Chapter 738: Did You Know Whose Grave It Was?
Jongbaek had heard all sorts of rumors about the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Grandeur, excellence, and unpredictability.
If he were to sum up in one sentence the impression he felt now while facing the Young Cult Leader directly, it was this.
It was overwhelming.
To the point that one could not even breathe.
“Haah.”
When the breath Jongbaek had been holding escaped from his mouth, Geom Mugeuk released the wrist he had been holding.
He had snatched the arm that had come down quickly in an instant, so there would have been reason for a mark to remain on the wrist.
Yet there was no trace at all on his own wrist. As if it had never been held by anyone in the first place.
This was the difference!
Jongbaek knew well that distinguishing a master who had climbed and climbed to the final realm was not a matter of who could strike the hardest or break things more strongly. It was not about how high one could soar or how fast one could move.
Jongbaek knew that real skill was shown in these trivial and subtle differences.
Jongbaek’s gaze, which had been looking at his own wrist, shifted toward Geom Mugeuk.
‘This man is the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.’
Jongbaek felt no malice in the gentle look Geom Mugeuk gave him. That made it all the more frightening. After all, the opponent was the Young Cult Leader of a demonic cult.
What did he want, truly? What if he demanded something more important than his arm?
“What did you want?”
Meanwhile, Chu Yeon and the other martial artists who had been watching did not realize how astonishing Geom Mugeuk’s move had been. All of them had been so focused on Jongbaek cutting off his own arm that they apparently had only just arrived in the midst of it.
Normally Chu Yeon would have stepped forward and said something.
How dare you lay a hand on the elder!
But the atmosphere was strange and, because he had intervened, they had been able to prevent Jongbaek’s arm from being cut off.
She could not understand the situation. Ever since she was young, Jongbaek had been an invincible master. There was nothing he could not solve when he stepped up, and whenever trouble came to the Flying Dragon Gang, he always led the front.
‘But why? Who on earth was that porter?’
Was he offering his wrist and preparing to grant a request?
At last Geom Mugeuk spoke.
“I have two requests because there were two arms.”
At those words, Jongbaek inwardly flinched.
‘I was going to cut off only one arm.’
Of course, Geom Mugeuk had been joking. He simply had two requests to ask.
But everyone was tense and stunned, so the only ones to smile even faintly at that remark were Blood Heaven Blade Demon and One-Slash Sword Supreme.
“My first request is……”
Geom Mugeuk looked at Chu Yeon. Jongbaek immediately realized what Geom Mugeuk was getting at. Since they had treated the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult like a mere porter and had shown contempt, there would be no complaint even if he killed her.
Moreover, since she had said they met three times in the cave, that discourtesy could not have been just once.
“What are you doing? Hurry and offer your apology!”
At Jongbaek’s thunderous scolding, Chu Yeon immediately dropped to her knees.
“I have committed a grave sin for not recognizing an esteemed person!”
Chu Yeon had known Jongbaek since she was a child. He had always treated her with great fondness and affection. It was her first time seeing him this angry.
Jongbaek spoke politely to Geom Mugeuk.
“It was a mistake made by a thoughtless child. I ask that you show mercy.”
He had been worried—what if, instead of his own arm, Geom Mugeuk wanted Chu Yeon’s arm?
If the Young Cult Leader wished to punish her, he was determined to offer his own life in her place. If he could not protect the girl he had watched grow up, he would have no face to show the Flying Dragon Gang Leader.
Geom Mugeuk walked up to Chu Yeon and helped her to her feet.
“It’s only natural that you didn’t recognize me, since I never introduced myself.”
When Geom Mugeuk spoke so gently, she was utterly confused. She had thought a scolding would fall upon her for failing to recognize him.
“Do you remember? I said that we should meet again alive for the fourth time.”
“Of course.”
Geom Mugeuk delivered what he truly wanted her to understand.
“But it isn’t the fourth of the four that matters. It’s those four that matter.”
His gaze shifted toward the Ten Heroes of the Flying Dragon Gang standing behind her. Out of ten, only four had survived.
He meant that meeting him for the fourth time wasn’t important; the fact that only four of her subordinates remained was the more grave and meaningful issue.
It was a lesson that she should not have coveted the Treasure Map so much that it led to the deaths of her men.
Even now, in her heart, the Treasure Map likely weighed heavier than the deaths of her subordinates.
“If you don’t understand the difference between those two things, you will not live to meet me for the fifth time.”
“Yes, I will bear that in mind.”
Her answer was firm, but Chu Yeon did not understand what Geom Mugeuk truly meant. What exactly was so important about the four?
