Chapter 80
Chapter 80
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Dismissal from Duty
-----------------------------------------------------------------
On the way back to the Iron Lion Sect.
"I'm not sure if we can trust them so easily. The martial world is a place rife with betrayal and treachery, where the unorthodox will stab even their kin in the back for personal gain."
Ong Jung-seo voiced his concerns.
It was a valid worry, and not something Do Cheon hadn't considered. He paused his gaze on Byeon Ryeo-gun for a moment.
"What do you think, Yeol?"
"I'm not going to think about it."
"...?"
"Senior Brother's not the type to overlook anything, and we have the Law Protector here too. Besides, I'm busy reflecting on the battle we just went through."
With that, Yi Yeol even closed his eyes. Do Cheon gave a light chuckle and turned his gaze back to Byeon Ryeo-gun.
"What about you, Junior Sister?"
"I think it'll be fine. Of course, there could be backlash, just as the Law Protector fears. Some might rebel against the Yangtze River Waterway King or the Bandit Chief Escort Leader. Even if not, the Golden Emperor Family's wealth could stir things up. But since Senior Brother extended a hand in goodwill this time, I believe it'll hold. If problems arise, we can show them the clear gap with a show of force."
"So, acknowledging them despite our overwhelming strength—making them realize that?"
"Yes."
Ong Jung-seo asked, and Byeon Ryeo-gun answered.
"That's reasonable, but my concern is the hassle and damage to our side if such things happen."
"Hm, the Yangtze should be fine for now, at least. They've already crossed the point of no return with the Golden Emperor Family, and humiliating them through their favorite business gives the river bandits a solid point of pride."
"I agree on that. It sounds like wordplay, but there's no better justification. Truly ingenious."
"Right. Ingenious."
Byeon Ryeo-gun nodded in agreement with Ong Jung-seo, then gave Do Cheon a meaningful look.
Do Cheon shrugged.
"It just popped into my head by lucky chance. I have to rely on you for the brainwork, Junior Sister."
"Is that really true?"
"Yeah, really."
Byeon Ryeo-gun let out a soft laugh at Do Cheon's innocent reply, then turned back to Ong Jung-seo.
"The bandits are different from the river folk, much more dangerous, as the Law Protector worries."
"That's exactly my point. The force most helpful to me could also be the most dangerous. They might be content with a single tael of gold today, but tomorrow demand two, and the day after complain about ten. That's the unorthodox for you—that's bandits."
"You're right. That's why we have a lot to do."
"...!"
"After hearing about the plan you and Young Master Yoo Geon devised, Senior Brother, I thought it over. You could handle launching and pushing it alone, but as things progress step by step, we'll all be busy—our Iron Lion Sect will be swamped. And that's how it should be."
"Tell me more."
"The Law Protector must have wondered too. Why go through the trouble when you've mastered his supreme art?"
"Indeed. I've been curious."
"Senior Brother wants everyone in the Iron Lion Sect to be happy. He wants us fellow disciples to each play our part, so we can stand tall in the future. For that, we can't all just bow our heads to Senior Brother. We need to make them bow to the Iron Lion Sect itself."
"...!"
"Betrayals or rebellions need to happen. Troubles need to arise. That's how we'll have things to handle in the Iron Lion Sect's name. Of course, we must build the strength for it first."
"So that's why you didn't crush them with force?"
"Yes. He showed power, but just enough to join hands right away, right?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun glanced at Do Cheon.
Do Cheon smiled faintly and nodded.
"Yeah, I did just as you instructed."
Make it visible to the Bandit Chief Escort Leader, but don't reveal such overwhelming might that they faint in shock. That was what Byeon Ryeo-gun had said after Do Cheon shared his and Yoo Geon's plan. Betrayals or rebellions would erupt from the lower ranks of the bandits anyway—inevitably—so no need to preemptively crush them with force. She remembered Do Cheon's words: what he was doing wasn't for his own satisfaction, but for his fellow disciples and the sect. Thus, opportunities under the Iron Lion Sect's banner had to arise.
