[{"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-941":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},1240691,1667,"Chapter 940","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-941",941,"\u003Cp>After meeting Cheonma, I wandered through the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t as though we agreed to walk together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was simply walking, and Cheonma followed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We still weren’t speaking.I wasn’t in a place where I wanted to talk to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would there even be to discuss? At most, I’d vent my resentment or curse her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that I refrained from even that meant I was exercising patience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what I told myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I had to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We walked for quite a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distance wasn’t particularly far, but the time it took was significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was because I maintained a slow pace, taking in my surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, the streets here were eerily identical to the halls of Mount Hua Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It feels like they recreated it perfectly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It probably wasn’t just my imagination. It seemed literal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quiet yet vibrant.The streets were filled with the laughter and chatter of people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever I saw it, a thought crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much did he yearn for this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How deeply must Shin Noya have longed for these streets and this scenery?How strong must his yearning have been to recreate it himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These thoughts surfaced from time to time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pathetic, perhaps? Or something else entirely? No words came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just… irritating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t sure if the irritation was directed at myself or someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had to pin it down, I was probably irritated with myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that Shin Noya found himself in this situation was likely my fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Click.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue and continued surveying the streets.Today wasn’t just about taking in the sights—I had to confirm something I missed last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It should be around here somewhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time I wandered around, I remembered it being in this area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mount Hua Sect wasn’t particularly vast, so finding it shouldn’t have been difficult. Yet, strangely, it eluded me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to ask Cheonma when I caught sight of her and frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What’s that in your hand?”“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my question, Cheonma looked down at what she was holding. A skewer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at it for a moment before holding the end of the skewer out toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Want some?”“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who asked for it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t even respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did you even grab that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a moment ago, I was sure her hands were empty. Apparently, she had snatched a skewer when I wasn’t looking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hey.”“Yeah?”“Did you pay for that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I asked if she had paid, Cheonma tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pay?”“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by her reaction, it was clear she hadn’t. My head ached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They just told me to take it.”“…Sure, I’m sure they said that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People here knew that Shin Noya had brought Cheonma and me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From what I’d seen, Shin Noya’s influence in this area was considerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was probably why they just gave her the food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take it back right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t want to accept charity like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pulled some money from my pocket and handed it to Cheonma.Incidentally, the money was taken from Gubong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were in Sanseo, I might have just accepted the food, but this was Shin Noya’s territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma took the money I handed her without complaint, nodded, and ran off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her, I saw her approach a street vendor not long after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That must’ve been where she got the skewer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sigh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a deep sigh as I watched her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is that really Cheonma?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question crossed my mind as I looked at her clueless figure.Was that really the same Cheonma?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face, her body—it was undoubtedly her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her actions…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something about this is seriously wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t a shred of dignity. Her voice and behavior lacked even a hint of gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was almost like Wi Seol-ah in her childhood. Was this truly the Cheonma I knew?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more I observed her, the less I understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did something change her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, I thought her behavior was temporary, something that would shift once she reappeared after going through certain experiences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I figured the Cheonma I knew would eventually emerge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s only a couple of years left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At most, two years. That’s how long it would take for the timeline to align with when the original Cheonma appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if she’s like this now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will she ever become the Cheonma I knew?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If not, that’s a good thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she doesn’t, it’s fortunate for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Blood Demon situation already giving me headaches, it would be a relief if Cheonma, my greatest concern, fell apart on her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about that, it would naturally be a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If she’s fallen apart, why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Cheonma of this life was different from the Cheonma I knew,what caused that difference?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s because of me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What else could it be? Most anomalies were likely caused by my actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, where did it all go wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pinpointing the problem wasn’t easy with so many potential causes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d done far too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about it, I shook my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dwelling on it now won’t lead to answers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I figured it out, there was no way to bring the old Cheonma back…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I thought this, my eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was I just thinking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring her back? What’s there to bring back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Am I out of my mind?