Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Easiest and Fastest Way
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After finishing their meal, the coachman brought the carriage around. His back bent at a full 180 degrees in atonement for his sins, he awaited Do Cheon's judgment in silence.
Do Cheon said nothing and boarded the carriage with Byeon Ryeo-gun, the Celestial Insight Maiden.
The coachman let out a sigh of relief and climbed up to the driver's seat. The carriage then began to move forward cautiously. After some time on the road, Do Cheon spoke up.
"Do you know of the Forward Mansion?"
"No."
"What about the Killing Woods?"
"First I've heard of it. How did you come across it?"
Do Cheon relayed what the Black Death Dark God and the Thunderclap Demon had told him. Hearing this, curiosity deepened in Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes.
"Just the name alone suggests it's no ordinary place. Shall I look into it using Secret Shadow Pavilion's intel network?"
"Would you?"
"Yes. I'll check it out."
"Thanks."
Do Cheon expressed his gratitude. Byeon Ryeo-gun brushed it off nonchalantly, as if it were nothing.
"The Hao Sect Leader said something amusing."
"What was it?"
"That with their current martial prowess alone, the Golden Emperor House could take on both the Righteous and Evil Factions at once. Yet they hold back because they're focused on producing a peerless master to challenge the Heavenly Demon."
"Meaning, if such a master emerges, they'll aim to dominate the world."
"That's how it sounded."
"The Demonic Cult, Golden Emperor House, Forward Mansion, and Killing Woods. The Righteous Factions have the Seven Great Sects and Five Great Families, while the Evil Factions have the Tyrant Emperor Sect, Sun Heaven, and the Twelve Evil Heavens. What do you think—doesn't it feel a bit more daunting now?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun's question hung in the air.
She stared at him intently.
Do Cheon met her gaze and simply smiled.
"Boring."
"...?"
"Shouldn't you at least pretend to be worried?"
"Is that so?"
"How do you plan to deal with the Golden Emperor House?"
"No idea. Once we secure the Yangtze, we'll figure something out."
"If you sit idle until then, won't it be too late? Word is things aren't going smoothly on the Yangtze front."
"Maybe. My job is brute force, so Yoo Geon will find a way."
"I know Young Master Yoo Geon is exceptional. But does the Golden Emperor House lack brains of that caliber?"
"If they're as formidable as they say, they'll have plenty smarter than him."
"Feeling worried now?"
"But here's the thing. Among those smart folks, has anyone been obsessing over the Yangtze for years on end?"
"...!"
Do Cheon chuckled. Byeon Ryeo-gun was at a loss for words.
No matter how clever someone is, catching up to a specialist takes time. And in this current scramble, that time might be all it takes for everything to end.
"You have great faith in Young Master Yoo Geon."
"He has no greed."
"...?"
"Neither he nor I crave control of the Yangtze."
"Pardon?"
"He's doing it because he thinks he can pull it off, and I'm in because it'll help the Iron Lion Sect. If I fail, I'll just try another path. Same for him—if it doesn't work out, he'll shrug it off. So neither of us will betray the other or get second thoughts. I knew it the moment we met: he's the type who'll trust you as much as you trust him."
He spoke with a beaming smile. Just looking at it, you could tell how rock-solid his faith was. But facing the Golden Emperor House wasn't about how tight their bond was.
"I heard they've bought up every ship available. What's your plan for that? Doesn't that leave you without options?"
"Wanna bet? On whether he finds a way or not."
"...!"
"If he does, you'll grant Byeon Maiden whatever position you desire."
"And if I win?"
"Name your price. Anything."
"No thought of losing, huh?"
"I won't."
"Fine. You're on. If I win, answer my questions truthfully—not what you want to say, but what I want to hear."
"Deal."
Do Cheon agreed, still smiling.
Byeon Ryeo-gun felt a twinge of annoyance, then let out a soft laugh.
Yoo Geon's eyes scanned the Yangtze, serene and still.
They didn't gleam with sharpness. They were deeply settled. Not the eyes of someone searching or probing—they were confirming what he already knew.
"Acquire as many large ships as possible. If you can't get large ones, grab small ships instead. Buy every last one available."
