Chapter 738: Do You Know Whose Tomb It Is?

TL: FoodieMonster007

Jong Baek had heard all sorts of rumors about the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, about how he was incredible, outstanding, and… eccentric.

If he had to describe facing the Young Cult Leader in front of him with just one word, though, it would be 'overwhelming'. So overwhelming that he could barely breathe.

"……" Jong Baek released the breath he'd been holding.

Geom Mugeuk released his wrist. The Young Cult Leader had snatched his swiftly descending arm in an instant, but his wrist looked completely unmarked, as if it had never been grabbed.

So this is the difference!

What distinguished a master who had climbed to reach the final realm wasn't about striking harder or breaking more, or about flying higher or moving faster. Jong Baek knew the true difference in skill showed in these trivial, minute details.

His gaze shifted from his wrist to Geom Mugeuk.

This man is the current Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Jong Baek felt no malice in Geom Mugeuk's gentle eyes as he looked at him. That made it even more terrifying. After all, this man was the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

What could he possibly want? What if he demands something more important than my arm?

"What is it that you desire?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Chu Yeon and the other martial artists watching didn't realize how astonishing Geom Mugeuk's move had been. They'd all focused so intently on Jong Baek cutting off his arm that they missed why he had stopped halfway.

Normally, Chu Yeon would have stepped forward and said something like 'how dare you lay a hand on him!', but the strange atmosphere held her back, and the young man's intervention had indeed prevented Jong Baek's arm from being cut off.

Still, she couldn't understand the situation. The Jong Baek she'd known since childhood was an invincible master. No problem existed that he couldn't solve. Whenever the Flying Dragon Gang faced a crisis, he was always at the forefront.

But why? Who in the world is that porter? Why did Elder Jong try to cut off his arm in apology?

Finally, Geom Mugeuk replied, "Since you have two arms, I have two requests."

Jong Baek winced. I was only planning to cut off one arm.

Of course, Geom Mugeuk was joking. He said it because he had two requests, but everyone was so tense that only the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme chuckled, though faintly.

"The first request is…" Geom Mugeuk looked at Chu Yeon.

Jong Baek immediately understood what he was implying. Chu Yeon had treated the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult like a porter and ignored him, so he'd have no grounds to complain even if Geom Mugeuk killed her. Besides, he said they met in the cave three times, so that implied her rudeness wasn't a one-time occurrence.

"What are you doing? Apologize at once!" he roared thunderously.

Chu Yeon prostrated herself on the spot. "I have committed a crime worthy of death by failing to recognize a person of great importance!"

She had known Jong Baek since she was a child. He'd always doted on her and cherished her more than anyone. This was the first time she'd ever seen him so angry.

Jong Baek politely pleaded, "It was a mistake made by a foolish child, so please show her mercy."

He worried what he would do if Geom Mugeuk wanted Chu Yeon's arm instead of his own. If the Young Cult Leader wanted to punish her, he was determined to stop it, even if it meant offering his own life. If he couldn't protect the girl he'd watched grow up, he'd have no face to show the Flying Dragon Boss.

Geom Mugeuk walked over to Chu Yeon and helped her to her feet. "I never told you who I was, so it's only natural that you didn't recognize me."

Chu Yeon was bewildered by Geom Mugeuk gentleness. She'd expected to be scolded.

"Do you remember? I said we should meet for a fourth time, alive."

"Of course."

Geom Mugeuk conveyed his point to the terrified girl. "However, the 'four' in 'fourth time' isn't what's important. Those four are."

His gaze turned to the Flying Dragon Gang members standing behind her. Four survivors out of ten.

He meant that meeting him for a fourth time wasn't important. The fact that only four of her subordinates remained was the serious and crucial matter. She shouldn't have been so greedy for the treasure map that she let her subordinates die.

Even now, the treasure map probably occupied more space in her mind than her subordinates' deaths.

"If you don't understand that difference, we won't be meeting for a fifth time alive."

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

Somehow, she had answered well, but Chu Yeon didn't understand the meaning behind his words. What was so important about the number four?

Geom Mugeuk looked at Jong Baek. "Do you now know what you must do with that arm?"

He meant that instead of cutting off the arm, Jong Baek should use that hand properly discipline this reckless, haughty girl.

Realizing Geom Mugeuk's intention, Jong Baek let out a long sigh. "Until now, I've used the excuse of being busy with my own life and failed to pay attention to the most important thing in our gang. I will correct that and teach her well."

