Yeophyeon spun around, this time pointing his dagger at Yeop Go.
"You worthless scum! Did you think I wouldn't know that all of this was orchestrated by you and the Grand Elder?
You garbage only ever think about tormenting your own family! If you have so much strength, why can't you say a word to the Zhangs or the Lis? Inside, you're strong, but outside, you're worse than funeral dogs—is that the characteristic of you elders in the Yeop family?"
The Zhangs, the Lis, and the City Lord's Mansion were the other three major powers in Cheongseong, alongside the Yeop family. Among the four, the Yeop family was the weakest.
At that, Yeop Go's face darkened, and he shouted.
"Yeophyeon, who do you think you are to act so arrogantly! To be causing a scene in broad daylight like this—you are utterly…"
Yeophyeon cut him off.
"What nonsense are you spouting! Don't just talk—if you have the guts, try and stop me!"
Yeop Go's face turned pale as he yelled.
"Seize him! Make him kneel!"
But none of the guards beside him moved.
Yeophyeon had fought countless bloody battles for the Yeop family. Most of the guards respected him deeply. Whenever Yeophyeon appeared on the battlefield, the Yeop family could stand shoulder to shoulder with other powerful families like the Zhangs. Moreover, most of the guards had already shared combat experiences with him.
Seeing that the guards did not move, Yeop Go began to panic.
"You… you dare defy my orders?"
Then one of the guards at the front hesitated before speaking.
"Brother, w-we…"
Yeophyeon addressed the guard directly.
"Imeok, you've rolled on the battlefield with me at least a hundred times. You know better than anyone how I treat the Yeop family. I will not tolerate you giving food fit for dogs to me or my family.
I do not wish to put you in an awkward position, and I understand your stance. But if you draw a blade against me, I will no longer speak of brotherhood. You need not spare me—I will not spare you either!"
Imeok's expression darkened at Yeophyeon's words.
Feuds between the factions in Cheongseong never ceased. Battles for control of the mines always demanded blood.
One unwritten rule was that only young martial artists could take part. This was to prevent full-scale wars between the tribes.
Yeophyeon had always been the representative of the Yeop family in such conflicts, the leader of its younger generation. The guards had survived countless life-and-death situations alongside him, naturally forming deep bonds. For them to strike against Yeophyeon was an almost impossible task.
Moreover, they knew Yeophyeon's skill and temperament well. Once a fight began, he would charge like a madman and would not stop until everyone opposing him was dead.
Still hesitating, Imeok drew a deep breath, and Yeop Go shouted.
"Do you all wish to die by my hand?!"
As Imeok prepared to respond, Yeophyeon spoke first.
"He knows you cannot stop me. The elder probably hopes only that you die by my hand. That way, things can escalate further."
Yeophyeon called out so everyone could hear.
"Our elders are impressive, indeed. No one dares match them when it comes to using their own people!"
At that, the guards' expressions darkened. Yeophyeon's words had planted the suspicion that the elder intended to sacrifice them.
Yeop Go glared at Yeophyeon as though he would kill him.
"Yeophyeon! The situation now is very different from before. If you had bent your head like the others, you might have lived a few more days. How dare you act so brazenly without assessing the circumstances! You are—"
"You old dog!"
Yeophyeon cut him off.
"The thought of marrying my sister off to such trash—did that even cross your mind?"
Yeop Go smiled coldly.
"And what if it did?"
Yeophyeon's gaze grew increasingly feral.
"Not only did you set a trap for me, you even tried to do vile things to a twelve-year-old girl… Do not expect my forgiveness."
Bang!
Yeophyeon stomped the ground, cracking the stone floor as his spiritual form surged toward Yeop Go.
Caught off guard, Yeop Go could only react in shock.
He was truly about to engage in combat! Against an elder of the Yeop family!
Yeop Go crouched slightly, pulling back his shoulders, and suddenly his fist shot forward like a spring.
"Fist Collapse!"
This was one of the lower-tier martial techniques of the Yeop family, capable of shattering rocks.
Yeophyeon mirrored the attack, unleashing his own Fist Collapse toward the elder's punch.
Bang!
The two fists collided. Yeop Go's fist split apart, spraying blood in all directions.
As Yeop Go screamed in extreme pain, Yeophyeon thrust a fist into his abdomen.
Phew!
Simultaneously, Yeop Go's spiritual form was blasted back in a spray of blood. As he hit the floor, Yeophyeon's foot followed, crushing his chest. Yeop Go glared at him, fury written across his face.
