[{"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-775":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},1240575,1667,"Chapter 774","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-775",775,"\u003Cp>The Star King Ascends as the Leader of the Main Sect\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, news swept through Hanan. The announcement was even made official through the Beggar’s Sect, lending it undeniable credibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The effort must have been considerable, as it spread throughout Hanan in less than a day. Conversations about it buzzed in every corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Star King is becoming the Leader?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A warrior of royal rank leading the sect? I’ve never heard of such a thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Six Thrones—or rather, now the Seven Thrones. The seven kings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the establishment of the Martial Alliance, no king-level martial artist had ever taken the position of Leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had been precedents of kings rising to the position of Alliance Leader, but none had ever stepped in as the Leader of a division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does it matter? Didn’t the Blade King participate in the tournament to become the Dragon Leader?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mentioning how the Blade King joined the tournament helped calm some nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the recent Divine Dragon Martial Tournament, the prize included the qualification to become the Leader of the Divine Dragon Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had the Blade King won, he would have taken the position of Dragon Leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering that, the Star King becoming a Leader wasn’t entirely out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still… the Star King is barely past twenty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Star King, having only just come of age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of what he had demonstrated in Hanan, some still pointed out that he was too young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does age matter? If it’s the Star King, it’s reassuring.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Star King is sacrificing himself for the shattered alliance, and you’re hung up on his age?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those brimming with anger trampled on any objections in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, public sentiment toward the Alliance was far from favorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be precise, it could hold for now, but it wouldn’t take long to collapse completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such circumstances—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it’s the Star King, it’s fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least there’s someone we can trust.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Martial Alliance might be a concern, but if it’s the Star King…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that the hero who saved Hanan had chosen the Alliance gradually soothed the public’s fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though anger toward the Alliance remained, they now had a reason to suppress it, if only temporarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This effect came solely from the Star King’s affiliation with the Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When people find something to talk about, their unity tends to waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The raging resentment toward the Alliance began to waver slightly due to this news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in addition—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you heard?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was another piece of news, just as shocking as the Star King’s appointment, adding to the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They say the Divine Dragon Division is coming back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Divine Dragon Division?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon Division (神龍隊).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each member was a formidable powerhouse, and the Leader of the Divine Dragon Division often went down in history as a figure of legend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Martial Alliance’s elite sword division, directly under the Alliance Leader’s command, wielding immense influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Azure Dragon Division had since taken its place, the Divine Dragon Division’s legacy was considered incomparable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with the announcement of its revival, rumors swirled endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, wasn’t that supposed to be decided by the tournament?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard the winner was supposed to take the Leader’s seat… What happens now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon Division’s revival had already been foreshadowed through the tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So hearing the news left many puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the tournament had been interrupted by an attack, and no winner had been declared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, from the moment it was announced that the Leader would be chosen through a tournament, doubts had surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone familiar with the Divine Dragon Division would have questioned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for good reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon Division had one very peculiar rule—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the identities of its members were known, the Leader’s identity remained a mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the defining trait of the Divine Dragon Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To elaborate, once someone became the Leader, they wore a mask and kept their identity hidden until their tenure ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s just playing pretend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial techniques tend to reveal their user’s distinct characteristics, and anyone skilled enough to lead the Division would naturally stand out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this, even if the Leader’s identity was technically hidden, there was an unspoken agreement to keep quiet once they figured it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the 11th Leader, Sword Saint, for example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he was known as the Sword Saint and Alliance Leader,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He served as the Divine Dragon Leader while wearing a golden fox mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, his technique, Crescent Moon Sword, was so distinctive that most people knew who he was anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was true for most past Leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only exception—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The last Divine Dragon Leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 16th Leader, who held the position before the Division disbanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing is known about them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Traditionally, Leaders revealed their identities upon stepping down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in this case, the Division’s disbandment led to silence regarding the Leader’s identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was nearly twenty years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given this history, the decision to revive the Division and select its Leader through a tournament drew much debate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would the new Leader no longer hide their identity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this the end of the Division’s defining trait?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speculation ran rampant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, with the tournament interrupted and no winner declared, the sudden announcement of the Division’s return stirred even more questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sigh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As dusk approached, the Moyong family’s sharp-tongued daughter let out a faint sigh after hearing the news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her, I swallowed dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a habit she displayed when displeased or holding back anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to tread carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah, the sharp-tongued daughter of the Moyong family, spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Divine Dragon Division or not, this basically means Young Master is taking the Leader’s seat, doesn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well… yeah, pretty much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pretty much? Didn’t you already sign the contract?