[{"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-770":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},1240570,1667,"Chapter 769","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-770",770,"\u003Cp>“What did you just say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seong-myung stared at me in disbelief after hearing my response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enjoying his reaction, I answered again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said, I’m not doing it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were plenty of reasons, but I wasn’t sure which one to give.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A newly established commander position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were offering to put me in charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, it didn’t sound bad. In fact, it was an impressive offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A commander in the Alliance wasn’t just a rank; it required significant influence and power to achieve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even branch leaders, who governed entire regions, held authority, but they couldn’t defy a main commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling that commanders had authority over branch leaders only emphasized how high this position was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, the benefits within the Alliance and the reputation across Zhongyuan made it even more tempting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But that was in the past.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, it was pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—considering the state of the Alliance, it wasn’t even worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘To be precise.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I set the teacup down and smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fact that you’re calling this an offer is laughable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seong-myung narrowed his eyes at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed offended, but I had no intention of taking them back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really was ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t an offer—it’s a request.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What are you saying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning back in my chair, I stared directly at Jang Seong-myung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not offering me anything—you’re begging.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seong-myung’s face contorted in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Star King. What exactly do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I stutter? I said what I meant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of calling it a weak attempt at a bribe—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m saying you should be on your knees, begging me for help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star King—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seong-myung slammed the table as he stood, his face turning red with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is going even better than I hoped.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing the grin trying to creep up, I glanced at him—and then at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Despite your remarkable skills and the good deeds you’ve done in Hanam, you’re getting carried away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room filled with his aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seong-myung glared at me sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Alliance considered you worthy of a royal title even before conducting a full investigation. And yet you have the nerve to mock us? Do you think the Alliance is a joke?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze, clearly caught off guard by my blunt answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but find his reaction amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So? Isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who acts like they’re handing me something precious? It’s laughable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grabbed the teacup from the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip, drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted it, letting the tea spill onto the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unexpected action drew Jang Seong-myung’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took advantage of the pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re losing public trust, so now you want to make me a figurehead to buy time while you figure out what to do. Don’t think I don’t see through you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think crowning me the youngest king and calling me a hero will distract people? Then what? Offer me a commander’s role and hope I’ll be grateful enough to follow orders?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bastards need to know when to quit the bullshit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I released my Qi, crushing his aura. It worked, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throb—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain flared in my chest, and blood surged up my throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I didn’t check my internal injuries properly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d been too focused on other things to assess my condition. It was worse than I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I kept forcing my Qi out, my meridians would twist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to suppress it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star King this, Star King that—who asked for it? You throw titles at me and expect me to bow? Don’t make me laugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even while reeling in my Qi, I didn’t stop talking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think I’m an idiot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to hide how bad my condition was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A new commander’s position? Sounds nice, sure. But let’s be real.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap, tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I drummed my fingers on the table four times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was enough to gather my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t just an offer—it’s desperation. You need me, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then stop pretending otherwise. If anything, you should be begging, not offering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seong-myung’s face fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all I needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Am I wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re speaking informally now? Should I do the same? That’d be easier for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grrr…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked like he was about to draw his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, if he did, it might be dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could kill him if it came to that—but anything less would leave me at a disadvantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I wasn’t worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was about time for the main act to arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you really prepared for bloodshed—?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander Jang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seong-myung froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A frail voice came from outside the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t need to guess who it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the Alliance’s current state, there was only one person they’d send.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light cough sounded, followed by—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first person I saw was a massive old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—it wasn’t his size that stood out. It was his presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sword Emperor.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the top ten masters of Zhongyuan, renowned as the guardian of Hanam and the Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor had it he refused to join the Three Monarchs to protect the Alliance instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he the one who called Jang Seong-myung?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, another old man entered—a smaller figure with a cloth covering his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exuded a similar air to the Divine Doctor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the man I’d been waiting for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The frail old man spoke, and Jang Seong-myung grimaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Elder…! The Star King insulted the Alliance. How can we let this slide?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seong-myung protested, clearly agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s not wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Elder!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry for burdening you, Star King. I’ll handle the rest from here, so please step outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reluctantly, Jang Seong-myung bowed deeply to the elder before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The respect he showed proved how influential this man was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If the Alliance is to survive, they’ll need this man.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Jang Seong-myung left—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder took the vacant seat and spoke to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I sit here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was careful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead. It’s free real estate now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for your consideration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat down, and I straightened my posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is our first meeting, Star King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air felt heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not from his Qi, but from his presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same pressure I felt when the Divine Doctor treated patients—or when Mi Horan scolded my father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, this man had reached a level worthy of his field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proving that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You already know who I am, so introductions aren’t necessary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, isn’t it polite to introduce ourselves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, of course. I agree that’s important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Muk Yeon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he introduced himself, I began to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A strategist of the Alliance—that's kind of the position an old man would take”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How should I deal with this man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elderly man, said to be over eighty, with no ties to any clan or sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An outsider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t particularly unusual within the Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of the lower-ranked positions were filled by unaffiliated individuals rather than members of prestigious families or sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This old man is special. Exceptionally so.