Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Now I Understand
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Hongho Stronghold was behind them, and now even Jeokbyeok Stronghold had been scouted. Byeon Ryeo-gun gazed out over Jeokbyeok Stronghold's full vista and asked Do Cheon,
"Anyone worth keeping an eye on?"
"Doesn't seem like it."
"You mentioned you'd be moving with Second Brother Yi Yeol next year?"
"That's the plan."
"Are you thinking of going all the way to the head stronghold of the Yangtze Eighteen Strongholds?"
"Eventually, we'll have to bring that place to its knees if I want it for myself."
"True, but... just the two of you?"
"There are two more, but I don't know if they'll come along."
"Who are they?"
"This is a grand scheme tied to the sect's future. Isn't asking for too many details a bit much?"
"Ah, sorry. I was just worried about Second Brother Yi Yeol..."
"Yi Yeol will be fine. I've got his back."
"I see."
"Let's go. If my memory serves, the next one is Dongho Stronghold."
"Dongho Stronghold isn't on the Yangtze."
"It's on Dongho Lake?"
"Yes."
"Similar to Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold, then?"
"Yes, though the reason it's there is different."
"What's the special reason?"
"Dongho Stronghold was established to manage Wuhan's waterways."
"Because Wuhan is so big?"
"Yes. It's the hub of transportation and logistics in Hubei Province. That's why it's full of people, and where there are people, money gathers."
"Why doesn't the head stronghold manage it directly from nearby?"
"A large water stronghold or mountain bandit group that close would stifle the city's prosperity."
"So that implies Dongho Stronghold is small-scale?"
"It is. But it has its share of real heavyweights. It's always been under the direct command of the Yangtze Waterway King, generation after generation."
"Got it. Let's head there. I'm curious just how formidable the Yangtze Waterway King's direct subordinates are."
Do Cheon grinned and took the lead.
Smoke was rising from beyond the distant mountains.
Do Cheon just watched casually, but Byeon Ryeo-gun did not.
"Stop the carriage."
At her shout, the carriage came to a halt.
"What's wrong?"
"That smoke doesn't look normal."
Byeon Ryeo-gun leaped from the carriage and suddenly unleashed her lightness skill, dashing toward the smoke.
"Wait here."
With those words to Coachman Jin Poong, Do Cheon followed suit, unleashing his own lightness skill to chase after her. By the time Jin Poong tried to respond, they were already gone.
"True masters of martial arts... they just vanish like that!"
Jin Poong muttered in awe.
When Do Cheon caught up to Byeon Ryeo-gun, she stood there in a daze at the entrance to a burning hill folk village.
"It's the plague, so if you don't wanna get infected, just keep moving!"
Six men were burning corpses. The flat-nosed one among them spotted the pair and yelled. In that instant, Byeon Ryeo-gun strode boldly into the village.
"We don't care where you're from—the plague doesn't discriminate by status."
The flat-nosed man shouted again. Ignoring his second warning, Byeon Ryeo-gun pressed on.
"Once you catch it, you're shitting blood..."
The flat-nosed man grumbled and backed away. At the same time, the other men shifted toward him.
Byeon Ryeo-gun ignored the men.
Her eyes shook as she looked down at the corpses. All elderly. And three children too. Heads bashed in, chests torn open.
"Who ordered this?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun asked.
"We had no choice if we wanted to stop the plague from spreading."
"You claim you're preventing the plague, yet you don't even cover their mouths and noses!"
Byeon Ryeo-gun snapped her head up, roaring fiercely. Her eyes blazed through the cloth mask.
"You bastards!"
The flat-nosed man bellowed, drawing his saber from his waist.
In that moment, a fierce blade wind whipped up.
"...!"
The flat-nosed man froze stiff.
His saber lay in shattered pieces, and a cold sword blade pressed against his throat.
"Who are you people?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun's voice was like a north wind blizzard, icy cold.
"D-Dongho Stronghold."
"That's right! We're from Dongho Stronghold, one of the Yangtze Eighteen Strongholds."
