Yuk Soyeon shifted her gaze outside the Cloud Ship.
"Hmm… we'll be arriving at Yanggyeseong soon."
"Yanggyeseong?"
At Yeop Hyeon's curious question, Yuk Soyeon began to explain.
"Yanggyeseong lies on the border between the Kang Kingdom and the Tang Kingdom to the north. The terrain is high, and with volcanoes flanking both sides, it is a naturally fortified stronghold. Whoever holds it gains a strategic high ground, making it an extremely important point. Yanggyeseong belonged to no one for a long time, and although it is currently under the control of the Kang Kingdom, that rule is not truly acknowledged. You could say the situation there is rather chaotic."
Yeop Hyeon asked,
"Then are we stopping there?"
"We need to procure supplies, so we'll likely be anchored for about half a day."
"Are you worried something might happen there?"
At Yeop Hyeon's question, Yuk Soyeon smiled as she replied.
"Nothing major should happen, but it is true that I feel a bit uneasy. People from the Tang Kingdom still come and go freely in Yanggyeseong and occasionally stir up trouble, so there's no choice but to stay alert."
Yeop Hyeon nodded silently.
After chatting a bit more with Yuk Soyeon, Yeop Hyeon moved toward the bow with Yeop Ryeong. Gazing at the grand, winding mountain range below, Yeop Hyeon clenched his fists tightly.
"Someday, I will ride my sword and look down upon this entire world!"
Suddenly, Yeop Hyeon asked the Heavenly Maiden,
"Heavenly Maiden, with my current strength, can I use Sword Riding?"
[Of course!]
A smile instantly spread across Yeop Hyeon's face, only for the Heavenly Maiden to pour cold water on him.
[If it's in a dream!]
"...."
About an hour later, once the Cloud Ship crossed over the massive mountain range, a city appeared before their eyes.
Situated between two enormous peaks, the city looked from afar like a gateway between the mountains. Outside the city walls stretched a vast plain, and at its far edge, another city could be faintly seen.
That was the Tang Kingdom, which bordered the Kang Kingdom.
At that moment, a sailor shouted to the passengers.
"Everyone, our ship will be docking briefly at Yanggyeseong to replenish supplies. We will resume travel in two shijin, so please return on time. Also, Yanggyeseong is somewhat chaotic inside. If it is not necessary, please refrain from moving around!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Cloud Ship shook heavily once, then began its slow descent.
When the Cloud Ship trembled, Yeop Ryeong quickly clung to Yeop Hyeon's arm.
The closer the ship drew to the ground, the larger Yanggyeseong loomed before them.
Seen from above, Yanggyeseong was clearly far more rundown compared to Cheonsanseong. With fewer people coming and going, it looked desolate.
Once the Cloud Ship reached the river, people began to disembark. Yeop Hyeon and Yeop Ryeong also got off with them, but instead of wandering around, they rested at the resting area provided by Chwiseonru.
The resting area was a large plaza located close to the city gate.
Inside the plaza were numerous stalls selling all kinds of food. Having grown hungry, Yeop Hyeon and Yeop Ryeong headed toward one of them.
"Sir, please give us two bowls of noodles."
"Two bowls of noodles!"
A short while later, two steaming bowls of noodles were placed in front of Yeop Hyeon and Yeop Ryeong. Each bowl was topped with a boiled egg and meat.
Yeop Hyeon moved his egg into Yeop Ryeong's bowl. Yeop Ryeong glared at him, then put the egg back.
"Oppa, don't lie and say you hate eggs! I'm not falling for that anymore!"
When they were young and couldn't eat their fill of good food, Yeop Hyeon would often pretend he disliked certain foods and slip his portion into Yeop Ryeong's mouth. Back then, Yeop Ryeong had believed him. Now she knew it wasn't that he disliked them, but that he simply hadn't been able to eat them.
Yeop Hyeon smiled and patted Yeop Ryeong's head.
"Sir, please add two more eggs."
"Two more eggs!"
Meanwhile, Han Hyangmong was watching the siblings look after each other from afar.
