[{"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-718":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},1240763,1667,"Chapter 717","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-718",718,"\u003Cp>TL Notes: Hi everyone. I've started smoothly adapting the characters to fit the fandom of the story. Really wish I had done this earlier. Of course, there's a lot of things I can't fix now that we're past 700 chapters, but I can still make minor changes and it shouldn't be confusing. At the moment it's about Paejon. Previously I used Bi Eui-jin, and according to the official character page \u002Fwiki\u002FBijuu) the correct translation is Bi Eejin! I don't think this should cause a problem. Of course, implementing the Dragon Warrior nickname instead of Twin Dragon is not possible now. Things like this will be changed during a full chapters revision after the story ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>____________________________________________Two hours had passed since the third round of the main tournament began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time felt even longer while sitting idle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaaah—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heat of excitement still filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—! Boom, boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a fierce spectacle, like a raging storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouts and the sounds of weapons clashing echoed everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as the sky slowly began to darken, the energy remained unbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Windstorm Fist… I’ve only heard rumors, but what a powerful martial artist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’d like to face them someday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With a sword like that, the Quickdraw Blade must be burning with envy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial artists watched the matches in awe, analyzing and discussing techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since most of the audience consisted of participants who had made it this far, their ability to observe and assess was remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making it to the third round of the main tournament already marked someone as a formidable opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even watching the matches could bring enlightenment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why the martial artists remained focused and energized despite the long hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was also why the crowd’s enthusiasm never waned—they were witnessing masters in action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is boring.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For me, it was nothing more than a tedious schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The matchups are horribly unbalanced.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The skill gaps between opponents were glaring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over two hours, I’d seen several Hwagyeong-level martial artists, but their opponents were noticeably weaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because of that gap, the fights lacked any real sense of desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, the weaker fighters seemed to treat it as an opportunity to learn from stronger opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this? A training session?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t exciting at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no killing intent, no desperation, no intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a match, so maybe this was normal—but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s so dull.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching it made me want to yawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Maybe I really am crazy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding peaceful matches boring—did that mean I’d only enjoy it if they fought to the death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yeah, probably.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I imagined it, it did seem far more entertaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve seriously lost it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol and Wi Seol-ah sat quietly watching the matches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither of them looked particularly interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only difference between us was that they seemed slightly more engaged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, of course.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them were Hwagyeong-level martial artists. It was natural for them to be unimpressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two hours of this already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I should’ve just trained instead.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was I thinking, coming here to watch this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If it weren’t for Seong Yul, I wouldn’t have bothered.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d only come because he looked suspiciously uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in hindsight, I probably didn’t need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He would’ve figured it out himself.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d even told Cheol Ji-seon not to waste time on petty nonsense, and yet here I was doing the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was well aware of my own contradictions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it left a bad taste in my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a quiet breath, trying to shake off the irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous match ended, and the next competitors appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shifted in my seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d just received a transmission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Sit properly. It’s bad for your back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned but adjusted my posture anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaaah—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive, broad-shouldered man emerged from the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd erupted into deafening cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was probably the most anticipated match of the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the Blade King!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou, the Blade King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head of the Hebei Peng Clan and one of the Six Thrones of the Central Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Waaaah!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cheers grew louder as he entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou walked forward, unfazed by the noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each step sent tremors through the ground, as if causing a localized earthquake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spectators’ excitement only grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Incredible—! So this is the power of a Great Clan’s patriarch.”“He shakes the ground just by walking!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the crowd marveled, I couldn’t help but scowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not just his steps.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grumbled inwardly, feeling the oppressive heat around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That old man hadn’t changed one bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s doing the exact same thing he did during the preliminaries.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was letting his Qi spill out deliberately, flooding the area to show off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sigh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol and Wi Seol-ah both let out quiet sighs as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They even averted their gazes, as if it was too much to watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone at a certain level could see through it—this was pure theatrics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaaah—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the crowd’s reaction, it was working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blade King ascended the stage, releasing waves of Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another figure could be seen behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, my eyes immediately locked onto that person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dressed entirely in black from head to toe—a young man with delicate features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twin Dragon, wearing his mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hands clasped behind his back, he blended into the Blade King’s shadow, walking calmly up to the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he walked, Paejon’s gaze was locked onto me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of all the people in this crowd, he found me instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, but he had sent me a transmission before even stepping out—meaning he’d already sensed me through the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a terrifying old man.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ability to detect Qi was truly monstrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, voices from the surrounding crowd drifted into my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say the Blade King’s opponent is the Twin Dragon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Twin Dragon… You mean the one they call Paejon’s successor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. That’s what I heard. He’s been making waves recently.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation shifted to Bi Eejin. I couldn’t help but listen in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I don’t think there’s been any impressive performance from him in this tournament so far. Are the rumors even true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s hard to say they’re false when he came here carrying Paejon’s recommendation. Besides, the fact that he’s made it this far proves enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just unfortunate… considering who he’s up against.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, that’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The successor of Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That title alone came with immense expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a testament to just how revered the Three Masters were in the orthodox sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even with all those expectations—reality had its limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His opponent is the Blade King, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, you never know. Look at the Crescent Moon Sword—we all saw what she’s capable of. The Twin Dragon might be just as extraordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her name, Wi Seol-ah’s ears twitched slightly.She was listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After what Wi Seol-ah and the Divine Dragon had demonstrated, people were beginning to consider the possibility that even Late-Stage Grandmasters could be monstrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the talk going around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha… Maybe. But let’s be honest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The martial artists’ reactions remained doubtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter what—his opponent is still the Blade King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blade King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That name alone erased all other possibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blade King (刀王).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Six Thrones currently reigning over the Central Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Six Thrones—figures whose influence reached across the martial world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although they weren’t chosen based on strength alone, none of them were weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all immensely powerful martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t know much about the Flame King or the Bright Queen, but they’re probably just as strong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even excluding the ones I hadn’t seen in my past life, each of them was formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe not on the level of the Ten Grand Masters, but still.