Never Sacrifice for the Worthless
Disbanding Canglan Academy?
In an instant, everyone turned to stare at Yeop Hyeon.
"Don't react emotionally!"
Gu Jiu shouted, and Yeop Hyeon shook his head.
"This isn't an emotional decision at all. There's no need to risk our lives for people like that. We don't have the ability to do it anyway. All we can do is protect ourselves."
His words left everyone silent. And disappointed.
The relative stability around Kanguk had come from Yeop Hyeon and Canglan Academy risking their lives to hold back the enemies. And today, they were being driven out not by Hogye Meng or Jungto Sinju warriors, but by the very people they had fought to protect.
Mu Yun Qi shook his head with a sigh.
"The scariest enemies are always the idiots from within... So, where are we headed now?"
"Not we. Everyone disbands here."
"Disbands!?"
Everyone gaped at Yeop Hyeon in shock.
Mu Yun Qi even jumped to his feet and pressed a hand to Yeop Hyeon's forehead.
"Yeop Sword Lord, you don't have a fever, do you? You're serious?"
"Dean Ji was right. We have no choice but to disband."
Geom Cho-cho cut into their conversation, drawing stares from Mu Yun Qi and the others.
"If Hogye Meng steps in directly, the situation will spiral beyond what we can handle. The only way to protect ourselves right now is to disband."
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"It's not a real disbandment, actually. Just a ruse. From now on, we'll slip into the shadows, train individually, and build our strength!"
Only then did Mu Yun Qi nod in understanding.
"Yeah, Canglan Academy isn't strong enough to face Hogye Meng head-on yet. Faking a disbandment could work, like you said."
The mood in the hall brightened instantly.
"Alright, that's the plan! Everyone scatters, trains hard, and boosts your strength for real. I've got some business to handle—once it's done, I'll call you all back. Not a single one of you misses it!"
At that moment, Geom Cho-cho approached Yeop Hyeon.
"Don't keep us waiting too long."
With that, she left.
Yeop Hyeon turned to Bong Nam and Muk Won.
"I'd like the two of you to look after Canglan Academy's students."
Muk Won smiled.
"We were planning to anyway."
Yeop Hyeon gave a light bow, then handed Muk Won a storage ring.
"One hundred million spirit stones. Their training can't stop, even while we're apart."
Muk Won pocketed the ring and left with Bong Nam.
Gu Jiu, standing before Yeop Hyeon, spoke softly.
"Hogye Meng won't try to kill you right away, but they'll bare their fangs at the first chance. Keep in mind you don't have much time."
"I will. And this."
Yeop Hyeon handed her a storage ring.
"Five hundred million top-grade spirit stones inside. Take care of the Canglan Dao Soldiers."
Gu Jiu accepted it with a nod.
"Don't worry—next time we meet, I'll blow your mind! Stay safe!"
As Gu Jiu departed, Mu Yun Qi and Bai Ze stepped up beside Yeop Hyeon. Mu Yun Qi clapped him on the shoulder.
"Call if you need us. Bai Ze and I'll come running. And next time, I'll be stronger than you—get ready."
"You'll probably still be weak."
Bai Ze quipped from the side, and Mu Yun Qi glared at him.
"Butt out!"
The two bickered as they walked away, still turning back from afar to wave vigorously.
Now, only Cheok Bal-eon and Ji An Zhi remained in the hall.
Yeop Hyeon approached Ji An Zhi gently.
"Remember the promise to Dean Ji? To make Canglan Academy the top academy in the Qingcang Realm. I keep my word."
Ji An Zhi nodded, then hesitated.
"But... I have nowhere to go."
"Then stay here and guard the academy."
Yeop Hyeon smiled softly and placed a golden box in her hands. Inside were twelve golden seals.
"As long as I'm alive, no one will dare poke around here. Don't worry."
"Follow me!"
Cheok Bal-eon called to Ji An Zhi.
"Come to Jeoguk with me—you'll be safe. Staying here alone, who knows what might happen?"
Ji An Zhi thought for a moment, then accepted.
Cheok Bal-eon turned to Yeop Hyeon.
"So, what's the next plan?"
"I need to find something. Once I do, we can regroup."
"No idea what it is, but got it. Stay careful!"
