[{"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-823":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},1240623,1667,"Chapter 822","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-823",823,"\u003Cp>Crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon groaned as the pressure around his neck intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His feet no longer touched the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suspended in midair, strangled by an iron grip, he felt the searing pain and suffocation creeping in—but far worse was the overwhelming sense of helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could do nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could muster was a trembling breath and the faintest of whimpers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hnnngh…kuh….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room felt frigid earlier—autumn’s chill lingering in the air despite the faint glow of the lantern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat pooled on Muk Yeon’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once-cold air had vanished, replaced by suffocating heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was only getting hotter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon forced his gaze downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The source of the heat and the iron grip choking him—Gu Cheolwoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His glowing red eyes blazed like fire, piercing through the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without clearly seeing his face, Muk Yeon recognized those eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes like smoldering embers, threatening to ignite at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Muk Yeon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deep voice pierced his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll ask you again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm—too calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Muk Yeon could feel the rage simmering beneath the surface, tightly restrained but ready to erupt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon’s fury was unlike anything he had ever seen from the man before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is my son?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Khgh….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grip loosened slightly—just enough for Muk Yeon to rasp out a response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… already… know, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon’s fiery eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That reaction confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon wasn’t acting blindly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had come here with answers already in hand, seeking confirmation rather than information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always been meticulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his uncontrollable wrath, Gu Cheolwoon had a reputation for calculating his steps, ensuring his rage didn’t consume him entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that made him even more terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew how destructive his power was—and how to wield it without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no different now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as his life hung by a thread, Muk Yeon couldn’t help but respect him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon had always been unshakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too resolute to manipulate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too strong to control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Gu Cheolwoon released his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon collapsed onto the floor, coughing violently as his frail body crumpled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough! Cough—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Muk Yeon struggled to catch his breath, Gu Cheolwoon leaned down, his burning gaze boring into him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll change the question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Cough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did you do it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without Gu Cheolwoon’s aura flaring, the killing intent in his voice was suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It slithered around Muk Yeon’s throat like an invisible noose, threatening to tighten at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His vision blurred, narrowing until all he could see were those blazing red eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssss….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air he inhaled felt scalding, like fire flooding his lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He hasn’t changed.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s thoughts drifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to the present—but to the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the day he had first seen the blazing flame that was Gu Cheolwoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, the world’s greatest martial masters—the leaders of the Nine Great Sects—had all stood against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even they hesitated, unable to predict the outcome of the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, Gu Cheolwoon, younger and covered in blood, had said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is no reason for me to run.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice had been steady, resonating like thunder despite the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I won’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, a dying woman lay hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And still, drenched in blood, Gu Cheolwoon stood tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the martial masters—the Ghost Thief (Pungun Gwido)—had mocked him then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They called him foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Told him to surrender the monster he was protecting and retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or else he would die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To any onlooker, it was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no chance of survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you think you get to decide my defeat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes had burned just as fiercely then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t lost yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And I won’t—not until my last breath.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wildfire that refused to die, no matter how much blood he lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even surrounded by the strongest warriors of his time, Gu Cheolwoon had stood unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon had thought it then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That man was not human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was fire incarnate, destined to burn until nothing remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, seeing him again, Muk Yeon couldn’t help but laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chuckle…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon’s brow furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s laughter didn’t sit well with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon apologized, though his voice held little regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had he laughed just now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wasn’t intentional. I just… thought of your son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s like you—but not entirely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon was a raging flame—hot, wild, and destructive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His son, however—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s cold.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his burning presence, there was a frigid edge to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon had seen it in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy carried an unfathomable weight, far too heavy for someone so young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice and mannerisms were sharp—tinged with hostility that couldn’t be hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s holding himself back.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a flame restrained by ice, poised to explode at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in some ways, that terrified Muk Yeon even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Muk Yeon realized he could breathe again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The killing intent that had filled the room moments ago had softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did… did something change?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up, still seeing Gu Cheolwoon’s burning red eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they seemed less piercing now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this a trick of the mind?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or had something truly shifted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of the change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We made a pact back then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon’s voice rumbled through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tone felt… different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said that if I gave you what you wanted, you wouldn’t interfere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And I did as you asked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon couldn’t speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon’s words were heavy—too heavy to interrupt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I fought your wars. Burned mountains of bodies to ash. And even then—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of malice crossed Gu Cheolwoon’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I turned a blind eye to what the Martial Alliance did under the banner of ‘justice.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s throat tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon’s expression was devoid of emotion, yet that emptiness was what made it all the more unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t care. I had already abandoned faith in your ‘justice’ long ago. It didn’t matter to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each word, his voice carried more and more heat—slowly igniting the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I tolerated it. I even bound the Five Demon Lords with seals, despite how tedious it was.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The table shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The piles of scrolls scattered to the floor as the room began to tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even when your elders made disastrous choices… even when my men died because of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A web of cracks splintered across the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I endured it. Because the only thing that mattered to me was the pact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Gu….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know it’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon ignored Muk Yeon’s weak protest and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know I could’ve shattered that worthless pact anytime I wanted. Don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon gave a shallow nod, unable to deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yet, I didn’t. Because I was stubborn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon raised his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was determined to protect her wish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew exactly whose wish Gu Cheolwoon had meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I let her go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizzle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames curled around Gu Cheolwoon’s fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though small, they burned brighter and brighter, ready to explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because keeping that promise meant preserving what little time we had left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire roared as if to devour the room whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shadow lunged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon’s hand moved before the intruder even reached him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He caught the blade in his bare hand, flames licking at the steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his gaze didn’t waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes never left Muk Yeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did everything you asked. I warned you back then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword shattered in his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attacker—Sword Emperor —staggered to his knees, the ground beneath him trembling from the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood dripped from his lips as he struggled to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon, however, remained unbothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll protect what needs protecting. But if you break your word—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon forced the words out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. You remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon nodded before suddenly grabbing Muk Yeon’s throat again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was sharp, trembling with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is my son working under the Martial Alliance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon couldn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t even breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did everything you demanded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kuhk—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I bought time—bought peace—just as you asked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Emperor tried to move, but Muk Yeon raised a trembling hand to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon’s voice darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hid myself. I stayed out of your way. And in return, I trusted you to leave my children out of this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes burned hotter than the flames surrounding him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But instead, you dragged him into your world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hisssss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames spread, the floor cracking as heat warped the wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon’s fire burned with raw, unrestrained fury, and Muk Yeon felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was betrayal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Answer me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Cheolwoon’s voice was low, but it shook the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or I’ll burn the Martial Alliance to the ground.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words weren’t a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were a promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Muk Yeon knew—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Gu Cheolwoon made that promise, then nothing—not the elders, not the sect leaders, not even the full strength of the Martial Alliance—could stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>",1539,"2026-06-05T15:10:19.687Z",1,"novelbin.me","cc31910b9fffda9770971fe787a5d8b4e1021fd22fb6145b99c76bdececff3ab","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-824","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-822",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]