[{"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-483":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},1240009,1667,"Chapter 482","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-483",483,"\u003Cp>TL Notes:Poison King - Dokwang (독왕)Little Yama = Gu Yangcheon________________________________The moment Nahi regained consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the first thing I did was place a restriction on her. Though Nahi seemed a bit disoriented, it didn’t take her long to grasp the situation, especially as she became aware of the restriction placed on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So she’s at least quick-witted.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The look on Nahi’s face when she realized why Tang Deok betrayed her, how her own body had changed, and the secrets she uncovered was quite a sight to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I call it despair? Or maybe she was just on the verge of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That expression, on the brink of everything crumbling, stirred various feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not that it really matters.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, seeing that expression didn’t evoke any sympathy. If I had felt any, it should have come long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I approached Nahi, who was barely holding herself together, lifted her hair, and met her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have something to take care of.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because I was still in the state of Demonification, Nahi’s eyes were filled solely with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could detect a slight hint of reverence, but I had no interest in understanding such trivial emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I simply smiled at Nahi as I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have any thoughts of revenge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, Nahi’s expression shifted dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had questions for her, and I planned to make immediate use of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first place we headed, with Nahi leading the way, was, of course, the Poison King’s quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were incidents involving Dokcheon Lake, as well as matters to verify in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoooom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The process turned out to be rather intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An overwhelming pressure filled the not-so-small room, as the fierce, turbulent energy radiating from the Poison King began to seep into every corner, mirroring his agitated state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you just say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His twisted expression made it clear how angry he was. The pressure was palpable, making my skin prickle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Poison King might fall slightly short when compared to the heads of the Four Great Families, the weight of his energy alone demanded respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was strange was that the former me would have probably felt cornered and tried to placate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I say it again, that would make it the third time. Do you really want to hear it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, oddly enough, I didn’t feel that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps my nonchalant response was the issue, as the Poison King’s energy grew even more intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You truly cross the line. Little Yama, I am well aware of your considerable talent, but I did not think you so lacking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacup in front of him shattered. I had to catch my own to prevent it from breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t even finished drinking my tea yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a sip from my teacup, I looked at the incensed Poison King and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps it would be best to calm down and hear me out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Calm down? You’re telling me to calm down?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, naturally, he wouldn’t be calm. Here I was, an outsider—a mere youth—coming in and saying I should kill his clan elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What family head could accept that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I understood the Poison King’s anger, I was also observing him for any further signs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s a scent of blood.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Poison King appeared unscathed on the surface, there was something unusual about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint, iron-rich scent in the air and a strange, pungent undertone were familiar markers to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s been torturing someone.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the Poison King had been torturing someone just before coming here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If my guess was correct, it was likely…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Black Dragon Sword?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The criminals transported here, perhaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It implied he had been torturing them just before arriving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, a question arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure like the Poison King, even if he had come suddenly, would not have left traces of blood, faint killing intent, and poison lingering on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, for me to perceive such an aura now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My senses have evolved.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must mean that my various senses, including my qi perception, had become sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A shame.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would have been beneficial if I had been able to gauge my bodily changes further. Unfortunately, moving in haste left me unable to properly assess my condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn’t be helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you damaged a valuable relic of the family. Your current task should be to apologize for such disrespect. Am I wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was here, after all, because I had evaporated the waters of Dokcheon Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This feels unfair.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damage” didn’t even begin to describe it; I had eradicated it entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evaporated Dokcheon Lake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strictly speaking, this wasn’t my fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real blame lay with Tang Jemoon. After all, it was his family’s ancestor who created the mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m the one under suspicion.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the irritating part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damage, you say. I’m sure you’ve been informed, but if you persist, you’re only putting me in a difficult position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned slightly as I faced the Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason for this reaction was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did nothing, you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King should have heard from Nahi’s testimony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That I did nothing—yet, upon arriving at the lake, the water had suddenly evaporated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You expect me to believe that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King wouldn’t believe it. Watching him, I chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, if you think I simply evaporated all that water, wouldn’t that be just as absurd?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, did I drink all that water or something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I voiced my annoyance, the Poison King’s intensity wavered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s no way he’d actually believe I drank it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could think that the lake’s vast waters could disappear all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even I don’t understand how I managed to drink it all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did all that water and poison go once it entered my body?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though questions surfaced, I prioritized challenging the Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you suggesting by immediately suspecting someone who says otherwise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of the Poison King’s fist clenching was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps he regretted it now? Leaving me and Nahi to handle this alone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, I was puzzled as to why he did it, but now I was beginning to understand the aura radiating from the Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He did seem busy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King had likely begun torturing the Black Dragon Sword and the members of the Black Dragon Guard the moment they were brought to the Tang Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not alone, of course, but given the number of captives, time was tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Or perhaps…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might be trying to use them for something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on what I’ve vaguely heard about the Tang Clan, I wasn’t convinced this place was entirely clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again, that’s not surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called righteous clans rarely have spotless hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you were so suspicious, you could have come to see for yourself. That would have solved everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pressed the Poison King on this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he might have been busy, I suspected he simply didn’t like me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given everything, it was ultimately the Poison King’s fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No evidence, and with Nahi as my witness, it’s clear it wasn’t me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing that, I could afford to act bold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To begin with…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King looked at me and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did you want to see the lake in the first place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His suspicion lay there—why I had gone to such lengths to see the lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King was recalling this event and holding it against me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just curiosity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re aware that such an excuse is incredibly flimsy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’d rather I fabricate a reason? Is that it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you can manage, give it a try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King lowered his posture to meet my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Evidence may be lacking, but remember, this is the Tang Clan, Little Yama.