[{"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-750":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},1240800,1667,"Chapter 749","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-750",750,"\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou’s body was sent flying, crashing and rolling across the floor of the arena. His massive frame tumbled before he barely managed to stabilize himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Khugh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clutching his stomach, the pain still gnawed at him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blade flew past him and buried itself deep into the ground. Peng Zhou’s eyes locked onto it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one he had let slip from his grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a goddamn mess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rough voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell is this supposed to be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frustration dripped from every word. Annoyance practically oozed from the speaker’s tone, and it was all directed at Peng Zhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t expect much. Just hold out for one fucking minute. You couldn’t even manage that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A foot appeared in front of his face. Peng Zhou jerked his head aside, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The incoming kick shifted angles midair and slammed into his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain exploded in his left shoulder, twisting his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain was sharp but bearable. Gritting his teeth, Peng Zhou lunged for the blade buried in the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shlick—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade slid free, immediately enveloped in a dark aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His foot suddenly slipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A leg had swept in and shattered his stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is your inner demon some kind of damn excuse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fist smashed into his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou’s upper body crumpled and bounced off the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Using that as a cover to hide your own incompetence, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another punch pounded into his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk! Crack—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body slammed into the floor, spreading fractures outward in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guhh—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood splattered from his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you’re dressing up your bullshit with excuses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice—and the fists—didn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Bang bang! Bang—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blow after blow rained down. The repeated impact drove Peng Zhou’s mind to the brink of breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as if waiting for the moment, the attacks ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint sound pulled Peng Zhou’s consciousness back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There he stood—Gu Yangcheon. Blood dripped steadily from his clenched fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most likely, it was his own blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kh… urgh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou coughed up another mouthful of blood, his body trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… damn brat… I… I’m the head of the Peng Clan… the Blade King Peng…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Giving me your fucking résumé now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon smirked before—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed Peng Zhou and hurled him aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou barely landed on his feet, staggering as he tried to keep himself upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough… ugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell just happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was this situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Did I… lose to that kid?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just anyone—but the son of Gu Cheolwoon. That bastard’s son had done this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shlick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou touched his swollen cheek. Even the slightest touch sent waves of pain rippling through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cheek, of all places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same spot that bastard had struck before. It stung like hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grinding his teeth, Peng Zhou glared at Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at those eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon sneered, mockery dripping from his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After getting your ass handed to you, you still don’t get it, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You fucking bastard—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou’s face contorted into something monstrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the kid was strong—how could he not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d seen the duel with the Divine Dragon. He’d seen the fight against that brat from Mount Hua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Gu Yangcheon was strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is insane.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d never thought he’d be pushed this far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What kind of monster…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with his mind clouded by the demon within, Peng Zhou knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap between them was monstrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unnatural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had gathered information about Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the kid was a troublemaker who’d earned the nickname ‘Scourge of Shanxi’ as a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Like father, like son.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d heard the same phrase used to describe Gu Cheolwoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had comforted him at the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It gave him hope—hope that this brat would be just as easy to crush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… what the hell are you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, Peng Zhou raised his blade in desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s knee smashed into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou stumbled backward, the impact driving him off balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon didn’t wait for his words—he just kept pressing forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blades clashed with fists, but the sound was all wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s fists weren’t normal—they were like iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a struggle just to block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t like the fight with the Twin Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Twin Dragon’s attacks neutralized everything, leaving no openings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s overpowering me with sheer force.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon wasn’t hiding his strength—he was flaunting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faster. Stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Openings? Sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t exploit them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon was always faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this kid really stronger than him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to find an opening somehow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leg.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word slipped out like a command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? What the hell did that mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s shin smashed into Peng Zhou’s knee joint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain shot through his leg, toppling his stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no time to register it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Khugh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body moved instinctively to guard, recalling the last strike—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it wasn’t his chest but Peng Zhou’s left arm that bent the wrong way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell just happened? He stared at Gu Yangcheon, eyes wide with shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You actually fell for that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon smirked, his voice dripping with condescension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How does someone as fragile as you lead a clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bastard—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing he’d been deceived, Peng Zhou roared in fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Idiot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was nowhere for that anger to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon grabbed Peng Zhou’s already injured arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shlick—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without warning, two of Peng Zhou’s fingernails were ripped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There. I promised I’d take two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Promised who?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden attack left Peng Zhou frozen—he couldn’t even scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head snapped back. What the hell just hit him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the impact, it felt like a kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, it’s just for fun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s words marked the beginning of hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fists and feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A storm of attacks poured down on Peng Zhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack! Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sounds of breaking and shattering echoed as his body absorbed blow after blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guhh… kuh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou couldn’t even manage a proper scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the audience? Silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is that really…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Blade King’s getting destroyed like this…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Scourge of Shanxi who had defeated the Divine Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some had doubted Gu Yangcheon could win. They remembered his previous displays of strength but still wondered—could he take down the Blade King?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is too brutal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shouldn’t someone stop this? He’s going to die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had expected it to be this one-sided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was violence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind of sick display you’d see from a bully tormenting the weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that discomfort rippled through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap between them was undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A member of the Six Pillars, overwhelmed by a man barely past twenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to believe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guhh—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou spat blood, stumbling back before collapsing to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah… haah… hah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t been the most refined-looking man, but as the leader of a prestigious clan, he’d always dressed the part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His clothes were in tatters. His face was so swollen that he didn’t even look like himself anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bled with every breath, struggling just to stay conscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience covered their mouths, horrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I really don’t get it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon rolled his neck, looking down at his opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why’d you step up if you’re this weak?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words cut deeper than any blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood fell from Gu Yangcheon’s clenched fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghh… ah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou’s memories stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s face blurred, overlapping with another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That… bastard…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart pounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The humiliation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same as back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years had passed—decades, even—but here he was, reliving the same nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t the father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of all these people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll… kill you… I’ll kill you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fury dwarfed even what he’d felt against the Twin Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d lost all sense of reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dueling be damned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou tapped into his inner energy, ready to burn every ounce of strength he had left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it the sudden surge of energy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy from his heart pulsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooooom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic aura flared, and Gu Yangcheon smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Finally.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beating the man half to death had bought him time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I swear… no matter what it takes… I’ll kill—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou’s jaw snapped shut as Gu Yangcheon’s fist slammed into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blade King collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon kicked his unconscious body aside, as if he were nothing more than garbage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t a shred of emotion in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beating him had felt empty. Maybe he’d been fighting opponents who were too weak lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… uh…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee stood frozen, unable to process what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had expected this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blade King had lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A member of the Six Pillars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defeated by a man barely out of his twenties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not just defeated—beaten into the ground until he passed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“G-Gu Yangcheon…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee barely managed to get the words out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssssss—.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon stirred the demonic energy within his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The signal was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Begin.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the referee opened his mouth to declare the winner—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive tremor erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roooar—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Murim Alliance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, the entire Hanam region—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Began to shake.\u003C\u002Fp>",1602,"2026-06-05T15:10:16.200Z",1,"novelbin.me","962225994c6f51d889d316916ec45ac61422f24351c61417f29db649692a34db",null,"childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-749",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]