[{"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-685":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},1240435,1667,"Chapter 684","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-685",685,"\u003Cp>A woman with light green hair smiled brightly, standing beside a blonde woman who couldn’t seem to raise her head for some reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Tang So-yeol and Wi Seol-ah appear suddenly, I tilted my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell? Why are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re here to register for the tournament!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we ran into each other here, it must mean they were here to register for the Martial Arts Tournament.However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re registering?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t expected these two to participate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the tokens they were holding, they had already registered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Were they interested in this kind of thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol was from a prestigious family and regularly attended events like Yongbongjihoe, so it wasn’t entirely surprising.But for Wi Seol-ah to join the tournament? That was unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d always thought she wasn’t interested in such things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I even went out of my way to keep her unnoticed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d been making efforts to keep Wi Seol-ah under the radar. Yet here she was, walking straight into the tournament, leaving me bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was I too distracted?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between the chaos I’d been dealing with lately, I hadn’t had the time to keep up with Wi Seol-ah’s interests.Perhaps I’d failed to notice that she had taken an interest in the tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was becoming troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced around, surveying the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just yesterday, the registration area had been bustling with noise and activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Wow….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, however, the crowd seemed subdued, with only murmurs of admiration filling the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the gazes were directed our way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be precise, they were focused on Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s beautiful… How can anyone be so beautiful?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People’s breaths caught as they gazed at her, as if enchanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was with her trying to suppress her presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol, having undergone training with the Shadow King, had all but erased her presence, leaving people barely aware of her.But Wi Seol-ah, even while deliberately dampening her aura, still drew every gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her beauty had reached a level far beyond expectations, making her the center of attention wherever she went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t let it continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sighing, I released a wave of Qi, cloaking Wi Seol-ah in an additional barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrier lessened her presence slightly, but even after using a significant amount of energy, the effect was minimal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking my tongue in frustration, I muttered, “Where the hell is your veil?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It felt too hot to wear,” she replied with an awkward smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it wasn’t quite awkward—it was more like she was annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I responded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hot? At your level, if you feel hot, it’s a fucking illness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah’s lips pressed together, clearly displeased.I was trying to look out for her, but she didn’t seem to appreciate it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, with her aura subdued, the reaction from the crowd lessened somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you already registered?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yep! We’re planning to give it our all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the hell are you giving it your all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That question stayed lodged in my throat, unspoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, they were martial artists, so it made sense they’d want to participate. Fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with them entering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it’s definitely going to cause trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, I turned my focus elsewhere, extending my senses cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I cast my senses outward, I carefully examined the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ve been watching us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six Martial Alliance warriors were stationed around the registration area, and ten others were observing covertly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, five seemed to be from the Wudang Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their attention is already on us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew they were stationed here to prevent any incidents, but their gazes were unmistakably fixed on Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn’t surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The successor of the Sword Master? That beautiful young lady?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I heard it clearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d already heard the rumors from the Divine Dragon Hall, but… to think she’s a woman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stories about Wi Seol-ah were already spreading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with her aura suppressed, it was too late to stop the rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that it mattered much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This was bound to come out eventually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Wi Seol-ah had taken up her sword, it was only a matter of time before the truth surfaced. The fact that it had stayed hidden this long was a feat in itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sigh, I turned away, intending to finish my errands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“L-Lea…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Bong Soon could finish her hurried exclamation, I cut her off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Address me properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t afford for unnecessary rumors to start here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After my correction, Bong Soon nodded vigorously. Did she understand?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, Young Master! Who are those people!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were a few concerns, but I decided to let it slide for now. She got the gist, which was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They look so precious! Can I bite them? I wanna bite them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why the hell would you bite someone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They look so expensive! Cute and expensive! I wanna bite them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expensive-looking….Honestly, it wasn’t a bad description.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter part of her statement was the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’d actually bite them if I let her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking my head, I grabbed Bong Soon by the arm and pulled her along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul followed closely behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we arrived at the registration desk, the crowd seemed slightly larger than yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching into my robes, I activated my authority quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two recommendation letters materialized in my hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take these and register.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I handed the letters to Bong Soon and Seong Yul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon grabbed hers and dashed to the registration desk, while Seong Yul paused and asked hesitantly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What… are these?