Chapter 22
Chapter 22
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: What Martial Arts Did You Obtain There?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-22-
"Damn it!"
Iron Mountain slammed down his liquor bottle and spat out the words irritably.
He was truly furious. If his second senior brother hadn't been there, he probably would have screamed at the top of his lungs.
"That bitch, that insolent bitch! She didn't just betray Eldest Senior Brother—she betrayed all of us! We celebrated when she first grew hair down there, all of us toasting to the happy couple! It was such a beautiful sight, that fucking wench!"
"Enough."
"Second Senior Brother, you're pissed too, aren't you?"
"I am. But I'm more angry at the Clear Dawn House people who manipulated her for their political schemes."
"Political schemes my ass—it's all excuses! If she really loved him, she would've run away with him! If she'd come running to us, we would've protected her no matter what!"
Iron Mountain wasn't entirely wrong, so Yi Yeol nodded in agreement.
That's when Do Cheon appeared.
"And how exactly would we have protected her?"
Yi Yeol had no retort, and Iron Mountain grabbed his bottle, chugged it down, then shouted irritably.
"Son of a bitch! Even a screw-up like me could protect the woman who was supposed to be my sister-in-law!"
"You gonna protect her by throwing tantrums like you are now? Or make her kneel like with the Sky-Spanning Gang?"
"...!"
Yi Yeol's eyes twitched at Do Cheon's words.
It could tear open Iron Mountain's wounds. Yi Yeol turned with a worried look, seeing Iron Mountain trembling. But Do Cheon didn't care.
"The Clear Dawn Escort Agency is on a whole different level from the Sky-Spanning Gang. And they hated us more than anyone. What do you think you could've done against people like that?"
"Son of a bitch!"
"Yeah, all you can do right now is curse. But cursing gets you nothing. It just makes you look petty, worthless, and pathetic."
"Then what the hell am I supposed to do? I got nothing, I learned nothing, and I'm not even talented!"
Iron Mountain screamed, veins bulging in his neck.
"If you got nothing, learned nothing, and aren't talented, then you should've looked inward and figured out what you could do right now!"
"Figure it out? How the hell am I supposed to figure it out when there's nothing to see? Eldest Senior Brother's smart enough to go looking on his own, but I'm too dumb for that—what am I supposed to do?!"
"I... I was lacking. I could barely handle my own shit, so I couldn't lead you all."
"That's not what I meant!"
"No, that's exactly right. I was lacking, so I couldn't do what I was supposed to."
"I said that's not it!"
"I'll do it properly from now on. I'll make up for not leading you before and give it my all for you."
"No, that's not it!"
Iron Mountain sensed the conversation veering strangely and backed away. But it was too late. Do Cheon reached out, and a branch from a tree in the outer courtyard snapped off on its own, flying into his hand. He trimmed the twigs, turning it into a decent club.
"As your senior brother, I failed in my duties. But from now on, it'll be different. So don't hold back—accept this senior brother's love."
"Damn it."
Iron Mountain muttered in resignation, bracing for the clubbing, when Yi Yeol cautiously spoke up.
"Eldest Senior Brother."
"You're next. Wait your turn."
"It's not that—the Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader is watching. Is that okay?"
Do Cheon had brought Byeon Ryeo-gun along for a drink. He'd come without much thought, only to find Iron Mountain and Yi Yeol already there.
Iron Mountain's gaze shifted behind Do Cheon. There was Byeon Ryeo-gun, watching with keen interest.
"I know Lady Byeon is an excellent person, but she's still an outsider. Can't we do this when it's just us?"
Iron Mountain tried to play it polite to escape. But Do Cheon ignored him.
"Relax."
"Damn it."
The moment Iron Mountain resigned, the clubbing began.
It was hotter than ever. After thrashing Iron Mountain's whole body until he stiffened and passed out, Do Cheon's club turned to Yi Yeol.
"I hope this isn't you taking out your anger over Su-a."
"Do I look like the type?"
"You're not, Eldest Senior Brother. But that club sure does."
"You're seeing it wrong."
"Probably."
