Who Exactly Are You?
‘Hiding one’s energy? Vanishing into the space beyond? But how could one not use such a power?’
Yeop Hyeon’s mind flashed with sudden insight.
“That’s right! This is incredible!”
In truth, this was utterly different from the concealment technique he had originally possessed. To be precise, they existed on entirely different levels.
A concealment technique could be detected by experts of high realms. But by using chaos qi to hide one’s energy, even a True Law Realm powerhouse standing right in front of him would never notice.
Just like the Heavenly Maiden.
This ability would prove incredibly useful when fleeing from foes far beyond his power to confront.
Who could possibly track him if he vanished into the space beyond with chaos qi?
Moreover, though he hadn’t discovered it yet, chaos qi might have even more uses. Of course, Yeop Hyeon wouldn’t rush. After all, chaos qi didn’t sprout legs and run away on its own.
A moment later, Yeop Hyeon emerged from the Gyeok Ok Tower. At that instant, a small character ‘空’ (emptiness) appeared on his forehead.
It was the Space Dochik.
When this Dochik manifested on his forehead, Yeop Hyeon was startled. Unlike before, he could now perceive the surrounding space with crystal clarity.
Upon closer inspection, space resembled a web of countless intertwined substances, forming a complex network. The varieties of these substances were innumerable, far too intricate for even Yeop Hyeon to fully comprehend.
Still, through this Space Dochik, he elevated his understanding of space to nearly the level of a True Law Realm expert.
The reason True Law Realm powerhouses were so formidable wasn’t just their control over space—they could also decompose the forces within it. While typical sword arts or spells condensed ambient energies, True Law Realm experts reversed the process, breaking them down for use.
That was precisely why they inspired such dread.
And now, with the power of the Dochik, Yeop Hyeon could accomplish the same feat effortlessly.
Only then did he truly grasp the immense might of the Dochik’s power. Further study would undoubtedly yield even greater strength.
Yeop Hyeon drew a deep breath and lightly swung his right hand. Instantly, the space to his right rippled like waves.
As he continued rotating his hand, the space twisted into a bizarre vortex.
At that moment, the sword in his grasp slowly rose, hurtling toward him in a flash, aiming to pierce his brow.
When the distance between the sword and his forehead was mere half an inch, it halted as if blocked by an invisible wall. Simultaneously, the sword glow at its tip began to dissipate bit by bit.
Decomposition!
A moment later, once the sword glow fully vanished from the blade, the sword trembled violently, as if on the verge of exploding.
Yeop Hyeon recalled the sword, murmuring to himself.
“Dochik… truly a fearsome power……”
No True Law Realm expert could decompose his Heaven-Tier sword. Yet the Space Dochik’s power made it possible.
Had he not relented, the Heaven-Tier sword would have been utterly dismantled. Of course, in actual combat, no enemy would grant that much time, and Yeop Hyeon lacked the capacity to decompose a Heaven-Tier weapon in a single breath—its practicality was thus limited.
But against weapons of Heaven-Tier or below, it was worth attempting.
Yeop Hyeon’s current realm was Myriad Laws Realm. Yet with the Space Dochik added, he could contend with True Law Realm experts.
Of course, this didn’t make him a true True Law Realm powerhouse. Their strength encompassed not just spatial control, but combat prowess, experience, divine abilities, and mastery of profound energies— a comprehensive arsenal.
Yeop Hyeon was well aware of the vast gap remaining. Moreover, his spatial decomposition relied not on his own power, but borrowed from the Dochik.
He could employ weapons or external forces, but overreliance was folly—that was Yeop Hyeon’s longstanding principle.
Sealing away the Dochik’s power, Yeop Hyeon climbed out of the pit and swiftly plunged into the deep forests of the Namryeon Mountain Range.
He feared the man who had just left might return. Though he now wielded the Dochik’s power, his odds of victory against that foe were less than one in ten. He needed to grow stronger.
Deep in the forest, Yeop Hyeon began earnestly studying the Space Dochik. He experimented with its various applications while devising unique techniques tailored to himself.
The power of spatial decomposition……
Suddenly, a spark ignited in his mind.
While Yeop Hyeon immersed himself in his research, a certain middle-aged man visited Hogye Mountain in Jungto Sinju.
The moment he stepped toward the mountain’s entrance, several strands of overwhelming energy coiled around him in an instant.
The middle-aged man flicked his sleeve impassively, and the energies dissipated at once.
“Halt! Do you even know where you dare trespass?!”
A furious voice thundered across Hogye Mountain. Moments later, an elder appeared before the middle-aged man.
A True Law Realm expert.
The elder scanned him with cold eyes.
