Chapter 745: We Must Move Forward

TL: FoodieMonster007

A large man with a threatening aura stood before them. The Flame Dragon Commander Cheon Daewoong had arrived.

"From now on, anyone who moves without my permission dies. Don't even breathe," his voice boomed, infused with inner arts.

Behind Cheon Daewoong, seven elites from the Flame Dragon Brigade lined up. They were the Seven Flames, Cheon Daewoong's loyal limbs, known for their rough and cruel nature. On Cheon Daewoong's path to becoming commander, the seven of them had killed more people than the entire rest of the Flame Dragon Brigade combined.

Cheon Daewoong had received information and rushed here in pursuit, bringing only the Seven Flames with him. His blazing eyes scanned the inn's interior until they met Ji Han's.

Ji Han shot up from his seat without realizing it.

"So you really were here," Cheon Daewoong said, his words making it clear that someone had told him Ji Han was here. "How dare a mere hunting dog that just sniffs around pull a stunt like this?"

Ji Han's pupils wavered. Cheon Daewoong should have gone to Shaanxi to after finding the Myriad Evils Mountain Hermit's corpse. Contempt and harassment he had habitually endured flooded back, freezing his body, and unpleasant emotions shook him.

"How dare a punk like you betray me?!" Cheon Daewoong roared, his fury exploding. He couldn't believe Ji Han, of all people, had tried to deceive him. The verbal abuse he had held back on his way here poured out. "Did your father teach you to betray the organization that raised you? Well, I guess he probably crawled on the ground sniffing shit too, right? You fucking son of a bitch!"

Killing intent surged in Ji Han's eyes at the insult to his parents. Although his father had sold him at a young age, he had done it so Ji Han could live well and not suffer in a poor family.

"Sit down."

Ji Han stared blankly at the woman sitting across from him. Surprisingly, the one who had spoken calmly was not Geom Mugeuk, but the Flower Sword Supreme. This was even the first time she had spoken to him.

"Let's eat together," the Flower Sword Supreme added.

"Okay."

Ji Han sat down in a daze. The Flower Sword Supreme's single phrase had instantly calmed his emotions, which had been on the verge of being consumed by anger and killing intent.

The inn fell silent as everyone stared at the Flower Sword Supreme. She exuded an elegant grace, the complete opposite of Cheon Daewoong's hostile atmosphere, as she tasted the pork in five-spice sauce.

Everyone held their breath. It seemed they could even hear the sound of her chewing.

The Flower Sword Supreme closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the taste. Soon, her expression brightened. "It's delicious."

Cheon Daewoong was dumbfounded. He had clearly told them to put down their chopsticks, yet she was eating as if to spite him? He should have burst out with curses, but the Flower Sword Supreme's mysterious beauty made him decide to wait and see how she would act.

Geom Mugeuk was delighted. "Ah, what a relief. I went through so much trouble to protect this pork in five-spice sauce. I was worried it wouldn't taste good."

He had truly protected that moment by running around and stopping all sorts of fights.

The Flower Sword Supreme offered some to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. "Orabeoni, you should try some too."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon also picked up his chopsticks and ate the pork in five-spice sauce. "Not bad."

A reaction like this was high praise from him.

"If you only eat noodle dishes at your age, it's bad for your health. You should eat a variety of things more often." The Flower Sword Supreme's gaze turned to Ji Han again. "Why aren't you eating?"

Although he wasn't in the mood to eat, Ji Han picked up his chopsticks. "I will eat."

"Delicious food has a way of lifting one's spirits."

Ji Han realized she was trying to look after his feelings. He was inwardly surprised and moved, so he ate the pork in five-spice sauce. "It's delicious."

That was a lie. He was actually so distracted he couldn't taste the food at all.

Just then, he met Geom Mugeuk's gaze and realized he had momentarily forgotten whose subordinate he had become and who he was with. Freezing up at the sight of Cheon Daewoong was disrespectful to his new liege.

"I'm sorry," he apologized.

Geom Mugeuk smiled. "You were correct all along."

"Pardon?"

"That guy is definitely an idiot."

Ji Han had previously stopped Geom Mugeuk from killing Cheon Daewoong, saying it was better to have an idiot in the enemy camp. Now, that very idiot had come to find him.

Sensing he had been called an idiot, Cheon Daewoong unleashed his killing intent. "Now that you're done stuffing your faces, prepare to die."

SHWAAAAAA!

He didn't care if the people inside the restaurant were hurt.

Unfortunately, the killing intent couldn't spread far before something blocked it.

Cheon Daewoong flinched in surprise, feeling as if an invisible barrier had enveloped him. This was the first time something like this had happened since he started learning martial arts.

