[{"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-572":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},1240522,1667,"Chapter 571","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-572",572,"\u003Cp>I rose to my feet and headed toward the main gate of Wudang.As I approached, a few people noticed me and greeted me warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, Young Master Gu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongpung and Gu Ryeonghwa, along with the Sword Queen, stood there holding some luggage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You arrived early, it seems.”“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, as soon as Ubong Chwigye finished his interrogation,the Sword Queen and the Wudang Sword Saint had concluded their private conversation and wrapped up the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wudang Sword Saint had to move quickly to address the chaos that had unfolded within the sect,and as a result, it was no longer appropriate for guests to linger. We had to leave Wudang promptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My gaze shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Queen was standing a bit further away, speaking with some members of Wudang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by their demeanor—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They must be elders as well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They appeared to be elders who had come on behalf of the Wudang Sword Saint.I made a mental note of them. They seemed like people I might have to meet again someday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Ryeonghwa, who had been standing beside me, called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”“…We’ll be okay, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression, tinged with worry, was amusing. She wanted to appear confident, but she was still young.Noticing this, I tousled her hair lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you so scared of? Just act like you always do.”“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, she would have shrieked and pulled away,but she must have been startled enough to remain still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wudang said there’s no problem. And didn’t your master say everything’s fine too?”“…Yes.”“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There absolutely shouldn’t be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there were any issues, I would burn the problem to ashes.After all, I couldn’t stand seeing this fool cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So, where are you going now, Brother?”“Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I paused for a moment to think.Could I leave immediately? And if so, where should I go?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘According to the current schedule….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, I was supposed to return briefly to my clan.But given the circumstances, there was only one path forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll probably head to Hannan.”“Hannan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Ryeonghwa’s eyes widened in surprise at my answer.And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Gu, does that mean…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongpung, overhearing my words, approached with a gleam in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you planning to participate in the Martial Arts Festival?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shinyong Martial Arts Festival, held in the summer.He was asking if I intended to join it, and I responded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I thought it might be fun.”“Ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongpung’s expression lit up with excitement upon hearing my answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll see you in Hannan later!”“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head at his comment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you going too?”“Yes. I’ve already received permission from the Sect Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he was heading to Hannan as well, it seemed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, I’ll have to go to Sichuan first to prepare for it.”“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Yeongpung’s arms was a relic,the treasuredGui Jeongof Mount Hua, also known as the cherished sword of the Plum Blossom Sword Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he had obtained it after concluding discussions with Wudang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I see.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After glancing briefly at the relic, I looked back at Yeongpung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll see you later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were plenty of things I wanted to say, but I refrained.Maybe it was just my imagination, but my left arm felt slightly warm.I ignored the sensation as best I could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, I simply tightened the hand that had been ruffling Gu Ryeonghwa’s hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You too. Let’s meet again.”“So soon…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if saying goodbye, Gu Ryeonghwa spoke in a surprised tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I replied with a hint of exasperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you expect me to follow you all the way to Sichuan?”“W-Well… it’s only been a few days….”“Then will you come with me?”“…”“Or will you just follow your master quietly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my remark, Gu Ryeonghwa suddenly grabbed the hem of my robe.I glanced down at her, wondering what she was up to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Then, this time… take my letter.”“Ah….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice trembled, her eyes glistening with tears.I scratched my head awkwardly and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I probably wouldn’t, I still gave her a reassuring answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I calmed Gu Ryeonghwa down, the Sword Queen approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s time to leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression didn’t look particularly pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Understandable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, nothing good had come of this situation, and she hadn’t been treated particularly well either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shifted my gaze to the martial artists accompanying the Sword Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were disciples of Wudang.Judging by their condition, I realized their purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah, an escort.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed excessive to escort the Sword Queen, butsince she was carrying a relic returned by Wudang, it made sense for them to provide protection for part of the journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few disciples were likely accompanying her as escorts,though they would probably return partway and not continue to the final destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, it served its purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything happened along the way,Wudang could claim they had done their best to protect the relic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a symbolic gesture, nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A clear show of appearances.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That might have been another reason for the Sword Queen’s sour mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having pieced everything together, I approached the Sword Queen and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, I’ll be leaving first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said casually that I would be departing.The Sword Queen looked at me and replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leaving so soon?”“Yes, I’m a bit busy.”“You don’t have to leave immediately. Why not join us for a meal first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her offer was kind, but I had to decline with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ryeonghwa is… sorry, I have urgent matters to attend to. Next time, perhaps.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no hidden meaning in my refusal.I was genuinely busy.Time was far too tight to linger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps my tone was a bit firm, as the Sword Queen gave a faint, bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see… I suppose there’s no helping it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed disappointed, but she understood that I was in a hurry.Meanwhile, Gu Ryeonghwa still clung to my robe, refusing to let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll visit you next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully, I removed her hands and turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately—or unfortunately—there were no calls for me to stop.Or perhaps, I was just trying hard not to hear them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to focus on moving forward, pretending everything was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for some reason, my steps felt unusually heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving Wudang, some time had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was walking through a cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The collapsed ceiling allowed faint light to seep through—it was moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued walking, stepping through water that had pooled on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dampness must have been the cause of the moss covering the walls. When I touched the surface with my fingers, I could feel the moisture clinging to it, an unpleasant sensation that made me click my tongue in irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch, of all places, why did it have to be somewhere like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geographically, it was somewhere between Hubei and Hannan, not too far from Wudang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I told them to pick a secluded spot, they’d clearly taken it to heart, choosing a place where not a single soul could be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the irritating sound of my steps, I kept moving forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was impossible to know how long this cave had been here.There were countless places like this, none of them particularly remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet every time I found myself in such caves, useless memories resurfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Memories of a day when the rain poured relentlessly,when I carried a bleeding woman on my back, running until my legs felt like they’d tear apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling that day, I found myself smirking unconsciously.Considering how far I had come since then, should I call it a moment of reflection?