Chapter 740: Those Three Syllables of His Name Are His Everything
Chapter 740: Those Three Syllables of His Name Are His Everything
“I don’t know.”
At Tae-su’s answer, Geom Mu-geuk asked again.
“You stole something from someone without even knowing who they were? I thought you only stole from villains.”
Tae-su hung his head low.
“I broke my own rule this time.”
When rumors first spread that a Treasure Map had appeared in the Murim, his father had warned him never to get involved. But in the end, Tae-su had spat hurtful words at his father and jumped into the struggle for the map anyway.
“By the time I went after it, the Treasure Map had already changed hands several times. It was a bloodbath—people were killing each other left and right. I practically just picked it up in the middle of the chaos, so I have no idea who it originally belonged to.”
Geom Mu-geuk nodded.
“We’ll find out who they are soon enough. They’ll be chasing you to the ends of the earth.”
For some reason, those words sent a chill down Tae-su’s spine.
“I suppose you could avoid their pursuit if you just tortured the exact location of the Sword Tomb out of me and then killed me,” Tae-su remarked, testing the waters.
Geom Mu-geuk chuckled at the boy’s probing comment.
“Now, that’s a good idea.”
Right, this is better than him promising not to kill me and then stabbing me in the back later, Tae-su thought.
“That’s why I’ll never tell you the detailed location of the Sword Tomb. You’ll have to keep me alive until we get there.”
Geom Mu-geuk turned to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“Looks like we’ll have to escort a young master along the way.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon replied as if he couldn’t care less.
“What’s the difference between one young master or two?”
He was actually referring to Geom Mu-geuk, but Tae-su misunderstood, thinking the old man was talking about the One Flower Sword Venerable.
“I’m just looking forward to the Five-Spice Pork at that place you’re taking us,” the One Flower Sword Venerable added.
Hearing her words, Tae-su mentally established a nonsensical hierarchy for the group.
The woman is at the top, then the old man, and this guy is at the bottom.
*
Even as they traveled in the carriage, Tae-su’s misunderstanding continued to grow.
“I think I finally know what kind of family you’re from.”
“Oh? Where from?”
“You’re from an escort agency, aren’t you?”
When Geom Mu-geuk let out a startled gasp, Tae-su became convinced his guess was correct.
“The way you drive this carriage, the way you make it leap over obstacles... and the way you know these roads so well.”
If they were masters from an ordinary sect, Tae-su surely would have heard rumors about them. But what if they were masters from an escort agency? Generally, masters from the escort or merchant world were less famous than those from the prominent Murim sects.
“What’s the name of your agency?”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled and looked at him.
“Have you ever heard of the Heavenly Demon Escort Agency?”
“It’s my first time hearing of it.”
“It’s a hidden agency. It’ll become the greatest in the world soon enough.”
“Why is it called the Heavenly Demon Escort Agency?”
Mu-geuk had come up with the name specifically for this answer.
“Because we have a thousand horses.”
“A thousand?!”
Tae-su’s eyes widened in shock. There’s no way they have a thousand horses! He figured it was a bluff, but he couldn’t help his surprised reaction.
“If the opportunity arises later, I’ll introduce you to our Agency Leader.”
“The Heavenly Demon Agency Leader, then.”
“Exactly.”
Inside the carriage, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable laughed simultaneously.
— Suddenly, we’ve become escort warriors.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon replied to the One Flower Sword Venerable’s Voice Transmission.
— I don’t know why he enjoys playing around like that.
— It’s because he’s young.
— Young? He’s an old soul in a young body.
The One Flower Sword Venerable chuckled, acknowledging the truth in that. She thought back to the past.
— Think back to when we were young. Remember how much we wanted to just play around when we gathered together?
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded. Back then, the atmosphere had been completely different. The former Cult Leader and the Demon Lords were incomparably more terrifying than anyone today.
And yet, those were happy times. It was a period when they acted without a single thought for the consequences. Meeting people had been interesting and fun back then. But at some point, meeting anyone had become nothing but an exhausting chore.
— Compared to our time, the kids these days have it easy.
— Don’t you dare say that to your disciples. They’ll call you an old fossil.
— Let them.
Normally, she would have just laughed it off, but the One Flower Sword Venerable added one more thing.
— Don’t be like that anymore. The Young Cult Leader has given us a chance.
She meant that Geom Mu-geuk had given them a chance to live more vibrantly.
— Live young. Even younger than the actual youngsters.
The gaze of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon deepened as he stared out the carriage window.
Rumble, rumble.
After traveling for some time, Tae-su, sitting on the driver’s seat, cautiously asked Geom Mu-geuk a question.
“Since they’ve seen your skills, they’ll probably bring even stronger masters next time, right?”
“Probably.”
“Aren’t you afraid of who they might call in?”
Geom Mu-geuk replied with a smile.
