Chapter 98
Chapter 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: The Pursuers
-----------------------------------------------------------------
They rented a carriage.
A four-person carriage, so Do Cheon, the Volcanic Divine Sword, Nam Myeong, and the Black Lion Dark God climbed aboard. Thunder Palace took the seat next to the coachman, while the Flying Eagle Heaven Horn Freak settled on the roof. When they realized there was only one seat left inside, the Black Lion Dark God hopped in as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and Thunder Palace and the Flying Eagle Heaven Horn Freak wordlessly found their spots outside without complaint.
The weather was perfect springtime—clear and warm. The carriage raced along, basking in the abundant sunlight.
Nam Myeong came to his senses only after they'd been traveling for quite some time. Whether he understood the situation or not, he kept his lips tightly pressed together after regaining consciousness, staring out the window in silence. Neither the Volcanic Divine Sword nor Do Cheon said a word. The grief of losing a dear one couldn't be soothed by mere words. All one could do was endure it and press forward somehow.
Nam Myeong remained silent.
He didn't move a muscle. No tears from sorrow, no sighs, not even a single breath escaped him. He simply revealed his devastating anguish over his master's death through profound silence. Seeing his lips sealed shut, the others joined him in that silence, mourning the Heaven-Rending Legion's passing and giving Nam Myeong the space to quietly compose himself.
Quite some time passed like this.
"It means my junior brother went over to the Demonic Path, doesn't it?"
Nam Myeong suddenly asked. He already believed it himself but was seeking confirmation.
"From the circumstances, it looks that way."
Do Cheon hadn't given much thought to Ha Gun-pyo's whereabouts and stayed quiet, so the Volcanic Divine Sword answered.
"I have to kill him. I need to kill the Heavenly Demon too, but first, I must track down and kill my junior brother."
"...!"
"He never should have gone to the Demonic Path. Even if he was Master's disciple, he shouldn't have gone to the Demonic Cult of all places. Master despised the Demonic Cult with every fiber of his being."
"Your junior brother probably didn't get off scot-free either."
"What do you mean?"
"The Demonic Cult isn't a place where petty deals hold sway."
"Then how did they find out about the Generation's Heavenly Demon's ultimate technique? Master would never have spoken, even if they cut his throat."
"He wouldn't have. He had such an unyielding character."
"So you think my junior brother tried to trade that information for something?"
"The Heaven-Rending Legion, who loathed the Demonic Cult so much, went there? It had to be because of your junior brother. That means he went to the Demonic Cult too. Which is why I said he's probably in trouble. The Demonic Cult has endless ways to pry open a man's mouth. They don't see people as people."
The Volcanic Divine Sword's words carried weight. Nam Myeong expressed his agreement by falling silent for a moment.
"Was that the Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon?"
The Black Lion Dark God asked. His eyes bored into Do Cheon. It was a question he'd held back, and held back again. With Nam Myeong breaking the long silence, he'd seized the chance to speak.
"Yes."
Do Cheon answered.
The Black Lion Dark God wore an "I knew it" expression, and at the mention of the Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon, Nam Myeong turned to look as well.
"What kind of technique is it?"
The Black Lion Dark God asked again.
"Do I have any reason to tell you?"
"No. Tell me anyway."
Do Cheon stared straight at the Black Lion Dark God. The man was utterly shameless. If things didn't go his way, he'd snap someone's neck or storm off. Yet here he was, boldly demanding to know—pure curiosity. Not to exploit the technique, but to compare it to what he knew. The innocent wonder of a true martial artist.
"Most techniques involve drawing in external energy, converting it to one's own internal force, refining it into pure energy, then channeling that force through fists, palms, or weapons to unleash it, right?"
"Exactly. The world's myriad techniques may vary, but none stray from that fundamental framework."
The Volcanic Divine Sword provided the answer.
He too was far too intrigued by the conversation to stay silent.
"The Heavenly Demon's ultimate technique doesn't deviate from that framework either."
"Then how is it so overwhelmingly powerful?!"
The Black Lion Dark God exclaimed, his face a mask of incomprehension. If it followed the same principles as other ultimate arts, it couldn't possibly stand head and shoulders above them.