"It's rare these days to see siblings with such a good relationship."
The old man beside her nodded as he spoke.
"He truly cherishes his younger sister. It may look nice, but someday this will become his greatest weakness."
Looking at Yeop Ryeong's happy expression, Han Hyangmong murmured,
"That girl must be very happy…."
After finishing the meal, Yeop Hyeon reached into his pocket to pay.
"Boss, how much is it?"
"Four nyang, young man."
Yeop Hyeon doubted his ears.
"F-four gold nyang?"
"No more, no less. Exactly four nyang!"
At that, Yeop Ryeong, who had been sipping the broth, widened her eyes in shock.
Four gold coins? In Cheongseong, four silver coins were enough for a bowl of noodles!
Yeop Hyeon glanced at Yeop Ryeong, then stood up and spoke cautiously.
"Boss, two bowls of noodles and two eggs cost four gold nyang? Are you sure?"
At those words, the smile disappeared from the stall owner's face.
"Hey, customer. You're not thinking of eating and then running off, are you?"
"What kind of bandit shop is this!"
"What nonsense! I've been selling here for years at this very price! You're the bandit, trying to eat without paying!"
Just as Yeop Hyeon was about to argue further with an aggrieved expression, a voice called out.
"Elder Brother! I'll pay."
Yeop Hyeon turned around to see Yuk Myeong standing there with Yuk Soyeon.
Yuk Myeong strode up to the stall owner, pulled out four gold coins, and handed them over as he spoke angrily.
"Do you think our Elder Brother looks like some beggar who can't even pay four gold coins!?"
The stall owner silently pocketed the money and returned to his place.
Turning back to Yeop Hyeon, Yuk Myeong grinned.
"Elder Brother, don't feel burdened. This much is nothing for me."
Yeop Hyeon felt flustered, but considering his own situation, he couldn't bring himself to refuse Yuk Myeong's gesture.
'Is he doing this because he wants to learn swordsmanship from me?'
At that moment, urgent hoofbeats rang out from near the city gate. More than a dozen cavalrymen clad in black armor charged toward the gate.
"They're Tang Kingdom people!"
Yuk Soyeon muttered darkly.
"Why are the Tang Kingdom's Black Armored Cavalry here…? Are they trying to start a war?"
Black Armored Cavalry?
Yeop Hyeon fixed his gaze on the mounted men. After passing through the gate, they slashed at anyone who blocked their way and smashed the stalls.
Yeop Hyeon frowned and asked,
"Why is no one stopping them?"
"Stopping them? With what?"
The stall owner suddenly appeared beside him, snorting.
"The so-called guards protecting this city are probably all hiding in basements, scared out of their wits. I'm saying this out of concern, so don't leave Chwiseonru's territory. If you wander outside and meet with misfortune, no one will take responsibility!"
As Yeop Hyeon was about to respond, the Black Armored Cavalry sped past them like arrows. On their horses were stolen goods and even a sobbing woman.
"Hahaha!!"
"Have all the men of the Kang Kingdom with balls died out? Why is this place crawling with nothing but trash!"
The one who seemed to be their leader laughed madly as he roughly tore at the clothes of the woman in his grasp. In an instant, she was left with only her undergarments, her pale skin exposed.
Those watching felt rage boil within them, but no one stepped forward.
"Hahahaha! Listen well, you Kang Kingdom bastards! All your wealth is mine, and all your women will serve me!"
At that moment, Yeop Hyeon turned to Yuk Soyeon and said,
"I'm sorry, but I'd appreciate it if you could watch my younger sister for a moment!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yeop Hyeon grabbed a wooden chair beside him and rushed forward.
Everyone stared in shock.
'Is he really going to interfere without fear!'
As Yeop Hyeon appeared, people could hardly believe it.
And the moment Yeop Hyeon walked toward the Black Armored Cavalry, that disbelief was confirmed.
'That young man has no regard for his life!'
Although Yanggyeseong was technically Kang Kingdom territory, Tang Kingdom forces were running rampant. Even Yuk Soyeon would not be able to stand against so many Black Armored Cavalry.
