The man who revealed a threatening aura with his massive build was Cheon Daeung, leader of the Fire Dragon Unit.
“From now on, anyone who moves without my permission dies. Don’t even breathe.”
His voice, infused with internal energy, rang out thunderously.
Behind Cheon Daeung stood seven elite members of the Fire Dragon Unit.
Known as the Seven Flames, they had served as Cheon Daeung’s hands and feet from early on, men of rough and brutal temperament.
By the time Cheon Daeung became the Fire Dragon Unit Leader of the Evil King Sect, the number of people the Seven Flames had killed exceeded the entire number of the Fire Dragon Unit.
Having received information, Cheon Daeung had hurriedly pursued them, bringing only these men with him rather than the whole Fire Dragon Unit.
Cheon Daeung swept his blazing gaze around the inside of the inn.
Then his eyes met Jihan’s. The instant Jihan saw him, he sprang to his feet without realizing it.
“So you really were here.”
From Cheon Daeung’s words, it was clear. Someone had informed him that Jihan was here. Originally, Cheon Daeung should have gone to Shaanxi in pursuit of the corpse of the Manak Mountain Hermit.
“A mere hunting dog that goes around sniffing dares to pull something like this?”
Jihan’s eyes trembled. The contempt and torment he had suffered as a matter of habit came back to him, and for a moment his body froze. At the same time, all sorts of unpleasant emotions shook him.
“How dare the likes of you!”
Cheon Daeung’s fury exploded at the fact that he had nearly been fooled by none other than Jihan. The abusive words he had been holding back on the way here poured out.
“Did your father teach you to betray the organization that raised you like this? Right, your father must have crawled around on the ground sniffing the stink of shit too, eh? A monster bastard like you dares deceive me?”
Whose fault was all this in the first place? When Cheon Daeung, turning the tables on him, insulted his father, killing intent surged from Jihan’s eyes. Though his father had sent him away to his master when he was young, it had been so he would not suffer in a poor household and could live well.
It was then.
“Sit down.”
Surprisingly, the one who spoke calmly was not Geom Mugeuk, but the Ilhwa Sword Venerable.
Jihan stared in astonishment at the woman seated across from him. It was the first time she had spoken to him since they met.
“When we eat, we eat together.”
“Yes.”
Startled and bewildered, Jihan sat down. With that single sentence, the anger and killing intent that had almost engulfed him subsided in an instant.
The inn was wrapped in silence, and everyone was staring at her. She displayed an elegant dignity completely contrary to Cheon Daeung, who had been creating such a menacing atmosphere.
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable was the first to eat the five-spice braised meat.
Everyone was holding their breath so tightly that it seemed one could even hear the sound of her chewing.
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable briefly closed her eyes as if savoring the taste.
Soon, her expression brightened radiantly.
“It’s delicious.”
Cheon Daeung, watching the scene, was dumbfounded. He had clearly told them to put down their chopsticks, yet she was eating as if to show him?
Curses should have burst from his mouth immediately, but the beauty of the Ilhwa Sword Venerable, with her strange charm, made him pause for a moment to see what she would do.
Geom Mugeuk was delighted.
“Ah, what a relief. After all that effort to protect this five-spice braised meat, I was worried about what I’d do if it didn’t taste good.”
Truly, he had run here and there, stopping all sorts of fights, to preserve this very moment.
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable offered some to the Blood Heaven Saber Demon.
“Brother, you should try it too.”
The Blood Heaven Saber Demon also picked up his chopsticks and ate the five-spice braised meat.
“Not bad.”
From him, that much of a reaction was high praise.
“If you only like noodle dishes when you get older, it’ll ruin your health. Eat things like this often too, in a balanced way.”
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable’s gaze turned back to Jihan.
“Why are you not eating?”
Jihan was in no mood to eat, but he picked up his chopsticks.
“I will eat.”
“Good food is meant to lift one’s spirits.”
