[{"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-537":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},1240363,1667,"Chapter 536","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-537",537,"\u003Cp>\"Did Poison King take the wrong medicine?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only way to make sense of what I had just heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Tang Clan is stepping down from the Four Great Clans?\"\"Yes, it will be officially announced soon.\"\"...Are you insane?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a vague possibility but a certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does that mean you’ve already sent a formal request to the Martial Alliance?\"\"That’s correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t the Martial Alliance demanding it—it was the Tang Clan requesting to step down. They must have formally written to say they wanted to leave their prestigious status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you just leave because you want to?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Four Great Clans is more of a symbolic title than an official position. It simply designates the four most prominent families in Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t something the Tang Clan could simply relinquish on a whim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To this, Poison King replied with a bitter smile.\"Do you think it’s impossible?\"\"...\"\"I believe it can be done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Poison King’s words, a heated wave surged through my previously cold thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Tang, please don’t tell me you wrote everything in that letter?\"\"Not a single word was left out.\"\"Have you lost your mind?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant they had sent a detailed report of everything—the experiments, the incidents, and even the elders’ involvement—to the Martial Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Has he really gone mad?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without doing that, the Martial Alliance would likely send inspectors before long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a precarious situation, instead of concealing the truth, he had handed it over on a silver platter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you trying to destroy your own family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t hold back my words, but Poison King only gave a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How can he laugh in a situation like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now it makes sense why he so brazenly executed the elders without caring about appearances.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t cared about the eyes on him when he beheaded the elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burning himself out to get things done—this must have been the reason behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that’s why.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the beginning, he had intended to dismantle his family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man, the patriarch of a prestigious clan, tearing down his own house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that why Moyong Hee-ah stormed out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recalled Moyong Hee-ah’s hasty exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She must have anticipated this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Moyong family has business ties to the Tang Clan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given their established agreements, the Tang Clan’s collapse would also impact the Moyong family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The balance of power would shift.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fall of the Tang Clan wouldn’t just be its downfall—it would ripple across Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah likely foresaw this and rushed to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The value of the Tang Clan was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when a lesser family collapses, it causes significant disruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were the Tang Clan, the fallout would be catastrophic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which made Poison King’s decision all the more puzzling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Why did you make this choice?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I might have thought the Tang Clan could face ruin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the scale of their crimes, some damage seemed inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for Poison King to willingly destroy his family? That, I hadn’t expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would he do it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were me, I’d never make such a choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison King remained silent for a moment, then met my gaze and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s thanks to your father.\"\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does Father have to do with this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held back my questions, recalling that Poison King had said \"thanks to\" and not \"because of.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He said this to me:After seeing all this, do you still consider yourself righteous?\"\"...\"\"And he was right. This was not the action of a righteous sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t refute that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter the reasons, the Tang Clan’s recent actions were far from those of a righteous sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn’t do those things yourself, did you?\"\"Are you certain of that?\"\"...What do you mean?\"\"Are you certain I didn’t get involved? Can you be sure, Young Master Gu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison King’s sharp gaze pierced through me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creation of the Heavenly Body and the countless atrocities committed to achieve it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could I say with certainty that he had no part in it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t believe he was involved, but I couldn’t be certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading my expression, Poison King gave a faint smile and said,\"I did not participate.\"\"In that case…\"\"Even so, few will believe me. That’s the reality.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he claimed innocence, the circumstances made it unlikely anyone would believe him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And even if I wasn’t involved, I must take responsibility.\"\"Why must you shoulder this responsibility?\"\"Because of what you just said.\"\"What did I say?\"\"I am the head of the Tang Clan.\"\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was calm, almost resigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mix of emotions swirled within his steady tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Until now, I’ve claimed to be the head but have done little. I must do something before it’s too late.\"\"...And that ‘something’ is destroying the family’s reputation?\"\"Haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My sincere words made him chuckle, as if he found them amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stepping down from a title of honor won’t destroy the family.\"\"This land is filled with people who live and die for honor.\"\"That’s true. I was one of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial artists often pursue power for the sake of honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many, earning a title is their life’s dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why they cling to their reputations, living and dying by them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t fault them for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s just how things are.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in a place like this…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you have to discard your honor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there truly a reason for Poison King to take such a path?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Gu.\"\"Yes.\"\"Do you know how to fix a tree whose roots have rotted?