Has Anyone Seen My Sister?
In the Gyeok Ok Tower.
Yeop Hyeon sat cross-legged. Strangely, a single thread of intent flickered in and out of existence around his body, vanishing and reappearing in cycles.
At that moment, a sheet of paper fluttered down from the crack in the door to the second floor of the Gyeok Ok Tower, drifting toward Yeop Hyeon.
Front: A single sword drawn in ink
Back: A massive ?
"What the hell does this mean...?"
Yeop Hyeon rose to his feet. The Spirit Water Sword materialized before his eyes. Moments later, the interior of the Gyeok Ok Tower blazed as bright as midday under the sword's glow. A hazy intent swirled within that sword light.
His synchronization with the Spirit Water Sword now exceeded eighty percent. He had transcended control through qi, reaching the realm of the Sword of Will and Intent, where the blade obeyed his mere thoughts.
With the sword now under his direct command, its speed had surged more than fivefold.
True flying sword mastery was now his!
Meanwhile, the Yunxian hurtled ever closer to Jeoguk.
Jeoguk bordered both the Jiang Kingdom and the Dang Kingdom, but its power surpassed them both.
The ceaseless wars between Jiang and Dang were the primary reason. Those two nations clashed at every opportunity, stunting their growth.
Jeoguk, by contrast, avoided conflict and pursued relentless development.
Geography favored it as well. Natural barriers ringed the nation, granting abundant minerals and impenetrable defenses. Mountains thwarted invaders, allowing Jeoguk to build strength in stability unmatched by its neighbors.
Above all, Jeoguk remained strictly neutral, never meddling in others' wars. Neighboring states yearned for alliances with this mighty power.
Early morning.
The Yunxian approached Jeoguk's imperial city. When about a hundred zhang remained, a middle-aged man appeared on deck. Spotting Yeop Hyeon's group, he demanded gruffly,
"Got a travel permit?"
'Travel permit?'
Yeop Hyeon blinked in confusion, but Ji An Zhi explained.
"You need one to enter Jeoguk. Even Chwiseonru's Yunxian can't pass without it. Neither Chwiseonru nor Changmok Academy holds sway here—the imperial family's too strong. Cheok Bal-eon, their top expert, nearly uprooted both factions. They survived by the skin of their teeth, but now they tiptoe around the throne for any schemes."
Yeop Hyeon and the others gaped at her words.
Chwiseonru and Changmok Academy—overlords in Jiang—cowed here?
The Yunxian began its descent.
Just then, Manager Yi appeared on deck, bowing politely.
"Young Master Yeop, no worries about the permit. More importantly, we've caught wind of Changmok Academy's plot. Word is, they're offering an insane bounty no one can refuse to take your head. The secret realm's drawing crowds, but they're not after treasures—they want you."
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"Thanks. I won't forget this debt."
Manager Yi faltered at his calm, blurting,
"Young Master Yeop, those heading to the secret realm aren't pushovers. Some are even on the Mubang rankings!"
Yeop Hyeon cupped his fists.
"Chwiseonru's grace today is etched in my bones. Farewell."
The Yunxian touched down. Yeop Hyeon and his group disembarked, vanishing into the city with swift strides.
Manager Yi turned to find Gu Lu-ju watching.
"Lord, Changmok Academy's dead set on killing him, no matter the cost. Backing Yeop Hyeon now feels like a huge gamble."
"Gamble? When he's cornered like this, it's our golden chance to bind him to Chwiseonru..."
Gu Lu-ju gazed into the distant sky.
'That kid's got a Sword Immortal behind him! Qingzhou's never produced one!'
Even the fearsome Cangjie Sword Lord had fallen short of that realm.
Before a single Sword Immortal, neither Changmok Academy nor its headquarters would dare lift their heads!
Blind to that, they swarmed Yeop Hyeon like moths to flame.
Gu Lu-ju couldn't suppress a chuckle.
"Heh heh... Changmok Academy... How do you pack a place with such 'geniuses'..."
In Jeoguk's imperial palace.
