[{"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-388":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},1239864,1667,"Chapter 388","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-388",388,"\u003Cp>Following my father into the dining hall, I noticed that some people were already gathered there. The group wasn’t much different from the previous night’s dinner crowd, but I couldn’t see Iljang-ro or Cheoljiseon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheoljiseon probably bolted, and as for Iljang-ro, who knows where he went. As we entered, everyone’s attention shifted to us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The screech of chairs echoed as a few people stood up. It was Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them were glaring at my bruised eye with an intensity that burned hotter than any flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her question was simple—who did this to me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Namgung Bi-ah’s tone was casual, her emotions were anything but, which made Gu Yeonseo, who sat nearby, flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waved a hand dismissively and said, “It’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah’s firm response was quickly supported by Wi Seol-ah, who nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s definitely a lie. If the young master says it’s nothing, it usually means it’s something big.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to endure a mix of emotions at their reactions. Just how do they see me to assume that every minor mishap is actually a big deal? Do they think I’m constantly getting into trouble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sad part was that I couldn’t definitively deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who... did this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah looked ready to draw her sword right then and there. And what would she do? She just recently recovered—what could she possibly achieve?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What would you even do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teach them a lesson...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teach them a lesson?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to stifle a laugh at her words. Even I couldn’t “teach them a lesson,” so what exactly did she plan to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I appreciated the thought, but there was no way she could manage that. I was still chuckling when Namgung Bi-ah came closer and gently touched my bruised eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The concern in her touch felt warm, despite her cold hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah also approached and began to check other parts of my body, searching for additional injuries. It was embarrassing, given that people were watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you I’m fine! Stop it! People are staring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when I raised my voice a little did they both step back, though their eyes were still filled with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s just a bruise; why such a big reaction?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah took a step back, looking shaken, and mumbled, “If the young master ended up like this, then the opponent must’ve been quite formidable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded in agreement. “They were. Incredibly strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How terrifying must they have been...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Terrifying, indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Were they a bad person...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, not really... I wouldn’t say they were bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t give a clear answer, but I sensed my father’s presence behind me. I knew I shouldn’t tease them any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was Father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them froze at my words, and their gazes shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now they were looking between my bruised eye and my father, who had greeted neither of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father didn’t show any particular reaction. He simply observed them as they watched me with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe that made it even scarier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, they turned back to me with reproachful eyes, as if asking why I hadn’t told them sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They were just about ready to “teach someone a lesson.”’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They redirected their reproach toward me so quickly. It was a bit unfair and frustrating from my perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After quickly finishing breakfast, I made my way to the familiar cave. Not only did I need to catch up on training, but I also had some business with Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I stepped inside, the strong scent of alcohol hit me. I wrinkled my nose at the overpowering smell and looked around. Empty bottles were scattered everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many were there? It seemed like there were too many to count by hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon stood in the center, surrounded by the empty bottles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s all this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pointed at the bottles, and Paejon chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while since I shared a drink with an old friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This looks like more than just a few drinks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once you get into the mood, it’s easy to lose track. You’re too young to understand that yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook my head at his words. I’d never been one for drinking, not even in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t have anyone to drink with. The most I’d done was raise a glass alongside Magumhu while he sipped his drink, admiring the moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By ‘old friend,’ do you mean Elder Il?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, that’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those old men must’ve gone all out. The amount of bottles suggested there were more than two people involved. Maybe they had more company?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon noticed my reaction and laughed, waving his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a powerful wind erupted from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind swept through the entire cave, then blew outside. Amazingly, the alcohol stench vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s impressive as always.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Paejon in awe. He had incredible control over his abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could create wind too, but... The wind Paejon generated had selectively removed only the air with the smell, leaving everything else intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bottles and stones on the floor weren’t disturbed, only the air. How did he manage that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon noticed my gaze and asked, “Want me to teach you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that something I can even learn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most couldn’t, but you might be able to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll pass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? It’s quite a useful trick. Shame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clicked his tongue as if disappointed. I could tell it was useful, but my refusal had a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That old man overestimates me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever Paejon taught me, he’d often say, “You can do it.” What he meant was that he thought I could do anything he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to believe, “Since you’re like me, you can handle it too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, he saw my potential as being on par with his. That was a lot of pressure for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From what I’ve observed, Paejon is a true genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s one of the rare few among the talented martial artists of Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, during training, he’d grumble things like:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was technique or reading an opponent’s moves, Paejon would say that if you focused, you could do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This old man didn’t seem to realize that if it were that easy, anyone could be a master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Easy, my foot.