Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Finishing It Is Your Job
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Winter was just around the corner, and the morning chill bit deep into the bones.
The lower-ranking warriors of the Iron Lion Sect trickled out one by one, stretching or loosening up their stiff muscles and joints from the night.
"Did you all sleep well, brothers?"
"Sleep well?"
A booming voice rang out from one side, and everyone turned with smiles, exchanging greetings and good wishes for the night.
It was a change that had come a few days prior.
As they grew familiar with each other's faces and shared stories, one morning Wi Hong and Yu Chil had bowed deeply in greeting.
When temporary sect head Jo Tak told them there was no need to be so formal since they were all comrades, from the next day they didn't bow quite so low but instead greeted everyone first with the loudest voices.
"Hearing those lads makes me think today will be a fun one!"
"Thanks to them, I wake up full of energy every morning. But seeing Miss Little Sparrow is what really gets the blood pumping."
"Hey, don't dream of climbing trees too tall for you."
"What kind of lightning-bolt talk is that? Seeing Miss Little Sparrow just makes me want to protect her, and that's what gives me strength!"
"Huh? I feel the same. She's probably stronger than us now, and she'll only get stronger, but I still want to protect her. Weirdly, she feels like a little sister."
"Keep it to thoughts only. Don't say it out loud. The Iron Lion Sect folks are all good people, but there are lines we have to respect."
"Yeah, I know. Just talking among ourselves."
"If you're all awake, let's move."
At Jo Tak's words, those stretching and chatting broke off into groups and headed up the back mountain.
"Did you sleep well, miss?"
"Sleep well?"
Wi Hong and Yu Chil shouted loudly.
They arrived at the morning training grounds to find Little Sparrow already there.
"I told you not to shout so loud. Did you uncles sleep well?"
Little Sparrow greeted them, her face flushing red. Compared to her early days of shyness, staring only at the ground, she had changed a lot. Wi Hong and Yu Chil, being the same age, were so outgoing that she had quickly adapted under their influence.
"Today, I won't lose to you, miss!"
"I won't lose!"
Jo Gu and Kang Gae shouted, and everyone chimed in with their own declarations as they prepared to run.
"Brothers, we'll guard the miss's back."
Yu Chil and Wi Hong positioned themselves right behind Little Sparrow. Everyone accepted it as natural, no one saying a word. The sight of the three young ones was just too heartwarming.
With preparations complete, they all turned their heads to one side and waited.
About half an incense stick later, a booming voice echoed from afar.
"I am an Iron Lion! I will become an Iron Lion! Iron Mountain will become an Iron Lion!"
Iron Mountain came charging in, shaking the crisp morning air with his thunderous roar.
He was already drenched in sweat.
As always, he had come out first and started running. By the time everyone gathered, he had already completed three laps.
Sweat poured off him like rain, yet he showed no sign of fatigue as he sped past the group.
"Let's run hard today too!"
As Iron Mountain passed, Little Sparrow took off first, followed by the rest in sequence.
"Young Master Iron Mountain makes an excellent pacesetter. Things are going smoother than I could have hoped. At this rate, three or four months should suffice, not even six."
"Fill out the full six anyway."
It was a conversation between Mok Un-san and Do Cheon, who were watching the morning training.
"No need to waste money on that."
"What's a little expense for forging a good connection?"
"Thank you."
"Instructor Mok."
"Yes."
"You're searching for Mok family survivors?"
"Yes."
"Never thought of changing your approach?"
"Pardon?"
"Instead of wandering the world alone, why not make the scattered survivors come to you on their own?"
"I have."
"...?"
"Fierce beasts have ears too."
"Ah!"
He meant there was a risk of the fierce beasts learning that Mok clansmen were gathering. Do Cheon pondered briefly before speaking again.
"Wouldn't the main sect be safe?"
Mok Un-san turned to look.
"The Alliance Leader of the Great Righteous Alliance is staying here. He's away briefly now, but Heaven-Rending Legion Kang Yi-wi is here too. And so am I."
Mok Un-san looked somewhat surprised but soon shook his head.
"Those who dyed the Shansi Mok family in blood overnight... I don't want to bring harm."
"Understood."
Do Cheon pressed no further. It seemed Mok Un-san had his own firm policy.
Do Cheon fell silent.
Mok Un-san fell silent too. He was never one for many words. But as the silence stretched, he felt uneasy, as if it were his fault—like he had rejected the kindness too coldly.
"Once you reach the enlightenment realm, finding your own path becomes key, but for novices, diligent mastery is the only way. They'll enjoy training and grow diligent; if they keep at it without slacking like now, mastery will come naturally before they know it."
