Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: The Art of Escape
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Sa Jung-gyeong readily agreed to Do Cheon's request to appoint Ong Jung-seo as a protector. He gathered everyone, had Ong Jung-seo brought in, and declared him protector on the spot.
"Ong Protector, please help this kid out a lot. As you know, your master here is sorely lacking, so he's just cheering from the sidelines."
"A commander's soldiers match their leader. But a commander doesn't necessarily mean unmatched in martial prowess. Hierarchy and ironclad rules come first. The Iron Lion Sect has its own code, and the young sect leader upholds it perfectly under the sect leader's guidance. If anything, it's a case of like master, like disciple."
"Hahaha! Protector Ong, you're gilding my face. I know it's not true, but it makes me endlessly happy."
Sa Jung-gyeong laughed heartily. Watching this, Ong Jung-seo waited a moment before bowing and speaking.
"In the past, I mocked the world and sowed chaos. Now that the Iron Lion Sect has accepted me, I'll use every skill I have to ensure the path you're treading with your sect leader and brothers remains unthreatened."
His sincerity shone through, filling Sa Jung-gyeong's face with satisfaction as he gazed at Ong Jung-seo.
"Ong Protector. When the day comes that even moving becomes a struggle, let's look back on those days together with smiles."
"That day will surely come."
"It must. Cheon-ah, I can't let today pass without a drink, humble as it may be."
"Yes, I'll have them prepare in the kitchen hall."
Do Cheon stepped out briefly, and Ong Jung-seo exchanged greetings with Yeop Mun-wi and the other Iron Lion Sect disciples. In his heart, curiosity and interest welled up.
'These kids aren't even worthy of being called lions yet... I wonder if they'll one day command the world!'
Yi Yeol's proficiency in the Death Soul Nine Swords was surging rapidly.
This was beyond even Do Cheon's expectations. It couldn't be explained solely by the teachings of the Volcanic Divine Sword Yi Jo-yang, whose swordsmanship had reached the pinnacle.
The inner energy left by the Nine Sword Sovereign.
The Death Soul Absolute Power! That was the reason.
For ages, this energy had manifested the Death Soul Nine Swords' sword path within the Nine Sword Sovereign's body. When it first settled into Yi Yeol's flesh, it couldn't even move properly due to his cramped lower dantian and underdeveloped meridians. But as Yi Yeol began learning from the Volcanic Divine Sword and grasping the Death Soul Nine Swords' sword intent, the Death Soul Absolute Power started to stir.
As fiercely as it had reflexively burst from the lower dantian and coursed through the Nine Sword Sovereign's meridians, it now did the same in Yi Yeol. Thus, the true power of the Death Soul Nine Swords began infusing his blade.
With the Death Soul Absolute Power thriving and his own sword path and energy sharpening viciously, Yi Yeol's enlightenment in the Death Soul Nine Swords advanced at an astonishing pace—an ideal cycle.
Ten days after Yi Yeol began training under the Volcanic Divine Sword.
The Volcanic Divine Sword summoned Do Cheon and informed him there was nothing more to teach Yi Yeol. It was time for the next stage.
Do Cheon realized this next stage was something an outsider like the Volcanic Divine Sword couldn't touch.
"I thought it'd take two months or so... Did I misjudge Yeol?"
In Do Cheon's mind, Yi Yeol was sharp-headed. But his body couldn't keep up with that intellect. That's why he'd estimated two months. Learning from the Volcanic Divine Sword required more brains than brawn. He'd judged coldly, yet even that was off.
"I need to check it out."
"Check what?"
Ong Jung-seo, who'd been shadowing him, appeared and asked.
"Yeol."
"Why the young master?"
"To see how strong he's gotten."
"What, did he awaken some great power in the meantime?"
"Looks like it."
"...!"
Do Cheon hurried off to find Yi Yeol, leaving the stunned Ong Jung-seo behind. Shaking off his shock, Ong Jung-seo quickly followed.
The training ground where Yi Yeol practiced alone.
"I heard from the Volcanic Divine Sword."
"I don't get it myself. I have improved, but he says there's nothing left to teach... It's bewildering."
"Let's test it."
"Pardon?"
"Show me everything you've got."
"Is that okay?"
Yi Yeol asked in surprise. Lately, the sword energy in his blade had been unnaturally fierce.
"Do you not know your eldest senior brother can measure swords even with Heaven-Rending Legion? Or do you think the Iron Lion King falls short of the Nine Sword Sovereign?"
