[{"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-939":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},1240689,1667,"Chapter 938","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-939",939,"\u003Cp>Inside the estate within the Yahwol Palace,a white flag fluttered magnificently, marking the location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The estate belonged to one of the four families personally granted honor by the General.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Possessing significant military power and several commercial districts, it wielded considerable influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also the residence of Baek Wol, the head of the Baek Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Baek Family was a noble lineage established with the General’s blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the families, the Baek Family held purity of bloodline as paramount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, hierarchy within their domain was strictly enforced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Purity was law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a principle the Baek Family upheld, and within this estate, anyone not of pure blood dared not raise their head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a place—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step. Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone was walking through the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man in neat clothing with long hair tied back was moving at a leisurely pace.Despite being tied, his hair was so long that it dragged along the floor, sweeping it as he walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, his physique was unimposing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a slim build, and his frame seemed almost too delicate for a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no aura of intimidation.He looked like someone who could be knocked over with a mere nudge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Haaah…”“Haaah…hh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the estate, everyone lowered their heads as he passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None dared to meet his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm-hmm-hm~.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paid no attention to their deference, instead humming a tune as he strolled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At every step he took, those around him lowered their heads even further toward the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the only way to avoid incurring his wrath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking slowly for some time, the man suddenly stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke in a soft, low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you going to open the door?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person sitting nearby immediately sprang to their feet.They quickly grabbed the handle of the large door in front of them and began to open it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creeeeak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tightly shut door creaked open, and the man patted the shoulder of the one who had opened it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-not at all… It’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person stammered, and the man gave a faint smile before stepping inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside was a large bed, so vast that even the feet of the man lying on it extended beyond its edges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Baek Wol, the head of the Baek Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Wol lay motionless, unconscious, his massive body stretched out as if lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him sat a young man with hair the same color as Baek Wol’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the door open so suddenly, the young man frowned and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on—! Who dares…!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his voice, only to widen his eyes in shock upon seeing the visitor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man waved cheerfully, smiling at the young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man immediately shot to his feet and prostrated himself on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“G-General… General, it’s an honor to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you been well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the prostrated young man, Baek Sang, the man pulled a nearby chair and plopped down into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Sang remained frozen in his position, just like those outside, not daring to move a muscle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his breathing was restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trickle, trickle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of water being poured echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came by to check on things, but it seems the situation has gotten interesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that is…”“Oh, no need to explain.”“…”“Child, could you look up at me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the man’s words, Baek Sang hesitantly raised his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Baek Sang saw the man’s vertically slit pupils and glowing amethyst eyes, he froze completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was a being capable of obliterating this entire area with a mere gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Sang swallowed nervously, continuously reminding himself of this fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have my Master’s tasks to attend to, so I don’t have much time to concern myself with you. Does that upset you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-not at all. How could I possibly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m glad to hear that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man let out a sigh of relief, as though genuinely reassured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been keeping an eye on things, but to think this would happen in my absence… It’s truly upsetting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-my deepest apologies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I’m not asking for an apology. You know I’m not that petty, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, absolutely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Sang dared not disagree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he did, there was no telling what might happen to the estate they were in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that aside…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man stood up and carefully examined Baek Wol’s condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tilting his head, he scrutinized Baek Wol closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said he’s been like this for how many days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been no more than four days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Four days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s eyes widened slightly at the response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four days. It might seem like a short time, but for the Moonlit Night Clan, it carried significant implications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Four days, and he’s still in this state?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Wol’s condition was far from good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a pureblood of the Clan, his regenerative abilities should have been exceptional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, external wounds remained, and his internal state wasn’t much better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the severity of the injuries delayed his recovery, the man thought.But as he continued to observe, his expression grew curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It feels… slowed.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The regeneration process itself seemed unnaturally sluggish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even injuries that should have long since healed remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After inspecting Baek Wol closely, the man nodded as if coming to a conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There must be a rat among us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps someone held a grudge against Baek Wol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe they had another motive entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone was muddying the waters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How dare they.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—doing so in a place blessed by him, in the City of Lunar Night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Razor-sharp claws extended from the man’s fingertips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Baek Sang began to tremble uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, uninterested in Baek Sang’s reaction, muttered to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who could it be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was bold enough to do this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, a thought struck him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could it be another General?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it one of the others vying for his position?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began listing possible culprits in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Duryeong, that brute?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlikely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although they didn’t get along, that brute never left his territory without direct orders from their Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he didn’t even care enough about governance to bother with such schemes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then… Yarang?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That infuriating woman. He ground his teeth as he pictured the brown-haired woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had no divine tree to her name, no rightful claim to her position, and yet she was a General thanks to their Master’s favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could hardly tolerate her presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, it’s not her.