Chapter 735: I Must Have Been Here in a Previous Life
Chapter 735: I Must Have Been Here in a Previous Life
“So, such a place actually existed.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable marveled at the natural wonder before them.
The labyrinth’s complexity finally made sense. To witness such a spectacle, one surely had to endure such trials to find it.
Geom Mu-geuk, who had been gazing at the sight alongside the two Demon Lords, revealed the reason for their detour.
“If I had to hide somewhere in the Ten Thousand Holes Cave, I would choose this place. Think about it—those who managed to navigate that convoluted maze would never imagine someone was hiding right here. They’d be too distracted.”
Most would be intoxicated by the majestic scenery for a moment before rushing off to find another path.
However, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked around with a puzzled expression.
“Here? Where is there a place to hide?”
No matter how he looked at it, there didn't seem to be a single spot where a person could conceal themselves.
“Aren't there plenty of places?” Mu-geuk asked.
“Plenty?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked around again, his expression shifting to one of disbelief. His gaze landed on the massive stalagmites rising from the ground.
Surely not? Inside those?
As if confirming his suspicion, Geom Mu-geuk walked slowly between the stone pillars.
“Anyone capable of snatching a treasure map and inciting a scramble for it would have known the nature of the Ten Thousand Holes Cave. They wouldn't have recklessly entered a place where they’d wander until they died unless they knew the way. Our target likely knows the interior well—and knows this specific location just as well.”
“Then he’s no ordinary fellow.”
Geom Mu-geuk had accurately grasped his opponent's character.
“He’s more than that. He’s someone who intended to make his pursuers slaughter each other in this carnage.”
Geom Mu-geuk stopped in front of one particular stalagmite.
There was a recessed section in the stone, and within that curved inner part was a fairly large hole. However, the opening looked far too narrow for a human to fit through.
Geom Mu-geuk signaled the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable with his eyes. The two Demon Lords had already sensed a human presence within.
“I’ve been curious for a while now. I wonder what the inside of these stalagmites looks like.”
At Geom Mu-geuk’s remark, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon replied, “Why not just cut it open and see?”
Geom Mu-geuk drew his Black Demonic Sword and tapped the stone.
“Should I cut it around here?”
“Cut it diagonally,” the Blade Demon suggested. “That way, you’ll get a better view.”
“Like this?”
He continued to tap the stone with his blade.
“Alright, here I go!”
“Wait! There’s a person here! There’s someone inside!”
A frantic voice drifted out from the hole. A man poked his head out of the opening. It seemed impossible for a person to emerge from such a tiny gap, yet he slid out smoothly, like an octopus squeezing through a crevice.
“Don’t kill me! Please!”
He was a man of slight build. His face was that of an adult, but his stature was no larger than a young boy's.
“How on earth were you staying inside that cramped space?”
Geom Mu-geuk peered into the hole. His eyes, empowered by the New Eye Technique, scanned the dark interior of the stalagmite.
The man who had emerged stared at the three of them with eyes full of terror. Judging by the aura emanating from him, he was a martial artist, but not one with the skills or internal energy to boast about.
“Please spare me.”
Sensing the atmosphere and realizing he was outnumbered—and that he was no match for them—the man prostrated himself on the ground.
“I came in to find the treasure map, but I lost my way and wandered until I ended up here. I was too scared to leave, so I hid. I’m not a bad person!”
“You’re probably not a good person either,” Mu-geuk countered.
“No, no, that’s not it!”
Trembling all over, the man began to spill his life story without even being prompted.
He claimed his father, the head of a small martial family, had fallen into a gambling addiction late in life, ruining the household. Eventually, his younger sister was on the verge of being sold to a wealthy family. It was then that he heard rumors of a treasure map appearing at Mt. Tianzi, and he had climbed up here blindly.
“If I don't get that map, my sister will be sold. Please, just pretend you didn't see me and pass by!”
Tears began to drip from his eyes as if he couldn't bear the thought of his sister’s fate.
Geom Mu-geuk, who had been watching the man quietly, spoke coldly.
“How did you plan to get the map when you don't even have the martial skills for it? Were you hoping that if you hid here, everyone outside would kill each other, leaving the map lying on the ground for you? You shouldn't be badmouthing your father. You’re playing an absurd gamble yourself.”
At those words, the man hung his head, unable to offer a rebuttal.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you outside.”
Geom Mu-geuk turned to the two Demon Lords.
“I think we’ve seen enough of the cave. Shall we head out?”
Leave without getting the treasure map?
The Demon Lords knew Geom Mu-geuk well. Unless he hadn't come in the first place, he wasn't the type to give up so easily after entering to find a prize.
