[{"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-480":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},1240006,1667,"Chapter 479","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-480",480,"\u003Cp>\"…Are you sure about this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right after hearing all of Tang Jemoon’s requests, this was the first thing I said—a genuine question asking if she was really certain about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something I couldn’t help but ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how I looked at it, it was hard to believe that such a request would come from Tang Jemoon herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But despite my doubts, Tang Jemoon simply held a sorrowful gaze, not retracting her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it possible?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to her question, I lightly pinched my lip with my thumb. Was this really possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t know.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, it was hard to give a definite answer. I couldn’t easily imagine how I’d handle this without it affecting me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as I pondered, the truth was, my answer was already clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This isn’t something I can just run away from.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon let out a faint, bitter smile at my response. Likely because I’d hit the mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew that I wouldn’t be able to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was probably why…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'She must have brought up Tang So-yeol.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because if it involved her, she knew I wouldn’t be able to say no. And that was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Something I couldn’t deny.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a request I couldn’t refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll try my best.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it worked or not, I would at least try. This was the only answer I could give for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Tang Jemoon seemed somewhat satisfied with my response, giving me a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Hoo-in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s no need to thank me. After all…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like I was just doing this for compensation, so a thank-you wasn’t necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, it was clear that this matter was deeply troubling for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m not thrilled about it either.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be exact, it wasn’t just unpleasant—it was downright miserable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The problem is… how am I supposed to deal with the Poison King?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since this was related to the Tang Clan, I had no idea how to approach the Poison King about it. And that’s only if he wasn’t involved in this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the Poison King was as corrupt as they come…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sincerely hoped he wasn’t tied up in something like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'After all, it involves his daughter. I have to hope he’s not.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if, despite everything, it turned out he was involved…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head slightly as I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Then he’ll have to die.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill settled over my heart as I solidified my decision inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Poison King crossed me, he’d die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made up my mind. And as I steadied myself…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hoo-in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon called out to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, senior?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve already passed on any information you might want to Shin Noya.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I widened my eyes at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Information I’d want to know?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that I didn’t understand what she meant, but there was so much that I wondered what she might have shared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Is this for real, Noya?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I called to Noya urgently in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still harboring a grudge from our earlier quarrel, his response was rather strange. …Such a stubborn old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least he wasn’t denying it, so it seemed he did hear something. I was wondering just what information he’d picked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And also…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon continued, as though there was more she needed to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve prepared a small gift for you, Hoo-in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A gift…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, a gift.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could she have prepared? Anytime someone offered me a gift, it never ended up being something decent, so I felt a bit uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether she sensed my discomfort or not, Tang Jemoon went on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Originally, this should have been given to Shin Noya… or one of the others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She laughed as she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But as things are now, you’re the rightful recipient. She would want you to have it as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my question, Tang Jemoon’s hand reached toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon’s translucent fingers slipped through my chest, penetrating me. It was a sudden strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no pain. I didn’t even feel her touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because of her ethereal body?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sen…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to ask Tang Jemoon what she was doing, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May blessings follow you wherever you go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon simply smiled and cut off my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt my world flip, and everything went dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unconscious body of Gu Yangcheon went limp and began to collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just before he hit the ground—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grrr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small juvenile dragon darted forward, catching Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Tang Jemoon took a step back and looked at her hand immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssss…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could see that her once-translucent hand had grown even fainter. It was a sign that the end was approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon was fully aware of this, yet she didn’t mourn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply accepted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a long life with little left to regret, and she believed that even if she hadn’t achieved everything she desired, accomplishing just a small part was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shin Noya.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was still a tiny bit of regret left behind for that purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re there, aren’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What is it?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to Tang Jemoon’s call, the voice of an old man sounded, somewhat sulky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that unimpressive tone, Tang Jemoon chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you still sulking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Sulking? Who’s sulking? Do I seem that petty?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon couldn’t bring herself to deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please, let go of that grudge. I didn’t mean it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I’m fine, I tell you! I don’t even remember what you said…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was it because I called you a ‘narrow-minded, clueless virgin swordsman’?