[{"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-674":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},1240424,1667,"Chapter 673","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-674",674,"\u003Cp>The words from Cheonma made me frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How the hell would I know that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of conversation was this?This felt like a complete waste of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell am I even doing?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her name didn’t matter in the slightest.In my past life, I didn’t know Cheonma’s name either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was simplyCheonma.A devil descended from the heavens, the very source of calamity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her name meant nothing to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was enough.No, ithadto be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Don’t make that expression in front of me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was infuriating to see her act as if she were a different person from the Cheonma of my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is pissing me off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I twisted my waist.The condensed energy in my hands felt unusually heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Energy shouldn’t have weight, so it must have been the sheer pressure of it.Would this be enough to kill her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t certain.But I could only act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiiiing—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greedsurged forward, ripping through her barrier.Once again, Cheonma didn’t dodge, and the gap it created was even larger than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped deeply, my foot grinding against the ground.Rotating my shoulder to adjust my angle, I gripped theSacred Speartightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma glanced at me as if she wanted to say something, but instead, she adjusted her posture.It didn’t look like she intended to run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘On the contrary.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed as though she had resolved not to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she daring me to land my strike?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could sense how little she thought of me.Fine. I’d have to show her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, just die here, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spoke and swung my arm.At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dongsaeng—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the forest behind us, I heard Gu Heebi’s voice.It seemed she had arrived late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was far too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench!I hurled theSacred Spearwithout hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spear hurtled toward Cheonma with frightening speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No—!”Gu Heebi rushed forward, trying desperately to block it, but she wasn’t fast enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TheSacred Spearreached Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it approach, Cheonma slowly closed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bwoom—!!Kraaaash—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An explosion rocked the area, sending shockwaves in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwooooosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heat and pressure swept across the surroundings like a violent storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a distance, smoke billowed thickly into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waved my hand,gathering the flames from the explosion that had spread to nearby trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoo—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire condensed and returned to my heart.I turned my gaze forward with a scowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there she stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma remained in place, completely unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind her, the area lay in ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ran a trembling hand over my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curse was directed at myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, I hadn’t done it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when the opportunity was served to me on a silver platter, I couldn’t.What a pathetic excuse of a person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeona...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Heebi ran past me toward Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, are you okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma greeted Gu Heebi with a calm voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hi, Unni.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them, a thought crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why couldn’t I kill her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was it because of the fear that I might fail?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew she had to die.Only by killing her could I rid myself of this lingering anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, I couldn’t do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was it because she looks just like Wi Seol-ah?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t deny it.But that wasn’t the sole reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did I think she might change?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was I, like Jegal Hyuk or Namgung Bi-ah, hoping that she might become something different?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know.I couldn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what I did know was this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll regret this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I killed Cheonma now, I felt I would regret it.And if I let her live, I might not get another chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day, she could become a calamity and cause another bloodbath.Even though I feared that possibility, the unknown regret outweighed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it guilt?If so, this was the worst possible time to feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was I supposed to make of this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…What should I do?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I silently asked the ill-tempered old man who was no longer here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t know the way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no answer.There was no one left to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Noya were here, what would he have told me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—If you think you’ll regret it, don’t do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he have said that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then what if things go wrong later?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Then deal with it when it happens. You ought to handle at least that much. Tsk, tsk. What good is a man so afraid of everything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Follow your heart. That’s what suits you best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Noya wasn’t here,it felt as though he were speaking to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me ask you something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why didn’t you take the escort exam?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After passing the first test, Cheonma had vanished right before the second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling something, her eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They were weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My sister said it’s wrong to pick on the weak. Fighting them would’ve been a disaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, all those seasoned martial artists—masters, even—had been rebranded as “weaklings.”But more than that, the absurdity of Cheonma saying such a thing left me dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ridiculous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Cheonma's answer, I shook off my hands and turned to Gu Heebi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Put away your sword, noona. I’m done for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Heebi, who had been gripping the hilt, flinched at my words.She had likely been preparing to stop me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘With that expression on her face?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her anguished expression as she looked at me was plain to see.It was as if even pointing her sword at me was something she despised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone known for her fiery temper, she seemed oddly human in moments like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dongsaeng...