[{"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-486":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},1240012,1667,"Chapter 485","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-486",486,"\u003Cp>The Thunder Blade of Murim, Namgung Myung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Five Heroes who thwarted the Blood Demon and the most powerful martial artist in the history of the Namgung family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s said that with a mere gesture, he could fill the sky with dark clouds, and a slight reprimand would cause thunder to resound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another title for him was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thunder God.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The information we have on him is merely a record, and since it wasn’t something I actively pursued, I don’t know the details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, as soon as I discovered that they were somehow tied to my current affairs, I looked into it a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on the remaining records…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They couldn’t have all been human, could they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tales are more akin to legendary myths than actual history. Like the poison Tang Jemoon emitted, which could reportedly envelop an entire region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or how Cheol Young, despite his merciful nature, could flatten a mountain with a single punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And how Thunder God’s wrath supposedly shook the heavens. The tales of Shin Noya and Yeon Ilcheon were no less exaggerated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them were monsters, to put it mildly. At some point, I got so annoyed that I couldn’t continue reading the records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did I think it was all nonsense? It would have been easier on my mind if it were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With five such people gathered, all they managed to accomplish was sealing the Blood Demon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bloody traces left by the Blood Demon War…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People think the heroes held him back, but in reality, they barely managed to seal him. And even now, the Blood Demon is still very much alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s already hard enough dealing with Cheonma, and now there’s a Blood Demon that even those five couldn’t fully suppress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading about the myths of these heroes only infuriated me, thinking I might have to clean up the mess they left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting that aside for now, I focused on the statement Shin Noya just made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Namgung Myung?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked straight ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disheveled white hair thick with dust. His bangs, covering his face, lifted slightly to reveal a pair of clear, piercing blue eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An exceptionally handsome middle-aged man, even among the people I’ve met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of appearance alone, he surpassed even Namgung Jin, the Blue Sky Sword King, who was already in a high class of his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at this man, I thought,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The Hermit of Wudang… is actually from the Namgung family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one place in the Central Plains produces people with such distinctive looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Namgung family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious. The Hermit of Wudang bore all the features that defined the Namgung lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, his bloodline seemed even more prominent than Namgung Bi-ah, the acknowledged heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perplexed, I turned to Shin Noya and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Noya… what do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What do I mean? I mean exactly what I said.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Hermit of Wudang… looks exactly like the Thunder Blade?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes, they look chillingly alike. Although his appearance is far more disheveled.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, I examined the Hermit once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A well-kept appearance, albeit with an expression that looked weary and devoid of luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I now understood why Shin Noya had such disdain every time he brought up Namgung Myung’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of contemplation, I decided to gather my hands and perform a formal greeting. At the very least, it was only right to show some courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I am a member of the Gu family, greeting the senior of Wudang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing my introduction, the Hermit of Wudang’s eyes flickered with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’re that one who’s been causing quite a stir lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, I am Gu Yangcheon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t sure in what sense he meant “causing a stir,” but I assumed he was referring to me, given all the rumors the Martial Alliance keeps circulating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hermit’s gaze swept over my body, and there was unmistakable curiosity in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After staring at me for a while, he chuckled and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I first heard the rumors… I thought it was just another trick from the Martial Alliance lunatics.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharpness of his words caught me off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t expect anyone other than myself in this era to call the Martial Alliance lunatics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So you’re aware you’re not quite sane yourself, then.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…I was equally surprised that the Hermit of Wudang had also seen through the Alliance’s schemes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As much as I was taken aback by him, it seemed he was equally surprised by me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t expect the rumors to be so underwhelming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I appreciate the compliment…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I had been hiding my true abilities, it seemed he had gauged some of them during my display of martial skill earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hermit stroked his chin a few times with his hand and then muttered to Paeh Woo-cheol,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This one is a lost cause.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paeh Woo-cheol, seemingly accustomed to the Hermit’s odd behavior, asked, to which the Hermit laughed and replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought you’d dominate this era.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me? Dominate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paeh Woo-cheol looked genuinely shocked at his master’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With this one around, that seems unlikely. Give it up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha ha, why would I bother with something so troublesome? I’d rather spend that time sleeping.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re still as lazy as ever. Show some persistence for your teacher’s sake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re no different, master. Why are you telling me this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha ha ha ha—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They chatted with such ease, then suddenly burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them, I couldn’t help but smirk. So this is where Paeh Woo-cheol’s peculiar personality came from—his master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya also seemed bewildered, sighing in a weary tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Their faces are the same, but their personalities are vastly different.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are they very different from the Thunder Blade?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did say they looked identical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If it were him, he wouldn’t speak like that, nor would he carry himself in such a sloppy manner.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya’s voice was filled with unyielding resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[He hated even a speck of dust on himself so much that he’d throw a fit. I threw him into a mud pit once because his fastidiousness was so annoying.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Do you know how terrifying he was when he came at me, swearing he’d kill me? He was the pettiest person I knew. Martial artists should accept a bit of dirt, tsk tsk.