Chapter 740: That Name of Two Words is Far Too Big
"I don't know."
After Tae Soo’s answer, Geom Mugeuk asked again.
"You stole something from someone you don’t even know? I heard you only steal from the wicked?"
Tae Soo lowered his head deeply.
"This time, I broke my own rule."
When the rumor spread that the Treasure Map had appeared in the martial world, his father had told him not to get involved under any circumstances.
But in the end, after saying hurtful words to his father, he had jumped into the battle for the Treasure Map.
"When I went after the Treasure Map, it had already changed owners several times. Killings everywhere, pure chaos. I picked it up in that mess, so I don’t even know who it originally belonged to."
Geom Mugeuk nodded.
"You’ll find out soon enough who it belonged to. They’ll chase you to the ends of the earth."
For some reason, those words sent a chill down Tae Soo’s spine.
"If they torture me to find out the exact location of the Sword Tomb and then kill me, that should stop their pursuit, shouldn’t it?"
At his slightly probing words, Geom Mugeuk grinned.
"That’s actually a pretty good idea, isn’t it?"
Yes, rather than promising not to kill him and then stabbing him in the back, this was much better.
"So I will never reveal the exact location of the Sword Tomb. Until we get there, you must protect me."
Geom Mugeuk turned to Blood Heaven Blade Demon and said,
"Looks like we’ll be traveling with a young master."
Blood Heaven Blade Demon replied indifferently,
"One master or two, what’s the difference?"
It was actually a jab at Geom Mugeuk, but Tae Soo misunderstood it as being directed at One-Slash Sword Supreme.
"I’m just looking forward to the five-spice braised pork at the place you’re taking us to."
At One-Slash Sword Supreme’s words, Tae Soo unconsciously formed a hierarchy in his mind.
‘The woman’s on top, then the old man, and then this guy.’
---
Even as the carriage sped along, Tae Soo’s misunderstanding persisted.
"I think I’ve figured out which family you belong to now."
"Which one?"
"A trading escort bureau, right?"
When Geom Mugeuk reacted with a startled gasp, Tae Soo became even more convinced his guess was correct.
"The way you handle the carriage, the way you jump over obstacles with it, and how you know the roads so well—it all fits."
If they were just martial masters from an ordinary sect, he surely would’ve heard rumors about them.
But if they were from a trading escort bureau? Typically, masters from escort bureaus or the trading world were less well-known than those from martial sects.
"What’s the name of your escort bureau?"
Geom Mugeuk smiled as he replied.
"Have you heard of the Cheonma Escort Bureau?"
"This is my first time hearing it."
"It’s not well known yet. But soon, it’ll become the best escort bureau under the heavens."
"Why is it called the Cheonma Escort Bureau?"
That question was the very reason he had chosen the name.
"Because we have a thousand horses." [TL/N: Cheon means both Heaven and Thousand; Ma can mean both Demon and Horse.]
"A thousand horses!"
Tae Soo’s eyes widened in surprise. No matter what, there was no way they could actually have a thousand horses! He thought it was pure bluff, yet he still couldn’t help but look astonished.
“When the time comes, I’ll let you greet our Escort Bureau Leader.”
“So he’s the Leader of the Cheonma Escort Bureau.”
“That’s right.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon and One-Slash Sword Supreme, who were riding in the carriage, both chuckled at the same time.
―Looks like we’ve suddenly become escorts.
To her sound transmission, Blood Heaven Blade Demon replied.
―Why does he like to joke around so much?
―It’s because he’s young.
―Young? He’s an old soul trapped in a young body.
At that, One-Slash Sword Supreme laughed softly, as if to agree. She recalled the days long past.
―Think about when we were young. How much we wanted to have fun whenever we gathered together.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded. Back then, the atmosphere had been completely different from now. Even the previous Cult Leader and the Demon Supreme had been far more terrifying.
But still, those had been enjoyable days. The time when they acted without a care for what might come after. Meeting people had been fascinating and amusing back then.
Yet at some point, meeting anyone at all had become unbearably exhausting.
―Compared to our time, youngsters these days have it easy.
―Don’t say that in front of your disciples. They’ll call you old-fashioned.
―Let them.
Normally, she would have just laughed it off, but One-Slash Sword Supreme added one more thing.
―Don’t be that way anymore. The Young Cult Leader gave you a chance.
She meant that Geom Mugeuk had given him an opportunity to live with more vitality and health.
―Live young. Even younger than the young ones.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s eyes grew deep as he gazed out the carriage window.
Dudududu.
How long had they been traveling?
From the driver’s seat, Tae Soo asked Geom Mugeuk cautiously,
“They’ve seen your skills, so they’ll probably bring even stronger experts next time.”
“Most likely.”
“Aren’t you afraid of who they might send?”
Geom Mugeuk smiled faintly as he answered,
“We found you in that maze of the Cave of Death, drove off those who attacked the carriage, and you, who burned the Treasure Map, promised to lead us to its location. But there’s one thing you’ve forgotten.”
