[{"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-423":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},1239899,1667,"Chapter 423","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-423",423,"\u003Cp>When the Crimson-Rank beast first appeared, countless disasters befell the Central Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the Green or Blue ranks, although only a single beast emerged, the devastation caused by that one creature was enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even for those at the peak of their martial prowess, who could typically withstand most beasts, the appearance of the Crimson-Rank beast disrupted this certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, the fragile peace that had been maintained began to crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crimson-Rank beasts were immune tonaegi(inner energy).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This single, brief statement encapsulated all the calamities that followed. Typically, those who hunted beasts were warriors who used their inner energy to defeat them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They needed to cut through tough hides and break sturdy bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, it was common knowledge that anyone hunting beasts was a martial artist who wielded inner energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Crimson-Rank beasts shattered this understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These creatures were surrounded by an unknown barrier, almost as if protecting their bodies, which absorbednaegi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any attack infused with inner energy was absorbed, and without inner energy, no weapon could pierce the beast’s tough hide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite their massive size and strength, which far exceeded the Blue-Rank beasts, they became impervious to martial artists' attacks. It was inevitable that they wreaked havoc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though only one appeared at a time, they couldn't be stopped initially, and the northern lands were devastated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beast that was immune tonaegi—that was the nature of Crimson-Rank monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, the martial artists felt powerless against these beasts, but as always, people found ways to adapt even in the face of despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the Crimson-Rank beast's barrier did indeed absorbnaegi, it wasn’t limitless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was something that the Celestial Lord of the past discovered while hunting these creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrier would break once it absorbed a certain amount of inner energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once broken, the beasts could be defeated usingnaegi, just like those of a lower rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the amount of energy required to break the barrier was staggering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it into perspective, a martial artist at theHwagyeonglevel would need to expend all of theirnaegito break the barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, unless a martial artist had an immense amount ofnaegi, hunting Crimson-Rank beasts was nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when hope began to emerge from this discovery, the requirements were so demanding that many fell back into despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around that time, one piece of news spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A martial artist who had reached the peak of their abilities had successfully hunted a Crimson-Rank beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This happened about a year after the beast first appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many asked how he had done it, assuming he must have had an extraordinary amount ofnaegibeyond what his rank would suggest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the young man, a warrior of the Taoist sect, wasn’t known for possessing a great amount of inner energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So how did he defeat the beast? When questioned, the young man gave a simple response:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not all barriers are the same. Just like the sea has deep and shallow areas, there are weak points you can target.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, no one understood what he meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before long, it became the key to hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrier wasn’t uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the sea has both deep and shallow waters, the beast's barrier had areas that were weaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By finding those weak points and attacking them, they could deal damage to the beast and break the barrier more effectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man had discovered this and used it to defeat the monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When this was confirmed, martial artists were filled with hope. It was the first viable method discovered in nearly a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, another issue arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding the weak points in a transparent barrier, distinguishing between shallow and deep areas, was an entirely different challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When asked about this as well, the young man, looking somewhat drowsy, answered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You just have to feel it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most absurd answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the response ofU-hyeok, the pinnacle martial artist who had hunted the Crimson-Rank beast in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sshiiiiik-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strike imbued with energy cut through the air in a smooth arc, grazing the scales on the serpent’s back with a short hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound produced by the sword was rather blunt, considering it was a sword strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyaaahhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact must have been significant, as the beast let out a scream, shaking its body violently. Each movement made it hard to maintain balance due to the crashing waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused my gaze on the barrier surrounding the beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It's starting to crack.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could see the cracks forming in the barrier that enveloped the beast. The strikeU-hyeokjust delivered must have deepened them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this, I quickly gave instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A bit to the right of the gills.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my command, Namgung Bi-ah unleashed a lightning strike. Even though my directions weren’t perfectly precise, Namgung Bi-ah hesitated not at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lightning bolt flew straight to the indicated spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the lightning was absorbed by the barrier and disappeared, it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, stab it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as my words left my mouth, Wi Seol-ah, with golden energy swirling around her blade, thrust her sword forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the tip of the sword made contact, the barrier shattered slightly, creating an opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without needing further direction, someone had already leapt toward the gap alongside Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasU-hyeok, the rising star of Wudang, who poured his energy into his sword and thrust it forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long gash appeared on the serpent’s body, with strange turquoise blood trickling down from the wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The serpent let out a pained cry and coiled its body, now covered in numerous similar wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, I couldn't help but smirk to myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’re learning quickly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I was the one giving the commands, the synergy between the three had improved dramatically over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, they had simply followed my directions, rushing in at the right moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, they had grown to the point where my words only served to confirm their instincts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already figured out where to strike, and my instructions merely gave them confidence in their decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s been less than an hour, hasn’t it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they were already adapting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t even properly taught them how to detect weak points yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s why talent is terrifying.