Chapter 731: The Heavens Gave Everything to the One-Slash Sword Supreme
“Why is that person here?”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon was surprised to see One-Slash Sword Supreme, and his reaction was immediately returned.
“That sounds like a question I should be asking.”
She also hadn’t expected to meet Blood Heaven Blade Demon here, so naturally his gaze shifted toward Geom Mugeuk.
“I plan to go out with the Sword Supreme, and I wish to bring you with us as well, Elder.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon was taken aback. He hadn’t expected that he was the one being called for in such a situation.
“Then, you should have said so in advance.”
“I thought you might not come. And if only the two of us leave together, it could be dangerous, don’t you think?”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon retorted in disbelief.
“Who would be in danger? The central plains? Or this entire Martial World?”
Then he glanced at One-Slash Sword Supreme. She stood there silently without saying a word. With such a reaction, how could she suggest going together?
“No!”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon refused and turned away.
“Ah, then it seems we’ll just have to go on our own.”
At Geom Mugeuk’s regretful words, Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s back twitched.
How could Geom Mugeuk not know what was in his heart? That he would pretend to resist, only to follow along anyway—waiting to be pulled back.
If he had truly hated this situation, Blood Heaven Blade Demon would have already soared away into the distance. Because Geom Mugeuk knew better than anyone that he wanted to go together, he had caused this trouble without telling One-Slash Sword Supreme in advance.
Just as Geom Mugeuk was about to call out to him—
“Let’s go together.”
The one who spoke was surprisingly One-Slash Sword Supreme.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon turned back with a startled expression. Geom Mugeuk, too, looked at her in surprise. He had thought she would scold him for dragging Blood Heaven Blade Demon along without a word.
“Do you not want to?”
At her question, Blood Heaven Blade Demon flinched before answering.
“It’s not that I don’t want to.”
Without waiting to hear more, One-Slash Sword Supreme turned and walked toward the carriage.
Geom Mugeuk already knew that the two of them had been getting along well lately. The fact that Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s flower garden was still being well tended was proof enough. That was why he had wanted them to go together.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon then asked Geom Mugeuk,
“Where are we going?”
“Have you heard of the Sword Tomb?”
“I’ve heard rumors of it being noisy lately. Why there?”
It was clear that Blood Heaven Blade Demon didn’t spend all his time just reading books. He was well aware of the current affairs of the martial world.
At that moment, One-Slash Sword Supreme, who had already boarded the carriage, called out to them.
“Aren’t you coming?”
The two quickly climbed aboard the carriage as well.
Geom Mugeuk loaded the luggage onto the carriage and took the driver’s seat himself. Awkward or not, he wanted to give the two of them as much time together as possible, so he personally decided to drive the carriage.
“Now, let’s depart!”
For the first time, the three of them set out together.
That evening, after letting the horses rest, Geom Mugeuk prepared the campsite.
He lit a bonfire and set up a place where the two Demon Supremes could rest.
In Geom Mugeuk’s massive travel pack, there was nothing missing. What took up the most space was a fur bedding prepared so the two Demon Supremes could comfortably lie down and sleep. It was a soft and plush luxury hide that Geom Mugeuk had specially obtained for this journey.
On the first night, they had dinner with the food Geom Mugeuk had prepared in advance.
After the meal, Geom Mugeuk glanced at the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber and spoke.
“Elder, that saber of yours draws too much attention.”
From his pack, Geom Mugeuk pulled out a cloth.
“How about wrapping it with this?”
He had prepared an incredibly worn and shabby-looking cloth to make it look cheap.
“I cannot wrap my saber with such a thing!”
“Then I will wrap it myself.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon could not persist in his stubbornness until the end. Just as Geom Mugeuk had said, the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber was such a remarkable treasure blade that someone might recognize it. He couldn’t risk causing unnecessary trouble, so in the end, he reluctantly handed the saber over.
Geom Mugeuk began wrapping the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber with the cloth.
“Bear with the discomfort for a while.”
At his words, One-Slash Sword Supreme interjected.
“The saber bears it well. It’s just someone impatient who can’t endure.”
Geom Mugeuk chuckled.
“Elder does indeed have a fiery temper.”
“Your temper is as bad now as it was back then. How is it that you never change?”
When One-Slash Sword Supreme criticized, Blood Heaven Blade Demon replied curtly.
“Who are you to say that? When it comes to temper…”
He was about to remark that she was also hot-tempered, but stopped midway. She already had the look in her eyes of someone about to draw her sword.
“In the end, it will be you who can’t control your temper and draws first.”
“Me? That’s absurd!”
“I’d wager on it.”
“Fine, let’s bet.”
The two glared at each other, then turned to look at Geom Mugeuk.
“Yes, I shall be the witness for this wager.”
Geom Mugeuk preferred to handle matters quietly, so it was best if the two of them could restrain themselves.
“A wager must have something staked. What will you put on it?”
Since neither could think of anything at that moment, Geom Mugeuk decided for them.
“Each of you will grant the other one wish. How about that?”
One might have expected them to protest, asking how he could know what the other would demand.
But the two Demon Supremes simply nodded without objection.
