[{"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-697":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},1240447,1667,"Chapter 696","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-697",697,"\u003Cp>“How did it go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some time had passed since we returned to the lodging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was now fully nighttime, and I was sitting face-to-face with the two who had completed the preliminary rounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing unusual happened, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah nodded in response to my question. She looked slightly amused, as if she had enjoyed herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t ask whether they had passed or not. I assumed they had, and that was indeed the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned my head to look beside her. Next to Wi Seol-ah stood Seong Yul, his face showing faint exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes. I’m the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, you’re not. Judging by that sour face, something definitely happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed I had hit the mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Nothing happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though his expression gave him away, Seong Yul seemed determined to pretend otherwise. I tilted my head and spoke casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he didn’t want to talk, that was fine with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as I dropped the subject, Seong Yul’s face twisted subtly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at this guy. I was being considerate, yet he had the nerve to make that face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? You said you didn’t want to talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not that I don’t want to talk… Nothing really happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure. As long as nothing happened, that’s all that matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was his problem? I couldn’t figure him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After stretching my body, still stiff from training, Seong Yul asked me with a puzzled tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… how did you come back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did he mean by that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Obviously, I finished and came back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No… Did you perhaps escape?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of nonsense is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escape? Who’s running away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his words grew more absurd, I frowned deeply. Seeing this, Seong Yul quickly added more detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But everyone is supposed to wait after completing the round and return together. When exactly did you arrive here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at him, bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone waits together?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That’s not true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Seong Yul, I showed a confused expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t Bimapa told me otherwise? I specifically asked her if I could go home, and she said I could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I just came straight back here. What was this nonsense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you serious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at my incredulous expression, not only Seong Yul but even Wi Seol-ah nodded their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If what they were saying was true, then why had Bimapa let me leave?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had never heard of such a rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t get it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really didn’t. I wondered if there was some hidden intention behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, since Bimapa gave me permission, and others saw it too, I had an excuse if anyone brought it up. It would be fine. In fact, it was probably better this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, enough about that. Did you eat yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re about to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then go eat. I had food set aside for you. And you—are you sure nothing happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked Seong Yul one last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, his eyes wavered, but the answer was the same as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes. Nothing happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t going to ask again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They said we can rest for the next two days, so take it easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The preliminaries would last three days, which meant they would get two days of rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘As for me…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After going through the trial today, something had come to mind. I needed to talk to Cheol Ji-seon separately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like I would have to slightly adjust my plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sending Seong Yul and Wi Seol-ah away, I immediately went to find Cheol Ji-seon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we met again, Cheol Ji-seon was already waiting for me in my room, sorting through a massive stack of papers he’d brought from somewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s all that?” I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reports.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…All of it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… about thirty percent of it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thirty percent of that pile was reports? I nearly laughed in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the remaining seventy percent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The strategists are reviewing it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to clear my throat at the thought. It meant Jegal Hyuk was currently handling far more paperwork than what was stacked in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is there so much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good question. Why is there so much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon looked up at me as he said this, his gaze practically dripping with grievance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe it’s because someone keeps stirring up trouble everywhere?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s doubled in the past three months alone. What on earth have you been doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, there had been a lot to handle this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of Mains had grown, and with the Divine Dragon Martial Tournament acting as a turning point, I had to set up the framework for many changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been busy with a few things…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon let out a deep sigh of exhaustion, yet he continued to diligently sort through the reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the increased workload, he showed no sign of giving up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s to be expected.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon had his reasons to stick around. We both had things to accomplish and gains to achieve from this partnership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the perfect kind of relationship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew it too, which was why he willingly joined me in this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While examining the reports, he asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When do you plan to proceed with the Bong Soon Sojeo matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That title doesn’t suit her at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon Sojeo—it sounded strange and awkward no matter how many times I heard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Cheol Ji-seon gave me an incredulous look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the one who gave her that name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not the name, it’s the ‘Sojeo’ part that’s the problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not the issue here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We exchanged meaningless banter before Cheol Ji-seon let out another long sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough chit-chat. Seriously, what’s the plan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean? We’ll stick to the plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing significant had changed, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Cheol Ji-seon looked skeptical at my response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you really think that’ll work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked at his doubtful tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? You don’t think it will?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s old news. Even if the Alliance was in the wrong, would something that happened in the past really have an impact now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jegal Hyuk had mentioned something similar. Digging up the past might not deliver a strong enough blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The past, you say. Of course, that’s true…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, Cheol Ji-seon was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, there was one thing they weren’t considering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“People are far too attached to the past. You’re no exception, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, Cheol Ji-seon fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His goal was to restore the Jegal Clan’s honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Alliance had framed his clan, and he wanted to clear their name and return them to prominence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he joined hands with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, too, couldn’t let go of the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Neither can I.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one ever truly escapes their past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The past shapes the present—how could anyone simply forget it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same applied to the Martial Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as people remembered, they could never escape their sins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’ll never escape.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Alliance tried to bury the past, those who knew would never forget. That trust would slowly erode, piece by piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since we had evidence on our side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So don’t worry about it and stick to the plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’s the situation in Hubei?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I set it up as you instructed. If you give the word, Na Sojeo will move immediately. But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon’s face clouded slightly with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems the Alliance caught on faster than we expected. I heard the Ilryong Daeju is personally involved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ilryong Daeju…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So they sent the Amgaek leader.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the head of the Alliance’s assassination unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his name was less prominent due to Amwang’s reputation, he was still a highly skilled assassin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s fine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they sent the Ilryong Daeju, it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I expected this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So that’s why you’re sending Na Sojeo?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his words, I broke into a grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a secret. Think whatever you like.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My casual response made him pale slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re terrifying. Truly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue and moved on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s settled. The bigger issue is with Dowang. I’m revising the plan for that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? Is it because Dowang’s forces are stronger than expected?