Chapter 24: Sword Flight Is Possible. In Dreams!
Lu Xiaoruan shifted his gaze beyond the cloud ship.
"Hm... We'll arrive at Yangjie City soon."
"Yangjie City?"
Lu Xiaoruan began explaining to the curious Yeop Hyeon.
"Yangjie City sits on the border between the Jiang Kingdom and the northern Tang Kingdom. Perched on high ground flanked by volcanic peaks on both sides, it's a natural fortress that gives a massive advantage to whoever holds it—a key strategic stronghold, you could say. For a long time, it belonged to no one, but now it's under Jiang Kingdom control, though they don't acknowledge it. Things are a bit chaotic at the moment."
Yeop Hyeon asked,
"So, are we stopping there?"
"We need to resupply, so we'll have to dock for about half a day."
"Are you worried something might happen there?"
Lu Xiaoruan chuckled at Yeop Hyeon's question.
"Nothing major, probably, but it's true I'm a little uneasy. Tang Kingdom folk still come and go as they please in Yangjie City, stirring up trouble now and then, so we can't let our guard down."
Yeop Hyeon nodded silently.
After chatting a bit more with Lu Xiaoruan, Yeop Hyeon headed to the bow with Yeop Ryeong. Staring at the majestic, winding mountain range, he clenched his fists tight.
"One day... I'll ride my sword and look down upon this entire world!"
Yeop Hyeon suddenly asked the Heavenly Maiden,
"Heavenly Maiden, can I perform sword flight with my current power?"
Of course!
Yeop Hyeon's face lit up for a moment—only for the Heavenly Maiden to douse him with cold water.
In your dreams!
"......"
About an hour later, the cloud ship crested the massive mountain range, and a fortress appeared before them.
Nestled between two enormous peaks, the city resembled a gateway forged by the mountains themselves when viewed from afar. Vast plains stretched beyond its walls, and faintly, at their edge, another fortress loomed.
That was the Tang Kingdom stronghold bordering the Jiang Kingdom.
At that moment, a crew member shouted to the passengers,
"Everyone, our ship will dock briefly at Yangjie City to resupply. We'll depart again in about two hours, so please board on time. Note that the city inside can be chaotic—avoid wandering unless necessary!"
As his words ended, the cloud ship shuddered once and began a slow descent.
Yeop Ryeong quickly clung to Yeop Hyeon's arm as the vessel trembled.
The closer they got to the ground, the larger Yangjie City loomed.
From above, it was clearly more rundown than Tianshan City. Sparse foot traffic made it look downright desolate.
Once the ship settled on the river, passengers began disembarking. Yeop Hyeon and his sister followed suit but stayed put, resting at the lounge provided by Chwiseonru.
The lounge was a large plaza near the city gates.
Various food stalls lined the square. Feeling hungry, the siblings headed to one.
"Elder, two bowls of noodles, please."
"Two bowls of noodles!"
Moments later, steaming bowls arrived before Yeop Hyeon and Yeop Ryeong, topped with boiled eggs and meat.
Yeop Hyeon scooped his egg into her bowl. She glared at him and put it back.
"Oppa, don't think you can lie about hating eggs anymore! I'm not falling for it!"
Back when they were kids and couldn't eat their fill, Yeop Hyeon would often pretend to dislike food to feed it to Yeop Ryeong. Too young then, she'd believed him. Now she knew he didn't hate it—he just never had enough.
Yeop Hyeon ruffled her hair with a smile.
"Elder, two more eggs, please."
"Two more eggs!"
Meanwhile, Han Hyang-mong watched the siblings care for each other from afar.
"Those two have a rare sibling bond these days."
The old man beside her nodded.
"He clearly treasures his little sister. It looks heartwarming, but it'll become his greatest weakness one day."
Han Hyang-mong murmured, gazing at the beaming Yeop Ryeong.
"That girl must be so happy..."
After finishing, Yeop Hyeon reached for his pouch to pay.
"Boss, how much?"
"Four gold taels, young man."
Yeop Hyeon doubted his ears.
"F-four gold taels?"
"No more, no less—exactly four!"
Yeop Ryeong, mid-sip, nearly choked, her eyes bulging.
Four gold? Back in Qingcheng, four silver was plenty for a bowl!
Yeop Hyeon glanced at her, then stood carefully.
"Boss, two bowls of noodles and two eggs for four gold? Are you sure?"
The vendor's smile vanished.
"Hey, customer. You wouldn't eat and run, would you?"
"What kind of daylight robbery is this!"
"Nonsense! I've run this stall for years at this price! You're the robber trying to eat free!"
As Yeop Hyeon protested indignantly, a voice cut in.
"Big bro! I'll pay."
Turning, Yeop Hyeon saw Lu Ming with Lu Xiaoruan.
