Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Heaven-Rending Legion is Coming This Way
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"Hey, if you don't want that skinny bamboo pole of a body split in half, get lost and tell that wench to come receive this body of mine."
The hairy brute spun his massive axe in the air as he spoke.
Do Cheon said nothing in response. He simply kept advancing, slowly raising his tightly clenched fist. It was obvious to anyone watching that he was furious and about to throw a punch.
"You bastard!"
The brute swung his axe first.
Whoosh-crack!
It was a ferocious axe strike.
Boom!
A single thunderous roar.
In that deafening blast, the iron axe exploded into pieces. Before anyone could even blink from the shockwave, the brute flew backward without so much as a scream. And by some twist of fate, he hurtled straight into the face of the White Rakshasa mounted on her horse.
Thud!
Neighhh!
The brute crashed into the horse, which reared in panic, sending ripples of chaos backward like waves. In the midst of the uproar, the White Rakshasa fluttered her robes and landed gracefully before Do Cheon. She had kicked off the horse's back just before the impact.
"It's been so long since I last met a man with such fire."
The White Rakshasa approached with a smile.
She swayed her voluptuous, sensual figure as she walked straight toward Do Cheon.
"They call me Baek Yo-hee. My father, the Heaven-Rending Legion, was mighty pissed and sent me here."
Stopping right in front of Do Cheon, the White Rakshasa leaned in close with a smile that exuded decadent allure. It was a smile that burrowed into a man's eyes and left him utterly paralyzed.
Rakshasa Illusionary Demon Smile!
The smile of the Rakshasa enchantress, said to tempt even Buddha himself.
Do Cheon stared blankly at the smile that set his blood racing wildly through his veins, while the White Rakshasa savored his gaze with evident delight.
"It's a soul-ensnaring technique!"
The moment Byeon Ryeo-gun shouted from behind—
Disaster struck in an instant.
Do Cheon suddenly shot out his hand and seized the White Rakshasa's throat. Then he hoisted her high into the air.
"...!"
The first emotion to scramble her mind was shock. Hot on its heels came fury.
Swipe!
Her fingertips raked across Do Cheon's arm. Her legs whipped up into the air before slamming down like lightning toward his head.
"...!"
Baek Yo-hee's face twisted in bewilderment.
Nothing had changed.
Not a single drop of blood spilled from Do Cheon's arm. His head remained unscathed. Even the icy glare in his eyes as he gripped her throat was exactly the same as before.
Her hands and feet moved like a storm. She tore at his arm, shattered bone, and battered his skull in a frenzy of attacks.
But that was merely her wishful thinking. Do Cheon, clutching her throat and holding her aloft, didn't so much as twitch.
Half a ke!
Incredibly, that was all the time it took for her furious assault to devolve into mere flailing. She could hold her breath underwater for at least half a sikyeong, but with her throat crushed and her internal energy sealed off, her violent struggles ebbed after just half a ke. A brief moment later, she went completely limp.
Do Cheon hurled the limp Baek Yo-hee toward her subordinates, who didn't dare rush forward.
"Get lost."
It was the decree of a grim reaper.
Baek Yo-hee's men hurriedly loaded their dazed leader onto a horse and fled.
"Did you hear that?"
Do Cheon turned around, and Byeon Ryeo-gun asked.
"Hear what?"
"He said the Heaven-Rending Legion is her father."
"And?"
Do Cheon began walking toward the main gate.
Byeon Ryeo-gun followed with a look of astonishment.
"You're not even putting the Heaven-Rending Legion in your sights."
"I told you. The Iron Lion Sect may shatter, but it never bends."
"If you've mastered the Iron Lion King's ultimate techniques, then maybe. Is that really the case? In just three years?"
Do Cheon halted his steps.
Byeon Ryeo-gun awaited his answer to her question.
"Hah, it's completely smashed. Should've charged them for repairs."
Do Cheon scowled at the wrecked main gate.
The news of Yeo Su-a's return brought her father, Yeo Mun-rak, straight to her quarters.
"If you're back, you should have come to see your father first."
"I had nothing to report."
"He wouldn't even tell you?"
Yeo Mun-rak's face filled with disappointment. Yeo Su-a turned her head away upon seeing it.
"My brother left me a message. He said something big is happening with the Great Righteous Alliance involved, so stay put and don't move."
Yeo Mun-rak's eyes widened at her words.
"So it was them after all! The Great Righteous Alliance stirred up the Dongting Lake waterways! They're cleaning out the Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold to push into the Yangtze!"
Yeo Mun-rak tilted his head.
Then he suddenly snapped it up.
"If they drive out all eighteen strongholds along the Yangtze, it could reshape the entire world's power balance! The martial world will change, and the merchant world too!"
Yeo Mun-rak shouted in shock, told Yeo Su-a to rest, and rushed out. Watching her father's retreating figure, Yeo Su-a slumped powerlessly to the ground.
"Brother Do Cheon returned as a dragon. If only Father hadn't been so greedy, he could have harbored that dragon. This is all Father's choice."