I should have cared for her better in place of our busy Boss. The problem was that I spoiled her and only saw her as cute. Because she was always so polite to me, I assumed she acted that way outside as well.

He looked at Chu Yeon, whose head was still bowed low. She was in for a very difficult life from now on.

For your own sake, endure it well and work hard, immature Young Lady.

Geom Mugeuk turned back to Jong Baek.

Jong Baek tensed inwardly. This would be the real demand. He grew even more nervous. He'd expected Geom Mugeuk to use the pardon for Chu Yeon as a pretext to demand something even greater.

However, the second request was also something he'd never expected.

"Persuade the Flying Dragon Boss not to interfere in this matter any further. At the very least, you must not meet me again over this treasure map," Geom Mugeuk said firmly on purpose. For the Flying Dragon Gang's sake, they should not get involved any further.

Jong Baek didn't hesitate to answer, "I will take it to heart. This old man will take responsibility and follow your words."

"Thank you, Elder Jong."

Jong Baek asked cautiously, "Is that all you have to say?"

"Yes, you only have two arms, don't you?"

Even if Geom Mugeuk hadn't said it, it was only natural for the Flying Dragon Gang to withdraw. Having become entangled with the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult like this, how could they possibly continue pursuing the treasure map?

Seeing Geom Mugeuk clasp his hands politely, Jong Baek finally understood. Both requests had been made for the Flying Dragon Gang's sake, even though he was someone who had no need to do this.

Even if the Young Cult Leader came alone, our gang would be annihilated.

The Young Cult Leader was the kind of person who could have beaten Chu Yeon half to death and threatened to kill them if they interfered again.

Jong Baek's gaze shifted to the Flower Sword Supreme standing beside him. She had changed a lot from when he'd met her before, and it wasn't just her appearance.

She's gotten stronger! Incomparably so.

He couldn't have faced her before, but now, even daring to stand before her felt burdensome.

Finally, his gaze fell upon the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who still had his back turned. The giant dao on his back was wrapped in cloth. He hadn't turned around, but now Jong Baek knew who he was.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon!

If this were the Blood Heaven Blade Demon from the rumors, he would have already stepped forward and swept everyone away.

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult has changed!

Jong Baek bowed silently to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon as well. This wasn't a bow of fear simply because they were from the Demonic Cult. It was sincere gratitude for the mercy shown by Geom Mugeuk and the two Demon Supremes.

"Thank you so much for your mercy."

"No, thank you for accepting my requests so readily," Geom Mugeuk said, upholding his dignity in front of his subordinates.

Jong Baek left with Chu Yeon and her subordinates. Chu Yeon glanced once at Geom Mugeuk before lowering her head and departing.

A day will come when she's older and remembers today.

Jong Baek could only hope she'd live a life where today remained a shameful memory.

Meanwhile, the lake, which had been bathed in sunset, grew dark.

"Let's stay here for the night."

Geom Mugeuk drove the carriage to a field near the lakeshore. After unhitching the horses to let them rest, he started a campfire.

The two Demon Supremes went off together and hunted sone wild game for dinner. Geom Mugeuk skillfully prepared it and served up an excellent meal.

Tae Su hadn't eaten the food offered before, but this time, he silently ate everything Geom Mugeuk gave him. He now knew this wasn't the kind of person who'd poison food or mix in a truth serum.

After the meal, the two Demon Supremes went for a walk by the lake, leaving Geom Mugeuk and Tae Su at the camp.

"That thing you refused to eat last time, it was a real Immortal Stalactite Moss, you know," Geom Mugeuk teased.

"I know," Tae Su replied. The thought had occurred to him while eating just now. With people like these, that must have been real too. "If I had said I'd eat it, would you really have given it to me?"

"I would have given you a piece of mine."

Instead of thinking 'He definitely wouldn't have given it to me,' the question 'Would he really have given it to me?' arose.

Soon, Tae Su scolded himself. Give a piece to me? Something that precious? Don't get confused! There's no way he'll really do it.

Geom Mugeuk asked, "Why haven't you asked who we are?"

Tae Su replied while staring at the blazing fire, "I'm not curious."

In truth, he was curious. He too had been very surprised to see an Elder of the Flying Dragon Gang so frightened.

At first, he'd actually suspected they too were from the Flying Dragon Gang. He wondered if they were on the same side, putting on an act to intimidate him.