“Very well.”
The two Demon Lords exchanged glances. They thought they understood.
It’s him.
Geom Mu-geuk had undoubtedly discovered something they hadn't seen. He had said something good would happen, and it seemed he had found the one holding the treasure map.
— Why aren't we suppressing his internal energy and searching him right now? the Blood Heaven Blade Demon sent via sound transmission. He would have done exactly that.
On the other hand, the One Flower Sword Venerable wasn't worried at all.
— I’m sure the Young Cult Leader has a plan.
She looked around the area one last time before leaving, a lingering look in her eyes. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood beside her.
“What is it?”
“Will I ever have another chance to see a place like this? I want to burn it into my memory before we go.”
“We can just come back.”
“How?”
She meant they couldn't return even if they wanted to because they didn't know the way. She was right. Without Geom Mu-geuk, it wouldn't even be easy to find the exit of the Ten Thousand Holes Cave.
“The Central Plains is full of caves like this. Next time…”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon didn't finish his sentence, but the One Flower Sword Venerable knew what he was trying to say.
Geom Mu-geuk watched their backs and waited. He didn't bother to intervene. Just like when they sat side-by-side watching the morning star, what they needed now was time alone together.
Then, Geom Mu-geuk looked at the man. The terrified man quickly averted his gaze when his eyes met Mu-geuk’s.
“Are you… are you really letting me live?”
“You’ve used up a lifetime’s worth of gambling luck today,” Mu-geuk said. “Because you met me.”
The man felt relieved, but his expression remained a complex mix of emotions, likely due to his worry for his sister.
A moment later, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable walked back toward them.
“Alright, let’s get out of here.”
With that, they left the chamber of stalactites and stalagmites.
The atmosphere inside the cave had grown even more heated. As the body count rose, the madness of the survivors intensified. The sensation of killing someone and rifling through their belongings was more thrilling than any pleasure they had ever experienced. Perhaps the treasure map would turn up this time! This intense anticipation drove them into a frenzy of slaughter.
Chu Yeon of the Flying Dragon Guild was no different.
Swish! Splat!
Blood sprayed across her face as she slashed the throat of an opponent charging at her. She personally searched the fallen man’s body. But once again, there was no map.
Wiping the blood from her face with her sleeve, Chu Yeon scowled. Things weren't going as planned. The Ten Heroes of the Flying Dragon, who had numbered ten when they entered, were now down to six.
She should have given up and left, but she refused to quit. Just then, a group of people approached her. She started in surprise when she saw the man in the lead.
“You?”
The one leading the way was that porter. She had encountered them yet again.
Geom Mu-geuk greeted her cheerfully. “Meeting three times in a single day… we must be fated.”
Chu Yeon glared coldly at Geom Mu-geuk. Just seeing this man soured her mood. It annoyed her that a mere porter treated her with such ease. He acted as if he were the top disciple of those masters.
But if he were their disciple, he would have addressed them as 'Master.' Instead, he was calling the old man 'Elder.' He was undoubtedly a porter or a low-ranking martial artist. She couldn't even sense a trace of martial arts training from him.
If it weren't for those two…
He would be leaving his final words as he died by her hand: We shouldn't have met a third time. No, he would have been dead the previous time they met.
Her gaze shifted to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable. As before, they didn't spare her a single glance.
They’re completely ignoring me.
Chu Yeon’s gaze returned to the man accompanying them. “Who is that man?”
“Someone we met by chance and are traveling with,” Mu-geuk replied.
“And why are you taking him with you?”
“He says his younger sister is about to be sold. Whatever other circumstances there might be, shouldn't we save someone in such a desperate situation?”
Chu Yeon looked at the man suspiciously. “You believe that?”
“Are you suggesting this man has the treasure map? With that scrawny body of his?”
“Surely you haven't failed to search him yet?”
“I haven't.”
Chu Yeon was dumbfounded by his nonchalant answer. “Would you mind if we searched him instead?”
She wasn't asking the porter. She was seeking permission from the two masters behind him.
“To think you’d be so distrustful. Fine, go ahead.”
When Geom Mu-geuk gave his permission, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was inwardly startled. He had expected Mu-geuk to prevent anyone from touching the man, even if it meant using them as shields.
The treasure map is definitely on that guy, the Blade Demon thought. He figured he would finally have to untie the cloth wrapping the Heaven Extermination Great Blade here.
One of the warriors from the Ten Heroes of the Flying Dragon searched the man. He searched more thoroughly than anyone else, but the treasure map did not appear.