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought made me let out a hollow laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Too peaceful a word for this kind of situation.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew better than anyone that this wasn’t the time for such sentiments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice called out from behind me.I turned my head, and the first thing I saw was Seong Yul’s characteristic pale face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t said a word the entire time we were moving, and now, he finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”“What exactly are we here for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his question, I allowed myself a small smile.It must have looked odd to him as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To meet someone.”“…Here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul’s expression twisted slightly at my answer.It was a natural reaction—this wasn’t a place where anyone would expect to meet someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t want to meet anyone here either, but there wasn’t much I could do about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They said they’d all be gathered here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others were already assembled. That much was certain.With those words, I began walking again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my fist slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooong—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flow of my energy stirred, sweeping through my body before settling again.It was a precaution to check my condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsurprisingly, I wasn’t in great shape.A single day wasn’t nearly enough for my body to recover, but I needed to confirm where I stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was necessary to calculate my remaining time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At most, two months.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my possession was a letter.It detailed the purpose of diverting the Wudang Sword Saint’s focus and establishing a new Shinyong Corps through the Shinyong Martial Arts Festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were only two months left until the festival began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m about a month short.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it would take three months for my body to fully recover,then I was a month behind schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Two months might bring partial recovery, but…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wouldn’t be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This period was critical, the true beginning of my plans.I had to create the best possible conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only I’d managed things a little better earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The visit to Wudang disrupted everything.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Visiting Wudang hadn’t been part of the original plan.It was supposed to happen in the winter, at the earliest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But it overlapped with Shin Noya’s matters, so I tried to combine them. That was a mistake.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Yeongpung not suddenly claimed to be the successor of the Plum Blossom Sacred Sword,I wouldn’t have diverted my course to Wudang so abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I wouldn’t have ended up with these internal injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It can’t be helped.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was something I had to address.That’s why I’d made the decision to adjust my plans, even at the cost of some strain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, there had been gains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘First, confirmation that Yeongpung’s energy and theGui Jeongheld by Wudang are genuine.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know whyGui Jeongwas in their possession in the first place,but it was undeniably real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was true—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then what about this thing?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this one tied to my left arm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If theirGui Jeongwas genuine, this one must be fake.But if this one were fake, Shin Noya would have recognized it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another possibility came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If there were originally two.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps there had always been twoGui Jeongs.After all, Shin Noya had never explicitly stated there was only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was entirely plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Something still doesn’t add up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many inconsistencies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yeongpung said he heard a voice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He claimed to have heard the voice of Shin Noya’s lingering thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Shin Noya left behind a fragment of his will?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Shin Noya’s lingering will had resided within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Shin Noya hadn’t known why his will had been dormant.So how could he have left a fragment of it elsewhere as a warning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The pieces don’t fit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, something was twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The presence of twoGui Jeongs, the vision Yeongpung experienced,even the energy radiating from him now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything pointed to a distortion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I should have investigated further.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps I should have held onto Yeongpung longer instead of sending him back to Mount Hua so quickly.But I’d had my reasons for letting him go despite knowing better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’ll be at Hannan for the festival anyway.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was another reason.Something about Yeongpung’s reaction when Wudang’sGui Jeonghad rushed toward me…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And that faint energy within him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subtle, acrid sensation that emanated from Yeongpung.It was both familiar and unpleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, I would have kept him nearby for closer inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I couldn’t stay near him right now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something in my instincts warned me against it.Being around Yeongpung at this moment didn’t feel right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he’d be at the festival soon enough, and my schedule was tight,I’d made the unavoidable decision to send him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If only Shin Noya were here, this would’ve been resolved easily.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having that stubborn old man around would have made things simpler.But I could only lament his absence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Who can I blame?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t as if I could pretend otherwise.After all, the reason Shin Noya’s will had vanished…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was my doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, Shin Noya was no longer here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya, his lingering will—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s gone to the afterlife.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the pact we’d made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost in thought, I eventually found myself facing a wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like I’d need to change directions,but instead, I reached out without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooong—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if by magic, my hand passed through the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wall itself was an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, I couldn’t help but chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They really went all out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a barrier technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though it had only been a few days since they’d arrived,they’d already set up such an elaborate barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They really didn’t listen to reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped forward without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooong—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body passed through the wall.The inside wasn’t much different from the outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only notable change—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was deathly quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sound of wind, no droplets falling from the walls—just an eerie, bone-chilling silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broken ceiling allowed moonlight to filter through, creating an ethereal atmosphere.The moss from the entrance had spread even further,and jagged rocks protruded from all around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And atop those rocks—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt the presence of ten gazes silently watching me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three pairs of ordinary eyes.The rest shone in a brilliant violet hue, dazzlingly bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, I opened my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no need for formalities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I skipped the pleasantries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s get straight to the point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, the cave trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like a mixture of killing intent and raw energy swirling together.Violent energy coalesced in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In three months, we…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spoke, my voice calm but dripping with weariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words that followed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…will attack Hannan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—were anything but light.\u003C\u002Fp>",2330,"2026-06-05T15:10:09.877Z",1,"novelbin.me","8ebe6376e4aef960d788520f69febf2e0b3254f3c4c99a20d0e80fd3f3f6aba7","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-573","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-571",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]