[{"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-751":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},1240551,1667,"Chapter 750","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-751",751,"\u003Cp>Smack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guhh—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Peng Zhou was being beaten to a pulp, the entire audience in the pavilion stood frozen, unable to utter a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What is happening?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is… too much!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes weren’t fixed on the bloodied Blade King but on the young man tearing him apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most talked-about youth in Hanam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had claimed the title of the next greatest martial artist, surpassing even the Divine Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had revealed his hidden strength and shot to fame overnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unmatched talent whose power defied his age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People whispered that he was a monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even claimed that he had already reached Hwagyeong—the highest martial state—when he was still a teenager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Divine Dragon incident, the young prodigy had earned the nickname So Yeomra and rumors had spread that he had attained Hwagyeong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Murim Alliance officially declared the Divine Dragon as the youngest to reach Hwagyeong, putting those rumors to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just what the hell is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, looking at So Yeomra, no one could deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The Blade King is being utterly destroyed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the central pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A place filled with the most powerful leaders—sect masters, clan heads, and merchants who controlled vast territories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People who commanded respect and influence in the martial world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, none of them could keep their composure as they watched So Yeomra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t they say he just turned twenty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We saw him fight the Divine Dragon, but… this is ridiculous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only word to describe what they were witnessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t just another talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Divine Dragon had only taken his first steps into Hwagyeong, then So Yeomra was already soaring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Against the Blade King, he didn’t retreat—not even once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosion of Qi rippled outward, shaking the pavilion itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Zhou, the Blade King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite rumors that his strength was overrated, he was still a martial artist who had attained Hwagyeong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he bled under So Yeomra’s fists, staggering and unable to retaliate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a one-sided beating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What… what do you even call this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was “genius” enough to describe it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even “monster” felt too small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Yeomra defied explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This can’t be real.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like a hallucination—or a nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the nightmare of every martial artist present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sight too terrifying to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blade King being utterly crushed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, it was happening before their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chuckle broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elderly man with snow-white hair—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sect master of Mount Hua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Ten Great Masters, known as Plum Blossom Sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That boy never fails to surprise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already been stunned during the duel with the Divine Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this fight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was beyond anything he could have imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just how much is he hiding?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly lay beneath the surface of that young man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To call it mere talent or brilliance felt insufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Like father, like son?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Like grandfather, like grandson.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even those thoughts failed to capture it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Plum Blossom Sage, it was enough to witness this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m seeing the birth of a new era.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dawn of a new age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at its center—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, this young man would stand at the forefront.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the Plum Blossom Sage pondered, a voice interrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Judging by that look, you’re brooding again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Plum Blossom Sage turned, wrinkling his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No wonder. I thought I smelled something unpleasant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? What was that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re lying. I heard that—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was Ubong Chwigye, the leader of the Beggar’s Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked and jabbed at the Plum Blossom Sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still sulking because all your disciples got eliminated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Plum Blossom Sage’s face twitched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubong Chwigye wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mount Hua’s disciples had all been knocked out early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d deliberately brought younger, inexperienced students, but even their most promising member had lost in the preliminaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Ubong Chwigye continued, twisting the knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least we didn’t get disqualified before it even started like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubong Chwigye flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Beggar’s Sect hadn’t even participated in the tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know we can’t join as long as we’re tied to the Murim Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Beggar’s Sect had direct ties to the Alliance, so they were barred from competing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph. Not that it matters. Even if you had joined, what could a bunch of beggars possibly achieve?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Plum Blossom Sage smirked, twisting the knife back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubong Chwigye ground his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground shook, pulling their attention back to the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha. Looks like it’s over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Plum Blossom Sage grinned while Ubong Chwigye scowled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…We’ll talk later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unfortunately, I’m busy. Maybe next time. Kekeke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn you…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite their bickering, their eyes stayed on the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive figure of Peng Zhou lay sprawled on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was unrecognizable, swollen beyond recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blade King had been completely and utterly destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So it’s over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He actually won.