[{"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-819":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},1240619,1667,"Chapter 818","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-819",819,"\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The torn flesh mask dropped to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at it briefly before turning my eyes to the man standing in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The alluring woman from just moments ago had vanished, replaced by a strikingly handsome man.His silver hair, faintly glowing under the light, gave him an almost otherworldly presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but marvel at the transformation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No matter how many times I see it, it’s still incredible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was something like this even possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything had changed in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disguises were supposed to be superficial, limited to layering materials over the body.There were always telltale signs—a misalignment here, an unnatural curve there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when a man disguised himself as a woman.Physical differences often made it impossible to pull off convincingly, at least not without glaring flaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But this… this is flawless.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King had bypassed every limitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slender limbs, softened curves, and even a full chest—all so natural that no one would have questioned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At first, I thought he was using some kind of Qi transformation technique.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t seem to be the case.If I had to guess—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s the black outfit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tight-fitting martial attire clung to his body, accentuating and reshaping his form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt almost like the clothes themselves had forced his body to adapt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But wouldn’t that restrict movement?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the suit exerted enough pressure to alter the body’s shape, it should have hindered flexibility.Yet, the Shadow King moved as freely as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that—he moved with feminine grace.It was no wonder no one had suspected a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That stiff bastard actually went this far.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still remembered my shock the first time I saw him act like a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Shadow King—a man so emotionless he seemed almost mechanical.And yet, he had been prancing around, batting his eyelashes and giggling like a courtesan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He even changed his voice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know how he had done it, but the delicate, lilting tone he’d used as Yeon Hong had been flawless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t just disguised himself—he’d become her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was then that I understood something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So this is why no one’s ever uncovered his identity.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had assumed he killed every witness to keep his secret, but now I saw the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disguises were simply that good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He even disguised a missing arm… and adjusted his height.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I remembered him losing an arm not long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here he stood, whole and intact, as if nothing had ever happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, but he’d somehow changed his height as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King wasn’t short—not by any means.Yet as Yeon Hong, he had appeared tall and elegant without it seeming out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How did he manage that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Height was one thing you couldn’t fake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should have been the biggest giveaway, but no one had noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is he using Qi?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he was suppressing his presence, manipulating perception through Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was the case, how was he applying it so subtly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was fascinating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that I needed such techniques myself, but seeing something so novel piqued my curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You never fail to impress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I offered genuine praise, to which the Shadow King responded without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can teach you if you’re interested.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was as casual as if he’d offered me tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No, that won’t be necessary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As impressive as it was, I didn’t have the time to add disguise techniques to my already overwhelming list of skills to master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve got enough on my plate as it is.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was curious, sure, but curiosity alone wasn’t enough to warrant the effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll ask if I change my mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Shadow King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Was there any particular reason it had to be a woman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disguise was impressive, but why go through all that trouble to create Yeon Hong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t it have been simpler to just disguise himself as another man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This form is more convenient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His reply was as emotionless as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The gender ratio makes it easier to manage people this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manage, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he referring to the way he’d lured all those men into competing for Yeon Hong’s attention?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, he wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They were practically eating out of his hand.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men would scramble to do his bidding, desperate for even a sliver of his affection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that sense, it was an effective management strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still… I can’t help but feel bad for them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throwing themselves at a woman, only to discover later that she was a man in disguise?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fallout wouldn’t be pretty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that it mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s the Shadow King. He won’t slip up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone could maintain the illusion, it was him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. As long as you get the job done, it doesn’t matter how you do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to drop the subject and get to the main point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just came back from meeting with the Celestial Stream Sect Leader. Do you know anything about him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had suspected as much, given his extensive intelligence network.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anything specific I should keep an eye on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused briefly before replying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I doubt I know anything you don’t already.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, I’d have to investigate further myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can look into it if you’d like.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, that won’t be necessary. I already have another lead for that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King simply nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Instead, I need you to investigate something else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Name it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard the Celestial Stream Sect Leader is working with another faction on something. I need you to find out who they are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Uh, that’s it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His immediate agreement caught me off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t even a hint of hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any deadlines?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The sooner, the better. Ideally within three days—before the Azure Dragon Leader arrives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Noted. I’ll get started immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to offer a polite bow, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the mask and clothes he had discarded were nowhere to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still as fast as ever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heightened sense of Qi allowed me to barely detect his presence, yet the Shadow King’s speed remained as relentless as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Too bad. If I could fully track his movements, I’d practically be untouchable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought about it for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I can keep up with the Shadow King’s speed… would that mean I’ve reached the level of the Three Sovereigns?