"It won't happen right away. It's the Bandit Chief Escort Leader's decision, after all. But as time passes, the Yangtze transport business gets rolling, and the land routes proceed as planned, massive profits will flow. Once the bandits learn of it, complaints will arise."
"Exactly. They'll demand more for their 'greater efforts.' Some will arrogantly think blocking roads and collecting tolls earns more. Even those not thinking that way will be tempted if egged on—it's that huge a venture."
"Claiming more effort is a miscalculation."
"Why so?"
"We bore the risks and drove the initiative. They just turned their heads from their seats. So we deserve the lion's share. That affirms our role as the drivers."
"They won't see it that way."
"I know. That's why we'll have plenty to do. If the Bandit Chief Escort Leader turns or can't fully control his subordinates, we might have to clash with the bandits someday."
"You've thought that far ahead."
"We should avoid fights, but I hope that day comes."
"...!"
"Bandits are just mountain thieves, after all. I've seen their atrocities. We use them now out of necessity, but someday, I want them wiped from this land."
The Dongho Stronghold's fiery village incident.
Byeon Ryeo-gun's fury from that hadn't faded; bandits and water gangs were thieves all the same.
"We're already shocking enough now—how much stronger do we need to get?"
Ong Jung-seo turned to Yi Yeol.
Byeon Ryeo-gun's gaze followed.
"Strong enough to handle the Bandit Chief Escort Leader with ease."
"Is that possible?"
"If we can't surpass him after gaining the Nine Sword Lord's Nine Swords and inner power, we deserve a scolding."
As Byeon Ryeo-gun finished, Yi Yeol's tightly shut eyelids trembled.
"You're right. Inheriting all the Nine Sword Lord's legacy and stopping here? We'd deserve the criticism."
Ong Jung-seo agreed, and Yi Yeol opened his eyes. Just then, Do Cheon's voice rang out.
"Three years. I grew strong in three years, so three for you too, Yeol."
Three years wasn't short. For painstakingly mastering supreme arts from scratch, it might even be tight. But for Yi Yeol, who received the Nine Sword Lord's inner power, it was ample—depending on how one viewed it. He had confidence in that timeframe.
But Byeon Ryeo-gun shattered his relief.
"Young Master Do built from the ground up and did it in three years. Totally different."
"...!"
"Ah, sorry. Old habits. Anyway, you and Senior Brother are different. He had no teacher."
"True."
"Now that you mention it. And I'm teaching you day and night."
Do Cheon and Ong Jung-seo chimed in together, leaving Yi Yeol anxiously awaiting Byeon Ryeo-gun's next words with a tense face.
"Two years from now. Get strong enough to face the Bandit Chief Escort Leader alone."
"...!"
Yi Yeol's face stiffened instantly, worry flooding his features.
"This doesn't just apply to you, Second Brother."
"...?"
"Me too, Third Brother Iron Mountain, Little Sparrow, and even Junior Brother Un—all of us."
"Right. They'll get the ancestors' inner power too."
Do Cheon nodded emphatically.
But Ong Jung-seo tilted his head.
"What do you mean? Inner power given?"
As Ong Jung-seo questioned, glancing between Do Cheon and Byeon Ryeo-gun, she spoke up.
"You haven't heard yet. Senior Brother has all the ancestors' inner power."
"All of it?"
Ong Jung-seo looked puzzled and turned to Do Cheon.
"Well, uh. His supreme art isn't some corrupt dark power. It's a divine art closest to nature's energy, with immense capacity to harness and contain heaven and earth's qi."
"So?"
"The ancestors left their inner power. I absorbed it all. Gave the Nine Sword Lord's to Second Brother; the rest is still in me."
"Heh...!"
Ong Jung-seo's gaze turned monstrous as he stared at Do Cheon.
