Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Since You've Crossed the Line, So Will I
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A line had been drawn. And they had threatened to cross it and exercise force.
Everyone has their own sense of shame. Their own face to save. The higher one's position, the greater their pride in themselves, and the stronger they are, the lower that threshold becomes.
Master Hyun-gak had been like that. Cloud Sun Dojang had been like that.
The core members of the Great Righteous Alliance who had come with them were no different.
Their pride had been shattered. Shame burned in their hearts.
How dare he provoke us like that!
There was no turning back now. Not unless they knelt and slammed their heads into the dirt.
"How dare you resort to such sorcery! I, Peng Man-ho, won't even acknowledge the Heaven-Rending Legion!"
The massive Peng Man-ho strode forward with heavy steps. In that instant, Namgung Bo stepped out just as boldly, refusing to be outdone.
"I never imagined the Namgung family's sword would be so thoroughly disdained."
"Zhongnan will tolerate no injustice!"
The Zhongnan Sect saw this as their opportunity. For generations, they had been overshadowed by the Huashan Sect in the same Shaanxi region. This was their chance to finally reverse that tragic history. That was why they had dispatched their top expert.
Four-Day Sword Guest Wei Jang-hong!
Zhongnan's greatest master, who had perfected the swift Four-Day Sword Style down to its essence.
Wei Jang-hong had followed silently until now. But his senses were filled with killing intent, like a predator eyeing its prey. He was certain this was his moment. He would charge in an instant, sever the head of this so-called Iron God Dragon, and proclaim Zhongnan's might to the world. That was why, though he moved last among the three, he crossed the line first.
Peng Man-ho and Namgung Bo hurriedly followed suit, not to be outdone.
And right at that moment.
An immense surge of energy whipped up like a storm, compressing the space they had entered from all sides. Then, the Iron God Dragon shot forward.
All three were renowned experts from their respective domains.
They unleashed their signature ultimate techniques, ripping apart the pressure that bound them.
Flash!
The sword momentum of Zhongnan's Four-Day Sword sliced through an instant.
Whoom—roar!
The destructive Tiger Roar Blade Style of the Peng Clan split the space before them with the ferocity of a raging tiger.
Shwick-shwick-shwick!
The Namgung Clan's Proud Sky Sword Style poured forth ever-changing sword strikes.
Wei Jang-hong brimmed with smug confidence, Peng Man-ho roared triumphantly, and Namgung Bo smirked as if it were only natural.
Blood would spray before their eyes, the Iron God Dragon's neck would be mercilessly severed, and the dignity of the Great Righteous Alliance—not to mention the Seven Great Sects and Five Great Families—would be instantly restored.
That was the natural order.
But before Wei Jang-hong's sword could cleave the instant, his body floated into the air. Before Peng Man-ho's blade could unleash its fury, his head snapped around. Before Namgung Bo's sword could etch strikes across the heavens, his jaw shattered.
It had all happened in the blink of an eye.
"Insolent wretch!"
Cloud Sun Dojang, who had been on high alert, gathered his full power the moment the three fell and thrust out a palm strike, lunging forward. It was the strongest palm technique he could muster.
But right then.
Kra-boom!
Lightning struck. A fist force like a bolt of azure thunder shot forth, spewing sparks like a thunderclap.
It clashed head-on with Cloud Sun Dojang's full-powered palm, erupting in a deafening roar that shook everyone's eardrums.
Boom!
Cloud Sun Dojang's eyes bulged wide.
This was nothing like their previous encounter. It was so different that his heart sank. And in that instant, a gale—a tempest—no, something even greater—came hurtling at him relentlessly.
Crack!
His skull felt like it had shattered. How else could it hurt this much, feel this intense? His mind shook as if struck by an earthquake, and a ringing tinnitus buzzed in his ears.
"Amitabha!"
A stern shout.
It was Master Hyun-gak.
As Cloud Sun Dojang went limp in an instant, he unleashed a barrage of Shaolin's ferociously powerful fist strikes, trying to push Do Cheon back. But it was futile.
Kra-boom!
Master Hyun-gak was struck by lightning as well.
His form staggered wildly, unable to find its center, retreating several steps.
A dream?
Was he seeing things?
Cloud Sun Dojang shook his head, as if trying to wake from a nightmare, watching with trembling eyes as Master Hyun-gak was repelled in one blow.
"For daring to insult my master as cunning, I'll make sure you never spout nonsense again!"
"......!"
The moment Cloud Sun Dojang flinched, Do Cheon's foot swept his legs out from under him. As his body tilted sideways and floated into the air, an enormous fist came crashing down on his head like an axe.
Crack!
Cloud Sun Dojang lost consciousness from that single strike and slammed into the ground.
It was a sight so astonishing it chilled the blood and inspired sheer terror.
A grand elder of a great righteous sect—no, Cloud Sun Dojang of Wudang—had been so utterly humiliated!
