Chapter 742: What Kind of Life Have You Lived?
Chapter 742: What Kind of Life Have You Lived?
“Can you really crack jokes in a situation like this?”
Tae-su thought it was Geom Mu-geuk’s final shred of pride—a way to use humor to mask the guilt of turning himself over.
And yet, he couldn't bring himself to hate the man. Not even when he was bluffing about owning a thousand horses.
“Is a heart really something that can be stolen with a single sentence?”
At Tae-su’s question, Geom Mu-geuk replied with a smile.
“It was a sentence promising to save your life, wasn't it?”
Tae-su knew that if he were dragged away now, he would eventually die. Because of that, he spoke his honest feelings.
“I don’t know why I want to save you either. I don’t know the reason, but I suppose I’ve taken a liking to you. And... I have one favor. If you ever happen to meet my father later, please tell him I’m sorry.”
His greatest regret was dying without seeing his father again. He didn't want the last words he left behind to be ones that caused pain.
It was then.
“Cut the crap.”
The one who spoke was Manak Sanin. Cold killing intent flowed from his eyes.
“Do you think I’ll let him live just because you tell me to?”
“If you kill them, I will never tell you the location of the Sword Tomb.”
A sneer formed on Manak Sanin’s lips.
“Do you think torturing people isn't among the many things I've done? Everyone talks big like you at first. But not a single person has failed to open their mouth in the end. You seem quite confident that you’ll be different.”
Manak Sanin proceeded to prove why he was called the 'Man of Ten Thousand Evils.'
“Before that, I’ll kill every last one of them, one by one, right before your eyes.”
Tae-su panicked. This wasn't the situation he had hoped for.
“Everyone in the carriage, crawl out! Before I blow the whole thing to pieces!”
Manak Sanin acted with utter arrogance. He was that confident in his own strength. He was certain he could kill whoever emerged from that carriage.
Clack.
The carriage door opened, and One Flower Sword Venerable stepped out.
She wore no elaborate makeup or beautiful clothes, but the moment Manak Sanin saw her, a flash of lust crossed his eyes. Among the various atrocities he had committed, how could lewdness not be one of them?
“It’s been a long time since my desires have been stirred like this. I’ll save you for last.”
Shring.
The White Flower Sword began to slide from its sheath.
However, she barely managed to stop herself. Right, I can't lose the bet because of a piece of trash like this.
Click.
After sliding the sword back in, One Flower Sword Venerable smiled and spoke to Geom Mu-geuk.
“It seems those two medicines you gave me were effective. To think they’d even stir the lust of a hideous old man like that.”
Geom Mu-geuk gave a bright smile.
“Would the result have been any different even if you hadn't taken them?”
One Flower Sword Venerable laughed pleasantly at his words.
Thud.
The carriage door on the other side swung open irritably.
The annoyed voice of Blood Heaven Blade Demon drifted from within.
“I don't even want to lay a finger on you.”
Geom Mu-geuk and One Flower Sword Venerable could tell that Blood Heaven Blade Demon was very angry. Naturally, they knew the reason why.
Finally, Blood Heaven Blade Demon stepped out of the carriage.
“Just kill yourself.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s cold gaze shot toward Manak Sanin.
Whether it was a burst of profanity or an outpouring of killing intent, there should have been some kind of reaction.
But as Manak Sanin stared at Blood Heaven Blade Demon, his eyes grew wider and wider.
“You... You are...!”
Manak Sanin recognized Blood Heaven Blade Demon. They had met once in the past.
“Why are you here?!”
His voice trembled violently.
Instead of answering, Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked coldly, “You don't want to? Then I’ll kill you myself.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon began to stride toward him. In that moment, as a terrifying demonic energy swirled toward Manak Sanin—
Manak Sanin slammed his own palm down onto the crown of his head.
Crack!
His skull shattered, and he collapsed on the spot. He had truly committed suicide.
“Aaaah!”
The one who screamed was Tae-su. It was a cry that escaped him unconsciously.
What the hell did I just see?
Manak Sanin—that wicked man—committed suicide? But why?
From what he had heard, Manak Sanin was the type of man who would use every despicable method possible if a fight went south, and if that failed, he would even use a Self-Destruction Art.
Yet, who on earth was this old man that Manak Sanin would kill himself without even attempting to fight?
“Whoa, stay over there, please.”
Geom Mu-geuk backed away from Blood Heaven Blade Demon, keeping his distance.
“Just what kind of life have you lived?”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon smacked his lips, and One Flower Sword Venerable said with a smile, “His bloodthirst was quite something back in the day.”
He was a man so terrifying that even Manak Sanin trembled in fear.
“That temper is long dead,” Blood Heaven Blade Demon grumbled.
Geom Mu-geuk laughed as he followed up.
“I like you a hundred times better now. So, don't bring it back to life.”
Meanwhile, Tae-su cautiously approached Manak Sanin’s corpse. He wanted to confirm the death, but he was too terrified to even shake the body. He felt as if the man might spring back up at any moment.
“Why did he kill himself?”
