[{"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-794":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},1240594,1667,"Chapter 793","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-794",794,"\u003Cp>The Shanxi Gu Clan is a family of flame arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been that way ever since the Gu Clan first emerged in Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the clan heads and direct descendants wielded flame techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their martial arts bore a superficial resemblance to the Sammaejinhwa technique, which used qi to ignite flames, but the two were fundamentally different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu Clan was a prestigious family rooted in flame arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the Shanxi Gu Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not all Gu descendants can use flame arts.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While flame arts were the foundation of the clan, not everyone in the bloodline inherited them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the direct line, born into the main family, could cultivate Guyeomhwaryungong—the Nine Flames Firewheel Technique—in their dantian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Branch families, on the other hand, had to train in different internal energy techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These techniques varied across styles, but they all shared one common trait—heat manipulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was enhancing physical abilities by imbuing the body with heat or channeling it into sword techniques,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even those who couldn’t wield flame arts developed other heat-based techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even trained to the point where their abilities rivaled the main family’s flame arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Changjun, the previous Elder Il, was one such example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the same went for the furious old man standing before me now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huup!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Elder Il.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Ryun, the Flame Fang Fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaaaang—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground split open under the force of the old man’s punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound and shockwave made the sheer power behind it clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not just power—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Bang! Bang! KWAANG—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His speed was just as overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wow.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dodged his fists while marveling inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The old man’s still got it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew Elder Il had reached the Hwagyeong realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I not know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d probably been in the Hwagyeong realm since before I was even born.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only direct descendants of the Gu Clan could become elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sole exception was the head of the Gu Sun Sect, who could be appointed elder despite being from a branch family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this old man had shattered that rule and earned his position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had enough influence within the clan to break tradition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he was strong enough to back up that influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hissss—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam began to rise from Elder Il’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skin turned red as heat poured out,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the weight of the surrounding qi shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned at the stifling sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a fist appeared right in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head to dodge it and twisted my waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body spun quickly, and I drove my leg forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My kick landed directly on Elder Il’s stomach, pushing him back slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man grabbed a nearby tree and yanked it out of the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled it out as easily as plucking a weed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung the massive tree at me with full force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite its size, it flew toward me at an alarming speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious it had been reinforced with qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dodging was risky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Breaking it is faster.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made my decision and gathered energy in my fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I planned to shatter the tree with a punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tree broke apart as expected, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no qi in it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tree hadn’t been reinforced with qi at all. That’s when I realized—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it broke so easily, my stance wavered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooden fragments scattered through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And through that gap—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hissss—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard the familiar sound of steam and saw a massive figure charging in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il had expanded his muscles,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his giant fist swung straight at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My stance was already broken, so dodging was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my arms to block—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash! BOOM!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact was far stronger than I expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I slid backward,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gritting my teeth as my feet dug into the ground to slow me down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, I managed to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a dry laugh as pain throbbed in my arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, don’t you think this is a bit much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at him in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s too much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s too much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought you’d go easy on me, but you’re really trying to beat me up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My arms were trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way he hadn’t used his full strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My defensive qi shattered.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had coated myself in protective qi, but one punch from Elder Il had broken through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said this was etiquette training. If I take another hit like that, I might die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud. Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the slight movements of Elder Il’s feet made the ground tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was the one getting pounded, yet he looked more annoyed than I did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s his problem?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I studied him carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yangcheon, you’re underestimating me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il furrowed his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did I do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This old man is putting in the effort, but you’re not even trying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I laughed awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…He caught on.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d been holding back, avoiding counterattacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Elder Il clearly noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why he was so annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t help it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What if I lose control and hurt him?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still wasn’t confident I could control my power properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I fought back and misjudged my strength, I didn’t know what would happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I’d been dodging and deflecting instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk, tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il clicked his tongue repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve gone soft, boy. Like a dried-up squid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you so afraid of? Why are you hesitating?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you seriously think this old man can’t handle one of your little taps?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s what you’re worried about, forget it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hissssss—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steam rising from Elder Il grew denser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Gu Ryun, the Flame Fang Fist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heat poured out, distorting the air around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“People call you a king, an untouchable hero. But it seems it’s made you soft.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heat and qi radiating from Elder Il intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This old man isn’t so weak that I can’t handle disciplining my own grandson.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I didn’t mean it like that… Damn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was stuck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t look like Elder Il was going to back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At this point, wouldn’t running away be the smart move?