Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Heaven-Rending Legion
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As the rock wall shifted back about a zhang—three meters—an faint light seeped out. Do Cheon pushed it a few more steps before stopping to inspect it closely. The wall itself was the door. A one-zhang-thick entrance that only opened when pushed.
Just as the Celestial Insight Maiden Byeon Ryeo-gun had said, it was a simple method that created an entrance tougher than any trap or mechanism. A space large enough for people to pass through opened up beside the rock wall Do Cheon had shoved aside. Do Cheon took the lead. Sa Jung-gyeong followed behind but glanced back at Byeon Ryeo-gun.
"Maiden Byeon, come with us."
"No, I'm an outsider. I'll wait here."
"It's fine. We couldn't have opened it without you."
"Young Master Do would have found a way eventually."
"I'm grateful you think so highly of my disciple. In any case, as sect leader, I permit it. Join us."
Byeon Ryeo-gun hesitated for a moment, but curiosity getting the better of her, she expressed her thanks and followed along reluctantly. The two trailed after Do Cheon into the space, finding they could pass beyond the wall.
Beyond it lay a vast open area. Luminous stones embedded in the walls all around cast a soft glow. The floor was solid bedrock, and on one wall hung over ten weapons. It was disappointingly sparse, but that alone was astonishing enough for Do Cheon and Sa Jung-gyeong.
"Master, it looks like we've found the Iron Lions' true training hall."
"So it seems!"
Emotion thickened Sa Jung-gyeong's voice. The years he'd spent struggling to revive their fallen sect. How could he not blame the ancestors for it?
Do Cheon had retrieved the supreme techniques left by those ancestors, and now they'd uncovered even their training hall, etched with the sweat and footsteps of generations past. How could he not be moved?
"Train here from now on. Especially when practicing your heart method—do it here without fail."
"Is there a reason you emphasize the heart method in particular?"
"Yes."
Do Cheon began with the story he'd heard from Steward Seo, then explained how he'd found this place.
"Ha ha ha! We owe Steward Seo a great debt."
"Indeed. This is a place where earth spirits gather. It's perfect for cultivating inner arts, so you'll see better results than training elsewhere. I should tell my junior brothers and uncle to train here too."
"Do that."
Sa Jung-gyeong nodded, smiling contentedly, when Byeon Ryeo-gun spoke up.
"That seems to be the case."
"What do you mean?"
Do Cheon turned at her words.
"All things are formed of qi, so this vast land is no different from the human body. Qi flows by nature, and as it does, it gathers and rests, eventually creating springs overflowing with earth spirits—just like the dantian in humans. That's the claim of one versed in both feng shui and martial arts."
"Man Baek-ja's theory?"
Sa Jung-gyeong reacted to Byeon Ryeo-gun's words.
"You know of it? Man Baek-ja's ideas were long rejected in the martial world."
Byeon Ryeo-gun said in surprise.
"To revive our declining sect, no study went unexplored."
Pain laced his words.
Though Sa Jung-gyeong spoke of it now like a distant memory, Byeon Ryeo-gun knew it was only recent history. How could she not feel that pain?
"Sect Leader's efforts have borne great fruit in Young Master Do."
"Ha ha! Music to my ears."
Sa Jung-gyeong took a liking to Byeon Ryeo-gun. Her face was veiled, but every word revealed a refined grace.
'Ha ha, they say a master is like a parent. I can't help but wish this girl were a match for him!'
Sa Jung-gyeong chuckled to himself awkwardly when Do Cheon headed toward the weapons rack.
Swords, blades, spears, and staffs.
Over ten of each of the four types hung neatly.
"For them to remain so pristine after all these years, they must be divine weapons."
Byeon Ryeo-gun had followed and spoken.
"Seems so. Since you helped us, pick one."
"You're giving it to me?"
"If Master allows it."
"I permit it."
Sa Jung-gyeong approached with a smile. But Byeon Ryeo-gun waved it off.
"These are relics of the ancestors. I'll gratefully decline."
Sa Jung-gyeong admired her refusal and smiled in satisfaction. Do Cheon finished examining the weapons, scanned the training hall, then turned to Sa Jung-gyeong.
"I'll go fetch Martial Uncle and the junior brothers."
"Go ahead."
"I'll take my leave as well. It was an honor to meet you."
Byeon Ryeo-gun clasped her hands politely.
"The honor was mine. I'd like to see you again."
"I have a mission. If Young Master Do doesn't chase me off, I'll be imposing a while longer."
