[{"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-886":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},1240736,1667,"Chapter 885","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-886",886,"\u003Cp>As soon as morning came—though it was technically still dawn—I stepped outside.It didn’t matter whether it was dawn or morning; I’d be busy either way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings to the Division Leader!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members of my unit saluted as I passed by, their greetings helping to ease my fatigue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having gone several nights without sleep, the exhaustion was catching up with me. It wasn’t physical fatigue but mental.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s too much to deal with.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though I had completed one major task, plenty of work still remained. My head ached constantly, forcing me to make it a habit to use my energy to dispel the discomfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssshhh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I circulated my qi through my body, the pressure and pain subsided. Only then did I feel somewhat better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you all making good progress?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Division Leader!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the unit was busy packing up supplies, likely in response to the sudden orders issued in the middle of the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were set to depart for Hanam by the next day, and I’d given the command to be prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must have been an abrupt order, yet the members packed without complaint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this was expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They know better than to grumble and risk getting beaten.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After months of traveling together, the lesson had been thoroughly drilled into them: when I said jump, they jumped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not that there’s much to pack.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’d arrived with barely more than the clothes on our backs.Even food supplies were usually taken care of through hunting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given their high cultivation levels, they could go days without food without much trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time would likely be no different. They’d push themselves to their limits, but only just enough to endure. That was how I preferred it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Watching them struggle to endure is always satisfying.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brink of exhaustion and the determination to overcome it—it always led to growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will you be ready by noon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll be finished well before then, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their confidence was apparent. For a moment, I considered pushing the deadline forward by two hours but decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Where’s the Sub-Division Leader?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, the Sub-Division Leader should be at the northern quarters. I heard there’s something he needs to oversee there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to leave, but a member suddenly stopped me, looking startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Division Leader, you’re heading south. The Sub-Division Leader is in the opposite direction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Pardon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said, I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I deliberately chose the wrong direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After what happened yesterday, I wasn’t quite ready to face Tang So-yeol or the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I headed to the back of the quarters, to the southern fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t as though I had intentionally chosen to go south just to avoid them. My actual destination happened to be in that direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I arrived at the grassy plains, someone was already waiting for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I approached, I greeted him.“Have you been waiting long?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. I just got here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re lying, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I’m not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing before me was a pale, stoic man with one arm. The Shadow King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he denied it, I didn’t believe him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s obvious.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had probably been here for a long time—perhaps even since the middle of the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King was like that: always present, yet seemingly nowhere at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His presence remained faint, even now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not easy to detect.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite my heightened senses from cultivation, his presence was still elusive. I could find him if I tried, but if he truly hid himself, could I locate him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No. Not yet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I knew it wouldn’t take much longer for me to reach that level. It was just a matter of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve brought what you requested. It’s stored in the food wagon, securely protected by a formation. Be cautious when handling it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The item he referred to was none other than a wooden box containing the Yeouiju—the legendary Dragon Pearl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even with the schedule disrupted, I have to keep this secured.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t had the chance to use it properly yet. The only person it had been used on was Seong Yul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had planned to use it for the others in two days, but recent events had derailed those plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once we returned to Hanam, I’d have to prioritize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And there’s still research to be done.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only the Dragon Pearl but also the water from the underground pond—I needed to determine their exact properties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I wouldn’t be handling that personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll leave it to the Divine Doctor.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might be irritable, but he always followed through when asked. I was confident he’d do the same this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I was at it, I could learn more about his techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knowledge would be invaluable, especially for the techniques I’d been trying to master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘For months now, I’ve been attempting something, but… nothing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite repeated efforts, I hadn’t made any progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to admit it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s impossible for now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though my cultivation in the Nine Flames Firewheell Art had reached its peak, it wasn’t enough. But I was certain it would be, eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just a gut feeling.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know why, but my instincts told me so. And my instincts, frustratingly, were often right—especially when it came to bad premonitions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To achieve what I wanted, I needed deeper knowledge of sorcery. That much was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For now, let me ask: will you be coming with us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King remained silent at my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I apologize.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eventual response was a refusal, and I wasn’t surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Would he come if I framed it as an order?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought amused me for a moment. If I insisted, would his refusal vanish?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn’t test it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t worth straining our relationship over idle curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, if he was staying behind, it likely meant he had something important to focus on—probably related to Yeon Ilcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was disappointing, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow King was a massive asset, arguably the strongest force at my disposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without fully restoring his demonic energy, he was a tremendous help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Some things have to be let go.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“While you’re here, could I ask for a favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no hesitation in his response, as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re staying in Sichuan, people from the main headquarters might arrive in a few months. When they do, I need you to slow their progress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Slow them? To what degree?