Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Black Night Heaven Lord
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The campfire's glow illuminated a massive man. Towering two heads taller than an average adult, with a bear-like bulk, he looked utterly out of place in an assassin sect. Yet the ferocious aura pouring from him was truly formidable, enough to make even Elder Ong shiver.
"Great Heavenly Blood Bear?"
"Shut your trap, old man! I'll deal with you after I grind that Iron Divine Dragon twig to dust. Iron Divine Dragon! Show yourself!"
The Great Heavenly Blood Bear bellowed, scanning his surroundings.
The very air hummed with tension.
Just then, a fierce wind howled from about forty zhang away—over a hundred meters. In an instant, a figure burst through the darkness, appearing before everyone's eyes.
It was Do Cheon.
"You had some kind of plan, but broadcasting it like that? Where's the subtlety?"
Do Cheon frowned at Elder Ong.
"We have to prepare for things going wrong, don't we? Untie me first."
"Think the Great Heavenly Blood Bear will allow that?"
"Keep this up, and I won't help you next time. Ever."
"Can't have that."
Do Cheon strode toward Elder Ong. In that moment, something flew through the air and slammed into the ground between them.
Boom!
It was a shattered pillar from the ruined shrine.
"The Heaven-Rending Legion's playing games, so you've lost all fear?"
The Great Heavenly Blood Bear roared and advanced with heavy steps.
As Do Cheon slowly turned, the Blood Bear kicked off the ground and leaped high into the air. He raised his clasped fists overhead—a technique known as Heaven Collapse Frenzy Strike, said to pulverize even massive boulders in one blow.
Do Cheon, half-turned, extended his hand.
The moment his palm touched the broken pillar the Blood Bear had hurled, an overwhelming surge of energy erupted from Do Cheon.
Time itself seemed to halt; everything around slowed to a crawl. Do Cheon yanked the pillar free and swung it mercilessly.
The Blood Bear's eyes widened in shock. Before they could fully bulge, the pillar smashed into his torso.
Kwang!
The Great Heavenly Blood Bear flew backward.
Far, so very far—vanishing into the darkness in an instant. Only after a long moment came the distant crash of him slamming into something.
Do Cheon tossed the pillar aside, and the compressed air returned to normal.
The masked assassins faltered in confusion.
At that moment, a horn sounded from somewhere, and the masked figures fled in a panic.
Do Cheon ignored them, approaching Elder Ong and untying his bonds.
"That Great Heavenly Blood Bear? Something's gotta be shattered good now. Feels damn refreshing! This is why I follow you, Young Master Do. Heh heh heh!"
Elder Ong laughed with delight.
Do Cheon watched him for a moment, then glanced down beside him.
"Ah, this woman—she's the one that Gu-something-or-other commissioned to be kidnapped."
Elder Ong crouched and untied her.
The woman shrank back, eyes darting fearfully between the two men.
"No need to be scared. We're strangers to that Gu fellow, so no reason to harm you."
Elder Ong tried to soothe her.
But she trembled, huddling tighter in terror.
Do Cheon chuckled at the sight.
"How do you expect to learn anything like that? Just ask her. Looks honest enough—can't lie to save her life."
"What're you on about?"
Elder Ong turned to Do Cheon.
Do Cheon just smiled at the woman.
A strange feeling creeping in, Elder Ong faced her—only for her to stand up.
"How'd you know?"
"Someone shaking in genuine fear wouldn't have such a steady heartbeat."
"Sigh. Guess I'll have to fake a racing pulse next time."
The woman—Geum Chae—let out a long sigh. Elder Ong edged subtly away toward Do Cheon.
"Poisoned with Seven Treasures Soul-Scattering Powder and still walking around? Didn't peg you for such steel nerves, Elder Ong."
The words hit like midnight thunder. Elder Ong froze, eyes bulging.
"Wh-when?"
"Trade secret. Can't just spill it."
Geum Chae shifted her gaze from Elder Ong to Do Cheon. After a brief sigh-filled stare, she walked to the discarded pillar, hoisted it effortlessly, set it by the campfire, and sat atop it. Do Cheon, watching, settled beside her.