After sealing the wager, Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked Geom Mugeuk,
“Do you think they are involved in this Sword Tomb affair?”
One-Slash Sword Supreme also waited silently for Geom Mugeuk’s answer.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon had expected that to be the reason he had asked them to come along. He had only just come down from the Daecheon Mountains, so there must have been a reason for this sudden journey.
And indeed, it was just as he thought.
“I believe it’s worth taking a look.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon and One-Slash Sword Supreme exchanged glances. If the Young Cult Leader himself was making such a move, then there had to be a reason. Which meant that this matter was no longer just a personal affair of One-Slash Sword Supreme.
“It’s also true that I invited Elder to protect us.”
“What strength does an old man have left?”
“Old? Not at all. Among the Demon Supremes, Elder is the most vigorous. I believe Elder is the youngest in both body and spirit.”
He said what One-Slash Sword Supreme had wanted to say in her place. He intended to keep reminding him of this throughout their journey. That was the reason he had come along. His goal was to help Blood Heaven Blade Demon return with renewed confidence.
“There, it’s done.”
Geom Mugeuk handed back the saber now wrapped in cloth. Once bound, the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber looked like an ordinary great blade.
“Let’s hope there’s no need to unwrap that cloth.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon lay down as he received the saber.
“With someone constantly stirring up bloodshed, how could that be left to mere wishes?”
* * *
The next day, the carriage continued on.
Their destination kept changing.
Even now, the struggle over Treasure Map was still ongoing, with its master continuously being replaced.
Geom Mugeuk did not rush. He believed that as long as they followed the information flowing in through Hidden Moon and the Heavenly Communication Pavilion, they would eventually meet the final master. If their enemies were truly behind this, then all the more so. It would be a scheme laid to draw him out.
And today, One-Slash Sword Supreme spoke something unexpected.
“Tonight, I will cook.”
Geom Mugeuk asked in surprise,
“You, Sword Supreme, will cook for us?”
“Why? Do you not trust me?”
“Of course not. What greater honor could there be? I shall boast of it to everyone I meet!”
Geom Mugeuk looked at Blood Heaven Blade Demon. It seemed like the sort of moment where he would say something, yet his expression was only faintly complicated.
One-Slash Sword Supreme had even gone hunting herself. With a graceful leap, she had brought back two rabbits.
“I shall make rabbit porridge.”
“Oh, I look forward to it! It’ll be my first time tasting such a dish.”
While One-Slash Sword Supreme dressed the rabbits, Geom Mugeuk washed and prepared the vegetables and mushrooms she had asked him to gather.
Even when it came to cooking, the very sword she wielded as her dagger—One-Slash Sword Supreme handled the ingredients with flawless skill.
“Do you have a pot and seasonings?”
“Of course. Everything is right here.”
Geom Mugeuk pulled the seasonings from his pack and handed them to her.
Swish swish!
The way she sprinkled the seasonings was like watching a martial art being performed. Her movements were so graceful that the anticipation reached its peak.
At last, the dinner prepared by One-Slash Sword Supreme was complete.
“Thank you for the meal!”
The moment Geom Mugeuk took a spoonful—
“!”
His eyes widened.
It tasted bad. What on earth was this strange flavor? Was it because his expectations had been so high? No. Objectively speaking, it was simply not good.
“How is it?”
At One-Slash Sword Supreme’s expectant question, Geom Mugeuk forced a smile.
“It’s delicious! The most unique dish I’ve ever tasted!”
He couldn’t bring himself to say it was the most delicious.
One-Slash Sword Supreme smiled.
“I once made this for my sword subordinates. They all said it was tasty and ate it well.”
That was because they were her subordinates! Who among them would be insane enough to tell the Sword Supreme that her cooking was bad? Not even the Young Cult Leader would dare such a thing!
One-Slash Sword Supreme also ate the porridge she had made. Her expression showed that she found it not too bad.
Ah! The heavens had bestowed everything upon the Sword Supreme—except for the sense of taste!
Geom Mugeuk glanced at Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
He lifted the bowl of porridge and drank straight from it.
“It tastes good.”
But Geom Mugeuk saw it clearly. The porridge in his bowl hadn’t diminished in the slightest.
‘He intends to secretly erase it with his energy!’
Now he finally understood the reason behind that complicated expression he had worn when she first said she would cook.
‘Elder already knew! He knew exactly what kind of dish would come out!’
Indeed, that was the case.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon recalled the past.
“Your skill is exactly the same. It hasn’t changed at all.”
One-Slash Sword Supreme looked at him in surprise.
“You still remember that?”
She too remembered that day when she had cooked for him. That day from their very youth.
“How could I ever forget that taste?”
Long ago, she had once cooked for him. It had only been that one time.
“That was the first dish of my life.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s eyes widened in surprise, as if hearing it for the first time.
“That was your first time?”
One-Slash Sword Supreme nodded.
“I memorized it from a cookbook the night before.”
At those words, his eyes trembled slightly. Their gazes met briefly before they both looked away.
Geom Mugeuk spoke with a touch of envy.