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were martial artists at their peak—masters no one could underestimate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, the Divine Dragon and Crescent Moon Sword had reached Hwagyeong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But reaching the Six Thrones was another matter entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was how people saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yeah, just perception.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon’s disciple or not, he was still a disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Blade King was out of reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that raised another question—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could the Blade King reach Paejon?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Six Thrones.The Ten Grand Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could mere humans, bound to the earth, reach those who stood above the heavens?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the heavens chained them down and dragged them to earth, could someone like the Blade King even dare to look up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t even worth considering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how foul-mouthed, dirty, and downright insufferable that old man was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Blade King doesn’t even come close.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I said before, Bi Eejin is Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone answered everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what I was worried about wasn’t Paejon’s safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Please, just don’t overdo it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could only hope that that old man didn’t cause too much of a scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheers erupted from all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fiery excitement refused to die down as two martial artists faced each other on the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man stood with his arms crossed, staring at the younger man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the younger man stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze directed somewhere else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Peng Zhou, the Blade King, furrowed his brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Where the hell is he looking?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his opponent standing right in front of him, this young man dared to look elsewhere?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou’s expression grew darker at the blatant display of disrespect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tsk.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young people these days—none of them knew how to behave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t just a senior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the senior, the Blade King, and this kid had the audacity to act like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I was even planning to show some respect since he’s Paejon’s disciple.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon Bijuu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man who had survived countless battles of life and death—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who had endured repeated defeats yet emerged alive each time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who had single-handedly created his own martial arts and risen to the rank of Grandmaster after contributing greatly to the war against the Demonic Factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling that old man, Peng Zhou clicked his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Like master, like disciple. They’re both insufferable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen Paejon several times before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, as a child, when he accompanied his father, Peng Tae-woo.And again, in his early twenties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That damned look in his eyes.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still remembered it vividly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way that old man had looked at him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he were nothing more than a pebble on the side of the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold. Disinterested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That gaze had made Peng Zhou shrink back in humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This bastard has the same eyes.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was because he was Paejon’s disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something about Bi Eejin that radiated Paejon’s presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the scarred and battle-hardened Paejon, this one looked young and fresh-faced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the feeling was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Him, that bastard Gu Cheolwoon’s son, and this brat—they all piss me off.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou clenched his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll crush him here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything about this situation disgusted him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including the fact that he had to stand on this stage at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Alliance hadn’t threatened to bring up past incidents, he wouldn’t have had to lower himself like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They dared to use me, Peng Zhou, as a clown?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would never forget this humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day, he’d rise to the position of Alliance Leader and make them all pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, he endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou calmed his rising anger and focused on his opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bi Eejin was still looking elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, Peng Zhou would have snapped by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Good. I’ll fix that attitude.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the perfect chance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A place where he could beat down his opponent without consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This arrogant young brat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou would personally humble him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy blade emerged from its sheath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t his usual weapon, the Black Fang Ink Blade (Heuk-a Mukdo).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weapons of that caliber were prohibited in the tournament, so this was a standard blade provided by the Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Peng Zhou’s hands, even an ordinary blade held immense weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An overwhelming surge of Qi burst forth from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hngh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People groaned under the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a level of dominance far beyond the earlier matches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou was simply preparing, yet his presence already captivated everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’d best get ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke as his Qi crashed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Bi Eejin turned to look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same blank expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou hesitated for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is he just… scared?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he hadn’t been ignoring him after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he was too nervous to even make eye contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course. That makes sense.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No way a Late-Stage Grandmaster could actually look down on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nerves. That was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou smiled condescendingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t take this too seriously. Consider it a rare opportunity to spread your wings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words oozed mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bi Eejin tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see. Your father was better. It’s a shame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could demand an explanation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The judge raised his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Match—begin!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The match started.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, neither of them moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As a senior, I’ll grant you three free moves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bi Eejin’s eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprise?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah. Senior. Right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou was convinced now. The kid was rattled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks. I needed to check something anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bi Eejin began walking toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deliberately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s walking?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did this brat really think he had the luxury to stroll up like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a joke—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already blocking with his arm—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he hadn’t even seen the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bi Eejin, who had been meters away, was suddenly in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His kick had landed before Peng Zhou even realized what happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell—?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou barely registered the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could react—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bi Eejin pulled back his leg and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kugh! Cough—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fist smashed into Peng Zhou’s abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Qi Armor shattered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His massive frame was lifted into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou barely stabilized himself mid-fall, landing heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He staggered back, clutching his stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haa… haa…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nearly vomited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… what the hell was that—?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bi Eejin examined him for a moment before nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too strong. Something in between should be fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling in satisfaction, he beckoned with his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for three moves. Come at me whenever you’re ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon was certain now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is perfect.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just enough force—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To humiliate the Blade King without killing him.\u003C\u002Fp>",2456,"2026-06-05T15:10:16.200Z",1,"novelbin.me","39b664663b7e3efa7d6fd09db2ac2005387ae9c52d1bb2df00f1ffb366429bd9","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-896","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-717",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]