Sword Immortal? You Could Become a Base Immortal!
Puk-!
The moment Cheok Bal-eon's figure blurred, Yeop Hyeon shot back like a弹丸, covering a dozen zhang in an instant. Where he had landed, a massive crater yawned in the earth.
As Cheok Bal-eon panted, gearing up for another strike, Yeop Hyeon clambered out of the pit and bolted away like lightning.
Staring at Yeop Hyeon scrambling away at full speed in an awkward sprint, Cheok Bal-eon couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Pregnant!? Good grief, the sheer absurdity!
She had worried about it after that night, but thankfully, it hadn't happened.
Right then, Yeop Hyeon came scurrying back.
Cheok Bal-eon quickly wiped the smile from her face.
Stopping far from her, Yeop Hyeon rubbed the spot on his chest where he'd been hit and shouted.
"Someday, I'll become a Sword Immortal!"
"What does that have to do with me?"
"When I become a Sword Immortal, you'll be the woman who spent a night with one. Isn't that glory for your clan?"
Flames sparked in Cheok Bal-eon's eyes.
"You might die before you ever get there."
Yeop Hyeon turned serious.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
Cheok Bal-eon stared at him for a long moment before speaking.
"Sword Immortal? I don't know if you'll make it that far, but you're definitely on track to become a Base Immortal!"
"……."
Cheok Bal-eon turned to leave but paused and looked back at Yeop Hyeon.
"Titles like Sword Immortal don't matter! A man with spirit and righteousness deserves respect, even without them!"
Yeop Hyeon stood frozen, watching Cheok Bal-eon's retreating figure.
At least he'd gotten her firm assurance that Jeoguk wouldn't intervene. With that, Yeop Hyeon could breathe easier. Ganguk had dodged the worst-case scenario.
Arriving at the city gates, Yeop Hyeon glanced up at the sky, lost in thought. The nations that had mobilized troops this time weren't just targeting Ganguk—they had Canglan Academy in their sights too.
He knew Changmok Academy and the secret faction didn't want him to grow any stronger.
The good news was that they wouldn't be sending more Myriad Laws Realm experts anytime soon. Still, he couldn't afford to let his guard down.
In his clash with Cheok Bal-eon just now, he'd confirmed that even among Divine Fusion Realm masters, some could overwhelm him. He hadn't gone all out, but neither had she. If they'd fought to the death, he couldn't be absolutely sure of victory.
Not that he'd back down easily, of course.
As Yeop Hyeon halted his thoughts and moved to exit the gate, a hunchbacked old man passing by suddenly drew a dagger from his sleeve and thrust it at his abdomen.
Fast!
It struck with the speed of a viper snatching prey—too quick to react.
Yeop Hyeon neither dodged nor tried to. The instant the dagger pierced his gut, he smashed both fists into the old man's temples.
Puk-!
The old man's head exploded like a watermelon.
Yeop Hyeon glanced at his abdomen: a long gash wept fresh blood.
At that moment, chilling killing intent hurtled toward him—aiming for his throat, nape, and shin.
Each strike targeted vital points with deadly precision.
Impossible to evade!
Yeop Hyeon flung out his palm, and the Spirit Water Sword materialized.
A sharp sword cry echoed through the air.
Kwang-!
The Spirit Water Sword deflected every attack in a flash. Moments later, blurry shadows flickered into view a dozen zhang away—then vanished just as quickly.
Yeop Hyeon didn't pursue. Their speed was one thing, but their stealth techniques were exceptional.
Assassins!
His expression darkened in an instant. These had to be from the secret faction. Their methods were professional and ruthless; they melted away the moment an assassination failed, leaving no trace.
If these killers targeted Ganguk's generals or Canglan Academy students, it would be a disaster.
Is there no way to counter these assassins?
As he pondered, his recent conversation with Jeoguk's lord, Cheok Bal-eon, flashed in his mind.
[There's a mercenary band of Penetrating Nether Realm experts in the northern forest of Jeoguk.]
In a heartbeat, Yeop Hyeon shot northward like an arrow.
* * *
Blasting through the dense forest outside the city like a madman, Yeop Hyeon halted before a pavilion. A man lounged inside, legs crossed, fiddling with two pitch-black iron rings.
As Yeop Hyeon entered, the man glanced at him.
"Blind, are you?"
In that instant, a thread of sword intent laced with sword prestige and sword momentum enveloped the man, crumbling the pavilion to rubble in a blink.
"Sword Master!"
The man narrowed his eyes and cried out.
Yeop Hyeon sat casually to one side and spoke calmly.
"I want to make a deal."
"Do you know our rules?"
