Chapter 734: I Can’t Stand Being the Only One Left Out
Chapter 734: I Can’t Stand Being the Only One Left Out
The One Flower Sword Venerable gave up on trying to memorize the path.
For a while after entering the cave, she had done her best to keep track of their route, even if only vaguely. But now, she abandoned the effort entirely.
She glanced back at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. He seemed to have given up long ago, following Geom Mu-geuk with a relaxed, indifferent expression.
The One Flower Sword Venerable turned to Geom Mu-geuk and asked, “How do you know the way so well?”
“I think I was born with an instinct for navigation.”
“Even the Cult Leader isn’t this good at finding his way. Is there some secret to it?”
“It’s a gut feeling! Just a hunch!”
In truth, it was the result of grueling training and bitter experience. He knew the Ten Thousand Holes Cave inside out because he had been here before, and his keen sense of direction was a skill honed from wandering through countless desolate places in his previous life. Back then, if he didn't remember a path perfectly, he would end up wandering the same spot twice—and in those days, he hated nothing more than being lost.
A moment later, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke up mockingly.
“Must be a ‘dead-end’ hunch!”
The path they had been walking for quite some time had indeed come to an abrupt halt against a solid stone wall.
“I really had a good feeling about this way, though.”
As if unable to let it go, Geom Mu-geuk walked to the very end of the passage and examined the wall.
“There’s something down here.”
At the very base of the left wall, Geom Mu-geuk discovered a narrow opening. At a glance, a protruding rock completely hid the passage from view. One had to lie flat on the ground to even notice it.
It was a passage that an ordinary person would never find. No one wandering a complex, lethal labyrinth would walk to the very end of a clear dead end and then lie down on the floor to check the corners.
How had he found it back then? He hadn't found it from this side; he had discovered it from the opposite end.
“The Young Cult Leader certainly has a sharp eye,” the One Flower Sword Venerable praised.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon grumbled irritably for no reason. “He just got lucky. How could anyone actually know that was there?”
“I’d say half of that luck comes from you, Elder.”
“Because of me?”
“Because you were teasing me, I decided to come all the way to the end just to see if I could find something to prove you wrong.”
“And the other half?”
Geom Mu-geuk looked down toward the hole and replied, “I felt a fresh draft of air coming from this direction.”
At that answer, both the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable were startled. They hadn't realized Geom Mu-geuk was paying attention to such minute details amidst the stifling air of the cave.
“I’ll go in first.”
No matter how much he grumbled, the one who worried most about Geom Mu-geuk’s safety was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“Be careful.”
Geom Mu-geuk crawled along the floor and disappeared into the passage. Soon, his voice echoed back.
“Please, come inside.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable followed him in. Naturally, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was reluctant.
“I can’t remember the last time I had to crawl like this. It must have been decades.”
As the two Demon Lords emerged on the other side, a look of pure admiration crossed their eyes. They were outside the cave now, standing in a secluded valley completely enclosed by towering, sheer cliffs.
Crystal-clear water flowed through the center, and vibrant flowers, lush grass, and ancient trees grew in abundance. It was a place that seemed perfect for building a small cottage and living out one's days in peace.
Due to the unique terrain, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to discover this space from the outside unless they jumped off the unimaginably high cliffs.
In his past life, Geom Mu-geuk had climbed down those very cliffs. Back then, it was no exaggeration to say he spent his days scaling every precipice he came across. He had descended to this spot and discovered the hole. Only after entering the passage did he realize it connected to the Ten Thousand Holes Cave.
So, this place was this beautiful.
When he had come here before his regression, he had only looked for things that would be useful to his strength. He hadn't realized back then how elegant and charming this hidden sanctuary truly was.
“I’m going to go take a look up there.”
Geom Mu-geuk leaped toward the cliffside, moving with the grace of a mountain cat.
The One Flower Sword Venerable slowly surveyed the area. Her eyes first fell upon the flowers blooming in the corner. There were varieties she had never seen before in all her travels.
“It would be lovely to build a house in a place like this and live quietly later on,” she mused.
“Inviting guests wouldn't be easy,” the Blood Heaven Blade Demon remarked dryly.
The One Flower Sword Venerable smiled. As he said, it would be a home where only the residents and peerless masters capable of scaling those cliffs could ever visit.
A short while later, Geom Mu-geuk descended again, bringing something unexpected with him.
“I found these on a tree halfway up the cliff.”
Geom Mu-geuk held out three peaches. They emitted a faint, ethereal glow and a mysterious energy, and their fragrance was extraordinary, filling the air with a sweet, floral scent.
With a look of disbelief, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s eyes widened.
“Surely... these aren't Immortal Peach Spirit Fruits?”
At his trembling voice, Geom Mu-geuk replied with a smile.
“What else could they be?”
Amazingly, these peaches were the legendary spirit medicine known as the Immortal Peach Spirit Fruit. Like the Stalactite Immortal Moss they had found earlier, they were rare treasures seldom seen in the mortal world.