“We found you in that complicated Ten Thousand Holes Cave, and we drove off the ones who attacked the carriage. You, who burned the Treasure Map, promised to show us the location. But in all of that, there’s one thing you’re forgetting.”
“What’s that?”
“During this entire process...”
This was the one thing Tae-su hadn’t realized.
“We haven’t even drawn our swords yet.”
*
At the restaurant the party had recently left, an old man was eating beef noodle soup. Sitting across from him was the leader of the masked men who had been tracking Geom Mu-geuk.
His name was Ji Han.
Ji Han waited until the old man finished his meal. Though he was in a hurry, the old man was someone worth waiting for.
“You should eat too.”
“I’m fine.”
“If it’s because of the mask, you can take it off for a moment. It’s not like we’re strangers.”
Ji Han always wore a mask when on a mission. For some reason, he felt more at ease with it on. The mask made him feel like he had become someone else.
When the old man finally finished his meal, Ji Han pulled an envelope filled with bank notes from his robe and pushed it forward.
“I need information on him.”
The old man didn’t even check the amount.
“I don’t know.”
Ji Han’s eyes sharpened instantly.
“I never thought I’d hear the words ‘I don’t know’ come out of your mouth.”
The old man was known as Elder Song. He was the most famous information broker in the region. Coming from a family of brokers that spanned generations, there was nothing he didn’t know. Especially since this struggle for the Treasure Map was taking place in his territory, he should have known every detail. He was likely making a fortune off that information right now.
Ji Han had traded with Elder Song for a long time. Elder Song always provided the desired answer. There was only one case where he wouldn’t: when there wasn’t enough money to buy the information.
Ji Han pulled out another envelope. Two envelopes now sat on the table.
Elder Song shook his head.
“I don’t know.”
A third envelope appeared. As an information broker, Elder Song knew exactly what this envelope represented.
“I know how your system works. Two envelopes are the organization’s money, but the third is your own personal funds, isn’t it?”
Ji Han didn’t deny it.
“Why are you trying so hard to buy information on them?”
Ji Han recalled a single image: the sight of the young man standing atop the carriage, looking down at him.
“Because I have a bad feeling.”
Elder Song stared at Ji Han in silence for a moment. They had always met for business and parted for business, but today, the look in Elder Song’s eyes held a hint of personal emotion.
“How many years has it been since we met?”
“About nine years.”
“Has it been that long already?”
Then, he shared a thought he had never voiced before.
“To be honest, I liked you. You were more polite and composed than the many predecessors who held your position.” Elder Song’s gaze deepened. “Wash your hands of this matter.”
“...!”
Ji Han could tell. Elder Song knew exactly who the opponent was.
“Please, just tell me his name.”
Elder Song shook his head.
“I cannot. Those three syllables of his name are his everything.”
This was a first—a case where he knew the information but refused to sell it. Just who was that man?
“You know I can’t just walk away from this.”
“What is there that you can’t do when your life is on the line? Leave your organization just like this. Go into hiding for about ten years, then come out and live a new life. A man like you could hide better than anyone, couldn’t he?”
Yes, he could hide so well that no one would ever find him. Ji Han’s role in the organization was specifically to track people. Using Soul Tracking Incense and hunting down targets was the job of the unit he led.
Chasing Soul Squad Leader Ji Han. That was his rank within the organization.
Ji Han never expected Elder Song to say such things to him. It clearly meant the opponent was someone he couldn't handle. Elder Song was trying to save his life.
When Ji Han didn't respond, Elder Song stood up first.
“I suppose this will be our last meeting. I’ll pay for the meal. Thank you for everything.”
As Elder Song turned to leave, Ji Han’s trembling voice reached him.
“Is there any choice I can make other than leaving?”
“If you cannot leave...” Elder Song left him with a cryptic remark. “Then charge toward your death.”
*
A man stood on a cliff. Possessing a massive frame, he was a figure who exuded an aura as fierce as a roaring fire.
Fire Dragon Unit Leader Cheon Dae-ung.
Famous for his volatile temper, he was the overall commander in charge of recovering the Treasure Map. Ji Han arrived behind him.
“I have failed to recover the Treasure Map.”
Cheon Dae-ung asked without turning around.
“I heard you gave up the pursuit? Even though there were only three casualties.”
“That is correct.”
“And the reason you ran away like a coward?”
Ji Han knew he shouldn't answer like this, but he had no choice. There was no more accurate answer.
“I had a bad feeling.”
“A bad feeling?” As he repeated the words, Cheon Dae-ung’s expression hardened even further. “Since when did my orders become secondary to your feelings?”
Ji Han could offer no excuse. Cheon Dae-ung turned his head, radiating a crushing aura.
“Answer me!”
His aura swirled like a violent gale, sounding like the roar of a tiger.
“I am sorry.” Ji Han bowed his head.
Cheon Dae-ung looked as if he might crush Ji Han’s skull at any moment, but fortunately, he didn't strike.
“The Soul Tracking Incense saved your life.”
