Chapter 748: It’s Been a Long Time, Friend
Chapter 748: It’s Been a Long Time, Friend
All eyes were fixed on the blade resting against the bleached white bones.
This single sword exuded an intensity far greater than the countless weapons they had encountered before.
“Do not act rashly!”
Even without the iron-masked man’s warning, no one dared to rush forward. They had already experienced firsthand just how terrifying the mechanical traps in this place could be.
Moreover, even if someone managed to seize the sword first, they would likely face a lethal, combined assault from everyone else in the room.
The martial artists focused their entire being on the sword, warily gauging each other's movements. Amidst the hair-trigger tension, the iron-masked man singled out Geom Mu-geuk once again.
“Young hero carrying the luggage.”
“It seems my name has been permanently fixed as ‘the young hero carrying the luggage,’” Geom Mu-geuk remarked dryly.
“Since I refused to reveal my own identity, how could I ask for yours? That is why I call you that.”
“Why did you call for me?”
The iron-masked man took a cautious look around the room before asking, “What kind of trap do you think is hidden here?”
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Because you were the one who dismantled the previous trap. You claimed it was luck, but luck only favors the prepared.”
All eyes turned toward Geom Mu-geuk. Everyone seemed to harbor a secret expectation.
Even though they knew multiple treasure maps existed, and even though it had been revealed that these traps were constructed long after the place was named the Sword Tomb, they refused to give up. Their greed and ambition were forces he couldn't control.
What Geom Mu-geuk was truly curious about was this: what if this entire affair was a conspiracy orchestrated by the masterminds behind the scenes?
Why would they go through the trouble of dragging these people into it?
To naturally lure him here? He would have entered this place even without them. So why spread multiple treasure maps and draw people in, throwing the entire Central Plains into an uproar?
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze shifted back to the sword resting against the skeleton.
“Actually, obtaining that sword is easy.”
At the word ‘easy,’ the crowd’s expressions shifted to shock.
“The problem will be what happens after you obtain it.”
Leaving them with those cryptic words, Geom Mu-geuk walked slowly toward the skeleton in the center of the room.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable watched with bated breath. They were ready to leap in at any moment if things turned dire.
The trap they had encountered in the previous room was a high-level mechanical device that must have cost a fortune to build. There was no telling what other dangers lurked here.
However, Geom Mu-geuk was certain of their safety.
“There probably won't be a mechanical attack.”
It felt as though blades might fly from the ceiling or floor at any second, but just as Geom Mu-geuk predicted, no attack came even as he reached the skeleton.
Geom Mu-geuk did not pick up the sword immediately. Instead, he offered a fist salute to the skeleton, showing his respect.
“I do not know who you were, Senior. Whether you were a good man or an evil one, whether you died here seeking treasure like us or for some other reason—I know nothing. However, regardless of who you were, I believe it is wrong for them to use your remains in their schemes. Those responsible will surely pay for their crimes. So, please, let go of your resentment and rest in peace.”
The moment he finished speaking—
Rumble.
The skeleton collapsed into a heap.
A short gasp escaped the onlookers. It was as if the remains had understood Geom Mu-geuk’s words.
Just as Geom Mu-geuk leaned down to pick up the sword—
Whoosh.
He felt a single breath of poison mist rising from the bones and entering his body. It was colorless and odorless; had he not possessed a Body Immune to All Poisons, he wouldn't have even realized he’d been poisoned.
‘It’s Purple Cloud True Qi Poison!’
It was a poison he had learned about while studying under the Poison King.
Purple Cloud True Qi Poison did not kill the victim instantly. One could remain unaware of the infection until they attempted to circulate a high level of internal energy. Once triggered, the victim’s entire body would turn purple, their movements would grow sluggish, and their qi and blood would become violently entangled.
It was a top-tier poison that required vast amounts of time and money to create, but it had no effect on the immune Geom Mu-geuk.
If they intended to kill me, they would have used Formless Poison.
It was then that a line of Voice Transmission reached Geom Mu-geuk.
— You have just been infected with an extreme poison.
Geom Mu-geuk slowly picked up the sword from the remains and turned around.
Everyone was staring at him.
The voice from the transmission didn't belong to the iron-masked man, nor did it belong to the scarred martial artist.
Geom Mu-geuk sent a Voice Transmission back to one of the martial artists in the group.
— How did you know I was poisoned?
The recipient was a middle-aged martial artist of average appearance and build standing among the crowd. He was someone who hadn't shown even a hint of presence until now, seeming like just another treasure-crazed wanderer blending in with the rest.
