[{"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-925":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},1240675,1667,"Chapter 924","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-925",925,"\u003Cp>\"You're back.\"\"I greet the Sect Leader….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon arriving at the Mount Hua Sect, Shin Noya was already waiting for us.The disciples quickly bowed in respect upon seeing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well done.\"\"Ugh…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya nodded slightly with a faint smile.That overly kind expression annoyed me for some reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's late. Leave the clean-up for tomorrow and get some rest.\"\"Sect Leader…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of rest, Gubong stepped forward slightly. It seemed like he had something to say, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rest. I'll hear the details from the one behind you later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya pointed at me as he spoke.Hearing that, Gubong's eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sect Leader, but there’s still a report—\"\"The report can wait until tomorrow. Now go.\"\"But…\"\"Go.\"\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Shin Noya’s firm words, Gubong bit his lip.He seemed to have more to say, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swallowed his words and bowed his head instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dismissed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his command, the disciples bowed in respect and began to disperse.Even as Gubong left, he kept glancing back at Shin Noya and me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially at me.His expression was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like he wanted something from me. Judging by that, it was probably—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He's hoping I won’t say anything about what happened. That must be it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious.He was practically pleading with his eyes, asking me to stay quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And why should I care?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man making a face like that? It wasn’t going to work on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally,I intended to spill everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya said as he headed inside.Watching him leave, I turned to Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go wait somewhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t specify where, but Cheonma gave a small nod and disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*******\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was unlit. Not even a trace of light remained.The space felt cold and lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This could only mean one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This old man has been outside all this time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya hadn’t waited inside—he’d been standing outside the entire time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I snapped my fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap!Whoosh! A flame ignited instantly, lighting the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing sitting in the dark? Are you trying to save on firewood?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feigning ignorance, I teased him, and Shin Noya let out a short cough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just couldn’t be bothered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by his expression, it was obvious he’d been caught. I ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both knew, but neither of us acknowledged it.I casually perched on the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curiously, tea was already prepared, as if he’d expected me to join him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we sat in silence, sipping tea—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" Shin Noya began,\"What did you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did I think? What was that supposed to mean?Of course, no explanation was needed.This cunning old man believed I already understood his intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annoyingly, he was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was complete crap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answered honestly.Shin Noya’s face twisted into a ridiculous grimace at my response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s one hell of a report.\"\"Sorry, but after everything today, it’s hard to keep the curses in.\"\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya looked slightly embarrassed.It seemed even he knew he was partly to blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still… wasn’t it effective?\"\"‘Effective,’ my ass. If I go through something like that twice, I’ll drop dead.\"\"Hahaha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, a punch would’ve come flying by now, but Shin Noya just laughed.After a brief chuckle, he grew serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, I widened my eyes.This old man was apologizing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unexpected.And honestly, it felt a little uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Forget it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I replied awkwardly, feeling strangely off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s with the apology? It doesn’t suit you.\"\"As I said, I thought this was the quickest way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue at his words.I could somewhat understand now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Experiencing it for myself, I could see his reasoning. But still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even so.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t shake the feeling that Shin Noya had been a bit rash in his decision.To be precise—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s unlike him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the Shin Cheol I knew. It had been bothering me since earlier.Maybe that’s why I kept wanting to change the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget it…. You’ve got something else you’re curious about, don’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, Shin Noya nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason he sent me in the first place.It wasn’t just to learn more about this world. There was another reason, one I already knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I first went to the place called Yahwol Palace,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I slowly began recounting what Shin Noya was curious about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*******\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The story wasn’t long.I kept it as concise as possible, so it ended with just one cup of plum tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya sat quietly, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because the events aligned with his expectations?Or maybe they were slightly more complicated than he’d anticipated.Or perhaps, there was another reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I watched him in silence.The way he pondered reminded me of myself in some ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t about appearances, but for some reason, the thought crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Or maybe.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I subconsciously wanted to resemble him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see,\" Shin Noya finally said.\"So, that’s how it was.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression held both understanding and a hint of complexity.I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I already know what he’s going to say.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, there was only one thing left for him to say to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yangcheon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya called my name.My ears perked up, and I frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, Shin Noya referred to me as “kid.”For him to call me by name was almost unheard of. It carried weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you have a favor—\"\"Don’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I said earlier, I already knew what Shin Noya wanted to say to me.Ever since I entered Yahwol Palace and understood the situation, I’d known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t apologize, and don’t ask for favors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would Shin Noya be any different?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he think I didn’t know what he was about to ask?I didn’t think so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"None of that is necessary. Just keep doing what you always do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was irritating to see that old man, who obviously knew everything, acting so apologetic and asking for favors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The man with the nastiest temper in the world, doing something so embarrassing? What’s wrong with you?”