[{"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-564":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},1240514,1667,"Chapter 563","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-564",564,"\u003Cp>It was around the time when two years had passed since I began my training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A year had passed since I awakened theMind’s Eye (Siman).At the same time, I was in the midst of mastering the third form ofTua Pacheonmu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And alongside that…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a year had already passed since I started receiving training from my father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The training halls of the Gu family were mostly constructed of stone, not wood.The reason was simple—any mistake could easily set the entire place ablaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it was possible to control the flames and prevent ignition after gaining mastery,situations where that level of control was impossible still occurred.The stone construction was a precaution for such moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now was exactly one of those moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames surged violently, filling the training hall.The sparks scattered and began to heat the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Grrr…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low groan escaped my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compressing these unruly flames into a single focal point was no simple task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already experienced something similar while practicingFlame Jade (Yeomok),but this was on an entirely different level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t merely about compression and rotation.It also required maintaining the formed energy independently after completion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Maintaining this... what madness.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>MyNaegiwas being drained continuously.Even though the amount of energy stored within me was far beyond normal,half of it—no, more than half—was being consumed just to create this single form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Months had passed as I repeated this process countless times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, the result was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barely-formed orb of energy cracked and, shortly after, exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light burst out in all directions.The explosion was immense, owing to the sheer amount of compressedNaegi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If left unchecked, the entire training hall—and possibly more—would have been obliterated.But fortunately, such a disaster did not occur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was because someone capable of containing it was present in the training hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosion collided with a barrier of energy enveloping the training hall, preventing it from spreading further.Even such a tremendous explosion couldn’t penetrate the thin barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the violent aftereffects gradually subsided…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Another failure, it seems.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned my head toward the source of the heavy voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner of the energy barrier shielding the training hall—Gu Cheolwoon, patriarch of the Gu family and my father—was standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I withdrew my energy and replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Indeed. It’s not easy.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many attempts had it been?It was too late to count now. By days, it had been exactly six months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I could say was that I had been trying with insane determination during that time.And yet, I had not succeeded even once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That is to be expected.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at me, my father spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You have yet to reach the proper state. This is the natural result.][...Yes, that’s true.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had yet to reach the necessary state.There was no statement more accurate than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>AsShin Noyahad once said,what I was attempting now was within the realm ofSim-sang—pure intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a realm of transcendence,where only the power of the mind could be wielded, independent ofNaegi.Even if one mastered a martial art to perfection and became one with it,reaching this level would still be uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, despite knowing this, I persisted in trying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wiped the sweat dripping from my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The repeated process of compressing and rotating energy all day had left me drenched in cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Will you continue this?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father asked me.Would I keep going?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Of course.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I replied without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, my father’s eyebrows twitched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Why?][...Pardon?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was taken aback. I hadn’t expected such a question from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Why do you insist on continuing? As I said, this is beyond your reach.][Hmm…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t directly call it pointless,the implication was clear—it was an inefficient and foolish endeavor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attempting something beyond my current level was a waste of effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Then why, Father, are you helping me?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to ask him that in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Even after I asked for your help, you agreed to it so readily.][…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six months ago, I had gone to my father and made a direct request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, in the Tang Clan, I had seen that power.I told him that I wanted to learn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, my father had looked at me with a puzzled expression,but he hadn’t refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, six months later, here we were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to my expectations, my father had been intensely focused on teaching me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had asked, thinking I’d be rejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Because you asked.][Is that truly the only reason? Even though you said it was impossible?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because you asked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was such a simple and absurd reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that were the case, why hadn’t he done this sooner?That thought crossed my mind, but I quickly brushed it aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Besides... I don’t think I’ve done enough to declare this impossible yet.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That damned teacher of mine once said,\"If it doesn’t work, keep trying until it does.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it still didn’t work,it was likely because I hadn’t put in enough effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, I wouldn’t have a reason to give up until I had tried enough to convince myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, I thought it was nonsense.But after being forced to live that way, my perspective changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you try, you’ll find a way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time was no different.I would keep going until it didn’t work. That was my resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father’s expression remained as indifferent as ever.By now, even that had become familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to resume training, his voice stopped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Why do you insist on achieving this?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was I forcing myself to endure this?Why was I going through all this, even enduring beatings fromPaejon, to acquire this power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I briefly pondered, but the answer was simpler than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Because I need it.