[{"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-948":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},1240698,1667,"Chapter 947","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-948",948,"\u003Cp>The words I couldn’t hold back filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My voice echoed through the suddenly silent surroundings.It hadn’t been particularly loud, but the sheer quiet made it resonate far and wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the words left my mouth, I instinctively covered it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, shit. I fucked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I should’ve kept my mouth shut.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d said it without thinking.Now, all eyes were on me, their gazes filled with shock and disbelief.It was painfully clear that they were wondering what the hell I had just done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I swallowed nervously, trying to assess the situation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you just say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who had been speaking to Cheonma turned his gaze toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue eyes and sky-colored hair.Something resembling rabbit ears sat atop his head.His pale, flawless skin matched his sharp, striking features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Were those words directed at me?”“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked me with a slightly furrowed brow.I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… I have a habit of talking to myself.”“For someone talking to himself, you seemed to be looking straight at me.”“It’s a misunderstanding.”“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t look convinced.Honestly, I wouldn’t believe it either.Goddamn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This damn mouth of mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, my mouth had gotten me into trouble.And it had done so once again today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man stared at me quietly.With his arrogant demeanor, his face exuded an innate sense of superiority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After observing me for a moment, he turned back to Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze, which had briefly landed on me, showed no hint of interest.From the start, his attention had been solely focused on Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You. What is your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He directed his question to her once again.Cheonma tilted her head slightly at the question.Then, pointing to herself with her finger, she said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me?”“…What?”“Uh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her casual response caused a stir among the crowd.At the same time, the man’s pristine forehead creased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your speech is short.”“So is yours.”“Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her retort, the man let out a dry laugh, seemingly in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you not know who I am? That can’t be the case.”“Who are you?”“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she asked who he was, his expression twisted further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must be an outsider.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his words, Cheonma turned to look at me, her expression silently asking,What does that mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no choice but to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, we are not from Yahwol.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stepped forward, the man’s gaze shifted back to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, does that mean this woman belongs to you?”“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell kind of nonsense was this?Startled, I widened my eyes before quickly schooling my expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, that’s not what I—”“How much?”“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, I was at a loss for words.What the fuck did this bastard just say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I asked how much it would take for you to give her to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, looking me straight in the eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much for her?”“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was I supposed to do with this?This guy was even crazier than I’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has he lost his mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buying Cheonma with money?Why?He’d been minding his own business, then suddenly stopped to spout this bullshit. Did he even know what he was trying to buy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I mean, she is pretty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, she looked exactly like Wi Seol-ah, so she would be. But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait a second.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned as a thought struck me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did he even know she was pretty?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most people can’t fully perceive Cheonma’s face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Heebi couldn’t, and neither could others.They didn’t recognize that she looked just like Wi Seol-ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, this bastard was calling her beautiful and clinging to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does that mean he can perceive her fully?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he?Ah, maybe—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it because this is a different world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since we were no longer in Zhongyuan, maybe perception worked differently here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s not the case…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to look at Cheonma—specifically, her ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it those?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be because of the enchantment she’d placed on herself, altering her presence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that causing all this trouble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling a pang of unease, I swallowed dryly and said to him,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…She doesn’t belong to me. We don’t have that kind of relationship—”“Then it’s even less of a concern. Step aside.”“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bastard…I could feel the veins on my forehead threatening to burst.I silently chanted the wordpatienceover and over in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Cheong Seon of the Blue Clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man introduced himself to Cheonma.Hearing that, I clicked my tongue internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d suspected it, and I was right.He was a noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the way everyone bowed the moment he appeared, it had been clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, he’s from the Blue Clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all the clans, it had to be that one.I’d been planning to visit them later today anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by his demeanor, he wasn’t the leader.He was likely just another family son, like Gubong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma tilted her head again, seemingly unimpressed.Cheong Seon narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your speech is still short… But no matter. I can overlook that much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he straightened his clothes, the gesture giving off a semblance of refinement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said you’re outsiders. That’s fine. I can educate you once I’ve brought you back. Now, what is your name?”“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma didn’t answer.Instead, she looked at me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was I supposed to do now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring her gaze, I turned to Cheong Seon and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s not do this. It’s not like she’s the only woman in the world—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to keep my tone light, even smiling as I spoke, but then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men around Cheong Seon drew their weapons and pointed them at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt the cold steel press against my neck, sending a chill through my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you speak so brazenly in Lord Cheong Seon’s presence?”