[{"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-848":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},1240656,1667,"Chapter 847","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-848",848,"\u003Cp>Dawn arrived as the night gave way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t slept. There was simply too much to handle in the interim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, going without sleep for a few days didn’t strain my body. The night was spent tackling tasks, as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, Cheol Ji-seon should already be in motion. The others, too, would be carrying out their respective roles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it was uncertain how the Ilcheon Sword would react, moving up the plan meant I had to keep a close eye on variables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With everyone mobilized for this purpose, I couldn’t afford to remain idle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, before the sun fully rose, I took my first steps toward my destination: the Tang Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings,” I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Welcome,” replied the Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was peculiar, no doubt puzzled by my sudden visit. Judging from the scene, he had just been eating breakfast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not alone—he was with Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but smirk. It seemed whatever concerns they had were now resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My apologies for interrupting your meal, but this matter is rather urgent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King shot an annoyed glance somewhere, likely at the gatekeepers or the Tang Clan’s warriors. He was probably wondering why they had let me in without question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could understand his irritation at having his precious time with his daughter disrupted, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What can you do about it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, there wasn’t much the Poison King could do to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all I had done for him, he wouldn’t dare block my path. Knowing this, he could do little more than grimace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So, what brings you here at such an early and busy hour?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried a trace of sarcasm, which made me chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, he’s giving me attitude now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I understand the timing is inconvenient, and I apologize. But this really is urgent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I wasn’t about to back down. My situation was genuinely pressing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a bit awkward to bring this up…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then don’t bother—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I’ve already decided to ask anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I met his gaze and continued, “Please give me one of the Dokcheon Pills I made.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I realize this is sudden, but I’m happy to wait until you finish your meal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re truly insane…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can hear you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said it for you to hear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded, acknowledging his point. Given the volume of his voice, it was clearly intentional. As I stood there, nodding like it was a reasonable statement, the Poison King let out a deep sigh and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Will one suffice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grinning, I replied, “For now, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I might need more later, one was sufficient for the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After waiting briefly outside, the Poison King appeared, wearing the same displeased expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you enjoy your meal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all, thanks to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I’m glad to hear that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m joking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though my tone was playful, he clearly didn’t appreciate it, judging by his furrowed brow. I added, “I haven’t eaten yet either, so no need to glare at me like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s your problem, not mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha. That’s rather cold of you, considering I went out of my way to set things right for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, he fell silent for a moment, turning his head awkwardly before muttering, “…That much I do appreciate. I owe you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, the Poison King knew when to acknowledge favors. It was one of the reasons I held him in relatively high regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think nothing of it,” I replied, focusing my gaze straight ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I was curious about whether Tang So-yeol’s situation was completely resolved, now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. My own urgent matters took precedence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking side by side, we eventually arrived at the same building I had been to before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was where I had spent hours sweating to craft the Dokcheon Pills. Entering the building, we descended directly into the underground chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cool breeze brushed against my cheeks. Though it was already autumn and the outdoor air was brisk, the underground chamber was even colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, it’s not just because it’s underground.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The environment here had clearly been deliberately altered to store the energy pills. That was the most plausible explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no idea how they achieved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t have much knowledge about this stuff.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was entirely ignorant when it came to energy pills. Even in my previous life, I had never delved into them. There had never been a need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘With a technique like Demonic Absorption Technique, who cares about energy pills?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill, the Mount Hua Sect’s Jasodan, and countless other powerful pills—none of them mattered to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, they were helpful, but it was far more effective to hunt and consume Crimson-Rank beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still, if I had known it would come to this, I might’ve paid more attention.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could’ve predicted that not only would I consume energy pills like crazy, but I’d also end up making them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even I found the current situation surreal; there was no way the past me could’ve foreseen it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a pointless regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guided by the dim light of the lanterns, we continued descending. The end of the staircase came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King stepped forward, grabbed the handle of the door ahead, and pushed it open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the door swung open, a faint breeze drifted out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like before, the air stirred, but this time it carried a fragrant aroma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scent was rich and deep, like finely brewed medicinal herbs mixed with the distinct freshness and earthiness of spiritual plants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the Poison King inside, I quickly identified the source of the scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was colder than before, and the air was thick with the fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of it emanated from the energy pills stacked ahead—particularly the Dokcheon Pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this where you store them?” I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More like where they mature. They need at least four months to fully age,” he explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you chose this place specifically because…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This place?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My phrasing seemed to offend him, and he burst out indignantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a sacred space of the Tang Clan, reserved exclusively for direct bloodline members.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To me, it was nothing more than a cold, cramped room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he continued, “It was created long ago by Tang Jeolcheon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That changed things. A space crafted by the legendary Tang Jeolcheon, the one who transformed the Tang Clan into a righteous sect? Such a location undoubtedly carried profound significance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It truly is an extraordinary place. Hearing that makes it feel sacred indeed,” I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course! I see you understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, anything created by Tang Jeolcheon must have immense meaning… But, wait. Was it really okay to bring me here? You said only direct bloodline members are allowed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It struck me as odd. Why had he brought me here when I had only asked for the pill?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I were an ally or benefactor, allowing me into such a sacred space didn’t seem appropriate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to my question, the Poison King replied nonchalantly, “It’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roughly speaking, it’ll all even out in the end. Don’t you agree?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What do you mean by ‘even out’? Shouldn’t we be certain about these things?