“What’s that?”
“What you haven’t realized is this…”
Tae Soo blinked.
“We haven’t even drawn our swords yet.”
---
At the restaurant where Geom Mugeuk’s group had left, an old man was quietly eating beef noodles.
Sitting across from him was the leader of the masked pursuers who had been tracking Geom Mugeuk.
His name was Ji Han.
Ji Han waited patiently for the old man to finish his meal. His mind was restless, but the old man was someone worth the wait.
“Won’t you eat something too?”
“I’m fine.”
“If it’s because of the mask, you can take it off for a while. It’s not like we don’t know each other’s faces.”
Whenever Ji Han received a mission, he always wore a mask. For some reason, it put him at ease. The mask made him feel as if he became someone else entirely.
When the old man finished his meal, Ji Han finally produced an envelope containing a voucher from his bosom.
"I need information about him."
The old man did not even check the amount.
"I don't know."
For a moment, Ji Han's eyes flashed sharply.
"Those words actually come out of your mouth?"
The old man was called Songno.
He was the most famous information dealer in this area. Because his family had been in the information trade for generations, there was nothing he did not know.
Especially since this Treasure Map dispute had erupted within his territory, he knew every detail involved. He would be making a fortune from that information.
Ji Han had dealt with Songno for a long time. Songno always provided the answers Ji Han wanted. There was only one case when Ji Han did not receive the desired answer: when he lacked the money to buy the information.
Ji Han produced another envelope.
Two envelopes lay on the table.
Songno shook his head.
"I don't know."
Then a third envelope appeared.
As an information dealer, Songno precisely understood the nature of that envelope as well.
"I know your system. Up to two envelopes is organization money, but the third envelope is your personal funds, right?"
Ji Han did not deny the statement.
"Why are you trying so hard to buy their information?"
Ji Han recalled a single scene.
The young man who had stood on the carriage and stared at him.
"I have a bad feeling about it."
Songno watched Ji Han in silence for a moment. They met for business and parted for business, yet today Songno's gaze at Ji Han contained a personal sentiment.
"How many years have we known each other?"
"About nine years."
"Has it been that long already?"
Then he revealed a feeling he had never spoken before.
"To be honest, I liked you. You were more courteous and genteel than the many predecessors who passed through your post."
Songno's gaze deepened as he looked at Ji Han.
"Walk away from this matter."
"!"
Ji Han could tell. Songno knew something about the other party.
"At least tell me his name."
Songno shook his head.
"I cannot. That name of two words is far too big."
It was the first time he had encountered such a thing. He had known the information yet refused to sell it.
Who on earth was this man?
"You know I cannot simply walk away, don't you?"
"Is there anything you cannot do when your life is at stake? Leave your organization as it is. Hide for ten years or so, then come out and live a new life. You could hide better than anyone, couldn't you?"
Yes, he could hide — so deeply that no one would ever find him.
Ji Han’s role within the organization was, in fact, to track people down. Using the Soul-Chasing Incense and pursuing its trace — that was the very work his unit specialized in.
Ji Han, the Soul-Chasing Squad Leader.
That was his title within the organization.
Ji Han never thought he would hear such words from Songno.
It clearly meant the opponent was someone beyond his ability to handle. Songno was trying to save him.
When Ji Han gave no reply, Songno rose from his seat first.
“This will probably be our last meeting. I’ll pay for the meal. Thank you for everything until now.”
As Songno turned to leave, Ji Han’s trembling voice called out to him.
“Is there any choice I can make other than leaving?”
“If you truly cannot leave…”
Songno left him with an enigmatic remark.
“If you cannot leave… then charge toward death.”
---
A man stood atop a cliff.
He was a towering figure, radiating an aura like blazing fire.
Cheon Dae-woong, the Fire Dragon Division Leader.
Famous for his fiery temper, he was the chief commander in charge of recovering the Treasure Map.
Ji Han arrived behind him.
“I failed to recover the Treasure Map.”
Without turning around, Cheon Dae-woong asked,
“You gave up the chase halfway? Even though only three of your men died?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you run like a coward?”
He knew he shouldn’t answer like that, yet he couldn’t help it — there was no truer answer than this.
“I had a bad feeling.”
“A bad feeling?”
As Cheon Dae-woong repeated the words, his expression hardened even further.
“Since when did my orders rank below your feelings?”
Ji Han could not offer a single excuse.
Cheon Dae-woong exhaled his fiery aura as he turned his head.
“Answer me!”
His surging energy roared like a fierce windstorm, like a tiger’s bellow.
“I apologize.”
Ji Han bowed his head.
Cheon Dae-woong looked ready to smash his skull at any moment, yet fortunately, he restrained himself.
“The Soul-Chasing Incense saved your life.”
After all, only the Soul-Chasing Squad could track that scent.
