Heaven is Helping Me
Yeop Hyeon began rapidly turning his mind, devising a clever scheme. At last, he took a step forward and spoke.
“To have met the Cangjie Sword Lord—you must be no ordinary being yourself! I've just devised a new martial technique. I'd be grateful if you could point out its flaws.”
With those words, Yeop Hyeon extended his hand, and a sword materialized in his palm. In that instant, a tremendous sword momentum surged forth along the blade.
One Sword Determines Life and Death!
“Th-this… this is…!?”
A voice pierced through the darkness. It was filled with shock and disbelief.
One Sword Determines Life and Death!
From Yeop Hyeon's sword, which trailed long toward the ground, an immeasurable sword momentum erupted like a volcano exploding.
This being clearly had discerning eyes. After witnessing Yeop Hyeon's single strike, a faint tremor entered his voice.
“This sword qi… Are you certain it's your own creation?”
“Of course!”
“…If your words are true, then the Cangjie Sword Lord is far beneath you……”
Yeop Hyeon sheathed his sword and smiled.
“I'm honored by your recognition. In truth, my skills are still far from the Cangjie Sword Lord's. But I've only just set foot on the sword path myself, so there's no need to rush—I'll take it one step at a time.”
“No arrogance, no inferiority complex. If you maintain this mindset, your future achievements will reach unimaginable heights.”
The being steadied his breathing and continued.
“I don't know what brought you here, but this place is unfit for your cultivation. Leave at once!”
Yeop Hyeon gave a wry smile inwardly. Who would want to linger in this blood-soaked land?
But he couldn't leave. This time, he had to find the Dochik.
“Then you've been here for a thousand years?”
“Far longer!”
Calming his surprise, Yeop Hyeon asked again.
“Why have you spent such an eternity here? If it's by your own choice, that's fine, but if not, perhaps I can help.”
A brief silence followed.
Yeop Hyeon cheered inwardly. It seemed this being wasn't here by choice. No one would willingly spend eons in such oppressive gloom.
Then the voice returned.
“Your power can't aid me. Leave now and preserve your life.”
“Hmm… Let me hear it anyway. What if I can help? If it seems impossible, I won't bother you further and will depart.”
After a short silence, the voice spoke again.
“Walk forward!”
Yeop Hyeon nodded and advanced. His expression appeared calm, but inwardly, he remained on high alert.
If the entity from this floor weren't watching over him, he would have abandoned the venture and retreated. He knew his own strength couldn't match this being.
No scheme could bridge too vast a gap in power.
About an hour later, a cliff appeared before Yeop Hyeon. At its base sat a man in tattered robes, his long hair draped to the ground as he assumed the cross-legged position. His flowing locks shrouded his face entirely, hiding his features from view.
Though his hands and feet bore no visible restraints, he seemed bound by some invisible force. Halting a dozen paces away, Yeop Hyeon watched with utmost caution.
Then the voice came.
“Achieving such prowess at your young age is impressive indeed. But your strength cannot free me from my bonds—pity.”
“You don't look bound at all. What holds you?”
At that moment, the man lifted his head. In the center of his forehead gleamed the character ‘空’—Emptiness.
‘Emptiness?!’
Just then, a subtle vibration rippled through the space around Yeop Hyeon.
It was the Dochik. The one he sought was embedded in this man—and it seemed tied to space itself.
“Do you know what this is?”
Yeop Hyeon shook his head.
“No idea.”
“It's a divine artifact bearing divine power. When I obtained it, my abilities couldn't control its might. Instead, it sealed me here for a millennium—immobile for a single step!”
“A force that binds even a master like you… Is there a way to release it?”
“Yes! It will transfer to one with a special constitution.”
“Then the blood flowing here…”
“Indeed! All lured by me. For a thousand years, I spread rumors of hidden treasures. Countless warriors came, but none suited the artifact—until you!”
Startled by the shout, Yeop Hyeon tried to retreat, but a mysterious force enveloped him, holding him fast.
“Hahaha! You can't imagine my joy when you arrived. The artifact reacted instantly—a millennium without stirring for anyone!”
His voice brimmed with wild excitement.
“But earlier, you told me to leave. Why?”
“Hahaha! To prevent suspicion and flight. Humans defy warnings, don't they?”
Yeop Hyeon gripped his sword hilt tighter, making it hum. He spoke again.
“Impressive for your age, but you can't even swing at me. Don't waste your strength.”
“Aren't you afraid of the Ye family?”
“Even if your clan is mighty, what of it? Facing trouble outside beats rotting here!”
Yeop Hyeon shook his head in seeming resignation.
“You're right.”
“I wasn't so ruthless before, but a millennium changes a man. Freedom is all I crave now.”
The binding force dragged Yeop Hyeon before the man.
He had no means to resist.
Even unleashing both his sword intents would be futile. The power gap was immense.
Even if this floor's entity intervened, victory wasn't assured. If it were stronger, it would have claimed the Dochik itself.
One oddity lingered: why entrust this to weaker Yeop Hyeon?
‘Does it believe I can win? Or some scheme?’
The distance between them was half a zhang. Suddenly, the character on the man's forehead blazed brighter than the sun. His body shuddered.
He was ecstatic—the millennium-long binding was departing.
Yeop Hyeon's face twisted in horror and rage.
But inwardly, he was serene.
Dochiks held no terror for him.
The Gyeok Ok Tower resided within.
“Arrrgh!”
As the gap closed, the man screamed. The ‘空’ detached from his forehead and burrowed into Yeop Hyeon's.
Yeop Hyeon convulsed violently, as if in agony. The man deflated like a punctured bellows. Yeop Hyeon froze rigid.
“Kekeke… Haha… Hahahaha… Uhahahaha!”
The man's mad laughter echoed through the cavern. After nearly an hour, he stopped abruptly and addressed Yeop Hyeon.
“I hunted a decade for this artifact, only to be trapped. Had I not wasted it, I'd have reached the Supreme Realm by now……”
Clenching his fist, Yeop Hyeon said,
“Kill me instead. I don't want your suffering!”
“Kill you? What if it returns to me? A millennium—you can't fathom how I endured!”
His face grew feral.
“If suicide were possible, I'd have done it a thousand times. Now, taste the loneliness and torment of darkness.”
He patted Yeop Hyeon's shoulder lightly and laughed.
“Your level can endure a century easily. I'll return then. Hahaha!”
As he turned to leave, he paused.
“A whim—any last words? I'll deliver them.”
Yeop Hyeon pondered briefly.
“Then find Hogye Meng's Yuk Jon Ju for me. Tell him: ‘You damned bastard!’”
“Really?”
“Yes. But he's a True Law Realm powerhouse—if you're unsure, no need.”
The man chuckled and shook his head.
“Provoking me, eh? Fine, as you wish. You speak boldly from ignorance. Farewell—see you in a century!”
With that, he vanished. Moments later, a booming laugh tore through from outside.
Yeop Hyeon shook his head and murmured softly.
“What to do… Heaven itself aids me because I'm too capable… Haha… Hahaha… Hahahaha!”