[{"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-579":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},1240529,1667,"Chapter 578","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-579",579,"\u003Cp>A Martial Artist Known as Gui Seung (鬼僧).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once belonged to Cheonra Heukmangdae, a direct unit under Cheonma, even before the formation of the Guichal Sword Unit led by the Sword Demon (Geomma).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fearsome executioner of his era, Gui Seung had earned a reputation for his ruthless deeds. Yet, I had little personal connection with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when Gui Seung was active as a demonic martial artist, I had only just fallen under Cheonma’s control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, I hadn’t yet joined or been assigned to any unit, and so I had never crossed paths with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before he became a demonic martial artist, we had never met face to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I was an incompetent idiot back then, while he…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was among the brightest stars of his generation, hailed as one of the most talented martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was Gui Seung—or rather—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I call him the Divine Dragon (Shinryong) now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together with Jang Seon-yeon, he was a rising hope of the orthodox factions, lauded as Shaolin’s miracle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, I was a disgrace to my family and a thug of Shanxi. We were in entirely different leagues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, here he stood before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked directly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the moonlight, his gleaming bald head caught my eye first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath it, his faintly glowing yellow eyes, his solid build, and his height—just shy of seven feet—stood out. His physique was powerful and well-trained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at his body alone, I could tell—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A martial artist specializing in external techniques.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His frame showed signs of rigorous physical training. As a martial artist from Shaolin, external techniques would naturally be his forte.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Seeing him like this is fascinating.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never expected to meet him like this, in such a peculiar situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To stand face to face like this felt surreal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Miracle of Shaolin.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also known as the Last Divine Dragon or the Ultimate Genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was known by many titles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I had no reason to dispute any of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Because they’re all true.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, those titles might even fall short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if his selection as the Divine Dragon had involved some political maneuvering by Shaolin and the Alliance, his abilities spoke for themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He was more than qualified to become the Divine Dragon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A martial artist capable of reaching the Hwagyeong (Realm of Transformation) in his twenties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had more than earned his titles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back, I recalled something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s about the same age as me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps a year or two older, at most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To achieve Hwagyeong at such an age was enough to warrant being called one of the greatest geniuses in history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I had reached Hwagyeong at a younger age…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m an exception.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t matter if he was called the youngest in history or the ultimate genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had I not existed, those titles would have belonged to him anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at it that way, it was rather strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘With his abilities, they wouldn’t have needed to resort to underhanded tricks.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From what I could see now, Shaolin and the Alliance wouldn’t have needed political schemes to place him in the position of Divine Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would have qualified naturally, based purely on his merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that such schemes had been employed suggested there was more to the story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it even tied into—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why he abandoned Shaolin and fell.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there a connection between his defection and the underhanded tactics?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I often wondered about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no way to know for sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time I emerged into the world as a demonic martial artist, Gui Seung had already been killed by other Shaolin warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I heard it took dozens of elite martial artists from the Alliance and Shaolin to kill him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even then, nearly half of their forces were wiped out in the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Curious.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at the Divine Dragon with genuine intrigue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had driven him to become a demonic martial artist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though curiosity bubbled within me, now wasn’t the time to ask such questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, I decided to steer the conversation elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem to like meat,” I remarked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon’s expression immediately soured, his face wrinkling in annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fair enough. Asking a monk about his apparent love of meat wasn’t exactly polite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He did eat it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had seen him. At the tavern earlier, he had been eating dumplings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well… I hadn’t actually seen him eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But I saw the leftovers.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was evidence enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The dumplings there are good, I’ll admit. But I never thought they’d be good enough to tempt a monk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The idea of food so delicious that it could make even a monk break his vows amused me. It seemed like great marketing material for the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled as I spoke, and finally, the Divine Dragon opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not sure what you mean, benefactor…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His earlier annoyance was gone, replaced by a serene and composed expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, I see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s going to feign ignorance.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no concrete proof, he intended to deny everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately for him, I had proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s the case, you should’ve wiped the grease off your mouth first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, the Divine Dragon froze, then hurriedly wiped his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pressed on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And there’s something stuck between your teeth, too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panicked, he began to check his teeth, only for me to smirk and add,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, that one’s a lie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I laughed, the Divine Dragon froze in place like a statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression changed as he realized there was no longer any escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but laugh again at his reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, the Divine Dragon cleared his throat awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, straightening his posture, he spoke formally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have business with me, benefactor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, so he wanted to pretend the earlier conversation never happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a hollow laugh and took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an unannounced movement, but the Divine Dragon didn’t react outwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps he was unconcerned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, that’s how it appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Energy rippled from the Divine Dragon’s feet, spreading outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dense, concentrated energy expanded, forming a domain that encompassed the entire area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a matter of moments, the surroundings were firmly under his control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled at the display.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not bad.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way he deployed his energy was swift, meticulous, and impressively thorough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a technique worthy of admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I observed the domain, I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it proper for a monk seeking enlightenment to be this aggressive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing my tone, the Divine Dragon replied calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve yet to answer my question, benefactor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded at his response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just the formation of the domain that intrigued me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘His energy is rough.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy contained hostility, making my heart instinctively react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s upset.