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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Pathetic
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Sky-Spanning Gang.
As soon as Do Cheon appeared, the gang's underlings didn't even dare to charge and backed away. Do Cheon ignored them completely and headed straight for the inner courtyard.
By then, word of his arrival had reached them, and in the main hall, Sky-Spanning Gang Leader Man Gwa-hae was waiting, flanked by the escorts from before.
'Looks like the White Sword Sect's influence has reached here. Hah, the Iron Lion Sect and all that nonsense! With the White Sword Sect stepping in, what can you do?'
Man Gwa-hae forced a smile and spoke first.
"As you can see, my leg's like this, so I can't stand."
Man Gwa-hae pointed to his leg—the one Do Cheon had broken.
Do Cheon didn't spare it a glance and kept approaching.
"I said we'd forget the misunderstanding, so what's this about?"
Man Gwa-hae tried to act casual as he asked.
'Hah! With the Clear Dawn Escort Agency and the White Sword Sect involved, what tricks can a punk like you have? Life's a battlefield, and money calls the shots—you're learning that now.'
Man Gwa-hae brimmed with confidence.
But the words from Do Cheon, who stopped right in front of him, shattered his expectations entirely.
"Seems like you're the one who's misunderstanding."
"What...!"
The moment Man Gwa-hae sensed something ominous and his eyes widened, Do Cheon kicked his good shin.
"Argh!"
Man Gwa-hae clutched his leg and rolled on the floor. Even a casual kick had snapped the bone in his intact leg. Do Cheon crouched down in front of the writhing man.
"You brought in the White Sword Sect, huh? Impressive work. But here's the thing—I've got some pull myself. Alright, let's do this: It's a day's ride from here to the White Sword Sect, so they'll need two days to arrive. No need to wait longer—let's settle it in two days. Either I die, or you hand over the Sky-Spanning Gang's assets. Sound good? It's your chance to kill me, so don't miss it."
Do Cheon spat the words coldly, then stood and headed out of the hall. Throughout it all, Man Gwa-hae's escorts hadn't moved a muscle. An indescribable pressure had pinned them in place.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Iron Lion Sect.
Yi Yeol was waiting when Do Cheon returned.
Yi Yeol must have had something to say, as he was sitting alone by the sect's main gate. He sprang up when Do Cheon arrived.
"Waiting here means you've got something on your mind?"
"Yes."
"Speak."
"Eldest Brother."
"Go on."
"I always trust you, Eldest Brother. But I can't shake this worry. The Clear Dawn Escort Agency... and now the White Sword Sect too... What will you do?"
Do Cheon couldn't help but smile at his junior brother's worried stare.
"Iron Mountain's simple-minded—once he fixates on something, he misses the bigger picture. But not you. You're the opposite. You've always thought deeper than me, which means your head's full of worries."
"Eldest Brother..."
"Yeol."
Do Cheon looked straight into Yi Yeol's eyes and called his name softly.
Yi Yeol met his gaze squarely.
"Yes."
"Someday... we'll have to cross a great mountain. If we do, the Iron Lion Sect regains its former glory. If not, it crumbles right here."
"...!"
"To climb that mountain, we need to take bigger strides first. The Sky-Spanning Gang and Clear Dawn Escort Agency aren't even obstacles. The White Sword Sect might slow us a bit."
"...!"
Yi Yeol's eyes went wide.
In shock. He'd always known his eldest brother's ambitions were extraordinary, but dismissing even the White Sword Sect as a minor hindrance?
The White Sword Sect was one of the top sects in northern Hunan Province. It wasn't an exaggeration to say they split the region with the Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold's pirates. And that was just a minor delay?
Even if Do Cheon had recovered the Iron Lion Sect's lost techniques, facing the White Sword Sect or Dongting Lake's forces would take at least twenty years. Even if he was a considerable expert now, it held true. One hand couldn't fend off ten.
And three years' time had clear limits for growth. Those limits couldn't match the White Sword Sect. That was Yi Yeol's concern.
But Do Cheon didn't see it that way.
"Master didn't tell you the full plan, nor did I, because we feared you'd give up before even walking. I want to cross that mountain with all of you. I really do."
His quiet voice carried bold resolve.
Yet it only deepened Yi Yeol's worries rather than inspiring him. Do Cheon chuckled lightly, understanding.
"Yeol."
"Yes."
"Do you want to live like Master?"
Yi Yeol couldn't answer. But his silence was answer enough.
Do Cheon nodded.
"Even if we fail, we lose little. So don't fear—jump into the arena of the powerful and let's roar with all we've got."
Yi Yeol's eyes widened at "let's roar with all we've got."
It felt like a massive hole had burst open in his stifled chest, long trapped in a decaying sect.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Clear Dawn Escort Agency.
Yeo Song-hae headed straight for the agency leader's office after returning from the Iron Lion Sect.
"I'm back."
"Much changed?"
"A frog in a well doesn't change much."
"You relayed the message?"
"Yes. His instincts are sharp as ever. He got it without details."
"Sharp kid. If the Iron Lion Sect hadn't crumbled, he'd have gone far."
"Never ordinary, even as a child. But not on Baek Mu-gi's level."
Baek Mu-gi was the White Sword Sect's young leader.
His political marriage to Yeo Su-a was something Yeo Song-hae had pushed hard, with fruition just a month away.
"Bloodlines differ. Anyway, good he understood. Read this."
Escort Leader Yeo Mun-rak handed over some documents.
Yeo Song-hae read them carefully, looking somewhat surprised.
"Bigger scale than expected."
"Picked the best of the lot."
"How much for the White Sword Sect?"
"Thinking thirty percent."
"That much?"
