[{"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-883":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},1240733,1667,"Chapter 882","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-883",883,"\u003Cp>I returned to my quarters with Seong Yul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the ordeal, he looked radiant, his mood brighter than ever.This idiot seemed so ecstatic he didn’t even remember that I’d forced the Dragon Pearl on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he expressed an immediate desire to test his new strength with his sword, I let him go. I understood. Not only had he broken through to Hwagyeong, but his energy had skyrocketed. How could anyone sit still in such a state?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And besides…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recalled Seong Yul’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s a new light in them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was because he had overcome his limitations or because his body had absorbed the Dragon Pearl’s energy, his once-dull yellow eyes now sparkled far more brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But was that necessarily a good thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They shine brighter than the Sword Demon’s did in my past life.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From what I knew, those eyes were said to be proof of the Heavenly Killing Star. Was it really okay for them to shine like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It was the same when he fought Peng Woojin. Is this really safe?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Heavenly Killing Star manifested, the eyes glowed, killing intent intensified, and the energy could even be weaponized into physical forms during combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that, I couldn’t just assume this newfound glow was entirely positive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Though he seems to have it under control for now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, there didn’t seem to be any issues.He wasn’t consumed by killing intent, nor was any residual malice leaking out from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could it be because I suppressed it earlier?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I was stabilizing his energy, the Heavenly Killing Star tried to emerge, and I forced it back down. Perhaps that helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘As for his clean state post-transformation, it’s likely because I purged the impurities earlier.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even during sparring, I’d periodically rid him of built-up impurities.Thanks to that, his rebirth left fewer traces of the usual waste products.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm. Not bad at all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever the case, the result was good.Seong Yul had grown stronger, and that was a win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve figured out how to use the Dragon Pearl.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I now understood the utility of this absurd elixir.Even if it couldn’t fully integrate into the body, it could still be useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course, it’s better to use it after a proper rebirth, but that’s easier said than done.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebirth wasn’t something you could achieve just because you wanted to.Ideally, I’d like to use the pond water, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…It takes too long.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five years was too much time to invest.Sure, it was a miraculous opportunity that martial artists across Zhongyuan would kill for, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘For me, it’s far too slow.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many time constraints to rely on it. Plus…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t even understand how it works.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of power it held or how it facilitated rebirth remained a mystery.Without that knowledge, using it recklessly wasn’t an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then there was the matter of…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The creature in the pond. That’s also an issue.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much I investigated, I couldn’t discern its nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Amwang, with all his knowledge, had neither seen nor heard of it.It made further investigation challenging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The only thing I do know is…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are several hidden spaces beneath the pond.I discovered this while detecting the flow of energy within the formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I even dismantled the mechanisms and explored those spaces myself, without alerting the others.One of them is where the Dragon Pearls are currently stored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What was it made for?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the temperatures varied, the dimensions of the spaces were identical.Were they meant for secret storage?If so, what were they supposed to store?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If they’re empty, it means either nothing was placed there, or…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…someone already took whatever was stored there.If it was taken, was it the Gate Master (Mun Do-hyuk) of the Celestial Stream Sect who did it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s complicated.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Amwang’s help searching, there were no clear answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What could this all be for…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t stop questioning the purpose behind all these intricate setups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frustrated, I released a burst of flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!The white flames spread in a wide circle, consuming everything in their path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they roared back to me, I noticed that nothing in their wake had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned slightly at the result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how many times I tried, the result was the same.The White Flame couldn’t burn ordinary objects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn’t incinerate wood or even melt stone.While it could be fine-tuned to avoid damaging its surroundings, it wouldn’t ignite anything even with deliberate effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, was it a flame meant solely for combating demons?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then why could it melt the structures underground?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I fought the Gate Master, the flames had pierced through the walls.Why was it possible then but not now?I couldn’t discern the difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At least…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white flames in my hand shifted to blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s fortunate I can still control them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newly acquired White Flame,the original Blue Flame,and the Black Flame born of demonic energy—I could control and alternate between all three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If the White Flame was my only option, it’d have been a disaster in battle.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from its overwhelming power against demons, it was nearly useless in practical combat.It would’ve thrown all my plans into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now that this is settled…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I extinguished the flames and heightened my energy perception.Once I confirmed there was no one nearby…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using my thumb and middle finger, I snapped lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whir—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind me, the air split open, forming a crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Growl—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From beyond the rift came the guttural growls of a beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at it impassively, inspecting the item in my possession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Demonic Ward Talisman still shows no reaction.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The artifact from the Wudang Sect, designed to detect Demonic Gates before they opened, was considered essential for any martial artist of the current era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, it didn’t react to the gate I had created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So it’s not a true Demonic Gate, huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since this gate was formed using the power of my Authority, it didn’t trigger the talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That makes it even more useful.