"I see."
Do Cheon nodded. Then he said no more. Mok Un-san had nothing left to say and closed his mouth. And so the two stood wordless for about an incense stick's time.
Everyone collapsed, soaked in sweat.
They lay spread-eagled on the cold ground, heaving ragged breaths.
"Hahaha! Tough! It's tough!"
Iron Mountain burst into laughter.
"What an idiot."
Little Sparrow glanced over and muttered. Though she wanted to lie down too, she held back, leaning against a tree with her upper body heaving as she panted.
Not a single one was the exception—everyone slumped or sprawled out. Only temporary head Jo Tak barely managed to stay on his feet.
"Aren't you pushing too hard?"
Do Cheon, approaching with Mok Un-san, scanned the group.
"Gotta push this hard for it to count as training."
Iron Mountain said from his sprawled position.
"That's right!"
"This is proper training!"
Several shouted amid the chorus as Jo Tak wobbled over on shaky legs.
"My apologies, Young Master. We'll rest a bit."
"Don't get up until you've caught your breath fully. And no talking."
Do Cheon addressed the group.
Everyone just grinned.
"Thank you."
Jo Tak bowed deeply.
Even as temporary, he was fulfilling his role as head.
"No needs at all? You're all working so hard, I want to do something for you."
"Monthly pay is double, meals are excellent, quarters are great. I worry asking for more might get us kicked out."
Jo Tak spoke sincerely.
"That means I expect a lot from you in return, so that's separate. What would be good?"
As Do Cheon pondered, Wi Hong suddenly sat up, bowed low, and shouted.
"We dare to make a request! Many saw Young Master fight Heaven-Rending Legion, but including me, many didn't!"
"...!"
As Do Cheon looked dumbfounded, more than half bolted upright, staring. No words needed—they shared the request.
"Show us once. The better the superiors' skills, the higher the loyalty."
Iron Mountain egged him on.
Do Cheon hesitated, then asked Iron Mountain,
"Even if I show Thunder Wall Fist, you won't get antsy to learn it fast?"
"Don't worry. I've got a big vessel."
Iron Mountain sat up. His breathing had mostly steadied.
With the mood set for Do Cheon to demonstrate Thunder Wall Fist, everyone rose and gathered. Little Sparrow peeled away from the tree, eyes on Do Cheon. Mok Un-san stepped aside from Do Cheon's side, clearing the space fully.
"Hm."
Do Cheon scanned the surroundings. They had all steadied their ragged breaths. That alone showed their hard work over the past days. He turned to Iron Mountain.
"I'll show you the form Mountain should claim one day."
"I'll watch with eyes wide open."
"Good."
Do Cheon nodded, took a few steps to position himself.
After regulating his breath briefly, he stomped forward powerfully with his right foot.
Boom!
The earth trembled.
The Iron Lion King's Thunder Wall Fist always came with such proud steps.
Thunderclap Step!
To unleash Thunder Wall Fist, the step itself must become thunder. No illusions in the thunderclap step—only straight, forceful advance.
Where vision moved, the body followed.
With steps that shook the earth fiercely.
Do Cheon, hands behind his back, moved swiftly amid the quakes.
It resembled the stride of a mighty overlord. One step covered ten-odd jang in an instant. Boom! The earth rang, and he had already traversed ten-odd jang. At one point, Do Cheon thrust out his right fist. Bluish thunder qi sparked on his fist, shooting straight like lightning as pale blue sword energy extended.
Bang!
A massive boulder shattered in one strike.
Awe and admiration lit the faces of the silent watchers. But what Do Cheon wanted to show Iron Mountain wasn't all.
Boom!
Do Cheon advanced another earth-shaking step.
At the spot clearest to Iron Mountain's eyes, he drew back his right fist fully. As Iron Mountain held his breath watching the bowstring-taut pull,
Do Cheon thrust his right fist forward with explosive power.
Kaboom!
Thunder force surged like rapids, devastating ahead.
Like a giant boulder rolling, the ground split open, ten-odd thick trees splintered at once, and the dense wooded terrain gaped open.
"...!"
Iron Mountain gawked, breathless.
'Thunder Wall Fist...!'
Far more powerful than his vague imaginings—several times over.
To think his Iron Lion Sect, his predecessor the Iron Lion King, wielded such might!
As Iron Mountain held his breath, Do Cheon straightened and turned.
"Eighty percent Thunder Wall Fist."
"Y-Yes?"
"Finishing it is your job."
"Mine?"
"Yes. You, Iron Mountain, must complete it. Only then will the Iron Lion King smile."
"The Iron Lion King..."
