I've gotten tired of the complete disconnect between the main character's expectations and reality. He's in a completely different position and has acted completely differently from his past life, so of course people would treat him differently. The people he met during a continent-wide devastating war were different before the war when they were innocent children... Why is that surprising? Why is it still surprising the tenth person he meets? The third time he meets the same person?

I'm honestly interested in the answers to the mysteries presented so far, and... more>> I like a lot of the characters, but it annoys me to no end that he continually gets surprised over characters acting consistently with how they've acted in front of him in the current life. It's to the point where these misunderstandings and dense protagonist behaviors have taken over the plot, and the protagonist has not even realized that maybe he could be wrong about anyone at all. Let alone that he's been wrong about pretty much everyone for 30 chapters or so... <<less

I found myself captivated by the story of a main character who's been gifted a second chance at life, seeking redemption and attempting to save the world. This series is a refreshing combination of action, fantasy, martial arts, and comedy, with a strong focus on character development and world-building.

I'm genuinely impressed by this series. It offers a unique main character and an array of colorful side characters. The blend of action, comedy, and mystery keeps me entertained and engaged throughout each chapter. The martial arts and fantastical elements are skillfully... more>> woven together, creating an enthralling backdrop for the story. What really struck me was the main character's journey of redemption and his struggle with the guilt of his past life. This aspect adds depth and emotional weight to the story, making it one of my top picks among wuxia novels.

While there are some cliché tropes in the storyline, the author manages to execute them in a fun and engaging manner. The mystery surrounding the main character's past life and the gradual unveiling of his story keeps me on my toes, eagerly anticipating the next chapter.

Its no wonder this is very popular in the korean novel platform, I believe this has the potential to become one of the best wuxia series. I wholeheartedly recommend this series to fellow readers who enjoy character-driven narratives with a mix of action, fantasy, and martial arts. <<less

Synopsis: The main character Gu-Yangcheon is the only son of the Gu clan and one of the heavenly demon's most trusted men. After dying with many regrets, he has been regressed to the past by a mysterious power.

Review: A unique novel that has a mix of martial arts, regression, and rifts that spew out monsters. Combined with solid writing and good character development, makes it no wonder that this novel is one of the most highly rated in novelpia with Over 17 million views.

This novel has a somewhat slow start... more>> but once you get over that you'll be hooked to read even more of it.

I'm just gonna keep it short so you guys/girls can read to decide yourself, also props to the translation team that picked this up.

they're also translating another great novel, main heroines are trying to kill me which you should check out (if you haven't yet) <<less

This is a very very popular series and I was kinda surprised it wasn't being translated. Great to see that an awesome translation team has picked this up and will no doubt do it justice

If I had to summarize: Gu Yang Cheon is the heir to a respected family despite not having a reputation that befits his station. Circumstances cause him to eventually defect to the Heavenly Demon Cult where he rises in stature and becomes feared throughout the central plains. It is at the end of a long war... more>> between the Righteous and Demon sects, wherein the Heavenly Demon ends up dying, that our protagonist becomes regretful of his life choices once he is at death's door. For some mysterious reason, he returns to his childhood where he is faced with an almost inevitable future

This series is highly acclaimed for a reason. It does take a while to get going but no doubt you'll be hooked once it does <<less

This review shall be edited time to time, I also haven't read ahead yet so I'll just say my simple review based off chapter 0,

I just really love the genre drama, tragedy and regret.

That's what I felt at the start,

... more>> So I am anticipating for a drama to shed me tears but it seems the tags in NU are insufficient, but it will definitely have so on

And no this is not your typical brainless harem plot, every character is well written and the romance is very fine, perhaps even better than the romance writing of Main Heroines not that I meant to say it's bad.

Again I shall edit this time to time, so I deeply wish you all a good read I highly recommend it based off the high rated reviews from Novelpia. <<less

TLDR: From Chapter 27, it reads similar to a story about regrets. The MC is smart, and knows his limits. During the earlier chapters, there was a more psychological approach to writing, but I feel as if the story is transforming into a basic plot at this rate.

CONS (from chapter 27) :

• The character knows he shouldn't say yes, but most times end’s up saying so— surprise, all these situations are with female characters.
• Translation group hoards all recent chapters and asks for payment to view them. They release 1-2 chapters whenever they feel like it.
• There is a possible entryway towards a cliché regression trope. I hope the author does not take it.
• ... Harem.

PROS:

• The writing is near perfect. The psychological aspects are very emotional, you are able to see a character’s inner turmoil, it is what makes this story special.
• MC is smart, knows his limits, and is also not omniscient.
• MC knows his experience. Compared to the kids his age, he’s obviously superior to them because of it; despite being weaker physically.

All in all, I would rate this a 4.5/5 story at Chapter 27.

I urge you all to read the story for yourselves and see if it’s good enough to continue.

Listen this novel is literally become one of the best novels for me. It has everything, action, good romance, a non overbearing harem and an author who knows where their story is going and can create good world building with their immersion and good writing. Also the translator quality is very high and although their pace is relatively slow its worth the wait. Look it may seem like im sucking the author and the translator off but just read it, trust me I can't convey into words how good this... more>> novel is. <<less

There is something special about this novel. The plot itself is nothing unique, but the character writing is exceptional. The character's feel very human and vulnerable. For example, the MC doesn't simply recover from emotional scars or sins he committed in his past life even if he gets a second chance at life. All of his self-loathing, remorse and depression is carried over, and there is this constant sense of gloom around him even when he talks normally or jokes around. This made the character-driven narrative immersive and powerful for... more>> me.