“…What did you just say, you brat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya’s face twisted into an incredulous expression at my words. Seeing this, I stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll handle it myself. It’s not like I was thrilled about it anyway... and it seems like something necessary if we’re going to return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first part was sincere; the latter was a lie.Necessary to return? I didn’t really think that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might have a slight connection, but that was about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, straighten up. Watching you act weak is disgusting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hated seeing that old man pretend to be fragile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without saying anything further, I grabbed the door and stepped outside.As I did—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya’s voice reached me.Once again, I didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*******\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time I sleep, I remember that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Decades ago, on a night when the rain poured endlessly.Hiding between the trees, barely avoiding the rain, trying to hide my tears amidst the water running down my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Huuu... huu….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I crouched down, clutching my stomach.My body hurt, and I was exhausted. I couldn’t even cry anymore; I was too hungry and drained.What should I do now? My mind was blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Huuu...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would I just die like this?Abandoned and left to die, the thought terrified me, yet I started to resign myself to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t matter if I died like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one would remember me anyway.Not my father, not my siblings, not anyone who knew me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would crumble into the ground and be forgotten.I was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, it would be fine.I killed my own will to live and thought this to myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I want to live...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I crumpled my face and cried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Please, save me…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, I wanted to live. I desperately wanted to survive.Shaking violently, I sobbed at the edge of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Good grief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s when I heard a voice in front of me.Startled, I froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly became wary. Were they here to kill me?Terrified, I tensed up, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Unlucky little thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What appeared was an old man in tattered clothes.An elderly man with silver hair and crimson eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze was fierce, and he carried some sort of mysterious object in his arms.It was round, shimmering with a reddish-purple glow. At first glance, it looked like a jewel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I came because I thought there was something interesting about a black-haired kid. Guess I shouldn’t have bothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man clicked his tongue and looked at me. I stared back, confused. Wasn’t he here to kill me?As I began to question it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You there. Didn’t you say you saw something worth investigating? You lunatic. Do you think every black-haired kid is the one we’re looking for? You said he’d be remarkable, but he’s useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man suddenly started speaking into the air.Seeing this, I became even more terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, I see. He’s a madman.Once I realized that, I began to notice things I hadn’t before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...His ears.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man didn’t have the characteristic ears or tail I’d seen before.What was he? He was a species I’d never encountered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could he be...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he be the monster my mother mentioned—the one that comes to take you when you’re close to death?Was I about to die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the thought crossed my mind, I reached out with a tiny hand.My small hand grabbed the hem of the old man’s tattered trousers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hmm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man looked down, startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Save me…-What?-Save me… Please… I want to live…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sobbed.Unable to hold it in any longer, I cried until even the tears I thought had dried up began to flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Ha…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man let out a hollow laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I’m in no position to take care of anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was filled with annoyance. Yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Black hair, huh? That’s rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man eventually placed a hand on my head and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…Is this fate? Or is there something you’re after?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking as if he didn’t know himself, he sighed and asked me,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Child, what’s your name?-...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My name.Hearing the question, I clammed up, afraid I’d be abandoned if I answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…I don’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I could manage to say was that.It was an odd answer to anyone, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man didn’t seem to care and said something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Should I give you one?-...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded. I didn’t have the right to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hmm… Let’s see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of thought, the old man clapped his hands and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Ah, I was looking for someone, and this happened. His surname was… Gu. And a name that means you won’t be a fool… Gubong. Yes, from now on, you’ll be Gubong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the moment the boy received the name Gubong.And the moment Gubong was saved by the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory ended, and Gubong opened his eyes.He sat up immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Phew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a long sigh. Perhaps because of everything that had happened yesterday, he had dreamed of his past—something he hadn’t done in a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a memory to be forgotten, but dreaming about it now didn’t feel good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it also had to do with the person the Sect Leader was always waiting for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gubong frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Damn it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cursed, his thoughts drifting to someone staying at Mount Hua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Gubong scowled and muttered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why the harsh words as soon as you wake up? Did you have a nightmare?\"\"It wasn’t a nightmare, just… huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gubong’s eyes widened at the voice.A voice he wasn’t supposed to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly turned his head. There—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Leader’s guest, the very person occupying Gubong’s thoughts, was standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you awake?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon greeted him with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What the…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gubong was bewildered by the strange situation. Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now then, let’s get to work.\"\"Ugh!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon suddenly grabbed Gubong by the collar and hauled him up.It all happened in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>",1970,"2026-06-05T15:10:21.117Z",1,"novelbin.me","6e1d3208405790962d1b31f2d5377e0bfb686814b298d78e4737fa397b8832cb","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-926","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-924",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]