[{"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-660":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},1240410,1667,"Chapter 659","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-660",660,"\u003Cp>I left the trading company as if I were fleeing. Though I quickened my pace and created some distance, I kept glancing over my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Why isn’t he following me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought he’d chase after me and grab me by the neck any moment now, but Paejon didn’t appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made it worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as if he was silently saying,We’ll deal with this later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would’ve guessed such rumors would spread? Things were getting complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking my tongue, I shook my head. Whatever. If I’m confronted, I’ll just deny it. What else could I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I say it’s not true, what can they do about it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to approach this simply, with an air of indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or I could just avoid him entirely for a few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, that might make it worse when we inevitably crossed paths again, but it was worth a shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pat, pat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dusting off the dirt from my hurried escape, I noticed the crowded streets around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The streets were bustling with people, likely due to the approaching festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even among the throng of commoners, I could see a growing number of martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And they’re strong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only first-rate warriors, but occasionally even those at peak levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were here for the martial tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s a lot of interest in this year’s tournament.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why wouldn’t there be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first tournament in years, and the prizes on the line were extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Rare swords, miraculous elixirs… but most importantly…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The revival of the Divine Dragon Corps.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elite unit under the direct command of the Martial Alliance Leader, a symbol of its might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon Corps, disbanded after a significant incident, was making its return, with the tournament marking their reestablishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only would they restore their symbolic value, but participating in their revival was an unparalleled honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those who lived and died by reputation, the allure was undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for me, this was crucial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon Corps was essential to my upcomingplans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One way or another, I needed to make use of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s less than a month until the tournament. Time to start preparing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it annoyed me to get started the moment I arrived, there was no time to waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to check on the task I had assigned to Pil-Duma when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone collided with 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 extend a hand to help her. Instead, I just stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman scrambled to her feet and bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going. Are you hurt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint scent of her perfume reached my nose as she bowed, and I instinctively grimaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fragrance was far too strong—nauseatingly so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking closer, I caught a glimpse of her face through the thin veil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyebrow twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile crept onto my lips as I recognized her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was certainly beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah were women who could turn heads in a crowd of a hundred, she’d attract at least ninety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her mature aura, seductive eyes, and strikingly curvaceous figure, she could set most men’s hearts ablaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a nuisance.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the extraordinary women around me, her level of beauty wasn’t enough to impress me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What caught my attention wasn’t her looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘As quick as ever. He sent her immediately.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her name wasBihyeonhwa(Tragic Radiance).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A member of the Martial Alliance’s investigative unit, she was infamous for using her beauty to extract information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, she was an operative sent by the Martial Alliance—specifically, Bumdong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So predictable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I watched her, I reflected on what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d sensed her approaching from a distance and even knew she deliberately bumped into me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d allowed it to see what she was planning, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So she resorted to this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bihyeonhwa’s allure was said to captivate anyone who caught her scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, that’s what the rumors said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her scent wasn’t alluring—it was revolting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The excessive perfume was so overpowering it made me feel queasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had to keep my composure and not let it show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, how can I ever make it up to you…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bihyeonhwa cooed, her voice dripping with sweetness as she leaned closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her chest subtly brushed against me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced down at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was undeniably alluring, her beauty living up to her reputation as the “Hidden Flower of the Martial Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all I thought was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a manipulative woman.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing her true nature, I regarded her as nothing more than a pebble—neither more nor less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You filthy bug, how dare you look at me like that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words from the past flashed through my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This crazy woman used to pick fights with me constantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Do you really think someone like you could ever reach my level? Know your place. Don’t even breathe the same air as me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d never tried to approach her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, I’d glanced at her a few times because she was pretty, but that was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, her reputation as the Martial Alliance’s Flower was a hollow title at best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Because she was there.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah, the Little Sword Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After she joined the Martial Alliance, the title of “Flower” rightfully belonged to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bihyeonhwa was a fading flower, wilting under her own envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t accept her place and began to harbor venom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I doubted that anything had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared silently at Bihyeonhwa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her seductive eyes met mine as she subtly flaunted her figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I kill her?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought briefly crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dealing with her would be a hassle. Perhaps I should just kill her now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not yet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to hold back—for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled faintly and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine. Are you hurt, my lady?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, no, not at all…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bihyeonhwa smiled seductively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, my smile made people flinch, but she was unfazed—proof of her expertise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was amusing to see her so unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I must’ve made quite the impression.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bihyeonhwa wasn’t someone who moved easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only took on critical assignments, so her presence here meant…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Bumdong has his eye on me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she was dispatched so quickly, it meant he had sent her the moment he returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had likely been waiting nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘His preparations are thorough.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought about expanding mysensesto check the area but decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If he’s nearby and notices, it could be trouble.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The likelihood of someone detecting mysenseswas slim, but I couldn’t be too cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Bumdong might’ve set an ambush.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone could notice even the faintest fluctuation, it’d be him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better to err on the side of caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now then.