As another man strained his voice to shout, Byeon Ryeo-gun spun around.
Her cloth mask fluttered, and the soft sword in her hand whipped up a fierce sword gale.
Slash slash slash slash! Clink!
The last sound was her soft sword sheathing at her waist.
"I'm heading to Dongho Stronghold!"
Byeon Ryeo-gun kicked off the ground.
She vanished like a water swallow skimming the surface.
As she shot away, the seven men screamed in unison, writhing on the ground. Every one of them missing an arm.
"Is she ruthless, or too soft-hearted?"
Do Cheon murmured, staring after her, then turned and headed back to the carriage.
Dongho Stronghold.
By the time Do Cheon sent the carriage back and arrived, it was all over. Two dozen men lay sprawled on the ground. In the center stood Byeon Ryeo-gun, statue-still, with a dozen or so water bandits cowering before her in terror. Once the stronghold leader, deputy, and all the elites had their arms severed, no one dared attack.
"They were cleaning up the hill folk. Slaughtering people... like that."
"What's their excuse?"
"To prevent the plague in advance."
"Killing people preemptively for something that hasn't even happened?"
"They said a plague ravaged a hill folk village long ago. Ever since, whenever their numbers grow too large..."
Byeon Ryeo-gun clamped her mouth shut; even voicing it was too gruesome.
"Mad bastards!"
Do Cheon bellowed, and Byeon Ryeo-gun took a step forward.
Her footsteps echoed heavily, her turmoil plain. Do Cheon glanced at the bandits, clenching his fist, but seeing their utter fear, he just shot them a murderous glare and followed her.
Byeon Ryeo-gun walked in heavy silence, her heart clearly troubled. Do Cheon simply followed without a word.
Half a shichen later.
She stopped at an inn on the outskirts of a small town.
"I'll buy. Let's have a drink."
Do Cheon answered by opening the inn door and stepping in. He took a seat in the corner by the wall, and Byeon Ryeo-gun sat across from him.
"Bring some liquor. Side dishes—whatever's quick!"
At Do Cheon's shout, the waiter who'd trailed them scurried to the kitchen.
Byeon Ryeo-gun stared silently out the window.
Do Cheon kept quiet too, waiting for her to sort her thoughts or speak.
"I'm from the hill folk myself."
That explained sensing the anomaly from the smoke alone and her explosive rage.
"I see."
Do Cheon replied.
Byeon Ryeo-gun fell silent again for a long while, then turned her gaze to him.
"My master said that if we defeat great evil, petty evil will vanish on its own."
"He did."
"As a child, I couldn't understand. With his skill, he could crush any villains. But as an adult, I got it. Petty evil keeps sprouting no matter how much you eradicate. So I thought he was right. Those with power should use it proportionally to eliminate great evil."
"That's why you're blocking the Demonic Cult's advance?"
"Yes. I thought it was the greatest thing I could do, and I could unlock that secret chamber too."
Do Cheon nodded, signaling understanding.
But Byeon Ryeo-gun, staring intently, finally asked,
"Am I wrong?"
"...?"
"That defeating great evil makes petty evil disappear. That petty evil keeps coming back no matter what. That those with power should focus on great evil accordingly. Am I completely wrong?"
Her eyes shook visibly above the mask. Her long-held personal creed and philosophy were crumbling. She wanted to hear it—the answer. Guidance on what to do.
But Do Cheon wasn't skilled in such matters. He wasn't all-knowing, nor had he lived long enough for life's wisdom.
"I... don't know. What counts as great evil or petty evil. Or how much power it takes to eradicate great evil. If petty evil keeps sprouting, I'll keep eradicating it. If I can't wipe it all out, my descendants will continue the work."
"...!"
"I once asked Yoo Geon why he wants to be the world's richest man. He said it's just because he thinks he can. With someone possessing overwhelming martial force by his side, he feels he can try."
"..."
