Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Don't Get Sloppy
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"It's truly an honor to hear such words from the prestigious Hyeong Mountain Sect of the Honam region."
The Celestial Insight Maiden Byeon Ryeo-gun spoke.
She was mimicking what Do Cheon had said at the Hyeong Mountain Sect.
"What's that about? They praised the sect, so you praised them back."
"I know."
"Then why?"
"Now I understand why Junior Sister San called you an old man, Big Brother."
"...!"
"It's truly an honor to hear such words from the prestigious Hyeong Mountain Sect of the Honam region."
"Is that so?"
"Isn't it?"
"Then how should I say it?"
"Just 'Thank you.' That's enough. They give, we give back. They praise, we praise. Tit for tat."
"...!"
"Keep it short. Say only what's needed. The less you say, the more profound you seem."
"Did I seem frivolous?"
"You seemed old."
Hearing such words from no one other than the Celestial Insight Maiden Byeon Ryeo-gun came as quite a shock.
"You must be disappointed."
"Very much so."
"..."
"Big Brother."
"Yeah?"
"You said the world looks different, right?"
"...?"
"That ruling the world and all that is meaningless, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
"That's why."
"...?"
"Whether this way or that, it's all the same to you. Even if things go wrong, you can fix them, so you just speak and act on whims. You don't care much about others' reactions. Especially lately."
"Well, yeah. I guess not caring fits."
"Don't do that. Mind every word and action. Not to watch others' faces, but to discipline yourself. That's how you avoid getting sloppy."
"...!"
Her final words struck him hard. That must have been what she really wanted to say.
Don't get sloppy. You still have to protect everyone. Even a small mistake could bring crisis to your juniors and the sect. The world may seem easy, but it's never that simple.
Do Cheon nodded. A faint smile touched his lips. Knowing her true intent lifted his mood.
"Wanna run a bit?"
"...?"
"Feel like getting some wind."
"Sure, let's."
Do Cheon unleashed his lightness skill first, and the Celestial Insight Maiden Byeon Ryeo-gun kicked off the ground to follow. The two shot side by side, slicing through the air—like a pair of swallows skimming the water's surface, vanishing in an instant.
Late into the night.
Master Hyeon Cheon, newly appointed leader of the Great Righteous Alliance, could not sleep.
A teacup with steam steadily rising.
How much could such a small cup hold, yet the steam rose endlessly. It mirrored the deepening worries of Master Hyeon Cheon as he watched.
"It'll stop once the heat inside runs out."
It reminded him of his younger self. His heart was barren and empty now, but in youth, it had brimmed with passion like that cup. He couldn't tolerate injustice, punished evil, and revered only righteousness.
"In our youth, none of us cared for politics... isn't that right?"
Not a question to the void. It was directed at someone specific.
"We can't return to those passionate days, but I intend to quit politics."
With a clear voice, a figure entered through the window.
It was the Volcanic Divine Sword Yi Jo-yang.
"How long has it been since I last saw you?"
He knew the Volcanic Divine Sword found even casual encounters awkward, so he didn't question entering via the window. He sensed the gravity of the matter—enough to tarnish the title of Volcanic Divine Sword—but joy came first. They had been close in youth.
"About a year, I think."
Master Hyeon Cheon welcomed him warmly, and the Volcanic Divine Sword smiled faintly in reply. Seeing that smile, Master Hyeon Cheon grumbled as if annoyed.
"Dumping the burden on this old man while you, in your prime, live freely?"
"My prime? I've been over sixty for ages."
"Eh? Already?"
"Hah! While I was swamped with alliance affairs, you must've had it easy."
"Haha! Indeed. I knew you'd lead better than anyone. What wind blows you to quit in your later years?"
"Just scolding me?"
"...?"
"My legs ache in old age too."
"Haha! Sit."
Master Hyeon Cheon offered a seat, and the Volcanic Divine Sword sat opposite with a smile, then picked up his teacup and drank.
