[{"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-730":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},1240780,1667,"Chapter 729","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-730",730,"\u003Cp>I had no words as I watched Bong Soon approach with a bright smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body was covered in bruises—a considerable amount. While there were no major injuries, the numerous small wounds made it clear how grueling the match had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon’s battered state was proof enough of how difficult the bout had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But she lost.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grabbed my throbbing forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lost. Bong Soon ultimately lost to the Sword Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehehe!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to endure a headache as Bong Soon laughed like it had all been fun and games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, everyone had watched the match, and we all knew why she lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It wasn’t all that different from Seong Yul’s fight….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A difference in levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same thing I had seen in the match between Peng Woojin and Seong Yul.However, unlike those two, the gap wasn’t overwhelming this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was close—almost evenly matched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But the situation played a big part.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had asked Bong Soon something before the match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Sword Dragon, I had asked her if she could win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Bong Soon had answered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe in a match like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But in a fight to the death, I’d win.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had said it with absolute confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And honestly, I didn’t disagree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fight to kill.If it had been that kind of battle, Bong Soon would have had the upper hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Dragon was still more like an immature orthodox martial artist.How much real-life combat experience could he possibly have?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Bong Soon was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…She’s just a wild beast.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She doesn’t hesitate to kill, using any means necessary.If it had been a fight where they were trying to kill each other, I honestly believed Bong Soon had a higher chance of winning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I couldn’t be certain about that either.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Sword Dragon had shown in the match was beyond what I’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘His plum blossoms have grown even thicker.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword dance had become sharper and more refined.The sword energy he carried felt deeper and steadier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He must have trained properly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could tell just by looking at his muscles.His body had grown absurdly tough through grueling training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s how you build a proper foundation.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if his advancement was slow, his focus on fundamentals was unshakable.If Sword Dragon reached Hwagyeong, the efforts he put in would become an immense advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to be honest, if left alone, Sword Dragon had a high chance of becoming the next Sword King.Woo Hyuk might be a contender, but in terms of swordsmanship, Sword Dragon seemed to be ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, that’s that….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I hadn’t expected Bong Soon to lose here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had considered the possibility, but it was disappointing nonetheless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was it because she couldn’t use her treasured sword?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon wielded the heirloom of the previous Sword Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, weapons were prohibited in this tournament, so she had to leave it behind.Without her treasured sword, Bong Soon wasn’t able to show her full strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The same goes for Sword Dragon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t use his weapon either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Since he also possesses a divine sword.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, two of the Divine Swords remained.The one reclaimed by Mount Hua likely belonged to Sword Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sword Dragon didn’t use his Divine Sword in the match either.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So both of them had limitations.And in the end, Bong Soon lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tsk.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the point where I had to accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Looks like I’ll have to move to the second plan.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had prepared two strategies involving Bong Soon.This second one was in case she lost in the match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll have to contact the Hwangbo patriarch later.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to assess the situation quickly and adapt.With that decision, I let out a sigh and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pushed aside the bruised Bong Soon and faced the person who had come looking for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had been waiting for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man flinched at my words.A clean-shaven head, a well-defined face, and those familiar golden eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Yu Yeon—the Divine Dragon of Shaolin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell are you doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned as I asked. Yu Yeon scratched his head awkwardly and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I came to greet you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greet me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of greeting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We weren’t exactly on greeting terms, were we?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wanted to check on you. Benefactor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon awkwardly bowed, showing respect despite his discomfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at him for a moment before nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure. How have you been?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, you don’t look like you’ve been well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon coughed, clearly understanding what I meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was wearing bandages across his chest.Probably wounds he had gotten from fighting Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Those wounds were pretty bad.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They might not have been fatal, but there was no way they could heal in a few days.Anyone else would have forfeited the next match, unable to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, despite those injuries, Divine Dragon had returned to the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was it his decision, or someone else’s?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Shaolin was more corrupt than I thought, would they really force an injured disciple into a fight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You never know.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People were unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you even fight in that condition?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gestured at him with my chin. Divine Dragon bit his lip slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t say it out loud, but I figured he might end up dead.What was the point of me worrying about him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held back my thoughts and looked around.The stares were intense—most people were already focused on Divine Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The impression he left last time was enormous.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbelievable strength for someone not yet in their prime.Divine Dragon had already become a symbol to many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some, he was a rival.For others, an object of admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, his position had grown too high to simply call him a promising talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, everyone’s focus boiled down to one question:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If the Twin Dragon and Divine Dragon fought, who would win?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Twin Dragon who crushed the Blade King.The Divine Dragon who announced his presence to the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would win if they clashed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the question on everyone’s mind, but it couldn’t happen now. The Twin Dragon had withdrawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, people remained curious about the outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the funny part—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Public opinion is split.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half thought the Divine Dragon would win.The other half bet on the Twin Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Blade King’s reputation has fallen this far.