As soon as the three stepped inside the city, the Lord of Yanggie Castle appeared, leading his soldiers. In an angry voice, he pointed at the woman in silver armor. "Who are you to dare-"
At that moment, the City Lord's eyes fell upon the golden blade at her waist.
The instant he saw the golden blade, he could not continue speaking.
At the same time, his body began trembling like a quaking leaf. He hurriedly dropped to his knees. "Y-Your Highness, the Ninth Princess!"
The Ninth Princess!
At those words, everyone froze like stone.
The Ninth Princess, the youngest supreme commander in the history of Gang Nation!
The Ninth Princess, known together with An Lansu as one of the living legends of Gang Nation!
At that moment, Han Hyangmong hurried over and ran to stand before the Ninth Princess. Yuk Soyeon also rushed forward with a shocked expression and bowed respectfully. "Yuk Soyeon, Lord of Tianshan Castle, greets the Ninth Princess!"
The Ninth Princess looked at Yuk Soyeon and said, "Lord Yuk, although Yanggie Castle may not fall under your jurisdiction, you are still a citizen of Gang Nation. As such, you have a duty to repel foreign invasion. Yet you stood by and watched Dang Nation's provocation. For this crime, I will deduct your salary for the next five years and order you to care for those who died unjustly and their families."
"I humbly accept the punishment!"
Han Hyangmong then stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Han Hyangmong of Chwiseonru greets the Ninth Princess."
The Ninth Princess looked at her and said, "Had you stepped forward earlier for the sake of the people, I would have solidified your position in Chwiseonru. Unfortunately, it seems the well-being of your homeland is not important to you. How can someone like you be called a citizen of Gang Nation? From this day forth, you are no longer a person of Gang Nation. Furthermore, you are forbidden from engaging in any affairs related to Chwiseonru within Gang Nation!"
Han Hyangmong's face turned pale.
Previously, the Third Pavilion Master had ordered her to remain in the Imperial Castle as a form of probation, giving her another chance to rise again. But with a single sentence from the Ninth Princess, even that opportunity vanished.
There was no way Chwiseonru would oppose someone of the Ninth Princess's authority just to save her.
The Ninth Princess turned her head toward the kneeling City Lord and soldiers. "Soldiers of Dang Nation stormed into the city, slaughtered civilians, and plundered freely, yet you, as City Lord, feared death and failed to act. Therefore, I order the City Lord to be executed by Neungjicheocham (death by a thousand cuts). The remaining soldiers shall each receive fifty strokes of the rod and then be incorporated into the death squad. Only those who earn merit in future battles against Dang Nation shall be pardoned for today's crimes!"
Upon hearing this, the Lord of Yanggie Castle fainted on the spot.
Soon, warriors dressed in black appeared from somewhere and dragged the City Lord and soldiers away.
The Ninth Princess's gaze then fell upon Yeop Hyeon. "When everyone trembled in fear, you alone stood against the enemy. Why?"
Yeop Hyeon met her gaze directly and replied, "Although I am not from Yanggie Castle, I could not stand by while fellow citizens of Gang Nation were humiliated. That is why I stepped forward."
The Ninth Princess looked at Yeop Hyeon with approval in her eyes. "If all the men of Gang Nation were like you, how wonderful that would be. Come with me. I will grant you the position of Chamjang (Deputy General)."
At those words, Han Hyangmong and Yuk Soyeon were both startled.
It was clear the Ninth Princess held Yeop Hyeon in high regard.
Moreover, being granted the rank of Chamjang was an enormous reward. A Chamjang commanded a hundred soldiers.
Join the army?
Yeop Hyeon pondered briefly, then shook his head.
Seeing this, Yuk Soyeon nearly cried out. If he accepted the Princess's offer, he would gain the powerful backing of Gang Nation's Princess. Where else could such an opportunity be found? And yet he refused?
Han Hyangmong was equally surprised, but when she thought of the Sword Immortal behind Yeop Hyeon, she could somewhat understand. Would someone who followed a Sword Immortal be satisfied with merely the rank of Chamjang?
When Yeop Hyeon refused, the Ninth Princess asked curiously, "You refuse?"
"I still have many things to do. Now is not the right time for me to enter the army."
She nodded. "I will not force you. Merit is merit. The position of Chamjang will remain open for you. If you change your mind, come find me at any time."
As she was about to leave, Ok-eo suddenly ran over and knelt before her. "Your Highness, please take me with you. I want to become a soldier!"
The Ninth Princess looked at her. "Do you know how harsh a soldier's life is?"
Ok-eo clenched her fists. "No matter how hard it is, I am not afraid!"
After studying her resolute expression for a long moment, the Ninth Princess nodded. "Follow me."
With that, she turned her horse and left the city.
Ok-eo turned her head toward Yeop Hyeon and said, "I am Ok-eo! Please remember my name!"
With those final words, she followed behind the Princess.
"Oppa-!"
At that moment, Yeop Ryeong ran to Yeop Hyeon and tightly hugged his arm.