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization hit like a thunderclap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blade King—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A member of the Six Pillars—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had fallen to a youth barely past twenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not just fallen—he’d been beaten senseless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implications were staggering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Peng Clan was ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the martial world would never be the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the crowd reeled from the aftermath—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The winner is Gu Yangcheon—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, swords were drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What’s this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp, oppressive energy filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ubong… what’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could answer—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground shook violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell—?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An earthquake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the crowd staggered, a few managed to hold their ground—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clear sky above began to shift as something massive and crimson etched itself across the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zzzzzing—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brilliant red line stretched out, vast enough to blanket the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell is that…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enormous crimson streaks started connecting, forming an ominous pattern in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Sword Emperor studied it, another disturbance erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-What now?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A translucent crimson barrier descended, encasing the pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It shared the same hue as the patterns in the sky—an unearthly red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alarmed, several martial masters reacted immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Plum Blossom Sage, the Sword Emperor, and the Sword Saint of the Murim Alliance moved in unison, unleashing devastating slashes at the barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOM—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The combined force of three of the Ten Great Masters roared toward the crimson veil, a power strong enough to reduce entire mountains to rubble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paang—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the attacks dissolved upon impact, leaving the barrier completely untouched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooooom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson light continued to envelop the entire pavilion, sealing it completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This can’t be…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Emperor’s brow furrowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t the only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present felt it—the instinctual dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something catastrophic had begun in Hanam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****************************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanam—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the heart of the Murim Alliance, the sky bore an ominous pattern—a spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old man stood beneath it, his eyes alight with fervor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s finally happening…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Decades of preparation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had honed his techniques, poured every drop of hatred into this single ritual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, his life’s work unfolded in the heavens above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha! It’s finally coming true!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounding him were dozens of warriors clad in dark robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the descendants of the fallen Je Gal clan—men and women who had cast aside their names, living only for revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before them, a massive stone radiated energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the anchor of the spell—a seal containing an ancient force buried beneath Hanam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six of these stones had been scattered across Hanam, and the old man had found and broken each one, unleashing their power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a little longer… and we’ll drown the Murim Alliance in hellfire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The runes in the sky glowed brighter as the spell intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man clenched his fists and turned to his followers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Listen well!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kneeling in unison, the warriors awaited his command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember our suffering. Remember the years we lived as outcasts, branded as criminals by their lies!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His staff struck the ground, sending a ripple of energy outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, we cleanse our shame! Today, we show them our wrath!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woooong—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark aura seeped from his body—rage and hatred solidified into killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It spread to the others, igniting the same fury within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man donned a black robe embroidered with a single purple character—魔 (Demon).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others followed suit, each wearing matching uniforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only difference was the elder’s robe bore a darker hue and a ceremonial armband.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their outfits were impossible to miss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was intentional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just as promised. I’ve put it on. Can we begin now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder turned toward a woman standing at the back—Nahi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She scanned the group, then nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the cult leader? When will Cheonma arrive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma—the one who had orchestrated this ritual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When his preparations are complete, he’ll come. But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhkk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nahi pulled out a robe identical to the elder’s and draped it over herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He told me to remind you—keep your end of the bargain. Make sure your revenge succeeds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder nodded solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma’s absence was strange, but the sky held his focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In less than an hour, the ancient force buried beneath Hanam would awaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Murim Alliance, the so-called righteous pillar of the martial world, would burn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gripping his weapon tightly, the elder declared,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. For revolution!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For revolution—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their cries echoed as they marched toward Hanam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether for revenge or redemption, it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that mattered was that their time had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Nahi lingered, watching the procession vanish into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if on cue, figures landed around Nahi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all martial artists, clad in yellow robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the front stood a familiar figure—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hwangbo Yeolwi, the Tiger King of the Hwangbo Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he stepped forward and handed Nahi a folded garment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nahi accepted it, her movements smooth and practiced, and immediately began changing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black robe she had been wearing fell to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In its place, she donned the yellow uniform, marking her as one of the Hwangbo Clan’s warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pulling a hood over her face, concealing her features, Nahi slowly stretched her arms and shoulders before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…All is as the Master commands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, she turned and moved with the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They marched under Heavenly Demons orders—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To eradicate the evil that had infiltrated Hanam.\u003C\u002Fp>",1755,"2026-06-05T15:10:17.629Z",1,"novelbin.me","a173941e68a1717290d1f08dddfb93e1739ca58dc3dca174a45f7883a465ba29","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-752","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-600",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]