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I locked eyes with Bihyeonhwa and thought to myself—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How should I play with her?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How best to use her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped back slightly, putting some distance between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we’re both unharmed, I’ll take my leave. I wish you peace, my lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I deliberately increased the distance, noticing her eyes widen in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even that seemed like an act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I didn’t know her in detail, I’d heard enough about her methods to guess her game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to leave without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hand grabbed my sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to see her flushed ears and reddened face, as if she were embarrassed to the point of madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An illusion carefully crafted using her inner energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone unaccustomed to such beauty might have felt their heart skip a beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I’m so sorry… but perhaps I could treat you to some tea… as an apology?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing a smirk, I steadied my expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How fortunate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her approach hadn’t changed at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well. Let’s do that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed a perfectbaithad just walked right into my hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new guesthouse had recently gained fame in Hanam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just for its food or drinks, but for the atmosphere itself—a place of elegance where dishes were crafted beautifully, and the environment radiated refinement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guesthouse had become a favorite among noble ladies and wealthy patrons, drawn in by its charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gone was the rough, traditional aesthetic typical of guesthouses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, flowers adorned the grounds, the interiors were meticulously decorated, and the air carried a subtle, pleasant fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor had it that the Baekhwa Trading Company owned the establishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite predictions that such an atmosphere wouldn't succeed, the allure of its reputation had drawn women from afar, filling the guesthouse to capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In one corner of the guesthouse, at a table by a window offering a scenic view, sat a man and a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other patrons occasionally stole glances at the pair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman was stunningly beautiful and alluring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man sitting across from her, however, drew a different reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s… scary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His face looks so intimidating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How does a woman like her end up with someone like him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sharp, intimidating appearance seemed entirely mismatched with the exquisite beauty of the woman before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the woman didn’t seem to care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my, is that true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman,Bihyeonhwa, smiled warmly as she spoke to the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’re inheriting your sect, then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More or less.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s incredible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man replied in a dry tone, sipping his tea, while Bihyeonhwa maintained an attentive demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside, her thoughts were far less complimentary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Who is this guy, really?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she smiled and continued the conversation, the unease she felt only grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s not falling for it, is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she flashed a charming smile, she studied the man further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From head to toe, he was dressed in black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hair was loosely tied back, and his dark martial robes contrasted with his pale skin. His sharp eyes left a lasting impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appeared to be in his early twenties, just as the information she’d received indicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What kind of man is he?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most men his age would’ve been enchanted by now, unable to resist her charms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just younger men—nearly all men were helpless before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But something feels… off.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing her irritation, Bihyeonhwa maintained her composed facade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What brings you to Hanam?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard about the martial tournament and thought I’d check it out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation continued, albeit unevenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly, she initiated while he offered curt responses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’re planning to participate in the tournament to revive your sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my, how impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she kept the conversation flowing, that was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as she locked eyes with him, smiled, or subtly emphasized her figure, his gaze remained unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t avert his eyes or avoid speaking, but it was clear—he wasn’t interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone could see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could he… be impotent?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought crossed her mind, absurd as it sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, how could this situation make sense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A man not interested in me? Impossible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the table, her hands curled into tight fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She refused to believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was she?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I am the most beautiful woman in Hanam.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flower of the Martial Alliance and, perhaps, the most beautiful woman in Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, glances from men outside the window confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes glimmered with desire, a desire Bihyeonhwa understood all too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She welcomed it. That yearning was what allowed her to manipulate them at will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the man before her was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Dragon Captain warned me to be cautious, but is this why?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the martial tournament approaching, Bihyeonhwa had been on standby, thinking she’d use the time to relax and toy with a few promising men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, that morning—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You have a mission.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The message arrived from the Dragon Captain himself, instructing her to approach an unknown master who had appeared in Hanam and extract information from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, she considered refusing, but the details of the target piqued her interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s said to be in his early twenties, yet his cultivation level is absurdly high.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not suspected to be wearing a disguise, he was a young master of astonishing skill. The mission even came with a warning to exercise utmost caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young prodigy. How could she not be intrigued?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not just about the mission—winning him over could be life-changing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how strong, he was still a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She expected him to be utterly helpless before her charms. Using the mission as a pretext, she figured she’d seduce him if he seemed promising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the reality was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a frustrating man.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to her expectations, the man was peculiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A master, they said? I feel nothing from him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the warning, there was no sense of the aura typical of highly skilled masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing. Not even a faint trace of qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did they make a mistake?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the youngest prodigies of renowned families had distinct energy signatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man had none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was an enigma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The captain’s warning seemed almost ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And he’s not even from a reputable sect—just some heir to a no-name faction.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A descendant of the obscure Pacheon Sect, he claimed to be using the tournament to make a name for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d introduced himself as Pa Jeol-yeop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d never heard of him before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were as strong as the Dragon Captain suggested, she would’ve known his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The absence of such recognition could only lead to one conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s lying.