[{"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-637":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},1240487,1667,"Chapter 636","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-637",637,"\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames engulfed his body as he soared into the air. The cold wind brushed against his cheeks, and he surveyed the dimming sky above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The snow has stopped.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it had turned into rain, at least nothing was falling from the sky anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Thanks to that, the visibility has cleared up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blizzard that had obscured his view was gone, and for a moment, it felt like he could breathe easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The cold has grown stronger.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chilling air blowing from the North Sea felt even harsher now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was likely—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced downward at the place he had leaped from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The destruction of the Ice Essence…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ice Essence, which had been holding back the extreme cold, had shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was undoubtedly the cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not that its existence was anything noble in the first place.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ice Essence had been drawing on the life force of the bloodline, forcibly consuming their vitality to maintain its power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that, perhaps its destruction was for the best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The effects are immediate.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Ice Essence gone, the North Sea was already starting to feel the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its role had clearly been significant. The cold was spreading quickly, faster than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At this rate…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t take long before the entire North Sea froze solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tsk.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing ever seemed to go smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My life has always been like this, hasn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, mydragon lifenow, he thought with a dry chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with such an infuriating situation, he tried to laugh it off with pointless musings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This isn’t the time to be thinking about such things.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew it was nothing but escapism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's going on—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re under attack!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Report to the Grand General immediately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The palace forces below had finally noticed the chaos he had caused. The commotion from below grew louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, they’ve only just realized.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a late realization—far too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The palace had been demolished, and not a single reinforcement had come until now. The sudden awareness was likely due to—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Authority transferring to me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Authority that had been spread around the palace had vanished when it transferred, leaving the palace vulnerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned as he felt the imprint of a new Authority etched into his soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the two Authorities that had belonged to Mang, only one now resided in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The regenerative aspect had been passed on to Woo Hyuk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought made him scowl. Was it because he regretted it? Perhaps partially. How could he not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regeneration was invaluable—a power that allowed one to heal from even severe wounds during battle. It was only natural to feel its loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn’t the only reason for his unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bigger problem lay in what he had discovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that he could transfer an Authority to someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…That’s exactly what Cheonma used to do.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Cheonma had bestowed blessings to demons, granting them abilities under the guise of \"divine gifts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ownMagical Devouring Arthad originated from one of those gifts, as had the initial powers of the first demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Thinking back, it’s strange.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did Cheonma corrupt individuals into demons, but she also bestowed inexplicable powers upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now, he had simply dismissed it as something a bizarre entity like Cheonma could do. But it was undeniably peculiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly was Cheonma, and how had she been capable of such feats?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the blessings Cheonma distributed have been—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Similar to how I transfer an Authority?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, Cheonma must have held countless Authorities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bigger question, however, was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How did she transfer them?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If these were Authorities, how could they be given to someone else?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Authorities were supposed to be attainable only through mastery or dragonhood. Yet Cheonma had granted her \"gifts\" to others freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could it be that Authorities and gifts are entirely different things?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they felt similar, perhaps they were distinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I was able to transfer an Authority, how does that fit in?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another question arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When transferring the regenerative Authority to save Woo Hyuk, he had realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Transferring an Authority requires demonic energy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To pass on the Authority of regeneration, he had to imbue it with demonic energy, recalling how Cheonma had bestowed her blessings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ability to corrupt someone into a demon had lingered in his mind ever since.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always wondered: could he eventually do what she had done? And now, it seemed the answer was yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t mere coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had known for some time now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flow of events seemed to be pushing him toward becoming Cheonma’s successor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Setting aside the relationship between Authorities and gifts for now…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second realization:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Dragons can be corrupted into demons.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to Mang’s interference, Woo Hyuk’s body had transformed into a dragon. This transformation persisted even after Mang disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I corrupted him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By infusing demonic energy, he had tainted Woo Hyuk and passed on the Authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had worked, but the process left an unpleasant aftertaste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reasons were clear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Infusing an Authority requires demonic energy, and corruption is unavoidable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason he could transfer Authorities lay in—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Magical Devouring Art.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic technique from Cheonma, embedded within his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ability to corrupt others and transfer Authorities stemmed from this very art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While greed allowed him to absorb Authorities, the act of granting them came from theMagical Devouring Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no longer about merely absorbing energy from magic stones, as in his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was about transforming others into demons and even transferring Authorities—just as Cheonma had done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is… exactly like her.