Chapter 735: He Must Have Been Here in a Previous Life

TL: FoodieMonster007

"A place like this existed, huh?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme stood captivated, marveling at the mystery nature had crafted before them. The complex maze they'd navigated to reach this hidden sanctuary now seemed a small price to pay. To witness such magnificent beauty, shouldn't one have to struggle to find it?

After a moment of shared wonder, Geom Mugeuk broke the silence. "If I had to hide somewhere in the Cave of Ten Thousand Paths, I think I'd choose this place. How could anyone who passed through that complex maze possibly imagine that someone would be hiding here, in such a nice place?"

He explained that visitors would be momentarily captivated by the majestic view, then simply set out to find another path.

However, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked around with a puzzled expression. "Here? Where exactly is there to hide here?"

No matter how he searched the vast cavern, it seemed to offer no cover at all.

"Aren't there plenty of places to hide?" Geom Mugeuk argued.

"Plenty?" The Blood Heaven Blade Demon scanned the area again. Disbelief crossed his face as his gaze fell upon the large stalagmites rising from the ground.

Don't tell me… inside there?

As if confirming the demon's suspicion, Geom Mugeuk began walking slowly among the stalagmites. "Someone capable of snatching the treasure map and starting this free-for-all would've known what kind of place the Cave of Ten Thousand Paths is. They wouldn't have entered recklessly, knowing they could wander the maze and die without knowing the way. He's likely someone who knows the interior of this place well, and also knows this very location."

"Then he's no ordinary fellow," the Flower Sword Supreme observed.

"He's more than that," Geom Mugeuk continued, his voice growing grim. "He's someone who intended to make his pursuers fight and kill each other in this pandemonium."

He stopped in front of one particular stalagmite. It had a sunken section, and within that inwardly curved part was a fairly large hole, though it looked far too narrow for a person to enter.

Geom Mugeuk gestured with his eyes to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme. The two Demon Supremes had already sensed the presence of a person inside.

"I've always been curious," Geom Mugeuk mused aloud. "What does the inside of this stalagmite look like?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon replied with a grin. "Why not just cut it open and see?"

Geom Mugeuk drew the Black Demon Sword and tapped the stone. "Should I cut it around here?"

"Cut it diagonally," the Blade Demon advised. "That way you can see better."

"Like this?" Geom Mugeuk tapped the stalagmite again with his sword. "Alright, I'm cutting!"

At that very moment, a frantic voice erupted from the hole. "Wait! There's a person here! There's a person!"

A man poked his head out. It seemed impossible for anyone to emerge from such a small opening, but he slid out as smoothly as an octopus.

"Don't kill me! Please!"

He was a man of small stature with the face of an adult but the body of a boy. He stared at the three of them with eyes full of terror. Judging by the energy emanating from him, he was a martial artist, but not one with any skill worth boasting about.

"Please spare me."

After sizing up the situation, the man seemed to realize he couldn't take the three of them on and prostrated himself flat on the ground.

"I came in to find the treasure map, got lost, and ended up here," he stammered. "I was too scared to go out, so I was hiding here. I'm not a bad person!"

"You're not a good person either, I bet," the Blood Heaven Blade Demon grumbled.

"N-No…"

The man trembled all over as he launched, unasked, into his personal story. He spoke of his father, the Patriarch of a small martial family, who'd developed a gambling addiction late in life and ruined them. It had gotten so bad that his young sister was about to be sold to a rich family. That was when he heard a rumor about a treasure map on Emperor Mountain and came up without a second thought.

"If I can't get the treasure map, my sister will be sold," he pleaded, tears falling from his eyes. "Please, just pretend you didn't see me and pass by!"

Geom Mugeuk, who'd been staring silently at the man, said coldly, "How do you plan to get the treasure map with such shitty martial arts skills? Were you hoping to hide here until everyone else killed each other, and the map would just be lying there for you? You shouldn't blame your father. You're making an absurd gamble yourself."

"……" The man hung his head low, unable to answer.

"Let's go," Geom Mugeuk said to the two Demon Supremes. "I'll take you outside. Anyway, it seems we've looked around most of the cave, shall we leave now?"

He's talking about leaving without getting the treasure map?

The Demon Supremes knew Geom Mugeuk well. He wasn't the type to come all this way for the treasure map only to give up so easily.

"Let's do that," the Blood Heaven Blade Demon agreed.

He and the Flower Sword Supreme exchanged a knowing glance. They both understood.

It's him.

