Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: That Challenge, I'll Accept
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Iron Lion Sect.
Tearing her gaze from the grand plaque, Byeon Ryeo-gun turned to survey the scenery just inside the main gate.
It was nothing like what she had expected.
She had imagined buildings on the verge of collapse everywhere, but instead, majestic halls stood proudly, matching the imposing script on the plaque.
"Have you come to see the sect leader, perhaps?"
A young man guarding the entrance bowed deeply and asked.
"Is this the Iron Lion Sect?"
"Yes, it is. If you tell me where you're from, I'll send word inside."
The young man replied politely to Ha Gun-pyo's question before inquiring about their identities.
"Tell the sect leader of the Iron Lion Sect to come out."
"And who should I say is calling?"
"The size of your guts..."
"Didn't you entrust this to me?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun cut in, stopping Ha Gun-pyo just as his temper flared. He scowled deeply, crossed his arms, and stepped back.
"We're from the Great Righteous Alliance and the Tyrant Emperor Sect. Say we've come seeking aid on a matter of the martial world."
"Please wait a moment."
At the mention of the Great Righteous Alliance and Tyrant Emperor Sect, the young man startled and dashed inside.
"Hmph! I can't fathom what gives these third-rate has-beens the nerve to act so boldly."
"What if the Iron Lion Sect has regained its former glory?"
"What glory? The buildings look impressive enough."
"The glory of the Iron Lion King and his Iron Lions, who crowned the era of the Overlords."
"I don't buy into such dusty old tales."
Byeon Ryeo-gun said no more. There was no point arguing with a skeptic—it would just wear out her own lips. As she fell silent, Ha Gun-pyo looked a bit regretful. Continuing the conversation might have led to some private time together, but now when would that happen?
Soon enough, the young man returned, leading a middle-aged man.
"From the Great Righteous Alliance and Tyrant Emperor Sect, you say?"
"Yes. I'm the Pavilion Master of the Secret Shadow Pavilion in the Great Righteous Alliance, and this is Young Master Ha, Vice Sect Leader of the Tyrant Emperor Sect."
"Welcome to the Iron Lion Sect. I'm Seo Hwa-pyeong, the sect's steward. Please, come inside."
Ha Gun-pyo's brow twitched at Seo Hwa-pyeong's words.
"Not the sect leader, but the steward?"
"The sect leader is in secluded training. He can't meet anyone, no matter who they are."
As Ha Gun-pyo opened his mouth to snap back, Byeon Ryeo-gun quickly interjected.
"I hear the head disciple is here. Could we meet him?"
"Of course. I've already informed the eldest disciple of your visit."
"Understood. Please lead the way."
"This way."
Seo Hwa-pyeong spoke politely and took the lead.
Byeon Ryeo-gun followed, taking in the surroundings of the Iron Lion Sect with wide-eyed wonder at how intact the halls were.
'It wasn't like this the last time I saw it a few years ago!'
Back then, the Iron Lion Sect had been the epitome of decay. Most buildings were abandoned and crumbling from neglect, with no people in sight, leaving only a desolate air hanging over everything. But now, it looked like major renovations had been done—every structure gleamed solidly. It felt like gazing upon one of the great sects still dominating the world today, each building thrusting toward the heavens with imposing might. Even the stone walls peeking beyond them appeared as sturdy as fortifications.
And that wasn't all. Plenty of workers were tending to chores here and there, their faces uniformly bright—nothing like the folk of a declining sect.
'Just one thing seems missing.'
Byeon Ryeo-gun scanned every direction for a long while. Her suspicions were confirmed.
'No martial artists. Everything's here... except the warriors!'
That was her final impression of the Iron Lion Sect.
"With so many of you, your escorts will have to wait here."
The group numbered a hundred fifty in total. They couldn't all head to the reception hall. Thus, from the Great Righteous Alliance, Spear Freak Ga Gyeom-chang followed Byeon Ryeo-gun and Ha Gun-pyo alongside Seo Hwa-pyeong, while from the Tyrant Emperor Sect, only the Black-White Twin Killers joined.
"Please wait here. The eldest disciple will come shortly."
Seo Hwa-pyeong led them to the reception hall.
In the days when the Iron Lions had roamed the world unchecked, even setting foot here had been impossible for most. Only peak experts who shook the realm with a shout received such honors from the Iron Lion Sect. But things were different now.
"More waiting? The Vice Sect Leader of the Tyrant Emperor Sect, waiting around for some punk disciple from a rundown sect like this?"
"I don't know the reason for your visit, but once you meet the eldest disciple, you'll forget any complaints."
"What? What did you just spew?"
Ha Gun-pyo flew into a rage.