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just enough to delay their investigation. But if necessary, you can kill them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, I quickly gathered my thoughts and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only those who truly deserve to be killed. I'll leave that judgment to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No further explanation was necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a somewhat vague standard, but the Shadow King didn’t press for more details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I had to guess why…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was probably because his standards and mine were similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I returned to the quarters, I saw that the preparations were nearly complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That was fast.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had said it would be done by noon, but they were well ahead of schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Efficient, as expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘See? People improve when you push them hard.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like a broken tool responds when you hit it, people also become competent when you apply pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eek?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-no, it’s just… I suddenly got chills.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, well, it has gotten colder lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the unit members, visibly shivering, muttered with a nervous tone. A perceptive one, that guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smirking, I surveyed the area. As mentioned earlier, the preparations were already in their final stages. Once finished, we’d either leave immediately or wait briefly before departing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to leave as soon as possible, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I have a little time, I should meet the branch manager and report to the Poison King one last time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was important to tie up all loose ends before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was mentally organizing my priorities when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Division Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft, melodious voice reached my ears. At the same time, a faint floral scent teased my nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My expression stiffened slightly as I turned my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing I saw was golden hair shimmering under the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The preparations are complete.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-is that so? Good work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to keep my tone calm, but my voice betrayed me, trembling uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because of what Tang So-yeol had said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah’s gaze didn’t falter as she looked at me. Her eyes were steady—so steady that meeting them made me feel unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Division Leader, are you feeling all right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-yeah, I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I forced myself not to look away, but she must have noticed that my eyes kept trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Division Leader?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, fuck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words I meant to mutter internally slipped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah’s eyes widened at the sudden profanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this life, I had never cursed in front of her, not even once. But this time, I couldn’t help it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, it was her fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re absurdly beautiful today. Stop making this so damn hard for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why are you doing this to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-no… I mean… I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My impulsive confession left Wi Seol-ah visibly flustered. She was old enough to know how beautiful she was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had probably heard it a hundred times from others by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, such simple words left her shaken. Even her reaction was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Shit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hand twitched as the thought crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I almost slapped myself but barely restrained the urge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is so messed up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the incident, I’d felt like my emotions were spiraling out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, I wanted to grab her cheek—or maybe something else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to stop myself, I slapped my own face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Division Leader—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, Wi Seol-ah grabbed my arm, her voice trembling. Even her usual respectful title for me had shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why… Why would you do that?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine. I just needed to pull myself together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you even saying…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to regain control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell is wrong with me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump. Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart was pounding wildly, as if urging me to give in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was pure greed—a hunger to claim what was mine. It whispered, Why hesitate? Take it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve always had a possessive streak, but this is different.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something seemed broken inside me, making my body riot against me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang So-yeol’s words echoed in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had said I was overly possessive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t want to admit it, but it was true. Not just strong, but overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing the surge of emotions, I asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Where are the others?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… Sister Bi-ah is finishing her preparations, and Sister So-yeol should be here soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Namgung Bi-ah was still recovering, and Tang So-yeol was likely finalizing some tasks elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exhaled deeply. My breath carried an undeniable heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is dangerous.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one’s cultivation level rises, so should their patience—but my state was like that of an animal in heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In heat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Crude, but accurate.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was exactly what this was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pitifully, that was the state I found myself in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Division Leader…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah looked at me with concern, her clear, beautiful eyes filled with worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips, soft and inviting, only made it worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I realized it, my hand moved toward her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flap! Whistle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bird suddenly landed on Wi Seol-ah’s shoulder, breaking the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, Wi Seol-ah glanced at the bird, and I followed her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A messenger bird?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone could recognize it instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squinting, I leaned in to examine it, but the bird pecked the back of my hand as if to warn me off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, it sat calmly under Wi Seol-ah’s touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a letter tied to its leg…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wi Seol-ah carefully untied the letter and handed it to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I saw the emblem stamped on it, my expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one organization in Zhongyuan that used a flower emblem of that color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Baekhwa Trading Company.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the company led by Mi Horan, my mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this emblem—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s the direct seal of the Head.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning it was personally written by Mi Horan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s this about?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden message from the Baekhwa Trading Company was unusual. Tilting my head, I opened the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I read the contents, my body froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>----------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your father has committed a crime against the Alliance and has been imprisoned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>----------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fiery pounding in my chest was extinguished, replaced by a chill that spread like frost.\u003C\u002Fp>",2094,"2026-06-05T15:10:20.656Z",1,"novelbin.me","52c289aee3993e1e53ba9485ae302845ae7869431e91acc506d059111b91d63b","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-887","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-885",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]