Chu Yeon had searched him just in case, but the ones truly surprised were the two Demon Lords.
— He doesn't have the map?
— Then why is the Young Cult Leader just leaving? Why is he taking that man?
— How could we possibly know what’s going on in that kid’s head?
Geom Mu-geuk smiled and bid them farewell. “Well then, let’s see if we’re all still alive when we meet a fourth time!”
In truth, Chu Yeon wanted to search the leather pouch Geom Mu-geuk was carrying. She desperately wanted to search the two masters as well. It felt too unsettling to just let them go, so she summoned her courage—a courage fueled by the blood of those she had killed today.
“That luggage of yours… can I see it?”
Geom Mu-geuk shook his head with a relaxed expression. “I’d like to show you if I could, but there are many things in here that you shouldn't see.”
His words only made her more curious. She truly wanted to order her men to seize that leather pouch.
Wait, could I be mistaken? What if those two weren't masters, and she had just hallucinated their strength?
It was then.
“Let’s go.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon started walking first. He strode toward Chu Yeon, who was blocking the path, and she instinctively stepped aside. To make her retreat without any aura or killing intent? Yes, it was no mistake.
Just then, a shout echoed from deep within the cave.
“It’s the treasure map!”
Chu Yeon and her subordinates immediately dashed toward the sound. From behind her, she heard the porter’s voice.
“Be careful, milady!”
Chu Yeon bit her lip. If we ever meet again, please let it be when those two masters aren't around! Just let me catch you alone once.
*
Geom Mu-geuk resumed walking, and the man and the two Demon Lords followed behind him. After they had walked for some time…
— Look over there.
At the One Flower Sword Venerable’s voice transmission, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon noticed a subtle mark carved into the wall.
— It’s a mark I secretly left on our way in.
She had left it to try and remember the path when they first entered. She had eventually given up because the path became too complex.
— The Young Cult Leader is heading back exactly the way we came in.
— That brat… he must have been here in a previous life.
The One Flower Sword Venerable smiled faintly at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s remark. How could they have known? That the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s joke was actually the literal truth.
And so, Geom Mu-geuk led them out of the cave. Fortunately, there was no one outside when they emerged.
Breathing in the fresh air, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon took a deep breath, looking as if he had finally returned to the world of the living.
“Did you come out because of me?” he asked. He was worried that Mu-geuk had given up on everything and left because he had been so uncomfortable inside. “I could have endured it. If you were really worried about me, you should have left me here and gone back in.”
“Where would I go, leaving you behind, Elder?”
“You seem to wander around just fine without me.”
Geom Mu-geuk laughed. “Still, it wasn't a total waste of time, was it?”
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the man. The man, seemingly afraid the three of them might change their minds, hurried to say his goodbyes.
“Thank you for saving me. I’ll be on my way now.”
Seeing his dejected appearance, one might think he would head right back into the cave after they parted.
“Wait a moment.”
Geom Mu-geuk approached him. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable took this as a natural course of action. Right, the Young Cult Leader wouldn't just let him go. He’ll surely make sure the sister isn't sold.
Indeed, Geom Mu-geuk reached into his robe as if to pull out some money.
“Do you know what this is?”
But it wasn't money that came out. What Geom Mu-geuk pulled out was a sheet of paper. A man’s face was drawn on the paper, with dense text written below it. It was information sent from Eun-wol.
“This is the wanted portrait and personal details of the person who snatched the treasure map and was chased into the Ten Thousand Holes Cave. What do you think? Our information network is top-notch, isn't it?”
As this unexpected situation unfolded, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable widened their eyes. Even they hadn't known Geom Mu-geuk had received that information. They had noticed him constantly receiving things from Tongcheon Pavilion and Eun-wol throughout their journey, though.
“The name of the man who snatched the map is Tae-su. He’s the son of the Great Thief Tae-gon, who is called the greatest thief of our time.”
Tae-gon was a name even the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable knew. He was that famous.
Geom Mu-geuk read the information written below the portrait to the man.
“Tae-su was trained by his father from a young age and inherited many techniques. He’s proficient in code-breaking and terrain analysis, and he’s an expert at dismantling mechanisms. His memory is so exceptional that he never forgets anything he’s seen once. And that’s not all. He’s mastered the Bone-Shrinking Art, allowing him to easily enter cramped spaces. Quite an impressive fellow, isn't he? And his face looks just like…”
Geom Mu-geuk held the wanted portrait up next to the man’s face.
Comparing the two faces, the two Demon Lords finally understood why Geom Mu-geuk had insisted on bringing only this man out. He had known from the very first moment he saw him.
“It’s you, isn't it?”