Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Thunder Wall Fist
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Heaven-Rending Legion approached without so much as glancing at Baek Ri-jung.
Do Cheon kept his eyes fixed on Heaven-Rending Legion as well. Their gazes clashed sharply. But Baek Ri-jung, already stunned by Heaven-Rending Legion's mere appearance, failed to notice that Do Cheon's opponent was none other than him.
"Heaven-Rending Legion..."
"Does the Baek Ri Clan intend to meddle as well?"
The look in Heaven-Rending Legion's eyes was far from ordinary. It was like a savage beast poised for war.
"Has Heaven-Rending Legion intervened in this matter?"
Baek Ri-jung asked, his face full of shock. He was still barking up the wrong tree. Celestial Insight Maiden hadn't properly explained because she was furious at being ignored.
The problem was that Baek Ri-jung's words could further enrage Heaven-Rending Legion and lead to a misunderstanding. Was he daring to ask if he had intruded in a matter involving his own daughter? Was this deliberate mockery? Fortunately, Heaven-Rending Legion's full attention was on Do Cheon, so it passed over for the moment.
"They say the Baek Ri Clan has never hesitated to shed blood under the banner of exterminating evil sects for generations."
Do Cheon said.
In that instant, lightning flashed from Heaven-Rending Legion's eyes. It was fury directed at Baek Ri-jung, of course.
"The Baek Ri Clan has the right to say so. In respect of that qualification, I shall pay you a personal visit once this matter is resolved."
Baek Ri-jung's heart sank at Heaven-Rending Legion's words.
"That wasn't what I...!"
Unable to calm his shock, he glared at Do Cheon with a face full of rage and resentment.
"How dare you try to drive a wedge between my clan and Heaven-Rending Legion! Are you courting death?!"
"Drive a wedge...? That's a term for people in the same boat."
Do Cheon replied innocently. Baek Ri-jung exploded in fury at the sight.
"You bastard! How dare you spout such nonsense! Not just you, but the entire Iron Lion Sect deserves to be cut down!"
As Baek Ri-jung thrashed about to clear up Heaven-Rending Legion's misunderstanding, Heaven-Rending Legion lifted his right foot and slammed it down hard, stamping the ground.
Ku-woong!
It was a stomp so powerful it shook the earth to its core. Baek Ri-jung was left speechless in awe. At that very moment, Do Cheon reached out and seized White Rakshasa by the head.
"Let's make this worthy of the Heaven-Rending Legion's great name."
"What?"
"Withdraw everyone. Or this head explodes first."
Heaven-Rending Legion's face darkened savagely at Do Cheon's warning. But he had no choice but to bellow.
"Everyone, withdraw!"
At Heaven-Rending Legion's thunderous command, hundreds of Tyrant Emperor Sect warriors who had ringed the Iron Lion Sect like a screen atop the mountain rose, bowed deeply, and retreated.
Baek Ri-jung's shock deepened at the sight. But Do Cheon didn't blink as he spoke.
"Last warning."
"Withdraw!"
Heaven-Rending Legion shouted again at Do Cheon's words. Then, one person from the Iron Lion Sect leaped into the air and landed rigidly behind Heaven-Rending Legion.
It was Blood Light Monk, the most trusted among Heaven-Rending Legion's inner circle.
He had infiltrated to capture an Iron Lion Sect disciple as insurance, but Do Cheon had spotted him. With even Blood Light Monk retreating, Do Cheon hoisted White Rakshasa and hurled her at Heaven-Rending Legion. He caught her body and released her pressure points.
As her speech points unlocked, White Rakshasa screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Rip him apart! No, don't kill him—let me tear him to shreds alive! Just rip off his limbs! Hurry! What are you waiting for?!"
As White Rakshasa raged viciously...
Slap!
Heaven-Rending Legion's palm struck her cheek without mercy.
"D-Daddy?"
White Rakshasa stared in shock, her head whipped around from the impact.
