Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Did He Awaken His Absolute Art?
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A chilly wind blew through the early morning as a single carriage waited at the main gate of the Iron Lion Sect. About an incense stick's time later, the gates creaked open, and Do Cheon emerged alongside Byeon Ryeo-gun. Chief Steward Seo had come out to see them off.
"What are you doing, following us all the way out here?"
"It's only natural when the young sect leader is heading off on a long journey."
"It's excessive courtesy."
"I understand. Still, it must be done. While we're on the topic, please don't be so kind to the sect's juniors. Even if your heart inclines that way, a bit of sternness is proper. Discipline and rules stand firm under strictness."
"I get what you're saying, but I'm not a kind person."
"Whenever you pass through the sect, you always greet the juniors first and ask after their well-being."
"That's just because I've only been here a few months, so I was curious if they were doing well."
"Even if that's your intent, you shouldn't. Young Master Iron Mountain hangs out with the sect warriors like old drinking buddies when not training, Lady Little Sparrow bathes with her maids, snacks with them, and chats away. Only Young Master Yi Yeol is doing it right."
"Iron Mountain's group came from that kind of rough background, so that's expected. How do you even know about Little Sparrow bathing with them? Did you peep?"
"That's an unseemly joke, young sect leader."
"Sorry. I get your point, but if you want me to change, talk to Master. He'll probably disagree anyway."
"Sigh. The sect leader drinks with Elder Yeop and the kitchen staff in the kitchen hall. Young Master Yi Yeol ignores everything but martial training, so you're the only one left to set things straight."
"That's exactly my point. Master and Martial Uncle are finally enjoying life after so long. So what if there's a little excess courtesy? You keep watch—if anyone strays from discipline or rules, reprimand them. If you're too busy alone, appoint a deputy steward."
"That's unnecessary expense."
"Then handle it yourself, Chief Steward."
"Sigh, understod. No major issues yet, so I'll observe for now."
"Good. When something feels off, gather them all and deliver a dignified word. You have the status and authority for it."
"Understood."
Chief Steward Seo bowed helplessly, and Do Cheon swept his gaze over the avenue leading to the Iron Lion Sect's main gate. Construction to wrap up the year before the real cold set in was in full swing.
"Did you meet the Sky-Spanning Gang leader?"
"Yes, he visited yesterday."
"Since we need to boost revenue on this street too, discuss it with him and figure out what shops would work best."
"I'll do that."
"Chief Steward."
"Yes."
"We've just been living on this vast plot—we don't know what a major sect needs. You'll have to teach and provide those things. As for discipline and rules, those come down to people's hearts. If your heart is upright, everyone will follow suit. I certainly will."
Do Cheon smiled warmly.
Chief Steward Seo could say nothing, merely bowing respectfully.
"Alright, this is far enough. We'll be back in about ten days. See you then."
"Safe travels. Safe travels to Lady Byeon as well."
"Yes, see you when we return."
After their farewells, Do Cheon turned to the coachman.
"New coachman?"
"Old Yang caught a cold, so this humble one is filling in. If I'm not to your liking, I'll fetch another right away."
The coachman in his fifties bowed and scraped, eyeing Do Cheon carefully.
"You know the conditions I set?"
"Yes, sir. Go when told to go, stop when told to stop."
"Familiar with the route?"
"Heard it's Nine Flowers Mountain in Anhui Province. Following the Yangtze, it's straightforward—I'm familiar with it already, but I studied the map thoroughly just in case."
Satisfied, Do Cheon opened the carriage door and glanced at Byeon Ryeo-gun.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
As Do Cheon and Byeon Ryeo-gun boarded, the carriage slowly rolled forward.
"The carriage has departed. The coachman held the whip in his left hand."
"So they haven't noticed anything unusual?"
"Composed of the finest experts. It'd be stranger if they did."
"Then in three days they'll arrive— no issues with preparations?"
"Replaced everyone from errand boys to kitchen staff with our own people. By arrival, half the seats will be filled, all ours. No knowing where they'll sit, so every empty cup will have Scattering Qi Poison applied. Even if they skip tea, it'll be on the chopsticks—they can't avoid it."
"If the poison's onset is delayed?"
"That's why we have the Shadowless Hall. The moment poisoning's confirmed, our experts will web it off so they can't twitch. And the Shadowless Hall is coated with a full-body paralyzing deadly poison."
"No chance they'll break through to the Shadowless Hall? He's on par with Heaven-Rending Legion Kang Yi-wi, right?"
"Not ordinary Scattering Qi Poison—it's Despair variant. If they don't get poisoned, maybe, but once they do, no one breaks through to the Shadowless Hall. Not even Heaven-Rending Legion. Plus, it's coated with Yin-Yang Temple's deadly poison—no need for sect leader, me, or the Twelve Killers to step in."
"Yin-Yang Temple poison? If he dies, how do we extract the Iron Lions' absolute arts?"
"A master who rivals Heaven-Rending Legion won't die easily. He'll just lose his qi and be unable to move. We have Vitality Pills for emergencies—can keep him breathing even if critical."
"If he's that bad off, he'll resent us—will he hand over the arts?"
