Chapter 753: None of You Shall Enter
Chapter 753: None of You Shall Enter
Dan So-jin, the head of the Baek Chong family.
The moment of his true identity being revealed had finally arrived. He was a man of a status truly beyond expectation.
A family that managed the tombs of successive Unorthodox Path Alliance Leaders?
Even Geom Mu-geuk hadn't known this. It was a fact that could only be confirmed by asking the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader, Baek Ja-gang, himself.
However, judging by Dan So-jin’s current expression, the Sound King’s words were the truth. Dan So-jin, who had been acting so skillfully among the group with such nonchalance, did not offer a single word of denial.
The Sound King looked at Dan So-jin and spoke, his tone remaining polite.
“It is an honor to finally meet you. I can sense a spirit and will as tempered as steel within your aura.”
Since Dan So-jin was no longer trying to hide his identity, his aura had already shifted. It wasn't an aura that stood out because of powerful martial arts; rather, the vitality dwelling in his eyes clearly revealed his upright character.
Geom Mu-geuk asked the Sound King, “Why were you looking for him?”
The Sound King answered without concealment. “Naturally, it is to enter that tomb.”
“What’s in there?”
“It is the tomb of successive Unorthodox Path Alliance Leaders. Wouldn't all sorts of divine weapons and martial arts manuals be stored there?”
Geom Mu-geuk, who had been staring silently at the Sound King, laughed. “For a man who loves music as much as you do to show such blatant greed... somehow, it doesn't suit you.”
The Sound King’s expression changed subtly. It was the same look he wore earlier when he was misunderstood for planting poison in the white bones.
I am not that kind of person!
He was not a man who could completely hide his emotions.
Right, you lot wouldn't cause this much of a stir for just that. Divine weapons and martial manuals exist elsewhere in the world. There must be something in that tomb that doesn't exist anywhere else.
At that moment, a certain phrase flashed through Geom Mu-geuk’s mind.
— If the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader does not die, the Murim will be destroyed.
What if the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader died?
The Baek Chong family would inter him in the tomb, and no matter how secretly they moved, they wouldn't be able to escape the surveillance of those determined to watch. If the Sword King followed them right now, they would inevitably lead him to the tomb's location.
‘So that’s why they tried to kill the Alliance Leader!’
He realized that the attempt to kill the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader using the World’s Most Beautiful Woman contest was ultimately a means to enter that tomb.
At the end of all those thoughts, one conclusion was naturally reached.
‘The last bead is hidden there!’
They were the ones who had tried to steal the energy within his body during the previous conspiracy. Now, they were aiming for his energy once again using that final bead.
What this confirmed was that they couldn't just take this energy. They needed another energy to absorb it.
If so, this was their last chance!
Since they considered this energy so important, Geom Mu-geuk’s task was clear. They would definitely try to obtain that energy, so he had to get the energy of that last bead first.
Geom Mu-geuk slowly walked over to Dan So-jin and stood in front of him.
“If your identity has been exposed, you should have quickly hidden behind me. Why make me come to you?”
Dan So-jin’s reply came from behind him. “I believed you would protect me even from a distance.”
“Look at those three in front of us. Who among them looks easy enough for me to protect you from afar? Even though I’m blocking you like this, they aren't reacting at all, are they? It’s because they’re confident they can kill us either way. Especially, do you see that man over there with the sword and bare feet? That bland-looking guy—I’ve fought him once, and I know he’s not easy.”
The Sword King remained standing there, stoic as ever.
Let’s see how long you can stay unresponsive, Brother Ak.
Geom Mu-geuk trusted the Sword King. To trust someone completely always meant risking betrayal, but if it was the Sword King, he was willing to take that risk. It didn't matter if those shoes hanging from his waist weren't the ones he had given as a gift. It was fine even if that old steel sword had been replaced by a brilliant, precious blade.
‘Brother Ak, I trust you.’
The Sword King merely met Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze in silence.
Watching this, the Blade King sent a voice transmission to the Sound King.
— You must not trust Ak Gun-hak.
He didn't like sowing discord, but it was something he had to mention to the Sound King.
— I am aware.
— Then that is enough.
The Blade King had requested the Dark Palace Master to leave this matter to him. He argued that the Sword King couldn't be trusted since he had returned without killing the Young Cult Leader, and that the Sound King didn't have the personality to lead this operation.
However, the Dark Palace Master had designated the Sound King as the person in charge. There was surely a reason he didn't know, but the Dark Palace Master hadn't told him. He had only told him to trust the Sound King.
‘I hope the Palace Master’s judgment was correct.’
Geom Mu-geuk turned back to Dan So-jin and asked abruptly, “By the way, are you on my side?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m asking if there’s any reason I should help you.”
Dan So-jin struggled to hide his disbelief.
— Are you saying that even after taking my antidote?
— Ah, right, there was an antidote.