"Cheeky. Stealing your elder brother's tea?"
"Elder Brother."
The Volcanic Divine Sword set down the cup and gazed warmly.
Master Hyeon Cheon was of Shaolin lineage, the Volcanic Divine Sword of Huashan. But disciples of the Seven Great Sects had long treated each other as sworn siblings to foster bonds—though only in youth. It had been ages since either used the term.
"Speak."
"Do you remember when we argued fiercely over choosing between the world's safety and our sect's?"
"I do."
"You chose the world, citing Buddha's great compassion."
"Yes. You chose Huashan."
"Right. Without my sect, the world's safety meant nothing to me."
"Changed your mind now?"
"Hardly. I'm still worldly, far from a sage."
"Then why?"
"Staying silent aids my sect, the alliance, and the world."
"Hah!"
The plot thickens, as they say—ever deeper mountains. He'd heard the rumors, and now faced him. No matter how he pondered or stared, the Volcanic Divine Sword's depths eluded him.
"Gather hearts, unite hands, I said."
"That's why I joined the Heaven-Rending Legion."
Master Hyeon Cheon's face darkened.
He'd heard the Heaven-Rending Legion Kang Yi-wi was quite magnanimous. But unorthodox in the end. Righteous or not, many had died by his hand.
Straightening, Master Hyeon Cheon pierced the core.
"Is the Iron Lions' new supreme technique that formidable?"
The Volcanic Divine Sword just looked at him briefly.
'He mistakes that man's martial arts for something the Iron Lions invented! Better that way, perhaps.'
Thinking so, he replied.
"The new supreme technique the Iron Divine Dragon wields—even the Heaven-Rending Legion and I together couldn't handle it."
"...!"
Shock lit Master Hyeon Cheon's face.
The Volcanic Divine Sword and Heaven-Rending Legion.
Figures worthy of the top ten masters. Yet they couldn't manage him together?
"Really?"
"Neither he nor we went all out."
Master Hyeon Cheon's face relaxed with a 'That makes sense.'
"But he seemed the same."
"Which tune should I dance to? Speak clearly."
"How could I tell you to side with this or that?"
"Then why come?"
"Just to tell you about him."
"Then speak. What kind of man is this Iron Divine Dragon?"
"He says he's not righteous sect."
"Unorthodox, then?"
"Not that either."
"Neutral?"
"Who knows. He doesn't wave justice around, gets angry at injustice but doesn't always punish it. Follows, he accepts; pesters, he uses force. Entering the merchant world but never used force there once. Honors elders, but strikes foes without hesitation. Knows sparing them means fighting again, yet doesn't kill. What do you make of him, Elder Brother?"
"...!"
Master Hyeon Cheon couldn't answer swiftly, just stared. The smiling Volcanic Divine Sword made judgment harder.
When Do Cheon and the Celestial Insight Maiden Byeon Ryeo-gun arrived in Jangsa, the sun was high, warming everything. They walked shoulder to shoulder under the gentle rays.
"Isn't that Cheon?"
"Cheon?"
"Do Cheon of the Iron Lion Sect."
"You wanna die?"
"Why?"
"That Young Master Do isn't the old Do Cheon. Casual with his name, and you could be in big trouble."
"R-Really?"
"Listen, not just Young Master Do—the whole Iron Lion Sect lives in another world now. Don't slip up; be extra careful."
"Yeah, gotta be. They're different now—totally different!"
This was the talk of those who recognized Do Cheon.
His hearing far beyond human limits caught every word.
No one above, no one below—yet under the same sky, how 'another world'?
He'd thought the same once, so he understood. But knowing it wrong kept his heart uneasy.
"Can't even walk the streets freely now."
"When it feels awkward, just smile."
The Celestial Insight Maiden Byeon Ryeo-gun had heard too, guessing his thoughts. Do Cheon grinned at her insight and quickened his pace.
Soon, the Iron Lion Sect came into view.
Along the straight main road, buildings were taking shape on both sides.
