[{"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-740":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},1240790,1667,"Chapter 739","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-740",740,"\u003Cp>Drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood poured from Yung Pung’s nose and mouth.The impact must have been severe—he couldn’t even gather his senses properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make matters worse, he had been sent flying to the edge of the sparring arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant that if the arena hadn’t been expanded for the main match, unlike during the preliminaries, Yung Pung would have been disqualified on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hit him too hard without meaning to.I didn’t intend to leave him in such a state with one blow, but my fist flew out on instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And of all faces, it had to be that one.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old man with an unlucky and unpleasant face.I had only seen him properly once before, but the moment I caught sight of him, my fist lashed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it instinct?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned as I looked at Yung Pung, who was coughing violently.Now, he looked completely normal again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if the previous state had been an illusion, and he had returned to his original form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what exactly had just happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It didn’t seem intentional.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a hallucination or an illusionary formation.In other words, Yung Pung hadn’t done it deliberately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The audience doesn’t seem to have noticed anything.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they had seen the change just now, they would have been shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the crowd was only reacting to Yung Pung being sent flying—they didn’t seem to notice the earlier anomaly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I was the only one who saw it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This phenomenon had happened in my perception alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just now… that face was Shin Noya’s.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the face I had seen in that broken vessel—etched into my memory, clear and vivid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I saw in Yung Pung just now was undoubtedly Noya’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell is going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I was lost in thought, trying to make sense of the sudden development—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff… huff….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung slowly pushed himself up.The bleeding had stopped—he must have used his Qi to staunch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staggering to his feet, he reached out his hand—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang—! Shiiiing—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword he had lost earlier shot into his hand as if drawn by a magnetic force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haa….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After steadying his breath, Yung Pung assumed a stance.Suddenly, the faint scent of plum blossoms that had vanished earlier began to linger again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize… I was too overexcited and failed to respond properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words sounded oddly composed, despite his swollen nose and lips, but his eyes carried a weight of seriousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you… for holding back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been a little surprised at how far he’d been sent flying, but Yung Pung’s condition was not what I expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s taken less damage than I thought.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I threw that punch out of reflex.Even if it wasn’t my full strength, it was still a pretty heavy hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He blocked it with his Qi.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right before the punch landed, Yung Pung had gathered his energy to defend against my attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qi shaped like plum petals absorbed most of the impact, allowing him to stand back up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s gotten stronger.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much stronger than the last time I saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, his Qi was a mess—he couldn’t even control it properly.That’s why, during his fight with Seong Yul, he was either on equal footing or even at a disadvantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s not quite there yet, but it’s close to Hwagyeong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least in terms of presence, he’s almost there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unstable Qi he has now will soon become a seed.And it won’t take long for that seed to sprout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is it really yours?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to ask him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The power you’re wielding—is it truly yours?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time Yung Pung’s aura surged—Every time the plum blossoms scattered from his blade—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar, subtle fragrance brushed past my nose, making my heart pound wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic energy was silent, and the heat remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the lingering trace of the Dao tied them together, revealing a hidden emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a gift left behind by that foul-mouthed old man who had passed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Qi was starting to stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resonance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp energy inside me, the remnant left by that cranky old man, was resonating with Yung Pung’s Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This cursed sensation annoyed me every time I felt it.What made it even worse—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m the only one who can feel it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was the only one sensing this resonance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiiing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung swung his sword.Plum petals began swirling like a storm around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what I was thinking—Yung Pung was focused solely on this sparring match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he think he could beat me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung knew better than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, he was still stepping forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His footwork danced lightly.His disheveled clothes fluttered, and his sword rebounded smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plum Blossom Sword Dance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flowers cultivated by Mount Hua bloomed at the tip of his blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiiiik—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elegant dance concealed sharp and deadly intent.It was swift and precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dug my feet into the ground, preparing my stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiiik—! Shik-shik—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twisting my upper body, I dodged the blade.But the sword kept moving unpredictably, pressing closer with each motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when I pummeled Yung Pung before, I had one thought—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword was too straightforward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword that was honest.An essential quality for a swordsman, but without variation, it was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword had been so predictable back then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But he’s changed it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Multiple feints.Unorthodox movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, the essence of the Plum Blossom Sword Dance remained intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but feel impressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiiing—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I dodged, my senses caught something.Not just one—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every single plum petal carried intent as they flew toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of momentum alone, it felt like hundreds of sword techniques bearing down on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is terrifying.