This Isn't What We Promised!
In the darkness, Yeop Hyeon still held out his hand. Even facing a True Law Realm powerhouse, he showed no trace of fear.
That confident demeanor made Go Myeong-heo feel as if Yeop Hyeon himself were a True Law Realm expert.
Yeop Hyeon wasn't afraid of Go Myeong-heo at all.
Compared to the Heavenly Maiden, Go Myeong-heo's aura was nothing.
Besides, even if he couldn't win, that didn't mean he had to feel fear. Though he might not defeat Go Myeong-heo, he certainly wasn't scared.
In the shadows, the two stood silently for about half an incense stick's time. Finally, Yeop Hyeon broke the silence.
"Sect Leader Go, I know exactly what you're worried about. You're concerned I might be speaking out of both sides of my mouth, aren't you?"
"That's right. The more confidently you speak, the more suspicious it seems!"
Go Myeong-heo spoke bluntly. He knew this matter was far from ordinary and that Yeop Hyeon had powerful backers. But he still didn't trust the man one bit.
"Hahaha! Even so, you'll have to believe me in the end. You came here obsessed with devouring Qingzhou, but when things didn't go as planned, you started wanting to back out. Unfortunately, you've waded too deep to just turn around now."
"If we're voluntarily withdrawing, why would Hogye Meng attack us?"
Yeop Hyeon shrugged at Go Myeong-heo's cold retort.
"Well, if you're so curious, why not test it yourself, Sect Leader Go? Just know that once you start the experiment, there's no turning back. Since you're willing to risk it to save a few coins, I'll take my leave."
Yeop Hyeon began walking past Go Myeong-heo.
At that moment, Go Myeong-heo snapped his fingers, and a storage ring dropped in front of Yeop Hyeon. He stopped and examined it.
Inside were five hundred million top-grade spirit stones.
"We'll hand over the other half once we've safely left Qingzhou."
"Fine."
Agreeing to the terms, Yeop Hyeon spun back toward Go Myeong-heo.
"The Ma Jong can leave, but your Gwi Jong and the tens of thousands of warriors from Jungto Sinju cannot."
Go Myeong-heo's brow furrowed instantly.
"Why not?"
"Think about it. Do you really believe Hogye Meng will let them go easily? Eliminating your Gwi Jong and those tens of thousands from Jungto Sinju would be a massive windfall for them. If your Ma Jong weren't so strong, I wouldn't even bother negotiating!"
"Hmph... The riffraff from Jungto Sinju might be easy pickings for you, but the Gwi Jong's forces are no pushovers. If you try to wipe them out, you'll pay a heavy price too."
"Hahaha, that's our concern, not yours."
"Very well... I'll come find you later!"
With that, Go Myeong-heo turned and left.
After parting with him, Yeop Hyeon headed out of the forest. Just then, a woman appeared abruptly before him.
It was Gwi Jong's Sect Leader, Gi Eon-no.
Her gaze toward Yeop Hyeon was as cold as ice.
"Curious... so very curious. Two men on the verge of a life-or-death duel, sneaking off to meet in the dead of night? What's the scheme here?"
"Heh, Sect Leader Gi, do you need something from me?"
"What were you two just...?"
Yeop Hyeon shook his head, cutting her off.
"Since it's come to this, I'll be straight with you. The Ma Jong is already leaving Qingzhou. But your Gwi Jong and the tens of thousands from Jungto Sinju? You'll bury your bones here."
"Ha! And how exactly do you plan to manage that?"
Yeop Hyeon leaned in close to the sneering Gi Eon-no and whispered.
"I can't do it, but the one behind me... can."
Her eyebrows twitched.
"Are you threatening me?"
"Believe it or not, that's up to you."
With that, Yeop Hyeon turned and walked away.
Gi Eon-no nearly lost her temper and attacked, but superhuman restraint held her back. She knew striking now would mean crossing a river of no return.
After a few steps, Yeop Hyeon halted abruptly.
"You two, listen up. Even if Hogye Meng promised you Qingzhou, what use is it without the core territories? They'll take the spirit lands, leaving you barren soil. No more nonsense—tomorrow at noon, we'll sweep away the Jungto Sinju warriors. Cooperate with me. I hope you won't get any funny ideas."
As soon as Yeop Hyeon vanished, a middle-aged man emerged from the shadows.
It was Ma Jong's Sect Leader, Go Myeong-heo.
"How did you notice?"
Gi Eon-no muttered in confusion, but Go Myeong-heo shook his head.
"With his skill, sensing my presence is impossible. His backer must have tipped him off. The problem is, I didn't detect the other party..."
Their expressions hardened instantly.
"Do you believe him?"
Go Myeong-heo shook his head at Gi Eon-no's question.
"I don't trust him, but something's clearly afoot that we don't know about. I don't want to wade deeper into this quagmire. Coming to Qingzhou was a mistake."
Go Myeong-heo soon vanished. Left alone, Gi Eon-no let out a frustrated sigh.
Since arriving in Qingzhou, they'd realized things weren't as simple as Hogye Meng claimed.
They could kill Yeop Hyeon with their power, no doubt—but at great cost. And even if they did, without dealing with his backers, the war wouldn't end.