A woman sat upon the dragon throne. Her dragon robe fit perfectly, accentuating her voluptuous curves. Long hair cascaded freely down her back as she read documents with serene poise, even her furrowed brow exuding elegance.
She was Jeoguk's sovereign, Cheok Bal-eon.
Folding the document, she spoke.
"Is this the Yeop Hyeon they want?"
From the hall's corner, a voice replied.
"Yes, Your Majesty. To summarize his background: Orphaned in Qingcheng of Jiang Kingdom, he scraped by with his sister until the Ye clan lord named him crown prince..."
He recited Yeop Hyeon's saga from then to now.
Cheok Bal-eon leaned back, eyes closing slowly.
"You've only scratched the surface."
"We suspect backers beyond Canglan Academy—likely a hidden powerhouse. Their identity eludes us. One oddity: He killed a Chwiseonru manager on the Yunxian yet received their welcome instead of wrath. Points to a formidable force or figure."
'Formidable force?'
Cheok Bal-eon's eyes snapped open, sharp as honed blades.
Suddenly, she recalled the forest ambush—two sword lights binding her to a tree. Helpless before them, she hadn't twitched a finger. That was no small fry.
The report continued.
"Your Majesty, Changmok Academy's requested our aid to eliminate Yeop Hyeon. But Jimo Pavilion urges refusal."
"Why?"
"First, his meteoric rise from Qingcheng to the imperial city and beyond marks him a prodigy. Jiang's royals and Chwiseonru favor him. His backers scream powerhouse or faction. We cannot make him an enemy."
Cheok Bal-eon stared silently at Yeop Hyeon's portrait.
A black-clad figure entered, kneeling.
"Report! Seventy-six assassins commissioned for Yeop Hyeon—all elite representatives from various nations. Three Mubang rankers, plus a warrior from Daeun Empire's Changmok headquarters. Identities pending. Dark Realm operatives of unknown origin confirmed too."
'Dark Realm?'
Cheok Bal-eon frowned.
"Even the assassins?"
"Changmok's rewards are too lavish—every shadow's biting."
"Dismissed."
The hall fell quiet again.
After a pause, Cheok Bal-eon commanded.
"Issue the order: Jeoguk abstains from hunting Yeop Hyeon. Any clan or royal defying this—behead them."
"Understood!"
No sooner had Yeop Hyeon's group entered the imperial city than a dozen warriors surrounded them.
Uniform garb, identical emblems on their chests.
Changmok Academy!
Onlookers swarmed, buzzing.
"You must be that Yeop Hyeon from Jiang's Canglan Academy. Heard your head's worth a fortune..."
Slash—!
He never finished. A red line bloomed on his neck, blood gushing.
Screams turned the street to pandemonium.
The Spirit Water Sword rose from Yeop Hyeon's palm.
Tzztztztzt—!
A sword beam flashed, weaving through the Changmok students like a butterfly seeking nectar.
"Gah..."
"Aaaagh—!"
Agonized cries as heads rolled.
Not one Changmok student stood.
Silence gripped the crowd like death.
Ji An Zhi and the others exchanged stunned glances.
Not just his skill—the feral aura rolling off him was new, utterly savage.
The Spirit Water Sword returned, dripping gore.
Yeop Hyeon sheathed it and stepped forward, halting after a few paces. A middle-aged man blocked him, eyes blazing murderously.
"This is Jeoguk. Act like you did in Jiang and—"
Yeop Hyeon's form vanished, reappearing above the man's head.
One Sword Determines Life and Death!
Too fast—the man cleaved in two.
Blood pooled.
Sword Cultivator!
Face blood-smeared, Yeop Hyeon wore a ghostly expression, murmuring.
"I'm just here to find my sister..."
He scanned the crowd with chilling eyes.
"Has anyone seen my sister?"
Those meeting his gaze trembled like they'd seen a ghost.
His face twisted. The Spirit Water Sword quivered violently, unleashing a beam!
Boom—!
A distant building pulverized to dust.
"C-crazy bastard! Run!"