[{"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-678":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},1240428,1667,"Chapter 677","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-678",678,"\u003Cp>“Subcommander.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Commander!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man waiting behind Bumdong responded sharply, his posture rigid with discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prepare the snare operation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mention of the snare operation caused the man’s eyes to gleam with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The snare operation…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of target required such a strategy?The Snare, deployed by the Dragon Division Commander, was known to be inescapable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless the opponent was one of the ten strongest in Zhongyuan, there was no chance of escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the middle-aged subordinate tensed up, Bumdong chuckled to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Let the arrogant brat taste defeat.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked, picturing the Gu family’s eldest son groveling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not long after Bumdong went to confront So Yeomra, the situation turned sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gahhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep your head up. Didn’t I tell you? If you close your eyes, you’ll die. Why do you keep closing them? Should I just gouge them out for good?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was then that Bumdong realized something had gone terribly wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guhhh… ack…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood mixed with shards of glass poured from his mouth, the sharp pieces tearing through his lips and tongue, leaving a metallic taste of pain and humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to move, but his body refused to respond. His neck was restrained, but it wasn’t a conventional hold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no Qi-blocking technique applied, no obvious suppression of his energy flow.And yet, his body wouldn’t obey him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t believe a so-called warrior of the Martial Alliance resorts to threatening others by targeting their loved ones. Have you lost your fucking mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah… guh… r-release me… you’ll regret…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your mouth still works?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Argh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy impact slammed into Bumdong’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon had picked up a glass cup from the table and smashed it over his skull. The shards didn’t scatter to the floor but instead hovered in mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the floating fragments, Gu Yangcheon picked the largest one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gahhhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drove the shard directly into Bumdong’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively, Bumdong tried to shield himself with his Qi, but it was useless. Gu Yangcheon tore through his defensive barrier as if it didn’t exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a flick of his hand, Gu Yangcheon pulled the shard out, leaving a deep wound behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood began to seep from the injury, but before it could flow freely…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssssssss—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A searing pain shot through Bumdong’s hand as Gu Yangcheon burned the wound with his Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh… guh… AAAAHHH!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Bumdong writhed in agony, Gu Yangcheon grabbed the crown of his head and lifted him up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With glowing azure eyes, Gu Yangcheon stared into Bumdong’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should’ve behaved while I let you live. Why do you keep acting like such a piece of shit? Now you’re forcing me to act like one too. Isn’t that right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he burned Bumdong’s hand, Gu Yangcheon smiled as if this was nothing more than an amusing game.And seeing that smile, Bumdong felt a chill crawl down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I made a mistake.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan to pressure Gu Yangcheon by threatening his loved ones had backfired spectacularly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was never guaranteed to work, but the assumption was that Gu Yangcheon would either react emotionally or try to suppress his anger, creating an opportunity to manipulate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘To think he’s this strong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan relied on provoking the target into rash action, allowing the Martial Alliance to justify its intervention and claim investigative authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it. I underestimated him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bumdong had never expected Gu Yangcheon to react this violently, let alone in the middle of Henan. To use physical force and outright torture on a Martial Alliance commander…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssssssss—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his hand burned, Bumdong screamed in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“AAAAHHHHH!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was spiraling out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Bumdong had personally stepped in because he judged Gu Yangcheon to be a formidable opponent, he hadn’t anticipated being overpowered so completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was aware that Gu Yangcheon was skilled, but this level of strength was beyond anything he could have imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the midst of the pain, Bumdong had a fleeting thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My Qi… it’s not responding. Could it be poison…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone like Bumdong, who had reached a high level of martial arts, such helplessness was unthinkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a commander of the Martial Alliance, someone who had earned his position through skill and strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, here he was, unable to muster his Qi while being throttled by the younger man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it. When did he poison me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had the tea been spiked? If so, when? At the start? No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I checked it beforehand… or so I thought.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thoroughly inspected the tea beforehand, ensuring there were no tampering or traps. Yet, here he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes darting around, Bumdong searched desperately for answers amidst the searing pain of his mangled mouth and suffocating grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, he clung to one hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much pain Gu Yangcheon inflicted, he wouldn’t kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just had to endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the Dragon Division members were standing by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snare operation relied heavily on precise positioning of the personnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Bumdong failed to send a signal or didn’t return within a set timeframe, the team would storm in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only a matter of seconds before the agreed time would pass. The Dragon Division would soon come to his rescue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could just hold out until then… As Bumdong tried to focus on enduring, a chilling voice interrupted his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon, who had been burning Bumdong’s wounds, turned to see Nahi approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What should we do about the rats outside?