[{"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-741":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},1240791,1667,"Chapter 740","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-741",741,"\u003Cp>Splash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced around at the faint sound of rippling water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash… splash….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could hear it, yet the surface seemed undisturbed.The ink-black space allowed me to see only a step ahead—everything beyond was swallowed in darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where was this place? What was happening outside?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The questions lingered briefly, but I didn’t dwell on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had learned long ago—there was no point in overthinking situations like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just focus on what’s right in front of you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, I locked eyes with the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wow.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a nasty-looking face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was my first impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White robes embroidered with plum blossoms on the chest—A tall old man sitting cross-legged, resting his chin on his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His crimson eyes stood out as he looked down at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart pounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not out of fear or emotion.It was Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trace of Noya’s energy inside me resonated with this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is he Noya?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this old man the Shin Noya I knew?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at him, filled with doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What a strange occurrence.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man spoke first, his voice tinged with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Who are you, boy? And why do you have that?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must’ve sensed the trace of Shin Noya’s energy within me.His confusion was plain to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Who are you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who am I?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked at the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s what I’d like to ask you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke in Noya’s voice, carrying Noya’s energy.Everything pointed to this man being Shin Noya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, I couldn’t believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What am I?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s grin widened, and it looked downright sinister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Man, he had one hell of a nasty expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You summoned me here, and now you’re acting like you don’t know who I am?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t try that hard. I just got curious, and you came running.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hah.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed, and plum petals scattered through the black void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiny petals landed softly on the ink-like surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waves rippled outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I am the 8th Sect Leader of the Great Mount Hua Sect.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I noticed, the old man had stepped down from the rock and stood right in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Shin Cheol, the Sword Saint of Mount Hua.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting his crimson eyes up close made my skin crawl.My body tensed, instincts flaring up in warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Does that answer your question?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I’d expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He introduced himself as Shin Cheol, and everything about him matched what I’d imagined Shin Noya would be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did he feel so wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Now, it’s your turn. Who are you, boy? Why were you so desperate to find me? And—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed a finger at my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Why do you have my energy inside you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingertip touched my chest, and—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qi inside me surged, spreading through my veins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like petals blooming, warm and refreshing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, I considered letting it flow freely—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I clenched my teeth and forced it back, locking it in my heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hah.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man chuckled, but I ignored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Qi? I got it from its rightful owner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A cranky old man who wouldn’t shut up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I brushed off the spot he touched, flicking my fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Nonsense. I never gave you my Qi.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scowled like I’d just insulted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never said I got it from you. I said I got it from its owner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[And I’m telling you, that Qi is mine—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it’s not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Qi doesn’t belong to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off, scowling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Qi… isn’t yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssssshh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s eyes widened.It must’ve been because of the object now wrapped around my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guiding String.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The treasured sword of Mount Hua and Shin Noya’s prized possession—It coiled tightly around my left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How do you have that…?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I should be the one asking. What the hell are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His appearance—His voice—Even the atmosphere he exuded—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the Dao Qi inside me—everything pointed to this man being Shin Noya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you wearing Noya’s face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My instincts screamed at me—This man wasn’t the Shin Noya I knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I trusted my instincts without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…Hah.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s expression twisted in disbelief at my confident accusation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shing—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crimson bands wrapped around his hand, solidifying into the shape of a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guiding String.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same weapon, but in its earlier crimson hue, before I had touched it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What a strange situation.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resting the blade casually on his shoulder, the old man locked eyes with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Boy. You’re no successor of mine, and yet you hold what I left behind. I even passed this weapon to someone recently, and now you possess it? What are you? Did you come through the Echo Chamber first? No, that can’t be—you would’ve been noticed.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Echo Chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he referring to the artifact Yung Pung had discovered in Shanxi?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one he claimed contained a voice and lingering energy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[None of this makes sense. Who are you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re so curious, why don’t you ask your so-called successor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that it seemed like he could communicate with Yung Pung directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for me… my old man isn’t around to explain things right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noya had left to help me.And now, at the worst possible moment, he wasn’t here to clear things up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re really the Sword Saint, why are you still here? Didn’t you die already?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What a ridiculous question.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His reply was quick, almost as if he had prepared for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I left something unfinished. It’s unfortunate that my successor had to handle it, but it was unavoidable.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unfinished business, huh? Let me guess—the Blood Demon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[-!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s expression hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…How do you know about that?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bullseye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So it’s true.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This old man knew about the Blood Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s weird.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the Noya I knew didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That old man had lost most of his memories.He couldn’t even remember how he died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made me wonder—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wait, is this one the real deal?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one seemed far more knowledgeable and capable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I switch to this guy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I mean, if they’re both stubborn old men, does it really matter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—What the hell did you just say, brat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I whipped my head around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There shouldn’t have been anyone else here, but I swear I just heard someone cursing at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chills ran down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Kidding. I’m kidding.