“How fortunate, Elder. You tasted the Sword Supreme’s very first dish.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon slurped down the porridge he held. Of course, only Geom Mugeuk, sitting nearby, could see his grimace as though he were swallowing the Poison King’s venom. Yet still, Blood Heaven Blade Demon finished the bowl with vigor.
Now it was Geom Mugeuk’s turn to erase the rest with his energy.
Of course, he couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing. Instead, Geom Mugeuk emptied the bowl clean. Blood Heaven Blade Demon watched him with a satisfied look.
When Geom Mugeuk finished the porridge, One-Slash Sword Supreme suddenly spoke words like a bolt from the blue.
“Tomorrow, I shall cook again. I will catch a duck and make duck soup!”
Both Geom Mugeuk and Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s eyes quaked at the same time.
Geom Mugeuk hurriedly stepped forward.
“No, starting tomorrow, please allow me to serve instead! Rare delicacies hold true value only when eaten occasionally.”
“Is that so?”
“Now then, since we’ve eaten, you should have a cup of tea.”
While Geom Mugeuk brewed the tea, Blood Heaven Blade Demon washed the dishes. The two men exchanged relieved smiles, knowing they had averted disaster.
Moments later, One-Slash Sword Supreme was moved by the taste of the tea Geom Mugeuk had prepared.
“How did you know this is my favorite tea?”
“Ah, is it? I didn’t know. I once drank this tea at Elder’s residence, found it so delicious, and made sure to remember it.”
At that, One-Slash Sword Supreme turned to look at Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“Do you remember this tea?”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon gave a nod.
Geom Mugeuk asked One-Slash Sword Supreme,
“Is there a story behind it?”
She only smiled faintly. But from their expressions, it was clear—this was a tea that Blood Heaven Blade Demon had once gifted her.
Though the two had once hated each other, a handful of memories still filled their lives.
“The tea is good, the mood is pleasant… I’m glad we came out here.”
After finishing their tea, they prepared for rest.
Geom Mugeuk pulled a thick book from his pack and handed it to Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“You didn’t expect to come this far and didn’t bring anything with you, did you?”
“What is this?”
“I brought it so you could read if you grew bored.”
It was the very book Blood Heaven Blade Demon loved most. Whenever his heart felt heavy, he would read it. Just like the cloth prepared to wrap the saber, this book too had been prepared in advance. Clearly, Geom Mugeuk had intended to bring him along no matter what.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at Geom Mugeuk.
“You were certain I would come.”
“I was prepared to persuade you one way or another.”
With an expression that said the boy was hopeless, Blood Heaven Blade Demon placed the book atop the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber and began reading slowly.
Geom Mugeuk leaned back and gazed up at the night sky.
“Good.”
One-Slash Sword Supreme sat cross-legged, regulating her breathing. Judging from her soft expression, her thoughts were calm and pleasant.
Near dawn, Geom Mugeuk awoke from his sleep.
Beyond the extinguished bonfire, he saw the backs of Blood Heaven Blade Demon and One-Slash Sword Supreme, sitting side by side, gazing at the pale sky of dawn.
They did not exchange words. They simply looked silently at the stars. Yet it felt as though countless conversations were passing between them.
From where he lay, Geom Mugeuk also looked at the stars for a while. Then he closed his eyes again and fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
Geom Mugeuk’s party arrived near Cheonja Mountain of Honam.
Rumors spread that the one holding the Treasure Map had been driven into hiding on Cheonja Mountain, and so warriors from all over were gathering there.
The closer they drew to Cheonja Mountain, the more martial artists they saw heading in the same direction.
Some went alone, others in groups. The mountain paths bustled with martial artists of every kind.
Geom Mugeuk left the carriage at a village at the foot of the mountain, carrying only their packs as they headed up.
They did not hurry. Rushing ahead now would only drag them into chaos.
There was no need to be urgent, for the Heavenly Communication Pavilion and Hidden Moon were already keeping them fully informed of the situation.
As the three of them slowly climbed the mountain path, someone shouted from behind.
“Move aside!”
“Don’t get in the way!”
When they turned, two martial artists came flying with fierce momentum, using light footwork. Their charge was so forceful it was clear they would trample anyone in their way.
Such arrogant words were spoken either by those confident in their strength, those with foul tempers, or perhaps because Geom Mugeuk was burdened with luggage, making them assume he was no expert.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon shifted position onto their path, placing One-Slash Sword Supreme toward the inside.
Seeing him worry that she might be harmed, Geom Mugeuk chuckled inwardly. Honestly, even if a hundred of such men charged, could the Sword Supreme possibly be harmed?
One-Slash Sword Supreme, a little embarrassed, glanced at Geom Mugeuk with an exasperated look. Yet at the corner of her lips, a faint smile appeared.
As they passed, one of the martial artists shouted at Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“Don’t block the way, old man! If I weren’t in a rush, you’d be dead already!”
A vein bulged on Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s forehead.
One-Slash Sword Supreme whispered at his side.
“You’re just going to let trash like that go?”
At her provocation, Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s expression relaxed. From his mouth came words that carried his iron determination not to lose the wager.
“They said they were in a hurry, didn’t they?”