Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: I Told You You'd Shit Blood, Right?
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Those who can't protect themselves are nothing but a burden to their comrades. The fiercer and more dangerous the battle, the truer that holds.
"What if I joined the fight with you?"
It was Seon Woo-jin's request.
Do Cheon agreed without a second thought. He liked the guy. Since he liked him, the minor inconvenience of having to protect him didn't matter. The problem was that it was only Seon Woo-jin's thinking.
When Byeon Ryeo-gun, the Celestial Insight Maiden, pointed that out, Seon Woo-jin finally snapped to his senses and went to his comrades. Watching them talk for a while, it seemed some of them were opposed. Maybe only a few would agree.
"Looks like it's not happening, huh?"
"Normal people would say no."
"...!"
"They almost got wrecked by those Red River Seven Fiends, so they've learned the reality now. Must've been scary."
"You thought that and still said yes?"
"What matters is the heart."
"...?"
Seon Woo-jin returned. Disappointment was plain on his face.
"They must've been really shaken up. It's the perfect chance to fight alongside you, Brother Do..."
"There'll be another opportunity next time."
"Pardon?"
"They say fate is something you create. Come find me whenever you're free. If I pass near where you live, Brother Seon Woo, I'll stop by."
"Really?"
"I don't like talkative people. I don't like blunt words either, and I especially hate lies."
"Ah!"
"Since this time didn't work out, let's aim for next time."
"Understood. I'll train hard so I won't be a burden to you, Brother Do, and come find you then."
"Got it. See you then."
The two, now bonded in spirit, shared drinks for quite a while.
Outside, thick raindrops were falling.
Sun King's second disciple, Hyeok Mu-rin.
He had been known as a martial arts prodigy since childhood. Like his senior brothers, he learned Pear Blossom Sun Force and Super Incinerating Extremity Palm from the Sun King. Neither absolute art could compare to the Sun King's signature Solar Day Essence Art, but they were more than enough to shake the world. Still, his thirst for the Solar Day Essence Art led him to seek out and master the Asura Heaven-Tearing Claws.
The claws of an asura that could tear the heavens themselves. That was the Asura Heaven-Tearing Claws.
Claw arts, or nail techniques, are commonly known as ripping and tearing explosive martial arts. But the true terror of claw arts lies elsewhere. With immense gripping strength and razor-sharp nails, once they seize hold, they never let go.
Hyeok Mu-rin favored grabbing his foe with the Asura Heaven-Tearing Claws, then incinerating their flesh with the Super Incinerating Extremity Palm infused with Pear Blossom Sun Force. He maximized the strengths of his three arts as if they were originally a matched set.
Moreover, Hyeok Mu-rin was forty-seven years old.
He had long since reached a realm where he could found his own school, even without the Solar Day Essence Art.
"Where's the Wingless Gate?"
Hyeok Mu-rin asked.
Even though it was directed at the Guiya Forest Lord, with whom his master the Sun King was on brotherly terms, there was no courtesy. His immense self-confidence meant he didn't acknowledge the Guiya Forest Lord.
"I told them to prepare lodgings first and wait, so if they'd arrived, they should've come out to greet us by now..."
The Guiya Forest Lord trailed off.
As he said, the Wingless Gate Lord should have come out to greet them by now. Yet not only was there no sign of the Wingless Gate Lord, but even his subordinates were nowhere to be seen. It was truly peculiar.
They had entered the southern peaks lands, and Mount Heng was visible in the distance, yet not a single person had come out to welcome them.
"Something must be holding them up. How about we head straight to the Heng Mountain Sect, stay the night, and go to the market tomorrow?"
The Guiya Forest Lord suggested after a moment's thought.
"Why don't you go ahead and clean up a nice place for us to stay?"
It was no different from saying, "Why don't you go prepare my bed?" The Guiya Forest Lord's face twisted for that instant. But he quickly smoothed it over as if nothing had happened.
"True, since I pushed for this path, I should lead by example. Come slowly then."
The Guiya Forest Lord spurred his horse forward. The Guiya Forest elites followed closely. Though only about fifty in number, it was more than enough to wipe out a minor sect like the Heng Mountain Sect that wasn't even among the Seven Great Sects.
Once the Guiya Forest Lord had galloped ahead, Hyeok Mu-rin's lips twisted into a sneer. Seeing it, the Yin-Yang Sect Lord frowned.
