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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Worst Move
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White Sword Sect.
Yeo Song-hae, who had brought the severed head of the Martial Sword Expert Yoo Ui-tag, felt like he was sitting on a bed of needles. Not only the sect leader of White Sword Sect, but also the elders and other masters were exhaling breaths as cold as ice. Overwhelmed by the atmosphere, Yeo Song-hae couldn't utter a single word, like a criminal awaiting judgment.
It was a long while before the sect leader finally spoke.
"Tell us everything from the beginning, in detail."
His voice was sharp.
So cold it felt like it would freeze his mind solid.
Yeo Song-hae barely shook it off with a bow of his head and described the fight between Do Cheon and Yoo Ui-tag exactly as he had seen it.
Swift Sword.
He added that it had been an incredibly swift sword, giving Yoo Ui-tag some face by implying he hadn't lost to some no-name grunt.
"Is that all he showed?"
A scrawny old man, thin as a tadpole's tail, asked.
Hwa Il-ryeon.
One of the sword masters that White Sword Sect prided itself on, a true expert in swift sword techniques.
"Before clashing with Hero Yoo, he first sent the Sky-Spanning Gang kids flying."
"Tell us in detail."
"Yes. As soon as Hero Yoo gave the attack order, the Sky-Spanning Gang kids charged all at once. That's when he stomped the ground, unleashing a powerful shockwave that sent them bouncing back. Then he grabbed one by the throat. And..."
"Hold on. He stomped to send the kids flying, so how did he grab that one's throat? Did he use a movement technique? How fast was he?"
Ground Stamp was a technique where one slammed their foot into the earth like striking it, causing a clash of qi with the ground and redirecting the rebound force into a shock. It was meant to amplify power through that medium. Sometimes it looked intimidating to lesser fighters, used to seize the momentum, so Yeo Song-hae had assumed Do Cheon did it for that reason.
But now, faced with Hwa Il-ryeon's question, a thorny detail stuck in his mind. Yeo Song-hae quickly combed through his memories. And then his eyes widened as far as they could go.
It had happened in a flash, and Yoo Ui-tag's death had been such a shock that he hadn't registered it until now. Do Cheon definitely hadn't used any movement technique.
"He... just reached out with his hand!"
Yeo Song-hae stared at Hwa Il-ryeon with an incredulous expression even as he said it. Just reaching out and pulling a person in was an astonishing feat.
"Air Grasp!"
A technique that projected inner energy to draw in external objects.
Far more advanced than simply emitting inner energy, it was no wonder it stunned them.
"Swift Sword and Air Grasp... that does give him some credible backing."
Hwa Il-ryeon said.
The opponent had displayed swift sword and Air Grasp so calmly against a master like him. That was confidence. Confidence that he knew the opponent's trump card.
White Sword Sect's position was no light matter, at least in Hunan Province. Including trade, they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Dongting Lake Waterway Stronghold in northern Hunan. An Iron Lion Sect disciple should know that well, yet provoking White Sword Sect meant he had solid backing.
Swift Sword and Air Grasp were credible enough.
The only question was whether that was all.
"He came back alone?"
Hwa Il-ryeon asked.
"Yes. From what I gathered, he was alone."
"I see."
Hwa Il-ryeon nodded at Yeo Song-hae's answer and looked to the sect leader.
Now it was up to the sect leader to decide. Having grasped the full situation, the sect leader emanated a calm yet ruthless aura as he commanded.
"Elder Hwa, go to Iron Lion Sect. We'll send him there, so cut off his head in front of his family and disciples."
"Understood."
Hwa Il-ryeon bowed his head in acceptance.
Watching the scene, Yeo Song-hae let out a sigh of relief.
'You bastard! You've mastered some impressive skills, but you'll pay the price for rampaging so recklessly.'
Yeo Song-hae had no doubt this would strengthen ties between Clear Dawn Escort Agency and White Sword Sect.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Two days later, at Sky-Spanning Gang.
Gang leader Man Gwa-hae felt a chill run down his spine just seeing Do Cheon's face again. Even though he knew Do Cheon wasn't here because of him today, he couldn't even meet his eyes comfortably.
"I've instructed them to deposit all profits from the brothels and gambling dens into Iron Lion Sect's account at the money house. I've personally leaned on the money house too, so there won't be any issues. You can collect anytime."
"Good work. Worth sparing your life."
"This old one's been in this business for decades. Hero, focus on the big things. Leave the small stuff to me—I'll handle it all."
Man Gwa-hae bowed repeatedly, groveling.