Volcanic Divine Sword Yi Jo-yang, lord of the Great Righteous Alliance, was at the Hyeong Mountain Sect, a day's journey from the city of Zhangsa. Spear Freak Ga Gyeom-chang, deputy pavilion master of the Secret Shadow Pavilion, had come to report.
"The martial arts he obtained are said to be the Iron Lions' ultimate techniques. He didn't know about the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret manual, and apparently, there was nothing there."
"What did the pavilion master say? That the story checks out?"
"The Generation's Heavenly Demon lived a thousand years ago, so it's impossible for a manual to still exist."
"And that came from him?"
"No, from the pavilion master himself."
"Doesn't that strike you as odd?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why call all the elders and open the secret chamber if he thought that?"
"Even if he did, it's still the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret chamber. He had to open it and check."
"Right, of course. At the very least, he should have mentioned that line of thinking."
"Do you suspect the pavilion master of ulterior motives?"
"Who knows? You can't see into a man's heart."
"I didn't know you distrusted the pavilion master."
"I don't trust people. I trust their convictions."
"Then what will you do?"
"Anything else to report?"
"Oh, the White Rakshasa showed up but got thoroughly thrashed and chased off. Seems she sent her men to smash the main gate on purpose, but he crushed her throat and tossed her out."
"The Heaven-Rending Legion won't stay quiet."
"The pavilion master said the same. He doesn't know why he held back on the Ha Gun-pyo incident, but he won't this time. He asked if you'd come intervene, calm the Heaven-Rending Legion, and investigate together."
"Don't get involved."
"Pardon?"
"Whatever the Heaven-Rending Legion does, just watch and don't interfere. That way, we can see if he really only got the Iron Lions' techniques."
"You're blocking the pavilion master from intervening too?"
"Let the pavilion master do as he pleases and just observe. That'll give us some insight into Pavilion Master Byeon Ryeo-gun's convictions and intentions."
"What if the Generation's Heavenly Demon's techniques end up in the Heaven-Rending Legion's hands?"
"Do you believe those techniques exist?"
"...!"
"The moment that freak vanished that day and entered the secret chamber where the Generation's Heavenly Demon is presumed to have entered eternal rest, I knew. There's nothing there."
"...?"
"One of two things. Either it never existed, or that freak mastered it and cleaned up thoroughly afterward. If the latter, he won't yield even to the Heaven-Rending Legion's threats. And after handling the White Rakshasa that way, he doesn't seem to fear him either."
"The guy had no fear."
"Fearlessness means he has something backing it up."
"You think he's that strong?"
"If things blow up with the Heaven-Rending Legion, we'll find out."
Yi Jo-yang wore a faint smile. Ga Gyeom-chang bowed and withdrew.
Do Cheon's daily routine never changed.
After breakfast, he tended to Yi Yeol and Iron Mountain's conditions. Then he taught Little Sparrow the Scattered Flowers Sword. After that, he instructed Young Ki in the basics of the heart method. Only then did he check on his master and martial uncle's training chambers.
His master and martial uncle never rested.
They had entrusted the Iron Lion Sect's affairs to Do Cheon and devoted every moment outside of eating and sleeping to cultivation in their chambers. Their thirst for supreme techniques was great, and so was their desire not to burden their disciples as master and uncle—they trained like madmen.
By the time Do Cheon finished checking on them, it was about lunchtime. He'd visit Steward Seo for a brief talk on sect operations. Thanks to what Byeon Ryeo-gun had told him a few days prior, he had largely delegated finances and operations to the steward. In exchange, he just received reports on major matters.
Thus, Byeon Ryeo-gun could only meet Do Cheon around lunchtime.
"Lunch together again today?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun asked.
"What if I start getting attached?"
Do Cheon joked as they headed to the dining hall.
"Then get attached, whatever."
"I don't like learned women. Smart folks always try to bend others to their will."
"Sounds like you're talking about yourself."
"...?"
"You're doing whatever you want with your junior brothers and sister."
"...!"
Do Cheon looked like he'd been struck hard by her words.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"No. You're right. I hadn't considered that."
Do Cheon's expression turned grave in an instant.
He had never once thought about it before hearing it from her. He assumed his juniors thought the same as him. That's why he managed their personal growth at will, absolutely convinced it was best for them and the sect.
"Sorry for making it serious. But I have something even more serious to say."
"...?"
"The Heaven-Rending Legion is on the move."
"What do you mean?"
"The Heaven-Rending Legion is coming this way."
"Isn't that obvious?"
"...?"
"His disciple and daughter got beaten, so of course he'll move."
"This is the Heaven-Rending Legion. You can't treat it like someone else's problem. Aren't you worried? Is your confidence because you've mastered the Iron Lion King's techniques to a high level?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun pressed quickly. But Do Cheon didn't answer easily.
"Take it slow. You told me two days ago about finding the Iron Lions' techniques, so anything else...!"
Byeon Ryeo-gun suddenly grabbed Do Cheon's arm, stopping him.