"This young master wants to act alone, it seems?"
"What do you mean?"
"He's saying people like us aren't worth his consideration."
"I just don't like people scheming in front of me. I don't blindly make enemies of those whose goals differ from mine."
"That's fortunate then."
"Since it came up, let me ask you too. Sect Lord, which of us brothers do you have in mind?"
"Whichever of the three succeeds, I only hope they'll continue the grand path."
"It doesn't matter who it is?"
"It's not for the likes of Solar Heaven to interfere in such matters."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"I see."
Hyeok Mu-rin nodded. A thick smile bloomed on his lips. Unmistakably a sneer.
'Do you think Master kept you around because you're useful? He's just too annoyed to deal with the righteous sects one by one.'
It meant the Sun King maintained the Twelve Evil Heavens out of laziness toward bothering with the righteous sects individually. If the righteous sects fractured and stopped getting in the way, he would've unified the evil side long ago.
With that, Hyeok Mu-rin's arrogance ended any further conversation.
Heng Mountain Sect.
A notable name in the Hunan region, but a sword sect far below not only the Seven Great Sects but even the Five Great Families.
Led by the Solar Heaven warriors following Hyeok Mu-rin, the Yin-Yang Sect and Banner Gang elites entered the Heng Mountain outskirts. After two days of rain, the weather had cleared, revealing vibrant green forests stretching refreshingly along the mountainside.
"How clean does he need to make it that he's still not showing his face?"
Hyeok Mu-rin sneered.
He was blaming the Guiya Forest Lord for not coming out. The Yin-Yang Sect Lord and Banner Gang Chief clamped their mouths shut. They knew mixing words would just earn mockery. In that silence, they reached the Heng Mountain Sect's main gate.
"The gate's wide open, no sign of cleaners anywhere. How strange."
Hyeok Mu-rin muttered amusedly as he dismounted and strode through the main gate without hesitation. The Yin-Yang Sect Lord and Banner Gang Chief dismounted and followed into the sect grounds. Like most martial sects, a wide front courtyard spread out just beyond the gate.
It was when Hyeok Mu-rin's evil group reached the center of that courtyard. A young man appeared leisurely from ahead.
It was Do Cheon.
"Where's the Guiya Forest Lord?"
Hyeok Mu-rin demanded right away.
"Looks like you're the arrogant one too!"
Do Cheon shot back.
Hyeok Mu-rin's face twisted in irritation.
"You from the Heng Mountain Sect?"
"When the one you sent ahead doesn't show, shouldn't you be on guard thinking something's off?"
"You want me to guard against trash like you?"
"Obviously."
Hyeok Mu-rin stared at Do Cheon, apparently stunned by the response. But with his senses, he couldn't pierce Do Cheon's true nature. So he assumed the opposite: Do Cheon's skills were so pathetic he couldn't even sense the danger.
"Well, even a wriggling worm can only see so much."
As he folded his arms, thinking even dealing with the opponent would lower his stature.
Several people appeared behind Do Cheon.
The sect leader, elders, and other Heng Mountain Sect leaders. And one person who made Hyeok Mu-rin's face sour instantly.
"They've got all sorts."
Hyeok Mu-rin mocked.
His gaze went to the Guiya Forest Lord appearing with the Heng Mountain leaders. One side of his face was badly swollen red, as if he'd been struck and subdued.
"We've never crossed paths with you before. Why do this?"
One of the Heng Mountain figures asked, drawing Hyeok Mu-rin's gaze.
"Sect Leader?"
"Yes."
"When enemies invade, fight first and ask questions later. What's the point of reasons? No wonder a so-called sect leader is this inept, and the Heng Mountain Sect that's lasted generations is still like this. Tsk tsk tsk!"
Hyeok Mu-rin clicked his tongue in pity.
The Heng Mountain Sect Leader's face flushed with shame.
"Fucking retard."
An abrupt curse.
From Do Cheon's mouth.
"You talking to me?"
Hyeok Mu-rin asked incredulously.
"When your group's like this, shouldn't you think of saving them first? Strutting around like hot shit? That's why you can't leave your master's skirt even at your age. Tsk tsk tsk!"
Do Cheon clicked his tongue right back, mirroring exactly what Hyeok Mu-rin had done.