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that Cheonma is gone, that’s a good thing. Why would I even think about bringing her back?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is insane.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did getting hit by Noya last time mess up my brain? What kind of nonsense was I thinking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made no sense unless I’d completely lost it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is it because regression keeps bothering me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe. Or at least that’s what I wanted to believe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The turtle’s words were still weighing on me, and I couldn’t stop wondering what Cheonma had sacrificed to make me regress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s probably why those thoughts crept into my mind just now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, nothing could have made less sense than my curiosity about the Cheonma of that time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She was one of the reasons my life fell apart.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The biggest reason was myself, of course. But after me, Cheonma had the most significant impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed again, trying to sort through the mess in my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma returned from paying for the skewer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice caught my attention, and I looked up at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood there, staring at me with clear, untroubled eyes. Her violet irises and pale skin glimmered under the light, making me instinctively frown. I reached out and grabbed her nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…???”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes grew even wider, confused by my sudden action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strange part was that she didn’t resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wasn’t she reacting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, unable to process the absurdity of the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma didn’t answer. She simply gazed at me with her usual detached expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annoyed by her silence, I clicked my tongue and let go of her nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never mind. What am I even doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the time to be playing around with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ruffled my hair in frustration, my fingers trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored the trembling and started walking again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honored guest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice, unfamiliar yet somewhat recognizable, called out from behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to see a woman with white hair and cat-like ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Seol Yeong, the first disciple of Mount Hua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I called out on a whim, and it turns out I was right. But what brings you here?”“What about you? Why are you here?”“Oh, I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seol Yeong held up the items in her hands. A basket filled with clean fabric and sewing needles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I needed to buy fabric and get some needles repaired, so I was heading to the blacksmith.”“Ah, I see. Wait—what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took me a moment to process her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re going to the blacksmith?”“Yes, that’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seol Yeong’s answer made me nod instinctively. It worked out perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blacksmith was precisely where I needed to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need to go there too. Mind taking me along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked her cheerfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Oh… sure, I guess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She agreed, though her expression was somewhat hesitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Seol Yeong, I arrived at the blacksmith’s workshop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, it wasn’t far from where I had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang, clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rhythmic sound of a hammer striking metal filled the air, accompanied by the faint metallic scent of iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to my heightened senses, both the sounds and smells were unusually vivid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, look who it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as we stepped inside, a short, elderly man noticed us and approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the blacksmith, who also seemed to double as the gatekeeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seol Yeong, is that you?”“It’s good to see you. How have you been?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man greeted Seol Yeong warmly, and she returned the sentiment with a smile. They seemed to know each other well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need to get some needles repaired and pick up a few more. Would that be all right?”“Oh, of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blacksmith let out a hearty laugh. Then his gaze shifted to me, his brow furrowing slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And who might this be?”“Oh, him? He’s a guest brought here by our sect leader.”“Ah, I see. Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Shin Noya was mentioned, the old man nodded as if everything suddenly made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but wonder just what kind of person Shin Noya was to evoke this reaction everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I pondered, the old man approached me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Myung Song, the one in charge of this forge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended a hand toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, uh, nice to meet you. I’m…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached out as well, assuming he wanted a simple handshake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I had business here, maintaining a good relationship wasn’t a bad idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I noticed something odd on his hand, but it didn’t seem worth worrying about. I grasped his hand without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Yang…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssshhhhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ugh?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An intense pain shot through my hand, forcing me to release my grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, I looked at my palm. My skin was blistered and sizzling as if it had been burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What the hell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at Myung Song, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t just me who was shocked. The old man looked even more startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, startled wasn’t the right word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A dragon…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear and resentment clouded his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he wasn’t the only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? A dragon?”“A dragon? What are you talking about…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the blacksmith’s workshop turned to look at me, their gazes sharp and focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each and every one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like everything was going to hell right from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>",1816,"2026-06-05T15:10:21.117Z",1,"novelbin.me","00558ad490365fc8454bddd2240e5d948a99727144029fcdd822fc1d31be3fd4","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-942","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-940",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]