With the appearance of the Muhwang Divine Sword, Geom Mugeuk could tell what war this was.
‘So this war is the battle between the Murim Alliance and Cheonui Palace.’
The reason the Muhwang Divine Sword was still spoken of even after three hundred years was that, aside from his absolute martial prowess that earned him the name Divine Sword, he had one great achievement.
The destruction of Cheonui Palace.
At the time, a mysterious force called Cheonui Palace was attempting to topple the Murim Alliance and seize control of the orthodox murim.
Cheonui Palace was a sect that used all manner of bizarre illusion arts and formations, and it revealed truly formidable power. The masters of the murim were helplessly trapped in their formations and died miserable deaths. Because of that, the hatred and resentment of the orthodox martial artists, who desired fair and honorable duels, grew all the stronger; the more they feared them, the more they hated them.
The Blood Cult is behind them, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is behind them, the Sado Alliance is behind them—amid all sorts of rampant rumors, a full-scale war broke out between the Murim Alliance and Cheonui Palace.
When the war first began, everyone expected the battle to end quickly. No matter how powerful Cheonui Palace was, their opponent was the Murim Alliance. And not just any Murim Alliance, but one led by the absolute master of the murim, the Muhwang Divine Sword.
Contrary to expectations, however, the war did not end easily.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Sado Alliance did not step forward, but countless sects excluding them intervened in this fight. Some came forward for the sake of a righteous cause, others in pursuit of profit. Even merchants trying to sell weapons became involved. It was truly a great chaos of tangled interests.
After all, the murim did not consist only of those who supported the Murim Alliance.
Numerous sects that supported Cheonui Palace and disliked the Murim Alliance joined the war as well. Rumors even spread that the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Sado Alliance were secretly supporting them.
‘Why on earth?’
For some reason, the secret coffer had brought him into the middle of the battle between the Murim Alliance and Cheonui Palace from three hundred years ago.
‘What is it trying to show me?’
Meanwhile, the Muhwang Divine Sword stepped before the martial artists.
The cheers grew even louder.
The martial artists were all overwhelmed by the fact that they were seeing him in person. Most of the martial artists here were lower-ranked warriors, so they had never had the chance to see the Alliance Leader this closely with their own eyes.
The Muhwang Divine Sword looked calmly over the martial artists. With his gaze alone, he overwhelmed this vast crowd.
Moreover, he was younger than they had expected; he looked as though he had only just entered middle age, and the martial artists grew even more fervent.
Those whose eyes met his lowered their heads in salute, their faces filled with emotion.
At last, the Muhwang Divine Sword opened his mouth.
“Since the fighting began, there have been many sacrifices. We have lost countless comrades.”
His low voice, imbued with inner power, could be heard clearly even by those standing far at the back.
“Countless masters who sought to uphold justice have been sacrificed, trapped in their wicked illusion arts and formations.”
With each word he spoke, the martial artists emitted a surge of heated excitement. In this war, the Muhwang Divine Sword was their hero and their pillar of support.
Of course, Geom Mugeuk watched him with a cool mind. There had to be some reason he had been brought here on the very day the man arrived.
Power entered the Muhwang Divine Sword’s voice.
“Even so, we must continue to fight. Because we cannot let our friends’ deaths be in vain, because we cannot allow those treacherous villains to swallow this murim whole, we must move forward.”
After looking over everyone, the Muhwang Divine Sword spoke with eyes full of resolve.
“We will fight the final battle here.”
Though he still did not know why the secret coffer had brought him here, he could at least understand why it had chosen this time and this place.
This was the very site of the final decisive battle against Cheonui Palace.
The Muhwang Divine Sword’s resounding cry echoed across the field.
“Do not fear death! Your blood will protect this murim!”
Even though his words demanded sacrifice, the martial artists went wild with enthusiasm.
After finishing his speech, the Muhwang Divine Sword approached the martial artists in the front row. It was a situation where an assassin might be hiding among them, but he showed no fear.
Geom Mugeuk quietly observed him.
‘Masters of the past really do give off a different feeling.’
The presence he felt from him was different. The way he emitted his aura was different as well.
Rough, but even more powerful.
To several people standing in the front row, the Muhwang Divine Sword offered words of encouragement on behalf of all.
“The murim will remember your hard work and sacrifice.”
Every time their eyes met the Alliance Leader’s, the martial artists lowered their heads with moved expressions.
At last, it was Geom Mugeuk’s turn.
“You have endured much.”
Geom Mugeuk did not simply let it pass.
“Not me, sir.”
Everyone’s gazes focused on Geom Mugeuk, wondering what he dared to say to the Alliance Leader. The Muhwang Divine Sword also looked at him with an expression asking what he meant.
“Today is my first day.”
Only then did the Muhwang Divine Sword smile, and the martial artists around them laughed. The solemn atmosphere loosened in an instant.
“What is your name?”
“I am Geom Yeon.”
