[{"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-516":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},1240342,1667,"Chapter 515","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-516",516,"\u003Cp>The Small Park Behind the Tang Clan's Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A space meticulously designed by the former patriarch, Dokgun, at a considerable expense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The park was strikingly beautiful, an unusual sight for the Tang Clan’s grounds. There were no poisonous plants here; instead, it was a sanctuary of blooming flowers and flowing water, designed as a true place of rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through this peaceful space, the Poison King walked, his brows furrowed in deep contemplation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he passed along the flower-lined path, numerous warriors followed in his wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the serene scenery, their expressions were grim, no different from the troubled look on the Poison King’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s done. Come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice had reached the Poison King’s ears while he was in his quarters. A simple message, yet it had made him rise immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat dampened his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s only been a day.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a day had passed since Gu Cheolwoon arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing the circumstances, Gu Cheolwoon had said he would listen to the rest once the matter was settled. And then, in just a single day, it was done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King found himself at a loss. Could such a situation really be resolved so quickly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It doesn’t make sense.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had he managed it? Even though he was the one who had called him here, the Poison King couldn’t comprehend it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up, he gazed at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the heart of the night sky, a bright sphere glowed with a blue light, illuminating the surroundings as if it had created this mystical view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight was overwhelming, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Terrifying…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a man like the Poison King, head of one of the Four Great Clans, to feel such fear—it was a truly dreadful power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn’t just him. Even the warriors within the Tang Clan walls were gripped by fear as they beheld the ominous scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One person had brought this entire clan to its knees. The realization made the Poison King chuckle despite himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sound of his laughter, one of the warriors behind him looked on in worry, prompting the Poison King to wave his hand dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s nothing. Just a fleeting thought…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, it was a strange thought indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could it not be amusing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he was a clan master, he was a warrior. He knew this—he had just forgotten, if only for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Zhongyuan, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A world where strength is everything.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a place filled with those who honed themselves in the pursuit of martial excellence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he thought of what separated Gu Cheolwoon from himself, the answer was painfully simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He is stronger than I am.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One cannot solve everything with force. That’s the nature of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most things can be resolved with it, and when something cannot be, it is usually because of one simple reason:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A lack of strength.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you lack the power to handle a situation, only then do you turn to other means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been no different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was simply that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had called someone stronger because he lacked the strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon possessed enough power to turn an entire clan upside down and handle the aftermath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t have that kind of power…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the sole difference between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it stung—hot and sharp, like a wound pressed against fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had never considered himself incompetent, he felt hollow now, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this state, the Poison King clenched his teeth, trying to regain his composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to. If he faltered now, the Tang Clan would crumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That cruel reality forced him to stand firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued to walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now was the time to endure. That’s what it meant to be the clan master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t been told precisely where Gu Cheolwoon was waiting, but finding the place wasn’t difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s hot…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closer he got, the more he felt an unusually intense heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment he had left his quarters, he could sense that this aura belonged to Gu Cheolwoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was guiding him here, as if extending a courteous invitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though this park was within the Tang Clan’s grounds, the distance was considerable, yet Gu Cheolwoon had not only sent a message but unleashed his aura to mark the path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘With every passing moment, you continue to astonish me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When everyone else stood still, Gu Cheolwoon changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had always been that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when the Poison King was known as the \"Poison Dragon,\" Gu Cheolwoon lived in a different realm, one he couldn’t dare to reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King felt he had no right to feel resentment or envy. The gap was simply too vast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he recalled this forgotten reality, his steps grew heavy, burdened by the weight of his emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the flowers and trees were rich and vivid, they no longer registered in his vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking for quite some time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phew—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King exhaled, releasing the breath he’d been holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt the oppressive heat dissipate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his senses returned, he carefully surveyed his surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He widened his eyes as he took in the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This place…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beauty of the park he had been walking through was gone, replaced by parched ground and withered plants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King immediately recognized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This land was tainted by poison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dry, decayed landscape was a clear result of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A place like this existed within the Tang Clan?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tang Clan, known for its poisons, kept a tight grip on its public image. He’d assumed everything was meticulously managed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To find such a hidden place within his own clan…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King scowled, examining the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An array…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint trace of energy lingered, revealing a sophisticated formation designed to conceal this landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling it, he clenched his fist tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What were you doing, Grandfather?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dokgun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth had his grandfather been doing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a glimpse into his dark legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he scanned his surroundings, his gaze stopped at a specific spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the entrance they had come through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered how they had managed to penetrate such a dense formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But near the entrance, he found his answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entrance had been torn open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gap had been forcibly created, breaching the formation designed to isolate this place from the outside world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Formations were not to be tampered with lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcing one’s way through required shouldering the backlash embedded in the formation’s defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing this, warriors often carefully dismantled the structure rather than destroy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But here, it had been ripped apart with brute force?