[{"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-549":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},1240375,1667,"Chapter 548","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-549",549,"\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blade wrapped in sword energy sliced through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shraaak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no respite in the relentless attacks, and the number of blades was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paths of the swords seemed chaotic at first glance. But within that apparent disorder lay an undeniable rhythm and purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refined coordination, honed through years of grueling training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Movements aimed at cutting off the opponent’s escape and delivering decisive punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of martial artists from the Martial Alliance moved in perfect unison, all for the sake of capturing one man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By all accounts, the situation should have been impossible to withstand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, astonishingly, the lone figure they targeted held his ground with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this unfold, Wi Seok, the branch leader of the Martial Alliance in Guangdong and a master at theHwa-Kyunglevel, furrowed his brows in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What... is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the chaotic scene, one martial artist was sent flying into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!Boom, boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One after another, members of the Alliance fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What kind of...?!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok’s eyes widened as he tried to comprehend the spectacle before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like a typhoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A storm of blades raged, yet the lone man at its center remained unnervingly calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the eye of the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s swordsmanship was dazzlingly precise and efficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The martial artists sent against him weren’t amateurs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guangdong was a region notorious for its bandits and heretics, and these men were trained to handle both criminals and even monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their skills were far from lacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on reports from Seo Dong, Wi Seok had carefully selected warriors, estimating the target to be at leastHwa-Kyunglevel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had brought only peak-level martial artists, leaving out anyone below first-class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them were two squad leaders at theDaejulevel and himself, aHwa-Kyungmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This lineup could overpower even a seasoned clan leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, their target stood unaffected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiiiing!The swords surged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They tried to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One attacker suddenly lost his grip on his blade as a mysterious force struck him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He collapsed, eyes rolling back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he hit the ground, two others rushed forward from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They met the same fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah!”“Argh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their blades veered off course, their movements disrupted. They were flung away, landing unconscious in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every single person who fell was rendered utterly helpless, incapacitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle had barely lasted a fraction of a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh…”“Ugh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once-wide plain was now filled with the groans of the fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swords lay embedded in the ground or scattered carelessly across the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok stared at the scene in stunned silence, his face a mixture of shock and disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his subordinates lay writhing in pain, the young man at the center of it all stood unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was holding the collar of one of the attackers, who dangled limply in his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without so much as a drop of sweat on his brow, the young man casually glanced around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked, his tone mocking as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tired already? You must’ve been exhausted to lie down this quickly. Isn’t that right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok didn’t respond. He was too busy trying to make sense of the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is bad.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a short span of time, so many skilled warriors had been incapacitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s more—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’re all still breathing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they were groaning in pain, not a single one of them was dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man had subdued every single one without taking a life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the young man let go, the one whose collar he had been holding crumpled to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, on the battlefield, only Wi Seok and the young man remained standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok couldn’t help but feel a cold dread creeping over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is different.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man’s youthful appearance was already striking, but his aura was unnervingly alien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then there was his combat style—it spoke volumes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I couldn’t engage.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the chaos of the battle, Wi Seok had been unable to step in to assist his subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t because he was merely watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He didn’t let me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man had orchestrated the entire flow of the battle, deliberately preventing Wi Seok from interfering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this, Wi Seok had watched helplessly as his men were defeated one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How is that possible?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To maintain control in such a chaotic scenario required an extraordinary level of experience in handling multiple opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping the sweat from his brow, Wi Seok finally broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Gu Yangcheon smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want to ask me something in this situation? Interesting guy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Gwonjeokma Domungang.”“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the name, Gu Yangcheon tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you kill him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon mulled it over. Domungang...