“I will do my utmost so that you can return safely to your hometown.”
As he was about to move aside, Geom Mugeuk added one more thing.
“Is there a way for us to win?”
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk saw it. The man’s pupils trembled ever so slightly. That emotion was unmistakably discomfort.
Geom Mugeuk had asked deliberately. This battle would surely end in victory for the orthodox faction and the Muhwang Divine Sword. The result was already decided.
But he remembered hearing something once. That there were no detailed records left about the final battle that day.
‘How did you end that final battle?’
Among the several martial artists who followed while assisting the Alliance Leader, one middle-aged martial artist stepped forward with a hardened expression.
“How dare you speak out so recklessly before the Alliance Leader?”
At that, the Muhwang Divine Sword raised a hand to stop him, then spoke to Geom Mugeuk.
“I have a way to end this battle.”
It was not an answer to Geom Mugeuk, but words meant for all the martial artists. Sure enough, the martial artists were startled, then soon let out thunderous cheers.
“However, I cannot reveal such important details in an open place. So you must fulfill your own duty.”
“Yes! Understood.”
After encouraging a few more people, the Muhwang Divine Sword headed straight toward the tent at the center. The middle-aged martial artist who had stepped forward with a stern expression earlier glared at Geom Mugeuk with displeasure before following the Alliance Leader.
Then a low remark came from behind him.
“The rookie has guts.”
When he turned around, he saw the squad leader, Jeong Dae, standing there.
“Who was that man who glared at me so fiercely before leaving?”
“He is the person in charge here.”
He was Jo Ung, the man in charge of this battlefield that would become the final stage.
“What on earth were you thinking, stepping forward like that?”
“When else would I get to have a conversation with the Alliance Leader?”
Jeong Dae stared at Geom Mugeuk, then turned away after leaving behind a single remark: “Madman.” Even if he was called a madman, Geom Mugeuk’s instinctive choice had been that he could not let the Alliance Leader simply pass him by.
He judged that making an impression in whatever way he could might help him later.
Geom Mugeuk stared at the back of the Muhwang Divine Sword as he grew farther away.
‘Great secret coffer, why did you bring me here? What on earth for?’
* * *
After returning to the tent, Geom Mugeuk quietly closed his eyes and circulated his true qi through one heavenly circuit. Compared to before, his inner power was truly meager, but he tried to increase it even a little and make it even a little purer. He did not know what situation awaited him, but escaping this place would not be easy.
“Everyone, attention. A reconnaissance mission has come down.”
The squad leader, Jeong Dae, woke even those who had been sleeping.
“A night mission?”
At the startled question from one of the squad members, Jeong Dae nodded.
Geom Mugeuk left the tent together with the squad members.
Including Geom Mugeuk, White Tiger Seventeenth Squad had five members. Originally, there had been thirteen, but he was told they had all died in two major battles.
“This is all your fault.”
Jeong Dae pinned responsibility for the night reconnaissance on Geom Mugeuk.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m saying this night mission came down because you said unnecessary things to the Alliance Leader. After our numbers dropped to four, our squad had never been assigned a night mission.”
Even so, he did not curse or blame him for it. From what Geom Mugeuk could see, Jeong Dae was a kind and dignified martial artist befitting the words “orthodox faction.” Though their connection would soon end, he was the sort of person Geom Mugeuk wanted to treat well, at least while they were together.
“I came, didn’t I?”
“Four or five, what difference does it make!”
Yes, he was right.
There was no way this had happened by chance. Jo Ung, who had wanted to look good before the Alliance Leader, must have been punishing him.
Geom Mugeuk hoped that even this matter was not coincidence, but inevitability. He had to find something within this chain of inevitabilities. He had to get out of this place as soon as possible.
“To give us such a disadvantage just because I asked that question? Alliance Leader, this is too much!”
“As if the Alliance Leader would have done that.”
Jeong Dae ultimately held back from saying that Jo Ung was probably punishing them for what had happened earlier. He knew better than anyone that if one hesitated over whether to say something, it was wiser not to say it. All the more so on this battlefield where dozens died every day. If one hesitated over whether to kill, one had to kill.
And so, White Tiger Seventeenth Squad, to which Geom Mugeuk belonged, entered the mountains.
The two sides were facing each other with a single ridge between them, and he was told that only localized skirmishes were currently taking place.
Like someone who had survived here for a long time, Jeong Dae skillfully made his way along the dark mountain path.
“If you cross that ridge over there, you’ll be in the enemy camp. You absolutely must not go any farther than that. Understood? There are ambushes everywhere.”
“Understood.”
Of course, contrary to his obedient answer, Geom Mugeuk wanted to examine the enemy camp first. In truth, he was more curious about that side than this one.
What kind of person the palace lord of Cheonui Palace was, what he was thinking, and who was around him.
It would have been better if he had been allowed to start in that camp instead. Why had it been this side?