Geom Mugeuk rose from his seat and walked toward him with a bright smile. "So you're my subordinate's former superior."

"Former superior?"

"Ji Han is my subordinate now."

"By whose authority?"

One would have expected Geom Mugeuk to say 'by my authority', but he just looked at Ji Han, saying, "By his own will."

It was the truth. He hadn't made him a subordinate. Ji Han was the one who had come asking to be taken in.

Cheon Daewoong became more cautious, sensing his opponent's overwhelming power. He decided to first flaunt the power backing him. "Are you confident you can handle the Evil King Sect?"

At the mention of the Evil King Sect, the watching customers turned pale. They had already guessed from his words and actions that Cheon Daewoong was not a good person, but the Evil King Sect? Their evil deeds were so infamous that everyone shuddered at the name.

"I can handle it, but the other customers might get indigestion."

TAK.

Geom Mugeuk placed an arm around Cheon Daewoong's shoulders. "Now, now, let's not do this here. Shall we step outside for a moment?"

The two had been standing apart, facing each other, but they were suddenly side by side. It seemed to everyone's eyes as if the intermediate steps had been skipped.

Naturally, the most surprised person was Cheon Daewoong himself. The next most surprised were the Seven Flames standing beside him.

Geom Mugeuk poked Cheon Daewoong's bicep with a finger. "Oh, your muscles are amazing! I happen to have a thing for muscular people."

Despite this, Cheon Daewoong didn't shake him off.

The watching Seven Flames instinctively knew their commander had been subdued. After all, he hated it when others touched his body.

The two men walked outside, and the flustered Seven Flames followed them.

Ji Han shot to his feet. "I'll go too!"

His leader had gone out to fight because of him, so he couldn't just sit there.

As he rushed out, Tae Su also shot up and ran out.

"They're all so young," the Flower Sword Supreme remarked, refilling the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's cup with wine.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon drank it down. "Do you miss those days?" he asked.

He expected her to say, 'Of course, I miss it', but the Flower Sword Supreme shook her head. "I did before I met the Young Cult Leader. I regretted and missed the past. I was very angry with my life back then."

"And now?"

The Flower Sword Supreme smiled without a word. There was no need to answer. She was already showing her transformation, from her external appearance to her internal changes.

Instead, she asked back, "What about you, Orabeoni? Do you have any regrets?"

After a moment of silence, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon finally brought out an emotion he hadn't shown for thirty years. "I regret it."

The Flower Sword Supreme broke the heavy silence. "Then let's come here again. We can wait in line together."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared at her with a surprised expression.

"Next time, let's come with just the two of us," she added.

Staring at her quietly, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon silently nodded.

Cheon Daewoong couldn't resist. He had no idea when his inner arts had been suppressed. The acupoints on his upper body were sealed, leaving him able to do nothing but walk.

Was it because the god of death had blinded his eyes? Instead of thinking 'He was a master!', he had a different regret.

I was careless!

He had been certain that the only masters were the old man and the woman, while Geom Mugeuk was too young to be particularly strong. Most importantly, this young man's actions were too frivolous, and he talked too much.

Cheon Daewoong glanced behind him. Fortunately, his subordinates followed closely.

Yes, I can still find an opportunity to eliminate this bastard.

All the while, Geom Mugeuk kept talking.

"Everyone came here to eat delicious food, even waiting in line. Who are you and I to cause a scene in there?"

What the hell is this crazy bastard talking about?

He was enraged that a mere hunting dog had betrayed him, and now a guy like this was manhandling him.

"By the way, why did you insult my subordinate's parents earlier? It was quite unpleasant to hear. I can tolerate most things, but I can't stand insults about parents."

"I wasn't insulting you, was I?"

"If you had, your head would be rolling around right now, kicked by the busy waiters' feet. Before that, your body would have been split in half. Ah, not that I would have done it. I'm the type who despises breaking things and killing people in taverns or inns. It's just that the two people with me are very fond of my father. The moment 'your father' came out of your mouth, your neck would've been lopped off, and your body sliced in two, is what I'm saying."

While he spoke, the two arrived at an empty lot behind the inn. As they stopped, the Seven Flames surrounded them with drawn swords. They couldn't attack recklessly, as Cheon Daewoong could be in danger.

Trusting in his subordinates' presence, Cheon Daewoong asked. "The treasure map, you have it, don't you?"

"That's right. We have it. Then let me ask you a question. Who told you we were at this inn?"

"……" Cheon Daewoong didn't answer.

Geom Mugeuk lightly squeezed his fingers, crushing the man's shoulder.

"Aaaaaargh!" A scream erupted from Cheon Daewoong's mouth.

