[{"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-720":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},1240766,1667,"Chapter 719","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-720",720,"\u003Cp>A large pavilion stood to the left of the martial arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was designed to provide a clear view of the entire stage below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This area had been specially prepared by the Alliance, and those gathered here—led by the Lord of the Alliance—were individuals whose influence stretched across all of Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, Bai Yujeok, the head of the Guangdong Bai Family, let out a shallow breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he ran his hand down his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skin tingled, making it impossible to stay still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I have no words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t think of anything to say. It was only natural, given the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could anyone possibly say after witnessing that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>RUMBLE—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive pressure surged like a violent storm, sweeping through the area as if it would devour everything in its path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of objects breaking echoed from every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just witnessing it made Bai Yujeok’s body tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qi in his dantian stirred wildly, activating his body on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…It’s all pure Qi.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind wasn’t natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a calamity formed entirely from concentrated Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rough and savage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could anyone unleash such a devastating force?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Bai Yujeok struggled to suppress his trembling and pondered the question—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha ha. Quite the spectacle, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice came from his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning toward the source, Bai Yujeok flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had spoken was no ordinary person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Do Hua—the Plum Blossom Immortal, the Head of the Mount Hua Sect, and one of Zhongyuan’s Ten Great Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man renowned for his Seven Iron Fist technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he was addressing Bai Yujeok directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hurriedly, Bai Yujeok prepared to bow in greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It is an honor to meet the Head of Mount Hua—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no need for formalities, Head Bai.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Plum Blossom Immortal gently stopped his bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Bai Yujeok froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that Do Hua knew him by name left him unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… know me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could I not? I spoke with your father several times. He was a man of exceptional character. Seeing how much you’ve grown fills me with pride.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yujeok’s memories flickered back to his childhood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had accompanied his father a few times, just enough to exchange glances with Do Hua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, the Plum Blossom Immortal still remembered him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I merely thought we could share some light conversation. But if this is inconvenient—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-not at all…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the heavy atmosphere, there was an inexplicable scent of flowers lingering in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true Immortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder the disciples of Mount Hua revered him as the greatest Sect Leader since the Sword of Mount Hua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh, that idiot. Said he’d behave, and now look at him showing off like that… Tsk tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won the bet, so he’ll be buying the drinks. Ha ha ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sect Leader…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, my apologies. It’s just that I spotted a familiar face, ha ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he mishear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yujeok shook his head, trying to convince himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Plum Blossom Immortal—revered as the closest being to an actual Immortal—wouldn’t call someone an idiot or talk about drinks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had to be an auditory illusion, caused by the overwhelming spectacle he had just witnessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…It must be the shock.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sight that would undoubtedly be etched into his memory for the rest of his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yujeok continued to rub his tingling arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he wasn’t alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the people gathered here were in the same state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did they say he’s from the Bi Family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Western Bi Family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Check his age. And whether he’s already engaged…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the apparent silence, movement rippled through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merchants whispered amongst themselves, while martial artists like Bai Yujeok stood frozen, their pale faces betraying their emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them were as rigid as stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if they had seen something they weren’t meant to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To a martial artist, this scene was nothing short of catastrophic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…So Yeomra, the Poison Fist, the Sword Dragon, the Divine Dragon, and the Crescent Moon Sword.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young martial artists, most of whom were barely in their late teens or early twenties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it was announced that they would participate in the Martial Tournament, no one had expected a scene like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Late-stage Qi practitioners were just that—late-stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they stood out in gatherings of prodigies, this was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Tournament was hosted by the Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was expected to draw fighters in their prime—warriors in their thirties and forties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the younger generation was destined to lead the future of Zhongyuan,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the ones gathered here were the current masters who shaped its present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had thought these young ones could cross that gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACKLE…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What they saw before them was indescribable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Words failed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps that was the only way to describe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had anticipated much from the match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the opponent warranted respect,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one expected the younger martial artist to completely dominate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn’t just defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The veteran had been toyed with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His every move was blocked, his breathing controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t even act without permission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could be more disgraceful for a martial artist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when the opponent was someone so much younger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s social death.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And considering it was the head of the Peng Family who suffered this humiliation…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yujeok glanced toward the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s where the heads of major trading firms had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…We may need to adjust the ratios.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s best to send word to the Hebei branch as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the head of the Jincheon Trading Company…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No surprise—they were already discussing the aftermath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as martial artists valued strength and reputation,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So too did merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A martial artist’s reputation influenced trade and investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if that reputation crumbled, so did their investments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How chilling.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yujeok finally understood why family heads rarely participated in these tournaments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a mess you’ve made here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another figure appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elderly man, his back hunched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ragged clothing carried a stench, which—if put kindly—was unpleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even as Bai Yujeok caught the scent, he didn’t dare show his displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Unbelievable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To enter the Alliance’s pavilion in such a state,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There could only be one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Beggar’s Sect Leader.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leader of beggars across Zhongyuan and the Alliance’s eyes and ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Baek Do approached, Do Hua’s eyebrow twitched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baek Do, you smell worse than usual. Did you roll in a latrine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, what did you expect a beggar to smell like? Your greetings are as rotten as ever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just wash yourself once in a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wash? With what water? Beggars don’t have water to spare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the river made of poison? The world is full of water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spare me your flowery scent. You’re the one who should wash up, Do Hua.