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His vague answer felt unsettling. What was he hinting at?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I pressed him for clarification, he simply feigned ignorance and continued walking ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clan Leader—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what exactly do you need?” he interrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing he had no intention of answering, I sighed and let it go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need the pill I made,” I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dokcheon Pill, infused with my own energy and unique effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, there’s just one left,” he said, pulling back a cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Underneath were three Dokcheon Pills I had crafted earlier, stored together. Beside them sat one pill, set apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King gestured to it and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take it,” said the Poison King in a casual tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprised, I asked, “Excuse me? You’re just giving it to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why are you so surprised?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, it’s an energy pill, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You made it, and you asked for it, didn’t you? Besides, if I refused, would you walk away empty-handed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I’d probably hesitate for a moment… then steal it anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why bother asking… Haah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my bold response, the Poison King sighed, seemingly resigning himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. If you don’t want to just take it, why not marry into the Tang Clan—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, I’ll take it now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not bothering to listen to the rest, I snatched up the energy pill. There was no need to entertain pointless chatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pill felt familiar in my hand. It was the same as before—yet, there was something different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Gu,” the Poison King called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that I think about it, what are you planning to use that for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His question made me pause. Come to think of it, I hadn’t even explained why I needed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, he handed it over without hesitation. Strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King wasn’t the type to give things away so easily, even to someone who had helped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe he’s letting it slide because I made it myself,’ I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was the case, it made sense on the surface, but something about it felt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King wasn’t a simple man. Even if I had helped him, he wouldn’t act without expecting something in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…This is unsettling.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could he want from me? The thought flickered briefly, but for now, the pill took priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Use it? Well, it’s an energy pill, so naturally, I’ll eat it,” I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you just consume one yesterday?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And now you’re taking another one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. I’m not crazy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood his expression. Any martial artist would know what it meant to take energy pills in succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too much of anything is harmful, and energy pills were no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy contained in a single pill was immense. Martial artists could only absorb so much energy at once, depending on their level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Poison King himself, after consuming one Dokcheon Pill, couldn’t fully digest its energy and had to let it circulate around his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He likely planned to gradually absorb it over a month or two to extract its full potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he took another pill in this state, the excess energy would spill out, leaving him unable to retain even half of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the overwhelming energy could strain his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that, it wasn’t surprising the Poison King looked at me as if I were insane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, none of that applied to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This has nothing to do with me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much energy I consumed, I could digest it all and store it within my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why I had been able to grow so rapidly in my previous life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have my reasons, so don’t worry,” I said to reassure him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison King’s response, however, caught me off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not worried,” he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pardon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Young Master Gu is taking it, I assume you have your reasons. From what I can tell, you’re the type who never suffers a loss, even if it’s downright shameless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like a compliment, but the last part stung. Why “shameless”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why are you looking at me like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was curious about what you were up to. But now that you’re taking two pills in a row… It’s just absurd. Do you have no conscience?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I see. I think that’s enough commentary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could say more, I cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, I have no choice but to take it due to certain circumstances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Go ahead, devour it all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just kidding. Hahaha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t feel like a joke. No, it definitely seemed like revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably payback for interrupting his meal with Tang So-yeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch… these old men are so petty.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking my tongue, I raised the pill to my mouth. As I prepared to consume it, I turned to the Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clan Leader Tang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Changed your mind? If so, I’ll—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If something happens after I take this, please don’t interfere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped mid-sentence, his expression turning serious in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grateful that he didn’t press me for an explanation, I popped the pill into my mouth and chewed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The taste, the fragrance, the energy—it was identical to yesterday’s pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I swallowed, the energy surged through me, spreading rapidly and taking control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was deep, potent, and overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was I wrong?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t sense anything unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If my assumption was correct, the pill should have triggered something, but nothing seemed to change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a letdown… So this wasn’t it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mix of disappointment and an inexplicable sense of relief washed over me as I turned to face the Poison King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clan Leader Tang, I apologize, but it seems—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze mid-sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emotions swirling inside me flipped in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I had thought was wrong… wasn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Damn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world around me had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky, the ground—everything was shrouded in pitch-black darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same place as before, except this time, I wasn’t outside the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This could only mean one thing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This saves me the trouble of looking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one I had been searching for was right in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A throne, black as the world around it, cracked and crumbling as if it were about to collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And atop it…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey,” I called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly lifted his head to meet my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sclera, blackened, and his pupils, dyed a haunting violet, radiated malice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murderous intent pouring from him was suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our eyes met, and nausea overwhelmed me, threatening to make me vomit. I held it back, steadying my breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nice to see you, you bastard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I addressed him directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shall we have a little chat, brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>RUMBLE—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground shook violently, as if answering in his stead.\u003C\u002Fp>",2351,"2026-06-05T15:10:19.687Z",1,"novelbin.me","05771d2119c5ec0e77dc4510b2fe692ee7e95ac157b44d3e121d8902fcbb9174","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-909","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-908",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]