"You gonna let that worm keep yapping?!"
Hyeok Mu-rin bellowed in rage.
One of his subordinates kicked off the ground, drawing and swinging his sword in a blindingly fast, powerful iaijutsu strike.
Thwack!
The sword swung, but a dull impact rang out. Hyeok Mu-rin's subordinate flew backward.
"Fucking retard!"
Hyeok Mu-rin spat curses and kicked his incoming subordinate far away. Then he berated his men.
"Do it right!"
At Hyeok Mu-rin's sharp command, five subordinates charged at once.
"All of you, go wipe them out!"
At his second order, the remaining forty-odd surged like a tidal wave. But in that brief moment, an astonishing sight unfolded.
The lightning-fast subordinates slowed as if crawling like turtles. Amid that, dull thuds erupted nonstop, flinging them one by one to roll on the ground. Nearly fifty men defeated so powerlessly without even landing a blow.
"Sorcery!"
The Banner Gang Chief cried out in shock. The Yin-Yang Sect Lord's eyes narrowed. Hyeok Mu-rin furrowed his brows in fury.
"Not ordinary skill! Who are you?"
Hyeok Mu-rin's face finally showed real interest.
"You don't know me?"
"Why would I know trash like you?!"
"Then you were gonna kill me without even knowing who I am?"
"...!"
"So it really is to smash the righteous sects' pride flat?"
"Iron God Dragon...?"
"Pisses me off. Really pisses me off. It was absurd and angering when I first heard it, but confirming it's true makes me even madder."
"Hmph! I don't know why Heaven-Rending Legion spared you, but I've decided to kill you, so you're already dead."
"You!"
"...?"
"I told you you'd shit blood. I've decided to make it happen!"
Do Cheon kicked off the ground.
Hyeok Mu-rin reflexively did the same.
The two charged straight at each other.
Kaboom!
Thunderclap Fist exploded.
Hyeok Mu-rin twisted his upper body greatly to dodge, his left hand shooting out to seize Do Cheon's airborne forearm.
His ten nails, bent like a raptor's talons, dug into the flesh all at once. Simultaneously, his right palm surged with white-hot energy toward Do Cheon's chest.
Asura Heaven-Tearing Claws and Super Incinerating Extremity Palm unleashed together.
Bam!
Do Cheon's left hand blocked Hyeok Mu-rin's Super Incinerating Extremity Palm.
Hyeok Mu-rin's face hardened instantly.
'He blocked the Super Incinerating Extremity Palm?'
He checked Do Cheon's left hand. Untouched despite facing it.
It meant a palm strike rivaling the Super Incinerating Extremity Palm. The moment Hyeok Mu-rin finally showed caution.
Snap!
Do Cheon twisted his wrist and arm slightly, his right hand grabbing Hyeok Mu-rin's left arm. Now each had seized the other's facing arm.
'Stupid bastard!'
Hyeok Mu-rin sneered inwardly and unleashed the Super Incinerating Extremity Palm again.
This time, he maxed out the Pear Blossom Sun Force. No more holding back—he aimed to incinerate in one blow. Since neither gained from the first clash, the opponent would surely go all-out too. But it didn't matter. Super Incinerating Extremity Palm at full Pear Blossom Sun Force needn't fear Heaven-Rending Legion's Eight Emperors Fist.
'Burn to ash down to your bones!'
Hyeok Mu-rin's Super Incinerating Extremity Palm poured out white-hot waves. It would shatter Do Cheon's palm and smash his chest with scorching force.
But the instant their palms clashed, a deafening roar shook his eardrums, and excruciating pain from his shattered palm shot up his arm to rattle his brain.
'W-what?'
Hyeok Mu-rin panicked in shock.
Then Do Cheon's palm thrust toward his chest.
Boom!
At the split-second crux, Hyeok Mu-rin reflexively unleashed his protective energy. But with the fierce impact, his upper body shook violently before going limp. His mind blanked to white, unable even to groan.
"What? You're the Sun King's disciple?"
Do Cheon mocked, but the unconscious Hyeok Mu-rin didn't twitch, let alone reply.
Do Cheon hoisted the limp Hyeok Mu-rin up. Then slapped his face hard with his palm. The jolt snapped Hyeok Mu-rin's eyes open.
"...!"