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t much I could say to him about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s someone who created new martial arts and even started over at an old age. Despite that, he rose to be one of the Three Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the rest of the Three Masters, Paejon is a rare genius in history. To me, his expectations were overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m just a mediocre talent, not a genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But, kid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened to your eye? Looks like you got hit somewhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t seem like someone who’d get into fights easily... so how did you end up like this? Oh, well, it’s amusing, so I don’t mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s funny, so he doesn’t mind? What kind of nonsense is that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s from a sparring match with my father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon’s eyes sparkled with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean the Gu family head?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. That explains it. So, how was it, sparring with your father?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s not much to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I couldn’t even touch him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon’s expression shifted to one of subtle curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your father hasn’t changed, I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know much about him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re asking how, it’s because people like your father are rare. But what about you? How much do you know about him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, I’m not sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I were asked how much I know about him, I’d have to admit, not much. I only know he’s far stronger than his reputation suggests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Come to think of it...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A question suddenly came to mind about Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why didn’t you offer to take my father as your disciple? Did he not meet your standards?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t know my father’s full potential or how far he’s reached. But I thought he’d fit Paejon’s ideal student better than me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon was always urging me to train, so why not my father?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon stroked his imaginary beard and replied, “That’s a strange thing to wonder about. Why are you curious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just because.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, he continued, “When I met your father, I hadn’t yet reversed my aging process.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he hadn’t been searching for disciples at that time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later, I did consider it, but I dismissed the idea immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It would’ve been pointless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did he mean by that? Did my father not meet his standards? Paejon continued before I could ask further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your father was already one with his martial art.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One with his martial art?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t grasp his meaning, so I asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He explained, “Have you heard of Sword-Mind Unity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I know of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword-Mind Unity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s when a swordsman becomes one with the sword. The self and the sword become indistinguishable, achieving a state of harmony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a dream for any swordsman, more than merely reaching a high rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who attain it are often considered masters, and it’s said they can wield invisible swords, known as the Mind Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my past life, Magumhu had reached that state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Becoming one with martial arts means going a step beyond that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A step beyond...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s when you fully understand the martial art. Your body isn’t just a vessel for it; itisthe martial art.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon’s words were filled with weight I couldn’t quite grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They call this Transcendence. But you don’t need to worry about that yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Transcendence...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why? Paejon’s words puzzled me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d never heard of this before in my past life. It seemed important, so why was this the first I’d heard of it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So my father reached Transcendence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As far as I could tell, yes. That’s why I couldn’t offer him the position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, only those who have reached such a level would Paejon consider worthy. Does that mean my father has reached that level?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I should ask him about it later.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to ask my father at some point. With that in mind, I had another question for Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, Elder, have you reached Transcendence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I asked, I regretted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression twisted slightly. Did I offend him? He sighed and responded, “Do you know the minimum requirement to reach Transcendence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mastery of martial arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did I understand why he looked the way he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t reached it. That’s why I’m curious. What lies beyond my martial art?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re using me to find out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re getting cheekier with your words. I’m not ‘using’ you, you brat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it seemed I was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t refute it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Transcendence.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Achieving mastery in martial arts was the minimum requirement. I had more questions, but I held them back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asking if that meant my father was stronger than him would be too forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So the minimum requirement is mastery in martial arts.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bar seemed impossibly high. Whether it was the Flame Wheel Technique or Tua Pa Cheon Mu, these were all difficult martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, mastery was only the minimum requirement for Transcendence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m not ready for that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, my goal was to raise my Flame Wheel Technique to nine stars, rather than chase something as elusive as Transcendence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s enough chit-chat. Let’s start warming up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon twisted his wrist as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warming up meant sparring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No tricks allowed, only techniques. I’d been sparring with him for months, and I had yet to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today would be no different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I braced myself for another beating, I suddenly remembered something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I almost forgot to mention.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there something else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s no big deal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My father would like to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon looked genuinely surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Out of nowhere? Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, nothing much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scratched my head awkwardly at his reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He found out I’m your disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I tried using your martial art during our duel. He figured it out immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to downplay it, but the truth was that I’d messed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So he wants to meet you. Is that alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, Paejon's face twisted in displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>",2046,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","1627fcf5dda92d72a18b489af9ad9304bfa129fcd758456c08bd81cfd2f8d353","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-389","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-387",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]