The man’s eyes trembled slightly.
— How did you know it was me who sent the transmission?
— Because you were the only one looking at me instead of the sword.
— !
The man was truly shocked. He hadn't expected to be singled out from the crowd for such a reason.
In truth, that wasn't the only reason Geom Mu-geuk had noticed. Even with his back turned, he had accurately sensed exactly where the transmission had originated. Geom Mu-geuk’s martial prowess was far beyond common sense.
— Who are you?
Given that the man had warned him about the poison, he didn't seem like an enemy.
The man did not reveal his identity.
— I have the antidote. I will give it to you when the opportunity arises.
Geom Mu-geuk could tell. This man not only knew he was the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, but he was also deeply connected to those who had built these traps. At the very least, he was someone who knew that poison had been placed on those remains.
Just then, one of the anxious martial artists shouted.
“Hurry up and draw the sword!”
“Draw it!”
Geom Mu-geuk slowly unsheathed the blade. The revealed edge radiated a chilling cold energy. Even at a glance, it was unmistakably a legendary weapon.
Words were engraved on the blade in a powerful script.
Soul Severing (斷魂).
It was the unique weapon of the Soul Severing Guest, a peerless master known to have entered the Sword Tomb in the past. Seeing the characters on the blade, the man who had exchanged transmissions with Geom Mu-geuk shouted aloud.
“It’s the Soul Severing Sword!”
He was a man who knew that shouting and acting greedy would actually make him stand out less.
As the sword was identified, the crowd grew restless. A burning desire flickered in the eyes of the martial artists.
So what if this is a trap? If I can just get out of here with a legendary sword like that!
Geom Mu-geuk threw cold water on that desire.
“There is a trap in this room far more terrifying than the ones before.”
Startled by his sudden words, everyone looked around. They checked the walls and the floor, but no matter how hard they looked, they couldn't find any hidden mechanisms.
“Where is this trap?”
To the iron-masked man’s question, Geom Mu-geuk gave an unexpected answer.
“The trap this time is all of you.”
As they wore expressions of confusion, Geom Mu-geuk clarified his meaning.
“The greed in all of you to possess this sword is the trap of this room.”
He meant that the bloody battle to steal the sword was the intended mechanism of the room. Since these were people who had already engaged in a slaughter just to seize a treasure map, his deduction was not far-fetched.
“Who is going to take this sword?”
Everyone likely wanted to answer "me," but no one spoke.
Geom Mu-geuk asked the iron-masked man.
“Since you guided us to the entrance of this Sword Tomb, should you have it? Or should I, since I dismantled the previous gate? Or should we hold a duel so the strongest among us can take it?”
Silence fell over the group. If the person holding the sword hadn't been Geom Mu-geuk, a scramble would have already broken out.
The iron-masked man asked Geom Mu-geuk, “So? What does the young hero carrying the luggage think?”
Geom Mu-geuk stared straight into the eyes behind the iron mask.
“Let’s leave it here. To show those who plotted this despicable scheme, let’s just leave this sword and move on. Let’s show them that we won't move according to their intentions. That is the way to clear this room.”
This might be a far more difficult task than the rooms they had passed through before. They had to overcome the greed of those filled with avarice.
“If anyone has a better idea, please speak up.”
While everyone was lost in thought for a moment, a Voice Transmission from Ji Han arrived.
— I’ve identified who the scent is coming from. It was the man wearing the iron mask.
He had suspected both the iron-masked man and the scarred martial artist, but this was the moment the mastermind was confirmed to be the iron-masked one. Indeed, it was the iron-masked man who had encouraged him to approach the poisoned remains.
— Well done.
Ji Han felt pleased by Geom Mu-geuk’s praise. It was the first time since becoming a subordinate that he had performed his role properly.
Geom Mu-geuk sent another transmission to the man from before.
— If you don't want to tell me who you are, at least let’s know each other's names.
After a moment’s hesitation, the man revealed his name.
— I am Dan So-jin.
— I am Geom Mu-geuk.
— I know.
As expected, he knew exactly who he was.
— Then tell me just one thing. Who is that man with the scar on his face?
He figured that if it was Dan So-jin, he would know the identity of the scarred martial artist as well as the iron-masked man. Sure enough, he knew.
— He is from the Unorthodox Path Alliance.
Geom Mu-geuk wasn't surprised. Considering where they were, it wasn't strange at all for a master from the Unorthodox Path Alliance to be here.
After all, this was the tomb of Ju Ga-sin, the First Sword of the Unorthodox Path, who had been the leader of the Unorthodox Path Alliance and the greatest master of the Unorthodox Faction three hundred years ago.
