Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: 12th Disciple Do Cheon
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Byeon Ryeo-gun headed toward the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret chamber.
There was something she absolutely had to confirm.
Passing the Descent of the Wise King Wall, she entered the stone chamber within the Heavenly Demon Cave, where it seemed the Generation's Heavenly Demon had taken his final rest. Just as she had checked before, there was nothing inside the chamber. All that remained were the traces of formations carved into the walls all around.
Byeon Ryeo-gun meticulously examined the walls on all sides.
After that day, both the righteous and demonic factions had stationed warriors at the secret chamber's entrance, and torches had been placed throughout the interior. Thanks to those torches, she could inspect everything in detail.
'Nothing here. No secret doors hidden in the walls anywhere! Then how did he get in?'
Byeon Ryeo-gun looked up at the ceiling.
The one place she hadn't properly checked.
She raised a torch and scanned the ceiling. Aside from being as high as a nine-story building, it was just an ordinary ceiling. That's why she hadn't examined it closely back then. She had been too focused on chasing that mysterious figure to take the time, but even now, nothing stood out as unusual.
Byeon Ryeo-gun shook her head and turned her gaze back to the walls.
And it was right then.
"...!"
Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes widened in surprise.
'The air is flowing!'
The air entering from the entrance wasn't exiting the same way—it was flowing somewhere else. Realizing this, Byeon Ryeo-gun picked up a small stone from the floor. She crushed it with her inner energy, grinding it into fine powder, then scattered it into the air.
The dust-like stone powder filled the air before slowly drifting toward one spot, picking up speed until it was suddenly sucked away.
Toward the ceiling.
Byeon Ryeo-gun held up her torch and examined the ceiling closely.
There was a crack large enough for a person to maneuver through. She hadn't noticed it until now due to the optical illusion created by the rugged rock surface.
Byeon Ryeo-gun immediately leaped upward.
A long passage.
As Byeon Ryeo-gun traveled along it for some time, the passage split into two. One led straight up into an opening above, while the other continued horizontally. The upward one probably led outside.
After a moment's hesitation, Byeon Ryeo-gun proceeded into the forward passage, shrouded in darkness.
'If he entered through the upper passage, what's this one ahead? Did I get the direction wrong? No, that's not it! This passage was made long ago.'
Byeon Ryeo-gun pressed on, piecing together the answers to her questions as she went.
Surprisingly, after about one daekyeong of travel, another stone chamber appeared.
There, Byeon Ryeo-gun could scarcely believe her eyes. The surrounding walls had been smashed by someone, and on one wall was the following inscription.
The great Iron Lion King and Iron Lions.
You lie dormant here, but your great will that dominated the world will be carried on by future generations.
-12th Disciple Do Cheon-
The titles Iron Lion King and Iron Lions referred to those who had founded the Iron Lion Sect.
Do Cheon—this meant he was a disciple of the Iron Lion Sect.
It was said that the Iron Lion Sect's head disciple had returned after three years.
Coincidence?
Byeon Ryeo-gun held her torch close to the wall for a closer look.
'No doubt about it! This was carved recently!'
Do Cheon—this was reasonable evidence to suspect he was the mysterious figure from that day.
'Iron Lion Sect...!'
As Byeon Ryeo-gun fell deep into thought,
a sudden presence approached from the passage she had come through, and someone appeared.
Byeon Ryeo-gun spun around swiftly, kicked off the wall, and launched herself forward, unleashing a fierce palm strike.
Boom!
The stone chamber shook as if it might collapse, but Byeon Ryeo-gun extended her powerful palm force.
"I-It's Ha Gun-pyo!"
Her opponent revealed his identity.
In an instant, Byeon Ryeo-gun withdrew her aggressively surging palm force.
"Whew! That was close—almost had my head smashed in."
"To think one of the Four Divine Dragons couldn't even block a single palm from a mere woman."
The two landed on the floor and exchanged words.
"It's different if it's the hand of the Celestial Insight Maiden. Still, to find a place like this... impressive."
"I only just found it now, so it's pathetic."
Even as they spoke, Ha Gun-pyo scanned the walls around them. He seemed to glance casually, but his eyes were razor-sharp.
"The walls have all been smashed."
