-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: I'll Be Waiting for You
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Where are the senior brothers?"
Little Sparrow peeked around, then jumped in surprise as the door suddenly opened.
"They said they had training to do together. More importantly, did you finish the dishes?"
"Yeah."
"Good job. Any other chores?"
"Nope."
"Then come with me to the city."
"The city?"
"Yeah."
Do Cheon took the curious Little Sparrow and left the Iron Lion Sect. He had already informed their master after breakfast.
Jangsa, Honam Province.
The city where the Iron Lion Sect stood.
It was the heart of Honam Province, crowned by Dongting Lake—the second-largest lake on the continent.
The Iron Lion Sect sprawled across the outskirts of Jangsa's southern district, so anyone entering the city from the south had to pass by it.
Do Cheon and Little Sparrow exited the Iron Lion Sect and headed toward the southeast part of Jangsa. The sect had declined so much that he had never ventured into the city center since childhood, only occasionally wandering the southeast outskirts. That was why, even as kids, he and his brothers had always referred to the "city" as those very outskirts.
"Wow, I can't even remember the last time I went out with Eldest Brother."
"Yeah, Eldest Brother's sorry."
"No, I just meant it's nice 'cause it's been a while. Nothing else."
"Yeah, thanks."
"By the way, Eldest Brother."
"Yeah?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"I'm part of the Iron Lion Sect too, right?"
"Yeah."
"So I wanna know. Why'd you ask Master to hand over the sect's affairs to you?"
Do Cheon didn't answer right away. He just smiled.
In those three years, the little runt had really shot up.
Sorry. Regretful. Proud.
"I'm gonna fulfill Master's lifelong wish."
"...!"
Little Sparrow was speechless.
It was just that absurd.
Iron Lion Sect!
A name that once shook the world.
But over a century ago. Now, it was a fallen sect not even worth calling third-rate. Revive it? Restore its former glory?
Impossible unless the ancestors came back from the grave.
"Eldest Brother..."
"I know. It's tough. But I've got plans, so trust your Eldest Brother and stick with me. If it really flops, we'll at least keep Master and us four brothers safe. Don't worry too much."
"Promise what you just said."
"What?"
"That if it really doesn't work, you'll protect Master and us."
"I promise. Nothing matters more than Master's safety—and ours four brothers'."
"Okay. Then I'll do whatever Eldest Brother says."
Formal speech in serious moments, then right back to casual with a grin.
Do Cheon laughed.
She'd been like that since she was little. Polite as hell to Second and Third Brother, but with Eldest Brother? Like old pals.
"But what do I do?"
"First, we find your place."
"My place?"
"Can't have you stuck in the kitchen forever. You're the Iron Lion Sect's young lady, after all. Right?"
"Yeah."
Little Sparrow beamed.
Just knowing Eldest Brother thought of her was enough.
Do Cheon led her into a rundown tavern. So rickety, a light kick would've toppled it—an ancient dump.
"Welcome...!"
A ten-year-old-looking errand boy shouted a greeting, then blinked. Spotting Little Sparrow behind Do Cheon, his eyes went wide.
"Sis!"
"Young Ki! Long time no see. You good?"
Little Sparrow grinned wide, ruffling his hair. Young Ki beamed ear to ear.
"Your sniffer's grown a ton."
Do Cheon chuckled.
Young Ki eyed Do Cheon, head cocked.
"This kid—you said you'd end up like me when you grew up. Already forgot my face?"
"Brother Cheon?"
"Yeah, Brother Cheon."
Recognition dawned, surprise lighting his face. But three years apart kept him from rushing over.
"Kid, Gramps inside?"
"Yes."
Do Cheon stepped into the tavern and bellowed toward the kitchen.
"I'm here!"
A dingy old man shuffled out at the shout.
"You damn punk—from that voice, looks like you didn't get beat down anywhere."
"Me? That type?"
"That endless cockiness still intact, huh."
"Gramps, time to keep your promise."
"...!"
"Said I'd come get you when ready, and you'd follow. You agreed."
"Just humored the brash little shit 'cause it was cute."
"So, backing out?"
"You ready?"
"Staying here's a dead end anyway—no business. Head to the Iron Lion Sect, live easy."
"Mind at ease?"