When he realized that she was trying to look after his mood, Jihan was inwardly astonished and moved.
Jihan ate the five-spice braised meat.
“It’s delicious.”
It was a lie. His mind was in such turmoil that he could not really taste it.
Just then, Jihan’s gaze suddenly met Geom Mugeuk’s. Seeing him, he realized he had momentarily forgotten whose subordinate he had become, and whom he was now with.
Freezing up at the sight of Cheon Daeung was discourteous to Geom Mugeuk.
“I apologize.”
When Jihan lowered his head, Geom Mugeuk said with a smile,
“You judged him correctly.”
“Yes?”
“A fool is certainly a fool.”
Earlier, when Geom Mugeuk had said he would kill Cheon Daeung for him, Jihan had stopped him, saying there being a fool in the enemy camp was better. And now that fool had come to find them on his own two feet.
Realizing that he had been called a fool, Cheon Daeung poured out killing intent.
“If you’re done stuffing your faces, prepare to die.”
Whoooooosh!
He did not care whether the people inside the inn were injured or not.
But the killing intent could not spread far and was blocked by something. Poong, poong, the killing intent bounced back softly.
Cheon Daeung flinched in surprise. It was as if an invisible membrane had wrapped itself around him. Since he had learned martial arts, this was the first time anything like this had happened.
Geom Mugeuk rose from his seat, then walked toward him with a bright smile.
“You must be my subordinate’s former superior.”
“Former superior?”
“Jihan has become my subordinate now.”
“Who decided that?”
It seemed like he would say, “I did,” but Geom Mugeuk looked at Jihan and said,
“By that man’s own will.”
He had not taken Jihan as a subordinate. Jihan had come asking to be taken in.
When the killing intent he had released was blocked, Cheon Daeung became somewhat cautious. First, he brought out the power backing him.
“Are you confident you can handle the Evil King Sect?”
At the words “Evil King Sect,” the customers watching turned deathly pale. They had already guessed from his words and actions that Cheon Daeung was not a good man, but the Evil King Sect? Their evil deeds were so severe that everyone shuddered at the very name.
“I can handle it, but the other guests will get indigestion.”
Tap.
Before anyone realized it, Geom Mugeuk had his arm around Cheon Daeung’s shoulders.
“Now, now. Instead of doing this here, let’s step outside for a moment.”
The two of them had clearly been standing a little distance apart, facing each other, yet suddenly they were side by side, so to everyone’s eyes, it looked as though the process in between had been omitted.
Naturally, the person most shocked was Cheon Daeung himself, and next were the Seven Flames standing beside him.
“Oh, your muscles are incredible! I happen to like muscular people.”
Geom Mugeuk poked Cheon Daeung’s forearm with his finger. Yet, for some reason, Cheon Daeung did not shake him off.
Because of that, the Seven Flames watching the scene instinctively realized Cheon Daeung had been subdued by him. He was someone who loathed others touching his body.
The two walked outside. The flustered Seven Flames followed behind them.
Watching that, Jihan sprang to his feet.
“I’ll be back too!”
His leader had gone out to fight because of him; he could not simply sit here like this.
When he ran out, Taesu also sprang to his feet and ran after him.
“They’re all young.”
At the Ilhwa Sword Venerable’s words, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon silently drank his wine. The Ilhwa Sword Venerable filled his cup.
“Do you miss it?”
Of course I miss it, she seemed likely to say.
But the Ilhwa Sword Venerable shook her head.
“I did before I met the Young Cult Leader. I regretted and longed for the past. Back then, I was very angry at my life.”
“And now?”
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable smiled without a word. There was no need to answer. She was showing all the changes in herself, from her outward appearance to her inner transformation.
This time, the Ilhwa Sword Venerable asked,
“Do you regret it, Brother?”
After a brief silence, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon finally drew out an emotion he had not revealed even once in the past thirty years.
“I regret it.”
