Chapter 736: You Must Also Know How to Steal a Person's Heart
Chapter 736: You Must Also Know How to Steal a Person's Heart
“It’s not me!”
The man jumped back, flatly denying the accusation. However, to any observer, the person in the drawing was his spitting image.
Geom Mu-geuk glanced at the sketch again.
“Do you know what I thought when I first saw you? I thought I should give the person who drew this a massive bonus and a long vacation.”
“No, you’ve got it all wrong!”
The man stomped his feet as if he were dying of a grave injustice. When his words failed to move them, he pounded his chest in frustration.
“It’s not me! Isn’t it natural for there to be look-alikes in this world? I have to go back and save my younger sister right now. Please, just let me go!”
Tears actually welled up in the man’s eyes. Looking at him now, one might truly believe it was all a tragic misunderstanding.
Seeing this, Geom Mu-geuk pointed to a specific line of text written below the drawing.
“Ah, look here. I missed a part when I was reading your profile earlier. It says you’re a gifted actor and highly skilled at deceiving others, doesn’t it?”
It was written exactly like that.
“Didn’t you see when you searched me? I don’t have the treasure map!”
“I know. You already burned it, and now it’s inside your head. It was in the information I showed you, wasn't it? That you have an excellent memory. You likely have an even greater talent for memorizing terrain.”
“No! Why are you doing this to me?!”
“Why? Because it’s you.”
Geom Mu-geuk grinned and poked the man’s side several times in quick succession.
Thud! Thud!
The next moment—
Pshhhhh.
The man’s body began to expand as if air were being pumped into it. His frame, which had been as small as a boy’s, grew into that of an average man.
Geom Mu-geuk had poked him with casual precision, but the result was no joke. The Bone-Shrinking Art had been forcibly dispelled, returning him to his original body.
“Good to see you, Tae-su.”
He was Tae-su, the son of the Great Blade Tae-gon. He was shocked that his opponent knew his identity, but he was even more stunned that his Bone-Shrinking Art had been broken with a single stroke.
The surprises didn't end there.
The old man and the woman accompanying this young man didn't seem particularly surprised when his true form was revealed.
“Give me some water.”
At the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s words, Geom Mu-geuk set down his leather pouch and pulled out a bamboo tube.
“You need to drink plenty of water for your skin to look better. Since your complexion has improved, you should start taking care of it.”
Swish.
At that exact moment, Tae-su threw himself forward. His martial arts skills were average, but he took pride in being faster than anyone when it came to lightness skills.
Having escaped the spot in an instant, he leaped again. He had already put more than twenty jang of distance between them. By the second leap, it would be fifty jang, and by the time he landed after the third, he would vanish from their sight entirely.
‘Who on earth are those people?’
To know his identity so accurately...
Just as he was landing from his third leap—
“Ugh!”
Tae-su let out a groan, his eyes widening in horror.
They were standing right in front of him.
Geom Mu-geuk was handing the bamboo tube to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon opened the cap and took a long drink.
‘How... how is this possible?’
For a moment, he wondered if he was dreaming. Or perhaps he was trapped in an illusion?
But now was not the time to ponder.
Flash!
He kicked off the ground and threw himself forward again, moving at the absolute limit of his speed.
When he landed, the three of them were in front of him again.
“Give me some water as well.”
This time, the One Flower Sword Venerable was holding out her hand.
Geom Mu-geuk pulled out another bamboo tube and gave it to her. The actions they had been performing before he ran away were continuing seamlessly.
Tae-su stood there, dazed. He felt as if they were still standing in front of the original cave and only the surrounding scenery was changing.
But that wasn't it. He had clearly used his lightness skill to flee, and this was a different location.
They hadn't chased him. They had arrived first and were simply continuing what they had been doing.
‘Just how fast are they?’
Moreover, wasn't Geom Mu-geuk carrying that massive leather pouch? That wasn't his only question.
‘How did they know I would flee in this direction?’
Geom Mu-geuk put the bamboo tube back into the pouch and slung it over his back.
“You people... what are you?”
Tae-su’s voice trembled involuntarily, as if he were looking at ghosts.
The youngest ghost smiled and walked toward him.
“People tend to get sensitive when they’re hungry, don’t they?”
Geom Mu-geuk lightly waved his hand, suppressing Tae-su’s internal energy.
“Stop running. Let’s eat first.”
*
A campfire crackled in a forest far from the Ten Thousand Holes Cave.
While Geom Mu-geuk prepared the food, Tae-su sat with his internal energy sealed and watched.
‘He’s preparing for torture.’
There was no way they would just sit and eat with him at such a critical moment.
They would probably mix truth serum into the food. Or perhaps lace it with poison to threaten him. They could force-feed him, but since he might attempt suicide or refuse to speak out of spite, they were likely trying to feed him naturally to lower his guard.
