Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: There Were No Answers in the Books
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“Heading to the Divine Sword again today?”
Do Cheon asked, watching Yi Yeol hurry forward, eyes fixed ahead.
“Ah! Eldest senior brother!”
“On your way to the Divine Sword?”
“Yes.”
“You must be enjoying it.”
“I never knew training could be this enjoyable.”
“So, back when we trained together, it wasn't fun?”
“We were too young then.”
“Even so... those were the happiest times for me. Iron Mountain, with his sluggish movements; you, nimble but lacking power; and Little Sparrow over there, giggling while imitating her senior brothers. Being with you all was always a joy.”
“We'll be together from now on, right? That's why we need to get stronger as fast as possible.”
“True.”
“Then why the long face?”
“Just... jealous, I guess. You never had that look when you were learning from me.”
“Eldest senior brother... don't ever think about becoming a master anywhere else.”
Yi Yeol bowed his head and scurried off. A smile crept across his lips after landing that jab on Do Cheon. Watching his retreating figure, Do Cheon wore a similar smile.
“Good for him. He's enjoying it.”
It seemed the path ahead, once so daunting, was now clear. That must be why he looked so happy. Do Cheon smiled warmly as he went to find his master, Sa Jung-gyeong.
“Calling us both at once—must be something important?”
Sa Jung-gyeong asked.
Yeop Mun-wi stood beside him, face full of curiosity.
“I figured you two were ready enough now, so I wanted to see you.”
“Ready for what?”
“To inherit what the predecessors left behind.”
“...!”
“...?”
“I told you before, right? There was internal energy left by the predecessors, and absorbing it is how I got so strong.”
“Right, you did say that.”
“Truth is, I want to pass on what they left to you both.”
“...!”
“...!”
“It seems the predecessors studied martial arts together. Beyond your own energies, they left behind peerless internal forces. I grew strong so quickly thanks to that power, and I still have all seven portions intact.”
Do Cheon had no choice but to lie. He couldn't very well say he'd mastered the Generation's Heavenly Demon's ultimate arts.
“So Yi Yeol's sudden strength came from receiving the Nine Swords Emperor's energy?”
Yeop Mun-wi pieced it together and asked.
“Yes.”
At Do Cheon's answer, Yeop Mun-wi turned to Sa Jung-gyeong as if speechless for a moment. Sa Jung-gyeong stared at Do Cheon, his face even more shocked.
“Not just you two—of course the juniors will grow stronger too. In at most two years, the Iron Lion Sect will command the world.”
Yeop Mun-wi's face flushed with excitement at Do Cheon's words, his heart pounding. But Sa Jung-gyeong seemed more worried than thrilled.
“Finding the predecessors' ultimate arts is joy enough already.”
“I know.”
“Fortune and misfortune come hand in hand, as they say.”
“I understand your concern, Master. But this is all part of the predecessors' lingering wish. To pass on their arts and protect the Iron Lion Sect.”
“The predecessors' lingering wish...”
“Yes. How much they must have worried about future generations, sealed away in that cavern.”
“You're right! They must have!”
Sa Jung-gyeong sighed deeply.
He'd only thought of their own wishes, never considering the predecessors' worries—or the regrets that might have become grudges.
“Senior brother, let's make time soon to visit where they rest eternally. We can offer prayers, thanking them for changing our lives like this—tell them to rest in peace.”
“Yes, that would be good.”
Sa Jung-gyeong nodded.
Do Cheon breathed a sigh of relief that they didn't press for more details about the other energies.
“You'll give Little Sparrow the energy left by the Flying Swallow Immortal, then?”
“Yes.”
“Yi Yeol gets the Nine Swords Emperor's, so what about Iron Mountain?”
Sa Jung-gyeong asked.
“I plan to give him the energy from the third Iron Lion, the Divine Thunder General.”
“You've been teaching him the Thunder Wall Fist.”
“Yes.”
“Won't there be issues? Mixing heterogeneous internal energies in one body... Come to think of it, what happened to you is still hard to believe.”
It was common knowledge that one couldn't accumulate different types of internal energy in the same body. Sa Jung-gyeong's eyes widened in fresh shock at the reminder that Do Cheon held eight such energies.
