Talk Later!
Jeoguk.
Yeop Hyeon knew a fair bit about Jeoguk. It was the nation closest to Jiang Kingdom, alongside Danguk. Right now, Jeoguk was simply biding its time between the two blood-soaked warring states, watching from the sidelines without committing to either side.
The current lull in the war between Jiang Kingdom and Danguk could partly be attributed to their fear of Jeoguk. Neither knew what Jeoguk was thinking. Starting a war recklessly could invite a devastating counterattack from Jeoguk.
After advancing another half shichen, a woman's voice rang out from behind him.
"Stop here."
Yeop Hyeon halted in place. Immediately, an immense pressure bore down on him from above. And it wasn't just one—there were two!
His expression darkened sharply. With his current strength, he couldn't stand against either one.
The black-robed woman looked up at the distant sky and scoffed.
"Chwi Seon Ru bastards... they've finally sent Divine Fusion Realm experts!"
"Maybe... we should just surrender peacefully?"
Yeop Hyeon planned to show them the Chwi Seon Ru VIP plaque he carried. If they saw that, things wouldn't escalate to the worst-case scenario!
"Surrender?"
The woman couldn't hold back her laughter at his words.
"You mean hand our necks to them willingly?"
"......"
She patted Yeop Hyeon's head.
"Let's go!"
At her command, Yeop Hyeon had no choice but to press on like a bit-gagged colt.
Night passed like that. Now, Yeop Hyeon and the woman were just a day's journey from Jeoguk.
"Stop."
Yeop Hyeon obeyed the order from behind without hesitation. He felt himself growing tamed, bit by bit.
"Head that way!"
She pointed at the stream flowing before them. With no other choice, Yeop Hyeon followed.
He found a flat rock by the stream and set her down. Stepping back a pace, he began scanning the surroundings with sidelong glances.
"What, still thinking of running?"
The woman turned to face him.
"I can strike you down from fifty zhang away even sitting. Don't believe me? Give it a try!"
Yeop Hyeon didn't respond. He was too busy calling out to the Heavenly Maiden in his mind.
[Heavenly Maiden! This woman insults me so, and you'll just watch!? Come out and do something about her!]
But there was no reply from the Heavenly Maiden.
Despair filled Yeop Hyeon's face.
At that moment, the black-robed woman shouted.
"Come here!"
Yeop Hyeon shuffled forward hesitantly and mumbled.
"Once we reach Jeoguk... are you planning to kill me and silence me forever?"
The black-robed woman looked up at him with an odd gaze, as if she hadn't expected such words from his mouth.
Meeting her eyes, Yeop Hyeon continued.
"You've stolen from Chwi Seon Ru, and no one else can know. So once we're in Jeoguk, killing me makes sense, right?"
The woman stared piercingly at him, then laughed.
"Not bad—you're sharp!"
She dipped her feet into the flowing water. The chill stream gradually washed away the bloodstains clinging to her smooth legs.
"Die now or die a little later—it's entirely up to you."
"Then I'll choose something else."
The black-robed woman looked up at the sudden shift in Yeop Hyeon's demeanor.
Yeop Hyeon smiled.
"Mutual destruction with you!"
He opened his palm, and the Spirit Water Sword materialized. Her eyes narrowed.
"A famed sword!"
At that instant, the Spirit Water Sword trembled violently.
Yeop Hyeon stared straight into her eyes.
"I know I can't kill you. But the moment I unleash One Sword Determines Life and Death, Chwi Seon Ru's warriors will come rushing here. Without me, you can't hide your presence anymore. Then not only you, but your backers' heads will roll too. That's how Chwi Seon Ru operates."
"Hahaha, but I'm not sure you'll get the chance to swing!"
"Let's find out!"
With those words, killing intent flashed in Yeop Hyeon's eyes. He readied One Sword Determines Life and Death.
The Heavenly Maiden's silence had taught him one lesson.
Always rely on your own strength.
Entrusting your life to others was for fools!
Yeop Hyeon had steeled his resolve. This wasn't a bluff—he was truly prepared to stake his life. If death was inevitable, why not thrash one last time!
As if reading his intent, the black-robed woman furrowed her brow and shouted.
"Stop!"
Yeop Hyeon halted just as he was about to draw. The Spirit Water Sword in the water still quivered, ready to launch at any moment.
"You've got guts, surprisingly!"
"I just want to live."
The corner of her mouth twitched upward.
