Chapter 208: As Long as I'm Here, Jeoguk Won't Fall
Gang Gu's words drew a laugh from Yeop Hyeon.
"I've got it all figured out, so don't worry. Let's select five from Ganguk and five from Jeoguk. Hell, more than that works too if you've got 'em. Gang Gu, you pick the five strongest from the Chang Lan Dao Soldiers. Cheok Bal-eon, you do the same—grab the toughest fighters from Jeoguk. Then I'll test them personally and make the final cut!"
Yeop Hyeon slammed his palm down on the table.
"What I want are the elite of the elite!"
The Chang Lan Dao Soldiers were strong, sure, but they still fell short of what he needed. He required blades—razor-sharp ones that could slice through anything.
Especially in this chaotic world, he needed transcendent soldiers who could handle any mission without fail.
And to forge such warriors, he'd need help.
Even with backing from Jeoguk, Ganguk, and Chwiseonru, this plan was a gamble with no guarantees.
But Yeop Hyeon was determined to see it through.
Right now, even with twenty True Realm swords in his grasp, breaking into the Myriad Laws Realm was impossible. He hadn't fully mastered the Divine Fusion Realm yet. And even if he did ascend, these were dangerous times.
Rushing could ruin everything.
His immediate priority was solidifying his current realm. Only then could he safely push toward the Myriad Laws Realm.
In the meantime, his goal was to assemble a new force of Dao Soldiers stronger than those of Canglan Academy.
"You're serious about this, right?"
Cheok Bal-eon eyed him intently, and Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"I can't let Qingzhou spiral into more chaos. At the very least, Ganguk and Jeoguk need to stay stable. My power alone isn't enough."
At that, Cheok Bal-eon extended her storage ring toward him.
"This is…?"
Her expression calm, she replied flatly.
"Thirty million top-grade spirit stones."
Yeop Hyeon and Gang Gu were left speechless.
Thirty million top-grade spirit stones?
Yeop Hyeon couldn't hide his shock. It was more than what he'd looted from Changmok Academy.
As if reading his thoughts, Cheok Bal-eon explained.
"The Jeoguk imperial family has hoarded wealth for generations, preparing for crises like this. And now's the time."
"B-but this is Jeoguk's lifeline! Giving it to me…"
"If not for you, Jeoguk would've fallen today. In exchange, promise me this: as long as you live, protect Jeoguk!"
Yeop Hyeon nodded vigorously.
"As long as I'm here, Jeoguk won't fall. I promise."
Cheok Bal-eon nodded, relief washing over her.
Gang Gu spoke up then.
"When I return to Ganguk, I'll ask my father to gather spirit stones too. But with the kingdom's state, it might not be much."
"Perfect! You two go select your people. I'll handle the rest!"
Gang Gu and Cheok Bal-eon left the hall.
Selection!
Their task was to choose the five strongest warriors from each nation—a far from simple feat.
Yeop Hyeon stayed behind, as if waiting for someone. Sure enough, before half a shichen had passed, an elderly man appeared in the hall.
It was O Lu Ju.
Yeop Hyeon handed him a storage ring without a word.
"Convert everything inside to top-grade spirit stones!"
O Lu Ju peered into the ring, his eyes widening. It held one Heavenly Realm weapon, ten Earth Realm superior weapons, two True Realm spirit artifacts, over thirty Ming Realm spirit artifacts, and about eighty top-grade spirit artifacts.
Treasures that would stun anyone.
The Heavenly Realm weapon and True Realm spirit artifacts were especially priceless.
O Lu Ju said nothing unnecessary, pocketed the ring, and departed.
Once he was gone, Yeop Hyeon entered the Gyeok Ok Tower. In one corner, a sword trembled faintly.
The Heavenly Realm sword.
Yeop Hyeon gazed at it softly.
"Stay with me for one year, and I'll grant you freedom. I promise."
The sword showed no reaction, so he turned to leave.
Then, a light tremor came from behind, followed by a faint sword cry echoing through the space.
Yeop Hyeon froze in place.
Daeun Empire.
A woman leaned against the city walls, her hands tucked into her long robe. Black phoenix claws were embroidered on both sleeves.
She was Yeon Man Ri, the High Mountain King of the Daeun Empire.
Before her stood an elderly man in a pink robe covered in explicit depictions of nearly nude men and women entangled in intimate acts.
Fear flickered in his eyes toward Yeon Man Ri—he'd just lost to her in a single exchange.
In one second flat!
The old man clasped his fists and spoke.
"Lady Yeon, what are your thoughts on our prior agreement to destroy Yeop Hyeon, Ganguk, and Jeoguk?"
Yeon Man Ri blinked.
"What thoughts? There's nothing to think about. I fully support your Hehwan Sect!"
The old man's face lit up.
"You mean that?"
"Of course I do!"