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was certain of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their brief exchange, she could tell the man was hiding something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, keep up your act. Let’s see how long you can hold out.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether or not she succeeded, the investigative unit would likely uncover his secrets within a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until then, her task was simple:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Find out what he’s hiding and, if possible, seduce him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Bihyeonhwa’s specialty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She'd had to deal with proud men like him before, and they'd all fallen for her tricks eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time would be no different.Bihyeonhwa was sure of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bihyeonhwa called out gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me… Sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man flicked his gaze towards her, his expression as insolent as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That kind of attitude towardher—it nearly twisted her insides in irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Bihyeonhwa forced herself to remain composed, invoking her professional discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know… we’ve talked quite a lot already, haven’t we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I doubt we’ve exchanged even ten sentences. How does that count as a lot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Because you talk like an arrogant brat, you bastard.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She barely managed to swallow the words bubbling up inside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reminded herself over and over again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Soon enough, he’ll drop the act and start grinning like every other man.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much he pretended to be tough, all men were the same in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A little physical contact, and they'd melt, losing all composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinarily, her missions didn’t require such direct methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But if the Dragon Captain is right about him being extraordinary…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young master of incredible skill—just the thought intrigued her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Dragon of Wudang is off-limits because he’s a monk, but this one… he’s fair game.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The future “Greatest Under Heaven,” a paragon destined to lead Zhongyuan, was protected by Shaolin’s blessings and thus untouchable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this man wasn’t bound by any such restrictions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if nothing else came of this, leaving her mark on him wouldn’t be a bad idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Bihyeonhwa made her move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slid over and settled beside Pa Jeol-yeop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Pa…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice dripped with honey, her fingertips brushing close to his arm, almost but not quite touching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she leaned in, pressing her chest against his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyebrow twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that reaction emboldened her further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why don’t we go somewhere quieter? This isn’t the best place for a conversation, don’t you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quieter? Where do you suggest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hand drifted upward, her fingers trailing toward his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as her touch was about to linger with deliberate intimacy—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clamp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pa Jeol-yeop grabbed her wrist, his grip firm and unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The abruptness of it startled her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as she processed it, a smile spread across her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Got him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought he was caught in her web now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And true to her assumptions, the man murmured in a half-distracted tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re making it hard for me to hold back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he already fallen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps he’d been hers from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Men really are all the same.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confident in her triumph, Bihyeonhwa smiled victoriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what she failed to notice was the coldness creeping into his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he moved toward her, she felt an icy sensation crawl down her spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pa Jeol-yeop froze mid-motion, his expression changing sharply. His eyes widened as he stared past her, out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Pa…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was about to inquire when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssssshhh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bihyeonhwa’s body went rigid, her breath catching in her throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t even scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a case of being struck or restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something far more terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This… this isn’t possible….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her trembling eyes darted around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw nothing unusual, yet her instincts screamed that something was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could feel it—a blade against her neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t see it, but it was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was impossible, contradictory even, but undeniably real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just her neck; every direction around her was suffused with the sharp presence of blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scent of death hung heavy in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Bihyeonhwa was suppressing a shuddering gulp, the door to the guesthouse creaked open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pa Jeol-yeop’s gaze shifted toward the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome—oh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk, poised to greet the newcomer, froze mid-sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure stepping through the doorway was a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long hair cascaded behind her as she scanned the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gemstone-like eyes swept across the space, and the murmuring chatter around them fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air itself seemed to shift, carrying a faint floral scent that hadn’t been there before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is she…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman drew audible gasps of admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if a fully bloomed flower had entered the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If ever there were a human embodiment of a flower, it would be her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her presence captivated not just the patrons but even passersby outside the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She effortlessly stole all the attention that had been fixated on Bihyeonhwa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And all she had done was walk in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if slicing through the awestruck silence, the woman’s gaze shifted deliberately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes locked onto Bihyeonhwa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bihyeonhwa, who was leaning intimately against a young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brow furrowed delicately, her expression cooling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The floral scent intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her stride was graceful, almost floating, yet steady and purposeful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She approached Bihyeonhwa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Who… is she?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bihyeonhwa was already unnerved, but this newcomer only compounded her unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How can someone be so beautiful…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a thought she had never allowed herself to entertain before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her insides churned, her pride wounded as she instinctively recognized the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the woman stopped in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With elegant, piercing eyes, she looked Bihyeonhwa up and down before speaking softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bihyeonhwa stammered, confusion evident in her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s gaze grew even colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden weight of killing intent bore down on Bihyeonhwa, making her entire body tremble uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stifled whimper escaped her lips, but the woman paid no heed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll say it again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her golden hair shimmered as her sharp, golden eyes bore into Bihyeonhwa’s soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight of her presence consumed Bihyeonhwa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the woman spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone left no room for argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I kill you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes conveyed that final, unspoken warning.\u003C\u002Fp>",3252,"2026-06-05T15:10:12.585Z",1,"novelbin.me","b889eebeaa68aaa7d4f17168d5114b1adca268f03c5cbf65d894f22daba250f0","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-661","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-659",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]