"If memory serves, you sought me out yourself. And it wasn't to save me. Am I wrong?"
"No point hiding it now. I tracked you for one reason—to ask something."
Curiosity flickered across her face.
"One thing? Let's hear it."
Right then, the Heavenly Maiden's voice echoed in Yeop Hyeon's mind.
[Ask where she sensed the earth power!]
Yeop Hyeon turned to the black-robed woman.
"Where did you sense the earth power?"
She stared at him in shock, bewilderment in her eyes.
"How did you know that!?"
"Just a hunch."
She glared at him murderously.
Yeop Hyeon met her gaze steadily, his expression unchanging.
After a tense exchange of stares, she asked.
"Who the hell are you?"
"No unnecessary questions. I'll get you to Jeoguk safely. In return, don't kill me when the time comes—and tell me about the earth power."
She pondered long, then replied.
"Fine."
"Can you swear it? I don't trust easily."
"Ha! Don't trust me, then swing away! But one thing: even if Chwi Seon Ru finds me, I'm not guaranteed to die—but you are."
Yeop Hyeon stepped back.
"Swear it! After entering Jeoguk, you won't kill me, imprison me, or harm me in any way! Otherwise, today we both perish!"
The Spirit Water Sword's vibrations intensified, a thread of sword cry coating its tip.
One thought from him, and a piercing sword wail would echo across the heavens!
Meanwhile, she fixed him with an icy glare.
"Thorough bastard!"
Yeop Hyeon didn't waver.
"No oath, we both die."
She fell silent. His sword surged, on the verge of unleashing its cry. Finally, she spoke.
"I swear. After reaching Jeoguk, I won't kill you, strike you, or imprison you. If I break this, may heart demons plague me later!"
Yeop Hyeon sighed in relief. He hadn't wanted to die like this either.
He slowly withdrew the Spirit Water Sword and offered his back.
"Get on. We're leaving."
The black-robed woman glanced at him, flashed a strange smile, and clung tightly to his back. Yeop Hyeon dashed off at full speed without delay. His mind was fixed on delivering her to Jeoguk quickly, then finding the dochik.
With the Heavenly Maiden's help, they concealed their auras. They reached Jeoguk's border the next day without pursuit from Chwi Seon Ru.
In the heart of a dense forest, Yeop Hyeon stopped and set the black-robed woman down. He swiftly stepped away.
"We're here!"
She stared silently.
Yeop Hyeon spoke inwardly, trembling.
"You wouldn't break your own oath, right?"
She smiled faintly.
"Of course not. I have no desire for heart demons. Just..."
Sensing something off in her tone, Yeop Hyeon spun and bolted. But in an instant, she appeared before him and seized his throat.
He glared with murderous eyes. Smiling, she said.
"Relax. I won't kill or hit you. Just..."
She snapped her fingers. Yeop Hyeon felt something slide down his throat.
Releasing him, she chuckled oddly.
"What the hell did you feed me!?"
Her lip curled.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Right then, Yeop Hyeon's face flushed crimson. His body ignited like fire, heat surging through him.
Watching, she smiled seductively.
"It's Jeoguk's infamous Golden Spear Never-Falls Pill. Any man who takes it stays up all night... Something rare even here—consider yourself lucky!
Oh, but here's the problem. Where to find a woman in these deep mountains? Hmm... wild beasts are plentiful, though... hahaha."
With that, she walked off, leaving him behind.
"As promised, I didn't kill, hit, or imprison you!"
As she vanished, the Gyeok Ok Tower within Yeop Hyeon trembled. Two sword gleams shot from his body like lightning.
Sensing something, she turned. Seeing the gleams hurtling toward her, she paled and swung her right hand desperately. Countless bolts of electricity wove a dense web.
But the sword gleams pierced right through, pinning her body to a massive tree behind. The two strands sealed her meridians, cutting off her mystic energy.
Unable to move, she watched Yeop Hyeon appear before her. His eyes bloodshot red, body ablaze with heat—he looked like a feral beast!
Her face drained of color. She shrieked hoarsely.
"Touch a single hair on this king's head, and I'll exterminate your entire clan!"
Reason lost, Yeop Hyeon lunged at her madly.
She finally showed panic.
"S-stop. Come any closer, and this king will..."
Yeop Hyeon clamped a hand over her mouth. Pressing his face close, he whispered calmly.
"If you have something to say... talk later......"
Yeop Hyeon mounted the black-robed woman.
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