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can’t even make a joke without getting yelled at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stifled a laugh and turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether this guy was fake or real didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing that mattered was what I believed.And to me, this man was an imposter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was enough for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Answer me. How do you know about that?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard things. From here and there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And honestly, I’d heard it so many times my ears were about to bleed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Heard it?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. From the Fire Shadow at Shaolin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I listed them one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And from Tang Je-moon in Sichuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior who had actually been helpful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And from Namgung Myung, the Thunder God, in the damn North Sea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Myung, who had guarded the Ice Formation, had also mentioned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recited the names of the ones who had given me headaches in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, except Tang Je-moon.He had been nothing but helpful, so I left him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From Yeon Ilcheon too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I mentioned Yeon Ilcheon, the old man visibly reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to throw in one last jab for good measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, and by the way, Namgung Myung called me the reincarnation of the Sword Saint.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s face contorted as I nonchalantly picked at my ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you see why I don’t trust you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Stop spouting nonsense.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His burning glare made it clear he was pissed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[There’s no way my reincarnation would look as ugly as you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What did you just say, you old bastard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Watch your mouth, boy.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got a real knack for pissing people off, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mood soured instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seriously, what the hell was this feeling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grinding my teeth, I glared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So that’s it. I thought something was off from the start.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man added, as if finally realizing something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So that’s it.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s voice rang out, brimming with certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he actually figured something out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You’re an agent of the Blood Demon.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figured something out, my ass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Things have unfolded differently than expected. It must be that man’s doing.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wouldn’t believe me even if I denied it, right? Isn’t that it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If that’s true, then it’s a grave mistake.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, and you’re not going to believe me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by his attitude, everything was already spiraling out of control.And the reason? Apparently, it all boiled down to me being mistaken for some reincarnation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Goddamn it….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a sigh.Whether he was Shin Noya or not didn’t matter anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was never my goal to begin with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Fine. Forget it. Just tell me—why are you still here? And why did you choose Yung Pung as your successor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What nonsense. How do you expect me to share such details when I can’t even trust you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fair point. Neither of us trusts the other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I admitted it.We didn’t trust each other one bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t matter either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hm?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you’ve got questions too, don’t you? This might make things easier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same tactic I’d used with the Sect Leader of Mount Emei a few days ago.The circumstances were completely different, of course—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was the beauty of this approach. It worked anywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The winner gets their answers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clean and simple solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need for meaningless arguments.When words fail, this is how it’s done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man looked at me with a curious expression before—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hah.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I didn’t like anything about you until now. But this—I like.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, he planted Guiding String into the ground with a sharp thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I saw it, every hair on my body stood on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, shit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn. I’m screwed, aren’t I?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long had it been since I felt this way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t even done anything, but my survival instincts were screaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much pressure from a single movement?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It’s good to have confidence in your strength. And you are strong. But if you think you can challenge me—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you insane?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off as his energy continued to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not seriously going all out, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…What?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re an adult fighting a kid. You wouldn’t actually use your full strength, would you? That’s just pathetic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can fight with just two feet. Or use one finger. Or hold your breath and close your eyes. Whatever works.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…Don’t you think those examples are a bit ridiculous?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, are you really going to fight seriously? If you win like that, you think I’ll tell you anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d be too pissed to say a word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man made a face like he’d just swallowed something bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You really don’t have any pride, do you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nope. Turns out pride doesn’t help you survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fair enough.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The supposed Shin Noya nodded like he actually understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[There’s nothing more useful than knowing your place.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt surprisingly reasonable for someone who might be fake.Most people just stared at me like I was crazy when I said stuff like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fine.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled Guiding String from the ground and rested it on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same motion as before, but this time, there was a faint scent of plum blossoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I’ll set the terms.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his voice carried that floral fragrance.Was this some kind of combat stance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ten moves. I’ll give you ten attacks. If you can land even one blow—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hurled my flame spear at him with everything I had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOM—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames exploded as the spear struck, sending ripples through the ink-like surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The compressed energy erupted at close range, its destructive power undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I marveled for a moment at how far my martial arts had come, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue, disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thought that would work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the blast, the old man stood, frowning at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guiding String still in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had hoped my surprise attack would do something.But to see him completely unharmed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap in our power felt overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a martial artist, I couldn’t help but respect it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at him and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I attacked before you finished talking, so this one doesn’t count, right? Still ten left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even bother responding.He just shook his head, clearly exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few shakes, he finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You know what?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the same time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You need to be taught a lesson, boy.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plum blossoms bloomed around him, filling the space.\u003C\u002Fp>",2188,"2026-06-05T15:10:16.200Z",1,"novelbin.me","e1edfb980834290083c0b09d2f4f018db0ad43225e7fcc9e8530f0a82fdaf6dd","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-742","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-740",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]