Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Choose
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In the middle of the Yangtze, aboard a ship belonging to the Gold Emperor Family.
The Gold Martial Hall Leader and his subordinates, who had been utterly overwhelmed by Do Cheon, had arrived.
"He chased the Waterway King into the river. I figured that was his last desperate struggle, so I could catch him. But when we clashed underwater, it was clear it was his final gasp. I thought it was over, but suddenly something slammed into us. The moment I felt a massive explosion-like force in the water, that was it. Later, my men told me it was the Iron Divine Dragon."
"So, in short, you got ambushed?"
"Yeah. Ambushed. But it doesn't sit right with me."
"What doesn't?"
"That I got taken down so easily by a mere ambush."
The Gold Martial Hall Leader furrowed his brow, trying to recall that exact moment. But all he could remember was a massive force exploding from above his head like terrifying pressure, and the instant he twisted to look, a powerful blow smashed into his skull. It ended so quickly that he wondered if he had ever been this helpless.
"It's just... really incomprehensible. To explain it... maybe, just maybe, he's way above even the Heaven-Rending Legion."
He shook his head at his own words, finding them absurd.
Iron Rod Emperor watched him intently.
He knew the Gold Martial Hall Leader wasn't one to make excuses or shift blame lightly, so naturally, Do Cheon's face came to mind.
- Iron Divine Dragon. After fighting the Heaven-Rending Legion, did the world seem like a joke?
- Yeah, it kinda did.
That was Iron Rod Emperor's question and Do Cheon's answer.
She had chalked it up to a man with nothing to lose or gain putting on a bold front. It had to be that. After all, all he had going for him was martial arts capable of facing the Heaven-Rending Legion.
The Heaven-Rending Legion?
A formidable giant, sure. But the saying that one hand can't beat two isn't empty—er, ten hands can't be fended off by one. With the Gold Emperor Family's hidden experts mobilized, they could kill the Heaven-Rending Legion anytime. So why would the Iron Divine Dragon be any different?
But now, the Gold Martial Hall Leader was suggesting otherwise. Could it really be?
"We might need to call on Thousand Bamboo Grove."
The Gold Martial Hall Leader looked up and said.
Thousand Bamboo Grove was where the hidden experts resided. Mentioning them meant he believed they could suppress it. If so, that settled it.
Iron Rod Emperor relaxed.
"No need. The Gold Pavilion won't take kindly to a big fight breaking out."
The Gold Pavilion was where the head of the Gold Emperor Family lived—the most noble place under heaven.
At the mention of the Gold Pavilion, even the Gold Martial Hall Leader fell silent.
"Rest up first."
"They'll try using the water bandits. What's your plan?"
"We can't pay tolls, can we?"
"Didn't you say no big fights?"
"Clearing out water bandits hardly counts as a big fight."
"The Iron Divine Dragon will step in."
"Then make sure he can't."
"...?"
"He's only got one body."
True enough. Even if the Iron Divine Dragon was the supreme expert the Gold Martial Hall Leader feared, he still had only one body.
"Right, just one body. So where's that one body now?"
"Heading to Black Mountain Stronghold after Ghost Mountain and Light Mountain Strongholds."
"Bandits?"
"Yeah."
"Why bandits? After the Yangtze water bandits, is he aiming to take the mountain bandits too? That's no small feat."
"Not easy. But if he pulls it off, it's the simplest way to gain a massive number of subordinates."
"Sure, but...!"
The Gold Martial Hall Leader, nodding along, suddenly widened his eyes.
"If he controls the Yangtze water bandits and mountain bandits, won't his forces grow too big? Even if they're third-rate, the bandits number over ten thousand. Plus, there are some in the mountains you can't ignore. It's not like the Yangtze with its narrow maneuverability."
The ease of taking down the Yangtze Waterway King came partly from Iron Rod Emperor and the Gold Martial Hall Leader's prowess, but also from the Yangtze's linear strongholds.
