickening sound of flesh being sliced echoed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second man’s head rolled to the ground before Cheol Jiseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon couldn’t even scream, and he only held onto his chest in fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it an instructor perhaps?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men seemed pretty powerful, so if they were able to cut these two with ease like this…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Where is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Cheol Jiseon was starting to feel relieved, thinking it might be an instructor, an unexpected voice came from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a voice he heard before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t very often, but he heard it a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, she would have had a tired and sleepy, yet beautiful and charming voice, but it sounded cold as if she was mad right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The icy tone in her voice sent a fresh wave of fear through Cheol Jiseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Jiseon slowly lifted his head to see who the voice belonged to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing he saw was bluish-white hair,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Where…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his eyes eyes met two beautiful blue pupils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flicked the blood from her sword with a swift motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Namgung Bi-ah, gazing down at Cheol Jiseon.\u003C\u002Fp>",2401,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","4363dc464fddc9ec2e9d596beedd9fb4b1ee3f7f4ef913241c90e22fa64b7fed","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-335","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-333",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]