[{"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-954":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},1240380,1667,"Chapter 953","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-954",954,"\u003Cp>\"…Fucking hell….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Yusa returned to the prison, the one he had been searching for was nowhere to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was utterly ruined, twisted in rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing was ragged, disturbed by his emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carefree pretense he had worn before was gone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What stood before them now was a beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…Damn, look at that presence.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t even bothering to hide it anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bloodlust rolling off him was suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon had already sensed it before, but now—under the full darkness of night, with the moon at its peak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa felt different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like something inside that small body was about to explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huuuuuuu—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yusa struggled to steady his breathing, Gu Yangcheon feigned caution and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh… General, is something wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa’s sharp gaze snapped toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You. Have you been here the whole time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Huh? Oh, yes… I’ve been locked up, so where else would I go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa’s eyes shifted—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the woman sitting beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma lifted her head at Yusa’s call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gazes met as Yusa asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Has he really been here the whole time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon turned to Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I forgot about this.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, Yusa’s authority didn’t seem to work on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t mean it wouldn’t work on Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she answered truthfully—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheonma, to his surprise, shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa’s brow furrowed deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Are you saying it really wasn’t him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Gu Yangcheon knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa still suspected him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…Damn, this bastard is persistent.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after witnessing the illusion created by his Authority, he still doubted it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a stubborn bastard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'At least my Authority works on them.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Yusa seemed displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression darkened further as he turned toward the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Parang, come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Parang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a straightforward name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yusa called, a strikingly handsome middle-aged man stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blue Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner of this mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The father of that lunatic who had been fawning over Cheonma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You summoned me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commander entered with a stiff expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa pointed to Gu Yangcheon and spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This one says he wants to talk to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commander’s gaze shifted to Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face clearly asked, Who the hell is this brat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could voice his thoughts, Yusa added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once you’re done talking, release them and let them go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commander’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Release them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he wouldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, these were the people who had beaten his son in front of everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commander’s expression twisted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let them go. Did you not hear me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa’s cold gaze silenced him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Understood, General.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed his head immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he didn’t like it, there was nothing he could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Huuu….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa was still suppressing his emotions, clearly struggling to contain his rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled heavily before turning to Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Something’s come up, so I have to go. We’ll meet again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forced smile he gave was unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked twisted—warped by emotions he couldn't suppress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A face that made Gu Yangcheon not want to see him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to say absolutely not, but obviously, that wasn’t an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon forced a smile in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa immediately dropped his fake smile and turned on his heel, walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwooooom—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderous noise erupted from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The presence of Yusa faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was because of the night or his volatile emotions, his presence had never been clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Yusa was gone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the Blue Commander and Gu Yangcheon remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commander still hadn’t processed the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing was uneven, his face unable to conceal his shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What the hell is going on…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still couldn’t grasp it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now was the chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Gu Yangcheon’s voice, the Commander turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting his gaze, Gu Yangcheon pulled something from his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black emblem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one given to him by the Black Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…That’s…?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he saw it, the Blue Commander’s eyes went wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon had only intended to show that he was connected to the Black Commander—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he hadn’t expected this level of reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the thought crossed his mind, the Commander spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do you have a Doryeong Emblem?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Excuse me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doryeong Emblem?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had heard the term before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that the children of the Commanders were referred to as Doryeong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…Wait. Was this something meant for his son?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emblem he had thought was just a simple sign of trust—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was actually a symbol of inheritance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had underestimated its importance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Are you the Black Commander’s son?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh… No, I’m not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then how did you obtain that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blue Commander’s gaze grew sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon quickly replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, the Black Commander asked me to deliver a message to you. He gave me this to pass it on in his place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…The Black Commander?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commander frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…And what message was so important?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his doubts, he still asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed both the emblem’s significance and Yusa’s earlier order made him hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s nothing much. He simply asked that you visit him before too much time passes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blue Commander scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you telling me the Black Commander gave you that emblem… just to deliver such a trivial message?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I’m supposed to believe that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Gu Yangcheon thought so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. If you don’t believe me, why not go and ask him yourself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Hah….