“I don’t know.”
At Taesu’s answer, Geom Mugeuk asked again.
“You stole the belongings of someone whose identity you don’t know? I thought you only stole from evildoers.”
Taesu lowered his head deeply.
“I broke my principles this time.”
When rumors spread that a treasure map had appeared in the martial world, his father had strictly warned him not to get involved.
But in the end, after saying hurtful things to his father, he had thrown himself into the struggle for the treasure map.
“When I went after the treasure map, it had already changed hands several times. People were killing and being killed—it was utter chaos. I practically picked it up in the middle of that mess, so I don’t know who originally owned it.”
Geom Mugeuk nodded.
“You’ll find out who they are sooner or later. They’ll chase you to the ends of the earth.”
For some reason, those words sent a chill through Taesu.
“If you torture me, find out the exact location of the Sword Tomb, and then kill me, you’ll be able to avoid their pursuit.”
Geom Mugeuk was delighted by the probing remark.
“That’s a good idea.”
Yes, this was better than promising never to kill him, only to stab him in the back later.
“So I absolutely won’t tell you the Sword Tomb’s precise location. You’ll have to protect me until we arrive.”
Geom Mugeuk spoke to the Blood Heaven Sword Demon.
“We’ll have to take one master with us.”
The Blood Heaven Sword Demon answered indifferently.
“One master or two, what difference does it make?”
He had actually been referring to Geom Mugeuk, but Taesu misunderstood him as referring to the Ilhwa Sword Venerable.
“I’m only looking forward to the five-spice meat at the place you’re taking us.”
At the Ilhwa Sword Venerable’s words, Taesu established a nonsensical hierarchy in his mind.
‘The woman is at the top, followed by the old man, and then this man.’
* * *
Even as they rode along in the carriage, Taesu’s misunderstanding continued.
“I think I know what sort of family you’re from now.”
“What family is that?”
“You’re from an escort agency, aren’t you?”
When Geom Mugeuk reacted with a startled gasp, Taesu became certain that his guess was correct.
“You’re good at driving a carriage, you can even make it leap over obstacles, and you know the roads extremely well.”
If they were merely experts from an ordinary sect, he would surely have heard rumors about the three of them.
But if they were experts from an escort agency? Escort agency and merchant guild experts were generally less well-known than experts from martial sects.
“What’s the name of your escort agency?”
Geom Mugeuk smiled and told him,
“Have you heard of the Heavenly Horse Escort Agency?”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s an escort agency that hasn’t made a name for itself yet. It’ll become the greatest escort agency in the world.”
“Why is it called the Heavenly Horse Escort Agency?”
He had named it for the sake of giving this very answer.
“Because we have a thousand horses.”
“A thousand horses!”
Taesu’s eyes widened in surprise. Even so, how could they possibly have a thousand horses? He assumed it was a boast, but he still reacted with astonishment.
“If we get the chance later, I’ll give you an opportunity to pay your respects to our agency master.”
“So he’s the Heavenly Horse Agency Master.”
“That’s right.”
The Blood Heaven Sword Demon and the Ilhwa Sword Venerable, who were riding in the carriage, laughed at the same time.
―You’ve suddenly become an escort guard.
The Blood Heaven Sword Demon answered the Ilhwa Sword Venerable through telepathy.
―Why does he enjoy fooling around so much?
―He’s young.
―Young, my foot. He’s an old man in a young body.
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable laughed as though she agreed. She recalled the past.
―Think back to when we were young. How much did we want to fool around whenever we gathered together?
The Blood Heaven Sword Demon nodded. Back then, the atmosphere had been completely different from now. The former leaders of the cult and the Demon Venerables had been even more terrifying than they were now.
And yet, those had been happy days. They had also been the days when they acted without giving any thought to the consequences. Watching people had been so fascinating and amusing.
But at some point, meeting anyone had become an utterly exhausting affair.
―Compared to our time, the youngsters these days have it easy.
―Don’t say things like that to your disciples. They’ll call you old-fashioned.
―Let them.
Normally, they would have simply laughed and let the matter pass, but the Ilhwa Sword Venerable added one more thing.
―Don’t be like that anymore. The Young Cult Master even gave you a chance.
She meant that Geom Mugeuk had given him the opportunity to live a more vibrant and healthier life.
―Live young. Younger than the young.
The Blood Heaven Sword Demon’s gaze deepened as he looked out the carriage window.
Thundering hooves filled the air.
How long had they been traveling?
From the driver’s seat, Taesu cautiously asked Geom Mugeuk,
“Now that they’ve seen your strength, they’ll bring even stronger experts, won’t they?”
“They probably will.”
“Aren’t you afraid? You don’t know whom they’ll call.”
Geom Mugeuk answered with a smile.
“We found you in that labyrinthine Myriad Blood Cave and drove off the men who attacked the carriage. You, who had carried the treasure map, said you would tell us its location. There’s something you’ve forgotten in the midst of all this.”