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"I do."
With that, he produced a black nameplate.
The man inspected it, then looked at Yeop Hyeon in surprise. It was a VIP token from Chwiseonru—proof of status.
"Follow me!"
Yeop Hyeon trailed after him.
They soon reached a village midway up the mountainside. Dozens of houses dotted the area, but it felt eerily lifeless.
At a well, a girl who looked about twenty was drawing water. Dressed in hemp clothes cinched with a straw rope, she went barefoot, toes exposed.
Spotting her, the man bowed respectfully.
"Sister, I've brought the client!"
Through his sword eyes, Yeop Hyeon examined her. Not a classic beauty, but something about her face drew the gaze.
She set down the bucket and plopped onto a flat stone.
"What do you want?"
"Protection."
She shook her head.
"We only kill."
"Same thing."
She looked up at Yeop Hyeon.
"Guarding is far harder than killing."
Silence fell, then she spoke again.
"Money solves everything, of course... but the price goes up. Eighty million gold taels. Agree, and we deal."
"Agreed."
Without breaking eye contact, she pulled out a massive flatbread and took a bite.
"Targets?"
"Daeun Empire, secret faction, Changmok Academy."
Her face changed instantly.
"Double it."
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"Fine."
She stuffed more flatbread in her mouth.
"Number of people to protect?"
Yeop Hyeon thought briefly.
"Let's simplify. No hassle—two hundred million taels, and you work for me for a month. Protect who I say, kill who I say. Deal?"
She fixed him with a stare.
"Half a month."
Yeop Hyeon shook his head.
"A full month. Plus one Earth-tier martial art."
Earth-tier technique?
Silence gripped the area like a tomb.
Finally, she spoke.
"Accepted."
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"Then show me your skills."
Her eyes sharpened.
"You don't trust us?"
"Just want to see. For this price, it's not too much, right?"
She glanced at the man beside Yeop Hyeon, who nodded slightly. He vanished.
Yeop Hyeon drew his sword and swung sideways.
One Sword Determines Life and Death!
Sword prestige and sword intent infused the strike.
Kwang-!
As Yeop Hyeon's sword descended, the man flew a dozen zhang, slamming into a cliff. Rocks buried him, but he clawed free, blood trickling from his mouth.
Yeop Hyeon rested his sword tip on the ground.
"That all you've got?"
The woman muttered flatly.
"Sword Master... that impressive, huh?"
As Yeop Hyeon opened his mouth, a shadow surged from behind.
He narrowed his eyes, slammed his sword into the earth, spun, and unleashed a fist.
One Fist Explodes Your Head!
Kwang-!
A boom echoed as Yeop Hyeon staggered a dozen paces back. Before him, a bald man retreated wildly another dozen zhang.
Finally stopping, the man clutched his trembling arm, glaring at Yeop Hyeon.
Yeop Hyeon turned to the woman.
"That all you've got?"
She took a huge bite of flatbread.
"Martial Master and Sword Master..."
With a meaningful nod, she tucked the flatbread away.
"Sister, do you really need to step in?"
Yeop Hyeon turned to see a shirtless man approaching, hefting a massive spear.
Without greeting, the man thrust—domineering spear prestige, laced with spear intent!
A Penetrating Nether Realm expert.
Yeop Hyeon yanked free the Spirit Water Sword and launched forward.
Still One Sword Determines Life and Death!
But now blended with sword intent and battle intent.
The dual intents clashed with the spear.
Tang-!
A heavy clang rang out. The man skidded back a dozen zhang gripping his spear. Cracks spiderwebbed the ground beneath his feet.
"Sword Invincible Dual Cultivator!"
Yeop Hyeon ignored the shout and faced the woman.
"Sorry, but honestly... you don't seem worth the price."
He sheathed his sword and turned away.
They weren't weak, but not worth that fortune.
He'd pay for real skill, but not to just anyone.
Before he took three steps, the hemp-clad woman vanished from her spot. Yeop Hyeon spun, swinging a full-powered sword—not underestimating her.
But he couldn't complete the arc.
Her finger had pierced his armpit.
Pain like a needle to the meridian followed.
Just the start. Her fingers became a palm, snapping toward his throat.
Yeop Hyeon stomped lightly, retreating.
But her bare foot pinned his.
He wrenched free—or tried—but her palm had already smashed his neck.
Puk-!
Yeop Hyeon flew back a dozen zhang. Each step cracked the earth.
She withdrew her hand and stared.
"Body-Martial-Sword Triple Cultivator!"
As Yeop Hyeon moved to reply, a shadow blitzed to his front in a blink. Residual images swarmed him instantly.