Yeopryeong fell asleep immediately upon returning to the dormitory.
When Yeophyeon laid her on the bed, Yeopryeong suddenly curled up and began shivering violently. Startled, Yeophyeon quickly covered her with a blanket.
Yeopryeong continued to tremble. Yeophyeon suddenly examined the Cheonhwananok hanging around her neck. His expression froze like stone.
The Cheonhwananok, which had been shielding Yeopryeong from the chill, was covered in white frost!
"Cheonnyeo-nim!?"
Yeophyeon called out to Cheonnyeo desperately.
"Cheonnyeo-nim, this…"
[Send that item to me!]
Yeophyeon immediately sent the Cheonhwananok into Gyeokok. After a moment, the Cheonhwananok returned to Yeophyeon's hand, fully restored to its original function.
Hastily, Yeophyeon placed it back around Yeopryeong's neck, and her complexion gradually improved. Seeing this, Yeophyeon finally let out a sigh of relief.
At that moment, Cheonnyeo's voice spoke.
[The spiritual energy within that item is almost depleted. At most, it will last one day. After that, its power will be completely lost.]
'The Cheonhwananok will lose its power!?'
Yeophyeon's face stiffened like stone. If the Cheonhwananok became useless, what could possibly control Yeopryeong's chill!?
Without another word, Yeophyeon stormed out of the room.
He stepped into the courtyard attached to the detached house, gazed at the bright moon above, and clenched his fists.
Tomorrow is the day Changmok Academy selects its new students!
If he could get into Changmok Academy, he could take Yeopryeong to a physician. Then, his younger sister wouldn't have to continue living in her current suffering!
At that moment, the door opened, and Yuk Soyeon entered the courtyard. Seeing Yeophyeon there, she spoke.
"I apologize for what happened tonight."
Yeophyeon shook his head.
"It had nothing to do with Your Excellency."
"In truth, I had thought highly of the Crown Prince all this time. After today, I see he is not the person I imagined. Huh… people of this royal family are truly masters at deceiving others."
Yeophyeon hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Forgive my boldness, but I think Your Excellency acted too hastily in aligning yourself. Moreover, I'm not sure if the one above you would even want this situation."
Yuk Soyeon forced a smile.
"I am aware of that as well. But if I do not align myself now, I fear I will not even have the chance later."
"In my opinion, Your Excellency only needs to remain loyal to His Majesty the Emperor. Then, while he lives, the Yuk family will be safe from trouble."
Yuk Soyeon nodded in agreement.
"I think the same. I do not want my family dragged into a power struggle for the Crown Prince's position."
Yeophyeon silently nodded, and Yuk Soyeon changed the subject with a smile.
"Tomorrow is the day Changmok Academy selects new students. If you are admitted, would you mind looking after my rather unremarkable son?"
"Hahaha, I haven't even been accepted yet. I'm merely an applicant."
"Your humility is excessive. If Changmok Academy lets someone with your talent slip by, it will go down as the greatest mistake in their history!"
Yeophyeon only smiled quietly at her words.
After a brief conversation, they parted ways, and Yeophyeon returned to Gyeokok Tower.
The moment he stepped inside, he heard a faint sound from upstairs.
Though very subtle, Yeophyeon could hear it clearly.
"Cheonnyeo-nim, what is that…?"
[You know as well as I do.]
Yeophyeon gave a wry smile.
"Cheonnyeo-nim, who is trapped on the second floor of the tower?"
[One thing is certain: they are not someone friendly toward you. Once you enter Changmok Academy and seek the Yeonggeom to advance your realm, the matter will naturally resolve itself.]
Yeophyeon nodded. The situation in Gyeokok Tower was extremely tense. It worried him greatly. Even by instinct, he sensed that the being trapped on the second floor was not benevolent.
Though he had no concrete evidence—just a "feeling"—he could not ignore it. It seemed almost like a warning from Gyeokok Tower. As Cheonnyeo said, he must hurry to advance his realm.
Of course, the first priority was gaining admission to Changmok Academy.
Early dawn on the day of Changmok Academy's new student selection.
As the red sun slowly rose, Yeophyeon took Yeopryeong and stepped out of the main gate. Outside, the Yuk family waited for them.
Yuk Soyeon was quite surprised at Yeophyeon's appearance. He already had an impressive presence, but dressed neatly in a white jangpo, his elegance was undeniable. If he carried his sword at his waist, revealing himself as a swordsman, many young girls in Hwangseong would surely be captivated.
Yeopryeong was no less stunning. Wearing a skirt of black and green with her hair braided long, she looked exquisite. She was destined to become a beauty who would captivate many hearts in the near future.
Yuk Soyeon watched them, sensing that their lineage was far from ordinary.
Shaking off her thoughts, she smiled and said, "Then let's get going!"
Changmok Academy was not far from their dormitory. The four of them decided to walk.
From early morning, Hwangseong buzzed with energy. The academy's recruitment day was the grandest event in the kingdom. Anyone wishing for success saw admission as the fastest path.
