Chapter 65: I Refuse!
One hour passed like that. The cracks in Yeop Hyeon's skin had already fully healed. Moreover, his skin now gleamed with a faint golden hue.
Yeop Hyeon slowly began to open his eyes. He glanced down at his body once, then clenched his fists tight.
A burst of golden energy erupted around him. It shone dazzlingly, as if he were clad in golden armor.
"This... is..."
As long as your feet touch the ground, you can condense the power of the earth to manifest Earth Battle Armor. At that time, you can also borrow the power of the earth. Since your realm is still shallow, you can only wear the Earth Battle Armor for about half an hour. Using the earth's power beyond that will cause side effects.
A slightly bewildered expression crossed Yeop Hyeon's face as the Heavenly Maiden's voice rang out.
'Earth Battle Armor? Earth's power?'
"Heavenly Maiden? Does that mean the Dochik is now mine?"
Your dreams are ambitious. The power in your body right now is merely 'borrowed' from the earth's Dochik. Moreover, you haven't even properly comprehended the Dochik yet. If you can one day understand it, you'll achieve great progress. What you need to focus on now are three things.
First, cultivate the sword. Second, cultivate martial arts. Third, find and absorb swords. And this Dochik is still too strong for you. At present, you can only use 20% of its power. Even so, it will be a great help.
Yeop Hyeon nodded, gazing at the golden battle armor enveloping him.
"Heavenly Maiden, though my realm is only at the Qi Transformation Realm, can I now face even Soaring Realm experts?"
Your current opponents are Penetrating Nether Realm experts, not some Soaring Realm rabble.
Penetrating Nether Realm?
"S-Skipping two whole realms? Isn't that a bit exaggerated?"
Exaggerated?
The Heavenly Maiden's voice turned icy.
Back in my day, you couldn't even call someone a genius if they couldn't skip two realms.
"......"
A while ago, when I sealed that black-robed girl and just now when I suppressed the Dochik's power in your place, I used up a lot of my strength. I need to rest now. Otherwise, this... well, anyway, from here on out, you'll have to rely on yourself. If you encounter another Dochik next time, the Gyeok Ok Tower will signal you.
"Heavenly Maiden... are you alright?"
Don't worry about me. Even if you and the ones in the Gyeok Ok Tower all die, I won't. I just need some rest. Take care of yourself. I hope when I wake next, you won't be a corpse.
And while you can now use the tower's power, don't overuse it. If you do, the tower's seal could loosen. Keep your composure.
You're the master of the Gyeok Ok Tower, but you can't fully control it yet. So don't use its power recklessly except in moments of life and death. If the tower's power erodes your body, you'll suffer worse than death!
Yeop Hyeon hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Heavenly Maiden, this sounds an awful lot like a last will and testament... Are you really okay?"
Why do you keep making me repeat myself!
"......"
One last thing! The one on the second floor harbors no killing intent toward you. He just wants to get out. But you lack the ability to release him yet. Even if you could, be cautious. Even if he emerges, he's lost most of his power after countless years trapped in the tower. For now, he won't be your match.
"But he hits me whenever he gets the chance!"
Yeop Hyeon wore a wronged expression.
"It really hurts..."
You know what? There are tons of times I want to hit you too?
"......"
I must go now. Live well.
With those final words, the Heavenly Maiden's voice fell silent.
She had likely fallen into a deep slumber, just as she said.
Yeop Hyeon's face darkened as he let out a deep sigh. From now on, he'd truly have to solve everything with his own power!
Yeop Hyeon slowly closed his eyes. Moments later, a small golden character '土'—earth—etched itself into the center of his forehead.
The Dochik!
He clenched his fists again. Boundless energy from the earth surged up from beneath his feet like a tidal wave, gathering in an instant. In the blink of an eye, his entire body was encased in golden battle armor.
Earth Battle Armor!
Yeop Hyeon touched the armor. Its thickness was impressive. It could surely block a strike from a Penetrating Nether Realm expert and even withstand the black-robed woman's lightning attacks. Of course, it wasn't guaranteed yet. And even if it held, there might still be some damage.
Beyond the Earth Battle Armor, Yeop Hyeon felt a tremendous earthly power flowing into his body.
Yeop Hyeon left the underground and ascended to the surface. Emerging from the cave, he scanned his surroundings before clenching his fist once more.
In that instant, the immense power of the earth concentrated on his body just as before.
And he slammed his fist into the ground.
Fist Collapse!
This single punch contained the power of the earth, his martial intent, and his full force!
Boom—!
In that moment, the ground within thirty-odd zhang around him erupted in dirt and rock fragments, collapsing entirely!
A crater half a zhang deep formed around him. The earth dozens of zhang away began to crack.
