Chapter 140: War Is Always Brutal
War was always brutal.
This war had been started by the Tang Kingdom. Had they won, they would have claimed vast riches, but in the end, they were defeated.
And the defeated always lost everything.
Thus, the Tang Kingdom fell.
Even Iron Blood Commander Bai Suoho could not deny that reality this time.
Of course, they could prolong the war, but that would only doom countless soldiers and civilians to death.
Besides, the Tang Kingdom still commanded a hundred thousand troops intact. They could negotiate from a position of relative strength. But the moment the Jiang Kingdom's armies marched into Tang territory, their leverage would crumble. No—they might not even earn a seat at the table, facing utter ruin instead.
Sudden silence blanketed the tent.
After a long pause, Bai Suoho bowed deeply to Dang Mok, his resolve hardened.
“This old minister will escort the Lord of the Kingdom to the Jiang Kingdom.”
Dang Mok sighed softly.
“Then see it done.”
And so Yeop Hyeon and the Tang Kingdom's ten thousand cavalry set off for the Jiang Kingdom.
Along the road, the Tang riders glared at Yeop Hyeon with fury, resentment, and raw killing intent.
The Tang Kingdom hadn't lost to Jiang—it had knelt before this young warrior standing right before them.
Bai Suoho turned to eye Yeop Hyeon, complex emotions swirling in his gaze.
Why did such a genius have to emerge from the Jiang Kingdom? If only Yeop Hyeon had been born among us...
Bai Suoho could only muster a bitter smile. The Tang Kingdom wasn't devoid of talent. But its promising youths had flocked to Changmok Academy, chasing personal glory over patriotism. For them, the academy overshadowed the nation itself.
The very notion of "nation" had faded from many young minds.
Of course, the Tang Kingdom's dire straits stemmed largely from overreliance on Changmok Academy and the Dark Realm.
Originally, Yeop Hyeon was slated to face Changmok Academy and the Dark Realm. Yet they hadn't stopped him—instead, they'd branded him a Jungto Sinju warrior and shipped him straight to the Tang Kingdom.
This was the imperial family's blunder. Self-inflicted doom.
Bai Suoho banished his thoughts and closed his eyes. Reflection was futile now.
Half a shichen later, Yeop Hyeon and his group reached Yangjie City. Outside the walls, Gang Gu in gleaming silver armor stood with thousands of Jiang Kingdom soldiers, cheering their triumphant return.
“National Scholar Yeop!”
“National Scholar Yeop!”
From the battlements, inside and out—countless voices chanted Yeop Hyeon’s name in a roaring frenzy.
News of Yeop Hyeon’s deeds in the Jiang Kingdom had spread nationwide.
No one in the kingdom remained ignorant of his name. His renown even eclipsed An Ranxiu’s.
The nation-saving hero, National Scholar Yeop Hyeon!
Gang Gu spotted him and beamed, striding forward. As Yeop Hyeon dismounted Black Wolf and met her eyes, she yanked him into a fierce embrace.
Close enough to hear her heartbeat.
Yeop Hyeon’s body went rigid as a corpse in an instant.
Neung Han and the others stared in stunned silence, then broke into whistles and teasing hoots.
Moments later, Gang Gu released him and clapped his shoulder with perfect composure.
“Welcome home!”
Those words stirred something hot and fierce deep in Yeop Hyeon’s chest. This time, he’d truly nearly not returned.
Gang Gu stepped before Bai Suoho. He met her gaze stone-faced. What words could a prisoner dare speak?
“You there—escort the Tang Lord and Commander Bai inside. Treat them with utmost courtesy. No slights!”
The thousands of soldiers split into two columns at once.
Dang Mok and Bai Suoho passed between them into the city. The Tang cavalry, however, remained outside.
As Yeop Hyeon’s group moved to enter, nearby Yuk Gwang called out,
“We’re not going in.”
Yeop Hyeon and the others turned to him.
“We were on mission before coming here. Time to head back.”
Yeop Hyeon nodded faintly and extended a golden nameplate. Yuk Gwang shook his head.
“No need. We already looted hundreds of millions in taels from the Tang palace. That’s plenty.”
Yuk Gwang turned to Luk Ban-jang.
“Come with brother!”
“No.”
“Sigh... Forgive Father this once? You know his temper...”
Luk Ban-jang shook her head.
“Not going!”
Yuk Gwang heaved another earth-shaking sigh. Her stubbornness matched her father’s—no breaking it.
“Fine. Stay safe!”
He whistled sharply. Over twenty spirit swallows plummeted from the distant sky, alighting before Yangjie City in a flash.
All gaped in awe at the spirit swallows.
