Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: North Star Protector
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“If we cannot reclaim the Heavenly Demon Ancestor’s supreme techniques, then we must escort you back with us, Young Master.”
It was a statement Do Cheon had never expected. Yet it didn’t surprise him. He had harbored such thoughts himself lately. Since he had mastered the Heavenly Demon Ancestor’s techniques, perhaps he himself was a Heavenly Demon. Now that notion had simply materialized before him.
Do Cheon stared silently at the man.
An elderly figure. Even from the aura radiating from his entire body, it was clear he was no ordinary member of the Heavenly Demon Cult. Beyond that, there was no sense of hostility at all. It was peculiar. He felt no guilt toward his ancestors, no discomfort, not even wariness.
“What is your position within the Heavenly Demon Cult?”
“I am the North Star Protector.”
“I know nothing of your organization’s structure.”
“Above me stands only the Cult Leader, flanked by the Radiant Right Protector and the Guardians of the Enforcement Hall.”
“...!”
Only one above him—the Heavenly Demon. A far higher rank than he had imagined. This was no one to take lightly.
“I’ve heard your cult is a place of unyielding pride.”
“Indeed.”
“Yet here you are, bowing your head so readily?”
“We have witnessed your strength firsthand, and since you have inherited the Heavenly Demon Ancestor’s supreme techniques, it is only right that we do so.”
Not merely because of his power, but because he had mastered the Ancestor’s arts.
“And if I refuse?”
“We will remain by your side until you grace our cult with your presence.”
He meant to trail after him persistently, nagging him to come to the Heavenly Demon Cult. It was unexpected. Do Cheon had braced for a declaration of intent to kill, but this was an entirely different response.
“Do you know where this is?”
“The Iron Lion Sect.”
“Are you aware that the Iron Lion Sect is a sworn enemy of the Heavenly Demon Cult?”
“We are.”
“And still, you intend to take me there?”
“Nothing takes precedence over the Heavenly Demon Ancestor.”
“But I am not the Heavenly Demon Ancestor.”
“You have legitimately inherited his legacy, making you more important to our cult than anything else.”
There was a profound implication in his words. Do Cheon gazed at him with clear eyes and asked,
“Doesn’t your generation have a Heavenly Demon?”
“Our cult has many ironclad rules, but the one pertaining to you is this: anyone may challenge for the throne of the Heavenly Demon, and only a Heavenly Demon who has mastered the Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon may venture into the wider world.”
Not only had Do Cheon mastered the Ancestor’s supreme techniques, but he had also defeated the current Heavenly Demon. Thus, they wished to enthrone him as the new one. It aligned perfectly with Do Cheon’s own recent musings that perhaps he was a Heavenly Demon himself.
“I grasp your position well enough, but I am the young lord of the Iron Lion Sect, and I have no intention of abandoning that role.”
“There is no need to abandon it. We only wish for you to rightfully claim the throne of the Heavenly Demon.”
“A Heavenly Demon who is also the young lord of the Iron Lion Sect? Is that even possible?”
“We serve only the Heavenly Demon.”
“Why not just try killing me instead?”
“Even if the entire cult mobilized, I doubt we could succeed. And even if we did, we could not afford to lose the true supreme techniques left by the Heavenly Demon Ancestor once more.”
“What if I compiled them into a manual for you?”
“That is impossible.”
“Why do you think so?”
“It would endanger your descendants in the Iron Lion Sect.”
“True enough. That’s precisely why I have no intention of handing them over. You’ve clearly thought this through—you didn’t come here recklessly.”
“If you come to our cult and issue a decree forbidding conflict with the Iron Lion Sect, they would face no peril.”
“Isn’t that exactly why I’m refusing? The Iron Lion Sect is my home, and my sole ambition is to restore it to its former glory, standing proudly against the Heavenly Demon Cult as in days past. Why would I go there?”
“With our cult’s resources, we could elevate the Iron Lion Sect to the world’s foremost sect within months.”
“By your methods? I could do it alone in a matter of days.”
“I have no doubt you could.”
The conversation felt like it was circling endlessly. It advanced one step, then looped back.
“Does your Heavenly Demon know you’re here doing this?”
“He is in secluded meditation, so likely not. Even if he did, it matters not. My actions do not violate the cult’s laws.”
“It’s not about violation—he wouldn’t sit idly by if he knew.”
“The Enforcement Hall and even the Divine Guardians prioritize the cult’s laws above all.”
“So they wish to welcome me as well?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, this is more complicated than I thought. With divisions like this, won’t your cult fracture?”
“It already has.”
He spoke of internal strife plainly, yet his expression remained serene.
“Your faction holds the majority, I presume?”
“Yes, though not by a wide margin.”