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need to wonder who had done it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The culprit was already here, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice from behind him, the Poison King turned his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing there was someone he respected, yet found challenging to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Gu Clan Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon, his hair tinged red, stood in the distance, watching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King flinched as he met his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was nothing there—no discernible energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he knew how powerful Gu Cheolwoon was, he felt less pressure now than when Gu Cheolwoon had gripped his neck the previous night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mere sensation sent shivers down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King was no fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew all too well what it meant to sense absolutely nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So, the gap is this wide.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This phenomenon occurred when there was a vast difference in strength between two individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King could experience it when looking at a newly achieved martial artist or confronting elite fighters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the reverse situation…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he possibly describe it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held back the words that came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is that… what you found?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changing the subject, he pointed behind Gu Cheolwoon to what appeared to be an entrance descending underground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To think there was such a space and entrance in the Tang Clan—he hadn’t known at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly approaching the entrance, he offered a cautious word of thanks to Gu Cheolwoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I am truly grateful, Gu Clan Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a slight bow, he prepared to descend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grip—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gu Cheolwoon’s grip stopped him in his tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overwhelming pressure on his arm made the Poison King swallow hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Gu Clan Leader?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the last time, Dokgun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice resonated within his mind, seeping into his body, reverberating through every fiber of his being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nearly collapsed, nausea rising within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I respected that, compared to others, you lived somewhat humanly. But if you ever use my child as an excuse again…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The killing intent in Gu Cheolwoon’s voice made the Poison King feel as if his legs might give out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even that was under Gu Cheolwoon’s control. Without his permission, he could not move, let alone collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his way of demonstrating his power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There won’t be a next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I…understand. I will keep that in mind…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Poison King finally managed to respond, Gu Cheolwoon released his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suffocating pressure that had been bearing down on him disappeared instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he staggered, the warriors behind him instinctively reached for their swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King roared at them as he regained his footing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Withdraw your hands from your swords immediately. This man is a valued guest of the Tang Clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With force behind his words, the warriors reluctantly lowered their hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon had used telepathy to warn him, out of consideration for his honor in front of these warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, even if they had fought with all their might, there was no way they could have defeated Gu Cheolwoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure he’d felt was proof enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s proceed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his apology, Gu Cheolwoon nodded slightly and began walking down to the underground chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King followed close behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they descended into the underground chamber, the Poison King found himself at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he noticed that it seemed connected to the Tang Clan's interrogation rooms, everything here was hidden beneath layers of formations, traps, and complex mechanisms. It was a delicate blend of techniques, one that had likely required a massive investment and remained hidden even from the clan’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This is unbelievable…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had taken longer to reach this subterranean place than it had to walk from his quarters to the park. This depth was unfathomable. After a lengthy descent, the scene that greeted him was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hell itself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could only be described as hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From midway down the staircase, the thick stench of blood filled the air, the smell so sharp it pierced his senses. Poisonous fumes lingered, clinging to every breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of it was the blood of magical beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they reached the bottom, the sight of scattered beast corpses met his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corpses of beasts, both green and blue-ranked, were piled without discrimination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each corpse was of a beast known for its use of poison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some had been dismembered, with skin and internal organs separated, and piles of bones were collected nearby. In some places, only the blood had been drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What were they planning to do with all of this? The Poison King shut his eyes tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Gu Cheolwoon spoke to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you afraid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afraid? The Poison King nodded, admitting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, very much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All his efforts to cleanse his clan’s reputation, striving to secure a place among the righteous factions, seemed to have been in vain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared that the darkness surrounding them had only deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To this, Gu Cheolwoon’s response was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then endure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke plainly. There was no other way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this alone shakes you, then I wouldn’t bother watching.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was rattled by a mere pile of beast corpses, he wouldn’t be able to bear what lay ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King bit his lip at Gu Cheolwoon’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew all too well that among the pools of beast blood here, there was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t only the blood of magical beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was human blood mixed in as well. A considerable amount, at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t merely the end of beasts; many humans had also met their demise in this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he, the clan master, had been completely unaware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon’s voice broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you still able to call yourselves a righteous clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question was sincere, free from mockery or sarcasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a straightforward question, but it pierced painfully deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The space stretched on. They were merely at the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcing himself to continue, the Poison King pushed through his weariness and kept walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several more steps, they reached what appeared to be a larger central area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve arrived?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone was already there. The Poison King widened his eyes at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Gu Young Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man, whose appearance bore traces of Gu Cheolwoon, stood with a fierce expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A youth with a smaller-than-average build for a martial artist, but with an intense presence—Gu Yangcheon was waiting for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the Poison King was about to question how he was here, he noticed someone lying prostrate in front of Gu Yangcheon, trembling violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King recognized the robes and aura of the person lying there. Was it…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Elder Il?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—thud—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to call out, the elderly man began banging his head against the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry. I am nothing but trash… Please, forgive me… I’m sorry…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—thud—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He started expressing his guilt with such intensity that the Poison King, his warriors, and even Gu Cheolwoon looked on in uncomfortable silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon, looking slightly embarrassed, turned to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I got bored waiting, so… I thought I’d coax a confession out of him…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced away as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe I was a bit too harsh. Ha… kind of funny, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Gu Yangcheon attempted a strained smile, no one around him found any humor in it.\u003C\u002Fp>",2359,"2026-06-05T15:10:08.481Z",1,"novelbin.me","3fe7aecf39f32cee8705b21dd4dd82f0a039caca205ebd1200f8c41cf9224284","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-517","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-515",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]