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as though the powers Cheonma had displayed were manifesting in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t comprehend it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If these abilities had existed in his past life, perhaps it would have made sense. But they hadn’t. This was new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, a hypothesis formed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe transferring Authorities was possible only because he was a dragon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps it was because Woo Hyuk had already been corrupted into a demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The connection between the Magical Devouring Art and my Authority.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed and the Magical Devouring Art felt eerily intertwined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this all tied to Cheonma?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was framed as a question, he knew the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no denying it anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma had orchestrated everything. She had sent him back in time, imbued him with the Magical Devouring Art, and was entangled in every step of his journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything he was experiencing inevitably traced back to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ground his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Even knowing all this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had met Cheonma in the back alleys of Hahnam. Thinking of that encounter made his head throb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I knew she was there, and yet I came here instead.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why? He didn’t know anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the very existence he had resented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since his return, she had been second only to Jang Seon-yeon as a threat to be guarded against.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet instead of focusing on her, he had come to the North Sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it simply because something had happened to Namgung Bi-ah?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While that wasn’t an insignificant reason, could it alone justify everything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, it’s not enough.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had known of her presence in Hahnam. He had known of the looming matters there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet he had fled to the North Sea, using Namgung Bi-ah’s plight as an excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how he tried to justify it, the truth didn’t change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had wanted to escape Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I couldn’t face her.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an inexplicable emotion—a refusal to confront her, even in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, he had run to the North Sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why did I run?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear, he understood. She was a being worthy of that fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But running away? That, he couldn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a strategic retreat. It was hesitation—a mere flight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was unacceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had he done it? And why was he only realizing the absurdity now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy, suffocating weight pressed on him. There was only one way to clear it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I must meet her.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting Cheonma was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It always had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled, his breath turning white in the cold air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having resolved himself, his mind felt a little clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He surrounded himself with energy as the decision solidified in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fiery ring coiled around his waist, the heat wrapping him like a companion as he propelled forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air reverberated with a massive sound as his body shot ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He accelerated, pushing himself harder, only to feel a tightening around his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of exhaustion swept over him, and his brows furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m almost out of energy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t surprising—he had been through an intense battle. Worse still, he hadn’t managed to regulate the techniques he used, expending energy recklessly until his reserves ran low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that, his body was far from unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve kept some for myself.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before transferring the Authority to Woo Hyuk, he could’ve used it to recover first. The thought of his short-sightedness only now struck him as regretful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I take it back?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Hyuk was already treated, after all. The idea of reclaiming it lingered for a moment but was dismissed just as quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because if he did—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Woo Hyuk would die.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dragon stripped of its Authority would perish. It was one of the conditions tied to Greed’s abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reclaiming what he had given to Woo Hyuk was simply not an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a strange yet powerful ability.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it came to fighting dragons, Greed provided an overwhelming advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its ability to nullify the unfairness of Authority meant he could rely on pure martial arts and physical combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s all it can do.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem with this power was that if he were weak, it meant nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To take, he had to win. To kill, he had to win. It was a tool that only shone when he prevailed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At times, it felt like a deceptive blessing, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s better than having nothing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing that his ultimate enemies were dragons, Greed was undeniably a vital asset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were up to him, he’d return to Zhongyuan immediately, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tsk.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current situation made that impossible, and it was infuriating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I’ve done everything I needed to.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had found Namgung Bi-ah. He had dealt with Woo Hyuk. There was no reason to stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ice Palace Lord refusing treatment only further removed his reasons to linger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grimaced, sensing the energy emanating directly ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed, theMagical Devouring Art,Cheonma—none of it mattered right now. The most immediate threat was that energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Nothing ever goes smoothly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a thought that crossed his mind as he sped through the cold winds, their bite carrying something within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tremendous force rode the wind, brushing past him as it spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is insane.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer intensity of it left him speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It dwarfed what he had felt when encountering Yuseon or even Mang disguised as Woo Hyuk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This suffocating energy—what was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why had it suddenly emerged?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still was the location from which it emanated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all places—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The hideout.