With a brief farewell, Cheok Bal-eon led Ji An Zhi away. Ji An Zhi ran back briefly, shoving a storage ring into Yeop Hyeon's hand before leaving.
Inside were dumplings, rice cakes, jerky—snacks galore.
Yeop Hyeon shook his head with a knowing smile and tucked it away.
As he descended the mountain, he encountered Gang Gu by a waterfall. Ten warriors stood behind her, their auras rivaling even the Royal Mercenary Band.
Spotting Yeop Hyeon, the ten bowed formally and stepped aside.
"The Kanguk imperial family is ready to leave too."
"Because of me... I'm sorry..."
"No need to apologize! You've done more than enough for Kanguk already. If you stayed, you'd just be surrounded by enemies inside and out."
Without Yeop Hyeon's efforts, the Imperial City would have fallen long ago.
But sadly, people forgot merits easily. They blamed him for the current mess instead. Just look at Canglan Province—without someone like Yeop Hyeon, it had already become a land of death!
Gang Gu glanced at her ten warriors.
"If you don't want to abandon Canglan Academy, keep raising them. It'll pay off later—they've all got huge potential."
"Haha, that's exactly why I came looking for you. Keep leading them like before. And I'm never giving up on Canglan Academy. I have to keep my promise to Dean Ji!"
"I'll do as you say! And you'll pull it off. Remember, your goal isn't just yours anymore—it's everyone's at Canglan Academy."
Gang Gu stepped closer and hugged his neck.
"I don't know how much stronger you'll get, but don't forget the people around you. Especially those who care for you..."
Her lips brushed his cheek.
Yeop Hyeon's body stiffened. She grinned at him.
"You blockhead!"
With that, Gang Gu led her ten warriors away.
Canglan Academy's warriors set out on their paths to grow stronger. Someday, when Yeop Hyeon's summons came, they'd return even mightier.
Meanwhile, down at the base of Giun Mountain, crowds jeered as Canglan students passed.
The students struggled to suppress their rage. Yeop Hyeong, Yeop Hyeon's cousin, clenched her tiny fists, venom in her eyes. The insults were vicious, especially the filthy ones about Yeop Hyeon.
Then a man blocked Yeop Hyeong, spewing abuse.
"Get lost, you trash! This is all because of you—peaceful Qingzhou's ruined. Even my dog can't sleep from the anxiety..."
Puk!
His voice cut off.
A sword was buried in his forehead.
The area fell deathly silent.
Yeop Hyeong turned to see Yeop Hyeon approaching slowly.
A man in the crowd pointed at Yeop Hyeon and yelled.
"Yeop Hyeon, how dare you kill in front of—"
Yeop Hyeon swung his sword again.
Sek!
The middle-aged man's head flew through the air, spraying blood over the crowd.
Most snapped to their senses at the sight. But not all.
"Murderer! Everyone see? He's gonna kill us all now! You—"
Yeop Hyeon appeared before him in a flash. As the man opened his mouth in fury, Yeop Hyeon slashed.
Sek!
The man's body split vertically, guts spilling out.
Yeop Hyeon didn't stop. With a flick, his sword flew free, severing the throats of every heckler.
In a few breaths, dozens of corpses littered the ground.
The crowd sobered like they'd been doused in ice water, scrambling back. Fear replaced madness in their eyes toward Yeop Hyeon.
Standing before the Canglan students, Yeop Hyeon sheathed his sword.
"Today, I give you two lessons. First, protect yourself and those around you. Second, never sacrifice for the worthless."
He spun, pointing his sword at the jeering crowd.
"These are the worthless. They bow and grovel to the wicked, but despise the good! You must never become such cowards!"
Yeop Hyeon raised his sword high toward the front.
"Canglan warriors, shoulders back, heads high—march forward! If they point fingers, cut them off. If they curse you, sever their heads!"
The students stared at him, wide-eyed. He'd always been gentle, encouraging, never angry with them.
He could be hot-tempered at times, but only toward enemies, never his own.
And the jeering mob around them? They were no longer under his protection.
People who trample the kind!
Conscience and character matter, but sometimes you must show your spirit.
If you can't unleash your blood in the right moment, what's the point of life? Human nature is good, but also evil.
Goodness is for the virtuous and your own. Evil is for those who treat you ill.
Especially toward those who wrong you—be ruthless and cruel. Only then will they never dare again.