“Who are you to so fearlessly set foot on Hogye Mountain? Do you have ten lives to spare?”
“Who I am, you ask?”
For a fleeting instant, the middle-aged man’s gaze wavered. Then, with clear eyes restored, he replied.
“I was once called Yeon Yeon Dae Je……”
“Yeon Yeon Dae Je?”
The elder’s brow twitched.
“I’ve never heard such a name……”
At that, the man who called himself Yeon Yeon Dae Je casually swung his arm.
Boom!
The elder before him was hurled hundreds of zhang away in a flash.
“Urk……”
“Enough chatter. Summon Yuk Jon Ju. Speak again, and I’ll kill you all.”
Right then, another middle-aged man appeared before Yeon Yeon Dae Je—Yuk Jon Ju himself.
“I am Yuk Jon Ju. Who are you to cause a disturbance in Hogye Meng’s territory?”
To Yuk Jon Ju’s question, Yeon Yeon Dae Je answered flatly.
“You needn’t know who I am. I’ve come only to deliver a message.”
“A message from whom…?”
“Yeop Hyeon!”
Yeop Hyeon!?
At the name, killing intent flickered in Yuk Jon Ju’s eyes.
“What did he say!?”
“He bade me tell you… you’re a damned son of a bitch.”
“Insolent cur!”
With Yuk Jon Ju’s roar, a torrent of immense energy erupted from him, crushing down on Yeon Yeon Dae Je. The heavens shook as if in an earthquake.
Yeon Yeon Dae Je stood unmoved before the pressure. He lightly swung his right hand, and a silver gleam shot from his sleeve, effortlessly repelling Yuk Jon Ju’s force.
Yuk Jon Ju’s expression darkened instantly.
No ordinary man!
“What exactly is your identity?!”
As Yuk Jon Ju bellowed, Yeon Yeon Dae Je shook his head wearily.
“I’ve delivered the message. I’ll take my leave.”
As Yeon Yeon Dae Je turned to go, Yuk Jon Ju blocked his path. Yeon Yeon Dae Je spoke in a indifferent tone.
“Your skill isn’t bad, but you lack the power to stop me.”
“Then… what is your relation to Yeop Hyeon……”
“No relation at all. I merely agreed to pass one word to you.”
With that, Yeon Yeon Dae Je vanished beyond the clouds, denying Yuk Jon Ju further chance to speak.
Yuk Jon Ju, left staring blankly at the sky, paled with rage. Such profound humiliation was unprecedented.
Yet there was no point obsessing over an unwinnable foe. He soon regained his composure.
“What of Yeop Hyeon?”
A black-clad man appeared before him and reported.
“His whereabouts have been unknown since leaving Gangguk!”
“We must find and eliminate him! Didn’t he have a younger sister?”
“Yes. Yeop Ryeong—a prodigy with heavenly talent. Bukhanjong named her their Saintess early on, and despite her youth, she’s reached peak Myriad Laws Realm. At this rate, she’ll surpass Yeop Hyeon before long.”
“Hm… How close are the siblings?”
“Extremely so! Having leaned on each other since childhood, their bond is unbreakable. Yeop Hyeon even waged war against Changmok Academy for her… To him, Yeop Ryeong is an untouchable reverse scale!”
Yuk Jon Ju murmured softly.
“Then, control Yeop Ryeong, and Yeop Hyeon bends to our will.”
“But, Lord! Bukhanjong won’t hand over their Saintess lightly. Though no match for Hogye Meng, they’re a force in their own right. Making enemies now, before His Majesty’s great cause is achieved, is unwise……”
“Who said anything about fighting Bukhanjong?”
“Th-then what……”
Yuk Jon Ju chuckled lightly.
“I have a nephew. His morals may be loose, but he’s undeniably talented. He’d make a fine match for the Saintess. Once wed, she becomes one of ours.”
“B-but… what if Bukhanjong refuses?”
“Hmph! If they do, send someone to remind them who holds the advantage. I doubt Bukhanjong has the guts to cross Hogye Meng! Tomorrow, take gifts and propose the marriage at Bukhanjong. Let’s see their response.”
Namryeon Mountain Range.
Yeop Hyeon, lost in his study of the Space Dochik, lost all track of time.
Space Manipulation!
Yeop Hyeon faced a massive ancient tree in the forest’s heart. From the sword sheath on his back, a blade shot forth like lightning toward the tree.
When the flying sword was mere half a zhang away, Yeop Hyeon seized the space.
“Prison!”
Instantly, the Space Dochik on his forehead quivered faintly. The sword, poised to cleave the tree, halted as if ensnared.
Space Imprisonment Cage!