[{"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-890":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},1240744,1667,"Chapter 889","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-890",890,"\u003Cp>Kwooooom—!!! Kwoooom!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Flame Spear that soared into the sky exploded, its shockwave scattering traces of blue flames like rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The embers that fell to the ground left trails of ash in their wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The martial artists below scrambled in panic, trying to avoid the falling flames.Normally, I would have controlled it to prevent such a scene, but this time I didn’t.My focus was entirely on the opponent in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Division Leader of the Celestial Dragon.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A masked figure gripping a sword.Their martial robe bore golden embroidery, the mark of the Celestial Dragon Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t sense anything from them.Standing between the Sword Emperor and me, having blocked both our martial arts simultaneously, they emitted no detectable energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing I could feel…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Unpleasant.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint sense of discomfort brushed against me, prickling my senses.It wasn’t the first time. I’d felt it when we first crossed paths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Though it’s weaker now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oppressive presence I’d associated with the Blood Demon back then was now subdued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Even the trace of the Blood Demon’s aura has faded.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cursed sensation that had once assured me of their connection to the Blood Demon was now nearly imperceptible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that remained was this faint unease and an unsettling emptiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scowled as I questioned them, but the Division Leader of the Celestial Dragon didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their index finger rested lightly against the sword, which glowed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I use White Flame?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would White Flame work on them? If they were still connected to the Blood Demon, maybe it wouldn’t.As the thought crossed my mind, I scanned my surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many eyes on us to act recklessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I just kill everyone watching?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I eliminated all witnesses, it wouldn’t matter.The thought flitted through my mind briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I held back. I couldn’t go that far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flame at my fingertip extinguished. I focused my gaze back on the Division Leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I asked you a question. What are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shlink—! Clack.The sword in their hand spun once before sliding neatly into its scabbard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden energy lingered in the air, radiating faintly from the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt oddly familiar.At first, the golden hue reminded me of Wi Seol-ah’s aura, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The essence was entirely different. Only the color was similar.The structure of the energy, the martial arts technique forming it, was fundamentally distinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Division Leader of the Celestial Dragon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Emperor broke the silence, speaking from behind.Despite his earlier attack being casually blocked, his expression remained composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your presence here, does it mean…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He trailed off as his gaze shifted toward a specific direction.My own eyes followed instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint cough and the sound of movement caught my attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ha.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure that appeared was none other than Muk Yeon.Seeing him, I let out a frustrated sigh internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I didn’t sense him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had only noticed Muk Yeon’s presence now, as he revealed himself. This was a serious issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Muk Yeon has no internal energy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did, technically, but it was almost negligible—closer to an ordinary person than a martial artist.To realize his presence only when he was this close meant…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Someone was masking Muk Yeon’s presence.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that someone was almost certainly the Division Leader of the Celestial Dragon standing before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even while concealing another’s presence, they blocked our attacks…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Masking someone’s energy was an incredibly delicate task.It required precision to handle another’s Qi, and only a rare few could maintain such control while engaging in combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If it were me…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could manage it.It wasn’t impossible in theory. But to fend off that strike under such conditions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s uncertain.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. Maybe, maybe not—it was hard to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But that bastard did it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was their true identity?Even when I tried to sense their energy, the mask blocked any clear view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is it similar to the one the Shadow King gave me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strong possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You should stop now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s voice interrupted my thoughts, making me smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Star King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop what? I’ve been working myself to the bone in Sichuan for this damn Alliance, and now I hear my father’s been imprisoned. What exactly am I supposed to stop?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think this is what the Gu family head would want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t about what my father wants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wheeeeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames flared in my hand, forming the Flame Spear again in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is about what I want.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you mean to oppose not just the Sword Emperor, but the Martial Alliance as well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s what it takes, then yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That is not a wise decision. Surely, the Star King knows this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A man can’t always make wise decisions. Today just happens to be one of those days for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack.The sound of weapons being drawn echoed. Both the Sword Emperor and the Division Leader of the Celestial Dragon were gripping their hilts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One step. Just one more step, and this would escalate into an all-out battle.What would the gain be? Was victory even possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no gain.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor was victory guaranteed. The fight with the Sword Emperor had made one thing clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I won’t lose.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I might not win decisively, but I wouldn’t be defeated easily.If I unleashed everything I had, I might even win.Unless the Sword Emperor had a hidden trump card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real problem was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That guy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Division Leader of the Celestial Dragon and the martial artists of the Alliance.Could I take them all on at once and win? Of course not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s too much for now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I used Dragon Speech or unleashed overwhelming power, it was too dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, retreating was the smart move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So don’t push me any further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had no intention of lowering my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s expression was difficult to read as he looked at me.It wasn’t quite anger, nor was it sadness—it was something in between.