[{"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-811":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},1240611,1667,"Chapter 810","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-811",811,"\u003Cp>I frowned at the name—familiar yet strangely out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is that name suddenly coming up?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestial Stream Sect..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was one of the sects located in Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, it had been somewhat famous, boasting a sizable number of disciples and decent recognition in the region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But that’s about it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Celestial Stream Sect faced a significant obstacle in achieving greater fame within Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That obstacle was the presence of the Tang Clan and the Emei Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tang Clan, once counted among the Four Great Clans, and the Emei Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects, were both rooted in Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just that fact alone made it difficult for Celestial Stream Sect to assert much influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Something unexpected happened.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my past life, an unusual event occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Celestial Stream Sect discovered the secret records of Geum Cheonyeon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More precisely, it was the head of Celestial Stream Sect who found the hidden records of Geum Cheonyeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever opportunity he uncovered within those records, his martial prowess improved far beyond what was publicly known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did the Gate Master grow stronger, but the disciples also gained strength, allowing Celestial Stream Sect to rise in prominence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That part was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soaring to new heights through a fortuitous encounter wasn’t necessarily a bad outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Celestial Stream Sect was a demonic sect.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether they became a demonic sect after acquiring the opportunity or had always been one wasn’t clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lacked the intelligence network to investigate that deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as far as I knew, Celestial Stream Sect was a demonic sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And shortly after the Heavenly Demon’s emergence, they joined the Demonic Cult.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gate Master entered the Demonic Cult, becoming one of its demonic warriors and later aiding in the invasion of Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given how long Celestial Stream Sect had operated in Sichuan, they were intimately familiar with the region’s terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This gave Cheon Yulang-a a considerable advantage in devising strategies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pondered this as suspicion crept into my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was Celestial Stream Sect being brought up so suddenly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with claims of connections to the Demonic Cult?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, that shouldn’t be possible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was true that in my past life, they had strong ties, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not yet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Demon’s emergence in my past life happened later than this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no way they obtained anything from the secret records.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already gone through Geum Cheonyeon’s records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frankly, there wasn’t much to gain from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Gate Master had visited the records afterward, it wouldn’t have made a difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s going on here?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was Celestial Stream Sect suddenly being mentioned now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you say Celestial Stream Sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked again, and the response was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestial Stream Sect was involved with the Demonic Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the information I received from Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s going on?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t make sense of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly was happening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So, why are you telling me this first thing in the morning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did they feel the need to call me out and inform me of this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they testing me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, that couldn’t be it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Muk Yeon isn’t foolish enough to probe me like this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would’ve chosen a more subtle approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So then, why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I tried to piece things together, Muk Yeon spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s an issue involving the Demonic Cult, so I thought it best to send the matter to the Star Dragon Unit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You mean this is an assignment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, I finally understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Celestial Stream Sect was connected to the Demonic Cult, it made sense to assign the matter to the Star Dragon Unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the unit was created specifically to handle Demonic Cult-related incidents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…And I assume I’m free to refuse if I wish?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s response hung heavily in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though I could refuse, given the conditions set when the Star Dragon Unit was formed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Celestial Stream Sect, huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about it nagged at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all things, Celestial Stream Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While this was earlier than the Heavenly Demon’s emergence in my past life, it was still strange for Celestial Stream Sect to be tied to the Demonic Cult now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Muk Yeon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happens if I accept this mission?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon took a sealed letter from his robes and placed it on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll be given the information and need to assemble your team and depart within the day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s not urgent, you can delay—but given the circumstances, the sooner, the better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And if the Star Dragon Unit’s leader determines that the information and Celestial Stream Sect’s activities match…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap. Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon lightly tapped the letter with his fingertips and said—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are to eliminate them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chilling tone made me nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the information was accurate, kill them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The command was blunt and sinister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To eliminate the target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While ruthless, it wasn’t surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, righteous sects didn’t always spare lives, especially when dealing with demonic or unorthodox factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if Celestial Stream Sect was truly tied to the Demonic Cult, wiping them out was the logical course of action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I picked up subtle undertones in Muk Yeon’s gaze and voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is he testing me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A connection to the Demonic Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And an order to kill if the information was accurate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he probing me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The possibility crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not entirely baseless.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Muk Yeon harbored doubts, there was likely some basis for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So then, what should I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ignore it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since there probably wasn’t any connection, I could simply refuse the mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought lingered, but my hand moved regardless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I picked up the letter from the table and said—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s calm eyes fixed on me as I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I’ll leave tomorrow instead of today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite earlier saying time was urgent, he didn’t object to my decision to delay until tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether that meant he trusted me or had another motive was unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Trying to make up for last time?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s poker face reminded me of our previous tense exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t giving anything away this time either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was frustrating, but there was no helping it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After offering a brief nod, I turned and walked out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestial Stream Sect\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I paused, staring at the words on the report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celestial Stream Sect was supposedly involved with unidentified individuals, and among them was the Demon Fang Spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The report speculated possible ties to the Demonic Cult—but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What kind of nonsense is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t wrap my head around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demon Fang Spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Tang Deok had truly made contact, the report had to be false.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s still in Hanam.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already taken precautions, locking that beast of a man away and keeping him hidden. There was no way he could suddenly show up in Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe they mistook someone else for him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or the report itself was fabricated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or, worse—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Celestial Stream Sect is up to something.