Hyeok Mu-rin's unfocused eyes filled only with Do Cheon's face.
"I told you you'd shit blood, right?"
"Shit blood?"
"Yeah, shit blood."
"...!"
As the stinging pain brought him to his senses, Hyeok Mu-rin saw Do Cheon's fist clenched tight and cocked way back.
"You right now...?"
Do Cheon's fist shot forward.
Thud!
A heavy impact to the gut sent Hyeok Mu-rin flying. His consciousness plunged back into darkness, tumbling to the Yin-Yang Sect Lord's feet.
The Yin-Yang Sect Lord could only stare at Do Cheon, unable even to lift Hyeok Mu-rin.
"Now, shall we wrap this up?"
Do Cheon grinned, baring his teeth.
It was clearly mocking, yet chilling enough to make one's heart go cold.
"W-we'll retreat."
The Yin-Yang Sect Lord said.
"Just like that?"
"We lost."
"Sure, but I can't just let you go scot-free, right?"
"What would you have us do?"
"Take one hit each."
"Our subordinates are watching. We have our pride...!"
The Yin-Yang Sect Lord clamped his mouth shut urgently. Before he finished, Do Cheon moved. Startled, he reflexively countered and tried to pull back, but immense pressure bore down, hindering his movements.
Smack!
Do Cheon's palm struck the Yin-Yang Sect Lord's face, sending him sprawling.
Crack!
The Banner Gang Chief fared the same.
They weren't weak enough to fall so helplessly, but crushed by Do Cheon's feat of casually sending Hyeok Mu-rin flying, they only thought of fleeing and couldn't counter properly.
"Ugh!"
"Kuh!"
The two groaned, barely rising.
Do Cheon eyed them, then beckoned behind. Byeon Ryeo-gun, the Celestial Insight Maiden, emerged with her face veiled anew, leading dozens in ragged defeat. Guiya Forest and Wingless Gate warriors. The Wingless Gate Lord, too, had been struck by Do Cheon, his face swollen red.
They'd learned of Hyeok Mu-rin's approach to Heng Mountain Sect from the Wingless Gate Lord. That's why they could prepare ahead.
"This Heng Mountain Sect has nothing to do with me. But if you use today's events as an excuse to come wreck it, I'll visit your sects next and slaughter every last one."
Not just the Guiya Forest and Wingless Gate Lords—even the Yin-Yang Sect Lord and Banner Gang Chief could say nothing.
"I'm letting you live because you came boldly to kill me, so if you get another chance, don't forget to come boldly again. Now get lost if you understand."
The Guiya Forest Lord and Wingless Gate Lord gathered the still-unconscious Hyeok Mu-rin with the Yin-Yang Sect Lord and Banner Gang Chief and slunk away silently.
"Oh, by the way, were you the ones who attacked the Western Peak Family?"
Do Cheon suddenly recalled and shouted. The Western Peak Family was Mok Un-san's home base, where he was currently teaching martial arts at the Iron Lion Sect.
"Absolutely not! I don't know who spread that rumor, but we've no connection to the Western Peak Family!"
The Guiya Forest Lord turned hurriedly to reply.
"Not you guys?"
"No!"
"We've never even been to Western Castle!"
They all denied Do Cheon's question.
"What about the other places? The other Twelve Evil Heavens?"
"We don't think so."
"The Twelve Evil Heavens had no reason to clash with the Western Peak Family then."
They all denied it. Untrustworthy folk, but it felt genuine. An expert's intuition picked up that vibe.
"Got it."
Do Cheon waved them off to leave, and they turned and fled the Heng Mountain Sect grounds like rabbits.
"Thank you. Thanks to Young Hero Do, our sect is safe."
The Heng Mountain Sect Leader expressed gratitude.
Do Cheon bowed in return.
"They're the ones who moved because of me. Glad the Heng Mountain Sect didn't get swept up."
"With such astonishing skill yet so humble, the Iron Lion Sect's name will surely shake the world."
"Sect Leader, it's not just that. Young Hero Do's fame will tower as the world's greatest."
"At last, a true notable sect of Hunan has found its place."
The Heng Mountain elders chimed in with praise.
Who wouldn't like compliments?
Do Cheon smiled faintly too.
"Coming from the notable Heng Mountain Sect of Hunan, that's truly an honor."