"How much more shame do you intend to bring?!"
"...!"
"At your age, shouldn't you handle your own affairs?!"
Heaven-Rending Legion's face was stern and fierce.
White Rakshasa had never seen her father like this toward her; she was speechless. Heaven-Rending Legion turned to Do Cheon, face still wrathful.
"You've seen my depths—prepare yourself!"
"Now that's worthy of the Heaven-Rending Legion. Let's clash properly."
Do Cheon replied, stepping forward.
Baek Ri-jung's eyes bulged at the sight of the two.
'That... that guy is fighting Heaven-Rending Legion?'
Fighting Heaven-Rending Legion meant he was of equal caliber.
He had trampled such a master with every insult imaginable—he had poked the wrong bear, badly.
Baek Ri-jung's heart plummeted.
Eight Emperors Fist and Eight Emperors Heaven-Shattering Art.
Heaven-Rending Legion's signature techniques. They crushed foes in a single blow with overwhelming destructive power. Fitting such domineering arts, terrifying light blazed from his eyes, and the fierce aura pouring from his body clawed the ground around him, kicking up dust.
"You challenged me fair—don't dodge!"
His low growl carried terrifying inner power, resounding in the ears of everyone gathered before the Iron Lion Sect's main gate.
"Coming? Or shall I?"
Do Cheon asked.
His face was serene, arms hanging loosely—not the stance of one entering battle. Utterly relaxed and leisurely.
"What the hell is this guy?"
As Baek Ri-jung's face filled with doubt...
"Come!"
Heaven-Rending Legion roared.
Pa-at!
The moment Do Cheon's foot moved, his form vanished like an illusion, reappearing right before Heaven-Rending Legion's nose.
Kwa-ang!
Before anyone could react to Do Cheon's speed, a mighty clash erupted. The shockwave tore up the earth, radiating outward.
Heaven-Rending Legion blocked Do Cheon's punch and strode forward, swinging his fist. The wind-splitting blow arced downward like lightning, aiming to pulverize Do Cheon's upper body.
Ku-woong!
The ground exploded violently, the impact booming.
But no blood spilled.
"As expected of Heaven-Rending Legion!"
Do Cheon, now retreated some distance, exclaimed in admiration.
"You bastard! You were the one who said to fight properly!"
Heaven-Rending Legion bellowed, gathering his power once more.
"Let's warm up first. It's been a while since you had a real fight, hasn't it, Heaven-Rending Legion?"
"Enough nonsense—come on!"
Heaven-Rending Legion's eyes blazed with fury.
In an instant, Do Cheon vanished like an illusion again, appearing before him and thrusting a fist.
Heaven-Rending Legion, feet planted firmly, unleashed a merciless punch loaded with Eight Emperors Heaven-Shattering Art power. It was a devastating blow that would crush anything in its path.
But then, Do Cheon's fist halted midway. Simultaneously, his right foot shot out like lightning.
The target: Heaven-Rending Legion's footing.
Heaven-Rending Legion's legs, rooted to the earth, were like iron pillars—unbreakable by mere strikes. But Do Cheon wasn't aiming for the legs or feet. He targeted the ground beneath the firmly planted foot.
Do Cheon's toe dug with immense force between Heaven-Rending Legion's sole and the earth. The ground caved, shattering his balance. Heaven-Rending Legion's punch whiffed through empty air.
Ppak!
As his center crumbled, Do Cheon's fist slammed in like lightning. Heaven-Rending Legion's head snapped back; he crashed face-first into the dirt.
"Falling for such a simple trick shows you truly haven't had a proper fight in ages."
Do Cheon said, looking down at him.
Baek Ri-jung and the Baek Ri Clan warriors couldn't believe their eyes at the sight of Heaven-Rending Legion floored by an unknown like Do Cheon.