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was more of a verbal agreement, really….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you didn’t actually sign it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Not a signature, but I did leave my seal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately apologized under her sharp glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed excuses wouldn’t work this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you serious right now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I say, ‘Technically, I didn’t,’ you’ll just get angrier—sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah grabbed a nearby water bottle, and I quickly reached out to stop her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ll smash it on my head if I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like it’d even leave a dent at your level. Just take the hit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not getting injured doesn’t mean it won’t hurt….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then it should hurt. If it won’t, what’s the point of hitting you? At least let me vent a little.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calm down. Let’s settle this peacefully. Violence is bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you even believe that when you say it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I Know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But right now, I had to say something—anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No, seriously, the terms were good. They even added more to sweeten the deal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept my grip on her arm as I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing my words, Moyong Hee-ah’s grip loosened slightly. However, her expression remained as cold as ever as she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course they were good. If they weren’t, you wouldn’t have accepted, would you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, yeah… I guess….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But didn’t you promise to tell me first if anything important came up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sharp remark shut me up completely. She was right—I had made that promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anything important, especially deals or contracts, had to go through her first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Moyong Hee-ah had asked, I had nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, she wasn’t the type to mess things up. Even with people like Cheol Ji-seon or Jegal Hyuk around—both sharp in their own ways—Moyong Hee-ah was far more reliable when it came to matters like this. Consulting her would have been helpful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And truthfully, it had been my way of covering up the suspicious deals I sometimes made behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You looked busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had noticed how swamped Moyong Hee-ah had been lately, which had factored into my decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been buried in letters and reports all day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her workload had doubled after the recent attack. Before Lady Mi even mentioned supporting the refugees, Moyong Hee-ah had already started preparing aid for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t even imagine how much work she had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she even eating? Sleeping?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was driving her frail body to the brink, and now I was dumping more nonsense on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I kept quiet. Besides, it all worked out fine. Can’t you just let this go…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who do you think I’m so busy for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to explain further when her icy voice stopped me in my tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it my imagination?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temperature around Moyong Hee-ah seemed to drop. It felt like snow was falling, even though we were indoors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s all because of you…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve been cutting back on sleep, pushing myself to get even a little bit of praise from you—and what? You didn’t tell me because I looked busy!? Do you even hear yourself?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calm down! Calm down…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calm down my ass! Are you even human!? Even if you traded your sense for martial skills, this is too much!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, technically, I wasn’t exactly human anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oddly enough, that thought crossed my mind as soon as she said it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And maybe because of that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I accidentally let go of her arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure eased, and the water bottle shot straight up into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should just take the hit. I braced myself, narrowing my eyes slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Moyong Hee-ah didn’t swing. Instead, she just stood there, gripping the bottle and blushing furiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her eyes turned red, and tears began to well up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her watery gaze startled me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she… crying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah? Crying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not once had I seen her cry—not in this life, nor the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze, completely at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moyong Hee-ah set the bottle down and abruptly turned her back to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget it. I’m busy. I’ll be leaving first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait… what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that, she left. I could only stand there, staring at her retreating figure without saying a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, shit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced around nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was filled with eyes staring at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women’s gazes, in particular, were sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was supposed to be a rare moment where we all gathered for a meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had only brought up the issue of becoming Leader because it seemed like the right time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How the hell was I supposed to know Moyong Hee-ah would blow up like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy silence hung in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suffocating tension dragged on until—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know this might sound harsh,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah finally spoke, having just finished her third bowl of rice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But this time, it’s your fault, Young Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah and Tang So-yeol nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s when I realized—I was royally screwed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing my meal, I immediately got moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I wanted to go find Moyong Hee-ah, but prior engagements kept me from doing so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you two fight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question hit me the moment I entered the meeting room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…How did you know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Judging by your response, you really did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, it wasn’t exactly a fight….