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If reasoning wasn’t working, maybe I should just bolt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I used to run away all the time whenever Elder Il suggested sparring. Why not now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But this feels different.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, I ran because I couldn’t win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was the opposite—I didn’t want to fight because I couldn’t properly control my strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t want to risk hurting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to seriously consider running—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Judging by that look on your face, you’re thinking of running away again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw right through me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That’s not true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yangcheon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did you grow up so much that you’re suddenly afraid of fighting me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t people supposed to avoid fighting if they can?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il burst out laughing at my reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yesterday, I saw a yellow mutt while walking here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why are we suddenly talking about dogs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think it would say if it saw you now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How would I know that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’d bark at you to stop being ridiculous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even a dog would tell you to cut the crap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you’re my grandson, even if you’re a little slow. So I’ll help you out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il cracked his neck as he spoke, a series of sharp pops echoing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll give you a reason to fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A reason?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. If you beat me… hmm, how about I give you a gift?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gift?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned at the sudden offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What gift are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know that sly old man who called you earlier?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was talking about the founding head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You asked what his deal was, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes widened at his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And I’ll even share one of his secrets with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Don’t tell me it’s just something obvious, like how he’s the founder of the Baekhwa Trading Company.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense. Do I look like someone who’d set up a childish trick like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Answer me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Of course not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d been so sure that’s where this was going. Thank god it wasn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yangcheon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked up at Elder Il when he called me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve given you plenty of reason now. Are you still planning to ignore me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a deep breath at his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think you’re misunderstanding something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vrrrm—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heat slowly built in my core, and qi spread throughout my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rising heat activated my muscles, and I continued speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never once ignored you, Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, I might have cursed him out a few times in my head, but I never disregarded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time was no different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not disrespect—it’s…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded embarrassing even in my own head, but it was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was genuinely worried about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is an old man like you pushing himself so hard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? This brat and his mouth—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il’s eyes suddenly widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vrrrrmmm—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I released my suppressed energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the locked-up qi poured out,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooosh—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It spread through my shoulders and radiated outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m going too far.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far more than I intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The release was too fast, and the energy efficiency was terrible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il let out a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even I was surprised by the surge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disbelief was practically written all over his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked cautiously,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, do you want to stop this before it gets out of hand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il’s grin only widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop spouting nonsense and come at me. Like I said earlier—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his massive fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Gu Ryun, the Flame Fang Fist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, I heard you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good grief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed and added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, I’m telling you, I really can’t control my strength righ—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could finish, something flashed in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Seriously?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it felt slower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My perception and reactions had shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dodged the punch, and it detonated in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I closed the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hup!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il tried to adjust his stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he’d already committed to his punch and couldn’t retract it in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He used his lower body to defend, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a light touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely more than a tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vrrrm—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh…?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shockwave that followed made Elder Il’s body stagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was swept backward by the force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flew a significant distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a single step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My foot left the ground, and before I knew it, I was behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il gasped in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately twisted his upper body to counterattack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His punches were strong, and his muscles—swollen with power—moved faster than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was just a little faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack! Smack-smack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I whipped my hands like lashes, deflecting his attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My enhanced perception, showed me every incoming strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The punches were quick, but knocking them aside wasn’t difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il’s boisterous laughter echoed, hammering my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was so exciting about this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hissss—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam erupted, clouding my vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was intentional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steam carried qi, temporarily blinding my Siman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And through the haze—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il’s fist tore toward my face, exploiting my momentary blind spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just before it could land—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grab—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately for him, it didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hand shot out, seizing his wrist in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt it—the heat radiating off his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power coiling within his muscles told me just how serious he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acknowledging that, I clenched my fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames tied to my core flared, pulsing like a burning heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if in response, qi surged into my hand, gathering strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames licked along my knuckles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t need to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy had already formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just needed to release it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vrrrm—.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thrust my fist forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt smooth, like it had been waiting for this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt natural, like someone was guiding me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange sensation swept over me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something felt different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt weightless, yet sharper—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both my movements and my qi felt distinct from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like I was entranced by the energy itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this… enlightenment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had I stumbled upon some profound insight while punching Elder Il?