Only the Chasing Soul Squad could track the scent of that incense. Cheon Dae-ung shouted loudly.
“Blood Wind Four Swords!”
Four warriors instantly appeared at the scene. Cheon Dae-ung gave Ji Han an order.
“Guide the Blood Wind Four Swords to them!”
Turning back toward the cliff, Cheon Dae-ung added, “We’ll discuss that unpleasant feeling of yours again after we find the Treasure Map.”
*
Tae-su tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Ever since he heard that Soul Tracking Incense had been planted on him, he couldn't stop worrying. Even when he closed his eyes, sleep wouldn't come.
On the other hand, his three carefree companions were all sleeping soundly. What if someone attacked them like this? Fine, he would have to be the one to stay on guard.
But what was the point of staying awake? He didn't even notice someone approaching until they were right there.
Shhh.
Before he knew it, a cold blade was pressed against his throat. Tae-su’s heart nearly stopped.
When did they...?!
Tae-su shifted his eyes slightly to look at the other three. Warriors stood over them as well, swords pointed at the sleeping figures. They were the Blood Wind Four Swords.
Despite the swords pointed at them, the three remained fast asleep.
These guys are even greater masters than the last ones!
Hadn't he worried about this? They were so full of themselves, acting all nonchalant! Even if it meant his death, he had to scream. If even one of the three could dodge the blade and counterattack... at least they wouldn't all die like dogs.
But with a sword at his throat, the scream wouldn't come out.
Please! Please wake up!
The member of the Blood Wind Four Swords pointing a sword at Geom Mu-geuk’s throat spoke softly.
“To think they ran away because they couldn't kill these pathetic fools.”
They were warriors who never let their guard down when facing an enemy. But if the targets didn't wake even when a blade touched their skin, they were opponents one could afford to be careless with. Even now, a simple thrust of his hand would end this man’s life.
Then, another member of the Blood Wind Four Swords standing next to the One Flower Sword Venerable spoke up.
“Aren't those trackers just dogs who follow scents anyway?”
“Were they drugged? They’re still not waking up.”
They conversed back and forth, but all three targets remained in a deep sleep.
“What kind of weapon is this that they wrap it up so tightly?”
Just as one of them reached out to unwrap the bindings of the Heaven Extermination Great Blade—
“If you unwrap that, you die.”
The man’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest. He hadn't realized someone had approached until they spoke right into his ear.
The next person to be shocked was the one pointing a sword at Geom Mu-geuk’s throat. The Geom Mu-geuk who had been lying down was gone, and he was now standing next to the comrade who had tried to unwrap the blade.
“Kill them all!” The swordsman holding Tae-su gave the command.
Flash!
Tae-su saw twins again. No, this time it was quadruplets.
Simultaneously, the necks of three of the Blood Wind Four Swords snapped.
Crack.
Because they were snapped at the exact same moment, it sounded like a single noise. In Tae-su’s eyes, three Geom Mu-geuks had appeared at once and struck at once. It was the power of the Wind God Four Steps, which had reached an extreme realm as Geom Mu-geuk’s martial cultivation continued to ascend.
Why quadruplets? Because another Geom Mu-geuk had appeared beside the swordsman pointing a blade at Tae-su’s throat. As if he were the one carrying out the order to "kill them all," Geom Mu-geuk spoke to him.
“Yes, I’ve killed them as ordered.”
The swordsman’s trembling eyes turned toward the Geom Mu-geuk standing beside him. He truly could not have imagined it—that there existed a master who could kill three of them in an instant. And that number had grown from three to four.
“Oh, and you said to kill them all, right?”
Whoosh.
Crack.
Even though it happened right in front of him, Tae-su’s eyes couldn't track how Geom Mu-geuk snapped the man’s neck. The last remaining member of the Blood Wind Four Swords collapsed as a corpse.
“Aaaaah!”
Tae-su let out a belated scream before quickly covering his mouth. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon sat up groggily, looking annoyed.
“How long are you going to keep making noise? Let’s sleep!”
Geom Mu-geuk replied with a smile.
“Go back to sleep. We’ll sleep too after I clear away the bodies.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon lay back down. Tae-su crept up to Geom Mu-geuk’s side and whispered.
“Sometimes there are treasures like that. Things so precious they actually look ordinary.”
Tae-su’s gaze was fixed on Geom Mu-geuk. Because he had finished them off so instantly, killing those enemies looked like it was nothing. He would only realize how formidable those enemies were once the sun rose.
Just then, Geom Mu-geuk looked into the distant darkness and waved his hand.
“That masked man who was following us watched from afar and then left.”
Tae-su looked in that direction, but all he could see was darkness.
“If he was watching, shouldn't you have hidden your skills? Now that he’s seen this, won't someone truly terrifying come next time?”
At Tae-su’s worry, Geom Mu-geuk wore an expression that said, What can you do?
“Ah... but this was me hiding my skills as much as possible.”