[{"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-377":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},1239853,1667,"Chapter 377","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-377",377,"\u003Cp>The family dinner had begun, with the entire guesthouse rented out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father sat at the head of the table, naturally, with Lady Mi beside him. The empty seat next to her was probably reserved for the First Elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Hee-bi and Gu Yeon-seo were already seated, though Yeon-seo’s eyes were red, as if she’d been crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far, nothing seemed amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was understandable for her to cry, perhaps from seeing Lady Mi after a long time, or maybe for some other reason. But what caught my attention was something else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why aretheyhere?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had expected this to be a family dinner, yet there were a few unexpected faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First off—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is Namgung Jin here…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword King of Namgung, Namgung Jin, was seated near my father. I honestly thought I was seeing things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why washehere?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not just Namgung Jin—Namgung Bi-ah was here, too. She waved at me as I walked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Alright, that’s reasonable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, I was engaged to Namgung Bi-ah. Sharing a meal with her family wasn’t too strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Why isshehere?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was Wi Seol-ah, sitting next to Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah’s expression was full of confusion, like she didn’t know why she was here either. When our eyes met, I could see the silent plea in her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Looks like she was dragged here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who brought her? And why did Father allow it…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Oh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father knew Wi Seol-ah was the granddaughter of the Sword Saint. Was that why? But even so, I doubted he’d personally invite her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…I brought her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice whispered in my ear. It was Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You brought her? Wi Seol-ah?-Yes…-Why?-Is that…a problem?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah didn’t seem to understand the issue, which left me wondering why she thought it was acceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…Never mind. Did you get permission?-Yes, from my mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned slightly at her response. Lady Mi approved of this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why would she…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned my gaze to Lady Mi. As soon as I looked at her, she returned my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to question her, but she spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you planning to stand there all night?”“…I was just about to sit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I moved to the empty seat across from Namgung Bi-ah. It was the only available spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah was seated beside Gu Hee-bi, who immediately leaned toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey…”“Y-Yes?”“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah flinched at Gu Hee-bi’s words, which made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had, indeed, met Gu Hee-bi before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was shortly after I had returned to the Gu family from Sichuan. Back then, Wi Seol-ah was serving as my assistant, and when Gu Hee-bi saw her, she’d said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Give her to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had wanted Wi Seol-ah to become her attendant. I remember refusing, only to nearly lose my hair to flames for daring to say no.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a rather violent memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Hee-bi seemed to remember, too, as she looked at Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you remember me, cutie? Sister?”“J-Just a moment…”“I’m glad to see you, but what brings you here, little one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a predator discovering new prey, Gu Hee-bi pulled Wi Seol-ah into a hug, patting her and stroking her hair. Wi Seol-ah’s eyes silently begged me for help, but there was little I could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Namgung Bi-ah looked at Gu Hee-bi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Excuse me.”“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Hee-bi scowled at Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It wasn’t quite dislike; more like discomfort.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when I was being punished at the frontline, Namgung Bi-ah stuck close to Gu Hee-bi, exploring battlefields and slaying monsters together. Gu Hee-bi had hated it, yet Namgung Bi-ah continued to tag along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe Namgung Bi-ah had a certain fondness for her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butwhy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a mystery, but it was the reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Could you…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah leaned her head closer to Gu Hee-bi, almost asking to be patted as well. Gu Hee-bi froze, and honestly, so did I.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never thought she’d actually ask for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Hee-bi’s face twisted into a grimace before she replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. You’re too grown to be cute.”“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a cold rejection, she resumed stroking Wi Seol-ah’s hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The look of shock on Namgung Bi-ah’s face was unforgettable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘By grown, she must mean height, right?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But that’s not important right now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The absurdity of the situation must have made me forget my priorities for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly whispered to Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-So…did you bringhimtoo?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah looked at me, confused, as if to ask whom I was referring to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gestured toward the young man sitting at the end of the table, grinning with an irritatingly carefree smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the last person I expected to see here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I was starving. I can’t wait for the meal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no regard for the tense atmosphere, the young man, the Sleeping Dragon, Woo Hyuk, beamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was utterly flabbergasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he here instead of eating at Wudang? Just as I was wondering why this madman was here, Lady Mi addressed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I invited Young Master Woo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You did, Lady Mi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She brought the Sleeping Dragon here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s your friend, isn’t he?”