"Because there's one additional element."
"The energy of the great nature itself."
The Volcanic Divine Sword murmured. It was the suspicion—and conviction—he'd formed while observing Do Cheon.
"Correct."
Do Cheon affirmed the Volcanic Divine Sword's insight.
"What do you mean 'correct'? You wield the energy of nature alongside it?"
The Black Lion Dark God asked, his face tinged with surprise.
"Yes."
"...!"
Not just the Black Lion Dark God—Nam Myeong stared in shock too. Even the Volcanic Divine Sword fell silent upon hearing confirmation of his own hunch. It was that astonishing.
After a brief silence, the Volcanic Divine Sword spoke.
"Harnessing the energy of the great nature has been a theoretical pursuit since time immemorial. But no one ever succeeded. In the end, it was deemed the domain of gods. That's why tales arose of immortals commanding wind and rain."
"Looks like the Generation's Heavenly Demon achieved it in ancient times."
Do Cheon's words silenced them all.
Seeing everyone stunned and speechless, Do Cheon suddenly felt a bit awkward.
"The truly amazing one is the Generation's Heavenly Demon, not me. Don't look at me like that."
He was right. The Generation's Heavenly Demon was the true marvel, not Do Cheon. But there was more to it than that. Mastering such an art perfectly was astonishing in itself. The world brimmed with divine techniques and ultimate arts. Yet absolute masters were rare. The implication was clear: properly mastering a divine art to the pinnacle was an excruciating ordeal, impossible for all but the exceptional genius.
If it weren't arduous, it wouldn't be an ultimate art. If anyone could learn it easily, it wouldn't be called divine. There was profound truth in those sayings.
"You're remarkable enough yourself."
"Thank you."
Do Cheon bowed his head at the Volcanic Divine Sword's words.
Conversation ceased after that. The Black Lion Dark God asked no more. Pressing further would be tantamount to demanding every secret of the other's art. Nam Myeong turned back to the window, and the Volcanic Divine Sword sank into thought.
'I can't predict how things will unfold. The sects of the world will learn that the Heavenly Demon has returned and suffered a setback at someone's hands. But they won't know the culprit is the Iron Divine Dragon right here. Even if a spy in the Demonic Cult reports it, they won't act rashly. Things might play out just as Young Master Do hopes. Hmm, perhaps it's for the best?'
The Volcanic Divine Sword pondered the future state of the martial world.
Beside him, the Black Lion Dark God had closed his eyes, lost in contemplation.
Outside were Thunder Palace and the Flying Eagle Heaven Horn Freak.
A thought struck Do Cheon.
'Having all these old masters swarming around isn't all bad!'
Thinking about it now, a bunch of seasoned experts like these offered advantages over just young Iron Lions. With proven masters in the Iron Lion Sect, and them training disciples, those pupils would become the next generation of Iron Lions.
'Two birds with one stone.'
The more he considered it, the better it seemed. Not perfect, but far from bad. He nodded unconsciously.
The carriage sped toward the Iron Lion Sect, pausing only when the horses tired. As dusk fell, they lodged at a nearby inn for food and rest. The next morning, as they prepared to depart after breakfast, Do Cheon grabbed Nam Myeong.
"Don't you need to go back to the Tyrant Emperor Sect?"
"No."
"You have somewhere else to go?"
"No."
"...?"
"I'm a forgotten soul in the Tyrant Emperor Sect."
"I get that, but they'd still welcome you back."
"I don't want to return. Not until I've killed my junior brother."
"So you're planning to storm the Demonic Cult?"
"Not right now. I'll master the Hell Demon Realm first, then go hunt him down."
"Where to, then?"
"Iron Lion Sect."
"...!"
"I have no money, no place to go."
With that, Nam Myeong headed to the carriage. Do Cheon had nothing to say and followed.
The carriage raced toward the Iron Lion Sect.
The vast plain where everyone had departed.
Only the desolate traces of Do Cheon and the Heavenly Demon's battle remained when seven old men and one bald youth appeared.
The Seven Star Old Freaks of the Four Forests and the Thunder Dragon.
"Are we late, or early?"
"Someone fought here, so we're late, right?"
