Chapter 105: A Fresh Start! Rebuilding Canglan Academy!
Yeop Hyeon first scouted a new location. The site for the reborn Canglan Academy was on a mountainside not far from Cheongsan Mountain. A massive waterfall cascaded down the front of the peak, which rose several hundred zhang high. The fresh stream plunging from the summit shimmered in the wind, evoking the splendor of a celestial paradise.
With support from Chwi Seon Ru and the Gangguk imperial family, the academy's reconstruction proceeded smoothly.
Crowds of laborers bustled up and down the mountain daily. All necessary materials were supplied by Chwi Seon Ru.
Chwi Seon Ru and the Gangguk imperial family had poured vast sums—born of blood, sweat, and tears—into keeping Yeop Hyeon and his group close.
Aware of this, Yeop Hyeon saw no reason to refuse their goodwill.
After all, the more friends, the better—and the fewer enemies, the wiser!
Besides, the Canglan Academy in Gangguk would need ongoing aid from these two powers.
Before a massive boulder atop the mountain, the four—Yeo Hyeon and his companions—gathered.
The rock was strewn with treasures: mostly top-grade spirit artifacts, mingled with occasional mid-grade Mingjie items. These had been looted from the fallen Myriad Laws Realm experts and claimed from the secret realm.
An immense hoard. They were no longer poor.
Yeop Hyeon gazed at the bounty and spoke.
"Pick what you need. We'll sell the rest, keeping only a few valuables."
What did the academy's rebuild most require?
Money, without question.
Yeop Hyeon already felt a headache brewing at the thought of all the expenses ahead.
Mu Yun Qi and the others exchanged glances, conferring silently.
Finally, Mu Yun Qi spoke up.
"We don't need any of this stuff. Sell it all."
Yeop Hyeon shook his head.
"Canglan Academy's just the four of us now. None of us can afford weak combat prowess. Choose something to protect yourselves."
Mu Yun Qi glanced at the other two, then nodded.
"Alright, we'll pick first."
He soon selected a pair of shoes.
Mingjie low-grade!
Slipping them on, Mu Yun Qi felt his body lighten instantly.
He stared down at them, voice brimming with ecstasy.
"These make me way faster than before! Even a Divine Fusion Realm master couldn't catch me now!"
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"You're already at the peak of Soaring Realm. A bit more training, and you'll hit Penetrating Nether Realm. You'll be even quicker then!"
He pointed to Bai Ze and Ji An Zhi.
"You two should aim for Penetrating Nether Realm as fast as possible too!"
Bai Ze and Ji An Zhi nodded.
"Go on, choose!"
At Yeop Hyeon's urging, Bai Ze scanned the items and picked a pair of wrist guards.
Jet-black and made of unknown material, they faintly revealed animal patterns upon close inspection.
Another Mingjie low-grade treasure.
As Bai Ze donned them, the patterns writhed like living things, shrinking perfectly to fit his wrists.
He turned to the group, barely containing his excitement.
"I feel beast soul power surging inside! It's several times stronger than my original force! But... Yeop Hyeon, you've trained external arts too. You'd get more use out of these."
Yeop Hyeon shook his head.
"No difference if you use them or I do."
Bai Ze said nothing, but warmth flooded his heart.
In truth, the four no longer distinguished between mine and yours.
Ji An Zhi examined the treasures, then shook her head at Yeop Hyeon.
"Nothing here suits me."
"Fine. I'll get you a good knife later!"
Yeop Hyeon swept up the remaining items and addressed the trio.
"Let's divide tasks. An Zhi, oversee the academy construction. Bai Ze, scout the area for training spots and build a practice hall there."
"Planning to recruit students?"
Mu Yun Qi's question drew a nod from Yeop Hyeon.
"Of course—an academy needs students. But not just anyone; we'll set strict criteria. We'll discuss that later. Construction first!"
He turned to Mu Yun Qi.
"Yun Qi, while you're at it, head to the imperial city and spread word that Canglan Academy is recruiting. Also, scout for decent scholars. Even warriors need basic literacy!"
"R-Reading books?"
Yeop Hyeon nodded firmly.
"Students must have foundational cultivation. Only then can they nurture ideals and ambitions. I won't let ours become fools chasing short-term gains!"
Mu Yun Qi nodded vigorously.
