Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Promise
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Yeo Bi-shin was a North Bright Lion.
As a member of the Heavenly Demon Cult, becoming a North Bright Lion tasked with enforcing the cult's laws was the greatest honor imaginable. Her pride in her position soared to the heavens.
She knew well that as an enforcer of the cult's laws, she had no role in leading the charge toward the grand ambition of conquering the world. Still, deep in her heart burned the aspiration to serve the Heavenly Demon and roam the land freely.
Then came thunder from a clear sky.
The Heavenly Demon, lofty as the heavens, had been defeated. More shocking still, the victor was someone who had mastered the Heavenly Demon Ancestor's supreme arts. The entire Heavenly Demon Cult was thrown into turmoil.
She refused to believe it was anything but a rumor. It was simply impossible. Yet mere days after the whispers began, orders came for the North Bright Lions to mobilize. And now, here they were, waiting in the back mountains of the Iron Lion Sect.
Anyone who had studied the cult's history would know of the Iron Lion Sect. Yeo Bi-shin herself had delved deeply into those annals, so she was no stranger to it.
It was a sect that had nearly become the cult's sole rival, only for the Thirteenth Cult Leader's sacrifice to send all its Iron Lions to the afterlife, plunging it into decline.
That was the record of the Iron Lion Sect etched in Yeo Bi-shin's mind.
'Hmph! They dared stand against the main sect, so they got what they deserved!'
Yeo Bi-shin was displeased.
She couldn't fathom why they had to wait in the back mountains of the Iron Lion Sect. She had no idea why the North Bright Right Envoy had brought them here, but now that they were, she wanted to wipe the sect off the map entirely. Of course, that thought hadn't crossed her mind at first. Until coming here, a fallen sect like this hadn't even registered. But after just one day, her mind had changed, and now it burned at its peak.
"I am the Iron Lion! I will become the Iron Lion!"
She had to endure shouts like that—echoing across the entire mountain—for three sessions a day, each half an hour long.
"The Iron Lion emerges! Everyone, get lost!"
A madman. An irritating fool. One whose chants made listeners want to join in or lose their minds.
"I, Iron Mountain, am the Iron Lion! Wu-hat-ha-ha-ha!"
That idiot's bellows! That grating laughter!
On the first day, she ignored it. On the second, she gritted her teeth and bore it. Now it was the third day. She'd held out through the morning. But as she choked down dry jerky for lunch, it started again. Her nerves frayed beyond endurance, and Yeo Bi-shin shot to her feet.
"Gah! You scared me!"
Iron Mountain yelped.
A pitch-black figure had burst out of nowhere—it was impossible not to startle. From head to toe, clad in black garb, face hidden behind a demon mask smeared in black, like a hellish lion risen from the underworld.
"What kind of ghost are you?!"
Iron Mountain shouted.
Startled, yes—but cowed by some specter? Hardly. Besides, he'd been diligently training his Thunder Barrier Fist lately, brimming with confidence.
His foe said nothing, launching straight into an attack. Faster than when she'd revealed herself, she shot forward, her pale hand slicing like a blade. Iron Mountain sensed her strength from the speed alone and poured everything he had into his response.
With his newly smoothed Iron Thunder Divine Art channeling qi fluidly, he unleashed a straightforward punch loaded with the Thunder Barrier Fist's opening form.
Paht!
Iron Mountain's fist struck empty air. Bluish lightning qi sparked, but that was it. His opponent's hand slithered past like a snake climbing a tree, coiling around his wrist and arm before stabbing at his shoulder.
Puhk!
Blood sprayed.
"Kuhk!"
Iron Mountain groaned. In an instant, the blade-like hand opened and slammed his shoulder.
Thud! He tumbled backward.
"Senior Brother!"
Wei Hong's urgent cry rang out, followed by over a dozen Iron Lion Sect warriors rushing forward. They'd been trailing Iron Mountain through the back mountains. Seeing his sudden surge in strength, they'd joined his lunchtime training.
As the dozen charged toward Iron Mountain, black-clad North Bright Lions emerged behind Yeo Bi-shin. They'd revealed themselves to halt the fight, but the sheer number made the Iron Lion warriors gasp as they secured Iron Mountain and took defensive stances. That's when the quick-witted Yoo Chil dashed to the Iron Lion Sect.
By the time Do Cheon arrived, the dozen or so Iron Lion warriors were huddled protectively around Iron Mountain, thoroughly intimidated before the three hundred North Bright Lions.
"The Young Leader is here! You're all dead now!"
"That's him! He attacked Young Master Iron Mountain out of nowhere!"
"Right! He ambushed us!"
Emboldened by Do Cheon's arrival, the Iron Lion warriors puffed up. At that moment, the North Bright Right Envoy who had appeared with him demanded sternly,
"Is this true?"
"It is."
Yeo Bi-shin replied.
In a flash, the North Bright Right Envoy's hand cleaved the air. His sharp fingertips slashed at Yeo Bi-shin's throat. Her eyes widened behind the mask. But no blood spilled. His hand halted just before severing it—caught in another's grip.
"You dare shed blood in the main sect's domain?"
Do Cheon said, displeased.
Instantly, killing intent exploded from the three hundred North Bright Lions like a volcano. Enraged at his arrogance toward their envoy.
"Hide your fangs!"
