[{"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-771":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},1240571,1667,"Chapter 770","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-771",771,"\u003Cp>“What is your relationship with the Heavenly Demon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thought that crossed my mind was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How do I look right now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What expression was Muk Yeon seeing on my face?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had my eyes widened? Narrowed? Did I swallow nervously?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there sweat trickling down my forehead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a hint of unease could show. I checked everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single second passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t delay my response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was terrible at acting, and I’d been told that enough times to know my best bet was a blank face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s answer came without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I mean it exactly as it sounds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In that case, I’m even more confused.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes slightly, as if troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What reason do you have for asking me such a thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he suspicious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if so, where had the cracks started?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as irritation simmered, my mind raced through the possibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I pondered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha. It seems this old man has greatly offended you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could I not be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let me offer my apologies first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon smiled as he spoke, even while apologizing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at him, my stomach churned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I knew this was coming, but facing him directly makes it worse.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I planned the aftermath of the attack, one factor loomed above all else—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d retired over a decade ago and had likely returned to the Alliance only a few days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d already been here—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They wouldn’t have been caught off guard so easily.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how chaotic the situation, Muk Yeon’s presence would’ve changed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The combined strength of the Alliance’s forces?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their martial ranks and titles?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of that scared me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What scared me was a man like Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Especially since I’ve seen it firsthand.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hundred martial masters charging in wouldn’t terrify me as much as one strategist who could read every move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d watched Cheon Yurang-a bend Zhongyuan to his will in my past life—I knew the danger well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I made it clear when crafting my plan:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Alliance cannot have Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That condition was crucial, and it had worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d shaken public trust, fractured the Alliance’s foundation, and set off a chain reaction that would only grow more chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan was progressing perfectly—but I wasn’t letting my guard down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One plan’s success meant nothing. What came next was even more critical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And right now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need to study him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to learn everything I could about Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard the Heavenly Demon spoke with you briefly before disappearing. Is that true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wasn’t much of a conversation. He asked my name, and I answered. Is that a problem?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha. Not at all. Think of it as an old man’s rambling curiosity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rambling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re a most unusual individual, Star King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he dropped a loaded statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your achievements are unprecedented in Zhongyuan’s history. The youngest to reach Hwagyeong was Golden Fist King Yeon Ilcheon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden Fist King Yeon Ilcheon—who stopped the Blood Demon and was hailed as the greatest martial artist of his time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached Hwagyeong at twenty-five, the youngest ever recorded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The youngest to reach Hwagyeong is the Divine Dragon, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was referring to the official records acknowledged by the Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps that’s what the Martial Alliance says. But I have a different opinion. And I believe you know what I mean.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I silently clicked my tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon wasn’t fooled by the official narrative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes made that clear—he was certain I had reached Hwagyeong first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I didn’t care about that particular detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And how exactly does that connect me to the Heavenly Demon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It doesn’t. I know little about martial enlightenment. I’m simply astonished by your potential.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Despite having such potential, you hid it for years. Yet when Hanam faced disaster, you revealed your strength and saved the people. You became a hero.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With every word, my frown deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You defended against the attack, defeated the monsters, broke the curse, and saved the Alliance Leader and others. Everything you did that day was worthy of being called heroic. Truly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then locked eyes with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was almost as if someone wanted to make you a hero.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn old man.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suspected me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My actions fit too perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile behind his eyes and the careful tone in his voice made it clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t it strange?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were my achievements purely coincidence—or had someone orchestrated them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidence seemed unlikely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what Muk Yeon was implying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This isn’t going to be easy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kind of situation didn’t suit me at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, my hands itched to snap his neck and be done with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking is exhausting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fighting is simple. But that wasn’t an option here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing to do but endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Haha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I started with a hollow laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No panic—just sticking to what I did best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Star King?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me ask you something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m listening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How long do you expect me to put up with this disrespect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately twisted my expression into a scowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acting wasn’t my strength, but getting angry? That, I could do naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After risking my life to save people, this is how I’m treated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this conversation keeps going in circles, I’m leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unless you have something else to say, get on with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glared at Muk Yeon, my gaze sharp and unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d wiped the smile from his face, meeting my eyes with the same intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence stretched until—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon bowed his head first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This old man let his worries get the better of him. I’m truly sorry for offending you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words sounded sincere, but I kept my expression tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as I sat back down, I didn’t relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just an interrogation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jang Seong-myung’s nonsense about an offer was just a distraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was about the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t the only one being questioned—others would be called in, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reacting too strongly might make things worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll accept your apology.