‘Who are these people?’
He had never heard of three such masters existing in the Murim. It was such a unique combination that it was impossible for rumors not to have spread.
Geom Mu-geuk began stir-frying vegetables and mushrooms, adding salt and a secret seasoning. Having finished the cooking skillfully and quickly, he divided the stir-fried mushrooms into four bowls.
He brought one to Tae-su.
“Here, eat.”
Geom Mu-geuk released the binding on one of his hands so he could move it.
“I’m not interested.”
“Don’t complain later that you’re hungry; just eat.”
He set the bowl down in front of him and walked over to the leather pouch.
Geom Mu-geuk took out something wrapped in paper. When he unfolded it, there was moss inside.
As the unique scent wafted over, Tae-su was startled.
‘This smell... could it be? Stalactite Immortal Moss?’
Geom Mu-geuk distributed the Stalactite Immortal Moss only onto his own bowl and those of the two Demon Lords.
“It tastes too bland to eat on its own. But it should be fine if you eat it like this.”
Tae-su’s eyes widened further. Those words were correct. Stalactite Immortal Moss was known to be quite tasteless when eaten alone. Could it be? Was it real?
‘No way. No matter how crazy they are, they wouldn't put Stalactite Immortal Moss in a mushroom dish, would they?’
But the appearance and smell were exactly like Stalactite Immortal Moss. As a thief, he had studied spirit medicines extensively.
‘No, that’s impossible.’
Stalactite Immortal Moss was a legendary spirit medicine. It made no sense for the three of them to share such a precious thing so casually.
‘Ah! They’re trying to bait me.’
He realized it was a lure. If the three of them ate it while pretending it was Stalactite Immortal Moss, wouldn't he want to eat it too?
‘It’s probably fake moss laced with poison or truth serum.’
They must have already taken the antidote.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at him, holding up the Stalactite Immortal Moss on his bowl, and asked, “Want some of this too?”
Tae-su sneered inwardly.
‘As expected! It doesn't deviate an inch from my prediction.’
Tae-su shook his head. “I’m fine.”
Geom Mu-geuk looked surprised. “You’re turning this down? Impressive. You’re going to regret this later.”
Tae-su snorted. It couldn't be real. If it were real, there was no way he would offer to share it.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon compared the moss in his bowl with the others and said, “Mine looks like the most.”
The largest portion of Stalactite Immortal Moss was indeed piled on his bowl.
“It’s just your imagination.”
Of course, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon knew. He knew Geom Mu-geuk had given him the most. The One Flower Sword Venerable, sitting opposite him, signaled the Blood Heaven Blade Demon to just eat and stay quiet.
“Now, please eat.”
“I never imagined I’d be eating something this precious with mushrooms.”
“Isn't it better for the body to enjoy what you eat?”
The three of them began to eat.
“It’s tastier than I thought.”
The One Flower Sword Venerable was satisfied with the taste, and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded in agreement.
Just like that, the three of them finished all the Stalactite Immortal Moss. After consuming it, they all sat down and began to circulate their qi without a word.
Once they finished their meditation, the light in their eyes grew deeper. The effects of the Stalactite Immortal Moss were known to restore life energy and grant a long, healthy life.
“You look even younger than before we ate.”
“Really?”
Geom Mu-geuk drew his sword and held it up so the man could see his reflection. “I can’t really tell.”
But there was a definite difference.
The two spirit medicines consumed today were a great help to Geom Mu-geuk, but they were an even greater boon to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable.
Staring at his reflection in the blade, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon suddenly spoke. When was the last time he had said these words? Had he ever said them?
“This is fun.”
The One Flower Sword Venerable looked at him with a surprised expression. Knowing he was not the type of person to say such things, she understood the weight behind those words.
She wondered how Geom Mu-geuk would respond.
Geom Mu-geuk’s answer was simple. “I’m having fun too.”
Though she didn't say it, the One Flower Sword Venerable was also enjoying the situation. It was a pleasure she hadn't felt in a very long time.
Watching the three of them, Tae-su felt a strange emotion.
‘What is with these people?!’
They were acting as if they had truly eaten Stalactite Immortal Moss, all while paying him no mind at all.
Tae-su cautiously asked Geom Mu-geuk, “What are you going to do with me now?”
An unhesitating answer flowed from Geom Mu-geuk’s mouth.
“We’re going to find the Sword Tomb together.”
Who says! Tae-su was inwardly appalled, but he continued his act.
“It’s really a misunderstanding. I was just there by chance. I was training. Training my wayfinding in that complex cave and practicing my Bone-Shrinking Art.”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled and pulled out the wanted poster he had shown earlier.