However, he soon realized that couldn't be the case. They could have just tortured him, so there was no reason to make things so complicated.

"If I ask who you are, will you answer?"

"No."

Tae Su raised one corner of his mouth as if he'd expected that.

Geom Mugeuk smirked. "Do you know why I can't tell you?"

"Why?"

"Your way of speaking has changed."

"!" Tae Su was taken aback. Now that the young man mentioned it, it was true. Before meeting Elder Jong of the Flying Dragon Gang, he'd been speaking informally, but now he was addressing him with a very polite tone. "I… didn't notice."

"You don't have to notice that, but you should be aware of this. If you knew I belonged to a powerful and famous family, you'd give up on stealing my heart."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because you're the type of person who can't even say, 'This scenery is so beautiful,' to me. You have immense pride."

Tae Su couldn't refute those words.

"Pride is important, but don't forget this. If you're too prideful, you'll end up bowing down in a low place."

The words stabbed Tae Su in the chest, likely because he knew he wasn't the kind of person who could protect even that paltry pride to the very end.

He, who had been silently staring at the flickering campfire, asked, "A person like you could find out everything you want from me, whether by threat or torture. Why are you giving me a chance like this?"

An unexpected answer came.

"I owe a debt to a thief from long ago."

Tae Su was puzzled. This man? To whom could he possibly owe a debt, and for what? It seemed impossible.

"Who is it?" he asked. He knew the lineage of most thieves in the Central Plains. If Geom Mugeuk just said the name, he'd know who it was, but Geom Mugeuk didn't say.

"If you can't tell me who it is, could you at least tell me why you are trying to repay the debt to me? I'm not the person you owe."

Geom Mugeuk flopped down where he was and looked up at the starry night sky. "Because I don't think I'll ever meet another thief I can talk to like this in my life again. Just accept it! Didn't I tell you? You used up all your life's luck by meeting me. You should at least get something out of it."

Tae Su stared silently at Geom Mugeuk, then back at the campfire, and then up at the night sky where small embers were drifting.

He was lost in thought for a long while, when suddenly, he brought up an old story.

"Forty years ago, a single treasure map appeared in the world."

Geom Mugeuk, still lying down, turned his head to look at him, but Tae Su continued speaking from across the campfire.

"Rumors that the treasure map showed the location of a tomb filled with enough treasure to live as a tycoon for generations. It threw the murim into an uproar. However, whose tomb it was remained unknown."

"Just like now?"

"Yes, just like now."

As always, the history of the murim was repeating itself.

"That tomb is this very Grave of Swords. At the time, many peerless masters entered, and not a single one came out alive. Putting aside all the treasures there, what if one could obtain the weapons of ancient masters? What if there was a martial arts manual? That alone would be worth risking one's life for."

And then, a fact that even Geom Mugeuk didn't know came from Tae Su's lips.

"Do you know whose tomb it was in the first place?"

Geom Mugeuk shook his head.

Tae Su mentioned a name, revealing a fact unknown to the world.

"It is the unorthodox's strongest swordsman, Ju Gasin."

The unorthodox's strongest swordsman, Ju Gasin. He was a figure from three hundred years ago, famous for being the Evil Alliance Chairman and the greatest master of the unorthodox sects.

"The Grave of Swords is his tomb."

Geom Mugeuk, who had been lying down, sat up. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Why did you tell me you owed a debt to a thief?"

Silence fell as their gazes locked for a moment.

Tae Su revealed the secret because he'd made up his mind.

"It doesn't matter who you are. From now until we reach the Grave of Swords, I will survive by stealing your heart. I will not only save my life but also obtain the treasure I desire from that place. I will take my chances with you."

And then I will show my father. That I survived by stealing the heart of a truly great person.

"The Grave of Swords is in Zhejiang Province."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme, who were returning from their walk, happened to hear those words.

"I will tell you the exact location when we arrive."

Knowing that Tae Su's words weren't a lie, Geom Mugeuk said to the two Demon Supremes, "Starting tomorrow, we head to Zhejiang Province."

Once the destination was set, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon felt a pang of disappointment.

What's the rush?! Why did the thief spill the beans so quickly!

They could have wandered a bit longer, following wherever their feet took them. Then again, who could hold their tongue when caught by someone like Geom Mugeuk?

Geom Mugeuk grinned. Who was he? How could he not sense the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's disappointment?

"We need to give this friend here a chance to steal my heart, so let's travel slowly!"