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not saying I’m giving up completely. Right now… I just need time to think.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You might not see it, but this child isn’t so bad. She’s just inexperienced with the world. If you gave her more time—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe you’re right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut her off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could be right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight of Cheonma, unwilling to fight and claiming not to harm the weak, was strange even to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever the reason, maybe Cheonma could lead a different life. That was one way to see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But for me to think that way, I’d have to give up on a lot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was something I found incredibly difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t much time left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few years, the time when Cheonma descended would come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until then, anything could happen.Judging based on what I had just seen was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So for now, I’m leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed time to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing her now, I couldn’t think of anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at the ruined forest and Cheonma before turning my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is it okay to leave like this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could I leave with Cheonma behind me?As that question gnawed at me—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Goodbye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See you again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma’s soft, naive tone reached me, and I finally took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rose into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moon still hung in the night sky.Looking at the thin crescent moon, I steadied my breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of situation was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving behind both the sight of Cheonma and my own restraint,I thought about how things had gotten to this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Grandfather…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former head of the Gu family, presumed dead, had entrusted Cheonma to us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma, who should have departed with the Palace Master, had somehow been left in my grandfather’s care.And passed on to Gu Heebi, no less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t understand.Even the fact that my grandfather was alive was strange in itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Does Father know?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did my father know about this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he did, it meant both Gu Heebi and Father were aware while I was kept in the dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t want to ask Gu Heebi right now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no desire to question her when I returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Besides, Father said he would arrive tomorrow.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to ask him then.With that thought, I left the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even here, an unforeseen problem arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As scheduled, the Gu family members and Lady Mi returned to Hanam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Father did not arrive with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for seven days and nights after, he still didn’t appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold chill filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssss…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a space heavy with frost, a young man sat lazily, his head hanging low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a short hum, he raised his head, revealing blood-red eyes that gleamed menacingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click, click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a soft, amused chuckle, as though entertained by an unexpected situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was the mistake leaving the flow too shallow? The child regained consciousness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vast presence coiled within him,and he had been trying to proceed unnoticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that was the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How unfortunate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It truly was.He had been so close to obtaining a precious key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he lamented his missed opportunity,a veiled woman approached and knelt before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I greet my lord…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man’s blood-red eyes shifted to the woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Muhee.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have urgent news, my lord. Forgive my sudden intrusion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s trembling voice filled the air, and the young man tilted his head slightly,an unspoken command to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muhee hesitated before carefully speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have found the Gatekeeper.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man froze.At the same time, everything in the space came to a halt as if time itself had stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no sound.No energy.Even the breeze had stilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kuk… kukkuk…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only sound was the young man’s laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kukukukuk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed as though he couldn’t hold it in,his amusement cracking the very air around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disappointment he had felt moments ago was already forgotten.His slit-like pupils radiated an oppressive aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer power of his presence spread in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did you see the Gatekeeper?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shudder, shudder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overwhelming pressure made Muhee tremble uncontrollably.Her voice faltered, but she forced herself to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Several… several days ago. I detected its energy at Mount Taeseong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mount Taeseong…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mountain not far from Hanam.Hearing this, the young man nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At last… we’ve found it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After decades without a trace, the Gatekeeper had been located.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, that’s not it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather, it seemed the Gatekeeper had revealed itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man rose slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack, crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every movement of his body was accompanied by the sound of something breaking.He flexed his hands, an expression of faint regret on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This body is pitifully weak. But it will have to suffice for now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to his true form, this human body was no better than dust.But for now, it was all he could use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until he regained histrue bodyand recovered hisenergy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Muhee.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take a brief stroll. In the meantime, inform the Heavenly Eye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And one more thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man’s blood-red gaze shifted past Muhee to the far wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There stood another figure, silent with eyes closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s time to move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the young man’s command,Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who responded was none other than the scion of the Peng Clan,Peng Woojin, who opened his eyes and gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>",1827,"2026-06-05T15:10:12.585Z",1,"novelbin.me","7f9349589c58f0cc7db8cc8f6fd1aa37107ad4f7b08a106c37aa8c998721838c","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-675","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-673",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]