Yeop-hyeon finished his greetings with the three people and was about to leave when, from a small mountain not far away, An Lansoo was watching the carriage kicking up dust as it sped along, leaning on her long spear. Behind her stood an elderly man holding a weathered wooden staff.
"Yeong-ro, what do you think?"
An Lansoo's question was met with a response from the old man, his eyes never leaving the carriage.
"He is a martial artist with countless battle experiences. I cannot tell which school he trained under, but it is clear he has already reached the level of a master swordsman."
He hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"Miss, it is certain that he is a capable martial artist, but he exists in a completely different world from yours. Aren't you already among those listed on the Martial Ranking?"
Throughout Cheongseong, aside from the five great nations, there were hundreds of smaller states. Within them were countless prestigious families and sects. The shared goal of the martial artists within these circles was to have their names inscribed on the Martial Ranking.
The Martial Ranking was the most authoritative list across Cheongseong. Being listed meant one was a genius among geniuses. Only two people from the powerful nations were on it, and one of them was An Lansoo. She gave a faint smile as she spoke.
"Yeong-ro, is this because I gave him the jade token? Do you think I have feelings for him?"
Yeong-ro lowered his head silently in response to her confident tone. An Lansoo's gaze followed the disappearing carriage.
"Yeong-ro! It was not his talent, but his character that I fell for."
Yeong-ro raised an eyebrow. An Lansoo let out a light laugh and murmured to herself.
"I wish I had an older brother like him."
She then turned and disappeared down the mountain. The silent Yeong-ro followed her.
Inside the carriage, Yeop-hyeon was urging the horses forward. Yeop-ryeong held tightly to his arm. Yeop-hyeon, staring into the distance, took out the map he had received from Jang-ryeol.
His expression showed a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. Yeop-hyeon had never lived outside Cheongseong. The thought of a new world excited him, but the anxiety of having to care for his younger sister in unfamiliar surroundings also weighed heavily.
Two hours had passed since they left on the carriage, yet they had not crossed the border of Cheongseong. At their current pace, it would take a full four to five days to reach Cheonsan Fortress.
Yeop-hyeon no longer urged the horses. It was already completely dark, making it impossible to continue deep into the mountains. Alone, he might have continued, but with Yeop-ryeong beside him, it was too risky.
Tonight, the moon shone unusually bright, and starlight poured over the two siblings from distant skies. In the dark forest, they lit a small fire and placed a prepared turkey on it. It was food I-ok had packed for them in the carriage.
Yeop-ryeong looked around. Darkness enveloped everything; nothing could be seen. A large cloud drifted across the moon. In the silence, only the crackling of the fire was heard. Yeop-ryeong hugged Yeop-hyeon tightly, a bit scared.
"Don't be afraid!"
Yeop-hyeon glanced around and murmured.
"This scenery is familiar."
Since becoming the prince, Yeop-hyeon had fought countless battles over mines with other factions within Cheongseong. Most of these battles had taken place in deep forests like this. Bloodshed in the dark was nothing new. Yeop-ryeong tilted her head, looking up at him.
"I'm not scared at all because I'm with you, brother!"
Yeop-hyeon gently stroked her small head.
"Good. Remember this: even if the sky falls, I will protect you!"
Yeop-ryeong smiled sweetly. After devouring the turkey, she immediately fell asleep. Yeop-hyeon laid her gently back in the carriage and then entered the Gyokok Tower, sitting cross-legged.
The encounter with An Lansoo had taught Yeop-hyeon much. Thinking back on her speed, reactions, and combat instincts, he realized how far he still had to go.
He replayed the duel with An Lansoo, analyzing each moment from her perspective. He learned from her while examining the timing and angle of his own sword strikes.
Yeop-hyeon began his sword training, imagining An Lansoo as his opponent and swinging his sword accordingly.
After some time, he sheathed his sword and sat down, a smile on his face.
[Did you gain anything?]
The sudden voice of Cheonnyeo made him nod.
"My first strike was a mistake. That strike caused me to lose momentum and allowed her to press me. If I hadn't withdrawn my sword at the last moment, I wouldn't have had a chance to counterattack."
[Good, you understand well! Excellent!]
"Cheonnyeo, did you already know?"
[Does it matter? You must realize it yourself. No one else teaching you would help!]
Yeop-hyeon nodded.
"Thank you for your guidance, Cheonnyeo!"
Having finished his training, Yeop-hyeon left Gyokok Tower and returned to the real world.
Seeing Yeop-ryeong asleep, he stepped out of the carriage with a smile. It was the darkest hour of the night. Then, the sound of urgent footsteps reached him. He became alert.
A woman appeared before him, appearing around twenty-six. She wore a revealing top and a tight long skirt, exuding a seductive aura. Her body was marked with wounds. The woman approached him.
"Master, please save me! Someone's trying to kill me!"
She threw herself into Yeop-hyeon's arms, her skin soft against his. She even pressed her body against his.
