Today is the Day We Agreed to Duel
Yeop Hyeon fixed the Great Elder with an icy glare.
Great Elder! he said. You called this a duel for just the two of us, so why interfere and turn it into a farce? Never mind your own face—do you intend to make the Ye family the laughingstock of the world in front of all these people?
As Yeop Hyeon said, everyone in the arena wore strange expressions as they gazed at the Life-Death Platform. It wasn't a one-on-one duel anymore; it looked like a mob ganging up on one person. This violated the rules of a life-or-death duel.
The onlookers began to murmur. Li Yu and the other two exchanged meaningful smiles. For Yeop Rang, who had reached the early Control Qi Realm, to be utterly crushed by Yeop Hyeon—this was a massive upset. It was a golden opportunity for the three families. Li Yu rose from his seat and shouted at the Great Elder.
Great Elder! You invited us to watch a duel, only to show us a bunch of people bullying a mere boy?
Zhang Lie snorted in agreement.
The famed Ye family life-or-death duel turns out to be nothing but a brawl! I'm laughing so hard I might collapse, haha!
City Lord Gang Yeom also turned to the Great Elder.
Great Elder, the whole world is watching this. Aren't you ashamed?
The Great Elder's face twisted in fury as he whipped his head toward Yeop Rang. The armor Yeop Rang wore was already in tatters. Blood streamed endlessly from his mouth, suggesting severe injuries.
Continuing the duel like this, he might get killed by Yeop Hyeon.
At that moment, Yeop Hyeon's laughter rang out.
Hahaha! Great Elder, you never intended a one-on-one duel from the start, did you? Come on, let's hear it. What excuse are you using to get rid of me... With so many people from inside and outside Qingcheng here, speak up!
Yeop Hyeon, this old man believes this duel is highly unfair. Because you used trickery.
Yeop Hyeon bellowed at the Great Elder in a voice thick with rage.
Trickery? You senile old fool! You proposed a one-on-one duel, but now that you're losing, it's trickery? Your face is thicker than your ass!
The Great Elder roared savagely.
Disciples of the Ye family, hear me! Kill the traitor Yeop Hyeon at once!
By now, the Great Elder saw nothing else. In an instant, the arena erupted in shouts.
The Ye family has no shame at all! Why won't they admit defeat?
And now that they've lost, they cry trickery! How can the Great Elder be so shameless?
No matter that this Heaven's Chosen One is his grandson, this is too much!
Men and women from Yeomseong and Naseong also looked on with undisguised contempt. The guards holding strong crossbows at one side of the Life-Death Platform hesitated, unsure what to do, until the Great Elder shouted again.
What are you waiting for? Fire—!
Only then did the guards fumble to ready their crossbows. But suddenly, someone yelled.
The clan leader has emerged from seclusion!
Hearing this, the Great Elder flinched and turned toward the Ye Family Mansion's grand gates. Yeop Chang, patriarch of the Ye family and their strongest warrior, was approaching slowly.
We pay respects to the clan leader!
All the Ye family warriors knelt and bowed toward him. Yeop Chang ascended the Life-Death Platform, his gaze falling on the Great Elder.
Well done!
The Great Elder's face drained of color as he hastily bowed his head.
Cl... Clan leader!
Ignoring him, Yeop Chang cupped his fists toward the assembly.
I apologize profusely to all our honored guests today! From this moment, I demote the Great Elder to regular elder and strip him of all his authority!
The Great Elder paled further, opening his mouth to speak, but Yeop Chang turned to Yeop Hyeon.
This matter ends here.
Yeop Hyeon shook his head, pointing at Yeop Rang.
The life-or-death duel with him isn't over yet!
Yeop Chang furrowed his brow. The Great Elder interjected.
Clan leader, Yeop Rang is the Heaven's Chosen One. He even summoned a heavenly anomaly recently. In contrast, Yeop Hyeon won today, but he's a cripple with a shattered dantian. I guarantee he'll remain an ordinary martial artist his whole life, never leaving Qingcheng.
Yeop Chang's cold gaze pierced the Great Elder.
And you're the one who shattered his dantian, aren't you?
Yes! Clan leader! It was all this old man's scheme! But hear me out! Yeop Hyeon has no future left. Meanwhile, if Yeop Rang keeps growing, he'll bring great glory to our Ye family soon enough!
The other elders nodded vigorously. Yeop Rang was essential for the Ye family's honor and disgrace; he couldn't die like this.
Yeop Chang fell into thought. He couldn't entrust the Ye family to Yeop Hyeon, a genius whose dantian was destroyed. Yeop Rang, the Heaven's Chosen One who summoned a heavenly anomaly, was far more valuable. Yeop Chang looked up at Yeop Hyeon.
I can't reinstate you as crown prince, but from today, I'll restore all your former privileges. So this ends here. Understood?
Yeop Hyeon suddenly burst into laughter. It was a desolate, mad sound.
In truth, Clan Leader, you've known everything for a long time but stayed out of it. You felt threatened by my rapid growth, so you turned a blind eye even to the Great Elder's unfair treatment. Deny it if you can!
Yeop Chang scowled.
You insolent fool!
Clan leader, not only did they damage my dantian, but you're letting those who persecuted me off without punishment. Isn't this just protecting Yeop Rang, the one with a bright future—not me?
