-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Ancestral Secret Arts
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It was dinnertime.
Warm soup and appetizing stir-fried meat.
There wasn't much that could be called elaborate cooking, but the table was markedly different from the usual fare. It was worlds apart from the food Little Sparrow had struggled to make on her own.
But what really made it different wasn't the food—it was the people.
With Yeop Mun-wi and Young Ki joining them, the table felt lively and bustling.
"Let's eat well."
"Eat up. There's plenty, so speak up if it's not enough. Eldest brother, you too—have a lot."
Yeop Mun-wi responded to Do Cheon's words and addressed Sa Jung-gyeong.
Sa Jung-gyeong nodded and picked up his chopsticks.
"Never thought I'd live to see a day like this. No need for formalities—everyone, eat your fill."
"Yes."
"Master, eat plenty. Young Ki, you too. Martial uncle, let's eat well."
"Good, you eat plenty too, Little Sparrow."
"Yes."
Everyone was smiling broadly, enjoying the meal happily, but Iron Mountain alone moved his chopsticks busily while stealing glances at Do Cheon.
'That guy definitely learned demonic sorcery. I have to tell Master.'
Iron Mountain watched for an opening.
But the atmosphere was so warm and cheerful that he couldn't bring himself to speak.
'Sure, I'm happy too. That guy's back, the old man who gave us free tasty food turned out to be martial uncle—that's great. Even snot-nosed Young Ki becoming a junior brother is fun. But demonic sorcery? No way. If word gets out he learned that stuff, we're done for in one shot, you idiot eldest brother!'
Iron Mountain couldn't just sit there grinning.
No matter what else, he couldn't overlook the fact that even the sect's buildings had been blown away.
So after waiting for a chance through much of the meal, as it was winding down, he slammed down his cup noisily and spoke.
"Eldest brother, I've got a question."
Iron Mountain's tone was so sharp that everyone stopped eating and looked over.
"What?"
"Did you learn demonic sorcery from the Demonic Path?"
Iron Mountain asked outright.
He had no intention of beating around the bush with this. They needed to uncover the truth and deal with it as quickly as possible.
"Demonic sorcery?"
Do Cheon looked puzzled.
"If that wasn't demonic sorcery, what was it?"
"What do you mean, what?"
"Pressing on shoulders with an iron club to immobilize someone, warping the air around like they're submerged in water, beating people to mess with their meridians and vital energy—if that's not demonic sorcery, what is?"
As Iron Mountain spoke, everyone turned to Do Cheon, and Yeop Mun-wi said with a baffled expression,
"That's the Internal Energy Suppressing Technique. Did Cheon do that?"
"That's what that guy did... Huh? Internal Energy Suppressing Technique?"
"To immobilize with an iron club means a considerable level of mastery. When I heard you'd turned the Sky-Spanning Gang upside down and returned as a lion, I had high hopes, but is that the extent of it?"
Yeop Mun-wi stared at Do Cheon in surprise. Yi Yeol and Little Sparrow looked shocked too. Only Sa Jung-gyeong wore an expression as if he'd roughly guessed it.
"That's not all—he warped the air around too. If that's not demonic sorcery, what is?"
Iron Mountain spat the words, flecking saliva as he pointed it out.
Do Cheon, at the center of the suspicion, only wore an incredulous look at Iron Mountain's words, and it was Sa Jung-gyeong who finally spoke.
"Cheon."
"Yes."
"A master is like a parent—he can trust, wait endlessly. But martial uncles and brothers are another matter."
"Understood."
Everyone looked baffled at the cryptic exchange between Sa Jung-gyeong and Do Cheon.
Do Cheon first turned to Yeop Mun-wi.
"Martial uncle, you inherited the discipleship of the fourth Iron Lion, yes?"
"That's right."
"How far have you mastered the Immortal Command?"
Yeop Mun-wi's face hardened immediately at Do Cheon's question.
