[{"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-949":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},1240699,1667,"Chapter 948","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-949",949,"\u003Cp>Crunch...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust rises sharply into the air.The wind wasn’t blowing that hard, but the sudden pressure felt entirely artificial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground begins to splinter.What started as a small crack slowly expands, spreading endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem isn’t just the cracking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssaaaahhhh--!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The floor begins to blacken, as if charred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And all of it originates from a single woman’s toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma’s amethyst eyes gleam as she speaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice resonates, the vibrations growing stronger with each word.Rumble—! Though faint at first, the trembling doesn’t stop, forcing those around to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What—what’s happening?”“The ground... is shaking?”“A noble collapsed...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some people felt uneasy about the situation itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others were panicking at the sight of Cheong Seon, who had already fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh, fuck.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but rub my face as I surveyed the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>RUMBLE—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma strides forward, radiating a dark, suffocating energy.Unknowingly, I swallow dryly at the sight of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every step she takes is heavy.Her gaze, fixed ahead, is utterly emotionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her aura pours out in waves, deadly and oppressive, prompting me to focus all my energy on my heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump! My heart pounds wildly as I channel my energy into my body, forcibly resisting the aura Cheonma exudes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I hadn’t intervened, everyone nearby would have lost consciousness on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I barely manage to suppress her power:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Shit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her energy is stronger than I expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK--!!!The collision of energies sends out shockwaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m only blocking to prevent the energy from spilling over, but the sheer intensity of it is almost laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, I’m reminded of something I’d foolishly ignored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Right.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman I’m staring at is Cheonma.The same Cheonma who was once called an absolute ruler in my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She might have seemed like a fool in this life, but now, seeing her like this, I can feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve been far too complacent.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s changed so much that I unconsciously thought of her as someone else entirely. But seeing this, I know I was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma pushes through the resistance, continuing her deliberate steps.Her destination is clear—the spot where Cheong Seon lies after being flung aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh... ah...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the collapsed position, Cheong Seon staggers to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cheek, flushed red from a slap, and the blood dripping from his lips clearly tell the story.His expression, though, is utterly bewildered, as if he can’t comprehend what just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This... this can’t be...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stumbles as he rises, and when his eyes meet Cheonma’s approaching figure, they widen in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What—what is this? You dare, you wretch—!”“What were you going to do to someone’s limbs?”“What...?”“What were you planning to do to their limbs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh, for fuck’s sake.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every word she speaks only intensifies the aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, even holding her back is becoming a struggle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grrr...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much I block, Cheong Seon, standing closer to her, is undoubtedly feeling the full force of her aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body begins to tremble violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes, filled with fear, show just how overwhelming her presence is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whose limbs were you planning to—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as she sees his state, Cheonma continues walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“—do what to, exactly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, she reaches Cheong Seon.Sssaaaahhh...!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura that had been pouring out begins to take form.Like dew forming into droplets, the energy starts coalescing in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looks dangerous at a glance.Seeing it, I grit my teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, I lunge forward and grab Cheonma from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I wrap my arms around her, her body stiffens.I can feel her aura thrashing violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you out of your mind? What the hell are you trying to do? I told you to stay calm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did it work?I add more words, but Cheonma remains still, refusing to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I think it’s having some effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The proof? The swirling energy begins to waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As her energy subsides, I cautiously loosen my grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gently, I release her. Fortunately, she doesn’t resist.I grab her wrist instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her skin feels cold, almost inhuman.Wary of her reaction, I glance at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She seems okay, though?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike before, her demeanor is calmer now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, I step back, leading her with me.Luckily, she follows quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the distance between her and Cheong Seon increases:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gaaah... haaah...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheong Seon finally exhales the breath he’d been holding.Though he looks like he might retch, at least he’s not coughing up blood. His insides seem intact, thankfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You... you bastards... you bastards...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I first saw him, he was pristine and composed, his appearance refined.But now, after a single slap, his disheveled state is pitiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His long hair is tangled, and his once-clean clothes are now covered in dust and debris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will never forgive you... both of you...!”“Why am I being included in this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feel utterly wronged.If I hadn’t intervened, who knows what might have happened to him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seize them! Capture those bastards at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheong Seon shouts.At last, his guards seem to regain their senses and begin approaching us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I run? Or fight?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escaping wouldn’t be difficult.But the aftermath would be annoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beating them all up...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s not the best idea either.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not like the time with the Baek family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not that I couldn’t do it... but still.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about it feels off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I just run?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ponder this, rolling my eyes in thought.Then, suddenly, the sky catches my attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun is setting, and soon it will be night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stare at the sky:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An idea strikes me.Nodding, I turn to Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her demeanor is much calmer now.The only hint of her earlier fury is the faint redness in her cheeks—probably from anger.Her pale complexion makes it even more noticeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That much will settle itself with time,\" I thought, deciding to ignore it for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Listen carefully from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I whispered softly, then used energy to transmit a message directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma, hearing the transmitted message, nodded quietly in understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…From now on… we shall apprehend the criminals who have harmed the noble…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the approaching figures closed in on us, we calmly extended our arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that, the shackles were placed on us naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will… I will never let this go unpunished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheong Seon, clutching his bruised cheek, trembled with rage as we were dragged away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, we were taken into custody and escorted to the Cheong family estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>****************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cheong family estate was the farthest location from the street we had been on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was almost at the edge of the city walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the White or Black families, whose locations were easier to grasp, this one felt elusive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It seems to be the largest, though.