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a recommendation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Arts Tournament required an official recommendation letter for registration, and neither Bong Soon nor Seong Yul had one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon was an obvious case, and Seong Yul was practically a fugitive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I used my authority to forge the letters and handed them over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go on. Get it done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he seemed to have more questions, Seong Yul followed Bong Soon to the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them leave, I thought to myself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The letters won’t last long. At best, half an hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The recommendation letters weren’t large, but the densely packed text and seals meant the authority’s effect wouldn’t hold for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, judging by the line, they’d finish in time, and no one would notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had even altered their affiliations and names, so unless the Martial Alliance conducted a thorough check, there shouldn’t be any issues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the Martial Alliance isn’t exactly known for being meticulous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trusting their laziness, I waited. Before long, both returned holding their tokens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master! Look, I’m Pi Yeon-yeon!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon beamed as she showed me her token, clearly thrilled about having a new name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Fine. You’ll be Pi Yeon-yeon for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name was a pseudonym I’d prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a surname from the western regions, one I’d arranged through Nahi to ensure it wouldn’t draw suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon wouldn’t have to worry about being identified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real issue, however, was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Jin, you’ll have to manage yourself carefully for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul, now posing as Jin Im-seok of the Gwangju Jin family, would have a harder time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patting him lightly on the shoulder, I added quietly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“-The Kunlun Sect folks will be here soon. If anything feels off, lay low.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul nodded, his discomfort evident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t forbidding him from going outside or even participating in the tournament if he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he knew, as well as I did, that it would be risky if he caught the Kunlun Sect’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Seong Yul likely understood:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I don’t participate, I’ll be useless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he chose to enter, I’d be willing to offer some support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to completely avoid problems, but to ensure they wouldn’t spiral out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Seong Yul gripped the token tightly and slipped it into his pocket, I couldn’t help but smirk before turning away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that registration was complete, today’s most pressing task was done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next, I need to contact the Demon Vanguard and prepare to set some bait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to start laying the foundation for the larger plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And I need to consult the Divine Doctor about that curse as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even on what I thought would be a relatively easy day, there was always something piling up. As always, today was no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least Bumdong hasn’t shown up since then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had only been a day since the confrontation with Bumdong. While I doubted anything significant could happen in such a short span, I wasn’t one to take chances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d already made contingency plans in case Bumdong acted unpredictably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just hope he doesn’t try anything stupid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adding Bumdong’s antics to the mix would make things more complicated. If he stayed quiet, it’d be easier to deal with him later when the time came to discard him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced up at the sky, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not like I have any free time, but I might be able to squeeze in a meal before the next task.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I could take the group to grab something to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We could try that dumpling place I went to with Peng Woo-jin yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deciding to make the most of this brief window, I turned back toward the area where Tang So-yeol and Wi Seol-ah were waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as I approached, I frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone was standing near them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who the hell is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man was talking to Tang So-yeol, his stance overly familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked closer, tuning into the murmurs from the surrounding crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Isn’t that Oil Sword!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They said he’d be joining the tournament, but I didn’t think it was true!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oil Sword is really participating in the Martial Arts Tournament?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oil Sword?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd’s whispers were all directed at the man standing in front of Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone’s attention was fixed on him, so it wasn’t hard to figure out who he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, unfortunately, he was someone I recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oil Sword Baek Cheong-shin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a righteous sect martial artist from the renowned Baek family in Liaoning and one of the current top 100 masters in Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t look to be over forty, his cultivation had already surpassed the Hwagyeong level, meaning he was likely older than he appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his sly features and noble aura, he wasn’t exactly unattractive. A refined middle-aged man, you could say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Cheong-shin clearly knew how to play to his strengths. Beyond his considerable martial skill, he had another reputation…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s quite the lecher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His countless tales involving women were almost as famous as his swordsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now this infamous flirt was chatting with Tang So-yeol and Wi Seol-ah?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My frown deepened as I slowed my steps and focused on listening in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, I needed to understand what was going on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look! It’s one of the Top 100 Masters!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say he’s the Oil Sword! A master of his caliber actually came to the tournament?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unbelievable… We’re lucky to witness such a legend with our own eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not the point! Isn’t it more important that a Top 100 Master is competing in the tournament?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voices of admiration and excitement swirled around the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing them, the man’s lips curled into a subtle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, praise me more, you ignorant fools. That’s right, I’m the great Oil Sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Cheong-shin, also known as the Oil Sword, reveled in the adoration. He could barely contain the laughter bubbling within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words caressing his ears were music to him. Baek Cheong-shin lived for praise and admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, this is only natural. After all, I’m a man you’d never get to see otherwise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep staring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep worshipping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fervent attention and admiration of others were the fuel that kept him going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Oil Sword reached the Hwagyeong level. His presence is truly extraordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just yesterday, I saw several Peak Masters, but… the Hwagyeong is in a league of its own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, ordinary masters can’t even compare to those of the Absolute level.