“…Yes, that’s correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could only assume Lady Mi had dragged him here. But did Father really allow it…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he allowed Cheol Jiseon, I guess it made sense to allow the Sleeping Dragon, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Namgung Jin said he was also your friend, so he had no objections.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I see…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi effortlessly answered my last question. It was obvious why Namgung Jin was fine with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That man…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Jin had to stay in my good graces, so he probably agreed without a second thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This had turned into something far removed from a family dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door behind us opened, and the First Elder entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was almost late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Elder?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Elder looked at me curiously. I had a good reason for calling out to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Why is he carrying that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draped over his shoulder like laundry was Cheol Jiseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you— Never mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I started to ask but stopped myself. At this point, I felt like resigning myself to whatever was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deciding to let it go, I turned my attention to filling my stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dinner passed without much incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that I expected anything dramatic during a meal, but with so many people present, there was naturally some conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly, Namgung Jin and the First Elder did the talking, discussing how the Celestial Lord was doing and why Namgung Chun-joon wasn’t there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the record, Namgung Chun-joon’s absence was for the same reason he couldn’t enter Shinryong Academy. I’d ordered him to stay away from Namgung Bi-ah, so even if he wanted to come, he wouldn’t be able to make it to Hanan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Gu Hee-bi continued to cling to Wi Seol-ah, who she seemed particularly fond of, even though she knew Wi Seol-ah was the Sword Master’s descendant. That knowledge didn’t change her attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there was Woo Hyuk, the Sleeping Dragon. While Cheol Jiseon looked around nervously, eating as if he might choke, Woo Hyuk paid no mind to anyone and ate with a wild enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Oh, come on, you madman…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, it was a bit much, even for someone like him. Holding drumsticks in both hands and tearing into them? Even my father, who rarely paid attention to anyone, was watching him closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I refrained from commenting, since something about Woo Hyuk seemed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he looked his usual sleepy self with that silly grin, I could tell there was something different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that he was here, instead of with the Wudang Sect, was strange enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And even stranger that my family allowed it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever the reason, something was clearly wrong with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was especially evident after the recent attack, where he lost several of his brothers. He’d tried to act normal, putting on a smile, but I could see through it—it was the same forced smile he wore back in the Demon Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time I spoke to him during dinner, he answered as if he was fine, but it was unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once dinner ended, Woo Hyuk excused himself and left immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he really come just to eat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ridiculous.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found myself wondering if my concerns had been misplaced. I thought he might have something to say to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, dinner concluded without any serious discussions, except for one thing Namgung Jin asked my father during the meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-When would be a good time for the wedding?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nearly choked on my food when I heard that. Of all things, he had to bring that up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that it was out of line. I was certainly of age for marriage, and if Namgung Bi-ah weren’t a martial artist, people might say she was already overdue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I don’t think Namgung Jin expected the atmosphere to turn as tense as it did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah’s eyes shook as if there’d been an earthquake. Gu Hee-bi’s glare intensified as she stared at Namgung Bi-ah, who, in contrast, looked at me with a calm gaze, as if waiting for a response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it wasn’t a look that demanded an answer, it still made me uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father, fortunately, responded diplomatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-The child is quite busy at the moment. Perhaps we should consider it when things settle down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a refusal, for now at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the excuse of exaggerated rumors and my upcoming plans to go to Sichuan, he deflected the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But someday.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someday, we’d have to talk about it seriously. And when that time came, what would I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, there was the position of the Young Lord. In my previous life, I received it just past twenty. I’d probably receive it again, barring any significant issues. It might even come sooner this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Running away sounded like a good idea back then.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But things had become too tangled now, especially with the truths I’d uncovered. Our family was entangled in more things than I’d realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving wasn’t as easy as I’d once thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If there was a way out, I’d have taken it already.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, I saw no alternative. I only had a few years left, and there was so much to do in that time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’d be nice if it were just an illusion that things keep piling up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I doubted I was that lucky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a deep breath of fresh air. The nightscape of Hanan was still bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah emerged from the guesthouse, looking exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at her and asked, “Are you okay? Or…you don’t look okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked weary, likely from dealing with Gu Hee-bi all evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t seem to eat much either.”“No, I…I ate plenty.”“You’re lying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She barely managed a single bowl. Normally, she’d have polished off at least five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So…Namgung Bi-ah brought you here?”“Yes, Sister said we had somewhere to go and brought me here. Sorry if it was a bother.”“It wasn’t. Don’t worry about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t mind, though I couldn’t speak for anyone else. Wi Seol-ah’s eyes lit up briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a relief,” she said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I observed her smile and then looked away. Just like with Namgung Bi-ah, her smile was hard to look at for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a question.”