"Why look at me like that? I'm not weird—it's him, and the rumors that are."
"Fair, but... anyway, to sum up: the other disciples will be like Young Master Yi Yeol?"
"Yes."
"They can all get that strong... right?"
"That's why they're training hard to temper their bodies."
"For the inner power?"
"Yes. They don't know yet."
"Heh...!"
Ong Jung-seo was left speechless from the successive shocks.
Do Cheon turned from him to Byeon Ryeo-gun.
"Speaking of which, why haven't you asked?"
"Asked what?"
"About the Jade Dew Divine Art. If you have Ancestor Yi Gun-ok's Jade Dew Divine Art."
"You do, don't you?"
"Yeah. I do."
"Figured."
"That's it?"
"Huh?"
"You won't ask for it?"
"Wasn't it for Little Sparrow Junior Sister?"
"It was. But you're here, Junior Sister Byeon—the proper inheritor of Ancestor Yi Gun-ok's art."
"So you think I'd covet it?"
"Not that... "
"Disappointing. To think you'd see me that way."
"No, I just felt bad about it."
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"I'm plenty grateful. Just for the place you've given me."
"Still, as the legitimate disciple..."
"Then make Little Sparrow one too."
"Maybe."
"Tell the Sect Leader; he'll agree readily."
"Probably."
"I've lived more as an Iron Lion Sect disciple than as the Iron Lion King's legitimate heir."
"Yeah. Master, us too."
"So let's keep living that way. Whose legitimate heir matters little. By that logic, Second Brother learning the Nine Sword Lord's art is a problem too. Thanks to Senior Brother, I've found my place in the sect, learned Flying Swallow Eight Wings and Scattered Flowers Sword. I reached a decent level in Master's Jade Dew Divine Art. So give Ancestor Yi Gun-ok's inner power to Junior Sister. Casually, so she doesn't feel sorry."
"Alright, I will."
Do Cheon nodded with a smile, and Byeon Ryeo-gun, who had feigned anger and disappointment, smiled back. She then looked at Ong Jung-seo.
"The ancestors, the Iron Lions, were each worth a hundred or a thousand men. No one lacked world-shaking arts. We're their inheritors. So we... should scorn bandits."
Byeon Ryeo-gun's bold words.
Ong Jung-seo could only gape at the visions in his mind, speechless.
'Seven experts beyond the Bandit Chief Escort Leader within two years?'
Wudang's Yunyang Dojang, Shaolin's Hyeon-gak Dosa, Jongnam's Daejong Geom, and Ami's Ilshin Sattae. Representatives from four of the Seven Great Sects gathered. Moreover, from the Five Great Families, Namgung and Paeng sent theirs.
The pillars of the Great Righteous Alliance assembled.
"Cheongseong will abide by this gathering's decision," said Ami's Ilshin Sattae.
"Jumchang notified the same."
"The Four Martial Families will follow the natural order."
After Jongnam's Daejong Geom, Namgung Family's Namgung Yu-chan spoke. The Four Martial Families he mentioned—unable to match the Five Great but representing provinces—were Hwangbo Quan-ga, Ha Hu-do-ga, Tang Mun-am-ga, and Seon-u Geom-ga.
In other words, all forces able to decide the Alliance's affairs had convened. All eyes turned to the head seat's Yunyang Dojang.
Yunyang Dojang reviewed his mind once more for any mistakes.
'None! No errors! Removing the Leader isn't for personal gain. How can we trust Volcanic Divine Sword Yi Jo-yang's justice when he's colluding with those demonic fiends?'
Dismissing even the fear of oversight, Yunyang Dojang looked to Hyeon-gak Dosa, who nodded solemnly.
Yunyang Dojang nodded back, scanned the room, and spoke.
"If any oppose, speak now."
He waited briefly. No one spoke—they awaited as pre-decided.
Yunyang Dojang scanned once more before speaking heavily.
"As of this moment, the Alliance Leader is dismissed from duty.