We Will Help You!
Yeop Hyeon's awkward demeanor made the old man's expression grow darker by the second.
He had begun to suspect that this whole affair might be connected to Hogye Meng.
'What could Hogye Meng possibly gain from this?'
The old man's gaze shifted back to Yeop Hyeon.
"There's no reason for Hogye Meng to do something like this. Are you trying to deceive this old man?"
Yeop Hyeon didn't answer and hurriedly tried to leave. But before he could take a few steps, the old man blocked his path.
"You don't want Sado Ga's grudge to be entirely directed at you, do you?"
Yeop Hyeon replied with a blank expression.
"I have only four things to say. First, Changmok Academy's Qingzhou branch has been completely annihilated, so why has the main branch in Jungto Sinju remained silent all this time?
"Second, how did Sado Ga's patriarch, over a dozen Myriad Laws Realm experts, and hundreds of Jungto Sinju warriors vanish without a trace?
"Third, how was Hogye Meng able to point the finger at me right after they disappeared, as if they'd been waiting for it?
"Fourth, if that's the case, why didn't Hogye Meng come after me themselves and instead issue a wanted order? Think on it yourself!"
With that, Yeop Hyeon departed.
Watching his retreating figure, the old man clenched his fists tightly.
First, Yeop Hyeon's initial point. At first, the old man had believed the Sword Immortal was behind the destruction of Changmok Academy. But Sado Ga's investigation revealed that after paying a massive fine to Hogye Meng, the main branch had been unable to recover and had ended up under An Ga's protection.
If Yeop Hyeon's backer had destroyed Qingzhou's Changmok Academy, why had they been forced to pay that fine?
Second, Sado Ga had dispatched one True Law Realm expert and ten Myriad Laws Realm masters at the time. Along with them were an ultra-elite assassin from the shadow realm and hundreds of Jungto Sinju warriors. That was enough to form a full-fledged faction in Jungto Sinju.
Yet they had all vanished without a trace.
It was too implausible to attribute to the Sword Immortal alone. Erasing so many without a whisper was impossible for anyone short of a handful of colossal powers.
And Hogye Meng was one of those rare behemoths.
So why had Hogye Meng issued a wanted order for Yeop Hyeon immediately after their disappearance?
With their power, eliminating one Yeop Hyeon would be trivial—why go through the hassle?
What if Hogye Meng had orchestrated everything and pinned the blame on Yeop Hyeon?
In that instant, the old man's eyes flashed. Every puzzle piece fell into place.
This was all Hogye Meng's scheme! The motives were endless.
For instance, it could be a ploy to weaken Jungto Sinju's factions. Everyone knew Hogye Meng had long opposed their growing strength!
And Yeop Hyeon was merely the scapegoat to make it happen.
Realization dawned, and the old man's face twisted into a ferocious scowl.
"Right... something's been off from the start. How could Yeop Hyeon alone handle all of Sado Ga's warriors? It's nonsense! It was all Hogye Meng's plot!"
The old man vanished in a hurry. He had to warn Sado Ga of this massive trap as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, deep in the mountains, Yeop Hyeon was swinging his sword like a madman.
One Sword Determines Life and Death!
He aimed to perfect this technique to its ultimate realm.
So that when the time came, a single strike would end his foe.
Even as Yeop Hyeon immersed himself in training, warriors from Jungto Sinju continued pouring into Qingzhou without end.
Those who had gone to Canglan Province returned stronger, spurring everyone else to head to Qingzhou. The promise of riches only fueled the rush.
However, after the Sado Ga elder who had spoken with Yeop Hyeon last returned to Jungto Sinju, the continent's top factions stopped entering Qingzhou.
Jungto Sinju is divided into the Upper Realm and Lower Realm. Among the Lower Realm's countless powers, the most renowned are the One Gate, One Vein, One Sword, Three Sects, and Six Clans.
The One Gate is known as Hyeonmun, the strongest force in Jungto Sinju's Lower Realm. They were enigmatic, as no one knew their headquarters. But everyone knew they'd produced the Yo Yeolbang's number one warrior six times.
The One Vein refers to the demon realm forces of the Mansu Mountain Range. Their might was undeniable. Next was the One Sword: Cheonggeomjong, Qingcang Realm's greatest sword cultivator sect.
The Three Sects include Majong, Hyeon-eum-jong, and Bukhanjong. Majong was the strongest, backed by countless demonic paths like the Blood Sect, Ghost Sect, and Union Sect. Many demonic forces had entered Qingzhou this time, yet oddly, Majong showed no movement.
This wasn't unique to Majong—the One Gate, One Vein, One Sword, Three Sects, and Six Clans were all similarly quiet.
People found it strange but had no answers.
Hogye Meng's main headquarters.
The headquarters perched atop the sheer cliffs of Hogye Mountain. Looking down from Hogye Meng granted the sensation of an immortal paradise at one's feet.
Inside Hogye Hall, Yuk Jon Ju sat with a stern expression. Before him, a slightly hunched old man spoke gravely.
When the elder finished, Yuk Jon Ju spoke.
"Even Upper Realm intelligence couldn't uncover anything about her?"