Cheon Dae-woong shouted loudly,
“Blood Wind Four Swords!”
Four martial artists appeared immediately before him.
Cheon Dae-woong issued his order to Ji Han.
“Lead the Blood Wind Four Swords to them.”
Then, turning back toward the cliff, he added,
“As for that unpleasant premonition of yours — we’ll discuss it again once the Treasure Map is retrieved.”
---
Tae Soo tossed and turned in his sleep.
Ever since he had heard that his hand had been marked with Soul-Chasing Incense, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Even when he closed his eyes, sleep refused to come.
Meanwhile, the always Carefree Trio were all sound asleep.
If someone attacked, what would they do? Well, at least he had to protect himself.
But what good was being awake if he would not notice until someone was upon him?
Sssht.
Before he knew it, a cold blade had been pressed against his throat.
For an instant, Tae Soo’s heart had dropped.
‘When on earth did that happen?’
Tae Soo stole a glance at the three of them. Even the men lying there had swords leveled at them. They were the Blood Wind Four Swords.
Even with blades at their throats, the three remained fast asleep.
‘They must be higher-level fighters than those guys!’
Hadn’t he been the one worrying about what would happen if they brought other experts? Bragging about being carefree!
Even if it meant losing his life, he had to shout. If even one of the three could dodge the sword aimed at them and counterattack—at least he might avoid a senseless death.
But no shout had come from him with a blade at his neck.
‘Please! Please wake up!’
The Blood Wind swordsman who had the blade at Geom Mugeuk’s throat spoke softly.
“Running away without killing such pathetic fools.”
Normally, they never let their guard down when facing enemies. But if someone did not wake even when a sword came that close to their throat, they could be treated as careless opponents.
If he pressed the blade now with force, this man would be dead.
Then another of the Blood Wind Four Swords beside One-Slash Sword Supreme opened his mouth.
“Aren’t those guys just dogs who chase after incense or whatever?”
“Maybe they were drugged? Still, they aren’t waking.”
They exchanged remarks as they went along, but all three were in a deep sleep.
“What kind of weapon is that, wrapped up so tightly?”
At the very moment one of them reached out to untie the knot on the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber standing nearby—
“Untie that and you’ll die.”
He was startled so much his heart nearly jumped out of his mouth. He had not noticed someone approaching until a voice had spoken in his ear.
The next to be surprised was the one who had pressed a blade to Geom Mugeuk’s throat. The man who had been lying there was suddenly gone and now stood beside the comrade who had been about to untie the knot.
“Kill them all!”
The Blood Wind swordsman who had been holding Tae Soo grabbed command.
Flash!
Tae Soo saw twins again. This time there were four of them.
At once, the throats of the three Blood Wind swordsmen bent.
Crrrack.
Because they were twisted simultaneously, the sound was one single noise. Truly, Tae Soo’s eyes had seen three Geom Mugeuks appear at once, and each had snapped a neck at the same instant.
Geom Mugeuk’s martial cultivation had risen further, and the power of the Wind God’s Four Steps had reached its extreme limit.
Why four doubles?
Because a Geom Mugeuk had appeared beside the Blood Wind swordsman who had held a blade to Tae Soo’s neck. As if to show he had executed the order, Geom Mugeuk said to him.
“Yes, I followed your order and killed them.”
The trembling eyes of the Blood Wind swordsman turned toward Geom Mugeuk, who stood beside him.
He truly could not have imagined it. That there existed a martial master who could kill three of them in the blink of an eye—and now the number had become four.
“Ah, that’s right. You did say to kill them all, didn’t you?”
Sshaek.
Crack.
Even though Tae Soo was watching right next to him, he couldn’t see how Geom Mugeuk twisted the man’s neck. The last of the Blood Wind Four Swords collapsed, now nothing more than a corpse.
“Uaaaahhh!”
Tae Soo screamed belatedly, then immediately clamped his hands over his mouth.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon, wearing an expression of irritation, groggily sat up.
“How long are you planning to keep yelling? Sleep.”
Geom Mugeuk replied with a laugh.
“Go back to sleep. I’ll clean up the corpses and rest too.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon lay down again.
Tae Soo tiptoed closer to Geom Mugeuk and whispered softly.
“Sometimes, there are treasures like that. So rare that they end up looking ordinary.”
Tae Soo’s gaze fixed on Geom Mugeuk.
He had moved so swiftly that killing the enemies seemed like nothing at all. Just how formidable those opponents had been—he would find out when daylight came.
Then, Geom Mugeuk looked into the distance, into the darkness beyond, and waved his hand.
“The masked man who was chasing us was watching from afar. He just left.”
Tae Soo turned to look, but all he could see was darkness.
“If he saw that, shouldn’t you have hidden your true strength? Now that he’s seen this, won’t they send someone even more terrifying next time?”
At Tae Soo’s anxious words, Geom Mugeuk made a helpless face.
“Ah, this was me holding back.”