Changmok Academy was the gateway for young martial artists. Each recruitment drew prodigies from across the kingdom, along with their families. Naturally, Hwangseong was more crowded than usual.
In truth, Yeophyeon knew nothing of this. Without Yuk Soyeon's kindness, they would have had to sleep on the streets, since all accommodations had been fully booked a month in advance.
Yeopryeong was equally excited. If Yeophyeon was accepted, they would have a place to rely on and a secured future. Even if her illness persisted, Yeophyeon would no longer face loneliness alone.
As they walked, more and more people crowded the streets, all heading toward the same destination: Changmok Academy.
To the north of Hwangseong stood Mount Changsang. Rising about a thousand jang, even the mid-mountain offered a view of the entire city. This was where Changmok Academy was located.
Walking along the path, Yuk Soyeon smiled and said, "Many dynasties have risen and fallen, but Changmok Academy has remained atop Mount Changsang throughout the ages. Along with Chwiseonru, it is one of the two pillars supporting this world."
"Do other countries have Changmok Academies as well?" Yeophyeon asked.
"Of course. I've heard that the main headquarters is in Shenzhou of Central Lands, far from our kingdom."
Yuk Soyeon looked at Yeophyeon and smiled.
"When you have the chance, travel far beyond our kingdom and Qingju to explore the vast world. You will see and learn much more!"
"That seems like a distant matter. For now, surviving here is more important!"
"Hahaha, indeed!"
Soon, they arrived at the entrance of Mount Changsang. Looking up, the towering mountain loomed above.
At the base, a massive crowd had gathered, all aspiring to challenge Changmok Academy.
Yeophyeon was taken aback. Most of these people were at least at the Eogigyeong realm and were all young.
As if reading his thoughts, Yuk Soyeon laughed.
"No need to be surprised. With tens of millions in the kingdom, it's not strange that so many prodigies have gathered."
Yeophyeon nodded. In a small city like Cheongseong, reaching Eogigyeong before eighteen was exceptional. In a large city, such individuals would be more common. Across the kingdom, calling them prodigies might even be an understatement.
At that moment, a crane appeared near the mountain's peak. It descended swiftly, reaching above the crowd, and a man appeared atop its back.
"I am the outer academy elder of Changmok Academy, Changjung. I will oversee today's examination. Twenty new students will be admitted. Only those who pass three gates will qualify. If more than twenty pass, they will duel, and the victor will be admitted."
Twenty!
The crowd murmured in surprise. Over a thousand had gathered, yet only twenty would succeed. Most would fail.
Yeophyeon's expression darkened. Today's competition would be fierce and grueling.
The elder's voice rang out again.
"The first gate is to climb the mountain. Those unable to reach the mid-mountain will be immediately disqualified!"
'Climb the mountain?'
Yeophyeon asked Yuk Soyeon, puzzled.
"Is it really that simple?"
She shook her head. "Not at all. The mountain is surrounded by a formation. Though most here are at Eogigyeong, many are unstable in their cultivation. The first gate's purpose is to filter out those lacking solid fundamentals."
Yeophyeon nodded and turned to Yuk Myung.
"Lord, but Myung isn't Eogigyeong, is he?"
"Haha, of course not. Our Myung is far below Eogigyeong, but he will enter Changmok Academy through a special means."
'Special means?'
"What do you mean by that?"
Yuk Soyeon looked slightly troubled.
"Honestly, I spent some money. It's like a donation-based admission. But he will enter the lower class, not as a formal student. Even there, excellent teachers instruct, but it differs greatly from regular students. His status is not that of a formal student either."
"Father! Must you say that and embarrass me in front of the elders?"
Yuk Myung complained, but Yuk Soyeon's voice grew stern.
"Boy! Who are you to care about face? If you had worked harder, I wouldn't have had to beg on your behalf to get you admitted!"
Myung could only pout, offering no reply.
Yeophyeon and Yeopryeong exchanged a glance and laughed aloud.
Yuk Soyeon spoke to Yeophyeon.
"Let's head to the starting point."
The group reached the trail entrance up Mount Changsang, following other participants. Alongside the path, long wooden stakes were planted, each with the corpse of a man whose time of death was unknown.
The sight stirred murmurs among the crowd.
Yeophyeon asked Yuk Soyeon, "Lord, who is that?"
"A student from Changran Academy."
"Changran Academy?"
"Yes. You wouldn't know; few are aware of its existence. In the past, it was considered a rival to Changmok Academy. For reasons unknown, the two academies have been mortal enemies, dueling every three years. While Changmok Academy grew stronger, Changran declined. For nearly fifty years, Changran students have consistently lost. What you see now is a Changran student defeated in combat. As you climb, you will see more corpses."
Yuk Soyeon shook her head. "It is said that if Changran Academy wins, they can reclaim the corpses. Sadly, at present, no student can defeat a Changmok Academy student."