Iron Mountain muttered, eyes unblinking.
Do Cheon chuckled at him, then turned to Little Sparrow. She too stared wide-eyed, unable to hide her shock.
'You and Yeol are the issues.'
Understanding intellectually differed vastly from embodying it. He had mastered Iron Thunder Divine Art and Thunder Wall Fist himself, so teaching Iron Mountain was easy—and would remain so. But Nine Swords Emperor's Four Souls Nine Swords or Flying Swallow Immortals' Scattered Flowers Sword? He hadn't practiced them. Just skimmed the manuals. The Generation's Heavenly Demon's ultimate arts were so profound he grasped the principles roughly. But that was it—insufficient to teach. He felt it keenly teaching Yi Yeol and Little Sparrow lately. Before they advanced further, he needed deeper insight or a better master.
"Hm."
Do Cheon's worries deepened.
"Immortal Yun Yang didn't return to Wudang. Seems he's digging deeper."
Volcanic Divine Sword merely nodded at Ga Gyeom-chang's report.
"Alliance Leader."
"What can we do? Can't stop him."
"You'll lose the leadership."
"Doesn't matter."
"What of Young Master Do? If those who hate evil like Immortal Yun Yang learn of the Generation's Heavenly Demon's annex, disaster strikes."
"Likely."
"It'll reach the demonic paths in no time."
"Already a matter of time."
"You think we can't stop it?"
"That's my view."
"Then what?"
"Why do you think I'm staying here?"
"To protect Iron Lion Sect?"
"Right. To prevent Young Master Do from rash acts. But there's something weightier."
"To block demonic qi from reaching his marrow?"
"You believed that?"
"Isn't it?"
"No record of any Heavenly Demon in history succumbing to madness from demonic qi in their marrow."
"...!"
"Our righteous faction belittles Heavenly Demon arts as demonic, but demonkind calls them divine. There's reason for that."
"Then why?"
"To keep Young Master Do's character from changing."
"...!"
"Young Master Do's a fine man. With such power, yet no arrogance, no overconfidence—he even cares for Iron Lion Sect folk. If that heart, that kindness endures, he'll be a great bulwark against demonkind."
"You think he can face the Heavenly Demon?"
"Who knows? He doesn't speak of it. But even if not now, a few peaceful years like this will make him stronger, no?"
Ga Gyeom-chang finally grasped Volcanic Divine Sword's intent.
The Leader wanted to prevent Do Cheon from becoming a demonic outsider, buy time for him to become a master rivaling the Heavenly Demon. The best path for a Leader who couldn't kill him.
Volcanic Divine Sword nodded, and Ga Gyeom-chang pondered agreement. Suddenly, both heads turned outward.
"May I enter briefly?"
Do Cheon's voice came.
"Come in."
Volcanic Divine Sword permitted, and the door opened as Do Cheon entered.
"Hero Ga is here too."
"Something the matter?"
Ga Gyeom-chang asked.
Do Cheon turned to Volcanic Divine Sword to reply.
"I came to ask a favor of Alliance Leader."
"Of me?"
"Yes."
"Sit first."
Do Cheon sat where Volcanic Divine Sword indicated.
"Speak. What favor?"
Volcanic Divine Sword asked, curiosity plain. Do Cheon met his gaze squarely.
"Teach me the sword."
"The sword?"
"Yes. I know the basics roughly. To ascend realms, show me the sword's true path."
"Someone else? Since you say 'knows,' not you."
"My junior brother is learning Nine Swords Emperor's Four Souls Nine Swords."
"Four Souls Nine Swords? Ah, Young Master Yi Yeol."
"Yes."
"Can't you teach him? You have a master."
"I know only sword basics too. Master is versed in much, but not ascent arts."
"..."
Volcanic Divine Sword stared puzzled.
Even absolute masters didn't know all arts; possible to lack sword knowledge. His puzzlement stemmed from their relationship not being close enough for such requests.
'Not the brazen type... For his junior brother?'
Volcanic Divine Sword thought briefly.
Teaching sword was simple. No desire for payment. But couldn't just give freely. He gazed at Do Cheon steadily, then nodded.
"I'll do it. But don't expect too much. My sword won't match Nine Swords Emperor's."
"Just opening the path is enough. Thank you."
"Tell Young Master Yi Yeol to come anytime."
"I'll pass it on. Rest well."
Do Cheon bowed politely and withdrew. Ga Gyeom-chang drew close and said,
"Should've set conditions. Ask for a concession sometime..."
"Young Master Do's good folk. Now indebted greatly, he'll yield on his own."
Volcanic Divine Sword smiled.
No demand meant securing greater gain.