Just one punch, and this much destructive power!
Yeop Hyeon stared at his fist, unable to calm his excitement.
This was on par with a low-grade earth-step weapon's might—the level of One Sword Determines Life and Death.
After his sword reached the famed sword grade, the destructive power of One Sword Determines Life and Death had grown even stronger.
Now, he could confidently face even Penetrating Nether Realm experts!
Yeop Hyeon reined in the earth's power.
In high spirits, he smiled and set off down the road.
Yeop Hyeon arrived at Yangjie City. But in the skies above the city, martial artists' figures were appearing one after another.
What the hell is going on?
Yeop Hyeon furrowed his brows and hurried into the city. Just then, Gang Gu appeared with her soldiers. She scanned him up and down.
"You okay?"
Yeop Hyeon nodded at her question.
"I'm fine. But what's all this?"
"Let's talk inside."
Gang Gu led Yeop Hyeon into the command tent and spoke in a low voice.
"The auras filling the city all belong to Chwiseonru experts. According to intel, they lost track of that black-cloaked guy. And they lost their earth-step famed weapon too!"
"Will Chwiseonru compensate you?"
"Who knows."
At that moment, a voice came from outside the tent.
"Your Highness! Chwiseonru's steward has come to visit!"
Hearing that, Gang Gu smiled at Yeop Hyeon.
"Guess we'll find out if we're getting compensated now!"
Moments later, Chwiseonru's steward, Seo Cheong, entered the tent. She startled slightly upon seeing Yeop Hyeon, then nodded in acknowledgment.
Seo Cheong bowed to Gang Gu and spoke.
"Your Highness, I've come today regarding that earth-step famed weapon from before."
"Has Chwiseonru already recovered it?"
At Gang Gu's question, Seo Cheong shook her head unnaturally.
"Unfortunately, no. But we've dispatched three Divine Fusion Realm experts, so we'll have word in a few days..."
"And if you don't find it?"
Gang Gu cut her off.
"We will find it. Please trust Chwiseonru..."
"Steward Seo, I asked what happens if you don't find it."
Seo Cheong steadied her breath for a moment.
"If we can't find it, Chwiseonru will offer appropriate compensation."
"How much?"
"...Ten million taels of gold."
Yeop Hyeon nearly dropped his jaw at the sum.
But Gang Gu's expression was as cold as frost in the fifth lunar month.
"Ten million? Are you joking with me right now?"
Seo Cheong replied calmly.
"Your Highness, this is the amount set by headquarters. You may feel it's unfair, but in exchange, Chwiseonru will provide Your Highness with many privileges going forward."
Gang Gu approached Seo Cheong with a stern look, locking eyes with her.
"An earth-step famed weapon is worth at least fifty million taels of gold. Offering a mere ten million is an insult to the Jiang Kingdom's imperial family, wouldn't you say?"
Seo Cheong met Gang Gu's gaze without flinching.
"Your Highness, this is the best Chwiseonru can do."
Her tone carried a veiled threat.
Suddenly, killing intent flashed in Gang Gu's eyes.
Seo Cheong's expression remained utterly composed.
Chwiseonru feared no one in the Jiang Kingdom!
Right then, Yeop Hyeon stepped forward.
"Isn't this how Chwiseonru conducts itself a bit too unreasonably?"
Seo Cheong turned to Yeop Hyeon, her voice icy.
"Reason? Even offering compensation fulfills Chwiseonru's duty!"
She then shot Gang Gu a sharp glance.
"Your Highness, I'll take my leave!"
With that, Seo Cheong turned and headed for the tent entrance.
Gang Gu's face twisted in fury, her eyes brimming with murderous intent. This was a clear affront to the Jiang Kingdom's imperial family.
Yet she couldn't act.
Making an enemy of Chwiseonru was beyond even her.
At that moment, Yeop Hyeon stepped forward with a hardened expression, blocking Seo Cheong's path.
"I think you should show a bit more sincerity. Losing a fifty-million-tael item and offering just ten million in compensation? That's too outrageous."
Seo Cheong took a step toward Yeop Hyeon, staring him straight in the eye.
"What if we refuse to give even a single coin more?"
"Relying on your power to trample others like this..."
"Hahaha! With Chwiseonru's strength, no one can be looked down upon. What, you gonna refuse?"
Right then, Yeop Hyeon drew the golden saber from his waist.
Slash—!
With a chilling sound, Seo Cheong's right arm was severed.
Blood sprayed like a waterfall!
Gang Gu, standing to the side, could only watch in stunned silence.
Yeop Hyeon's saber now pointed at Seo Cheong's neck.
"I refuse."
As Yeop Hyeon tightened his grip, the blade bit into her flesh, staining it red.