Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: If It Were Me, I'd Laugh
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Mount Guhwasan in Anhui Province.
Along with Odae Mountain, Ami Mountain, and Bota Mountain, it was one of the Four Great Mountains revered in Buddhism.
By the time the carriage carrying Byeon Ryeo-gun and Do Cheon arrived at the temple located to the southeast of Mount Guhwasan, the sun had already set.
Byeon Ryeo-gun immediately knocked on the temple gate. After waiting for a while, the gate creaked open, revealing the face of a middle-aged monk with a shaved head.
"Ah, Benefactress Byeon! It's been so long!"
He recognized her right away. They'd only met once a year, but with her veil, she stood out.
"Yes, it's been a while. I hope you've been well."
"Forgetting the world as we do, of course we've been well. But... are you here for the gathering?"
"Yes."
The monk's face fell into embarrassment at her answer. Doubt flickered in Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes.
"Is something wrong?"
"Benefactress Byeon."
"Yes."
"The Eight Gates no longer hold their gatherings here."
"...!"
"You didn't know?"
"They're holding them somewhere else?"
"To my knowledge, yes."
He looked apologetic as he answered, realizing he hadn't informed her Celestial Insight lineage.
Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes wavered.
"Where do they hold them now?"
Do Cheon's question snapped her back to attention.
Before the monk could reply, Byeon Ryeo-gun bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry for disturbing your purity without even knowing that."
"You haven't come since last year. I don't know where they meet either."
"It's fine. Thank you."
"Benefactress Byeon, the Celestial Insight Immortal was a remarkable man. Though he had no ties to Buddhism, his wisdom matched our compassion. It's truly regrettable."
The Celestial Insight Immortal was Byeon Ryeo-gun's late master. Unlike those who'd cut ties outright, this monk remembered him even in passing—it was something to be grateful for. Byeon Ryeo-gun clasped her hands in prayer and bowed deeply. The middle-aged monk returned the gesture.
"Amitabha."
The chant left a heavy feeling in her heart.
On the way down the mountain.
Byeon Ryeo-gun was silent. No, she couldn't speak. Rage boiled within her, and she was too busy grinding it down to utter a word.
'Betrayed!'
Her master had led the Eight Gates Alliance gatherings. Changing the location after his death without so much as a word to his disciple was tantamount to denying everything he'd done.
Hypocrites! Traitors!
She wanted to hurl curses at them, but all she saw ahead was an inn.
It was a night that called for drink.
"Let's have some liquor."
It didn't take long to order and receive it.
She drank steadily, using curses against them as her side dish. As the curses flowed, so did the explanations.
Young Master Do was a good listener. An unexpected person, but one who knew how to pay attention.
"What would you do in my place, Young Master Do? All I know is cursing."
She looked at him, her face slightly flushed.
He'd been clever since childhood, so surely he had some solution.
"If it were me, I'd laugh."
"Laugh?"
His absurd answer puzzled her. She waited to hear what he meant, and his explanation somehow rang true.
"Think about it. Your master granted you freedom, and the fact they didn't even tell you, his disciple, means his presence and influence were that immense. Isn't that a good thing? They've acknowledged it themselves and given you your freedom."
"...!"
It felt like a slap. Could she really see it that way? It made sense, too.
"Do you really think so?"
"Next time you see them, just smirk. You'll understand then."
"Yes... I will. I'll try that."
Her mood lifted. Their betrayal might have turned out for the best. No more falling for hypocrisy. Now she could mock them freely.
"Drink up. Tonight, we can get properly drunk."
Byeon Ryeo-gun didn't like liquor. But depending on her mood, she didn't mind getting wasted. A real mood drinker.
"Sure. Let's drink."
Do Cheon smiled and raised his cup.
"Word is Unyang Daoist of Wudang is moving quickly. He's sent disciples to the Seven Great Sects excluding Huashan and to the Five Great Families as well. It seems he's pushing for an emergency summit over this."
The Volcanic Divine Sword nodded calmly at the report from Ga Gyeom-chang, deputy pavilion master of the Secret Shadow Pavilion.
"It was to be expected. With all the suspicions, it's only natural."
"Suspicious or not, you're the Alliance Leader. Even a child knows you don't pursue personal gain—how can they not trust you!"
Ga Gyeom-chang's voice rose in frustration.
"I'm grateful for your high regard."
"This isn't something to smile about. What will you do?"
"Step down as Alliance Leader."
"Alliance Leader!"
"We can't reveal the Generation's Heavenly Demon's secret arts have entered the world."
"It'll leak eventually anyway."
"But we can't rush it for my sake. We're not ready to handle the demonic path yet."
"Even so, you can't endure this humiliation."
"If it buys time, it's fine."
"Alliance Leader...!"
"More importantly, what about the guards at the secret archive?"
"I've assigned them secret missions across the land—no one will find them for a year or two. And they don't even know it's the Generation's Heavenly Demon's archive, just some ancient one. No leaks from them."
"Good. Still, those fellows will suffer."
"I've given them generous rewards."
"Well done."
"Will you really step down?"
Ga Gyeom-chang asked, his face a mix of anger and regret. The Volcanic Divine Sword gave a bitter smile.
"No choice. Oh, and stay behind to ensure the secret archive remains hidden."
"Will the new leader leave me be? He'll go after the Secret Shadow Pavilion first, dismissing you and the branch masters."
"True. Looks like you'll get fired because of me. Sorry."
"Forget it. If I'm dismissed, I'll rest easy by your side, Alliance Leader."
"Do that. I'll serve you then."
"Don't even joke."
"You've always done the hard work, yet only I got the honors."
"Your acknowledgment is enough. Should we inform the branch masters?"
"Tell them everything. They need to know."
"Yes. I'll take my leave."
