Chapter 752: You Did Well to Bring That Bag

TL: FoodieMonster007

The melody was truly beautiful.

However, Geom Mugeuk knew the sweeter the melody, the closer one came to death. This sound came from hell.

The short performance ended. A man walked out through the open door. His lanky frame looked like nothing but skin stretched over bones. Sharp cheekbones jutted over deeply sunken cheeks. Where his eyes should have been, only dead white pupils remained. He was blind.

His gaunt body looked ready to collapse at any moment, but a strange rhythm pulsed through his movements.

Is he listening to music only he can hear?

His legs stepped forward to some internal beat. He swung his long arms as if dancing to a tune only he could hear. His gait resembled a movement art that made one wonder how a blind man could walk with such grace.

The most eye-catching thing about him was the pipa he carried. The old, worn instrument was unusual. It had no strings.

The beautiful melody from moments ago could not have come from this stringless instrument, but Geom Mugeuk knew this man had played it anyway. He recognized him as the Tenth King of the Twelve Zodiac Kings, the Sound King, Sin Ryu.

When it came to sound arts, people called Sin Ryu a true genius, unrivaled even among history's greatest martial artists. That stringless pipa was his unique weapon, the Stringless Phantom Song Pipa.

He wasn't particularly prominent among the Twelve Zodiac Kings. No one knew whom he'd killed or what deeds he'd accomplished. Still, he held his position as one of the Twelve Zodiac Kings until the very end anyway. He did it with that sickly body that looked ready to collapse, with those unseeing eyes.

Before he died, a rumor circulated that he'd perfected a terrifying sound art. The technique was so powerful that no master could stand against it. The jianghu never learned what kind of martial art it actually was.

The Sound King, who had lived such a life, revealed himself here today.

Geom Mugeuk knew instinctively that the Sword King had come here to protect the Sound King.

The Sword King moved first, proving his prediction correct. The man who seemed bound by no one slowly walked over and stood beside the Sound King.

The Blade King's fight had been interrupted. He still wore an angry expression and made no effort to hide it. He couldn't insist on continuing the fight though. An unknown tension emanated from the Sound King, whether from orders or skill.

The Blade King shot a cold glare at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, then strode over to stand beside the Sound King.

This was the first time three of the Twelve Zodiac Kings had gathered in one place since Geom Mugeuk began fighting them. It meant they considered this matter extremely important.

Standing between the Sword King and the Blade King, the Sound King's presence wasn't overshadowed in the slightest.

Was the Sound King always this kind of person?

Even Geom Mugeuk felt inwardly surprised by the presence he exuded. The protagonist of this place today was clearly him.

The Tenth King is the main character in a place where the First and Second Kings are present?

Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned to the Sword King. Their eyes met in mid-air.

What on earth are you plotting today? And why are you here?

The Sword King silently accepted Geom Mugeuk's gaze. He didn't send a single word of telepathy. Rather, he acted as if he weren't there.

Geom Mugeuk considered it a good sign. If the Sword King made excuses, it would truly be the worst-case scenario.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme defiantly stood to Geom Mugeuk's left and right. Their aura screamed, 'Alright, let's see you try us, three on three.'

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Blade King glared at each other as if they wanted to kill one another. The heat from their earlier battle hadn't cooled. Although the Blade King's waist had been slashed, their fight had been evenly matched.

The Sound King looked toward where Geom Mugeuk stood, as if he could see. His empty eyes, which revealed no emotion, gave off a mysterious yet chilling feeling.

"You've had a long journey, Young Cult Leader," he said softly, as if whispering, but his every word was as clear as a bell.

Unlike his appearance, his voice carried a pleasant, beautiful tone. His voice alone revealed that his inner arts were extremely profound.

"It was less of a hardship and more of a pleasant journey," Geom Mugeuk replied, looking back at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme. "Because it was a journey I spent with people I deeply respect and admire."

The Sound King immediately greeted the Blood Heaven Blade Demon with the same politeness he'd shown Geom Mugeuk. "I've heard much of your reputation, Blood Heaven Blade Demon. It's an honor to meet you."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared into his gray eyes. "Can you see with those eyes?"

"My eyes cannot see."

"Then how did you know I was here?"

"I noticed because the person with the most fiery energy in this place was standing there." The Sound King's gaze then turned to the Flower Sword Supreme. "You possess an elegant and noble energy. It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Flower Sword Supreme."

The Flower Sword Supreme wasn't pleased by the compliment. Her reaction was even colder than the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's. "You've perceived incorrectly. I only think of killing you all, so how could I be elegant and noble?"

The Sound King wasn't the least bit offended by her blunt words.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon followed up. "Now, enough with the flattery. Tell us why you've called us all the way here."

