Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Too Good to Let Sit Idle
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In the Volcanic Divine Sword's quarters within the Iron Lion Sect.
Master Unyang had barely taken his seat in the training hall before he let out his astonishment.
"The Iron Lion Sect is truly massive!"
"Isn't it? I was pretty shocked myself when I first arrived. Even though it's a forgotten relic of the past, it still feels like the giant is breathing."
"A giant... So the Alliance Leader believes the Iron Lion Sect will rise again."
"You've heard the rumors about finding the Iron Lions' lost techniques?"
"Is it true?"
"It seems to be."
"You haven't confirmed it fully?"
"I've verified the Thunder Wall Fist and the Frost White Divine Sword."
Master Unyang looked considerably surprised. But a lingering shadow of doubt remained on his face.
"I personally confirmed that the Iron Lion Sect's sole female disciple has mastered the Scattered Flowers Sword of the Flying Swallow Sage."
The Celestial Insight Maiden cut in.
"You know of the Scattered Flowers Sword?"
"Yes."
"No chance she was deceiving you?"
"I'd sooner believe a ten-year-old child was fooling the entire world."
"It seems the branch leader has firm faith in the Iron Lion Sect."
"Yes."
"...?"
"My master taught me the Insightful Gaze."
"Ah... I see."
Master Unyang understood at once. To those who had mastered the Insightful Gaze, lesser martial artists might as well be stripped bare of their innermost thoughts.
"As for the martial arts, fine, let's say that's that. With both of you vouching for it, I can't very well keep doubting. Alliance Leader."
"Speak."
"We've had someone come to our sect complaining that you're eyeing the Yangtze's trade routes and waterways— that it's no different from invading the merchant world by force."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. They claimed you've colluded with Dongting Lake's bandits, using the Iron Lion Sect to seize the lake's waterways, and now you're after the Yangtze itself. They asked if you plan to drag the merchants down with you. But after coming here and seeing things, it doesn't seem like that's why you're staying. Am I right?"
"Do I look like the type?"
"No. You're not that kind of person, so it feels like there's some misunderstanding. But the one who came to us didn't seem like he was lying idly either. It seemed like a solid misunderstanding, so I had no choice but to come myself."
"I see."
"What on earth is going on?"
Master Unyang's eyes gleamed as he pressed.
He had the perceptiveness to sense that the Yangtze waterways weren't the real issue. But for now, they had to appear as the problem. The Volcanic Divine Sword pulled out the prepared response.
"You've heard that the Iron Lion Sect isn't righteous or unorthodox?"
"Yes."
"Left alone, the Iron Lion Sect is as righteous as any. But provoke it, and it turns demonic. The Iron Divine Dragon didn't say that for nothing. That's how they've always operated. They've clashed with the Heaven-Rending Legion, come to swords' points with the Baekri Clan. The Thunder Palace, the Unyielding Heaven's Freaks, the Black Snake Dark God— they've fallen one after another. You asked if I foresee the giant rising again? It's already rising. And now this Iron Lion Sect is targeting the Yangtze waterways. Just days ago, they declared war on the Yangtze Eighteen Strongholds. I'm here to prevent clashes with the righteous sects, and the Heaven-Rending Legion is staying to stop the Iron Lion Sect from joining the Great Righteous Alliance."
The explanation poured out smoothly. Of course, it wasn't the truth. But to those unaware of the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret manual, it sounded utterly plausible.
At the mention of the Thunder Palace, Unyielding Heaven's Freaks, and Black Snake Dark God falling in sequence, Master Unyang's eyes widened in shock. He nodded, recalling how Do Cheon had instantly defused the clash between the Heaven-Rending Legion and Nam Myeong. Then he soon furrowed his brow.
"They declared war on the Yangtze?"
"The Iron Divine Dragon knew a riverside bandit village, and it seems Dongho Stronghold torched it. In retaliation, he wiped out Dongho Stronghold, and that enraged the Yangtze bandits, putting the righteous sects along the river at risk. Fortunately, the Iron Divine Dragon declared it his doing and that he'll head to the Yangtze once winter ends."