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked me in the eye, his lips barely moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze rendered me speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already made his choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must uproot it and plant new seeds.\"\"...So you’re going to tear down the whole tree and start over?\"\"That’s just a metaphor. Surely I won’t uproot everything. Haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Tang Clan’s experiments, abductions, and atrocities were revealed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only would they lose their seat among the Four Great Clans, but they might also be branded as a demonic sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering their origins as an unorthodox sect, it would only be easier to label them as such.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, he chose to proceed. Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because I’m ashamed.\"\"...Ashamed?\"\"I can’t bear the shame. Young Master Gu, I owe my children an apology, but this must be done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because I lacked a conscience, or because all my emotions had dried up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t understand his conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison King suddenly expressed his gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words widened my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Why are you thanking me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know you’re angry because of my daughter.\"\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words made my chest feel heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t realized it myself, but he was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew what would happen to Tang So-yeol once the Tang Clan fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s why I’ve been so frustrated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t something I had consciously acknowledged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I owe my children an apology, but this is my choice.\"\"...Master Tang.\"\"I’ll face much more shame, but this is the only way I can preserve my honor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was telling me not to argue further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I closed my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was nothing more I could say with confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People with unshakable convictions, who tread paths others wouldn’t, always have a way of silencing others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I averted my gaze, Poison King spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Gu, I must ask for your help with my daughter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether he meant to protect her from the fallout or something else, I didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my answer was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Don’t worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If nothing else, this much I could promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing my reply, Poison King smiled and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. That’s all I needed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was casual, as though he’d finally acknowledged me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left Poison King's quarters and began to walk away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t keep someone who had plans of their own tied down, and it was time for me to focus on what I needed to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I should start setting a proper schedule for myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I had already outlined the major tasks, I hadn’t decided on the immediate steps yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, I need to return home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the Gu family came first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Although, if it were up to me, I’d rather go somewhere else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were places like the cave in Guangdong filled with eternal cold iron, or other hidden opportunities I’d identified. It was time to start claiming those one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But doing that right now is unrealistic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many unresolved matters before I could begin seeking out opportunities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, the promise with the Divine Doctor or finding the gemstone for Nahi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above all, however:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need strength.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I needed most was time for serious training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I’m still lacking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after reachingHaegyeongand gaining the additional power from becoming a dragon, it still wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To face Cheonma or the Blood Demon, I needed not only personal strength but also a strong faction to back me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, I couldn’t even react to Amwang’s movements, and reaching the heights of those above me felt like a distant goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need to master the ninth level.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to not only continue practicing theTua Pacheonmutechnique but also elevate theGuyeomhwaryun Gongto the ninth level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father had promised to reveal the truth about Mother only once I reached that level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed time to build my strength. And the best time for that was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Probably now, if ever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the most opportune moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few years, events would start to unfold in rapid succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I ignored the ones I had altered, the major incidents that lay ahead required me to be stronger to handle them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Opportunities alone won’t be enough anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had more than enough external blessings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body was already in peak condition. What was left was for me to hone my skills through sheer effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, it was time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had to return to the Gu family temporarily, I might as well use that time to grow stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought in mind, I returned to my quarters and noticed something unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father, who hadn’t been seen all night, was standing in the yard. And with him was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wi Seol-ah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah was holding my clothes in her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s this…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I entered, their gazes turned toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, Young Master.\"\"What are you doing?\"\"…Um…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my question, Wi Seol-ah quickly hid the clothes behind her back and hesitated before responding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I was just… doing some laundry.\"\"Laundry? Of what? Don’t tell me…\"\"Yes…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I gestured to the clothes, she confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was washing my clothes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wereyouwashing my clothes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I asked, her face began to turn red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pale skin made the flush even more noticeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I… I just remembered something. Before I realized it, I was already…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her embarrassed smile made me furrow my brow without realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She washed my clotheswithout thinking about it? What kind of instinct was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as I searched for the reason, a dull ache filled my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…This feels like it’s my fault.