I Had Already Been Expelled
I'm going to wipe out Changmok Academy?
The people around Yeop Hyeon wore shocked expressions upon hearing his words.
Mu Yun Qi, who had sidled up beside him at some point, asked in a flustered voice.
"Yeop gangdo, you're really planning to strike back!?"
"Yeah, that's right!"
Yeop Hyeon nodded firmly in response.
Mu Yun Qi pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Yeop gangdo, that sounds a bit tough for us, don't you think?"
"It does look tough!"
Bai Ze nodded in agreement.
Yeop Hyeon turned to look at the two of them.
"You're right—we're at a disadvantage. But even if we don't fight back, do you think they'll just leave us alone?"
Mu Yun Qi and Bai Ze fell silent at his words.
It was common knowledge that Changmok Academy sought to destroy Cheongran Academy.
These two academies had crossed a river of no return.
Even if Cheongran Academy begged for mercy now, Changmok Academy would never let them off the hook.
Realizing this, Mu Yun Qi nodded and said,
"Then let's do it!"
Yeop Hyeon turned his gaze to Ji Yuan Zhang.
"Everyone, let's head back to the academy for now!"
At Ji Yuan Zhang's words, everyone nodded.
At that moment, Gu Lu-ju of Chwi Seon Ru and Gang Wol-cheon appeared in the arena. Gang Wol-cheon smiled warmly upon seeing Yeop Hyeon.
"Young Master Yeop, it's good to see you again!"
Yeop Hyeon bowed toward Gang Wol-cheon and said,
"I don't even know how to thank you both for your help from the shadows."
As Yeop Hyeon expressed his gratitude, Gu Lu-ju and Gang Wol-cheon's faces lit up with broad smiles.
Why had they helped Yeop Hyeon this time?
It was to win his heart and bring him to their side.
Gu Lu-ju chuckled.
"We're all heading back to the Imperial City, so board Chwi Seon Ru's cloud ship. It's already prepared."
Yeop Hyeon clasped his hands in a formal salute to Gu Lu-ju, expressing his thanks.
"Thank you, Gu Lu-ju!"
"Hahaha! No need to make a fuss over such a small thing!"
Under Gu Lu-ju's guidance, they soon boarded the cloud ship bound for the Imperial City.
Watching their retreating figures was Cheok Bal-eon.
The elderly man beside her spoke to her in a low voice.
"In the end, it seems we made the right choice by not getting involved in this affair on behalf of Jeoguk. Otherwise, we would have lost many geniuses on our side as well."
The elderly woman next to him nodded in agreement.
"Not a single one of those kids is weak. Especially Yeop Hyeon... he's already at a level where he can stand against warriors in the Divine Fusion Realm......"
As if struck by a sudden thought, the elderly woman snorted derisively.
"Hmph! I hear that boy wanted to join Changmok Academy back then, but they turned him away at the gates. To hand over such a prodigy to their enemy, Cheongran Academy... Changmok Academy must be full of idiots. No doubt their dean and elders are shedding bloody tears right now."
"Flowers bloom once and then wither."
Cheok Bal-eon gazed at the distant sky and murmured,
"The Daeun Empire is already rotten, with mountain bandits rampant everywhere. The neighboring countries are eyeing opportunities... There will be no peace in Qingzhou anytime soon......"
The elderly woman nodded at her words.
"The silver lining is that we didn't lose any warriors this time. If that Yeop Hyeon were a man of Jeoguk... well, it's just regrettable."
"Do you think that Yeop Hyeon shows deep loyalty to Kanguk?"
The elderly woman sighed and replied,
"Your Highness may not know this, but not long ago, imperial troops from the capital stormed Yangjie City and turned it upside down. With no one in the city daring to stop them, Yeop Hyeon was the only one who stepped up—not only driving them out but single-handedly holding off thousands of imperial cavalry in the end.
The reason the Kanguk imperial family protects that boy so fiercely isn't just his talent, but his patriotism. An unparalleled genius, one ready to lay down his life for his country... Wouldn't the imperial family go all-in to protect such a person?"
Cheok Bal-eon slowly closed her eyes, lost in thought.
At that moment, the elderly woman spoke again.
"However, Yeop Hyeon has killed far too many this time. Their backers—especially Daeun Empire's Changmok Academy and the shadow realm—will surely come for revenge. Cheongran Academy in Qingzhou has no power to stop them. Of course, it's none of our Jeoguk's business."
Just then, Cheok Bal-eon's eyes snapped open.
"Issue this command: Monitor Kanguk's movements closely from now on and report every detail without omission."
The elderly woman looked puzzled for a moment but soon nodded.
"Understood, Your Highness!"
Having boarded the cloud ship, Yeop Hyeon and his group dispersed to their individual cabins.
Everyone had sustained major and minor wounds from the battle in the secret realm, so swift treatment and recovery were top priorities.
Gu Lu-ju, Gang Wol-cheon, and Ji Yuan Zhang discreetly kept watch over the surroundings.
One could never know when or where Changmok Academy might strike from the shadows!
With the flames licking at their feet, Changmok Academy would surely do anything to eliminate Yeop Hyeon and Cheongran Academy.
On the cloud ship, Gang Wol-cheon sought out Ji Yuan Zhang.
He asked the drunken dean in a low voice,
"Who the hell is backing that kid?"
Ji Yuan Zhang took a swig of liquor and shook his head.
"Brother Ji, you won't even tell me?"
Ji Yuan Zhang shook his head again.
"I don't know either, you fool."