Geom Mugeuk must have discovered something they hadn't. He'd said something good was about to happen, and now he'd found the one with the treasure map.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon thought to himself, Why not subdue that bastard's inner arts right now and search him? It was what he would've done.

The Flower Sword Supreme, on the other hand, wasn't worried at all. The Young Cult Leader will handle it.

Before leaving, she looked around the cavern one last time, her gaze full of lingering attachment.

"……" The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood beside her.

"Will I ever have another chance to come to a place like this?" she murmured. "I want to burn it into my memory before I go."

"We can just come again," he offered.

"……" The Flower Sword Supreme fell silent. She knew what he meant.

However, she couldn't come even if she wanted to, because she didn't know the way. Without Geom Mugeuk, it would be difficult to even get out of the Cave of Ten Thousand Paths.

"The Central Plains is full of caves like this," the Blood Heaven Blade Demon added. "Next time…"

He didn't finish his sentence, but the Flower Sword Supreme knew what he was about to say.

Geom Mugeuk watched their backs and waited for them. He didn't intrude. Just like when they sat side by side watching the morning stars, what they needed now was time alone together.

Instead, he glanced at the man.

Terrified, the man quickly averted his gaze. "Are you really going to let me live?"

"You've used up all the luck of your lifetime this time," Geom Mugeuk said. "Because you met me."

The man felt relieved, but at the same time, he couldn't hide the complex emotions on his face, perhaps because he was worried about his sister.

A moment later, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme walked over to them.

"Alright, let's go now."

And so, they left the space with the stalactites and stalagmites.

The atmosphere inside the cave had grown even more heated. The more people died, the stronger the madness of the survivors became. The thrill of killing someone and rummaging through their belongings was more electrifying than any pleasure they'd ever experienced.

Maybe this time, the treasure map will appear?

This intense anticipation drove them to slaughter and madness.

Chu Yeon of the Flying Dragon Gang was no different.

SHWIIIIK! PUK!

Blood splattered across her face as she sliced the neck of the opponent rushing toward her. She personally searched the body of the fallen man, but the treasure map wasn't there this time either. Wiping the blood from her face with her sleeve, Chu Yeon scowled.

The situation wasn't going as she'd thought. The Ten Flying Dragon Elites, who'd numbered ten when they first entered, were now down to six. It was a situation where she should've given up and left, but she didn't.

Just then, a group of people approached her.

"……" She was startled to see the man in the lead. It was none other than the porter. They'd met again.

Geom Mugeuk greeted her cheerfully. "Seeing as we've met three times in one day, it must be fate."

Chu Yeon glared coldly at him. Just looking at the man put her in a bad mood. She hated how this mere porter treated her so casually, acting as if he were the head disciple of those masters.

However, if he were their disciple, he would've addressed them as Master, but no, he called the old man Elder. He had to be a porter or some low-level martial artist. After all, he showed no trace of having learned any martial arts.

If it weren't for those two, he'd be dying at my hands, leaving 'We shouldn't have met a third time' as his last words. No, he would've been dead after our previous meeting.

Her gaze turned to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme. Just like before, they didn't spare her a single glance.

They're completely ignoring me.

Chu Yeon's gaze shifted again to the small man with them. "Who's he?"

"We met him by chance," Geom Mugeuk replied. "We're traveling together."

"Why are you taking him with you?"

"He says his younger sister is about to be sold. With such a desperate situation, shouldn't we help him?"

Chu Yeon eyed the man suspiciously. "You believe that story?"

"Are you suggesting he has the treasure map?" Geom Mugeuk asked, gesturing to the man's frail body. "With that build of his?"

"Don't tell me you haven't searched him yet?"

"I haven't," Geom Mugeuk replied with unnerving confidence.

Chu Yeon was dumbfounded. "May we search him instead?" she asked, directing the question not to the porter, but to the two masters behind her.

Geom Mugeuk sighed. "To think you're so distrustful. Fine, go ahead."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was inwardly startled. He'd expected Geom Mugeuk use them to prevent anyone from laying a hand on the man.

That man definitely has the treasure map!

He had a feeling he would finally have to untie the cloth wrapped around the Heaven Destroying Dao here.

One of the martial artists from the Ten Flying Dragon Elites searched the man's body. He searched more thoroughly than anyone else, but he didn't find the treasure map.

Chu Yeon had ordered the search just in case, but the ones who were truly surprised were the two Demon Supremes.

[He doesn't have the treasure map?]