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Demonic Gate undetectable by the talisman held immense strategic value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that realization, I focused my energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Let’s see how far I can take this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name of this power: Life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It allowed me to summon any creature I had killed, consuming energy to do so.That’s how I had summoned the hordes of blue and red demons the other night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Perhaps I can summon them too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused harder, imagining the form of a White-Rank Demon, one of the strongest beings I had slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whir—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the thought formed, a massive amount of energy drained from my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SCREEEEEEECH—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deafening roar erupted from within the crack, accompanied by an overwhelming surge of energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately cut the power and closed the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiss—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after sealing it, the lingering pressure in the air was palpable.If I had fully summoned it, the disturbance would’ve been enough to alert the entire branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that had happened, martial artists would’ve swarmed this place in no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That was close…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out a sigh of relief, I laughed lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could even summon White-Rank Demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing this, I couldn’t help but smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Though it seems the duration is limited.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the energy cost, I’d be able to maintain the summon for no more than fifteen minutes.But that was more than enough for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that the Demonic Ward Talisman didn’t react and that I could summon White-Rank Demons, even briefly, proved just how valuable this power was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is settled. Now for the last test.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I extinguished the residual flames and focused once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wrapped flames around my outstretched hand.No, to be precise, I didn’t just wrap them—I transformed my body into flames themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the transformation that occurred when the Nine Flames Wheel Art (구염화륜공) reached mastery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve become one with the flames themselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than merely summoning flames or cloaking my body with them, I had become one with the flames. This was the pinnacle of the Nine Flames Wheel Art’s power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now what am I supposed to do with this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was currently facing a rather perplexing issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching mastery was undoubtedly a great achievement. My skills had improved significantly, and although I hadn’t fully tested it yet, I was confident my firepower had grown immensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given all that, the current situation should have been ideal…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How do I actually use the ultimate technique?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ultimate ability of the Nine Flames Wheel Art was the power I had anticipated the most upon mastering it. The overwhelming strength my father once displayed—how was I supposed to wield it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since reaching mastery, I’d tried countless experiments and tests, but I couldn’t figure it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do I just… have to ask my father in the end?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I was planning to visit him anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already decided to visit my father at some point. After all, the vision I’d seen when I reached enlightenment confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just about meeting him—it was also about having a proper conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess it’s time for a long talk with my father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The idea of having an in-depth conversation with my father was a strange one. It was so unfamiliar that even imagining it made my stomach churn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Forget it. I’ll think about this when I get to Hanyang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, there was no point in dwelling on it. Shaking off the thoughts, I turned and headed back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I returned to the quarters, my first stop was the infirmary. My objective was clear: to check on Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re almost fully healed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said this as I withdrew my hand from her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the day after tomorrow, you should be able to walk around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day, I came here to clear her body of the residual dark energy. Of course, part of the reason was to see her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Her recovery is unusually fast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before, I’d noticed it. Namgung Bi-ah’s body had an extraordinary regenerative ability. Despite her near-fatal injuries, she had healed to the point of walking within a few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My own body wasn’t exactly a fair comparison, but even so, her speed was abnormally fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be because I’ve been regularly clearing out the dark energy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was possible. In any case, it was a good thing her recovery wasn’t slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at her bandaged back and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do you always end up getting seriously hurt?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah turned her gaze toward me. Her eyes seemed to convey a clear message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—You’re one to talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her intent was evident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no rebuttal to that, so I coughed awkwardly to gloss over it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, stop glaring. Your eyes are so sharp that it’s scary when you look at me like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That applies to you as well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut her off. There was no point in continuing this back-and-forth since I’d come here with a purpose today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll be heading back to Hanyang in a few days. You should be able to walk by then, so the timing works out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I spoke, I calculated internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see… Five days at most.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That should be enough. Sorting out the schedule with the Tang Clan, wrapping up the tasks I’d entrusted to Cheol Ji-seon and Amwang, and preparing for the journey would take three to four days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, here’s the thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Mm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come to my room in two days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Preferably at night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, Namgung Bi-ah froze briefly. I didn’t notice, as I was lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By then, I can give her a Dokcheon Pill  to stabilize her condition, and if she seems capable of enduring it, I could even give her a Dragon Pearl.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having figured out how to use it, I planned to distribute the Yeouiju to my companions one by one. Of course, I’d conduct a few more tests before giving it to Namgung Bi-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…At night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I’m better and at night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, when you’re able to walk, at night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head in confusion. Was my explanation unclear? Why was she reacting like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to explain the Dokcheon Pill when she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you… planning to sleep with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, we’re not going to—wait, what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze mid-sentence, my eyes widening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did she just say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at her, utterly baffled. Surely I misheard her. That had to be it, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s what you want, I don’t mind…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah spoke in a clear, unwavering voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you… want to sleep with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words left me completely frozen, my body stiffening like stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_____________________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hello everyone! This is Solee )) The remaining 2 chapters will be released a little later today.\u003C\u002Fp>",2148,"2026-06-05T15:10:20.656Z",1,"novelbin.me","632196e586886b8d70c952a2df73d85b9db8053ad7241382ed616be98709a664","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-884","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-882",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]