[{"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-902":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},1240646,1667,"Chapter 901","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-902",902,"\u003Cp>I couldn’t utter a single word.The wind brushed past Shin Noya and reached me, carrying the faint scent of plum blossoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the fragrance was sweet, there was an undeniable hint of sadness woven into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere felt hollow and cold.I stood silently, my gaze fixed on Shin Noya, trying to process the words I had just heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The creatures emerging from the Magyeong Gate…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were remnants of worlds that had perished when new masters took over?The sheer weight of the revelation left my mind reeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When a world loses its master and gains a new one, the lifeforms within it are erased.This had always been a known law of the world—a simple fact I had accepted as truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is connected to the Magyeong Gate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lifeforms weren’t simply erased. They re-emerged as monsters through the Magyeong Gate. And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We hunt them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Magyeong Gate that appeared in Zhongyuan, and the monsters that poured from it, had always been hunted and exterminated.Never once had I questioned what the Magyeong Gate truly was, or what these monsters represented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There was no need to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t something that required deep thought.It was just common sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, the Martial Alliance or other sects would attempt to delve deeper into the process.But even then, the most they could glean was a slightly better understanding of the monsters themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such circumstances—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just how far does this connection go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much of this was tied together?Why did these erased lifeforms manifest as monsters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Noya’s words are true…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did he mean by creatures that almost became monsters?What was this place where we now stood?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelmed by a flood of information and questions, I furrowed my brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As my mind churned, Shin Noya’s voice broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Snap out of it and move. This isn’t the time to stop.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked up, startled. Shin Noya was already walking ahead.Hastily, I followed and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If what you said is true, then what were those creatures earlier?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I already told you. They’re beings that almost became monsters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not exactly an explanation I can understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was going to leave it at that, what was I supposed to make of it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If lifeforms are erased or turned into monsters, then what’s the deal with that leader? Something feels off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Off?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, Shin Noya glanced at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excuse me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not that something is off. That’s simply how it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I say it almost became a monster, I mean it isn’t one. That form you saw is likely the creature’s original state.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His explanation made my eyes widen.If that’s true—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You’re saying those creatures are lifeforms from other worlds that didn’t turn into monsters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But didn’t you say lifeforms without a master become monsters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Normally, yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then how—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to ask why those creatures hadn’t become monsters when Shin Noya interrupted me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ve arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head, intentionally cutting me off.His deliberate dismissal made me frown, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight before me stole my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A tree?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive tree loomed ahead, its size so great that it seemed as though it might touch the clouds.Its leaves, however—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are those… plum blossoms?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distinct hue surrounding the tree left no doubt—it was a plum tree.But why was there such a tree here of all places?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beneath the tree, something else stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A barrier?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that… a wall?The absurdity of the situation made me chuckle bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya headed toward it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excuse me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? You’re not coming?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Is that our destination?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What else? We can’t exactly talk sitting on the ground, can we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that sitting on the ground would bother me, but that wasn’t the issue.I wanted to ask why something like that was here in the first place, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re curious, I’ll explain once we’re inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my mouth shut at his words and followed him silently.Still, I couldn’t help but ask at least one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Noya.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, what exactly is that place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pointed to the tree and the barrier beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya chuckled, then replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s Mount Hua.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his answer, my face twisted in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>********\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Shin Noya, I approached the barrier.It was a massive wall constructed of stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I examined it with a curious expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really was just a wall.I had wondered if there might be something hidden, like before, but there was nothing—just a simple, solid wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would it break if I hit it? The thought crossed my mind briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look like you’re up to something. Let me warn you—don’t do anything unnecessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wasn’t planning anything! Don’t accuse me unfairly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk, tsk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya clicked his tongue and looked up at the barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Open it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was he talking to?I was about to extend my senses to check when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice responded from above. Someone peeked their head over the wall.Their gaze briefly flicked to Shin Noya before landing on me and Cheonma behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s this? Bringing another disciple, are we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Shin Noya’s face twisted into a deep frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Disciple, my ass. This brat is nowhere near worthy to be my disciple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never asked to be your disciple! Why are you insulting me out of nowhere?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was his problem? Who said I wanted that?As I scowled, vibrations began to rumble from the barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive gate in the wall began to open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took a while, given its thickness, but eventually, the iron doors swung open, revealing someone walking out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I squinted, observing the figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were remarkably small—barely reaching my waist.They had a beard, so they weren’t a child, but still…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying not to let my curiosity show, I watched as the small elderly man addressed Shin Noya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re later than expected, Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unexpected title made my brows furrow. That wasn’t what I’d expected to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya snorted at the old man’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was delayed because I had to drag along this fool.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you talking about me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who else would I be talking about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was hoping it wasn’t me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve got some misplaced hope there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your insults are getting worse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we began to bicker again, the small man tilted his head and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excuse me, but are you two family? You look awfully—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want to die?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Don’t say such irritating things to someone you’ve just met.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean, if you’re not, then fine. No need to get so angry….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was genuinely offensive.What part of me looked anything like that short-tempered old man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Comparing me to that ill-tempered brat, of all things….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…At least I keep my insults to myself. See? I’m already better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it. He hit me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You crazy old man….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What was that, kid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Aren’t you going inside?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before we could escalate further, the small man intervened to mediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At this rate, the sun will rise before you’re done. Don’t you agree, miss?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured to Cheonma, who nodded silently, her expression as calm as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See? Let’s head inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll deal with you later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won’t be there. Why would I stick around to see your scary face?