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either they were scheming, or this entire situation was blown out of proportion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Which is it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever the case, it didn’t sit right with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they weren’t tied to the Demonic Cult, something about this felt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was enough reason to check it out personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Beyond this point…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The report contained additional details, including in-depth profiles of the sect members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was packed with specifics—physical descriptions, names, cultivation levels, techniques, combat habits, and distinctive traits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but admire the thoroughness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The level of intelligence here…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this what it meant to be at the center of the righteous sects?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This intelligence exceeded my expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why the hell are they still fumbling around like this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how second-rate the Celestial Stream Sect was, gathering this much data wasn’t trivial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It implied this wasn’t something assembled on short notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had likely been collecting this information for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They probably have more.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suspected the Alliance had dossiers like this on numerous factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How extensive is their intelligence network?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it all managed by Flying Dragon Unit? Or perhaps the Beggar’s Sect was involved?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood the value of intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how strong you were, lack of information rendered strength useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But it’s not just the Flying Dragon Unit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While they were competent and efficient, they lacked depth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It has to include the Beggar’s Sect too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That seemed more likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, the key takeaway was this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Alliance’s intelligence network is no joke.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wait.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought made me frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this what Muk Yeon wanted to show me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this some kind of demonstration to flaunt the Alliance’s intelligence-gathering capabilities?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That idea lingered briefly before I dismissed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, that’s too far-fetched.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many inconsistencies for that to be the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just coincidence, but it wasn’t a definitive pattern either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I folded the report and tucked it into my robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d seen enough for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Memorizing it would take some time, but that wasn’t a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was surprisingly good at retaining information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sliding the report away, I turned my attention forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Busy morning already, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voices stirred in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had come straight to the Star Dragon Unit after speaking with Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members were already assembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Had a good day off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel their attention, but no one responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vice Commander.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Commander.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who responded was Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She now wore an armband—a mark identifying her as the unit’s Vice Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind her, Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah looked annoyed about something, while Namgung Bi-ah’s face was unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions differed, but their presence here meant they had accepted the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is everyone accounted for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced around and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol hesitated, then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah. I’ll check.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t check beforehand? You’re the Vice Commander now. Do your job until the team leaders are assigned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My tone carried some heat, and Tang So-yeol’s eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…My apologies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just do better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No excuses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She apologized immediately—better than trying to justify herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to the Alliance-affiliated warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you assign a Vice Commander on your end?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They flinched before one of them stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“S-Senior Member Song….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Song Ho-jung. You?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, that’s me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Noted. Pick up your armband later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Ho-jung—someone from the Red Dragon Unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cultivation level was somewhere between Peak and Advanced Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A swordsman, if I recalled correctly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wasn’t he a squad leader there?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. Now that we have Vice Commanders on both sides—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned back in my chair, crossing my legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here’s the mission. Engage with a sect in Sichuan. If they’re a threat—eliminate them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Already? You’re assigning missions this quickly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. Already.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unit members' faces filled with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mission to Sichuan, barely days after the unit’s formation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn’t even undergone proper training, let alone engaged in formal operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard it has something to do with the Demon Fang Spear…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Demon Fang Spear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean that unorthodox bastard who killed the Blade King?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the alias was spoken, tension rippled through the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man had killed the Blade King and left his son half-dead—a clear indication of his terrifying strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now there were rumors that he was plotting something in Sichuan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, they were bound to be uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll go ahead with the mission since it’s already assigned. But I won’t be taking everyone. I’ll be selecting a small group. Those who want to go, raise your hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of them glanced around, unsure whether to volunteer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, quit hesitating and raise your hands already. I’m not taking that many anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I said it, several hands shot up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah, Wi Seol-ah, and Tang So-yeol—of course, they volunteered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond them…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Burning Sword Duelist and… about eight in total?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the count from the volunteers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the recruits brought in from the Alliance,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Two more.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them kept their hands down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. I’ve got my count. Out of those who raised their hands, five will go. As for the rest—you’re all coming with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-what?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander, wait—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shot a glare at the ones protesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did I ever say I’d only take those who volunteered? I just asked who wanted to go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That’s…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quit whining. Unless you want me to tear out your tongues so you can’t complain anymore?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let a trace of killing intent seep out, and the protests died down immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, sometimes they only understood when I made it clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue and waved my hand dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The selection’s done. Moving on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, I sensed movement from the back of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of figures entered through the doors—five of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their unexpected arrival drew confused looks from the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are the final reinforcements. Get along with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the people I had specifically requested from Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever circumstances led them here,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And regardless of how ambiguous their identities might be—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had gone as far as setting conditions to bring them in by force.\u003C\u002Fp>",2244,"2026-06-05T15:10:19.687Z",1,"novelbin.me","b23d7e0e9ed6c7663f6815fe369d2e56eb2409d46437b62ffcfdbdd62ce708c5","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-812","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-810",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]