Even If I Die, I'll Die Before Your Eyes
Luk Ban-jang slumped to the ground, dragged over a flat stone to rest her head on, and began to doze off.
In truth, she hadn't suffered any real physical harm. The middle-aged man she'd clashed with had only aimed to keep her in check, holding back his full power. Whenever she tried to press forward, he'd swiftly retreated, and when she pulled back, he'd stuck close to prevent her from aiding Yeop Hyeon.
Even without wounds, she'd been up all night, leaving her utterly exhausted.
Cheong Sam-nyeo shook her head at the sight of Luk Ban-jang and muttered.
"The young lady of the Luk family goes out into the world and ends up suffering like this. At least her skills seem to have improved—that's something."
Cheong Sam-nyeo flopped down herself, using Luk Ban-jang as a pillow.
Meanwhile, Neung Han, sitting cross-legged, closed his eyes and began circulating his energy.
Inside Yangjie City.
As Gang Gu returned to the barracks, an elderly man appeared before her.
The old man bowed to Gang Gu before speaking.
"Wol Country and Cho Country, who were supposed to withdraw their troops, show no signs of doing so."
Gang Gu narrowed her eyes.
"It seems the Daeun Empire is making its move."
"His Majesty thinks the same. If they truly intend to strike at our Kanguk, it will be a grave matter..."
The old man looked at Gang Gu, and a flicker of worry crossed her eyes.
The Daeun Empire was the strongest power in Qingzhou.
If they mobilized, Kanguk's fate would be...
Jeoguk, Imperial Palace.
In a grand hall, Cheok Bal-eon lounged sideways on the dragon throne, clad in a loose fur robe, reviewing memorials.
At that moment, a shadow slipped into the corner of the hall.
"How did it go?"
"Reporting to Your Highness. Dang Country has been defeated, and their king and Grand Marshal Bae So-ho are currently detained in Kanguk. No formal agreements seem to have been reached between the two nations yet, but as long as Kanguk holds their king, they can bend Dang Country to their will at any time."
Cheok Bal-eon issued her command in a flat tone.
"Get to the point."
The shadow hurriedly bowed lower and continued.
"A youth named Yeop Hyeon repelled the advance of Changmok Academy and the Dark Realms."
"Did you intervene as well?"
"Just as we were about to, two warriors from Jungto Sinju appeared and aided Yeop Hyeon. But in my view, Changmok Academy and the Dark Realms haven't given up yet. Moreover, countless warriors are gathering near Kanguk's borders. Among them are surely people from the Daeun Empire."
The Daeun Empire...
A cold glint flashed in Cheok Bal-eon's narrowed eyes.
"The Daeun Empire... What is King Gosan thinking, getting involved in this...?"
Suddenly, her pupils dilated.
"Could they be aiming for unification of Qingzhou!?"
Qingzhou unification!
Cheok Bal-eon, her expression grave as she pondered, turned to the shadow.
"Keep a close watch on Kanguk's situation. And if Yeop Hyeon falls into danger, step in to help."
The shadow hesitated before speaking.
"Your Highness... If we intervene, our relations with Changmok Academy and the Dark Realms will sour. Becoming enemies with them for the sake of one man would be..."
Cheok Bal-eon's gaze sharpened like a blade's edge.
"What, are you trying to teach me now?"
The shadow dropped to one knee in panic.
"Your Highness, forgive my impertinence! That's not what I—"
"Gang-i!"
Cheok Bal-eon called into the air, and an old woman appeared in the hall in an instant.
The old woman bowed deeply to Cheok Bal-eon.
"Your Highness, this is my failure in oversight."
"No. You spoke frankly for the sake of Jeoguk—you deserve a reward. Go to the armory at once and select a suitable martial technique as her prize."
The shadow bowed hastily.
"Your grace is overwhelming!"
"However! What I need is a sword to slay our enemies on behalf of Jeoguk and myself—not a mouth! After receiving your technique, withdraw from the Shadow Guard immediately and reflect on your actions!"
The shadow paled, slamming his forehead to the floor. As he opened his mouth to protest, Cheok Bal-eon's voice boomed through the hall.
"What are you still doing here? Begone!"
The shadow's body trembled slightly before vanishing from the spot.
Gang-i bowed to Cheok Bal-eon.
"This is all due to this foolish old woman's lax management."
"Sojeok's talent is extraordinary, and her constitution uniquely special, but she's young and doesn't know her place yet—she needs occasional reminders. If this demotion doesn't temper her loyalty, cultivate her with full effort from now on."
The old woman bowed and replied.
"It shall be done."
"And as I said, monitor Kanguk's situation closely. If they fall into peril, dispatch the Shadow Guard to aid them."
The old woman seemed about to speak but closed her mouth.
Cheok Bal-eon murmured softly.
"I know exactly what you're all worried about. Helping Yeop Hyeon will naturally make us enemies of Changmok Academy, the Dark Realms, and the Daeun Empire. But you must realize that this is no longer just their affair."
Cheok Bal-eon rose and gazed out beyond the hall.