"If that money grows their power, we're safer for it. Safety draws more merchants to our Clear Dawn Escort Agency."
He'd first thought it too much, but Yeo Mun-rak's logic showed the greater gains.
Yeo Song-hae examined the documents again.
It was a transport plan using Dongting Lake's waterways.
'This scale alone could make us one of the top ten escort agencies in ten years. Not just a dream.'
Using Dongting Lake had been their scheme for two years. It allowed cheap, massive hauls for huge profits.
The issue was the Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold that controlled it.
Using the routes meant clashing with them, and they'd demand steep tolls. Hence the White Sword Sect marriage alliance.
To leverage their prestige and minimize tolls.
'Of course, in two or three years, we'll use the White Sword Sect to sweep the pirates away.'
A smug smile spread across Yeo Song-hae's face as he set the papers down. Escort Leader Yeo Mun-rak wore the same greedy grin.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The martial world of the realm spans a thousand years of history.
Historians call the first three hundred years the Primordial Chaos Era, pure turmoil. The next six hundred, up to a century ago, the Age of Overlords, where absolute tyrants clashed endlessly.
The Iron Lion Sect arose at the tail end of that age. Seven iron-blooded lions, scorning the dominion of the Heavenly Demon, Blood King, and Flame Lord, founded it in defiance, craving freedom and refusing to kneel to vast power.
Those seven battled the Blood King—said to dwell near evil's core—and the Flame Lord, incarnation of fire, in a grueling three-year war. In the end, they hurled both into hell's abyss.
The world went wild, believing the Iron Lions would sweep away the Heavenly Demon and his Demon Cult, ushering a new era. Their momentum was unstoppable, like a blaze through dry grass.
Yet who can predict the morrow in the human world?
One day, the seven Iron Lions vanished.
Along with the Heavenly Demon and his Twelve Demon Kings.
The Age of Overlords ended abruptly, and new winds blew. Factions sprouted like weeds everywhere, vying for regional dominance in ceaseless brawls.
A brutal, dark age of upheaval.
But from that chaos emerged a new order.
The Seven Great Sects, led by Shaolin, Wudang, and Huashan; the Twelve Evil Factions, like Sun Heaven School, Tyrant Emperor Sect, Ghost Cliff Grove, Yin-Yang School, and Ironclad Gang; and the Demon Cult.
Thus, the world divided into Righteous, Evil, and Demonic paths.
Historians dub our era the White Path Age, where every step reveals one's true color, or the Three Paths Era of Righteous, Evil, and Demonic.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Two days flew by.
The day to visit the Sky-Spanning Gang had arrived.
"Coming along? You could settle some old scores."
Yi Yeol shook his head at Do Cheon's question.
"You said we need bigger strides first. I'll forget the Sky-Spanning Gang. Go alone, Brother."
"What nonsense? We go together and smash 'em flat."
Iron Mountain snorted and clenched his fists.
"You stay too. Fixating on the Sky-Spanning Gang will cap your potential."
"What rubbish is that?"
"Eldest Brother, please handle it today."
Ignoring Iron Mountain's protests, Yi Yeol bowed to Do Cheon.
"Hey, why's Second Brother deciding for us?"
Iron Mountain kept objecting, but Do Cheon just laughed.
He understood Yi Yeol's thinking.
Worried they'd get in the way. If escape was needed, they couldn't be baggage—so better not go.
"Fine, I'll go alone."
Do Cheon nodded, picking up his wooden sword.
"No, I'll go too!"
Iron Mountain stepped back, yelling. But he couldn't dodge Do Cheon's hand.
Thud! Thwack-thwack-thwack!
Iron Mountain's face twisted in breathless agony.
'Damn it... I thought he'd let it slide for one day...'
Sky-Spanning Gang.
Do Cheon had soothed Yi Yeol and Iron Mountain's meridians before heading alone. The gang's main gate stood wide open when he arrived.
Beyond it, the front courtyard teemed with people.
Staring at Do Cheon outside, as if daring him to enter.
Do Cheon smirked and crossed the threshold.
The courtyard brimmed with Sky-Spanning Gang underlings, gripping vicious weapons. Eager for payback from last time, they eyed him like predators.
And overlooking the yard.
There sat Gang Leader Man Gwa-hae.
With both legs broken, he lounged in a large chair, three sword escorts behind him.
Do Cheon glanced at them, then looked away.
Two men sat in chairs beside Man Gwa-hae.
Do Cheon addressed the familiar face.
"Clear Dawn Escort Agency joining in?"
"Sigh, thought you were sharp, but you've just bulked up without brains. So reckless. For old times' sake, I'll just watch. Meaning, even if your limbs get hacked off, no help from me."
The sighing speaker was none other than Yeo Song-hae of the Clear Dawn Escort Agency. He wore a pitying look, as if the outcome was sealed. He spoke of old ties, but no concern showed on his face. It laid bare his disdain for Do Cheon.
Do Cheon turned to the man beside him.
A haughty middle-aged man in his fifties hardened his expression upon meeting Do Cheon's gaze.
"You dared ignore our sect?"
"White Sword Sect?"
"A worm like the Iron Lion Sect ignoring us? I'll rip your mouth and tear your limbs off. Won't kill you—spend your days cursing your folly."
Cruel words beyond measure.
Do Cheon could guess what Man Gwa-hae had told the White Sword Sect.
Do Cheon laughed.
Then twisted his lips and said,
"Pathetic. Even now, talking of sparing me."
"What?"
"The Iron Lion Sect shows no mercy to enemies. From this moment, all who bare teeth at us die. Want to live? Kneel."
Do Cheon barked coldly and took a bold step forward.