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t sure what it was, but I knew—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My instincts screamed at me to remember this feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This floating sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This perfect rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This intoxicating confidence that I could do anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to lock it in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to finish this move perfectly to make it mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood that better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I adjusted my angle mid-strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My fist veered past Elder Il’s chest and instead targeted his open side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaaaang—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames erupted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guyeom Taeryun-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azure flames exploded outward, flooding the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They burned larger and brighter than ever before, yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, they didn’t scorch the ground or damage the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They simply burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm and controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle, crackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I steadied my breathing, watching the flames flicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t out of breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had expelled a massive amount of qi, but it hadn’t left me drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet my breathing was shaky for another reason—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I missed it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d let it slip away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That fleeting sensation—the rhythm, the clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lost it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hollow feeling of missing that moment pressed down on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Should I have gone through with it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would it have been better to seize that moment, even if it meant hitting Elder Il directly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought crossed my mind, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There was no helping it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t risk seriously injuring Elder Il.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snapping back to reality, I turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il was staring at me, wide-eyed and dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh, crap.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had I gone too far?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I mean, he told me to take it seriously, but maybe I really had crossed the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tensed, trying to gauge his reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahahaha—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Elder Il burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This brat! This brat—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, as always, he reached out and started messing up my hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re amazing—! Absolutely amazing—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Wait… wait a second—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far from being upset, he was ecstatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did I accidentally hit him in the head?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, I was sure I had pulled the punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, I was starting to get dizzy from all the hair-tugging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Seriously, enough already.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve worked hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words made me freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This brat… How hard you must’ve worked to get here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swallowed the words I was about to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I didn’t push his hand away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint crackling of the lingering azure flames echoed as they burned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even amidst the stillness, I was reminded of a simple truth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much stronger I had become, no matter how high my cultivation had climbed, there was one reason why I could never treat Elder Il carelessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve done well. My grandson. I’m proud of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the only person in my life who ever praised me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that realization hit me all over again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several Moments Later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After practically offering up my hair to him, the situation finally settled down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha! This brat—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Elder Il’s laughter didn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had expected him to be annoyed—after all, I had overstepped with my remarks and even ended up winning the spar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed downright ecstatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, Elder Il was so pleased that he wouldn’t stop pounding my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, I was starting to worry about internal injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Elder, I think my ribs are going to crack.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right. My bad. I guess I got carried away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly has you so happy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I expected anger or disappointment, but Elder Il was acting completely differently than I had anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why wouldn’t I be happy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My grandson has grown so strong. Of course I’m proud.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technically, I wasn’t his grandson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I considered correcting him but decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now wasn’t the time for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yangcheon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you feel better after moving your body?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Better?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m not sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My thoughts were still tangled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t something a quick sparring session could fix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I guess it helped a little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was better than before, at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wait, hold on a second…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden thought crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just need to check something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go on, ask away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Did you do this on purpose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked directly into his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d started this spar under the pretense of teaching me a lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, throughout the match, he seemed more excited about my growth than anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, all he cared about was whether I was okay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… was this all just to help me blow off some steam?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grin was all the confirmation I needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That sneaky old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should’ve known something was off the moment he dragged me into this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Seriously, this geezer?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could hardly believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would an old man like him resort to such a ridiculous method?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a sigh, about to call him out—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right. We had a bet, didn’t we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that, Elder Il cut me off again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I lost. So I’ll keep my promise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Il had promised that if I won,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d reveal the truth about the founding head and share one of his secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who exactly was that old man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did he speak as if he knew everything about the Gu Clan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of secrets was he hiding?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was curious, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Knowing Elder Il, this probably won’t be anything good.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was still more I needed to address first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t the time for that—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The founding head was originally part of the Gu Clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A direct descendant. Just like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words froze me in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this some kind of joke?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared blankly, unable to process what I had just heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was insane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolutely insane.\u003C\u002Fp>",3097,"2026-06-05T15:10:17.629Z",1,"novelbin.me","17ab9a918d76ce4bbf879d11e550fb585a48c02f60f80c76229e9dc25cd3c229","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-795","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-793",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]