Yi Yeol relaxed his body, and Do Cheon's clubbing began.
He stimulated every meridian in his limbs and torso. Upon inspection, like Iron Mountain, Yi Yeol's blocked meridians were opening up like a burst dam, thanks to his recent efforts. He was ready to properly cultivate his breathing technique now.
After knocking Yi Yeol out too, Do Cheon laid them side by side on the floor. Byeon Ryeo-gun was looking outside.
"Little Sparrow got scared and ran off."
"She said my face looked like a demon's."
"Ah!"
"Does it look that way to you too, Lady Byeon?"
"No. You looked extremely focused. To Little Sparrow, it must've seemed like a different personality since it was unlike her usual view of you."
"Different personality?"
"Yeah, people have those. But you showed it to me on purpose, right?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun turned, her eyes sparkling with intelligence.
"Why would I show off something this trivial on purpose?"
"Breaking a fresh branch with remote attraction is impressive enough, but striking acupoints that hard without damaging the body—instead, the meridians are reacting vigorously—and you call that not impressive? Why show off such exquisite skill so openly?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun asked with wide eyes.
Using acupoint strikes to regulate and refine the body's channels indicated profound understanding and fire control of inner power. It aligned with raw strength but delved into another dimension, enough to surprise her.
If building a sturdy body and solid inner strength was the first step for martial artists, mastering forms and freely controlling inner power determined entry into peak mastery.
Breaking form constraints and freely wielding inner power marked one as an earth-shaking expert. Unless they were Daoist or Buddhist sages treating martial arts as mere tools for enlightenment, most warriors only delved deeply into inner arts afterward.
Yet Do Cheon, barely in his early twenties, displayed inner power mastery like a lifelong researcher. How could she not be shocked?
"Let's sit first. You don't seem picky, so we can drink here, right?"
"Already figured out my personality? You barely reacted when I revealed I'm the Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader."
Do Cheon sat, and Byeon Ryeo-gun shook off her surprise to sit opposite.
"It's been days, and you haven't complained about dirty inns or bad food."
"Ever heard of 'the plot thickens'?"
"Like 'it gets worse'?"
"Exactly. You're doing that right now, Do Gongzi. I've never seen a cleaner inn than this. The food's excellent too. Are you a gourmet who just isn't satisfied?"
Do Cheon smiled faintly at her words.
"Glad it suits your taste. I'm no gourmet—my palate's so poor, I find most things tasty. So I didn't realize the food here was that good."
"Since it came up, let me ask: how long have you been preparing this? The staff seem competent, and the buildings look freshly repaired."
"Seo the steward handled it. Money makes the world go round, as they say."
"Everyone says that, but plenty fail even with big money. Seo must be quite capable."
"Hearing you say it, yeah. Gotta keep him from going anywhere."
"If he knows money's power and has the skills, delegate fully. You won't regret it."
"Makes sense."
Do Cheon nodded.
He understood and accepted it. Not narrow-minded. Still, you never know. Some are generous elsewhere but stubborn about their own work, rejecting interference.
"Good atmosphere, so now for what I'm really curious about."
"Go ahead."
"What martial arts did you obtain there? And why reveal yourself without hiding? What exactly are you planning?"
"I'll tell you one today. Both might make you leave right away."
"Already fond of me? I have no interest in men with another woman in their heart. What now?"
"Lucky for me. I was worried you'd approach since I can't shake Su-a from my chest easily."
"Sometimes you yield to women. Winning doesn't mean scorning a man, and knowing her true nature lets you keep distance—good thing."
"I'm yielding now. Which first?"
"The latter. What you're planning. That's what intrigues me."
Byeon Ryeo-gun stared intently, eyes sparkling, hanging on his every word.
Do Cheon smiled at those eyes above her face veil.
"What I obtained there was the Iron Lions' martial heritage."
"Knew it! You planned a different answer if I asked that?"
Do Cheon just grinned amusedly.
"Fine. Were the Iron Lions' arts carved on that cliff?"
"Yes."
"All of them?"
"How much do you know about the Iron Lions?"
"Enough."
"Seven of them. All their ultimate arts were there."
