[{"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-659":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},1240409,1667,"Chapter 658","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-659",659,"\u003Cp>The initial conversation revolved around business matters, not the current issue at hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I summarized the events that took place in the Northern Sea, sharing only what I could and leaving out what couldn’t be disclosed. I organized the details and conveyed them to Moyong Hee-ah as clearly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this task should have fallen to Yuri, not me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of paper being handled filled the room as Moyong Hee-ah read through the prepared letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a while, the only noise was the soft brushing of the parchment against her fingertips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, Moyong Hee-ah spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve read the account.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes remained fixed on the letter as she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, allow me to express my sympathies for what transpired in the Northern Sea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuri responded, though tension was evident in her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn’t be helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When dealing with someone like Moyong Hee-ah, few could maintain their composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a light thud, Moyong Hee-ah set the letter down and looked directly at Yuri.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, putting that aside, I have many questions for you as the acting representative of the palace. Shall we begin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the real discussion began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for understanding. To start, let’s address the terms of the agreement made prior to the mission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice lowered slightly, but the pressure it carried was anything but mild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As per the contract, completing the mission was supposed to secure exclusive trade rights with the Northern Sea. Is that agreement still valid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It is valid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuri nodded, and Moyong Hee-ah acknowledged the response with a slight tilt of her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In that case, the promise to commence trade within three months of the mission’s conclusion—does that still hold?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words caught my attention, and I raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was that part of the contract?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew they had secured exclusive trade rights, but it seemed they had even nailed down a timeline. Moyong Hee-ah’s meticulousness was truly impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuri’s expression darkened at the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Regarding that, it may be difficult to meet the timeline due to unforeseen circumstances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trading within three months—it was clear that this clause, while agreed upon, was no longer feasible given the current state of affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an obvious outcome. The war wasn’t over yet; it was still ongoing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the looks of things, victory and resolution weren’t far off, but even then, three months would be cutting it far too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebuilding the Ice Palace, recruiting manpower, and stabilizing the region would take at least a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting trade within three months? It was laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah nodded lightly. She had likely anticipated this answer after reading the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, in your opinion, when do you think trade can realistically commence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not until this time next year at the earliest…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please be precise. That’s the same vague answer you gave when the contract was signed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite their similar ages, the difference in demeanor was stark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pressed by Moyong Hee-ah’s unyielding presence, Yuri seemed visibly flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By next fall, at the latest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The timeline shifted from summer to fall—a reasonable adjustment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That means the timeline has been extended by several months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone was neutral, but her words left no room for excuses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“While I sympathize with the Northern Sea’s circumstances, the fact remains that the contract terms have been breached. Instead of nullifying the agreement outright, I propose we renegotiate the terms. Do you agree?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Yuri could respond, another document was already on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘When did she prepare that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear this wasn’t something she’d whipped up on the spot. The state of the paper and ink suggested it had been prepared days in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So she anticipated this from the start.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah had foreseen the impossibility of meeting the three-month timeline and had already prepared to amend the contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Terrifying.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If nothing else, I was now more certain than ever: never let Moyong Hee-ah find a reason to pick a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While renegotiating wasn’t a simple matter, Yuri seemed to try everything she could as the discussion dragged on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you. Then we’ll consider this matter settled for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, thank you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the conversation ended, Yuri looked utterly drained, her face pale and exhausted. Moyong Hee-ah, in contrast, appeared as composed as she had been at the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as an observer, I felt a cold sweat run down my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her ability to corner someone with words was enough to leave me speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The accommodations for the princess have been prepared. The guards who accompanied you will be taken there as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh, right. Those guys.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It occurred to me that Yuri’s guards had been left behind when we came here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had left them because dealing with them was too much of a hassle, but it seemed Moyong Hee-ah had taken good care of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That means Yuri will be here until at least next fall.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the palace’s perspective, this was likely a strategic retreat for her safety. But in reality, it was no different from being held hostage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trading company now had every reason to keep her until the contract was fulfilled, ensuring the palace’s cooperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a faint smile, Moyong Hee-ah pointed this out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having nothing left to say, Yuri nodded wearily as the conversation ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She followed an attendant out of the room, her steps heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nudged Woo Hyuk to follow her. Without a word, he complied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woo Hyuk’s polite bow was ignored by Moyong Hee-ah, who didn’t even glance his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her dismissive attitude was sharp enough to cut, leaving no room for further comments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they left, silence filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seconds stretched on, each moment heavier than the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah let out a soft sigh, the tension in the room easing slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her previously rigid expression relaxed as she turned to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you have a good trip?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sort of?