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing all this, it seemed less like he was petty and more like Shin Noya was a troublemaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thing was clear, though: they hadn’t been on good terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just hearing about his personality, I can tell he’s nothing like the Hermit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at least they looked exactly alike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long bout of laughter, I waited until they settled down before speaking to the Hermit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… Senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forgive me, but could it be that Namgung…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could finish my question, the Hermit waved his hand as if he knew what I was about to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That was the case in the past, but not anymore, so don’t worry about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It used to be the case, but it isn’t anymore…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed there had been an incident of some kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So he is from the Namgung family, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s why he has Thunder Fang…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that revelation, it finally made sense why the Hermit of Wudang possessed Thunder Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Thunder Fang, the Namgung family’s symbol, a treasured artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had wondered how it ended up in someone else’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So the Hermit was originally from the Namgung family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s rare, but not unheard of, for someone from a prestigious family to leave and join another sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had been bloodlines from the Moyong family and the Peng family who joined Daoist sects and became renowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why hasn’t his name become known?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was a martial artist from Wudang with Namgung lineage, surely his name would have circulated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, it would be even more talked about in the martial world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Hermit of Wudang was only known by his nickname, with no mention of his connection to the Namgung family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his unmistakable appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he possessed Thunder Fang. Why hasn’t the Namgung family reclaimed it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the biggest mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rumor that the Hermit of Wudang held Thunder Fang was not widespread but had certainly circulated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunder Fang, the Namgung family’s symbol, should have been retrieved, especially given that he had joined Wudang and was considered an outsider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, for some reason, the Namgung family hadn’t acted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering both the head of the family and his son are as dense as they come, one would think they’d have some sense, given their prestigious status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I pondered over these various issues,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, even if I said not to worry…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hermit seemed to have realized something and turned back to speak to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You might have some trouble dealing with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you’re engaged, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he was referring to Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It might be hard not to think about it, but I truly have no….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I’m really not concerned about it. It’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off before he could elaborate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It sounds like a bothersome subject, so I’ll respect your wish and not think about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obviously a nuisance. I already had too much on my mind, so the last thing I wanted was to hear more about the Namgung family’s internal affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe my response was a bit too blunt, as the Hermit made a curious expression before glancing at Paeh Woo-cheol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it because he’s your friend that he’s so odd as well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Even if he’s not normal, I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s comforting to know that even after all these years, you’re still just as strange, my disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already annoying enough to be called strange out of the blue, but Paeh Woo-cheol had the audacity to claim he was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since there were people watching, I couldn’t hit him right there, but I made a mental note to take care of him on the way back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, he seems to be planning to hit me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paeh Woo-cheol caught on immediately and reported it to his master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Growing up involves fighting now and then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, damn it. Am I truly friendless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…Madmen. They’re definitely madmen.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For once, I agreed with Noya. These people were definitely unhinged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although, if anyone was calling others madmen, it wasn’t exactly Noya’s place to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What was that…?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you stop reading my private thoughts? Could you respect my privacy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hah, now you’re just doing it openly.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he was going to eavesdrop anyway, I figured I might as well speak my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Enough of that. Think about what you’re going to do now.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right. That.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Noya was silent, I had a feeling he was looking at me with disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, I do have a reason for being here. What should I do about it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The purpose of meeting the Hermit was to acquire Thunder Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had come with the intention of obtaining Thunder Fang and giving it to Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I can’t exactly take it by force.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking it by force was out of the question, and using the Namgung family’s name to demand Thunder Fang was now impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since he’s part of the family by blood and the Namgung family hasn’t acted, I lack a valid reason to take it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I hadn’t planned to take it outright during our first meeting, I needed to come up with a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I continued to deliberate,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Want some help?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya asked in a calm tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You, Noya?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If not me, then who else?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How would you help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being an incorporeal spirit attached to my body, there was little he could physically do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though I didn’t fully trust him, any help was better than none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you actually have a plan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Nothing grand. It’s quickest to simply call upon the person himself and talk it over, wouldn’t you agree?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Call upon him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head, puzzled by what he meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You know, back when Myung came at me, determined to kill me.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya suddenly began recounting an old story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Not just then, either. We fought like that countless times, since we never got along.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t understand why he was bringing this up, but I held back from interrupting, sensing there was a point to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[We must have fought at least a hundred times… Do you know what’s important about that?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice grew unusually serious, and the pressure it carried made me instinctively swallow dryly before responding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Forty-nine to fifty-one.