"I assume there were important martial arts manuals or the like carved here, so they destroyed them on purpose."
"What a shame."
Ha Gun-pyo let out a genuine sigh of regret.
His steps halted right where Byeon Ryeo-gun had stood moments before. Shaking his head, his sharp eyes examined the wall she had kicked.
'What were they trying to hide? I definitely kicked it hard on purpose!'
The wall Byeon Ryeo-gun had kicked.
The inscription left by Do Cheon on that wall had been obliterated.
Gwak Hyu of the Black Line Warehouse.
With a spear in hand, he feared nothing.
In his youth, he roamed the world claiming it too small. Past fifty, he boasted that the world was right here in his chest and settled in one place—Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold.
He skewered the previous stronghold leader on his spear, and over two hundred subordinates knelt before him.
"Why all this racket?"
Gwak Hyu vented his irritation.
The gloomy morning weather had him planning to pass the time fishing for once, but barely half a sikgyeong after casting his line, the waterway stronghold grew noisy.
"I'll check it out."
His sole disciple reacted faster than ever, bored after mere half a sikgyeong, and dashed off.
"Kid, the day you realize this idleness is a blessing..."
Before Gwak Hyu's mutter finished,
something flew at his back, tumbling him over. Turning his head, he saw his disciple—passed out, limp as a dog in the fifth lunar month.
"An unwelcome guest has arrived."
Gwak Hyu stood.
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing came from his waist.
His beloved weapon, the Black Alligator Spear.
His steadfast companion through decades of life and death.
Clink! Clink!
Gwak Hyu assembled the iron rods.
Three short rods combined into a long spear over seven ja long. Looking up, he saw a plain-faced young man approaching calmly.
It was Do Cheon.
"No need for words, then—let's start by making those stiff knees bend!"
Gwak Hyu roared boldly.
His feet pushed off the ground, closing the distance in an instant.
Whoosh!
The spear spun ferociously, thrusting straight ahead.
Inner energy fused with the spear's rotation, unleashing devastating power.
But in that moment, Do Cheon reached out and grabbed—not the shaft, but the sharp spearhead itself.
Startled, Gwak Hyu poured all his inner energy to pull back, but it was like the spear was embedded in solid rock—it didn't budge.
And then something even more astonishing happened.
Gwak Hyu's body began floating into the air. Do Cheon had lifted him one-handed by the spearhead.
Do Cheon walked on in that state. He stopped at the lakeside, leaving Gwak Hyu, still gripping the spear's handle, dangling in midair over the lake.
Gwak Hyu realized Do Cheon was a supreme master he couldn't even resist. The silver lining: Do Cheon didn't seem intent on killing him.
"What do you want?"
Gwak Hyu admitted defeat and asked. Only then did Do Cheon return the spear, setting him down.
"Iron Lion Sect ships flying their flag will soon use Dongting Lake's waterways. What will you do?"
No need to think.
The answer Do Cheon wanted spilled from Gwak Hyu's mouth.
"We won't approach anywhere near to ensure no inconvenience in using the waterways."
Do Cheon nodded with a smile at Gwak Hyu's response.
"Good that we understand each other. As long as you don't touch Iron Lion Sect ships, the stronghold leader position is forever yours."
"Thank you."
"Then, carry on."
Do Cheon turned away.
His face showed satisfaction. From dealing with Sky-Spanning Gang leader Man Gwa-hae, he had learned something. No need to kill—they could be usefully exploited.
With this, Do Cheon had seized control of Dongting Lake's waterways.
'In time, Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold will be the foothold to take the Yangtze's 18 strongholds.'
They had found another space in the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret chamber, but that was all. Aside from traces of smashed walls, nothing else was discovered. Of course, she couldn't know what it was like before she entered.
Four Divine Dragons Ha Gun-pyo smacked his lips as he gazed at Byeon Ryeo-gun. She was instructing agents from the Secret Shadow Pavilion. Watching for a moment, her figure filled his vision. It was a pity he couldn't see her face behind the veil.
'One day, I'll make you remove that veil for me!'
Ha Gun-pyo had fallen for Byeon Ryeo-gun at first sight. Though veiled, her sparkling eyes hinted at her beauty.