"Up to you, Gramps."
"You gotta make it easy."
"What more you want besides bunking with us? We're thrilled just eating your cooking daily."
"Sounds like free labor."
"I'll help too."
"What can you kids do?"
"Just say the word—what can't we handle?"
"Enough. Drag you to the kitchen, your master'd curse me out."
"Master's got no time for that. Tied up elsewhere. Plus, ancestral rites in three days. Wanna do 'em right this year."
The old man's face stiffened at "ancestral rites."
Right. Dates lined up—the day the Iron Lion Sect ancestors marched off was three days away.
Declined as they were, the descendants never forgot that departure day, holding rites yearly. Chosen 'cause no one knew the exact death date.
"Anyway, that's the plan. And lend me some coin."
The old man snapped to.
"Damn punk, three years just thickened your skin?"
"Pay ya back in ten days or so."
"Sky-Spanning Gang?"
"Word's out already?"
"Hit my ears? Whole Jangsa knows. Your play?"
"Gonna bleed 'em dry."
"Heard the second kid got carried out—what went down?"
"Dared fleece our sect."
"Mad bastards. Good on ya. Scrape 'em clean."
"Plannin' to."
The old man grinned at Do Cheon's reply, ducked into the kitchen, then tossed him a small pouch on return.
"Dunno your need—that's all."
Do Cheon peeked inside.
Gold and silver—not "all" by a long shot. Fat stack.
"This'll do."
He pocketed it, eyed Little Sparrow.
"Help Gramps pack. Gotta handle business. Back quick."
"Where to?"
"Gift for you."
"Gift?"
"Yeah."
"Hurry then!"
"Gramps, right back."
Little Sparrow shoved him gleefully; Do Cheon called to the old man and headed out.
Watching his back, the old man muttered.
"Lion now... or just more hot air?"
Do Cheon left Little Sparrow and hit Jangsa proper.
Lived here his whole life, never seen this street. Broad, flashy main drag—made the Iron Lion Sect road pop in comparison.
That road from city to sect? Wide, straight main avenue material. But past glory now—desolate.
Sect boomed once, shops jammed both sides. Now? Barely buildings left.
Sect tanked, avenue tanked too.
Hearts follow people; money follows too. No people at sect? Hearts and cash bailed.
Do Cheon'd reclaim it.
Revive Iron Lion Sect, pack that avenue with visitors. Master's generational dream—now his.
But bottom-barrel sect? Brutal lift. Worse with zilch from ancestors.
Luck—he'd unearthed the secret arts. Still long haul.
Master 'em, hit expert level—path opens. Fame to shake world—draw eyes.
Decades. Master's lifespan? Dicey. No slow crawl for Do Cheon.
'Gather folk? Stir buzz first. Iron Lion Sect storm's eye.'
No randos.
Big fish. Quick-rise big fish. Show presence.
Woman's face flashed—pure white eyes, unnatural glow.
Veiled, but his windstorm bared it. Sharp, clever face.
'Smart ones? Paranoid.'
Reveal—but measured. Too much? Suspicion. Bold, toe no lines. Skate thin ice—no cracks.
Sky-Spanning Gang? Prime shot.
Sect buzz-bait.
Yesterday's leak: mild interest. Ten days: boom. Big fish notice.
Sect's got something.
Flock like predators—prey-blind to the hunter.
'Come. I'll be waiting!'
Do Cheon grinned fangs out.
Street-walking, felt eyes.
Snorted, spun. Man—flustered—turned to vendor, fingering women's pins.
"How much?"
Do Cheon seized his nape, yanked him around brute-force.
"Tell 'em. Nine days."
Threw speechless blue-faced guy to pavement, kept walking. Man lurched up, bolted away.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Here. Gift."
Back in half a shichen, Do Cheon offered Little Sparrow a sword. Narrower, shorter than standard—woman-sized grip, weight.
"For me?"
"Yeah."
Little Sparrow gawked at the heft in her palm. Sudden—flailing shock-gratitude, sword blankly clutched.
Kid dream.
Not pretty girl, hot guy romance. Sword at hip, jianghu roam, villain-sweep swordswoman.
Thirteen, fourteen.
Ditched it sobbing two nights—knowing pipe dream.
