[{"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-394":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},1239870,1667,"Chapter 394","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-394",394,"\u003Cp>Mi Horan loved dreaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the chaos and mess of her current life, her dreams reflected a bright and splendid past. Even though she sometimes had nightmares that were agonizingly painful, the dreams still showed her the happiest times of her life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, in some ways, dreams were sad too. They picked only the happiest moments, ones she could no longer experience, and when she woke up, she was left with a painful longing that often made her feel hollow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Horan was aware that she was dreaming. She had no choice but to know because only in a dream could she see a friend who was no longer there so vividly before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flowers! Flowers!” “Kyaah! A bee!” “Horan! Run, Biyeon!” “Chunhee! Put that down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These weren't exactly scenes she had longed to see again, Mi Horan realized suddenly. But even so, she didn’t look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Horan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the middle of the near-chaotic situation, a white-haired woman approached, smiling. That smile was always so radiant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Mi Horan, often considered cold, even ruthless, felt something frozen within her soften slightly when faced with that girl’s smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s the kind of charm she had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps that was why even he had smiled at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Horan! Look, a flower!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite holding out something clearly not a typical flower, she was beaming with joy. Mi Horan couldn’t easily understand it, given her personality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Mi Horan accepted the flower the girl offered. Someone nearby grimaced as she did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Mi! That’s a poisonous plant! Throw it away immediately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman who spoke had black hair and wore a light blue martial robe. Her appearance was icy, like frost on a cold morning. Yet, despite her cold looks, she was a fiery woman by nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Baek Bong Moyong Biyeon. That’s what they called her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Moyong Biyeon’s words, the white-haired girl turned and headed in her direction. Realizing this, Moyong Biyeon screamed and started running away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s crazy! No, leave the bee behind!” “It’s a flower!” “I know, just stay away!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this, Mi Horan laughed quietly behind her fan. It was a trivial scene, almost like a play, but somehow it brought her comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Mi Horan looked at her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In it was a white flower of unknown name. The white-haired woman had given it to her, even though Moyong Biyeon had warned it was poisonous and told her to throw it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Horan knew very well it wasn’t poisonous. She was sure that girl would never give her such a flower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully, she tucked the flower away, thinking to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I should find out its name later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because it struck her so, she even thought about growing it someday if the chance arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Mi Horan looked around at the scene before her with a calm gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was clear, the forest stretched wide, and there were rare butterflies and the sounds of insects from the woods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would people believe this seemingly peaceful place was the Magyeong? Probably not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Mi Horan herself couldn’t fully believe it. Could this really be the feared Magyeong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wondered how she’d ended up in such a place, yet, despite the situation, she wasn’t overly worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, she was like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe because she was young, or perhaps because nothing else mattered as long as she was with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, she was sure it was the latter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what happened, she would be fine as long as she was with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a time when she indulged in a naïve kind of romance that completely contradicted her personality. It was silly, but she missed those days, which is why she kept dreaming about them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why she felt sad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was sadder because she knew she could never see this sight again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Mi Horan was also aware that this moment was a dream. That’s why she was trying to take in as much of it as possible, knowing these memories would be a small comfort for the days to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, she saw the white-haired girl, who had been chasing Moyong Biyeon, suddenly approaching her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Horan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She called her name. Her white hair shimmered like silk, and her eyes, almost pink in their violet hue, sparkled like jewels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you happy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Horan flinched. She could tell from the expression on her face, reflected in the girl’s eyes, that she was clearly surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What...” “It’s enough if you’re happy. Are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because this was a dream that she could hear such words? Mi Horan realized she couldn’t give an answer as a strange feeling passed through her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question of whether she was happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew she wasn’t, at least. But when it came to defining happiness, Mi Horan found it hard to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is happiness?