[{"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-742":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},1240792,1667,"Chapter 741","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-742",742,"\u003Cp>Kwaaaak--!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ink covering the floor surged violently. It resembled a swirling vortex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the chaotic and intense movement,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh---!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames erupted above the flowing water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizzle—!! The flames were so hot that steam hissed wherever they passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blazing and radiant flames. Flames so scorching that they seemed to overturn everything like a dragon’s form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In both size and energy, it was an overwhelming sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst this scene, an old man stood silently, gazing at the display from above the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyaaaaaah—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames roared as if howling and lunged at the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three massive streams of fire converged into one and began pouring down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even being near it felt as though one would be burned to ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that struck, ordinary people wouldn’t even leave bones behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Srrng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint sound echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paaah—!!Slaaash—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the flames split into dozens of branches and began to dissipate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hollow laugh escaped from Gu Yangcheon, watching the scene from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t even see the slash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a faint sound could be heard. He couldn’t catch how the old man moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It just looked like a single slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the result was dozens of precise cuts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How fast did he have to swing to make it look like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames vanished, leaving a frown on Gu Yangcheon’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Seven.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Only three more left.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes. I know,” Gu Yangcheon replied, as energy began to gather in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the old man said, there had already been seven attacks, yet not a single blow had landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the old man did was swing his sword to block or dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite using such a simple method, he had defended every single strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was frustrating, but it also sparked several thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thought was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it the space?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this place, which seemed unreal, affecting the outcome?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that the old man had altered something to make his attacks ineffective?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that doesn’t seem right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy flow and movements were too vivid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This didn’t feel like a mental projection—it felt real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the old man gave off the same impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which could only mean—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That old man’s just ridiculously strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A painfully simple conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if this was the realm of souls, could this really be the strength he wielded in life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s just absurd.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t something Gu Yangcheon wanted to believe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how powerful he was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he’s that strong, how did he fail to kill the Blood Demon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was true, then the path ahead felt impossibly long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the last thing Gu Yangcheon wanted to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames wrapped around his hands, and he steadied his breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—! His heart pounded, sending energy surging through his bloodstream and shooting out toward the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwooooosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dark space turned faintly blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red Heaven Flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or should it be called Blue Heaven Flames now? Who cares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the domain activated, strength coursed through his body. His steps felt lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man looked on, intrigued by the change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t show the slightest trace of tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it. That smug face is pissing me off even more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Irritated, Gu Yangcheon pushed more energy into his flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuuuuuk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flame orb twice the size of the one used against Yeong Pung formed in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of energy, it was far greater than what he poured into the Sacred Spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hurled it without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooooom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enormous sphere shot toward the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man moved to cut it down with his sword again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A signal echoed as Gu Yangcheon snapped his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwoooooom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame orb exploded, engulfing the surroundings in fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such a massive amount of energy packed inside, the flames grew immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was enough to obscure vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the explosion erupted, Gu Yangcheon leaped back and clenched his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Getting close doesn’t work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what about attacking from a distance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’ll sense the energy if I use the Sacred Spear or most of the Nine Flames Firewheel (구염화륜공).”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seven previous attacks—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t random strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The more energy one faces, the more they grow accustomed to it. The same applies to their perception.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each flame attack had been calculated to make the old man grow familiar with Gu Yangcheon’s energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, both his body and eyes would be accustomed to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now was the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprises work best when the enemy grows familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tua Pacheonmu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the flames had grown familiar, it was time to use something entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Third Form.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Energy gathered at the tip of Gu Yangcheon’s fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he honed it to be sharper and more destructive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the first and second forms were meant for close combat, the Third Form targeted enemies from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tua Geokseom (Fang Strike Annihilation).’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erasing his presence, Gu Yangcheon sensed the disturbance in the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locking onto the target, he clenched his fist and delivered a short, rapid punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ripple rang through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaaak—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A circular hole appeared in the flames that had been swirling around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Strike Annihilation had no visible form, no discernible trajectory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an attack made purely of energy, one that left no time for its target to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden assault should have engulfed the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—it was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eight.