[{"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-666":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},1240416,1667,"Chapter 665","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-666",666,"\u003Cp>The first place we arrived at after leaving with Moyong Hee-ah wasn’t far—it was a nearby town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered why she had dragged me along, but as it turned out, there was nothing particularly special about the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The sales have dropped a bit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her casual remark, the man in front of her wiped the cold sweat from his brow and responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“T-that’s because... A new inn opened nearby, and...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah didn’t spare the man a glance, focusing instead on the letter in her hands, densely packed with writing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you saying it’s because of competition, Innkeeper Jan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s correct. It seems customers are being drawn to the new inn, which is directly managed by the Martial Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his explanation, Moyong Hee-ah continued to read through the letter without looking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That might be true. We’ve received reports that some of the guests who used to frequent our inn are now visiting Minghua Inn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minghua Inn was the name of an establishment currently operated by the Martial Alliance in Henan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, while I don’t intend to blame you entirely for the decline in sales…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after finishing the last page of the letter did Moyong Hee-ah finally look up at the man, her gaze particularly cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s something a bit odd.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her remark, the man flinched. The sweat trickling down his thick neck was clearly visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand that fewer guests would result in lower sales... But compared to that, the number of drinks sold has actually increased. And particularly, high-end liquors have been selling unusually well. Do you have an explanation for this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her question, the man swallowed dryly and hastily replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, we’ve recently been visited by more high-profile patrons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“High-profile patrons? Do you have any details on them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here they are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, the man pulled out another letter from his sleeve and handed it to Moyong Hee-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She unfolded it immediately, revealing a list of several names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mi Hyunsang’s leader… Gu Hyunbang’s head…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While they weren’t leaders of famous organizations, they were names one might have heard of recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Newly rich.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were people who had taken advantage of the chaos caused by the outbreak of Crimson-Rank beasts, profiting from the export of weapons during the upheaval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the era of peace crumbled, the value of armaments skyrocketed. Those who had prepared early reaped enormous profits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lately, for some reason, such esteemed individuals have been visiting us from time to time. Thanks to them, our sales haven’t plummeted completely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see... That makes sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his explanation, Moyong Hee-ah gave a small nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the man thought he had gotten away with it. A hint of relief flickered across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regarding the decline in sales… I’ll do my best to recover them moving forward—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah interrupted his words with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she noticed something? The man’s eyes trembled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The drop in sales can’t be entirely blamed on you. There’s no need to expend unnecessary effort there. Just continue managing the inn as you have been.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I... Manager…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, the man’s eyes glistened with emotion at her unexpected warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I’ll continue to do my utmost to run this inn properly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, please do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah responded with a smile to the man’s exclamation. She folded the letter neatly and placed it in her pocket, stepping out of the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he watched her retreating figure, he wondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could she possibly not have noticed anything unusual?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought had crossed his mind before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...This makes it the third time now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But recalling what had happened previously, such worries had long vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at her now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile that had graced Moyong Hee-ah’s face moments earlier was now replaced by a cold expression. She handed the letter to someone standing beside her with an elegant motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dispose of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her chilling voice carried an edge that sent shivers down one’s spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she referring to disposing of the letter or Innkeeper Jan himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to wonder. The answer was already clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought he was smart, but to steal so openly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression resembled that of someone imagining an insect. The disdain was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did he think I wouldn’t notice his tricks with the liquor sales, leaving such obvious records in the ledger?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried an air of utter contempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Innkeeper Jan should be reported to the main branch and dealt with. Keep an eye on the others listed here as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man receiving her orders carefully took the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll prepare a list of potential new innkeepers within two days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you. Oh, and especially keep an eye on Mi Hyunsang’s leader; I hear there are a few weak points we can exploit…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was swift and efficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just a few words, the ownership of a well-known inn in Henan was about to change hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll report to the branch leader separately, so just handle the tasks I’ve assigned you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the conversation ended, the man with the letter quietly disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah let out a deep sigh and lightly fanned herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spoke up as I watched her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it over?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my question, Moyong Hee-ah turned to look at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cat-like, enchanting eyes met mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faintly applied makeup only enhanced her already radiant presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel the gazes of those around us, even though her aura subtly concealed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Bihyeonhwa pales in comparison.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If seduction was the measure, Bihyeonhwa and Moyong Hee-ah might seem similar, but the qualitative difference was stark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Bihyeonhwa seemed to actively enhance her charm with effort, Moyong Hee-ah exuded an innate elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had an aura of nobility and refinement, akin to a flawlessly crafted jewel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found myself staring at her without realizing it until she finally answered my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s halfway done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only halfway?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had been moving around since early morning, and now it was noon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with so much time passed, only half of the work was done?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave her a dumbfounded look, and Moyong Hee-ah chuckled at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master, do you know how funny your expression is right now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Only halfway? It’s already past lunchtime, and we haven’t even eaten yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you think work would be finished quickly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least I thought we’d eat first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s food everywhere, isn’t there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gestured casually and walked ahead. I followed her gaze to see where she was heading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped at a street vendor selling skewers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two, please,\" she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh… Yes, yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor seemed startled, clearly not expecting someone like Moyong Hee-ah to approach his stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I didn’t know who she was, I’d probably be surprised too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her noble demeanor and elegance made it obvious she was from an esteemed family. Seeing someone like her buying skewers at a street stall was enough to draw surprised looks from the passersby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here you go,\" the vendor said, his hands trembling slightly as he handed over the skewers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" she replied gracefully, taking them and handing one to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at it and raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Is this supposed to be lunch?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why not? It’s delicious. Don’t you like this kind of food, Young Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I like tasty food, sure. But do you think this is enough to fill me up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took a bite from her skewer, unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s good, isn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, but I’ll need a few more if this is supposed to be a meal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed and bit into the skewer. It wasn’t exactly a proper meal, but it would do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way,\" she said suddenly, \"I didn’t bring any money with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped mid-bite. \"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Buy it for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone was so confident that I couldn’t help but laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if I didn’t have any money either?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm. I didn’t think that far ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, I had some money on me. After eating a few more skewers and paying the vendor, we continued on our way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we walked, she occasionally stopped to try other snacks. Watching her, I couldn’t help but comment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You eat more than I expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah. You’re eating pretty well, considering.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She laughed lightly. \"It’s delicious. Especially since it’s been a while since I’ve had anything like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long has it been?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm… About six months, I think.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Six months? Why wait that long? If you like something, just eat it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled faintly. \"There’s no special reason. I just tend to hold back on things I enjoy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would you do that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you indulge in everything you want all the time, you might get tired of it. That’s not appealing to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words had a strange undertone as she glanced at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s why I hold back. Precious things should be cherished.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I assumed she meant savoring delicious food, and it made sense in its own way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about you, Young Master?\" she asked suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Me? What about me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you so obsessed with meals?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her question caught me off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re always making a big deal about whether or not you’ve eaten.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, you do. You’re always asking if someone has eaten or not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that she mentioned it, she wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You could just eat something and move on. Why make such a fuss about it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words carried a hint of curiosity, but I couldn’t help feeling slightly exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you looking at me like that?\" she asked, tilting her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing,\" I replied with a small sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn’t be helped. Of all people, I never expected Moyong Hee-ah to ask me something like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I placed so much importance on meals, it was because of—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person standing before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More precisely, it was because of Seolbong (Snow Phoenix).\u003C\u002Fp>",1660,"2026-06-05T15:10:12.585Z",1,"novelbin.me","172cf96b12c6fdeab1e158591d1144fffba16b81a581088a981454a1c558a09d","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-667","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-665",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]