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a question that had come to mind often lately, and now, she was even hearing it from a friend in her dreams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without saying anything, Mi Horan took a moment to ponder, then finally spoke to the girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m trying to be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, she asked a question in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Were you happy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her question, the girl smiled. But there was no answer. Mi Horan knew that no answer would come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world was merely a memory she had pulled out because she wanted to see it again. As she erased the sense of regret and tried to capture the scene once more, the white-haired girl spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not your fault, Horan. So it’s okay to be happy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Horan froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something strange about those words, making it feel unlike a dream. Just as she looked at the girl with trembling eyes and reached out a hand—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Danju.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice from afar intruded on Mi Horan’s ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Mi Horan had no choice but to wake up from her dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Mi Horan opened her eyes, a pitch-black ceiling greeted her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that night had not yet passed. Confirming this, Mi Horan slowly sat up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though she had just woken up, her gaze was sharp and clear—a result of her determination to always maintain a composed exterior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, she might have been in turmoil, but her appearance had to remain sharp. This was one of the ironclad rules she followed as the head of her faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rising, she shook her head slightly, gathering her thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...What was that dream?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was certain she had been dreaming, though she couldn’t remember exactly. It felt like it had been something important…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vague sense of regret surfaced, but Mi Horan pushed it aside and looked to her side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kneeling on one knee beside her was a man dressed in black clothes and a mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Mujin, her bodyguard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...A visitor has come to see you.” “At this hour?” “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Horan frowned at Mujin’s response. A visitor coming at this late hour, without prior notice, was an act of disrespect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such people were among the types she disliked most—those who disregarded her preference for careful planning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, she did not immediately get angry, knowing that Mujin, despite being aware of her feelings on the matter, had still chosen to wake her up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had realized it was disrespectful, he could have handled it himself. The fact that he woke her up indicated this visitor must be someone important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding this, she chose not to say anything further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is the guest?” “...Waiting outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nodding, Mi Horan got up and made her way outside, intending to properly compose herself before meeting whoever it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Who could it be?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone visiting her at this hour… Several people came to mind, but there was no one Mujin would not have stopped under normal circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thought filled Mi Horan with curiosity. Just who had come to see her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened the door and stepped outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing she saw was a lake, a small body of water near her quarters provided by the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The full moon reflected on its surface. It was quite a beautiful scene, Mi Horan thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did she notice that someone else was looking at the lake as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Ah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she realized this, Mi Horan reacted. Though obscured by shadows, she could tell who it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person, noticing that Mi Horan had recognized her, burst into laughter—her trademark lively and slightly high-pitched laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wh… How?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Mi Horan grew more certain. She knew exactly who this person was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice, unusually surprised, drew a somewhat sheepish smile from the other woman, who began walking toward her, scratching her cheek as if embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the shadows fell away, her identity became clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore a light blue martial robe, her black hair still as sleek as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Born a warrior, she hadn’t aged as much as Mi Horan, who was just an ordinary person. As a woman, Mi Horan couldn’t help feeling a mix of envy and nostalgia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her appearance, unchanged from back then, evoked memories of the past in Mi Horan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Mi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the title she hadn’t heard in over a decade, Mi Horan’s eyes trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s somewhat awkward greeting made Mi Horan’s shoulders stiffen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Mi Horan, who was clearly tense, the woman—nervous herself—continued to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was Moyong Biyeon of the Moyong family, a former rival in love and a dear friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the stiff Mi Horan, Moyong Biyeon finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can we talk?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was slightly shaky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Horan looked at her without saying anything, then gave a small nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, the two of them went inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The apology came suddenly as I was eating breakfast. I was in the middle of stuffing a dumpling into my mouth when I looked up at the person who had spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Peng Ahui, her short black hair falling to her shoulders and clad in a black martial robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Muh?” I mumbled, mouth full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Sorry to interrupt while you’re eating. Could you finish up and then I’ll explain?” she replied, a little embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chewed quickly and swallowed before looking at her again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this about? Apology for what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had just shown up out of the blue this morning, which made me curious. Avoiding my gaze, Peng Ahui explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard about... what happened between you and our family head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She