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her words, a cold sweat ran down Bumdong’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rats? Was she referring to the Dragon Division?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, how had they been discovered? The team should’ve been hidden, even employing advanced concealment techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shall I dispose of them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring Bumdong’s shock, Nahi asked her question with calm indifference.Gu Yangcheon paused for a moment, tilting his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, the room was filled with nothing but Bumdong’s ragged breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, leave them be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon replied casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was about to tell you to deal with them, but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced toward the closed window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a distance, a presence made itself known—a presence that was both familiar and utterly loathsome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour had passed since Bumdong approached the target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the tense atmosphere outside, a subordinate approached and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Subcommander, there isn’t much time left until the designated moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jeong Jin, one of the subcommanders of the Dragon Division, nodded at his subordinate’s report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Commander Bumdong had entered the target’s location, the doors and windows had suddenly shut.The unexpected development left the team unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Proceed as planned. Get ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jeong Jin steadied the troops, adhering strictly to Bumdong’s orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour had passed since the strange phenomenon began. Once the time elapsed, they were to enter, invoking the name of the Martial Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the core of the operation. Reflecting on this, Jeong Jin bit his lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is everything really fine?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been said there wouldn’t be much danger. But with the doors and windows sealed off immediately upon entry,it became apparent that something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, the faint energy barrier encasing the building made it clear that this wasn’t a simple situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should they go in right away? Jeong Jin hesitated but ultimately decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is the commander we’re talking about. He must have anticipated this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This must have been part of the plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trusting in that belief, Jeong Jin took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The target, after all, was said to be only just over twenty years old.While he had been called a formidable martial artist, it couldn’t be enough to challenge a commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He can’t possibly match a division commander’s level.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Intelligence Commander’s martial prowess wasn’t as prominent as others, he was still a division commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bumdong was by no means a weak martial artist. Trusting in his leader, Jeong Jin decided to prepare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he resolved himself…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Subcommander, the time has come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing his subordinate’s reminder, Jeong Jin nodded and drew his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Srring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his blade drawn, Jeong Jin addressed his men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dragon Division, prepare for combat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jeong Jin moved, the martial artists around him began to shift into combat readiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The target is just ahead….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? The sword is… wait, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice that spoke interrupted Jeong Jin’s thoughts, causing him to freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran down his spine as he turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, in a spot that had been empty moments ago, stood a figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What… the hell?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jeong Jin’s eyes widened as he took in the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a petite woman with a slender frame, balancing a staff larger than her body on her shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hair was unusually short for a woman, barely long enough to graze her ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a sword. A sword, right? This is a sword, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s unnervingly eerie eyes were fixed on Jeong Jin’s blade as she spoke, her tone brimming with fascination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a sword! A sword!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What the…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Jeong Jin could fully process her bizarre reaction and ready himself…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But why are you holding a sword? Why is this guy holding a sword? What’s he trying to do? What is it? Around here… oh, I can’t say that. Right, thanks for reminding me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman started muttering to herself, seemingly lost in her own world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shouldn’t you not be holding a sword? They told me to come here, but if you’re holding a sword here, isn’t that strange? Don’t you think so? Right, I think so too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long moment, she continued her nonsensical conversation with herself. Watching this, Jeong Jin frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t afford to let her delay their mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resolving to ignore the woman, he moved to press forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it. Ignore her and push ahead—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, does that mean I can kill you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden, overwhelming killing intent swept over Jeong Jin, brushing against his skin like a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively, he moved his sword to defend himself, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right. I think it’ll be fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman moved first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff she had been balancing on her shoulder was now gripped tightly in her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that instant…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOOOM!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent explosion swept through the Dragon Division like a storm.\u003C\u002Fp>",1721,"2026-06-05T15:10:12.585Z",1,"novelbin.me","a4b695e800dba0f37e6f89806c8e68ee88c0c880f17cf7b062e9ea922bd2c4ed","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-679","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-677",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]