Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: They Say I'm Vulgar and Lewd
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“You were looking for me?”
Byeon Ryeo-gun entered the room.
Do Cheon and Chief Steward Seo turned to look at the same time. A mischievous child's smile bloomed on Do Cheon's face, while admiration appeared on Chief Steward Seo's.
“Haah, it seems I still can't get used to Lady Ryeo-gun's beauty.”
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
Byeon Ryeo-gun gave a bright smile. It was more than enough to draw another gasp of admiration. Chief Steward Seo let out another exclamation, but at that moment, Do Cheon spoke up and shifted the mood.
“Little sister, it's time for revenge.”
“Revenge?”
“Yeah, revenge. A chance to pay them back for ignoring you.”
Revenge? Ignoring her?
Byeon Ryeo-gun didn't catch on right away. Do Cheon grinned and rose from his chair.
“The Eight Sects have come calling.”
“...!”
Byeon Ryeo-gun's eyes widened.
Why on earth would the Eight Sects, whom she'd all but forgotten, show up here?
Did they somehow find out that the person they'd snubbed and ignored was here?
Byeon Ryeo-gun's questions were quickly answered.
“Chief Steward Seo greeted them, and they said they wanted to see the sect leader. It felt like they had some kind of request to make.”
“Ah!”
Byeon Ryeo-gun realized it in an instant.
With the Iron Lion Sect's fame on the rise, they must want to latch on and ride its coattails somehow. That's why Do Cheon had mentioned revenge—it all made sense now.
“Will you leave it to me?”
“Of course. That is, if you don't think it's childish or petty of me.”
Do Cheon laughed.
It was the face of a total prankster.
“No way. Not at all. It's righteous payback—what's petty about that? It's just the guilty getting their due. How could that be childish?”
She was resolute.
The day she'd learned the Eight Sects had shunned her, she'd felt utterly miserable descending from Old Mount Hua. She'd tried to forget, dismissing them as unworthy, and for a time, she had. But who knew a day like this would come?
“Let's go.”
“Little sister.”
“Yes?”
“Don't forget to smirk at the corner of your mouth.”
“Got it.”
“Good. Let's move.”
Do Cheon sauntered ahead with a carefree wave.
The leaders of four sects among the Eight Great Mystery Sects had come to the Iron Lion Sect.
Diamond Sect, Nabu Sect, Absolute Poison Sect, and Six Harmonies Sect.
They were places forgotten by the world now, but if you dug into martial history, they'd each made some name for themselves somewhere along the way.
The four leaders sat gathered in their seats, with their disciples standing rigidly behind them like folding screens.
“Why are they taking so long? They told us to come here, so I thought we'd meet right away, but another hour's passed.”
The place they'd been moved to from the guest hall was the Iron Lion Hall, the sect's central hall. The one showing a hint of impatience was the pale-faced elderly leader of the Absolute Poison Sect. His high hopes for the Iron Lion Sect seemed matched by his worries that this meeting might go awry.
“They said he hardly meets anyone these days while mastering the ancestral arts they've only recently recovered.”
“Are we 'hardly anyone'?”
“Of course not. So let's wait.”
The Nabu Sect leader, with his long black beard, maintained a relaxed demeanor. But the way he occasionally glanced at the door suggested he wasn't entirely at ease.
“What's the Iron Lion Sect got that we don't? We won't let them intimidate us.”
The burly Diamond Sect leader spoke boldly. The others nodded in agreement, but the middle-aged Six Harmonies Sect leader, with his gray-streaked beard, couldn't hide his frustration.
Just then, a clear, tinkling voice came from outside.
“The young sect leader has arrived.”
Heads whipped around.
The door opened. Do Cheon strode in confidently. And following him came a woman of such striking beauty that she seized everyone's attention in an instant.
“...!”
“...!”
