Chapter 220: It's All Over Now
Yeop Hyeon's battle prowess had already reached the level where he could slay a Myriad Laws Realm expert. If he became a Sword Emperor and fused with the Heavenly Sword on top of that, just how much stronger would he grow?
The black-robed elder trembled violently. Half of it was rage, the other half pure terror.
At that moment, the Myriad Laws Realm experts who had been watching from behind the elder sprang into action. The other warriors from Jungto Sinju followed suit, charging straight at Yeop Hyeon.
A Sword Emperor?!
There were no shortage of young geniuses in Jungto Sinju who had ascended to Sword Lord at a tender age. But a Sword Emperor at Yeop Hyeon's age? That was something unheard of.
Once Yeop Hyeon became a Sword Emperor, who could possibly stand against him?
They had to eliminate this obstacle named Yeop Hyeon right here and now.
In stark contrast, Yeop Hyeon stood calmly in place. Black and white strands of sword intent continuously emanated from his body.
Just then, Mu Yun Qi and the other two stepped forward to shield him.
Mu Yun Qi's face paled slightly as he eyed the dozen or so Myriad Laws Realm experts rushing toward them.
"No, seriously! Why does this guy have an epiphany every damn time he fights?!"
They knew they couldn't hold them off.
All three were well aware that there was no way they could stop over a dozen Myriad Laws Realm powerhouses.
But none of them retreated a single step.
Right then, Yeon Man Ri strode up beside them. In her hand was a massive Azure Dragon Blade so long it dragged along the ground.
She locked eyes with the nearest Myriad Laws Realm expert for a moment, then exploded forward with a step, swinging the blade ferociously with one hand.
Boom!
The lead Myriad Laws Realm expert shattered into pieces in an instant, his body exploding outward over a hundred zhang.
Instant kill!
The entire arena fell silent as jaws dropped in unison.
Even the Myriad Laws Realm experts froze in shock, halting their advance to stare at Yeon Man Ri. Panic flickered in their eyes.
She had erased a Myriad Laws Realm powerhouse with a single strike—and so effortlessly.
That blow embodied terror itself.
The warriors of Jungto Sinju weren't the only ones stunned. Aju, standing behind Yeon Man Ri, couldn't close her mouth either.
She had never seen Yeon Man Ri unleash her full power before. She knew the woman was strong, but this level of skill was beyond imagination.
Yeon Man Ri swept her sharp gaze over the warriors before her, then pointed her finger at the black-robed elder and bellowed.
"To be frank, your skills are barely worth watching. Which of you dares to even receive a single strike from this king's blade?"
The black-robed elder and his cohorts stiffened, their faces hardening.
They had thought Yeop Hyeon was the pinnacle of Qingzhou. But this woman before them was an even greater monster!
'Since when did Qingzhou have so many powerhouses?'
At that moment, the black-robed elder spoke quietly.
"Now I see—you're the High Mountain King of the Daeun Empire. This old man is an elder of the Sado family from the Upper Realm. Our sole target is Yeop Hyeon. If the High Mountain King spares the face of the Sado family today, we shall repay the favor one day!"
Yeon Man Ri shook her head.
"I refuse."
The elder's expression grew increasingly sinister.
"Do you wish to bring calamity upon the Daeun Empire?"
Yeon Man Ri glanced at Yeop Hyeon before replying.
"Truth be told, this king doesn't particularly like that man. He's sly and cunning, with a face thicker than a city wall, patriarchal, petty... However..."
A smile gradually spread across Yeon Man Ri's lips.
"While chaos engulfed Qingzhou and everyone cowered in fear—while some even schemed to seize opportunities for personal gain—Yeop Hyeon alone stepped forward to defend it. Once this king cast aside her prejudices, where else could such a heroic man be found?"
"Aiding him makes you enemies of the Sado family!"
"Hah, then so be it. We'll be enemies!"
Yeon Man Ri pointed at Yeop Hyeon and declared.
"As long as this king stands, not a single hair on his head shall be touched!"
In that instant, the Azure Dragon Blade in her hand trembled violently, unleashing a deafening dragon's roar that echoed through the air.
The faces of the black-robed elder and his allies twisted in dismay.
'Do the people of Qingzhou truly have no fear of death?'
"Very well. Then witness the might of the Sado family!"
The black-robed elder pulled out a golden talisman. A beam of golden light shot skyward from it.
It was a distress signal calling for reinforcements.
Just then, Aju approached Yeon Man Ri and whispered softly.
"My liege, the Sado family is counted among the top forces of the Upper Realm..."
"Even if Hogye Meng itself arrived, this king's resolve would not waver!"
Aju fell silent at Yeon Man Ri's words.
And then Cheok Bal-eon appeared quietly.
"But sis, don't you like Yeop Hyeon?"
'Like him? Me?'
Yeon Man Ri blinked in flustered confusion, shaking her head vigorously.