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does that…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That’s the result of our matches. Naturally, I was victorious in fifty-o—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Talking nonsense again, are we?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone cut off Noya’s words mid-sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to the direction of the voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uuuuuuuuung—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hermit, who was nearby, seemed surprised as he glanced down at his chest, where the voice seemed to come from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he reached into his robe and pulled something out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zzzz-zzz-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The object he drew out was vibrating intensely—a stick, of all things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thunder Fang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Thunder Fang, one of the Five Great Swords of the Central Plains. It looked just like the sword I’d seen the Demon Sword Queen wielding, so I was sure of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Heh.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Noya chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the voice I’m hearing now…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I looked at Thunder Fang with a mix of surprise and curiosity,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It seems the passage of time has finally dulled your senses.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A frigid voice came from Thunder Fang, cold enough to make one question how a voice could carry such chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It was forty-nine for you, and fifty-one for me. How dare you distort such a significant record?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the icy tone, the content of the words was surprisingly petty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just continued staring at Thunder Fang, astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It’s been a while, hasn’t it?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the voice, Noya sounded oddly cheerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This confirmed it for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner of this cold voice was undoubtedly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Have you been well, Myung?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Namgung Myung, the Thunder Blade of Murim, himself.******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>rip...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a dark, damp space, a small sound echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip... drip...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of water droplets falling resonated, filling the entire room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a space with an unknown purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Nahi knelt with her head bowed, far more respectful than she had been before the Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one receiving her deference was examining a piece of paper in their hands, thin fingers that seemed almost skeletal visible in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the elder slowly turned the pages, he frowned, having apparently found something of interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, the Poison King knows… Is this true?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes... it is, Elder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm... how troublesome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that blunt statement, the elder sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The letter in his hand began to decay, disintegrating almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not... time yet...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder seemed regretful. The opportunity had been drawing near, and he had been preparing for that moment, but it appeared this would interfere with his plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gu Yangcheon, is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes... that’s correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder clicked his tongue in irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"True to his Gu family blood, he’s stirring up trouble… he would’ve done well to just stay put, like the whelp he is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had passed unnecessary information to the Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A prodigy, apparently, who had been causing quite a stir in the Central Plains recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fetching the Dokcheon Pill was well enough, but this reckless arrogance of his is an irritating sight to behold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially here, in the land of the Tang Clan. The elder found it particularly bothersome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before he becomes more of a nuisance… we should dispose of him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a slight smile, the elder spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were anywhere else, things might be different, but this was Tang Clan territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter his opponent’s strength or background, this was a place with countless ways to dispose of someone without anyone knowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Inform the others as well. Tell them we need to prepare a suitable gift.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In matters like this, the elder was unrivaled in confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving his orders, Nahi bowed even deeper and replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way to refuse such an order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If things had been as before, the \"curse\" binding her would have forced her compliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, that was no longer the case. Nahi glanced up at the elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curse that had once shackled her was gone; she now had the opportunity to escape if she wished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was all because…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This… this is all his doing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because Gu Yangcheon had infused her with a certain energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curse she had wished to escape for over a decade had vanished in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to raise a dagger and drive it into the throat of this wretched elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to sever his neck, tear out his heart, and mutilate him, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nahi didn’t act. She couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curse on her body had disappeared, only to be replaced by an even stronger one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– If anything happens, just do whatever they tell you to. It doesn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The command she’d heard recently resurfaced in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because of those words, Nahi felt unable to do anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She despised herself for continuing to live like a slave, but she bit her lip and endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least… one thing was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– I’ll let you have your revenge. So, just follow orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was that single, casual promise that allowed Nahi to endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, even if she couldn’t endure, she had no other options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, and one more thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Nahi struggled to suppress her emotions, the elder addressed her again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Find the Princess’s location. It’s time I paid her a visit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Nahi disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left alone, the elder chuckled as he looked toward a certain spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heh-heh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where he looked, corpses lay, slaughtered beyond recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood from the bodies seeped across the floor, staining it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder smiled, undisturbed by the gruesome sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All is as the head desires.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter the disturbance, it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who opposed this will could simply be dissolved and erased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had always been this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who defied his will, the elder would ensure they were removed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>____________________TL Notes:Hi guys, the next 2 chapters will definitely be released today, but a little later.\u003C\u002Fp>",3106,"2026-06-05T15:09:39.032Z",1,"novelbin.me","b49a1430b165b30e0627b716ad203aa9382f04963cd62e9d7f551161320a5d6c","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-487","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-485",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]