The North Bright Right Envoy bellowed at his Lions. Flustered, they wouldn't defy that command. Their auras subsided in an instant.
"My apologies."
The North Bright Right Envoy bowed politely to Do Cheon. The North Bright Lions gasped at the sight. Only then did they realize the rampant rumor in the Heavenly Demon Cult was true—and its protagonist stood before them: Do Cheon.
Do Cheon, unconcerned and focused on the situation,
"See? This is the state between our sect and the Heavenly Demon Cult."
"As I said earlier, nothing outweighs the Heavenly Demon Ancestor's will."
"Coincidence. It can't be his intent."
"He ascended to the Human Realm pinnacle. We can't judge by mortal logic."
"Enough painful talk."
Do Cheon looked down at Iron Mountain, who lay stunned with eyes wide open.
"Shoulder bad?"
"Eldest Senior Brother."
"Yeah, speak. How bad?"
"When do I get strong?"
"Huh?"
"That bastard's got real skill. He avoided the bone on purpose, it seems."
"You knew he was strong—should've avoided a head-on clash."
"Yeah... He popped out so sudden, 'fight full force' hit me before 'run.'"
"Smart call."
"Dropped in one hit—smart?!"
"They've trained properly for over a decade. Catching up in months would be the real freak show."
"True, but enemies don't care about that."
"Also true."
Do Cheon nodded and extended a hand. Iron Mountain grabbed it and rose.
"Who are these guys?"
Iron Mountain asked, eyeing the North Bright Right Envoy and Lions.
"North Bright Right Envoy and North Bright Lions."
"What?"
"Heavenly Demon Cult."
"...!"
Iron Mountain flinched, scanning Do Cheon, the Envoy, and the Lions. Shocked, he glanced around before asking,
"Here for martial arts?"
"No."
"...?"
"To take me away."
"What nonsense... You going?"
"As if."
"Damn right!"
Do Cheon nodded at Iron Mountain's firm declaration.
"Yeah, obvious. So, how to handle them? Can't let them harm my junior brother scot-free."
"Damn, embarrassing me?"
"...?"
"That old guy's vibe with Senior Brother says they're not here to fight. I'll settle it myself later—let 'em go."
"Fine, then."
Do Cheon nodded to the North Bright Right Envoy and pondered briefly.
'What to do with them?'
Can't leave them here. Especially not lingering at the Iron Lion Sect. But no sign of easy retreat.
Do Cheon eyed the Envoy thoughtfully. Luckily, his cunning wits produced a plausible solution.
"You said the Heavenly Demon is in secluded cultivation?"
"Yes."
"Then let's agree: When he emerges, summon me. I'll come, and we'll settle it then."
Do Cheon's proposal sounded reasonable. He clearly intended to stay as the Iron Lion Sect's Young Leader. No sharp moves here, and since he'd visit the cult, better to return, prepare thoroughly, and await that day.
The North Bright Right Envoy bowed deeply.
"Thank you for the promise. We'll await that day."
No promise made, yet he phrased it so. Meaning: Take it as one and honor it.
"See you then."
Do Cheon nodded. The Envoy gazed at him a moment before turning.
"Back to the cult!"
The North Bright Lions followed in disciplined formation.
"Hey! What's your name?!"
Iron Mountain bellowed suddenly. No one turned.
"You scrawny wench-lookin' bastard! If you're a warrior, give the guy you shamed your name at least! Scared I'll grow too strong for you to face?!"
"Yeo Bi-shin!"
"Got it! Yeo Bi-shin!"
The name popped from the departing Lions, and Iron Mountain yelled back, vowing revenge. Thus, the North Bright Right Envoy and Lions vanished. Do Cheon watched until they were gone, then moved.
"Quit training before it worsens. Get treated first. Heading down."
As Do Cheon descended the back mountain, Byeon Ryeo-gun waited below, pacing.
"Waiting for me?"
"What happened?"
"They left."
"No way, that mountain of a junior brother."
"Fine. Just a shoulder stab."
"Arm okay?"
"Opponent didn't aim to cripple—spared the bone."
"Good."
"Yeah."
"North Bright Right Envoy gone? Didn't seem the type. How?"
"Told 'em to summon me when Heavenly Demon's out of seclusion."
"You'll go?"
"Yeah."
"...!"
"Gotta resolve it somehow. Can't have them sticking around. Right?"
"True, but."
"Worried the secluded Heavenly Demon'll emerge with some ultimate art?"
"Yes."
Byeon Ryeo-gun's face was stiff with genuine concern. Do Cheon peered at her and smiled.
"Thanks. Nice to have someone worry."
"Eldest Senior Brother."
"I'm good. With a caring junior sister, I won't lose to anyone."
"...!"
"Let's go. Master and Sword Lord are waiting."
To report Iron Mountain's safety and the Envoy's departure, Do Cheon headed to the Lion Hall with Byeon Ryeo-gun.
Sun Heaven.
Two days after the Sun King entered seclusion, a visitor arrived. His coming was unusual enough—but the Sun King greeting him from seclusion was even more so.
"What's this about?"
"Straight to it: Can you face the Generation's Heavenly Demon's arts?"
The Sun King's eyes twitched with fury.
Yet Unyang Hall Leader met his gaze with unyielding resolve, unmoved even if death loomed.