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory came back to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That guy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man he had killed a few days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s what his name was.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man who had been lingering near the storage cave Gu Yangcheon had been targeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cave contained the rareThousand-Year Cold Iron, one of the reasons Gu Yangcheon had come to this region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled a brief skirmish with Domungang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Turned out he was a heretic. I think he called himself one of the Five Demonic Kings.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon hadn’t thought much of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If he was one of them, he wasn’t impressive.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Gu Yangcheon’s assessment, Domungang hadn’t lived up to the title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Gu Yangcheon’s nonchalant reaction, Wi Seok swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…As I suspected.”“How’d you figure?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon didn’t seem intent on hiding anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Domungang’s sudden death a few days ago, coupled with the appearance of someone as skilled as you in the same region, seemed too coincidental.”“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon nodded, finally understanding Wi Seok’s reasoning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s why you brought all this firepower?”“…As I said before, I merely wanted to invite you politely.”“But if I said no, you were going to force me, weren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok didn’t answer this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his sword, pointing it directly at Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is your purpose…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon chuckled, his tone dripping with mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re funny, old man. Your side tried to drag me away, and now you’re asking about my purpose?”“This situation is one you orchestrated yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, Gu Yangcheon’s smirk disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short exclamation escaped Gu Yangcheon as he narrowed his eyes at Wi Seok.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What makes you think that?\"\"I read the report filed by one of my subordinates. It mentioned a master capable of taming demonic beasts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok glanced briefly at Seo Dong, who lay unconscious nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It also noted that you seemed to be searching for information on a notorious murderer causing a ruckus lately.\"\"And?\"\"I didn’t think too deeply about it at first, but now I find it puzzling.\"\"What’s so puzzling?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok swallowed dryly, locking his gaze on Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why did you let my subordinate file that report without killing him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon said nothing, merely listening as Wi Seok continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That information—about the death of Gu Gwonjeokma and the appearance of a mysterious master like yourself, someone searching for a murderer and carrying a monster capable of devouring Red-Rank demonic beasts—is not something most would leave others alive to report. You could have easily killed him after extracting what you needed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok’s eyes narrowed as he voiced his suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you perhaps intend for that information to reach me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed as though this was all orchestrated for Wi Seok to take notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s response was a smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re smarter than you look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lack of denial only made Wi Seok more uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly is your purpose?\"\"Purpose, huh…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon casually rolled his shoulders as if loosening up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Originally, I planned to visit the Guangdong branch of the Martial Alliance before I left.\"\"You intended to visit my branch?\"\"That’s right. I had business there.\"\"What kind of business…?\"\"But it turned out I didn’t need to. That business showed up right in front of me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Gu Yangcheon spoke, he raised a hand and pointed at something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok flinched when he realized what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s finger was directed at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You’re saying I’m your business?\"\"Not quite. More like a pit stop along the way.\"\"Why…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok asked, confusion etched on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no reason to be targeted by someone like Gu Yangcheon.He couldn’t recall anything that would warrant such attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do we really need to talk about this any further?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s tone grew sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At this point, there’s only one thing you need to do, isn’t there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok bit his lip as a chilling thought surfaced in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s been a story circulating within the Alliance,\" he began cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A rumor from just a week ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon raised a brow, curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What story?\"\"The news that certain key members of the Martial Alliance across Zhongyuan have been assassinated.\"\"Oh? Now that’s an interesting tale.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Gu Yangcheon appeared entertained, Wi Seok frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you the one responsible?\"\"What do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a step forward, Gu Yangcheon closed some of the distance between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok immediately gathered his energy, his mind cooling and focusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After witnessing the earlier battle, he knew better than to let his guard down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Whatever his intent, I can’t afford to retreat.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiiing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fierce aura engulfed Wi Seok’s blade as he unleashed his energy, the pressure radiating outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no time to hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he acted earlier alongside his subordinates, things might have been different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, he had to give it his all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Go for his lower body.