“What is it?”
“Throughout this entire affair…”
This was what Taesu had failed to realize.
“We still haven’t even drawn our swords.”
* * *
At the inn where Geom Mugeuk and his companions had departed, an old man was eating beef noodles.
Seated across from him was the leader of the masked men who had been pursuing Geom Mugeuk.
His name was Jihan.
Jihan waited until the old man had finished his meal. He was anxious, but the old man was someone worth waiting for.
“You should eat as well.”
“I’m fine.”
“If it’s because of the mask, you can take it off for a while. It’s not as if we don’t know each other’s faces.”
Jihan always wore a mask whenever he received a mission. He felt strangely at ease while wearing one. The mask made him feel as though he had become someone else.
When the old man finished his meal, Jihan finally took an envelope containing a bank draft from inside his robes and held it out.
“I need information about him.”
The old man did not even check the amount.
“I don’t know.”
For an instant, Jihan’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“So there is something you don’t know.”
The old man was called Old Song.
He was the most famous information broker in the region. His family had been information merchants for several generations, and there was nothing he did not know.
Especially since this struggle over the treasure map was taking place in his territory, he knew every piece of information connected to it. He was probably making a fortune from that information.
Jihan had been doing business with Old Song for quite some time. Old Song had always given him the answers he wanted. There had been only one reason he failed to obtain the answer he sought: when he did not have enough money to buy the information.
Jihan took out another envelope.
Two envelopes now lay on the table.
Old Song shook his head.
“I don’t know.”
Another envelope appeared.
As befitted an information merchant, Old Song knew the nature of this envelope as well.
“I know how your organization works. The first two envelopes are the organization’s money, but the third one is your personal money, isn’t it?”
Jihan did not deny it.
“Why are you trying so desperately to buy information about them?”
Jihan recalled a scene.
The sight of a young man standing atop the carriage and looking down at him.
“I have a bad feeling.”
Old Song stared at Jihan in silence for a moment. They had always met for business and parted for business, but today, his gaze held a personal emotion.
“How many years have we known each other?”
“About nine years.”
“Has it really been that long?”
Then he confessed a thought he had never expressed before.
“To be honest, I’ve always liked you. You were more courteous and refined than the countless predecessors who held your position before you.”
Old Song’s gaze deepened as he looked at Jihan.
“Withdraw from this matter.”
“!”
Jihan understood. Old Song knew something about the man they were up against.
“Please tell me even just his name.”
Old Song shook his head.
“I can’t. Those three characters are everything he is.”
It was the first time this had ever happened. He knew the information, yet refused to sell it.
Just who was that man?
“You know I can’t withdraw.”
“When your life is on the line, is there anything you can’t do? Leave your organization as you are. Hide yourself for about ten years, then come out and start a new life. If it were you, you could hide better than anyone, couldn’t you?”
Yes, he could hide where no one would ever find him.
Jihan’s role in the organization was to track people down. Using Soul-Chasing Incense and pursuing its scent was the duty of the organization he led.
Jihan, Chief of the Soul-Chasing Squad.
That was his position within the organization.
Jihan had never imagined that Old Song would say such things to him.
It clearly meant that their opponent was someone beyond his ability to handle. Old Song was trying to save his life.
When Jihan did not answer, Old Song rose from his seat first.
“This will probably be our last meeting. I’ll pay for the meal. Thank you for everything.”
As Old Song turned to leave, Jihan’s trembling question flew after him.
“Is there any choice I can make besides leaving?”
“If you can’t leave…”
Old Song offered him an enigmatic answer.
“Then charge toward death.”
* * *
A man stood atop a cliff.
He possessed a massive build and a temperament as fierce as blazing fire.
Cheon Daeung, Master of the Fire Dragon Corps.
Famous for his fiery temper, he was in overall command of the recovery of the treasure map.
Jihan arrived behind him.
“We failed to recover the treasure map.”
Without turning around, Cheon Daeung asked,
“I heard you gave up during the pursuit. Even though there were only three casualties.”
“That is correct.”
“Why did you flee like a coward?”
Jihan knew he should not answer this way, but he had no choice. There was no more accurate answer.
“I had a bad feeling.”
“You had a bad feeling?”
As Cheon Daeung repeated the words, his expression hardened further.
“When did my orders become less important than your feelings?”
Jihan could offer no excuse.
Cheon Daeung turned around, exuding a fierce aura.
“Answer me!”
His aura surged like a powerful gale, like the roar of a tiger.
“I’m sorry.”
Jihan lowered his head.
Cheon Daeung seemed ready to smash his head to pieces at any moment, but fortunately, he did not make a move.
“The Soul-Chasing Incense saved your life.”
Only the Soul-Chasing Squad could track the Soul-Chasing Incense.
Cheon Daeung shouted,
“Blood Wind Four Swords!”
At once, four martial artists appeared before him.
Cheon Daeung gave Jihan his order.