“The art I cultivate is highly accommodating. It doesn't reject the others or try to absorb them—it simply holds them.”
“Truly astonishing.”
“Yes.”
“So no problems for Iron Mountain?”
“I'm sorry, Master, but Iron Mountain's foundation is still so weak.”
“True, that makes sense.”
In truth, the notion that heterogeneous energies couldn't coexist was incorrect. Everyone was born with countless innate energies—subtle forces tied directly or indirectly to physical changes and emotional fluctuations. They were too faint to call true internal energy, but in the broadest sense, they were.
Conflicts arose from limited space. Lower, middle, and upper dantians. Warriors typically built energy in the lower one. Rival energies vied for the same spot. Even in different spaces, clashes happened if their paths overlapped during circulation. But if housed separately and run on distinct paths, even opposing energies could coexist peacefully.
Thus, even basic martial principles were complex—internal energy cultivation demanded caution.
“Prepare yourselves.”
“Cheon-ah.”
“Yes.”
“Give the Iron Lion King's energy to Iron Mountain.”
“Master?”
Do Cheon was startled. Sa Jung-gyeong smiled gently at his reaction.
“Iron Mountain will stand by your side and handle great tasks ahead, won't he? Give it to him instead of me.”
“But the Iron Thunder Divine Art, paired with the Thunder Wall Fist, is the hallmark of the Iron Lion King's lineage.”
“What does it matter? Who's going to question it? Who would dare make an issue of Iron Lion Sect affairs? Junior brother, isn't that right?”
“Senior brother is correct. Cheon-ah, I'd like you to pass the Immortal Command to Young Ki. Our generation is content just finding the predecessors' arts. The glory of raising the sect and commanding the world—that's for you young ones. Right, senior brother?”
The Immortal Command was Yeop Mun-wi's unique art as the fourth Iron Lion, Successor of the Night.
“Junior brother is right. Our generation has done its duty raising these kids this far.”
“Indeed. You've done splendidly, senior brother.”
“You too, junior brother. Young Ki will achieve great things one day.”
“He will.”
The two chuckled in agreement, beaming with joy. How could they not be happy? Their third-rate, decayed sect had been revived. Lingering regrets transformed into joy, hope, and anticipation.
“Then at least take the energies from the third and seventh Iron Lions.”
Do Cheon knew his master's subtle stubbornness well and proposed an alternative without pushing further. But Sa Jung-gyeong shook his head.
“Lacking though I may be, I am the sect leader of the Iron Lion Sect. I intend to cultivate only the Iron Thunder Divine Art.”
He hovered between the third and fourth stages, but it was still the Iron Thunder Divine Art. Nothing else, no matter how powerful, was needed.
“That's exactly why, as sect leader...”
“Cheon-ah.”
“Yes.”
“I don't believe a leader needs strength to maintain dignity. When you all grow strong and command the world, who would dare belittle this master? And if they do—what of it? You're my disciples. That's enough for me. Besides, studying the Iron Lion King's arts satisfies me fully. Don't spoil my enjoyment—focus on your juniors.”
“Senior brother, bravo. How you always say such exemplary things. As your junior, I'm deeply moved.”
“You think the same, so you say it.”
“Of course.”
The two laughed, gazing at each other. Refusing even an ounce for themselves, all for their disciples—how admirable. Do Cheon could only bow his head, etching their selfless hearts into his own.
“Cheon-ah.”
“Yes.”
“I couldn't teach you great martial arts. But I did teach you how to live as a true human, and what the Iron Lion Sect truly means. I take pride in that. Isn't that right?”
“Yes.”
“Then that's enough. Have the successors of the third and seventh Iron Lions receive their energies. If none are found, seek those worthy to carry their lineages.”
“I will.”
“No more to say, then? Go do what you must. We'll continue our studies.”
Do Cheon bowed deeply and withdrew.
Sa Jung-gyeong and Yeop Mun-wi smiled contentedly until his presence faded into the distance.
“When did he grow so much?”
“Indeed. It feels like just yesterday he was running wild like a heavenly scourge, always worrying us.”
“He was always like that. Wanted to cut loose, but held back to protect his juniors and the sect. Now he doesn't need to—it's a huge relief.”