It was because the succession he'd inherited hadn't been properly passed down either.
The earnest wish handed down from master to disciple.
The desire to find the ancestral secret arts had driven him to leave the Iron Lion Sect and wander the world. Just like Sa Jung-gyeong years ago, he'd returned to the province laden with frustrations and failures, but couldn't bring himself to reenter the Iron Lion Sect. He lacked the face to see Sa Jung-gyeong, and seeing each other would only dredge up memories of defeat.
Even years later, those memories of frustration and disappointment hardened Yeop Mun-wi's face.
"The Immortal Command is an enigmatic secret art. Tempering the body is important, of course, but cultivating spiritual energy is crucial."
"...!"
Yeop Mun-wi looked up in shock at Do Cheon's words.
His face screamed, How do you know that?
Instead of answering, Do Cheon handed over a manual. It was one he'd written alongside the Iron Thunder Divine Art, prepared for Yeop Mun-wi.
Yeop Mun-wi took the manual Do Cheon offered and looked at it questioningly.
"Read it, and you'll know."
At Do Cheon's words, Yeop Mun-wi flipped through the pages.
His initial puzzled expression soon turned to astonishment, and he began turning the pages frantically. After skimming over twenty pages in moments, he looked up at Do Cheon with wide eyes.
"It's the Immortal Command."
"H-how...?"
Yeop Mun-wi, questioning Do Cheon, turned to Sa Jung-gyeong too, unable to contain his amazement.
"Martial uncle."
Do Cheon called, and Yeop Mun-wi turned back.
Do Cheon smiled faintly.
"Martial uncle, I've found all the secret arts of the main lineage."
"...!"
Not just Yeop Mun-wi, but Yi Yeol and Little Sparrow looked stunned too.
"What kinda lame lie is that bullshit?!"
Iron Mountain spat in denial.
He was still convinced Do Cheon had learned demonic sorcery and suspected he was using it now to fool Master and martial uncle.
"Idiot, has eldest brother ever lied in front of Master?"
Yi Yeol interjected, and Iron Mountain tilted his head.
"So you're saying what we just heard is true?"
"It is."
The confirmation came from their master, Sa Jung-gyeong.
Iron Mountain blinked in shock at Sa Jung-gyeong, who calmly addressed him and Yi Yeol.
"This morning, your eldest martial brother gave me the heart method manual for the Iron Thunder Divine Art. I've never seen the original, but from the Heresy Stage to the Death Stage, it matched what I'd vaguely imagined."
Everyone turned to Do Cheon with surprised faces at Sa Jung-gyeong's words.
Questions swirled on their faces: How did he find it? Is it really the sect's Iron Thunder Divine Art? He said he'd found all the secret arts—what else did he uncover?
Do Cheon gave a more concise version of what he'd told his master Sa Jung-gyeong. They all listened in silence until he finished. When he did, they stared at him with wide-eyed astonishment and bewilderment.
Do Cheon looked around at them all and said,
"Please leave the matter of the main lineage to me, Master and Martial Uncle Yeop. Focus on mastering the Iron Thunder Divine Art and Immortal Command."
"We will."
Sa Jung-gyeong answered.
Yeop Mun-wi, meeting Do Cheon's gaze, simply nodded. Excitement over holding the Immortal Command still lingered on his face.
"Martial uncle, I'll handle teaching Young Ki for a while. I've memorized the Immortal Command enough to grasp the basics, so I can teach him. Don't worry—just devote yourself to it."
"Is that all right?"
"Young Ki is the future of our Iron Lion Sect. Even if it takes time, I'll teach him properly, so rest easy."
His words conveyed genuine care for Young Ki, so Yeop Mun-wi nodded gladly.
"Very well. Do as you think best."
"Thank you."
"Thanks nothing—this feels like we've been possessed or something."
Yeop Mun-wi said, and Sa Jung-gyeong chuckled.