Penetrating Nether Realm spirit beasts were exceedingly rare.
Yuk Gwang’s crew mounted up. He shot Luk Ban-jang a final glance. She stayed impassive, silent.
Yuk Gwang shook his head helplessly, then addressed Yeop Hyeon.
“Brother Yeop—see you in Jungto Sinju!”
Brother Yeop.
A clear overture of friendship.
Rarely did anyone shun ties with a sword cultivator—let alone one blending prowess and character. Such gems were scarce even in Jungto Sinju.
Yeop Hyeon nodded lightly.
“Later!”
Yuk Gwang nodded back, urging his mount. The flock bore them skyward and vanished from view.
The Ninth Mercenary Corps cut an imposing figure.
Yeop Hyeon stared after them. Those twenty were unadulterated Divine Fusion Realm powerhouses.
Then Luk Ban-jang sidled up.
“But they’re not the pinnacle of Jungto Sinju.”
Yeop Hyeon turned to her. She pressed on evenly.
“The true elites? Changmok Academy wouldn’t dare touch them.”
“Our Bi Jeok Mercenary Corps will get there someday!”
Luk Ban-jang said nothing. Yeop Hyeon prodded,
“What, doubt me?”
She replied softly,
“Yeah. Let’s do it.”
“Right—together, we strive, conquer this world!”
Yeop Hyeon turned to Neung Han and crew.
“Feeling it?”
Neung Han grinned ear to ear.
“Brother Yeop, Jungto Sinju’s brutal. But with you and sis? Impossible’s nothing!”
“Hahaha!”
“Hahaha!”
Then Bai Ze approached Yeop Hyeon.
“Leader Yeop. Heading home.”
Yeop Hyeon eyed him quizzically. Bai Ze wryly smiled.
“Bringing those spirit beast brothers took adoptive father’s say-so. Promised to return ’em after—so off with them.”
Yeop Hyeon asked,
“Mind company?”
“He’s keen to meet you, actually!”
“Haha—half a day, then. Wrap things up, dawn tomorrow we go. Got a pitch he’ll like.”
Bai Ze looked uneasy.
“Adoptive father’s no pushover...”
“No sweat! Talk fails, we spar first!”
Bai Ze stared.
“He’s Myriad Laws Realm...”
“...
Forget I said that.”
“...”
Yeop Hyeon’s group entered Yangjie City. Soldiers packed the streets—no civilians in sight.
Gang Gu beside him explained,
“Evacuated everyone before Tang hit. Just troops inside now.”
She turned to him.
“But now they come home.”
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
“Good. Negotiations with Tang? Leave to the palace.”
“No worries—we won’t get shorted!”
Kingdom extinction!
Truth was, Jiang lacked the might to annihilate Tang. Pressing it would gut them too. And with Cho and Wol still glaring?
A Tang peace treaty freed Jiang to strike those two.
In a vast tent, Yeop Hyeon, Neung Han, and the rest ringed a table.
Distribution time again.
From Tang Imperial City: Changmok Academy gear, Daeun Changmok powerhouses’ loot. Qingzhou stronghold warriors’ weapons, sundries. Biggest haul? The national treasury.
A kingdom’s worth of spoils.
Everyone emptied pouches—the tent brimmed, no room to stand.
Gold, spirit tools, spirit stones, Earth-grade weapons, manuals...
Treasures of the world, amassed.
Mu Yun Qi and Bai Ze gawked.
Neung Han’s lot bubbled with thrill.
Rich—for real this time.
Yeop Hyeon alone snagged over thirty top-grade strongbows—enough for an elite archer legion with spirit bows.
Beyond Jiang or Tang means. Attempt it? Treasuries bankrupt.
Luk Ban-jang sorted by category, then divvied.
Equal shares all around. Bai Ze and Mu Yun Qi demurred—not looters. Still, treasures came their way. Without their timely spirit beasts, Tang escape? Dicey.
This bounty split took half a shichen.
Yeop Hyeon’s take: 500 million gold taels, 1.5 million top-grade spirit stones, seven low Earth-grade weapons, five low Earth-grade manuals, twenty-one top-grade spirit tools, thirty top-grade strongbows, sundries worth tens of millions.
Wealth rivaling a first-rate house!
Luk Ban-jang’s crew minted multimillionaires too.
Yeop Hyeon bolted upright.
Eyes locked on. He spoke.
“Yun Qi, cart 50 million gold taels to Chwiseonru’s Tang lord, O Ru-ju. Won’t take? Split among their warriors who aided us. Then tell O Ru-ju I’ve matters to discuss.”
Deep breath.
“Now, money flows. Time to pierce Divine Fusion Realm! Best gear too! Heaven-grade minimum!”