[{"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-476":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},1240002,1667,"Chapter 475","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-476",476,"\u003Cp>“...Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya’s voice, laced with suspicion, echoed around as he narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s this old man saying? His completely unexpected remark left me momentarily speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a second ago, I had a whole list of grievances to air out to Tang Jemoon, yet with that one question from Noya, everything slipped from my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Noya…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm? Is this someone you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya, seemingly oblivious to my shock, furrowed his brows as he looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another woman, huh…? Tsk, some things never change, not even your appetite for… such matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze wandered toward Tang Jemoon’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem…”“…Noya.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he really crazy? What on earth is this old man doing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not recognizing Tang Jemoon was one thing, but a supposed Daoist staring so openly at a woman’s chest…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whole situation was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing, Noya?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem…What are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing his embarrassment, he awkwardly cleared his throat and avoided my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding his behavior amusing, I couldn’t help but ask, even as confusion clouded my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you saying you don’t know her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How would I know someone like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Noya’s response, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soft chuckling echoed from afar, where Tang Jemoon sat. She covered her mouth, clearly amused by something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing her reaction, Shin Noya’s eyes widened as if he’d figured something out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this, I, too, felt a small sense of relief. Of course, it wouldn’t make sense if he didn’t recognize her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought, nodding to myself. Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… Could it be? Jehui?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A name I’d never heard slipped from Noya’s lips. Jehui? Who’s Jehui?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon didn’t respond to him; instead, she continued to chuckle quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jehui… the younger sibling of Jemoon. Right here in front of me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Noya so excited, I thought,Where do I even start?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...So, Jehui? Is that Tang Jehui?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jemoon’s her elder brother, then the younger sister must be Jehui… What kind of random name is that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, that’s not the point here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, I got swept up in an odd thought, but this wasn’t what mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Noya, what exactly are you saying…? Are you saying that’s not Tang Jemoon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I pointed at Tang Jemoon and asked, Noya gave me a perplexed look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the one spouting nonsense. In what way does that woman look like Tang Jemoon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? I mean…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said the same thing last time, too. What kind of gibberish are you spouting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya’s expression tightened, and he responded sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To begin with, Jemoon’s a man. What kind of filthy joke are you making…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya spoke with utter disbelief, and now I was the one narrowing my gaze at Tang Jemoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…What’s he talking about now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jemoon… is a man? I looked at Tang Jemoon in astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How on earth does she look like a man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite everything we were saying, Tang Jemoon—assuming that’s who she was—just smiled with a strangely nostalgic expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, she rose from her seat and addressed Noya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while, Brother Cheol.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The honorific seemed a bit different. I made a puzzled expression, but Noya’s face brightened upon hearing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I knew it…! You’re Jehui!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughing heartily, he seemed to think he’d finally remembered Tang Jemoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, so this woman isn’t Tang Jemoon?That thought crossed my mind, leaving me wondering why this woman had been referred to as Tang Jemoon in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s really Jehui, Jemoon’s younger sister—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You still lack awareness, I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Tang Jemoon approached Noya, her body began to change dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each step, her frame grew larger, her build more robust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wh-what…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bewilderment in Noya’s voice grew as he watched the transformation. Tang Jemoon gathered her hair and tied it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing before Noya with a body that was now imposing and solid, she—or rather,he—spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Starting to recognize me now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon’s voice, as well as his speech patterns, had completely changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mouth hung open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon was now as tall as Shin Noya, with a frame reminiscent of the warriors from Hwangbo and Paengga families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that voice—it was so deep, among the lowest I’d ever heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The delicate, beautiful woman I’d seen earlier had transformed into a massive man who looked intimidating just standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, I wasn’t the only one shocked. Noya stared at Tang Jemoon, his mouth agape, his voice trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jemoon…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his reaction, I figured this must truly be Tang Jemoon’s actual form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Then, what is going on here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mind swirled with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the woman’s appearance was supposed to be Jemoon’s younger sister…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was Jemoon himself now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Who are they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which one is the real one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the woman called Jehui the real one, or is the current form of Tang Jemoon the true one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As such strange thoughts filled my head—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya looked at Tang Jemoon, his brows still furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Were you using Qi Transformation Technique?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Transformation Technique? I listened carefully; it was the first time I’d heard of such a skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon chuckled lightly at Noya’s question and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’ve been deceiving us this entire time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re mistaken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon firmly corrected Noya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only deceived you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya’s eyes widened, confusion plain in them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a calm tone, Tang Jemoon replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the only one who was fooled. The others figured it out long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to this, I couldn’t help but feel secondhand embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Transformation Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name suggested some sort of martial art that could change one’s body. I’d never heard of such a seamless transformation technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In general, shifting a woman’s delicate and feminine physique into such a large, muscular man’s build shouldn’t be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a martial artist who had mastered shape-shifting might manage something like that, but it’s unlikely that a Tang family elite like Tang Jemoon would focus solely on such a skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What in the world is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was becoming intrigued by this mysterious ability—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“T-then…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya’s voice quivered as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What about Jehui?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the woman he thought was Tang Jemoon’s sister, he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon chuckled and answered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry, but I’m an only child, Shin Cheol.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-what…?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Tang Jemoon’s words, Shin Noya appeared utterly shaken, nearly collapsing from the shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you found out a friend was actually a woman, it’s understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I suddenly learned that Jang Ryong was a woman, I’d probably have a similar reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s even funnier is he was the only one who didn’t realize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, everyone else had figured out that Tang Jemoon was a woman, but Shin Noya alone had no idea about her true gender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even until his last breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya probably never realized what Tang Jemoon felt for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought left me in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he called me clueless?