One of the most urgent things for Yeop Hyeon right now was to find a Yeonggeom (Spirit Sword).
Since Yeop Hyeon had replaced his dantian (energy core) with a sword, in order to break past his realm he had to find a Yeonggeom (Spirit Sword) and absorb it. But was a Yeonggeom (Spirit Sword) something common? Even if Yeop Hyeon sold everything he owned, he still would not be able to afford even the hilt of a Yeonggeom (Spirit Sword). Once again, Yeop Hyeon keenly realized just how difficult it was for an ordinary person to become a muin (martial artist).
Yeop Hyeon no longer sparred with the shadow. The shadow was no longer a match for him. Instead, he spent his time trying to completely seize control of the Jeonui (battle intent) that was still nothing but hazy and unclear.
Time flew by, and before he knew it, there were only two days left until the application day for Changmok Academy.
Yeop Hyeon stood inside the Gyeyoktap, clenching both fists tight. From his fists, an intangible force surged without end.
Jeonui (battle intent)!
Now, even without using Ilgeomjeongsaengsa (One Sword Decides Life and Death), Yeop Hyeon had reached the point where he could wield Jeonui (battle intent) to contend with a Neunggonggyeong (realm of ranged force) expert. Of course, he could not guarantee victory.
It was a pity that he still had not comprehended Geomeui (sword intent). If he had Geomeui (sword intent), he would be able to defeat a Neunggonggyeong (realm of ranged force) expert with ease.
Half a shijin later, Yeop Hyeon left the Gyeyoktap. Yuk Soyeon happened to come by to visit them just then, and when he saw Yeop Hyeon, he approached with a pleased smile. "Has the house started to feel comfortable now?"
"Haha, to be honest, my sister and I have never lived in such a fine house before..."
"Hahaha, I understand. Ah, there will be a banquet tonight, so if the time works out, how about you come with your younger sister?"
"A banquet? What banquet?"
Yuk Soyeon answered with a smile. "A banquet hosted by the imperial prince of the Imperial Castle. Every time Changmok Academy accepts new students, renowned geniuses from every region come to the Imperial Castle. The royal family of Gang Nation cannot possibly treat them lightly, so the Gukju (Ruler of the Nation) sends an imperial prince to entertain them."
"B-But... a place like that isn't somewhere just anyone can go, is it?"
"Of course not. To attend the banquet, one must have a status or strength befitting it. Those invited are, for the most part, people with the ability to enter Changmok Academy."
"Hahaha! But I wasn't invited."
"Don't worry. If you go with me, you can enter without any problem. If you are willing, I recommend going at least once. It would not be an exaggeration to say that all the nation's geniuses gather there, so if you can mingle and exchange with others, it will surely be of great help to you as well. What do you say?"
After thinking for a moment, Yeop Hyeon nodded.
As Yuk Soyeon said, it did not seem like a bad idea to build some connections during this opportunity. Just because he was a geom-su (sword cultivator) did not mean he had to be alone. Besides, he was curious what kind of people Gang Nation's geniuses were.
"Haha, then let us depart as soon as you are ready!"
After Yuk Soyeon left, Yeop Hyeon returned to his room. At that moment, Yeop Ryeong opened her eyes.
Yeop Hyeon walked up to her and said in a gentle voice, "Ryeong-ah, sleep later. Get up and let's go eat something delicious."
Yeop Ryeong blinked, then smiled brightly. "Okay!"
"First, hurry and wipe off your eye gunk. We have to leave soon!"
Half a shijin later, Yuk Soyeon and his son, along with the Yeop siblings, left through the main gate and arrived at a certain juru (wine house) in the center of the city.
Seongaekru (Immortal Guest Pavilion).
Seongaekru (Immortal Guest Pavilion), the finest juru (wine house) in the Imperial Castle, was a six-story building spanning roughly a thousand square meters. Its exterior was entirely gilded in gold, a truly extravagant juru (wine house). The owner of this Seongaekru (Immortal Guest Pavilion) was Chwiseonru.
The Yeop siblings could not close their mouths as they stared up at Seongaekru (Immortal Guest Pavilion).
They had never seen such a splendid building in their lives.
