Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Intrusion
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BOOM!
With a thunderous roar, a massive blade crashed through the wall and part of the roof, bursting into the hall.
"Who the hell are you?!"
The Heaven-Rending Legion reacted with the sharpest instincts, stepping forward to block the intruder.
The Eight Emperors Fist unleashed from his hand repelled every one of the stranger's sudden strikes. But the intruder didn't yield an inch either, unleashing a barrage of relentless slashes.
The clamor shattered the hall's walls and pillars, filling the air with thick clouds of dust. Amid the chaos, the Celestial Insight Maiden's Celestial Insight Bright Eyes pierced through the hazy space.
Her gaze locked onto the intruder's appearance.
Faded martial robes long past their prime, a black mask that hid his eyes, nose, and mouth completely, and a seven-foot frame radiating savage killing intent without restraint. Most striking of all was the enormous crescent blade glowing with a deep blue light, swinging with ferocious momentum toward the Heaven-Rending Legion. The blade alone measured three feet—a terrifying weapon.
"The Wise King!"
The Celestial Insight Maiden cried out.
The Wise King, said to be among the innermost confidants of the Generation's Heavenly Demon and the Heavenly Demon Ancestor.
The demonic legend who led the Twelve Demon Kings in trampling the Nine Provinces of the world at the Generation's Heavenly Demon's back. It had to be that same Wise King she had briefly encountered in the Heavenly Demon's secret chamber.
"That's right! It's him!"
The Heaven-Rending Legion shouted breathlessly as he clashed with the foe.
"Why is the Wise King here?"
The Volcanic Divine Sword voiced his doubt, turning to Do Cheon.
Do Cheon's figure was obscured by the swirling dust, but he seemed to simply stand there, watching the Heaven-Rending Legion's fight.
"Didn't you say the Wise King guards the final gateway of the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret chamber?"
The Volcanic Divine Sword asked the Celestial Insight Maiden.
"Yes."
She had no choice but to affirm it, as that was exactly what had been revealed when they first opened the Heavenly Demon's secret chamber.
"Then explain why he's appeared here."
"That's..."
"Doesn't it mean there's something here he must protect?"
A reasonable suspicion.
One anyone might raise.
Just then, as the Volcanic Divine Sword's skeptical gaze turned back to Do Cheon once more—
WHOOSH!
Suddenly, a terrifying aura exploded from Do Cheon, so overwhelming it stole the breath from the room—only to subside in an instant. It was an aura even the Volcanic Divine Sword had never sensed before.
The Heaven-Rending Legion, locked in fierce combat with the Wise King, was startled enough to glance back.
"That's the Generation's Heavenly Demon's supreme art!"
The Baekri Family Head shouted.
At this point, the situation was undeniable—no excuses left. The Baekri Family experts drew their swords in unison. The Volcanic Divine Sword, the Great Righteous Alliance masters, and the Tyrant Emperor Sect experts all turned toward Do Cheon, their killing intent surging.
Right then, Do Cheon took a bold step forward.
"It must be because of this."
"...!"
As the Volcanic Divine Sword and the others eyed him with suspicion at his baffling words, Do Cheon pulled something from his bosom and held it out.
It was a luminous stone emitting a faint red glow. And from the stone flowed the lingering waves of that explosive aura from moments ago, like ripples of light.
"You saying that's not the Generation's Heavenly Demon's supreme art?!"
The Baekri Family Head bellowed in disbelief. The Volcanic Divine Sword posed the question.
"What is that?"
"A stone I picked up in that secret chamber."
"Nonsense!"
As the Baekri Family Head roared again, Do Cheon tossed the luminous stone to the Volcanic Divine Sword.
"Step away from here and check it out."
The Volcanic Divine Sword understood immediately.
"I'll look from outside the main gate."
He shouted to the Heaven-Rending Legion, then leaped away. As he departed, the Wise King—who had been raining blows on the Heaven-Rending Legion—abruptly halted his assault and followed the Volcanic Divine Sword, vanishing.
"Don't let the Volcanic Divine Sword get away!"
The Heaven-Rending Legion yelled, launching himself after them.
In that instant, the Great Righteous Alliance and Tyrant Emperor Sect experts reflexively leaped into pursuit. The Baekri Family Head glared at Do Cheon before following suit, and his experts trailed him in a flash, all vanishing swiftly.
The chaotic whirlwind ended as abruptly as it had come, leaving only two in the hall.
Do Cheon and the Celestial Insight Maiden.
"That stone..."
The Celestial Insight Maiden spoke up.
It was the very luminous stone Do Cheon had retrieved from Iron Mountain.
"Consider this settling the debt I owe you, Maiden Byeon."
"You don't mean...?"
"Let's go. If we're the only ones left here, it'll breed more suspicion."
Do Cheon dashed toward the main gate with calm composure.