"Qingzhou's landscape is about to change. And I trust him more than Changmok Academy or the Dark Realms..."
Yangjie City.
Gang Gu rode out through the gates and approached Yeop Hyeon.
"I need to discuss something."
"What is it?"
Yeop Hyeon asked, and Gang Gu replied in a grave tone.
"The court is divided over what to do with Dang Country. Some want to extract war reparations and release their king; others say we should make Dang a vassal state outright. There are even voices calling to wipe them off the map so they can't retaliate..."
Gang Gu met Yeop Hyeon's eyes.
"What do you think?"
"What's your opinion?"
Yeop Hyeon countered, making Gang Gu glare at him.
"I asked first!"
Yeop Hyeon burst out laughing.
"Hahaha, but I don't know much about these things!"
"Just tell me your honest thoughts."
Yeop Hyeon pondered for a moment before replying.
"I think we should release them."
Gang Gu's face twisted in shock at the unexpected answer.
Yeop Hyeon continued gently.
"Demanding money from Dang could spark internal unrest or even fracture them, pushing some factions toward the Daeun Empire. Destroying a nation outright? Kanguk lacks the power for that—you know it well enough."
Yeop Hyeon paused briefly before going on.
"If we keep holding those two, the Daeun Empire will just plant puppets in Dang. Our hostages would become meaningless. Better to release them and forge an alliance."
"An alliance?"
Gang Gu exclaimed in surprise.
"But those two countries are like sworn enemies!"
Yeop Hyeon shook his head.
"You know Kanguk's situation best. With Dang's main forces still intact, if they pretend madness and ally with Wol Country, Cho Country, and the Daeun Empire to strike Yangjie City, we'd be defenseless."
"What if they side with the Daeun Empire after release?"
"Hahaha! They've already been brutally discarded by Changmok Academy and the Dark Realms—they paid a heavy price for it. I doubt they'll ever crawl back to them."
Gang Gu stared straight at Yeop Hyeon.
"There's always an 'if'."
"Then we erase Dang completely. Make sure they never rise again! Just relay what I said."
Gang Gu silently studied Yeop Hyeon's face for a long moment, then stepped closer. She gently traced the wounds on his body with pity.
"Truth is... you could leave now if you wanted..."
Leave...
She was right. Yeop Hyeon could abandon Kanguk and go anywhere.
If he withdrew from this battlefield, Changmok Academy and the Dark Realms—unable to deploy Myriad Laws Realm experts—couldn't touch him.
"Hahaha, what are you saying? There are people here I must protect. And I promised Dean Ji to rebuild Canglan Academy!"
Gang Gu smiled faintly.
"What about me?"
Yeop Hyeon feigned surprise before breaking into a bright grin.
"You're one of the people I have to protect."
The corner of Gang Gu's mouth twitched upward.
"A lot?"
"Tons!"
Gang Gu stared intently into Yeop Hyeon's face, then lightly slipped into his arms.
"If Lan-su and I fell into water, who would you save?"
Yeop Hyeon's expression froze like stone. This was that legendary question from the infamous Male Kinsman's Scripture!
Seeing Yeop Hyeon's soul seemingly flee his body, Gang Gu giggled and pinched his cheek.
"Idiot!"
With that, she darted back into the city.
Yeop Hyeon shook his head in bewilderment.
What on earth was going on in that girl's head...?
An hour later, Dang Country's king and Bae So-ho emerged from the gates. They approached Yeop Hyeon, and Dang Mok spoke first.
"We're leaving."
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"Safe travels."
This time, Bae So-ho looked at Yeop Hyeon.
"Aren't you afraid we'll return and ally with Changmok Academy and the Daeun Empire?"
Yeop Hyeon replied.
"Trusting Kanguk over them is your better bet for survival."
"Are you speaking for Kanguk now?"
Yeop Hyeon shook his head.
"No. But Kanguk won't betray its word to Dang. Of course, if Dang breaks the pact, I guarantee they'll vanish from this world."
Bae So-ho pierced Yeop Hyeon with his gaze.
"As long as this Bae So-ho lives and Kanguk keeps its promise, Dang will never betray you!"
At that moment, a black-clad figure hurried over from afar, cupping his fists to Yeop Hyeon.
"Young Master Yeop, Wol Country and Cho Country have launched their invasion! Kanguk's southern and eastern fronts have fallen, and their massive armies march on the Imperial City!"
Yeop Hyeon raised an eyebrow.
"What happened?"
"The Daeun Empire intervened."
Just then, Gang Gu rode out at the head of a cavalry unit. Pulling up beside Yeop Hyeon, she shouted.
"I'm heading to support Kanguk's forces!"
Bae So-ho, standing aside, called to her.
"Princess Gu, if you trust me, this old man will bring the Black Guards and Inspector Corps to join you!"
"That would be a tremendous help!"
Gang Gu glanced at Yeop Hyeon, who said to her.
"Wait just a moment."
Gang Gu smiled.
"Don't worry. Even if I die, I'll die right before your eyes, with your voice in my ears. Otherwise, I'll die with my eyes wide open!"