must be talking about last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like she was referring to the confrontation with the Peng Family Head in Hanan. I thought back to it, somewhat confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wasn’t really about me, though, was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, it was between him and Gu Yeonseo. And if trouble arose, it was between him and the White Lotus Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t directly involved in any of it. Despite my words, Peng Ahui continued to look concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already apologized to Miss Gu too... I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like she had gone to see Gu Yeonseo as well. She was cleaning up the mess her father, the Sword King, had left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She seems normal enough… I don’t know why her father acts that way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strange thing, considering how ill-tempered the Sword King was, yet his children seemed to be reasonable people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Ahui, as far as I could tell, was probably the most normal among them. As for Peng Woojin… while definitely not normal, he at least wasn’t as nasty-tempered as his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recalled this and said to Peng Ahui,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Like I said, there’s no need to apologize to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though I told her this, she still didn’t look entirely reassured, but what could I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Normally… he’s not like that. He’s just been in poor health recently.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Ahui seemed to be trying to justify his behavior. I could understand her words, at least on some level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I remembered when the engagement between the Gu and Peng families was broken off. If the Sword King had been in his usual foul mood back then, it would have caused a huge uproar, but he had let it go relatively smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it seemed like there was something going on recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not that I’m particularly interested.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a family issue and none of my business. I figured I’d just try to avoid further clashes in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I might get annoyed if this keeps happening, though.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having dealt with this kind of person before, I knew I didn’t have the patience to endure it for long. If I kept getting entangled with the Sword King, I’d probably end up losing my temper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And considering he was one of the heads of the Four Great Clans, getting into a conflict with him could only cause trouble. If I couldn’t tolerate it, avoiding it was the best option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To me, the Sword King was nothing more than trouble. Something you avoid because it’s filthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry about it. Just eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You haven’t eaten, have you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t really need breakfast…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t skip meals. Sit down and eat, quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I meant it sincerely. I’d seen too many people fall because they didn’t take care of their basic needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Choosing not to eat when you can is just foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Peng Ahui hesitate, Tang So-yeol and Wi Seol-ah, who were nearby, gently pulled her down to sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For reference, Namgung Bi-ah was still sleeping, and Moyong Heea hadn’t shown up yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She should be here soon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was planning to help Moyong Heea with some energy circulation soon. She should know about it and show up on her own, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…If she didn’t come,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Would I have to go find her?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I didn’t want to. It was obvious the Baekcheon Sword Lord would be lurking around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about it made me sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why are all these old men from the Four Great Clans so difficult?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all seemed eager to take a bite out of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Jin, while different in his own way, was tolerable. But the Baekcheon Sword Lord was relentless, and the Sword King’s gaze toward me was nothing short of ominous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that regard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At least the Poison King...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was probably the least problematic. With that thought, I glanced over at Tang So-yeol, seeing her in a slightly different light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She might have peculiar tastes and an odd sense of style, but aside from that, she was as reasonable as Peng Ahui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to nod at my own thoughts, she spoke up as if she had read my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Young Master Gu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, I looked at her, feeling like I’d been caught in the act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol smiled brightly, her usual expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have something to tell you about the upcoming trip to Sichuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, so it’s about Sichuan. Good. It was about time for that anyway. As I prepared to respond, she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because of this, my father would like to meet with you. Are you available today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her words, I immediately went silent. She was talking about her father—the Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...The Poison King wants to meet me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shiver ran down my spine as she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said he’ll take care of the meal! He’s looking for a nice place to dine with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King arranging a meal for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing in her words seemed particularly strange, but given his reputation, an unsettling feeling began to creep over me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it’s just my imagination?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I certainly hoped so.\u003C\u002Fp>",2610,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","58d89b31816e6ce27390e441f488358622e3cac6b14b681372ca32626945f7cc","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-395","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-393",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]