Chapter 60: Now I See Why You Have No Women
Yeop Hyeon entered the fortress, supported by Gang Gu.
At that moment, a group of soldiers came rushing over. Seeing some man being propped up by Gang Gu, they gaped in shock, unable to close their mouths.
Gang Gu was known for her bold and straightforward personality. Even so, she'd never been seen getting that physically close to a man before.
Gang Gu shot the soldiers a glare.
"What are you staring at? Get lost!"
Her sharp shout sent the soldiers scattering in all directions like startled birds.
Meanwhile, Yeop Hyeon was utterly exhausted. He could barely hold himself up.
Gang Gu shook her head at the sight and led him to her own tent.
The inside of the tent was Spartan: a single bed, a desk, and a model map—that was it.
After laying Yeop Hyeon on the bed, Gang Gu bellowed outside.
"Bring So-ui here!"
Moments later, a woman in a green skirt entered carrying a medical kit. She was Gang Gu's personal physician.
Gang Gu stepped back to give the physician room to examine Yeop Hyeon.
"Treat him properly. Use whatever medicine you need!"
So-ui nodded and approached Yeop Hyeon, taking his pulse. After a moment, she furrowed her brow slightly.
"This is no ordinary injury."
"You must heal him!"
At Gang Gu's command, So-ui nodded.
"Your Highness, rest assured. It's not life-threatening. However, to improve his condition, we'll need a great deal of rare herbs..."
"Father sent plenty of medicines. Use as much as you need."
So-ui glanced at Gang Gu.
"But most have already been used up, and what's left is for Your Highness..."
"Aren't you going to use them?"
So-ui nodded silently at Gang Gu's words.
Gang Gu glanced once more at Yeop Hyeon lying on the bed, then strode out of the tent. In her hand was the supreme-grade weapon from the spoils.
This weapon's value wasn't just in its power. Its unique forging method made it impossible to replicate, adding to its rarity.
If she put it up for auction, countless factions would come bearing sacks of gold.
Yet Yeop Hyeon had tossed it aside like worthless trash.
When he'd snatched it from her like a bandit, it wasn't because he coveted it. He'd done it to draw the eyes of the other warriors.
Only now did Gang Gu realize she'd misunderstood him.
She gazed back at the tent where Yeop Hyeon lay, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
How much time passed? Yeop Hyeon's eyelids fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes. He bolted upright, scanning the tent frantically as memories of what happened before he passed out flooded back.
He looked down at his body. The wounds were neatly bandaged.
Suddenly recalling something, Yeop Hyeon opened his palm. A sword materialized above it.
It was the fusion of the Spirit Water Sword and the Spirit Soaring Sword.
The two blades had merged seamlessly, as if they'd always been one.
And its rank had leaped from spirit sword to named sword.
However, in his current state, Yeop Hyeon couldn't absorb it yet. If he could, reaching the Soaring Realm would be a breeze. Still, he was content to have gained a named sword.
Swords were classified as common swords, spirit swords, named swords, true swords, heavenly swords, dao swords, and immortal swords.
Spirit swords possessed spirituality, transcending ordinary blades. Named swords already had spiritual intelligence.
In human terms, if a spirit sword was a fetus, a named sword was like a newborn infant.
Thus, named swords far surpassed spirit swords.
For Yeop Hyeon at the Control Qi Realm, wielding a named sword would let him stand toe-to-toe with Soaring Realm experts.
He examined the sword. One side gleamed blue like crystal. The other was black with a reddish sheen.
"Hmm... let's see... That's it! From now on, you're the Spirit Water Sword! Yeop Ryeong's 'spirit' and An Ranxiu's 'water'!"
Delighted with his naming, Yeop Hyeon grinned foolishly at the sword for a good while.
Just then, Gang Gu entered carrying two large bowls.
Yeop Hyeon quickly hid the sword and looked at her. Gang Gu had changed into silver soft armor. Even armored, she couldn't hide her beauty.
Gang Gu sat before him and offered one bowl. It was piled high with rice completely buried under mounds of meat.
"It's not much since we're in camp, but eat up."
Gang Gu shoveled rice into her mouth without a care for appearances.