That geography allowed a direct strike on the main stronghold, and it took the bandits time to band together.
But the mountains were different.
A big fight would draw them from all directions in an instant. Even hitting the main stronghold would trap you in a net of ten thousand bandits before you knew it. That's why no one took the bandits lightly.
What if the Iron Divine Dragon brought those bandits under his wing?
That net of ten thousand could be deployed anywhere in the world. It would combine Yangtze water bandits and mountain bandits, drastically limiting the Gold Emperor Family's operations on the river. They might even have to abandon river transport.
The Gold Martial Hall Leader voiced his concerns.
"The Great Righteous Alliance has it covered."
"The Alliance Leader's at the Iron Lion Sect, isn't he?"
"That'll change."
"...?"
"Since last winter, Mount Wudang's elders have been moving to drag the old Volcanic Sword off the throne. They've met recently, and it'll all converge on the Iron Lion Sect soon."
"If it goes well, they might handle it for us?"
"Doubt it."
"Why?"
"The old Volcanic Sword is shielding the Iron Divine Dragon. The Heaven-Rending Legion too."
"Why?"
"Publicly, the old Volcanic Sword wants to keep the Iron Divine Dragon—who's neither righteous nor demonic—from clashing with the righteous sects, while the Heaven-Rending Legion wants to stop him from joining the righteous because of the old man. But it feels like there's more."
"And no one's figured it out yet?"
"Nope. We've scoured the bottom ranks as best we could—nothing leaked. To dig deeper, we'd need to grab that veiled woman. But my gut says she's his reverse scale. The Iron Divine Dragon's reverse scale. Touch her, and he'll explode without regard for heaven or earth."
"Reverse scale? Isn't that his sect brothers and master at the Iron Lion Sect?"
"Different. They're off-limits too, but subtly different. If my instincts are right, his brothers and master are like his life, but that woman? She's the reverse scale. Maybe not yet, but she will be. That's the vibe."
A faint smile played on Iron Rod Emperor's lips, lost in thought.
"Hmm..."
A groan escaped the Gold Martial Hall Leader.
Knowing the enemy's vital point was like holding a trump card to turn the tables instantly. But a reverse scale was different. Touch it, and the enemy goes berserk, dragging you down with them. That's why it's called a reverse scale—the dragon's inverted scale on its throat. Strike it, and the dragon dies. So it kills the attacker by any means first.
'Never touch the Iron Divine Dragon's reverse scale.'
Yet Iron Rod Emperor's expression suggested she'd touch it if things didn't go her way.
"The Gold Pavilion's watching."
The Gold Martial Hall Leader invoked the Gold Pavilion to sharpen her caution. Catching the hint, Iron Rod Emperor smirked.
"Don't worry. I'm not about to start something petty over one Iron Divine Dragon."
"Good. Just clean up the water bandits. Bandits too if needed—I can help with that. Use the fact he's got one body and pick them off one by one."
"Reliable."
Iron Rod Emperor curled her lips into a smile.
The same enchanting smile from the day the Gold Martial Hall Leader first fell for her.
Henan Province, Great Separate Mountain.
After passing through Ghost Mountain, Light Mountain, and Black Mountain Strongholds, Do Cheon's group arrived at the foothills of Great Separate Mountain. Yi Yeol had accumulated wounds along the way. Three deep gashes made further fighting impossible. The Black Mountain Stronghold Lord fight was touch-and-death; Yi Yeol had technically lost. It was a deadlock worthy of "tiger and dragon evenly matched," but real combat experience decided it. It exposed the limits of his Four Saints Nine Swords at the fourth realm. But that's what made it meaningful. Facing such a strong foe let Yi Yeol grasp his own level clearly and understand high-level combat better.
"As I said, Great Separate Mountain holds the Bandit Main Stronghold. Given your state, rest from here."
"I've learned plenty about real combat. I'll review our fights."
"Good. Do that."
