Oppa, I'm Going!
Although Yeop Hyeon hadn't died, I Hyeon-chang had achieved his goal.
Just moments ago, before that single sword strike, Yeop Hyeon and Canglan Academy had become enemies with countless factions.
Especially, neither the Changmok Academy of the Daeun Empire nor the shadowy assassin organization of the Dark Realm were something Canglan Academy could handle.
And today, Canglan Academy had made enemies of both.
The other families and the Changmok Academy branches from elsewhere were no different.
I Hyeon-chang's laughter grew louder as he imagined Canglan Academy facing off against all these forces in the future.
"Ah... that old geezer... what a punchable laugh."
Yeop Hyeon nodded at Mu Yun Qi's words.
"Should I kill him?"
Mu Yun Qi stared into Yeop Hyeon's eyes.
"You think anyone doesn't know you're trying to make me go out there alone again!"
"......"
I Hyeon-chang abruptly stopped laughing. Silence fell once more. He scanned Yeop Hyeon's back thoroughly before finally turning his gaze to face him directly.
"Then, I eagerly await the day you die!"
With his business done, I Hyeon-chang vanished into the sky alongside his black-robed entourage.
At last, only Yeop Hyeon's group remained in the secret realm. Yeop Hyeon swept his stern gaze over the corpses scattered everywhere before murmuring softly.
"Loot them!"
Mu Yun Qi was the first to dart forward.
Spoils of war!
Those qualified to enter the secret realm wouldn't carry ordinary items. Naturally, everything they wore was top-grade!
Yeop Hyeon rifled through the bodies and acquired seven items in total. Among them were premium spirit stones worth over five or six hundred thousand nyang, and a peculiar ring.
Mu Yun Qi and the others swiftly gathered no small number of spirit artifacts as well.
Top-grade spirit artifacts that fetched millions of nyang each poured out in heaps.
Yeop Hyeon approached Gang Gu and held out two spirit artifacts he'd obtained, offering them to her.
"Take them."
Gang Gu looked up at Yeop Hyeon's face, staring blankly.
"What're you doing?"
"Heh heh, we've come this far—can't send you back empty-handed..."
At that moment, Mu Yun Qi wedged himself between them.
"Yeop Gangdo. Her Highness is simply offering them out of pure goodwill, for your sake—"
Thwack—!
In an instant, Gang Gu's fist sent Mu Yun Qi sprawling flat on the ground.
Gang Gu glared at him.
"You know way too much..."
"......"
Bai Ze thrust a thumbs-up toward the former princess and shouted.
"Nice hit! Beat him till he foams at the mouth!"
"......"
Then, Ji An Zhi approached Yeop Hyeon.
"Don't you like guys?"
Gang Gu's expression turned puzzled, so Ji An Zhi pointed at Yeop Hyeon.
"You definitely told me before that you like men."
"......"
At her words, everyone in the arena turned to stare at Yeop Hyeon. A sinister glint flickered in their eyes.
Just then, Mu Yun Qi—groaning as he hauled himself up from the ground—grew serious.
"Yeop Gangdo... were you really...? Huh, no wonder... You're not harboring some weird feelings for me, are you? I-I'm warning you upfront, that's not my thing... Please, just leave me alone!"
Yeop Hyeon's face twisted like he'd bitten into a bug.
At that moment, Bai Ze, who had been beside Yeop Hyeon, subtly shifted away to a distance. His face burned with the resolve to protect him at all costs.
Yeop Hyeon tried to clear up the misunderstanding, but upon seeing Ji An Zhi's face, he faltered, unsure how to proceed.
If he explained the truth, Ji An Zhi—who usually was just a glutton—would never forgive him for peeking at her naked body back then. Once angered, she became a true demoness!
But if he didn't clarify now, this misunderstanding would linger...
Watching Yeop Hyeon fidget anxiously, Gang Gu struggled to hold back her laughter.
She knew they were all misunderstanding something. Would someone into men show interest in a woman? Clearly, Yeop Hyeon had eyes only for An Ranxiu.
Moreover, back when they were alone at the waterfall...
Recalling that scene made Gang Gu's face flush crimson in an instant. But it returned to normal so quickly that no one noticed.
Just then, Geom So-wang stepped forward toward Yeop Hyeon, drawing everyone's attention.
He fixed Yeop Hyeon with his gaze and spoke.
"I do not draw my sword against the wounded. I'll visit Canglan Academy soon—recover by then."
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"I'll be waiting."
Geom So-wang turned and departed the arena without another word.
Mu Yun Qi whispered to Yeop Hyeon, watching his retreating figure.
"'I do not draw my sword against the wounded.' Sounds dumb, but kinda cool."
"The world isn't full of petty narrow-minded folks."
At that moment, Gong Cheongseong approached with a smile.
"Congratulations."
Yeop Hyeon clasped his hands in a fist salute.
"Thank you."
Gong Cheongseong stepped back, and Yeop Ryeong, who had been hiding behind him, rushed forward and grabbed Yeop Hyeon's hand tightly. It was like reuniting with long-lost family after years apart.