Geom Mugeuk turned to Jongbaek.
“Now, do you know what you must do with that arm?”
He didn’t mean to cut it off—but to take a switch in that hand and properly discipline this reckless, disrespectful girl.
Realizing Geom Mugeuk’s intent, Jongbaek let out a long sigh.
“All this time, I’ve used my busy life as an excuse not to pay attention to what was most important in the gang.”
He should have looked after her himself in the Gang Leader’s stead.
He had spoiled her too much. Seeing how politely she treated him, he had assumed she behaved the same way outside.
“I will teach her properly.”
Chu Yeon’s life, as she bowed her head low, would become far more difficult from now on.
‘For your own sake, endure it well and work hard, foolish young lady.’
Geom Mugeuk turned back toward Jongbaek once again. Jongbaek tensed inwardly.
This time, it would surely be the real request. In fact, he grew even more anxious. He had expected that Geom Mugeuk would demand something far greater, using his forgiveness toward Chu Yeon as an excuse.
But the second request was something he never could have anticipated.
“Convince the Flying Dragon Gang Leader not to interfere in this matter any further. At least regarding the Treasure Map, I should not meet him again.”
Geom Mugeuk spoke firmly on purpose. For the sake of the Flying Dragon Gang as well, they should not become involved in this affair.
Jongbaek did not hesitate with his answer.
“I will keep that in mind. This old man will take full responsibility and follow your words.”
“Thank you, Elder Jong.”
Jongbaek carefully asked,
“Is that all you wished to say?”
“Yes, there are only two arms, are there not?”
Even without being told, it was clear that the Flying Dragon Gang must withdraw. Having become entangled with the Young Cult Leader of a demonic cult like this, how could they still attempt to seize the Treasure Map?
As Geom Mugeuk bowed politely, Jongbaek finally understood. Both requests had been made for the sake of the Flying Dragon Gang.
He was not someone who needed to go so far as this.
‘If the Young Cult Leader came alone, our gang would already have been annihilated.’
He could have beaten Chu Yeon half to death and threatened Jongbaek that if they interfered again, they would all die.
Jongbaek’s gaze turned toward One-Slash Sword Supreme, standing beside them. She had changed greatly from when he had met her before. And that change was not merely in appearance.
‘She’s become stronger—unimaginably so!’
Even before, he had been unable to face her, but now, merely standing opposite her felt burdensome.
Lastly, Jongbaek looked at Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who still stood with his back turned. A piece of cloth was wrapped around the great blade hanging across his back.
Though he did not turn around, Jongbaek now knew who he was.
‘Blood Heaven Blade Demon!’
If it truly had been the Blood Heaven Blade Demon of legend, he would have already stepped forward and swept them all away.
‘The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult has changed!’
Jongbaek silently cupped his fists toward Blood Heaven Blade Demon in a respectful martial salute. It was not out of fear for the demonic cult, nor blind submission.
It was a gesture of sincere gratitude for the mercy shown by Geom Mugeuk and the two Demon Supremes.
“Thank you sincerely for showing such mercy.”
“I am truly grateful that you accepted my words so willingly.”
Geom Mugeuk also returned the salute politely, preserving Jongbaek’s dignity before his subordinates.
Jongbaek then left the place with Chu Yeon and the others.
Chu Yeon glanced once at Geom Mugeuk before lowering her head deeply and departing.
A day would come when, having grown older, she would recall this moment. He could only hope that she would live her life remembering this day as one of shame.
As the sun set, the lake darkened.
“Let’s spend the night here.”
Geom Mugeuk drove the carriage to a field near the lakeshore.
After unstalling the horses and letting them rest, they lit a campfire.
The Two Demon Supremes had gone together and caught something for dinner. Geom Mugeuk prepared it with skilled hands and served a fine meal.
Tae Soo did not usually eat first, but this time he silently finished all the food Geom Mugeuk offered. By now he knew Geom Mugeuk was not someone who would lace food with poison or mix in a truth serum.
After the meal, the Two Demon Supremes went for a walk by the lake, leaving just the two of them there.
“The thing you refused last time — that was truly Stalactite Immortal Moss.”
“I know.”
The thought had come to him while they were eating a moment ago. If anyone would have the real thing, it would be these people.
“If you had said you would eat it, would you really have given it?”
“I would have given a little of mine.”
Instead of assuming they would never have given it, he wondered whether they might really have given some.
He immediately scolded himself.
What would they give? Something so precious. Don’t be confused! Not to that person.
“Why don’t you ask? Who are you people?”
When Geom Mugeuk asked, Tae Soo stared at the burning fire and answered.
“I am not curious.”