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flattering words, as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even amidst the praise, a faint annoyance flickered across Baek Cheong-shin’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Comparing me to mere Peak Masters? Tch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How dare they liken him to such trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the real deal, the pinnacle of martial arts. To be compared to younger fools who hadn’t even scaled the wall was an insult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch, tch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his irritation grew, Baek Cheong-shin kept his expression composed, maintaining his radiant smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him was something—or rather, someone—he adored almost as much as admiration itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Cheong-shin loved women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young, beautiful women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the two standing before him were treasures he couldn’t resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d heard the rumors, but such shallow words can’t do justice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Cheong-shin spoke, his eyes scanning over Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A petite woman with light green hair—she was quite the beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the finest he’d seen in a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet behind her…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The other one is on a whole different level.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing behind Tang So-yeol was another woman—a blonde whose beauty surpassed anything Baek Cheong-shin had ever encountered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just looking at her made his mouth water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to take her away immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I must hold back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Cheong-shin suppressed his rising desires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That woman was poison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beautiful, deadly poison that could kill him the moment he touched her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They said she’s the successor of the Sword Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very thought sent chills down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who understood what it meant to be a Sword Master knew how terrifying her background was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one who had reached the heavens in swordsmanship, her mentor’s name alone was enough to dissuade any reckless advances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a bitter pill to swallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his desire for her was maddening, Baek Cheong-shin restrained himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, there was still Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I’m not mistaken, are you not the treasured daughter of the Tang Clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol frowned slightly at his words, but even that expression was beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have I mistaken your identity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No. As a member of the Tang Clan, I greet Senior Baek Cheong-shin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol performed a polite salute, her expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmurs from the crowd grew louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Tang Clan? Then that must be the Poison Phoenix.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Poison Phoenix? Wait, did they say the Tang Clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gazes directed at Tang So-yeol multiplied, and the murmurs turned cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That despicable clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t they get expelled from the Four Great Clans after being caught kidnapping children for experiments?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nerve, showing her face here after all that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stories about the Tang Clan overshadowed Tang So-yeol’s personal reputation. Her expression darkened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Cheong-shin chuckled awkwardly and spoke, feigning regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, it seems I made a mistake. I didn’t mean for this to happen….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s fine. This is a burden I must bear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While her words were composed, the situation was exactly as Baek Cheong-shin intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the backlash was more intense than expected, it was within his calculations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his usual smug smile, he stepped closer to Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I truly regret causing such an awkward situation. To make amends, though it may be insufficient….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, lowering his voice slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you would allow it, may I treat you to a meal at a fine establishment? What do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Cheong-shin’s tone was gentle, almost sweet, but Tang So-yeol’s response was immediate and cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That won’t be necessary. Your offer is appreciated, but I must decline.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her refusal was firm, without the slightest hint of hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Cheong-shin’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she just reject him? Him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So she has some pride, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fallen clan’s daughter, acting all high and mighty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She should be grateful that someone like me is even giving her the time of day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a foolish woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his annoyance, Baek Cheong-shin deepened his smile, leaning further into his smug act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come now, there’s no need to be so formal. It’s no trouble at all. Don’t worry and join me—just a light conversation over a meal….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he continued to push, his irritation began to creep into his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite her beauty, she was just a woman from a fallen clan. How dare she defy him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make matters worse, the atmosphere around them was growing tense, with onlookers starting to whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this dragged on any longer, it would become troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, unable to suppress his frustration, Baek Cheong-shin reached out and grabbed Tang So-yeol’s wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. Just come along now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words turned curt, abandoning any pretense of courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pale, cold wrist in his hand, he couldn’t help but salivate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he wanted to take her right then and there, that would cause too much trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she kept resisting now, she’d yield eventually. They always did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he tried to pull her along—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t budge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Cheong-shin turned to look at her, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he was using strength, Tang So-yeol stood firm, staring at him coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I not use enough force?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He doubted it. He’d given it more than enough strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he hesitated, confused by the situation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Haah….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint sigh escaped Tang So-yeol’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sigh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she just sigh at him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my face?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Baek Cheong-shin stared in disbelief, Tang So-yeol leaned in slightly, speaking in a low, frigid tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior, is your brain connected to your crotch, or are you just hard of hearing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wha…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Cheong-shin froze, his face twisting in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did she just say? Did he hear her wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he opened his mouth to question her again, Tang So-yeol’s eyes turned even colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve held back long enough, but it seems I need to make myself clear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a step closer, she whispered directly into his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You couldn’t have me even if I were dead. So fuck off, you pathetic piece of shit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Cheong-shin’s face went rigid as her words sank in.\u003C\u002Fp>",2995,"2026-06-05T15:10:12.585Z",1,"novelbin.me","00da251d5384fbac5bb32a435d544fd475fd5e191c1593064d03b43076ec2b7b","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-686","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-684",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]