Chapter 99
Chapter 99
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: I Must Tell You
-----------------------------------------------------------------
‘If they’re chasing me, I’ll run into them by backtracking the carriage path. The problem is hiding my identity...’
Word would get out to the Heavenly Demon Cult eventually anyway, but wasn’t it better to delay it even by a day?
The Great Righteous Alliance had plenty of people who’d recognize him. What would happen if they did? Who knew. They were already acting in ways he couldn’t predict at all. He didn’t even want to think about the hassle. Better to hide if he could.
Concealing his face wasn’t hard. No need for a mask. On a spring day filled with heat haze, everything around it shimmered and blurred. He didn’t know the principle, but shaking the air made nearby objects distort and lose clarity.
He paused for a moment. Standing before a tree, he violently churned the air in front of it. The tree’s surface refracted and wavered, making it hard to even identify what kind of tree it was.
Using the same principle, he fiercely agitated the air cloaking his own body. Then he raced off again to find them.
‘Now for the voice...’
Sound changed when passed through a hole. Like a flute. He lowered his pitch, compressed the air right in front of his mouth, and pierced a small hole in the air for his voice to pass through.
“How dare you chase after this seat! Do you seek death?!”
Success. His voice was altered. But he wasn’t satisfied. It was too thin, like a child’s. He widened the hole a bit and added refraction.
“How dare you chase after this seat! Do you seek death?!”
Better. But still not quite right. It didn’t sound human. He kept tweaking it as he ran, testing variations.
Shuuuung!
In an instant, the unidentified figure closed an immense distance and barreled straight at the Sun King.
The Sun King’s gaze was terrifyingly calm. But within his pitch-black pupils, like bottomless abysses, a ferocious heat seethed, ready to erupt at any moment.
“How dare you!”
The Sun King thrust out a palm strike.
The horrifying energy of the Solar Day Return Art surged from his palm. It was a supreme technique from the Ten Great Palms of the World, one that crumbled foes with raw destructive power while melting their flesh with scorching white-hot qi.
Kwaaang!
A thunderous explosion rocked the air. The Sun King’s eyes widened in shock. In that single clash, he had been pushed back. Right then, the Sun Heaven experts charged in unison, unleashing their signature arts. But the foe ignored them entirely, charging headlong into their barrage. He advanced straight into the storm of relentless attacks.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwaang!
The surroundings shattered. The clash’s shockwave was so vicious that the attackers scattered in alarm, blown back like leaves in a gale.
Having pierced the Sun Heaven experts in one go, the figure sharply veered toward the Great Righteous Alliance masters.
“Amitabha!”
Abbot Hyeoncheon unleashed the Shaolin Arhat Palm. It was a palm strike with enough power to pulverize a house-sized boulder. Yet the opponent met it head-on.
Kwaaang!
Abbot Hyeoncheon was repelled just like the Sun King. Not only that—the Great Righteous Alliance elders charged in like the Sun Heaven group, only to be immediately forced back. The backlash from their own devastating onslaught exploded ferociously.
And it was right then.
One man held firm. Sword Dragon of the Three Sages, thrusting his pristine longsword in a straight line. As he endured, the Three Sages unleashed their signature ultimate arts from both flanks in a terrifying assault. The techniques that had once shaken the world flooded toward the foe like a tidal wave.
Azure sword qi splintered like the feathers of a soaring bird and erupted forth. Meteor-shower fists poured down like a downpour. Amid them, crimson saber light cleaved the heavens and earth.
In the midst of this breathless barrage, a sharp sound rang out.
Cheee-eeng!
With a noise like shattering glass, the pristine longsword burst like fireworks. The moment bewilderment flickered across Sword Dragon’s face, the unidentified figure left him behind and shot into the sky.
“You won’t escape!”
“You bastard!”
The Three Sages’ tidal assault surged skyward.
At that very instant, the figure soaring into the air twisted direction and plunged like a thunderbolt into their onslaught.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwaang!
Shockwaves blasted in all directions.
Vast clouds of dust whipped up like a storm, blanketing everything in seconds. The expansive plains and encircling jagged peaks trembled.
It was a spine-chilling assault, befitting the Three Sages who had prepared for decades against the Heavenly Demon and his cult.
What had become of it?
Even the Heavenly Demon might not have endured easily. Yet wind howled. The air swirled violently, sweeping away the dust shroud.
The unidentified figure revealed.
Not a single scratch. Untouched amid such an immense barrage. Instead, the Three Sages stood at a distance, faces etched with shock. It was beyond astonishment.
“Insolent fool!”
The Golden Emperor bellowed and stepped forward. His entire body gleamed gold. The Golden Dragon Divine Art, said to surpass even the Vajra Indestructible Body.
The unidentified figure shot toward the Golden Emperor.
