Just Run!
Yeop Hyeon stared straight into Gang Gu's eyes.
He too had killed countless people back when he was in Qingcheng. But compared to the woman standing before him, he was little more than a small-time thug.
As the commander of an entire army, every war she waged claimed lives beyond ordinary imagination.
At that moment, Gang Gu shook her head.
"No, I shouldn't drag you into something like this..."
Yeop Hyeon hurried after her as she started walking and asked,
"If you need me, Your Highness..."
Gang Gu cut him off sharply.
"The imperial court, Jeoguk, and countless factions are all gunning for me. But with Kanguk's top elite guards protecting me, you don't need to worry. Who's going to protect you, though? That's why you can't get involved."
"..."
Before long, the two arrived at Chwiseonru.
Compared to the dilapidated buildings of Yangjie City, the dazzling splendor of Chwiseonru clashed completely with its surroundings.
As they entered, a beautiful woman greeted them.
"Welcome, Your Highness. Your private room is ready. Please follow me."
Guided by the woman, they reached a lavish chamber plastered floor-to-ceiling with ornate decorations. Thick hides carpeted the floor. At the center stood a crystal desk, and beyond it loomed a crystal wall.
The woman bowed to Gang Gu.
"The auction will begin in about half a shichen. Please wait just a moment."
She withdrew, and two maidens entered carrying tea and refreshments.
"Just leave them!"
At Gang Gu's command, the maidens departed. Now, only Yeop Hyeon and Gang Gu remained.
"Former Princess, we..."
"Gang Gu! Call me Gang Gu, like you do An Ranxiu! And speak casually to me—we're friends now!"
Yeop Hyeon nodded and relaxed his tone.
"Gang Gu, you think those guys pulling the strings will really let us mess with Earth-grade weapons freely?"
"You're so naive!"
"..."
"You think those old monsters developed Geomju East without getting anything out of it? Yangjie Mountain isn't even Kanguk territory anymore."
"Why not?"
Yeop Hyeon couldn't wrap his head around it.
"Geomju set up the East Branch there because the whole area's a natural spirit vein. And a spirit vein means spirit ore. Develop that, and its value dwarfs any Earth-grade weapon. Letting the factions hunt for opportunities? That's just tossing them scraps to shut them up."
Gang Gu drew a breath and continued.
"Technically, the spirit ore's inside Kanguk borders. But Father decided we couldn't handle it and opened the region to everyone—in exchange for qualifying to join the treasure hunt."
Yeop Hyeon shook his head. The East Branch mess was way more complicated than he'd imagined.
"Not all wars are out in the open. The hidden ones? They're the cruelest. When Geomju East was found, word was three Penetrating Nether Realm experts died. But my intel says at least a dozen more were there. Even higher-realm martial artists got dragged in."
Gang Gu looked at Yeop Hyeon and added,
"Speaking of which, your Canglan Academy's dean isn't your average guy. The academy looks ready to fold any day, but as long as Ji Yuan Zhang's alive, fat chance. After years of silence, he recruits you and the other students? He's definitely plotting something. Can't blame him—most of Canglan's students got butchered. Same for his two sons and grandson..."
Yeop Hyeon met her gaze.
"Why tell me all this?"
Gang Gu paused at his question, then spoke.
"I just don't want you ending up as cannon fodder in some power struggle."
As Yeop Hyeon opened his mouth to respond, the crystal wall flashed. An auction stage materialized. Atop it stood a woman with a stunning figure, clad in a flowing red skirt.
"Greetings, everyone. I'm Seo Cheong, manager of Chwiseonru's Yangjie City branch, and I'll be hosting today's auction."
Seo Cheong beamed as she continued.
"We've got three items up for bid today—curated to make your trip worthwhile."
She finished, and a woman emerged from the wings carrying a ornate box. She placed it on the round table before Seo Cheong and withdrew.
Opening it revealed a thumb-sized green elixir.
"Skybreak Pill!"
Gang Gu cried out in shock. Yeop Hyeon peered intently at the pill on the table.
"That's right, ladies and gentlemen. Our first item: the Skybreak Pill, with an eight-in-ten chance of propelling a Control Qi Realm cultivator straight to Soaring Realm. Rare even in Kanguk. Starting bid: one million gold taels. Increments of at least 200,000 taels."
'One million taels!?'
Yeop Hyeon's hands shook uncontrollably. Disbelief flooded his face. Qingcheng's entire half-year revenue hadn't hit a million.