But Seo Hwa-pyeong bowed politely and departed. Once he was gone, Ha Gun-pyo, who had seemed ready to strike at any moment, calmed his fury and adopted an indifferent expression.
"What do you think?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun asked.
"About what?"
"You were probing on purpose, weren't you?"
Ha Gun-pyo turned to her.
"You knew?"
"The Vice Sect Leader of the Tyrant Emperor Sect isn't just anyone."
That crude outburst didn't suit the role.
"Right. Just testing the waters."
"And?"
"Now I'm curious. Seeing that calm, composed steward made me wonder about whoever directly commands him—the sect leader or the head disciple. What about you, Lady Byeon?"
"Same here. And one more thing: whether this change in the Iron Lion Sect is truly coincidence."
"I don't believe in coincidence."
"...?"
"The head disciple returns after three years, topples the White Sword Sect leader, and conveniently, the sect leader enters seclusion. Can't be coincidence. It's him. He learned some ultimate technique there and passed it to the sect leader, who's cultivating it now."
It was a suspicion anyone might have. Byeon Ryeo-gun fully agreed.
'Iron Lion Sect's twelfth-generation disciple, Do Cheon.'
Recalling the memorial inscription from the stone chamber she'd later discovered, she pondered how to question the unseen Do Cheon.
Shortly after, a girl arrived with tea. Even as she approached and set it down before the five, she kept stealing glances at Byeon Ryeo-gun. Once done, instead of quietly withdrawing as she should, she lingered, peeking shyly.
"What are you doing?"
Ha Gun-pyo barked, startling the girl.
It was none other than Little Sparrow. Hearing of a veiled woman, she'd guessed a heroine of the jianghu and volunteered to bring the tea herself, her vague admiration for wandering martial maidens making her stare. That irked Ha Gun-pyo.
Without her training-interfering accessories—all expensive trinkets sold off—she just looked like a maid in slightly flashy attire.
"This is fine tea. Please, have some."
She blurted it out in panic at Ha Gun-pyo's shout.
His scowl deepened.
"Thank you. I'll enjoy it."
Byeon Ryeo-gun lifted her cup and took a sip.
Not too slow, not too fast. Despite the slight hassle of lifting her veil, it looked effortlessly cool to Little Sparrow, who watched entranced.
"It piques my curiosity more. What kind of management lets even a mere maid forget her place?"
Ha Gun-pyo said.
He meant it for Little Sparrow to hear. Even waiting for someone, he didn't want interruptions to his talk with Byeon Ryeo-gun. Yet the clueless maid just stared blankly.
"Didn't you hear me?"
His voice rose. His angry eyes fixed on her. Realizing his ire was directed at her, Little Sparrow looked puzzled.
"I'm not a maid."
"What?"
Ha Gun-pyo gaped at the girl who'd brought tea claiming not to be a maid—what nonsense was this?
"If not a maid, then...!"
Byeon Ryeo-gun was about to ask when—
"Little Sparrow, what are you doing here?"
The question came from the reception hall entrance. Little Sparrow spun around to see Do Cheon entering.
"They're the first guests since the renovations. I wanted to serve them myself. Where's Young Ki? Done already?"
"Yeah, like you said, first guests. I wrapped up early."
"Then I'll go. Big Brother can handle the guests."
Little Sparrow turned back.
She seemed to want to say something to Byeon Ryeo-gun, but the latter's eyes were fixed on Do Cheon. With a regretful look, Little Sparrow slipped out.
Only then did Do Cheon survey the guests.
Byeon Ryeo-gun and Ha Gun-pyo, Spear Freak Ga Gyeom-chang and the Black-White Twin Killers.
From Little Sparrow's words, Byeon Ryeo-gun and Ha Gun-pyo realized Do Cheon's identity.
'He's the head disciple!'
Ha Gun-pyo noted that much, but Byeon Ryeo-gun knew more.
'Twelfth-generation disciple, Do Cheon...!'
Byeon Ryeo-gun rose from her seat, scrutinizing Do Cheon intently. Ga Gyeom-chang stood too. But Ha Gun-pyo remained seated, leaning back arrogantly on purpose. Seeing this, the Black-White Twin Killers stayed put.
'Trying a battle of auras, is he?'
Do Cheon caught Ha Gun-pyo's ploy, glanced at Ga Gyeom-chang, then fixed his gaze on Byeon Ryeo-gun.
"I'm Do Cheon, head disciple of the Iron Lion Sect. From the Great Righteous Alliance, I hear?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes sparkled at his greeting.
'It's him! This is the one!'