If the Golden Emperor withstood it, he would outrank even the Sun King, Abbot Hyeoncheon, and the Three Sages. But amid the heaven-shaking roar, he too was repelled like the others. Not only that—the Golden Emperor Clan experts failed to halt him at all, scattering everywhere. Iron Rod Emperor was among them. She realized her full power hadn’t even posed a threat. Having swept the field, the figure halted abruptly and surveyed them all.
“This seat returned the Heavenly Demon to quiet the world. Yet why do you pursue me? This seat harbors no desires for the mundane. Having attained enlightenment long ago, all is emptiness and annoyance. Pursue no further.”
His form shimmered like air scorched by intense heat, hiding his true appearance. His voice boomed hoarsely, ageless. As if even conversation wearied him, he spoke his piece and shot into the distant sky, vanishing in moments.
“You make my blood boil!”
The Sun King snarled through twisted lips. At his words, everyone snapped to attention and looked around. It was stupefying. The era’s mightiest, who dominated the world, had all been swept aside.
“No desire for the mundane? Hmph! No one with the power to rule the world forgoes such ambitions. He’ll reveal his greed eventually. A needle in a pocket always pierces through.”
With that, the Sun King strode away. Behind him trailed Sun Heaven’s Twelve Elders, his disciples, and the Twelve Guard Squadron experts.
The Sun King wouldn’t forget this. He’d grow stronger and hunt down that unidentified figure.
Great Righteous Alliance Leader Abbot Hyeoncheon turned to the Golden Emperor.
“We return.”
The Golden Emperor left without meeting his eyes, heading for his clan. Rage fueled his steps, followed by Thousand Forest elders and Iron Rod Emperor. Like the Sun King, he yearned for a rematch.
Abbot Hyeoncheon shook his head, gazing where the figure had vanished.
Unlike the Sun King and Golden Emperor, he thought differently. Displaying such divine might without a single casualty meant mercy in his strikes. How could one not marvel?
“A noble one without greed for wealth or fame. Truly benevolent, benevolent, benevolent!”
Someone had watched from afar.
The one who’d seen Do Cheon hide his identity and unilaterally repel the Four Directions’ elites from start to finish. None other than Wudang’s Cloud Nourishing Elder.
“You may fool others, but not my eyes. That unique movement, that leisure. My judgment was right. You’re a scourge upon the world!”
As Abbot Hyeoncheon and the Alliance experts began departing, Cloud Nourishing Elder turned away. His eyes blazed with solemn duty.
Upon Do Cheon’s return, Volcanic Divine Sword Yi Jo-yang scrutinized him closely before asking urgently.
“How did it go?”
“I showed them my power and told them not to follow anymore.”
Do Cheon gave a rough account. Even so, Yi Jo-yang’s expression remained stern.
“What if they follow anyway?”
“No choice. I’ll break their legs, then.”
Astounding words.
The Sun King, Golden Emperor, key figures of the Great Righteous Alliance. Giants leading the current era. Casually threatening to cripple them—was that normal?
“Anyway, they were impressive enough, but there was someone even more so.”
“...?”
“Looked about my age, wielding an incredible sword art.”
“From the Alliance side?”
“Yes.”
“Alone?”
“With three old men.”
“Then it must be the Three Sages.”
“Ah! The ones preparing for decades against the Heavenly Demon and his cult.”
“Indeed.”
“Ha, seriously! If I’d known the Three Sages would step in, I should’ve let the Heavenly Demon fight and just watched.”
Yi Jo-yang suddenly recalled a question at Do Cheon’s words.
“What do you think?”
“Of what?”
“If the Heavenly Demon fought the Three Sages.”
“Unless they have hidden power like the Golden Emperor, they wouldn’t stand a chance against him with what they showed me.”
“As expected.”
The Three Sages had existed for decades. Yet they hadn’t reached the Heavenly Demon’s level. Truly lamentable. At the same time, the Generation’s Heavenly Demon who devised such arts felt all the greater.
Yi Jo-yang sighed, nodded, then composed himself.
“What do you mean, the Golden Emperor has hidden power?”
“The others didn’t go all-out like they were ready to die, but the old man thought to be the Golden Emperor even seemed at ease.”
“What? Hiding his strength even then?”
“Felt insidious.”
“Heavens!”
Yi Jo-yang shook his head in disbelief.
On the way back to the Golden Emperor Clan.
Iron Rod Emperor couldn’t sleep a wink, haunted by one persistent thought.
‘Why? Why does he keep coming to mind?’
The mysterious stranger.
The more she thought, the more he overlapped with one person. The one who’d unhesitatingly agreed the world was laughable. The one who’d truly dammed the Yangtze’s flow, something no one else dared attempt.
‘I have to find out!’