“Guide the Blood Wind Four Swords to them!”
As he turned back toward the cliff, Cheon Daeung added,
“We’ll speak again about that unpleasant feeling of yours after we find the treasure map.”
* * *
Taesu tossed and turned in his sleep.
Ever since he had been told that Soul-Chasing Incense had gotten onto his hand, he had been unable to stop worrying. Even when he closed his eyes to sleep, slumber would not come.
Meanwhile, the carefree trio slept soundly. What would they do if someone attacked them? Right, he would have to stand guard himself.
But what good would staying awake do? He could not notice anyone approaching until they were already upon him.
Swish.
Before he knew it, a cold blade was pointed at his throat.
Taesu’s heart sank.
‘When did they…?’
Taesu cautiously shifted his eyes and looked at the other three. Martial artists were standing over them as well, swords pointed at their throats. They were the Blood Wind Four Swords.
Even with swords aimed at them, the three continued sleeping soundly.
‘They’re even stronger than those three!’
Hadn’t he been worried about this? What if they brought stronger experts? The three had acted so high and mighty, completely carefree!
Even if it cost him his life, he had to shout. If even one of the three could evade the sword aimed at them and counterattack, he might at least avoid dying a meaningless death.
But with a sword at his throat, no shout would come out.
‘Please! Please wake up!’
The Blood Wind Four Sword who had his blade pointed at Geom Mugeuk’s throat spoke quietly.
“To think you fled without killing such pathetic fools.”
They normally never let down their guard when facing an enemy. But if these men had failed to awaken even after they had come close enough to touch their throats with their swords, they were opponents against whom it was safe to be careless.
Even now, with a little pressure from his hand, he could pierce this man and end his life.
Another of the Blood Wind Four Swords, standing beside the Ilhwa Sword Venerable, spoke.
“Aren’t they just a bunch of hounds chasing after the scent?”
“Did they take some kind of drug? They still haven’t woken up.”
They took turns speaking, but all three remained deeply asleep.
“What kind of weapon are they carrying, wrapped up so tightly?”
Just as one of them reached out to untie the knot around the upright Heaven-Destroying Great Saber—
“If you untie that, you’ll die.”
He was so startled that his heart nearly leaped out of his chest. He had not noticed anyone approaching until they spoke right beside his ear.
The next person to be startled was the one who had been holding a sword to Geom Mugeuk’s neck. Geom Mugeuk, who had been lying down, had vanished without a sound and was now standing beside the companion who had tried to untie the knot.
“Kill them all!”
The Blood Wind Four Swordsman holding Taesu issued the order.
Flash!
Taesu saw twins again. This time, they were quadruplets.
At the same moment, the necks of three Blood Wind Four Swordsmen twisted.
Crack.
Because they had all been twisted simultaneously, there was only a single sound. In Taesu’s eyes, three Geom Mugeuks had truly appeared at once, and all three had twisted their necks at the same time.
It was the power of the Wind God Four Steps, which had reached the realm of perfection as Geom Mugeuk’s martial arts had risen even further.
Why quadruplets?
Because another Geom Mugeuk had appeared beside the Blood Wind Four Swordsman who had a sword pointed at Taesu’s neck. As though he had carried out the order to kill them all himself, Geom Mugeuk said to him:
“Yes, I killed them as ordered.”
The Blood Wind Four Swordsman’s trembling eyes turned toward Geom Mugeuk standing beside him. He truly could never have imagined that there was a master capable of killing the three of them in the blink of an eye. And the number had not been three, but four.
“Come to think of it, you said to kill them all, didn’t you?”
Shaaak.
Crack.
Though he had watched from right beside him, Taesu could not see how Geom Mugeuk twisted the man’s neck. The last remaining Blood Wind Four Swordsman fell as a corpse.
“Waaaaah!”
Taesu belatedly let out a scream, then quickly clapped a hand over his mouth.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had irritably raised himself up.
“How long are you going to keep making noise? Go to sleep!”
Geom Mugeuk answered with a smile.
“Go back to sleep. We’ll clear away the corpses and go to sleep as well.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon lay back down.
Taesu quietly came over beside Geom Mugeuk and spoke in a low voice.
“Sometimes, there are treasures like that. Things so precious that they seem ordinary instead.”
Taesu’s gaze turned toward Geom Mugeuk.
He had dealt with the enemies so quickly that killing them looked like nothing at all. Once dawn came, they would learn just how formidable those enemies had been.
Just then, Geom Mugeuk gazed into the distant darkness, then waved toward it.
“The masked man who was following us watched from afar, then left.”
Taesu looked in that direction, but all he could see was darkness.
“If he was watching, shouldn’t you have concealed your abilities? Now that he’s seen this, won’t someone truly terrifying come after us next time?”
At Taesu’s worried question, Geom Mugeuk spoke with an expression that seemed to ask what he was supposed to do.
“Ah, but this is me concealing my abilities as much as possible.”