Chapter 732: How Dare a Mere Porter?
Chapter 732: How Dare a Mere Porter?
“You’re a lucky fellow, surviving even after cursing the Elder.”
The One Flower Sword picked up on Geom Mu-geuk’s teasing.
“The only one in history, in fact.”
Despite the prodding from the two, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon remained steadfast. He even wore a strangely benevolent smile as he spoke.
“A man is bound to let a few curses fly over the course of a lifetime.”
Geom Mu-geuk burst into laughter at that. Even the Blood Heaven Blade Demon seemed to find his own words ridiculous; he turned his head away, likely unable to maintain his straight face any longer.
“I’m so curious about the outcome of this bet that I don't intend to lift a finger either,” the One Flower Sword added.
If all three of them showed such restraint from now on, what would happen?
“Then the result of the bet will be decided soon enough.”
It was a display of her confidence—she was certain she could endure far better than the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
It was then.
“Move! Out of the way unless you want to die!”
Another group of martial artists rushed past, kicking up thick clouds of dust as they exerted their light body techniques.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon waved his hand like a fan, clearing the air.
Geom Mu-geuk asked with mock concern, “Are you alright, Elder?”
“I am fine.”
“Normally, shouldn't palm force be erupting from that hand? If a man who never holds back suddenly starts enduring this much, he’ll get sick.”
“When martial artists sprint, dust is bound to rise. It is only natural.”
Watching him act like a high priest disciplining his mind, Geom Mu-geuk let out a feigned sigh.
“Ah! If I had known such mental cultivation awaited us, I should have brought the Demon Buddha along.”
“That man has even less patience. Isn't his version of being a Buddha killing people first and then praying for their rebirth in paradise?”
Geom Mu-geuk and the One Flower Sword laughed together.
Though the situation around them was turning urgent, the three did not hurry. After walking a bit further, they reached a wide clearing at the foot of the mountain. The area was packed with martial artists, and a sweltering heat radiated from the agitated crowd.
“I heard the bastard is hiding in the cave!”
“Move out of the way, now!”
“Get lost before I kill you!”
In front of the shouting and protesting crowd lay a cave entrance: The Ten Thousand Holes Cave.
This particular cavern on Mt. Tianzi was famous for its vast interior and labyrinthine complexity. So many had entered only to die after failing to find their way out that it was often called the Cave of Death.
The ones blocking the entrance were the warriors of the Flying Dragon Guild, a group famous in Hunan for their bellicose nature.
“The Ten Thousand Holes Cave is sealed. Everyone, withdraw!”
The man who spoke, his voice infused with internal energy, was Song Byeok-chan. He was a master ranked within the top ten of the Flying Dragon Guild.
The gathered martial artists protested and questioned him.
“Why are you stopping us? Is the Flying Dragon Guild trying to monopolize the treasure map?”
To this, Song Byeok-chan replied, “We simply wish to prevent a bloodbath from occurring within our guild’s territory. Do not misunderstand; we are merely trying to prevent the vain loss of life in a pointless struggle.”
Of course, no one believed him for a second.
In truth, the Flying Dragon Guild had already deployed its experts to search the interior. However, many outside experts had entered before the blockade, and the cave was so complex that they had yet to find the person hiding with the map.
A martial artist who had been protesting earlier began to incite the crowd.
“Let’s break through by force! If we all join forces—”
Swish! Thud!
Song Byeok-chan’s sword pierced the back of the man’s neck.
Attacked by surprise from behind, the man was utterly helpless. Song Byeok-chan looked down coldly at the man collapsing in a spray of blood and addressed the crowd.
“Is there anyone else who wishes to disrespect our guild?”
Silence fell over the clearing. There weren't many in Hunan who could afford to ignore the might of the Flying Dragon Guild.
Watching from the back, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head.
“A cave? I detest cramped spaces.”
The One Flower Sword smiled. “It seems I’ll have the advantage in many ways, then.”
She meant that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would likely lose his temper even faster in such a suffocating environment.
“Now, everyone, leave!”
As Song Byeok-chan stepped forward, the Flying Dragon Guild warriors lined up behind him drew their swords in unison, marching forward threateningly.
Even then, the crowd did not retreat. Greed—the hope that obtaining the treasure map would make them peerless masters and grant them immense wealth—kept everyone rooted to the spot. Even at this moment, more people were flocking to the area.
It was then.
Swish, swish, swish, swish!
A hail of hidden weapons rained down on the Flying Dragon Guild warriors from behind.
“An ambush!” Song Byeok-chan shouted urgently, but his warriors were already collapsing one after another. Surprisingly, the attackers were those who had emerged from within the cave.
Clang, clang, clang!
Song Byeok-chan frantically swung his sword to deflect the projectiles, but there were simply too many.
Thwack!
Suddenly, a palm strike slammed into his back.
His body flew through the air and tumbled across the ground. The man who had been shouting so boldly just moments ago was now a corpse.
The figure who had hidden among the crowd to launch the surprise attack was a muscular man with a devious expression. He was the one who had hidden his subordinates inside the cave before the Flying Dragon Guild could seal the entrance.
