Mal Sucheong's lips were still curved in a smile, but her expression was filled with killing intent. Everyone could tell that the Hwangseong jeilmi (Imperial City's No.1 Beauty) was truly angry.
At that moment, Mal Sucheong extended her hand. A powerful current of energy surged from her palm, spiraling upward like a vortex.
Eogigyeong (Energy Control Realm)!
The force she unleashed instantly reduced the surrounding tables to powder. Yeop Hyeon did not even blink. He simply threw a punch straight at her.
Boom!
The current she created scattered in all directions, and both of them were pushed back several steps.
"You've got some tricks," Mal Sucheong said coldly.
Just as she was about to strike again, Han Hyangmong stepped in front of her.
"Hyangmong, move aside!"
"Sucheong, for my sake, stop this!"
"Stop? Hyangmong! He humiliated me like this and you're telling me to stop?"
Han Hyangmong grabbed her hands with both of hers. "Please, just this once, listen to me."
Mal Sucheong frowned. "Hyangmong, who exactly is he that you're this afraid?"
Just as Han Hyangmong was about to explain, the First Imperial Prince and Yuk Soyeon appeared. Seeing the scene unfolding, Yuk Soyeon felt his heart sink.
The First Imperial Prince glanced between Yeop Hyeon and Mal Sucheong, then approached her with a smile. "Miss Mal, what has angered you so?"
Mal Sucheong shot Yeop Hyeon a cold look. "Did Your Highness invite him?"
Gang Nyeomsaeng looked at Yeop Hyeon before replying, "Miss Mal, was there some misunderstanding?"
"Misunderstanding? Hahaha!"
Mal Sucheong let out a light laugh and sat down. "The person you invited has humiliated me in front of everyone. Is he a friend of Yours, Your Highness?"
Friend!
Yuk Soyeon looked at the First Imperial Prince with a serious expression. Whether Yeop Hyeon could become his ally depended entirely on the next words spoken.
"The First Imperial Prince would never take someone like that as a friend!"
Someone shouted.
"That man insulted Miss Mal with words too vile to repeat. He should be killed as an example!"
"Indeed! I don't even want to remain in the same room as such a crude person!"
"Your Highness, to prevent Miss Mal from being further offended, that man must be expelled at once!"
"…"
The First Imperial Prince fell silent for a moment before shaking his head. "I do not know this man, nor did I invite him."
Hearing this, Yuk Soyeon sighed inwardly. He had expected such an outcome. Behind Mal Sucheong stood the Mal Family. The First Imperial Prince could not possibly side with Yeop Hyeon over her.
Meanwhile, Yeop Hyeon expressionlessly took Yeop Ryeong's hand.
"No wonder they were stuffing their faces earlier. So they snuck in. What were the people here doing, letting beggars like that inside?"
At the mocking voice, Yuk Soyeon could no longer endure it. He stepped forward and performed a pogwon (fist salute) to the crowd. "I am Yuk Soyeon, City Lord of Tianshan Castle. That young man is a guest I brought. If anyone feels inconvenienced, I apologize."
He then turned to Yeop Hyeon with a bitter smile. "I did not expect things to turn out like this. I'm sorry."
"You've done nothing wrong, City Lord."
Yuk Soyeon nodded and looked toward the First Imperial Prince. The prince glared at him. "City Lord Yuk, do you realize what you just did?"
"Your Highness, we will take our leave."
He turned to Yeop Hyeon. "Let's go."
Yuk Soyeon had chosen Yeop Hyeon over the Mal Family!
Everyone looked stunned. The First Imperial Prince even more so. Who exactly was Yeop Hyeon that Yuk Soyeon would choose him in front of so many people?
At that moment, Mal Sucheong's cold voice rang out. "Do you think you can simply leave?"
Yuk Soyeon approached her solemnly. "Miss Mal, this matter arose from a misunderstanding. For this old man's sake, how about we end it here?"
"Then have him kneel and beg my forgiveness. If he does, I'll pretend none of this happened."
Yuk Soyeon's expression darkened.
Just then, Han Hyangmong walked in front of Yeop Hyeon and performed a respectful pogwon (fist salute). "Young Master Yeop, although this was not my intention, this matter happened because of me. Please forgive me."
"Hyangmong!"
Mal Sucheong shouted angrily. "Whose side are you on?"
Han Hyangmong looked at her steadily. "Sucheong, if you truly consider me a friend, let this go."
Mal Sucheong's face twisted.
At that moment—
"How can this be let go so easily!"
A thunderous voice echoed as a young man climbed the stairs. Around eighteen years old, with a sturdy build and a fierce expression, he had short hair and an imposing presence.
"Changgi!"
He was Changgi of the Chang Family, a recognized genius. He had already received admission to Changmok Academy.