Yuk Myeong was just as shocked. Even in Tianshan Castle, there was nothing of this scale.
Afraid their jaws might drop off, Yuk Soyeon laughed and said, "This building cannot be called the biggest. If you travel around a bit more, you will come to understand just how wide the world truly is."
Yeop Hyeon nodded, deeply agreeing with his words.
If he had not left Cheongseong, he would never have escaped being a frog in a well!
When they entered Seongaekru (Immortal Guest Pavilion), a beautiful woman greeted them. "Are you City Lord Yuk?"
Yuk Soyeon nodded. The woman smiled and said, "There is still about half a shijin until the banquet. His Highness the imperial prince has prepared a special 'entertainment' activity for you, City Lord. What would you like to do?"
In an instant, Yuk Soyeon's face flushed red. He quickly shook his head. "I am fine. Take me to where the imperial prince is."
The woman nodded and led them up the stairs to the fourth floor. There, Yeop Hyeon and Yeop Ryeong once again could not close their mouths.
The fourth floor of the juru (wine house) was wider than the entire Yeop household put together, and it was filled with magnificent decorations. Even beneath their feet, soft and plush beast hides were spread thick across the floor.
"Wow!"
Yuk Myeong stomped around on the hides, then cried out in astonishment. "Father, isn't this the hide of a Jeokho (Red Tiger)! Just one of these would be worth several hundred nyang of gold coins, but there are so many of them laid out like this... Damn it! It looks like Chwiseonru has more money than we do!"
Yeop Hyeon met Yeop Ryeong's eyes, then shook his head with a laugh. "Ryeong-ah, this is truly beyond imagination."
Yuk Soyeon smiled and said, "The wealth of Chwiseonru rivals that of an entire nation. Even the royal family must yield a step before Chwiseonru."
He lifted his head and looked somewhere, then said to Yeop Hyeon, "Wait here for a bit. I will be right back!"
The moment Yuk Soyeon disappeared, a young man stopped in front of Yeop Hyeon and performed a pogwon (fist salute). "Have you just arrived, Young Master?"
"Yes."
Yeop Hyeon returned the pogwon (fist salute). The young man smiled and introduced himself. "I am Yeo Buri, the seja (heir young lord) of the Yeo Family of Cheonseong. And you are?"
"I am Yeop Hyeon of Cheongseong, a Sansu muin (independent wandering martial cultivator) training alone."
"A Sansu muin (independent wandering martial cultivator)?"
With a somewhat dazed expression, the young man swept his gaze over Yeop Hyeon. "Are you truly a Sansu muin (independent wandering martial cultivator)?"
"Yes."
When Yeop Hyeon nodded, the young man's eyes turned cold. "My apologies for the discourtesy."
"..."
After turning away from Yeop Hyeon, the young man immediately went to another man and performed a pogwon (fist salute). "I am Yeo Bul, the seja (heir young lord) of the Yeo Family of Cheonseong. And you are?"
"I am Mokso, the seja (heir young lord) of the Mok Family of Walseong."
At those words, the young man jumped in surprise and replied, "The Mok Family that owns dozens of gold mines?"
"That's right."
The young man immediately put on a friendly act, grabbing Mokso's arm and pulling him along. "Brother Mok, though we have only just met, I feel as if we are old friends! Come, let us have a drink!"
Yeop Hyeon and Yeop Ryeong stared at the young man with dumbfounded expressions.
But Yeop Hyeon soon smiled and shook his head. "Well, I'm used to this."
In fact, this kind of thing happened often even in Cheongseong. Everyone wanted to befriend the rich, and those with power naturally sought out those with power.
At that moment, Yuk Myeong, standing nearby, burst out in indignation. "Big Brother, that guy's eyes for judging people are really pathetic! Should I go teach him a lesson?"
Yeop Hyeon laughed as he looked at Yuk Myeong. "Isn't it perfectly normal for birds of a feather to flock together?"
Just then, Yuk Soyeon returned, bringing a man in a yellow robe with him. The man, who looked to be around twenty-five or twenty-six, had refined features, and a noble aura overflowed from his entire body.