“Since when is this your territory? This is our turf.”
Someone recognized him and shouted, “The Green Forest Sovereign!”
He was a famous bandit of Hunan who kept his stronghold right here on Mt. Tianzi. His title didn't come from being as great as a Green Forest King, but simply because he was the master of this mountain.
He was a cruel man, known for committing all sorts of atrocities for the sake of money. However, he had recently clashed with the Flying Dragon Guild and suffered several consecutive defeats, causing his influence to wane significantly. Having indulged too much in money and women, his once-formidable martial arts were no longer what they used to be.
“Shameless bastards. You wanted to swallow a treasure of the ages all for yourselves?”
As he spat on Song Byeok-chan’s corpse, cheers erupted from all sides.
“Now, let’s go in!”
The crowd surged forward, trying to enter the Ten Thousand Holes Cave. But once again, hidden weapons rained down.
Swish, swish, swish!
Those in the lead were struck and collapsed. The Green Forest Sovereign stepped in front of his bandits and blocked the cave entrance.
“Who said you could just walk in?”
His thunderous shout instantly chilled the atmosphere. The Green Forest Sovereign announced loudly to everyone, “If you want to enter this place, you must pay a toll.”
Everyone looked dumbfounded. Yet, no one dared to protest in this atmosphere.
Someone from the crowd asked, “How much is the toll?”
“One thousand taels per person. If you don't have the cash, I’ll accept weapons or valuables of equal worth.”
A murmur went through the crowd. One thousand taels just to enter a cave was an exorbitant amount.
“Isn't that too expensive?”
In response to the protests, the Green Forest Sovereign tempted them. “You’d miss the chance to obtain a treasure of the ages just to save a measly thousand taels? Suit yourselves.”
In truth, the Green Forest Sovereign had no intention of entering the cave himself. If he collected from just ten people, it was ten thousand taels; from a hundred, it was a staggering hundred thousand. Since martial artists were still flocking here, collecting from a hundred people wasn't impossible.
A bandit’s life often involved lying in ambush for days just to rob a few dozen taels. He couldn't let such a golden opportunity slip by. He was certain he would be ruined by the Flying Dragon Guild sooner or later, so he planned to make one big score and flee the province.
“Is it not the nature of the Green Forest to collect tolls? This path leads to becoming an absolute master, so the toll is naturally high. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. The more you pay, the greater the reward you shall reap.”
Listening to this, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon muttered abruptly, “That thief has a good head on his shoulders.”
Unfortunately, he spoke during a brief lull in the noise, and his words reached the Green Forest Sovereign’s ears. The bandit whipped his head toward the source of the voice.
“Who was that!”
As the people in front moved aside, Geom Mu-geuk was revealed. The sound had definitely come from that direction.
“Was it you? The brat who just spouted that nonsense?”
“No, it wasn't.” Geom Mu-geuk stepped aside and looked behind him. “It was this gentleman.”
When Geom Mu-geuk pointed him out, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon wore an expression of utter disbelief. The One Flower Sword beamed, her face saying, As expected, the Young Cult Leader is on my side.
The Green Forest Sovereign glared at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and said coldly, “Old man, do you want to die?”
While Geom Mu-geuk and the One Flower Sword were grinning ear to ear, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke calmly.
“I was merely saying you have a good head for business, so do not take it to heart.”
Seeing his opponent act so submissively, the Green Forest Sovereign decided not to let it slide. He took a few steps forward, intending to make an example out of the old man. Since the Blood Heaven Blade Demon wasn't emitting any aura, he felt like nothing more than an ordinary elder.
However, as the bandit drew closer, an inexplicable sense of unease began to stir within him. Why? Is it because of those eyes?
But he had already committed. If he backed down now, the jackals watching him would pounce all at once.
The One Flower Sword watched the scene with a look of satisfaction, certain she had won the bet. No matter the wager, there was no way the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would let a lowly thug like that lay a hand on him.
“Wait.”
After stopping him for a moment, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon reached into his robes. The Green Forest Sovereign flinched and halted, circulating his internal energy to prepare for a surprise attack.
What the Blood Heaven Blade Demon pulled out was a small pouch. The Green Forest Sovereign took another step back. Poison?
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon took something out of the pouch and held it out.
“Here is the thousand taels.”
Geom Mu-geuk and the One Flower Sword stared at each other in shock. They had never dreamed, not even in their wildest nightmares, that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would actually pay the toll.
“Take it.”
The Green Forest Sovereign took the banknote reflexively. It was a genuine note.
“Since I am your first paying customer, please overlook my earlier slip of the tongue.”
Now that the man had paid, the bandit couldn't very well beat him. If he wanted others to pay, he had to let this one in amicably.
“Fine. Go on in.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon urged Geom Mu-geuk and the One Flower Sword forward. “What are you doing? Pay up.”
Geom Mu-geuk whispered to the One Flower Sword, “The Sword Venerable has the treasure map, right? He’s doing this so he can win the bet and demand it from you, isn't he?”
The One Flower Sword’s gaze toward the Blood Heaven Blade Demon deepened. You... what exactly are you after?
