[{"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-172":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},1828509,2432,"Chapter 172: Threads Beneath the Underworld","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-172",172,"\u003Cp>Threads Beneath the Underworld\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she burst into the room where Videl, Lane, Brinda, and Eon waited—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>all eyes turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane narrowed her eyes instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda smiled like a predator scenting scandal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Eon looked confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara stood there flushed and furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda was first to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My my... did Sir Victor make the Valkyrie melt?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room went silent for half a breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lane’s dark eyes sharpened with dangerous amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Melt?\" she said slowly. \"Should we be worried Victor has begun collecting knight captains now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl tilted her head, sapphire eyes shining with innocent mischief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did Victor flirt again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara nearly combusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And therefore completely unconvincing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda laughed, low and velvety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, he definitely did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned forward, purple hair falling over one shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, Clara... did our dear Victor whisper sinful things in the hallway?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon looked between them all like a man trapped in a storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Why do I feel I missed a battle worse than any gang war?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane muttered, \"Because you did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara shot them all a murderous glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor entered behind her with infuriating calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden-eyed, composed, not a trace of shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he had not just nearly made a Valkyrie flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda immediately turned her smile on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord returns.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tapped the armrest lazily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... did you conquer Clara too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor raised a brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you admit there were others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerously relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Clara melted, it was only from excessive admiration.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara’s face turned red again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane folded her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sit down before she attacks you again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor looked toward Clara.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Videl covered a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Eon looked more confused than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Victor was done talking to Clara regarding what was happening, Victor returned fully to the room where everyone was gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people present were looking at Clara and Victor weirdly and started sighing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the point of going out into the hallway...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>if their whole conversation was going to be heard anyway?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walls were thin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara’s voice had not exactly been subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To those inside, the entire event had unfolded like theater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword threats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marriage proposals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flustered outrage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been almost a show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda even sighed dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For such private L. O. V. E. Rs. quarrels, you two are astonishingly public.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara looked ready to draw steel again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor, uncaring about the looks he was getting, smiled at his companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then moved to the central chair and sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not as a boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a king sitting among vassals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One ankle crossed over the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hands folded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Presence settling over the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The playful air faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that everyone is caught up...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s get to the real talk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once the room changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Brinda straightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Clara’s irritation cooled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone focused all attention on Victor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing all eyes upon him, Victor spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that you guys have fully transitioned into information sellers...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"it’s time for the next step.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words struck the room harder than any threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone became even more interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Eon and Brinda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two former rulers of Fantom City’s underworld had long wondered why Victor forced them to abandon drug routes and redirect everything toward intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first they had doubted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now... they saw pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not the whole board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor leaned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though truthfully the information business was somehow nearly on par with their old trade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What it lacked in quantity of buyers...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it made up for in quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobles bought secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officials bought rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merchants bought leverage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And fools sold treasures without knowing their worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor had taught them how rumors were not noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weapons that could poison courts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raise factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destroy houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or crown kings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had learned such lessons from his son in his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lessons he once ignored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then overwhelming strength made him dismiss the power of perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fatal mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One that had helped ruin everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Victor never repeated fatal mistakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers tapped the chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So the next step...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are we becoming?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something far more dangerous than criminals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane narrowed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Spies?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl asked softly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for a moment there was warmth there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then strategy returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A hidden kingdom beneath the kingdom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Clara felt a chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda’s lips parted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drug empires rot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Information empires endure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who controls what men believe... controls what men do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara studied him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again that same impossible feeling returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man did not think like others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought in eras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In revolutions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda suddenly purred,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord... when you speak like this, you make seduction unnecessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane shot her a cold look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor only replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may still try.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda put a hand dramatically over her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How cruelly encouraged I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Eon barked out a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension loosened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Victor’s gaze sharpened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a blade leaving silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now came purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eon. Brinda.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both straightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many subordinates of yours could be considered mages?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question stunned them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither expected that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon scratched his jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A few dozen maybe. Depends how strict your definition is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Journey to Become the Zenith* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With love,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scorpio_saturn777\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creator of Journey to Become the Zenith\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>--------------------\u003C\u002Fp>",1002,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.928Z",1,"novelbin.me","23261f07c8600331b71d9262e57502245064a3d587339138ce4e972473918ad2","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-173","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-171",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]