[{"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-447":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},1239923,1667,"Chapter 446","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-447",447,"\u003Cp>Anti-Demon Power (파마, Pama)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power that made Wi Seol-ah the hope of Zhongyuan, and ultimately, the reason she succeeded in killing Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the first battle with demons broke out—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before I became a demon myself—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid those helpless against the corruptive energy of demonic ki, Wi Seol-ah’s sword shone with exceptional brilliance at one point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t tainted by the demonic ki, and instead, it was clear that her sword not only repelled it but also caused it to vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could that be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that the martial art she learned, the Wolseon Sword, possesses such effects?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of Zhongyuan were perplexed by this, yet Sword Saint declared that no such phenomenon appeared in his own aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This implies that it’s a characteristic unique to Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why could this be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t have the time to ponder this question deeply. The crucial fact was that the power she possessed could annihilate demonic ki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warrior emerged with a force that could counter demonic ki, which was deadly to martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t matter if that warrior was a young woman or merely a later-generation warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to this, it didn’t take long for Wi Seol-ah to be hailed as the hope of Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, around the same time, she was making a name for herself for her astounding talent, leading many to place their hopes on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t it truly absurd?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To discover a single, fragile hope and immediately glorify her as a hero—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to burden her with the expectation to save the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn bastards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To me, it’s nothing but a ridiculous tale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that I don’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who’s experienced demonic ki would know just how vile it is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s only natural to place hope in someone who can counter such a force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even with that knowledge, I felt no sympathy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know all too well what becomes of someone burdened by such hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Engulfed by karma, they lose themselves, and gradually, everything crumbles around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelming expectations and karma—that’s just how they are.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you know what’s even more grotesque?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People do this fully aware of what will happen to the person enduring it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though they know the one bearing this burden will ultimately be destroyed and fall apart, they turn a blind eye because they have to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is human nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I despise them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I resent her, too, for willingly stepping forward to protect such people, even though she knew it all too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time is no different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even knowing how it will consume her life, that foolish woman will pick up her sword and lift her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hate it so much, I could go mad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the silence—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap. Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An irritating sound reached my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lifted my head to find the source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound was Dokgo Jun tapping his finger against the armrest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A habit of his whenever he fell deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the air grew even heavier, the pressure from Dokgo Jun weighing down on the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, the demons endured it without so much as a grunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One look was enough to know something was brewing with that damned bastard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To other demons, it might seem like he was deeply pondering an unexpected ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s probably got it all stuck in his head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That head of his is surely filled with thoughts of Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking through the heavy atmosphere, Mugwon spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…My lord, please issue your command.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Mugwon’s words, the surrounding demons all fell to their knees simultaneously. This time, even Mageomhu followed suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no different; the appearance of the opposing force and their gathering strength meant, literally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re preparing for war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scope remains unclear, but it’s certain the Alliance is preparing for war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, with Namgung Jeolcheon nearby and even Wi Seol-ah, who is resistant to demonic ki, present—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s not going to be an easy battle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one saving grace is that the power called Anti-Demon (Pama) doesn’t have the ability to purify demonic ki like my Guyeomhwa Arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I call that fortunate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it really fortunate that it can’t purify?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought itself drew a hollow laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such circumstances—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What decision will you make?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kneeling with the other demons, I watched his response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best course of action here would be to first report this to Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we report the Alliance’s gathering and Namgung Jeolcheon’s movements to the main cult—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either additional support would arrive, or Cheonma herself might come to handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t know how strong Wi Seol-ah is now, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, she won’t be enough to face Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Three Masters join forces, they wouldn’t be able to defeat Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I can’t be certain their intention is truly war, this would be the quickest approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You won’t choose that path, will you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dokgo Jun would never make such a choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew this all too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the kneeling demons, Dokgo Jun slowly rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He descended from the throne and spoke to Mugwon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Mugwon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lead me to their location.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, the demons rose as one, the throne hall filled with their fierce battle energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew the meaning behind Dokgo Jun’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You fool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, you’re the same as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your actions are as predictable as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ll always choose her in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In your past life—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, even in this life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And perhaps in the future as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re always such a fool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of approval do you expect to gain from all this? You can’t even answer that yourself, can you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I were in his situation now, what choice would I make?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Dokgo Jun’s back as he left the throne hall, I pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already know what choice I would make.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most likely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d make the same choice as him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing this, I can’t even curse him in peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard really is a fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I, too, am still a fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I can do is hope—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That in this situation, nothing worse will erupt, something beyond repair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The location Mugwon had mentioned lay just outside Sichuan, precisely at a village along the border leading into Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an isolated, mountainous place, making it difficult to reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Martial Alliance to be gathering their forces there, it seemed almost intentional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Something’s strange about this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it was technically outside of Sichuan, did they really think the demonic forces wouldn’t notice? As foolish as some of the alliance members were, they weren’t brainless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They must have some plan in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And yet, knowing that, here we are charging straight in.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought crossed my mind as I watched Maje charging ahead of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he not realize this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course he does.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was undoubtedly aware—fully aware—yet he was charging directly into enemy territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with this much force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of demonic followers trailing behind was significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quick estimate told me it was well over a hundred. It meant that even those normally stationed to keep watch had been pulled in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To mobilize this many forces…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Either he’s planning to completely annihilate the enemy…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or, just as likely, he intends for us to be annihilated. Typically, it was one or the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After running for a while, Maje spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mugwon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his response, Maje continued as if he’d been waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll go on ahead. Bring the rest of the squad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinarily, Mageomhu, as vice-commander, would lead the forces, but Mugwon had taken the lead since Mageomhu had a habit of straying off course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his words, I couldn’t help but frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Go on ahead?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he in such a rush that he’d leave the main force behind and charge ahead alone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he know what was waiting for him on the other side to warrant such recklessness? It left a sour taste in my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether he noticed or not, Maje suddenly wreathed himself in black flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a resounding explosion, he shot forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speed at which he moved was so fast that, in seconds, he’d vanished from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Insane.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a reckless use of energy to accelerate like that. If I tried such a method now, I’d run out of energy in less than half an hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Back then, I could have kept running like that all day without feeling it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cursed under my breath at his wasteful display, yet it also reminded me of the need to strengthen my own energy reserves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just after Maje disappeared, Mugwon kept his composure and spoke to the demonic followers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re nearly at our destination. Prepare for battle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic followers responded by increasing their fighting spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them, I swallowed dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was likely that both Maje and Mugwon were still wary of me. I couldn’t ignore the significance of being brought along to this skirmish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the demonic energy emanating from the followers began to resonate in the air—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground shook violently, almost as if from an earthquake. The sudden tremor disrupted the running stance of those around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I paused, confused by the sudden shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Mugwon's gaze, everyone turned forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ha…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, I let out a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He charges off ahead and immediately does that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive wave of black flames had formed on the mountainside in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black tidal wave loomed, poised to sweep across the entire mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames soared so high they nearly touched the clouds, looking like a gigantic tidal wave of dark fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to guess what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was all Black Flame (Heukyeom).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So massive and overwhelming in volume that it looked like an enormous tsunami had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>",1661,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.032Z",1,"novelbin.me","a11767945722bb5b5b37a6d26290a9f09ca467a5fc45fadc5494d4c00992d2c8","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-448","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-446",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]