Chapter 174: A Sword Immortal Upstart Can't Handle It
Yeop Hyeon knew better than anyone that Canglan Academy lacked strength. What they needed most was to bolster their forces.
And it all had to happen quickly. Their enemies wouldn't give them much time.
To rapidly improve their power, what they needed was money.
A tremendous amount of it.
Fortunately, they already had good equipment secured. Without that level of preparation, they couldn't have even formed the Dao soldiers. Even if they had, the unit would have had no real competitiveness.
Even so, Yeop Hyeon was a bit flustered.
The cost for just one cavalryman was far beyond his expectations.
This wasn't mere spending—it was literally burning money.
Gang Gu's expression was equally grim. Even emptying Kanguk's national treasury wouldn't cover the expenses for these cavalrymen.
Moreover, Yeop Hyeon had to support the other Canglan Academy students as well.
They couldn't rob every day.
"Canglan Academy needs to generate some profit!"
Yeop Hyeon turned to Gu Jiu at her words.
"It's unrealistic for you to shoulder the entire academy alone. And you shouldn't anyway. Canglan Academy has become a major force in Kanguk now, so it can create its own revenue."
"How?"
Yeop Hyeon asked urgently.
"That's... something for you to figure out."
"..."
'Generate profit?'
After the meeting ended, Yeop Hyeon took Gang Gu and headed to Canglan Hall. Mu Yun Qi and the others were already there.
They sat in a circle and began discussing how to create profit.
As Gu Jiu had said, it wasn't good for Yeop Hyeon to bear the academy's operations alone. They needed another way.
In the midst of the heated debate, Geom Cho-cho suddenly interjected.
"But isn't this actually simple?"
Everyone turned to Geom Cho-cho. She winked.
"First, collect tuition from the students. That'll cover their living expenses automatically. Of course, offer reductions or exemptions for the poor, but charge the wealthy ones fully."
Geom Cho-cho held up two fingers.
"Second, open Canglan Academy to the public. Let anyone who pays tour the grounds and watch the training. Draw some lines for security, of course. And survey the mountain behind the academy for gold or spirit stones. If you're lucky, you could strike it rich."
She raised a third finger.
"Third, even if nothing's on our mountain, send students to unclaimed mountains to explore. If they find anything, Canglan Academy claims it and profits."
As she paused, Yeop Hyeon pleaded desperately.
"Pl-please, keep going. More!"
Geom Cho-cho smiled and continued.
"Another way: send students down the mountain for experience and have them take mercenary jobs when possible. They'll train, earn money, and boost Canglan Academy's reputation as a bonus."
"Oh... such wisdom! Keep going!"
Geom Cho-cho smiled faintly.
"Do you know how clans and factions make the most money?"
Everyone shook their heads at her question.
Yeop Hyeon and the others were clueless about such matters. Gang Gu was Kanguk's princess but spent most of her time in the barracks, so she knew little about making money.
Geom Cho-cho met each of their eyes seriously.
"They collect protection fees!"
"..."
"Canglan Academy could do the same from Kanguk's clans and factions."
Gang Gu frowned slightly.
"That feels a bit..."
She nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, it doesn't suit us."
"You think it bullies the weak?"
Yeop Hyeon and the others nodded.
"Fine! Let's change it. Charge an annual fee for clans' heirs to train at Canglan Academy as guests. Not formal disciples, but the talented ones could become official later. They'd be thrilled."
Yeop Hyeon hesitated, then asked Mu Yun Qi and the others.
"What do you think?"
Mu Yun Qi pondered before replying.
"Can't hurt... but only with clear standards. Otherwise, it'll tarnish the academy's reputation."
Geom Cho-cho nodded.
"Agreed. Don't overdo it or get greedy. Stick to quotas strictly to maintain value."
Yeop Hyeon looked at Geom Cho-cho.
"I'd appoint you as Canglan Academy's Chief Treasurer to handle all this. What say you?"
Geom Cho-cho blinked.
"Chief Treasurer?"
"Yes. Manage revenues, dispense as needed."
"What's in it for me?"
"You'll study the sword path with me and share insights. Plus, ten percent of annual profits as your share. Deal?"
'Ten percent?'
Geom Cho-cho's eyes sparkled, visions of money dancing before her.
As Yeop Hyeon opened his mouth to speak to the seemingly thoughtful Geom Cho-cho—
Bam!