Sa Jung-gyeong's eyes grew misty.
“Elder Ong sent word urgently. The bait's been taken—he says Young Master Do must move quickly.”
The messenger from Man Gwa-hae delivered the news.
Do Cheon sent him back and headed to Byeon Ryeo-gun's quarters. But the door was shut.
He hesitated briefly, then turned away.
Striding quickly out the Iron Lion Sect's main gate, he spotted Heaven-Rending Legion Kang Yi-wi approaching from the opposite direction.
“Where are you wandering off to?”
“Got some business for a day or two.”
“Then take the girl with you.”
“Byun the Maiden doesn't seem up for it.”
“What's wrong?”
“Everyone has personal matters. It's urgent—I'll be off.”
“Take Bloodlight Temple at least!”
“I'll explain when I return—just don't tail me.”
He seemed to walk briskly, but Do Cheon vanished in an instant. Even with Bloodlight Temple, they couldn't keep up.
Kang Yi-wi stared after him a moment, then headed into the Iron Lion Sect.
Byeon Ryeo-gun's quarters.
The door burst open suddenly.
Byeon Ryeo-gun rose from her chair without surprise. She'd sensed his savage aura approaching from afar.
“You're back.”
Kang Yi-wi didn't reply at first, eyeing the table where she'd sat. Stacks of books lay there—a sign her mind was in turmoil, whatever the reason.
“Righteous faction fools—when troubled, their asses get heavy first. Then their heads spin, and they bury themselves in books like you. Pathetic!”
“...”
“Demonic path is different. Trouble? Smash it without hesitation. Charge straight ahead. But now, at my age, I see I was wrong. Watching my disciple and daughter... I was dead wrong. Demonic and righteous both. When facing a dilemma, don't smash blindly or brood endlessly like you. Stand before it and confront it head-on: figure out what must be done.”
“...!”
“Ran into that irritating brat on the way back—too busy for talk. When he returns, tell him this: I caught the daughter but lost the second one. Got Hell Demon Realm back, but seems he's memorized it. His grudge is alive—who knows what he'll do. I'll head to Tyrant Emperor Sect to hunt him more. Tell him that. And the eldest stays here—lock him up or make him useful, your call. This... is my request.”
“...!”
Byeon Ryeo-gun was shocked twice.
First, that he admitted his own error. Second, that he made a request.
“Your master was too insular. You seemed different...”
“You knew my master?”
“World seems vast endlessly, but scramble around fighting, and living spaces overlap—you'd be surprised.”
“I see.”
“Knowledge comes from books, maybe. But answers to living? Never in the pages.”
“Thank you.”
She bowed her head deeply.
Kang Yi-wi eyed her complexly, then turned.
“Heading straight to Tyrant Emperor Sect. Tell the Divine Sword too.”
He'd stormed in abruptly, offered mature counsel like an adult, and vanished like the wind.
Byeon Ryeo-gun turned, a mix of bewilderment and gratitude swelling. On the table sat the books she'd pored over for days.
He's right. There were no answers in the books.
Anhui Province, Dongneung.
In the pitch-black night, masked figures appeared like the wind at a half-ruined shrine on a wild hill. Two tossed the people slung over their shoulders beside the campfire like baggage.
“This old man's Ong Jung-seo.”
“This woman's the one Master Gu requested.”
“Leave the woman there—drag Ong Jung-seo here.”
“Understood.”
The masked man dragged the tightly bound Ong Jung-seo by the legs into the shrine's deep shadows.
“Remove the gag.”
A heavy command echoed from the darkness. The masked man pulled the cloth from Ong Jung-seo's mouth.
“Ong Jung-seo, I hate talkative types. Answer truthfully, and I'll release you here.”
“Yes. I asked around about the Black Night Heaven, and Iron Lion Sect's Iron Divine Dragon ordered it. He said it was because the previous message wasn't followed. He's here now—so release me and talk to him.”
Ong Jung-seo blurted it out before even asked.
The masked figures tensed, scanning everywhere. From the shadows emerged a hulking man, growling like an excited beast.
“Puhehehe! He's here? Perfect. Now I can easily claim the Iron Lion Sect's ultimate arts.”