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t be Yarang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That left just one possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That bastard with the detestable wings.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one with those disgusting wings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he be the mastermind behind this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s possible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a creature whose thoughts were impossible to read. If it was him, such a scheme seemed plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man couldn’t come to a firm conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That guy was supposedly working on something for their Master recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it wasn’t one of the three Generals, could it be someone acting independently?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Child, was the one responsible from the Moonlit Night Clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-yes. He had both the ears and tail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What else do you know? The man’s question prompted Baek Sang to respond hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He called himself Cheonma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cheonma?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. He claimed to be Cheonma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man stroked his chin, pondering the name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Cheonma…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a name he had never heard before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We haven’t been able to gather any more information yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baek Sang added cautiously, gauging the man’s mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see. Got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, showing no further interest, turned toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The state of the one blessed by his power was troubling, but this wasn’t the time to focus on such matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The white one is done.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s done is done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Let’s check on the blue one next.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He decided to visit the others who hadn’t been hit yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Who could it be?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked out, the man licked his lips slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anticipation? Curiosity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps anger?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A storm of emotions churned within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But above all—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I was running low on prey anyway. This is perfect.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—he was hungry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sun began to set,I was walking away from Shin Noya’s place, my steps unhurried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cherry blossoms lined the streets, their petals glowing faintly in the golden light of the setting sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soft breeze stirred the falling petals, creating an atmosphere that could only be described as enchanting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the deal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of it registered in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What mattered to me right now was something else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is it really that strange?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name I had painstakingly crafted for my new power…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been met with disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No way…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just couldn’t understand it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it cool?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma Divine Art — doesn’t that sound impressive?It was, without a doubt, one of the most remarkable names I’d ever come up with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to names like Flaming Wheel Martial Art or Rending Twin Blades, this was leagues ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma Divine Art. A straightforward, powerful name. It means a divine technique wielded by Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And they called it… what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did they say it was tacky? Or crude? The exact word didn’t matter—both conveyed the same condescension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They don’t know anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would an old man like him know about style? That reaction was the result of his complete lack of taste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d shared the name at his insistence, and he’d responded with scorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer audacity left me speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s see if I ever tell them anything again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, I’d only share this with those who appreciated it.The world just wasn’t ready for me yet. That’s all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning my gaze to the path ahead, I continued walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, I frowned.A sharp pain radiated from within—centered in my heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still lingering, huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I’d felt earlier in the day, the backlash was still wreaking havoc within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My energy refused to flow smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swollen meridians hindered circulation, and the qi emanating from my heart was sluggish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shin Noya had bluntly stated:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rest for at least seven days. If you keep pushing yourself, you’ll cripple yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were harsh, but they weren’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I’d given it a name, it was a power I couldn’t even use yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I still have a long way to go.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Binding one technique to another, creating friction between them—It unleashed explosive power, yes, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body couldn’t withstand the recoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing how resilient my body was made this all the more significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even this frame couldn’t endure it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not usable yet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A power that could only be wielded through sheer force of will was meaningless.I knew that better than anyone. For now, all I could do was take solace in the fact that it worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘To truly use it… I’ll need a much more refined approach.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to find a better way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And right now, I was on my way to do just that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking for a while, I arrived at my destination—a place I had visited the day before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Back already?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I approached the entrance, the owner of the house appeared to greet me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Tortoise.Smiling, I responded warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How have you been?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You saw me just yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, a lot can happen in a day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tortoise seemed to stifle a sigh, his expression one of mild exasperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come now, no need to be so dismissive. We already discussed everything, didn’t we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Tch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, he clicked his tongue and turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tortoise entered the house through the open door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My view shifted abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I hadn’t moved a step, I found myself seated inside the tea house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that—I was already sitting in a chair, and the Tortoise was pouring tea for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trickle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tea slowly filled the cup before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tortoise spoke, his gaze fixed on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s so urgent that you came back the very next day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Urgency wasn’t quite the word, but there was something I wanted to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were countless things I could have asked him about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it came to magic, my knowledge was almost nonexistent. If I started asking, I could easily come up with hundreds of questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But right now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s something I’d like to ask you first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than anything else, I needed to know this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you happen to know a way to turn back time? To travel to the past… or the future?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tortoise’s expression twisted, his face wrinkling with displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the entire tea house seemed to tremble violently.\u003C\u002Fp>",2117,"2026-06-05T15:10:21.117Z",1,"novelbin.me","acb591434ddb3c744ae088b9d0c26c9819c9221d124f8301506520a567b02b70","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-940","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-938",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]