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Tang Jemoon’s words, Gu Yangcheon’s body trembled slightly. It seemed Shin Noya, inside him, had reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[W-who…who…?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Shin Noya could explode, Tang Jemoon cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand that you couldn’t recognize my feelings… that you ultimately couldn’t choose Lady Moyong. I understand it all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shin Noya, your convictions were always most important to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His narrow focus and lack of perception were indeed frustrating and irksome from the viewpoint of a woman in love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if one understood where Shin Noya’s gaze had been focused, they wouldn’t have blamed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because you’re a hero.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warrior who saw nothing but his goal of saving the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hero whose conviction was to plant a radiant plum tree upon peaceful soil. Shin Noya lived solely for that purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon knew that even if he had seen a woman before him, he would not have embraced her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she had approached him in her original body, under the name Tang Jehui, would the result have been different?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, Tang Jemoon was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Shin Noya would not have chosen anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, she made the choice to approach him in her true body for a brief moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or to remain by his side as a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only option Tang Jemoon had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wanted to say it, but…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even knowing that, she had always wanted to tell him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That she was a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That she was a beautiful woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That she loved him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to open her lips and sing these words, to ask him to hold her, touch her, and let her sleep beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had to hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She longed to see Shin Noya as he treated her kindly and was famished for it, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I held back because you’re that kind of person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was precisely because Shin Noya was like that that she loved him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his words were rough, he never hesitated to give his life to protect those around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If death awaited, he was the first to step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya chose his ideals and longing to save the world over the life of an ordinary person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why Tang Jemoon could love him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, it’s all right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t feel guilty. I’m all right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…Jemoon.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Shin Noya’s voice, Tang Jemoon nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the end. She could feel it for certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked down at her feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her translucent body was slowly disappearing from there up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Tang Jemoon closed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have to go on ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think… our friends are waiting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[They should be. Every one of those damned fools, but they’re not the type to leave anyone behind.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Shin Noya’s light-hearted words, Tang Jemoon nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shin Noya.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…Yes.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She called to him, but then paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, she wanted to say she’d loved him, but she didn’t think she could say it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t something to say now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, what should she say now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pondered deeply. After much thought, she realized there was only one thing she wanted to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long time, even far before this moment, there had been one wish she’d held onto.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thing she’d dreamed of all this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon finally whispered it aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Can you…hold me just once?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was cautious in her plea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart longed to tell him how lonely she’d been, how much she’d missed him, to beg him to just hold her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those words wouldn’t come out that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she just asked, hoping he’d understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just said it on a whim.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she awkwardly tried to retract her request—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange warmth surrounded her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone embraced her and gently stroked her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon opened her eyes, but there was no one before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Shin Noya had entered Gu Yangcheon’s body, he couldn’t appear physically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting this strange phenomenon aside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You did well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the voice whispering in her ear, Tang Jemoon closed her eyes again, fearing her tears might fall if she didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go ahead. I’ll catch up soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Shin Noya?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I might take a bit of time. I’m not that strong, so it may be a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just wait a little longer. We’ll talk about what we couldn’t there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hand that had been rubbing her back now shifted to gently stroke her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve done well…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such simple words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, they soothed her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words alone gave her peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was his power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who would always keep his word, no matter the cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssss…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon’s entire body dispersed and vanished into the air. The fragments of her body shimmered as they drifted, like butterflies gracefully ascending into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Tang Jemoon had departed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>only the faint breathing of the unconscious Gu Yangcheon remained in the empty hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…Ah.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that quiet space, an old man held his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Struggling to make no sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so the silence continued until Gu Yangcheon awoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>lash—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes opened on their own, triggered by a strange sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I finally came to my senses, the first thing I realized was that I was underwater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urk…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening my eyes underwater took me by complete surprise. Wasn’t I just in the hall? How did I even lose consciousness?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where was Tang Jemoon? Where was this place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, I recalled what had happened just before I blacked out—the moment when Tang Jemoon’s hand had pierced my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And then I lost consciousness?