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the estates I had seen, the Cheong family’s was by far the largest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just in land size—the mansion itself was a level taller than the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about architecture, but even at a glance, it was clear a lot of effort had gone into its construction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, one thought lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s beautiful, but it looks fragile.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The building didn’t seem durable.Its interior looked hollow, and it gave the impression that a light push might cause it to crumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The urge to test that theory rose within me—a simple desire to break it apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for the current situation, I might have tried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tsk.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right time for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep moving!”“Yes, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers tugged at our shackles, pulling us along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We followed sluggishly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They sure got confident as soon as the shackles were on.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their attitudes shifted the moment they restrained me and Cheonma.Earlier, they treated us like walking bombs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It must be these shackles.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d worn similar restraints in the Black family’s territory before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, they were made from some special type of stone. The restraints supposedly disrupted energy flow and sapped physical strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s true.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as they were locked on, I could feel both my internal and external energy flow falter.It not only disrupted my energy but also seemed to restrict my muscles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sensation wasn’t pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But it’s not completely unbearable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I wanted to, I could break free easily enough, so it was more of an annoyance than a real problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we continued walking, I took the opportunity to observe the estate.After what felt like forever, we arrived at a destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the door opened, a wave of damp air and stale odor hit my nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight of iron bars inside made it clear this was a prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue in annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why do I feel like I’m visiting these places too often?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since arriving in Mangye, I’d been to spaces like this far more frequently than I cared for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t fond of prisons, perhaps because of memories from my past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no avoiding it now, so I stepped inside quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, not exactly quietly—the soldiers shoved us in like sacks of grain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll remain here until your punishment is decided. Stay put and don’t cause trouble,” one soldier said, his voice laced with irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked and replied, “I’ll do my best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldier ground his teeth at my words.I couldn’t help but find his reaction amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Their whole demeanor has changed.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just their attitude—it felt like their very temperament had shifted.They were rougher, more aggressive than they had been during the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just because we were prisoners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is it because it’s night?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moon was out now.Could it be related to that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Moonlit Night Tribe grows stronger at night.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their regenerative abilities and strength increase after sundown.If their temperament also becomes more violent, that would explain a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The young lord will come for you soon,” one soldier declared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell him to hurry up, then—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t bother listening to the rest of my sentence, slamming the door as he left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impatient, aren’t they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scratching my head awkwardly, I glanced to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma was already lying on the floor, rolling around lazily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she look so relaxed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hey. What are you doing?”“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my question, Cheonma tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”“Not ‘what.’ Do you even know why we’re here right now?”“Why?”“Because of you, obviously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she hadn’t attacked Cheong Seon so suddenly, we wouldn’t be in this mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If she hadn’t hit him, I probably would’ve.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that I was going to say that out loud—it’d only backfire on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You couldn’t just keep calm and avoid making a scene?”“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma pursed her lips, looking displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said something weird.”“What did he say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, he’d spoken crudely, but not enough to warrant her stepping in like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said he’d cut your limbs off.”“That was directed at me, not you, you idiot.”“Exactly.”“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma’s calm response left me momentarily speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, she had hit him just because he insulted me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What the hell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t wrap my head around her reasoning and shook my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would you even get involved in that?”“...”“If anyone should’ve been mad, it was me. It wasn’t your place to interfere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before coming to Mangye, I’d noticed it—Cheonma’s strange behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back during the Blood Demon incident, and even now, she kept stepping in on matters that involved me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unsettling and, frankly, annoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If all you’re going to do is cause trouble and mess things up, just stay out of it. Or disappear somewhere.”“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma pressed her lips together tightly, as if holding back words she wanted to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue and looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was frustrating, and the shackles only made it worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I just break them?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I considered freeing myself but decided against it for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, I sat still and closed my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How long will it take?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered how long it would be before the person I was waiting for arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I began to lose myself in thought:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of the door opening caught my attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cheerful voice greeted me as someone stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bright, familiar voice immediately drew my gaze to the newcomer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you need my help, by any chance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing there was none other than Mongmong—no, Yusa, the ruler of Yahwol Palace and the very person I had been waiting for.\u003C\u002Fp>",2067,"2026-06-05T15:10:21.117Z",1,"novelbin.me","a477810e77c31f44d9c18bd1d4e347accfd7bb6e631f130fe0f469233087c244","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-950","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-948",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]