The one who broke the heavy silence was the Ilhwa Sword Venerable.
“Let’s come here again. Let’s stand in line together too.”
The Blood Heaven Saber Demon looked at her in surprise.
“Next time, let’s come just the two of us.”
Gazing quietly at her, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon silently nodded.
* * *
Cheon Daeung could not resist.
He had no idea when his internal energy had been suppressed. On top of that, the blood points in his upper body had also been sealed, so he could only walk and could not move otherwise.
Was it because the god of death had covered his eyes?
Instead of thinking, “So he was a master!” he was having a different regret.
“I was careless!”
That was because he had been certain the masters were the old man and the woman. Geom Mugeuk was too young to be called a master. His behavior was too light, and he talked too much.
Cheon Daeung glanced behind him. Fortunately, his subordinates were sticking close behind. Yes, if he waited for an opportunity, he could get rid of this bastard.
Even in the meantime, Geom Mugeuk kept talking.
“Everyone lined up just to come eat something delicious. Who are you and I to cause a ruckus there?”
What the hell is this lunatic talking about? Already furious that he had been played by a hunting dog, Cheon Daeung grew even angrier at the fact that he had been caught by someone like this as well.
“But why did you curse my subordinate’s parents like that earlier? It was very unpleasant to hear. I’m usually quite good at enduring things, but I can’t stand insults to parents.”
“I wasn’t insulting you, was I?”
“If you had been, your head would be rolling around right now, kicked by the feet of busy waiters going to and fro. Before that, your body would have been cut in half. Ah, I’m not saying I would have done it. I’m the sort of person who absolutely hates smashing and killing things in taverns or inns. It’s just that the two people who were with me earlier happen to like my father very much. The moment the words ‘your father’ came out, your neck would have been sliced clean off, and your body too.”
As they spoke, the two arrived at an empty clearing behind the inn.
When they stopped, the Seven Flames surrounded them with their swords aimed. Since Cheon Daeung might be in danger, they could not attack rashly.
Trusting in the momentum of his subordinates, Cheon Daeung asked,
“The treasure map. You have it, don’t you?”
“That’s right. We have it. Then let me ask one question too. Who told you we were at this inn?”
Cheon Daeung did not answer.
Crack.
“Aaaaaaagh!”
A scream burst from Cheon Daeung’s mouth.
When Geom Mugeuk lightly twisted, one of his shoulders was crushed and broken.
“Oh dear, I apologize. I must have gripped too hard. I got nervous waiting for your answer. This time, I’ll hold this arm while I wait.”
When Geom Mugeuk tried to grab his other arm, Cheon Daeung shouted,
“I don’t know either! I only know it was someone the sect master sent personally.”
“If you don’t know, you should at least describe his appearance.”
“He was wearing a bamboo hat, so I couldn’t see!”
Geom Mugeuk could guess. It was the same man who had brought the treasure map and told him to apply the Soul-Chasing Incense.
At any rate, he had learned that the man had some connection to the Evil King Sect Master.
“I broke your arm too, so I feel bad. I’ll tell you one piece of information. In truth, the treasure map you’re looking for was deliberately leaked by the person who sent you.”
“What nonsense is that?”
“You called my subordinate a hunting dog, but you are the one who’s a hunting dog that knows nothing. Compared to you, my subordinate possesses a special talent that no one else in the world has.”
Geom Mugeuk looked toward a tree behind them.
“Jihan.”
Then Jihan, who had been hiding behind the tree, revealed himself.
“If you fought these men here, how many are you confident you could take?”
“Three.”
The Seven Flames’ expressions hardened viciously. How dare a mere hunting dog claim he could handle three of them?
“With your talent, if you train just a little, you’ll be able to face all seven.”
Geom Mugeuk had grasped Jihan’s ability and the strength of these Seven Flames with precision.
“I’ll show you the path later.”
At those unexpected words, Jihan’s heart began to pound. The Young Cult Leader was saying he would bestow guidance for his sake.