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, I had just taken a one-sided beating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t get a single word in, and the one who hit me ended up storming out in tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyway, how did you figure it out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked with a hint of embarrassment. The owner of the room, Lady Mi of the Baekhwa Trading Company, looked up at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because your expression reminds me of someone I know all too well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A foolish and hopelessly naïve woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi smiled faintly as she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found that surprising, but I couldn’t let the comment slide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then it’s not much of a resemblance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s not foolish at all. In fact, she’s pretty smart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calling Moyong Hee-ah foolish? That was something I couldn’t ignore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I refuted her remark, Lady Mi’s smile deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this regard, you’re far better than your father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Why bring him up all of a sudden?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did my father have to do with this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi returned her attention to the stack of letters on her desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pile looked even larger than the last time I saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, I heard you’re becoming a Leader?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked while flipping through the papers, causing me to swallow nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was I about to get scolded here too? Anxiety crept in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The youngest Leader ever, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her question caught me off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Pardon? Oh, yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And they call you the Star King. The youngest king, as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, that’s what they say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know what it means to be the youngest?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, yes, I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It means you’re so talented that you surpassed all your seniors despite your age.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know that….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The youngest king, the youngest Leader… It’s impressive. Truly impressive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait—was that a laugh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi’s lips twitched slightly, though she quickly suppressed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s going on here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, Moyong Hee-ah’s tears, and now this—none of it made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you have a copy of the contract?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I had grabbed one immediately after signing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I asked for paper and ink, Muk Yeon handed them over. Judging by his expression, he hadn’t planned to offer them unless I brought it up first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cunning old man. I had to stay on my toes around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Show it to me later, will you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…If you’d like, I can send someone with it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi nodded, looking satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She’s not going to ask why I did it? Or if it was necessary?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation was far simpler than I expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had braced myself for a scolding, only to find the atmosphere oddly relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither of us said anything further. It seemed the conversation was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to bow and take my leave when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…And one more thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi hesitated, stopping me in my tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That, um…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had called me here for something, but now she seemed oddly hesitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she forgotten what she wanted to say? No way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Lady Mi we were talking about—forgetfulness wasn’t in her nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why was she acting like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as my curiosity peaked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You did well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Uh….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, my mind went completely blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I managed to force out a response, struggling to find the right words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just a simple compliment, but it felt strangely heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, you can go now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yes. I’ll see you next time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still slightly dazed, I bowed and left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Gu Yangcheon stepped out, Lady Mi was left alone in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soft sound of letters being sorted filled the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The youngest ever, they said.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the room appeared empty, someone was undoubtedly listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The response came from the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Star King... The Alliance may have played their tricks, but he’s risen to the position. And now, he’s even the youngest Leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—I’ve heard as much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s quite impressive, isn’t it? Remarkable, even.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suppose I should have the branch prepare something for him. He’ll need money to operate as a Leader now, so we should at least—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Why didn’t you tell him that while he was still here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi, who had been speaking rather cheerfully, fell silent at her guard’s interruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers trembled slightly as she paused. Sensing his mistress’s hesitation, the guard pressed on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—If you had told him, I’m sure he would have been pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed obvious enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard’s words carried sincerity, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi’s voice, now subdued, barely echoed through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet. I’m afraid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Afraid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman, feared by many and undaunted even without martial arts, spoke words that felt unusually fragile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t you think I’d only burden him? Not now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, that wouldn’t happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard wanted to say as much, but he knew better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To push any further would cross a line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acknowledging this, the guard shifted topics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Then… will you not tell him about the other matter either?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What other matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—About Elder Il of the Gu family arriving in Hanan with the former Leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard referred to the main issue—the reason Lady Mi had called Gu Yangcheon in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lady Mi didn’t bring it up earlier, the guard couldn’t help but question why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment those words left his mouth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—…The former Leader?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crack appeared in the unshakable expression of Lady Mi, the Mistress of the Baekhwa Trading Company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her composure faltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard cautiously asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Don’t tell me you forgot…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her excitement, Lady Mi had completely forgotten to mention the most important topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was one of the rare mistakes in her otherwise flawless life.\u003C\u002Fp>",2829,"2026-06-05T15:10:17.629Z",1,"novelbin.me","f53316bc2d3310fabf93e8c2ba5d5a7cbf82196a999a6093ca0cb93b79f6ce74","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-776","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-774",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]