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rising flames burned away every falling petal.Not a single one could be left intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It was like this back then too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The petals Yung Pung had shown before had turned to ashes.Would it be any different this time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would his swordplay, which had clearly evolved, display something new?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my heart, bracing myself for what came next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fiery ring of the Nine Flames Firewheel Technique spun rapidly. Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue flames erupted from my body, surging in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine Flames Spiral Fang (Guyeomhwaryungong).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the technique that had tormented Yung Pung in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, how would he respond?I waited in anticipation of Yung Pung’s reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hooo…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the flames, Yung Pung seemed to steel himself and began to stir his energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More plum petals filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung swung his sword at an unbelievable speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword energy, dyed with the color of plum blossoms, pierced into the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One strike caused the flames to waver.Ten strikes began to shatter them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I knew it, over a hundred strikes had landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Crazy bastard.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the flames steadily died out, I cursed under my breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So that’s his plan?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbelievable.I thought he’d pull out some special technique, but he just hacked away at the flames like a madman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hah.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I wasn’t disappointed.No, I actually liked it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only realized it now—I had a soft spot for reckless idiots like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the flames could completely fade, I stomped down and charged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung didn’t stop swinging his sword.In fact, he sped up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ridiculous number of sword strikes rained down on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I dodge?I could, but I chose not to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I braced my legs and twisted my waist.As my upper body spun, my fist ignited with blue flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slightly slower than the speed of sound—Flames compressed and twisted into a rotating mass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great Flame Orb (Daeyeomok).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just a larger version of the Flame Orb, but its destructive power matched the sheer amount of Qi I poured into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hurled the massive orb at Yung Pung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword energy clashed against the orb, pushing it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An overwhelming amount of Qi.Would he dodge and counterattack? Or block it head-on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had only anticipated two options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yung Pung defied my expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of dodging or blocking, he suddenly gripped his sword with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered what he was planning, but the answer quickly revealed itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwoooosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His surging energy infused the blade, emanating a chilling intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plum Blossom Flying Shadow Slash (Maehwabiyeongcham).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crimson arc cleaved the Great Flame Orb in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The split orb exploded, sending heat in all directions.The flames obscured my vision, but then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung burst through the fire, charging straight at me.I moved instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throb—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain shot through my chest.The wound that had been regenerating reopened.Blood poured out as the injury tore apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tsk.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain slowed my movements just slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung’s blade grazed my palm.Even with my protective Qi barrier, it cut through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The compression of his energy was absurd.Despite the difference in our levels, he managed to slice through my defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just how sharp had he refined his Qi?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no time to be surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yung Pung pressed forward, I swung my injured hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splurt—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed from the torn wound.I manipulated my blood vessels to increase the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spray shot toward Yung Pung’s face, meant to obstruct his vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he dodged it effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t matter.The important part was the opening it created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yung Pung moved, my foot swept against his ankle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His footing collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to regain balance, but of course, I wouldn’t let him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I drove my knee into his stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung cried out as he was sent flying.I didn’t stop there—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I unleashed more flames, aiming them at him mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue flames roared, threatening to burn him to ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t work.In that split-second, Yung Pung raised his sword to block the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You blocked the impact? Fine. But what about the recoil?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he avoided being burned, how would he handle being knocked out of bounds?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this rate, he’d be forced out of the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no intention of stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grghh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames surged even stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I watched him with cold eyes, curious to see his next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, light burst from Yung Pung’s sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crimson glow erupted, causing a small shockwave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He compressed his energy and detonated it inside the blade?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung let out a strained grunt.Detonating it internally meant he couldn’t avoid internal injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thanks to that, he managed to push himself just far enough to avoid the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that tiny opening, he twisted his body mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slipped through the flames and came rushing back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite everything, his eyes remained sharp, and his blade stayed steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already seen this during his match with Bong Soon—His growth was nothing short of remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were still a few things that bothered me…But for now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll entertain him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I launched myself at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung’s eyes widened at my sudden charge, but his sword flew toward me without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might be hard to dodge in mid-air—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sorry, but this is my specialty.