Episode 75 – Iron Mountain Cheol Clan
Gwak Jeong had his head bowed low, like a man who had committed a grave crime.
“…I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I should’ve done a better job persuading them…”
Since he’d slightly damaged his image yesterday, he must have decided to rebuild it today.
“Persuasion, huh.”
I stared quietly at Gwak Jeong and said,
“If you’re determined to become my disciple, then remember this. Don’t be someone who needs to persuade. Be someone who others have to persuade.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“It’s simple. Just become so strong that no one dares to question you.”
Zap.
Leaving the awestruck Gwak Jeong behind, I walked up to the gates of the Iron Mountain Cheol Clan.
Iron Mountain.
As the name suggests—"Iron Mountain"—the Cheol Clan had built their residential area along the slopes of a mountain in a very unconventional way.
But that alone wasn’t enough to earn them the “Iron” in their name.
[They built all of this out of metal? These guys are definitely insane.]
Every single building of the Cheol Clan was made entirely of metal.
From the tall outer walls to the floors, walls, and roofs—everything. Even the chairs and beds were metal.
Honestly, while I (Sado Hwan) might be called a try-hard for maintaining a certain image, these guys weren’t just stuck in a gimmick—they were consumed by it.
If my madness is fake, theirs is real.
Even the guards at the entrance, who recognized my face, were nervously swallowing their spit.
Another oddity—their clothing.
They didn’t wear anything on top. In other words, they walked around shirtless.
And mind you, the Ten Thousand Demon Peaks, where the Demon Cult resides, is mostly cold.
In winter, the freezing winds are enough to kill. Yet they still go around shirtless.
Why?
No real reason. They claim to have their own justification, but let’s be honest—it’s just a bizarre tradition.
That’s the Iron Mountain Cheol Clan for you.
“We greet the Clan Head of the Sado Clan.”
The two guards bowed deeply.
I nodded in reply.
“And the person beside you, may I ask?”
“This is Gwak Jeong, heir to the Nine Yin Gwak Clan.”
“...Oh! Understood!”
One of the guards immediately ran inside.
One thing I appreciate about the Demon Cult is this—etiquette is strict and clear.
No guard would dare to say something like “Do you know where you are?” and try to start a fight.
In the Demon Cult, if you act cocky when you're low-ranked, there’s a good chance your head will roll—and no one will complain if it does.
‘Of course, things would’ve been different if we were visiting the Hyuk Clan.’
If I went there, I probably would’ve been treated like, “You’re Sado Hwan?”
The Hyuk Clan is steeped in elitism, and even their gatekeepers act like arrogant nobles.
Thanks to that, we were guided in without delay.
“This way to the guest hall.”
I followed the guard into the Reception Hall.
Normally, such places are furnished to be elegant and welcoming.
Even at the very least, you'd expect a koi pond or some decorative landscaping.
But this was the Cheol Clan.
Their Reception Hall was just as cold and barren as the rest—entirely made of metal.
Even the chairs and tables were metal, so much so that my butt was already starting to ache.
“…Will the Clan Head of the Cheol Clan actually meet with us?”
Gwak Jeong asked with visible concern.
“Hard to say.”
I was doubtful too.
[There’s a good chance the heir will come instead.]
The Iron Mountain Cheol Clan was unique in many ways.
In most of the Six Demon Families, the position of Clan Head—actually, even outside the Six—is typically held by the strongest martial artist in the group.
But not here.
In the Cheol Clan, they taught their children how to hold a hammer before they taught them martial arts.
The person with the greatest blacksmithing ability became the Clan Head.
That led to a peculiar situation.
The current Cheol Clan Head, Cheol Bunsang, was actually from the previous generation—the same generation as the previous Sado Clan Head, Sado Muyul.
[Even if it’s just the heir, he’s not someone to take lightly.]
“I know.”
Cheol Sopyeong, heir to the Iron Mountain Cheol Clan.
Even though he was the same generation as the other current clan heads of the Six Demon Families, he still held the title of “Young Heir.”
Why? Because the current Cheol Clan Head hadn’t stepped down yet.
Still, Cheol Sopyeong was the only Transcendent Peak master in the Cheol Clan.
Among the Six Demon Families, the Sado Clan is often looked down upon because they’re considered to have the weakest martial power.
But no one dares to look down on the Cheol Clan.
Why?
They can create Mystic Objects.
The Cheol Clan was founded by blacksmiths—not just ordinary weapon forgers, but artisans capable of crafting powerful artifacts.
Not just swords or armor—actual mystic objects imbued with supernatural effects.
The Skybreaker Sword and the Black Feather Fan were examples of such objects.
That’s how I, someone with no real martial ability, could pretend to be a high-level master—mystic objects were that powerful.
And Cheol Sopyeong wasn’t just a Transcendent Peak expert—he was fully equipped with mystic artifacts from head to toe.
Imagine Saweol swinging the Skybreaker Sword, or using the Black Feather Fan.
Yeah, terrifying.
“Ugh, this tea tastes awful.”
“Tea from the Cheol Clan is famous for tasting like metal. It’s not harmful. In fact, it’s said to replenish the Metal energy among the Five Elements, which might be good for someone with the Gwak Clan’s constitution.”