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon was a figure completely different from the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite being unaffiliated, he had risen to the upper echelons of the Martial Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more remarkable—Muk Yeon had no martial arts skills and a frail body. Yet, he had once occupied the third-highest position in the Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was during the time when the Sword Master held the position of Leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, the Sword Master had Ubong Chwigye as his ears, Cheonan as his eyes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Muk Yeon as his brain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man said to never forget a single detail and able to assess power at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was called the Ink Ghost Strategist (Ji Muk Gwi In)—the most brilliant tactician in the Alliance’s history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, that tactician was sitting right in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be precise—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not anymore.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be more accurate to call him a former tactician.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon had retired several years after the Sword Master stepped down as Leader, leaving the Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been over a decade since then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t shown himself in all that time. Yet now, here he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was strange—but not surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…It happened in my past life too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Heavenly Demon appeared, foretelling a massacre—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon had returned to the Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his frail body, he’d offered his help. But in the end—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He died.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon didn’t survive long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Because Cheon Yurang-a took him out first.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheon Yurang-a, known as the brain of the Demonic Cult—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mobilized his entire force to target Muk Yeon and succeeded in killing him after a three-month standoff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Have I mentioned it before? The story where Cheon Yurang-a killed three peak-level martial artists alone and escaped?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon was the one who pushed him to that point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s how formidable this old man’s strategies were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Yangcheon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I introduced myself after hearing Muk Yeon’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s an honor to meet the Hero of Hanam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon smiled as he greeted me, and I returned it with a faint smile of my own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s also an honor to meet the man once called the brain of the Martial Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, those days are long past…. It’s nothing but old glory now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old glory, huh….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I echoed his words before replying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Considering you still look healthy and managed to orchestrate this situation—I’m not so sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s expression didn’t change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile simply deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask why you think that way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already didn’t like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After just a few exchanges, I was sure of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This old man—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s exactly the kind of person I hate.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind of person I’d kill without hesitation, given the chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first thing that struck me as odd was offering me the commander position out of nowhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held my composure as I answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At first, I thought you were desperate to draw attention. I was willing to let that slide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap. Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rapped my fingers on the table twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But then the Azure Dragon Unit came to escort me. That’s what really got to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t even require a complex explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Martial Alliance may seem vast, but it’s small. News travels fast.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yet, no one noticed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes as I got to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I had a minor clash with Jang Seong-myung. But then you sent the Azure Dragon Unit—not just to escort me, but to put me face-to-face with him in an interrogation room? Just to make an offer under the pretense of questioning me? Doesn’t that seem odd?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if our clash wasn’t that serious, it was still a known issue among the Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet they arranged for us to meet in such a tense situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless there was a specific reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my mind, there were only two possibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To provoke me—or to set up a scenario.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Provoking me wouldn’t gain much. So it has to be the latter. The real question is—what kind of scenario were you trying to create?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything felt tangled but deliberately connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From that, one problem stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wasn’t about provoking me. It was about testing me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted to gauge my reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the reason for that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They don’t know me. They don’t know how I’ll react—or what I’ll do. And the best way to find out is to provoke me and watch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So you think this old man arranged all that just to observe you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not exactly. That’s part of it, but there’s more to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just about gauging my reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The moment I was talking to Jang Seong-myung, you were standing outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I also know you don’t practice martial arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also correct. I only know enough for self-defense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But someone with your experience wouldn’t expect me not to notice you standing outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes sharpened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You knew I’d sense you. The Sword Emperor may have tried to hide you with his aura, but you’d already studied my level beforehand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yet, you still chose to stand there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rapped the table once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wanted to evaluate my temperament, my condition, and my attitude toward the Alliance. Isn’t that right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a test—seeing if I’d notice and how I’d respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was mostly speculation, even absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it made sense to me, given my memories of the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Azure Dragon Unit escorting me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was reasonable for the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seong-myung interrogating me and making an offer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could be coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But putting Muk Yeon in the picture tied everything together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just as I finished—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon finally broke the silence with a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Covering his mouth with a cloth, he coughed violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, the smile never left his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, Star King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would you be interested in taking my place someday?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like a joke, so I gave a serious answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks, but I’m better at punching people than thinking. I’ll pass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm… Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring his reaction, I asked my own question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, Elder. Why did you call me here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon didn’t dodge the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I admit it—I wanted to observe you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much he openly acknowledged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now that we’re face-to-face, there’s something I must ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is your relationship with the Heavenly Demon (Cheonma)?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>",2314,"2026-06-05T15:10:17.629Z",1,"novelbin.me","1c1780ef6a6805d2cf4b4699c628fbe45fdd2f7793c1d5987ebbb55ab1d8a188","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-771","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-769",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]