She slammed the table with her palm, staring straight at him.
"I'll do it!"
"..."
And so, Canglan Academy gained a Chief Treasurer.
Yeop Hyeon turned to Ji An Zhi.
"An Zhi, you'll handle academy administration from now on. I'll support as many staff as needed. But don't neglect your training!"
Ji An Zhi nodded.
"Tell me any problems anytime, got it?"
"Got it."
"What about me and Bai Ze?"
Mu Yun Qi suddenly asked.
Yeop Hyeon thought deeply before answering.
"You two scout talent. Travel Qingzhou, recruit promising prospects to join Canglan Academy."
Canglan Academy was still small. To grow, they needed constant influx of good talent.
Canglan Academy wasn't strong just because Yeop Hyeon was. He wanted it to remain powerful even without him.
With that, they dispersed to their tasks.
Canglan Academy couldn't waste a moment.
Changmok Academy, Daeun Empire, and the Dark Realm could strike anytime.
Yeop Hyeon left for Chwi Seon Ru. Upon arrival, O Ru-ju greeted him warmly with a smile.
"Yeop Hyeon, congratulations!"
"Congratulations?"
Yeop Hyeon was puzzled.
"For victory over Daeun Empire, Changmok Academy, and the Dark Realm!"
"Ah... Lord O Ru-ju... they haven't been defeated yet. Kanguk and Canglan Academy can't claim victory either."
O Ru-ju peered into Yeop Hyeon's face.
"Knowing that puts me at ease."
"Anyway, Lord, Canglan Academy will buy much more from Chwi Seon Ru soon."
"No worries. I'll scour all Qingzhou for whatever you need. As for price, headquarters already ordered no profit from you, so relax."
Yeop Hyeon cupped his fists.
"Truly grateful!"
These words came from the heart. Without Chwi Seon Ru's support, even endless money couldn't develop Canglan Academy quickly.
"No need for such formality between us."
"Hahaha! By the way, any suspicious moves from Changmok Academy, Dark Realm, or Daeun Empire?"
O Ru-ju shook his head.
"After Gaeyang Fortress, we sent spies, but nothing unusual. But it won't end here. They've come this far—they won't stop."
O Ru-ju's expression grew heavy as he eyed Yeop Hyeon.
"Just in case: don't break through to Divine Fusion Realm yet!"
Yeop Hyeon raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"If you reach Divine Fusion, they'll likely send Myriad Laws experts. Staying put means they won't risk sending Myriad Laws or Law Realm fighters easily. As you know, in Qingzhou without An Ranxiu, no one but Myriad Laws can beat you!"
The strongest below Myriad Laws!
As O Ru-ju said, without An Ranxiu, no one in Qingzhou save Myriad Laws could match Yeop Hyeon.
Yeop Hyeon fell silent briefly.
'Don't advance to Divine Fusion...'
He soon nodded.
"Sound advice. I'll solidify my realm and develop Canglan Academy."
"Exactly! Priority is firming your realm and boosting the academy. Also prepare for Jungto Sinju's Canglan Academy."
Yeop Hyeon frowned.
"You mean their main branch will attack our Kanguk Canglan Academy?"
O Ru-ju nodded.
"They ignored us when we were poor, but now it's different. They know we're growing fast. At this rate, we'll be a giant force soon—they'll come snarling. Guard your hard-grown fruit!"
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"I'll remember. I hope they don't, but if they do, no fear. We're surrounded by enemies already—one more changes nothing."
O Ru-ju gave a wry smile.
Then Yeop Hyeon handed over a golden plaque.
"Five hundred million gold nyang. Buy as many swords like Jil Yeong as possible—no limit."
O Ru-ju nodded.
"Leave it to me."
With that, Yeop Hyeon bid farewell.
On his way back to Canglan Academy, as he entered the main road, a black-robed elder blocked him.
A familiar face—the elder from Gaeyang Fortress beside An Ranxiu.
The elder stared coldly.
"You've got nine lives, brat!"
"Elder, mind your words!"
The black-robed elder sneered mockingly.
"Mind my words? Hahaha! Yeop Hyeon, strutting because a Sword Immortal backs you? Let me tell you: the An family is a martial god bloodline spanning ten thousand years. No mere Sword Immortal upstart can handle us!"