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A king-ranked martial artist being compared to someone not even in their prime.And people thought it was a 50-50 match? How absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That old man must be shedding blood tears right now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just tears—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was probably smashing everything in sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was all because of Paejon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn old man.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paejon’s actions had caused this mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Though it did ease suspicions about ties between the Demonic Cult and Paejon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, it was a headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing another sigh, I turned back to Divine Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So. What do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn’t have come all this way just to greet me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like I said earlier, we weren’t exactly on greeting terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon didn’t respond to my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be exact, he couldn’t respond. He just fumbled, opening and closing his mouth as if he couldn’t figure out what to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was frustrating enough that I was about to snap at him when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! It’s that guy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bong Soon suddenly cut in, completely out of nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The bald one! So shiny!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What the hell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I touch it again this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words, spoken like a kid discovering a new toy, made my eyes widen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell is this crazy woman saying now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean, ‘again’? What’s that supposed to mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Again’—did that mean she had already touched it before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah! I touched it last time! It’s super smooth. Young Master, you wanna feel it too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said it as a joke, but Bong Soon spoke with eyes gleaming like she’d found treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goddammit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is seriously pissing me off.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Divine Dragon with a sheepish expression, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Uh…um…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To my surprise, Divine Dragon froze and started stammering like he’d malfunctioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell is wrong with him now?His face and ears were bright red—it was bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that’s when it hit me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…No way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Y-yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon flinched and responded nervously as I called out to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you fall for her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon flinched so hard it was almost comical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh. Don’t tell me….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? What’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to continue when Bong Soon interrupted again, and this time I felt dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want to mate with—guh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, she spouted nonsense, so I smacked her on the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Argh, that hurt…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…For God’s sake. Just shut up and go sit in a corner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was too embarrassed to deal with her any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kicked Bong Soon toward Tang So-yeol, silently telling her to take Bong Soon away for treatment.Rubbing her sore butt, Bong Soon disappeared with a stupid grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, it was just me and Divine Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Whew….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing my growing irritation, I ran a hand down my face.I was too mortified to even look up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon also cleared his throat awkwardly.And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly started explaining himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What’s not it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I mean, I’m not harboring feelings…or anything like that. I follow Buddha’s teachings and would never…harbor impure thoughts about a woman….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t care. You don’t have to explain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh? Oh. I see….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, monks are still men. It’s not like you can’t like women. She’s crazy, but her face is decent enough. It’s understandable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-no! That’s not what I meant!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whatever. So, why are you here? If you don’t have a reason, get lost so I can rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off, trying to get to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon froze for a moment, then his expression shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected—he did have a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had he come looking for me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as my curiosity peaked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I have a request.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon finally spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In a short while, I will face you in a match.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already decided in the brackets.But why was he bringing it up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…When that time comes….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When it comes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I ask that you fight me seriously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at him, startled.What the hell was this guy saying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What do you mean seriously?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came to ask that you give your all in our match.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to tell him I was always serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I shut my mouth when I saw his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy was serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes burned with determination—too intense to brush off lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this time, I dropped my playful tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I do that, you’re dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon’s shoulders trembled at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe if you weren’t injured. But in your state? Are you insane?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This is nothing. I can handle it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell are you talking about, you bald idiot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“....”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe because I was being too harsh, Divine Dragon’s face stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t something you can ask for. It depends on how you act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make me take it seriously. Then I’ll give you what you want.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know why Divine Dragon was asking me this, but his sincerity was clear, so I gave him a proper answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you want me to be serious—then act like it’s worth my effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what I meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon’s eyes burned even hotter as if he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand. I’ll prove myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something brushed against my chest.Divine Dragon’s intent stirred my Qi in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, I will defeat you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah? Go ahead and try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon bowed respectfully and turned to leave without another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that really all he came for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ask me to take the match seriously?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did this bald idiot hit his head or something?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I almost wanted to laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, something about him lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his retreating back, I couldn’t shake the feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t anything specific—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No logic, no reason.Normally, I’d dismiss it as nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn’t hold back and called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That match-up…was that your doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Dragon stood in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds passed before he finally answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know what you mean.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without turning around, he gave his answer and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I watched him disappear, I became certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah. Look at that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That bastard planned this, didn’t he?”\u003C\u002Fp>",2128,"2026-06-05T15:10:16.200Z",1,"novelbin.me","861da9b12e2dd0a3c7467e15168957991b013ce395ece440d79fb4c1eaeba6cd","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-731","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-729",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]