Call Them All!
Yeop Hyeon and his group’s faces darkened in an instant.
They weren’t afraid. But dispatching a young martial artist who was a Sword Path Grandmaster showed just how fiercely the authorities were gunning for them.
Behind this was undoubtedly the Dark Scheme, Changmok Academy, and the Daeun Empire.
Led by the man wielding a long saber, over twenty martial artists charged swiftly toward Yeop Hyeon’s group. Though few in number, their momentum towered over a thousand armies!
Momentum!
Before the long saber man even arrived, his aura crashed down first.
Feeling that intense force, the black wolves carrying Yeop Hyeon’s group froze in place.
Luk Ban-jang said to Yeop Hyeon,
“You want to take him? Or should I?”
Yeop Hyeon seemed to ponder for a moment before lightly extending his hand.
“Ladies first!”
Luk Ban-jang nodded as if she’d expected as much.
“Then the rest are yours. And the other brothers—escape from here right now! No questions!”
No sooner had she spoken than her figure vanished, leaving an afterimage.
In the blink of an eye, she appeared above the enemy’s head and stomped down. The long saber man’s momentum shattered instantly.
His pupils contracted as he swung his saber in a circle toward the sky.
Shiiik—!
The saber sliced through the air and clashed with Luk Ban-jang’s foot.
Boom—!
With a massive roar, the long saber man was pushed back dozens of feet. When he finally stopped, the ground beneath his feet was thoroughly cracked.
The long saber man looked up at Luk Ban-jang with eyes blazing with killing intent.
“You’re no ordinary outsider!”
Luk Ban-jang walked slowly toward him as she replied,
“Outsider? All I know is the Yo Yeolbang!”
As if done wasting time, she shot forward without another word.
At that moment, Ya Ri beside Yeop Hyeon said,
“Sis is from the Yo Yeolbang.”
Yo Yeolbang.
Yeop Hyeon nodded lightly. Seeing Luk Ban-jang fully holding off the long saber man, he turned to Ya Ri and the others.
“You all—get out of here now!”
With those words, the Spirit Water Sword shot from Yeop Hyeon’s waist like an arrow.
A armored warrior watching swung his own saber at the Spirit Water Sword.
Pik—!
Unexpectedly, the Spirit Water Sword pierced right through the saber and charged at the man—but it couldn’t penetrate his armor.
Still, the warrior staggered back dozens of steps from the sword’s strike. At that instant, a sudden shadow snatched the rebounding Spirit Water Sword and slashed down.
Slash—!
With a grotesque sound, the man’s head flew high into the sky before crashing to the ground.
Seeing Yeop Hyeon make his move, Ya Ri and the others didn’t hesitate—they spurred their black wolves and fled.
This wasn’t the time for pointless loyalty. They knew staying would only burden Yeop Hyeon and Luk Ban-jang.
As Ya Ri’s group vanished, Yeop Hyeon was instantly surrounded by over a dozen martial artists.
It was no longer possible for him to kill with a single strike like before.
Against these foes with superb offense and defense, chances to swing his sword were scarce. In fact, he was gradually being pushed back.
Meanwhile, Luk Ban-jang relentlessly pressed her opponent.
Yeop Hyeon couldn’t help but admire her skill—she was dominating a Sword Path Grandmaster with ease.
She’s no ordinary fighter!
Then, Luk Ban-jang’s voice rang in Yeop Hyeon’s ear.
“Withdraw!”
She suddenly slammed her palm into the ground.
Thud—!
The earth around her and the long saber man erupted upward. A brief silence fell, then a black shadow burst through the upheaved soil—the long saber man!
Luk Ban-jang dashed to Yeop Hyeon. Arriving in a flash, she flung six or seven warriors aside, hoisted Yeop Hyeon, and leaped into the air.
Whoosh—!
With one bound, she was over fifty zhang away.
The long saber man and his group hurried to pursue, but the distance had already grown vast.
Just then, a voice whispered in the long saber man’s ear.
“Don’t chase. That woman’s on the Yo Yeolbang from Jungto Sinju.”
His eyes narrowed at the words.
Qingzhou had its Mubang; Jungto Sinju had the Yo Yeolbang.
Making the Yo Yeolbang was incomparably harder than the Mubang. Simply put, it was the goal of all martial artists in the Qingcang Realm.
Those on the Yo Yeolbang were the absolute finest prodigies across the entire Qingcang Realm. In a low voice, the long saber man asked,
“What’s the higher-ups’ plan?”
“Wait for orders first. They’ve already sent someone.”
The long saber man nodded and let out a savage roar.
“Yo Yeolbang or whatever—I, Ha Hu-do, will cut you down!”
The long saber man’s name was Ha Hu-do. He was the sixth-ranked master on Qingzhou’s Mubang.
With Yeop Hyeon’s successful escape, Chwi Seon Ru began withdrawing as well.
But the situation wasn’t over yet.
Luk Ban-jang, carrying Yeop Hyeon on her shoulder, ran for a good while before stopping in a secluded spot.
Yeop Hyeon’s face was pale as death, his breathing ragged—like he’d caught some terrible illness.
You’re too damn fast!
Luk Ban-jang’s speed was unnaturally swift. Without his Golden Nerve cultivation, his body would’ve torn apart under the strain.
