[{"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-699":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},1240449,1667,"Chapter 698","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-699",699,"\u003Cp>This is closer to oral tradition and folklore than history.Such is the story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a very distant past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When a goblin committed a sin out of longing for his home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of his sin, the framework of the world was crushed, and dimensions became distorted.From within that, beings that defied the laws began to pour out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, a single act destroyed the rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broken rules began to dismantle the laws set by the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, countless lives perished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To call it a punishment feels misplaced.It would be more accurate to describe it as an accident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, it was an accident.An accident born of ignorance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.The incident that unfolded because of that accident was all the more serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Kyaaaaah!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—P-Please save me!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screams ran rampant.The world was drenched in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Monsters!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unidentifiable beings appeared and devoured humans whole.The world was colored with death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing this, the goblin shed tears filled with fire.Because he had crushed the world with his own hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world, too, was enraged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because innocent people were dying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because the laws it had established were collapsing; that was why the world’s god grew angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The established rules were broken, and the world began to crumble.Upon seeing this, the world spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A broken world is of no use.So, it will begin again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the world’s final judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the goblin thought.As things stood, he could neither return to his home nor do anything but watch the world fall apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what should he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goblin thought once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he needed to close the door that had been pouring out these beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would close the door and plead with the world for mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he had committed the sin.He would plead for leniency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having made up his mind, the goblin ultimately closed the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closing the door was not difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enduring what came after closing it was another matter, but as for literally shutting the door, that itself was not so difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, after closing the door, the goblin sought out the world.He resolved to fix what he had done, pleading for mercy, no matter what it took.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that moment of desperate hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the goblin’s surprise, the world listened to his plea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than erasing the world immediately, it would grant him a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world spoke to the goblin, telling him this:It would give both the goblin and the world an opportunity, but the goblin must bear a single sin.If the goblin accepted this, the world would give them a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the condition.And as the goblin had no other choice from the beginning, he accepted without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the world did not speak lies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it had said, it granted him a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The condition that the world imposed on the goblin, which was called a punishment, turned out to be far crueler than he had expected.And even if the goblin came to regret it later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sin was something he could never relinquish of his own will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap-tak—! Swish—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spectacle of Qi unfolded before me.A flow of pitch-black energy, as if scorched, danced through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in the forest veiled by night, the Qi was darker still.Amid that alien scene, I gazed at a small back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing the familiar martial robes of the Gu family, black long hair fluttered in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gaze that met mine was as beautiful as someone I knew.And within the violet eyes, I saw something both hateful and beautiful, evoking a contradictory thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma (Heavenly Demon).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned as I looked at the back of the woman who, in my previous life, was called a calamity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a small, delicate back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, that back had seemed so immense. But now, it looked so very small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I asked with a shaken voice, Cheonma glanced at me briefly before turning her head again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared straight ahead.Before her stood the man claiming to be my grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though flames obscured my vision, making it hard to recognize him, he had taken the form of a human and introduced himself as my grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he hadn’t, just the resonance of Nine Flames Firewheel told me enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those flames themselves were the flames of Nine Flames Firewheel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling how he tried to take Nine Flames Firewheel from me only added weight to his claim as my grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How he could have taken it is a mystery.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ultimately, it was clear. This was a very dangerous situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chirrrrrp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of insects reached my ears.The silenced noise began to return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind brushed against my cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My vanished senses gradually came back. What was happening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had my grandfather loosened his power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or did Cheonma’s appearance cause some kind of disruption?As questions sprouted in my mind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grandfather muttered as he looked at the newly arrived Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you were here. I had almost forgotten for a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tilt of his head reminded me of someone.Annoyingly enough, it resembled my own behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, did I resemble him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Qi of the inhuman. It has been a long time. Have you been well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my grandfather’s words, Cheonma extended her left hand.Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiiiiiik—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black energy suspended in the air began to gather in Cheonma’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I sensed it, a sharp tingle surged through me.It was an immense power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The compressed, concentrated Qi began to change form at Cheonma’s fingertips, taking on the shape of a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew this power well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strength Cheonma often used in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, she never gave it a name.The orthodox faction had attached the ridiculous name Cheonma Divine Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again, calling it a divine sword wasn’t entirely wrong. With a single swing of that sword, she could alter the very terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saaaah—.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword was soon complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma pointed the tip of that sword at my grandfather.And she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disappear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is not a place for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Cheonma’s words, my grandfather chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, now….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wuuuuung—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart began to pound violently.The Nine Flames Firewheel I had retrieved from my grandfather started to convulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hot.The flames spread through my meridians, coursing throughout my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chi-i-iik—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the heat poured out of me, it caused tremendous pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mere dregs dare to command me to leave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, my grandfather’s voice carried a hint of anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that why the flames were reacting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyone in this land could tell me to leave. But you lot? Never.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single step, the air around us rippled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, the temperature soared.It felt as if the forest itself was catching fire, and my skin burned with searing heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disgusting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuuuuu—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surging Qi suffocated me.I struggled to suppress the rampaging energy within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it refused to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is so damn annoying.