"Cheon-ah."
"Yes."
"As sect leader, I command you: do not drive Maiden Byeon away."
"It seems you've taken quite a shine to her, Master."
"Good people just lift your spirits by being near."
"No worries. We're treating her as an honored guest. Shall we go, Maiden Byeon?"
"Yes. Farewell, Sect Leader."
"Goodbye."
Leaving Sa Jung-gyeong nodding behind them, the two exited the training hall. Alone now, Sa Jung-gyeong waited until their footsteps faded, then looked around. Overwhelmed anew by inheriting his ancestors' legacy intact, he stood motionless for a long while.
"Do you have business with me?"
Do Cheon asked as soon as they stepped outside.
"Ah, it's about the Heaven-Rending Legion."
"What about him?"
"He's probably halfway here by now."
"Then tonight at earliest, tomorrow morning at latest. Is he overly cautious? Why drag his feet? Does the title 'Heaven-Rending Legion' belie an indecisive nature?"
"...!"
Byeon Ryeo-gun blinked without answering. Then, with piercing eyes, she asked.
"You've been targeting the Heaven-Rending Legion from the start?"
Baekun Inn in Jangsa.
"We've come within arm's reach, so why stop now?"
The White Rakshasa glared with axe-like eyes.
"You expect me, the Heaven-Rending Legion, to raid under cover of night like some mangy dog?"
"What's wrong with that?"
"One who bears the world in his heart must rise above the ways of strays."
"Your daughter was humiliated, and you're quibbling over this?"
"Exactly—knowing my subordinate Gun-pyo suffered, why did you hold back?"
"To see how you'd react. I never imagined you'd humiliate the Heaven-Rending Legion's own daughter."
"Fool! The bastard who severed my disciple Gun-pyo's finger. You thought he'd spare you? Enough chatter—get lost. Tomorrow I'll take his head. Stay holed up and quiet until then!"
"What about this rage ready to burst my chest? I'll drown it in liquor at the brothel, then."
"Consider yourself warned. Don't even approach the Iron Lion Sect."
"Whatever!"
The White Rakshasa slammed the door irritably, her presence fading quickly.
"You there?"
"Yes."
A deep voice answered from outside at the Heaven-Rending Legion's call.
"Follow that woman. See if she heads to the Iron Lion Sect."
"Understood."
The trusted subordinate, Blood Light Monk, vanished without a sound.
"Where's the Volcanic Divine Sword?"
"He's set up in a righteous faction outpost about one shichen away."
"Keep watch without slacking."
"Understood."
Another subordinate withdrew from outside. Only then did the Heaven-Rending Legion lean back in his chair.
"The righteous faction's schemes are so transparent. Trying to blow my nose without touching it... tsk tsk!"
Sky-Spanning Gang.
Deep into the night.
A frantic call for aid came from Manhwara Pavilion, run by the Sky-Spanning Gang leader. It was one of the two brothels Do Cheon had permitted them to keep unsold.
"You don't even know who she is?"
"No, sir. A woman around thirty. With a flick of her wrist, she sent all the guards flying."
"Dead?"
"No, just flung away. But she's so ferocious, they don't know what she'll do next. She's stripping the courtesans bare, threatening to snap necks and slit bellies if they don't obey, waving a sword and causing chaos."
Flinging guards with a gesture meant no ordinary expert. Even the whole Sky-Spanning Gang charging in would just spill more blood.
"Yang Cheon! Yang Cheon, where are you?"
Sky-Spanning Gang Leader Man Gwa-hae bellowed for his swiftest subordinate, always on standby. Yang Cheon rushed in and answered at once. Man Gwa-hae shouted the moment he appeared.
"Run to the Iron Lion Sect now! Find Young Master Do and tell him trouble's hit Manhwara Pavilion. Hurry!"
Yang Cheon bolted at Man Gwa-hae's cry. Then Man Gwa-hae slammed the table.
"Damn it! Whoever that bitch is, you picked the wrong target! Idiot woman—what kind of man do you think our Young Master Do is? Hah!"
Manhwara Pavilion.
The Heaven-Rending Legion arrived at the entrance an hour after the White Rakshasa had stormed off to drink.
He paused briefly, signaling his trailing subordinates to wait with a raised hand, then entered alone.
Manhwara Pavilion was eerily quiet for a brothel. No drunks ranting, no courtesans laughing—nothing. Not even their presence could be felt.
Only one person waited on the first floor, bowing deeply.
"I'm the pavilion steward."