"Got a death wish? You know who I am and still let your guard down? Oh, wait—I'm way older, so casual speech is fine, right? Not that I'd stop even if you told me to, so don't get mad over that."
"You're the Black Night Heaven Lord, aren't you?"
"Think not?"
"Would be nice if you were."
"Why?"
"No need for the hassle of hunting you down."
"Wasn't Elder Ong handling the search?"
"Waiting around's a pain too. Why didn't you show? My threats that laughable?"
"Figured you were just talking big."
"To the assassins trying to kill us? Empty words?"
"Huh. Makes sense now."
Geum Chae stared into the fire, acting nonchalant. Lord or not, her composure was ironclad.
"What'll it take? I'm brimming with power—how should I make you think, 'Oh, I should've come sooner!'?"
"Threats?"
"Think not?"
The two sat side by side, gazing ahead without looking at each other, conversing like that.
Elder Ong finally couldn't hold back.
"Young Master Do! How about dealing with me first? After all I've done for you—how long you gonna leave me like this?!"
"Elder Ong, head back and rest first."
"You heard about the Seven Treasures Soul-Scattering Powder! I've already taken four steps!"
Elder Ong shouted gravely. Do Cheon shook his head and asked Geum Chae,
"Move seven steps and you die from the poison?"
"Ridiculous. No such toxin exists."
At her answer, Do Cheon yelled at Elder Ong,
"Hear that?"
"Then what's Seven Treasures Soul-Scattering Powder?"
"Fear and the right rumors birthing a mind poison."
"...!"
Elder Ong stood stunned for a while, then slowly stepped forward. He tensed mightily on the seventh step, but nothing happened.
"You bastard! You tricked me!"
As Elder Ong raged, Geum Chae spoke.
"Want to hide forever?"
"...!"
"Not a word about Seven Treasures Soul-Scattering Powder. You're a legend among thieves, Elder Ong, but you're still just one man. And don't think for a second we bought your 'willing capture' act."
"You knew everything?"
"First time something like this?"
"..."
Elder Ong's face twisted.
Reading his mood, Do Cheon said,
"It all worked out how we wanted anyway."
"Not much comfort."
"If I hadn't noticed, this lady would've kept up the act forever."
"True! We weren't the only fools."
Elder Ong's expression eased.
"Got it? Now go rest."
"Alone?"
"Yeah."
"What're you two planning in the dead of night?"
Elder Ong asked with a suggestive look.
"Dozens of assassins watching from afar—what could we do?"
"...!"
Elder Ong whipped around, startled. But he sensed no assassins.
"She's really the Lord—brought elite guards!"
He glanced at Geum Chae, veiled fear in his eyes.
Geum Chae then said,
"Turn and run straight—they won't touch you."
"Young Master Do, I'll head back to Iron Lion Sect first."
"Go."
Elder Ong crouched low and vanished into the darkness like a scurrying rat. Silence fell briefly after he left.
The two sat by the fire, pondering how to proceed.
"Assassins really out there?"
Geum Chae asked.
"One over there. Not yours?"
She didn't reply. Do Cheon knew that silence was answer enough.
He found his opening.
"That seal on you—I think I can break it. What do you say?"
Geum Chae whipped around.
"Which seal?"
"The one near your heart."
"...!"
Her eyes widened.
"Whoever did it—nasty piece of work. Planting foreign energy so close to the heart."
"You really saw it?"
"Told you, I don't lie."
"Equals with Heaven-Rending Legion for real. He wasn't holding back. Right?"
Geum Chae's face flushed with excitement.
"Only he knows. Anyway, now we can talk business. Want me to remove the seal first?"
"You can definitely do it?"
"Might hurt, some aftereffects—who knows. But I can remove it."
"Good. That's settled."
"...!"
"What's your price? Mine's breaking this seal. Name it—as long as it's not Black Night Heaven itself."
Geum Chae's eyes blazed as she stared at Do Cheon, her firelit face aglow.
"Trust."
"Feel like I've given that already."
"Not lip service—real trust. The kind we exchange."
A profoundly loaded statement.
Geum Chae stared piercingly, gauging his sincerity.
Suddenly, something cold settled on her nose. Eyes widening, she looked up. Countless flecks pierced the darkness, blanketing her face.
"Snow! Let's table the heavy talk for now!"