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gritted my teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, my grandfather continued his slow approach toward Cheonma.Cheonma, in turn, began to move her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they really going to fight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The absurdity of the situation left me cursing under my breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My so-called grandfather had appeared out of nowhere, Nine Flames Firewheel was acting up, and the Cheonma I once despised now held her sword as if to protect me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she trying to defend me? Cheonma?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Who does she think she is?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation itself was utter chaos. Could it get any worse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my fist tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I struck my chest with all my might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuuuuung—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paaah—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the rough sound of impact, Cheonma turned to look at me.The force of my strike had released a shockwave from my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood trickled out.I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, fuck... That hurts like hell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my hurry, I hadn’t controlled my strength.I rubbed my chest. Damn. My ribs were broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed, though even that hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should have hit myself more gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only relief was that, by hitting myself, the Nine Flames Firewheel had stopped its convulsions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better broken ribs than this chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma and my grandfather looked at me in surprise.Ignoring them, I walked forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I did, I grabbed Cheonma by the shoulder and pulled her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma widened her eyes in shock, but I didn’t look at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Step back. Don’t interfere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a family matter.An outsider had no place here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I caught my breath and stepped forward, my grandfather reacted with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you escape?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The convulsions of the flame.He looked at me, puzzled at how I had overcome it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you endure it because you became inhuman and could handle my flames for a moment—.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t your flame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spat on the ground. It was all blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This flame, which I had nurtured my whole life, taming and enduring it, belonged to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t overstep. Do you know how much I suffered to master this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring my battered body, I asked my grandfather,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A man who claims to be my grandfather—shouldn’t he be giving something to his grandson, not trying to take it away? Have you got your head stuck up your ass?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Politeness had already been thrown out the window.If he didn’t respect me, I had no reason to respect him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could try to reclaim the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the unfamiliarity of it unsettled me, I refused to bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want to take it, go ahead and try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My child, you seem to be mistaken. If I so desire, I can take the seed any time….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s the case, I’ll just drop dead right here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of death, my grandfather fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you take it, I’ll die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected.When I held my life as leverage, his demeanor changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just as I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m necessary to him, aren’t I?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was my body, me as a person, or the boy set to become the next Young Lord, it didn’t matter.The point was, I couldn’t die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ha….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing my words, my grandfather let out a hollow laugh.I took that as my cue to act immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, you think I can’t do it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head slightly and grabbed my neck with my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want to take it, go ahead and try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To lose the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grandfather had spoken to my father, and while I didn’t know the details of their conversation, the mention of a one-year grace period implied something significant.For a year, he intended to seal away Nine Flames Firewheel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that happened—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Everything will fall apart.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of my plans would collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the cultivation I had painstakingly built, meticulously calculated into my strategy, would be ruined.If Nine Flames Firewheel were sealed, it would all be over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t let that happen.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would rather die here than let that occur.With that resolve in my voice, my grandfather paused and looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, we exchanged gazes.Calling it “gazes” was strange, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was nothing but flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief silence lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Haha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, my grandfather burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wuuung—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each burst of laughter, the air vibrated violently.It wasn’t the pressure of Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something subtly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How amusing. That child has raised his son well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By that child, did he mean my father?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, saying he raised me “well” was an insult, wasn’t it? From where I stood, it definitely sounded like one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To think you’d try to negotiate with your own life as leverage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Negotiate? That’s a kind way to put it. To be precise, I’m throwing a tantrum and threatening you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue in disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You even resemble your father in that aspect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grandfather spoke as if recalling a similar incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked at me again and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well. In recognition of your resolve, I will not take the flames.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He declared that he would not take Nine Flames Firewheel. That was a relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because my grandfather’s words weren’t finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The period is still one year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So, you want me to come to Shingang within that time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. More precisely, you must come after taking your rightful position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And why would I do that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because that is our burden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing those words, I scowled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our burden, my ass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what exactly is there that I have to go for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Gate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To guard the Gate. That is our duty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gate.What did he mean by that?I didn’t bother to think deeply about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t have the luxury to do so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grandfather repeated the time frame as if to ensure I wouldn’t forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before that time ends, ascend to your position and come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the position of Young Lord and find Shingang.That was what my grandfather wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And if I don’t?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would happen if I didn’t comply?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my question,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do as you wish.”He answered with an indifferent tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you can, that is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Damn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was even worse than telling me not to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear in his words: I couldn’t escape, no matter what I tried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grinding my teeth, I clenched my fists tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And also, take good care of that one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grandfather’s gaze shifted from me to Cheonma behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She is a precious key to us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A key?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, a key to lock the Gate forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned.A key? Cheonma was?