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What was that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Nothing. Please, let’s just go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Practically begging, I managed to stop him, and we entered the barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The space inside was surprisingly vast.There were people everywhere, and the atmosphere was lively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter could be heard here and there, creating a cheerful vibe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This feels… strange.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes as I observed the surroundings.The atmosphere felt oddly familiar, though I couldn’t place why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it clicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, that’s it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was just like Shanxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I’d arrived in the county there, the bustling energy had been similar, with a cheerful vibe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The resemblance was uncanny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why am I feeling this here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did this place, which wasn’t even in Zhongyuan, remind me of Shaanxi?What was going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even stranger—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are they all so small…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the people moving around were as small as the old man from earlier.There were exceptions, but even then, they weren’t human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in the sense I was familiar with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, to be precise—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Strictly speaking… Noya’s the only human here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realistically, Shin Noya seemed to be the sole human in this place.Neither I nor Cheonma seemed fully human either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the thought crossed my mind, I glanced around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is she?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma, who had been following behind me, was nowhere to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did she run off?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, that would be a relief. At least I wouldn’t have to deal with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.In the middle of the street, I spotted a woman with black hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s she doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked closer and saw her holding something in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A skewer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey. What are you doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma held up the skewer as if that explained everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eat it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How would you know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no idea what kind of food it was.It looked ordinary, but this was clearly not an ordinary world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could respond, the stall owner, another diminutive figure, spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She was staring so much, I figured I’d let her try one. Go ahead, give it a taste. It’s good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh… okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See? They said it’s good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You haven’t even tried it. How do you know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the look of it, this was the first one they’d handed out.Why was she offering it to me first?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s good. You eat it first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this supposed to mean?Was she testing it for poison, or did she genuinely want me to eat it first because it was good?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could decide, Shin Noya suddenly appeared behind us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s taking so long?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stall owner brightened at the sight of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, Master! It’s been a while!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They seemed to know each other. Shin Noya asked casually,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How’s business?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks to you, it’s always good. Would you like one? It’s on the house.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Shin Noya took a skewer and bit into it.Chewing a few times, he grinned and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad. Go ahead and try it. It’s as good as they say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren’t you eating?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma kept pressing the skewer toward me.Sighing, I took a bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a flavor I’d never experienced before, but it wasn’t bad.Only after seeing me eat did Cheonma finally take a bite herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Was she waiting to see if it was safe?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her immediate action suggested that was the case, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not that it matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t worried. Thanks to my immunity to poison (Mandokbulchim), no food could harm me.And Cheonma had never been affected by toxins in her past life, either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's delicious,\" Cheonma remarked, nodding her head. Her expression remained stoic, but her reaction hinted at satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her enjoy the food, I instinctively lowered the corners of my mouth.The way she looked when she enjoyed her meal reminded me of Wi Seol-ah, and I nearly let out a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the skewer was finished, we moved on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya walked at a noticeably slower pace than before, his gait unhurried as he traversed the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master!\"\"Oh! Master! How have you been?\"\"Well, look who it is!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People turned to him with familiarity at every step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the flood of greetings, Shin Noya wore an indifferent expression, occasionally raising a hand in acknowledgment, but that was the extent of his engagement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but feel confused.This… this was like—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It feels like I’m in Mount Hua.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere, the people, even the overall layout—all of it screamed Mount Hua. If martial artists were here, it would complete the image—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahp!\"\"Huuk!\"\"Fix your stance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…There are martial artists here, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as we went further in, I found them.To my surprise, this place even had martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like in Zhongyuan, individuals of all shapes and forms were practicing with wooden swords, their movements sharp and purposeful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is insane…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their sword techniques were disturbingly familiar. It was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s the Plum Blossom Sword Art.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it left me in disbelief. Turning to Shin Noya, I asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is going on here? Why… why is this here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re asking why there’s a Mount Hua here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my response, Shin Noya chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh. Judging by your reaction, you recognize it well enough. That’s a relief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This isn’t just a resemblance…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just like Mount Hua.Everything, down to the smallest detail, mirrored what I had seen when I visited it myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what puzzled me most was why such a place existed in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you create this, Noya?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I posed the question, though I already had a suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya answered plainly. I let out a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I had already expected as much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who else could have done this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another Mount Hua in a different world?The only person capable of such a feat was the old man before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How… how did you build this in just a few months?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scale of it was staggering.It looked like something that would take decades, if not centuries, to accomplish. Yet, he’d done it in what felt like no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My disbelief was evident as I reacted, but Shin Noya laughed even louder this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A few months?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s so funny, Noya?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kid, do you really think something like this could be made in such a short time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what? Are you saying this was always here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not at all. Do you have any idea how much effort I put into creating all this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you’re saying it didn’t take long…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It took no less than a hundred years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you just say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely, I misheard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said it’s been over a century since I started building this. From an empty land to this thriving place, it’s been a long journey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hundred years? The sheer absurdity of his claim left me speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s impossible. Noya, you disappeared only a few months ago…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn’t you say it was just a few months for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya looked at me, his gaze filled with an oddly layered sense of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thankfully, not much time has passed for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Noya?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For you, it may have been only a few months. But for me, it was not. What I mean is this—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his hand toward the sky, plucking a single plum blossom petal as it drifted down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The petals had been steadily falling from the massive tree above us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear they came from the enormous plum tree at the heart of this place.Holding the petal, Shin Noya looked at me and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It means that for me, it has been over a hundred years since I arrived in this place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2536,"2026-06-05T15:10:21.117Z",1,"novelbin.me","410df34816d4a3838693fdb9d6da75c6cfa3d174bec3428327c32b6a72ca671b","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-903","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-844",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]