[{"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-812":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},1240612,1667,"Chapter 811","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-812",812,"\u003Cp>The group that entered consisted of two women and three men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them wore the standard Alliance-issued martial uniforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They carried an air of mystery, and their sudden appearance immediately drew the attention of those already gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that the others were caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had informed them beforehand that five more people would be arriving—but they hadn’t expected it to be today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as the two sides stood facing each other—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Introduce yourselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave the command, gesturing with my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them, who had been standing awkwardly, stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’ll be in your care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No further introduction followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a sigh and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really suck at socializing, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How are you even surviving out there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guy, clearly flustered, scratched his head and coughed awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arm was wrapped in layers of bandages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seong Yul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he had come under an alias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next up—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nice to meet you all. I’m Yeon Hong, from Hunan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second was a strikingly beautiful woman with long, flowing hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her elegance and allure immediately captivated the men in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah were overwhelmingly pretty in a way that felt untouchable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yeon Hong carried a seductive charm that made her feel dangerously approachable—a flower so dazzling it begged to be plucked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned away from her with a complicated expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her excessive charm would cause no end of problems, especially for the men here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I almost pitied them—for many reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the third person, standing beside Yeon Hong, stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m Cheol Ji-seon. Pleased to meet you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man introduced himself with a visibly unenthusiastic expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others subtly frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that everyone here was a martial artist, it was obvious—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheol Ji-seon barely had any presence of Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t completely absent, but it was weak—probably second-rate at best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Definitely not the kind of person who should be part of the Alliance’s Martial Unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he hiding his strength?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suspicious eyes darted toward him, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They won’t find anything.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really was that weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the weakest person here could probably take his head off before he knew what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Given enough time, it’d be a different story.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the right circumstances, Cheol Ji-seon could kill anyone here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was whether he had the will to do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood why the others were skeptical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one dared to say anything out loud—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not after I personally brought him here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could doubt him all they wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His value depended on how I used him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the next person stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could speak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the previous introductions, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment this one stepped forward, all eyes were glued to him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far more intensely than they had been on Yeon Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their stares were filled with disbelief and astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is that him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If my eyes aren’t deceiving me… isn’t that him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would he be in the Star Dragon Unit…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room buzzed with murmurs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man in question stepped forward and bowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head dipped, revealing a gleaming scalp that reflected the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shaved head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Yu Yeon of Shaolin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Divine Dragon…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasps filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A monk of Shaolin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one hailed as the Divine Dragon—the sect’s greatest rising talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the Star King had recently overshadowed him, Yu Yeon had still reached Hwagyeong, making him a top-tier martial artist and a future legend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, the Divine Dragon had appeared in the Star Dragon Unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact of his presence was enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is the Divine Dragon here…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would he join the Star Dragon Unit instead of the Divine Dragon Unit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their reactions were understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon was expected to join the Divine Dragon Unit, the traditional faction for Shaolin prodigies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Divine Dragon Unit had briefly faded into obscurity, it had recently resurfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, Yu Yeon should have been part of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he had joined my unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I had to jump through hoops for this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To recruit Yu Yeon, I pulled every string and favor I could—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, Cheol Ji-seon did most of the running around, but that was basically the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Honestly, I didn’t think it would work.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The idea that Shaolin would let go of their Divine Dragon was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, it still felt surreal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, Yu Yeon had personally pushed for it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn’t believe Shaolin had let him go without ulterior motives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’re not idiots. They must have plans.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I brought him in anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His name alone would be useful for credibility—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I like the guy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yeon had a strangely likable quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d thought monks were all uptight and self-righteous, but he felt… different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Was it right to bring him here, though?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A twinge of guilt surfaced, but it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was in no position to waste resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Divine Dragon is really here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Divine Dragon…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their amazement didn’t fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yeon seemed to pick up on it, looking slightly nervous—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The bastard’s enjoying this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had a hunch he liked the attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately for him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last recruit entered, cheerfully waving her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She carried a cloth-wrapped staff slung across her back and immediately broke the mood with her casual tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others frowned at her lack of decorum, but she didn’t seem to care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had always been like this—completely self-centered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just hoped—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Please, for the love of—just follow the damn script.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had drilled it into her for days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Pi—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Pi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She froze mid-sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exhaled sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This crazy woman. Did she forget it already?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too short to forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She better not have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waited, praying she’d recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, Pi Yeon-yeon!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, she finally blurted out her name, her face lighting up as if she had just remembered it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed she had genuinely forgotten for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Unbelievable. She’s worse than a goldfish.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right! I’m Pi Yeon-yeon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pi Yeon-yeon—no, Bong Soon—introduced herself with a bright smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others exchanged puzzled glances, clearly thrown off by her behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did she seriously forget her own name?