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mentioned leaving her with Gu Heebi. What’s your intent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grandfather had brought Cheonma and entrusted her to Gu Heebi.Where had he found her, and why? I couldn’t help but ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grandfather tilted his head in a manner disturbingly similar to my own habits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was out of necessity. Precious things are best kept in plain sight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of necessity.What caught my attention more was his last statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kept in plain sight.”So that was why he entrusted her to Gu Heebi? That irked me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As I have seen your face today as I wished, I will leave now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cutting off the conversation, my grandfather glanced somewhere.It was at the empty void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems I have a guest arriving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he fixed his gaze there, he continued speaking to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Child, remember this well. As long as the flames exist, I will always be watching you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, my grandfather—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—turned into flames and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spot where he had stood, beneath the lush forest, was now scorched black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the air quickly cooled, I bit my lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is so damn annoying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was ridiculous enough that he had shown up out of nowhere, only to vanish after spouting all that nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What was it? A dignified lunatic?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling Paejon’s description of my grandfather, I shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Dignified, my ass. He’s just insane.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could anyone call that dignified? If that was dignified, the world must have gone mad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he spoke of burdens and a one-year deadline, dragging forward something I had been putting off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘One year?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought about the time frame my grandfather had given me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe I should just run.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was already strong enough to leave the Gu family if I wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Blood Calamity to deal with, taking on the role of Young Lord was the least of my priorities. I could simply leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Do as you wish.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words echoed in my mind, swirling around my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The certainty that I couldn’t escape grated on me, leaving a sour taste in my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out a heavy sigh, I ran a hand down my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throb—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp pain flared in my chest.I clicked my tongue. My ribs still ached from earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This’ll probably take three days.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering my improved regeneration speed, three days should be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could leave it alone, but it wouldn’t hurt to seek out the Divine Doctor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning around, I found myself staring into violet eyes.Right. I had completely forgotten about Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma was holding her shoulder with one hand, staring at me with an unreadable expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was she holding her shoulder?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is that where I grabbed her?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spot I had yanked earlier to move her aside.Had I grabbed her too hard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I didn’t think I pulled that roughly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I watched, wondering if she was exaggerating,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you leaving?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma spoke to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. I’m getting out of here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had originally come to see Gu Heebi and Cheonma, but now I wanted nothing more than to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I turned to walk away,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma grabbed my arm, stopping me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glared at her irritably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Food.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eat before you go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of bullshit is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the hell would I eat with her?I would choke for sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After everything that just happened, how could I even think about food?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I tried to pull free and leave,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unni is waiting for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, I paused instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would my sister…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She said she was coming to fetch you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She mentioned me when she left?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unni made something delicious. Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mentioning Gu Heebi, Cheonma tugged me along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to go back immediately, but hearing Gu Heebi’s name drained the strength from my legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Might as well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I was here, I might as well deal with everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, I closed my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the midpoint of a towering rocky cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old man sat there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore only trousers, leaving his upper body bare.Though his appearance suggested age, his body was covered in muscles and scars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thick white hair and a wrinkled face.A battle-hardened body that did not match such features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long horn protruding from his forehead made it clear that he was no ordinary human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, the old man opened his closed eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blazing red pupils came into view.He quietly rolled his eyes around before a faint smile curved his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keuk keuk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as though he tried to stifle his laughter, but it wasn’t easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reaction was clear, as if he had just witnessed something amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long had it been?It was an occurrence that hadn’t happened in the old man’s countless years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the old man chuckled for a while—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone appeared behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems you’ve found something entertaining.”The figure asked, staring at the old man’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man turned his gaze toward the newcomer, erasing the smile he had worn.The earlier grin vanished entirely, leaving only a chilling gleam in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was a moment steeped in sentiment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already sensed the presence of the figure.Because of that, he had been forced to hastily retrieve the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The world’s hound has come to interfere needlessly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing those words, the young man addressed the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My apologies. However, we are in somewhat of a rush on this side as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the old man’s simmering anger, the young man smiled nonchalantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good to see you again, Gatekeeper. I’ve truly missed you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that smile, the old man muttered in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve just come from meeting one of your remnants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even at the old man’s words, the young man—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon—did not erase his smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was simply amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been far too long since I let go of such trivial matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was Qi? What was a body?To the Blood Demon now, none of it mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More importantly, there is something I want to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon—no, Dokgo Jun—asked the old man, his blood-red eyes widening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gatekeeper.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, too, wiped the smile from his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is the Gate to the Divine Realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the question was asked, the old man’s horn flared red, burning intensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dokgo Jun’s pupils split vertically, radiating a piercing light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaaaa—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An explosion erupted on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>",3363,"2026-06-05T15:10:12.585Z",1,"novelbin.me","2db41929eccbbf21ed2cde2f6360c7f2e3471cbd8049aa893d630368054d53f7","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-700","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-698",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]