Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: It Seems Right
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Too much shock could seal a person's lips. Even the sect leader of Mount Hua was no exception. He stared blankly, wondering if he'd misheard.
"We'll discuss the details later. But to sum it up, this young man has mastered the supreme technique left behind by the Generation's Heavenly Demon, the ancestor of the Demonic Cult, and the Heavenly Demon Church knows about it—they're on their way."
"...!"
He hadn't misheard. The words about the Generation's Heavenly Demon's martial arts had come up.
The Mount Hua sect leader glanced at Do Cheon, then back at his master, the Volcanic Divine Sword.
"My Legion and I tried our best to protect him. But even the two of us couldn't hold them off. We wanted to at least keep the fact that the Generation's Heavenly Demon's arts had leaked out into the world under wraps, but in the end, here we are."
The Mount Hua sect leader calmed his shock and pieced together what he'd just heard with the events that had befallen his own master, the former leader of the Great Righteous Alliance. The picture soon came into focus.
"So that's why you were staying at the Iron Lion Sect with the Heaven-Rending Legion. You stepped down from the alliance leader position to keep it hushed up. You were trying to prevent that truth from leaking out anywhere. Isn't that right?"
"That's right."
At the Volcanic Divine Sword's reply, the sect leader fell silent for a moment. It wasn't something to take lightly. If mishandled, it could drag the entire Mount Hua Sect into condemnation from the righteous factions of the world. The martial world might seem quiet, but it was a place rife with schemes and conspiracies.
"What do you plan to do?"
First, he needed to know his master's intentions. Bringing the Iron Divine Dragon all the way to the main sect meant he trusted him to the end and intended to stand together. He had to find out what he was thinking.
"Mount Hua stays out of it."
"Pardon?"
"It's still unconfirmed, but that figure tied to the roof of the Heavenly Demon Supreme Palace might just be the Heaven-Rending Legion."
"Pardon?!"
The Mount Hua sect leader's eyes widened in shock—the greatest of the day. The idea that Iron Divine Dragon had mastered the Generation's Heavenly Demon's supreme art felt like a story from another world, not something that hit close to home. But the Heaven-Rending Legion captured and suffering such humiliation? That was different. Who was the Heaven-Rending Legion? He was one of the giants representing both the righteous and evil factions alongside his master. If even someone like that could be captured, just how strong was the Heavenly Demon Church?
He'd only ever heard warnings to beware of the demonic path and the Heavenly Demon Church, but never the full extent of their terror—until now, with the Heaven-Rending Legion captured.
The shocked Volcanic Divine Sword glanced at Nam Myeong. He understood his unusually darkened expression now.
"Is that true?"
"I said it's unconfirmed."
"Ah!"
"I know it's a shock, but pull yourself together. And if this young man and I can't hold them off, don't engage recklessly until the righteous factions unite as one."
"Master?"
"Heed my words."
"Why go alone?"
"Didn't he say he'd come along?"
"Take not just me, but all the sect elders too."
"If it's the Heaven-Rending Legion, my first priority is rescuing him. Then we'll see about clashing based on the situation. So if things go south, we pull back."
He meant going with others might just hold them back. At the Volcanic Divine Sword's words, the Mount Hua sect leader nodded reluctantly.
It was a poignant sight.
To Do Cheon, who had been watching silently, it seemed that way.
'No, if there's fighting to be done, I'll do it, and if there's rescuing, I'll do that too... damn it!'
Golden Emperor Family's Golden Pavilion.
The residence of the Golden Emperor Family's master, which they claimed was the most noble place under heaven.
A massive chair adorned with glittering gold.
An elderly man draped in a golden dragon robe sat overlooking the hall from a throne where a golden dragon seemed ready to slither into life at any moment. His golden hair, golden eyebrows, and even the pupils of his eyes gleamed gold—he was like the incarnation of gold itself.
"The Great Righteous Alliance, centered on the Seven Sects and Five Great Families, is heading to Shaanxi. The Solar Heaven is also rallying the evil factions for a massive mobilization. However, the Tyrant Emperor Sect shows no movement."
