[{"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-729":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},1240779,1667,"Chapter 728","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-729",729,"\u003Cp>Sword Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult’s slaughter unit, the Ghost Blade Corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His known cultivation level exceeded Hwagyeong, and in terms of strength—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Lower ranks of the Ten Great Masters.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roughly at that level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he wasn’t overwhelmingly powerful on his own, the true terror of the Sword Demon was revealed on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My own infamy stemmed not only from being a traitor to the orthodox sects but also from my ability to wreak large-scale devastation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spreading flames and relentless suppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strength tailored for war, and so my notoriety grew swiftly upon my emergence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same applied to the Sword Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blade that never hesitated to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manifesting killing intent to tear through everything around him, he was perfectly suited for the chaos of war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, manifested killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the power that earned him the title Sword Demon—proof of his identity as the Heavenly Killing Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never gave it a name himself, but the martial world called it Bloodsteel (Salgang).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing intent doesn’t come directly from the dantian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s purely an emotional manifestation—the desire to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When that emotion merges with a martial artist’s Qi, it produces killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strength of this killing intent depends on how intense the will to kill is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, cultivation level also plays a role, but ultimately, killing intent originates from that desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bloodsteel technique the Sword Demon wielded took that concept to a whole new level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Sword Demon thrived on killing, and his killing intent was monstrous. That’s why his Bloodsteel was overwhelming.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because his urge to kill never ceased, his Bloodsteel never stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since he didn’t care about friend or foe, he was even harder to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which led me to this question:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What if the Sword Demon had no Bloodsteel?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a martial artist at the Hwagyeong level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way he’d be weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But could he have reigned as a master without the Heavenly Killing Star’s power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what I’d always wondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But now… he’s just naturally talented.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Seong Yul, who now embodied the Sword Demon in this life, forced me to reevaluate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone his age, he was far stronger than average—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A genius comparable to the Six Dragons Three Peaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Only to that extent.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell short of the absolute heights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t leagues above others, just another genius among the many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Saying “just a genius” feels wrong, but still.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Genius” isn’t exactly a common title, and yet here I was using it casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t a monster like Namgung Bi-ah or Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘To reach the Sword Demon’s level, Seong Yul needs the Heavenly Killing Star.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he reach it without that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe, if I pumped him full of elixirs and trained him for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But I don’t have that kind of time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lack manpower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I don’t have the luxury of raising him slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why the hell would I waste rare elixirs on him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I had extras, he wouldn’t be my first pick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what should I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I wasn’t going to kill him, I had to make him stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make him stronger, I had to awaken the Heavenly Killing Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Killing Star—a being said to be born once every century.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A creature born to kill, destined to slaughter until it dies, eventually turning its blade on itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A monster in human skin—how was I supposed to use him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he even be used?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course he can.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone proved that, it was Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Demon became a Demonized Human and followed Cheonma’s orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rampaged like a beast but ultimately obeyed his master’s commands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even someone like Sword Demon Empress or Green King—they refused to listen to reason, yet the Sword Demon fell in line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That proved he could be controlled if I turned him into a demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s why I planned to corrupt him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment I found him, my plan was to break him and make him kneel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Something unexpected happened.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t corrupted him yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And damned empathy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emotions I despised held me back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the result wasn’t bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He listens.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For whatever reason, he follows me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tell him to draw his sword, and he does.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tell him to cut, and he cuts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hesitates to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when he feels the thrill of bloodshed, he struggles to suppress it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, he’s still human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that hesitation made me falter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I asked myself—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then what?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would I just leave him like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should’ve done it sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff… Huff!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air rippled with murderous energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through Spiritual Vision, I could see it even more clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul distorted the space around him with the density of his killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though I’d seen it in my past life, it felt different now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His killing intent was so concentrated it felt closer to Qi than mere emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff… Huff!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they were filled with terrifying emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pure, unfiltered desire to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could anything be clearer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the spectators were reacting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What… what’s this? I feel chills.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s like I can’t breathe properly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary people instinctively rubbed their arms, feeling the oppressive atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The season wasn’t even cold, yet their breath chilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the martial artists?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Shouldn’t we stop this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is this allowed in a spar? What’s the referee doing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too much killing intent for a simple duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially one in a Martial Festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I squinted as I watched Seong Yul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So this is what happens when I push him a little.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unleashing the Heavenly Killing Star revealed his true potential instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need time to awaken—it was already there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It showed how tightly he’d been suppressing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a wild beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if his instincts had completely taken over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul charged at Peng Woojin, shrouded in killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clash—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparks exploded as their blades collided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s faster.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was due to his instincts or the Heavenly Killing Star, I couldn’t tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even his muscles are adapting.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body was hardening, strengthening to match his speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The killing intent even seeped into his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each clash sent shockwaves through the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And stronger.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both his speed and strength had increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was the Heavenly Killing Star amplifying him or just a release of his latent potential, one thing was clear—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s unlocked it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slight push was all it took.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was my first time seeing him fully give in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And my conclusion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s strong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul, as the Heavenly Killing Star, was terrifyingly strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This bastard.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin smashed through the killing intent with his black steel blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him, I let out a hollow laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul was pushing himself to the limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Peng Woojin countered him without breaking a sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's already surpassed Hwagyeong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I first saw him fight in the arena, Peng Woojin was already a fully matured Peak Realm master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—he’d stepped into Hwagyeong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He hasn't peaked yet, but even so...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might even be stronger than the Sword Dragon or Wi Seol-ah. That’s the kind of level he was showing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No… actually…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might have already surpassed his father—the Blade King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason it wasn’t obvious before was that he’d been holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That lunatic isn’t even faltering.