Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Neung Sa-un
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Bingbaek Sasin.
The fifth Iron Lion was rumored to hail from the North Sea Ice Palace, a land perpetually shrouded in ice.
Once unleashed, his technique filled a radius of some thirty meters with bone-chilling cold, freezing anyone it even grazed. Whether this gave rise to his title or he truly originated from the North Sea Ice Palace remained unknown even in Do Cheon's era.
One thing was certain, however: his sword was brutally cold, yet his temperament was gentle, kind, and compassionate. He was the one who built a pond just for the woman he admired, the Flying Swallow Immortal Yi Gun-ok.
Do Cheon recalled what he knew of the Bingbaek Sasin as he rushed to the guest hall. Arriving in a flash like the wind, he paused briefly before pushing open the door and stepping inside.
Three men were there.
Do Cheon's eyes quickly scanned them.
The most striking was an elderly man with a white beard, clearly a master of considerable attainment.
Next was a middle-aged man with a stout build and sharp eyes. He too was no ordinary expert; like the elder, he seemed capable of making a name for himself in the martial world.
Finally, a young man, pale and sickly, stared at Do Cheon.
After taking them in, Do Cheon took his seat. Until then, the three had simply watched him from their positions.
"You were looking for me?"
Do Cheon asked.
"You're the great disciple of the Iron Lion Sect?"
The middle-aged man countered.
"That's right."
"Ah, I'm Mo Sim-cheon from Zhejiang. This is Kang No-sai of the Radiant Cloud Sword."
The middle-aged man rose, cupped his fists, and made the introductions.
Do Cheon returned the gesture, his gaze shifting to the young man whose face was as white as a corpse's. The middle-aged man quickly spoke up.
"This is Neung Sa-un. When he heard the Iron Lion Sect had recovered the Iron Lions' secret arts, you can't imagine how thrilled my nephew was. He insisted on coming despite his illness..."
"Neung Sa-un."
The young man greeted him.
Do Cheon regarded him coolly, unlike his haste in arriving.
"My apologies. I'm not well enough to offer proper respects."
"The descendant of the one called Bingbaek Sasin? How do you prove it?"
"Yang is distant, yin is near. Yin is heavy and firm, easy to forge into shape."
Neung Sa-un replied to Do Cheon's question.
The opening verse of the Heavenly Tone Ice White Divine Art.
"Correct."
Do Cheon nodded. At that moment, Mo Sim-cheon's face lit up.
"My nephew hopes to reclaim Bingbaek Sasin's secret art and restore his ancestor's glory."
As Mo Sim-cheon interjected, Do Cheon's gaze turned to him.
"What's your relationship to him?"
"I was close friends with his late father, Neung's uncle. And Elder Kang of the Radiant Cloud Sword here has sheltered and cared for Neung's family in his estate for years."
Mo Sim-cheon's words prompted Elder Kang of the Radiant Cloud Sword to sit arrogantly silent, while Neung Sa-un spoke.
"That's right. They're very important people to me."
"I see."
Do Cheon nodded again. Mo Sim-cheon and Elder Kang stared intently at him.
"Junior Brother Neung doesn't look well, so he should stay here. Once he's recovered, I'll hand over the secret art Bingbaek Sasin left behind. You two can head back."
The moment Do Cheon spoke, Elder Kang slammed the table.
"Is that how you talk? We came all this way for this boy's future, and you send us away empty-handed? Enough nonsense—hand over the manual. We'll ensure his safety."
Do Cheon's eyebrows shot up.
"Elder Kang is right. You brought me all the way here; I can't just let you leave like that. If you give me the Ice White Divine Sword, I'll return to Zhejiang with you both."
Neung Sa-un quickly chimed in. Do Cheon turned and stared at him. Neung bobbed his head repeatedly, pleading silently. At this, Do Cheon called out toward the door.
"Little Sparrow!"
"Yes!"
Little Sparrow replied from outside.
She had rushed over upon hearing the fifth Iron Lion's heir had arrived.
"Fetch the Ice White Divine Sword manual."
"Yes!"
Little Sparrow departed.
"You're handing Bingbaek Sasin's manual to just anyone? Tsk tsk tsk!"
Elder Kang clicked his tongue. Do Cheon's face turned to ice.