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because I had brought her into the Gu household as a servant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed some strange habits had stuck with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Come to think of it, hasn’t this happened a lot recently?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever I returned from training or going out, my room would be clean, or there’d be a pleasant scent lingering in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You… Have you been cleaning up behind my back too?\"\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I asked, Wi Seol-ah flinched, her face growing even redder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it wasn’t the Tang Clan’s servants after all—it had been her all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why were you doing that?\"\"…I just had some time on my hands…\"\"If you were going to do it, you could’ve said something. What are you, some kind of secret housekeeper?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The important thing was—why had she been doing it secretly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lowered her head at my exasperated tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m sorry…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might have been wrong for her to sneak around, but from my perspective, she had no reason to apologize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t need to apologize. I’m the one who should be thankful. Just… if you do something nice, let me know so I can thank you properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled, reaching out to ruffle her hair, but then stopped when I remembered Father was watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah glanced at my hand, her eyes filled with a hint of disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I forced myself to ignore it and turned to Father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you leaving now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father’s eyebrows twitched slightly at my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did you know?\"\"Know what?\"\"That I was planning to leave.\"\"…Just a feeling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe because I’d been watching him closely lately, I could sense subtle differences in his demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just had a hunch.\"\"…Hmm.\"\"So, what were you talking about with her?\"\"Nothing important.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant he wasn’t going to tell me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Wi Seol-ah for answers, but she avoided my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this about? It was making me uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to press further but decided to let it go for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Anyway, are you really leaving now?\"\"There’s no reason to stay any longer now that my tasks are complete.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, he had fulfilled Poison King’s requests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant he had dealt with all the elders overnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case, why not leave together? I’ll be heading back tomorrow at the latest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the words left my mouth, I surprised myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, I would’ve been thrilled to see him leave, but here I was suggesting we travel together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father seemed just as surprised, his eyes widening slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well… I just thought, you know, since I’m going that way anyway…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I trailed off, trying to sound casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father responded,\"It’s not possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a refusal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Figured as much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Under normal circumstances, it might have been fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father added an unusual explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if I delay any longer, she’ll be furious.\"\"Who?\"\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t answer, but his expression looked troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought I heard him mutter something about “three days being too long,” but I wasn’t sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, it meant he wasn’t coming with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Then I guess I’ll see you at the Gu family estate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was about to give up and bid farewell, Father extended something toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large, calloused hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at him, confused, but he simply stared back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When our silent standoff continued, he finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take it.\"\"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing his intention, I grabbed his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hand was practically swallowed by his much larger one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It occurred to me:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this the first time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t recall ever holding Father’s hand like this before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lasted only a few seconds before he let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll go ahead. Be careful on your way back.\"\"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t he wanted to confirm something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could ask further—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father vanished into flames before my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…He really just left like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An abrupt handshake and he was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbelievable. Showing up suddenly and disappearing just as suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father was as enigmatic as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I laughed wryly, looking down at my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand had been unexpectedly warm. Probably from his flame arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that remained now was a faint warmth and an unnameable emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I brushed my hand off and looked at Wi Seol-ah, who was watching me with her large, expressive eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze seemed to hold a hint of amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was charming, but also…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Annoying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I ruffled her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eek!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her soft squeal was adorable, a sound I hadn’t heard in a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master, please wait!\"\"Who told you to look at me like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After tousling her silky hair for a bit, I stopped, knowing she’d sulk if I went too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping back, I said,\"Let’s get something to eat. I’m hungry.\"\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a while since I felt like having a proper meal with her, and she seemed happy about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s invite the others too. It’ll be nice to eat together.\"\"…Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression darkened slightly at that suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m imagining things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s no way Wi Seol-ah would dislike having a meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nodding lightly, I headed off with her in tow.\u003C\u002Fp>",2694,"2026-06-05T15:10:08.481Z",1,"novelbin.me","451a8ec3b4ec92c73546abc95a1ae78b846242add5ae4c88109fb2aaa49310a1","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-538","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-536",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]