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technique discovered byU-hyeokin the past life involved understanding the differences in the barrier’s strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key to hunting Crimson-Rank beasts was to find the weak spots and focus on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without this method, it would take an overwhelming amount of energy to break through the barrier, which was simply not feasible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the biggest challenge was not merely identifying the weak points but feeling them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding and attacking those weak points in a transparent barrier required an extremely delicate sense of energy, and only those with exceptional talent could manage it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For people like me, who weren't born geniuses, this kind of thing wasn’t easy at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet somehow, these three had already begun to adapt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the serpent screamed and staggered, struggling to regain its balance, I could tell that the battle was nearing its end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrier was nearly shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Tang,” I called out to the Poison King, who had been watching in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, his eyes were trembling as he stared at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the way I hunted the beast had left quite an impression on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found it a little annoying that yet another misunderstanding had cropped up, but there was nothing I could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can enter now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The barrier… is it gone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah, so he noticed.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King had realized that the beast’s barrier absorbed inner energy. That explained his shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not completely gone, but it should be easy to break now. Just a little more force and it’ll crumble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Gongja,” he said, addressing me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you, really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, I tilted my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a question I’d been hearing quite often recently. It reminded me of when Tang Deok asked, and I had replied“Cheonma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why did I say that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still didn’t know. Why had I answered that way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if the world was trying to push me into the role ofCheonma, which made me uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t understand your question. I’m simply a warrior of the Gu family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You know that’s not what I’m asking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I really don’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was shaking my head, ready to brush off the question—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyaaaahh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The serpent let out another shriek. This time, it wasn’t Wi Seol-ah who struck it, but someone else who had taken up the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasBaekryeongeom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…When did she get here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baekryeongeom laughed brightly, as if she were a goddess descending upon the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hah.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a sigh as I watched. The place where Baekryeongeom had struck was one of the serpent’s weak points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did she figure it out just from watching?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this wasn’t a coincidence, then it seemed Baekryeongeom had also figured out how to hunt Crimson-Rank beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps due to the difference in levels, the serpent lost its balance after her strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrier surrounding the beast shattered, scattering like dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, I finally moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking on water felt awkward since it had been a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controllingnaegito walk on water was a high-level skill, requiring precise energy manipulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But those three are even crazier.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike me, who had reached theHwagyeonglevel, those three were still at the pinnacle of their abilities but managed to pull it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had only given them a brief explanation, thinking it might not work, but they pulled it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their talent was staggering, every time I saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took another step and ignited the flames around my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that we were fighting on the river was slightly annoying, but it didn’t pose too much of an issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This should be enough.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a burst of strength, I leapt into the air. The serpent’s body was large, so I had to rise high enough to match its size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason I hadn’t joined the fight earlier was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first reason was to give the others experience in fighting a Crimson-Rank beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need that magic stone.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to secure the magic stone from the Crimson-Rank beast. Even though the situation had spiraled out of control due to the appearance of the monster, there was no way I could let its magic stone slip away. The energy contained within was immense, and I couldn’t afford to miss out, given the current urgency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the serpent flailed after Baekryeongeom’s strike, I closed the distance, flames bursting from my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could no longer feel the obstructive barrier. Fortunately, it had completely shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thrust my fist, coated in intense energy, directly into the serpent’s scales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My arm pierced through its scales. Given the size comparison, it seemed too small to deal any real damage, but that didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The important part was that my arm had breached the serpent’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gathered all mynaegiat the tip of my fingers and concentrated the flames into a single point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small ball of fire,Flame Orb, formed at the tip of my fingers, and without hesitation, I detonated it inside the serpent's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyaaaaaaaah!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The serpent screamed and flailed, thrashing as it dove into the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like it was trying to extinguish the flames, but flames made fromnaegiweren’t so easily put out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I detonated another Flame Orb and intensified the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I couldn’t breathe underwater, I could endure long enough given my rank. Right now, I needed to focus on finishing the serpent off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it continued its desperate struggle, I briefly considered usingmagi, but at that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[W-Why… Why do you abandon us, O Great One…?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice echoed, as if reaching my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? Was that telepathy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[O Great One… Have you forsaken us?!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a scream, as if it tore through my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced around and saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The serpent, burning from the inside, was looking at me with tears of blood streaming from its eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>",2017,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.032Z",1,"novelbin.me","692261c26d96b210c88c1e0e5da5c8e9af48a53c66aeccad9300823cb0a5b2ff","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-424","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-422",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]