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was an expert in aerial combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flicked my fingers, igniting the flames.A chain explosion erupted, generating a powerful shockwave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I twisted my body, dodging the blade, and used the momentum to kick out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—! Yung Pung blocked with his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t matter. This wasn’t meant to attack but to push him back.I planted my knee firmly and shoved against his blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no solid footing, Yung Pung was forced backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I drew my palm back and immediately unleashed flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosion propelled me forward at high speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I closed the distance and threw a punch.Yung Pung panicked, hastily raising his defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Clumsy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Qi reinforcement was weak, and his aerial movement lacked weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it made sense.At his age, how much experience could he have in aerial combat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smashed my fist down like a hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Argh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung failed to block and crashed into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t even roll to break the fall—it looked painful.But he couldn’t afford to stay down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could gather his breath, Yung Pung moved again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose quickly, returning to the spot where he had fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My foot slammed into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he hadn’t stood up, he would’ve been crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blades of light poured out as Yung Pung’s sword dance continued, undeterred—even after barely avoiding death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His speed had slowed slightly, but his momentum remained unbroken.I blocked the sword energy with Qi and countered with punches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defense, evasion, and attacks.It turned into an intense close-quarters battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My brows furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through my Heart Eye, all I saw was Yung Pung’s sword paths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless feints and unpredictable trajectories made my head ache just watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is insane.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time I dodged, the sword curved at a strange angle.Every time I blocked, it slipped an inch closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could a sword technique be this chaotic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was impressed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it, this is driving me crazy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing his sword, I couldn’t remain unaffected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s familiar.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung’s sword felt oddly familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it had always been like this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment I faced those falling plum blossoms until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same reason I hadn’t ended this match earlier despite being able to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had seen this sword before.No, more than that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve used it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had wielded this sword with my own body before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Shin Noya borrowed my body.The old man had briefly used this very technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flow of Qi in the sword dance—The sharp and precise movements that mirrored the old man’s stubborn personality—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even someone like me, who knew little about swords, could recognize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This isn’t…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was closer to Shin Noya’s sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung’s blade grazed my cheek, drawing blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was getting sharper.Regardless of his level, I had to acknowledge his swordsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this sword truly yours?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelve strikes came at me.I dodged seven and took five with my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no other way.I had to endure to close the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pressed forward, ignoring my wounds, and grabbed Yung Pung by the collar again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—! Thump—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart pounded wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Guiding String wrapped around my arm pulsed as if ready to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya’s traces, found suddenly in Shanxi, and the other Guiding String left behind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was a mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I compressed the flames and shaped them into a spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yung Pung instinctively tried to counter, but he was too close to react properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What…? Young Master Gu…?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he realize what I was about to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt his panic.We were too close—he knew what would happen if this power exploded here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at him calmly and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think you’ve had enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What are you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s time for you to come out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I was speaking to Yung Pung, the words weren’t meant for him.They were directed at something deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Gu…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confused, Yung Pung’s eyes trembled.He must’ve thought I had lost my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t care.I knew the real target could hear me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still not coming out?I smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let’s die together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I prepared to detonate the flame spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Well, well.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice echoed in my ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What a nasty brat.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My vision turned black.Before I knew it, I was somewhere else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t alarmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I calmly surveyed my surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Tsk tsk….]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned toward the familiar sound of someone clicking their tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, a lone rock jutted out awkwardly in this empty space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone sat atop it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped forward, and the ground rippled like ink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wet, sticky sensation was unpleasant, but I endured it as I approached the figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dressed in white robes that clashed with the dark surroundings—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow-white hair and crimson eyes stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tall and slightly gaunt, with long fingers resting against his chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked up to the rock and met his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at the familiar old man’s face and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow. Shin Noya, you really look annoying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[And you look like a disrespectful brat.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We spoke at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>",2746,"2026-06-05T15:10:16.200Z",1,"novelbin.me","c003c034906d5010e054f5013d3eb85d7d8a6877188694077a26841d6900bd46","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-741","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-739",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]