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sanctuary where Namgung Bi-ah, Tang So-yeol, and the others had sought refuge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively, he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the result of Mang’s demise—something the fiend had done before disappearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell did he do?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At full speed for several minutes, he began to pick up traces of something with his senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first sensation was so overwhelming that he doubted himself for a moment. Was he misinterpreting it? But no.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that massive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…This can’t be real.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t the amount of energy but the sheersizeof the presence itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was colossal in a way that defied comprehension, something he had never encountered before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it truly possible for a living being to possess a body this immense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He arrived in a flash, hovering above the ground below. When he looked down, his eyes widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Holy…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive crater had replaced the area where a cave should have been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And within it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kraaaahhhhh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fall back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Protect the Palace Lord—!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A monstrous creature was rampaging, its enormous body tearing through everything around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You’ve got to be kidding me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was ademonic beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not just any demonic beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If ordinary crimson-ranked beasts were roughly the size of a large house, this creature was dozens of times larger. Its body was covered in glossy, glistening scales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And most importantly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…White?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast was coated in pure white scales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one thing that could mean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature was none other than aWhite Demonic Beast (백색마물)—the apex of demonic beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once revered as dragons, they had vanished centuries ago. A single appearance from one of these catastrophic beings could reshape the continent itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a calamity-level existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment Gu Yangcheon encountered the demonic beast…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Ugh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Hyuk, left alone, groaned as he clutched his throbbing head and slowly got to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like a disaster zone,\" he muttered, letting out a dry laugh as he surveyed the wreckage around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What in the world happened here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t comprehend how part of the palace had been left in such a state, though he already had a good guess about the culprit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizzle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the shattered walls were signs of something melted and scorched, the faint warmth lingering in the air confirming his suspicions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who else could it have been?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Heh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had to be his crazy friend. Woo Hyuk was certain of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Probably because of me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must’ve been because of his sudden disappearance. The thought left Woo Hyuk with a bitter expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I made him do something dangerous.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own inadequacy had forced someone else to take unnecessary risks. Guilt weighed heavily on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, what puzzled him was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why go this far?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t understand why Gu Yangcheon would go to such lengths for him. Woo Hyuk himself couldn’t justify it, and Yangcheon, even less so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t childhood friends. Their bond hadn’t been forged through meaningful events or deep camaraderie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, Woo Hyuk had been the one clinging to Gu Yangcheon, calling him a friend. Yangcheon had seemed indifferent, simply accepting the label.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is it all for?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was Gu Yangcheon fighting for? It was a question Woo Hyuk couldn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more baffling was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take care of yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yangcheon had disappeared without hesitation, claiming there was something urgent to handle, leaving Woo Hyuk behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something big must’ve happened, but what? Woo Hyuk could only sigh deeply as he scanned the ruined palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chaos was evident, but he had no idea what had transpired. Gu Yangcheon hadn’t explained anything before departing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Hyuk, however, could feel that his body had undergone some kind of transformation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hair had turned completely white, and an overwhelming energy now coursed through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had this happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question lingered only briefly before he came to a conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Whatever it is, I need to move.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was nothing to gain by standing around. More importantly, he needed to check on Yuseon’s condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Determined, he began to take a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The seal has been broken.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unfamiliar voice echoed around him, and Woo Hyuk whipped his head around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Where?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where was it coming from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scanning his surroundings warily, he remained on high alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is strange. The time wasn’t supposed to come yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice spoke again, resonating in Woo Hyuk’s ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Who are you?\" he asked, his voice tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice responded, acknowledging him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can hear me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yes,\" Woo Hyuk replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice chuckled lightly, a sound that felt cold and sharp, like it could cut through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting. A child of Wudang, yet not of the main bloodline, hearing my voice? Fascinating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Hyuk’s eyes widened. How did this voice know he was from Wudang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could question it further—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn’t matter. Now is not the time for such trivialities.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice dismissed the thought, its tone casual yet chilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Woo Hyuk’s eyes, cold energy began to coalesce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reacting quickly, Woo Hyuk reached for his waist, only to realize—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gathering cold began to fuse with faint traces of lightning energy. As the power converged, it gradually took shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Hyuk, watching cautiously, tensed as the figure solidified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when the form became clear, his expression froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had taken on a human appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that human face was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was identical to his teacher, the Hermit of Wudang.\u003C\u002Fp>",2818,"2026-06-05T15:10:11.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","df492d0f86e7a4aa18424c682e0461b19a4b4ad76324937c5e753c09af351816","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-638","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-636",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]