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Judging by this, it doesn’t seem like it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gestured to the letter, her tone pointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever the palace had written clearly didn’t reflect well on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought made me feel an uncharacteristic bead of sweat on my brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was my unease that obvious? Moyong Hee-ah’s lips curled into a faint smile as she observed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. I never expected you to go anywhere and come back without causing trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That sounds like an insult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is. It’s not a compliment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Right. Got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her bluntness left me scratching my head awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s Madam Mi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The leader is away on business for a few days. She should return by tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Business, huh? It made sense given the timing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The martial tournament is coming up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The busiest time for the trading company wasn’t during the festival itself, but the preparation leading up to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, there’s been some recent rumors keeping her busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rumors?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned, sensing the weight in her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something I had overheard earlier during my conversation with Bumdong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The visit from the Daeju of the Martial Alliance seems to be tied to the issue. Did something happen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah hesitated briefly before delving into the topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A new organization called the Magyo (Demonic Cult) has recently been causing quite a stir in Zhongyuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, I couldn’t help but smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It seems they’re doing well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan I had set in motion was progressing faster than expected, but it wasn’t bad news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say it was founded by an unknown master called the Cheonma. They’ve been attacking both righteous factions and unorthodox sects indiscriminately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This, too, was expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, I had instructed them to spread rumors to this effect, so the delay in their circulation almost felt surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far, everything was proceeding smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say the identity of this Cheonma (Heavenly Demon) is rumored to be one of the Three Revered Masters, Paejon (Defeated Master).”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…What?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This development was definitely not part of my plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did this rumor even come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could contemplate it further—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A curious voice rose from behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a piercing gaze lock onto me, forcing me to swallow dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I think I’ve really screwed up this time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No doubt about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That person—he had started to suspect me immediately. No hesitation, no deliberation. He zeroed in on me without a second thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come on, I might be guilty, but shouldn’t he at least mull it over a little?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it, who started this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did this rumor originate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t something that should have leaked—at least not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was responsible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could it be Pil-Duma?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the most likely suspect, but I doubted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man wasn’t foolish enough to spread such rumors recklessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So then, who?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have no idea.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know, and there was no time to think about it now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Gu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Paejon… That doesn’t sound likely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feigning ignorance was my best bet for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah nodded as if she agreed with my assessment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I think so too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze shifted slightly—toward the person seated behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she realize Paejon was here? No, that didn’t seem to be the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She’s probably just looking at Bi Eujin because he’s a member of the Bi family.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bi Eujin, a descendant of the Western Bi family, which traced its lineage back to Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With someone like him here, it wasn’t a topic she could freely comment on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s unthinkable that one of the Three Revered Masters of the righteous factions would do such a thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, that wouldn’t happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since entering, Paejon chuckled softly and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That great individual would never stoop to such deeds…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calling himself “that great individual” nearly made me grimace, but I held it in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know why such a rumor might have spread?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This question, directed at Moyong Hee-ah, came from Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s speculation that someone deliberately spread this information, but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone suggested she didn’t think that was the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, if it wasn’t deliberate, then what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I mulled over this, Moyong Hee-ah continued,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s said that when this Cheonma killed a Wudang elder, the martial technique used bore a striking resemblance to the unique techniques of Paejon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This hasn’t been confirmed yet, but they are investigating based on reports that the Cheonma demonstrated an aura on par with one of the Three Revered Masters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I see. So that’s what it is.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is my fault. Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed my recklessness had left behind traces that caused this issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a mess.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought the Tua Pacheonmu technique was nondescript enough to go unnoticed, but it appeared someone had seen it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either another elder had been present, or they had found some kind of evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is bad.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suppressed the cold sweat running down my back and tried to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the leak itself a problem? Not really.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t care.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, my identity wasn’t exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real issue was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t let him find out.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I absolutely could not let Paejon discover the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘His gaze is burning through me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could already feel Paejon’s intense stare drilling into me. Turning to meet it would be the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pondered briefly before coming to a conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No choice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it comes to situations like this, there’s only one solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Run.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Gu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something urgent came up. I’ll see you later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Suddenly? Mas—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah’s startled voice followed me, but I had already vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood there, stunned by the sudden turn of events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He really just left? After all this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clenching her fists tightly, Moyong Hee-ah ground her teeth in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We weren’t even done talking…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t even touched on the matter of the Sword Peak. What could possibly be so urgent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she tried to calm her simmering anger,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I’ll take my leave too. See you later!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol, who had been quietly watching from the sidelines, quickly bowed to Moyong Hee-ah and darted out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That irritated her even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The next time I see either of them, they won’t get off lightly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah vowed silently as she steadied her breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, she realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was now alone in the room with a particularly unsettling individual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straightening her posture awkwardly, she turned her attention to the young man seated before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark hair, dark eyes, and a calm yet subtly unsettling presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Bi Eujin.