“Yes?”“Didn’t your grandfather come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I mentioned the Sword Saint, Wi Seol-ah fell silent. I’d noticed before that whenever I brought him up, her expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So, even she doesn’t know.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attacker was the Black Dragon Sword. Given his connection with the Sword Saint, I thought he might make an appearance, but he hadn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at Wi Seol-ah and asked, “So, what are you going to do now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you going back? Or…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to ask if she’d come with me, but that wasn’t really for me to decide. Wi Seol-ah seemed to hesitate, as if hoping I’d suggest she stay with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think it over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, it had to be her decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she was about to say something, we heard Gu Hee-bi calling out from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Where’s my little cutie?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eek…! I have to go, Young Master!”“Oh, yeah, see you later—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah disappeared without even hearing my full response, her expression one of pure terror. She must have had quite a rough time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her leap away, I wondered how bad it must have been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another figure approached me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you been well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Namgung Jin. I had noticed him glancing my way throughout dinner, but I had deliberately pretended not to see him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah, yes. It’s been a while.”“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Jin seemed different somehow, though the usual smugness hadn’t completely vanished. Maybe he was slightly subdued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Or maybe he’s here to ask for more lessons.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was the case, it was going to be a problem. The techniques I’d shared with him before were things I couldn’t even claim as my own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke to me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First of all, congratulations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hear you’ve received a new title.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that a genuine congratulation or a jab? It was hard to tell. Before he could say anything more, I cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, I have an appointment with my father. Let’s catch up some other time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hurriedly made my escape. I didn’t want to get cornered by Namgung Jin right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew this would lead to issues down the line, but dealing with him now was out of the question. Using my father as an excuse, I dashed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he didn’t seem inclined to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keeping an eye out, I made my way to the meeting spot I had arranged with my father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Namgung Jin stood by the guesthouse entrance, watching me leave. As he turned his gaze back to the doorway, he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Won’t you be going with him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah stepped forward in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…He has things to take care of,” she replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief silence passed. The relationship between the two hadn’t changed much over time. At this point, it was probably too late to mend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First Daughter,” he addressed her again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…As you wished, I’ve informed him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said he’ll respond before heading to Hanan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah’s expression shifted. The person Namgung Jin was referring to was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your great-grandfather wishes to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Three Sovereigns, the Celestial Lord, Namgung Jeol-cheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I arrived at an open space in Hanan, where I was supposed to meet my father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was simply waiting for him to arrive. It shouldn’t take long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should I talk about once he gets here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Perhaps I should start by asking where Mother is.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the most pressing question. The beast within me, the advice to merge the energy of the Divine Sword—both were related to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Within your body lies the Abyss Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what the Blood Demon said to me. Was this beast so formidable that it even commanded such respect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had my mother placed something like that within me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To find out, I’d have to locate her. She was supposedly alive somewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And then there’s the Blood Demon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon, who occasionally possessed Jang Seon-yeon, had been appearing more frequently. But our last encounter had been different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had a sense that even the scales on my arm might be connected to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He mentioned enmity.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Observing my pain, the Blood Demon had noted that it was a manifestation of enmity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant he knew about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He said he’d change his plans after seeing this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly was his plan? While I was lost in thought, I felt a presence behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is Father here?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned, expecting to see my father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t him. The presence was so faint that I thought it might have been my father suppressing his aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead, I was met with someone entirely unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clad in light blue martial robes adorned with intricate embroidery, and carrying an ornate sword at his waist, the man before me exuded an air of refinement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gone was the ragged man in tattered clothes, hidden under a conical hat. Before me stood a sharply dressed, distinguished middle-aged man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings,” he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What are you doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Srrrng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, Moyong Tae, the Lord of the White Sky Sword, unsheathed his blade and looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, will you tell me your name?” he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this guy up to now?\u003C\u002Fp>",2741,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","8d0da17c6467270aa546d530ad4186e26265b44bdbc7683e29bd0642c59d0e50","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-378","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-376",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]