Her face lit up.
Do Cheon followed her gaze. The first snow poured through the night. A soft smile touched his lips.
Anhui Province, Hefei, Geum Chae's stronghold.
An old man waited underground as Geum Chae returned.
"How'd it go?"
"You already got the full report."
"I'm asking about your fireside chat."
"Iron Divine Dragon wants information."
"What kind?"
"He wants to venture into the world—using our intel network. First up: info on Golden Flower."
"His offer?"
"Anything his power can handle, he'll do."
"What'd you say?"
"Agreed. It's beyond what I can refuse—thoughts?"
"Obviously, let him have it. Report whatever he asks for."
"Got it."
As Geum Chae answered, the old man extended his hand.
"Give me your hand."
She frowned instantly.
He stared silently until she reluctantly offered it. Grasping her wrist, he infused his energy, probing her body.
Moments later, satisfied his implanted inner force remained intact, he released her.
"As long as you don't exceed sixty percent of your power, the divine art won't trigger."
"Have to. Replacing a Heaven Lord takes time."
"A few months, at most."
"Even those months matter to you old folks."
"Enough. Not arguing with you."
Geum Chae's lips pressed shut after that.
Iron Lion Sect.
Do Cheon sought Elder Ong immediately upon return.
"Here to give me more work?"
"Follow me. Quick."
At Do Cheon's urging, Elder Ong followed silently.
Do Cheon led him to the underground training chamber—where the Wise King hung suspended by iron chains.
"Feels more ominous than exciting..."
Elder Ong muttered, watching Do Cheon free the Wise King.
"Elder Ong."
"Yes?"
"I'm going to implant part of my energy in you."
Elder Ong recoiled warily. Do Cheon quickly added,
"Listen: the Wise King doesn't attack those with my energy. He protects them."
"So if you put it in me, he'll guard me?"
"Exactly."
Do Cheon grinned brightly.
It had hit him upon spotting the seal in Geum Chae's body. How stupid he'd been—no thought to infuse human bodies, despite doing it with glowstones.
"Won't it wreck my body? Foreign energies clash and devour each other..."
"Don't worry. This energy's highly compatible. And if issues arise, I'll just remove it."
"Still..."
"Don't trust me?"
"I trust you, Young Master Do. But the world's full of what-ifs."
"Fine. We'll use someone else. You can go."
"Who?"
"Plenty of people, even if less trustworthy. Don't worry about it."
Mention of trust rooted Elder Ong in place.
"Really okay?"
"My body holds seven kinds of energy now. Eight before, but one found its match. No issues—the compatible one embraces them all."
"...!"
Absurd.
Seven energies in one body!
Yet undeniable—coming from Iron Divine Dragon Do Cheon.
Elder Ong pondered.
The old him would've scoffed. Now, he weighed it seriously. Skipping this felt like becoming a mere spectator henceforth.
"Truly safe?"
"I wouldn't suggest it if it could hurt you."
Do Cheon's firm reply drew a deep breath from Elder Ong as he approached.
"Alright. I trust you—let's do it."
"Thanks."
Do Cheon turned him around, palming his back.
The Generation's Heavenly Demon energy.
Known as the world's most malevolent, yet truly akin to nature's most embracing force.
Do Cheon channeled it into Elder Ong, wrapping it around his heart just as he'd examined in Geum Chae—with her permission, he'd mapped it perfectly.
The invading energy was aggressively rejecting, but Do Cheon's was all-encompassing. Elder Ong's own dantian energy stirred briefly, then quieted.
Finally, Do Cheon withdrew his hand.
"Feel okay?"
"Yeah... no problems."
Do Cheon stepped back, retracting his circulating energy.
That instant—
Shiiiaak!
A massive blade plummeted toward Do Cheon's head. The Wise King attacked.
Do Cheon leaped away.
The Wise King pursued relentlessly, swinging his crescent blade. As Do Cheon circulated his power again, the Wise King halted abruptly, turning toward Elder Ong.
"...?"
Elder Ong's eyes widened in tension.
The Wise King froze. Despite stronger traces of Do Cheon's energy on Do Cheon himself, he attacked neither.
Do Cheon lit up triumphantly.
"It worked! We finally found a way!"