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for your understanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted nothing more than to flip the table and walk out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not yet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation might seem finished, but I knew better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s eyes said otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m not the only one he’s suspicious of.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He probably had others in mind—others he’d be testing, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tsk.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just being near him felt suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sensation reminded me of facing Cheon Yurang-a in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same sharp tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was taking everything I had to suppress my presence and not slip up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon barely radiated any Qi, yet his presence weighed heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was absurd—but true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What should I do?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kill him now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was possible, even with the Sword Emperor nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could snap his neck before anyone stopped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could I escape the Sword Emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I succeeded, it would ruin all my plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still needed the Alliance. I still needed Bong Soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But killing him might be worth it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was too dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I seriously considered it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No…not yet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, I decided to hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was too much to lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I relaxed my grip—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon spoke as if he’d been waiting for this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have something to tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Suddenly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this interrogation over?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, that ended with our earlier conversation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Already over?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like we’d barely spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I frowned slightly at the sudden conclusion, Muk Yeon carefully pulled something out of his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sealed letter bearing the Martial Alliance’s emblem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you remember what the Azure Dragon Division Leader mentioned earlier?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creation of a new division—and the offer to lead it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a similar matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s words made me narrow my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already gave my answer to that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d refused. He’d heard it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet he brought it up again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right after that absurd display of suspicion and irritation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why? What’s his angle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize once again for the earlier rudeness. However, I hope you’ll understand that this matter is both similar and very different from before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does that mean…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is not a proposal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s eyes met mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is a formal request from the Martial Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but scoff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a proposal, but a request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reminded me of my earlier words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The current Martial Alliance needs you, Star King. Please, lend us your strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brazen. Shameless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t expected him to be this direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strangely, it felt refreshing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is better.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far better than Jang Seong-myung’s nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew the Martial Alliance needed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be precise, it wasn’t me they needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the name they had created for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Martial Alliance is shaken.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t had time to fully assess the situation, but they were undoubtedly in trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The public had turned against them—but more importantly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The merchants are pulling out.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchant groups that had supported the Alliance were withdrawing their investments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wouldn’t they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What merchant would continue funding a crumbling Martial Alliance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merchants moved for profit, not ideals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sponsoring the Alliance had once brought stability and status—but now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Alliance had lost public trust. Supporting it was a risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And once the funds dried up, the core of the Martial Alliance would rot from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had to fix this quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had to restore public confidence—immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence this plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creation of a new division, with me as its leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three division leaders had died in the attack, but the real reason for this move was clear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They need a quick way to win back public trust.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star King’s reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My name. My achievements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They needed it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The hero who saved Hanam joins the Martial Alliance.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would pacify the public and lure the merchants back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some might call it arrogant—relying so heavily on one man’s image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But objectively, it’s true.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d already guessed this was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reaction I saw from the crowd earlier had confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My reputation was soaring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I’d snapped at Jang Seong-myung earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t in a position to make proposals to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They should’ve been begging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Muk Yeon is doing just that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew exactly what position the Alliance was in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon bowed his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a hollow laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a strange way to make a request, don’t you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this was so important, shouldn’t he have started with this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the pointless posturing earlier?