Sa Eul-Cheon

## Cultivation

**Sa Eul-Cheon** (사을천), the **Iron Lion Sa Eul-Cheon,** The Black King Faction's Leader, and the Leader of the Iron Lion Alliance. Before the appearance of the Martial God, he was acknowledged as the strongest in the world. Even the elders of the orthodox factions, known for their knowledge and pride, would readily point to the Iron Lion as the strongest in the world. That's how formidable Sa Eul-Cheon was back in his era, perhaps even more than the current Master of Mount Hua Sect.

## Conversation

### Black King's Leader to Jo Hwi:

-"If you had such power, you should have felt it enough, right? The Central Plains (中原), no, this whole world (天下) is moved by hidden orders."

**Jo Hwi: "Hidden orders?"**

-"Are you pretending not to know?"

**Jo Hwi: "Please say what you want to say." If the true intention of the Black King's leader was speaking of the Divine Throne, it would not have been an astonishing matter. This meant that the power of the Divine Throne had various influences on the powerful individuals, and there might have been more people aware of this than one might think.**

-"Why did Bodhidharma disguise his death and suddenly vanish to the west?

As if it were passed down through history or legend, there were no descendants of Buddhism who believed Bodhidharma was assassinated by Emperor Yang Wu. The stories surrounding his departure were vague and lacked substance, resembling mere hearsay about him succumbing to some obscure illness or misfortune. Hence, future generations believed he disguised his death and departed to the western lands.

-"Dokgo Mu-Jin transcended the Heavenly Demon and even become a Demon God, yet how did he suddenly vanish without a trace?

The actions of the second god encountered by Gangho were also shrouded in mystery. Some speculated that it was not the Central Plains that defeated the Heavenly Demon Cult, but rather the Demon God himself who destroyed the Heavenly Demon Cult. This was due to the final act being too anticlimactic for the sole force capable of facing the entire Central Plains.

-“The same goes for Jo Cheon, whom you say is your master, who disappeared so urgently that he could not leave even a successor.”

**This passage made Jo Hwi startle. The true name of the Sword God was not mentioned even in the renowned Records of the Mighty's Raging Clouds, known to no one but Jo Hwi. The enigmatic aspects of such a formidable figure being known to the Black King's Leader was indeed remarkable.**

-"Does anyone know the final fate of Jang Sam-Bong, the Martial Dao Founder of Wudang?"

Numerous legends and tales circulated about Jang Sam-Bong's life, but his ultimate fate remained a profound mystery.

-"Most recently, the Martial God has concealed his traces for over a century. His actions are also sealed. What could possibly be the reason for this?"

-"Why did great merchants, who amassed immense wealth capable of subverting the entire royal court, choose to hide in the underground and portray themselves as Secret Society?"

-“The Iron Lion Alliance of the Sa Eul-Cheon, why did they have to conceal themselves under the name 'Black King' despite overwhelming the old factions and powers?"

They were the mightiest faction that almost dominated the Unorthodox Path, the first in history. During the New Foreign Battle, the leader of the martial world, in his desperate plea against the common foe of the Central Plains, besought the Iron Lion Alliance. However, the Iron Lion Alliance vanished from the eyes of the strong in an instant. It remained an unsolved mystery among the sagas of the martial world.

### 2nd Conversation:

-"It should be evident to you that humans have a line they're allowed to reach from the beginning. Truly, you've never received a call or warning from 'them.'"

As the Black King's Leader, it was utterly incomprehensible that someone holding a similar status of the realm's limitlessness could arrogantly consider themselves the mainstream of an ordinary force.

-"Hmm..."

**Jo Hwi muttered quietly.**

It was clear now. He knew about the Divine Throne and its adherents. And he must have met them at least once. But how intense the fear was then, to experience such exhilaration from merely revealing the form of the Realm of Heaven and Earth.

-"Do you, by any chance, know about their true identities?"

His expression, mired in a mix of anticipation, excitement, anger, and confusion, somewhat appeared sorrowful. It was a point where he could keenly feel how much fear and ordeal the Divine Throne and its adherents brought upon him.

**Jo Hwi: "I know."**

-"What?!"

They encompass the laws governing the world. It is also the law that rules over humanity. Defying their will means being prepared for annihilation. Yet, even while being aware of such formidable figures, how could he assert his power so boldly and aspire openly to become the ruler of the forces?

-"How? why? How is it possible? Aren't you truly afraid?"

**Jo Hwi: "I'm not the afraid one; it's the other side."**

What Jo Hwi was pointing to with his eyes was the sky.

Sa Eul-cheon couldn't quite comprehend Jo Hwi's blatant provocation towards the sky.

-"Do you mean to say that you have a way to stop them?"

**Jo Hwi:** **"If we, as humans, can maintain our nature without corruption, then there's nothing they can do to manipulate us."**

-"Nature (本性)?"

Sa Eul-cheon had numerous questions about what kind of nature it meant for a person and how that nature could pose a threat to them. However, Jo Hwi's subsequent response left Sa Eulcheon speechless and bewildered.

### 3rd Conversation:

Sa eul-cheon gazed at Yeom Sang-Rok and Jin Gahi, who were wandering.

-"What does it mean to reveal a man and a woman?"

**Jo Hwi:** **"They fear human passion."**

-"Passion?"

**Jo Hwi: "Thrones are immortal beings who wander eternity. 'Will' is a long-lost attribute for such immortals. That's why they admire human flames."**

As Sa eul-cheon felt more confused by Jo Hwi's answer.

The Young Sword God chuckled brightly as he spoke.

**Jo Hwi:** **"How much did they admire human emotions to name themselves after whims in the darkness, saviors who disdain hatred?"**

Fluctuating through the darkness? A savior who disregards hatred? Seems like there's something, but isn't it too abstract and philosophical to be used as a name?

Jo Hwi, chuckling, sneered again and gazed into the night sky.

**Jo Hwi:** **"So, why don't you take a serious look at your own life? Can you really call the path of my life 'the flame of a human'? Was there such passion in my soul?"**

Yeom sang-rok seemed firm on that point.

"I can confidently say that your life, Lord, was filled with passion."

Jo Hwi nodded approvingly, seemingly satisfied.

**Jo Hwi:** **"Then that's it! Whether passionately in love with a woman! Ruthlessly seeking revenge against enemies! Striving for all the wealth in the world! As humans, as beings with human souls! Burn the flame every moment! Gods? Don't talk nonsense! What kind of gods observe and envy such a flame of a person, crouched in the dark emptiness? They're idiots!"**