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice from the side, Gu Yangcheon bit down hard on his lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The attempt was good. Its utility wasn’t bad, either. The completion wasn’t low, so I can’t help but wonder—who exactly taught you this?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man spoke as if genuinely intrigued, explaining his thoughts while gazing at Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re a bit too fast, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too fast. Far too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So fast that Gu Yangcheon hadn’t even realized it until the man started speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Of course. In my lifetime, there were only a few faster than me. Maybe two.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man chuckled as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Myeong and Tang Jeolcheon. Aside from those two, no one in Zhongyuan could match my speed.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunder Blade (Myeong) and Tang Jeolcheon, the Poison Breaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Myeong was renowned as the fastest wielder of lightning energy in Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jeolcheon had been an assassin—of course, he was fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was one lingering question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about Yeon Ilcheon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon referred to Yeon Ilcheon, the man once considered the greatest martial artist in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the old man hadn’t mentioned him, did that mean he was slower?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what Gu Yangcheon’s question implied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[He was strong, not fast. But that strength of his….]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the old man could finish, he moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon had already thrown a punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tua Pacheonmu, Second Form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tubi Uicheonkwon (Fang of Intent Piercing the Heavens).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vortex of energy erupted, surging toward the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Explosions burst out all around Gu Yangcheon, centered on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hah. How cowardly of you, boy.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, the old man easily deflected all the strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deflected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of nonsense was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tua Pacheonmu was an explosion of energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just circulating it caused unbearable strain, and it unleashed destructive force through sheer violent pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it erupted, it was supposed to leave traces everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the old man, standing right in its range, emerged without a scratch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He cut through it all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unbreakable artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung his sword and erased every trace of energy coming toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That guy’s a real monster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Calling your elder a monster, huh? What terrible manners.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People often called Gu Yangcheon a monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wished he could show those people this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A real monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Only one attack left.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the old man lazily swing his sword made Gu Yangcheon’s blood boil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted—desperately—to land a single hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘One more chance.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final opportunity the old man had allowed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon stepped back, lowering his body into a crouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh. The flames began to expand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much energy did he have left?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t know.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe about half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, this wasn’t reality, so there were no external or internal injuries to worry about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Not that it matters.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internal wounds, energy depletion—none of that mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t work anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what he tried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not against that old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what he did, it wouldn’t be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even knowing that, Gu Yangcheon still tightened his stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—! Flames wrapped around his arms, surging with power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands ignited, and he clapped them together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clap—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact scattered sparks in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparks that should have burned out midair—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, they stopped, floating in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yeomok Seongbiyong Ohwa (Flaming Jade Stars).’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scattered sparks gathered and grew into countless flame spheres.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They surrounded Gu Yangcheon, hovering like stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another technique derived from Nine Flames Firewheel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Rain down.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoooosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless blue flame marks shot into the air and rained down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaaa—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An assault concentrated entirely on one target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had enough destructive power to wipe out a small village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash—! Slash—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man swung his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbelievable speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that the slashes were visible now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the afterimages—remnants of his continuous movements—that Gu Yangcheon could barely perceive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeong Pung’s swordsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A style so complex yet fluid—so free yet grounded in fundamentals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its perfected form was unfolding here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash—! Slash—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame marks were torn apart and erased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No flame could withstand that sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More flame orbs formed, and his other hand commanded their movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames shifted—from two streams to three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the sky was blocked, he attacked from the sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the sides were cut off, he struck from the front and back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He unleashed flames from every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s response remained simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slaaash—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one side was blocked, he moved faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword struck down every single flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single one made it through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon let out a bitter laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was utterly, completely hopeless.\u003C\u002Fp>",1704,"2026-06-05T15:10:16.200Z",1,"novelbin.me","c5ad81775e0dbd86ef97dcc9e5794737719cdf51e7899e4d89e3e7f8643c4f7c","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-743","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-741",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]