Surely the reason the secret coffer had brought him here was not merely to let him meet the Muhwang Divine Sword.
“All right, we return for today.”
They were just about to finish their reconnaissance mission and go back.
“Careful!”
Swish!
Geom Mugeuk threw himself forward and shoved Jeong Dae aside.
A hidden weapon passed through the spot where Jeong Dae had been standing.
From the forest ahead, martial artists charged in while swinging their swords.
There were four opponents in all.
They launched a coordinated attack at Geom Mugeuk, who was closest, and thrust their swords. They were well-trained men with swift movements, but unfortunately for them, their opponent was Geom Mugeuk.
Swish.
Geom Mugeuk dodged the attack from the front as though lying down on the ground.
It was a posture from which he should have fallen, but Geom Mugeuk’s waist was not that weak.
Springing up like a coil, Geom Mugeuk struck upward with his sword.
Slash!
As the man collapsed with his chest deeply cut open, Geom Mugeuk stepped on his stomach and rushed toward the enemy on the left. His opponent was flustered by the unexpected movement.
Two swords brushed through the air, but only one reached its intended target.
Thud!
After stabbing his opponent through the heart, Geom Mugeuk spun quickly and swung his sword.
Swish.
The enemy charging from behind widened his eyes.
Even if he had eyes on the back of his head, he could not have imagined that Geom Mugeuk would strike into his opening so quickly and accurately.
Slash.
When the third enemy fell, the remaining one fled into the darkness. Geom Mugeuk was about to throw his sword into the man’s back and catch him, but for some reason he stopped.
It had truly happened in an instant. It happened in the brief moment when the other squad members hesitated, unsure how to rush in, and by the time Jeong Dae, who had been shoved to the ground by Geom Mugeuk, sprang to his feet, the situation was already over.
Jeong Dae asked with a startled, bewildered expression.
“You! What are you? You’re good at martial arts, aren’t you?”
“I never said I wasn’t.”
“Then why did you come in as a rookie?”
“That way, I can live longer. If I fight well, wouldn’t I have to face masters?”
Jeong Dae wore an incredulous expression but did not question him any further. He conveyed his gratitude with sincere eyes.
“Thank you. I lived thanks to you.”
“Then will you move me to a better bed?”
“I’ll switch mine with yours.”
He was truly moved. How had he managed to survive until now? On top of that, the war was nearing its end. If he had died here today to a dagger thrown by someone he did not even know, he would have been so wronged he would not have been able to close his eyes.
Geom Mugeuk examined the fallen corpses.
“Are these men a reconnaissance squad too?”
“No. Reconnaissance squads have an unspoken rule that even if they encounter each other, they avoid one another.”
It was a mutual survival strategy born in the midst of war.
“Then why were these men out here at night?”
Jeong Dae shook his head with an expression that said he did not know.
“But they didn’t use illusion arts or sorcery.”
“Only the masters of Cheonui Palace use formations and illusion arts. It’s not as if all our enemies are from Cheonui Palace, and even in Cheonui Palace, the lower-ranked martial artists use ordinary martial arts. Now, let’s hurry back.”
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk said something unexpected.
“You go on ahead. I’ll catch the one who escaped earlier and bring him back.”
“It’s dangerous!”
“The Alliance Leader is here and everything. We can’t just overlook such strange movements.”
“You said you wanted to live a long time, didn’t you? That’s why you hid your martial arts too, didn’t you?”
“Who knows? If I make a great contribution, maybe they’ll send me away early. Now, go on ahead.”
Geom Mugeuk dashed into the darkness.
Because Jeong Dae had learned through this fight that Geom Mugeuk’s skills were far from ordinary, he no longer tried to stop him.
“Make sure you come back alive!”
That was why Geom Mugeuk had not killed the last man earlier. He intended to use chasing him as a pretext to examine the enemy camp.
Following the path Jeong Dae had told him about, he arrived at their encampment.
Dozens of tents had been set up around a large tent in the center.
He did not enter recklessly. If the palace lord on that side was here, then formidable masters would be with him.
Geom Mugeuk activated the Divine Eye Art. Though his inner power had diminished, his immunity to all poisons remained, and he could also use the Divine Eye Art.
As Geom Mugeuk examined their tents, his gaze stopped on one place.
“!”
In that moment, Geom Mugeuk was shocked.
Only now did he understand why the secret coffer had brought him specifically to this place three hundred years ago.
At the entrance of the large tent Geom Mugeuk was looking at, a certain symbol was drawn.
It was a symbol Geom Mugeuk knew, but it was not the symbol of the secret coffer.
It was the very symbol that had been carved throughout the passages of the underground gate. The symbol that had become the key to breaking through the first gate, the one he had wondered might belong to the family that created this gate.
Now, the first clue was being unraveled.
‘So the ones who built the underground treasury beneath Hwangryong Martial Hall were the destroyed Cheonui Palace.’