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because of my earlier teasing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Possibly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding this, I decided to address him directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I upset you, I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon blinked, clearly surprised by the sudden apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, even a monk can enjoy meat sometimes. How can anyone live without eating meat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grinned as I spoke, leaving him momentarily bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he hadn’t expected me to apologize so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I spoke, I focused my energy, drawing it from my heart to push back against his domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy flowing from me pushed his slightly, loosening its grip on the surroundings. Finally, I could breathe a bit easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lightly stretched my body, loosening up my joints. However, I didn’t close the distance between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m not here to fight.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, not today. That wasn’t my intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking directly into the Divine Dragon’s golden eyes, I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was just curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the simple truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had to put my purpose into words, it was exactly that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fascinating, isn’t it? To stop by a tavern and find the ‘Miracle of Shaolin’ eating dumplings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the term ‘Miracle of Shaolin,’ I noticed the Divine Dragon’s brow twitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hair to hide his expressions, every slight change was strikingly visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve seen a Taoist nibble on some meat before, but a monk? That’s a first for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Taoist in question was half-mad, so I didn’t think much of it. But Shaolin monks… they were different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the perception, at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then again, even Huangabul-young reportedly ate meat in secret.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Shin Noya, Shaolin’s legendary hero Huangabul-young also indulged in meat. Criticizing the Divine Dragon for this would be hypocritical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, I chose to press the topic. It wasn’t to belittle him but simply to start a conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Granted, the direction it had taken was rougher than I’d planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem to know who I am, benefactor,” he said, his tone controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course I do. How could I not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you asked anyone in Hanan about its most famous figures, the list would be short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One would be the new Alliance Leader, the Wudang Sword Saint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was the man standing before me—the Divine Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The new Divine Dragon, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he denied it, no one would believe him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youthful face that looked barely older than twenty, the overwhelming physique, and—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That immense energy—there’s no mistaking it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who saw him would recognize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s extraordinary.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my previous life, I had only glimpsed him from afar. My pitiful state back then had prevented me from truly understanding his power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, standing face to face, I could clearly see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He deserves the title of a monster.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reach this level at barely twenty… it was incomprehensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did he manage it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could it be…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you… turn back time as well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pardon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, never mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly dismissed my own words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as the thought crossed my mind, I knew it couldn’t be true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The idea of another regressor is too exhausting.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was ridiculous, yet looking at the Divine Dragon made me wonder. His sheer presence was that impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone to achieve this level without divine intervention or extraordinary luck…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He truly is an unparalleled genius.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A prodigy blessed by the heavens. There was no other way to describe him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I admired him, I realized I hadn’t introduced myself yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, I’m—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I paused mid-sentence as the Divine Dragon interrupted me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The declaration surprised me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” he replied, his expression calm and unwavering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know who you are, benefactor. So Yeomra, Gu Yangcheon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing my alias and name, my eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? How do you know that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was unexpected. How did he know who I was?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the question crossed my mind, he answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believed it,” he said, his voice resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Believed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If someone with your power exists, it could only be you. That’s what I believed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but chuckle in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the reason I recognized him and the reason he recognized me were one and the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why do you dislike me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hostility in his energy had grown sharper the moment he confirmed my identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I asked, he remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, when someone was confronted like this, they’d deny it outright. But his silence was as good as confirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because I teased him too much? Or maybe it was because I had been so informal upon our first meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Both are fair reasons to dislike me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could admit that much. Not that I planned to change, but still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That doesn’t feel like the whole story.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon’s animosity felt deeper than just a bad first impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something else seemed to be at play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared into his eyes, waiting, until finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you here to participate in the martial tournament?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chose to deflect, posing a question instead of answering mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His intent was clear—he didn’t want to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, I decided to play along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, since it’s happening, I might as well join.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see,” he replied, nodding slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a relief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A relief? What did he mean by that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I enjoyed our meeting today, benefactor. I’ll see you… in three months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he turned and began walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first statement was an obvious lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Three months from now…? Does that mean he’s entering the martial tournament too?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this some sort of declaration of intent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, it was oddly refreshing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is a first, isn’t it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t recall another time someone had said, “I don’t like you, so meet me at the tournament.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to think it came from someone I’d just met today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, I called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon paused mid-step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could see his shoulders subtly shift, as if preparing for something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he expecting a fight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately for him, I had no such plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll keep your dumpling secret from Shaolin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze for a moment before slowly turning to face me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, after a brief hesitation,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Thank you for that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed slightly, pressing his palms together in a gesture of respect, before turning once more and walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pace quickened, as though he couldn’t leave fast enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s embarrassed, I thought, laughing under my breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him disappear into the distance, I couldn’t help but muse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaolin, Wudang, Mount Hua—each sect was supposed to produce the most well-rounded individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet somehow, every one of them had a screw loose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world was clearly in chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stroked my chin, I muttered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three months…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon’s parting words lingered in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t planned to take the martial tournament seriously, but now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now it feels personal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I put emotion into my strikes, it would be hard to hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that could lead to trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>",2341,"2026-06-05T15:10:09.877Z",1,"novelbin.me","9b9333c4db155a22cbab17ee50a5a65e41a2a9bbdb1bf1e719337a71f7503d51","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-580","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-578",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]