[{"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-384":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},1239860,1667,"Chapter 384","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-384",384,"\u003Cp>Just once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father had said that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I succeeded in one attack, he’d tell me where Mother was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Can I do it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already agreed, but I honestly wasn’t confident. More than I ever had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d usually be able to sink my teeth into something, but this... this was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What should I do?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the sound of the wind passed through the open space. My father and I stood at a distance, facing each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The solemn, almost wistful atmosphere from a moment ago had vanished, replaced by a chilling tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father stood with his hands behind his back, watching me intently. Under the rising moonlight, his red eyes seemed to glow even brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his words, I gathered my focus, channeling the heat that surged through me and filling my inner core with energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heat escaped from my mouth, signaling that my body was properly heated up. Feeling the power circulating through my whole body, I asked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you sure you won’t give me any advantages?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my question, he tilted his head and extended one hand forward, releasing his grip behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t use one hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quite the concession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since we both practiced martial arts, fighting with only one hand was a significant handicap for him. It would mean giving up his balance and limiting his attack range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Then, can you keep one of your legs out of it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to push my luck. Restricting his leg would be even more favorable than his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guess that’s a no. Got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I abandoned the idea after just one look at his eyes. Perhaps I’d pushed it too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed inwardly, then focused my gaze back on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So he won’t use his left hand.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by how he had placed his left hand behind his back, it seemed that was the hand he would refrain from using. So, if possible, I should focus on his left side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack...!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the strategy in mind, I planted my feet firmly on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparks flickered from my soles as I leaned forward, ready to launch myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no intention of testing the waters. I had to go all out from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even then, I wasn't sure if it would be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fueled by the heat, I prepared to charge directly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my father’s figure disappeared right before my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately turned my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t sense him at all. My aura was spread out, but I couldn’t pinpoint him. Yet, my body moved instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to prove that my choice was correct, something sharp brushed past my cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was my father’s arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Crack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speed was incredible; only after dodging did I realize he’d moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I barely avoided it. Judging by the force of the wind and the sound of something shattering behind me…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I would’ve been finished if that had hit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force behind that strike was no joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But even now…!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I looked at him, a scowl crossed my face. His left arm, which he’d kept behind his back, was the one he used for the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had expected him to strike with his right arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I fell for it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he baiting me into letting my guard down?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking my tongue inwardly, I moved again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his left arm was extended and he wasn’t using his right, that would leave his side exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I twisted my body to aim for it, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—! A burst of flames erupted from his body, blocking my view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately narrowed my aura, increasing my accuracy and speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sensed something near my chest. It was too late to dodge. I concentrated my defensive aura at one point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—! The impact struck me. The aura I had painstakingly gathered shattered in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that his knee? I couldn’t make out what had hit me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang—! The force of the attack sent me flying backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to plant my feet down to slow myself down; otherwise, I’d be done for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My gaze remained fixed on him. I needed to read his next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my father was already gone from my sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had lost track of him. Where did he go...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I flew backward, my back hit something solid, stopping me mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The open space didn’t have any walls, so what was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing what it meant, I twisted my body as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was already too late. My father’s fist had connected with my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact threw me far, sending me rolling across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain wasn’t as severe as expected. Considering I hadn’t fully activated my aura, he must have held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling thought struck me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he hadn’t held back in that strike...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would have died on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scrambling up from the ground, I tried to locate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood where he had pushed me, his gaze on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he waiting for me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, a hint of incredulity in my voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t mention you’d attack first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never said I’d let you attack first either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Damn, that’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had just assumed he would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That assumption was my mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the bigger issue was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The gap between us is too wide.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I may not have mastered the Hwahyeong completely, but the difference was just too great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he even vowed not to use one of his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if he was toying with me, treating me like a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at him with a helpless expression. He watched me with a curious gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your reactions are decent. Although your moves rely more on instinct than calculation, they’re not wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he evaluating my movements?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt almost like he was instructing me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, you don’t seem comfortable handling the heat yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My Gu Flame Wheel Technique was close to reaching the seventh star, but I didn’t have a profound understanding of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d only used it to boost my speed with smoke and create destructive explosions with fire. That was the extent of my skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed absurd for someone who had reached Hwahyeong to know so little about his own technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were reasons for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not like anyone taught me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My words seemed to make him flinch, if only slightly. I hadn’t dedicated myself to my martial arts, but he hadn’t exactly paid much attention to me either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing that, he averted his gaze slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now’s my chance.