"Then it was a wasted trip?"
"If we're late, of course it's wasted."
"So what now?"
"Don't keep asking me. Figure it out yourself for once, big brother."
"You bastard! Think you know something and showing off?"
"It's not showing off. If you're big brother, lead us properly. Look, we're late again."
"Is it my fault? That kid went this way, then that way, causing all sorts of chaos!"
It was true—they'd been delayed by the Thunder Dragon—so no one argued that point.
"We came out because of the Heavenly Demon anyway. We should track him."
"Where'd he go?"
"Heavenly Demon wouldn't lose, so probably Mount Hua or Wudang."
"You think?"
As the old freaks scanned around, unable to decide a direction—
The bald youth, the Thunder Dragon, came running up with an excited grin, his face innocently childlike.
"When do we catch the Heavenly Demon? Let's grab him quick and roast him up!"
Do Cheon was settling a late lunch at the inn with the Volcanic Divine Sword and the others when an old man disguised as a baggage porter sat right next to them and spoke softly.
"The Great Righteous Alliance, Solar Heaven, and Golden Emperor House have mobilized. The head branch was watching, but something strange is happening."
"Something strange? What is it?"
"They're banding together and following Young Master Do."
"...!"
"At first, I thought paths just overlapped briefly, but it seems..."
"They're tailing me?"
"That's the assessment."
"Understood. Anything else?"
"Likely due to their pursuit speed, only elite experts from the three groups are advancing ahead."
"I see. Thank you for the information."
"I wish Young Master Do martial fortune."
"Thank you."
The old man rose quietly and vanished after Do Cheon's reply.
"Was that true?"
"If Hao Gate isn't deceiving us, yes."
"How could such a thing...!"
The Volcanic Divine Sword could never have imagined the Great Righteous Alliance, Solar Heaven, and Golden Emperor House uniting. His shock was immense.
"They've grown wary."
"Wary?"
"Wary of someone stronger than the Heavenly Demon. Probably joined hands fearing the one who repelled him might stand above them all. Ha, we should've just let the Heavenly Demon be. Let them fight among themselves."
Do Cheon's words rang true. The Volcanic Divine Sword was speechless.
"If we let them be, they'll chase us to the Iron Lion Sect. I need to meet them."
Do Cheon stood. The Volcanic Divine Sword rose with him.
"I'll go alone."
"Alone? What do you mean?"
"It'll be easier that way. Wait here—I'll send them back and return right away."
"Fighting isn't always the answer. Let me explain first."
"Elder."
"Speak."
"I've learned plenty from you during this time."
"...?"
"I have no intention of shedding blood."
"I'm worried you'll get hurt."
"That won't happen."
"...!"
"I'll be back."
Do Cheon smiled faintly and left. The Volcanic Divine Sword could only watch worriedly, unable to stop him.
The Solar King stood with hands clasped behind his back.
Ten-odd paces behind him stood Solar Heaven's Twelve Elders, his disciples, and the elites of the Twelve Guard Divisions.
On one side, centered around Xuan Tian Grandmaster, the Great Righteous Alliance's veteran experts sat resting. A short distance away, the Golden Emperor—resplendent in his shimmering golden dragon robe—and Heavenly Grove's white-clad elder masters took their respite.
"We're almost upon him..."
The Solar King muttered.
His eyes gleamed with eager anticipation.
His life had been a single-minded pursuit of the Heavenly Demon. Even cultivating the Solar Day Chronicle, he'd always envisioned surpassing him. With unyielding resolve to one day prevail.
Yet a being who surpassed the Heavenly Demon had appeared.
He was curious. What kind of person? How strong? What techniques?
Thus, he eagerly awaited their meeting.
Three figures raced in amid the wind—scouts. As they arrived, Xuan Tian Grandmaster and the Golden Emperor approached.
"They're still moving by carriage. Less than half a shichen away now."
At the scouts' report, the Solar King spoke.
"We move out. No breaks this time—catch them in one go."
As everyone prepared their lightness skills at his command—
Shuuu—woong!
A sharp whoosh echoed from far away.
The Solar King furrowed his brow just as something hurtled toward them at terrifying speed from the front.