The experts from the Seven Great Sects and Five Great Families, who hadn't joined the fray, drew their weapons but stood frozen in shock at the absurd, one-sided display of divine might before them. Not one could muster an attack; they could only gape.
"This line—you crossed it, so now I'll cross it too."
Do Cheon spat the words. With that, his foot crossed the line gouged into the earth.
The moment the experts from the sects instinctively flinched at the sight, the flow of ambient qi exploded, binding the surroundings. Layers upon layers of pressure stacked relentlessly, suffocating in its intensity.
The top experts present from each sect hurriedly emitted their qi auras and unleashed their ultimate techniques to counter the mounting atmospheric pressure.
With over a dozen resisting desperately, the pressure began to loosen.
"Form the sword formation!"
"Tiger Roar Array!"
"Hold your positions!"
Urgent commands rang out. But they were pointless.
Crack!
Heads struck, bodies tumbling.
Thud!
Chests pierced, flying back to tangle with comrades in a heap.
"Gahhh!"
Screams of dying breath erupted, unsure where or how they were hit.
Like a starving beast leaping into a flock of hundreds of sheep.
Or a wild boar rampaging through a reed field.
It was pure one-sided slaughter.
Do Cheon's merciless fists felled three hundred men without mercy.
Whether unleashing the Namgung Clan's ever-changing sword styles, the Peng Clan's domineering blade arts, Shaolin's ferocious fists, or Wudang's fluid palms in a frenzy—it was all useless.
One punch, one man.
They crumpled on the spot or flew like split logs.
Sword gleams flashed, blade lights roared. Fists split space, lightness skills whipped up storms—but a single fist laid them all low without fail.
Resistance was impossible.
He was an invincible absolute.
One-against-one? No, not even that.
Three hundred against one, and all lay sprawled on the ground.
Do Cheon stopped before the last one standing.
Master Hyun-gak.
"Is standing here now the teaching of Shakyamuni?"
"......!"
Master Hyun-gak's pupils shook uncontrollably.
"If I had been the weak one, what would have happened? I would have lost the ultimate arts of our founding patriarch, unearthed after a thousand tribulations. My master and martial siblings would have been dragged off and imprisoned wherever you decreed. The Iron Lion Sect's plaque would have fallen to the dirt, vanishing from this land forever."
He couldn't say no, that they hadn't planned that.
With what Cloud Sun Dojang had said, it surely would have happened just as Do Cheon described.
"Look around. Between you and me, who showed more mercy?"
Master Hyun-gak didn't need to look. He knew.
All lay sprawled on the ground, but not a single one was dead.
"Now, receive the Iron Lion Sect's final mercy. We've reclaimed our ancestors' glory—never set foot here again to wag your three-inch tongues."
No excuses or pleas would be heard.
Do Cheon granted that final mercy and turned decisively.
Master Hyun-gak could only gasp for breath, unable even to utter a curse at Do Cheon's dignified retreating back.
"Well done."
Sect Leader Sa Jung-gyeong praised Do Cheon's efforts. Martial Uncle Yeop Mun-wi smiled in approval. Do Cheon humbly bowed, implying he'd merely done his duty, then glanced at the Volcanic Divine Sword standing to the side.
The Volcanic Divine Sword, looking frustrated until their eyes met, nodded. A silent thanks. Do Cheon bowed to him as well, then turned to Sa Jung-gyeong.
"Shall we head in?"
"Yes, let's go inside."
Sa Jung-gyeong and Yeop Mun-wi turned. Only then did Byeon Ryeo-gun and the other disciples approach.
"You must be tired."
"Tired? Hardly."
"That Thunder Wall Fist looked different from before."
"I've put some extra focus into it these past few days, so it feels improved."
"......!"
A few days of focus, and it had grown a level stronger.
Byeon Ryeo-gun felt like a fool. But she quickly thought that if it was Do Cheon—if he'd mastered the Generation's Heavenly Demon's arts to a considerable realm—it was possible, forcing a smile.
"Can I get that strong too?"
Iron Mountain asked, his face flushed with excitement.
"If I thought you couldn't, I wouldn't have taught you."
"So I can do it?"
"I told you before. You can grow stronger than anyone."
"Got it. I'll trust you, Eldest Brother, and train like a beast just as you say."
"Good. Keep at it, and the day will come when you're proud of yourself."
As Iron Mountain nodded vigorously in joy, Do Cheon turned to Yi Yeol, Little Sparrow, and Nung Sa-un.
As always, Yi Yeol was nearly impassive, Little Sparrow beamed so brightly her face reddened, and Nung Sa-un smiled with the serene emptiness of a high monk unburdened by worldly cares.
"Each of you has your own path, and you'll never fall short—so don't try to emulate me."
"We're already doing just that."
Nung Sa-un replied with his smiling face intact.
Do Cheon smiled back and addressed them all.
"Let's head in."
"Yes, Eldest Brother."
