[{"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-590":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},1240540,1667,"Chapter 589","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-590",590,"\u003Cp>In a small room on the upper floor of the trading company,a space so cramped it seemed challenging to fit even a few people,yet here, six or so individuals were gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thinly spread bedding lay in the center,and Madam Mi stood before it, bowing respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Horan Mi of the Mi family, responsible for the Baekhwa Trading Company. It is an honor to meet the young lady of the Northern Sea Palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Mi spoke formally, to which the person lying on the bedding responded with a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, there’s no need to be so formal. You can treat me more casually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spirited girl.Or rather, a reckless one—no, the young lady of the Northern Sea Palace waved her hand dismissively at Madam Mi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mustn’t, Young Lady. How can you speak so lightly to someone from Zhongyuan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice came from the figure standing behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wherever you go, you must receive the respect you deserve. Especially in unfamiliar lands like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This person appeared to be one of her escorts.The commanding presence in their voice suggested they had easily surpassed the peak stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other figure standing nearby, dressed similarly, was likely another escort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the escort’s words, the young lady of the Northern Sea Palace appeared slightly flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ubeom… This isn’t even our territory. How could I expect more courtesy than this? Besides, I’ve caused trouble, haven’t I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What confidence, Gu Yangcheon thought, not understanding what she had to be so bold about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a soft rustle, the young lady adjusted her posture and sat up,a gesture of respect to her host.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Lady—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The escort seemed alarmed and moved to stop her,but the young lady’s words came first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My name is Yuri. I am known as the Fourth Star of the Northern Sea. Thank you for welcoming me like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she bowed lightly, her silvery-white hair swayed gracefully.She then raised her head and smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t exactly how I imagined we’d meet… Hehe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Running away from home and being caught like this was certainly not part of her plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a bit embarrassing, to be honest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scratching the back of her head awkwardly, Yuri spoke with a hint of self-consciousness.Her words were followed by silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one seemed willing to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds passed,and once again, it was Madam Mi who broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are grateful that someone of your stature has graced Zhongyuan with your presence…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe, it’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, there is something we must ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before extending our hospitality further, we’d like to understand why you attempted to escape. Could you explain that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear she wanted to know why Yuri had disappeared earlier despite being surrounded by escorts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was our hospitality not to your liking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, not at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then may I ask why you acted as you did?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Mi’s composed tone prompted Yuri to respond with a light laugh and an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just… wanted to look around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look around?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unexpectedly simple answer made even Madam Mi falter slightly in maintaining her composed expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s your explanation? Really?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yuri’s face showed sincerity as she elaborated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve always wanted to visit Zhongyuan. Especially Hanam, where the Martial Alliance is! I thought I’d never get the chance in my life. But once I got here, I just couldn’t resist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her bright smile was filled with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, I wanted to see the Martial Alliance… and also visit the famous Shaolin Temple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you saying that’s why you attempted to escape?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry for that. But I felt that if I stayed here, I wouldn’t be able to go out. And, well, I was right, wasn’t I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Gu Yangcheon found himself questioning her words internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wouldn’t be able to leave once you arrived?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her confident tone seemed strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… since it’s already come to this, couldn’t I just look around for today…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, you cannot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuri’s attempt to bargain was decisively cut off by Madam Mi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhongyuan is far more dangerous than you imagine, Young Lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, but just for one day…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve been tasked with ensuring your safety during your stay in Zhongyuan. Venturing outside recklessly would be dangerous, and…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Mi’s sharp gaze fixed on Yuri.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Considering what the Northern Sea Palace requested of us for your protection, we absolutely cannot permit such actions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuri let out a groan, clearly displeased with the firm response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon couldn’t help but think how baffling she was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can someone who looks like that act so clueless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her resemblance to Moyong Hee-ah, with her icy demeanor and cold beauty, should have made her seem composed and untouchable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, with her white hair, Yuri even looked colder than Moyong Hee-ah.But her behavior and mannerisms couldn’t have been more at odds with her appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So why am I even here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still unable to make sense of the situation, Gu Yangcheon simply continued observing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But…! He hasn’t arrived yet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Lady? What do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Red Feather of Zhongyuan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What feather?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuri’s sudden exclamation left everyone with puzzled expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doesn’t the real conversation start when he arrives?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bizarre nickname made Madam Mi frown deeply.Red Feather? Who on earth was that supposed to be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a title anyone recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even Madam Mi doesn’t seem to know,” Gu Yangcheon thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Madam Mi furrowed her brows in thought,suddenly, her eyes widened as if she had realized something,and her gaze shifted toward Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What now? Why is she looking at me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After staring at him briefly, Madam Mi turned her attention back to Yuri.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Lady, could it be that you’re referring to…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If things can’t move forward until he’s here, doesn’t that mean I can at least look around until then? Just for a little while—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could finish her whining, Yuri’s gaze shifted away from Madam Mi and landed squarely on Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait a second!