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My earlier words were my personal thoughts. These words represent the Alliance’s official stance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re saying they’re different?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he personally didn’t trust me, but the Alliance officially needed me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I call it honesty—or shamelessness?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are the terms we’ve prepared, should you accept our request.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring my bewildered expression, Muk Yeon handed me the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if you refuse, I ask that you at least read it first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I considered tearing it apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t that be satisfying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I took the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine. I’d read it first—then tear it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s all it took.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I read, my eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t tear the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, I looked up at Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My gaze silently asked, Is this real?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If there is anything more you desire, we’re prepared to accommodate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Wow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it wasn’t a scoff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this was the offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that Azure Dragon fool had led with that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was this Muk Yeon’s plan all along?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Questions swirled, but they didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terms were that good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So good that my earlier irritation vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I folded the letter carefully and tucked it into my robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I take some time to think about this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As much as you need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I put off making a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that—the conversation ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the conversation ended and Gu Yangcheon left the room, Muk Yeon remained seated, calmly pouring himself another cup of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the Sword Emperor stood silently, maintaining his position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cough—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Muk Yeon began coughing violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly pressed a cloth to his mouth, but the spasms wouldn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after a long moment did he manage to catch his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he pulled the cloth away, it was stained with fresh, red blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you all right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Emperor asked, his voice steady. Muk Yeon nodded faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine. It’s better than yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Emperor said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asking wouldn’t change the reality of the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he silently observed Muk Yeon as he sipped his tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a lingering silence, the Sword Emperor finally broke it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a vague question, but Muk Yeon immediately understood what he meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon deflected, and the Sword Emperor took a moment before answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He didn’t seem to have any obvious flaws.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t seem to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon caught onto that phrasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as if confirming his thoughts, the Sword Emperor added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But there’s something… off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon set his cup down, his sharp gaze fixed on the ripples in the liquid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Emperor’s instincts were rarely wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Muk Yeon felt the same unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man they had just spoken with—Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was unlike any other young martial artist they had encountered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want to know my opinion?” Muk Yeon asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon smiled faintly as he thought about their conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been… unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Muk Yeon had grandchildren, Gu Yangcheon would be younger than them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s different.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon wasn’t like the typical young prodigies who brimmed with ambition and arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no youthful fervor in him—only cold, sharp eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his speech was violent and blunt, nothing like a righteous sect disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was aggressive, unpredictable, and seemed ready to destroy anything that didn’t go his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s all calculated.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrogance masked meticulous control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words, though reckless, were purposeful—designed to provoke reactions and measure responses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze never settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked directly at people while keeping track of the entire room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw the forest even as he studied each tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything about him seemed intentional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s interesting.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon found himself entertained for the first time in years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite their differences, he sensed a certain similarity between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If only…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Gu Yangcheon hadn’t already stepped onto the path of martial arts, Muk Yeon might have taken him as a disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s how much potential he saw in the young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s a shame.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would never happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Gu Yangcheon clearly had other plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you notice?” Muk Yeon said suddenly, looking at the Sword Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Notice what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon recalled the earlier exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—What’s your connection to the Heavenly Demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question had been direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Demon, who led the attack on Hanam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unknown force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew his strength, his followers, or his true motives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon had asked the question to see Gu Yangcheon’s reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had denied nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d looked uncomfortable, sure—but he never denied it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that’s what lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Yangcheon never said he wasn’t connected to the Heavenly Demon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in his irritation, he hadn’t outright rejected the accusation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could have been a coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m certain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon set down his teacup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to keep a close eye on him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would watch Gu Yangcheon—by any means necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the Martial Alliance, Gu Yangcheon was walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, glancing back toward the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was low, almost amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll have to kill him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon had already decided—he would kill the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he would do it soon.\u003C\u002Fp>",2687,"2026-06-05T15:10:17.629Z",1,"novelbin.me","835d4958097e4784a5aaab09c32df18fb455473206e68e235d10668297798845","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-772","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-770",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]