Running alongside him, the Celestial Insight Maiden struggled with the doubt swirling in her mind—how to resolve it. The question simply made no sense.
'Just three years. Unless he's a genius, that's not enough time to master the Thunder Wall Fist to that level!'
Outside the Iron Lion Sect's main gate.
The Volcanic Divine Sword stood dozens of paces from the gate, with the Wise King planted firmly in front of him, back turned as if guarding him. To any onlooker, it was clear the Wise King was protecting the Volcanic Divine Sword.
The Heaven-Rending Legion and the other experts kept a distance of over ten paces. Beyond that interval, the Wise King apparently wouldn't attack.
"Did you see what it is?"
The Heaven-Rending Legion asked.
"Not yet."
The Volcanic Divine Sword replied.
The Heaven-Rending Legion couldn't urge him to check without hesitation, torn between the Wise King attacking if he approached and the fear that the Volcanic Divine Sword might uncover the stone's secret alone. While he dithered, Do Cheon and the Celestial Insight Maiden arrived.
"Young Master Do."
The Volcanic Divine Sword called.
"Yes."
"You said you picked up this stone in the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret chamber?"
"Yes."
"Then why hide it until now?"
"It's not a manual or anything. Just a rare-looking pebble—I figured it might fetch a decent price if I sold it."
"You shouldn't have kept it secret."
"I didn't think the Great Righteous Alliance or Tyrant Emperor Sect would care about some fancy rock. But what is it?"
The Volcanic Divine Sword stared piercingly at Do Cheon, searching for any hint of deceit. But Do Cheon's eyes were fixed solely on the sword master's hand, his face genuinely curious.
That was when—
"I have one lingering doubt."
The Baekri Family Head spoke up.
"What is it?"
The Volcanic Divine Sword asked.
"Whether this corpse demon really came all this way just to guard a stone."
"You think otherwise?"
The Heaven-Rending Legion turned to ask.
"Who knows. Have Young Master Do approach it up close, and we'll find out."
"Well said! If it doesn't attack him, then there's something more at play."
"Which would mean he practices some martial art deeply tied to this corpse demon."
The Baekri Family Head's words rang true.
All eyes turned to Do Cheon.
"Suspicion upon suspicion."
"If you'd shown that gem from the start, none of this would've happened."
Do Cheon shook his head at the Heaven-Rending Legion's point.
"I doubt it. Even if I'd handed over the rock, someone would've found a way to suspect me anyway."
His gaze revealed who that "someone" was. Do Cheon stared straight at the Baekri Family Head as he spoke. The family head said nothing. He had cast the suspicion, and now everyone hoped Do Cheon would approach the corpse demon—so he simply watched.
"The way to dispel this suspicion is for you to draw near, Young Master Do."
The Volcanic Divine Sword said.
Do Cheon put on a resolute expression.
"This is the last time. Take the stone, cook it, boil it, do whatever you want—but never suspect me again."
Do Cheon glanced alternately at the Heaven-Rending Legion and Volcanic Divine Sword, then strode boldly toward the Wise King. Everyone watched his steps with wide eyes.
The Baekri Family Head signaled his experts to block escape routes. As Baekri Jung and the others moved—
WHOOSH!
The air split with a tearing sonic boom.
The Wise King's crescent blade cleaved through space toward Do Cheon.
CRASH!
A fist strike like cracking thunder erupted from Do Cheon's hand.
Thunder Wall Fist!
The Wise King's massive blade halted mid-swing with a deafening roar from the sheer power. Seizing the opening, Do Cheon leaped back. The Wise King, pursuing, stopped abruptly as the distance widened, then turned back toward the Volcanic Divine Sword. At this point, all eyes shifted to the sword master's hand.
"Do you know what it is now?"
The Heaven-Rending Legion asked.
"We'll figure it out step by step from here."
The Volcanic Divine Sword replied.
"Where do you plan to investigate?"
"Who knows. If you have wise counsel, Heaven-Rending Legion, speak it."
"Hand it over to me, and I'll have a good method."
"Share your idea first. If it's sound, I'll pass it to you."
"Planning to unravel its secrets alone?"
"As if. I know you wouldn't stand idly by."
"So what now?"
The Heaven-Rending Legion and Volcanic Divine Sword.
Even these two, who should lead the group, were too wary of each other to devise a plan. Finally, the Celestial Insight Maiden stepped forward, having watched them.
"Why not keep this distance and toss the gem back and forth while studying it?"
"Excellent! That'll work!"
The Heaven-Rending Legion brightened.
The Volcanic Divine Sword's face briefly frowned before smoothing over. He wasn't thrilled, but he accepted without showing it.
"That sounds good."
As he nodded—
"Why not head to my family estate? We'll host both of you without neglect."
The Baekri Family Head stepped forward with cupped fists.