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pointing a finger at him, she exclaimed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the one who hit me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her abrupt accusation made her escorts react immediately.The already cramped room was now thick with tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hit her…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hostility from her escorts was palpable, and their gazes turned sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t good, Gu Yangcheon thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, that’s not what happened. It’s a bit more complicated than—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish explaining, Yuri abruptly shifted her posture,kneeling down with her hands clasped neatly in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared directly at him as she did so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is she doing now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could process the bizarre display, Yuri spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me,” she said, looking directly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice sounded different. It was as though she were awkwardly imitating a man's voice—no, that’s exactly what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was she suddenly speaking like this?Just as Gu Yangcheon pondered the oddity, Yuri looked at him and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would it be alright if I married you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere instantly turned ice cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one made a sound—not even the faintest breath could be heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For about a second, Gu Yangcheon’s thoughts completely froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that second was all it took.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>““What the hell is that crazy bitch talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could stop himself, the words spilled out of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a long time since he’d cursed like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gasp…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Moyong Hee-ah audibly inhaled in shock.Gu Yangcheon himself wanted to cover his mouth in regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bead of cold sweat trickled down his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuri reacted to his outburst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You cursed! Wow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her response was completely unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my, you called me a crazy bitch. How fascinating! That’s not the answer I was hoping for, but it’s refreshingly honest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you do it one more time? I’ve never been cursed at before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon instinctively took a step back,realizing with growing certainty that she really was crazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was… troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how patient I am, I really don’t want to deal with someone this insane.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She already resembled Moyong Hee-ah enough to make things uncomfortable,but with a personality like this, she was proving even more bothersome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, that was it.She was exactly the kind of person he didn’t want to get involved with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young lady of the Northern Sea Palace was, without a doubt,the type of person Gu Yangcheon clashed with the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he debated whether to just cut his losses and make a quick escape,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of Yuri’s escorts called out to him from behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vwoom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon felt hisdantianstir in response.He turned to face the escort, narrowing his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You savage. What did you just say to the young lady?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Savage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was new. He’d been called a thug, a scoundrel, and even a lunatic before,but “savage”? That was certainly creative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To think you’d spew such insolent words… Zhongyuan people truly live up to their filthy reputation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s choice of words was infuriating, to say the least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The growl in his voice was tinged with energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you even know who this person is, to dare speak such words?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She introduced herself just fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Silence!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re the one who asked, Gu Yangcheon thought,irritated by the man’s sudden outburst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare someone as lowly as you utter such blasphemy against the Star of the Northern Sea! You should be grateful she even came here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ubeom, isn’t that going a bit too far?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay back. I will defend the young lady’s honor against these wretches.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t have to—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuri tried to stop him, her voice urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ubeom wasn’t listening. He took a step forward,his hand reaching for the sword strapped to his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me show you what the sword of the Northern Sea is capable of.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began to draw his blade, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword remained half-sheathed as Ubeom stood still, unable to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could fully draw it, a sharp dagger had pressed against his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thin line of blood trickled down from where the blade nicked his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… little…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had subdued him was none other than Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point, she had moved behind him, her dagger poised with precision at his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events,Ubeom’s eyes darted around in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this, Gu Yangcheon finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three strikes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone’s eyes turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuri.Madam Mi.Even Moyong Hee-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, of course, Ubeom, who now glared at him, bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first time, I let it slide when you spat disrespect at Madam Mi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s voice was calm, almost kind, but there was a sharp edge beneath the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next, I let it go when you directed your nonsense at me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubeom’s face twisted in confusion as he struggled to follow the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And finally, I even overlooked you trying to draw your sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Ubeom understood or not didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My mood today is already terrible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice grew colder as his gaze locked onto Ubeom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yet, I’ve tolerated you three times already.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile appeared on his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you say one more word, you’re dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wouldn’t be a fourth chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His icy stare conveyed as much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You dare—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to swallow his pride, Ubeom began to speak again.Gu Yangcheon had wondered if he might stay silent, but to his relief, the man couldn’t hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Ubeom could finish his sentence, Gu Yangcheon’s hand was already at his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>",1919,"2026-06-05T15:10:09.877Z",1,"novelbin.me","2a4d1df858776b4054e905851d981b57bc8e11e5510c1e814664d10f0220538b","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-591","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-589",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]