Her eyes locked onto Do Cheon's face like nails. Her senses probed him relentlessly, seeking everything about him. But she gleaned nothing. Even her Celestial Insight Bright Eyes, which pierced Ha Gun-pyo's malice instantly, felt nothing. It was like stirring a deep lake with just a hand—nothing took hold.
Either he'd mastered a technique blocking external probes perfectly, or he'd reached a realm beyond her eyes.
Byeon Ryeo-gun figured the former. What he cultivated was an ultimate art from either the Iron Lion King or the Generation's Heavenly Demon.
"I'm the Pavilion Master of the Great Righteous Alliance's Secret Shadow Pavilion."
She revealed only her own status. Spotting Ha Gun-pyo's aura play, she said nothing about him and watched.
To see how Do Cheon would respond. His skill from that annex showdown was no joke. And this was his home turf. With Ha Gun-pyo pushing like that, he wouldn't stay passive. A fight might reveal something. Ha Gun-pyo was likely thinking the same.
She didn't know for sure if the head disciple was that annex guy, but with his sudden rise, suspicion was inevitable—he was poking to test.
Aware or not, Do Cheon remained relaxed.
"I believe you've been told the sect leader is in seclusion. Tell me the reason for your visit."
He extended a hand, inviting Byeon Ryeo-gun to sit, then took an empty seat himself. At his gesture, she and Ga Gyeom-chang sat.
'No pushover.'
That was Byeon Ryeo-gun's first impression of Do Cheon. The sudden visit from Great Righteous Alliance and Tyrant Emperor Sect hadn't fazed him. His expression was mild, breathing steady—no surprise or fluster.
'So she came after all!'
Do Cheon recognized Byeon Ryeo-gun too.
The one whose eyes he'd briefly met in the Generation's Heavenly Demon's annex.
'Good timing. Welcome to the Iron Lion Sect. Now, tell me why you're here.'
Do Cheon waited leisurely for her to speak. It didn't take long.
"It's different from what I heard."
"What is?"
"I heard it had sunk to rock bottom long ago, with nothing left. If that's offensive, sorry. But that's the word on the street."
"True. Nothing remains in the sect."
Do Cheon wasn't offended at all. What irked him was her attempt to steer the conversation.
"Glad to see the Iron Lion Sect rebuilding."
"Thank you. But the Pavilion Master didn't come just to say that, so shall we get to the point?"
Do Cheon asked directly, while Byeon Ryeo-gun stared piercingly.
Each harbored their thoughts, pondering how to handle the other.
"Returned after three years, I hear?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun probed like taking a step closer.
"Yes."
Do Cheon didn't dodge. He wanted things to escalate, so no need.
"Visited Sky-Spanning Gang and White Sword Sect too?"
"That's right."
"I'm curious. What skill lets you revive the sect in three years and become such a powerhouse?"
"I'm curious too. You weren't watching a nobody like me, so it must be the White Sword Sect incident. But they attacked first—that's clear."
Do Cheon subtly shifted blame.
He knew her aim but deflected to White Sword Sect lest she see through his desire to escalate.
"We're still investigating White Sword Sect. Can't let it slide since they're in the Great Righteous Alliance."
"I hope the Alliance is fair. Otherwise, big trouble."
"Sounds like you'd fight the Great Righteous Alliance if not."
"I won't just take a hit. You may not know, but the Iron Lion Sect breaks before it bends."
Byeon Ryeo-gun frowned at Do Cheon's firm words. He stared straight at the expression visible over her veil.
The two locked eyes.
That sight grated on Ha Gun-pyo's nerves.
'This country bumpkin!'
He hated a disciple from a third-rate sect brazenly eyeing his chosen woman. Plus, ignoring him throughout their aura clash made him feel like the loser—infuriating.
"What fly is buzzing and shitting around?!"
Ha Gun-pyo spat irritably, flicking his finger.
In an instant, invisible force shot out, shattering the fly on his teacup and slamming into Do Cheon's solar plexus. His robes tore—solid hit.
'Oh no...!'
Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes widened in shock.
Ha Gun-pyo had gone too far. The solar plexus—where chest meets abdomen—was a deadly vital point; a bad hit could kill instantly.
She quickly checked Do Cheon's face. Surprisingly, he showed no reaction, easing her worry. Ha Gun-pyo tilted his head.
'Weakened by the teacup?'
He moved to flick again. Just then, Do Cheon's gaze shifted to him.
"That challenge, I'll accept."
Do Cheon declared Ha Gun-pyo's aura war a direct challenge.
And accepting meant viewing him as inferior. Ha Gun-pyo's rage exploded uncontrollably.
"Fun! This is fun!"
His eyes wild, he sneered. As his killing intent surged violently, Do Cheon abruptly thrust out his hand.