Chapter 14: Not His Talent, But His Character
Just as Yeop Hyeon finished bidding farewell to the three and departed, An Ranxiu gazed down at the carriage kicking up dust in the distance from a nearby small mountain, leaning on her long spear. Behind her stood an elderly man gripping an old wooden staff.
"Elder Ling, what do you think?"
The elder replied without taking his eyes off the carriage.
"He's a warrior with countless battle experiences. I can't discern his master, but it's clear he's already reached the realm of a sword cultivator."
He hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Miss, he's undoubtedly a fine warrior, but he's from a different world than you. Aren't you already on the Martial Rankings?"
Beyond the five great nations in Qingzhou, there were hundreds of minor states, each harboring numerous clans and sects. The common aspiration of their warriors was to ascend the Martial Rankings.
The Martial Rankings were the most authoritative list across all of Qingzhou. Those who made it onto the list were geniuses among geniuses. Even in Jiang Kingdom, only two had earned a spot—one being An Ranxiu herself. She smiled faintly and spoke.
"Elder Ling, is this about me giving him the jade plaque? Worried I might have feelings for him?"
At her bold demeanor, Elder Ling bowed his head silently. An Ranxiu's gaze returned to the vanishing carriage.
"Elder Ling! It's not his talent that captivated me—it's his character."
Elder Ling raised an eyebrow. An Ranxiu chuckled lightly and murmured,
"I wish I had a big brother like that."
With that, An Ranxiu turned and descended the mountain. The silent Elder Ling followed behind.
Inside the carriage, Yeop Hyeon gripped the reins tightly, urging the horse onward. Yeop Ryeong clung to his arm. Staring into the distance, Yeop Hyeon pulled out the map Zhang Lie had given him from his bosom.
Anxiety and anticipation mingled on his face. Yeop Hyeon had never lived outside Qingcheng. Excitement for the new world bubbled within him, but the unease of dragging his frail sister into the unknown weighed heavily.
Two hours had passed since they set off, yet they hadn't crossed Qingcheng's borders. At this pace, it would take a full four or five days to reach Tianshan City.
Yeop Hyeon no longer pushed the pace. Night had fully fallen; they couldn't venture deeper into the mountains. He could manage alone, but not with Yeop Ryeong beside him.
The moon shone unusually bright tonight, starlight pouring down from the distant heavens onto the siblings. In the dark forest, they kindled a campfire and roasted a prepared wild turkey over it—a provision Li Yu had stocked in the carriage.
Yeop Ryeong glanced around. Pitch blackness surrounded them; nothing was visible. Thick clouds drifted past the moon. In the silence, only the crackle of the fire sounded. Looking somewhat frightened, she hugged Yeop Hyeon tightly.
"Don't be scared!"
Yeop Hyeon scanned the surroundings and muttered,
"This scene feels familiar."
After becoming crown prince, he'd fought endless battles with other Qingcheng factions over the mines—most in deep mountain wilds like this. Bloody clashes in such darkness were routine. Yeop Ryeong tilted her head and gazed at him.
"I'm not scared at all with you here, big brother!"
Yeop Hyeon stroked her small head.
"Good. Remember this: even if the heavens collapse, I'll protect you."
Yeop Ryeong smiled adorably. After devouring the turkey, she fell asleep instantly. Yeop Hyeon gently laid the sleeping girl in the carriage, then sat cross-legged and entered the Gyeok Ok Tower.
His duel with An Ranxiu had yielded profound insights. Recalling her speed, reactions, and battle sense, he realized how far he still had to go.
Inside the Gyeok Ok Tower, Yeop Hyeon replayed the fight step by step. He viewed it from An Ranxiu's perspective, absorbing her lessons while critiquing his own timing and angles.
He began refined sword practice, imagining An Ranxiu as his foe and swinging accordingly.
How much time passed? Yeop Hyeon sheathed his sword and sat, a smile playing on his lips.
Have you reaped the harvest?
At the Heavenly Maiden's sudden voice, Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"Starting with that first strike was a mistake. It cost me my momentum, leaving me on the defensive. If I hadn't withdrawn at the end, I wouldn't have even gotten a counter chance."
You understand well—excellent!
"Did you already know, Heavenly Maiden?"
What does it matter? You must gain enlightenment yourself. Lessons from others mean nothing!
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"Thank you for your guidance, Heavenly Maiden."
Finishing his training, Yeop Hyeon exited the Gyeok Ok Tower and returned to the real world.
Seeing the sleeping Yeop Ryeong, he smiled warmly as he stepped out of the carriage. It was the darkest hour of night. Then, urgent footsteps echoed. Yeop Hyeon went on alert.