As a disciple of Heaven-Rending Legion Kang Yi-wi, master of Tyrant Emperor Sect, he lived looking down on the world. But that brought excruciating boredom.
Nothing was fun or engaging.
Her appearance had rippled his monotonous life. The Celestial Insight Maiden's allure couldn't be hidden by clothes alone.
"Where to now?"
Ha Gun-pyo asked as Byeon Ryeo-gun approached.
His demeanor was as courteous as any righteous faction junior. But how could she miss the lecherous intent beneath? With Celestial Insight Bright Eyes piercing all worldly chaos, Byeon Ryeo-gun saw through the sleaze behind his gentle words and refined attitude. Still, given who he was, she had to play along.
"Back to report to the Alliance Leader."
"Mind if I accompany you?"
"Sorry. I have duties that require caution."
"Shame."
"Sorry."
Ha Gun-pyo was truly disappointed. Only together might an opportunity arise, but she refused. He couldn't push without seeming creepy.
"Well, can't be helped. We'll meet again. You must know—we're watching you most closely right now, Miss Byeon."
"I understand, though it's not welcome."
"Glad you do. Safe travels."
Ha Gun-pyo offered a polite cupped-fist salute.
Byeon Ryeo-gun returned it, eyeing his calculated moves.
"I wish Young Master Ha martial fortune. Farewell."
With that, Byeon Ryeo-gun turned away immediately. No emotion shown, not a hint of hesitation. Unaware this only fueled Ha Gun-pyo's desire to conquer her.
'We'll meet again, Byeon Ryeo-gun.'
Ha Gun-pyo's gaze lingered on her receding figure.
Do Cheon's dream was to restore the Iron Lion Sect's glory—his master's aspiration—and ultimately command the world.
Yoo Geon's dream was to surpass the Yoo Merchant Group and become the world's richest man.
Both were clever. They knew unrivaled wealth couldn't endure without force, nor could the top sect exist without vast funds.
From their first meeting, they allied, planning to subjugate Dongting Lake's pirates as the first step toward their dreams.
With that step taken, Yoo Geon would charge ahead, while Do Cheon watched for obstacles in his path.
He hadn't dismantled Sky-Spanning Gang, but their sleazy leader provided steady unexpected gains. Plus, swiftly handling the potentially troublesome White Sword Sect made the gang a surprising boon. Learning from that, he subdued Dongting Lake's pirates by just overpowering their leader.
Once word spread that Dongting Lake's waterways were open, suitors would flock. But the pirates would toll all ships except those flying Iron Lion Sect's flag.
Those seeking to avoid tolls would have no choice but to seek Yoo Geon of the Yoo Merchant Group.
"All in all, Sky-Spanning Gang's leader proves useful."
Do Cheon chuckled once, organized his thoughts, and focused on the person before him.
"Dispersing stray thoughts won't be easy. Shall I teach you how?"
"Yes."
"Try sensing the changes in your body. Observe what's happening inside. Breathe lightly and naturally, ears tuned only to your own sounds. Eventually, you'll hear your body telling its story."
Do Cheon was teaching Young Ki the breathing method.
Young Ki's previous mentor had taught basic breathing, but it was incomplete, so he should have been struggling to ignite his inner energy—yet he wasn't.
Do Cheon smiled at Young Ki's earnest focus. At ten years old, concentration wouldn't be easy.
Do Cheon slowly drew in the natural energies of heaven and earth. To avoid startling Young Ki, he gathered them around the boy, syncing them gently with his breaths to seep in.
A warrior's breathing was ultimately communion with nature; key was properly sensing the energies flowing through the body.
Just as cold air made one shiver, natural energies prompted natural reactions.
Young Ki's body did so now.
As the heaven-earth energies Do Cheon drew followed Young Ki's breaths and seeped in, his nerves began responding. Without his conscious effort, they guided the energies to his lower dantian.
Young Ki's lower dantian wasn't properly cultivated yet, so no energy accumulated. But that wasn't the point now. The energies had entered and reached the dantian—that mattered. The body would remember, and with repetition, it would build up in time.
'Young Ki, even if slower, do it right. With me here, you'll have chances to tread paths none have.'
Do Cheon watched smilingly as Young Ki focused ever more on his body.