Even Ga Gyeom-chang, deputy pavilion master of the Great Righteous Alliance's Secret Shadow Pavilion, peering from inside the Iron Lion Sect's main gate, wore an incredulous expression.
Heaven-Rending Legion defeated!
By an obscure novice who had only begun proper martial training three years ago.
Celestial Insight Maiden was shocked too.
She was less surprised than others because Do Cheon had once acknowledged his confidence against Heaven-Rending Legion. Amid her astonishment, other thoughts arose.
'He hasn't even shown the Iron Lion King's ultimate technique yet!'
That was the true reason for her shock. How strong could he be without deploying the Iron Lion King's ultimate art?
Those who gained strength through rapid learning relied on raw power and exquisite forms. But Do Cheon hadn't. With sheer speed, simple feints, and inner force alone, he toppled Heaven-Rending Legion. How could it not be astonishing?
"Is that how a subordinate doubts his lord?!"
Do Cheon suddenly bellowed.
Blood Light Monk flinched, mid-leap toward the Iron Lion Sect after Heaven-Rending Legion fell—exposed by Do Cheon. He gritted his teeth and turned to his lord.
"...!"
Blood Light Monk's eyes widened.
Heaven-Rending Legion was slowly rising.
"You need to loosen up properly now? And drop the idea that I'm easy prey."
Do Cheon said.
The words seemed blatantly mocking to all. But not to Heaven-Rending Legion. It was sincere. A true call for a proper fight. So he could brush off what might sound like mockery.
"I acknowledge you."
Heaven-Rending Legion said.
His eyes blazed fiercely at Do Cheon. Acknowledgment was one thing; the fight was another. He had properly provoked him—death was all that awaited. He resolved to kill him.
"Good. This will be a satisfying battle."
Do Cheon smiled.
It truly would be, now that both were fully focused. No one could cry carelessness, win or lose.
'Caught a proper big fish!'
Do Cheon grinned inwardly.
This fight would transfer Heaven-Rending Legion's fame to him—and spread the Iron Lion Sect's name across the world.
Those hungry for victory would come to test him; those with ambitions would gather to watch closely. From them, he could select true Iron Lions, sifting gold from stone.
Thus, Do Cheon savored the moment, laughing freely—forgetting Celestial Insight Maiden was staring intently.
Do Cheon and Heaven-Rending Legion faced each other, each with their own thoughts.
A single step apart.
A distance where a punch would connect. Close enough for instant death, impossible to evade. They stood thus.
"What do you think will happen?"
Ga Gyeom-chang approached Celestial Insight Maiden and asked.
"I don't know."
"Well, yeah."
Ga Gyeom-chang nodded. He couldn't predict the winner either.
"I want that man to win."
"The young Iron Lion?"
"Yes."
"Why's that?"
"He's not from the unorthodox sects, at least."
"True. But there's a saying: better the devil you know than the unknown ally."
"You're right. But there's another: blood is thicker than water."
"Are you saying he's righteous? Him, with Sky-Spanning Gang and Dongting Lake's thugs under his command?"
"No. As he said, the Iron Lion Sect is just the Iron Lion Sect, and he's strictly adhering to that."
"So you think he'll bend our way?"
"At least he tries to uphold basic humanity."
"...?"
"He never strikes first. Nor does he kill attackers more than necessary. If commanding Sky-Spanning Gang and Dongting Lake's thugs makes him unorthodox, then White Sword Sect is too—they did all sorts of vile deeds under them. By that logic, plenty of righteous sects would lean unorthodox. Don't you think?"
"...You're right. But don't say that outside. You'll draw fire from all sides."
"I know that much. I only say it because it's you, Deputy Pavilion Master."
"Thanks for the trust."
"I'm just passing through, but you've long worked for the world's peace—and will continue. Doubting you would make one no true righteous man."
"Grateful for that, but what do you mean 'passing through'?"
"I'll retire after this. The Alliance Leader probably appointed me with that in mind."
"..."
