[{"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-774":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},1240574,1667,"Chapter 773","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-774",774,"\u003Cp>Ssshh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere cooled as soon as I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the old man in front of me—Muk Yeon—his reaction was anything but calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Conditions, you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes practically screamed his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were asking me, Are you serious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I met that gaze and smiled faintly as I responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What you heard is exactly what I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s eyes narrowed further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Elder?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there something about the terms that displeased you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was asking whether any of the Martial Alliance’s offers—given in exchange for me becoming their Great Leader—had failed to meet my expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. I didn’t find anything unsatisfactory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conditions they offered were beyond generous—practically groundbreaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recalled the details of the letter Muk Yeon had handed me yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Conditions\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First Condition:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an outrageous offer from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the Martial Alliance were the Eight Sword Divisions, the pillars of their strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though they stood at the top, they still had to follow orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Alliance had five elders who acted as executive leaders beneath the Leader, and the swordsmen ultimately answered to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’re giving me the power to ignore orders.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d have full autonomy, free to act as I pleased, regardless of what the elders said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second Condition:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frankly, this didn’t mean much to me personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Alliance charged mandatory sponsorship fees based on a family’s wealth and influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Gu family was one of the prominent clans, their payments were substantial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally, the Alliance took a cut from trade deals brokered under its name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiving those fees and tariffs would undoubtedly please my family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Basically, it’s a bribe to keep us from badmouthing them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for me, it wasn’t particularly enticing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Condition:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now this was tempting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Leader already wielded power over regional branches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on top of that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Control over a Sword Division.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d be granted direct command over one of the remaining Seven Sword Divisions, which was no small advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adding it all up—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No mandatory payments, freedom from most orders, and the authority to command an elite force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a deal packed with benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Alliance clearly knew what they were offering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why Muk Yeon was reacting this way—because now I was asking for more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood his perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I were in his shoes, I’d think, We’ve already handed you the moon—what more do you want?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the thing is—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What are you gonna do if I say no?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unfortunate truth for the Martial Alliance was that I knew exactly how valuable I was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my past life, when the Divine Sword had just earned the title of Little Sword Saint, I’d witnessed what kind of terms the Martial Alliance gave her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She had no clue how the world worked.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Sword Saint had cared about saving people—not negotiations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of that, the Martial Alliance had been able to scoop her up with insultingly low terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I couldn’t match her peak strength back then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My position is leagues above hers.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since I knew that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll be damned if I settle for anything less than a hundred times better.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not ten times. Not twenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it meant tearing the pillars of the Martial Alliance out by their roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon must have sensed my intentions because his expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you don’t like it, forget it. I don’t care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a blatant power play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take it or leave it. I could walk away without regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, it might stir hostility and lead to complications later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, like I said—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have a better alternative?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Alliance knew this was their best chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They just hadn’t expected me to know it too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The conditions are excellent,” I said. “Offers this generous don’t come often, do they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, they don’t,” Muk Yeon admitted. “But even knowing that, you’re still demanding more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. It’s not enough to satisfy me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s a problem, just say so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flashed him another smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon stared at me with a furrowed brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze didn’t waver, but I knew his mind was racing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These terms already faced strong opposition. I only managed to push them through with great effort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was calm, but the subtext was clear—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I worked my ass off to get you this. Stop being greedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that’s how he wanted to play it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d play right back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so? Must have been tough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not my problem. Offer me something better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the current terms don’t suit you, we could revise them instead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t offer more, but maybe I can repackage it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha. I appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested in changes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t insult me with word games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We exchanged veiled barbs, neither budging an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This conversation wasn’t going anywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pushed my chair back and rose to my feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems we won’t be reaching an agreement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough time-wasting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for the generous offer. I hope we meet again under better circumstances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned and started toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hand was on the knob when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Could you at least tell me what your terms are?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon rubbed his temples like his head was splitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. I’d be happy to share.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Srrk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I finished writing on the letter and handed it to Muk Yeon, who sat across from me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve written it all down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three sheets of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I signed my name on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was called a contract, but right now, it was more of a verbal agreement in written form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make it official, I’d still need to discuss it with the Gu family later. For now, I was simply putting my intentions into writing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Convincing my family could wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The timing’s a bit tricky, but it should be fine.