[{"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-817":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},1240617,1667,"Chapter 816","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-817",817,"\u003Cp>The air had turned ice-cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every gaze in the room was fixed on me, and the surging bloodlust pricked at my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt my heart beat once, sharply, and moved my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flinch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even that small motion made them react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their heightened tension was palpable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached out and grabbed the teacup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I smashed the table earlier, I had intentionally lifted it into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’d be a shame to waste it. The food had been good, but so was the tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slurp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a sip, letting the liquid ease my throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How the hell did you know…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who had spoken earlier repeated his question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew what he meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I played dumb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man scowled and clarified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you know what this place is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to know how I had figured out this was the Celestial Stream Sect’s base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, why would I tell you that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if I’d reveal something that valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though, in truth, it was just a fragment of information I’d overheard in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, to them, it must’ve seemed like a shocking revelation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, I planned to use that to my advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How I knew doesn’t matter. Not to me, anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned back in my chair, which groaned under my weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the best quality, it seemed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What really matters right now is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaahhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grabbed the woman by the hair and yanked her up from the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s your sect leader? That’s all I asked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bastard—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grotesque sound filled the room as the woman let out a scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had twisted her left arm until it bent at an unnatural angle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep your answers short if you want to keep your limbs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You son of a—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop it already!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still no respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached for her right arm next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man finally stepped in to stop me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough, stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored him and tightened my grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone had shifted. Formal now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I released her and smiled at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There we go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relax your face, will you? A guest walks in, and this is how you treat him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the meaning of this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh, I hate repeating myself. Are you just slow, or what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already told them my reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Call your sect leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still don’t get it? Need me to explain again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let go of the woman and grabbed something else instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kid who’d been knocked out and slumped over the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Playing dead, huh? Should I wake you up? It’s gonna hurt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…B-brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kid—who had already been exposed—called out to me weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, my ass. You’re older than me, aren’t you? Should I rip out your tongue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if that would ever work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t really a kid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The makeup and outfit had disguised him well, but his body…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d seen this before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were assassins who looked like this—stunted by disease or training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grabbed his head tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh…!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He groaned and drooled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pressed harder, just enough to keep it from getting lethal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that it mattered if it went too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t my head on the line, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh… urgh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can someone from the Martial Alliance be this cruel—?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that made me laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cruel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You tried to cozy up to me and dig for intel, and now you’re crying? Acting like you’re innocent—what a joke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d known from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These guys had noticed me the moment I arrived in the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d been keeping an eye on me since then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their stealth was impressive—so subtle I might not have noticed if I hadn’t focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that they’d prepared this much showed their skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And judging by the looks on their faces, they didn’t like that I knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now listen carefully, because I won’t repeat myself again. I usually don’t let it slide after three times, but since the food was good, I’m being generous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s your sect leader? You’ve got three seconds before this one dies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held up three fingers and began folding them down, one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One. Two…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached the last finger and was about to finish when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-the sect leader isn’t here right now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, a response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks for finally answering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they’d taken a second longer, I’d have had a body to clean up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The sect leader’s not here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Y-yes. He’s currently away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gaaah!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“H-he left on business! He won’t be back today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. That so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I loosened my grip and let the kid slump to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huuh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He collapsed, clutching his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must’ve hurt like hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored him and stroked my chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s not here, huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I repeated the words in my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tavern clearly wasn’t their main force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, their skill level was higher than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were wary of me—one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just because I was from the Martial Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They can feel it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They sensed I was dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, I’d leaked a little aura intentionally, but for them to pick up on it so quickly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Something’s definitely off.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Muk Yeon’s intel, this shouldn’t have been possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had something changed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Interesting.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should’ve annoyed me, but instead, I felt intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too bad. I needed to speak with your leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you tell me your business, I’ll deliver the message properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nah. It’s something I need to say to him directly. You’re just a lackey—stay out of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s expression twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by his tone earlier, he had some authority here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I locked eyes with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So? Do you know why I’m here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you know who I am, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. Who wouldn’t? The Star King of Shanxi. The Hero of Henan. The next contender for the title of the Greatest Under Heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing it said out loud made me nauseous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at least it confirmed they knew my identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then think about it. Why do you think I came here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…We don’t know. That’s what we want to ask. Why would someone of your status come all the way out here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t it obvious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For you lot, of course. Why else would I bother causing a scene?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew I wasn’t lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could see it in their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look, I don’t enjoy this kind of hassle either. But orders are orders, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that anyone gave me orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d come here on my own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But still… don’t try anything stupid. Let’s keep this simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stupid? I told you, the sect leader—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kneel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, everyone around him, including the man, fell to their knees.Confusion spread across my face at the unexpected situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uaaaaah—!!!Kuuuuu—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Energy erupted and filled the room.Vibrations spread, and people quickly clutched their chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were so overwhelmed that many staggered and lost consciousness, vomiting blood that splattered across the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just energy.Its intensity was amplified by mixing killing intent and hostility.I forced everyone to their knees and gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I really look like a joke?