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of expression was that? The question crossed my mind briefly, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Gu family head was imprisoned for a reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard the rumors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no escaping the talk—it was everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Gu family head’s imprisonment was a just consequence. A trial will be held soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A just consequence. It sounded reasonable.If he had indeed stormed the Alliance and tried to kill a tactician, imprisonment was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I’m not so sure about that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t believe it completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So let me ask you something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked Muk Yeon in the eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did he do it? Tell me that first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t heard why my father had acted that way.When I asked, Muk Yeon’s eyebrows twitched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t that the most important question? I care far more about why my father did what he did than the fact that he’s currently imprisoned as a criminal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way my father had attacked Muk Yeon without a reason. Moreover—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no chance he just let himself be captured.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t understand why he had quietly entered the prison in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unless that part is resolved—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh—!!!Flames surged around me, and the rings of my heart spun rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t back down from this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it meant derailing my plans, I had no intention of retreating. With that resolve, I began to draw more energy, raising my aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Star King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon frowned as he looked at me.Just as he seemed about to say something—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a flame erupted before my eyes.It wasn’t my blue flame but a vivid crimson blaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no mistaking it. My heart recognized it the moment I saw it. This was the Gu Flames Firewheel.Judging by its texture and intensity, only one person could have conjured it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Father?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unmistakably my father’s flame.As soon as I realized it, a voice echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s all right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Where is he?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a telepathic transmission. The voice came from within the flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was his voice contained in the fire? If he could manage this, it meant his Qi wasn’t completely suppressed.So why hadn’t he escaped?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t understand. The energy felt distant, far away.Yet the voice and flame were so vivid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s all right. Return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy voice made me scowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s ‘all right’ supposed to mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to ask why he had let himself be imprisoned, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take care of Horan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m asking you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, I clamped my mouth shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Horan.This was the first time I had heard my father refer to Lady Mi by her name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he was asking me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is absurd.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ran a hand through my hair, torn between frustration and disbelief.Part of me wanted to destroy everything and throw a tantrum, but the consequences would be severe—not to mention my father’s words weighed heavily on my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Does he have a reason for this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sending this flame to deliver his message meant there had to be a clear reason for his actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have cared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why are you doing something you never do?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing my father mention Lady Mi made me curse internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this was what he called a “request,” what was I supposed to do with it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If he could’ve done this before, why didn’t he?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was capable of this, he should have done it long ago.That petty thought crossed my mind briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, that’s not right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This isn’t something I should say.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Memories of my father surfaced—his hesitant steps, unable to approach me as I cried, only to turn away in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking my tongue, I waved my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh! The Flame Spear disappeared, and the aura radiating from my body subsided in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the Division Leader of the Celestial Dragon released their grip on their sword.I looked at Muk Yeon silently. Meeting the old man’s gaze briefly, I turned my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came in a hurry and didn’t bring anything with me. I’ll submit my report later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll return tomorrow for a detailed explanation. Please make it thorough enough for me to understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, I pushed off the ground and leaped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Gu Yangcheon disappeared, the Sword Emperor turned to Muk Yeon with a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Tactician Muk. Why didn’t you stop him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was filled with confusion. Muk Yeon raised a dry hand to cover his eyes before responding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There was no justification to detain him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No justification? The Sword Emperor couldn’t believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Star King attacked the Martial Alliance and caused a disturbance. What more justification could you need?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I had stopped him, I would’ve had to provide answers in return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Answers? What kind of answers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I would have had to tell him something. But I couldn’t bring myself to do so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon’s tired voice carried a faint trace of guilt.Hearing this, the Sword Emperor understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “justification” Muk Yeon referred to wasn’t one held by the Alliance but a personal one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will take full responsibility for the Star King’s actions. He said he’ll return tomorrow, so if you intend to hold him accountable, let’s address it then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Emperor didn’t seem pleased but didn’t press the matter further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I trust you’ll agree as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muk Yeon directed his words to the Division Leader of the Celestial Dragon beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masked figure glanced at Muk Yeon briefly before—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—vanishing into a burst of golden light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them disappear, Muk Yeon let out a soft sigh.A sigh that was deep and cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I headed straight for Lady Mi’s quarters.It was partly due to my father’s request, but also to hear the situation directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Driven by urgency, I pushed past the guards and entered her residence without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, wa—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards belatedly noticed me, but by the time they reacted, I was already inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Mi. Are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catching my breath slightly, I called her name outside her door. From within, I sensed movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak. The door opened, and Lady Mi appeared.Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How did you get here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came immediately after reading the letter you sent me. I just left the Martial Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression shifted dramatically at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I assumed she was shocked that I’d come so quickly after receiving her letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, please explain the situation—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What letter are you talking about? I never sent you one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The letter I sent was only a few days ago. It couldn’t have reached you already.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her words, I felt a cold chill run down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>",2140,"2026-06-05T15:10:20.656Z",1,"novelbin.me","4549ac541f6f3b74e463db38f86305947819ed784cac32a90ba0041216383f1d","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-705","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-704",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]