[{"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-451":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},1239977,1667,"Chapter 450","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-451",451,"\u003Cp>The Murim Alliance possessed Thunder Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response toLittle Sword Star’s slightly altered tone, I had to consider many things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why does the Murim Alliance have Thunder Fang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Thunder Fang should be inMageomhu’s possession at this point in time, as it was her cherished weapon, brimming with thunder energy that greatly amplified its effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, it could easily double Mageomhu’s combat strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And now, Mageomhu doesn’t have it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, it seems she had it, but the Murim Alliance took it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What could have happened...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t something in my memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my previous life, Mageomhu had Thunder Fang until the moment she died, and after it left her hands, it fell to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a memento I kept after her death, a keepsake I’d never seen her without once I met her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So why now...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes darted rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was off, unmistakably so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like some time had passed since she lost Thunder Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t seen her carrying it since entering this illusion, nor had anyone mentioned it, which suggested it had happened far earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an event that had not occurred in the life I remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which means…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This world… isn’t the same one I knew...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought this world was an illusion constructed from my memories, but if something completely different was happening…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just what is this place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly revised my thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something is different.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world, which I thought was a trial sent by the Tang Sect, seemed to contain something else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this even a world the Tang Sect created?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That, too, I had to question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it’s neither an illusion nor a test… what could it be?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t fully grasped it yet, but I knew I needed to raise my guard even further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to keep in mind that this place was different from my expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My brows knitted together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even thinking of it as just an illusion felt overwhelming, but now it seemed I was involved in something far deeper and more aggravating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whenever I get entangled with these people, nothing is ever straightforward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any connection with these so-called heroes of the past always ended up like this. Time would freeze, or the entire space would shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to keep my intensifying emotions at bay, striving to clear my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a moment to stay calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t forget my objective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to return to the world I came from, completely intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all I focused on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Returning Thunder Fang, you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Demon Lord repeated the words he’d just heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyone listening might think it belonged to you from the start.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not exactly wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>AtLittle Sword Star’s words,Cheonjontook a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thunder Fang originally belonged to the Namgung family. It’s simply been returned to its rightful place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you playing word games with me, old monster?” sneered the Demon Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was indeed a Namgung possession, Mageomhu having it wasn’t a problem in itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonjon’s cold blue eyes turned to Mageomhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The child abandoned the name of Namgung long ago. Would you really say this is incorrect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mageomhu gave no answer, simply glaring sharply at Cheonjon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that child has abandoned Namgung, then you, Cheonjon, are the last Namgung in these lands. Thunder Fang has merely returned to where it belongs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’d stake Thunder Fang in this deal… is that what you’re saying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Demon Lord looked over Cheonjon’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warriors clad in white stood behind him, each one highly skilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Alliance’s forces were amassed. Although the number of demons was not small, and they could indeed wage war, there was one issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They wouldn’t win.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an objective assessment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victory was impossible in this fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were just Cheonjon, perhaps. But with an undamagedLittle Sword Star, fighting would be pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason they came to stand off, despite this knowledge, was partly because that damned fool charged in, thinking thatLittle Sword Star’s presence warranted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demons couldn’t afford to show weakness before the righteous sects. While the righteous forces had the numbers and an assured victory, retreating would reflect poorly on the Cult of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fanatics here valued the Supreme Leader’s standing more than their own lives. Backing down was not an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood this, which is why I joined this standoff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could see the flow of the conversation, but there was one glaring inconsistency. The inconsistency was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Sword Star.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem to be under a great misunderstanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Demon Lord’s words causedLittle Sword Star’s eyebrow to twitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you think our sect would even consider trading with you mongrels for something as trivial as Thunder Fang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rumble resounded as the demons’ aura intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was precisely the inconsistency I noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Thunder Fang was undoubtedly important to Mageomhu, it wasn’t essential to the entire Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Mageomhu was a valuable asset, trading with the righteous sects over her possession?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There simply wasn’t enough justification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, they’d be more inclined to provoke the sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you still consider us beneath you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Demon Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Demon Lord’s flames and demonic energy rose,Little Sword Star’s expression twisted, causing the Demon Lord to smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Considering the trouble you went through to crawl here, let me ask—what will you do if we reject the deal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sword Starbit her lip at his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they refused the Thunder Fang trade…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would the Alliance do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her expression, I could roughly guess the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be strange not to know by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disregarding the Heavenly Demon’s warnings, they gathered this force at the edge of Sichuan and brought Cheonjon, one of the Three Lords, along with the Alliance’s hope,Little Sword Star?