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oppressive gaze he directed at me was sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without evidence, it suggested he could detain me at will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King was using the Tang Clan’s reputation to pressurize me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued to smile as I stared him down, unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, this is the Tang Clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Four Great Families, excelling in the poison arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And furthermore…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A clan unaware of its own corruption.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I spoke, the Poison King’s hand shot out toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I intercepted his hand mid-motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King’s eyes widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected me to block it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither did I, to be honest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh… I actually reacted.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did I react, but I managed to block him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps thanks to ascending fully to Haegyeong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Though the Foundation Shifting Technique does slow me down a bit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had compressed my body and changed its state, leaving a restraint on myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if I removed this restraint and acted in earnest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could I defeat the Poison King?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint thrill of battle eagerness stirred within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But not now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I was curious about the extent of my newfound strength, now wasn’t the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Releasing his arm, I spoke to the Poison King again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My apologies for my earlier rudeness. That was indeed a bit harsh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Little Yama.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite my apology, the Poison King’s anger remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understandably so, as I had openly criticized his clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, I could think of no better way to put it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tang Clan was corrupt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having dedicated everything to the poison arts, the clan had rotted to its core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the sweet fragrance that lingered around their ancestors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caught off guard, the Poison King’s eyes wavered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took this chance to ask the question that had been on my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clan Head, are you aware of the ‘Heavenly Martial Physique Creation Project’…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King’s eyes trembled at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that reaction, I was sure he knew about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How did you come to know…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was refreshing to see the usually unshakable Poison King in such a state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this wasn’t the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Furthermore, are you aware that this project is still being conducted in secret?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ridiculous…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clatter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King stood up abruptly, overturning the table and shattering the cups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To not only disgrace our clan’s legacy but now to spread baseless rumors—what is your purpose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel the hostility radiating from him now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him, I wondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that reaction genuine?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he truly unaware?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not yet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was still too early to conclude that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, I had to focus on the things Tang Jemoon had mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clan Head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even under the intense gaze and the oppressive aura flooding the room, I slowly stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how much you’re angered, the meaning behind my initial words does not change.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My statement about killing the Tang Clan’s elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might have sounded as though I was seeking permission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in truth, that wasn’t the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is also why I came to Sichuan, specifically to the Tang Clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t true at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had intended to slip away after taking what I needed, not to kill the clan elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a blatant lie, really.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it sounded somewhat dignified when dressed up this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Besides, it’s also Tang Jemoon’s will.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Tang Jemoon left, he had entrusted me with a request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was here to fulfill that request by declaring my intent to kill the clan elders to the Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A declaration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, this was a declaration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not asking for permission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a transaction, a proposal to help cleanse your clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Yama, it seems you don’t understand how much restraint it’s taking for me not to kill you right now. Do you truly wish to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you so angry when I’m merely offering to rid you of the rot within?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the Poison King was about to reach for me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I retrieved something from my clothing and presented it to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It appeared to be a delicate, pale green pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the Poison King recognized it, he froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remarkably, he seemed to understand immediately what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was fascinating. Despite being lost for hundreds of years, the Poison King, a Tang Clan bloodline member, recognized it instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The object’s true identity was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… is….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the Dokcheon Pill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dokcheon Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he heard its name, the Poison King’s eyes trembled wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone asked what the Tang Clan’s greatest lost legacy was, ninety out of a hundred would likely point to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A legendary elixir, one of overwhelming potency compared to Shaolin’s Great Return Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those without immunity to poison, it builds resistance; for those who practice poison arts, it’s the ultimate opportunity for growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lost relic of the Tang Clan, now before the Poison King’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forgetting his anger, he stared at me with a captivated gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How… did you come by this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why don’t you take a seat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pushing the Dokcheon Pill gently toward him, I smiled at the Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With this, perhaps you could spare a moment to listen to what I have to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Including the story of the Dokcheon Pill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t concerned about the Poison King’s reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of his clan’s insult or my own behavior, the Poison King had no other choice after seeing the Dokcheon Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, sure enough—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King seated himself before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, I inwardly let out a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>",2235,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.032Z",1,"novelbin.me","55dada739998cfc3fdd682066db52e1433d7e7b845da2e5e9f89e07256ecdc45","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-484","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-482",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]