Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: They Say You Have So Much Money
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Golden Emperor House ship in the middle of the Yangtze.
The Iron Rod Sovereign had also received a report on the events at the Iron Lion Sect.
"Hyun-gak Grandmaster and Un-yang Dojang are no pushovers, but as expected of the Iron Divine Dragon, huh?"
"It wasn't even a fight—it was one-sided. Nangong Bo, Paeng Man-ho, and Jongnam's Ghost Palm Hong all charged in together, only to get knocked flying at once. Then Un-yang Dojang threw a punch, but it was rendered powerless in an instant. Hyun-gak Grandmaster followed up, trying to block with a mix of Shaolin's Naham Fist and Naham Eighteen Palms, but he was completely overwhelmed in a single strike."
His subordinate's report was detailed.
The Iron Rod Sovereign could vividly imagine Iron Divine Dragon Do Cheon's prowess as if witnessing it firsthand.
"As expected, we shouldn't touch him lightly. Or if we do, we make sure he can never escape."
Muttering to himself, the Iron Rod Sovereign waved his hand dismissively. The subordinate bowed and withdrew. Rising from his seat, the Iron Rod Sovereign approached the window and gazed out at the Yangtze.
A massive current flowed majestically onward.
The Yangtze Waterway Eighteen Strongholds might act like they own it, but that was laughable. The Yangtze had never belonged to anyone. No matter what humans claimed, it simply surged forward in its unyielding glory.
"You resemble me. That's why you're mine."
Even from behind, with his arms crossed, the Iron Rod Sovereign exuded an air of dominance.
On a spring day when the fields had regained their fresh green hue, a messenger from Yoo Geon arrived to see Do Cheon.
"Young Master Yoo asked me to deliver this to you."
Do Cheon took it and unfolded the paper. It was a map depicting the Yangtze around Hubei Province, with the character for "closed" marked at one specific point along the river.
"Tell him I understand."
Once the messenger departed, Do Cheon went to find Byeon Ryeo-gun. She was training Little Sparrow in Flying Swallow Eight Wings and Scattered Flowers Sword.
"What brings you here?"
"Something came up on the Yangtze."
"...!"
Judging by her expression, Byeon Ryeo-gun grasped it immediately.
"You'll come with me, right?"
"Of course."
"Can I come too?"
Little Sparrow piped up the moment Byeon Ryeo-gun finished speaking.
"What about your training?"
At Do Cheon's question, Little Sparrow's face fell.
Do Cheon hated seeing her disappointment, but he had to be firm. This was a crucial time for building her foundation.
"Hang in there a bit longer. Endure this frustration, and you'll get your reward."
"Okay."
"Little Sparrow."
"I know, no nagging needed. I get that I have to train hard now, so go have fun with Martial Sister. But when I get stronger later, you have to take me everywhere with you. Got it?"
"Naturally."
Only then did Little Sparrow brighten up, nodding as Do Cheon did.
She was at that age where she wanted to run wild over mountains and fields, so it was no wonder she yearned to join her martial brothers and sister on an outing.
"Want anything? I could buy you some jewelry if you like accessories."
Byeon Ryeo-gun asked.
"No thanks."
"Why not?"
"Sister— I mean, Martial Sister doesn't wear any. For a female swordswoman, the sword is her accessory. This one's enough for me."
Little Sparrow beamed, holding up the real sword she'd been inseparable from since Byeon Ryeo-gun joined them. Byeon Ryeo-gun patted her shoulder with an approving look.
"You're right. A swordswoman needs only her sword. Especially a lovely one like you."
"Pfft, what makes me pretty?"
"You are. Every flower has its own scent, and you have your unique charm. You just can't see it yourself."
"Even if it's a lie, hearing it from Martial Sister makes me happy."
"It's not a lie. You'll realize it when you step out into the world."
"That day will come, right?"
"Of course. And you have to include me then."
"Hehe, naturally."
Leaving Little Sparrow's bright smile behind, Do Cheon and Byeon Ryeo-gun headed to Sect Leader Sa Jung-gyeong's quarters.
As always, their master smiled and told them to come back safe, while Martial Uncle Yeop Mun-wi warned them not to let their guard down. So they went to Protector Ong. He'd always been curious about the Yangtze affair, and they'd planned to invite him along. But he shook his head. With a face full of regret, he said he needed to stay by Second Disciple Yi Yeol's side. Yi Yeol seemed to have gained much from his real combat experience and was so immersed that he sometimes forgot to eat or sleep. Without someone watching, he'd neglect even that. So they just informed him of the plan for the Yangtze.