Byeon Ryeo-gun had always worn a veil at gatherings of the Eight Sects. But before mastering the Celestial Insight Bright Eyes, she hadn't. It was back when she was around fourteen or fifteen. Even so, the moment they saw her unveiled beauty, everyone recognized her as Byeon Ryeo-gun.
They were stunned—and the subtle smile at the corner of Byeon Ryeo-gun's mouth looked suspiciously like a sneer, making them flinch.
“Thank you for coming all this way to visit our humble sect. My master is in secluded training, so I'll be receiving you instead. I hope you'll forgive the imposition.”
Do Cheon spoke politely.
He deliberately said “master” to highlight his own position. Only then did they recover from the shock of Byeon Ryeo-gun's entrance and turn to Do Cheon.
“Ahem. I am the leader of the Nabu Sect. This is the Diamond Sect leader, that one the Six Harmonies Sect leader, and this the Absolute Poison Sect leader.”
The Nabu Sect leader introduced them one by one.
Do Cheon exchanged proper greetings with each.
“I'm still naive about worldly affairs and ignorant of martial history, so I don't know much about the Eight Sects. I looked into you to avoid any rudeness, which is why I was a bit late.”
“I see. Hope we didn't disappoint.”
The Nabu Sect leader probed lightly.
“Not at all. If anything, I was thrilled to see so many similarities with our sect. I rushed here as fast as I could, so please don't scold me for rudeness.”
The leaders' faces brightened dramatically at Do Cheon's words. They shook off their anxiety—stolen glances at Byeon Ryeo-gun—and relaxed.
“I don't know why you've come, but if there's anything our sect can do, we'll help with all sincerity. Please speak freely.”
“We know the Iron Lion Sect is finally finding its place and must be busy. Why would we ask for favors? As the Iron Divine Dragon said, our paths have been so similar we could call ourselves brothers. We just came to see if we might join forces.”
The Nabu Sect leader stroked his black beard confidently. With Do Cheon's goodwill shown, he no longer seemed to care about Byeon Ryeo-gun.
But then—
“Young sect leader, a messenger from the new Great Righteous Alliance leader has arrived.”
The voice came from outside. Do Cheon turned.
“Who's the new alliance leader?”
“They say it's Monk Hyeoncheon of Shaolin.”
“And who's Monk Hyeoncheon?”
Do Cheon muttered as he turned back, then remembered the leaders and gave an awkward smile.
“Ah, some time ago, an old man named Hyeon-gak and another named Un-yang came by acting rudely, so I taught them a lesson. This must be related. If you're not in a hurry, could you wait while I check?”
The mention of disciplining Hyeon-gak and Un-yang made the four flinch.
Seeing this seemingly guileless young man who welcomed them, they suddenly remembered who he was, and their faces hardened.
“No worries. Go ahead. We'll wait.”
The Nabu Sect leader said.
Do Cheon stood, expressing apologies and thanks, then turned to Byeon Ryeo-gun.
“Entertain them with some tea until I get back.”
“Yes, I will.”
Byeon Ryeo-gun replied.
Her demeanor and response toward Do Cheon seemed so compliant. Perhaps that's why the leaders and even their disciples showed surprise, puzzlement, and a hint of pity. Once Do Cheon hurried out, those feelings became more overt.
“I thought after the Celestial Insight Sage died, you'd shut yourself away. What have you been doing here?”
The Nabu Sect leader clicked his tongue.
“They changed the meeting place?”
“Staying in one spot too long invites danger.”
“Without telling me?”
“A kid like you can't sit with us.”
“What an important gathering.”
“It was your master's seat. Are you insulting him?”
“I didn't know—does it look like I'm sneering? If so, my apologies.”
Byeon Ryeo-gun apologized.
But even that didn't sit well with the Nabu Sect leader. He knew full well their actions hadn't been proper. And with disciples watching, dragging it out wouldn't help. He needed to change the mood.