"It's because hope has appeared in a place that felt hopeless. I'm still dazed from the feeling myself."
"Exactly. That's precisely it."
Yeop Mun-wi agreed, and Sa Jung-gyeong, smiling, stood up.
"Meal's over—let's go. These kids have things to discuss among themselves. We'll head to the training hall."
"Yes."
With that, Sa Jung-gyeong led Yeop Mun-wi away, and Do Cheon turned to his junior brothers and sister.
Yi Yeol, Iron Mountain, Little Sparrow, and Young Ki.
His precious juniors who would rebuild the Iron Lion Sect with him—and someday lead it.
"What else did you find?"
Iron Mountain quietly asked as Do Cheon merely looked at them. Yi Yeol and Little Sparrow eyed him curiously too. Do Cheon grew serious and spoke slowly.
"Yeol and Mountain will need to rework their meridians from the ground up, so it'll be tough for a while. But if you endure, the day will come when you stand proudly as Iron Lions of the main lineage."
"Forget Iron Lions—what'd you get, and what're you gonna teach us?"
"This won't do."
"Hey, I'm a disciple of the Iron Lion Sect too—what won't do?"
"You need to fix that mouth of yours first."
"Not that again! I'll fix my own speech!"
As Iron Mountain shot back defiantly, Do Cheon reached out. Little Sparrow's sword, propped neatly to the side, flew into his hand like it was drawn by a magnet.
Iron Mountain gaped in shock at the sight, and Do Cheon began whacking him scabbard and all.
"Is your sky-high eldest brother your buddy? Where do you get off yapping like that?!"
The brutal thrashing vibrated through his bones, leaving Iron Mountain mouth agape, unable even to groan. After the first hit, his body stiffened, unable to move—he felt like he might die right there.
Do Cheon pounded Iron Mountain's entire body like he was tenderizing it.
He hit so fiercely that Little Sparrow and Young Ki froze like stones.
Do Cheon stimulated every meridian and vital point across Iron Mountain's limbs and torso, then finally struck the nape to knock him out.
Iron Mountain passed out, and at that moment, a faint heat stirred in his lower dantian. Watching the reaction, Do Cheon turned to Yi Yeol.
"Ready."
Yi Yeol stood tensed, muscles rigid.
"Relax."
Do Cheon raised the scabbard.
"I think I'll pass on learning. Don't give me that sword either."
Do Cheon turned from thrashing Yi Yeol too, and Little Sparrow waved her hands frantically. Young Ki had already scampered far away.
"Those two had blocked meridians, so no choice, but you and Young Ki don't need this method."
Do Cheon offered her the sword.
Little Sparrow's eyes widened in surprise as she cautiously took it.
"For real?"
"Yes. But you'll need to focus more than those two."
"I will. I'll focus and work hard. Just don't beat so mercilessly. It's creepy!"
"Creepy? It was all for their sake."
"No, it didn't look like that at all. Eldest brother can't see his own face. You looked like a real demon. Right, Young Ki?"
Nod, nod.
Young Ki could only nod wordlessly.
Do Cheon chuckled at the pair.
'Maybe it's for the best? At least they won't slack off.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The fifth day of the ninth month.
The Iron Lion Sect's ancestral rite day.
They'd prepared food from ingredients bought the day before, along with fruit and liquor, setting a full table before the memorial tablets of the Lion Hall ancestors.
Even after the sect disciples paid their respects, they left the table set. It was tradition to keep it out all day for visiting kin or acquaintances to pay respects.
The sun had risen high.
Do Cheon, gazing out the window, wore a hardened expression.
Yi Yeol and Iron Mountain were laid out in the training hall, and Little Sparrow had hesitated, glancing around, but realized eldest brother needed to know, so she spoke up.
"The Clear Dawn Escort Agency won't come. Last year, they said they wouldn't anymore."
Do Cheon had suspected as much.