"Good lord... Utterly reckless and out of control. Far too dangerous."
"Yes, which is why I felt the need to keep a close watch."
"But why is that fiery Heaven-Rending Legion holding back? He's not one to endure just because the opponent is strong."
"Winter's almost here."
"Hm...?"
"The Heavenly Demon has entered secluded training."
"Ah!"
Every winter, the Heavenly Demon enters seclusion. And emerges in spring. Until then, the righteous and unorthodox factions hold their breath and restrain conflicts. They must watch if the Heavenly Demon will declare an advance on the Central Plains upon emerging. Starting a fight and weakening themselves only for the Heavenly Demon to march in would be disastrous.
As Master Unyang seemed to grasp the Heaven-Rending Legion's restraint, the Volcanic Divine Sword inwardly sighed in relief.
"I get the picture now. Sorry to bring these suspicions while you're fighting on the front lines."
"Doubts had already arisen here too. The Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader denied it, but to no avail. Since I'm staying here, they think I'm in league with the Iron Lion Sect. Explaining every intimate detail didn't seem proper for the head of the Great Righteous Alliance, so I let it drop."
"I understand."
Master Unyang nodded, his face relaxing with evident relief.
The Volcanic Divine Sword wore a gentle expression as well, steering the conversation to lighter topics thereafter. About an hour later, Master Unyang rose.
"The master of this place never shows his face, huh?"
"It took me days to finally meet him."
"Good grief, what a stubborn one."
"They've only just recovered techniques lost for generations. How eager must he be to master his ancestors' arts as soon as possible?"
"Fair enough."
"Why not stay a few days since you're here?"
"I need to check on my lay disciples on the way down the mountain."
"You're making it impossible to keep you."
"You're a busy man, Alliance Leader. I can't steal your time. I'll take my leave."
"Safe travels. Let me see you off."
"The seat of Great Righteous Alliance Leader is no light burden. Don't diminish your dignity on my account."
"Understood. Take care."
"It weighs on me to leave you here in a place that could turn into a battlefield any moment, but since it's you, I can rest easy."
"Your words alone give me strength."
"Then I'll head back."
"Yes."
And so Master Unyang departed.
Once he was gone, the Volcanic Divine Sword let out a heavy sigh.
"How long can I keep defending these breached levees?"
Master Unyang exited the Iron Lion Sect's main gate.
He gave strict orders to the lay disciple who had accompanied him.
"The Alliance Leader's once cold, sword-sharp temperament feels dulled. I need to know if it's truly dulled or just around the Iron Lion Sect. Find out exactly what's been happening around here lately. Look into the Heaven-Rending Legion's disciple too. That scene earlier left a bad taste. The Alliance Leader not mentioning him at all is suspicious too."
After escorting Nam Myeong back to the Heaven-Rending Legion's quarters, Do Cheon headed to the underground training chamber where he used to play with his fellow disciples as a child. In the pitch-black center of the chamber floated a figure bound head to toe in iron chains, hovering in midair.
It was the Wise King jiangshi.
Chained entirely and anchored to the ceiling, it dangled in the air. That's why, even after Do Cheon had unleashed the Generation's Heavenly Demon arts several times while scouting the Yangtze region, it hadn't escaped. They'd exploited its tendency to merely walk on two legs when at a distance by suspending it off the ground.
"What should I do? How can I make you distinguish friend from foe?"
Simply channeling the Heavenly Demon Supreme Art to a certain level and issuing commands would work, but it was worlds apart from true discernment.
If the Wise King could tell friend from foe on its own, it'd be like gaining a heavenly army. Even as a jiangshi, the Wise King's power had given even the Heaven-Rending Legion pause.
"If I asked Maiden Byeon, she might find a way..."
Having mastered the Celestial Insight Bright Eyes to peer into hearts, she likely knew much about soul-seizing arts. Still, Do Cheon hesitated to ask her help.
It was because things had grown awkward after their talk about her face and veil. He'd approached too hastily. He should have given her more time.