“Kneel before the young lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, I sighed internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I just—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My gaze sharpened as I looked at Cheong Seon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“—kill him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As that thought crossed my mind, a faint ripple of energy escaped my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssshhhhh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What the—?!”“Ugh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men near me flinched, their bodies trembling as they sensed my intent to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing what was happening, I quickly suppressed the energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had almost lost control again.The suffocating frustration made it hard to regulate myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least I managed to keep it contained to those nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheong Seon, however, stared at me with a strange expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing?”“That… just now…”“What was that…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men didn’t seem to understand what they had just experienced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell is going on here…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheong Seon glanced around with a furrowed brow. Suddenly, his gaze fixed on something—my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The embroidered plum blossom on my white robe seemed to have caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheong Seon shifted his gaze from the plum blossom to Cheonma.His expression changed, his eyes now filled with irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’re from Mount Hua.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annoyance seeped into his tone.What the hell had Mount Hua done to earn such universal disdain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, I couldn’t help but wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Click…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheong Seon seemed deeply displeased, but even so, his eyes remained fixed on Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disappointing, but… this much should be fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if convincing himself, he suddenly stepped closer to Cheonma and extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It doesn’t matter if you’re from Mount Hua. What matters is the future. You just need to become mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His greedy hand reached for Cheonma’s wrist, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never made it.Before he could touch her, I grabbed his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand your urgency, but you’re moving a little too fast.”“What are you doing…?”“We haven’t even had a proper conversation, and you’re already trying to make contact? That’s a bit much, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spoke with a smile, but the look in his eyes turned venomous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I asked what the hell you think you’re doing.”“What do you mean? Isn’t it obvious? I’m stopping you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been pushing his luck, so I stopped him.Saying it outright made Cheong Seon’s face twist with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed, but it was a hollow laugh, his eyes devoid of humor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a piece of work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have any idea whose wrist you’re touching right now?”“Not particularly, nor do I care. Also—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a deep breath, suppressing the energy threatening to burst out as I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re such an important person, shouldn’t you be more careful? People are watching, after all.”“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If no one were watching, I’d love to show him exactly what happens.But for now, I had to hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You filthy lowborn…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheong Seon sneered, and I felt the tension in his wrist as he tried to pull free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squeeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much strength he used, his arm didn’t budge.His eyes widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would you stop trying to show off your strength? It’s embarrassing.”“You…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face flushed red as he visibly exerted himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him struggle, I chose my moment and let go of his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stumble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Kuh!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lost his balance and fell flat on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His long, lanky body sprawled across the dirt made for quite the pathetic sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh no…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out an awkward laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t seem to have much strength. I should’ve helped steady you. My apologies.”“You… You bastard…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheong Seon shot up to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you… humiliate a noble…?”“When did I do that?”“You disgusting wretch… Do you even realize what you’ve just done?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but chuckle at his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I say no, will you let it slide?”“…Grit…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ground his teeth, his face turning an even deeper shade of red as he glared at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You insolent fool. Do you even know who my family is? We could erase you with a single word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow… That’s terrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I start trembling in fear?I briefly considered it but found the thought amusing and spoke instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned in closer, just enough that my words wouldn’t carry to anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw him flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know who my mother is?”“…What?”“I mean, your family might be impressive, but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sly grin, I continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know who my mom is?”“…What about her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked confused by the sudden mention of my mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not telling you.”“You bastard…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheong Seon exploded with rage and lunged at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seize him! Tear him limb from limb and feed him to the animals—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he shouted threats and rushed toward me, I moved instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t I endured enough? If I held back any longer, I might explode from sheer frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, I’ve already beaten a White Clan member.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What difference would it make if I beat the shit out of a Blue one now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it would create problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But who cares.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d held back three times already.It was time to let loose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, I clenched my fist, ready to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kuh!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could act, Cheong Seon was slapped so hard that he flew several meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was someone else’s hand.Looking past the fallen Cheong Seon, I turned to the culprit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the one who’d slapped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, I stared at her in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Cheonma wasn’t looking at me.Her expression was the same as before, unchanged in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, despite the familiarity of her face, a chill ran down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Cheonma?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the Cheonma I had grown accustomed to.No, this was the Cheonma I remembered from my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had once been untouchable in her arrogance and unmatched in her dominance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Cheonma was now standing before me, her aura palpable as she walked toward Cheong Seon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1953,"2026-06-05T15:10:21.117Z",1,"novelbin.me","f5e4188fe6f1e4e21093ab3cd2a8781cd7b040f6511e399c26ef44700ddff51e","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-949","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-947",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]