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this power was something I needed right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[There’s something I have to do, and the power you showed me is exactly what I need.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still vividly remembered that power I had seen in the Tang Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A presence that devoured everything around it and shone alone like a small sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that power belonged toGuyeomhwarungong,then I wanted to obtain it, no matter what.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I had asked my father for help—something I had never done before.Even knowing it was beyond my current abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I began to draw upon myNaegionce again, my father spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If that’s the case, your approach is wrong.][What?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally said something he had never mentioned before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Your perception is flawed. You need to fix it.][What do you mean?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at him with a puzzled expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If you truly wish to grasp even a fragment of it, you must change your perspective.][What…?][You are not me.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words widened my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because they revealed something profound,but because they were so obviously true that they startled me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was not my father. That was an undeniable fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing my dumbfounded face, my father continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Only by truly recognizing that difference can you hope to touch even the edge of it.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t argue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike that old manPaejon, my father didn’t say meaningless things.I believed there was a reason for his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in truth...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After focusing on his advice during my training, a few months later...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was finally able to touch, even just slightly, the edge of what I sought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked up at the sky.A small orb floated at the center of the blackened space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every light illuminating the surroundings radiated from that orb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hwarunseong (Fire Wheel Star).’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The miniature sun I had seen in the Tang Clan.Its brilliance not only lit up the area but also disrupted surrounding presences, concealing my own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also the power I had painstakingly mastered over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding area shimmered in a vivid blue glow.TheHwarunseongshone intensely, emanating its presence with unparalleled brilliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was an issue…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Visually, it didn’t seem much different from my father’sHwarunseong, aside from its color.But in essence, it was its complete opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If my father’sHwarunseongconsumed presences, erasing the user’s existence,my version ofHwarunseongserved the opposite purpose—to amplify my presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A force opposite to the original intent ofHwarunseong.It couldn’t be helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…It’s the nature of a crude imitation.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rotation invoked during the casting ofHwarunseongwas meant for absorption.It swallowed the user’s presence, imprisoning it within the sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the essence of the power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But for someone like me, who hasn’t reached the realm ofSim-sang, this is the only way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I halted the rotation and focused solely on maintaining its form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, instead of absorbing presences, it amplified mine instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, it was an incomplete, half-baked power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This works even better.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironically, I preferred it this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amplifying my presence and engraving it onto my opponent—it diverged fromHwarunseong’s original purpose, but for me, this power was perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it became a flawed, partial force due to my lack of mastery,it turned out to be more advantageous for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps my father had anticipated this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TheHwarunseongI used and the one my father wielded were fundamentally different.Maybe that was why he had told me to grasp that distinction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That I could only use it once I understood the difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lowered my gaze from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of me stood an old man with a deeply furrowed brow—Yu Baek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a delightfully flustered expression.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First came the massive brute attempting to assert dominance.Then Tang Deok laying the groundwork with his theatrics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally, my entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The darkened space created usingBlack Sky (Heukcheon),and within it, the shiningHwarunseongamplifying my presence and radiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just from this, Yu Baek must have been thinking the same thing:this opponent was no ordinary threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted him to think that.It seemed my intention had been conveyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Yu Baek and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem to be less talkative than expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reverting to the manner of speech I used in my previous life felt like thorns pricking my tongue,but I had to endure it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even though I introduced myself first, it seems that wasn’t enough for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped forward as I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because I had usedHwarunseongbeyond my capabilities, the recoil was evident in my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I didn’t show it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TheCheonmaas I envisioned him wouldn’t let such things show.For that, I clenched my teeth and endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued walking.With every step, I could sense it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I took another step, I would enter Yu Baek’s attack range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even knowing this, I advanced without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite my entering his range, Yu Baek didn’t swing his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was observing me, gauging the situation.The surrounding circumstances must have made it hard for him to judge clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You call yourself theCheonma, do you?”“That’s right. I am theCheonma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was likely an unfamiliar title for him,but upon hearing the name, Yu Baek furrowed his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’ve heard the rumors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have known about the stories gradually spreading across Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They speak of someone attacking the regional branches of the Martial Alliance.The culprit claims to call himself theCheonma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, I let out a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha-ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I laughed deliberately, letting him know—even behind the mask—that I was amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, that’s you, then?”“It seems you have sharp ears. I commend you.”“…What is your goal? Why attack the Martial Alliance, and what gives you the audacity to step foot in Wudang?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoo-woosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A roar erupted from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was imbued withDo-gi, likely an attempt to rouse the nearby martial artists from the suppression of myDragon Speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grrr…!”