[{"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-895":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},1240761,1667,"Chapter 894","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-895",895,"\u003Cp>It was warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft sensation of someone gently embracing me from behind.It felt cozy and comforting.It was a nostalgic feeling I had only experienced long ago as a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to speak, my eyes wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delicate voice echoed in my ear, and I felt something touch my lips.That sensation made me close my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just for a moment. Stay still, won’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle voice accompanied by a touch brushing through my hair.A hand softly stroked my hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body stiffened in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something warm and soft began to rise inside me. I couldn’t react in any way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the midst of that silence—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mangye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon spoke with a stern expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must have been in a hurry. Appearing in person instead of sending someone from the Abyss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice responded to the Blood Demon’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s very busy. I’ve given him many tasks to handle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha. Are you saying there’s something more important than safeguarding your own trace?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trace. My ears perked up at that word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Safeguard, you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My son isn’t weak enough to need me to safeguard him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing those words, I clenched my fists.So, it’s true. The owner of this voice…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Mother…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like it really was her.I had felt this during the last incident at the Sinryong Pavilion, but it was now certain. My mother was alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How contradictory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon frowned at her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You claim there’s no need to protect him, yet your actions now don’t match your words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s what parents are like. Besides…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft breeze began to stir around me.At the same time, a crimson aura started to envelop my body. A refreshing floral scent reached my nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you step in, it stops being a fight between children and becomes a battle between adults.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dragon Emperor… Or should I say, the master who lost his name long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice pressed down on the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t keep crossing the line. Otherwise, I’ll have to scold you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a calm but sharp warning.The Blood Demon’s gaze sharpened upon hearing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How absurd.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grinding sound echoed as power gathered in his hands.It was the same as before, but now it seemed even more intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A line? Since when did we ever have such a thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes, filled with heavy disdain, glared as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re all just pieces on the board, moving as commanded. You’re no different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavens began to darken, a crimson aura pooling and growing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t even fulfill the tasks entrusted to you properly, and yet you talk big.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Punishment? My eyes widened at his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how supreme you think you are, how much can you truly protect without devotion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A red sea roared in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s see what you can do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon smirked as a vast wave of power surged downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The approaching power was overwhelming, leaving me trembling just from looking at it.How could one stop something like this?Could Mother even handle such a thing?That doubt arose in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This doesn’t work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled by the voice, I blurted out without realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought it would have some effect… But you’re sharper than I expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean by that…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was she saying?I glanced around in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed to be lost in thought, her voice filled with contemplation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there wasn’t time for this.The energy in the sky was already cascading downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gritted my teeth and summoned power into my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh---!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling how I had blocked the Blood Demon’s power earlier with the White Flame, I tried to do it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My fiery hand was stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can’t use that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, I felt her touch on my hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mom will handle everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words made me unconsciously extinguish the flames.It was the same as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distant past—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever something happened during my childhood, my mother would always say,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, my son. Mom will take care of everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice and words she spoke with a bright smile resurfaced in my mind. Something seemed to swell within me.I barely managed to steady my ragged breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh---!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson aura surrounding my body suddenly soared into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom---!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The winds roared as the cascading energy was completely devoured by the crimson light and vanished in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon let out a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile reappeared on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve truly gone mad. Are you really going to break the rules for something like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm? Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mother’s voice responded, as if she couldn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You broke them too. Why can’t I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon shook his head, watching as his dissipating energy left him with a strangely satisfied expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s laughable that you’d use a trump card you were saving just for this. Now there’s no way to stop me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You still only see part of the picture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was filled with amusement.At least, that’s how it felt to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never intended to stop you. I just wanted to see my children. And…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh---!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson aura that had devoured the red light now shot toward the Blood Demon.He didn’t flee from the approaching energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My son is far greater than you think. So be prepared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Demon laughed darkly in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As much as you’d like.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, his gaze shifted to Cheonma, who was panting heavily beside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though I regret being interrupted today, next time, I’ll make sure to take you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Get lost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma growled through gritted teeth.The Blood Demon added with a smirk,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After today, there will be no next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssshhhh---!