[{"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-588":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},1240538,1667,"Chapter 587","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-588",588,"\u003Cp>“Ui-hyun is dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the damp underground of Hanam, a man knelt, reporting to someone seated before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure knelt with his head bowed. Sitting on a broken stone in front of him was an elderly man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man turned his gaze to the man delivering the report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The body?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We could not retrieve it, but based on the circumstances, it is certain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child had died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, a trace of bitterness flickered across the old man’s expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn’t the only issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kneeling man continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It appears the formation we set has been dismantled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, the old man’s brow furrowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The formation was dismantled?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that was intriguing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was undone shortly after we set it, less than oneshijinago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s eyes narrowed with interest. This was one of the most surprising pieces of news he’d heard in years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could have done it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first thought was the Martial Alliance, but he quickly dismissed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Alliance lacked the ability to dismantle their formations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, they didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Martial Alliance itself that had severed the growth of formations and sorcery in Zhongyuan. Having abandoned those arts, their progress had long since stagnated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man propped his chin on his hand, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One shijin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had only taken them one shijin to dismantle the formation. Whoever had done it must have a deep understanding of formations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was what puzzled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under this vast Zhongyuan sky, no one should be as skilled in formations as his group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s gaze shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could it be… you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He directed his question at someone leaning against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone could have done it, it would be that person. Someone as adept in formations as they were in medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine Doctor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of his name, the Divine Doctor’s face hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You know it wasn’t me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not. It couldn’t have been you,” the old man said with a dry chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, if you had any conscience, you wouldn’t have done such a thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it wasn’t you… then who could it be? I cannot say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint look of curiosity settled in the old man’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Find out. I’m curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the command, the kneeling man disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left alone with the Divine Doctor, the old man turned his attention to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now then, why don’t you tell me why you brought me here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Doctor finally broke the silence, his tone cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop skirting around it. Tell me why you summoned me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man smirked at the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s say… I wanted to see how far the bloodline has wandered from its roots. How does that sound?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Doctor’s expression remained neutral. He didn’t dignify the nonsense with a response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man chuckled at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re as humorless as ever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get to the point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well. I suppose I should.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man stepped down from the stone and approached the Divine Doctor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’s life outside? Does it suit you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you—get to the point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m asking how it feels to betray your family and live as a dog of the righteous sects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Doctor’s face twisted with rage at the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have an excuse, Divine Doctor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were plenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could offer explanations, excuses, justifications, but the words caught in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because, in the end, they would all be excuses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man continued, his tone calm but firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter what kind of life you’ve lived since leaving us, I chose not to interfere because you’re one of us. You know this, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Doctor’s eyes narrowed sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what is it you want from me now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all this time, I thought you’d understand. The righteous sects have no future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Doctor didn’t argue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew it to be true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Sword Sovereign stepped down, countless reforms had come and gone, but none could be called genuine progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sects kept painting a façade of peace, but beneath the surface, they were rotting away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And so…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Doctor spoke bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you asking me to join in your pitiful schemes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pitiful, you say…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s eyes grew cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If not pitiful, then what would you call them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Doctor continued without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Blinded by vengeance, unable to see an inch ahead. Sacrificing the few remaining members of our bloodline for nothing—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s hand shot out, grabbing the Divine Doctor by the throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jegal Eui-cheon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Doctor gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been decades since anyone had called him by that name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All the bloodline may curse me, but at the very least, you should refrain from doing so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guhh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of all people, you—who abandoned the clan’s wrath and fled like a coward—have no right to speak of such things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the grip on his throat tightened, the Divine Doctor was flung to the ground.Thud!His frail body rolled across the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man looked down at the coughing and wheezing Divine Doctor and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, you’ve always been that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the bloodline that hid in the shadows, unable to forget the humiliation inflicted by the Martial Alliance, the Divine Doctor had always stood out as unnaturally calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a story from a distant past, one so old that few alive still remembered it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You used to say things like, ‘We mustn’t live consumed by vengeance,’ or, ‘We should find a different path forward.’ You even had the audacity to advise the clan head of the time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling that, the old man let out a bitter chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How absurdly selfish those words were.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly should we forget, and what should we see differently?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cluck, cluck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laughter echoed in the chamber, carrying through the oppressive air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wanted to forget the burden of the past, didn’t you, Jegal Eui-cheon? Ah, forgetfulness truly is a convenient thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Clan Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not call me that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was no longer the clan master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan was no more—what point was there in such a title?