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contract was set for five years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether or not I’d renew it afterward—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Five years? Yeah, right.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never planned to stick around that long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I accepted the position, I’d be done within a year—if that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘One year is enough.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s all I needed to get what I wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anything beyond that would be unnecessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—worse than unnecessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t just have my family to think about—time itself was a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s work well together from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Handing him the letter, I finally turned to leave for real this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no longer any reason to linger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And no one tried to stop me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon let out the breath he’d been holding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He massaged his temples as though fighting off a headache and struggled to suppress a cough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After taking a moment to steady himself,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He burst into a bitter laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What an unbelievable kid…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a long time since something had worn him out this much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably not since his retirement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back on the intense negotiation, Muk Yeon took a sip of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His throat was parched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This won’t be easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been far more difficult than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t have been this hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But both the situation and the opponent were problematic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no choice but to recruit someone who knew their own worth too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more they spoke, the clearer it became—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have no choice but to accept my terms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the unspoken message in every word and action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, the things that should have been difficult—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…He handled them like they were nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far from being overwhelmed, the boy almost seemed to enjoy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the conversation, he refused to yield even an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He knew he had leverage.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon could see it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon was fully aware that the Alliance needed him—and he never let his guard down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a shame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon had no children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he’d had grandchildren, they would have been older than the Star King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here he was, completely outmaneuvered by someone so young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But despite feeling like he’d been picked clean, Muk Yeon didn’t feel bad about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many people could sit across from him, hold their ground, and take what they wanted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only three others came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon added a fourth name to that list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he doubted this one would leave a pleasant memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I can’t believe I let him take that much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been utterly drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conditions Gu Yangcheon demanded were outrageous, to the point where Muk Yeon had struggled to reduce even a few.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In the end, I had to give in to two of them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t cut them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he wanted to bring Gu Yangcheon in, there was no other option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this really the right decision?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s doubts lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been seven weeks since he’d returned to his post as a temporary strategist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of tasks he’d taken on had multiplied—most of them tasks he’d assigned to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t leave things as they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A complete mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what the Alliance had become.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Sword Master left, Muk Yeon had stepped away, exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what had happened while he was gone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d known things would fall apart like this, he never would have left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He regretted it bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why, if possible, he’d wanted to avoid bringing in the Star King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These terms were bound to cause friction with the other leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star King couldn’t be treated as an ordinary Great Leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe I’m getting old.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon admitted his mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His decision hadn’t been rational—it had been instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about Gu Yangcheon made him feel like he had to recruit him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though they’d only met twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer came to him suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s because I don’t know.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the reasoning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t understand Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, two meetings were enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon had always been able to read people quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Sword Master once praised him as having “the eyes of wisdom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Star King is unreadable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon couldn’t grasp him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t see his temperament, values, or beliefs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because he was deep and layered?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is there too much hidden beneath the surface?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever the case—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon knew one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might have been young, but he had the instincts of a predator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A raging bull hiding the mind of a serpent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A viper, ready to strike and tear out throats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why would Heaven give someone like that martial talent too?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon didn’t practice martial arts, but he could tell—Gu Yangcheon was exceptional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with his cunning mind, he was bound to leave a mark on history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon set his cup down and looked out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Let him not be…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let him not be what Muk Yeon feared most—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An ally of Cheonma, the Demonic Cult’s Heavenly Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let him be the hope of the righteous sects instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was Muk Yeon’s prayer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the real reason he brought the Star King into the Alliance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was to find out the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Alliance held an official announcement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three Great Leaders were dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To fill the void, they named a new Great Leader—the Star King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They also declared the revival of the Divine Dragon Division,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most legendary unit in the Martial Alliance’s history.\u003C\u002Fp>",1951,"2026-06-05T15:10:17.629Z",1,"novelbin.me","229cc627c0f8b8ff0c7bfb7ca0e102e1d6f3153bce6356b7f62f222c78ab52d8","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-775","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-773",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]