Chapter 151: For Brothers, One Can Even Die
Mu Yun Qi gazed into the darkness with sharp eyes, a golden flying dagger gripped in his hand.
At that moment, several more martial artists surrounded Yeop Hyeon.
They were all members of the Bi Jeok Mercenary Band, every one of them having broken through to the Divine Fusion Realm.
With Mu Yun Qi and the Bi Jeok Mercenary Band encircling Yeop Hyeon, not even a mouse could slip through.
Yeop Hyeon was utterly exhausted, craving nothing more than a good night's sleep. He simply drifted off right there. Now that Mu Yun Qi and the others were by his side, he could rest easy.
'Should be safe now, right?'
Soon enough, he fell into a deep slumber.
As if answering his thoughts, Mu Yun Qi and the others scanned the surroundings with piercing gazes.
It was then.
Thud!
From not far away came a dull impact, and a figure shot into the sky—the middle-aged man who had been fighting Luk Ban-jang.
The instant he crashed to the ground a dozen zhang away, Luk Ban-jang appeared out of nowhere and thrust a palm strike toward his head. Her hand blurred like an illusion in an instant.
The sheer force alone could pulverize the earth into dust.
The middle-aged man's pupils dilated massively. In that split second, he spread his legs wide and crossed his arms forward. Thick black energy erupted from his entire body, enveloping both arms.
Luk Ban-jang's palm strike landed.
Boom!
His legs sank deep into the ground, and his arms shattered. Seizing the moment with her foot planted, Luk Ban-jang drove her knee into his jaw.
Crack!
His head snapped back violently, blood spraying from his mouth. That single blow snapped his neck, ending him on the spot.
Luk Ban-jang reached out, and the lead token on the man's finger flew into her hand. A quick glance inside brought a smile to her lips.
Tucking the token away, she turned toward Cheong Sam-nyeo and leaped into the fray where she was battling Yeon Jeon.
Bam!
Yeon Jeon staggered back a dozen paces from Luk Ban-jang's sudden fist.
As Luk Ban-jang landed beside Cheong Sam-nyeo and prepared to launch again, a sinister voice echoed from the darkness.
"Retreat!"
'Retreat!?'
Yeon Jeon hesitated for a moment before turning to flee. But Luk Ban-jang and Cheong Sam-nyeo weren't about to let him.
Seeing the two women charge, Yeon Jeon narrowed his eyes and raised both hands. Strange black energy began gathering in his palms.
Suddenly, with a ferocious glare, he flung his hands forward. Two orbs of black energy ignited explosively on the spot.
Boom! Boom!
Luk Ban-jang and Cheong Sam-nyeo were pushed back to their original positions. When they looked up, two black gaseous masses hovered in the air.
Seriousness filled the women's eyes—they were stunned by the power. But it wouldn't stop them. Both shot forward simultaneously.
Yeon Jeon narrowed his eyes further and clenched his outstretched right fist.
"Shatter!"
With his command, the black masses detonated abruptly, spewing thick smoke.
Luk Ban-jang and Cheong Sam-nyeo whipped their sleeves to disperse it swiftly. By the time the smoke cleared, Yeon Jeon had vanished.
Meanwhile, none of the other martial artists in gray robes remained.
The two women plunged into the darkness in pursuit but soon halted. No presence lingered anywhere. They exchanged surprised glances.
"Should we chase them?"
Neung Han asked as he approached Luk Ban-jang.
She shook her head silently.
As Neung Han opened his mouth again, Luk Ban-jang's eyes flicked toward Yeop Hyeon lying on the ground.
"Wait until Yeop Hyeon wakes."
Neung Han nodded and returned to Yeop Hyeon's side.
Thus, Neung Han and the others stood guard around the soundly sleeping Yeop Hyeon.
At that moment, Cheong Sam-nyeo murmured softly.
"This isn't simple at all."
Luk Ban-jang remained silent.
Cheong Sam-nyeo eyed her with concern.
"From the looks of it, Chang Mok Academy from Jungto Sinju and the Dark Realm are beyond desperate—they're staking their lives. With that kind of resolve, even a Sword Immortal might not stop them.
These are survivors of Jungto Sinju's brutal landscape for thousands of years. Can one Sword Immortal really hold back their full might? If they come back... you know what I'm saying, right?"
With no response from Luk Ban-jang, Cheong Sam-nyeo furrowed her brow and snapped.
"Are you going to keep dragging us into this quagmire?!"
Still no answer.
Cheong Sam-nyeo raised her voice in feigned anger.