For three masters of this caliber to appear meant they'd undoubtedly been waiting. The puppets that had jointly attacked Geom Mugeuk earlier proved it. This place was clearly a prepared stage.

The Sound King answered calmly. "Of course, I have my reasons. Just like all of you."

The Sound King's dead eyes turned toward the Flower Sword Supreme. "Why have you come here?"

It was a question that implied she'd come for a reason.

The Sound King asked the same question to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, and also to Dan Sojin and the Evil Alliance martial artists.

No one answered, but everyone on their side had a reason. Even Ji Han, who had become his subordinate, had a reason for following him here. Tae Su had a reason as well.

Finally, the Sound King asked Geom Mugeuk the same question. "Why have you come here?"

Geom Mugeuk turned the reason back on the Sound King. "I was drawn here by a melody of such beauty. Even if I am to die, I can't turn my back on a beautiful song."

"You must be a lover of music, Young Cult Leader."

"I'm just a man who knows how to kill people. Take this opportunity to teach me about music."

The Sound King's gray eyes silently regarded Geom Mugeuk, then he turned around. "Everyone, please come inside this room for a moment."

He walked back into the place from which he'd emerged. The Sword King, the Blade King, the Four Dark Blood Bladesmen, and the man in the iron mask followed him inside.

Geom Mugeuk looked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme. The initiative was currently with the other side. They couldn't let their guard down for a second.

The two Demon Supremes nodded. They understood Geom Mugeuk's look. It was a warning to be careful, and then be careful again.

Geom Mugeuk's party, Dan Sojin, and the Evil Alliance martial artists followed the Sound King into the room. The vast, plaza-like space was scattered with broken blades and weapons, along with a dozen or so skeletons, traces of a fierce battle.

Skeletons lay collapsed on the floor. Some were entangled, swords plunged into each other's bodies. One skeleton leaned alone against a wall.

A coffin lay in the center of it all.

A wave of emotion crossed Tae Su's face.

This is it!

He knew he'd finally reached the Grave of Swords. He'd risked his life and jumped into the struggle for the treasure map just to come here.

He'd only managed to reach this place after meeting the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Young Cult Leader and the Demon Supremes.

He didn't know about the others, but as a thief, he'd come here for the treasures within. He wanted to immediately check the swords held by the corpses. He wanted to run over right now and open that coffin to see what was inside.

Those people had probably already opened it. He wanted to open it even though he knew there would likely be nothing left.

The Sound King spoke to Geom Mugeuk. "This is the Grave of Swords written on the treasure map."

"The atmosphere is different from what I imagined. I thought it would be a much more splendid and grand place."

"We haven't touched anything in this room."

It was impossible to know if his words could be trusted. Nevertheless, Geom Mugeuk asked, "Aren't you curious about what's inside that coffin?"

"Even so, it wouldn't be right to dishonor the deceased," the Sound King replied as if he truly hadn't opened anything.

Geom Mugeuk noticed the Flower Sword Supreme staring intently at one of the skeletons. It was a skeleton kneeling, supporting itself with one hand on a sword. The look in her eyes was unusual.

Geom Mugeuk approached her. "Is it someone you know?"

The Flower Sword Supreme slowly nodded. "That sword he's holding is Lonely Silence. That man is my maternal uncle. He used to visit and play with me sometimes when I was young. The last time I saw him before he disappeared, he spoke of a treasure map."

Now Geom Mugeuk understood why the Flower Sword Supreme had wanted to come to the Grave of Swords. She'd thought her uncle might have come here.

"I came here on the off chance, and he really was here."

Geom Mugeuk understood. The Dark Palace had used the Grave of Swords to lure him in. If he hadn't left the cult with the Flower Sword Supreme, they would have captured her after she came here alone and then contacted him. In any case, it was all to make him come to this place.

Dan Sojin sent a telepathy to Geom Mugeuk. "There's a venomous insect hidden in that corpse."

They'd placed poison even on the corpse that held special meaning for the Flower Sword Supreme. Their scheme was to poison him with the Violet Cloud Inner Qi Poison at the gate, and then to poison the Flower Sword Supreme with this skeleton.

Their plan for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had likely failed because they hadn't realized how strong he was. They hadn't expected that the Blade King would be unable to kill him in their earlier fight.

Geom Mugeuk immediately sent a telepathic message to Ji Han.

Ji Han answered as instructed. "I smell something from that corpse."

"What kind of smell?"

"It smells like insects."

He used Ji Han's sense of smell so as not to reveal what Dan Sojin had told him.