"Yeah, let's go."
The Iron Lion Sect brothers and sisters, led by Do Cheon, walked side by side. Countless eyes watched the scene. Some had always kept watch on the Iron Lion Sect; others had followed the righteous forces led by Master Hyun-gak and Cloud Sun Dojang. Those many eyes now swiftly moved to spread word of the sight and outcome they'd witnessed.
Haomen.
"As expected, even Master Hyun-gak and Cloud Sun Dojang couldn't lay a finger on him."
"That strong?"
One of Haomen's protectors asked in surprise at their lord's words.
"I told you. It's not just ordinarily serious."
"How strong exactly...?"
"The Heaven-Rending Legion must have held back. At that level of prowess, he's among the Ten Great Masters of the world. Top tier, even."
"......!"
"......!"
The elders grew shocked and grave. One asked with a hardened face.
"Then what do we do?"
"What else? We devote even more sincerity and effort than before."
Haomen's lord replied firmly.
Golden Whip Division.
The lord of Black Night Heaven, Golden Whip, was reading her subordinates' report. Written in code and secret script, it stated that the Iron God Dragon had single-handedly crushed Cloud Sun Dojang, Master Hyun-gak, and over three hundred experts. One-sidedly, without spilling a drop of blood.
"Things are getting complicated."
Golden Whip murmured softly.
Her face flickered with complex emotions as she burned the report in candlelight.
Anhui Province, Namgung Family.
Namgung Byeok, patriarch of the Namgung Family, sat face-to-face with a precious guest after what felt like ages. It was Baekri Hyeon-do, patriarch of the Baekri Family—rivals who competed fiercely yet rushed to aid each other first in times of crisis.
"I can't even remember the last time."
"Indeed. This foolish brother has been too distant."
"Distant, yes. I wanted to visit, but you were always in secluded training or too busy."
"My apologies. So I've come to you—wash away all grudges and slights."
"Too late for apologies? You must stay the night."
"That was my plan."
"Good man. Very good."
Namgung Byeok grinned broadly, his face full of delight.
Baekri Hyeon-do smiled back for a good while, expressing regret for their time apart.
After about half an hour of laughter and talk, Baekri Hyeon-do sobered somewhat.
"Brother, I have urgent news."
"About the Iron God Dragon?"
"Yes."
"Speak."
"That fellow opened the waterways of Dongting Lake, and now he's moving to seize full control of the Yangtze River routes."
"As I suspected."
"This isn't something to watch from across the river."
"Why not?"
"Because it will inevitably come to that."
"......!"
"The Iron God Dragon has no intention of monopolizing the Yangtze alone. The river's domain is too vast for one sect."
"So the Baekri Family is involved?"
"Yes."
"And the reason you've come?"
The Namgung Family had already anticipated the Baekri Family's involvement in Yangtze matters, so there was no surprise.
"We need more sects besides the Iron Lion Sect and our own. Wouldn't it be best if you joined us, rather than others?"
"Hm."
"Yangtze transport isn't just the waterways. It includes nearby land routes too."
"......!"
"Surprised? I was shocked too—I hadn't thought that far. Want to hear something even more astonishing?"
"There's more?"
"They're planning to connect the Yangtze waterways all the way to the sea routes."
"To the ocean...!"
"An unprecedented trade route, never seen before or since."
"Is that possible?"
"If we surpass the Golden Emperor Clan."
"So that's why the Golden Emperor Clan struck the Yangtze Waterway Eighteen Strongholds' head base?"
"Yes. Somehow they knew and moved first. Fortunately, the Iron God Dragon rescued the Waterway King, and he's mobilized the full might of the Eighteen Strongholds against the Golden Emperor Clan."
"Listen."
"Yes, speak."
"What makes the Golden Emperor Clan fearsome isn't their wealth—it's their martial might."
"I know."
"Even with our aid, if they move in earnest, we'll face great difficulties."
"Brother."
"You have something to rely on?"
"Everyone flocked to the Iron Lion Sect over Great Righteous Alliance matters, right?"
"Unavoidable."
"I know. I'm not blaming that—I'm saying those who went to the Iron Lion Sect met a sorry fate."
"......?"
"Master Hyun-gak and Cloud Sun the Realized alone couldn't handle the Iron God Dragon."
"You can say that so certainly when more than those two went?"
"I know it's hard to believe. So save the rest for after hearing the results from those who went. But one thing I'd say upfront: the Baekri Family has held our position all these years because your Namgung Family has been nearby. When Namgung prospers, Baekri prospers. When Baekri prospers, Namgung does too. That's what I wanted to convey."
"I know that well. No need to say it. What I wonder and doubt is whether the Iron God Dragon is truly that strong. Strong enough to match the Golden Emperor Clan."
"Brother, the Iron God Dragon has already surpassed the Iron Lion King."
"......!"
Namgung Byeok could only gape in astonishment at Baekri Hyeon-do's words.