And this little pill started at that!?
Had gold's value crashed that hard?
"That surprising?"
"Huge!!"
Yeop Hyeon nodded vigorously at Gang Gu's question.
She chuckled lightly.
"Most of the world's wealth is hogged by a tiny elite. The poor stay poor, but the rich? Unfathomable fortunes."
Yeop Hyeon fiddled with the pouch at his waist and shook his head.
"I'm a beggar among beggars!"
Gang Gu's lips twitched into a smile.
Someone bid 3.6 million taels. The pill sold instantly.
'3.6 million...'
Yeop Hyeon forced a wry smile.
"Money beyond imagination..."
Another woman placed a new box on the table. Inside lay a slender, pitch-black dagger etched with an enigmatic beast motif.
Top-Grade Spirit Tool
Only Rivals Gang Gu's Golden Dagger in Kanguk
"This dagger is named Yangyeong. A pinnacle spirit tool. In Kanguk, only Her Highness Gang Gu's golden dagger can match it. Starting bid: two million taels. Increments of 300,000 taels."
'Two million gold taels!'
Yeop Hyeon gawked at Gang Gu. She sipped her tea as if it were nothing.
He glanced at the golden dagger at his waist and blurted,
"Such a treasure!"
Gang Gu said nothing. Hesitantly, Yeop Hyeon mumbled,
"Th-thanks."
"Say anything about giving it back, and I'll beat you till you can't walk."
Yeop Hyeon pouted, but a warm glow filled his chest.
"Ugh... you idiot..."
Gang Gu shook her head as the dagger sold for five million taels.
'Five million!'
Yeop Hyeon's heart thundered like it might explode. Breathing grew hard.
He eyed his golden dagger with greedy longing.
Reading his mind, Gang Gu said flatly,
"Sell that, and I'll hack it off on the spot and make you a eunuch."
"..."
Seo Cheong scanned the room, her presence dominating all. In a clear voice,
"Now, ladies and gentlemen. This next item is the star of the show."
A dark iron box appeared on stage. From it emerged a black manual.
Earth-Grade Martial Technique
Soaring Realm → Penetrating Nether Realm Instantly
Quadruples Penetrating Nether Power
"Earth-grade weapon, Enemy Annihilation Art! A Soaring Realm cultivator masters this and hits Penetrating Nether Realm in one go. For Penetrating Nether experts, they'll rival Kanguk's top handful. Even they see quadruple power boosts."
Seo Cheong eyed the crowd.
"No long speeches. Earth superior-grade weapon: starting 15 million gold taels. Increments of two million minimum."
"20 million!"
The shout came before she finished.
In the booth, Yeop Hyeon nearly choked.
'20 million!? No—someone just called 30!'
Gang Gu soothed his frenzy.
"Yep. That day, you tossed millions like trash."
Yeop Hyeon grinned at her, eyes drifting to her gifted golden dagger.
"No matter how pricey that manual, it can't match our friendship. Right?"
He meant every word. True bonds—friends, family—couldn't be bought for billions.
"Hmph. Real tearjerker stuff."
Gang Gu averted her eyes, but the smile creasing her lips betrayed her.
The bidding hit 46 million taels.
Then a chilling voice shattered the mood.
"One gold coin. I'll take it."
Shadows materialized behind Yeop Hyeon and Gang Gu. Stern faces all around.
Gang Gu scowled.
"Someone dares touch Chwiseonru...?"
Run!
Hearing the voice, Yeop Hyeon froze a beat—then seized Gang Gu's hand and bolted.
It was the long-vanished Heavenly Maiden's voice!
Yeop Hyeon never doubted her. He dragged Gang Gu along. Her guards, caught off-guard, moved to block him.
He glanced at her; she bellowed,
"Withdraw!"
Only then did the group scramble out of Chwiseonru.
The instant they escaped, colossal energy slammed down from the sky onto the building.
Boom!
Chwiseonru crumbled in seconds as a figure vaulted skyward. Screams erupted from within.
Yeop Hyeon and Gang Gu retreated grimly.
A black-robed warrior appeared atop the ruins, clutching the Earth-grade manual.
As he turned to flee, a furious voice thundered.
"Insolent fool!"
Formless energy plunged from the heavens onto him. The black-robe thrust up a palm—lightning qi erupted.
Boom!
Thunder cracked across the world. The sky blazed like midday.