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, people never understood when you spoke nicely.This process never changed, no matter where I went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I guess so. Must’ve been funny enough to try and fool me with such pathetic lies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I mean…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man didn’t seem weak, holding onto his composure despite the pressure.Not bad. If I matched him up against Seong Yul, they’d probably be even.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, it was a waste for someone like him to be stuck in the Celestial Stream Sect, which wasn’t even a prestigious political faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that only made it more suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the hell is someone like him here?It’s definitely odd…Well, that’s something to think about later. Right now, there are more pressing matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackkk—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The structure kept warping under the pressure. Judging by the sound, it wouldn’t last much longer.And what about the human body?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial artists might be tougher than normal people, but even they wouldn’t hold out for long.If this pressure keeps up, they’ll collapse soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt it and turned my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t a warning. I’ll do it if I have to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced toward a spot that looked like the kitchen, just past the fallen bodies.I spoke while staring at that place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept talking, acting like I didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want to find out why, keep it up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I strengthened my heart and added even more energy. No hesitation.I was seriously ready to crush this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I’m already doing this, I might as well add some heat to the mix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I had that thought—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of laughter made me pause for a moment.It was the voice I’d been waiting for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Well now. You’re even worse than the rumors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quiet footsteps echoed as someone stepped out from the kitchen.It was an old man holding a kitchen knife.What stood out was how dark his hair was compared to his wrinkled face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, genuinely surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wouldn’t happen to be the one who made the food, would you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right. I’m glad it suited your taste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that’s unexpected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I meant it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The food had been really damn good, and this old man cooked it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I was left dumbfounded, the old man spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s an honor to meet the great leader of the Martial Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes wrinkled even more as he smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that I’ve shown myself, could you ease your anger?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An honor, huh? You sure made it hard to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh… I apologize. I’m a bit shy, you see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-haired old man slowly approached through my aura.That old man was him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dae Hwan, the Celestial Stream Sect Leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I remembered his face from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssssssss….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I retracted my energy as if humoring him.The aura I’d spread began to withdraw, and coughing sounds echoed around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough—cough…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh… ugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While those who escaped the pressure struggled to recover, Dae Hwan pulled up a chair, sat down, and looked over the broken table and fallen bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I send the children away for now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Suit yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I gave permission, he waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins disguised as a child and a woman floated into the air, then landed in someone else’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clean this up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Y-yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By that point, the ones still capable of moving had already started helping the injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Dae Hwan, the leader of this sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celestial Stream Sect Leader introduced himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, let me apologize on behalf of the children. They were a bit disrespectful to the great lord…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at the top of his head and laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuck off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You knew everything already, didn’t you? So why don’t you drop the act?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was surprising to see him cooking in the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the fact that he was here and knew I was coming? That wasn’t a surprise at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old man, stop pretending and just act normal. It’s fucking disgusting to watch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wrinkles around his eyes smoothed out as his expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sinister aura radiating from him sent a chill down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boy, your tongue’s too sharp for your age.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice and tone shifted completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, really? And your men? Their tongues were pretty sharp too. Talking down to the leader of the Martial Alliance? Did they want me to beat their asses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you arrogant because of your strength? Or is that just your personality?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t care. That’s not what matters to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dae Hwan’s eyes sharpened as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard the rumors. That the boy from the Shanxi Gu family became a king… That he rose to lead the Martial Alliance. But.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze turned predatory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What brings the great Star King to visit this old man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt something prickle against my skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored it and opened my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pulled out a document from my sleeve and showed it to him.It bore the Martial Alliance’s seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Celestial Stream Sect in Sichuan. Reports say you’re connected to the demonic cult that attacked Henan. I’m here to investigate. Do you agree?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dae Hwan’s face froze in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You came here alone for that? And you’re just saying it outright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, you think I came here for the food? Sorry, but I’m not a foodie. And even if you don’t agree, it doesn’t matter. I don’t actually need your permission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happens if I say no?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pretended to think for a second before smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll just beat the shit out of everyone here. You’re all heretics anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hahaha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dae Hwan laughed like I’d told the funniest joke in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as suddenly, his laughter stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You came alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. My men are resting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you’re still this bold? What makes you so confident?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wasn’t what I just showed you enough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dae Hwan finally smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it’s enough. You have every right to be arrogant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks for the compliment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But let me warn you, boy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dae Hwan’s eyes glinted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may be a divine beast, but don’t let arrogance make you reckless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s test that theory, shall we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mistake of the heavens, huh?I suppose you could call it that.An overwhelming genius.His tone was layered, subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The world isn’t always what it seems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true. The world isn’t what it seems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something I could genuinely agree with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What you see isn’t everything. It really isn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway… Let’s cut the crap. I’ve got a lot of questions for you.But first, I’ll give you a choice.There’s something I’d like to recommend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dae Hwan frowned at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t hear me earlier, did you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First option.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You keep fucking around, I beat the shit out of you, blow this whole situation wide open, and drag you off to prison.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dae Hwan rose abruptly, trying to say something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second option.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You team up with the Azure Dragon Lord when he shows up later and start planning how you’re gonna kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment those words left my mouth, Dae Hwan’s body stiffened.His face contorted with uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled, clearly enjoying his reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So? What’s it gonna be?Which one do you prefer?”\u003C\u002Fp>",2454,"2026-06-05T15:10:19.687Z",1,"novelbin.me","eba35d6df0cd5c9969e0dc6de8aa213b37d49bf2ea99ff9cfd907da9a30b1021","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-818","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-816",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]