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy changed form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took the shape of a beast.What kind of beast was it? I felt like I knew, but I couldn’t be certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast opened its maw wide and swallowed the Blood Demon whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom---!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It erupted into a massive explosion of energy. An overwhelming pressure spread out in all directions.The energy scattered into the air like flower petals drifting through the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like spring descending in the middle of autumn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared blankly at the sight before me.How could energy be so breathtakingly beautiful?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In some ways, it resembled the Plum Blossom Sword Technique of the Mount Hua Sect. No, it was far more primal than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just energy; it truly felt like flowers were swirling in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the beauty of it all.It was mesmerizing, almost enchanting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was lost in watching the petals fluttering through the air—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy began to gather in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It condensed and condensed further, slowly taking on a humanoid form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t complete. It looked as if it was a figure made entirely of flower petals, shaped loosely into a human outline.It was a head shorter than me, and its form was hazy, but I couldn’t say a word as I stared at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure raised a hand and waved. It felt like it was greeting me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, my son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice reached me, and my heart sank with a heavy thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure extended a petal-like hand.It cupped my cheek gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve grown well. You’re so handsome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, the petals quivered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Calling me that feels so distant. You used to call me ‘Mom’ back then. Are you saying you’ve grown up now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice sounded oddly delighted.Even as I listened, I couldn’t bring myself to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know how to react.Noticing my hesitation, Mother spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grown up, huh… You are, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve been through so much, haven’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My breath caught.Was it my emotions, or was it my entire being trembling? I couldn’t tell, but something within me shook deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve worked so hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry, my son. I wasn’t there to protect you as you grew up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My vision blurred. I tried to hold it back, but it wasn’t easy.No, I couldn’t let this happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was far too old to cry like this.I shouldn’t, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry for being a bad mother. I should’ve been by your side, but I couldn’t be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The petals brushed against my cheek and hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve done so well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her warm voice enveloped my ears.In the end, I couldn’t hold it in any longer.I shut my eyes tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even then, the gentle strokes on my head didn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her apology made me bite my lip.This wasn’t what I wanted to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I realized she was alive, there were so many questions I wanted to ask her if I ever saw her again. But now, I couldn’t ask a single one.My mouth wouldn’t open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I forced myself to respond, holding back my sobs.Thankfully, my voice didn’t waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d like to see you a little longer, but I don’t have much time right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words made my eyes widen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry in advance. Oh, I keep apologizing. That’s not what I wanted to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She laughed awkwardly.Then, the petals began to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them, I furrowed my brow and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you leaving again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would she disappear like this once more? I asked hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… Something like that…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave an odd answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s not enough time to explain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hurriedly added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is something even I didn’t expect. The promise I made with that tree didn’t include this… Just think of it as a consequence of how exceptional you’ve become.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you even saying…? I don’t understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s one thing you must remember, no matter what.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The petals began to scatter again.They slowly covered my vision, and through them, she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never look for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The petals bloomed all at once, scattering everywhere.The problem was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Huh…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The petals didn’t drift away but instead enveloped me.What is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caught in the sudden situation, I could only question it when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, my consciousness blinked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon a grand throne, a woman lay reclined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hair, so long it spilled onto the floor, was pure white. The space around her was filled with an abundance of mysterious white fur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that strange setting—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman, who had been resting her eyes, slowly opened them. Her jewel-like pupils sparkled with a radiant glow.She appeared to be in some discomfort as she struggled to sit up. At that moment, a figure revealed itself before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My liege.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman, noticing the figure, wore a languid expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you all right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t respond.Instead, her brow furrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, the massive tufts of fur surrounding her began to wriggle.Wearing an expression of evident displeasure, the woman spoke to the figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It feels like I had a dream…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tried to recall it, but it remained hazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t remember it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must not have been important.Deciding as much, the woman finally rose to her feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the figure addressed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My liege. We have located the Abyss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, the woman’s sharp, animal-like ears twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her drowsiness vanished in an instant. The concerns she had just been pondering faded like a mirage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once languid look in her eyes sharpened.Her previously calm pupils narrowed into thin slits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mount Chilryeong in the west.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let us go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sleek legs moved, and her toes touched the ground.In that instant, the fur behind her began to stir violently, shrinking in size as it coiled inward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—! The fur surged through the space, swirling as though it was being absorbed by her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final form it took was nothing short of astonishing—a tail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seven immaculate white tails unfurled behind her, each one shimmering with an ethereal glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman, her tails brushing lightly against the ground, began to walk gracefully forward.\u003C\u002Fp>",2014,"2026-06-05T15:10:20.656Z",1,"novelbin.me","472fce65dfa371d4f00fa4f12b66a23310dff5807745ec4327010cce3a25e1e1","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-717","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-716",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]