Chapter 28: My Brother Seems More Than Enough, Right?
One of the most urgent matters for Yeop Hyeon right now was finding a spiritual sword.
Having replaced his dantian with a sword, Yeop Hyeon needed to seek out and absorb a spiritual sword to transcend realms. But were spiritual swords commonplace?
Even if he sold everything he owned, he couldn't afford the hilt of one—they were that exorbitantly expensive. Yeop Hyeon was newly appreciating just how difficult it was for an ordinary person to become a martial artist.
He no longer sparred with shadows. They were no longer worthy opponents. Instead, he spent his time fully mastering his still-elusive sword intent.
Time flew by like an arrow, and now only two days remained until the application deadline for Changmok Academy.
Standing inside the Gyeok Ok Tower, Yeop Hyeon clenched his fists. Invisible power churned endlessly within them.
Sword intent!
Now, even without using One Sword Determines Life and Death, he could contend with a Soaring Realm expert by wielding sword intent. Victory wasn't guaranteed, of course.
It was regrettable that he hadn't yet comprehended sword intent fully. With true sword intent, he could surely defeat a Soaring Realm opponent.
Half a shichen later, Yeop Hyeon emerged from the Gyeok Ok Tower. Lu Xiaoruan happened to visit them at that moment. Spotting Yeop Hyeon, he approached with a warm smile.
"Has your home become a bit more comfortable now?"
"Haha, to be honest, this is the first nice house my sister and I have ever had..."
"Hahaha, I understand. By the way, there's a banquet tonight. If your schedule allows, why not come with your sister?"
"A banquet? What kind of banquet?"
Lu Xiaoruan smiled as he replied.
"One hosted by the crown prince of the Imperial City. Every time Changmok Academy recruits new students, geniuses from all over flock to the capital. The royal family of Jiang Kingdom can't afford to neglect them, so the king sends the prince to entertain them."
"B-but... surely not just anyone can attend a place like that?"
"Of course not. To attend, one needs a status or strength worthy of it. Those invited are practically guaranteed entry into Changmok Academy."
"Hahaha! I wasn't invited."
"Don't worry. If you come with me, you'll enter without issue. If you're willing, I recommend going. It's no exaggeration to say all the kingdom's geniuses gather there—mingling with them could be a great help to you. What do you say?"
Yeop Hyeon pondered briefly before nodding.
As Lu Xiaoruan said, building connections this time around wouldn't hurt. There was no rule saying a sword cultivator had to walk alone. Besides, he was curious about what Jiang Kingdom's geniuses were like.
"Haha, then let's head out as soon as we're ready!"
After Lu Xiaoruan left, Yeop Hyeon returned to his room. At that moment, Yeop Ryeong opened her eyes.
Yeop Hyeon approached her and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Ryeong-ah, sleep later. Let's wake up and go eat something delicious!"
Yeop Ryeong blinked, then beamed brightly.
"Okay!"
"First, wipe the sleep from your eyes. We're leaving soon!"
Half a shichen later, Lu Xiaoruan and his son, along with the Yeop siblings, exited the main gate and arrived at a tavern in the city center.
Xianke Lou
The finest tavern in the Imperial City, Xianke Lou spanned a thousand square meters across six stories. Its exterior was lavishly plated in gold—a true palace of luxury. Its owner was none other than Chwiseonru.
Yeop Hyeon and his sister gaped up at Xianke Lou, unable to close their mouths.
It was the most dazzling building they'd ever seen!
Lu Ming was equally stunned. Even Tianshan City had nothing on this scale.
Fearing their jaws might drop off, Lu Xiaoruan chuckled.
"This isn't even the largest building. As you travel more, you'll realize how vast the world truly is."
Yeop Hyeon nodded deeply in agreement.
Had he never left Qingcheng, he'd have remained a frog in a well forever!
Entering Xianke Lou, a beautiful woman with refined features greeted them.
"Are you Lord Lu of Tianshan City?"
Lu Xiaoruan nodded. The woman smiled.
"The banquet is still half a shichen away. His Highness the crown prince has prepared some 'entertainment' especially for you. Shall I escort you?"
Lu Xiaoruan's face flushed red. He quickly shook his head.
"I'm fine. Take us to the prince first."
The woman nodded and led them up the stairs to the fourth floor. There, Yeop Hyeon and Yeop Ryeong once again stood speechless.
The fourth floor was larger than the entire Ye family estate, adorned with magnificent decorations. Soft, plush beast hides carpeted the floor beneath their feet.
"Whoa!"
Lu Ming stomped around on the hides, exclaiming in shock.
"Father, isn't this crimson tiger hide? One pelt alone is worth hundreds of gold taels, and they're laid out everywhere... Damn! Chwiseonru must be richer than us!"
Yeop Hyeon exchanged glances with Yeop Ryeong, then shook his head with a laugh.
"Ryeong-ah, this is beyond imagination."
Lu Xiaoruan smiled.
"Chwiseonru's wealth rivals a nation's. Even the royal family yields to them."
Lu Xiaoruan looked up at something, then said to Yeop Hyeon,
"Wait here a moment. I'll be right back!"