The iron-masked man was the mastermind's agent, and the scarred man was from the Unorthodox Path Alliance. Now, the only question left was which group this Dan So-jin belonged to.
Just then, the iron-masked man made a decision.
“I will follow the young hero’s wish. I don't think we can afford to fight among ourselves over a single sword.”
The other martial artists eventually followed suit. The atmosphere wasn't one where an individual could claim the sword for themselves.
“Now, let’s move on.”
As they walked toward the door at the back, someone finally lunged for the Soul Severing Sword.
Snatching the sword in an instant, he bolted toward the first room they had entered. He couldn't help himself. If only he could get out that door with this sword! If only he could!
The Soul Severing Sword had severed the restraint within his soul.
“Not so fast!”
The other martial artists swarmed him. They were already frustrated that they couldn't have it; they weren't about to let someone else take it.
In an instant, three people launched a combined attack. Unable to escape the room in time, the man drew the Soul Severing Sword and swung it.
Clang!
The Soul Severing Sword shattered the opponent’s blade in a single blow and sliced right through his torso.
Slash! Squelch!
The swords of the other two martial artists cut into his thigh and flank. The man gritted his teeth and swung the Soul Severing Sword again, cutting down the martial artist who had slashed his thigh. Against ordinary swords, the Soul Severing Sword displayed truly formidable power.
However, his skill did not match the blade. Cutting down three people with the sword's power was his limit.
Thwack.
His movements stopped as a sword protruded from his back. There was no regret in his eyes as he looked at the Soul Severing Sword.
“...I got to swing it once before I died. That’s enough.”
With those words, he collapsed, dead.
“Damn fool!”
The martial artist who killed him picked up the Soul Severing Sword and seemed about to sheath it. But then, he too bolted toward the entrance they had come from. Seeing how every blade it touched shattered, he couldn't resist either.
However, he didn't even get the chance to swing the sword.
Swish!
A dagger, flying like a bolt of light, pierced through his back. It was a dagger thrown by the scarred martial artist.
The fleeing martial artist stumbled and slumped to the ground, dead. The way he died, clutching the sword to his chest, was coincidentally no different from the skeleton they had first seen.
If someone were to find this man here years later, they would see the exact same sight they had just witnessed.
Now, no one else attempted to claim the sword. The iron-masked man opened the door leading to the next room.
Everyone was stunned by the sight before them.
Inside, martial artists were fighting one another. They weren't real people, but life-sized dolls. They were crafted so exquisitely that they looked like real people in combat.
At first glance, one would naturally assume it was a recreation of a battle that had taken place in the Sword Tomb.
But it wasn't.
Several people were launching a combined attack on one person, and surprisingly, the person under attack was Geom Mu-geuk.
The dolls surrounding and attacking him were the Twelve Zodiac Kings he had faced until now.
From the Wood King who died at the Murim Alliance, to the Illusion King and Hwan-yeo who died at the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Combat King who died at the Unorthodox Path Alliance, the Blood King who died at the North Sea Ice Palace, the Murder King who died at the Golden Dragon Clan, the Fist King who died at the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Hall, and even the Dark King who died at the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.
They were attacking Geom Mu-geuk from all sides. Wooden vines sprouted from the Wood King’s body, and demons were emerging from a portal opened in the air by the Illusion King and Hwan-yeo.
The Combat King was charging like a mad bull, and the Blood King’s blood was splattered everywhere. While the Fist King’s punch flew terrifyingly, darkness settled around the Dark King’s carriage, and the Murder King was leaping through that darkness to attack Geom Mu-geuk.
Every small detail was crafted with incredible delicacy and vividness. It felt as if the battle were unfolding right before their eyes. Since they were all dead, these dolls felt as though they had been made to commemorate the fallen Twelve Zodiac Kings.
The reason Geom Mu-geuk was shocked wasn't because there was a doll of himself. It wasn't because the dolls surrounding him were the Twelve Zodiac Kings.
It was because a living person was standing in front of those dolls.
He blended in so naturally with the dolls that at first, he too looked like one. He stood barefoot, wearing tattered martial robes, his hair tied back tightly, with a worn steel sword at his waist.
The person in this Murim who best suited a Sword Tomb.
Sword King Ak Gun-hak, who had been staring at the dolls, turned toward Geom Mu-geuk.
As he offered a bright smile in greeting, the shoes Geom Mu-geuk had given him as a gift were hanging from his waist.
“It’s been a long time, friend.”