“They are known to be especially beneficial for women. Your skin is already wonderful, Sword Venerable, but after this, you’ll have the complexion of a baby. Here, please eat.”
If the Stalactite Immortal Moss was more beneficial to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s constitution, the Immortal Peach Spirit Fruit was the perfect medicine for the One Flower Sword Venerable.
Geom Mu-geuk handed the fruits to the two Demon Lords.
First the Stalactite Immortal Moss, and now the Immortal Peach Spirit Fruit? And he was handing them out like common peaches bought at a street market?
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon did not take it.
“Spirit medicines have their rightful owners. This is a fated encounter meant for you, so you should consume them all.”
The One Flower Sword Venerable nodded, clearly of the same mind.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the two Demon Lords. Right, in my past life, I ate them all by myself.
“My true fated encounter is the two of you.”
“...!”
“You’ve seen how I’ve acted until now, haven't you?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon couldn't argue. Indeed, he knew better than anyone what kind of person Geom Mu-geuk was and the effort he had put in. He knew well that Geom Mu-geuk would never be the type to hoard treasures for himself.
“Even so, you should be the one to eat them.”
Geom Mu-geuk stared silently at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon before speaking with a mischievous grin.
“Fine. I’ll eat two.”
“Why two? There are three!”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at the One Flower Sword Venerable. She was already inhaling the sweet, intoxicating scent of the fruit.
“It would be rude to refuse too much, wouldn't it?” she suggested, her eyes twinkling.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon flinched at her suggestion that she was ready to eat.
Geom Mu-geuk laughed and reached toward the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“Then I’ll just eat the Elder’s portion as well.”
As Geom Mu-geuk moved to take the fruit back, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon quickly pulled his hand away, clutching the peach. It was one thing if no one ate, but he couldn't stand being the only one left out!
“Now that I think about it, I am feeling a bit peckish.”
Geom Mu-geuk laughed loudly, and the two Demon Lords smiled as well. How could they put into words their gratitude for him sharing such legendary spirit fruits so selflessly?
“Please, eat. I’ve heard the Immortal Peach Spirit Fruit is only effective if consumed within fifteen minutes of being picked.”
Geom Mu-geuk took a large bite of the fruit he was holding.
If there was such a thing as a taste of the heavens, this was surely it. Sweet juice, unlike anything he had ever tasted, exploded in his mouth and slid down his throat in an instant.
Though Geom Mu-geuk didn't strictly need more internal energy, consuming this fruit was still immensely worthwhile. The Immortal Peach Spirit Fruit didn't just increase internal energy; while it didn't grant eternal youth, it made the body resistant to all diseases and sharpened the five senses to an incredible degree. Furthermore, it had the miraculous effect of rejuvenating the skin and even regrowing lost hair.
“Ah, it’s delicious!”
At Geom Mu-geuk’s exclamation, the One Flower Sword Venerable also took a large bite. Usually a graceful, refined eater, she now struggled to ensure not a single drop of the precious juice was wasted. Her expression said it all—it was no exaggeration to say it was the most delicious thing she had ever eaten in her life.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon followed suit.
“Sweet. So sweet.”
Who would have thought when they left the Cult that he would end up eating the legendary Immortal Peach Spirit Fruit? Since leaving with Geom Mu-geuk, he was constantly experiencing things he had never imagined possible. And those experiences were proving to be incredibly interesting and rewarding.
The three of them sat down in their respective spots and began to circulate their qi.
Using their own unique mental methods, they began to refine the miraculous energy of the fruit into pure internal energy. Perhaps because of the pleasant fragrance emanating from both inside and outside their bodies, the process felt more refreshing and pleasant than absorbing any other spirit medicine.
After refining the massive energy contained within the fruit, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon opened his eyes. Not only had his internal energy increased, but his body felt lighter than it had in years.
Geom Mu-geuk, who had finished his meditation first, was looking up at the small patch of sky visible between the surrounding cliffs. Fortunately, he had obtained both fated encounters located in the Ten Thousand Holes Cave. He felt that the fact that three fruits had been growing there was a sign of destiny.
Following the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, the One Flower Sword Venerable also finished her meditation.
“Thank you, Young Cult Leader.”
For the One Flower Sword Venerable, who was striving to reach the next level of power, the effects of the fruit were a massive help. And as a bonus, she gained a healthier body and taut, glowing skin.
Geom Mu-geuk, who had been looking at the sky, turned to her with a bright expression.
“I’m the one who should be grateful. If you hadn't left the Cult with me this time, how could I have obtained such a fated encounter? This is all thanks to you, Sword Venerable.”
The One Flower Sword Venerable gazed at him silently. What could she say to a man who credited her even for his own discoveries?
She turned to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. “Did you hear that? You should be grateful to me.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon replied while touching his cheek in wonder. “My skin really does feel better.”
Geom Mu-geuk drew his sword and used the polished blade to reflect the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s face.
“Is that all? Look here. Your wrinkles have smoothed out significantly.”
“Is that so? Or is it just my imagination?”
“Once you eat the Stalactite Immortal Moss later, the Poison King will be jealous of your skin. What does age matter? As long as your heart is young and your body is healthy, that’s what counts.”