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yujeok couldn’t comprehend the conversation unfolding before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this truly how two leaders of the Nine Great Sects spoke to each other?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two old men exchanged rough words a few more times before their gazes shifted to the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The storm still raged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s what he was going to do, why bother telling me to keep my mouth shut?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Do clicked his tongue as he muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said he’d wipe out every beggar in the land if I made a sound… And yet, look at this mess. What a pain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m more surprised you actually listened to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah. What choice did I have? If that bastard makes a threat, he means it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he said he’d kill them, he would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Do knew that all too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Shanxi’s Beast had a sense of honor and restraint,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That monster didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much time had dulled his fangs, his nature remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerous—no, terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind of man who might cross over to the dark path on a whim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Do understood that better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And now I’m going to get dragged before the Alliance Leader. That’s the real problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Do shifted his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the pavilion sat the Sword Saint and the Sword Emperor, watching the match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Sword Saint wasn’t just watching the arena—he was glaring at Baek Do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear he had questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Do swallowed a lump in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is going to be a pain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the look in his eyes, he had figured something out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he go into hiding for a while?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought crossed his mind, but it wasn’t an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not with the Sword Emperor watching him too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Do quietly whispered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do Hua.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re friends, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha ha. Absolutely not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heartless bastard. Couldn’t you hesitate before answering?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do Hua chuckled, leaving Baek Do shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no expectations for these people anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tsk.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could do was hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hope that nothing more troublesome would happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swooooooosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The raging winds began to die down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The storm that had swept through the arena weakened in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that the tempest had been completely under the caster’s control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Qi dispersed and the thick dust settled,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stage was finally revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What in the world…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight left the martial artists in the pavilion speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked as though the stage had been ripped apart by massive claws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reinforced platform, built with layers of steel and stone, had been reduced to rubble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to believe a single human had caused such destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, two spots remained untouched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was where Twin Dragon stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked as if he hadn’t moved an inch during the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The platform beneath his feet was perfectly intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other spot…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was where the Blade King knelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t far from Twin Dragon, only a few steps away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff… huff… huff…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was drenched in sweat, gasping for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blade was nowhere to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What shocked everyone the most, however,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that the Blade King didn’t have a single scratch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stage had been utterly destroyed, yet the Blade King emerged physically unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, his pale face and trembling hands told another story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blade King looked as if he had stared death in the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear and sweat covered his features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fighting spirit was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no anger, only survival instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t even process what had happened, let alone pull himself together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such was the impact of the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yujeok was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…The Blade King lost.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious to everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Six Seats, defeated by a late-stage Qi practitioner from the Bi Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The martial artists in the pavilion fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchants, on the other hand, were already moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They scrambled to gather information—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many heirs did the Bi Family have?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Twin Dragon engaged?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could his rise be leveraged for future gains?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The value of Twin Dragon had skyrocketed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just the merchants thinking this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the martial artists were asking themselves the same question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could they…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or anyone here…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could I have beaten him?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could they defeat that handsome young man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one dared answer with confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster standing there defied explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon and the Crescent Moon Sword were already shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Twin Dragon pushed beyond awe—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He brought despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even looking at him felt like falling into a mental trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There weren’t enough words to describe what they had seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, one question lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why hadn’t Twin Dragon finished the Blade King?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had he left him unharmed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it mercy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A child’s misplaced compassion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, it was an insult to martial honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As those thoughts churned,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could it be…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha ha ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two elders from the Nine Great Sects reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Do’s mouth fell open, while Do Hua chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were they acting like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Bai Yujeok narrowed his eyes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twin Dragon turned away from the Blade King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he looked toward the audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, that smile made Bai Yujeok shudder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An inexplicable fear gripped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was he smiling at?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Bai Yujeok wondered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twin Dragon turned to the referee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee hadn’t even dared to step onto the ruined stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twin Dragon looked down at him and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I forfeit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yujeok froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he misheard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no—it wasn’t an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee looked just as dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I forfeit,” Twin Dragon repeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone wore the same expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow. That crazy bastard… What the hell is he thinking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Did his mind regress along with his body? Ha ha. He’s like some damned monk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Do Hua, don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Do and Do Hua muttered to each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their words didn’t reach Bai Yujeok or the other martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shock was too overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twin Dragon, who had defeated the Blade King, had just forfeited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Blade King, who had lost, was declared the winner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the most disgraceful victory in Zhongyuan’s history.\u003C\u002Fp>",2201,"2026-06-05T15:10:16.200Z",1,"novelbin.me","e14716a22e2ad56365a32c6f0c00e5df009d2d2391bf227d49777bf7e53778af","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-897","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-719",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]