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he looked away, even for a moment, I ignited flames around my body and rushed toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, I gathered energy in my palm, focusing the surrounding flames to quickly form a Fire Jewel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I aimed to strike him with it, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung his hand, knocking the Fire Jewel out of my palm. It flew past me into the woods, crashing with a loud explosion soon after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What just happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at him in disbelief, and he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re quick at forming them. The power isn’t bad either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Ah, thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it lacked weight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, something formed in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a Fire Jewel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was different from mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much faster and denser, as if it materialized instantly rather than forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was larger and a deeper red, exuding a terrifying strength. My body trembled involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is it... pulling me in?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could a Fire Jewel possess such a force?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must keep it rotating inside, not just form it and hold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know how, but one thing was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that hit me, there would be nothing left of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I contemplated my next move, he casually threw the Fire Jewel aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—! It crashed somewhere far away, and a few seconds later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive flame shot into the sky, accompanied by an intense vibration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was on an entirely different level from my Fire Jewel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was that…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I watched the flames with a stunned expression. He continued speaking to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember the rotation. Always consider what the ‘Wheel’ in Gu Flame Wheel Technique signifies, and strive to embody its essence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu Flame Wheel Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon execution, it created a fiery ring based on the martial artist’s level of enlightenment. Depending on how it was wielded, the ring would rotate faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had once questioned why it formed into a ring around my body, but I never sought an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, I realized there was more to it…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I was supposed to incorporate that concept into other techniques?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Why didn’t I think of that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was one of the most basic principles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only now that I grasped the meaning embedded in the technique’s name. I should’ve considered both compression and rotation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hold on...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought struck me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This didn’t feel like a duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s more like a training session.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was I imagining it? It didn’t seem like it, not by any means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father spoke as I stood there in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How far can you go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Show me everything you’ve got.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words sparked a realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is he concerned that I didn’t learn anything?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he was bothered by my earlier comment, so he was now trying to teach me something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had intended to ask him about martial arts anyway, so this was a good opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clan Leader…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Weren’t we supposed to be dueling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t feel like the right moment to say, ‘This isn’t the time for teaching.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held my tongue because, in a way, this situation wasn’t too bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pulled all my qi into my core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I soared into the air, and soon, the sky began to change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of Gu Family’s secret techniques, similar to the Fire Jewel. The air grew thick with heat under the crimson sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fiery ring around my body spun without rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He mentioned focusing on the rotation.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had a sense of how to use the Fire Jewel, but I wasn’t sure about Red Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made my move regardless. This was supposed to be a duel, not just training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the influence of Red Heaven, my speed increased. I aimed for his restrained right side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He observed my Red Heaven technique even as I approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I must have been so slow he didn’t need to focus on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was embarrassing, on multiple levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I unleashed a flurry of attacks toward his right side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his massive build, he dodged every one of my moves with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movements weren’t anything extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just faster than me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—! After shifting my center of gravity to my left foot, I activated my Gu Flame Swirl technique, pouring more qi into it to increase its range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an impractical approach, but if I wanted to land even one strike, this was my best shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just before the flames I gathered erupted, his palm blocked my path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your gathering speed is fine, but your release is too slow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames burst from his palm, wrapping around me as they passed by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my eyes shut, trying to fortify my aura, but it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, oddly enough, there was no pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I opened my eyes, I realized that although flames had erupted, they had torn up everything except the ground I stood on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this supposed to be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt completely defeated. He had overpowered me in every way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, I wondered if it would be easier to ask him to take care of Cheonma for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I looked at him with a stunned expression, he asked in a calm tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you ready to give up now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this his way of telling me to give up? He wasn’t wrong, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, I had no intention of giving up yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said to do everything I could, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I still have a lot left to try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded, granting me permission to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were things I hadn’t shown him yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I realized I couldn’t rely on Gu Flame Wheel Technique alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to try something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t use demonic or blood qi. Even if I used those, I probably wouldn’t win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I didn’t want to use that power in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case, there was only one option left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...I wasn’t supposed to use this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mentor (Jin) had warned me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told me never to use this in a fight without his permission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, right?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to do something. Maybe he’d understand in this case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And if he doesn’t, well...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t like I had any other choice. Even Paejon had said there was no one else to learn it from but me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I finished my thoughts...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooong—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside the Gu Flame Wheel Technique, I drew upon another energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father’s eyes widened in a way I’d never seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it really that shocking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as I noticed his reaction, I focused on spreading the energy throughout my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Paejon’s signature technique, Dual Heaven Piercing Technique, infused itself into me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My exhale was the same as before, but this time, the heat mixed with a dense, sharp energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain immediately spread throughout my body, but it was manageable, as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After I readied myself, I spoke to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for waiting. Here I come—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to finish speaking...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, his fist was already in front of my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bam—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, I felt the impact and everything went black.\u003C\u002Fp>",2318,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","14be0a019ca00031f34cb76a9da1e9fb551827ba3dd55cae62dd675a43ae1dbe","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-385","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-383",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]