It was so abrupt that Do Cheon halted and looked at her. The eyes behind her veil stared intently at him.
Knowing her request crossed a line, Byeon Ryeo-gun hesitated one last time before speaking.
"Tell me. Are you confident you can face the Heaven-Rending Legion?"
Were eyes filled with burning anxiety like this?
Or eyes mad with curiosity?
Or something else entirely?
Do Cheon peered deeply into Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes and nodded.
As dusk fell.
After dinner, Do Cheon gathered Yi Yeol, Iron Mountain, and Little Sparrow for a light drinking session. The three exchanged uneasy glances, wondering what was up as he sat silently pouring drinks.
As always, it was Little Sparrow who asked first.
"Eldest brother, is something wrong?"
"Yeol is calmer and deeper-thinking than me. Mountain seems thoughtless, but at least he holds one thought true: care for his senior brothers and the sect. And our little sister finds everything cute."
Iron Mountain's face fell at Do Cheon's sudden words.
"Damn, this time it's gonna hurt bad?"
He looked genuinely worried, recalling past pains. Do Cheon glared, then softened his gaze.
"From a young age, watching you all, I thought: our sect has nothing, but with you, I could live happily even as an adult."
"Yeah, yeah. This feels serious! Damn, better not know— you're scaring us on purpose. It's torture, not training!"
Iron Mountain grumbled.
A flash— and Iron Mountain toppled backward from his seat, out cold.
"Third brother!"
"Leave him."
Little Sparrow rose in worry, but Do Cheon stopped her.
Confirming he was breathing, she sat back down.
"Yeol, little sister. Does it bother you that I mess with your bodies and teach you martial arts as I please?"
"It does."
Yi Yeol answered immediately. Little Sparrow looked worried; Do Cheon nodded.
"I figured."
"No. This moment is uncomfortable. You told us to trust and follow only you. We're doing that, so why bring it up now? Is there a problem?"
"No problem."
"Then why?"
"Just wanted to ask. If it's really okay. It's your lives— am I right to drag you along my way? Wanted your thoughts."
"Eldest brother, for folks with nothing to even flail around, someone has to step up and lead. Luckily, we have you. And by fortune, we found our ancestors' techniques. Our only path is the one you're leading us on."
Do Cheon, listening quietly, turned to Little Sparrow. She nodded vigorously.
Do Cheon chuckled wryly and refilled their cups—a gesture of thanks. Yi Yeol downed his in one gulp; Little Sparrow drank hers smiling. She set down her cup and stared at Do Cheon.
"Eldest brother."
"Yeah?"
"What about third brother?"
"Leave that one be. Better he doesn't hear what we just said."
"Still..."
"Eldest brother's right. If he hears, he'll tease us for being embarrassed guys."
Yi Yeol agreed; Little Sparrow nodded. Do Cheon refilled their cups and said to Yi Yeol,
"Yeol, you've endured well. Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you the Nine Swords of the Dead Soul from the one called Second Iron Lion and Swordless Emperor."
"Thank you."
Yi Yeol bowed deeply. Little Sparrow, beaming happiest of all, glanced at the fainted Iron Mountain and asked,
"What will you teach third brother?"
"Brain Wall Fist and Iron Thunder Divine Art suit his temperament."
Little Sparrow's eyes widened in shock. Yi Yeol looked surprised too. Those were the Iron Lion King's exclusive ultimate arts, presumed only for the sect's great disciple, Do Cheon.
"By lineage, you all should learn them too. But considering your personalities and bodies, I'm teaching Yeol the Nine Swords of the Dead Soul, and you the techniques of Ancestor Yi Gun-ok. If you want, we can switch."
"No need. Hearing it suits me makes me even more curious about the Nine Swords."
"Me too! I want to be like Ancestor Yi Gun-ok!"
Realizing how it sounded, Little Sparrow blushed faintly.
Do Cheon laughed at the sight.
"I told you. You'll definitely become a splendid swordswoman."
The entrance to the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret chamber was guarded jointly by righteous and unorthodox warriors. Neither side fully trusted the other.
As heavy darkness blanketed the hour.
Amid sporadic night cries, a vibration rumbled through the earth from somewhere.
The righteous and unorthodox guards eyed each other warily, scanning the surroundings. The tremors grew closer.
"...!"
"Behind us!"
"Inside the chamber!"
Everyone whipped around in alarm, staring into the chamber.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
Something unidentified barreled toward them at high speed. It felt like it was plowing straight through every obstacle inside the chamber without pause.
The guards tensed rigidly.
Already on edge from mutual suspicion, this unknown event had them shrinking back in anxiety.
A moment later.
Amid a cloud of dust, something burst out of the chamber.
The warriors reflexively retreated, straining to identify it despite their tension— but before the dust cleared, the mysterious entity shot away into the distance.
Thud...
-thud-thud-thud!
Piercing the dust and darkness, racing away.
Its identity was revealed by the three-chi-long blade glinting under the moonlight: the Wise King's Crescent Blade.