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A descendant of Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though part of the same martial community, she’d never had a conversation with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She assumed he was merely an associate of Gu Yangcheon, given how often they were seen together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Moyong Hee-ah found him deeply unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…There’s something strange about him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t seem to actively distance himself, yet he exuded a sense of indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disinterest in everything made his dark eyes even more unnerving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her instincts warned her: Do not treat this man carelessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing her discomfort, Moyong Hee-ah studied Bi Eujin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why isn’t he leaving?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though everyone else had left, Bi Eujin remained seated, showing no intention of following.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As her curiosity grew,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have something to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bi Eujin broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your name is Seolbong, correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, that’s correct, Master Bi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bi Eujin smiled—a gentle smile that somehow sent a chill down her spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, in his unsettling manner, he made an unexpected proposition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem to enjoy negotiations. How about making a deal with me? I can offer you a reward worth your while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What sort of deal? If it’s about the topic we just discussed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, no. That’s a trivial matter—I’ll handle it myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pardon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it wasn’t about Paejon? Then what was he after?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe you’re someone trustworthy, so I have a favor to ask. I’d like you to find some information for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Information?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing too complicated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bi Eujin’s expression shifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d like you to find information about the King of Flames.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his lips still smiled, his eyes did not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that moment, Moyong Hee-ah felt a cold shiver run down her spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>********************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left the trading company as if fleeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I quickened my pace to put distance between us, I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder every so often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Why isn’t he following me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I fully expected Paejon to chase after me and grab me by the collar, but to my surprise, he didn’t follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made it even scarier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as though he was silently saying, We’ll talk later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would’ve thought such rumors would spread? This was getting troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking my tongue, I shook my head. Whatever, I’ll just deny it if it comes up. What else could I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I say it isn’t true, what can they do?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to keep things simple. The kind of attitude that says, Do what you will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If worst comes to worst, I could just keep running for a few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though that might only make things worse when I inevitably ran into him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pat, pat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dusting myself off after the hurried escape, I surveyed my surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were more people than I had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the festival season was drawing near, with many arriving in preparation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the crowd, I noticed an unusual number of martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And their skill levels are high.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were plenty of first-rate fighters, and occasionally I even spotted those at the peak level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them were likely here for the martial tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Seems there’s a lot of interest in this year’s tournament.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And understandably so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first tournament in several years, and the prizes on offer were extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There will be rare swords and miraculous elixirs, but the real highlight is…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The revival of the Divine Dragon Corps.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elite unit directly under the command of the Alliance Leader and a symbol of the Martial Alliance’s might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon Corps, which had disbanded due to certain events, was being reinstated with this tournament marking their return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was it a chance to reestablish their symbolic value, but it was also an honor to participate in such a historic moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those who lived and died by reputation, the allure was undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for me, it was an opportunity of utmost importance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was crucial to my upcoming plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One way or another, I needed to leverage the Divine Dragon Corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s less than a month until the tournament. I should start preparing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was irritating to have to get moving the moment I arrived, but there was no time to hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to head to Pil-Duma to check on a task I had entrusted to him when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone bumped into me and fell to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked down to see a woman sprawled on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, I didn’t bother offering her a hand to help her up; I simply stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman scrambled to her feet and bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m terribly sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going. Are you hurt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she bowed, I caught a whiff of her perfume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wrinkled my nose instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scent was overwhelming—a fragrance I couldn’t stand, even if others might not mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the veil covering her face, I caught a glimpse of her features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyebrows twitched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile crept onto my face as I recognized her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was undeniably beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah were the kind of women everyone in a crowd of a hundred would stop to look at, this woman would draw the attention of at least ninety out of a hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mature air, seductive eyes, and curvaceous figure would ignite desire in most men at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But still…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the exceptional women around me, her level of beauty wasn’t enough to truly stand out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised me wasn’t her looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Quick as ever. He sent her immediately.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman was known as Bihyeonhwa (Tragic Radiance).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was an operative of the Martial Alliance’s investigative unit, infamous for using her beauty to extract information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, she was sent by the Martial Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And more specifically, by Bumdong.\u003C\u002Fp>",3064,"2026-06-05T15:10:12.585Z",1,"novelbin.me","0260fa9e659f173b02abb13a8e3c0b600f35213bac8ac6c2a58d5c1999c2970a","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-660","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-658",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]