As Lu Xiaoruan departed, a young man stopped before Yeop Hyeon and cupped his fists.
"Did you just arrive, young master?"
"Yes."
Yeop Hyeon returned the gesture. The young man smiled and introduced himself.
"This humble one is Yu Bul-i, third son of the Yu family of Chancheng. And you, young master?"
"Yeop Hyeon of Qingcheng, a wandering martial artist training alone."
"A wandering martial artist?"
The young man eyed Yeop Hyeon with a dazed expression.
"Truly a wandering martial artist?"
"Yes."
As Yeop Hyeon nodded, the young man's gaze turned cold.
"My apologies for the rudeness."
"..."
The young man turned away from Yeop Hyeon and approached another man, cupping his fists.
"This humble one is Yu Bul-i, third son of the Yu family of Chancheng. And you, young master?"
"Mo Xiao, third son of the Mo family of Yuecheng."
The young man gasped in surprise.
"The Mo family that owns dozens of gold mines?"
"Indeed."
The young man immediately grabbed Mo Xiao's arm familiarly.
"Brother Mo, though we meet for the first time, you feel like an old friend! Come, have a drink with me!"
Yeop Hyeon and Yeop Ryeong stared at the young man in stunned silence.
But Yeop Hyeon soon laughed and shook his head.
"Well, this is familiar enough."
In truth, such things happened often back in Qingcheng. Everyone curried favor with the wealthy, and the powerful sought out other powerhouses—it was the norm.
At that moment, Lu Ming beside them burst out indignantly.
"Big brother, that guy's got no eye for people! Want me to teach him a lesson?"
Yeop Hyeon laughed at Lu Ming.
"Birds of a feather flock together—perfectly normal, isn't it?"
Just then, Lu Xiaoruan returned with a man in imperial robes. The man, who appeared in his mid-twenties, had handsome features and an air of refined nobility.
Stopping before Yeop Hyeon, the man looked him up and down and smiled.
"This is Yeop Hyeon?"
Yeop Hyeon glanced at Lu Xiaoruan, who hurriedly introduced him.
"This is our kingdom's eldest prince, Gang Nian Sheng."
The eldest prince!?
Though momentarily flustered, Yeop Hyeon composed himself and cupped his fists politely toward the prince.
"Yeop Hyeon of Qingcheng."
The eldest prince nodded approvingly at Yeop Hyeon's measured demeanor—neither servile nor arrogant.
"So you're the Yeop young master that Lord Lu of Tianshan holds in such high regard. Let's get along well from now on!"
As Yeop Hyeon opened his mouth to reply, someone shouted excitedly.
"Mo Sui Qing has arrived!"
Mo Sui Qing!
At the name, all eyes turned to the stairs.
The eldest prince hastily adjusted his robes and hurried toward them.
Lu Xiaoruan started to say something to Yeop Hyeon but held back. He had arranged this meeting to recommend Yeop Hyeon to the prince. To avoid offending Yeop Hyeon, he hadn't mentioned his background or skills beforehand.
The prince's reaction to Yeop Hyeon was lukewarm. Lu Xiaoruan had wanted to hint at what might please the prince, but Yeop Hyeon's personality made that unlikely. Better no recommendation than risking his resentment.
Amid the crowd's gazes, a woman ascended to the fourth floor. Around twenty years old, she wore a red skirt that accentuated her slender figure. Her refined features and jade-like fair skin were captivating, but her large, star-like eyes drew people in irresistibly.
Beautiful.
Yeop Hyeon glanced at her several times. Stone-hearted as he was, he felt no stirrings of emotion from her beauty—he simply recognized it objectively. Mere curiosity.
He turned to Lu Xiaoruan beside him.
"Lord Lu, who is that woman...?"
"Mo Sui Qing—the number one beauty of the Imperial City!"
Number one beauty of the Imperial City!
"Then what about An Ranxiu?"
Yeop Hyeon acknowledged Mo Sui Qing's nation-toppling allure, but he didn't think her more beautiful than An Ranxiu.
Seeing his expression, Lu Xiaoruan chuckled and explained.
"An the National Scholar's fame isn't due to her looks alone. Others remember her for more than mere beauty."
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
With Mo Sui Qing's arrival, every eye fixed on her. Several men rushed over, surrounding her.
Lu Xiaoruan said to Yeop Hyeon,
"Her looks are exceptional, but so is her background. The Mo family is an ancient powerhouse in Jiang Kingdom—even the royals tread carefully. Currently, the two princes vie for the crown prince position. Marrying Mo Sui Qing would make it far easier for either to claim it. The problem is her notoriously picky eye. She claims no man in the kingdom is worthy of her."
At that moment, Yeop Ryeong beside them piped up.
"My brother seems more than enough, though!?"
Yeop Hyeon replied,
"Of course, to you, I'm more precious than jade. But in others' eyes, I might be less than a weed!"
Yeop Ryeong giggled cutely and hugged his arm.
To her, her brother outshone anyone, no matter the company.
Lu Xiaoruan laughed.
"You're too modest. Young and full of promise—who knows what might happen!"