A woman appeared before him, appearing in her mid-twenties. She wore a revealing top exposing her ample bosom and a tight long skirt, exuding seductive allure. Wounds marred her body. She approached Yeop Hyeon.
"Young master, save me! Someone's trying to kill me!"
She threw her arms around him. Soft warmth pressed against his arms. She even began rubbing against him.
At that moment!
Three figures emerged from the darkness: a middle-aged man with a long saber and two elders. Yeop Hyeon's heart sank. The leader was at least Control Qi Realm; the others Qi Transformation Realm.
The trio frowned at Yeop Hyeon. The middle-aged man barked,
"Who the hell are you?!"
Before Yeop Hyeon could reply, the seductive woman shouted at him,
"I've secured the goods—hold them off! Meet at the spot later!"
She tried to flee, but Yeop Hyeon kicked out without hesitation. Her face paled; she'd never expected his attack. She thrust her hands forward desperately.
Thud!
She flew back from his strike. The charging trio faltered in confusion. Yeop Hyeon stared in her direction and said gravely,
"Trying to use me? I don't know what you've done, but evil deeds deserve punishment!"
The woman glared murderously. Yeop Hyeon met her cold gaze, then addressed the strangers.
"I'm just a passing traveler. Finish your business. I won't interfere."
Without knowing the full story, he couldn't intervene recklessly—especially after she'd tried to use him as bait, heedless of his life.
As Yeop Hyeon withdrew, the three exchanged glances. The middle-aged man cupped his fists toward him, then turned to the woman.
"Jinsang! Hand over the item, and we'll kill you painlessly!"
She backed toward a large tree.
"Mo Chun, if I were you, I'd flee right now."
The middle-aged man sensed something amiss.
"What do you mean?!"
Clop-clop-clop!
Rapid hoofbeats approached. His face changed.
"You called reinforcements!"
Jinsang smirked coldly.
"Who knows?"
Mo Chun glared with killing intent.
"The Mo Clan won't forget this!"
The three vanished into the darkness.
Now only Yeop Hyeon and Jinsang remained. She wiped blood from her lips and eyed him.
"What, you're not running?"
Yeop Hyeon shook his head. With Yeop Ryeong asleep in the carriage, he couldn't flee. Jinsang appraised him.
"Not bad skills. But you don't look rich. Know what you just did? You kicked away fortune itself. Help me, and you'd have gained a great opportunity!"
"It might've been a cursed fate."
She sneered.
"Cursed fate? True now—thanks to your words!"
Then, Yeop Ryeong emerged from the carriage, wrapped in a blanket. Yeop Hyeon tossed aside his fire poker and hurried to her.
"Was it noisy?"
She nodded lightly. He glanced at Jinsang.
"Big brother, what's going on?"
"Nothing at all!"
No sooner had he spoken than over a dozen horsemen appeared from the dark. The leader dismounted and approached Jinsang.
"Miss, are you alright?"
She slapped him hard.
"Alright? You planned to show after I was dead?!"
He knelt hastily.
"My steps were too slow. Please forgive me!"
"You'll face fitting punishment back home!"
Jinsang turned to the siblings.
"Shall we continue where we left off?"
Yeop Hyeon thought briefly, then replied,
"My sister and I are just passing through. We want no part in this."
Approaching him, Jinsang's face twisted.
"No part? Fine! Kneel, kowtow a hundred times, and you're free."
Yeop Hyeon furrowed his brow.
"For refusing to be used? I owe you nothing—why help?"
She grinned viciously.
"Listen well... the price for not helping me is..."
Before she finished, Yeop Hyeon's hand flashed, slapping her cheek.
Crack!
The sharp sound cut the night. Stunned, she tumbled to the ground. Yeop Hyeon pinned her abdomen with his foot, his gaze icy.
"You don't listen well..."
He bent and slapped her again.
Crack!
Her beautiful face swelled instantly.
"Insolent cur!"
The man who'd spoken roared angrily.
"Do you know who she is? She's the young miss of Naseong's Qin Clan!"
Yeop Hyeon knew Naseong, near Qingcheng.
He retorted,
"If I were you, I'd kneel and beg forgiveness instead of threatening."
"S-sorry!"
Jinsang, under his foot, cried out,
"This girl was blind to your nobility, young master! Forgive me once, and the Qin Clan will reward you handsomely!"
Yeop Hyeon looked down. Her face had shifted to fragile vulnerability—unlike before. But her fists clenched tightly. Sensing it, he crushed her throat with his foot.
Crack!
Bones shattered; her eyes bulged. She died pathetically beneath his foot.