"I have no desire to change the world. Never dreamed of nobly eradicating villains like you, Byeon. I just want the people around me to live happily. I hope my descendants find happiness too. Luck gave me power, and with it, I think I can make that happen. So I can't answer your question."
"You've answered plenty."
"...?"
"Now I get it. I was arrogant."
"...!"
"Thinking I'd eradicate evil—petty or great—and change the world. That's arrogance. That's why... it hurts. I want people to be happy too. I wish everyone in the world could smile, enjoy, be happy... but there are too many villains."
Too many villains.
The weary lament of righteous sect folk who'd judged and executed endlessly, unable to think differently. It showed their goodness, but Do Cheon didn't favor that mindset.
Do Cheon spoke somewhat matter-of-factly.
"There are plenty of good, kind people too."
"...!"
"It depends on how you see the world. If you view it as purely beautiful, villains seem too numerous. But if it's a world of survival of the fittest—where you climb by stepping on others, live by devouring some—then good people are plenty too."
Her eyes shook above the mask.
This time, for a different reason. Realization that she'd seen the world wrong, lived in illusion—and misjudged Do Cheon, who'd enlightened her.
Byeon Ryeo-gun gazed at him silently, eyes wavering.
"Iron Lion Sect isn't righteous or unorthodox. It pursues profit without evil. So we don't see the world as purely beautiful, nor try to make it so."
Byeon Ryeo-gun had lived kindly, thought kindly. Maybe that's why she assumed Iron Lion Sect and Do Cheon were purely good. His words sparked many thoughts.
"Thank you."
She finally said, shaking off her reverie.
"For what?"
"The advice."
"It wasn't advice..."
Do Cheon trailed off as the waiter brought liquor and dishes.
"Enjoy your meal."
The waiter bowed and retreated. Byeon Ryeo-gun grabbed a bottle first.
"I want to get completely wasted. That okay?"
"Of course. I'll make sure no one disturbs you."
"Good. Guard me. Then I'll consider all debts paid."
Byeon Ryeo-gun filled her cup to the brim.
A night where clouds swallowed the moonlight. Even stars were sparse, plunging everything into darkness.
"Where's Big Brother now, I wonder?"
Little Sparrow looked up at the pitch-black sky and asked.
"Who knows. Somewhere along the Yangtze, probably."
"Tch! Swearing he'd never leave again."
"It's not like three years ago."
"Still."
Despite Yi Yeol's words, Little Sparrow's pout lingered.
"Everything Big Brother's doing is for all of us. You know that."
"I do. That's why I miss him more."
Little Sparrow buried her head between her knees.
Yi Yeol reached out and stroked her hair.
"Child or adult, it's always Big Brother for you. That great, huh?"
"I like Second Brother too. Iron Mountain Brother too. But Big Brother's like Mom and Dad. Without him, I'm anxious."
"I see. Wish I were more dependable."
Yi Yeol sounded deflated, and Little Sparrow's head snapped up.
"Only Second Brother listens to me. Iron Mountain just yells. He never cared if little sister ate or grew, then or now."
"But when you cried as a kid, he was the first to run."
"True. Probably still would."
"Right. I'll watch your surroundings, Iron Mountain will rush first, and Big Brother will guard us all."
"Yeah."
Feeling better, Little Sparrow smiled.
Yi Yeol smiled watching her.
"Thanks, Second Brother."
"If you're grateful, keep smiling like that. We'd do anything to see you smile."
"Thanks. I'm happy with you brothers. If we could live like this forever, I'd want nothing more... but what is Big Brother up to?"
"Master told us not to pry into Big Brother's business, so I didn't ask."
Yi Yeol's voice grew heavy.
Little Sparrow waited quietly.
"It's something big enough to move the Great Righteous Alliance Leader and Heaven-Rending Legion Kang Yi-wi. That's all I know."
"Really? That's scary."
Yi Yeol couldn't reassure her. He couldn't claim it didn't scare him too.
'I'll just trust Big Brother. Follow him blindly. Please don't take needless risks.'