Hogye Meng hadn't wanted to kill Yeop Hyeon at all. They'd planned to use them to eliminate his backers.
Gi Eon-no didn't fully trust Yeop Hyeon, but Hogye Meng was even less trustworthy.
The night passed, and morning broke.
Three out of ten residents of the Imperial City had already fled. The lines at the gates only grew longer.
At noon, Yeop Hyeon appeared atop the city walls.
Warriors aboard over two hundred cloud ships snarled and taunted him.
On the largest ship, Go Myeong-heo and Gi Eon-no stood at the bow, silently gazing down at Yeop Hyeon.
Behind him stood a hundred Chang Lan Dao Soldiers, the Gwangsa Mercenary Corps, and the Wangja Mercenary Corps, arrayed in formation.
Of course, their forces were less than a hair compared to the tens of thousands of Ma Jong and Gwi Jong warriors.
Numerically, they were outmatched.
Meanwhile, the Imperial City's fleeing citizens spotted Yeop Hyeon and his battle-ready group and began to jeer.
To them, Yeop Hyeon and Canglan Academy were fools trying to smash eggs against rocks.
Members of the Wangja and Gwangsa Mercenary Corps wore worried expressions too. The power gap between the two sides was overwhelming, plain for anyone to see.
Suddenly, Yeop Hyeon leaped into the sky, pointing his sword at Go Myeong-heo and shouting.
"I've heard the Ma Jong Sect Leader's power reaches the heavens. Today, I wish to receive your guidance!"
All the warriors in the field froze like wooden statues.
Challenging the Ma Jong Sect Leader to a duel!?
The Ma Jong Sect Leader was a True Law Realm expert—and a strong one even among them.
By comparison, Yeop Hyeon was just a green Divine Fusion Realm kid.
In truth, Yeop Hyeon had already reached the Myriad Laws Realm, but he'd never shown it. The others still saw him as Divine Fusion Realm.
Even at Myriad Laws, it would be reckless—but unchanged.
His own allies, like the Wangja Mercenary Corps, were equally stunned. None had imagined he'd dare challenge the Ma Jong Sect Leader.
But the most shocked was Go Myeong-heo himself.
Yesterday, there was no talk of this!
Sneering voices soon rose here and there, mocking Yeop Hyeon.
"A duel with the Ma Jong Sect Leader? Has fear addled his brain?"
"Ignorance is bravery, they say—but this fool doesn't know his place!"
"Good for us! If the Ma Jong Leader kills him, we save our strength!"
"......"
Aboard the cloud ship, Gi Eon-no and Go Myeong-heo puzzled over Yeop Hyeon's intent, flustered.
"What's his game?"
"No idea. But we'll know soon enough."
Go Myeong-heo appeared before Yeop Hyeon amid the crowd's gaze.
True Law Realm.
One of the strongest in all of Jungto Sinju, let alone Qingzhou. That was Go Myeong-heo.
His voice transmission pierced Yeop Hyeon's ear.
"What are you playing at?"
Yeop Hyeon replied via transmission.
"Exchange three moves, then pretend to lose to me."
"Pretend to lose to you? You're serious?"
"Dead serious."
"Out of the question! If I lose to you, my Ma Jong and I lose all face!"
"It's part of the plan—you have no choice. After 'losing,' just lead your warriors and flee."
Go Myeong-heo shook his head vehemently.
"My honor be damned, but I won't let a thousand-year Ma Jong's reputation hit the dirt!"
"Hmm... Fine, then a draw instead. That achieves our goal and saves your sect's face."
Go Myeong-heo fell into serious contemplation.
Yeop Hyeon spoke again.
"Refuse, and I have no other options."
"Hmph... Sly bastard. Let's begin!"
Yeop Hyeon nodded, then bellowed to the surroundings.
"Today, we two shall fairly duel to decide the victor!"
Infusing his voice with profound energy, every one of the tens of thousands heard clearly.
He raised his sword into stance. Instantly, a mighty sword momentum surged from his body skyward.
One Sword Determines Life and Death!
The overwhelming sword pressure filled the heavens endlessly, letting all feel its might.
Then, a black sword intent emerged from Yeop Hyeon's body. His figure vanished in place.
He reappeared above Go Myeong-heo's head!
The black sword intent enveloped them both.
Their forms vanished within it.
But a heaven-shattering sword cry rang in their ears. As the intent dispersed, Yeop Hyeon returned to his spot.
His left hand trembled severely, while Go Myeong-heo looked utterly unscathed.
Yeop Hyeon transmitted to him.
"Praise me now!"
Go Myeong-heo looked dazed, then mumbled awkwardly.
"Y-Your swordsmanship is... extraordinarily superb, and... er, you'll surely become the strongest sword cultivator one day..."
Suddenly, Yeop Hyeon cupped his fists toward Go Myeong-heo and shouted.
"You're strong enough too! Without your mercy, I would've lost!"
Lost?
He admitted defeat? To the Ma Jong Sect Leader!?
Yeop Hyeon's words boomed like thunder, audible even ten li away.
Go Myeong-heo panicked, speechless.
Y-You... what are you saying!? This isn't our deal!
The warriors, hearing Yeop Hyeon, froze in utter shock.
Yeop Hyeon... had won?