“Not content with sword and martial arts—you’ve even got external arts at a high level. If you’re interested, head to Jungto Sinju and broaden your horizons.”
Still catching his breath, Yeop Hyeon patted his chest and nodded.
“I will.”
Luk Ban-jang nodded back and whistled. Two black wolves came bounding over. The pair mounted up and vanished from the area in the blink of an eye.
Thanks to the wolves’ nonstop sprint, they caught up to Ya Ri’s group in less than half a shichen.
The others sighed in relief at the sight of the two returning unharmed.
Soon, they arrived at Guinan City. Not a single soldier stood on the walls.
As they drew near the gates, they swung wide open, and an old man walked out.
The elder approached swiftly, bowed to Yeop Hyeon, and said,
“Young Master Yeop, follow this old man.”
Under the elder’s guidance, Yeop Hyeon’s group entered the city.
A dozen black-robed figures appeared around them, encircling the group. Eight were Divine Fusion Realm experts—all Chwi Seon Ru warriors.
Escorted by these Chwi Seon Ru martial artists, Yeop Hyeon’s group safely reached the Chwi Seon Ru branch. Even after entering the building, over a dozen warriors guarded the perimeter.
The moment word spread that Yeop Hyeon had appeared in the region, O Ru-ju had entrusted his safety to the local Chwi Seon Ru. The Third Floor Lord overseeing all of Qingzhou had also ordered them to aid Yeop Hyeon with everything they had.
Chwi Seon Ru knew Yeop Hyeon was mortal enemies with Changmok Academy and the Dark Scheme. Even so, they chose Yeop Hyeon and his master over them.
They had no choice but to oppose Changmok Academy and the Dark Scheme. In return, they earned the trust of a Sword Immortal—and the man who might become one.
In one of Chwi Seon Ru’s reception rooms, Yeop Hyeon’s group sat around a long table.
Food and fruit had been prepared before them. A Medical Path Grandmaster even came to tend their wounds—they were treated with utmost hospitality.
Ravenous from the long battle, the martial artists devoured the food voraciously.
The elder who’d escorted Yeop Hyeon stood quietly to the side, watching.
Catching Yeop Hyeon’s eye, the elder asked politely,
“Young Master Yeop, any orders?”
“What’s your name?”
“Call me Hwan O. Oh, the Eighth Floor Lord—who went to gather intel—should return shortly.”
“Thank you.”
The elder bowed to Yeop Hyeon and stepped back.
“Looks like you’re tight with Chwi Seon Ru,” Neung Han remarked.
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
“Pretty tight.”
“Even in Jungto Sinju, Chwi Seon Ru’s a colossal force that doesn’t yield to Changmok or Canglan Academies. For them to treat you this well… impressive.”
“Haha, you lot aren’t exactly nobodies either, are you?”
Neung Han smiled silently.
As Yeop Hyeon had said, no one there had ordinary inner strength.
Then Yeop Hyeon spoke up.
“In that last skirmish, we nabbed a bunch of top-grade strong slaves. I’d like to keep them… but in exchange, I’ll pay you all in gold…”
“We don’t need ’em. Take ’em,” Luk Ban-jang said.
Yeop Hyeon gazed steadily at her face.
Ya Ri, gnawing on a chicken leg nearby, nodded.
“Sis means she’ll give you the strong slaves—so long as you become our friend.”
Neung Han nodded too.
“Brother Yeop’s bold and knows loyalty. We’d love for you to be our friend.”
As Yeop Hyeon opened his mouth to reply, Luk Ban-jang fixed him with a stare.
“I mean it. So shut up and accept.”
Yeop Hyeon pondered briefly, then nodded.
“Then I gratefully accept your offer!”
Just then, a middle-aged man entered the room. Spotting Yeop Hyeon, he cupped his fists.
“I am the Eighth Floor Lord in charge of this regional Chwi Seon Ru.”
Yeop Hyeon’s group stopped eating and rose to return the salute.
The Eighth Floor Lord was a Myriad Laws Realm expert—more than worthy of such respect.
“Young Master Yeop, the situation’s grim.”
Yeop Hyeon raised an eyebrow.
“What do you mean?”
The Eighth Floor Lord glanced at the room’s occupants before speaking.
“Word is, Changmok Academy and the Dark Scheme have put a massive bounty on you across all Qingzhou. Three Mubang figures are heading this way. Rumors even say the number one Mubang ranker might step in—because the bounty’s a Heavenly mid-grade weapon, Heavenly mid-grade technique, and a top-grade Named Realm spirit artifact!”
He drew a deep breath and continued.
“That’s not all. Somehow they’ve roped in Daeun Empire’s Gaesan King. That strong slave unit you just fought? Daeun Empire sent them. They’ll either hit Ganguk directly or send more experts here soon.”
Yeop Hyeon’s group’s faces darkened.
“And… this comes from Jungto Sinju intel: Changmok Academy and the Dark Scheme there have already dispatched people…”
At that, Luk Ban-jang gulped down a bowl of water, slammed it on the table, and bellowed,
“Call everyone!”
Neung Han hesitated.
“Sis… the Yo Yeolbang folks too?”
“Call them all!”
“……”