[{"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-481":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},1240007,1667,"Chapter 480","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-481",481,"\u003Cp>A deep pit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down into it, Nahi had to hold her breath. It wasn’t just that the lake had completely drained—what was troubling was the person standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is that…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nahi’s brows furrowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the feeling of his body and his appearance had changed, it didn’t take Nahi long to recognize him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t understand it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already strange enough that he was alive after being in that lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Why does he look so…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s appearance had changed drastically from just moments before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had his clothes altered, but even from a distance, he appeared taller and his build much more solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his previous form had seemed lean and slightly frail, now he looked like a robust young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And… he’s not alone.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was that? Nahi squinted, focusing her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could now see more clearly the creature standing next to Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A… monster?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It certainly wasn’t human. No matter how she looked at it, it was definitely a monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had blue scales—was it a Blue-Rank beast? But its color seemed somewhat lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more sky-blue than deep blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Nahi cautiously observed the monster’s appearance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster’s eyes turned toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the distance, the monster seemed to sense her presence, staring straight at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grrr—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its expression twisted menacingly, issuing a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The growl sent a shiver down Nahi’s spine against her will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…What is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only a Blue-Rank monster’s threat, after all. As an assassin of the highest rank, she shouldn’t have been frightened by something like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet an unfamiliar sense of dread filled her, making her swallow hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was going on with Gu Yangcheon’s changed appearance, and what was that monster beside him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Nahi continued to observe, caught between confusion and dread—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Gasp…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She quickly covered her mouth, barely holding back her reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden change appeared, and it was anything but ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s body began to shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His figure twisted slightly, and then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s shrinking?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grew shorter, his frame returning to a more compact size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps calling it “smaller” would be misleading—it was simply reverting to how he’d looked before diving into the lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether his larger form had been the real one or this smaller size was genuine, she couldn’t tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, it was an unnatural phenomenon, and upon confirming it, Nahi began to turn away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was off. That man was undoubtedly strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She needed to escape. Nahi’s instincts screamed at her to run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Where?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where could she go?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the Poison King? Or maybe to Tang Deok?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, it would be a problem. For now, Nahi decided her priority was to get away from this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Going somewhere?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"—!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone appeared in front of her, speaking in a friendly tone just as she was about to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps thanks to her years of living as an assassin, Nahi barely managed to stifle a scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blocking her path stood Gu Yangcheon, the same person who had been in the pit moments ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I asked where you were going.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon looked at her with a broad smile, as if he were in a particularly good mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to Nahi, that smile was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn’t just because of his appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s… there’s something…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura around Gu Yangcheon was entirely different from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt impossible to gauge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something about him that made her want to kneel down involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can’t quite remember, but I think I warned you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon took a step closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nahi tried to step back, but she couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her legs were stiff, refusing to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m pretty sure I told you that running wouldn’t be a good idea. Did I not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m really asking because I can’t remember.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had said it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he’d said she could flee if she wanted to, his gaze and aura at that moment had conveyed a different answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to say, he’d tear her legs off if she dared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s gaze was whispering that same message now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing Nahi’s expression, he asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why did you run?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…W-who… who are you… what… what are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the weight of fear, her words came out stuttered and broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nahi had lived her entire life as an assassin, yet this was the first time she had ever been this shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her question, Gu Yangcheon’s lips curled into a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My identity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he reached out—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ghk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nahi’s vision blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon grabbed her by the neck, lifting her into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even I don’t know anymore. Guess I’ll take my time figuring it out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grkh…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he planning to kill her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he didn’t look like the type who’d let someone live after discovering his secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Am I… am I going to die like this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Death approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nahi’s entire body trembled, overcome by fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t the fear of death itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t even the terror that gripped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What truly terrified her was the thought of dying here, helplessly, without accomplishing anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dying without achieving what she was supposed to… just like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"P-please… please… s-spare me…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She forced the words out, fighting the pressure around her neck and the fear that weighed on her entire being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon tilted his head slightly at her plea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting. Didn’t think you’d be the type to beg for your life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I… I can’t… die… like… this…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A frigid aura washed over her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it killing intent? No, it felt slightly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your whining is annoying. Just keep your mouth shut; I don’t intend to kill you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his words, his actions were unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hand gripping her neck maintained its pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his gaze upon her remained just as cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if he were looking at a mere insect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His dark eyes held a look that didn’t even acknowledge her as a living being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would I kill you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his words seemed lighthearted, a chilling tone filled her ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, I needed a test subject to see if this worked. You’re perfect for it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Test subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very word made Nahi feel nauseated, as though her insides had been hollowed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shiver ran down her spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was he planning to do to her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her question quickly vanished from her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssss…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gah… hck…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange energy began invading Nahi’s body from Gu Yangcheon’s fingers on her neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unbearable, searing heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy burrowed into her veins like thorned vines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everywhere it passed, it felt like her insides were being torn apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah… ahhhh… AHHHH!