“Tsk tsk! If your master saw you fawning over the Iron Divine Dragon like that, he'd love it. Seducing him with that pretty face?”
“Is that how it looked?”
“You saying it's not?”
“The Iron Divine Dragon does favor me. And I like him too.”
“Vulgar! With no master, your true lewd nature shows!”
“Liking the Iron Divine Dragon makes me vulgar and lewd?”
Byeon Ryeo-gun asked.
The subtle sneer lingered at her mouth.
On the way here, and watching her converse with Do Cheon, she'd pondered how to get even. But they were walking right into the muck on their own—truly laughable.
“Shut it! I don't want to talk anymore. Just one warning: if you try meddling between the Iron Lion Sect and us, I'll make sure you can't stay by the Iron Divine Dragon's side.”
“How?”
“What?”
“You said you'd keep me from his side?”
“If I reveal you got close to one of my disciples, do you think the Iron Divine Dragon would stay quiet? Men with strong self-esteem expect their partners to be flawless.”
“That I was close to Senior Brother Yoo?”
“You think we didn't know you two met secretly at midnight on our last gathering?”
“Yes, we met. He called me out. But it wasn't what I expected, so I left. Ask him for details.”
The “Senior Brother Yoo” she mentioned was present. Byeon Ryeo-gun didn't even glance his way. Everyone looked at him. His face flushed red alone. Catching the glance, the Nabu Sect leader realized his disciple had confessed and been rejected—rage boiled up.
'That pretty-faced wench dares reject my disciple!'
With the other leaders watching, it felt like he'd exposed his own shame by attacking her. The Nabu Sect leader's fury peaked.
“Relying on that pretty face, flaunting yourself everywhere—that's why men fall for you. Your master made you wear a veil to curb your vulgar ways, but now that he's gone, off it comes!”
“I see. I never knew Master's intentions.”
“Hmph!”
The Nabu Sect leader snorted. Byeon Ryeo-gun rose and walked to the back of the hall.
It was where the Iron Lion Sect ancestors' memorial tablets were enshrined.
All eyes from the Eight Sects followed her. Spotting the tablets, the Nabu Sect leader scowled and shouted.
“What do you think you're doing?!”
His shout echoed loudly, but Byeon Ryeo-gun lit incense and bowed without a glance.
“Now I understand why Master always sighed as our gatherings neared. He must have been frustrated. He needed something worth showing off to represent the Eight Sects in the world. I feel the same. I'm angry at their disdain for him. I considered repaying it by saying you weren't worthy. But here you are, putting on this disgraceful display.”
Her voice wasn't loud or high—it was soft. But in the quiet hall, it rang clear in every ear.
“What did you say?!”
The Nabu Sect leader slammed the table and shot up. The other leaders rose in anger too. Sensing something off, the Absolute Poison Sect leader approached her and cried out, eyes bulging.
“Why is the Celestial Insight Sage's tablet here?!”
“What nonsense is that?”
The Nabu Sect leader bellowed, hurrying over. The Diamond and Six Harmonies leaders rushed up curiously too.
The Celestial Insight Sage's tablet was indeed enshrined there.
“What is this?! What have you done?!”
The Nabu Sect leader roared.
Right then, Do Cheon appeared.
“Why all the noise?”
“Ah! Iron Divine Dragon, perfect timing. Look at this—the girl put the Celestial Insight Sage's tablet here.”
Do Cheon approached as the Nabu Sect leader shouted excitedly. He looked up at the tablet, lit incense, and bowed respectfully. Then he placed it and spoke.
“Forgive us for disturbing your rest, Martial Aunt.”
Martial Aunt was the term for one's master's junior sister.
“Martial Aunt?”
The Nabu Sect leader questioned, doubting his ears.
“Ah, my little sister Byeon here succeeded the Celestial Insight Maiden Yi-gun-ok, an elder Iron Lion. But calling her a 'girl'? You wouldn't be rude to my little sister, so were you acquainted?”