"If he won't, we take it from the Iron Lion Sect. As reported, their disciple bonds are tight—they'll pay ransom for him."
"Hm. Key is getting them to drink the tea."
"Yes. Right after they sit and an errand boy pours tea into empty cups, someone else calls for tea. Boy brings the pot straight over and pours."
"Even the vigilant will relax seeing others drink the same tea unharmed."
"Exactly."
Quite ingenious for a trap prepared in days. No doubting Despair poison's effect, let alone Yin-Yang Temple's. The crux was fooling them naturally—and no great worry there. These subordinates excelled at such things.
"Good. From arrival, swift execution—no time for other major sects to catch on and interfere."
"Understood."
"Good. Rehearse thoroughly before they arrive—no missing the slightest gap."
"Yes."
Thus, the conspirators made their full preparations.
Do Cheon gazed at the scenery passing outside the carriage.
Different from his prior scouting trip along the Yangtze. Then, he'd spent more time eyeing the Byeon Ryeo-gun across from him than the views. Especially lately, with her mood seeming complicated since their return, he'd avoided even glancing her way carelessly.
"I..."
Byeon Ryeo-gun spoke up.
Do Cheon turned as naturally as possible. Seeing it, she murmured softly.
"I'm difficult, aren't I?"
"What do you mean by difficult?"
"I've been a nuisance."
"If that's what you mean, yes. Very difficult."
Byeon Ryeo-gun's head dipped slightly at his words. She nodded as if understanding, yet it drooped lower.
"But is that bad?"
"...?"
She looked up again.
"You don't do that to others."
"...!"
"I know you keep thorough distance or ignore to hide your true feelings—isn't that right?"
Do Cheon's questioning face bore a smile.
A smile that put one at ease. His words rang true too. She'd never burdened anyone. Chose words carefully, stayed silent if unfit. Kept distance, built walls. It felt comfortable, spared others trouble.
That shattered at the Iron Lion Sect. Meeting him, watching him. He wanted to live freely, as he pleased. Yet stay with the sect.
Wishing freedom, joy, happiness for all in the sect.
Clenching a fist could claim it, yet he chose the thorny path. To have what he desired. Because his heart willed it. That sight, mingled with worries if she fit in, scrambled her mind.
Heaven-Rending Legion was right. No answers in books. To obtain, move. Act. Then possess. Like him, following his heart.
"I'm trying to follow my heart."
"I see."
"That's why I'm going to the Eight Gates Alliance meet. It's long irked me, so now I will. My late master said the same—live freely, as it's my life."
"I'll cheer you on."
"Even if..."
"...?"
"Even if I keep burdening you?"
A hard question. Yet Do Cheon's smile deepened without hesitation.
"The closer people are, the more they burden each other big and small. They call it living intertwined."
"Thank you."
Byeon Ryeo-gun wanted to smile back.
As she tried, an odd awkwardness blocked it. Thank goodness for the face veil.
"What does becoming an absolute expert feel like?"
She asked to dispel the awkwardness.
Curiosity deepened post-question; she stared straight at his face. Plain, ordinary—yet increasingly appealing the longer she looked. Handsomer by the moment. Comfortable, yet captivating.
"Do I look like an absolute expert to you?"
"Yes."
"Even against Heaven-Rending Legion?"
"You seem stronger."
Byeon Ryeo-gun answered without thought, and Do Cheon kept smiling.
"Didn't realize at first. Fleeing the secluded chamber, I worried for the sect like a kid caught stealing. But as time passed, the world looked different."
"That's when you realized you could grasp it if you reached?"
"No. Learned fighting Heaven-Rending Legion. More like confirming what I'd vaguely sensed. Yet you believe such wild talk?"
"Because it's you, Young Master Do."
"...!"
"You subtly tease, hide things—but when you speak, no lies."
"True. Never liked lying since young. No need now, as lies aren't required to gain anything. Especially not to you, Lady Byeon."
"Sounds like you want to look good to me."
"Is that not allowed?"
"Didn't you say you had no interest in someone like me?"
"Don't think I said that. Just that getting close to you bothered me because of Su-a."
"Not anymore?"
"Su-a remains Su-a. Memories can't be erased at will."
"Memories can't be erased, but their meaning can change."
"Not sure. It's been so long, even how I felt about her is hazy."
"Liar."
"No lie."
"Memories from just three years ago hazy? So you weren't that close?"
"We were close. Just the meaning and depth unclear."
"...!"
"Don't make that face. Not irresponsible, not heartless or cold."
"Then what? How can that be?"
"Told you. Time can be stopped, it seems."
"The secluded chamber...!"
"Yes."
"Trapped long in a time-frozen formation, so past memories faded?"
"Yes."
"How long exactly?"
"Time stopped—how would I know?"
"...!"
"But one thing: dull as I am in martial arts, I awakened his absolute art. If time flowed, it must've been quite long."
Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes widened like saucers.
Not from imagining eons. From the words Do Cheon casually let slip.
'Did he awaken his absolute art?'
One doesn't claim "awakened" from rough understanding. Only after thorough mastery, comprehension, and attainment. How could she not be stunned? How not aghast?