"We'll collapse the cliffs along the riverbank. If that's not enough, we'll bring down the mountains nearby."
Protector Ong's jaw dropped in shock.
After finishing preparations at his quarters, Do Cheon stepped outside to find Byeon Ryeo-gun already waiting. Her silhouette, gazing at the sun high in the midday sky, captivated him with its grace alone.
"Feels great to have someone waiting for me."
At Do Cheon's words, Byeon Ryeo-gun turned with a whirl.
"...!"
Do Cheon's eyes widened.
"It was uncomfortable."
"So you're running away after all?"
"Maybe before, but not now. That's why I'm doing it even knowing full well. It's not running—it's willingly shielding everyone from discomfort. Don't worry. I won't do it in front of the main cast."
Do Cheon could only nod at Byeon Ryeo-gun, now veiled once more.
"If that's Junior Sister's choice, nothing to be done."
"Disappointed?"
"Huh?"
"You look disappointed... Or maybe I saw wrong."
"I am. Very. Can't see the flower I've admired daily for a while."
"Good."
"...!"
"Let's go."
"Good how?"
"Just is. Hurry."
Byeon Ryeo-gun took the lead. Her light steps, hands clasped behind her back, made her look as carefree as her mood.
After a vigorous training session that left him drenched in sweat, he slept soundly through the night. Even the sunlight filtering through the window felt pleasant. Sitting on his bed, the Iron Rod Sovereign took a deep breath to check his condition, then stretched vigorously to invigorate his languid body.
It was then.
"You need to come see this."
A subordinate's voice came from outside, laced with panic. Odd, since this man hadn't faltered even when facing the Yangtze Waterway King.
The Iron Rod Sovereign threw on his robes and stepped out. The scene was as always—the Yangtze flowing majestically. Yet his subordinate's face betrayed clear agitation.
"What is it?"
"See for yourself."
The subordinate looked away. The Iron Rod Sovereign followed his gaze curiously. Far off, the riverbank came into view—the usual sight. Were enemies ambushing? Too distant to tell.
What the hell am I supposed to see...!
Suddenly, the Iron Rod Sovereign's eyes widened. He turned to the opposite bank. Same there.
"It happened in about half a shichen."
The subordinate said.
"Impossible!"
The Iron Rod Sovereign shouted.
She, known as the Iron Rod Sovereign for her iron-willed resolve, was yelling in disbelief. The Yangtze's waters had visibly receded in that short time, and she couldn't accept it.
"At this rate, this ship won't be able to budge."
At the mention of the ship being immobilized, a confident face flashed in the Iron Rod Sovereign's mind.
"Iron Divine Dragon!"
"Pardon?"
"That bastard did this!"
"Blocked the Yangtze's flow?"
"How else do you explain it? Has the Yangtze ever done this?"
"Never."
"That confidence of his... It wasn't just bravado. He had something to back it up. This is what he meant by blocking the Yangtze!"
"...!"
"Only the division leaders, follow me!"
With a resolute command, the Iron Rod Sovereign leaped from the deck into the Yangtze. Moments later, over a dozen elites followed, their blue robes fluttering as they dashed across the river surface.
The Iron Rod Sovereign skimming over the water looked utterly urgent.
A place where towering cliffs and mountains formed a long gorge.
West Mausoleum Gorge of the Yangtze.
One of the famed Three Gorges of the Yangtze, close to Uichang.
Arriving after pushing her lightness skill to the limit, the Iron Rod Sovereign was dumbfounded by the scene she'd half-expected, half-dreaded.
"...!"
The cliff had collapsed.
As if an enraged celestial had thrown a tantrum, the cliff had crumbled, blocking the river's flow.
"Your reactions are impressively quick, at least."
A mocking voice rang out.
The Iron Rod Sovereign whipped her head around so fast it might snap.
There was Do Cheon. And the veiled Byeon Ryeo-gun. Faced with Do Cheon's nonchalant demeanor, the Iron Rod Sovereign was momentarily speechless.
"Even now, is the Yangtze the Golden Emperor House's?"
The Iron Divine Dragon taunted.
He had the right. She acknowledged it. But the Golden Emperor House was too vast to be cowed by this. Their power was immense.
The Iron Rod Sovereign twisted her lips.
"You mad bastard!"
"As you see, it hasn't completely blocked the flow. Small boats sustaining livelihoods won't be affected. Only the Golden Emperor House, who's bought up all the large ships, takes the hit."
"Think this makes us yield the Yangtze?"