"How can a dean not know that?!"
"Ah! I never asked, so I don't know! And I can't just ask!"
Ji Yuan Zhang had long suspected someone was backing Yeop Hyeon. No matter how genius he was, such achievements couldn't come without guidance. But the dean had never pried into it.
Gang Wol-cheon glared at him for a while before speaking again.
"So, what's the plan going forward?"
After causing such a massive incident in the secret realm, it was obvious that countless factions would come seeking revenge against Cheongran Academy. Only an idiot wouldn't see that.
Ji Yuan Zhang poured the rest of the liquor into his mouth without a word and lay down on the spot.
Moments later, snoring filled the room.
Gang Wol-cheon left with a hardened expression.
He next appeared where Gu Lu-ju was.
As Gang Wol-cheon opened his mouth to speak, Gu Lu-ju shook his head first.
"I know nothing!"
Gang Wol-cheon's face stiffened. But he soon forced a bitter smile and said,
"Can't you tell me even a little? Honestly, it's frustrating as hell."
"As you can see, Changmok Academy's actions are utterly despicable and shameless. Chwi Seon Ru simply couldn't stand by, so we sided with the boy. Even in this rotten world, shouldn't we show that some justice still lives?"
Gang Wol-cheon muttered with pursed lips,
"You expect me to believe that?"
Inside the Gyeok Ok Tower.
Yeop Hyeon had already swallowed a Golden Wound Pill. True to its reputation, it was rapidly healing his body.
He slowly closed his eyes. Then, a golden character '土' (Earth) flashed between his brows.
Dochik!
Through this Dochik, Yeop Hyeon could sense every corner of the Gyeok Ok Tower's first floor—even the faint, mysterious power lingering there!
This must be the power of the tower's first floor!
The Heavenly Maiden had once told him he could now use the first floor's power, but warned him never to do so unless in true mortal danger.
Curiosity piqued, Yeop Hyeon attempted to connect with that power. At that instant, his heart began pounding wildly.
It felt as if his entire body was being sucked somewhere!
Yeop Hyeon hurriedly withdrew the Dochik.
His face had turned as pale as a sheet, cold sweat pouring down his back.
Emptiness!
A wave of profound exhaustion crashed over him.
What the hell was that power just now!?
Fear gripped Yeop Hyeon.
Only now did he understand why the Heavenly Maiden had cautioned against provoking the tower. With his current abilities, he had no right to stir it. Forcing it might truly kill him.
He steadied his breathing, trying to forget that power. The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became.
Once his condition improved slightly, he rummaged in his bosom and pulled out a wooden doll resembling Yeop Ryeong.
Gently stroking it, he murmured softly,
"I wonder if she's doing okay......"
His eyes flashed.
"Bukhanjong...... Jungto Sinju....... Just wait a little longer—brother's coming for you soon. By then, no one in this world who hears my name will dare touch you!"
Yeop Hyeon carefully tucked the doll away and began cultivating.
Effort, effort, nothing but effort.
At this moment, the most important thing for him was to train diligently and grow stronger. Only with power could he protect those he cherished and claim the love he sought!
The words of the powerless were nothing but empty noise.
Meanwhile, Mu Yun Qi and the others were entertaining the same thoughts in their rooms.
This incident had instilled in them a profound sense of crisis.
How many brushes with death had they survived in the secret realm? Even Yeop Hyeon had nearly lost his life.
They now felt it in their bones: without growing stronger than now, death awaited next time.
Through this event, they had directly compared their skills against geniuses from other lands.
The gap was vast.
For themselves and for Cheongran Academy, they had to become far stronger.
That night, a shift occurred in the hearts of every Cheongran Academy student.
Two days later, the cloud ship finally arrived in the Imperial City after its long journey.
Descending from the ship, Yeop Hyeon and his four companions headed straight not for Cheongran Academy, but for Changmok Academy.
A massive crowd gathered in their wake.
Most were curiosity-driven onlookers.
Word of their return spread like wildfire through the Imperial City, drawing throngs to Changmok Academy in an instant.
Ji Yuan Zhang did not follow them but went directly to Cheongran Academy.
Upon arrival, he headed to a small pavilion in the back mountain and lit three pitch-black incense sticks. As smoke filled the space, a middle-aged man's figure materialized amid the haze.
The man fixed Ji Yuan Zhang with a cold gaze and asked,
"What is it?"
Ji Yuan Zhang clasped his hands in salute and said,
"Ji Un of Qingzhou's Cheongran Academy seeks aid from the main academy......"
"Qingzhou's Cheongran Academy?"
Ji Yuan Zhang nodded.
"Yes."
The middle-aged man scrutinized him piercingly before asking,
"Aren't you the one who demanded an apology from the dean back then and stormed out of the main academy?"
Ji Yuan Zhang said nothing.
"Ha! Where's all that arrogance now? What nerve to come begging for help after all this time? Where did that spirit and bravado go?"
Ji Yuan Zhang bowed his head silently.
The middle-aged man spoke coldly,
"You may not know this, but you've already been expelled from Cheongran Academy's student registry. As a representative of Cheongran Academy, I warn you: We never established a branch in Qingzhou, nor do we recognize the Cheongran Academy you founded. If you continue using the name 'Cheongran Academy' without permission, we will not let it slide for the honor of the academy!"
With that, the man's figure vanished.
"Expelled!?"
Ji Yuan Zhang muttered in a daze.
"They've already expelled me......"
Moments later, he left the pavilion and headed somewhere else.
As always, thoroughly drunk......