"Ah!"
"No need to worry about hurting me. Go all out. I need to gauge your level to prepare the next step."
Understanding Do Cheon's intent, Yi Yeol gripped his sword tightly.
"Please, Eldest Senior Brother!"
"Yes, show me your progress!"
The two took three steps apart and faced off.
The Death Soul Nine Swords of the Nine Sword Sovereign!
They say nine strikes can cleave through hell's demon soldiers and even sever Yama King's neck. The power backing that arrogant confidence is the Death Soul Absolute Power.
A sword of death?
A sword that slices even the dead?
The answer is both.
The Death Soul Absolute Power reaches even the realm of the dead, so a fully charged Death Soul Nine Swords leaves nothing uncut.
Slash—whoosh!
A ferocious sword slashed through the air. A ferocity unseen in the old Yi Yeol.
'Good!'
Do Cheon extended his hand to block.
Clang!
Sword met palm, yet it rang like metal, bouncing Yi Yeol's blade away. Yi Yeol stared in shock at Do Cheon's unscratched palm.
"Don't get distracted even against foes!"
Do Cheon scolded, his voice booming. Not a drop of blood or scratch on his palm. Relieved, Yi Yeol swung again. A storm of strikes. Do Cheon blocked every one with his palm alone. To Yi Yeol, it felt like an iron wall. But that security let him unleash everything.
Fifteen minutes!
That's how long it took for Yi Yeol to tire.
"Huff! Huff!"
Bent double, gasping. Do Cheon smiled gladly at him.
"You're still far from earning the Nine Sword Sovereign's approval. But you're on the right track."
"Really?"
Yi Yeol lifted his head, face alight with uncontained joy.
"The Death Soul Absolute Power looks vigorous. Much more than when I first gave it to you. I suspect you might grow far beyond my expectations."
"...!"
"Martial arts are inscrutable like this. Your body clearly had limits before. But now? It's completely different. Whether thanks to the Death Soul Absolute Power or your zeal, it's a good sign. Keep it up, and you'll satisfy even yourself one day."
"Thank you."
With his breathing steadying, Yi Yeol straightened, beaming. Do Cheon noted again how Yi Yeol's body was improving.
'The energy is even reshaping his constitution.'
A fine development. Transforming into a body fit for the Death Soul Absolute Power and Nine Swords. No need for bone-shattering rebirth miracles. Mastery of one's arts suffices.
"Keep training like this for now. I'll find a method suited to you."
"Understood."
As Yi Yeol replied, Ong Jung-seo approached, having watched their spar to the end.
"Looks like this young master needs training akin to real combat."
Ong Jung-seo was right. Yi Yeol now needed repeated sessions pouring out all he'd achieved, like just now with Do Cheon. To grow accustomed through the process. Real-combat drills to self-diagnose lacks and needs. It meant a top expert like Do Cheon at his side daily. But he couldn't ask the Volcanic Divine Sword, nor tie himself down, so he'd been pondering solutions. Ong Jung-seo's input suggested he had ideas.
A wanderer who'd roamed the world—what sights, tales, and trials he must hold.
"Looks like I'll need Protector Ong's help."
Ong Jung-seo grinned at Do Cheon's words.
"Young Sect Leader, the sect has someone who'll spar endlessly without tiring, if you want."
"Endlessly without tiring...!"
Do Cheon looked stricken.
Ong Jung-seo chuckled amusedly.
The Wise King.
Prime servant of the Generation's Heavenly Demon—his prowess unquestioned, verified against Heaven-Rending Legion. The issue: mindless corpse puppet. Do Cheon had planned to use its grand spell only for sect defense. But Ong Jung-seo proposed another use.
A training partner surpassing real battle.
Why hadn't he thought of it?
A treasure no faction possessed.
Only issue: too dangerous.
"Too risky for Yeol's level."
"Shouldn't we see just how dangerous? Then we can devise safeguards."
Was Ong Jung-seo always this wise?
No surprise. It hadn't concerned him before, so he'd stayed silent.
How to explain the Wise King corpse to Yi Yeol?
Explanation first. Luckily, Ong Jung-seo had a handy cover.
"This corpse was a gift from Protector Ong's younger brother, the Corpse Leader. Dug from an ancient tomb, they say, with its lifetime prowess intact—quite perilous."
"Then shouldn't it stay out of the sect? Ah, sorry, Protector."
"No offense. It's a valid worry; it is dangerous."