"Oops, my apologies. I must have held on too tightly, as I got nervous waiting for your answer. This time, I'll wait while holding this arm." Geom Mugeuk reached for Cheon Daewoong's other arm.

Cheon Daewoong immediately shouted, "I don't know! I only know it was someone sent directly by the Sect Leader."

"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 figured it was same man who had brought the treasure map and told him to apply the Soul Tracking Incense. In any case, he had found out that the man was connected to the leader of the Evil King Sect.

"Since I broke your arm, I feel bad, so I'll give you a piece of information. The truth is, the treasure map you're looking for was intentionally leaked by the person who sent you."

"What nonsense is this?"

"You called my subordinate a hunting dog, but you're the real hunting dog who knows nothing. Compared to you, my subordinate is a man with a special talent that no one else in the world possesses." Geom Mugeuk looked at a tree behind them. "Ji Han."

Ji Han revealed himself from behind the tree.

Geom Mugeuk asked, "If you fought these guys here, how many are you confident you could take on?"

"Three of them."

The Seven Flames' expressions hardened. How dare a mere hunting dog claim he could handle three of them?

"With your talent, you could take on all seven of them with just a little more training," Geom Mugeuk said, having accurately assessed the skills of both Ji Han and the Seven Flames. "I'll show you how to do it later."

Ji Han's heart pounded at the unexpected words. The Young Cult Leader was saying he would bestow his teachings upon him.

"No need to be too moved. Everyone else is cursing me for putting them through a hellish training regimen."

"If it's that kind of hell, I'll gladly go there anytime."

Cheon Daewoong aimed for this moment when Geom Mugeuk was distracted by talking with Ji Han. "Now!" he shouted.

Simultaneously, the Seven Flames thrust their swords at Geom Mugeuk.

STAB! STAB! STAB! STAB! STAB STAB STAB!

The sound of tearing flesh was heard in an instant. Not a single sword had missed its mark.

However, the Seven Flames' eyes widened at the scene before them. The person stabbed by the swords was Cheon Daewoong. In an instant, the two men's positions had switched, making it seem as if they had been aiming for him all along.

Moreover, since they had all aimed for vital organs, Cheon Daewoong vomited a gush of blood and died instantly.

Suddenly, the necks of the Seven Flames, who surrounded Cheon Daewoong with their swords still embedded in him, began to droop. Geom Mugeuk had moved in a swift circle behind them like a flash of lightning, snapping their necks before they could pull their swords from Cheon Daewoong's body.

Everything happened so quickly that the sound couldn't keep up with the action.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Cheon Daewoong was stabbed to death in the center, while the surrounding Seven Flames died standing with broken necks. Anyone who discovered the scene would describe it as bizarre.

A thrill ran through Ji Han's entire body. He knew Geom Mugeuk was strong, but he never imagined he was this strong. Their skills were worlds apart, like heaven and earth.

The Young Cult Leader looked at him, his playful demeanor now replaced with a deep gaze. "Don't look back anymore. We must move forward."

Ji Han bowed deeply. "I won't be trapped by the past any longer. Thank you."

"Me too!" a voice shouted from behind.

Geom Mugeuk raised a hand to stop Tae Su, who had just appeared. As if he knew what Tae Su was about to say, he said calmly, "Make your decision after you apologize to your father."

Tae Su realized his heart had been too hasty and sighed deeply. "Yes, I understand."

The three of them returned to the inn. Seeing them return safely, the customers and waiters beamed with joy. Some people even applauded.

Ji Han and Tae Su enjoyed the five-spice pork and liquor. The kitchen even brought out a special dish.

"It's so delicious."

Only now did Ji Han truly taste the pork in five-spice sauce. Geom Mugeuk ran to the front of the kitchen and shouted into the service window.

"Everyone said your food is delicious! Please continue to preserve this flavor without changing it! There are people who will come looking for it again someday!"

Watching him, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme looked at each other. They had just agreed to come again, just the two of them.

It's like he can read minds.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head and held out his cup. The Flower Sword Supreme toasted with him.

What their cups held was not liquor, but a promise.

The carriage continued on, finally arriving in Zhejiang Province. Along the way, the party saw many martial artists flocking to the province, including masters and novices alike. Some came in groups and some came alone, gathering like moths to a flame.

When the carriage arrived at the foot of a mountain, Tae Su finally revealed the Grave of Swords' exact location. "The Grave of Swords is here, on Mount Tianmu. There are ponds on the eastern and western peaks of the mountain. When viewed from above, they look like eyes, giving rise to this place's name."¹

He then revealed the precise entrance to the Grave of Swords.

"The entrance is below the left eye."

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