Geom Mu-geuk praised him lavishly in front of the One Flower Sword Venerable. Since there was no compliment more pleasing to the old man than being told he looked young, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon couldn't hide his grin.
Please, live a long and youthful life.
Geom Mu-geuk walked back toward the hole they had entered through.
“Now, let’s head out.”
Geom Mu-geuk crawled out first.
“What do you think? It was worth crawling on the floor, wasn't it?”
From behind, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon grumbled half-heartedly. “I still despise crawling!”
Normally, he would have suggested smashing the wall and walking out, but for some reason, he quietly crawled out of the place, respecting the hidden sanctuary.
Once they were out, Geom Mu-geuk took the lead again and began retracing their steps.
“I have a good feeling about this way this time!”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon followed, saying, “I ate an Immortal Peach Spirit Fruit based on that hunch, so I’d better follow.”
And so, the two Demon Lords followed Geom Mu-geuk once more.
Outside, the hellscape continued. The screams echoing from all directions made them realize they had returned to the grim reality of the cave.
After walking for a while, they saw two martial artists facing off with their weapons drawn. Their auras were intense, and they were clearly formidable figures.
One was the Azure Heaven Great Axe, famous throughout the Hunan region for his prowess with a single axe, and the other was the Strange Blood Blade, a master from Jiangxi who had come here after hearing rumors of the treasure map. By chance, two masters of similar skill had crossed paths.
The momentum they radiated filled the surrounding area. Knowing each other’s reputations, they did not move recklessly.
“You’re someone I should have fought at the very end,” the Azure Heaven Great Axe said, acknowledging both his own and his opponent’s strength. He wanted to avoid this fight if possible.
On the other hand, the Strange Blood Blade intended to settle things here. “If we have to fight eventually, what’s the point in delaying?”
Since the passage where they met was narrow, the Strange Blood Blade believed he would have the advantage over someone using a large, cumbersome axe.
Just as the tension reached a breaking point where a strike could fly at any second, someone’s voice rang out.
“If you aren't going to fight...”
What followed was truly unexpected.
“We’ll just pass through for a moment.”
The two men were stunned. Pass through? Here? Right between the Azure Heaven Great Axe and the Strange Blood Blade, who were pointing weapons at each other with intent to kill? In this narrow passage, no less?
They thought they must have misheard, but then someone actually started walking toward them. The two warriors simultaneously thought: Is this guy insane?
But the "madman" actually walked right between them. He even offered a casual greeting as he passed between the gleaming blades of the sword and axe.
“My, you two are working hard.”
The two martial artists were dumbfounded. It was so absurd they couldn't even laugh.
The madman wasn't alone. A striking woman followed him, and finally, an old man with something large strapped to his back passed by, incessantly stroking his own cheek. These lunatics didn't give the two masters so much as a glance.
While the trio passed through one after another, the two warriors couldn't move. If they moved carelessly, they would leave an opening for their opponent. Moreover, if those lunatics decided to join the fray, things could get even worse.
“What was that just now?”
“They must have gone mad from fear.”
Of course, despite their words, they could sense that the trio were no ordinary people. Whether they were madmen or true masters, the life-and-death tension of their duel had completely evaporated. Without a word, the two men slowly lowered their weapons and disappeared in opposite directions.
Geom Mu-geuk continued forward. The two Demon Lords following him held torches and surveyed the surroundings. Caves branched off in every direction; it had been complex before, but this area was a true maze. One chamber had as many as ten openings. Entering one led to another five or six forks in the path. Every trail was like that.
It was clear why this place was called the cave of death. Furthermore, the paths in this sector were designed to loop, meaning one would wander in circles forever without knowing the exact route.
“Even someone who knows the way could get lost here,” the One Flower Sword Venerable remarked.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded. He was sweating profusely. Even the spirit medicine couldn't dispel the suffocating feeling of being in such a cramped, repetitive space.
Then, Geom Mu-geuk spoke to them with a meaningful look.
“That’s why, if someone were to hide, wouldn't they hide somewhere like this?”
The two Demon Lords exchanged glances. They understood. Geom Mu-geuk was trying to find the person with the treasure map here. Earlier, Geom Mu-geuk had suggested that the person with the map might have entered the Ten Thousand Holes Cave intentionally. It was certain he had some sort of lead.
As they followed Geom Mu-geuk, a new sight unfolded before them. The stifling feeling in the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s chest vanished instantly.
Before their eyes was a spectacle created by the passage of ages. The area, as vast as a plaza, was filled with massive stalactites and stalagmites. Stalactites, hanging like the fangs of a giant beast, dangled from the ceiling, while stalagmites rose tall toward the roof. In some places, the stalactites and stalagmites nearly touched, looking like the meeting of heaven and earth.
Plink. Plink. Plink.
The sound of water dripping from the stalactites echoed through the silence.
Geom Mu-geuk stared at the scene for a moment before stepping into the mystical cavern.
“I have a feeling something good is about to happen here.”