"No, absolutely not! How could this king like a thick-skinned brute like that?"
"Then you hate him?"
"Well... he's too brazen!"
Cheok Bal-eon was utterly baffled. So did she like him or not?
As curiosity got the better of her and she leaned in to ask more, Yeon Man Ri whispered into her ear.
"A woman must never admit outright who she likes. If a man learns the truth, he'll treat you like a fish already caught in his net. Always keep it ambiguous. Got it?"
Cheok Bal-eon furrowed her brow, struggling to process the profound advice with a serious expression.
Yeon Man Ri suddenly turned to glance at Yeop Hyeon. Memories of the imperial palace flooded her mind, flushing her cheeks with heat. Unthinkingly, she swung the Azure Dragon Blade.
Boom!
Half a dozen warriors standing over ten zhang away were bisected without warning, their bodies splitting apart.
The Jungto Sinju warriors panicked.
'Has that woman gone mad? Why kill out of nowhere?'
Yeon Man Ri sheathed her blade and eyed the mangled corpses.
"You were all so hideous, you were an eyesore from the start!"
"......"
A flicker of fear crossed the black-robed elder's eyes as he stared at her.
Only now did he realize she was a True Myriad Laws Realm powerhouse.
True Myriad Laws Realm!
The elder knew full well the gulf between ordinary Myriad Laws Realm and True Myriad Laws Realm. For her to have reached it at such a young age!
Everyone assumed Yeop Hyeon was Qingzhou's greatest genius, but in truth, it was Yeon Man Ri.
The elder, who had been glaring piercingly at Yeon Man Ri, turned back toward Yeop Hyeon. No matter what, they had to kill him.
An Ranxiu with the War God Bloodline!
The Sado family had to claim that woman—no matter the cost.
She was non-negotiable.
They knew Yeop Hyeon's backing was formidable, but the Sado family still had to eliminate him.
The stronger Yeop Hyeon grew, the more likely the An family would choose him over the Sado family.
That was precisely why the elder had come here himself.
Meanwhile, Yeop Hyeon remained standing silently in place.
Had he gained enlightenment just now?
No, it was closer to self-reflection.
No one could maintain a steadfast heart throughout life. Even Yeop Hyeon had stumbled through countless trials and errors.
The stronger one's power grew, the easier it was to lose one's original intent.
It was easy to remember grudges, but hard to remember favors.
Falling into corruption was simple; true progress was arduous.
The greatest enemy a person faced in life was no one else but themselves.
Right then, the two strands of sword intent enveloping Yeop Hyeon's body vanished abruptly.
All eyes turned to him.
The black-robed elder clenched his fist, staring intently. Anxiety gnawed at him inwardly.
If Yeop Hyeon became a Sword Emperor, the An family might acknowledge him.
A promising young man not even thirty who had become a Sword Emperor—that was Yeop Hyeon. No matter how mighty the An or Sado families were, they couldn't ignore such a figure.
Most crucially, An Ranxiu harbored feelings for him. If Yeop Hyeon ascended to Sword Emperor in this situation, the Sado family would be at an even greater disadvantage.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, murderous intent flashed in the elder's eyes.
At that moment, he looked up. A colossal formless energy descended from the sky, pressing down on the arena. The warriors recoiled in shock, scrambling backward.
Tearing through the void came two elders.
Law Realm experts.
The black-robed elder's expression eased at the sight of them.
'Finally, you've arrived!'
They were warriors specially invited by the Sado family.
The elder approached them with a light bow, then pointed at Yeop Hyeon and Yeon Man Ri.
One of the elders extended his palm toward Yeop Hyeon from afar.
The space right before Yeop Hyeon warped violently.
In that instant, Yeon Man Ri appeared in front of him and slammed the Azure Dragon Blade down from above.
Boom!
A mountain-shaking roar echoed as the distorted space snapped back to normal.
The elder who had just struck turned his gaze to Yeon Man Ri.
"True Myriad Laws Realm!"
As he prepared to attack her, Yeop Hyeon lifted his head and addressed him.
"I bear no grudge against the Sado family, nor do I wish to become enemies. Why do you seek my death?"
"If you swear to abandon any feelings for the An family heiress and never appear before her again, we won't touch you or those around you. Of course, refuse and call forth the Sword Immortal behind you if you like. The Sado family doesn't fight with numbers. I'll face you one-on-one, so worry not."
As Yeop Hyeon opened his mouth to refuse, a woman in mourning garb appeared before them. She glanced at a distant starry void in the sky, frowned, and shouted.
"How dare you filthy trash speak to me like that? Get lost!"
A strand of energy writhed in the sky before vanishing among the stars.
"Are you the Sword Immortal? This old man wishes to test your strength—come at me!"
The woman in mourning garb turned to the elder, staring him down piercingly.
Yeop Hyeon's face drained of color, turning ashen white in an instant.
"It's over... The world is doomed..."