At the dazed, hollow question, Geom Mu-geuk replied, “Because he was scared?”
Tae-su eventually spiraled back into conspiracy theories.
“You’re all in on this, aren't you? You’re acting to get your hands on my treasure map!”
He imagined the moment they entered the Sword Tomb, everyone who had 'died' so far would appear, standing in a line to mock him.
“Oh, look, there’s one more actor.”
Geom Mu-geuk looked toward one side and waved his hand.
Then, the masked man who had been hiding in the distance revealed himself. The man who appeared with a look of shock equal to Tae-su’s was Ji Han. One would have expected him to use his lightness skill to flee immediately.
Instead, Ji Han flew toward them.
He landed in front of Geom Mu-geuk. Just like that other day, Geom Mu-geuk was looking at him with a smile.
To his left stood Blood Heaven Blade Demon with his arms crossed, and to his right stood One Flower Sword Venerable with a calm gaze.
These were people who could make Manak Sanin commit suicide without even drawing a sword.
Ji Han bowed deeply and revealed his identity.
“I am Ji Han, the Squad Leader of the Evil King Sect’s Soul Chasing Squad.”
As he spoke, he removed his mask. His appearance matched his calm eyes.
Geom Mu-geuk asked him, “The Soul Chasing Squad Leader? Are you the one who applied the Soul Tracking Incense?”
“Yes, that is my job.”
“Why did you come to me instead of running away?”
Ji Han let out a sigh as he looked at Manak Sanin’s corpse.
“The man in charge of obtaining the treasure map, Fire Dragon Unit Leader Cheon Dae-ung, will never believe that Manak Sanin committed suicide without a fight. He has always disliked me, so he would frame me, claiming I conspired with the enemy to kill him.”
He would be made the scapegoat one way or another. Someone had to take responsibility for the deaths of the Blood Wind Four Swords and Manak Sanin.
He then revealed another reason.
“Because I showed courtesy to someone for over ten years, I was able to obtain a piece of information.”
He was referring to the information broker, Elder Song.
“He never sold information about you. And he advised me to leave. He said if I couldn't leave, I should run toward death.”
Ji Han stared intently at Geom Mu-geuk.
“I intend to bet my life and my future on his advice.”
Ji Han prayed fervently. He hoped that the 'death' standing before him was a generous one. A death that possessed the power of embrace.
Throughout his speech, he felt like he was being insane. He was trying to entrust himself to someone whose identity he didn't even know.
Geom Mu-geuk quietly observed Ji Han. His calm eyes didn't seem to belong in the Evil King Sect.
“Why did you join the Evil King Sect?”
“I was born with a sensitive sense of smell. Even if a thousand scents are mixed together, I can distinguish each one, and I can track any scent no matter how far it drifts. I liked the various smells of the world. Then I met my master, and I learned the Scent Tracking Art to study and track fragrances. My master belonged to the Evil King Sect. I was young, so I didn't know what kind of place it was, and back then, it wasn't as infamous as it is now.”
Geom Mu-geuk sensed that he wasn't lying.
“Have you ever killed an innocent person?”
“Most of my missions involved tracking and capturing those who fled the sect. In that process, I have had to kill those who fought back with no regard for their own lives.”
“Other than that?”
“None.”
A talent who could handle Soul Tracking Incense was certainly someone the Ghost Shadow Squad needed.
“What is it you want?”
“Please take me in as your subordinate.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon and One Flower Sword Venerable looked at each other. First Tae-su, and now this man named Ji Han.
— Why does everyone like the Young Cult Leader so much?
At Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s voice transmission, One Flower Sword Venerable replied.
— Ask yourself that.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon turned his head away with a huff.
Geom Mu-geuk didn't accept the request immediately.
“Do you even know who I am?”
“You are the person someone who has looked kindly upon me for ten years told me to throw myself at. I trust his judgment. And... I have nowhere else to go.”
In truth, there was one more reason.
Having studied and tracked scents for so long, he occasionally 'smelled' something from people. Not a literal scent, but a metaphorical one.
While Cheon Dae-ung reeked of filth, this man gave off a pleasant scent.
Finally, Geom Mu-geuk made his decision.
“Fine. I accept.”
Ji Han was actually startled by the ready acceptance. He hadn't expected to be taken in so easily. He thought there would be all sorts of conditions—do this, or prove your loyalty.
“From now on, you are one of my people.”
“...!”
He used the expression 'one of my people' rather than 'subordinate.'
“Do you... trust me?”
Geom Mu-geuk shook his head.
“I don't know who you are yet, so I can't trust you.”
“Then why...?”
“When you first pursued me, why did you stop the chase?”
He had given up the pursuit when three of his men died.
“I judged that if we went any further, all my subordinates would die.”
“It’s because I trust that wise judgment. Because I trust your heart that cherishes your subordinates.”
Cheon Dae-ung had mocked him and despised him as a coward for returning after only three deaths.
Geom Mu-geuk, looking at the same fact, called that judgment excellent.
Ji Han hesitated no longer. He bowed respectfully with a fist salute.