Seeing Master leave the Lion Hall without waiting and head to his quarters had planted the seed of doubt, and with the sun so high and still no sign, he was certain.
"Well... no need to cling to dusty old ties from ages ago."
Little Sparrow couldn't nod at Do Cheon's words.
'That's not all there is to it. Sister Su-a is at the Clear Dawn Escort Agency...!'
She sent him a pitying look but flinched.
Do Cheon had suddenly turned.
"Guests are coming. Hurry and fetch Master."
"Guests?"
"Yes. I'll greet them—go quickly."
Little Sparrow startled and peered out the window, but no shadow of a person anywhere in the vast front courtyard of the Lion Hall.
"Hurry."
At Do Cheon's urging, Little Sparrow dashed to Master's quarters. Soon after, as Do Cheon looked out again, a lone figure entered the front courtyard from afar.
A middle-aged warrior with a long sword at his waist.
Do Cheon scanned behind the middle-aged man, but as he crossed the courtyard toward the entrance, no one else appeared. Do Cheon headed to the entrance with a heavy expression.
"It's been a while."
Do Cheon bowed his head slightly.
The middle-aged warrior merely stared silently.
"Master will be out shortly."
"Looks like you didn't hear."
"...!"
"I said we wouldn't come for the rites anymore. I'm not here for the ceremony today. I came because of you."
Do Cheon's face hardened.
He must have come fearing Do Cheon might seek her out.
"I have no reason to seek out Su-a."
"Even if you did, Su-a wouldn't meet you. She said herself she's past the age for impossible loves she can't hold."
"...!"
"I didn't come because of Su-a. I came because of you."
"What do you mean?"
"Sky-Spanning Gang."
"What does that have to do with the Clear Dawn Escort Agency?"
"The Sky-Spanning Gang dragged in the White Sword Sect."
"Is that so?"
"Not surprised, huh? Must've learned some martial arts these three years."
His calm question hid barbs, his eyes mocking. The Iron Lion Sect arts Do Cheon knew three years ago weren't real martial arts, that was the implication.
In that moment, Do Cheon realized.
Just as he wasn't the man from three years ago, the Clear Dawn Escort Agency wasn't what he'd known then either.
"I didn't expect that bunch to pull in the White Sword Sect."
"Overconfidence kills. Forget the Sky-Spanning Gang business. They'll forget it too."
"What's the White Sword Sect got to do with it?"
The middle-aged man didn't answer, only stared for a moment.
Do Cheon met his gaze with emotionless eyes, waiting.
"I've always hated that look on your face. A kid acting like he knows the whole world, brimming with cocky confidence—it was revolting. Well, holed up in the Iron Lion Sect, you probably thought that was the entire world."
'I never liked you either. Always meddling between us as her uncle.'
Do Cheon swallowed the retort and waited.
The middle-aged warrior twisted his lips slightly.
"Su-a is set to marry the young leader of the White Sword Sect."
"...!"
Do Cheon's eyes wavered.
The shock lingered long. He'd hoped rebuilding the sect would bring opportunity, but it was futile. Their bond must have ended three years ago.
Clear Dawn Escort Agency.
Once called Clear Dawn House.
In the Iron Lion Sect's heyday, it was one of the three vassal clans. For Clear Dawn House to refuse the rites was to sever ties themselves. How could he connect with their daughter then? He was the sect leader's eldest disciple. Unless they came begging on their knees, impossible.
"Please convey my congratulations."
Do Cheon forced calm.
The middle-aged warrior stared piercingly before turning away.
"I'll assume you understand."
Do Cheon said nothing until he vanished. Iron Lion Sect tradition valued actions over words. As he turned back, he saw Sa Jung-gyeong and Yeop Mun-wi had arrived. They'd overheard most of the exchange, their faces grim.
Do Cheon addressed his master Sa Jung-gyeong.
"I'll head to the Sky-Spanning Gang."