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The confusion in their expressions said it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this dragged on any longer, someone might start to sense something suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And honestly, they’d have every right to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forgetting your own name wasn’t exactly normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Her name’s Pi Yeon-yeon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luckily, I stepped in to smooth things over before it spiraled out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And she’s the daughter of the Eulryeong Sword Queen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I said it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An uproar erupted, just as I had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumors spread faster than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely an hour had passed since the topic first came up, yet it had already circulated throughout the Alliance’s headquarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fallen Eulryeong Sword Queen, executed after her descent into demonic ways—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, her daughter had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s more, the one who brought her in was none other than the youngest martial hero, the Star King himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a setup like that, it was inevitable the news would explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Commander of the Star Dragon Unit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon spoke, his already wrinkled face now etched with even deeper lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been less than an hour. Are you aware of this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you referring to our earlier meeting? I agree—it seems we’ve been seeing a lot of each other lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not talking about that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried barely concealed irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I meant the mention of the Sword Queen’s daughter. It’s only been an hour since it slipped out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled awkwardly at his pointed tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, I remember. You emphasized it quite a bit. Trust me, it’s been etched in my memory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Then why did you do it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s scolding tone prompted me to feign innocence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean? I followed the instructions perfectly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You did?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I kept my mouth shut. But who could’ve guessed she’d announce it herself? Truly shocking, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told me not to bring it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had even considered keeping it under wraps entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How could I stop her from saying it herself?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was beyond my control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon, naturally, didn’t let it slide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander of the Star Dragon Unit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly are you after?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me? Oh, nothing much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flashed a grin and added—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A dismissal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kidding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t exactly the mood for jokes, but I said it anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Commander. If you keep acting like this, I won’t be able to shield you anymore. I’m getting old, you see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s unfortunate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s warning sounded more like a relief to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But, you know…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let my voice trail off, sensing his gaze sharpen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It makes me curious. If even someone like you struggles to contain this situation, what exactly is it about the Sword Queen’s case that has the higher-ups so desperate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just find it fascinating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly are you trying to figure out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? Are you planning to tell me if I ask?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension in the air hinted that we were finally circling around something real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon knew I was deliberately stirring the pot about the Eulryeong Sword Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I knew Muk Yeon’s reactions were far too anxious for this to be mere protocol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we were comparing intel—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have the upper hand.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because in Muk Yeon’s defensiveness, there was something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A faint sense of guilt.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t trying to bury the incident completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was worried about the consequences it might bring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the source of his concern wasn’t the Alliance itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Bong Soon?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon seemed more preoccupied with Pi Yeon-yeon—or Bong Soon—as the Sword Queen’s daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So what’s his angle?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he so sensitive about this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A dirty love affair?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an amusing thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there some romantic entanglement between Muk Yeon and the Sword Queen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that were true, then Bong Soon could be his daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not likely—but it wasn’t entirely impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And honestly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It wouldn’t be bad.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’d make Bong Soon even more useful—whether as leverage or a bargaining chip to keep Muk Yeon in check.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Probably not.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed too far-fetched, even for this mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t have to answer. I’m just curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I locked eyes with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why keep silent despite knowing the truth? And…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let my words linger, mixing sincerity with subtle deceit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…how fragile is the peace we sacrificed that woman for? What does the ‘justice’ of the righteous sects really mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think, Muk Yeon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a provocative question—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One that could amplify suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite being part of the righteous sects, I openly questioned their integrity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon already doubted me, so this would only fuel his unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to see how he would respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop me if you want. I won’t fight it. I despise the Demonic Cult, but if the righteous sects are as rotten as I think they are… maybe I wouldn’t care if they were wiped out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I meant it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hated the Demonic Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I also wouldn’t mourn the fall of the so-called righteous sects if they deserved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon didn’t speak further, and I waited for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could sense the weight of unspoken words pressing on him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You should leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Muk Yeon chose silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must have preparations to make. My apologies for keeping you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue and turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the timing wasn’t right to push any further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already fired the arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now I just had to see whether they’d crush the spark before it could ignite—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or let the flames engulf them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll see you next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I offered a quick nod before stepping out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was on my way back to the Star Dragon Unit and planned to meet Elder Il shortly after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a few more appointments lined up, I continued walking—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Commander of the Star Dragon Unit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s voice stopped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned around, slightly hopeful that he had reconsidered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m sorry for delaying you again. I forgot to pass along a message about the Celestial Stream Sect mission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it wasn’t about the Sword Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What stood out, though, was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Muk Yeon forgot something?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Muk Yeon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that Bong Soon’s sudden appearance had shaken him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon continued—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Azure Dragon Unit has requested to assist with the mission…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped mid-step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since it’s the Star Dragon Unit’s first deployment and the mission isn’t deemed too dangerous, they’re offering backup. But if you prefer to handle it alone—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suppressed a grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was a bit uneasy about this mission, but this is perfect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gift, bundled with the assignment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell them I’ll be counting on them. And that I’d really love to work with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Desperately, in fact.\u003C\u002Fp>",2208,"2026-06-05T15:10:19.687Z",1,"novelbin.me","5cdec4597fa68edfa4e62ddd8d0c32e172f50dd30840cadea93f273646f950cc","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-813","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-811",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]