"From the common world, the seven old monsters have set out with the Thunder Dragon."
"The Immortal House's Three Sages have departed with their joint successor, the Immortal Dragon."
"The minor sects are tightening control over their disciples and hunkering down."
"The merchant world has halted movements and is watching the Heavenly Demon Church closely."
Reports on the state of the world poured in one after another.
Once the reports ended, a heavy silence blanketed the hall. The Golden Emperor on the throne remained silent even after hearing everything. But his silence didn't last long. Soon, as if he'd made up his mind, a resolute command issued from his lips.
"Proclaim to the world! I, the Golden Emperor, shall subjugate the Heavenly Demon!"
The Golden Emperor's command rang out.
The Golden Emperor Family's retainers bowed in unison to receive it. Iron Rod Emperor, who had rushed back in urgency due to the Heavenly Demon and Church's emergence, lifted his head high in delight.
'Finally, the world-spanning war begins!'
Hubei Province, Wudang Sect.
At twilight, as darkness fell, four figures arrived at the sect gate. Three white-haired elders and one sturdy young man. When the Wudang gatekeepers asked their identities, they presented iron plaques embossed with "Immortal House." Moments later, the guest hall master came rushing out and personally escorted them to the sect's central palace, the Upper Pure Palace.
Wudang Sect's Upper Pure Palace.
The Wudang Supreme Elder himself welcomed the four guests.
"Our juniors' failings forced the three of you to come. It's been too long, Grand Martial Uncle."
"It's the Heavenly Demon himself. How can you call your juniors lacking? Truth be told, it's our generation that failed to resolve it."
A sharp-aura elder.
A figure from the previous generation, revered as the Sword Saint among the righteous elders even now, from Wudang Sect. The other two elders were contemporaries who had risen to fame together and later retired to the Immortal House: Sword Sage and Martial Sage.
"If you say that, then the generations before you aren't blameless either."
"So it's no one's fault. The Heavenly Demon is simply too strong."
"Indeed. Still, this junior feels relieved with the three of you here. I don't know why the Heavenly Demon has stirred, but with you three descending, it feels like his fate has run its course."
"How can we assume victory against the Heavenly Demon? Still, I can say this confidently now. This Immortal Dragon here has long surpassed us—he's worth pitting against him."
"Oh!"
The Wudang Supreme Elder exclaimed in admiration, turning to the quietly seated youth. A man in his early thirties with handsome features.
"Master overpraises me. I still have much to learn."
"You, who said arrogance is the lifelong foe of warriors, are my Grand Martial Uncle. How could your words be mere praise? Impressive. You've lifted a great weight from my shoulders—I'm overjoyed."
The Supreme Elder let out a hearty laugh.
The Three Sages, and even the Immortal Dragon, let him revel in his joy. As his laughter subsided, the Sword Saint spoke.
"Whatever the outcome, leave the Heavenly Demon to this one. We'll clear the way by eliminating his demonic minions. So hurry the Great Righteous Alliance's mobilization."
"Of course. I'll relay it to the command post immediately."
The Supreme Elder nodded vigorously.
Yangtze River.
Early morning.
A small boat was crossing the Yangtze. Besides the boatman, eight rode aboard: seven elders of varied appearances and one youth. But the youth stood out. Bald, not a single hair on his head—and curiously, no eyebrows either.
The elders sat at the center to steady the boat. The boatman rowed from the stern, and the bald youth leaned out from the bow, peering into the murky waters.
"The Immortal House must be moving too. Should we take the lead?"
"Why bother? Let them wear themselves out against the Heavenly Demon, then sweep them all away when they're exhausted."
"That'd be advantageous, but wouldn't it look bad?"
"Does looks put food on the table?"
"Still, to proudly claim dominance over the evil world, we need some show of force to stiffen our resolve."
"Strength is the real show."
"Well... true."
"I heard the Golden Emperor's getting involved too?"
"That golden show-off?"
"Yes."
"Acting like merchants for so long given him confidence?"