Yeop Hyeon playfully smacked her hand and said, "It's nothing special, so stop making a fuss!"
Looking at Yeop Ryeong with affectionate eyes, Yeop Hyeon then turned to Yuk Soyeon. "City Lord, was that truly the Ninth Princess of Gang Nation?"
"It was."
At his reply, Yeop Hyeon turned his head and looked outside the city.
The Ninth Princess... said to be one of the Absolute Twin Prodigies of Gang Nation alongside An Lansu.
"City Lord, if this place is so important, why does Gang Nation not send more soldiers?"
At Yeop Hyeon's question, Yuk Soyeon answered in a low voice, "Gang Nation and Dang Nation have signed a peace agreement to reduce conflict. Because of that, we could not dispatch troops here. If Gang Nation were to send an army to Yanggie Castle, it would mean war.
Despite Gang Nation's concessions, Dang Nation has only grown more greedy. Now that the Ninth Princess has arrived, war between the two nations will break out before long."
War?
Yeop Hyeon had never experienced a war between nations, but he knew many people would die. If possible, he wanted to prevent such a war.
Half a shijin later, people began boarding the Woonseon once more after it finished preparations for flight. Soon, the Woonseon rose high into the sky, and Yanggie Castle gradually receded into the distance.
The Woonseon was steadily drawing closer to the Imperial Castle. Life aboard the Woonseon was unbearably dull, as there was little to do in the sky.
Aside from occasionally spending time playing with Yeop Ryeong, Yeop Hyeon devoted himself madly to cultivation. Now that he carried Jeonui (battle intent) within his body, he could easily shatter a shadow.
He did not yet fully understand this new enlightenment. He only knew that by using Jeonui, he could maximize his combat power.
Moreover, the more he fought, the stronger he became.
This fact excited him greatly.
The only regret was that what he had comprehended was not Geomeui (sword intent). If he were to comprehend Geomeui, he would no longer be merely a Jun Geomdo Jongsaga (quasi sword path master), but a true Geomdo Jongsaga (sword path master).
Although he had comprehended Jeonui, he still could not be called a Mudo Jongsaga (martial path master).
His understanding of Mudo (martial path) itself was still insufficient.
Comprehending Geomeui or Jeonui was an essential element in becoming a master, but that alone was not enough.
There were many more processes in between.
Although he could now utilize Jeonui, it would be excessive to say he had reached Uigyeong (intent realm). To truly reach Uigyeong, he had to pass through a series of necessary stages in between.
Of course, becoming a Mudo Jongsaga was only a matter of time for him. Or perhaps, once he reached Eogigyeong (energy control realm) and could command qi, there would be no dispute in calling him a Mudo Jongsaga. However, when that time came, his strength would depend on how deep his understanding of Mudo was.
In any case, Yeop Hyeon was very satisfied with his current state.
Geomsimjingcheol and Jeonui.
With these two, Yeop Hyeon wanted to face An Lansu once again.
You are still no match for that girl.
Cheonnyeo spoke as if she had read his thoughts.
During your battle with her, she restricted her own realm and sealed part of her abilities. Even so, she was fairly capable.
Fairly capable?
"From your perspective, is she only fairly capable?"
The level of the current generation's geniuses is merely fairly capable by my standards.
Yeop Hyeon asked with curiosity, "Just how remarkable were you in the past?"
Guess for yourself.
"..."
Very well. Since you are a good older brother, I will give you a few more words for free. What people commonly call talent or physique are no more than drifting clouds. There are countless martial artists who were born ordinary, without talent, yet became masters. Having good talent or physique may give you a slight advantage over others, but in the end, what truly matters in reaching greater heights is a person's perseverance and character.
Perseverance? Character?
Yeop Hyeon understood perseverance well. The reason he and Yeop Ryeong had survived until now was entirely due to strong perseverance. But as for character, he felt uncertain. If charging forward with full force without hesitation when handling matters counted as character, then that was his character.
If he believed something was right, he would do it. If not, he would not.
Most matters in this world could not be controlled by human hands. One only needed to live without shame before oneself.
Since you have gained Jeonui, you can now learn more about Mudo. As for how to learn it, you must discover the method yourself.
Yeop Hyeon asked in confusion, "Do you perhaps not know the method?"
I do. I know it too well. But whether it is the sword path or the martial path, all must be researched and discovered by oneself. I only point you in the direction.
After a brief pause, Cheonnyeo continued.
If you follow the path someone else has walked, it will ultimately belong to them, not you. Do not imitate others. Find your own path. Only then will the insights you gain truly belong to you. Your comprehension of Jeonui was entirely the result of your own choice. If I had taught you, you would never have awakened Jeonui. Many people only hope for luck... Ah, my mouth hurts from talking so much! Hurry up and go to that place, what was it, Changmok Academy! How annoying!
"..."
Yeop Hyeon understood all of Cheonnyeo's words.
People say climbing a mountain is difficult, but until you climb it yourself, those words do not truly resonate.
The same is true for Mudo and the sword path. Only by confronting them yourself can you know where they are difficult and where they are hard.