Do Cheon nodded to Yi Yeol, then turned to Ong Jung-seo and Celestial Insight Maiden.
"I'll handle the main stronghold alone."
"Aye. Why follow to see filthy bandits? Good riddance."
"I'll stay too. Those leering eyes... just thinking about them creeps me out."
They said it on purpose. Knowing this, Do Cheon just smiled and stepped off the carriage.
The current Bandit King was a bandit hardened by years among mountain outlaws. Before becoming Bandit King, he was called Wall Mountain Ghost Axe, flaunting bandit ferocity. Upon ascension, he wiped out his rival and his gang, reorganized the seventy-two bandit strongholds, and solidified his tyrannical rule as a peerless expert.
Recalling all he knew of the Bandit King, Do Cheon strode through the wide-open wooden gates of the Bandit Main Stronghold.
Shuuu—!
Sudden whoosh of air.
Pak!
An iron arrow exploded right in front of Do Cheon, blocked by his qi barrier.
"Die!"
A massive roar crashed from above.
A bear-like giant swung a terrifying great axe from mid-air.
Do Cheon raised his hand.
Pang!
A boom like compressed air bursting sent the bearish ambusher flying.
Do Cheon kept walking.
The Bandit Main Stronghold spanned the entire ridge of Great Separate Mountain. The Bandit King's residence crowned the highest peak.
Do Cheon headed straight for it.
Unlike expected, few bandits were visible. He thought they'd muster hordes to flaunt their stronghold's might, but that was off. The forward deployment numbered barely a hundred. Then twenty-odd axe-wielders charged together.
Not random—they maintained precise spacing, like a joint formation.
Do Cheon just walked.
He seemed defenseless, unable to act. But as the twenty closed in, the air compressed sharply, slowing them to tortoise pace. Do Cheon strolled through leisurely.
Once past, the air decompressed; the stunned twenty whirled around. Do Cheon walked on casually, and ahead, three elders appeared.
Three of the Twelve Bandit Fiends.
Do Cheon finally stopped.
"The Yangtze Waterway King sends his regards."
"A ghost sent by that water ghoul?!"
A booming voice, surely the Bandit King's, echoed from inside the building.
"He let me use his name as thanks for saving his life."
"Why hit Ghost Mountain, Light Mountain, and Black Mountain Strongholds?"
"Hit? We just sparred for camaraderie."
"Playing word games?! Right now, three thousand of my men surround your carriage. One order, and those in it get diced beyond recognition! Still say that?!"
The instant the roar ended, Do Cheon shot forward.
The three Bandit Fiends blocking him reflexively unleashed their signature arts.
Bang-bang! Clashes rang out, then Do Cheon's hands seized two throats. The central elder tumbled from a kick. Do Cheon hoisted the two.
"Those in the carriage are like my life. Think I'd leave them without a thought?"
"Hmph! You think they can escape?!"
"Wrong. Even after your kill order, I could slaughter you and your 157 here and reach them in time."
"You bastard!"
As the Bandit King bellowed in rage, Do Cheon hurled the elders and advanced. His massive aura surged forward.
The same force that repelled Heaven-Rending Legion and Volcanic Divine Sword simultaneously. The terrifying pressure made the huge building creak as if about to collapse.
Bam!
The doors burst open; a giant elder leaped out, clutching an outrageously massive axe in one hand.
The Bandit King stared at Do Cheon with bulging, shocked eyes. Do Cheon walked straight toward him.
"Shall we discuss business amicably, or run to Hell's Wise King whining about me? Choose."
"Hmm..."
A groan leaked from the Bandit King.
He'd boasted he could face even the Heavenly Demon head-on, but confronting someone clearly superior made fighting seem futile. Do Cheon's presence was that overwhelming.
"If it's business, I should at least hear it."
The Bandit King tossed his beloved great axe behind him and stepped forward like welcoming a guest. Do Cheon's crushing aura vanished instantly.
"You won't regret listening."
Do Cheon smiled, cupping his hands in salute.