Stopping before Yeop Hyeon, the man looked him up and down, then smiled. "So this is Yeop Hyeon?"
When Yeop Hyeon looked at Yuk Soyeon, Yuk Soyeon hurriedly introduced the man. "This is our Gang Nation's Daehwangja (First Imperial Prince), Prince Gang Nyeomsaeng."
The Daehwangja (First Imperial Prince)?
Yeop Hyeon was somewhat flustered, but he immediately performed a respectful pogwon (fist salute). "I am Yeop Hyeon of Cheongseong."
Seeing Yeop Hyeon's restrained manner, neither servile nor rude, the Daehwangja (First Imperial Prince) smiled and nodded. "So you are Young Master Yeop, the one City Lord Yuk took such a liking to. Let us be close from now on!"
Yeop Hyeon was about to respond when someone shouted excitedly, "Mal Sucheong is here!"
Mal Sucheong!
At those words, everyone's gaze turned toward the stairs.
Even the Daehwangja (First Imperial Prince) hurriedly adjusted his clothing and walked toward the stairs.
Yuk Soyeon looked as if he wanted to say something to Yeop Hyeon, then held back. He had arranged this meeting because he originally intended to recommend Yeop Hyeon to the Daehwangja (First Imperial Prince). To avoid provoking Yeop Hyeon's dislike, Yuk Soyeon had not explained Yeop Hyeon's background or strength in advance.
The Daehwangja (First Imperial Prince) showed a lukewarm attitude upon meeting Yeop Hyeon. Yuk Soyeon considered hinting to Yeop Hyeon to say something the Daehwangja (First Imperial Prince) would like, but he held back. Given Yeop Hyeon's personality, he would never say such flattering words.
If he spoke carelessly, he might only earn Yeop Hyeon's resentment. Rather than risk that, it was better for the recommendation to fail.
At that moment, under the gaze of the crowd, a single woman stepped onto the fourth-floor stair landing. She looked about twenty years old, wearing a red skirt that showed off her slender figure. With refined features and jade-white skin, her especially captivating trait was her large eyes that shone like stars. Anyone who looked into those eyes could not help but be drawn in.
She is beautiful.
Yeop Hyeon looked at her a few times. Yeop Hyeon, as unfeeling as a block of wood, did not experience any particular stir from beauty, but he still understood what beauty was. It was nothing more than curiosity.
Yeop Hyeon looked at Yuk Soyeon beside him and asked, "City Lord, that woman is...?"
"Mal Sucheong, the Hwangseong jeilmi (Imperial City's No.1 Beauty)!"
Hwangseong jeilmi (Imperial City's No.1 Beauty)!
"Then what about An Lansu?"
Yeop Hyeon also thought Mal Sucheong possessed a beauty that could topple nations. Even so, he did not think she was more beautiful than An Lansu.
Seeing Yeop Hyeon's expression, Yuk Soyeon smiled and explained, "National Scholar An's fame is not because of her appearance. Others do not remember her as merely a beautiful person either."
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
When Mal Sucheong arrived, everyone's eyes turned toward her, and some rushed to surround her.
Yuk Soyeon said to Yeop Hyeon, "Mal Sucheong's looks are outstanding, but her background is no ordinary thing either. Her Mal Family is an ancient sega (aristocratic clan) of Gang Nation, a colossal power that even the royal family cannot treat lightly. At present, Gang Nation's two imperial princes are competing for the position of taeja (Crown Prince). If either of them could marry Mal Sucheong, it would become far easier to ascend to the position of taeja (Crown Prince). However, the problem is that her standards are unbelievably strict. From the start, she has been saying that within Gang Nation, she cannot find a man who suits her."
At that moment, Yeop Ryeong, who was beside them, said, "I think someone at my brother's level should be more than enough!"
Yeop Hyeon said, "Of course, in your eyes, I'm someone more precious than jade, but in other people's eyes, I might not even be worth less than weeds!"
Yeop Ryeong smiled cutely and hugged Yeop Hyeon's arm.
To her, her older brother was someone who would not fall short beside anyone in the world.
Yuk Soyeon smiled and said, "Your modesty is excessive. You are young and your future is promising, so who can say what may happen?"