"Just how noble are you to call my junior sister 'worthless'?"
"...!"
"You've heard we have Bingbaek Sasin's secret art, but not that I've mastered the Iron Lion King's?"
Do Cheon said coldly, silencing Elder Kang.
Kang was indeed a renowned master in the martial world, but he paled against the Heaven-Rending Legion—and even more so against the Iron Lion King. Of course, since Do Cheon wasn't actually the Iron Lion King, Kang had no intention of submitting, but clashing further might cost them the art, so he held his tongue.
An awkward, heavy silence settled. Moments later, Little Sparrow returned with the manual, drawing all eyes.
Elder Kang and Mo Sim-cheon's gazes locked on the book in her hands; Neung Sa-un's went to her. Do Cheon watched the scene impassively.
"Big Senior Brother, here it is."
"Thanks."
Little Sparrow handed it over.
As Do Cheon reached for it, Elder Kang and Mo Sim-cheon's eyes followed.
"Neung Sa-un here. The Iron God Dragon called you Little Sparrow—nice to meet you."
"Yeah, Little Sparrow. But are you okay? You look sick."
"Thanks for your concern. It's not fatal, thankfully."
Neung Sa-un smiled.
Little Sparrow couldn't smile back at his ghostly pallor.
Thud!
Do Cheon placed the manual on the table.
All eyes turned to him.
"Little Sparrow."
"Yes."
"Go invite Elder Yi Jo-yang of the Volcanic Divine Sword."
At "Volcanic Divine Sword," Elder Kang and Mo Sim-cheon widened their eyes in shock.
Little Sparrow answered and left, thickening the air once more for different reasons. Kang and Mo exchanged visibly flustered glances.
After a long wait, Volcanic Divine Sword Yi Jo-yang arrived.
Do Cheon rose to greet him; so did Elder Kang and Mo Sim-cheon. Neung Sa-un tried to stand but was pressed down by the surrounding pressure—Do Cheon's doing, to spare him the strain.
"What's this about? Haven't seen you in days."
"I've called you regarding the swordsmanship of our fifth Iron Lion. Would you take a look?"
"Hm? You want me to verify it?"
"I'd like you to witness if it's authentic."
"Hmmm..."
Only then did Yi Jo-yang survey the room.
"Mo Sim-cheon from Zhejiang. This is...!"
"Call me Kang, friends call me Radiant Cloud Sword."
"Ah! Hero Kang of the Radiant Cloud Sword. A pleasure. Yi Jo-yang of Mount Hua. Hero Mo of the Absolute Sword, good to meet you too."
"You know us all—I'm impressed."
Mo Sim-cheon looked genuinely surprised. Yi Jo-yang smiled warmly.
"As leader of the Great Righteous Alliance, how could I not know my fellow eastern heroes? Please, sit."
They all took their seats.
"This it?"
"Yes."
Yi Jo-yang eyed the manual on the table; Do Cheon replied.
"Once I see it, I won't forget even if I try. You sure?"
"It's fine."
Do Cheon answered. Elder Kang interjected.
"I don't think so."
"Why not?"
Do Cheon asked.
"You can't show martial secrets to outsiders. Not that we doubt Hero Yi, but it's an unwritten rule of the jianghu."
Kang was right.
Even Mo Sim-cheon and Yi Jo-yang nodded in agreement.
"Then let me ask the reverse."
Do Cheon said, eyes fixed on Elder Kang.
"What?"
"Can you two swear not to look at this manual?"
"If Sa-un doesn't allow it, I never will."
"Same here."
Elder Kang answered, followed by Mo Sim-cheon.
Do Cheon turned to Neung Sa-un.
"Elder Yi here is the leader of the Great Righteous Alliance. I want him to verify the manual's authenticity. Do you permit it?"
Neung Sa-un hesitated, glancing at Kang and Mo. They met his eyes calmly.
"The jianghu's unwritten rules exist for good reason."
Mo Sim-cheon said softly. Neung Sa-un nodded and looked back at Do Cheon.
"I trust you, Senior Brother Do of the Iron God Dragon."
"Understood."
Do Cheon nodded, rose, and cupped his fists to Yi Jo-yang.
"My apologies for the trouble."