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had been a time when he was called that, but now, that time was long past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was simply theGreat Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That title alone was enough for him now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was it comfortable? Those days of living while forgetting the grievances of the clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never forgot the clan—not even for a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so? How amusing that those words now seem so hollow, don’t you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s lips curled in disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man who had abandoned the clan to live as a doctor for the righteous sects dared to utter such words?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very notion was laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jegal Eui-cheon—the most talented figure in the Jegal clan’s history when it came to formations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been hailed as the hope that would lead the Jegal clan to new heights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yet, no one could have predicted that you would abandon everything and run.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man stood before him—a living reminder of the clan’s dashed hopes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you saying you resent me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, perhaps. There was a time when I might have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Doctor struggled to his feet, his body trembling. The old man watched him carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what would be the point? You have nothing to say in your defense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man who had abandoned the bloodline, saving the lives of the filthy righteous sects, had no grounds to offer any justification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It has been centuries since the Martial Alliance falsely accused the clan and discarded it like refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jegal clan had been framed for worshipping the Blood Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that accusation, the Jegal clan, once one of the Five Great Clans, was brought to ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless members of the bloodline were slaughtered under the Alliance’s orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who survived did so by hiding their names and living in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such was the life they had been forced to lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yet, you dared to say, ‘We mustn’t live consumed by vengeance.’ How could you utter such words—then and now—when you should be the last person to do so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was true. The Divine Doctor had no right to speak those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clan Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was one problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How… how can you be so sure?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Doctor’s voice trembled. His question brought a glimmer of confusion to the old man’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How can you be so sure their decision was a false accusation? How do you know it wasn’t true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaaaa…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the words left the Divine Doctor’s lips, the old man’s expression turned utterly emotionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that, the Divine Doctor’s suspicions deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clan Master… Could it be? Did you already know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brief pause felt like an eternity to the Divine Doctor, filled with a whirlwind of emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eui-cheon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way the old man addressed him had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see now that your intentions differ from ours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expression returned to the old man’s face, but the look in his eyes made the Divine Doctor shudder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a shame. There are so few of us left, and yet…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man spoke with a tinge of regret, but to the Divine Doctor, his words carried a far deeper implication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our paths have diverged, but no matter. You may go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Clan Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. I have no intention of harming you. We are of the same bloodline, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your willingness to appear in response to my letter… That alone shows where you stand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the end of our conversation. You must be busy, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s tone was light, as if he held no attachment to the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that truly the case? The Divine Doctor couldn’t be sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the wall shifted, revealing the doorway he had entered through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a clear dismissal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a word, the Divine Doctor turned and left. There was no reason to continue the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence lingered even after his departure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man returned to his seat and lowered himself slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will this be alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice emerged from the shadows. The old man didn’t react; he had known the speaker was there all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to the cautious tone, he replied, “What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is it wise to let him go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A traitor to the bloodline. While the rest sharpened their blades, he alone had sought peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker couldn’t comprehend the decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you believe his path differs from ours, wouldn’t it be better to eliminate him—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deputy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, Great Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man turned his sharp gaze toward the speaker, who flinched instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s eyes held an intensity that made the deputy tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you forgotten our pact? Surely not you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I… I apologize.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deputy bowed his head deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We do not kill those of our own bloodline. That was the promise we made, was it not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how much we have lost, no matter how much we crumble, we must uphold this one thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, Eui-cheon knows this as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that he had come in person in response to the letter, and the reason he had survived despite his betrayal, were all part of the same truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if Eui-cheon were to speak of this to outsiders…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man chuckled, the sound tinged with condescension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s far too late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Divine Doctor spread word of this matter, it wouldn’t change anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gears had already begun to turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man shifted his gaze to the unseen ceiling above, as though looking at something far beyond it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The wheel is in motion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once set in motion, it couldn’t be stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hatred and rage he had nursed against the Martial Alliance—never forgotten—was finally ready to be repaid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only question that remained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deputy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Great Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We will need to lay low for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will inform the others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dismantling of the formation necessitated a slight change in their plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it wasn’t a major concern, caution was warranted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whatever happens, it’s already too late to stop us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man closed his eyes slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It won’t be long now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long he had waited for this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to consciously calm his racing heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that was left was to watch the Martial Alliance crumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing could stop it now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless—an extraordinary and unforeseen event occurred to upend it all.\u003C\u002Fp>",2121,"2026-06-05T15:10:09.877Z",1,"novelbin.me","2c1992de545fcb6e9493fbcb275f533134fa006e79c4ab488caf96a9a686f3a5","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-589","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-587",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]