[{"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-578":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},1240528,1667,"Chapter 577","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-578",578,"\u003Cp>\"Kyahhh—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piercing scream rang out, sharp enough to stab into one's ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I instinctively turned my head toward the direction of the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t seem to be too far away. Yet, despite the scream, the bustling street remained lively, filled with chatter and movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the midst of this lively chaos, a few others, much like myself, turned toward the source of the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’re all martial artists.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious. Those capable of hearing such a sound amidst the noisy street likely had their sensory perception heightened by martial training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did something happen?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scream like that clearly indicated trouble. However, despite the implications, I found myself largely indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’ll handle it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just any place—it was Hanan, the headquarters of the Alliance. Whatever trouble had arisen, it would be resolved quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, I turned my attention back to Paejon, ready to continue our earlier conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, you were saying—huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I looked to my side, Paejon was nowhere to be found. I glanced around, wondering where he had disappeared to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then I spotted him, walking in the direction of the scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Where are you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I called out, and Paejon tilted his head slightly to glance back at me. His eyes gleamed with a peculiar, unreadable interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know what the most entertaining thing in the world is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watching me make money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answered without hesitation, and Paejon’s face twisted in displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why? That really was the most entertaining thing, wasn’t it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You really have no sense of romance, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help it. My life had been far too grounded in reality for such luxuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what’s the most entertaining thing, then?” I asked flatly, humoring him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon’s lips curled into a smile, clearly pleased that I had asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The most entertaining thing in the world,” he began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is watching other people fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s nothing quite like it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed. His words were clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He wants to go watch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Paejon’s way of saying he absolutely had to see what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for my response, Paejon turned and began walking briskly toward the commotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I followed him, letting out a long sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, we arrived at the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To my surprise, the location was familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the tavern I frequented for their excellent dumplings whenever I was in Hanan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I was planning to stop by anyway.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t expected to visit like this, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious about what could have caused such a scream in an eatery, I peered inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t take long to understand the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A drunken man, his face flushed red from alcohol, had drawn a sword and was pointing it at someone. In the center of the commotion was a trembling woman, tears welling in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You bastard…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man on the left roared, his face twisted in anger. He appeared to be in his forties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by his aura…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Second-rate to first-rate.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a mediocre level but decent enough for a martial artist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn’t be considered weak—unless surrounded by monsters like those here in Hanan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘People at that level often have the worst personalities.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the stage where martial artists hit the wall of their talent and gave up on breaking through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resentment and frustration often consumed them, and they would settle into mediocrity, using their abilities to bully others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This particular level of mastery seemed to breed the worst characters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the troublemakers caught in the martial world fell into this category.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He seems like one of those types.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drunken man radiated that same impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon, observing the scene, let out a small laugh, as if thoroughly amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t the only one reacting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other patrons had already begun murmuring among themselves, their voices a mix of concern and disapproval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t that Muk Doseok?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, it is. Tsk tsk… Is he causing trouble again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by their reactions, Muk Doseok seemed to have quite the infamous reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s it this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See that woman? It’s Misook.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man speaking pointed with his chin toward the trembling woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t tell me—did Muk Doseok harass Misook again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why wouldn’t he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of clicking tongues filled the air. It seemed this wasn’t the first time Muk Doseok had targeted a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So? Did Misook finally snap at him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not. Misook values her life. She’s been putting up with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what happened this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it obvious? Some young martial hero decided to step in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had intervened to protect the woman from Muk Doseok’s harassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrons’ faces filled with worry as they glanced inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is bad… What an unfortunate choice. Going up against Muk Doseok…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to contact the Alliance immediately. If this escalates, blood will be spilled…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their voices were laced with urgency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t wrong—if a first-rate martial artist like Muk Doseok started swinging his sword, the tavern could quickly turn into a battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were worried about the wrong person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Muk Doseok and thought to myself,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That guy’s dead.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real danger wasn’t the young man Muk Doseok was pointing his sword at—it was Muk Doseok himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shifted my gaze to the figure seated at the table, draped in a simple cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cloak concealed his face, making it difficult to gauge his age. Based on his build, he seemed to be a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment I saw him, I knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s Hwagyeong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man had surpassed perfection and reached the level of Hwagyeong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Muk Doseok realized this or not, he glared at the cloaked figure, shouting with fiery eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you mock me!? Do you have a death wish!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cloaked man slowly stood up in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scrrrrrr…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his movements had been concealed while seated, it was clear once he stood—his physique was massive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have not mocked you,” he said, his deep voice belying his youth. He couldn’t be too old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Doseok sneered, baring his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think it’s not mockery to block my path? Who do you think you are!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I simply couldn’t ignore you forcing yourself on someone who said no.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bastard…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Doseok ground his teeth at the calm reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What right do you have to interfere? Is that woman your fiancée or something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, his expression shifted, as though he had realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, so that’s it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze turned toward Misook, the trembling woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve been seeing this guy behind my back, haven’t you? That’s why!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-no! I’ve never met him before today…!” Misook cried out, her voice tinged with desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Muk Doseok didn’t seem to believe her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why you didn’t fall for me, huh? You’ve been toying with me this whole time!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How he arrived at that conclusion was beyond me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to his nonsense was infuriating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a shame.