"Every single one?"
The middle-aged man asked in surprise.
"Yes. If large ships are out, snatch up small ones by the handful, no matter the cost. Pay double if you have to—don't leave any behind."
The middle-aged man hesitated and glanced at the elderly merchant beside him.
"Why are you looking at me!"
"My apologies. We'll proceed as Young Master Yoo commands."
The middle-aged man bowed deeply and withdrew.
The old merchant then asked,
"Telling them to buy large ships is a feint, right? You really think small ships can turn the tide?"
"Yes. If that guy from the Golden Emperor House truly has the prowess to take on the world, then we win this round."
Yoo Geon gave a sly smile.
Anhui Province.
They arrived a day before Nine Flowers Mountain. As the coachman pulled up in front of an inn, Do Cheon and Byeon Ryeo-gun stepped out and entered.
But the inn was eerily empty.
Only one table in the center was occupied by a single guest—no other patrons in sight. Not even a waiter to greet them.
"Looks like we came to the wrong place."
Do Cheon turned to leave. Byeon Ryeo-gun didn't follow right away; instead, she eyed the lone guest in the middle of the room.
It was a woman in flashy attire.
A bold thirty-something with a plunging neckline that revealed her cleavage. Her outfit reminded him of the White Rakshasa—both flaunted voluptuous, sensual figures designed to draw men's eyes. But where the White Rakshasa was free-spirited, this woman exuded a brazen display of her beauty, as if she reveled in showing off her unmatched allure to the world.
"If you've come to an inn, it's not the wrong place."
The woman spoke. Do Cheon turned back.
Byeon Ryeo-gun hesitated a moment, then strode inside. Do Cheon followed. The woman set down her cup, her expression intrigued.
"I heard the Iron Divine Dragon travels with a maiden in tow, but it's the other way around."
She bantered casually, fully aware of their identities. A sign of overflowing confidence.
Byeon Ryeo-gun sat across from her. Do Cheon took the seat beside.
Empty cups awaited them on the table.
She'd been expecting them.
"Drink."
The woman poured liquor into their cups.
Byeon Ryeo-gun lifted hers and drank without hesitation. Do Cheon left his untouched.
"Wrong again. The maiden's bold, and the Iron Divine Dragon's cautious?"
"Wrong."
The woman's face remained impassive as she stared at Byeon Ryeo-gun's retort. No need to ask—her gaze demanded to know what was off. She carried the air of someone accustomed to handling underlings.
"I drank because I didn't want to lose, and Do Gongzi didn't because he doesn't like it."
"Lose at what?"
"The idea that you could toy with us."
"And what doesn't he like?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun fell silent. The woman's eyes shifted to Do Cheon.
Only then did he speak.
"You're a beauty. But I don't like your outfit."
"...!"
"...?"
The unexpected reply puzzled not just the woman, but Byeon Ryeo-gun as well.
"It's not for showing off to others. I wear what suits my body."
She neither smiled nor snapped.
That's why it didn't feel depraved. If anything, her haughtiness made it more striking.
"Can't decide if I should look at your face or your chest. My eyes keep wandering—it's annoying."
"Then pick one."
"Any reason I should?"
"There is."
"Because you're from the Golden Emperor House?"
"Wrong again. Sharper instincts than the maiden, Iron Divine Dragon?"
Do Cheon's guess was spot on.
The woman before them—boldly dressed, radiating regal poise—was the Iron Rod Emperor of the Golden Emperor House.
Iron Rod Emperor Geum Cheong.
A hidden master, lord of the Golden Emperor House's Gold Spirit Hall.
Do Cheon had pegged her as Golden Emperor House because even the well-informed Byeon Ryeo-gun didn't know her origins.
In the martial world, the unknowns were Forward Mansion, Killing Woods, and Golden Emperor House. Of those, the one likely waiting for him was Golden Emperor House.
"You suspect Golden Emperor House yet see no reason to engage me? That confident?"
"No."
"Sigh, wrong again. So what's the reason?"
"Wrong from the start."
"Hm?"
"You should've met Yoo Geon first, not me."
"Geon? Yoo Geon?"
"That's right."