Lu Ming strode to the stall, pulled four gold from his wallet, and handed them over with a furious growl.
"Does my big bro look like some broke-ass beggar who can't pay four lousy gold!?"
The vendor pocketed the coins wordlessly and retreated.
Lu Ming turned, grinning at Yeop Hyeon.
"Don't sweat it, big bro. This is nothing for me."
Yeop Hyeon felt awkward but couldn't refuse, considering Lu Ming's family wealth.
'Is he buttering me up to learn the sword from me?'
Just then, urgent hoofbeats echoed from the gates. Over a dozen black-armored cavalry charged in.
"Tang Kingdom men!"
Lu Xiaoruan muttered darkly.
"Why are the Tang Kingdom's Black Armor Cavalry here...? Are they starting a war?"
Black Armor Cavalry?
Yeop Hyeon eyed the riders. Passing the gates, they slashed at anyone blocking them and smashed stalls.
Yeop Hyeon frowned.
"Why's no one stopping them?"
"Stop them? Ha!"
The vendor beside him snorted.
"The city guards are cowering in basements. Friendly advice—don't stray from Chwiseonru grounds. If trouble hits outside, no one's liable!"
As Yeop Hyeon opened his mouth, the cavalry thundered past, laden with loot—and even sobbing women.
"Hahaha!!"
"All the Jiang men with balls dead? Only trash left swarming!"
The leader, laughing maniacally, tore at a woman's clothes, exposing her pale skin in undergarments.
Onlookers seethed inwardly but stayed put.
"Hahaha! Listen up, Jiang scum! Your wealth is mine, your women my servants!"
Yeop Hyeon turned to Lu Xiaoruan.
"Sorry, but watch my sister for a bit!"
With that, he grabbed a wooden chair and charged.
The crowd gaped in shock.
'Is he recklessly meddling!?'
They wondered as Yeop Hyeon advanced.
'That young fool doesn't value his life!'
Yangjie was Jiang territory, but Tang forces rampaged freely. Even Lu Xiaoruan couldn't face that many Black Armor Cavalry alone.
Yet a lone youth challenged them!
Resentful glares turned on Yeop Hyeon—惹祸 could spread.
Han Hyang-mong shook her head at his actions.
"Acting without thinking will get him killed someday."
"It's meaningless and could spark bigger trouble," the old man added.
She nodded, watching Yeop Hyeon reach the gates.
The cavalry were exiting after their rampage when the leader sensed something and turned—just as a chair flew at his face.
He blocked in panic.
Crack!
The chair splintered, hurling him from his horse.
Yeop Hyeon calmed the spooked mount, helped the woman down, draped his outer robe over her, and pointed to Yeop Ryeong's group.
"You'll be safe there."
She stared into his eyes silently.
Yeop Hyeon patted her cheek lightly.
"Snap out of it. Only the incompetent throw away their lives. Grab any chance to survive!"
Grabbing the half-broken chair, he charged the cavalry.
They spurred toward him.
The leader, scrambling up, bellowed,
"Kill that arrogant bastard now!"
The lead rider closed in—Yeop Hyeon's figure leaped. The chair smashed his head.
Thud!
The rider flew skyward. Yeop Hyeon hurled the splintered remnants.
Splurch!
A shard pierced his throat; he died instantly.
The rest blocked Yeop Hyeon. Grim-faced, he rushed them.
His form flashed like lightning—over a dozen elite riders fell in seconds. Only the black-armored knight leader remained.
They were battle-hardened, but Yeop Hyeon, forged in endless wars since childhood, outclassed them. Their peak was merely fifth-grade Unceasing Realm—no match.
Panicking, the leader fled, but Yeop Hyeon was faster.
Realizing escape impossible, he gritted his teeth and thrust his spear.
Qi Transformation Realm!
Yeop Hyeon dodged not, letting it aim for his chest.
Thud!
He slid back half a step, but the spear didn't pierce.
Golden Divine Sinews!
His tempered body was ironclad!
As the leader recoiled in horror, Yeop Hyeon vaulted along the spear, kicking his head.
Crack!
The leader slammed into the wall.
Struggling up, he found Yeop Hyeon's foot on his chest. Glaring venomously, he snarled,
"You're a dead man! Know that!"
As Yeop Hyeon moved to end him impassively, a woman's voice rang from behind.
"Let me kill him!"
Turning, Yeop Hyeon saw the woman he'd saved.
Eighteen or so? Strikingly beautiful with a lithe figure, her face was ice-cold.
After a moment's thought, Yeop Hyeon nodded, drew the dao from the leader's belt, and handed it over. She glanced between him and the blade, then gripped it to swing.
At that instant! An enraged voice boomed across the plaza.
"Stop!"