Yi Yeol bowed apologetically; Ong Jung-seo smiled reassuringly.
"The Corpse Leader also taught how to control it," Do Cheon said.
"How?"
"Remember when I implanted my energy in Master, Martial Uncle, and you all to block external intrusion?"
"Yes."
"Anyone with that energy, this corpse won't attack."
"Pardon?"
"Not just you all—I've secretly infused it into every sect member and warrior."
"All for this corpse?"
"Yes. Needed a guardian for when I'm away."
"...!"
Yi Yeol floundered between absurdity and awe.
Ong Jung-seo interjected before panic deepened.
"Anyway, its grand spell protects those with that specific energy. It attacks anyone lacking it, but stops if they're eight jang (about 25 meters) away—or rather, if the protected energy is that far."
"So if someone without it were here now, it'd attack?"
"Exactly."
"Remove it from me, and it'd come after me?"
"Precisely."
Yi Yeol grasped the key instantly.
"Want to try?" Do Cheon asked.
Yi Yeol didn't hesitate.
"Yes. I want to."
Bam!
Yi Yeol flew back like split firewood.
From one strike of the Wise King.
Do Cheon caught him and immediately infused his energy. The charging Wise King halted abruptly.
"Fiercely... strong..."
Yi Yeol clutched his chest, speaking laboredly.
"Circulate your energy first."
Do Cheon seated him properly and stepped back. Yi Yeol began healing his internal injuries. Watching, Ong Jung-seo approached.
"Still too much for him."
"He needs to learn evasion too."
"Keep going?"
Ong Jung-seo stared, surprised at Do Cheon's changed stance.
"What do you think, Protector Ong?"
Ong Jung-seo paused thoughtfully.
One strike's defeat, but as Do Cheon said, evasion was essential. Jianghu travels bring clashes with superiors.
He eyed the meditating Yi Yeol.
Do Cheon, the great disciple; Yi Yeol here; all good kids. No pretense in how they treated a mere thief like him. Accepting him as protector, they treated him like an elder. How could he stand idle?
"If he masters fleeing eight jang away, he can handle it alone."
"Fleeing?"
"Footwork, I mean."
"The sect has no such technique... You'll teach him, Protector?"
"Of course. They're the sect's future."
Do Cheon looked; Ong Jung-seo smiled warmly, pleased.
They adjusted Yi Yeol's training.
Besides solo sword practice, he learned footwork—taught by Ong Jung-seo.
Feeling lighter, Do Cheon headed to Iron Mountain. Martial training demands endless patience. He checked periodically for wavering resolve. But someone suddenly blocked his path.
"Busy?"
"Time for Celestial Insight Maiden is always free."
"...!"
Byeon Ryeo-gun fell silent briefly.
Do Cheon eyed the gaze through her veil. More stable than days ago. But then she said something out of left field.
"Heaven-Rending Legion says my master was too reclusive, but that's not entirely true."
"...!"
"She never missed the Eight Gates Alliance gatherings."
"Eight Gates Alliance?"
"The Eight Mystic Sects meeting."
"Eight Mystic Sects? Such a thing exists? Ah, sorry. I avoided the martial world out of self-loathing, ignoring it on purpose. I only know famous ones like Shaolin, Wudang, Volcanic. Just learned White Sword Sect's Baek Clan is one of the Five Great Clans, incomparable to them."
Do Cheon flushed, fearing offense. Byeon Ryeo-gun seemed unconcerned.
"Every winter, Master took me to the Eight Gates Alliance. She founded it, said we must never miss... But since she passed, I haven't gone once in two years. This year, I want to."
"...!"
Do Cheon felt struck in the back of the head.
He'd just learned her master had died. He'd known nothing about her. Never asked. Just waited, as if entitled. Arrogant. He'd been arrogant to her.
Do Cheon exhaled heavily.
"Let me escort you there."
"...?"
"Please."
The least apology he could offer now.
He awaited her reply. But couldn't hear it.
"Young Lord!"
Someone calling him. Turning, Wi Hong ran up panting.
"What's wrong?"
"A Sky-Spanning Gang member urgently says to tell you: their gang leader's been captured. Hurry with the message..."
"Where is he?"
"Guest hall."
"Maiden Byeon, let's pause our talk. Alright?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun nodded. Do Cheon gave an apologetic look and headed to the guest hall. But she followed.
"I'll come too."
"...?"
"Great Righteous Alliance Leader and Heaven-Rending Legion entrusted me with something."