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon casually asked the Green Forest Sovereign, “By the way, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“How long do you plan to stay here?”
The Green Forest Sovereign flinched. “Why do you ask?”
“Never mind. I was just curious.”
His vague answer only served to irritate the bandit. Then, the One Flower Sword spoke up.
“I don't have a thousand taels on me right now.”
The Green Forest Sovereign scanned her from head to toe. Since she was with the man who had paid so submissively, he didn't think she was anyone special. Seeing the young man next to her loaded down with luggage, he was convinced they weren't masters.
That false confidence led him to say something he shouldn't have.
“If you don't have money, I can accept other things.”
The One Flower Sword’s relaxed expression instantly hardened. Her true nature flared up. The thought of slicing his head off, bet be damned, flashed through her mind.
But then, she saw it. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s hand was moving toward the knot of the cloth binding the Heaven Extermination Great Blade. He could endure being insulted himself, but he could not tolerate the One Flower Sword being insulted.
Seeing that, a smile returned to her face, and her anger naturally subsided. Before the Blood Heaven Blade Demon could undo the knot, she spoke.
“There are too many eyes on us right now, so let’s meet here again later. I’ll give you a very wonderful gift.”
“Do you think I’m a fool? What guarantee is there that you’ll come out alive?”
The One Flower Sword looked at the Green Forest Sovereign with a meaningful gaze. “Don't worry. I have a very good reason to make sure I come back out.”
The Green Forest Sovereign had no idea how desperately the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword wanted to meet him again.
It was then. A sharp woman’s voice rang out from behind.
“Kill that lecherous dog.”
When the Green Forest Sovereign turned around in surprise, he saw a young woman standing there, flanked by warriors. At her command, the warriors behind her leaped forward in unison.
The Green Forest Sovereign resisted, swinging his fists, but he was no match for their combined attack. These warriors were far stronger than the Flying Dragon Guild members he had faced earlier. He was hacked to death, and his subordinates fled without looking back. They had recognized the woman’s identity.
The only daughter of the Flying Dragon Guild Master. The Cold Moon Sword, Chu Yeon.
Among the Flying Dragon Guild warriors, she was famous for being merciless toward her enemies. Once the Green Forest Sovereign’s men had fled, several martial artists near the entrance rushed into the cave. Before anyone could stop them, the rest of the crowd surged into the cave in a frantic swarm.
Chu Yeon did not stop them. She merely watched them with a cold, pathetic gaze. Then, her eyes fell upon the three people who had not entered.
Geom Mu-geuk was searching the Green Forest Sovereign’s corpse for the banknote the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had given him. The note was stained with blood. Geom Mu-geuk pocketed that note and handed a fresh thousand-tael banknote to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon reached out his hand, asking for the blood-stained note instead.
“Just take the new one.”
“It’s fine.”
A thought suddenly occurred to Geom Mu-geuk. Perhaps the Blood Heaven Blade Demon viewed even this banknote as a piece of a memory shared with the One Flower Sword.
As Geom Mu-geuk was handing the blood-stained note to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon...
“Have you no shame?”
The one who spoke coldly was Chu Yeon. Geom Mu-geuk and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at her.
“No matter how much you want that treasure map, you call yourselves martial artists yet you paid money because you couldn't withstand the intimidation of a bandit?”
Furthermore, she was disgusted by the sight of them scavenging money back from a corpse.
In response to her contemptuous gaze, Geom Mu-geuk replied, “You are mistaken, young lady.”
Chu Yeon’s face instantly froze. A mere porter had the audacity to tell her she was wrong.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and continued. “First of all, the Elder’s choice was made to save everyone here.”
This time, even the Blood Heaven Blade Demon flinched inwardly. To save everyone? When did I do that?
“If those people entered this place, they would eventually kill each other in the struggle. But because our Elder paid the toll, an atmosphere was created where everyone had to pay to enter. Since most wouldn't have a thousand taels, they wouldn't be able to go in. In the end, the Elder saved everyone’s lives. This all stemmed from the Elder’s benevolence.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon cleared his throat at the creative interpretation. Just as Chu Yeon was about to snap at him for spouting such sophistry, Geom Mu-geuk hit the mark.
“However, despite his efforts to save them, they all rushed in anyway. You could have stopped them, young lady. Could it be that in your heart, you wanted them all to go in and die?”
Chu Yeon’s face twitched. Surprisingly, she had felt exactly that just moments ago. Being called out by a mere luggage carrier made her blood boil.
At that moment, a shout erupted from inside the cave.
“There it is! The treasure map!”
Screams followed, along with the continuous clashing of weapons. Then, the sounds drifted further away.
“We must enter quickly,” a subordinate urged.
Chu Yeon nodded. Just before entering the cave, she shot a cold look back at Geom Mu-geuk. She didn't make a gesture of slitting her throat, but her eyes clearly warned him: If I see you again, you’re dead.
After they entered, the three finally stepped into the cave. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had been teased the whole time, spoke with a satisfied smile.
“It looks like you might be the first one to draw your sword after all.”