Yeop Hyeon gently stroked her head before looking at Gong Cheongseong.
Gong Cheongseong smiled.
"Yeop Hyeon, we've passed the immediate crisis for now, but real trouble's coming soon. Your trials—and Canglan Academy's—truly begin now."
Yeop Hyeon fell silent.
Gong Cheongseong glanced around.
"Everyone who died today was the finest genius each faction had meticulously nurtured. They won't let this slide. Especially Changmok Academy of the Daeun Empire and the Dark Realm—they value face above all, so they'll come for revenge without fail. When that day comes, they'll stop at nothing to eliminate you."
Gong Cheongseong shook his head with a chuckle.
"Simply put, this is the calm before the curtain rises. If you and your comrades here survive the next crisis, the real stage will open. And I guarantee that stage will be in the Daeun Empire. I'll be waiting there. Good luck!"
With that, Gong Cheongseong gave Yeop Hyeon one final fist salute and left the arena.
"Does that guy want to team up with us?"
Mu Yun Qi muttered, and Gang Gu replied calmly.
"If you survive till then and grow stronger than now, he'll seek you out no matter what. But if you stay this half-witted, he'll pretend not to know you. Geniuses are arrogant by nature—they don't mingle with those beneath their level."
"That makes perfect sense."
Mu Yun Qi nodded, deeply moved.
Gang Gu turned to Yeop Hyeon.
"Now run."
Run?
Yeop Hyeon stared at her.
Gang Gu spoke again.
"If you don't run now, you'll end up dead. Hide somewhere and bide your time!"
Yeop Hyeon shook his head.
Gang Gu raised her voice in frustration.
"Can't you be a little flexible? Escaping a crisis isn't shameful!"
Yeop Hyeon gave a wry smile.
"If I run... what about Mu Yun Qi? What about Canglan Academy?"
Gang Gu had no answer to that.
Yeop Hyeon turned to Mu Yun Qi and the others.
"My sister and I can go anywhere, but Bai Ze and Mu Yun Qi can't. They have families. If I vanish, the enemies will target everyone around me. They might even go after their families..."
Yeop Hyeon looked at Gang Gu.
"They might even come for you."
Gang Gu said nothing.
Mu Yun Qi sighed heavily.
"Yeop Gangdo, still... running seems right. We're just..."
"Enough!"
Yeop Hyeon cut him off, shaking his head. He took Yeop Ryeong's hand and smiled.
"My sister and I can endure it!"
Right then, Gang Gu spoke up.
"Yes, just as you said—we're all in the same boat now. The enemies won't leave any of us alone. Especially you all."
Gang Gu eyed Yeop Hyeon, Bai Ze, and Mu Yun Qi.
"If your skills were mediocre, there might've been a way out. But you're not weak, and your talents shine. To eliminate future threats, they'll come for you no matter what. By any means necessary!"
Mu Yun Qi pulled a long face.
"Sigh... being too amazing is a curse... Why am I such a genius...?"
Bai Ze sneered at him.
"Your face is thicker than my ass cheeks."
"My face as plump as your ass? Wanna test that with a spanking after all this time?"
Bai Ze's expression hardened instantly.
"Why does that feel off...?"
Mu Yun Qi backpedaled quickly, wagging a finger at him.
"Hey, lump. Don't hold back—come at me! I'll set your ass on fire!"
"......"
Yeop Hyeon met Gang Gu's eyes, shook his head, and chuckled.
Suddenly, a girl appeared in the arena.
Seeing her, Yeop Hyeon jolted in shock.
She was the girl from the market who had given Yeop Ryeong the Heavenly Fire Warming Jade!
With her fair skin and pink skirt jacket, she was adorably cute to anyone who saw her. But her eyes were icily cold.
Ignoring the others, she walked straight toward Yeop Ryeong. Mu Yun Qi blocked her path.
"Heh heh, kiddo. Where's your daddy?"
Mu Yun Qi reached to pat her head. In that instant—
Thud—!
A dull impact sent Mu Yun Qi flying dozens of zhang away.
Boom—!
A massive cave formed in the cliff where he crashed.
From inside came Mu Yun Qi's groan.
"Mother... I'm dying..."
"......"
The girl extended her hand to Yeop Ryeong.
"Let's go!"
Yeop Hyeon blocked her way, eyes wary.
The girl met his gaze coldly.
"You think you can protect her?"
"Of course. Even if it costs my life!"
"Is your life worth anything?"
As Yeop Hyeon opened his mouth to retort, the girl spoke coldly.
"Changmok Academy of the Daeun Empire can easily send ten or twenty at once. The Dark Realm's assassins have records of killing even peak Myriad Laws Realm experts—they're dangerous. And beyond them, countless Qingzhou factions will target you. What confidence do you have to protect your sister?"
Her words pierced his heart; Yeop Hyeon's face darkened, but he had no reply.
Then, Yeop Ryeong spoke softly.
"Oppa, I want to go with her."
At those words, Yeop Hyeon trembled as if struck. He turned to her, and tears began streaming endlessly from his eyes.