At that moment, three figures emerged from the darkness. A middle-aged man wielding a long sword and two elderly men. Yeop-hyeon's heart sank. The man at the front was likely at least a Great Martial Officer, and the others were likely Elite Martial Officers.
The three glared at Yeop-hyeon. The middle-aged man spoke.
"Who are you?"
Before Yeop-hyeon could answer, the seductive woman shouted at him.
"We've secured the goods! Stop them first! We'll meet over there later!"
She attempted to flee.
Yeop-hyeon seized the moment and kicked toward her. Her expression changed in shock—she hadn't expected him to attack. She hastily raised her hands.
Thwack!
Yeop-hyeon's strike sent her sprawling. The three charging men froze in surprise. Yeop-hyeon spoke in a serious tone, watching the direction she had fallen.
"Trying to use me! I don't know what you've done, but if you've done something wrong, you should be punished!"
The woman glared at him with murderous intent. Yeop-hyeon returned her gaze coldly and addressed the three strangers.
"I am just a passerby. Continue with what you were doing. I will not interfere."
They could not act rashly without knowing the situation. Moreover, this woman had tried to use him to escape, without caring whether he lived or died. She could not be considered a good person.
As Yeop-hyeon stepped back, the three exchanged glances. The middle-aged man, after securing a hold on Yeop-hyeon, looked at the woman.
"Jinsang! Hand over the goods and I'll let you die in peace!"
The woman backed toward a large tree.
"Mokchon, if I were you, I'd choose to run even now."
The middle-aged man sensed something.
"What do you mean?"
Clatter, clatter.
The sound of hooves rapidly approaching made his face pale.
"You called reinforcements!"
Jinsang smiled coldly.
"Who knows?"
The middle-aged man glared at her with murderous intent.
"Our Mok family will not forget this day!"
The three vanished into the darkness.
Now only Yeop-hyeon and Jinsang remained. She wiped the blood from her mouth and looked at him.
"What? You're not running?"
Yeop-hyeon shook his head. He had no intention of running; Yeop-ryeong was asleep in the carriage. Jinsang scanned him and spoke.
"Not a bad skill. But from your appearance, you're not wealthy. Do you know what you just did? You just kicked away a blessing. If you had helped me, you would have gained a great opportunity!"
"It could have been a curse instead," Yeop-hyeon replied.
Jinsang laughed bitterly.
"A curse? True enough. That's what it became because of your words!"
At that moment, Yeop-ryeong, wrapped in a blanket, stepped out of the carriage. Yeop-hyeon hastily dropped the firewood and went to her.
"Was it noisy?"
Yeop-ryeong nodded lightly. Yeop-hyeon looked at Jinsang.
"Brother, is something wrong?"
"No, nothing happened!"
Just then, a dozen men appeared from the darkness, leading horses. The man at the front dismounted and approached Jinsang.
"Miss, are you all right?"
Jinsang suddenly slapped him across the cheek.
"All right? Were you planning to show up after I died!?"
The man knelt hastily.
"My steps were slow. Please forgive me!"
"I will punish you properly when we return!"
Jinsang turned her gaze toward Yeop-hyeon and his sister.
"Shall we continue where we left off?"
Yeop-hyeon thought briefly before speaking.
"We are merely passing through this road. We do not wish to get involved in other matters."
Jinsang's expression twisted.
"Don't wish to get involved? Fine! Then kneel before me a hundred times, and I'll let you go."
Yeop-hyeon frowned.
"Because I refused to be used by you? I owe you nothing. Why should I help you?"
Jinsang grinned wickedly.
"Listen carefully… the consequence of not helping me just now…"
Before she could finish, Yeop-hyeon raised his hand and slapped her across the face.
Smack!
The crisp sound cut through the darkness. Jinsang fell to the ground. Shocked that Yeop-hyeon had struck her, she looked at him in disbelief. Before she could react, he stomped on her stomach, his icy gaze fixed on her.
"I don't usually listen to others…"
Simultaneously, Yeop-hyeon leaned down and struck her cheek again.
Smack!
Her beautiful face swelled immediately.
"Arrogant!"
The man speaking to her shouted fiercely.
"Do you know who she is? She is the daughter of the Jin family of Naseong!"
Yeop-hyeon knew Naseong, close to Cheongseong.
He replied to the man.
"If I were you, instead of threatening, I would kneel immediately and beg for forgiveness…"
"I-I'm sorry!"
At that moment, Jinsang, pinned under Yeop-hyeon's foot, shouted.
"The girl's eyes are blind to recognizing a noble like Master! If you forgive her just this once, our Jin family will reward you later!"
Yeop-hyeon looked down at her. Indeed, her expression was fragile and delicate, unlike before. However, her fists were tightly clenched. Sensing this, Yeop-hyeon pressed his foot down on her neck.
Crack!
The sound of breaking bone echoed. Her eyes widened in shock, and she died miserably under Yeop-hyeon's foot.