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deciding on his target, Wi Seok moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword arced through the air—but before it could reach its mark—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok’s arm twisted unnaturally, his joint shattered before he could even complete the motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon had closed the gap and destroyed his attack in a single move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urgh…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as pain coursed through him, Wi Seok adjusted his grip, switching his blade to his other hand and attempting another strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could follow through, Gu Yangcheon neutralized him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A devastating blow to his chest sent Wi Seok collapsing to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gah…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok’s body hit the ground. Blood trickled from his lips as he gasped for air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just one exchange, he was left utterly broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guh…ah….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok stared up at Gu Yangcheon with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon, standing tall, gazed down at him with a cold indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Earlier, you asked why you were my target.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok coughed, struggling to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t hold any particular grudge against you as you are now,\" Gu Yangcheon said, his tone almost casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He crouched slightly, locking eyes with Wi Seok.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s your past self I’m interested in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok’s voice came out in broken gasps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wha…what are…you talking about…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s golden eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you know? About three years from now, there’ll be a war. And in that war, you’ll command a fairly competent unit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think it was called the Seolhwa Unit. They did pretty well, thanks to a decent squad leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s voice was light, almost playful, but the weight of his words left Wi Seok suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But then they betrayed us. And in the process, a woman leading the front lines was stabbed and left to die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok’s breathing grew ragged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I carried her on my back as she bled out. Ran like a madman through pouring rain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s voice dropped, his expression darkening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even now, just thinking about it makes my blood boil.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory was burned into him, an indelible scar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s why I wanted to see you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok’s lips trembled as he tried to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s…impossible….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, Gu Yangcheon’s fist smashed into Wi Seok’s head, silencing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seok’s lifeless body crumpled to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon wiped the blood from his knuckles onto his clothes and stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he turned and walked toward the fallen figures, stopping in front of one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nudged someone with his foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know you’re awake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure he nudged flinched—it was Seo Dong, who had only just regained consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down at him, Gu Yangcheon spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t try to get up. Just listen.\"\"P-please…spare me….\"\"I’m not going to kill you, so stop whining. I’m still talking, so don’t interrupt, or I’ll have to silence you permanently.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seo Dong clamped his mouth shut in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just killed your branch leader,\" Gu Yangcheon said matter-of-factly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seo Dong froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, what do you think you should do now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Seo Dong didn’t answer, Gu Yangcheon encouraged him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can answer that one.\"\"I…I’ll never tell anyone…! I’ll stay silent forever…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sounded genuinely annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re supposed to be part of the noble Martial Alliance, aren’t you? Follow protocol. File a proper report.\"\"What…what do you mean…?\"\"You’re good at reports, aren’t you? Write everything down. Detail what you saw today and file it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon leaned closer, his voice low and deliberate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And under ‘perpetrator’s name,’ write this:Cheonma.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seo Dong shuddered violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s the reason I’m letting you live. Don’t forget it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for a response, Gu Yangcheon struck the back of Seo Dong’s neck, knocking him out cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, there was no one left conscious in the field except for Gu Yangcheon and Seong Yul, who had been silently observing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like we’re done here,\" Gu Yangcheon muttered, brushing himself off as he turned toward Seong Yul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning against a tree, Seong Yul’s eyes were wide with disbelief, unable to process what he had just witnessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The field was littered with groaning or unconscious bodies, with Gu Yangcheon standing amidst the carnage as if it were nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Gu Yangcheon’s gaze landed on him, Seong Yul instinctively flinched, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey,\" Gu Yangcheon called out casually, his voice cutting through the heavy silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul jumped slightly, startled by the sudden address.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s your name?\" Gu Yangcheon asked, his tone disinterested, almost lazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul hesitated, his mind racing, unsure of why this terrifying man wanted to know. After a moment, he managed to stammer out a response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yul… Seong Yul.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon tilted his head, his lips curling into a faint smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seong Yul, huh?\" He chuckled, shaking his head. \"What an innocent-sounding name. Doesn’t suit you at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Gu Yangcheon turned and began walking away. After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and glanced over his shoulder at Seong Yul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing? Get up and follow me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul froze, unsure if he had heard correctly. Follow him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his hesitation, Gu Yangcheon raised an eyebrow and added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unless you’d rather I break your legs and carry you? Your choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The threat sent a chill down Seong Yul’s spine. Swallowing hard, he slowly pushed himself to his feet, his body trembling as he complied.\u003C\u002Fp>",2488,"2026-06-05T15:10:08.481Z",1,"novelbin.me","010ba2d91f1edb87b291b94629de5d96baf50ae7fb0c983be4abf308e5d3f943","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-550","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-548",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]