“Th-that...!”
The Nabu Sect leader panicked.
He and the other leaders were thrown, stealing glances at Byeon Ryeo-gun.
“He said he likes me, and I said I like big brother too.”
Byeon Ryeo-gun said.
Do Cheon turned with a smile.
“Really?”
“But they say it's vulgar and lewd.”
“What?”
“They say me liking big brother is vulgar and lewd.”
Do Cheon's face twisted ferociously at her words.
“They said if I meddle, they'd make sure I can't stay by big brother's side. One of their disciples called me out one night, saying we'd all meet. But it was just him. He wanted to watch the moon together. I said no and left. Now it's twisted into some vulgar midnight tryst.”
Byeon Ryeo-gun summarized the earlier exchange.
No anger in her tone—just emptiness, hollowness, and pity. Looking at her master's tablet, the pity seemed for him.
'Anger's my job, then.'
Do Cheon turned, face cold as ice.
“I went with little sister Byeon to one of your gatherings. You changed the location without telling her. She was heartbroken that day. She'd been passive before and wanted to mend ties. But you coldly rejected her. You even denied all her master's deeds. So when I heard you'd come today, I told her to get revenge. Revenge meaning we'd just sneer and refuse to ally with people who don't know integrity. But your words... they're endlessly vile.”
“...!”
“...!”
Not just the four leaders—their disciples' faces flushed red too.
“How should I deal with you? Daring to call my little sister vulgar and lewd?”
“Big brother.”
As Do Cheon's killing intent surged, Byeon Ryeo-gun called to him.
“Just say the word. I'll do whatever you want.”
“Master is watching.”
“I know.”
Do Cheon replied.
The air in the hall churned, enveloping everyone from the Eight Sects.
“Kuhk!”
“Guhk!”
They clutched their throats in agony.
The atmosphere compressed, strangling their necks and lifting them into the air.
“Anywhere I hear you insulting or slandering my little sister, I'll rip out your tongues!”
At the end of Do Cheon's icy words, the hall's windows flew open. Those dangling in the air were hurled out one by one. Barely able to breathe, they fled without looking back.
Do Cheon turned.
Byeon Ryeo-gun still gazed only at her master's tablet.
“Sorry. Shouldn't have egged you on for revenge.”
“Big brother.”
“Yeah.”
“Master will understand, right?”
“You said he wanted you free.”
“Yes.”
“Maybe he hoped you'd never mix with the likes of them.”
Byeon Ryeo-gun, who had been silent, finally turned and nodded.
“You're right. That must be it.”
She smiled—not the instructed smirk, but a genuine one from feeling better.
“Feeling better now?”
“Yes. Not relieved exactly, but it feels for the best. No more facing them, no more associating. It's like Master's wish came true.”
“Good.”
“Yeah, good.”
The two smiled as they headed out.
“But hey.”
“Yes?”
“You really like me?”
“Doesn't big brother like me?”
“I do. A lot.”
“I see. Big brother likes me a lot.”
“And you?”
“Me? It's a secret!”
Byeon Ryeo-gun giggled and ran ahead.
Teasing him with a backward glance, she looked utterly delighted.
The land of the demons.
The Heavenly Demon Cult, byword for terror among the world's warriors.
There, a massive eight-horse carriage drawn by eight demon steeds rumbled into view, its heavy wheels thundering. It was pitch black, the color symbolizing the Heavenly Demon and his cult. Behind it trailed over a dozen four-horse carriages, followed by five hundred fully armored Iron Cavalry, and then a thousand or so demons exuding murderous aura.
A sight unseen in centuries.
But more eye-catching still was atop the eight-horse carriage. A massive black wooden cross stood on its roof, and bound to it in bloodied rags was an old man.
The sturdy old man, drenched in blood, barely kept his eyes open. The carriage was unmistakably heading to the heart of the continent.
'That guy... I have to... stop him...'