"If you're coming in, come in already. Why lurk like a rat?"
At Do Cheon's sudden words, a figure slipped into the chamber like the wind from the entrance.
It was Ong Jung-seo.
"The Wise King was here?"
"What do you want?"
"Do I need a reason to visit?"
"Yeah."
"What's this from the one who bound me with talk of fate and such?"
"Ever studied soul-seizing arts or anything like that?"
"No. But I overheard you at the main gate earlier— you said you don't speak casually to elders?"
During the incident at the main gate, Ong Jung-seo had hidden nearby, watching the clash between the Heaven-Rending Legion and Nam Myeong.
"I don't. What about spirit arts or binding seals?"
"No, never learned them. I'm well past fifty."
"Want elder treatment? Though you said you were withering away."
"I said pitiful and annoying, not withering."
"Fine, elder treatment?"
"Pass."
Ong Jung-seo grumbled.
Do Cheon ignored him, stared at the Wise King, then sighed.
"No choice then."
"Choice for what?"
"Go fetch Maiden Byeon."
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"I'm Ong Jung-seo. In the thieves' world, I'm treated like the sky. And you want me running errands...? Where are you going?"
"Since you don't want to, I'll go myself."
"It's not that I don't want to..."
"Maybe I have been pushing you too hard, Ong old man. I'll get Maiden Byeon, so stay here."
"Ong old man?"
Do Cheon left Ong Jung-seo protesting and headed out.
About fifteen minutes later, he returned— alone.
"Where's Maiden Byeon? You got turned away?"
"She won't budge from her room. Seems she wants to be alone, so I came back."
"Didn't even try talking?"
"Nope."
"Should I go?"
"No, it's fine. More importantly, know anyone versed in soul-seizing arts?"
"Not jiangshi arts?"
Ong Jung-seo glanced at the Wise King.
"Ah, jiangshi arts might be better?"
"If it's for the Wise King, yeah, better to look into jiangshi experts."
"Know any?"
"Shi Ma for jiangshi."
"You know him?"
"Demonic Cult guy."
"Why bring up Demonic Cult?"
"Next is the Corpse Scholar. Famous for making jiangshi that hop and run. Only Shi Ma of the Demonic Cult could do it before him."
"Where is he?"
"No idea. Rumors say Shi Ma killed him or captured him."
"Helpful stuff only."
"Last, the Jiangshi Hall."
"Jiangshi Hall?"
"Rich old folks love themselves too much and want their bodies turned into jiangshi after death to avoid rotting. Jiangshi Hall does that for them."
"Just making jiangshi— will that help?"
"What sets humans apart from beasts is thought and insatiable curiosity."
"...?"
"Long gone now, but ages ago, a mad hall leader turned his favorite woman into a jiangshi just to attend him. If his records survive, maybe a way to make the Wise King obey..."
"Grossly creepy...!"
"Not gross— insane."
"Anyway!"
"Jiangshi Hall's all I know. And that madman's from generations back; even his bones are dust."
"Where is it?"
"Branches everywhere, main hall in Henan Province."
"You know the hall leader?"
"My little brother."
"...!"
"Not on great terms, but if Young Master Do squeezes him, he'll spill."
"How many days?"
"Days? One punch'll do."
"No, how long for you to go there and back."
"Me alone?"
"Yeah."
"By myself?"
"Just asking questions— no need for two. He's your brother, right?"
"I said we're not close."
"Still your brother."
"Aren't you using me too roughly?"
"Please."
He said "please," but his eyes said refusal wasn't an option.
"Ten days."
"Legs giving out from age?"
"See you in five."
Ong Jung-seo turned to leave.
"Ong old man."
"What?"
"Travel safely."
The old man left without a word. But a smirk tugged at his lips. Now alone, Do Cheon turned to the hovering Wise King. He stared silently for a moment. Then, a fierce aura surged from his body. The Wise King twitched in response. That was it. It stilled quickly. But Do Cheon felt it vividly— the vigorous energy roiling within the Wise King's dead flesh.
"Such tremendous power is too good to let sit idle. Right, Wise King?"