“Elder… please…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t enough to dispel myDragon Speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this, I made a mental note.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with such intensity, my suppression wasn’t easily broken.This was an unexpected benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A goal, you say…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feigning contemplation, I stroked my chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sensation of the mask was faintly irritating,but I dismissed it and broke the brief silence to speak to Yu Baek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do I need a goal?”“…What?”“It seems you are mistaken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I extended my arm, entering the distance where I could easily strike him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And from that range, I spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wudang is nothing but an ant hill.”“…!”“Whatever you’re imagining, do you truly think I would be afraid of coming here?”“You insolent…!!”“How laughable, old man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued as Yu Baek’s face twisted even further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you tremble with fear at the sight of ants crawling on the ground?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I finished speaking—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Baek swung his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was fast.Not only because I was already within his range,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but also because a sword wielded by a Wudang Elder moved far faster than sound.Under normal circumstances, reacting to it would have been nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things would have turned out differently if he had been watching from the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Baek was staring at his own wrist, now firmly gripped before he could even swing his sword properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You asked what my purpose is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Baek’s eyes trembled as he listened to the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll answer you, you incompetent fool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I drew upon theMagiwithin me as I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I simply wished to see it for myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surgingMagiflowed from my heart and seeped into my body.Soon, it climbed to my shoulders and began to rise like a heat haze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Nine Great Sects that claim to hold Zhongyuan together…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The haze grew larger, shooting toward the sky as it expanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the Martial Alliance’s Leader, who now rots Zhongyuan from the inside out…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I unleashed my energy, my body screamed in protest. Honestly, even just maintainingHwarunseongwas already pushing me to my limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And this place called Wudang, under his care. That’s why I, theCheonma, graced this place with my presence. Yet…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I loosened my grip on his wrist, deliberately leaving room for him to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack!Yu Baek quickly pulled his hand back and spun his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Energy whirled around him as he moved, sharp and violent. Truly fitting for someone counted among Zhongyuan’s Hundred Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looking at you now, I see… this place isn’t even worth observing. It’s trash.”“You dare insult Wudang, you insolent fool!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had seen Yu Hyeok’s swordsmanship before.Yu Baek’s style was far more refined and polished compared to that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade, infused withDo-gi, traced an elegant yet precise path, unlike the roughness of his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The refinedDo-giflowed along the sword, forming a single star as it expanded.The stars blossoming from the sword path gathered together, forming a galaxy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as an observer, the swordsmanship was stunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I didn’t think highly of Wudang itself, I could respect the beauty of their swordsmanship.Which only made it more regrettable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such beautiful swordsmanship—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could be shattered with a single, light gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh—!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Yu Baek’s sword followed its trajectory to completion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TheMind’s Eye (Siman)that I had awakened captured every intention behind his movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flow was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps due to Yu Baek’s high mastery, the sword path was unwavering and vividly displayed its trajectory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made it even easier to counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I had to do was reach out to disrupt the path it intended to follow.The sword path twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body, which had been poised to strike, was thrown off balance from the rebound.An opening, previously nonexistent, suddenly appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Baek quickly adjusted his body, aware of the gap, attempting to conceal it.But it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even that movement was plainly visible to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body had already acted. My right hand firmly grabbed Yu Baek by the collar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a fleeting thought crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I drag this out and make a show of it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I prolong the battle to demonstrate more?Or should I end it right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conclusion came as quickly as the thought.Dragging it out wasn’t an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Wudang Sword Saint arrived, things would become troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoo—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind began to gather in my left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeech—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy flowed from my heart, coursing through my meridians as it spun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp, blade-like energy tearing through my body brought pain, but I ignored it.By now, I was accustomed to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stomped forward half a step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tremor spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My center of gravity was firmly anchored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I twisted my waist slightly, controlling the recoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might have seemed like a simple movement, but there was no room for error.TheMind’s Eyedidn’t just observe my opponent—it also reflected upon my own body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I adjusted my movements to follow the visible line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if waiting for the right moment, the wind surged through my body and into my arm, coalescing at my fingertips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tua Pacheonmu. Second Form.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Bi E Cheon Kwon (Heaven-Cleaving Fist).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gathered storm struck Yu Baek’s chest with devastating force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh—?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Baek’s body let out a faint groan—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before being shredded into pieces by the explosive force of compressed energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________________________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TL Notes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Techniques:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>심안 (Siman)—Mind’s Eye\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>심상 (Sim-sang)—Realm of Intent\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>투아파천무 (Tua Pacheonmu)—Tua Pacheonmu\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>화륜성 (Hwarunseong)—Fire Wheel Star\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>흑천 (Heukcheon)—Black Sky\u003C\u002Fp>",2811,"2026-06-05T15:10:09.877Z",1,"novelbin.me","660c9bad4f67e4112780d392512b5852ea67674e314c3a81853a7ce47f061622","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-565","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-563",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]