Starving himself, Yeop Hyeon grabbed his bowl and devoured it.
Soon after finishing, Gang Gu stood.
"Come with me to Chwiseonru tonight."
"Chwiseonru?"
"Yeah. While you were out for three days, I went there and arranged to auction the supreme-grade weapon we got. Today's the day."
"Understood!"
Gang Gu eyed Yeop Hyeon.
"No complaints?"
"About what?"
"You risked your life for that thing. I wasn't sure if you'd mind me auctioning it off like this."
Yeop Hyeon smiled.
"Why would I mind?"
As Gang Gu stared silently, he continued.
"We're friends, right? Friends help each other!"
Her eyes softened as she gazed at him for a long moment. Finally, she turned and walked out.
Then, a golden tally fell from her waist. Yeop Hyeon picked it up in surprise and held it out.
Gang Gu turned, her gaze oddly cold.
"No need—it's touched your hand now!"
With that, she left. Yeop Hyeon stared blankly at her retreating back, tally in hand.
"What the... this damn..."
He examined the golden tally. He nearly dropped it in shock. The spiritual energy within was far purer than his Spirit Water Sword's.
Yeop Hyeon grabbed his sword and dashed out after her.
"W-wait! You're really throwing away this supreme-grade tally?"
Gang Gu glared coldly.
"Now I see why you've got no women around you!"
"..."
Yeop Hyeon could only watch her storm off.
What the hell is she talking about?
"Heehee."
Suddenly, laughter came from behind. It was So-ui, the one who'd treated him.
"You..."
Yeop Hyeon hadn't seen her clearly while unconscious.
So-ui smiled faintly.
"Your wounds were deep. It took some effort to treat them."
Yeop Hyeon hurriedly cupped his fists.
"I didn't realize! Thank you!"
"Just doing my duty—no need for thanks. But... are you really giving that tally back to Her Highness?"
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"It's incredibly valuable. And Gang Gu's a tally user—without it, her strength will drop."
So-ui covered her mouth, laughing.
"You're perfect for staying single forever!"
With that, she left with her kit.
"..."
Cursed(?) by both women, Yeop Hyeon returned to the tent, pulled out premium spirit stones, and began absorbing them. Nothing healed external wounds better than drawing in spiritual energy.
Two hours later, night had fallen.
Gang Gu came to the tent—once hers, now Yeop Hyeon's. She'd shed her armor for a thin, clinging long skirt. No ornaments, no makeup—just restrained beauty. Her long hair tied back with a white cord was elegantly simple.
Above all, her eyes captivated: not large, but sharp like a honed blade, impossible to forget.
Gang Gu steadied her breath and entered.
"Time to go. Get dressed and come out."
She left after speaking.
Moments later, Yeop Hyeon emerged. Gang Gu forgot to breathe for a second. His black silk robe accentuated his tall frame and handsome features. His calm yet powerful eyes and swept-back black hair would make any woman's heart race.
After staring, Gang Gu nodded.
"With a face like that, you could beg for meals. No need to train anymore!"
"..."
As she walked ahead, Yeop Hyeon hurried after.
"Not sure how much it'll fetch, but all the big factions will send reps."
"No trouble, right?"
Gang Gu shook her head.
"Don't worry. Chwiseonru will handle any issues. Cangmu Academy's a concern, but they won't buy their grudge for one supreme-grade weapon."
Yeop Hyeon nodded. Then, something occurred to him.
"By the way, I looked around camp but didn't see that girl A Yu from before. Is she still here?"
A Yu!
She was the girl Yeop Hyeon had saved in Yangjie City. She'd followed Gang Gu back then.
"She left with an old woman not long ago. No need to worry—it's good fortune for her."
"Good."
Then, a man in black martial robes appeared before Gang Gu. He hesitated upon seeing Yeop Hyeon, but she spoke calmly.
"Speak freely."
"Your Highness! Emissaries from the imperial court and Jeoguk have arrived for the auction."
Her expression hardened, eyes flashing like a blade.
Moments later, Gang Gu smiled at Yeop Hyeon.
"Looks like we'll sweat tonight. Better loosen up. Haha!"
"..."