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long would it take? No—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No more than three years. I’ll finish this in three years, no matter what.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a matter of wondering how long—it was a matter of setting a deadline and making it happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking through to the Sovereign level within three years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The determination burned within me, and before I knew it, a faint laugh escaped my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If anyone else heard that, they’d call me insane.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were that easy, anyone and everyone would have done it already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could anyone possibly climb to the realm of the Sovereigns in just three years?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a ridiculous goal no matter how I thought about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Didn’t one of those so-called “great” Sovereigns already say it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if something seems impossible—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make it possible. No matter what.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recalled the mad words of Paejon, who repeated that mantra like a habit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s move on to the next task.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was still plenty to be done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was well past nightfall—time for most to be asleep—though the guards would still be keeping watch around the base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that late hour, someone knocked on my door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Tang So-yeol, fresh from training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I greet the Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hair was slightly damp, as if she had quickly washed up after practice.I glanced at her briefly before clearing my throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry for calling you so late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to apologize. I should be here regardless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I told you, you don’t need to speak so formally when it’s just the two of us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing my words, Tang So-yeol’s stiff demeanor cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She quickly switched to her usual cheerful grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry! It’s a habit… hehe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’s the deputy leader role treating you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my question, she hesitated for a moment before answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a bit hard since there’s still so much I don’t know, but I’m doing fine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know, if it’s too much, I can find someone else to take over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no shortage of candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah, Namgung Bi-ah, or even some of the other unit members would gladly step up if asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I meant it as reassurance—that she could step down anytime if she felt overwhelmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! I can do it! Trust me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her response came immediately, her eyes blazing with determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Right. That’s good, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still didn’t understand why she was so eager for a position that involved nothing but extra work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, let’s focus on the main issue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had called her here for a reason, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need you to send a letter to the Tang Clan’s leader. We’ll probably have to visit them soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The Tang Clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. Since we’re already in Sichuan, you should take the chance to check in with your family. Let them know I’ll be stopping by, too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Okay. But didn’t you already have direct contact with my father?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Past tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Tang So-yeol said, I had been in regular contact with the Tang Clan, mostly regarding the restoration of the Dokcheon Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, I dealt directly with the Poison King himself, but lately, I’d been communicating through the young clan leader instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Your father’s a bit upset with me right now. So I need you to smooth things over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, upset? Why? What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s… complicated. Just do me this favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t tell her the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially not her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t even my fault—it was the Poison King’s temper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I explained what happened, she’d probably go straight to her father, and then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He won’t just stay angry—he’ll escalate.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King was unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What started as irritation could easily turn into outright hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I needed Tang So-yeol to act as a buffer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I told him directly, he’d no doubt prepare some ridiculous “welcome” for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just let him know I’ll be visiting—and make sure to mention you’ll be with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay… When should I say we’re coming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably in about five days. After the Azure Dragon Leader arrives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three to five days—that should be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Enough time to plant bait, dig into the Celestial Stream Sect Leader, and deal with the branch leader.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed that time to set everything in motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it depended on how the Shadow King moved and whether the branch leader acted according to plan, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No problem.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t too worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I trusted the Shadow King’s skills, and the branch leader seemed predictable enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, Cheol Ji-seon was already working behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The only variable left is how I move.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My decisions over the next few days would determine everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing wouldn’t change—the goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was set up to make that happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, I’ll leave this to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol nodded, and I glanced out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The full moon hung high in the night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, it felt like everything was falling into place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now then… maybe it’s time to scatter some bait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Bait?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol tilted her head, confused by my murmur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked and replied lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve got some things to catch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait… are you talking about fishing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was fishing, alright—just not for fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m after a dragon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Azure Dragon of the Martial Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I intended to bait him, reel him in, and carve him up like sashimi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four days later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I had predicted, the Azure Dragon finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azure Dragon Leader, Ilcheon Sword, stormed into the Sichuan branch with his entire unit in tow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star King—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not quietly, either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bastard—!! Where are you?! I’ll kill you right this instant—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already brandishing his sword, absolutely livid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well… that escalated quickly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I barely held back a smirk as I listened to his furious roar echo through the halls.\u003C\u002Fp>",2044,"2026-06-05T15:10:19.687Z",1,"novelbin.me","469081c34831dda7067ed7f8f78bef93e47f1eb5269e979fc4bd793d2a381703","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-820","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-818",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]