An item from the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret chamber—whatever it yielded, the Baekri Family wanted its share. But the Heaven-Rending Legion bristled. The Baekri were orthodox.
"Just as your orthodox faction wouldn't linger in demonic territory, I have no desire to. Fortunately, there's a neutral spot. We'll stay there."
The Heaven-Rending Legion turned toward Do Cheon.
The Volcanic Divine Sword nodded and looked to Do Cheon as well. The Baekri Family Head's face twisted. But someone even less pleased was Do Cheon himself.
"No, that won't do."
"What's not to do?!"
The Heaven-Rending Legion snapped irritably.
"The sect can't accommodate so many meals."
"There are plenty of empty buildings—bring your own cooks."
Spear Freak Ga Gyeom-chang piped up from the side. Having stayed in the Iron Lion Sect for days, he knew most buildings stood vacant.
Do Cheon scowled at him before responding.
"As I said, the sect has just uncovered our ancestors' supreme arts. We have no spare capacity for outsiders. My master has been in closed-door training for a month already. I need to focus on my own cultivation too—no more distractions from external matters."
Do Cheon stated firmly.
With the situation like this, heading to the Iron Lion Sect was impossible. Pressing the host further would be rude.
"At your age, with that level of skill, you've already climbed as high as you can—yet you want to train more? Aiming to be the world's best?"
The Heaven-Rending Legion's eyes flashed as he demanded.
"If I dreamed of ruling the world, I'd claim my share of that stone. Shall I?"
"Out of the question."
"But it is my find, isn't it?"
The Heaven-Rending Legion fell silent at Do Cheon's words. The Volcanic Divine Sword spoke softly.
"Greed invites disaster."
"My master would say the same."
"A master's heart for his disciple is ever the same."
"I see."
Do Cheon nodded, flashing a briefly admiring look before erasing it, as if struck by a sudden thought.
"What if you went to that secret chamber? There might be more to the stone—worth another look. And it's spacious enough for everyone here."
Do Cheon's suggestion seemed plausible. It wasn't far at all—about the same distance as to the Baekri Family estate.
The Volcanic Divine Sword nodded and glanced at the Heaven-Rending Legion.
"What say you, Heaven-Rending Legion?"
"So be it."
With their agreement, their subordinates sprang into action. Ga Gyeom-chang exchanged brief words with the Celestial Insight Maiden and leaped away. The Heaven-Rending Legion's confidant, Blood Radiance Monk, rushed to his Tyrant Emperor Sect warriors with quick orders. The Baekri Family moved in perfect unison too. Amid it all, the Celestial Insight Maiden approached Do Cheon.
"Sending me back to that cave? Too much."
"Ah, I didn't consider you, Maiden Byeon."
"It's a grave discourtesy."
"I admit it. I'll repay that debt—and the earlier one—in full. Visit anytime."
"I will. I'm curious about the debt you owe me."
"I'll be waiting."
Do Cheon smiled faintly at the veiled eyes of the Celestial Insight Maiden. She stared at his smile before nodding in farewell and turning away.
Do Cheon watched her retreating figure with a complex gaze, emotions crossing his eyes.
'They say women have an instinct for returning home. I wonder if you know.'
He kept watching her back.
To a third party, it looked like he was simply admiring a woman's grace.
"Women are the root of all evils too. That Escort Leader got done in because of her."
The Heaven-Rending Legion's voice rang out.
Do Cheon turned to him with a grin.
"You old folks might not get it from age, but a woman like that? Even ten thousand fiends are worth enduring."
"You courting death?! 'Old folks'?! The Escort Leader's finger, and touching my daughter's hand—I'll make you pay dearly for both."
"You know the order of things."
"If it were your kid, would you quibble over order?"
"No."
"Same here, punk! That's life. My finger comes before the world. Righteousness, principles—all bullshit. Even your precious orthodox folk trot them out for their own gain."
"I know that much."
"I don't know your scheme, but you showed mercy in your strikes—I'll grant you that. So no backstabbing. But we'll settle accounts."
"I'll be ready."
As Do Cheon bowed politely, the Heaven-Rending Legion shot him a cold look and turned away.
Do Cheon watched him go, then looked to the Volcanic Divine Sword.
The sword master spared him not a glance before departing.
As he moved, the Wise King followed.
Thus, the whirlwind that had swept through finally blew away from the Iron Lion Sect. Do Cheon stood rooted in place long after they vanished from sight.
Only a gentle breeze remained. He slowly turned, walking back toward the Iron Lion Sect. A smile spread across his face— the smile of one who had obtained his desire.
He hadn't just bought time for the Iron Lion Sect to prepare for the world—he had sparked the very confrontations that would announce its presence. No greater satisfaction could be had.
'The power I infused in that stone will take at least a year to fade. By then, the Iron Lion Sect will be fully ready to step into the world!'