[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-165":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become 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},1828502,2432,"Chapter 165: The Blessing Hidden in Blood","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-165",165,"\u003Cp>The Blessing Hidden in Blood\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One whole gang filled the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Victor entered, the atmosphere shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Men who ruled alleys, extorted merchants, spilled blood without blinking—stood straighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hideout of the Ox King was not some crude den of brigands as Clara once imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a war chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wide central room lit by hanging oil lamps. Smoke curled upward in lazy coils. Maps, weapons, and ledgers lay scattered over side tables. Hardened men lined the walls in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the center—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a great dark chair carved from old timber sat like a throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor walked to it without hesitation and sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not arrogantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though he had always belonged there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One leg crossed over the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden eyes calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp features touched by faint amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a monarch entertaining a petition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl stood beside him to his right, blue sapphire eyes bright with quiet devotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane stood to his left, possessive and elegant, her black dress whispering against her legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara remained a step behind, still processing how easily Victor had turned an underworld fortress into a reception hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before him stood Eon and Brinda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subordinates before a sovereign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That image lodged deep into Clara’s thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hated how much it impressed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon stared at Victor with growing impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His massive fingers tapped against his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked like a storm forced to stand still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally he grunted,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you want? Tell me quickly. I have more work to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor leaned back, smile deepening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that the way you should be talking to me? I tolerate you much and don’t forget, you are still working under me... or are you about to start a mutiny?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was almost playful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which somehow made it worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon saw that smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And shivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually shivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ox King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant feared by criminals and nobles alike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon bit his lower lip until blood surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then stiffly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry sir, I meant what is it you need of me, sir?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor waved lazily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to be that polite. Just don’t talk to me like you’re growling and we’ll be alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Eon screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell does this bastard want from me?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda nearly laughed aloud seeing his suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane hid a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Videl’s lips twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Clara stared in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor had reduced a king of the underworld into a scolded child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon forced himself calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright then... so what is it you want?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor nodded approvingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well that’s better. A bit stiff but overall alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He folded his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay then, I have some exciting news to tell you... and it’s regarding your mana pool.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment those words left Victor’s mouth, Eon’s half-irritated, half-I-don’t-give-a-fuck look transformed into raw hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hope so violent it looked painful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was finally happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he had waited for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chance to stop being branded manaless trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To erase humiliation burned into childhood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if now few dared insult him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>old wounds remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice almost shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What... are you finally going to help me make my mana pool larger?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm, actually it is impossible to make your mana pool larger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then explosion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WHAT!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon lurched forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought you told me that you could do it! The whole reason I’m even following your command is because you told me you’re going to make my mana pool larger!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice thundered through the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you ain’t going to do that, then I might as well fight you here and now! Shit I’ll tear that little head of yours from your body!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gang lining the walls froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one breathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara’s heart jumped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he gone mad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Brinda muttered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He really wishes to die today...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Victor did not move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did not rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did not even blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only his smile disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And something colder entered the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before you do anything stupid like suicide...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s voice dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...how about you listen to me first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Invisible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focused wholly on Eon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one else felt its full weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone saw what it did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like prey locked beneath a dragon’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could not swallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could barely breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Clara suddenly understood why Victor had called attacking him suicide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not metaphor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor let the silence stretch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then continued as though discussing weather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I understand why you’re so angry... but don’t you think it’s foolish to throw your life away because of a little anger?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned slightly forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well anyway, the reason I won’t be able to increase your mana pool... is because you do not possess a curse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Instead... you have a blessing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A blessing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now confusion overpowered fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside his mind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did this bastard call my inability to expand my mana pool a blessing? This fucking state that gave me so much hardship was a blessing? Is this guy on drugs or something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor practically read his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me explain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room leaned in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even criminals at the walls unconsciously listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your ability doesn’t allow you to expand your mana pool...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s tone grew almost scholarly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...instead your ability burns mana and turns it into strength.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still, that isn’t the true blessing given to you by this ability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes seemed to shine in lampfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No... the true blessing of this ability...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let the words fall one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...is that it is proof...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...that you are part of the royal family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Victor said this, aside from Videl everybody looked at him dumbly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even ever-stoic Lane showed a rare look of confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda’s lips parted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara looked as though struck by lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon simply stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>as if rehearsed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they all shouted in sync.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WHAT?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1009,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.928Z",1,"novelbin.me","f3e1e8f989548036392833e27a461854c877b3937fe6f4bcc29f6a0422ab6140","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-166","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-164",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]