"Nothing at all. We checked every sword cultivator, grand sword master, and even higher beings in the Upper and Lower Realms, but no such woman exists. It's as if she dropped from the heavens."
Yuk Jon Ju's brow furrowed deeply.
The white-clad woman!
Hogye Meng hadn't abandoned their investigation. Leaving her be was too great a threat.
Yuk Jon Ju firmly believed Yeop Hyeon's backer—the woman—was still alive.
Yet no matter their efforts, they learned nothing.
"This woman is no ordinary foe. Should we perhaps give up?"
"We can't let the one who slew a Hogye Meng True Law Realm expert go free!"
The elder shut his mouth at Yuk Jon Ju's angry tone. In his view, their losses were forgivable. Her power was too terrifying for revenge.
Yuk Jon Ju closed his eyes slowly.
"I've already informed my superiors. We must uncover her origins, no matter what. She could ruin our great undertaking. Spread the wanted order through the Star Network to other Heavenly Star Realms too. If she's not in Qingcang Realm, we'll find her elsewhere..."
"Lord, this old man has one question. Why pursue her so relentlessly?"
"Her single sword undid a millennium of that one's efforts. If he were in Qingcang Realm, would he spare her? He's already ordered us to find her by any means and exact vengeance!"
The elder nodded lightly.
"Understood."
"Good. And the One Gate, One Vein, Three Sects, and Six Clans—still no movement?"
"Nothing beyond Majong. Highly suspicious."
"I'll issue a new decree. Whoever kills Yeop Hyeon shall receive two Heavenly Realm techniques, two Heavenly Realm weapons, two Heavenly Realm spirit artifacts, five hundred million top-grade spirit stones, twenty jade-grade spirit veins, and one Hogye Command Token as reward. Hah, let's see if they stay idle now!"
Hogye Command Token!
It wasn't some legendary treasure in itself. But its bearer could request Hogye Meng's aid once.
Far more valuable than Heavenly Realm treasures.
News of Hogye Meng's new rewards spread, setting Qingcang Realm ablaze once more.
Yeop Hyeon's name rose again on everyone's lips.
Afterward, hordes headed to Qingzhou—not for plunder, but for his head.
A saying swept Qingcang Realm:
Capture Yeop Hyeon, and three generations feast in luxury!
Meanwhile, in a dense forest, Yeop Hyeon—deep in training—suddenly turned. An old man entered his view.
It was O Ru-ju of Chwiseonru.
O Ru-ju had already reached the Law Realm.
With a wave, a table appeared between them, topped with a jar and cups.
O Ru-ju poured himself a cup, downed it, grimaced, and spoke.
"Yeop Hyeon, my apologies. Chwiseonru's pulling out of Qingzhou entirely... We can't offer more help."
Yeop Hyeon tossed back his cup and smiled.
"It's fine!"
"Hahaha, as expected, so magnanimous!"
As O Ru-ju rose to leave, he paused.
"Oh, right—from today, I should call you Dean!"
"Dean? What do you mean all of a sudden?"
"Haha, well, as of today, this old man is leaving Chwiseonru to join Canglan Academy! Hahaha!"
O Ru-ju vanished.
Yeop Hyeon stood stunned for a moment, then flicked a finger. A leaf fluttered down from over ten zhang away.
In its place, a sword hovered in the air.
His flying sword technique was now twice as fast as before. Within ten zhang, even he could barely track its path.
Flying Sword!
One Sword Determines Life and Death!
If One Sword Determines Life and Death came from the Heavenly Maiden, the flying sword was his own creation. His greatest gain from this training: enhancing the flying sword's power.
Infusing it with sword intent and sword momentum yielded surprising results.
Even against a Law Realm expert, Yeop Hyeon was confident he could kill within ten zhang.
Ten Zhang One Kill!
The name he gave this flying sword art.
Satisfied, as Yeop Hyeon turned to leave, an old man appeared before him. Dressed in wide robes, with flowing white hair and a face etched like a spiderweb of wrinkles, he looked ancient.
Yet his aura was an unfathomable abyss, like the ocean depths.
The old man spoke first, calmly.
"This old man is Sa Do-myeong, former patriarch of Sado Ga."
"What business?"
Yeop Hyeon asked flatly. The old man stared intently before replying.
"I wish to meet the Sword Immortal behind you."
Yeop Hyeon shook his head.
"Impossible."
"Why?"
Yeop Hyeon's expression darkened at the question.
"She's gravely wounded by Hogye Meng warriors and recovering."
"Hm... So Hogye Meng killed Sado Ga's men too?"
Yeop Hyeon shook his head.
"No."
As he turned to go, Sa Do-myeong blocked him swiftly.
Yeop Hyeon cupped his fists.
"I can't afford to provoke Hogye Meng further. Please understand, senior."
"Do you truly expect Hogye Meng to let you go?"
"......"
"They've decided to pin everything on you—they won't abandon that. So why not fight them?"
"Simple. I can't win."
Sa Do-myeong stepped closer, staring into Yeop Hyeon's eyes.
"Sado Ga will help you."
"......"