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wished I were the one standing in that spot. If I had been, I would’ve ripped his tongue out before he could finish his nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As that thought crossed my mind, I recalled what Paejon had said earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watching fights is the most entertaining thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oddly enough, I was beginning to agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How well I’ve treated you, and this is how you play with me?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Doseok, his fury boiling over, began shouting at the woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make matters worse, he gripped his sword tightly, moving as if he was about to do something to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kyahhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the terrified woman screamed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man caught Muk Doseok’s arm mid-swing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Doseok turned, startled, to stare at the youth holding his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the point of tormenting the weak? Please calm yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the young man was trying to diffuse the situation peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were me…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’d have ripped his arm off.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would have yanked his arm clean off without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This display of restraint was incomprehensible to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, likely, even more so to Muk Doseok.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bastard…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, he should have realized that this opponent wasn’t someone to be trifled with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But whether it was the alcohol clouding his judgment or his own arrogance, he seemed completely blind to reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, then! I’ll kill you first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Doseok twisted his body, throwing a punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy in that punch carried killing intent—it was clear he truly intended to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing someone, here in the heart of Hanan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quite bold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even drunk, I had to admit, the audacity was impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But audacity alone doesn’t make things go your way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Muk Doseok’s fist flew toward him, the young man muttered softly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I apologize. I hope you understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words were quiet, but I heard them clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gurk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man’s hand struck Muk Doseok squarely in the chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Doseok’s body was sent flying, crashing through the air before rolling across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he managed to struggle to his feet briefly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough… guh… urgh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thud, he collapsed, vomiting bile a few times before passing out entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Muk Doseok hit the ground, the bustling murmurs of the surrounding crowd fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the sound of breathing seemed to vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the tavern settled into a hushed stillness, the young man moved cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He approached the trembling woman, her eyes wide with shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My apologies for causing such a disturbance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A-ah… no, it’s…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem very shaken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man spoke gently, addressing her while pulling something from his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a silver coin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is for the cost of the meal and to atone for the commotion. I hope you can forgive me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Placing the coin firmly in her hand, he turned and walked out of the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he passed by me, I stole a sidelong glance at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was mostly obscured by the cloak he wore, but faintly, through the shadows, I caught sight of golden eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, those eyes met mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We held that gaze for only a second before—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft gust of wind swept by, and the young man’s presence vanished entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t until then that the onlookers, who had been holding their breath, exhaled and began to murmur again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What on earth just happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What was that…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd surged with whispered questions and slowly began inspecting the scene inside the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, my thoughts lingered on the motion the young man had used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief movement—a strike to the chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had seemed like such a simple action, yet something about it stuck in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shifted my gaze to the table where the young man had been sitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were half-eaten dumplings and dishes still left there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the scene, I couldn’t help but think deeply about what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside me, Paejon chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you going to follow him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon had noticed that I was bothered by something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go. The Divine Doctor will still be asleep for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Didn’t you say you had something to discuss with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That can wait. Better to go and satisfy your curiosity than stand here with that sour look on your face. It’s ruining my mood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of contemplation, I turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. I’ll be back shortly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever was bothering me, I had to resolve it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially in a situation like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the forest near Hanan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a secluded forest path, some distance from the main town. The area was rarely visited, as few ventured into this isolated woodland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone landed softly on the ground. It was the young man who had caused the commotion at the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hoo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catching his breath, the young man surveyed the surroundings before finally relaxing. He exhaled deeply and removed the cloak he had been wearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the pale moonlight, his bald head gleamed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat beaded on his scalp, giving it a slight sheen, and he casually wiped it with a cloth, as if accustomed to this routine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a shame,” he muttered, his voice tinged with disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, it was a shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I barely got to take a single bite…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tavern had been a hard-won find, one he had sneaked out to visit in secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been looking forward to savoring the food, filled with anticipation. But to have it end like this…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was disheartening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Well, I suppose it was time to leave anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to console himself, he looked off into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given how tight his schedule was, he would have had to leave soon regardless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was how he rationalized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Next time. Next time, for sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded, as if resolving to savor his next meal with more leisure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he prepared to move again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was just thinking…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice came from behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, the young man turned his head sharply toward the source of the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dense, shadowy forest, surrounded by trees, nothing was visible beyond the darkness. But someone was speaking from within that obscurity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who’s there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beads of sweat formed on the young man’s brow as he stared into the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can let it slide when a Wudang monk eats meat. Barely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice grew clearer as the figure stepped forward, tone dripping with disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But a bald monk stuffing his face with meat? That’s pushing it a bit far, don’t you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emerging from the darkness was a man clad in black martial robes, his eyes sharp and predatory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed at the young man with a look of disbelief and spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you think that’s a little too much, Monk?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the young man—Yu Yeon, the Divine Dragon—grimaced deeply, his expression twisting in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>",2323,"2026-06-05T15:10:09.877Z",1,"novelbin.me","9b90c483a1d87344fbfaa2c2df4ce3626ffb723d27b29c8d8b6ed7af23948fc7","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-579","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-577",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]