“…As expected of you, Master…”
Thanks to his ‘intelligence nerf’ (probably a genre effect), Gwak Jeong grimaced but kept drinking the tea.
As we waited—
Clack!
The metal sliding door opened roughly, and a shirtless man appeared.
A hulking brute, his body was packed with grotesquely defined muscles.
His bronzed bald head gleamed, and in contrast, his bright white teeth sparkled like gems.
[Look at that neatly trimmed beard, though.]
He laughed heartily and said,
“Hahaha! Who do we have here? The new Clan Head of the Sado Clan, no less!”
There’s a common cliché about voices that sound like someone swallowed a train whistle.
This guy? More like he boiled and swallowed a jet engine.
[That’s the heir of the Iron Mountain Cheol Clan.]
This mountain of a man was Cheol Sopyeong, the Cheol Clan’s heir.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Sado Hwan, Clan Head of the Sado Clan.”
“And I’m pleased as well! What an honor, to meet the rising
star who’s got the entire Demon Cult buzzing these days. And this young man…?”
He looked toward Saweol, trailing off.
“She’s my personal bodyguard, Saweol.”
“I see. No wonder she carries such presence.”
Unlike most people, who would ignore a bodyguard entirely, Cheol Sopyeong was generous in his acknowledgment.
He seemed as bold and open as his voice suggested.
“And this one—by the reports, you must be the heir of the Gwak Clan?”
“I-It’s an honor to meet you! I’m Gwak Jeong, heir of the Nine Yin Gwak Clan!”
“Hahaha! No need to be so stiff—we’re all Young Heirs here. Sit comfortably, please.”
With that, Cheol Sopyeong dropped into his metal chair with a loud clang.
[He’s not simple.]
I nodded at Pacheon’s words.
He acted bold and carefree, but he was definitely gauging us.
His upper body was bare, but in contrast, he wore numerous ornaments—bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more.
All of them were mystic objects.
‘He’s got at least five on him.’
Even one of those could tip the scales in a martial artist’s battle.
He was not someone to be underestimated.
But this was the Demon Cult. Showing humility to avoid conflict would only make them look down on you.
To be underestimated here was to be defeated. And nowhere was that truer than in the Cheol Clan.
So I began my performance.
“Apologies for the sudden visit.”
The words themselves were polite, but my tone made it clear I was speaking from a position of superiority. That’s why Cheol Sopyeong’s smile cracked slightly.
Because my tone was exactly how a senior would speak to a junior.
Though only a Young Heir, Cheol Sopyeong was of the same generation as Sado Muyul, the former Clan Head of the Sado Clan.
He was also a Transcendent Peak master, ranked 19th in the Demon Cult’s hierarchy—higher than me.
Naturally, he didn’t reply like a pushover.
“Well, no matter. We’re no strangers to unexpected guests.”
“I came because there’s something we need to discuss.”
“And what would that be, that you speak so confidently?”
I sipped the metallic tea and answered calmly,
“I’d like to receive the Cheol Clan’s seal.”
“…Because of the Six Families Assembly, I assume?”
He was clearly aware of the tradition.
“Bringing the Gwak Clan’s heir with you—does that mean you already have their support?”
“Gwak Jeong has agreed to become my disciple.”
“Oh ho, a disciple, is it? That’s quite a close relationship.”
Exactly what I wanted him to think—this was the Bill Gates' Son-in-Law Strategy.
Show up at the Cheol Clan with Gwak Jeong and imply we’re close.
Then use the Cheol Clan’s seal to pressure the Gwak Clan into giving theirs.
A two-for-one deal—getting two of the Six Demon Families' support through just a few words.
Of course, things weren’t that simple. Cheol Sopyeong shook his head.
“Unfortunately, that’s not a decision I can make.”
“Of course.”
“…What?”
“The seal belongs to the Clan. Naturally, only the Clan Head can grant it. You, as the heir, aren’t qualified to make that decision.”
At my clearly provocative words, Gwak Jeong looked stunned.
To anyone else, it seemed like I was picking a fight, not making a request.
[Did you just make a mistake? That’s unlike you.]
‘No chance.’
I was a veteran of Return of the Murim. I knew exactly what kind of person Cheol Sopyeong was.
“Hahaha! HAHAHAHA!!”
Suddenly, Cheol Sopyeong burst into laughter.
“You really are a man’s man! Indeed, a real man must always be bold—wherever and whenever!”
He slammed the metal table with both hands in delight, leaving deep palm-shaped dents.
“Very well, Clan Head of the Sado Clan. You’re right—I’m just the heir. I can’t grant the seal. But I can lead you to my father.”
“Of course.”
“…What?”
“The seal is the Clan’s. It can only be granted by the Clan Head. You’re just the Young Heir.”
Cheol Sopyeong gripped the metal table with both hands.
With a loud creak, the table began to cave under his fingers, leaving deep impressions.
“Whether you can earn his approval or not, I can’t say. But I’m curious whether you can maintain that bold tone of yours in front of him.”
Feigning calm, I set down my teacup and said,
“Then guide me. We don’t have time to waste.”
“…We’ll see how long you last. Follow me.”
With that, Cheol Sopyeong began leading me deep into the heart of the Cheol Clan.