Among the many who applied, a few were admitted without examination. These were individuals who demonstrated extraordinary talent in a particular area. This year, five people had been admitted early without taking the test. Changgi was one of them.
He was also one of Mal Sucheong's most ardent admirers, something everyone in the Imperial Castle knew.
Changgi stood beside her and glared at Yeop Hyeon as if wanting to kill him. "Sucheong, I will act on your behalf."
"This is none of your business!"
His expression turned savage. "To insult you is to insult me!"
He strode toward Yeop Hyeon. "Where did you crawl out from to dare provoke Sucheong? Today I will smash your skull!"
His figure shot forward. Yeop Hyeon felt as if a ferocious beast were lunging at him.
When Yeop Hyeon clenched his fist, Changgi's imposing aura vanished instantly. The two exchanged punches to each other's chests.
Bang! Bang!
Yeop Hyeon was pushed back a few zhang. Changgi, however, was sent flying over ten zhang before slamming into a wall.
The crowd was stunned.
Gang Nyeomsaeng's eyes trembled. Even Mal Sucheong frowned unconsciously.
Changgi's greatest recognized talent was his physical strength. Among those of the same realm, few could rival him in raw body strength.
Yet he had been overpowered.
Changgi stared in disbelief. "How… is this possible…"
Yeop Hyeon stood expressionless.
Body strength? He had never lost to anyone in that regard.
Moreover, he had cultivated Geumsingyeong (Golden Body Realm), a hidden realm. His body was strong enough to engage in close combat with ferocious beasts.
"I refuse to believe it!"
Changgi roared and charged again. Yeop Hyeon's figure blurred and appeared before him.
Another collision of fists!
Bang!
Crack!
With the sound of bones shattering, Changgi's right arm exploded into fragments. His entire body flew again and slammed into the wall.
Boom!
The wall shook violently. Changgi struggled to rise but ultimately failed.
Yeop Hyeon swept a cold gaze across the stunned crowd, then took Yeop Ryeong's hand. "Let's go."
"Stop!"
The First Imperial Prince shouted.
He walked slowly toward Yeop Hyeon and smiled. "Brother Yeop, from what I see, it seems true that you insulted Miss Mal. Therefore, I ask that you apologize to her."
"As expected, the First Imperial Prince shows righteousness!"
Several voices called out.
"Show us what justice is, Your Highness!"
"That man relied on strength to bully others and humiliated Miss Mal. Such a shameless person should be imprisoned for life!"
"…"
Gang Nyeomsaeng performed a pogwon (fist salute) to the crowd. "Rest assured. As long as justice exists, I will not ignore wrongdoing. Today, on behalf of Miss Mal, I will demonstrate what justice is."
He turned to Yeop Hyeon. "Brother Yeop, if you do not apologize, you will not leave this place."
Yeop Hyeon smiled lightly. "Your Highness, to win people's hearts with just a few words—your methods are indeed impressive."
"Apologize! Kneel and show sincerity!"
Behind the prince, warriors holding long spears appeared. Their aura was far from ordinary; they were clearly elite soldiers.
Kneel and beg forgiveness?
"Haha…"
Yeop Hyeon chuckled softly. Then he turned to Yuk Soyeon. "City Lord, Miss Han, please look after my sister for a moment."
He asked Han Hyangmong as well because the more people by Yeop Ryeong's side, the safer she would be.
Yuk Soyeon hesitated briefly before nodding. Han Hyangmong let out a quiet sigh.
Gang Nyeomsaeng narrowed his eyes and ordered, "Men! This person forced his way into Seongaekru, insulted a lady, injured others, and shows no remorse. For his crimes, he shall be executed on the spot!"
The moment his words fell, the warriors charged.
Just then, the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs echoed through the hall.
Moments later, the crowd gasped in shock.
A woman appeared at the top of the stairs. Dressed in snow-white robes, she looked like a celestial maiden descending from the heavens.
An Lansu!
At her appearance, the spear-wielding warriors hurriedly knelt. Everyone in the hall bowed.
"We greet the National Scholar!"
Even the First Imperial Prince and Mal Sucheong stood up immediately, their faces pale as they bowed. "Mal Sucheong of the Mal Family greets the National Scholar!"
An Lansu nodded slightly, dismissing their greetings. Under everyone's gaze, she walked straight toward Yeop Hyeon. After studying his face briefly, a strange expression appeared in her eyes.
"Jeonui (battle intent)…"
A smile bloomed on her proud face. "You truly have a talent for surprising people. To reach this level in such a short time… Brother Yeop, shall we take a walk and talk for a while?"
Brother Yeop!
The moment those words left her lips, the crowd was stunned.
The proud National Scholar An Lansu was addressing Yeop Hyeon so intimately.