“There’s no need to be too moved. Everyone’s fallen into training hell and resents me for it.”
“If it’s that kind of hell, I’ll go as much as you like.”
Cheon Daeung aimed for the very moment Geom Mugeuk was conversing with Jihan and letting his guard down.
“Now!”
At the same time, the Seven Flames thrust the swords they had aimed at Geom Mugeuk. The sound of flesh being torn rang out in an instant. Not a single sword missed.
Thud! Thuuud! Thud! Thud! Thud-thud-thud!
The next moment, the Seven Flames’ eyes bulged at the scene before them.
The person stabbed by the swords in that spot was none other than Cheon Daeung. At some point, the two men’s positions had been switched. It was as if they had been aiming at Cheon Daeung from the start.
Since every strike had aimed only at vital points, Cheon Daeung vomited a gush of blood and died instantly.
Craaaack! Crack! Crack!
The necks of the Seven Flames, who were surrounding Cheon Daeung with their swords still thrust into him, began to sag limply.
Geom Mugeuk had moved in a swift circle and snapped their necks from behind.
His movements were truly like a flash of lightning, so before the Chilhwa could even pull out the swords they had thrust into Cheon Daeung’s body, all their necks were broken. It was over in a blink, and sound could not keep up with action.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Craaack!
With Cheon Daeung dead in the center, pierced by swords, the Chilhwa standing in a circle around him had all died with their necks snapped where they stood. If someone were to discover them, it would be a sight they could only call grotesque.
A shudder ran through Jihan’s entire body. He had known Geom Mugeuk was strong, but he had never imagined he was this strong. The gap between them was like heaven and earth.
The Young Cult Leader looked at him and spoke, the mischief gone from his gaze, replaced by a deep seriousness.
“Don’t look back anymore. We’re going forward.”
Jihan dropped to the ground and gave a deep bow.
“I will never be trapped in the past. Thank you.”
Just then, someone shouted from behind.
“Me too!”
Taesu revealed himself and was about to say something, but Geom Mugeuk raised a hand to stop him.
Then, as if he knew exactly what Taesu was about to say, he spoke calmly.
“Make your decision after you meet your father.”
Taesu realized he had been far too hasty and let out a long breath, as if taking a deep breath to steady himself.
“Yes, I understand.”
And so the three of them returned to the inn.
When they returned safely, the guests and waiters rejoiced with bright smiles. Some people even applauded.
Jihan and Taesu ate the five-spice braised meat at ease and drank wine. A special dish was brought out from the kitchen as well.
“It’s incredibly delicious.”
Only now did Jihan truly taste the real flavor of the five-spice braised meat.
Geom Mugeuk ran to the front of the kitchen and shouted through the opening where the food came out.
“It’s incredibly delicious! Please keep protecting this flavor without letting it change! There are people who will come here again someday!”
Watching him, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and Ilhwa Sword Venerable looked at each other. They had said they should come again when it was just the two of them.
He was practically a ghost.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head and held out his cup, and the Ilhwa Sword Venerable clinked his against it.
What filled their cups was not wine, but a promise.
* * *
The carriage ran and ran, and at last arrived in Zhejiang Province.
On the way here, they had seen countless martial artists gathering toward Zhejiang Province. Some were masters, and some were third-rate. Some had come in groups, and some had come alone. They were flocking in like moths to a flame.
When the carriage arrived at the foot of the mountain, only then did Taesu tell them the exact location of the Sword Tomb.
“The Sword Tomb is here on Tianmu Mountain.”
It was Tianmu Mountain, known as the Eye of Heaven.
“There are ponds on the eastern peak and the western peak of the mountain. They say that when you look down from the sky, they appear like eyes, which is why it is called Tianmu Mountain.”
Taesu revealed the exact entrance to the Sword Tomb.
“Beneath that left eye is the entrance leading to the Sword Tomb.”