[{"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-690":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},1240440,1667,"Chapter 689","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-690",690,"\u003Cp>Time had passed, and by now, the sun had risen high into the sky. The streets of Hanam were bustling with so many people that there was not a single gap to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, be careful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't step too far forward! You might get hit by a horse!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an obvious warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the wide streets, the crowd control measures only made the space tighter, forcing people to cluster together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just watching the scene felt suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’d probably lose my mind in there.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight alone made me want to run far away. Yet, the people on the streets wore expressions full of anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the reason was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where? Where are they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's the Peng Clan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmur from the crowd grew louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a distance, a large carriage—the largest seen so far—rolled slowly into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson banner edged with black fluttered above it, a symbol of the Peng Clan, often called the Blade Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside that carriage…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The head of the Peng Clan must be in there.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blade King, Peng Zhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recalled meeting him briefly in Hanam once before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A guy with an unpleasantly smug demeanor.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation back then had been frustrating, to say the least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a clan leader, his eyes carried an intense ambition. While ambition and greed were natural traits, they weren't inherently wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But a leader should know how to conceal such things.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the Blade King made no effort to hide his nature, and his demeanor felt utterly unrefined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oddly enough, though, his children turned out well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of Peng Ah-hui and Peng Woo-jin made his character all the more puzzling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the Blade King undoubtedly deserved his title of “King,” his essence carried a faint trace of Simma—the Heart Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the information I’d heard, he’d withdrawn from public life after losing the competition for the position of Martial Alliance Leader to the Sword Immortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And yet here he is now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was surprising to see him attending the Bi-mu-je. I thought he’d skip it out of sheer indignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He wouldn’t be participating, though.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Blade King and head of his clan, his role here was likely ceremonial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfied with my reasoning, I nodded and lifted my tea to sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Peng Clan’s presence is quite overwhelming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, it’s one of the Four Great Clans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I overheard voices from the adjacent room, separated by a thin partition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed to be other patrons of the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk, they still call it the Four Great Clans?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The comment made my ears perk up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can they call it the Four Great Clans when the Tang Clan has long since fallen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from me, Tang So-yeol froze for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly… I can’t believe that name still sticks. Ridiculous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watch what you say. Speaking like that about the Tang Clan will bring you trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept my gaze fixed outside, refraining from looking at Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of expression was she making?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What sort of reaction was she holding back?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I was curious, I avoided glancing her way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, I knew she wouldn’t want me to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, I pretended not to notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still shudder to think that such a vile group is allowed to carry the name of justice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my mind, I imagined the sound of dry leaves being crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t autumn yet, and the leaves shouldn’t be falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suppose the Alliance Leader showed them mercy, but how could anyone call them orthodox?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, calm yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calm down, my foot! I heard a Tang Clan descendant even signed up for the Bi-mu-je. Did you hear that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mean the Poison Phoenix?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp intake of breath revealed Tang So-yeol’s reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, the audacity of them showing up at the Bi-mu-je….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are the rumors true?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you, I heard it directly from that man at the registration desk, Mr. Bang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more I listened, the harder it was to suppress my rising anger. My body felt cold, yet my insides were heating up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hand carefully gripped mine. It was Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her trembling eyes met mine as she spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t, Young Master…. Please don’t do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know this is something I must endure. It’s fine. I can handle it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not wrong, is it? What they’re saying… it’s not wrong. I’m fine. So please….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t her fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimes were committed by elders without the clan head’s knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By that logic, Tang So-yeol could have claimed she was being unjustly blamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she merely let a faint trace of moisture collect in her eyes without saying much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Poison King himself had adopted this stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether or not he was aware of what had happened, as the clan’s head, he bore the responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same went for the Tang Clan’s bloodline, and Tang So-yeol seemed to carry that burden willingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her resolve, I sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she insisted she was fine, there was little else I could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I turned my attention back to the window to cool my temper—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excuse me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice rang out, directed at the men who’d been speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to see the source and widened my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Moyong Hee-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth was she up to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand it’s a lively day, but could you lower your voices? Other patrons are trying to enjoy themselves, too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing gracefully, Moyong Hee-ah addressed the men with a gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And who are you to interrupt—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother! Stop!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The angry man was hastily stopped by his companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you… oh, I see. Look at her waist, Brother. The sword!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The sword…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s eyes widened as he noticed the weapon at Moyong Hee-ah’s side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though her face was veiled, the sight of the sword revealed her as a martial artist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man immediately clamped his mouth shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You could keep it down a bit, couldn’t you? That’s all I’m asking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-yes, of course….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stammered and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah returned to her seat, leaving me to suppress a chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought you hated things like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For her to step in like that was surprising, to say the least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah usually avoided actions without a solid reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not like me, is it?\" she admitted with an odd expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I found it irritating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surprisingly emotional response from someone as rational as her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good job.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes narrowed at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You never praise me, yet this earns a compliment? Unbelievable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…When did I ever not praise you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No sense of shame. If you lack awareness, at least have some decency.