Yeop Chang glared silently at Yeop Hyeon. Though a genius, Yeop Hyeon wasn't direct kin to the patriarch like Yeop Rang, nor did he have backing factions, so rejection was natural. Leaving this be was Yeop Chang's calculation: let Yeop Hyeon and the Great Elder exhaust each other. As patriarch, he'd done his duty.
The arena fell silent, all eyes on Yeop Hyeon. Even Li Yu had to side with him now. Without knowing family secrets, it was hard to accept mistreating a meritorious contributor like this.
Suddenly, a grief-stricken laugh escaped Yeop Hyeon. His eyes, filled with anguish, turned to the Ye Family Mansion.
I, Yeop Hyeon! From age twelve as crown prince until now, I've staked my life in countless battles to protect the Ye family—yet the reward is this pathetic.
Yeop Hyeon tore the Ye family insignia from his chest and flung it to the ground.
I, Yeop Hyeon, declare: From today, my sister Yeop Ryeong and I have no ties to the Ye family. Even in death, we won't be buried with them!
The arena exploded in uproar. The Ye family warriors stared at Yeop Hyeon in shock.
No one had ever voluntarily left the family. At least not in Qingcheng. Li Yu and the others wore incredulous expressions.
Yeop Hyeon breaking with the Ye family! Yeop Chang said to him,
This is your choice—blame no one!
Without replying, Yeop Hyeon turned and stepped off the Life-Death Platform.
Right then! The Great Elder shouted.
Stop!
Yeop Hyeon halted. Pointing at him, the Great Elder said to Yeop Chang,
Clan leader! Though Yeop Hyeon lost his dantian, we can't dismiss his personal combat prowess as weak. If we let him go freely, he'll become a future threat to our Ye family!
The other elders chimed in agreement.
Clan leader! Yeop Hyeon is a family traitor. Killing him sets a good example for the others. And as the Great Elder says, if a strong Yeop Hyeon joins another faction, it'll be a disaster for us!
Yeop Chang raised his right hand, eyes filled with killing intent toward Yeop Hyeon. The guards aimed their strong crossbows at him in unison. Then Yeop Chang's cold voice echoed.
Traitors to the family are executed per the rules. Kill!
As the guards hooked fingers to their triggers, someone suddenly shouted.
Hold!
A woman wielding a long spear approached the Life-Death Platform slowly. Recognizing her, the Great Elder's face changed drastically. He wasn't the only shocked one. Gang Yeom rushed forward with a frantic expression and bowed.
Qingcheng City Lord Gang Yeom pays respects to the National Scholar!
National Scholar, An Ranxiu!
The youngest National Scholar in Jiang Kingdom history!
Not even the kingdom lord could interfere with a National Scholar's position. All officials under the lord had to bow. The man from Yeomseong and woman from Naseong also hurried over and bowed.
Mo Haeng of Yeomseong pays respects to the National Scholar!
Your subject Wu Ga, representing Naseong, pays respects to the National Scholar!
They could only speak to her as representatives of their factions. Otherwise, even individuals got no chance. An Ranxiu nodded lightly.
I have business here.
The three hurriedly cleared a path. All eyes turned to An Ranxiu. Ignoring them, she strode gracefully to the front of the Life-Death Platform.
Soaring Realm!
Those who recognized her realm gasped.
Jiang Kingdom's youngest Soaring Realm warrior, An Ranxiu, approached Yeop Hyeon and spoke.
Today is the day we agreed to duel.
Everyone flinched at her words. The Great Elder muttered like a man in a daze.
How... challenging a dantianless warrior to a duel...
As all gazes concentrated, Yeop Hyeon's lips finally parted.
Very well!
A sword rose from Yeop Hyeon's palm.
Spirit Sword!
In an instant, everyone in the arena froze like statues.
S... Sword Cultivator?
That single word echoing in the silent arena pierced everyone's ears like needles.
Sword Cultivator!
Qingcheng had never produced even one before. For Yeop Hyeon to become one! Faces paled among those watching him. Even the Ye family patriarch looked dazed. The elders stood petrified like fossils.
As An Ranxiu opened her mouth to speak, the Great Elder beside her bellowed in fury.
No, this can't be... How could you be a Sword Cultivator?!
Yeop Hyeon approached the half-mad Great Elder.
Sorry, but that's how it is. Mad with rage, are we?
Cough!
The Great Elder spat blood. With a ferocious glare, he pointed at Yeop Hyeon, then shouted at Yeop Chang.
Clan leader, we cannot let this one live! Or he'll bring disaster to the Ye family one day!
An Ranxiu frowned.
I've never seen such a vicious heart as yours!
As the Great Elder tried to retort, An Ranxiu cut him off.
One more word, and your shoulders will feel empty.
The Great Elder fell silent. Gang Yeom and the others eyed him coldly. Ignoring the elder, An Ranxiu turned to Yeop Hyeon.
Draw your sword!
Yeop Hyeon bowed to her, then angled the Spirit Water Sword downward toward the ground. His body was utterly still, rooted in place. An Ranxiu nodded faintly and stepped forward. At that moment, Yeop Hyeon surged ahead light and swift as the wind. The Spirit Water Sword aimed at An Ranxiu.
An utterly simple, swift single stroke.
An Ranxiu twisted her torso slightly and thrust her spear. The spear tip clashed against Yeop Hyeon's sword tip.
Clang!