"This'll be quite the bustling district."
"Yeah. Used to be Jangsa's center."
"Make it so again."
"That's exactly my vague dream. Revive the sect, fill these streets. Imagined Master walking here, everyone greeting him."
"A fine disciple."
"Decent one, yeah."
"Still are."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Feels good. Weak to praise? Or to little sister? Anyway, great mood."
Do Cheon beamed. The Celestial Insight Maiden Byeon Ryeo-gun chuckled softly.
As they laughed, a man approached briskly, bowing deeply.
"Already here, sir?"
"Ah, Gang Leader Man, good work. Picking up speed."
"Yes. Foundations done, frames up—most complete in two, three months."
Man Gwa-hae shrugged proudly.
"Left it to you, so see it through."
"No worries."
"Arm healing?"
"Old bones knit slow."
Man Gwa-hae laughed, lifting his cloth-wrapped arm.
"Feels bad."
"You saved me."
"Should've prevented it. Only one body, tough."
"Was about to mention that."
"Hm?"
"Eyes on me increased."
Man Gwa-hae glanced around. Do Cheon just nodded, not looking.
"Know. At least twenty watching now."
"Th-That many?"
Man Gwa-hae startled—he'd guessed two or three.
"Don't fear. If captured again, play along, stall. I'll rescue for sure."
"Reassuring."
"Me too."
"Pardon?"
"You handling this—reassuring."
"Such words."
"Gotta greet Master. Keep up the good work."
"Yes. Go on in."
Do Cheon left Man Gwa-hae, heading to the Iron Lion Sect.
The road to the main gate bustled with construction—far better than the old eerie silence.
Golden Flower Money House.
"The Yangtze's waters halved!"
Baek Ri-mun-gyeong burst in shouting, visibly excited.
"Just heard. Sit first."
Elder Sang smiled, offering a seat. Baek Ri-mun-gyeong strode over and sat.
"Blocked the Yangtze. Impossible."
Baek Ri-mun-gyeong's excitement lingered.
"Young Master Do said he'd do it."
"Exactly, so... how strong is he...!"
Then Baek Ri family head's words resurfaced.
- Young Master Do has mastered the Iron Lion King's supreme arts beyond the King himself. Handle Golden Flower affairs accordingly.
He'd brushed it off. How compare to an ancient legend? Just emphasis. But no—clear basis.
'Hah... really? Was the Heaven-Rending Legion clash true power? Later question. Yangtze halved—Golden Flower's big ships stuck. Then...'
"What now?"
Calmed, Baek Ri-mun-gyeong eyed Yoo Geon.
"Depends who Golden Flower put in charge. Cheon says Iron Rod Sovereign woman."
Yoo Geon replied. Baek Ri-mun-gyeong's face hardened slightly.
"Know her?"
"Golden Flower warriors obscure, but some active. She's one."
"Personality?"
"Iron in name? Tough nuts. Her too."
"Compromise over..."
"Conflict. Especially pride—fights to the end, all lost."
"Merchant power clash unlikely now. Just securing shipyards—we've some too. No need to fight."
"Then force only?"
Baek Ri-mun-gyeong's face stiffened more, wary of Golden Flower's might. Yoo Geon glanced.
"Cheon sent word."
"What?"
"If my safety threatened, don't resist."
"Not protect you?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Not sure, but Iron Lion tradition."
"Iron Lion tradition?"
"They don't threaten or attack lightly. But touch them, they respond fittingly."
"Wait for Iron Rod Sovereign to poke?"
"Yes."
"Use you as bait?"
"Seems so."
"And? No anger? Agree? Why talk like outsider?"
"Lord."
"Speak."
"Our plan flawed maybe, but long-brewed against the world. Our only asset: our bodies. So..."
Yoo Geon paused, glanced at Elder Sang, then Baek Ri-mun-gyeong.
"We stake our lives."
"...!"
"..."
His resolute air silenced Baek Ri-mun-gyeong and Elder Sang.