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What else could he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he didn’t believe it, then he could go confirm it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s words made that clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blue Commander gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grkkk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dangerous energy leaked from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Judging by his aura, he’s around the same level as the White Commander.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And considering it was night, the White Commander would likely be even stronger right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re lying… you should know that you’re bringing disaster upon yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lying? I wouldn’t even know how to do that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt Cheonma’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was simply passing along a message when an unexpected fight broke out with your son. That’s all. If you still doubt me, go verify it yourself. Even the General knows I visited the Black Clan today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The General does?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yusa had personally led him there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only problem was that he and Cheonma had also fought the Commander’s son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blue Commander couldn’t hold them accountable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The General ordered him to release us.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he suspected something—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he wanted to punish them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the General had given a direct order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And here—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The General’s authority is absolute.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if proving that point—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Open the cell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grinding his teeth, the Blue Commander gave the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers approached and unshackled them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahh, now that feels better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon stretched his newly freed arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May we leave now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commander’s face contorted even further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The General may have shown you mercy this time, but I will never forget this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Oh no, how terrifying. I’ll be more careful next time. Now, hurry up and apologize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s sorry too. Please be understanding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blue Commander’s gaze made it very clear—he had no intention of forgiving them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon simply smiled and turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards didn’t stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping outside the cell, he glanced down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive crater marred the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No doubt left behind by the sheer force of Yusa’s jump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…That was just from him leaping into the air?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking note of the impact, Gu Yangcheon grabbed Cheonma and strode out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Yahwol Palace behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fortress was distant enough to fade from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the forest, on the path leading back to Mount Hua—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kuhak—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon coughed up blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip, drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scarlet liquid spilled from his lips, sinking into the dirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His knees buckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barely caught himself with his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keuk….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain wrecked his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hand touched his back—Cheonma’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Move. I’m fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his words, she withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He focused on circulating his energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huff… Huff….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had spat out a considerable amount of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after stabilizing his internal flow, the pain remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…Damn it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A little longer, and he wouldn’t have been able to hold it in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely managing to keep himself together until now was a miracle in itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping the blood from his lips, he reflected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…I didn’t think holding back would be this difficult.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Yusa while disguised as Cheonma—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That had been the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using a power similar to Dragon Speech against him had taken its toll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I couldn’t even last a moment.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just suppressing Yusa for a brief instant had nearly torn his insides apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he had lost control midway—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had let Yusa attack him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That moment scared the shit out of me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the suppression broke and Yusa swung his arm—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon had been unable to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lingering backlash had rendered him incapable of movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought he was done for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But I got lucky.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Authority—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thing that had emerged from his shadow—had bitten into Yusa’s arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That wasn’t me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t called for Tam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But it acted on its own.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tam had lunged forward of its own accord, sinking its teeth into Yusa’s arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Tam doesn’t just react to dragons. It reacts to Authorities.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had assumed its ability only worked against dragons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It targets powers.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought became a certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The moment Tam bit Yusa, I understood his Authority.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, he knew what Yusa’s power was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was its name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power to devour anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'To enhance its senses to track prey.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yusa was starving, his perception and physical abilities surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Authority remained active until he consumed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it had other uses as well—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Even so.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tam had ignored all of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had devoured Yusa’s power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rendering him helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'His Authority is worthless against me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huuu….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon wiped away the remaining blood and stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But despite that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt refreshed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now the plan is clear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His objective had always been set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the process had been uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he had direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step one—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I’m going to drag Yusa down.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Generals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would be the first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to do that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…I’ll need to find the Turtle.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would require some of that power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…Hmm.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking that far, something nagged at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Turtle’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had he said?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ll understand when you return to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what he had told him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Could he have predicted this?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That the situation would lead to this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Gu Yangcheon would seek him out again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The timing felt—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…Calling it a coincidence feels wrong.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shiver ran down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>",1857,"2026-06-05T15:10:22.035Z",1,"novelbin.me","ac4f2e5d6625805a785cc8c28dd3d1c56921fc489ba12276a71b73971b380944","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-955","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-953",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]