Yet this young boy was trying to face them alone!
Resentful gazes poured toward Yeop Hyeon. If he provoked the Black Armored Cavalry, the consequences would surely fall on everyone else as well.
Han Hyangmong shook her head as she watched Yeop Hyeon's actions.
"If he acts without thinking like that, he'll suffer for it someday."
"It's not even something that can be called meaningful, and it may only invite greater disaster."
At the old man's words, Han Hyangmong nodded while looking at Yeop Hyeon. He had already reached the front of the city gate.
The Black Armored Cavalry had finished their business and were just about to leave the city. At that moment, their leader sensed something strange and turned his head. In that instant, a wooden chair flew straight toward his face.
Startled, he raised his hand to block it.
Bang!
The wooden chair shattered to pieces, and the leader was knocked off his horse.
Yeop Hyeon grabbed the startled horse, calmed it down, then reached out to help the woman dismount. He took off his outer garment and draped it over her, then pointed toward where Yeop Ryeong was and said,
"You'll be safe if you go there."
The woman stared silently into Yeop Hyeon's eyes.
Yeop Hyeon lightly patted her cheek and said,
"Pull yourself together. Only the incompetent give up on their lives. If there's a chance to live, you have to seize it no matter what!"
After speaking, Yeop Hyeon picked up the half-broken chair again and charged toward the cavalry.
Seeing Yeop Hyeon rush at them, the cavalry also charged forward.
At that moment, the leader, who had just gotten back on his feet, shouted,
"Kill that insolent bastard immediately!"
As the foremost cavalryman closed in, Yeop Hyeon's figure suddenly surged upward. At the same time, the chair in his hand smashed into the rider's head.
Bang!
The cavalryman's body was sent flying through the air. Yeop Hyeon then hurled the now completely shattered chair at the airborne man.
Thud!
A sharp wooden fragment pierced his neck, killing him instantly.
The remaining cavalrymen blocked Yeop Hyeon's path. With a fierce expression, Yeop Hyeon charged straight at them.
As Yeop Hyeon's movements flashed like lightning, the dozen or so cavalrymen lost their lives in an instant. Only their leader, the Black Armored Knight, remained.
They were all warriors honed by years of battle, but they were no match for Yeop Hyeon, who had lived on battlefields since childhood. Moreover, their strength was at best Fifth Grade Buseok Realm. They could never be Yeop Hyeon's equal.
Having lost all his subordinates in the blink of an eye, the Black Armored Knight panicked and tried to flee, but Yeop Hyeon was faster.
Realizing he couldn't escape, the Black Armored Knight gritted his teeth and thrust the long spear in his hand toward Yeop Hyeon.
Transformation Realm!
Having seen through his opponent's cultivation, Yeop Hyeon did not dodge the spear and instead allowed it to aim straight at his chest.
Bang!
Yeop Hyeon was pushed back half a step, but the spear failed to pierce his body.
Golden Body Scripture!
Yeop Hyeon's body, tempered through the Golden Body Scripture, was several times tougher than that of ordinary martial artists!
The Black Armored Knight's complexion changed drastically as he tried to pull back his spear. In that instant, Yeop Hyeon leapt along the spear's momentum and kicked toward his opponent's head.
Bang!
The Black Armored Knight was slammed back against the city wall.
He struggled desperately to regain his footing, but at some point, Yeop Hyeon's foot was already planted on his chest. The Black Armored Knight glared at Yeop Hyeon with venomous eyes and shouted,
"You're as good as dead! Do you know that!"
Just as Yeop Hyeon was about to end his life with an expressionless face, a woman's voice rang out from behind him.
"Please let me kill him!"
Yeop Hyeon turned around and saw the woman he had just saved standing there.
She looked to be about eighteen. With delicate features and a striking figure, her expression was icy cold.
After a moment of thought, Yeop Hyeon nodded, drew a blade from the Black Armored Knight's waist, and handed it to her. The woman alternated her gaze between Yeop Hyeon and the blade, then gripped it and prepared to swing.
At that very moment, an enraged voice thundered through the area.
"Stop!"