Do Cheon smirked.
Just as he'd said, this old man was worth the mercy.
He'd planned to just shake down Sky-Spanning Gang once and be done, but thanks to the old man, he now had a steady income stream. Every job had its experts, and leaving it to one was like blowing your nose without using your hands.
His mood was great.
"One month after finishing off White Sword Sect. That should be enough time to see her."
Do Cheon muttered.
In his mind rose the image of a woman pouring out eyes that gleamed pure white. He didn't know her exact status among them, but just reaching that point meant she was no ordinary figure.
Do Cheon sat comfortably in a chair, sipping tea as he waited for White Sword Sect's master. As the wait dragged on, his good mood began to sink.
How much time passed?
A booming shout came from outside Sky-Spanning Gang's main gate.
"For daring to insult White Sword Sect! You'll pay the price at Iron Lion Sect!"
At the shout, Do Cheon moved.
In a short instant, he crossed the front courtyard and burst out the main gate, seizing the throat of the man who had just shouted.
"Say it again."
"They're waiting at Iron Lion Sect, so come th..."
Do Cheon glared at the choking man, then turned his head toward Iron Lion Sect and said coldly.
"White Sword Sect... you've made the worst move."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Iron Lion Sect.
White Sword Sect elder Hwa Il-ryeon had arrived with fifty elites.
"Is this all of them?"
"Yes. We searched everywhere, and this is everyone."
"Ha! Just six people on such a vast plot of land?"
Hwa Il-ryeon shook his head. Before him stood the Iron Lion Sect members, under the threat of swords held by White Sword Sect disciples.
"Today's events will be answered to White Sword Sect."
Sa Jung-gyeong said sternly. Hwa Il-ryeon scoffed in disbelief.
"Think you can keep your lives? Your master's like that, so his disciple rampages relying only on his skills. Tsk tsk!"
"My disciple avoids reckless fights. For him to engage means he has the confidence. White Sword Sect made the mistake of underestimating him."
"And that's why your lives are in our hands now?"
Hwa Il-ryeon sneered.
He was confident Do Cheon's life was in his grasp too.
Swift Sword, huh? He just wanted to see what the kid had.
Sa Jung-gyeong spoke sternly to Hwa Il-ryeon again.
"One of Iron Lion Sect's iron rules is to never yield to any threat, and to show no mercy to those who draw swords on us. White Sword Sect took his master—me—as a hostage. Do you know how this ends?"
"Sure, tell me. How do you think it ends?"
Hwa Il-ryeon asked with a mocking grin, his face full of amusement bordering on ridicule.
"White Sword Sect's leader won't remain intact."
"What?"
"The price for pointing a sword at me will be paid by your sect leader himself."
"Puhahaha!"
Hwa Il-ryeon burst into roaring laughter.
It was so absurd and pathetic it was just funny. But his laughter didn't last long.
Shuuut!
Something sliced through the air, flying fast. Hwa Il-ryeon, mid-laugh, startled, drew his sword and slashed.
Flaaash!
A streak of lightning-like sword strike cleaved space in an instant.
Fast enough to earn praise as White Sword Sect's swift sword master.
Thud-thud!
Something split and fell to both sides.
"...!"
Realizing he'd sliced a pebble, Hwa Il-ryeon whipped his head around.
Do Cheon was crossing Iron Lion Sect's main gate.
"It's you!"
"Yeah. White Sword Sect dares invade Iron Lion Sect?"
As Hwa Il-ryeon bellowed, guessing Do Cheon's identity, Do Cheon replied with a face colder than eternal ice.
"Blood is repaid with blood!"
Hwa Il-ryeon sheathed his sword, gripped the hilt, and assumed stance.
Swift Sword against Swift Sword.
But Do Cheon was empty-handed.
Hwa Il-ryeon relaxed and reached back.
"Give me your sword."
A White Sword Sect disciple rushed over and handed his sword. Hwa Il-ryeon tossed it to Do Cheon.
"Let's see how fast you are."
Do Cheon looked puzzled.
He didn't know White Sword Sect mistook him for a swift sword master.
Hwa Il-ryeon assumed stance again.
He had no thought of losing.
Swift Sword was divided into Speed, Strike, and Flash stages, and at a young age around twenty, one could only reach Speed. Swift Sword was that hard to master.
He, however, had passed Strike and was glimpsing Flash. How could he lose? Hwa Il-ryeon's leisure came from that qualification.
But he didn't know.
That the pebble he'd casually sliced had revealed his sword speed and power to Do Cheon.