Qingzhou's spirit energy faded by the day. Many regions had already depleted entirely, turning to barren wastelands.
Cities and fortresses across Qingzhou were becoming ghost towns, haunted shells.
People fled depleted areas for those still rich in spirit energy. With Jungto Sinju warriors pillaging everywhere, Qingzhou was utter chaos.
A while later.
Yeon Man Ri stood gazing beyond the walls. Behind her loomed a woman with a longsword at her waist.
Yeon Man Ri wore a crimson skirt so long it trailed the ground, embroidered with vivid red scales that made her look like a living phoenix.
She lifted her gaze to the distant mountains. Long lines of refugees snaked visibly through the peaks, all risking everything for the imperial city.
Spirit energy lingered there still.
The city gates remained open, allowing free passage.
"Aju, report the situation."
The woman called Aju bowed slightly.
"My liege, spirit energy has vanished from thirty percent of Daeun territory. Another thirty percent is depleting rapidly—likely gone within a month."
Aju steadied her breath before continuing.
"Opportunists are exploiting the chaos everywhere, joined by Jungto Sinju powerhouses. Plunder ravages Qingzhou."
"Hm… And Ganguk and Jeoguk?"
"They're faring better. After Jeoguk's recent decisive victory, Jungto Sinju warriors dare not target them. But Hehwan Sect and Huanso Sect still eye Jeoguk's ruler, Cheok Bal-eon."
"Because of her Inner Charm Body?"
Aju shook her head.
"It's more complex. She's not just an Inner Charm Body—her bloodline is extraordinary too."
Bloodline?
"Do you know what kind?"
"Not yet."
Just then, shouts erupted below the walls.
Yeon Man Ri turned to see a group brawling at the gates.
She spoke lightly.
"Have the Black Flame Cavalry patrol the walls day and night. Behead any troublemakers and hang their heads above the gates. Relay the same to the king's royal guard: instant execution for any disturbance near the palace."
Aju paled inwardly.
The king's royal guard—the empire's most enigmatic warriors.
Even Aju, one of them, didn't know the others' identities or numbers. Only Yeon Man Ri knew the full truth—and only she could command them.
"Also, prepare one cloud ship immediately."
"Where to, my liege?"
"I promised Hehwan Sect I'd help kill Yeop Hyeon, so I should at least show my face. This king doesn't break her word!"
A cryptic smile played on Yeon Man Ri's lips.
Aju bowed, sensing her liege's scheming once more.
Jeoguk.
Outside the imperial city, Gang Ya and two Myriad Laws Realm experts stood deferentially. Facing them was an old man in a pink robe, his body reeking of overpowering perfume.
He was Hehwan Sect's vice sect leader, the Hehwan Elder. No one knew his true name.
"That Yeop Hyeon… truly Divine Fusion Realm?"
"Yes. But his combat prowess rivals the top ten of Yo Yeolbang."
Top ten of Yo Yeolbang?
Gang Ya's words furrowed the elder's brow gravely.
"Backers?"
"Rumors say a Sword Immortal has his back."
Sword Immortal?
The elder whipped around.
"Is that true?"
"Likely. Without her, he couldn't stand against Changmok Academy alone. I inquired there—apparently, this Sword Immortal was gravely wounded by them and fled. They're hunting her now."
The elder sighed in relief.
"Good!"
His expression eased, then puzzled again.
"Then why hasn't Changmok Academy finished Yeop Hyeon?"
"Probably the sudden changes in Qingcang Realm. With spirit energy depleting and chaos everywhere, they lack time for Qingzhou. Jungto Sinju is their priority—no spare resources for him."
The elder nodded.
"Makes sense."
Gazing past the walls at Jeoguk's imperial city, his eyes turned crimson.
"That girl isn't just an Inner Charm Body—she bears the Yin Spirit Bloodline we've craved even in dreams. It must be suppressed from childhood with potent aphrodisiacs, but after all these years, the energy pent up inside her must be immense. If I could bed her and absorb that bloodline…"
His fists trembled faintly.
But he regained composure.
"The sect leader will come once Jungto Sinju matters wrap up. We must claim her. If we do, he'll reach new heights, and Hehwan Sect will soar to demonic path supremacy!"
"Watch Huanso Sect. They're quiet now, but they won't miss this chaos."
The elder nodded.
"Sect leader needs at least two more days. We can't wait—once High Mountain King Yeon Man Ri joins, we storm the city, kill Yeop Hyeon, and take the girl."
"B-but the Sword Immortal…"
Gang Ya trailed off uneasily.
"Ignore her. Gravely wounded by Changmok Academy, she won't dare show. An incomplete Sword Immortal dies to the sect leader's flick."
"You're right."
Gang Ya's face twisted viciously.
"If we capture Yeop Hyeon, can I have some fun with him? I want him to suffer worse than death…"
The elder eyed him.
"Do as you please."
Gang Ya's eyes gleamed.