"A shrewd old fox wouldn't step up without reason."
"Must've achieved enough to challenge the Heavenly Demon."
"Probably. That's why he's proclaiming it to the world."
"Three-way battle then?"
"Four-way evil war."
"No, it's three factions vying to kill the Heavenly Demon."
"Four are fighting, so four-way."
"Arguing with the boss again?!"
"Just stating facts—who's arguing?!"
"You are right now!"
"I'm not!"
As two elders bickered.
Zzzzt!
A sharp screech came from the bow. The elders stopped and turned. The bald youth had his hand extended toward the river surface.
"Thunder Dragon, what's up?"
One elder asked casually.
"That guy's not dying."
"Who?"
"That one! He's not dying!"
Lightning-blue electricity shot from the furious youth's hand, striking the river.
Splaaash-zzt!
Water sprayed, blue lightning whipped through it. Soon, several fish floated belly-up.
"Dead now?"
"Still not!"
The bald youth shouted, and the seven elders' faces hardened.
"Thunder Dragon! You can kill it later!"
"Yeah, kill the Heavenly Demon first, come back after...!"
The elders trying to calm him panicked.
Lightning bolts erupted wildly from the youth's hand. Over a dozen streaks shot like arrows—brushing a human body would electrocute it on the spot. Knowing the indescribable agony from past experience, the seven elders flattened themselves on the deck in terror.
The lightning bolts swept the surroundings, slamming the river per the youth's rage.
Kaboom!
"Kek!"
A scream erupted.
The boatman's. Charred black by a bolt, his corpse plunged into the river. Moments later, a massive serpent that could swallow a man floated up, belly-up and limp.
"Got it! Let's roast this!"
The so-called Thunder Dragon grinned whitely in delight.
Shaanxi Province, Yechun.
A must-pass point for the Heavenly Demon Church to strike Mount Hua, Shaolin, or Wudang. Even to reach Hunan, the western bank route through Hubei then south was ideal for the Eight-Headed Horse Carriage. That was why the Volcanic Divine Sword brought Do Cheon and Nam Myeong here.
"How do you plan to handle them all alone?"
"Handle all of them? Just the Heavenly Demon."
"You think his demonic minions will stand by?"
"Doesn't matter."
"Don't be stubborn—first confirm if it's the Heaven-Rending Legion as I said. If it is, rescue him however we can, then assess."
"Didn't you say you're on par with him? Could happen to you too."
"Talking to you is pointless."
"You're the stubborn one."
"You're the one being stubborn."
"This is confidence, not stubbornness."
"So what's your plan?"
"I'll confirm if it's the Heaven-Rending Legion. If yes, rescue him and toss him to you—see if you can save him."
"That's it?"
"Yes."
"Really? Sneak in covertly? Use a diversion?"
"Think that'll work?"
"...?"
"It's the Heavenly Demon. He'll let his minions scout while he sits tight—no reason to come out."
"Then what?"
"Charge straight in."
"...!"
That didn't seem right, but the Volcanic Divine Sword couldn't argue. He turned to Nam Myeong, who wore a dark, silent expression.
"I'll rescue him. Can't heal prior injuries, but I'll get him out safe. Don't worry."
Do Cheon said.
Meant as reassurance, but from someone just a year or two older—a fellow man—it came out blunt, unsure how to comfort.
Nam Myeong didn't reply. He just stared ahead. Do Cheon turned away, nothing more to say.
A heavy silence fell. Volcanic Divine Sword, Do Cheon, and Nam Myeong all gazed forward wordlessly. How much time passed?
"Ah, looks like it's coming. Wow, it's huge!"
A massive carriage appeared, as Do Cheon said—like a moving building. On its roof, something tied up, still too far to see clearly.
"It's a person."
Do Cheon said.
"You can see?"
"The Heaven-Rending Legion... it seems right."
After watching briefly, Do Cheon started walking. The Volcanic Divine Sword, hoping it wasn't, hardened his face but followed—then stopped. Glancing back, Nam Myeong's face trembled with rage.