Geum Cheong smirked mockingly at Do Cheon's words. Clear disdain for Yoo Geon. Do Cheon grinned back.
"Looks like we win the first round."
"Never thought I'd hear that. So I'll lose because I underestimate Yoo Geon?"
"Exactly."
"That smart?"
"Adequately so."
"Then why...?"
"Am I an idiot?"
"...!"
"See for yourself."
"Hah! Trying to rattle me?"
"If you think so. But why wait for me? To test if I'm reckless or just how strong I am?"
"Spot on."
"Must be disappointing."
"No—I'm shocked."
"You seem... incredibly strong."
"Right. I am. I could wipe out the Golden Emperor House overnight."
"I can tell."
"So, you leaving? Or should we?"
"I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Iron Rod Emperor, in charge of Gold Spirit Hall for Golden Emperor House."
"Doesn't match my level."
"...?"
"Too high-class to bother with someone overconfident about her flesh. So you leave, and tell someone higher up to come themselves."
Crack! Crash!
The table split in two, dishes and cups shattering noisily. All from Iron Rod Emperor's sheer presence. Yet Byeon Ryeo-gun and Do Cheon didn't flinch.
"Sorry for the outburst. First time hearing 'flesh' like that. Got me mad."
She calmed herself as she spoke, then turned to Byeon Ryeo-gun.
"She's a beauty, huh? The kind that wouldn't stir other women."
"She is. Classy enough I'd chat with her anytime."
"I see. Sorry. I... slipped up today. Next time we meet, it'll be different."
Iron Rod Emperor rose, flashed a composed smile, and strode out—back fully turned to Do Cheon in utter confidence.
"Did you have to poke the bear?"
Once she was gone, Byeon Ryeo-gun voiced her concern.
"I learned something important."
"What?"
"They're not overwhelmingly powerful enough to dismiss us entirely. I heard they rival the Demonic Cult, but they don't seem that impressive."
"Ever consider the opposite?"
"What's that?"
"That the Golden Emperor House really is Demonic Cult-level formidable—and you're treating them like nothing."
"Is that so?"
"Because of me? Did you act all prickly on my account? Be honest."
Byeon Ryeo-gun pressed, having caught on.
"Yes. Pissed me off that she disrespected you, Byeon Maiden. Flaunting her big tits was pathetic too."
"It's not about showing off their size. It's confidence so profound she doesn't care about stares."
"To me, it just looked like overreliance on her assets."
"That phrasing is... embarrassing."
"Sorry. Made it cruder on purpose to embarrass her more."
"What's wrong with calling breasts breasts?"
"Exactly."
"Still, hope you didn't give them unnecessary caution."
"They were cautious enough to set this meeting."
"True, but I'm worried about Young Master Yoo Geon."
"They won't harm him. Honestly, it'd be a favor if they did."
"...!"
"I told you—Iron Lion Sect doesn't dodge fights that come knocking."
"So you'll storm their gates?"
"Easiest and fastest way, isn't it?"
Such a simple, carefree mindset. No different from saying he'd raid the Demonic Cult if things went south. How do you even comprehend someone this bold?
'I get he's that confident in his strength, but still...'
As Byeon Ryeo-gun gazed at Do Cheon anew, he stared down at the shattered table.
"This won't end up on our tab, right?"
At his mutter, Byeon Ryeo-gun pulled a pouch from her bosom and placed a few coins on a nearby table.
"Looks like it will."
"We can collect later."
"That's the problem. Couldn't squeeze a single coin from Heaven-Rending Legion Kang Yi-wi."
"...!"
"Don't look at me like that. Might seem trivial, but it really bugs me. Think about it—I sit quietly, they smash everything. Now I pay to fix it. Really ticks me off."
She'd wondered why he fussed over something so minor. But hearing him out, yeah, it'd grate. Perspectives differ. Putting herself in his shoes, she could see why he'd be mad. Not trivial—genuinely infuriating.
"I'll remember that."
"Thanks."
Do Cheon nodded, his mood lifted, and stood.
"Let's go. Eat somewhere else."
"Sure."
Byeon Ryeo-gun followed, tucking the pouch back into her bosom.