This is my first Murim novel so I am not sure if other Murim's are like this. But I have read a couple of Wuxia/Xianxia/Xuanhuan novels which is the equivalent genre among CN. A rough trend I've noticed is that while Wuxia/Xianxia novels are more character-driven, usually at the expense of having vague or ill-defined power system, Xuanhuan's tend to focus more on the fantasy aspect and flashy powers. I feel like Childhood Friend of the Zenith belongs to the former category, but with the added bonus of having a more clear and simple power system.

Another thing I personally appreciate is that the novel is not horny. This is best reflected in the illustrations of the female characters. In most harem novels, the female characters are drawn either in suggestive poses or outfits for fanservice irrelevant of their personality. Here, the illustrations feel like they respect the character and setting rather than being made for the horny. <<less

I read this till 39 and it was pretty good all the way, but I also don't like the fact that his past life is shrouded in mysteries as we only see few flashbacks of his earlier life, but as it is only the beginning I hope that new chapters unveils his past clearly and his powers too, (Highly Recommended to read)

I have read with mtl, but I give up till ch 100 because my dao of broken English is lacking. The character name is very hard to read in mtl, it's parred with the Chinese xianxia novel!

anyway, my review:

this novel has really high potential, his life before regression is already very interesting and exciting.

Pro:

• • MC is badass but still has a bottom line

• • The story is interesting, many unanswered stories in his last life before regression
    Spoiler

    especially about the MC and Wi Seol relationship, and fallen MC's backstory

    [collapse]

• • The support char has a solid personality

• • Not a slow pace novel

Cons:

• • There is also a potential that the novel became a typical xianxia regression novel. But it could be still worth as long as the story is interesting

Overall, this novel is very recommended and has so much potential

I am writing this review as someone who has read mtl. The current translation is great but it's speed could not keep up with my greed so I went to mtl.

Anyways for the review:

The current 48 free translated chapters don't really give much details of the future. Making MC seem like a dense/cold/avoiding character.

... more>> But slowly as more and more is revealed you will start to understand MC's personality and his reasons. Also, the story keeps getting better in the plot department.

So, I won't put any spoilers and end this review here <<less

Great series!

Though it has still fee Chapters it has been a great experience.

Genre- action, fantasy, martial arts.

Regression with the guilt of the past.

Story is great and has many great things like comedy, action and mystery.

And the MC's personality is quite unique with the past life experience he wants to improve him self and the world with him.

All the females characters are nutjobs and funny but may be not intentionally.

Story background is quite unique as marital arts mixed with gates and demons.

Overall great story.

7.5/10

Side characters are colourful. Mc's boring, cold, and avoidant personality can be very grating though. And it has the usual annoyance of MC not wanting to change too much and having next to no ambition other than to live peacefully - common. Everything else is pretty good though. All in all not bad.

It is an excellent story with the twist and turns.

Mysterious enough to get you engaged.

this novel is also literally became one of the best novels for me. It has everything, action, fantasy and an author who knows where their story is going and can create good world building with their immersion and good writing.

... more>> Also it is perfectly paced. I just recommend you to give it a try.

Don't get worried about harem tag it is not actually focused on harem atleast not yet.

this novel has really high potential, his life before regression is already very interesting and exciting.

So would really suggest to give it a try. <<less

It's a great story and whatnot aside from the fact that lots of the chapters are just building up the world and characters.

seriously like 130 chapters are just world building and introducing character development.

"Wow I am on my way to Hurihange for a tournament or something, Omg is that Jue Jit-Su the 'Hand that Destroys the Evil that Plagues Siswanje or whatever' man I will not interact with him but I will interact with him anyways" imagine this but for like 167 chapters

nothing wrong with that because it's setting the... more>> theme but personally, I want to see the story progress instead of character development. I know those things kinda go hand in hand together but sheesh, reading person after person kinda gets tiring after a while. <<less

Just caught up. I’m not gonna rate it because it’s far too early, but the start is definitely promising. As long as it doesn’t go down in quality, this will likely be one of the best current wuxia series. So far characters are solid and the plot seem interesting, but there’s still plenty of ways the plot points can be mishandled, which is why I’m unwilling to rate it yet.

Listen up lads.

MC is someone who has f*cked up way too many times in his life that he literally just straight up forgets them. All of this leads to him feeling all those cool negative feelings which pushes him to change.

Surprisingly MC has been gifted with another chance (not really suprising) in life where he tries to redeem himself and to also save the world to boot.

Need I say more. A cool sad backstory and a redemption arc.

Go read go...

First of all, thank you to the team responsiboe for translating this series! I kinda regret reading it because the following chapters needs to be paid to unlock (I'm now considering to buy some chapters, though). The premise is good and I enjoyed it even though some "cliche" tropes have been used here, it still managed to execute it in a way that I will find it fun rather than be annoyed. Also the build up and mysterious feel to it as the chapter progresssed keeps adding up; making me... more>> engaged to this series, as I cannot wait to learn more about the mysteries lingering to these characters and the events. <<less