In truth, he was curious. He had been too surprised to see an elder of the Flying Dragon Gang so frightened.
At first he had even suspected these people might not be from the Flying Dragon Gang. Maybe they were on the same side and staging it to scare him?
But he soon dismissed that idea. If they intended to torture him, they could have done so outright; they would not have made things so complicated.
“If I asked who you were, would you tell me?”
“No.”
Tae Soo raised one corner of his mouth as if he had expected that.
“Do you know why I wouldn’t tell you?”
“What is it?”
“Your tone changed.”
“!”
Now that he heard it, it was true.
Before meeting Elder Jong of the Flying Dragon Gang he had spoken casually, but now he addressed him in a very polite tone.
“I… didn’t notice.”
“You don’t have to notice that, but you should know this. If you knew I was powerful and from a famous family, you would give up trying to steal my heart.”
“Why do you think that?”
“You’re the kind who can’t say the simple line, ‘The view next to me is so beautiful.’ You have enormous pride.”
Tae Soo could not argue with that.
“Pride is important. But don’t forget this: if your pride is too high, you will eventually be forced to submit in a low place.”
Those words pierced Tae Soo’s chest because he knew he was not someone who could protect even that pitiful pride to the end.
As he gazed silently at the flickering campfire, Tae Soo asked Geom Mugeuk,
“You could threaten or torture me to get whatever you want from me. Why are you giving me a chance like this?”
Then came an unexpected reply.
“I once owed a debt to a thief.”
Him? To whom could this man possibly owe anything? It didn’t seem likely at all.
“Who was that?”
He knew nearly every lineage of thieves across the Central Plains. If Geom Mugeuk only said a name, he would recognize it. Yet Geom Mugeuk did not answer.
“Then please answer this—why try to repay it to me, when I wasn’t even the one involved?”
Geom Mugeuk lay down on the spot and looked up at the stars scattered across the night sky.
“I just don’t think I’ll ever again meet a thief who shares such a deep connection with me. So just take it! Didn’t I tell you? You used up all your lifetime’s luck in gambling the moment you met me. Then you should at least gain something in return.”
Tae Soo silently looked at Geom Mugeuk, then at the fire again, and finally at the tiny sparks flying into the night sky.
After a long moment of silence, Tae Soo suddenly brought up an old story.
“Forty years ago, a single Treasure Map appeared in the world.”
Still lying down, Geom Mugeuk turned his head to look at him. Tae Soo continued speaking across the fire.
“The martial world was thrown into chaos by rumors that the Treasure Map contained the location of a tomb filled with treasures enough to make generations of families live as the wealthiest in the land. But no one ever discovered whose tomb it was.”
“Just like now?”
“Yes, just like now.”
As always, the history of the martial world was repeating itself.
“That tomb is the very Sword Tomb. Back then, peerless masters entered, but not a single one came out alive. Forget the treasures—if one could only obtain those masters’ weapons, or even a martial arts manual hidden inside, it would still be worth risking one’s life.”
Then, something came from Tae Soo’s mouth that even Geom Mugeuk had not known.
“Do you know whose tomb it originally was?”
When Geom Mugeuk shook his head, Tae Soo spoke a name—one unknown to the world.
“It belonged to Wicked Path One Sword, Joo Ga-shin.”
Wicked Path One Sword, Joo Ga-shin.
Three hundred years ago, he had been the Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance and the greatest master of the unorthodox paths.
“The Sword Tomb is his grave.”
Geom Mugeuk, who had been lying down, sat upright.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Why did you tell me you owed a debt to a thief?”
Silence fell as the two men’s gazes briefly crossed in the air.
Tae Soo had told the secret because he had made up his mind.
“It doesn’t matter who you are. From now on, until we reach the Sword Tomb, I will steal your heart and survive. I will obtain not only my life but also the treasures I want there. I will challenge you to a contest.”
He would show his father. He would prove that he had truly stolen the heart of a remarkable person and survived.
“The Sword Tomb is in Zhejiang Province.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon and One-Slash Sword Supreme, returning from their walk, also heard his words.
“I will tell you the exact location once we arrive.”
Knowing that Tae Soo was not lying, Geom Mugeuk said to the Two Demon Supremes.
“From tomorrow we will go to Zhejiang Province.”
Once the destination was decided, Blood Heaven Blade Demon inwardly felt disappointed.
‘What was the hurry!’
They could have taken it a little slower. They could have wandered a little further along the places their feet touched.
Well, how could he refuse when the destination was this close?
Yet, who was it — to not understand Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s disappointment?
“All right, since we must give this friend a chance, we will go slowly!”