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the person who had often called me oblivious acting like this left me shaking my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Shin Noya stood there in shock, Tang Jemoon relaxed, and her physique began returning to normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her muscular form gradually diminished, reverting to the stunning beauty from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…It’s amazing every time I see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How can she change so drastically?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I observed her with fascination—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya suddenly yelled at Tang Jemoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’ve been deceiving me this entire time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his indignant expression, Tang Jemoon bit her lip slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m sorry…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her form reverted, her tone softened once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I had my reasons…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And now you’re looking at me like that…! You damn scoundrel…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Tang Jemoon attempted to explain, I tilted my head at Shin Noya’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something odd in his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean to keep mocking me even in death…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shin Cheol… What are you saying…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Tang Jemoon looked at him in confusion, Noya pointed at her and shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Creating this imaginary Jehui, pretending she’s your sister, and tricking me…! All to laugh at me even in death…! You wicked scoundrel!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s that, isn’t it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a look of disbelief, I stared at Noya, realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man couldn’t even conceive that Tang Jemoon was a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Granted, even to me, her feminine and masculine forms seemed completely distinct, so it’s no wonder he didn’t catch on…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t this a bit much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, Tang Jemoon thought the same, for she pressed her fingers to her temples in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to her sigh, I sensed she was pondering what to do about this situation. It seemed even Tang Jemoon hadn’t expected Noya to be this dense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware of this, Shin Noya continued to grumble at Tang Jemoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You damn trickster…! Of all things, why’d you have to look so damn pretty… And your chest…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Shin Cheol.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you… step outside for a moment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell are you saying…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Tang Jemoon snapped her fingers, a translucent green barrier expanded from her feet, rapidly filling the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrier widened in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What…!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrier pushed Shin Noya away, widening the space between us, yet it left me and Tang Jemoon undisturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud. Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya pounded on the barrier, his mouth moving in silent fury, though no sound reached us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…A barrier technique, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed to be something similar, though I couldn’t identify this exact power either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A weary sigh drew my attention back to Tang Jemoon, who was now visibly exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That stubborn fool… Why does he refuse to change?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an air of resignation, she muttered, her expression tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her like this, I cautiously asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Uh… senior?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, for your own sake, don’t become like him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her intimidating expression left me speechless. I decided it was best to ask something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Just now, how did you do that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Changing your… gender.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, no need to show me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon, who had started shifting again, reverted upon my hurried request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are a woman, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her nonchalant answer left me relieved. Thank goodness. If the male form had been her true one, I would’ve been a bit shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why… take that form?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I asked, puzzled, Tang Jemoon replied as if it were nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A clan head can’t be a woman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words left me nodding in understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was surprisingly simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the era, and even now, the position of a female head would face heavy biases and limitations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her martial level, it shouldn’t matter what gender she is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I didn’t know her exact level, judging by Shin Noya’s respect, she was likely at the rank of the Three Elders or close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon didn’t seem any different. For her to worry about her role due to gender seemed excessive…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading my expression, Tang Jemoon offered further explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That was the original intent… but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes softened, a wistful look crossing her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teasing that fool… made me lose the right moment to tell him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, everyone else already figured it out. I thought he’d catch on eventually…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A teacup on the table cracked in half with a soft noise as Tang Jemoon’s clenched fist trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never expected this… even after death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya was impressive in his own way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud. Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if aware he was being discussed, Shin Noya continued pounding at the barrier outside, though it didn’t budge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… truly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon sighed deeply, breaking her usual composed demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It truly was fascinating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To think that the graceful, feminine form could transform into such an imposing figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I found my gaze wandering toward her chest—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled by Tang Jemoon’s call, I quickly responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d trained myself to control my gaze around Namgung Bi-ah, yet I’d let my guard down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t allow myself to become like that lecherous old man from Mount Hua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steeling myself, I focused solely on Tang Jemoon’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gleamed bright green—a color that meant…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proof of Absolute Poison Immunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what I’d heard, at least… but I wasn’t entirely sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a level my predecessor had reached, so perhaps Tang Jemoon had as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I looked into her eyes, she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you had many conversations with that fool?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point, her term for Shin Cheol had shifted to “fool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I’ve spoken with him quite a bit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until Shin Noya disappeared, I had, at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though, honestly, he never shared much about himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I thought about this, Tang Jemoon looked at me and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did he ever mention me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, well, not really, no… Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back on our talks, I recalled a name Shin Noya sometimes mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without thinking, I blurted it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He did mention a lady from the Moyong family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Tang Jemoon’s expression instantly grew cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her reaction, I gulped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d messed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was clearly a topic I shouldn’t have brought up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Tang Jemoon’s gaze turned icy as she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, he talked about Moyong’s lady?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to recover, hurriedly adding,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not much—just that she was taken by the Thunder Sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Taken by him? That Namgung Myung took her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing my words, Tang Jemoon’s eyes widened, then she chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You still believe that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that’s convenient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon’s eyes curved into a smile, but I couldn’t shake the chill it gave me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d planned on telling him at some point…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t quite a smile; the air around her was filled with cold tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now… I’ll never tell him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chuckling quietly, she turned away, leaving only the sound of Shin Cheol’s furious pounding on the barrier outside.\u003C\u002Fp>",2301,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.032Z",1,"novelbin.me","5e2c796b5df35f37fcf7a562e4e049d73a8f4c1b5d8bfa6a43fc0dd7f66b9a86","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-477","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-475",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]