[{"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-785":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},1240585,1667,"Chapter 784","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-785",785,"\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Muk Yeon finished speaking, movement erupted from one side of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is the meaning of this…?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Muk Yeon! What are you talking about?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two people—Gold Dragon Leader and Iron Dragon Leader—slammed their hands on the table and shot to their feet.Their expressions were filled with intense opposition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re saying the recruits won’t be selected internally but brought in from outside?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That violates the rules of the Martial Alliance…! How can this be allowed?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their tone made it clear—they wouldn’t accept this decision.Or perhaps, they simply couldn’t believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Explain yourself—what exactly do you mean?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man with bulging muscles, Dongcheon of the Twin Crescent Swords, the Gold Dragon Leader, roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was an open display of emotion.But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Muk Yeon—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gold Dragon Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The low voice of Muk Yeon called out, silencing the Gold Dragon Leader mid-shout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes widened slightly at the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon was an ordinary man, devoid of any internal energy.Meanwhile, Dongcheon had reached Hwagyeong, likely a master at an extraordinary level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, a single call from the old man shut him up completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘His presence is no joke.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed entirely plausible that Muk Yeon could wield such authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his frail, gaunt, and sickly appearance—A man whose body could probably be shattered with a light strike—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should calm down. That goes for you as well, Iron Dragon Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s presence made it impossible to dismiss him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know much about him.All I had heard were vague mentions of his history and accomplishments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without fully grasping his background, I could feel that he was no ordinary man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What about those who had observed him far longer than I had?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Tch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Gold Dragon and Iron Dragon Leaders, who had been raging moments ago, bit their lips and sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Impressive.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could someone command such respect without lifting a finger?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in my past life, the Heavenly Wanderer had wielded similar authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless demonic practitioners bowed to his words, though he had Cheonma backing him—People listened to him because they knew following his orders often led to victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Muk Yeon? He was likely no different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Without strength, none of this matters.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t fully understand this kind of authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it could be called a type of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ultimately—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Real power still decides everything.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how intelligent or cunning someone was—It all crumbled before overwhelming strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was always my conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Muk Yeon’s words had momentarily calmed the room, the tension lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… Muk Yeon, this is utterly unreasonable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right. Even coming from you, we cannot accept this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute rejection.It was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Recruits selected through external tests? No way they’d accept that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Alliance had eight divisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although some divisions had collapsed and numbers had fluctuated, there had always been strict entry requirements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the elite of the elite could join the formal divisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others had to start at the bottom, climbing their way through merit and ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now? A young upstart leader suddenly appeared and announced he’d bring in members from outside?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is blatant favoritism!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To them, it seemed absurd.And honestly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It is favoritism.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Muk Yeon…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone froze at his bold admission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Muk Yeon and I remained expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Star Dragon Division’s formation is indeed an act of favoritism.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you admitting it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s nothing to admit. It was necessary to appoint the Star King as a Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you say that—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the will of the Martial Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Alliance’s will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Iron Dragon Leader’s face twisted at those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Lord approved it, and the decision was ratified by the elders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This can’t be…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me ask you something. Do any of you have surplus members in your divisions that you can assign to the Star Dragon Division?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s point was clear—Did anyone have enough manpower to spare and reinforce a new division?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More precisely… does any Leader have members ranked at Fourth Grade or higher to assign to the Star Dragon Division?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“F-Fourth Grade?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gold Dragon Leader erupted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth Grade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rank assigned to elite members upon joining the Martial Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lower the number, the higher the value—Leaders were First Grade. Sub-leaders ranged from Second to Third Grade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth Grade represented the best of the best.They had to be at least at the Peak level of martial arts mastery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sending Fourth Grade members elsewhere is absurd!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It is absurd. That’s precisely why we decided to recruit externally for the Star Dragon Division.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Couldn’t we at least use unaffiliated members instead?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Iron Dragon Leader. Have you forgotten why the Star Dragon Division was created?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A division specifically tasked with confronting the Unorthodox Sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A declaration of war disguised as a cleansing operation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it was partly for show, they couldn’t fill the Star Dragon Division with unqualified members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth Grade martial artists were rare assets.Even within existing divisions, they were precious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now they were supposed to hand them over to me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No way they’d accept that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of them would willingly give up their elite forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the way—this external recruitment plan?It was my condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Muk Yeon convinced me to join, one of my requirements was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I’m to lead this division, I get to pick my own members.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had secured that concession under the pretense of tests and with the understanding that some internal members would still be included.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the circumstances, it was natural for the others to resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This isn’t about rules or tradition.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What they really feared was that I’d build the division entirely to my liking and exclude their influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That could mean—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My division might grow into something massive.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could already see it happening.That’s why they were so desperate to stop it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If they’re this upset already, how will they handle what’s coming next?