Ga Gyeom-chang departed, leaving the Volcanic Divine Sword alone. He sat blankly, feeling unexpectedly lonely, then stood.
"Guess I should ask Fourth Branch Master for a drink."
On the road back to the Iron Lion Sect.
The carriage rolled slowly. The coachman, wary after the last incident and Do Cheon's gaze, drove extra cautiously.
Sure enough, Do Cheon couldn't hold back.
"Too slow."
"Y-Yes! I'll speed up."
"Coachman!"
"Yes!"
"It's natural to watch me after your sin, but don't make people anxious."
"Sorry."
"Drive like normal."
"Yes, yes. I will."
Submissive words came from the driver's seat. He might even be bowing without Do Cheon there.
"You know, Young Master Do seems good at exploiting weaknesses once he has them."
Byeon Ryeo-gun said with a laugh in her voice.
"Insolent, right? He led us into a trap without us knowing and even gave us money for meals."
"Now that you mention it. Should I ask for the money back?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun placed a hand on her hip, pretending anger from her seat.
Do Cheon chuckled at the sight.
"No need. I don't want to look petty."
"That's not petty—it's justified."
"I know. But it might look petty. As the senior disciple of the Iron Lion Sect, I have to be careful."
At "senior disciple of the Iron Lion Sect," Byeon Ryeo-gun straightened up.
"Can I ask one thing?"
"Of course."
Do Cheon smiled gently.
Byeon Ryeo-gun couldn't smile back and asked.
"What's different about being the senior disciple?"
Do Cheon didn't answer right away, pondering.
The position of senior disciple differed vastly from ordinary ones. It had to. Do Cheon had known this clearly since childhood—not because he was exceptionally smart, but because his master would neglect them while acquiring new arts, forcing him to look after his juniors unconsciously.
"I can't just think of myself."
"Ordinary disciples are the same."
"True. They must think of the sect too, so not just themselves. But that's not what I mean... Ah, you're right—I'm no good at explaining. I shouldn't try teaching anyone."
"If it's hard to explain, stop."
"Hmm. You need to know my position is different. Don't mix too much with the juniors—observe from a step back. Check their moods, worries, if that one ate less at breakfast—is he sick? Always watch."
"That much?"
"Not sure. I don't know other sects' senior disciples. I just did it that way. From before I knew the difference between sect and home, I just thought I had to look after my little brothers and sisters."
"...!"
"Ended up nagging more. It's a disease, and I don't know how to cure it."
Do Cheon grinned sheepishly.
Byeon Ryeo-gun just stared for a moment.
'I thought he'd talk about the sect's long-cherished wish or his master's aspirations...'
Definitely unusual.
He pushed boldly to make the Iron Lion Sect the world's greatest, yet his mind seemed filled first with his juniors. If they all quit from hardship, saying let's live peacefully, he'd probably agree.
Even though he could grasp the world with a stretch, a thought.
'How can he? How does he resist that temptation?'
Being the world's best was an irresistible lure for any martial artist. Only Buddhist high monks or Daoist sages could refuse.
That's why Do Cheon seemed all the more amazing.
"One more question."
"Curiosity strikes again today. Ask away."
Do Cheon beamed. Byeon Ryeo-gun asked in a more businesslike tone, unable to smile.
"If your juniors say it's too hard and want to quit?"
"I'd scold them."
"And if they still refuse?"
"Then... they'd quit, I guess."
"What about your master?"
"He'd say it's fine."
"...!"
"He's devoted his life to the sect's wish, but he puts us first. Like your master told you to live freely."
"Ah...!"
"Both are true masters, elders. Good people. We should follow their example."
Do Cheon said with his usual smile. Byeon Ryeo-gun nodded unconsciously.
Do Cheon and Byeon Ryeo-gun returned after just six days—four days early.
Byeon Ryeo-gun learned from Ga Gyeom-chang about Unyang Daoist's activities at Wudang and went to meet Alliance Leader Volcanic Divine Sword. Do Cheon reported his return to his master, then headed to the Golden Flower Money House with Yoo Geon's messenger.
"Where's the old man?"
"Out on business."
"So, why'd you call me?"
Do Cheon sat and asked. Yoo Geon replied without looking up from his documents.
"The Golden Emperor House seems serious. Can't procure even one large ship."
"Worries became reality? You bragged to that woman—can't afford to lose."
"Do one thing for me, and we won't."
"That?"
"Yeah. Block the Yangtze's flow."
Yoo Geon said without glancing up. Do Cheon smirked at him.
"Just that?"
"Yeah. Then we win the first round."
"Sure, why not."
"When winter ends and the time comes, I'll let you know."
"Deal. No tea even?"
"Drink at home. Thanks to the old man, my work piled up."
"Plans didn't go awry?"
"No. Just more to handle than expected. Planning from a desk has limits."
"Good, then."
"Yeah."
"Need anything?"
Only then did Yoo Geon look up.
"I'm good now. Don't know how our final step ends, but I'm satisfied like this."
"Gotta word it roundabout? Smart folks always act superior. I'm off."
Do Cheon stood.
Yoo Geon returned to his papers.
"Sky-Spanning Gang. It'll be your obstacle."
"I know. That's why I'm leaving them. Righteous side thinks it's my weakness—they'll bite."
"Bait?"
"Yeah. Can't take the world without a fight. Might as well let them bite, then swat 'em—makes the main event look good. That's what I thought. But the guy's decent. Getting better."
"Sky-Spanning Gang leader?"
"Yeah. Past aside, he's helpful now. Very."
"Plan to protect till the end?"
"Might have to. No, I will. He's my man. See ya."
Do Cheon left. Yoo Geon looked up again.
"That guy thinks he can block the Yangtze easily? Just how strong has he gotten...?"
Yoo Geon shook his head and turned back to his documents.