“If it’s that close, isn’t it worse? Whichever side wins, the cult’s power will be halved.”
“Quite so.”
“You’re fine with that?”
“Serving the legacy left by the Heavenly Demon Ancestor is of greater import.”
Do Cheon understood. No one appreciated the grandeur of the Generation’s Heavenly Demon’s supreme techniques more than he.
My apologies to my ancestors, but I can’t shake the feeling I’ve become a thief.
Thoughts of his forebears stirred a sudden question.
“Without mastering the Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon, one cannot enter the wider world, correct?”
“Correct.”
“Then how did the Heavenly Demon of that era emerge to battle the Iron Lions who founded your sub-sect? Had he mastered it too?”
“No one but the Heavenly Demon Ancestor has ever completed the Supremacy.”
“So how did he emerge?”
“The laws do not regulate personal excursions.”
“...?”
“They bar official ventures into the world, but there is no prohibition against discreet outings.”
“Ah!”
“Do you have any significant records from the Iron Lion Sect regarding that time?”
“Only that they mobilized hastily to block the Heavenly Demon’s path, only for him to end up trapped in one wing of the Generation’s Heavenly Demon’s annex.”
“I understand that when the Cult Leader and Divine Guardians of that era failed to return, selecting a new leader caused considerable turmoil.”
“Even that Heavenly Demon never returned?”
“No.”
“Then...!”
“If the Iron Lions trapped him in the Heavenly Demon Ancestor’s annex, it seems the then-Cult Leader knew of it, pursued them, and clashed. In the end, it was a case of mutual destruction.”
“That’s how our sect has viewed it through the generations. In any case, it’s a deep-seated grudge... This puts me in a bind. By rights, I should fight for my ancestors’ sake, but...”
Do Cheon scratched his cheek, pondering.
He had no desire to go to the Heavenly Demon Cult. Nor did he crave battle with them. As long as they didn’t provoke first, he had no interest in needless conflict.
Sorry, ancestors, but as long as the Heavenly Demon Cult stays out of the world, I’ve no urge to fight. I want to see my fellow disciples roam freely, not locked in endless strife.
He trusted the Iron Lions would understand. They hadn’t fought the cult for the sake of fighting, but to halt the demonic outrages of that era, which inevitably led to clashes.
In any event, this is a hassle.
Unable to find a solution, Do Cheon turned to the North Star Protector. His calm demeanor suggested he wouldn’t back down easily.
“Come on. Let’s get some food in you first, then we’ll talk.”
“I did not come alone.”
“...?”
“I brought the North Star Lions of the North Star Hall. Escorting you is no trivial matter.”
“How many?”
“Three hundred.”
“Damn it!”
The curse slipped out involuntarily.
Three hundred North Star Lions.
Do Cheon grimaced at the mere number, but in truth, that many North Star Lions—especially alongside the North Star Protector—possessed enough might to overwhelm any single major sect like Shaolin, Wudang, or Mount Hua.
“Where are they?”
“Waiting in the mountains behind the Iron Lion Sect.”
Do Cheon’s eyes turned icy at the revelation. The North Star Protector added calmly,
“They have awaited you for three days now.”
Meaning they had known he was absent and waited silently for three days. Do Cheon’s suspicion eased. Their intent was truly to escort him, not to harm the sect. That was why the man didn’t seem repulsive.
“And your meals?”
“Dried meat sufficed.”
Three days on jerky alone—it stirred a pang of pity.
“You could’ve lodged at an inn if you’d come alone or with just a few.”
“We could not be lax in attending you.”
“Enough repeating that. Follow me for now.”
Do Cheon led the North Star Protector into the Iron Lion Sect.
The Volcanic Divine Sword Yi Jo-yang had come expecting a rare drink with Sa Jung-gyeong, the Iron Lion Sect Leader, who had summoned him. But something felt off—an elderly man exuded an ominous aura. Do Cheon, Byeon Ryeo-gun, and Ong Jung-seo were also present. The room felt stifling, but not enough to raise full alarm.
“When did you return?”
“Just now.”
“All go well?”
“Yes. Actually, I’m the one who asked to see you, Sword Saint.”
“So it seems.”
Yi Jo-yang licked his lips in disappointment—no drinks awaited—and took his seat. As he sat, Do Cheon, Byeon Ryeo-gun, and Ong Jung-seo followed suit.
“Who is this?”
Yi Jo-yang inquired.
“The North Star Protector.”
“North Star Protector? I’ve never...!”
Yi Jo-yang’s eyes widened in realization mid-sentence.
“Correct. He hails from the Heavenly Demon Cult.”
His shock was evident from his tightly clamped mouth—a sight Yi Jo-yang had never shown before.