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quietly observed the scene, amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This matter has already been decided. I will not entertain further objections.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Advisor…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One more thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much the leaders objected, Muk Yeon’s attitude remained utterly dismissive, as if their protests didn’t matter in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Can he really afford to act like this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Muk Yeon’s position was high, wasn’t this kind of attitude dangerous?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as that thought crossed my mind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aside from the Azure Dragon Division, one of the existing divisions will assist the Star Dragon Division in its missions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon added those words, and the heated atmosphere instantly cooled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone froze.The fiery tension that had filled the room vanished, replaced by a chilling stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had they misheard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone looked around, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Advisor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking the silence, Dongcheon—the Twin Crescent Swords and Gold Dragon Leader—spoke with a stiff expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly… do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight in his voice couldn’t be compared to earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was filled with barely restrained fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked as though he was about to explode but managed to grit out the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you telling us… to serve under the Star Dragon Division?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not serving under—it’s assisting—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t that the same thing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dongcheon slammed his fist onto the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The table shattered under the force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With eyes burning in rage, he glared at Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And honestly? He wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calling it “assistance” was just a polite way of telling them to act like subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So yeah, I was surprised too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Has that old man lost his mind?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he be so blunt? I’d expected him to sugarcoat it, but Muk Yeon had just dropped the bomb directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Support the Star Dragon Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was another condition I had added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaders in the Martial Alliance were granted certain powers upon taking their position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, they commanded their own divisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more importantly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The authority to mobilize regional branches.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Division Leaders could issue orders to regional branches under their jurisdiction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though branch masters managed their areas, a command from a Division Leader had to be obeyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were other powers as well, but this one stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when I agreed to join, I demanded the ability to command at least one other division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was rejected outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Alliance didn’t want to risk backlash from the other leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn’t back down either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said I wouldn’t take the position unless I got what I wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Muk Yeon offered a compromise—not authority, but “support.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s actually saying it out loud?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was called “support” or not, it was basically ordering them to act as subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This brat shows up out of nowhere, gets special treatment—I get that! But how dare you treat us like this?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scoffed at the insult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘As expected.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear they hated the fact that I had been appointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dongcheon was grinding his teeth, struggling to contain his rage, and the Iron Dragon Leader looked ready to storm out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How’s Muk Yeon going to handle this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could manage this situation, I’d admit he was as brilliant as they said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious, I turned to look at him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon was staring right at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Dongcheon and the others making such a fuss, why was he looking at me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did that gaze mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared back—and then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wait.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An idea struck me, and my eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap. Tap. Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon tapped the table three times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that’s when it hit me—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That sly old man.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If my hunch was correct, everything—from the argument with Ilcheong Sword earlier to this moment—had been orchestrated by Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It all tied back to the third condition I had demanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hahaha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My sudden laughter drew everyone’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to suppress it, but it kept spilling out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow. This is amazing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dongcheon scowled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What’s so funny?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I mean, isn’t it hilarious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood up, still chuckling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, the fact that I’d been manipulated annoyed me—but at this point, I might as well play along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Dongcheon, I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re scrambling to protect your bowls like a bunch of nobodies. How could I not laugh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What did you just say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense are you spewing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should be grateful you’re even getting assigned as support. Know your place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shoved the broken table aside and looked straight at Dongcheon and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think you’re misunderstanding something. You’re not joining under me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head, smirking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m the one doing you a favor by letting you join me. Why don’t you get that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of killing intent filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It came from Dongcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This bastard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His aura flared dangerously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think you can act like this just because the Alliance put you here? Watch your mouth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s exactly my point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored his aura and took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t rush—I made sure my movements were deliberate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve been spoiled by your position as a leader. You don’t even know how the world works.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You brat—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dongcheon reached for his sword but froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand never touched the hilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already swatted it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t kid yourself. I wouldn’t have accepted you even if you begged on your knees.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Silver Wolf Sword drew his blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped further into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t care about the scattered furniture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just stood there, looking at them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of you seem to have a problem with me being a leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raising my hand, I curled my fingers and beckoned them forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One at a time. I’ll make sure you don’t have any complaints when I’m done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled brightly as I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murderous intent erupted from all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>",1982,"2026-06-05T15:10:17.629Z",1,"novelbin.me","81274862f3fce0a4ffc06f8dbeaf7eb5b17556c5fdc4c884103ee7f9057f91ca","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-786","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-784",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]