The Heaven-Rending Legion ignored him and headed for the stairs to the second floor. Realizing he had no role left, the steward slipped out the back door silently.
The Heaven-Rending Legion climbed straight to the third floor. Reserved for those flashing wealth, it was lavishly decorated, but such trifles didn't register with him.
Thud. Thud!
His heavy footsteps echoed through the entire building.
Moments later, he opened the door before him.
Red and white lanterns cast a dazzling glow across the opulent room. In the center sat a man in a chair, with the White Rakshasa and Blood Light Monk sprawled before him.
The Heaven-Rending Legion first checked the White Rakshasa's condition.
Her inner energy roiled wildly, but her breathing was steady—no major harm. She was suppressing her fury. That meant the man in the chair was such a master that even rage couldn't spur a reckless charge. He noted her swollen, reddened cheek. She'd been struck.
'Daring to lay hands on my daughter?'
The Heaven-Rending Legion's aura exploded ferociously.
"Old man."
The man—Do Cheon—spoke, intensifying the pressure further. Undeterred, Do Cheon scowled.
"Do you know how much this brothel is worth?"
Do Cheon was thoroughly irritated.
Come to the Iron Lion Sect at dawn tomorrow, exchange a few blows, and be done. But this midnight ruckus dragged him here. Fighting now would demolish the place beyond repair. A true shame—he'd come to appreciate the taste of money, so he couldn't help but fret and fume.
"You dare...!"
As the Heaven-Rending Legion erupted, Do Cheon cut him off.
"Do I look like I'm pulling a hostage stunt?"
Unable to contain his rage, the Heaven-Rending Legion glared as if to say, "What else would you call it?" Do Cheon met his gaze steadily and nodded.
"Ah, you're right. With these two here, the mighty Heaven-Rending Legion can't even vent his anger properly. Definitely a hostage play."
"Explain what happened. What do you want? But bear this in mind: the man before you is the Heaven-Rending Legion himself."
"Isn't threatening the hostage-taker a no-no?"
"You brat!"
As the Heaven-Rending Legion bellowed, Do Cheon nudged the White Rakshasa and Blood Light Monk with his foot while seated.
"Hey, your guardian's here. Off you go."
It wasn't mere prodding. He'd released their sealed acupoints. Startled, they looked back at him, faces full of doubt about his intentions. Ignoring them, Do Cheon's eyes fixed on the Heaven-Rending Legion.
"Count yourself lucky. I hate hostage situations."
At his words, the White Rakshasa rose. She shot Do Cheon a venomous glare.
"Don't die. I need you alive to tear you apart limb from limb."
She spat viciously, seething with grudge. But in that instant—
Crack!
Her head snapped to the side. Blood sprayed from her mouth and nose from the powerful strike.
"You bastard I'll tear apart!"
The Heaven-Rending Legion roared. But he couldn't attack. The White Rakshasa was still effectively in Do Cheon's grasp.
Do Cheon, now standing, coldly spat through his fury.
"I know you're unorthodox. Tormenting, killing people. Fine, maybe. With hearts so vile, what can't you do? But even scum have one last line they shouldn't cross. Tear apart alive? You, the old Heaven-Rending Legion fart— you've forsaken being human?"
"Don't insult my lord!"
Blood Light Monk unleashed his bloody aura, lunging at Do Cheon. Razor-sharp crimson light swirled, slashing at his entire body.
But—
Bam!
Blade or blood light—Do Cheon's single punch sent Blood Light Monk crashing into the wall. The Heaven-Rending Legion could only watch, eyes wide.
Do Cheon finally turned to him.
"I've changed my mind."
"What?"
"Guess I'll do the hostage thing."
The moment Do Cheon finished, the roused White Rakshasa leaped. But his hand seized her nape in an instant. Simultaneously, the Heaven-Rending Legion struck like lightning.
Their moves happened too fast to distinguish, nearly simultaneous. But before his fist could connect— a sudden, wave-like surge of air crushed the room.
The Heaven-Rending Legion slowed. But only for a split second. Shattering the immense pressure with sheer power, he pressed his attack. Yet that instant was enough for Do Cheon.
"...!"
The Heaven-Rending Legion's fist cleaved empty air. Do Cheon had retreated, gripping the White Rakshasa's nape.
"Come to the Iron Lion Sect tomorrow. You and I—a duel to settle everything at once."
"Iron Lion Sect...!"
The Heaven-Rending Legion's eyes widened.
'It's him! The one who escaped the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret chamber—maybe stole his supreme arts!'