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s how it happened, but when I opened my eyes, I was here. I scanned my surroundings, rolling my eyes around. Why was I suddenly underwater?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hold on… if this is underwater…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran down my spine as a thought crossed my mind, reminding me where I’d gone before entering the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dokcheon Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vile lake of poisons formed from the Tang Clan’s treasure, its toxic water infamous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed I was, indeed, there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it…!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I was sure, I tried to move. I needed to get out of this lake immediately. Just as I was gathering my energy to propel myself out of the water—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiiiiik—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a vibration started from within the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoooosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the—!?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waves began to surge from all directions, closing in on me. And that wasn’t all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooong—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unfamiliar force—the Mado Cheonheop Skill—activated on its own, without my intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this the cause?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The waves, which had been pushing toward me, suddenly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What… What is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water began seeping into my body, transforming into energy. Yet, it didn’t feel exactly like energy, nor did it convert into inner power as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of being stored in my core, it bypassed it, spreading throughout my entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reached even my blood vessels, muscles, and every fiber within me. It was a strange feeling, not unpleasant, but unlike anything I’d experienced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy was absorbed swiftly, entering me before I could even process what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time I regained full awareness—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ptuh…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spat out the remaining water from my mouth, surveying my surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that remained was a dry, empty pit where the lake had once been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no trace of water left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Ah, shit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swore roughly, staring at the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s ruined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dokcheon Lake, regarded as a treasured creature of the Tang Clan, had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be more precise, I had absorbed every last drop of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had things ended up like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did this body of mine end up devouring an entire lake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Don’t tell me… this is the “gift”?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon had said she’d leave me a gift. Surely, it wasn’t this… It couldn’t be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if this really was what she meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This isn’t a gift; it’s a curse.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was I supposed to handle this situation now? I started grinding my teeth, convinced that all the old masters were nothing but bastards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was feeling completely duped—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something surfaced in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t my own memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this… a martial arts phrase?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words surfaced naturally, and they definitely seemed like something meant to channel martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was bewildered by this unexpected phrase, yet my body started to move, aligning with the technique on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack-crack-crack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urgh…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my body, and I let out a groan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch-crunch—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain surged as though it was trying to take control of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…What the hell is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn’t just pain; soon enough, I began to feel something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My vision slowly began to lower. At the same time, I could feel my body contracting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taken aback by the unfamiliar sensation, I looked at my hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them only confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body, having expanded and transformed, was now shrinking, my once-broadened arms returning to their previous slender shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even my height was decreasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rolling my eyes, I tried to make sense of what was happening, while my mind supplied the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something I’d seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hadn’t even been a day, so there was no way I’d forgotten it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Qi Transformation Technique (氣體變易術)?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same technique that Tang Jemoon had used to change not only her body but even her gender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, I was using it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t understand how it worked; even knowing the incantation, I shouldn’t have been able to use martial arts like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, as I willed it, my body responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that realization, I thought—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this the gift?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this the gift Tang Jemoon had mentioned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing that, I instinctively nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I always believed in you, Lady.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had expected her to leave me an incredible gift, and Tang Jemoon hadn’t disappointed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was good to have trusted her without a single doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jemoon was divine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I nodded enthusiastically—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grr…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From somewhere, I heard a sound of disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t care how Jeoksusa saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Tang Jemoon is divine.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To me, Tang Jemoon was like a religion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And of course—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she’d only given me the Qi Transformation Technique, I wouldn’t have reacted so strongly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the knowledge etched into my mind wasn’t limited to that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something far more important lodged in my memory, and as I thought of it, my concerns vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘With this… handling things should be easier.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The complicated situation I’d been worried about solving had a ready-made answer. Thinking of it, I laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason for my joy was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In addition to the incantation for the Qi Transformation Technique now in my mind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I also had the recipe for the Dokcheon Pill, the legendary elixir lost to the Tang Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>",2771,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.032Z",1,"novelbin.me","78ccbe1d41310b42f9db42661c3af66de931529889035a1b69f63ada2adcdb02","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-481","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-479",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]