“Ji Han greets his new Lord. I will serve you with loyalty.”
“Your ability is more important than any other. I look forward to working with you.”
As the sorrow of being treated like a hunting dog within his former organization washed over him, Ji Han’s eyes grew red. These were the words he had wanted to hear for so long.
Watching this, Tae-su suddenly felt envious of Ji Han. In that moment, Tae-su realized that he, too, wanted to do work that was recognized by someone.
He realized that perhaps his constant anger and dissatisfaction weren't because of his father’s rule to only steal from the wicked, but because his work was something that could never be proudly acknowledged.
And yet, right before his eyes, someone was changing their destiny. He was being shown that destiny is something that can be changed if one tries.
Ji Han looked at Tae-su and spoke.
“I cannot completely remove the Soul Tracking Incense on his hands, but I can weaken it. That should buy us time to lose any pursuers.”
Even without him, the subordinates of the Soul Chasing Squad would come looking.
“Do so.”
Ji Han took several vials from his robe and poured them over Tae-su’s hands in a specific order.
“Now you don't have to cut your hands off.”
At Geom Mu-geuk’s joke, Tae-su beamed with joy. He had felt burdened, thinking his hands had become shackles for everyone.
Geom Mu-geuk said to Ji Han, “Lead the way.”
“To where, my Lord?”
The place Geom Mu-geuk wanted to go was entirely unexpected.
“To where the Fire Dragon Unit Leader is.”
“...!”
The reason was even more shocking.
“He is the one who tormented and tried to kill one of my people, so I shall kill him.”
Ji Han could tell. Geom Mu-geuk meant every word. He was also capable of actually killing Cheon Dae-ung.
On the other hand, Tae-su, who was listening, jumped in surprise.
“We’re going to strike a martial artist of the Evil King Sect first? You can't!”
“Didn't you hear what the information broker said? If you want to live, throw yourself at death!”
Tae-su tried to stop him out of fear, while Ji Han tried to stop him for a different reason.
“You must not kill him.”
“The reason?”
“If he fails to recover this treasure map, he will fall into great trouble anyway. However, if you kill him now, the Evil King Sect will officially intervene in this matter. I believe it is the right choice to leave a fool in the enemy camp alive.”
Geom Mu-geuk looked pleased by Ji Han’s sound judgment.
“I shall follow your lead. Instead... you must die.”
“...!”
Not only Ji Han, but Tae-su was also startled.
Of course, he didn't mean to literally kill him.
“The Soul Tracking Incense you put on the treasure map—is there any left?”
“Yes, there is.”
Geom Mu-geuk looked at Manak Sanin’s corpse and said, “Apply it to that man’s hands.”
Ji Han did as he was told, applying the incense to the corpse's hands.
“This man killed everyone here and seized the treasure map.”
Only then did they understand Geom Mu-geuk’s plan. He was going to frame Manak Sanin for stealing the map. Since he was a man who had committed all sorts of evils, no one would doubt it.
Geom Mu-geuk let out a long whistle.
Then, a martial artist appeared. He was the one who had been relaying information between Geom Mu-geuk and Tongcheon Pavilion. He was an expert whose lightness and stealth skills were masterful.
“Take this corpse and head toward Shaanxi.”
Shaanxi was in the opposite direction of Zhejiang, where they were currently heading.
“There will be people pursuing you. Go as far as possible, dump the body, and get out. There is Soul Tracking Incense on the corpse's hands, so you must not touch them.”
“Yes, I understand.”
The man tied the corpse's hands behind its back to secure them, then hoisted the body onto his back and departed. Since a master of lightness was leaving first, he wouldn't be caught by any later pursuers.
“If he’s found as a corpse with Soul Tracking Incense on his hands? They’ll assume he was fleeing to Shaanxi when someone else killed him and stole the map.”
Ji Han was impressed. It was a brilliant plan.
First, it would create confusion, making them think the location on the map was in Shaanxi.
Second, since he would be presumed dead, he could avoid the organization's pursuit.
Ultimately, Cheon Dae-ung would have to take responsibility for entrusting the task to Manak Sanin.
Tae-su asked cautiously, “Who is that man who took the body? Is he an escort warrior? Or a worker?”
At the mention of an escort warrior, Ji Han looked at Tae-su with a puzzled expression.
Tae-su felt a pointless sense of pride, thinking, I know more about this Geom Mu-geuk than you do. A petty sense of rivalry was budding.
But Ji Han could tell instinctively. Geom Mu-geuk and the two masters were definitely not people from an escort agency.
“Now, let’s go.”
The two men sat on either side of Geom Mu-geuk.
“One is a master of escape, and the other is a master of pursuit. It’s a perfect balance, isn't it?”
Tae-su and Ji Han looked at each other. They never dreamed that they, who had been in a relationship of hunter and prey, would end up sitting side-by-side in the same carriage.
“Now, let those Evil King Sect bastards suffer in the wrong place.”
The carriage began to roll toward Zhejiang Province once again.
“Let’s go eat some Five-Spice Pork!”