"Come on!"
Hwa Il-ryeon glared.
Do Cheon laughed.
A laugh of disbelief, clearly a sneer.
Hwa Il-ryeon's brows twitched savagely, and at that moment, Do Cheon kicked off the ground.
Over twenty jang—about sixty meters.
As Do Cheon's feet moved, he vanished in an instant. And he didn't move alone. A mighty aura like a million-strong army swirled with him.
Startled, Hwa Il-ryeon drew and slashed.
But his swing wasn't swift sword. Fierce wind pressure slowed even his swift sword. More shocking, Do Cheon was already right in front of him.
'Wh-when...!'
The moment Hwa Il-ryeon jolted in shock.
Crack!
Do Cheon's scabbard smashed Hwa Il-ryeon's temple.
Lightning flashed in Hwa Il-ryeon's head as he crumpled. Before he even hit the ground.
Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash!
The arms of those holding swords to Iron Lion Sect members were severed all at once. Like demonstrating "this is swift sword," in a flash of strikes.
As the strikes ended, air pressure normalized, and severed arms rained down.
"Argh!"
"Kuaaagh!"
Blood sprayed everywhere, screams filling the air.
Little Sparrow and Young Ki were present, so that was all. Otherwise, heads would have rolled.
Besides those threatening Iron Lion Sect, over forty White Sword Sect disciples stood by, but everything ended before they could comprehend.
They couldn't even draw swords, just alternating stares between Do Cheon and the fallen Hwa Il-ryeon, waiting for him to wake.
Do Cheon spun his sword and smacked Hwa Il-ryeon's head with the flat.
Crack! Hwa Il-ryeon came to.
Realizing where he was, he frantically looked around, eyes bulging.
Seven White Sword Sect disciples down, the rest cowering like drowned rats, not daring to fight.
"Now do you understand White Sword Sect's mistake?"
Sa Jung-gyeong bellowed.
Hwa Il-ryeon said nothing, fearfully watching Do Cheon.
Sa Jung-gyeong called to Do Cheon, ignoring him.
"Cheon-ah."
"Yes, Master."
"You know what to do?"
"Yes."
Do Cheon bowed politely, then turned a chilling gaze to Hwa Il-ryeon.
"Run back to White Sword Sect right now. I'll follow, so make sure they muster every force they have."
"I'll even cut off my arm. So please...!"
"Insult Iron Lion Sect's leader and think an old man's arm settles it? Say one more word. I'll kill the old man and head straight there."
Seeing Do Cheon's icy expression, Hwa Il-ryeon had no choice but to flee toward White Sword Sect. Mounting his horse, he whipped it madly, his heart burning black.
"All of you, get out."
Once Hwa Il-ryeon vanished, Do Cheon ordered the White Sword Sect disciples too.
Relieved to be alive, they scrambled away.
Only then did Do Cheon turn to Iron Lion Sect's disciples.
They stared at him, faces mixed with relief and shock. Only young Young Ki buried his face in Little Sparrow's arms, her hands covering his ears too.
"I made a mistake. I should have anticipated White Sword Sect's pettiness, but I didn't. Sorry."
"No need to apologize."
Yeop Mun-wi spoke.
Do Cheon turned. Yeop Mun-wi, stern-faced, continued.
"I'd forgotten, but Sect Leader's right. Iron Lion Sect never yields to any threat."
He stated firmly, then looked not at Do Cheon but Yi Yeol, Iron Mountain, Little Sparrow, and Young Ki.
"This isn't Cheon's fault—it's ours, even White Sword Sect couldn't handle. No matter the threat or foe, Iron Lion Sect breaks before it bends. So if you don't want to break, get stronger. Strong enough not to rely on anyone. That's the way of Iron Lion Sect disciples."
Yi Yeol and Little Sparrow nodded.
Iron Mountain grimaced in displeasure but said nothing.
Do Cheon watched, then looked to his master Sa Jung-gyeong.
"I'll head to White Sword Sect."
"Go."
With permission from his master and sect leader, Do Cheon bowed deeply and turned.
His steps seemed slow, but each advanced over ten jang.
Yeop Mun-wi shook his head in amazement.
"Maybe Iron Lion Sect really is too small."
"If it feels that way, he'll just make it bigger."
"True... that should do it."
Yeop Mun-wi nodded with a grin.
Sa Jung-gyeong was pleased too. But he couldn't just smile. For his disciples, he forced a strong front, but he couldn't help worrying about them, Do Cheon included.
'I'm just a burden as a master.'