It was true, so Ga Gyeom-chang was speechless. It meant he knew too. Celestial Insight Maiden had pretended not to know, ignoring it. She knew she hadn't earned full trust in the Great Righteous Alliance yet.
"He targeted Heaven-Rending Legion from the start, no doubt."
"Targeted Heaven-Rending Legion? That young Iron Lion?"
"Yes. He didn't answer, but it must be."
"Heh!"
Ga Gyeom-chang looked incredulous.
"Don't dismiss it. He's fought every battle with meticulous calculation. Recall his teenage exploits in the reports."
"I have. But the opponent is Heaven-Rending Legion."
"True. Heaven-Rending Legion. He was careless, yet already floored."
"Falling to one blow doesn't mean you underestimate him. People call him unorthodox second-in-command under Solar Heaven Lord's Solar Heaven Ruler, but our alliance, long watching the unorthodox, sees differently. Heaven-Rending Legion may surpass the Solar Heaven Ruler. Assuming the Ruler isn't stronger than rumored."
Celestial Insight Maiden turned to him, feigning ignorance for the first time.
"People always hide their true strength. Masters especially."
Ga Gyeom-chang's gaze shifted to Heaven-Rending Legion and Do Cheon. The real clash was about to begin.
Celestial Insight Maiden watched them too.
'He seems to be hiding quite a bit himself...'
Heaven-Rending Legion circulated the Eight Emperors Heaven-Shattering Art through every corner of his body. He spread its energy to every nerve in his limbs, repeatedly loosening and then contracting his long-stiffened muscles.
Soon, intense heat rose from his entire body. He burned away the shock from Do Cheon's earlier strike in an instant, fiercely heating every part to prepare for fierce combat.
With that power, Heaven-Rending Legion lifted his right foot and slammed the ground.
Ku-woong!
Like a meteor striking earth, the shock from his foot split the ground— a foot wide, over five feet deep, stretching dozens of paces.
His eyes flashed blue; the air rippled around his still form.
A truly terrifying presence.
This was Heaven-Rending Legion's true face, prepared for sincere battle—not mere rage.
"Ready to begin?"
Heaven-Rending Legion asked.
Ready for me to kill you now?
"Whenever you are."
As Do Cheon answered, Heaven-Rending Legion thrust his fist.
The Eight Emperors Fist strike, brimming with Eight Emperors Heaven-Shattering Art power, erupted forward.
Do Cheon met it with his own fist.
Their fists collided head-on.
A pure contest of power.
The weaker would shatter; the lesser would pulverize. A perilous clash.
Kwang-kwang-kwang-kwang-kwang-kwang!
Their fists collided ceaselessly. Too fast for human eyes. Each impact unleashed shockwaves rippling outward.
It was all the more astonishing, even illusory.
As if an invisible, unbreakable wall stood between them, competing to see who would breach it first.
No spectator could look away. A single blink, and one might fly as bloody pulp. So intense, so breathless a clash.
"Your body should be warmed up now. Let's see your true skill."
As Do Cheon spoke...
Kwa-ang!
A massive explosion erupted between them, sending Do Cheon skidding back. Heaven-Rending Legion had unleashed his inner force in a burst. He pursued like lightning, aiming to end it with a Heaven-Rending strike.
Bua-aak!
Fierce air-tearing roar.
A killing blow!
The power in his fist was terrifying—a straight punch, no frills.
Do Cheon, sliding back, stamped his left foot to halt and countered with his right fist.
Kwa-rung!
Thunderous roar exploded, blue lightning crackling from his fist.
"Thunder Wall Fist!"
Celestial Insight Maiden gasped.
The Iron Lion King's Thunder Wall Fist, rivaling the era's Heavenly Demon!
That wondrous divine fist had crossed time to reappear.
Heaven-Rending Legion's Eight Emperors Fist versus Iron Lion King's Thunder Wall Fist. A head-on clash of two era-defining fist arts.