Sure, knows.
Sword in hand? Same shit.
Still—Eldest Brother remembering? Thanks unsayable.
Glanced: Eldest Brother cart-loading. Grateful eyes, she dashed help.
"What's all this crap?"
"Right? Said 'most stuff fine,' still hauling."
Little Sparrow jumped in on Do Cheon's ask.
Tavern Gramps loaded mute.
"Rest tomorrow. This first."
Gramps nodded Do Cheon.
'This cool...?'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Iron Lion Sect.
Avenue along, quiet kicked in where sect viewable—like always.
"Dinner what?"
Little Sparrow asked.
"Dunno."
"Gramps' boiled noodles best."
"Sis, me too. Noodles top."
"Right? Young Ki knows eats."
"Hehe. Waiter four years. Know all."
"Whoa, four years? Food whiz over sis."
"Hehe."
Chit-chat, sect panorama filled view. Gramps stared silent, heavy-faced walk.
Do Cheon cart-haul, no face-view—but mood-guessed, mute-pull.
"In ya go."
Gramps plaque-stare; Do Cheon turned said. Gramps eyed open gates silent, stepped.
Inside, Do Cheon front-courtyard-parked cart, to Little Sparrow.
"Fetch Master to Lion Hall."
"Lion Hall?"
"Yeah."
Head-tilt, she bolted master's quarters.
"Let's."
"Huh?"
Gramps hesitated Do Cheon words.
Do Cheon Lion Hall-bound wordless.
Hesitant long, Gramps sighed deep, Young Ki-trail Do Cheon.
Moments later, Lion Hall.
Sect Leader Sa Jung-gyeong spotted tavern Gramps, halted. Gramps Sa-spotted, stood mute.
Sa three years elder. But Gramps looked rougher—weathered more.
Long stare-off.
Tavern Gramps first mouth.
"I..."
"Incense first."
"...!"
"Back? Ancestors greet first."
"Senior Brother..."
Gramps knee-collapsed there.
Sa stern.
"Iron Lions kneel not lightly. Forgot?"
"Sorry."
"Sorry's me. Figured time comes, you'd return—waited. Shoulda sought you. Just seeing ya..."
Gramps rose, Sa-bowed waist-deep.
"Sorry, Senior Brother. Permit? Never leave sect again."
"Yeah. Stay now. You gone? Hole too big."
"Sorry. Truly."
Gramps choked tears.
Sa back-patted.
Do Cheon calmed-wait, bright-loud.
"Martial Uncle, formal greet."
Gramps turned Do Cheon words.
Do Cheon deep-bow smile-face.
"Knew, punk?"
"Yes. Master told young. Pass tavern? Visit always. Till you speak first—no ack."
"So. Yeah."
Nod, Gramps Sa-turned grateful-face. Sa faint-smile, Little Sparrow.
"Little Sparrow, formal. Your Martial Uncle. Mun-wi Yeop—Yeop Martial Uncle."
Confused-watch Little Sparrow hasty-bow.
"Disciple Little Sparrow greets Yeop Martial Uncle."
"Aye. Rattled ya? Uncle's fault, worthless."
Yeop Mun-wi sorry-mug; Little Sparrow expression-lost, Do Cheon-master glance.
"Master, Young Ki formal too?"
Do Cheon Sa-ward.
"Yes. Junior Brother, Young Ki greet."
"Thanks."
Yeop Sa-bow, Young Ki beckon-pull, ancestral tablets, incense-burn bow-raise.
Formal disciple Young Ki nine-bows tablets. Do Cheon Sa side-watch.
"Thanks."
Do Cheon grateful-master, silent bow-only.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Ugh!"
Groan-sound, torso-up one.
Lightless dark-space pure.
Man darkness-inchless startled.
"Awake?"
Sudden voice-hear.
Dark-miss, but beside-immediate voice.
"Eek!"
Startle-back scramble man.
"You, dark-fear!"
"Huh? Second Brother?"
"Yeah."
"Scary what—sudden talk. Anyway where how?"
"Eldest Brother hit."
"Ah that bastard!"
Excite Iron Mountain bolt-up.
Then Yi Yeol calm-voice come.
"Body check. Eldest Brother acupoints fixed."
"...!"
```