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she was accustomed to torture and pain as an assassin, Nahi couldn’t contain her scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain was too intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy penetrated deep, reaching her core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy coiled itself there, and suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A binding sensation gripped her heart tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An overwhelming surge of pain shot through Nahi’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ghk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a final cry, Nahi’s eyes rolled back, and she lost consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her limp body sagged, lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her, Gu Yangcheon checked her condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded, observing the dark energy that had seeped into her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, it seemed to be circulating well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having confirmed this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carelessly tossed Nahi’s unconscious body to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rolled across the ground, utterly powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwip, thwip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, he casually dusted off his hands, feeling a lingering sense of distaste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, it felt like he’d touched something he shouldn’t have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Gu Yangcheon’s focus was not on the woman lying far off whose name he could barely remember.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather, he thought of the significant people still in his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the recipe for the Dokcheon Pill that lingered in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And how he intended to use it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Nahi, whom he had just transformed into a demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no interest in her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somewhere in the forests of Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding trees were lush, vibrant with a clear, deep blue hue that filled the forest with life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—! Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the heart of this forest was an open field. But unlike the beautiful forest, this center looked harsh and chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single intact rock could be found, and the grass-covered ground, once filled with green, was now a mess, completely torn up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that clearing, a man continued swinging his sword relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shing—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tip of his sword sliced through the air, elegant and fluid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one were to describe the man’s swordsmanship, it would be like water flowing into the form of a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword’s energy rippled, leaving faint traces that resembled a star-strewn galaxy across the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guided by the flow, the man moved his hand without looking at the tip of his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disheveled hair flared with each movement, and his worn, almost tattered robe was torn in various places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he swung his sword for a while longer—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[----..--!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice reached the man’s ears. Perhaps because of that voice—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man suddenly halted, straightening his stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yawn—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat trickled down his face, but he didn’t seem to mind, letting out a casual yawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[--!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A loud shout cut through the air, seemingly annoyed by his nonchalance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the man remained unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you please quiet down? You never stop your nagging, even for a single day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He absentmindedly scratched his ear as he gave a dismissive reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance, he didn’t seem entirely sane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man was known as the Wudang Mad Sage, one of the three eccentric masters renowned across Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[----!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go down where, exactly? I already went down once, didn’t I? Can’t you be a bit more patient? You’re old enough to have some self-restraint, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[---]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, you’re so predictable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk, tsk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wudang Mad Sage chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll say it again—I have no intention of returning to that cursed place. You know that well, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[---]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll live as a Taoist of Wudang. If you don’t like it, just go away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[-----]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right, there’s no one else like me. That’s why you’re being so insistent. So why don’t you just stay quiet, or I’ll leave you behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muttering to himself, the Wudang Mad Sage approached a rock and casually sat on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, as if prepared in advance, lay a roughly made rice ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed it and took a bite without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bits of rice fell onto his robe, and the dust on his hands mixed with the food, but the Wudang Mad Sage didn’t seem to care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After taking a few more bites, he looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I forgot to bring water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small oversight. He should have brought water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was certainly inconvenient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a slight frown, as if in contemplation, the Wudang Mad Sage suddenly turned his gaze toward the densely wooded forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, since I’m in this situation, could someone bring me some water?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking to the seemingly empty forest, the Wudang Mad Sage let his words hang in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, a response came from the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From behind a tree trunk, someone appeared, walking calmly. Seeing this, the Wudang Mad Sage frowned and spat on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure approaching him smiled gently, a smile the Wudang Mad Sage found utterly loathsome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that how you treat your grandfather, making him run errands?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not my place to speak, but a guest showing up empty-handed doesn’t have much to say, does he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha ha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Wudang Mad Sage’s remark, the newcomer chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure was an elderly man with snow-white hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore a blue martial robe, and the character for \"Namgung\" was emblazoned on his back, marking his affiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clearly inscribed on the man’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re misunderstanding something, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Misunderstanding? Is that something you eat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m no guest. I’m merely—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elderly man’s identity was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was one of the three supreme masters under heaven and a revered master of the Namgung family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Known as the Heavenly Lord—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And also—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a grandfather who came to retrieve his wayward grandson.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was none other than Namgung Hyung’s grandfather, the Wudang Mad Sage’s elder.\u003C\u002Fp>",2063,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.032Z",1,"novelbin.me","01bea729ec6475b733731f907dd32e6658a747939c1d6d948d1565ccb05ae00c","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-482","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-480",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]