"The Iron Lion King's Thunderclap Fist too?"
"Yes."
"Iron Thunder Divine Art?"
"It was there."
"The second Iron Lion, the Nine Sword Emperor's Ghost Soul Nine Swords?"
"Call it Ghost Soul Three Swords now. Reduced nine forms to three."
"...!"
Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes widened.
Condensing nine sword forms into three meant perfected swordsmanship. Already called Sword Emperor at nine—how much stronger now?
"There was a woman among them, right? Her ultimate art too?"
"Ancestor Yi Gun-ok's was there."
"I know she had three signature arts. Right?"
"Flying Swallow Eight Wings, Scattered Flowers Sword, and Jade Dew Divine Art."
"Teaching them to Little Sparrow?"
"Already am."
"Lucky her."
"I hear you have exceptional skill yourself, Lady Byeon?"
"Even so, not on par with the greatest female master in history."
Byeon Ryeo-gun's veiled eyes seemed genuinely envious.
Do Cheon gazed at her steadily, and she noticed, adjusting her posture belatedly.
"Thanks for being honest."
"Thanks for listening."
"One more on martial arts."
"Shoot."
"That was the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret chamber."
"Didn't know."
"No manuals of his martial arts?"
"Didn't see any."
"Really?"
"The Generation's Heavenly Demon was nearly a thousand years ago, right?"
"Yes."
"You think a manual from then would still be intact? You checked it thoroughly—no inscriptions on any wall."
It was true. The chamber presumed to be the Generation's Heavenly Demon's resting place had no traces on its walls. Byeon Ryeo-gun had found Do Cheon's memorial writing and erased walls where the Iron Lions met their ends, then rechecked the secret chamber—but nothing.
As Byeon Ryeo-gun recalled the scene, Do Cheon smiled faintly at her.
She hadn't realized why Do Cheon casually revealed such a crucial secret he should keep hidden. No matter her kindness, favor toward the Iron Lion Sect, or role as Great Righteous Alliance's Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader, some secrets couldn't be shared lightly.
Unless revealing benefited him, it was hide, hide, and hide again. Yet he told her nonchalantly.
"One more? No, I will. Do you trust me? Telling me so easily plants doubts in my heart."
Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes gleamed.
Do Cheon just smiled.
'Was he acting after all?'
Byeon Ryeo-gun, sharp enough for Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader, was always a step behind Do Cheon's thoughts.
"I trust you. Not as the Great Righteous Alliance's Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader, but as Lady Byeon Ryeo-gun."
Do Cheon answered.
His unexpected reply visibly stirred her eyes.
Right then.
Do Cheon shoved back his chair and stood. Byeon Ryeo-gun jumped up too, looking toward one side.
"Definitely from the main gate."
The moment Byeon Ryeo-gun spoke, Do Cheon was already heading out of the hall.
Boom!
A deafening crash shattered the Iron Lion Sect's main gate.
A burly, hairy brute swung a massive axe, hands on hips, looking triumphant. On a large horse, a voluptuous woman with a playful smile watched.
The White Rakshasa.
"Just give the order. Shall I sweep right through?"
The brute asked. But the White Rakshasa didn't answer, chin-jerking behind him. He turned to see Do Cheon with a fierce expression and the veiled Byeon Ryeo-gun approaching.
The hairy brute who smashed the Iron Lion Sect's gate, his dozens of followers, and their white-clad leader woman.
Byeon Ryeo-gun instantly recognized the White Rakshasa and shook her head.
'Does she not know about Ha Gongzi's incident and started this?'
What a pity.
Of course, the White Rakshasa wasn't foolish enough to act without thought. Starting trouble to gauge the response was the fastest way to read an opponent.
She wanted to see how Do Gongzi reacted. But after Ha Gun-pyo got thrashed, shouldn't she have tried a different approach? Did she think she'd be treated differently?
'White Rakshasa, daughter of Heaven-Rending Legion Kang Yi-wi, so yeah, different—in the Tyrant Emperor Sect maybe.'
Byeon Ryeo-gun stopped, shaking her head. That was all guest courtesy allowed.