“You probably have no idea how much effort went into getting this single piece of paper into my hands, do you? This information contains the hard work of dozens of people who have done nothing but this one job their entire lives. People who are several times smarter than you or me.”
The two Demon Lords listening thought to themselves: Everything he said is true, but... they aren't smarter than you.
Because of that, the two Demon Lords were inwardly curious about how Geom Mu-geuk would extract the location of the treasure map.
“In this situation, flatly denying it is the lowest of tactics. It just makes me think, ‘Ah, this guy only uses pathetic methods.’ It only makes you look ridiculous to your opponent. You’re not that kind of guy, are you? It says right here that you aren't.”
Tae-su stared at Geom Mu-geuk for a moment before finally changing his strategy. Looking at his opponent, he realized that stubborn insistence wouldn't work.
“You’re right. I have the location memorized. Not just the location, but how to enter through the real entrance instead of the fake one, and how to avoid the mechanisms inside. I am the only one in this world who knows.”
That was only half true.
In his life before the regression, Geom Mu-geuk had been inside the Sword Tomb. However, since he hadn't gone there for the treasure hunt back then, he didn't know much about the interior. He had gone there to meet a certain person.
Geom Mu-geuk stared at Tae-su in silence. Tae-su braced himself and didn't look away. He felt a strange emotion from the clear gaze watching him.
‘Why is he looking at me with those eyes?’
Watching the two of them, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon sent a voice transmission to the One Flower Sword Venerable.
— If he just beat the hell out of him, he’d spill everything.
The One Flower Sword Venerable went a step further.
— Or cut off his fingers one by one.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon said with a faint smile.
— The Young Cult Leader doesn't know you’re the type of person to say things like that, does he?
— I only say things like this when it’s just the two of us.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon smiled slightly at her words.
Geom Mu-geuk didn't beat him, nor did he cut off his fingers.
Schwing.
Geom Mu-geuk drew the Black Demonic Sword and said, “Right. A place like the Sword Tomb might be better off remaining a secret of the Murim forever.”
Geom Mu-geuk raised his sword high.
Whoosh!
Without hesitation, Geom Mu-geuk swung the sword down toward Tae-su’s neck.
“Wait!”
At Tae-su’s cry, the sword stopped just a hair’s breadth from cutting his throat.
Drip.
Blood trickled from a slight nick.
‘This madman was really going to kill me.’
Tae-su spoke to Geom Mu-geuk with eyes full of fear and shock. “If you kill me, you’ll die too.”
“Why would I?”
“You know who my father is, don’t you?”
Tae-gon, the greatest thief of the current era.
“If I die, my father will surely take revenge. My father has never failed to find someone or break into a place in his entire life. He will enter your quarters silently while you sleep. No matter how deep you hide, it won't matter.”
The corners of the Demon Lords' mouths curled up. They wondered how his expression would change if he knew where that "deep place" was.
Geom Mu-geuk met the threat with one of his own.
“Then I’ll have to take care of your father first.”
Tae-su flinched for a moment, but soon regained his composure. “You’ll never find my father’s whereabouts.”
“Right, it won't be easy. But it’s not impossible either. First, I’ll spread a rumor—that the person who has the treasure map to the Sword Tomb is Tae-gon. Then countless people will swarm to find your father.”
Geom Mu-geuk held up the wanted poster.
“I’ll use my information network to find out everything about your father. I’ll even find out what his face looks like and distribute it throughout the Central Plains.”
“!”
“When your father, enraged by this, comes to find you, I can deal with him then.”
Geom Mu-geuk’s threat was specific and detailed, and it worked. When Tae-su couldn't offer a rebuttal, Geom Mu-geuk withdrew the sword.
“Didn't I tell you to eat? Because you’re hungry, your brain isn't working, and you’re making such clumsy threats. In a situation like this, you shouldn't be threatening; you should be making a deal. Asking what I’ll give you if you tell me the location.”
After a moment of thought, Tae-su asked, “What will you give me?”
“That depends on what’s in there.”
“How can I trust that you’ll let me live once we arrive?”
Then, words Tae-su hadn't expected flowed from Geom Mu-geuk.
“I believe that someone who dreams of being the greatest thief of the age shouldn't only know how to steal objects.”
Tae-su flinched inwardly. Those were the words his father often said to him. The words came out exactly, not a single syllable different.
“To become the greatest thief, you must also know how to steal a person’s heart.”
“!”
Surprise flashed across Tae-su’s face. ‘Is it just a coincidence?’
But Geom Mu-geuk hadn't said those words by chance. They were words Geom Mu-geuk had heard directly from Tae-su’s father, Tae-gon, in his life before the regression. The person he had met at the Sword Tomb back then was none other than Tae-gon.
“So, while we’re on our way there, try to steal my heart.”