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This means…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were prepared to wage a full-scale war if necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a fool could see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another way to phrase it would be:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One more question, Little Sword Star.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this a negotiation or a threat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If refusal would result in a fight, then it was no different from a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing this,Little Sword Starcouldn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her expression, I could see a hint of shame, while the Demon Lord’s face showed a deep disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how much you dress it up with grand words, in the end, you’re no different from us. Do you still fail to see that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his words were calm, they echoed powerfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Alliance’s warriors responded fiercely to his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A filthy traitor dares…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are these demonic scum who sold out for power babbling about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long had it been since I’d seen such a sight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt more amusement than irritation, even a faint nostalgia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The righteous sects outwardly preached peace, yet their roots were rotting from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the war raged, these secrets started coming to light, and many disillusioned members defected to the Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is the righteous sect truly pure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of Zhongyuan knew by now that it wasn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People only hoped the Murim Alliance would win, not out of virtue but to avoid being ruled by the Heavenly Demon’s fiery dominance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From my perspective, their reaction was nothing but laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ones who’d collapsed but barely clung on because of the war—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What gave them such confidence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though I had become a demon, I couldn’t help but find it incomprehensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the warriors’ spirit became more hostile—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonjon exuded an overwhelming pressure that spread out, causing every hair on my body to stand on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Cheonjon’s voice, the rowdy warriors of the Alliance instantly fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Mageomhu’s side came the sound of a blade being drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unnoticed until now, Mageomhu had her sword unsheathed. Had the noise continued, she might have scattered her sword aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonjon must have forced the silence to prevent her from doing just that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Demon Lord, unfazed by the situation, continued speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bark loudly but don’t deny it. Does that mean you’re aware as well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You claim the value of the righteous sects lies in loyalty and integrity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Demon Lord walked towardLittle Sword Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warriors flinched, moving to shield her, butLittle Sword Starraised her hand to stop them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In your eyes, does anything like that still remain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sword Star’s golden eyes met the Demon Lord’s purple gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Perhaps not. However—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In defiance,Little Sword Startook a step toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it doesn’t exist, I will create it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wield this sword for that purpose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing it, I felt a sinking in my gut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t lie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious she’d want to run away right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For that? That was a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never wanted to wield a sword in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was she saying such things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind her, others watched, seemingly moved by her defiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to tear their faces apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re still as foolish as ever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, in the end, you’ll take what you want by force if necessary?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sword Stardidn’t deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant the Demon Lord’s words were correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does she want so badly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given her nature, she’d likely want to avoid a situation like this. Why was she involved in something so absurd?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was equally curious about the Alliance’s intentions in sending her and what they hoped to achieve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t understand. What could be so important that you’re doing this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closing in on her, the Demon Lord asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his gaze,Little Sword Starlooked away slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she glanced in my direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was she looking at me all of a sudden?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m searching for a person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words meant the Alliance was prepared to break the warning and start a war—all for one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered what she meant, but then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Sword Starsuddenly raised her hand and pointed her finger at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking around in confusion, I couldn’t see anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed she was pointing at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this sent a chill up my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Wait, is this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes wide, I looked back at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That person. I want that person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she looked at me and spoke, I felt stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying energy emanated from nearby, and I quickly moved to dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the most intense killing intent I’d felt since arriving here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a rumble, dark clouds suddenly gathered in the clear sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunderous energy began to coil within the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As both the demons and the Alliance’s warriors hastily shifted their stances—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner of this unbelievable aura addressedLittle Sword Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was none other than Mageomhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her white hair billowed in the thunderous aura, slowly lifting into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sword was enveloped in an incomprehensible clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a sight befitting her other title—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Thunder Empress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking as though she might charge at any moment, she spoke toLittle Sword Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gone was her usual slow, soft tone. Her pronunciation was unnervingly clear.\u003C\u002Fp>",1843,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.032Z",1,"novelbin.me","6b220fcd478702e0ada6cdc31d4e508372df67299c07a5e994f41fd125a334b5","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-452","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-50",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]