“It’s not complicated. Everyone here knows I’ve mastered the Generation’s Heavenly Demon’s supreme techniques. And that I slew their current Heavenly Demon. But their laws permit anyone to challenge for the throne.”
Yi Jo-yang’s eyes grew even wider.
An absurd, utterly preposterous notion had dawned on him.
“Yes. He’s here to take me there.”
“Kuhum!”
A strange grunt escaped Yi Jo-yang unwittingly. The shock and disbelief were overwhelming. True to his title, he quickly regained composure, adopting a solemn posture.
“This is the Divine Sword of Mount Hua.”
Do Cheon introduced him. The North Star Protector bowed deeply to Do Cheon, offering only a slight nod to Yi Jo-yang.
An unprecedented slight for Yi Jo-yang. Yet given the man’s status, he responded with utmost courtesy instead.
“Yi Jo-yang of Mount Hua. I never dreamed I’d meet one of the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Thirteen Guardians in my lifetime.”
The North Star Protector said nothing. Undeterred, Yi Jo-yang pondered deeply. Watching him, Do Cheon scanned the room—including his master—before speaking.
“I gathered you all simply to inform you of this situation. So please, no wild speculations.”
Do Cheon drew a firm line. It was for the others, but also for the North Star Protector. He had zero interest in the Heavenly Demon’s throne.
Yi Jo-yang, having gathered his thoughts, turned to Sa Jung-gyeong.
“This can’t happen, can it?”
“Of course not.”
Sa Jung-gyeong replied decisively. In truth, he was barely containing his rage.
The downfall of the Iron Lion Sect.
Hadn’t it been at the hands of the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Heavenly Demon slaughtering the Iron Lions? How could he greet such a man with a smile? Absurd as it was, since the visitor sought dialogue, he suppressed his fury.
Yi Jo-yang nodded as if expecting as much. But his words diverged sharply from expectations.
“I wouldn’t send my own disciple, either. But forgive me, Sect Leader—for Young Master Do’s sake, I say let him go.”
“What do you mean by that?!”
Sa Jung-gyeong’s voice rose.
The others gaped at Yi Jo-yang’s unforeseen stance.
“My apologies. I’m convinced that if Young Master Do becomes Heavenly Demon, the world will be safer for it.”
“...!”
“Anyone wielding such power would crave to wield it freely, but I trust Young Master Do won’t. It would usher in an era of unprecedented peace.”
He praised Do Cheon, expressing unshakeable faith. Sa Jung-gyeong couldn’t muster further anger. Of course, he had no intention of yielding to the North Star Protector’s wishes.
“If Cheon had such power, I’d tell him to eradicate the Heavenly Demon Cult.”
Sa Jung-gyeong declared.
His bold temperament shone through.
The North Star Protector’s brow twitched. Were Sa Jung-gyeong not Do Cheon’s master, he would have snapped his neck in an instant.
“Sect Leader Sa.”
Yi Jo-yang’s voice resonated calmly, carrying a subtle power that soothed Sa Jung-gyeong’s agitation. Even the North Star Protector eyed him curiously.
“Sect Leader Sa, until recently, you were known for your cool-headedness. Thanks to the Generation’s Heavenly Demon’s annex, you met Young Master Do, and spending considerable time here with Heaven-Rending Legion... it’s given you much to reflect on.”
All listened quietly to Yi Jo-yang’s steady words. He alternated glances between Do Cheon and Sa Jung-gyeong as he continued.
“Watching Young Master Do, bearer of world-subduing might, I couldn’t help but think: we struggle against the unorthodox, ever vigilant of the demonic path. Even one as wondrous as him merely rides the flow of time like the endless river. Punishing the wicked remains imperative, but the world flows toward tomorrow even without slaying them all. Great causes and duties are fine, but moderation in all things, no?”
“Well said. But what does that have to do with Cheon becoming their Heavenly Demon?”
“Young Master Do becoming Heavenly Demon doesn’t make him any less your disciple. He remains Sect Leader Sa’s student. Positions matter little; it’s the heart that counts.”
Yi Jo-yang’s argument held sway. Yet accepting it was no simple matter. In another place or role, they might trust Do Cheon enough to allow it. But the Heavenly Demon throne? The Heavenly Demon Cult? How could he lead that? His deceased ancestors would rise from the grave roaring in fury.
“You’re right on all counts, but what can’t be done, can’t be done.”
Sa Jung-gyeong stood. The more he dwelled, the harder it was to quell his rising ire. At that moment, an urgent voice rang from outside.
“Sect Leader! Trouble! Unknown foes swarm the rear mountains! Elder Iron Mountain tried to hold them off and took heavy wounds!”
It was Yoo Chil’s frantic cry.
Do Cheon and the North Star Protector exchanged frowns, locking eyes.