"You haven't even known that man long, and you're ready to bury your bones in Qingzhou for him? What about your family? Think beyond yourself—consider them! If your clan gets swept up in this, what then?"
Luk Ban-jang shook her head wordlessly and approached Yeop Hyeon. She gazed at him expressionlessly, slumped on the ground.
Cheong Sam-nyeo kicked the dirt in frustration.
The other men pretended not to hear, averting their eyes.
No man dared meddle in a fight between women that could freeze even the August moon with frost.
At that moment, the distant mountaintops began to pale.
Dawn was breaking.
By noon, Yeop Hyeon finally stirred, stretching as he opened his eyes. Seeing everyone gathered, he grinned broadly.
"So all you thieves are here!"
"Hahaha!"
"Hehehe!"
Everyone burst into laughter, faces lighting up.
It was all the more precious because not a single one had died—they were all alive.
Yeop Hyeon rose slowly, scanning Neung Han and the others. They had all reached the Divine Fusion Realm.
Joy overflowed on his face at his brothers' breakthroughs. Now it was time for him to seek a Spirit Sword.
But to advance to Divine Fusion Realm himself, he needed at least a mid-grade Mingjie sword.
A high-grade Spirit Sword wouldn't suffice for elevating his current realm.
Finding a mid-grade Mingjie Spirit Sword was no easy task. Moreover, it cost hundreds of millions in gold—or whatever price it commanded, exorbitantly expensive.
'Ah... still broke as ever...'
Yeop Hyeon sighed inwardly, lamenting his fortunes.
Then O Ru-ju appeared before them. Facing Yeop Hyeon, he hesitated, struggling to speak.
Yeop Hyeon asked politely.
"Lord Ru-ju, is something the matter?"
O Ru-ju nodded gravely.
"Truth be told, Chwi Seon Ru has recalled its Dao soldiers. Something must have happened."
Yeop Hyeon asked in surprise.
"You don't know the reason either, Lord Ru-ju?"
O Ru-ju shook his head.
"I don't know the details, but headquarters seems divided on this matter. Chang Mok Academy and the Dark Realm must have pulled some strings."
Wrinkles deepened on Yeop Hyeon's brow.
Chwi Seon Ru's full support fracturing now signaled a major shift. As O Ru-ju suspected, pressure from Chang Mok Academy and the Dark Realm was certain.
As if sensing his worry, O Ru-ju said.
"Don't fret. Chwi Seon Ru's support for you remains firm. I'll investigate this personally."
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"Thank you. Oh, one request—if you could help procure a sword? A mid-grade Mingjie one would do."
For Yeop Hyeon, even one such sword stretched his finances thin.
He'd gained wealth, but expenses matched it. Running Canglan Academy on track demanded staggering sums. Without his earnings, the academy—lacking steady income—could only twiddle its thumbs.
A mid-grade Mingjie sword...
O Ru-ju pondered briefly before replying.
"Very well. This old man will inquire through headquarters and order Qingzhou's Chwi Seon Ru branches. Expect word soon."
O Ru-ju hesitated again before speaking.
"Princess Gu is in southern Kanguk. Her forces may struggle against the armies of Wol and Cho, backed by Daeun Empire. Best if you go aid her before trouble brews."
"Has Daeun Empire's army arrived already?"
"Nothing confirmed yet. But tread carefully—they wield three thousand years of power. No weaker than Jungto Sinju's top sects. Remember that!"
Yeop Hyeon nodded thoughtfully.
A moment later, he addressed Neung Han and the others.
"Anyone tired?"
All shook their heads.
Yeop Hyeon glanced at Luk Ban-jang, who let out a long whistle. Soon, over a dozen black wolves raced up to Yangjie City's gates.
Yeop Hyeon's group mounted swiftly.
Yeop Hyeon turned to O Ru-ju.
"There are thirty Yao tribesmen in the city. Sorry to ask, but could you send them to Canglan Academy?"
O Ru-ju nodded.
"Leave it to me!"
Then to Bai Ze:
"Ze, go back to Canglan Academy with Lord Ru-ju. Watch the Yao tribesmen and students—no trouble. If any act up, I'll break their legs when I return!"
With that, Yeop Hyeon's group vanished on the black wolves in a blink.
Neung Han and the others went with them, but Cheong Sam-nyeo stayed in Yangjie City.
Gazing at the dust they left behind, she sighed.
"Why can't they see that brotherly bonds drive everyone into the jaws of death...?"
Bai Ze replied coldly.
"I'd lay down my life for Yeop Hyeon anytime. What are brothers? If not ready to die together, we never would have bonded!"
With that, Bai Ze turned and departed.