"How… how can you be this strong…?"
Yeop Go, who usually handled internal affairs, was not particularly strong. Even so, he was a Qi Transformation stage martial artist. To be brought down by a single strike was inconceivable.
Yeophyeon slapped his face brutally.
"Living pampered in the Yeop residence all day makes you weaker than a child. Can you even call yourself an elder of the Yeop family?"
"How dare you strike an elder!"
Yeophyeon raised his hand and struck him again.
"What will you do now?"
Yeop Go's face instantly swelled.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
Humiliated in front of everyone, Yeop Go roared in fury.
"What are you waiting for?! Kill him now!"
Under Yeop Go's command, Imeok and the others hesitated. If they had the confidence to suppress Yeophyeon, they might have acted—but they simply could not.
"You insolent brat!"
At that moment, a sharp voice rang out.
The martial artists turned toward the sound and saw the Grand Elder striding toward them, followed by other elders and guards.
Yeop Ryeong rushed behind Yeophyeon, clutching his collar, whispering.
"Oppa, run… q-quickly…"
"I'm fine, don't be afraid."
Yeophyeon held her trembling hands. Suddenly, she burst into tears.
"It's all my fault… I got you into trouble again… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
"It's okay. Don't worry. Even if heaven falls, I'll protect you!"
Yeophyeon turned to face the Grand Elder, suddenly grinning.
"Grand Elder, here's a proposal. I'll admit my mistake, so let's call it even and move on. How about it?"
The Grand Elder blinked in disbelief.
"What? Call it even? Yeophyeon, are you dreaming? You…"
While he spoke, Yeophyeon quietly placed his foot on Yeop Go's neck.
Crack!
The sound of bones breaking echoed through the hall. Yeop Go's eyes widened in shock. Life began draining from his eyes as his neck snapped.
"…Didn't you say we were to call it even?"
Yeophyeon removed his foot from Yeop Go's neck and slowly walked toward the Grand Elder. The hall went silent, every eye fixed on him.
"Grand Elder, a junior has issued a challenge… You wouldn't run away, would you?"
The hall fell utterly silent.
A challenge?
Yeophyeon was challenging the Grand Elder!
The strongest in the Yeop family was the reclusive clan chief, followed by the Protector Elder, Yeop Gyeom. With Yeop Gyeom absent, the Grand Elder was the family's top expert.
And Yeophyeon had just issued a challenge to him!
Some thought it was audacious. Others saw it differently.
The Grand Elder had spent most of his time safe in the Yeop residence, rarely needing to demonstrate his martial skills.
Yeophyeon, on the other hand, was a product of the family's rigorous training, spending nearly every day on the battlefield, accumulating countless real combat experiences. He possessed a strength and spirit the Grand Elder lacked.
Some believed that although Yeophyeon was at the Five-Rank Corrosion Stage, if he risked his life in a full attack, he might have a chance.
The Grand Elder, unexpectedly challenged, glared at Yeophyeon.
'Should I accept?'
Refusing would destroy his reputation in the family. Others might even disobey him.
'If I accept…?'
Given Yeophyeon's combat ability, the decision was daunting. Though the Grand Elder's cultivation surpassed Yeophyeon's, he had never engaged in life-or-death battles. Within the Yeop residence, he only sparred lightly with others.
Yeophyeon, in contrast, was a lethal weapon on the battlefield every single day.
The Grand Elder knew this difference well.
Even if he won, people would expect it. But if he lost…
He would not be able to hold his head high, and his position could be in jeopardy.
The Grand Elder's expression darkened. He had intended to corner Yeophyeon, yet found himself trapped.
Then another voice rang out in the hall.
"Isn't the order wrong?"
The Crown Prince of the Yeop family, Yeop Lang, was walking forward slowly.
As the Grand Elder opened his mouth to speak, his eyes widened. In disbelief, he asked,
"Yeop Lang… have you already reached the Qi Transformation stage?"
Qi Transformation!
At this, the pupils of everyone in the hall dilated.
Yeop Lang slowly nodded.
"It took ten days, so I am not satisfied."
Gasps erupted throughout the hall.
'Ten days?'
This was the Fourth-Rank Dual Cultivation Stage, Yeop Lang's level before awakening.
To reach Qi Transformation in only ten days after awakening was unimaginable—a record unheard of in the Yeop family.
The Grand Elder laughed, filling the Yeop residence.
"Heaven truly watches over our Yeop family, hahahaha…"