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you insane?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did he even get that idea?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you seemed pleased when Dowang joined the tournament.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was. Dowang’s participation is a huge gain for us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having the head of one of the Four Great Families participate gave me plenty of opportunities to exploit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not a problem. I just came up with a better way to use this situation. If there’s an opportunity, I might as well make the most of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are three scenarios to prepare for. Listen carefully and remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I issued my instructions to Cheol Ji-seon, framing it as a request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first scenario: Dowang faces me in the tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second scenario: Dowang doesn’t face me in the tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The third scenario: Dowang dies before the tournament.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon’s face hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly added an explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not saying I’ll make that happen. It’s just a precaution.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation needed to be airtight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We couldn’t afford any gaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I instructed Cheol Ji-seon to prepare for all three possibilities in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And for the second and third scenarios, inform Hwangbo Gaju as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hwangbo Gaju?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. There’s something that man needs to know ahead of time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hwangbo patriarch had a lot on his plate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to start laying the groundwork now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would make things easier later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll write up the rest and send it to Hyuk myself. Just handle this part for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This part? That’s still too much…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then do you want to take care of the rest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll just focus on what I already have, thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon seemed fully aware that his workload was far lighter than Jegal Hyuk’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not that Cheol Ji-seon is incompetent—Jegal Hyuk’s just a monster.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he wanted to, Cheol Ji-seon could probably handle more. It’s just that he didn’t have the same relentless drive as Jegal Hyuk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I had passed on all the instructions, I stood up to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the piles of scattered reports on the floor, I turned back and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll get you a room soon. You can’t stay here forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon looked startled at the mention of separating rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…W-Wait, you mean alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll assign guards so no one sneaks in and kills you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-Wait, what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face turned pale at my blunt words, but it was the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was dangerous enough that even a minor mishap could end badly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guards, hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I paused, thinking briefly about who to assign. Then I spoke without much thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It should be safe until the tournament, so I’ll use someone from the Hwangbo family for now… After that, I’ll send Bong Soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“B-Bong Soon Sojeo?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of Bong Soon, Cheol Ji-seon flinched, his expression full of disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood. Even I wouldn’t trust her completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what could I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyone else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone’s busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about Young Lord Seong? He’s strong too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bong Soon’s stronger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not the point!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What else matters? Strength is what counts for a guard. Anyway, I’m leaving it at that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, wait—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon tried to protest further, but by then, I had already closed the door behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could follow, I quickly leapt away, soaring through the air toward my next destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the moon, I flew for a short while before arriving at my intended location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had moved slightly beyond Henan and into a forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was exactly where I needed to be. I gradually lowered my altitude, landing softly in the shadowed woods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a forest so dark that even the moonlight didn’t touch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt darker than the last time I had been here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hoo…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I steadied my breathing and scanned my surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was cool, a reminder that summer had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of crickets chirping and the faint scent of grass calmed my mind somewhat. But in contrast, my thoughts were tangled and heavy with every step I took.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was on my way to meet Gu Heebi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or more specifically—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Cheonma.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had come to see the Cheonma she was keeping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I had other goals related to Gu Heebi, my primary reason for being here was Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should have come sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I hadn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, I could have walked faster, but my feet dragged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I forced myself to move forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t want to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t want to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This filthy contradiction warred within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Images from the last time I saw her flashed in my mind—the Cheonma who looked so different from what I remembered, her sorrowful gaze and voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory unsettled me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I didn’t want to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My thoughts were still a mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have to go.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no other choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there were no other solutions, the only way left was to face it head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My energy…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had used over half of it breaking through the trial, but it had mostly recovered by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had prepared my body in case a fight broke out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should I ask first?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would probably start by asking Gu Heebi about my grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And also—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need to ask about my father.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father still hadn’t shown up, even though the martial tournament was already underway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Mi told me not to worry, but I couldn’t shake the unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Gu Heebi knew something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the first thing I intended to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need to ask Cheonma something.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About the Lord of the Black Night Palace, who had taken her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About the Taejeolgwi he had. I needed to know where he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she refused to tell me, there would be trouble, but I would deal with that when the time came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step by step, I walked through the forest, thoughts swirling in my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why can’t I hear anything?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a pitch-black night, lit only by moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t unusual for the forest to be quiet, but this was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the sounds around me had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crickets that had been chirping. The wind brushing through the grass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a single step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My foot touched the ground, yet there was no sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bizarre, chilling sensation made me instinctively gather my energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kiiiing—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rings of Nine Flames Firewheel spun, igniting heat within my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue flames erupted around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, I expanded my senses, spreading my energy across the entire forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took only a moment to cover the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, I felt nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tension gripped me as I tried to make sense of the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a beautiful flame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The color may differ from its meaning, but it’s exquisite in itself. Well cultivated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A murky, dark voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t need to turn my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice came from directly in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The quality is superb. I like it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwaruk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The embers crackled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the silence, something began walking toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haruruk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the halted sounds and frozen air—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flame, shaped like a human, walked toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swallowed dryly. Sweat trickled down my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kiiiing—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart pounded, and my energy roared in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resonance. My flame was resonating with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That flame was Nine Flames Firewheel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And so, I am curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to speak, but my lips wouldn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are more than qualified. Overqualified, in fact, and already complete. Why have you not yet inherited the karma?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame reached out, stopping right in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And moreover…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It brushed my cheek, speaking softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why have you become such a vile creature? My precious bloodline.”\u003C\u002Fp>",2703,"2026-06-05T15:10:12.585Z",1,"novelbin.me","7f6e041b56cce6affe230bddaa3cf372b6fa25037cf3bb5ee0b7a3c763365a7c","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-698","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-696",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]