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul had thrown himself into the battle, fixated solely on killing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he endured countless cuts, he advanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acting purely on instinct, he gave off a pressure that was hard to ignore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t supposed to be a life-or-death duel—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Seong Yul fought as if it were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was terrifying to watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That bastard’s the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin didn’t flinch either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He matched Seong Yul’s intensity step for step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That crazy bastard was smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s grinning in the middle of this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could possibly be so enjoyable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was lit with elation—pure, unrestrained joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood splattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clash of killing intent and raw energy was suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This had long stopped being a sparring match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee couldn’t even step in—frozen by the oppressive aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at how they fought, a thought crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could Seong Yul actually win this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He won’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap between them was too wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I’d made the request in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked Peng Woojin to let the match drag out—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To test something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hold back, just for ten exchanges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s all I needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He agreed, though he’d demanded a few conditions in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conditions I wasn’t exactly happy about—but fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least he agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"H-He bit him?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did he just bite his neck?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmuring crowd jolted me back to reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d been distracted for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly scanning the scene—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a short laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin’s neck was bleeding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wound looked like teeth marks—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Seong Yul had just spit out a piece of flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He actually bit his neck?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he a dog or what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of fight was this turning into?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s wrong with that guy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite being bitten, Peng Woojin looked even more excited—laughing like a maniac.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was starting to get unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their fight was spiraling further out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the crowd could only swallow nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…It’s almost time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them, I made a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t much more I needed to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving them unchecked any longer would be dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And right then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin’s Qi erupted like a storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could tell immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s going to end this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin was ready to finish the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so was Seong Yul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fiery eyes locked in determination, and his killing intent began to condense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded to myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to test one last thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul’s aura thickened as he prepared to strike—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Stop.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a pulse of power, I sent the command through Voice of Dominion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flinch—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It works.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief washed over me as I grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with his Heavenly Killing Star unleashed, my command still held sway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could control him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How far does it go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This entire match had been set up to find out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused my Qi, keeping it steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breathing slowly, I mixed it into my words and faced Seong Yul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Now.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Disappear.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urk—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul’s body convulsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His killing intent vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if snuffed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his Qi drained, his legs buckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He collapsed onto the arena floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What just happened?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was winning, then suddenly…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd erupted in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the match was already over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Winner—Peng Woojin of the Peng Clan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee checked Seong Yul’s condition and called it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roars of applause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the match’s brutality, the audience seemed exhilarated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Peng Woojin looked dissatisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was unreadable—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his dark eyes locked onto me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clearly knew something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What the hell did you do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin’s voice rang through my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A private transmission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What do you mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feigned ignorance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I don’t like this, Master Gu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was sharp—no trace of his usual playfulness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was pissed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I didn’t do anything. I just honored our agreement. I’ll hold up my end, don’t worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left nothing behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no evidence. No trace of what I had done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Peng Woojin knew that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could do was glare at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it that frustrating to leave a fight unfinished?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We locked eyes for several seconds—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Very well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Woojin wiped away his cold expression and replaced it with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t a real smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, it was even more unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Though I’m unsatisfied, I’ll let this go—for now. However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That smile—it didn’t reach his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I expect you’ll bring me even greater joy than he did when we meet again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no idea what he meant by that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I’ll try not to disappoint you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had a feeling it wouldn’t be too hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matches resumed as if nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after the blood-soaked duel between Peng Woojin and Seong Yul, the event continued without much trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A couple of contestants forfeited—no surprise there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol arrived, cheerful as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waved her over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsurprisingly, Tang Soyeol had won her match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her opponent had barely scraped past Peak Realm—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way she’d lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She grinned, clearly in high spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if I end up winning the whole tournament?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll congratulate you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulate? No gift or anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of gift?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Uh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Soyeol hesitated, glancing nervously at Bong Soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was she looking at her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? You want me to give you her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Master Gu, Pi Yeon-yeon isn’t an object.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s close enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon tilted her head, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was adorable—until she started drooling nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smacked her lightly on the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ow! What was that for?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because you’re annoying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then hit me a little—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon instantly went silent, while Tang Soyeol let out a tired sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, I’ll think about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About the gift?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. Who knows? If you actually win, maybe I’ll surprise you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life was unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So win your next match, too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to Bong Soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul was still unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that it mattered—I’d gotten what I needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Bong Soon was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You need to go as far as you can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For my plans, Bong Soon’s rank had to be high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ooh! You’ll be happy if I win?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So does that mean we’ll—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m thinking you don’t need a tongue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll shut up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon clamped her mouth shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I considered pulling her tongue out anyway but decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop talking nonsense and focus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon’s opponent wasn’t going to be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if she fought seriously, she had a shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hua Mountain’s Yung Pung and Western Serpent Family’s Pi Yeon-yeon—prepare for your match!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcement echoed through the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon grabbed her staff and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Win.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She marched off with confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short while later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey! Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon came back—covered in bruises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I lost! She was really strong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Seriously?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cheerful voice made me bury my face in my hands.\u003C\u002Fp>",2495,"2026-06-05T15:10:16.200Z",1,"novelbin.me","6a1e1b8ef38fe6e0aabc6e9e9e63995bfc7a856ac466071a3fb3caf76f686fc6","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-730","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-728",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]