"Try clearing it if you can. There are plenty more spots I can block. Worst case, I can guard them myself."
Do Cheon's calm bordered on arrogance, leaving the Iron Rod Sovereign torn between shock and fury. Seeing this, Do Cheon fanned the flames.
"You bought up all the large ships with your wealth, so I blocked the routes with force. Let's see who wins in the end."
The Iron Rod Sovereign glanced back at the blockage. Cliffs dozens of zhang high had come crashing down.
Impossible in a day. Even with rare arts or profound encounters granting vast inner energy, it'd take all day hammering away for that scale. And collapsing cliffs differed from damming the river—you had to pile the debris precisely to block the flow.
How long did they rampage? Two days? Three? Accomplices? Or some trick...! That Yoo Geon! It has to be him! Warriors avoid exhausting their energy like this! Even I never considered such madness! Blocking the Yangtze! Insane...! They did it! That guy's the key! This might not be all—need to see what other crazy plans he has! Peek into his head!
As the Iron Rod Sovereign shifted her thinking—
"Your scheming shows on your face."
"...!"
"Whatever you're plotting, stick to the lines. Cross the uncrossable, and we both get tired."
"You'll never tire."
"Good then."
The Iron Rod Sovereign wanted to smash Do Cheon's smirking face. She'd always trusted her own skill. But after seeing the collapsed cliff—and hearing how Hyun-gak and Un-yang fell so pitifully—doubt crept in.
Might need to be one step, maybe more, cautious.
Her wariness of Do Cheon deepened.
"How about handing over those swept-up large ships? We could wrap this up without exhaustion."
"Think the main house frets over some ships? We'd burn them before handing to you."
"Wow, way richer than we thought? If not for the novel's rules, we'd be raiding the Golden Emperor House."
"What?!"
"You can hit the Yangtze Waterway Eighteen Strongholds, but someone hitting the Golden Emperor House is off-limits?"
"Shut it! Those watery bandits are just pests on the Yangtze!"
Whether conceding or not, Do Cheon didn't argue. As he fell silent, the Iron Rod Sovereign's momentum surged, her brows arching.
"You could've ended quietly by giving up. Your recklessness escalated this."
"Why should we give up?"
"You'll find out why soon enough."
Her tone had chilled completely from her initial shock. With a final glance at the rubble, she turned away.
One step, one step.
Her strides brimmed with confidence, as if she'd devised something bold. Watching intently, Byeon Ryeo-gun voiced her concern.
"Hitting the Yangtze Waterway Eighteen Strongholds was unusual compared to the Golden Emperor House's known moves."
"Shows how badly they want the river routes."
Do Cheon nodded.
"Right. They won't back down."
"Just what I hoped."
"...?"
"I've changed my mind too."
"How so?"
"I want them to escalate. Enough for us to strike the Golden Emperor House directly."
"Big Brother!"
"They say you have so much money."
"Sometimes... you act so outrageously, you know?"
"Outrageous?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"...?"
"The Golden Emperor House attacked the novel. We counterattacked. We won? So we take some spoils from their assets. Worth condemning?"
"No. In the martial world, total war means all-in."
"Exactly."
"But it's the Golden Emperor House."
"Yeah. The one with all that money."
Do Cheon wasn't just confident—he treated it as trivial. Like pondering if one of the Five Great Families should wipe out a black path faction.
Byeon Ryeo-gun turned away, speechless.
The collapsed cliff.
Result of a few punches and palm strikes. Not hours or a full day of squeezing every drop of energy.
Astonishing. Jaw-dropping. Miraculous.
Maybe... No, still the Golden Emperor House...!
Confused, Byeon Ryeo-gun looked back at Do Cheon.
He was smiling faintly.
"Geon might be in danger now, huh?"
"Scout the area. Find out exactly how long the rumbling lasted."
"Understood."
"Track Yoo Geon's location and every expert near him. Detail it all."
"Understood."
"Buy up every shipyard to build small boats. Hire everyone who can build or repair them."
"Understood."
"Spread rumors that the Iron Lion Sect is expanding using bandits and brigands. Say they're harboring ambitions to subjugate all underworld factions. Plant it in the Sunlight Heaven posts, even the Four Guardians Forest."
"Understood."
"You, leak that the Great Righteous Alliance suffered devastating losses at the escort agency."
"Understood."
Those receiving the Iron Rod Sovereign's orders moved with crisp efficiency. Having issued every immediate countermeasure, she recalled Do Cheon's taunt and curled a cold smile.
"You don't know the world yet. The martial world, that is."