"No matter. Meeting Heroes Kang and Mo makes it worthwhile. Right, gentlemen?"
"Of course. I'm honored to meet you."
Mo Sim-cheon replied; Elder Kang just nodded.
Do Cheon picked up the manual and offered it to Neung Sa-un, who accepted it with both hands and tucked it away.
Relief flickered across Mo Sim-cheon's face; Elder Kang stood.
"Long road ahead, so we'll take our leave. Pleasure meeting you, Hero Yi."
"Heh, here and gone. Until we meet again at a better occasion."
With a light salute, Elder Kang strode out; Mo Sim-cheon swiftly helped Neung Sa-un up and supported him as they exited. Neung Sa-un, dragged along, gave Do Cheon an awkward smile but said nothing. Even after they vanished, Do Cheon sat motionless, sighing deeply only after a long pause.
"What was their game?"
Yi Jo-yang asked.
"Sorry. I hoped to use your reputation to protect Junior Brother Neung from them."
"I figured as much."
"You noticed?"
"Radiant Cloud Sword and Absolute Sword play at being righteous, but they're unscrupulous."
"I see."
"You're okay with that?"
"The manual?"
"Yes."
"Junior Brother Neung is sharp, so yes."
"What do you mean?"
"The Ice White Divine Sword is impressive, but what built Bingbaek Sasin's legend was the Heavenly Tone Ice White Divine Art and Ice White Famous Jade Hand. He must've wanted to protect the real treasures—he never mentioned them."
"They only asked for the Ice White Divine Sword?"
"Yes."
"So you knew from the start they were after it, yet let them go? You could've saved him."
"He didn't want rescue. Even after I bluffed about mastering the Iron Lion King's arts, he didn't flinch. Had to let him have his way."
"Ah."
"Anyway, sorry to you, Elder. A drink isn't enough, but it's all I can offer..."
"Never mind that. If you insist on repaying, let me pay respects to your master. Guest or not, he deserves that much."
"Not trying to pressure me through him?"
"Quick on the uptake."
"What of the Heaven-Rending Legion?"
"Curses your name whenever he gets the chance."
"Let's go. I'll fetch Master and set it up."
"Good. My ears ache from his tirades."
Yi Jo-yang laughed brightly, seemingly sincere.
A dark night.
The previous evening's full moon had given way to thick clouds, leaving the ground cloaked in pitch blackness.
"Huff... huff!"
A figure stumbled through the darkness, panting heavily. A man leaning on a thick staff, limping toward the Iron Lion Sect's main gate. Construction had finished two days prior, restoring the gate's former grandeur, firmly shut.
"Huff... huff!"
The man pushed on with all his might.
Drenched in sweat, on the verge of collapse, the thirty-meter distance took a full quarter-hour of desperate struggle. Reaching the gate, his body trembled violently, about to give out.
His flesh begged to fall; his spirit pleaded otherwise.
"Iron Lion Sect... I'm here."
Muttering this, he forced himself to endure. He willed his legs forward, but they wouldn't budge, like another man's. Sweat poured as he strained futilely.
"Hah!"
A pitiful sigh escaped him.
Then—
"Planning to give up one step from the goal?"
A sudden voice.
As the startled man looked up, the main gate creaked open. Lantern light spilled out, revealing Do Cheon.
Yi Yeol stood there, with Iron Mountain and Little Sparrow; Young Ki slumbered on her back. The man's eyes bulged like saucers, at a loss.
"Keep your brothers waiting?"
Do Cheon barked sternly. Snapping to, the man, unable to move his legs, shifted the staff one step forward, leaning into it to cross the threshold. His body lurched forward; he gripped the staff with shaking arms to steady himself. Then, to Do Cheon:
"Neung Sa-un... offers formal respects."
"Welcome to the sect."
"Thank you."
Neung Sa-un thanked him and collapsed.
"Oh!"
Little Sparrow gasped. A gust arose, catching his fall.
"Mountain!"
At Do Cheon's call, Iron Mountain rushed over and hoisted Neung Sa-un onto his back.
"Little Sparrow, put Young Ki to bed. Yeol, fetch Volcanic Divine Sword Elder for help. Mountain, with me. Hurry!"
Everyone sprang into action at Do Cheon's command.