The conclusion after a sleepless night.
Iron Lion Sect.
Steward Seo greeted Do Cheon’s returning group.
“No trouble while you were gone, I take it?”
“Probably because the young master wasn’t here. Nothing happened.”
Steward Seo smiled in welcome.
“Feels like everything’s my fault lately.”
“Trees with many branches catch the most wind. Sword Saint senior, safe travels?”
“Safe enough. Glad to hear it was quiet.”
Yi Jo-yang smiled back in greeting. Steward Seo bowed politely, then turned to Nam Myeong.
“I returned safely too.”
Nam Myeong grinned. No need to show his pain to strangers, so he forced a smile.
“We’ve cleaned your quarters. Rest well.”
“My thanks.”
“Appreciate it.”
Yi Jo-yang and Nam Myeong expressed gratitude. Then Do Cheon pointed to Black Serpent Dark God and the other three standing aside.
“These are Black Serpent Dark God, Lightning Heaven Horned Demon, and Thunder Palace. They’ll stay in the sect for a while, so assign them quarters.”
“Understood. Follow me, sirs.”
Steward Seo led them away.
Do Cheon looked to Yi Jo-yang.
“I need to see Master.”
“Go on.”
“Rest well.”
“You too.”
Yi Jo-yang replied, and Do Cheon glanced at Nam Myeong before departing.
‘Hm, probably in the training hall by now?’
Do Cheon headed to Lion Hall to see his master and martial uncle. Midway, he ran into Byeon Ryeo-gun. His face lit up instantly.
“Slacking while I was gone?”
“Ah, caught me.”
“You’re supposed to deny it for at least one more word.”
“No talent for wordplay. Looks like you’re back safe. What about Heaven-Rending Legion? He went to Tyrant Emperor Sect?”
“He’s gone.”
“Pardon?”
“I couldn’t save him. Come on. Let’s report to Master first, then talk.”
“Okay.”
Byeon Ryeo-gun’s face hardened as she followed.
Moments later, having informed his master and uncle of his return, Do Cheon gathered his juniors and Dharma Protector Ong. He announced there was something to say with everyone present.
Byeon Ryeo-gun assembled them in Lion Hall’s main chamber.
Sect Leader Sa Jung-gyeong, Yeop Mun-wi, Ong Jung-seo, Do Cheon and all the disciples—everyone.
Do Cheon rose, bowing deeply to his master.
“There’s something I haven’t told you during this time.”
Sa Jung-gyeong, Yeop Mun-wi, and the others looked puzzled. But Byeon Ryeo-gun and Ong Jung-seo’s faces stiffened immediately. They guessed what was coming.
It might feel sudden to them. But Do Cheon had changed. Witnessing Heaven-Rending Legion’s death and Nam Myeong’s endurance had shifted his heart. Human life was as fragile as the heavens decreed; no matter how he protected, incidents happened. Moreover, the Great Righteous Alliance, Sun Heaven, and Golden Emperor Clan had defied all predictions.
So he decided to speak sooner, to soften future shocks and prepare in advance.
Just then, Ong Jung-seo’s gaze shifted from Do Cheon to Sect Leader Sa Jung-gyeong.
‘Will it be alright? The sect leader has a rather stubborn disposition...’
Deeply worried, Ong Jung-seo couldn’t hold back and stood.
“Young sect leader, are you about to speak of that martial art?”
“I must tell them.”
Exactly as feared.
Ong Jung-seo nodded but didn’t sit.
“As Dharma Protector, I have a duty to ensure the sect leader understands and assist.”
Ong Jung-seo suddenly placed his hand on the table and looked at Sa Jung-gyeong.
“Sect Leader, the sect eradicated enemies and obtained their martial arts as spoils. That art is now in my hand. May I cultivate it?”
Sa Jung-gyeong’s gaze went to Ong Jung-seo’s hand. Empty. It was just an analogy for explanation.
“Spoils of war? Of course you may cultivate it.”
“Thank you.”
Ong Jung-seo withdrew his hand, glanced at Do Cheon, and sat. Everyone looked baffled, alternating glances between Ong Jung-seo and Do Cheon.
Then Byeon Ryeo-gun stood. She bowed politely to Sect Leader Sa Jung-gyeong.
“Eldest senior didn’t speak before because he thought it wouldn’t cause confusion. I still want to stop him from saying it now, but he reveres you so deeply he can’t bear the guilt any longer.”
With that, Byeon Ryeo-gun straightened and sat.
Something serious was afoot. Everyone eyed Do Cheon worriedly.
Do Cheon gave a faint smile at Ong Jung-seo and Byeon Ryeo-gun’s consideration, then faced his master calmly.
“Master, I have cultivated the Generation’s Heavenly Demon’s ultimate arts.”