Geom Mugeuk rummaged through his bag and took out a small container and a pair of chopsticks, then asked for the Flower Sword Supreme's permission, "Would you permit me to be impolite for a moment?"

The Flower Sword Supreme could already tell from their conversation and Geom Mugeuk's eyes that something was amiss, so she readily nodded.

Geom Mugeuk paid his respects to the skeletal corpse. "I am Geom Mugeuk, the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. I respect your relative, the Flower Sword Supreme, more than anyone. Hence, for the Sword Supreme's safety, I would like to examine this for a moment."

Geom Mugeuk carefully examined the corpse.

SHWIIIIK!

Something shot up toward Geom Mugeuk. It was so fast it was invisible to the naked eye.

PAAT.

Geom Mugeuk was already prepared. He snatched it with his chopsticks in an instant. It was a venomous insect with many legs, like a centipede, moved between his chopsticks.

He recognized the venomous insect, which was close to a spirit beast. "It's a Venomous Corpse Blood Centipede. Where did you guys catch such a rare venomous insect?"

The Venomous Corpse Blood Centipede was a parasite that primarily lived in corpses. It possessed a potent venom that could kill most masters instantly.

A master like the Flower Sword Supreme would avoid instant death. Instead, she would have to fight while concentrating the poison in one part of her body, preventing her from using her full strength.

If not for his Myriad Poison Immunity, he wouldn't have known he was poisoned by the Violet Cloud Inner Qi Poison. This Venomous Corpse Blood Centipede would have looked like an accident. They would have seized control of the situation without anyone noticing.

Geom Mugeuk placed the Venomous Corpse Blood Centipede into the container from his bag and sealed it tightly. "Our Poison King will be really happy if I bring this to him."

Geom Mugeuk had indeed prepared the chopsticks and container specifically for the Poison King. He figured that a venomous insect meant for the Flower Sword Supreme must be truly rare. He'd obtained a more valuable venomous insect than he'd expected.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon sneered at the Sound King. "'Didn't touch anything in this room,' you said?"

The Flower Sword Supreme glared at the Sound King with cold eyes. Her anger was justified. She'd been the target, and they'd desecrated her uncle's corpse.

The Sound King's expression hardened slightly. His gaze shifted to the man in the iron mask.

The man in the iron mask answered calmly. "I was merely doing the job I was assigned."

One could tell that, at the very least, the Sound King hadn't ordered it.

Geom Mugeuk's expression hardened slightly. This was even worse. It meant the Sound King was confident he could win even without using poison.

The Flower Sword Supreme slowly walked over, bowed, and then looked at the skeleton for a moment. She hadn't thought much of it when she left the cult, but seeing her uncle's remains from so long ago made her heart ache with a faint sorrow.

"Uncle, I'll take you back with me now."

"I'll help you." Geom Mugeuk took out a leather bag for collecting remains from his own bag and began to collect the remains with her. It was a bag that truly contained all sorts of things.

The Blade King started to step forward, as if to ask what they were doing at such a crucial moment, but stopped when he felt someone's gaze. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was staring at him.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head with an expression that said not to interfere. His eyes were devoid of any emotion, yet the Blade King felt his heart freeze. It was a colder gaze than any he'd received during their earlier fight.

The Sound King had said he found him because he had the most fiery energy. He'd been sorely mistaken, because in that moment, the Blade King felt it.

This man's darkness is deeper than my own.

The Sound King silently watched the two collect the corpse. Beside him, the Sword King silently watched Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk finished collecting the remains and hung the leather bag next to his own. "Please bear with it for a moment, even if it's uncomfortable."

He'd collected the skeleton in advance because he didn't know what would happen later. A big fight could break out and cause the cave to collapse.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had been watching, suddenly remarked, "You did well to bring that big bag."

Geom Mugeuk smiled. "So you finally admit it!"

The Sound King waited until the two had finished collecting the corpse, then asked Geom Mugeuk, "Do you know where this is?"

Geom Mugeuk had heard a fact from Tae Su that was almost unknown to the world. "Isn't this the tomb of Ju Gasin, who was the greatest master of the unorthodox sects and the Evil Alliance Chairman three hundred years ago?"

The Sound King shook his head. "All past Evil Alliance Chairmen are buried in one place."

Everyone listening was shocked. It was the first time not only Geom Mugeuk, but also the Demon Supremes, had heard of this.

"No one in the murim knows its location. Even the Evil Alliance Chairman himself doesn't know where he'll be buried. Only a family called the Hundred Graves Clan, who have guarded and managed the tombs for generations, knows the exact location."

The Sound King's dead eyes turned toward Dan Sojin. "Isn't that right? Hundred Graves Patriarch, Dan Sojin."