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just stay quiet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yes, ma’am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sharp words silenced me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Tang So-yeol began to speak, but Moyong Hee-ah preemptively cut her off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t thank me. I only did it because I was annoyed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And don’t apologize either. That’d irritate me even more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol’s lips moved soundlessly, her expression forlorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sighing, Moyong Hee-ah softened her tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Straighten up. Don’t slump. You already look small enough as it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’ve chosen to bear it, stand tall. That’s how you endure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the two of them, I turned back to the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The martial artists continued their procession outside, and the murmurs of notable names reached my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slurp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was taking another sip of tea—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden exclamation caught my attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the Hwangbo Clan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned my gaze toward the commotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A yellow banner fluttered in the wind, signaling the arrival of another carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just the banner—the entire carriage was painted yellow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’re here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, the reason I’d been watching from this vantage point had finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been waiting for the Hwangbo Clan’s arrival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the yellow banner with my eyes, I heard a voice in my ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ve arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t Nahi’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one was much deeper and lower, a voice I had also been expecting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As ordered, I’ll meet you at the designated location.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, I stood up immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing me rise, Wi Seol-ah tried to stand up with me, but I stopped her with a gentle push on her shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll go first. Take your time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? You’re not going to stay and watch?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah frowned deeply, her eyes narrowing at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Running off in the middle again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her glare was sharp enough to take my breath away, but I had to endure it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I have something to take care of. Sorry. Let’s have dinner together later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m busy tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah turned her head, looking visibly displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, after abandoning her plans several times, her reaction was understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was nothing I could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Namgung Clan hasn’t even arrived yet. You’re okay with missing them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ll show up eventually. Their young lady couldn’t make it here, anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Biah was still in recovery, prioritizing her treatment over traveling to this event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not that she’d be here to see her clan even if she were.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t seem particularly interested in her family’s affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, she’d been spacing out more often, as if lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She looked like she’d gained some kind of insight.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It appeared that way, though it was hard to be certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t paid much attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s for the best, anyway.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Namgung Biah’s swordsmanship to sharpen, my indifference was necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was my judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, everyone around her was a genius in their own right, so leaving them to their devices would be more beneficial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even if that weren’t the case, I have plenty on my plate.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With less than two days remaining before the Bi-mu-je, it was time to finalize the last of my preparations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See you later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I bid farewell to my companions and began walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My destination was my current lodging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun still had a long way to set.Escaping the noisy clamor, I returned to my quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until moments ago, the place had been filled with the sounds of people, yet the quarters were now eerily quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the silence was soothing to my ears, it left a heaviness in my heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooong—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, I felt a sensation brushing against my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A barrier was set up in the quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just any barrier—it was a highly refined and dense one.Sensing it, I couldn’t help but smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn kid. You’ve improved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thickness and intricacy of the barrier were far superior to when I first saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hadn’t been this advanced before. If it had improved this much since I last saw it, the kid really did have talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, with that family name, it’s no surprise.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the kid’s real name, it wasn’t odd at all that they excelled in barrier-related techniques.Without stopping, I continued walking toward the quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence was deafening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even the slightest sound could be heard.It was unnaturally quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling a sense of unease, I grabbed the door and opened it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creeeeak—!The door creaked open, revealing the person inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pale and frail-looking young man came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him, I waved my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A descendant of the Jegal family, bearing the true name Jegal Jin-seon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded as he looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kid, whom I hadn’t seen in months, had a face worn out by exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’s your health?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not… not great.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Glad to hear you’re fine. That means you can keep working harder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made a small joke, and Cheol Ji-seon’s face twisted in an odd expression.His face seemed to ask, Why did you even bother asking then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just kidding, just kidding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Doesn’t sound like a joke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a joke, I swear. Don’t believe me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No, I… I believe you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he still seemed timid, I knew that wasn’t entirely true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even while acting scared, he always says what he wants.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pretends to be intimidated and hesitant, but in reality, he gets his point across.He’s bolder than he looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s exactly why I entrusted him with the job.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he weren’t bold, he wouldn’t have been able to survive alone in Hubei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at the barrier spread throughout the room and asked Cheol Ji-seon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve improved a lot. Have you been working hard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, not bad, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon smiled broadly, seemingly pleased with the compliment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a guy, his smile was surprisingly easygoing.It was amusing how happy he looked over a simple compliment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my praise was sincere.The barrier he had set up was truly excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is it based on formation techniques?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t seem like something created purely for show.Curious about the principle behind it, I considered examining it, but I decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I messed it up like I did during the Heavenly Net Great Leader incident, it would just be a headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to focus on something else instead. Turning my attention away from Cheol Ji-seon, I looked at the other person in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was someone else present, behind Cheol Ji-seon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kneeling on the floor, facing me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How have you been?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I greeted him as I approached. He responded to my greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice matched the one that had sent me a transmission earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive figure, reminiscent of Elder Il or Tang Deok, stood before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A body packed with solid muscle, exuding an intimidating aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear at a glance that he was a martial artist and a powerful one at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel the rough and rugged energy radiating from him.The man slowly lifted his head toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I greet the great Cult Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His violet eyes, a symbol of the demonic, gleamed brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath them, the yellow martial robes he wore came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These robes represented the Huangbo clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Particularly, the white embroidery on the yellow robe was exclusive to only one person within the Huangbo clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, it’s good to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This could only mean one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hwangbo Yeolwi of the Nine Tiger Fists.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man before me was none other than the head of the Huangbo clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And more importantly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you ready to ascend to the Four Great Clans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also meant that he was a demonic being I had corrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>",2415,"2026-06-05T15:10:12.585Z",1,"novelbin.me","ef7795e99f3e36662c47603d2db8fe97d2e913f3b552651fdc12cf74c9ee3af7","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-691","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-689",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]