"You're spot on! We can't raise trash like Cangmu Academy students!"
Yeop Hyeon turned to Ji An Zhi.
"An Zhi, first pick a sunny spot for a spirit hall. Once it's built, go to Canglan Academy and bring back our hanging students!"
Ji An Zhi trembled at the words. Relief washed over her at the thought of properly honoring their family.
Yeop Hyeon rose slowly, gazing at the distant sky.
"It's time they came home."
About half a shichen later, Yeop Hyeon left Cheongsan Mountain for a Chwi Seon Ru branch.
Gu Lu-ju greeted him personally upon arrival.
Inside a chamber, Yeop Hyeon unpacked the Gyeok Ok Tower's treasures onto the table.
"These?"
Gu Lu-ju asked, puzzled.
"Everything I've gathered so far. If you could handle selling them, I'd be grateful."
"Need money?"
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
Money—he desperately needed it.
Relying entirely on Chwi Seon Ru and the imperial family for construction wasn't right. Plus, resources for Mu Yun Qi and the others' training required purchase. Martial arts demanded real cash.
Recruiting new students would cost a fortune too.
Money—tons of it!
Gu Lu-ju pondered briefly, then nodded.
"We'll do it. But these aren't ordinary; top-grade items mixed in. No buyers in Gangguk via auction. How about this? Chwi Seon Ru appraises and buys them at fair value. We'll auction them in Qingzhou later. If they fetch more, we pay you the difference. We're not so ruthless as to cheat a friend. Deal?"
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"Perfect! Sorry for the trouble."
"Hahaha, don't be so formal—it feels distant!"
Gu Lu-ju then offered a black nameplate.
"Young Master Yeop, a gift from the head lord. He insists that if you ever pass through Jungto Sinju, you become Chwi Seon Ru's guest."
"The head lord...?"
Yeop Hyeon blinked in confusion. Gu Lu-ju chuckled and explained.
"I reported that night to our higher-ups. They were thrilled about your connection—and your master's—and promoted me to O Lu-ju's position. I'll still oversee Gangguk's branch. If you leave someday, I'll likely transfer too."
"Such fortune...!"
Yeop Hyeon clasped his fists in salute.
"Congratulations, Lord Gu!"
"Hahaha! All thanks to your master! Without progress in my realm, I'd have been stuck here till death!"
Gu Lu-ju presented the black plate again.
"This is issued to Chwi Seon Ru's highest VIPs. Lords below O Lu-ju must receive its bearer personally. You can call on our experts for aid three times anywhere. No fees for sales, and a flat 40% discount on purchases!"
Accepting it, Yeop Hyeon saluted once more.
"Please convey my deepest gratitude to Chwi Seon Ru's leaders!"
Gu Lu-ju's face lit up.
Chwi Seon Ru's lavish perks weren't just for the Sword Immortal backer. They valued Yeop Hyeon's potential and prowess.
His caliber rivaled An Ranxiu's!
If he became a Sword Immortal one day...
Chwi Seon Ru would gain a Sword Immortal friend.
No faction would dare strike them lightly with a Sword Immortal ally.
Winning over an existing one was tough, but nurturing a promising youth? Entirely feasible!
Yeop Hyeon was unaware, but Gu Lu-ju's standing in Chwi Seon Ru had solidified—from his winning bet on Yeop Hyeon!
Failure would have meant a miserable end, but victory earned him O Lu-ju's seat overnight. His power was incomparable now!
A meteoric rise!
Gu Lu-ju watched Yeop Hyeon depart, smile unwavering.
A genius warrior who prized loyalty—Yeop Hyeon was a godsend vine-wrapped gourd for Chwi Seon Ru.
Such character never forgot a favor!
Under Gangguk imperial and Chwi Seon Ru aid, Canglan Academy's construction advanced rapidly. Within days, halls rose at Giun Mountain's base.
Giun Mountain!
Yeop Hyeon named their peak after Ji Yuan Zhang.
One sunny afternoon, Yeop Hyeon stood atop Giun Mountain, overlooking the slopes. Behind him loomed Mu Yun Qi and the others.
In a light tone, he declared,
"Now, bring them home. And exact a bloody price for Dean Ji's murder. Blood debts demand blood repayment!"
The four set off for Cangmu Academy.
The day had finally come!