[If he doesn't, then why is the Young Cult Leader trying to leave? And why is he dragging this man along?]

[How am I supposed to know what's going on in that guy's head?]

Geom Mugeuk smiled and bid them farewell. "Well then, let's see each other alive a fourth time!"

In truth, Chu Yeon wanted to search the leather pouch Geom Mugeuk was carrying. She really wanted to search the bodies of those two masters. It felt too suspicious to just let them go, so she mustered her courage, a courage drunk on the blood of those she'd killed today.

"That luggage of yours, may I see it?"

Geom Mugeuk shook his head with a relaxed expression. "I'd normally show you, but there are many things in here you shouldn't see."

His words only made Chu Yeon more curious. She really wanted to give the order, 'Snatch that leather pouch!'

Could I be mistaken? What if those two aren't masters and I've just mistaken them for masters?

Just then, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon started walking away. "Let's get going."

He strode toward Chu Yeon, who was blocking the path, and she unconsciously stepped aside.

He made me step back without releasing his aura or killing intent? I didn't make a mistake. He's definitely a master.

"It's the treasure map!" a shout suddenly echoed from deep within the cave.

Chu Yeon and her subordinates instantly dashed toward the source of the sound.

The porter's voice followed them from behind. "Be careful, Young Lady!"

Chu Yeon bit her lip. If I ever see you again, please let it be when those two masters aren't around! Just let me catch you once.

Geom Mugeuk started walking again, and the man and the two Demon Supremes followed behind him.

After a while, the Flower Sword Supreme noticed a secret mark she'd carved on the wall earlier. She'd left it to try and remember the path when they first entered, but had given up when it became too complicated.

[Look over there,] she told the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. [That's a mark I secretly left on our way in.]

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked where she indicated.

[The Young Cult Leader is leading us out through the exact same path we came in,] the Flower Sword Supreme continued.

[That rascal. He must've been here in a previous life.]

The Flower Sword Supreme smiled faintly at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's words.

How could they know that his joke had actually hit the nail on the head?

And so, Geom Mugeuk led them out of the cave. As it happened, there was no one outside when they emerged.

Breathing in the outside air, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon took a deep breath with an expression that said he finally felt alive. "Did you come out because of me?" he asked, worried that they'd given up and come out because he was feeling suffocated. "I could've endured it. If you're really worried about me, just leave me here and go back in."

"How could I go anywhere while leaving Elder behind?"

"You wander around just fine without me."

Geom Mugeuk laughed. "Still, it wasn't a complete waste, was it?"

He looked at the man. The man, perhaps worried the three might change their minds, hastily bid them farewell. "Thank you for saving me. I'll be on my way now."

Seeing his dejected state, Geom Mugeuk suspected the man might just go back into the cave after they parted ways. "Wait a moment," he said, approaching the man.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme watched, considering this a natural course of events.

Yes, the Young Cult Leader wouldn't just let him go. The Young Cult Leader would surely make sure his sister wasn't sold.

Indeed, as if to give the man some money, Geom Mugeuk reached into his pocket.

"Do you know what this is?"

However, money wasn't what came out. Geom Mugeuk pulled out a sheet of paper containing information sent from the Hidden Moon. On it was a sketch of a person's face, and below the sketch was densely written text.

"It's a sketch and personal details of the man who was chased into the Cave of Ten Thousand Paths with the treasure map," Geom Mugeuk said casually. "What do you think? Our information network is amazing, isn't it?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme's eyes widened. Although they knew Geom Mugeuk was receiving information from the All-Knowing Hall and the Hidden Moon the whole way here, they hadn't known he had received that particular piece of information.

"The name of the one who snatched the treasure map is Tae Su, the son of the Great Thief Tae Gon, the best of his generation."

Tae Gon was a famous name that even the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme recognized.

Geom Mugeuk read the information written below the sketch to the man. "Tae Su received lessons in thievery from his father since he was young and inherited various skills. He's proficient in cryptography and terrain analysis, and has a knack for dismantling mechanisms. His memory is so outstanding that he never forgets something he's seen once, and that's not all. He's mastered the Bone Contraction Art, allowing him to easily enter narrow spaces. He's a really amazing guy, isn't he? But his face looks just like…"

Geom Mugeuk held the paper with the sketch next to the man's face so they were side by side.

Comparing the two faces, the two Demon Supremes finally understood why Geom Mugeuk had insisted on bringing only this man out with them. Geom Mugeuk had known right from the very beginning.

"It's you, isn't it?"