— I have staked my family’s fate on you.
— We’ve barely met. Aren't you putting too much pressure on me for our first meeting?
— That... I admit.
Dan So-jin clearly had much to say to Geom Mu-geuk, but there was no time for such a conversation now. All that remained was how Geom Mu-geuk would respond to this sudden trust.
Geom Mu-geuk continued the conversation he had before the voice transmission.
“Why are you silent? If I help you, what will you do for me?”
“Is there something you want?”
“Just grant me one request.”
Dan So-jin’s eyes flashed sharply. He anticipated what kind of request Geom Mu-geuk would make. There was likely only one thing the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult would ask of him.
‘Young Cult Leader, even you cannot enter that place.’
Because of that, he added a clear condition. “I will grant it if it is a request I am able to fulfill.”
Since he was a smart man, he could have changed the terms, but for some reason, Geom Mu-geuk readily accepted.
“Fine, it’s a promise.”
Geom Mu-geuk turned back toward the Sound King and asked, “Then why did you drag me into this?”
Of course, Geom Mu-geuk knew it was to absorb the energy in his body. He asked just to see how the man would respond.
The Sound King gave an unexpected answer. “Because I want you to persuade that man to tell us the location of the tomb.”
Geom Mu-geuk felt it. Surprisingly, those words were sincere. They intended to use him to find the tomb's location. Then they would enter together and take his energy there.
“Can't you just take him and torture him, or use a soul-seizing technique?”
There was a reason they couldn't do that.
“It won't work on him.”
The grey gaze that had been fixed on Geom Mu-geuk shifted to Dan So-jin.
“Torture and soul-seizing techniques do not work on the bloodline of the Baek Chong family. If they fall under a soul-seizing technique or feel pain beyond what they can endure, a constraint planted within them activates, severing their blood vessels and killing them instantly.”
That was how they had kept their secrets so thoroughly.
Only now did Geom Mu-geuk clearly understand why both sides were trying to use him. They were opponents hard to escape, and opponents hard to figure out.
At least one thing was certain. Entering the tomb through Dan So-jin would be more difficult than facing the enemies before him. Judging by that determined look in his eyes, Dan So-jin was absolutely not the type of person to let an outsider into the tomb.
“And you want me to persuade him?”
The Sound King nodded. “Young Cult Leader, if it’s you, you will be able to find a way. That is why I called for you.”
“You’ve overestimated me.”
“Seeing what you have shown so far, I believe you can do it. Look at the dolls outside. Look at who you have faced.”
Geom Mu-geuk laughed pleasantly. “How did you know I have a weakness for flattery?”
“Let us split the treasures in the tomb half and half.”
“You even know I have a weakness for material greed! You really did your research thoroughly.”
Dan So-jin’s expression, standing behind him, naturally stiffened. He had made a gamble by trusting Geom Mu-geuk, but what if he had misjudged? What if the Young Cult Leader actually joined hands with them? Geom Mu-geuk was more terrifying than they were.
Then, Geom Mu-geuk suddenly asked about an unexpected person.
“By the way, why did you leave that Unorthodox Path martial artist alive?”
When the Sound King failed to answer, Geom Mu-geuk asked the iron-faced man. “Since you’re the one who left him, you must know the reason, right?”
But the iron-faced man didn't answer either.
Geom Mu-geuk saw right through the malicious intent they couldn't voice.
“It wouldn't happen to be because you need someone to testify that the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult was the one who committed this deed, would it?”
He asked it like a joke, but the silence that followed proved he had hit the mark. That momentary reaction alone was enough to know his guess was correct. Otherwise, there was no reason to keep that man alive.
“You aren't planning to kill us all after getting what you want, and then use some high-level sorcery on that martial artist to make him report that the one who raided the tomb was the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, are you? Surely, someone who plays such beautiful melodies wouldn't prepare such a despicable method, right?”
At the mention of music again, the Sound King’s expression hardened. His opponent knew exactly which words would offend him the most.
“What happens if I refuse your offer?”
Because of that, the answer to Geom Mu-geuk’s question was no longer kind.
“All of you will die. Today, the Eight Demon Lords will become the Six Demon Lords.”
The reactions of the two Demon Lords to this blatant threat were polar opposites. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon glared at the Sound King with utter coldness, while the One Flower Sword Venerable actually wore a faint smile. Of course, the meaning behind their reactions was the same.
“That won't do. Only people who like my father the most are gathered here. If we all die on the same day at the same time, my father will be too sad.”
The Sound King misunderstood Geom Mu-geuk’s words.
“Mentioning the Heavenly Demon will not change the outcome.”
He seemed to think Mu-geuk was trying to resolve the situation using the Heavenly Demon’s prestige.
“Even if the Heavenly Demon were here himself, the outcome would not change.”
At that arrogant confidence, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable looked at each other. They didn't even need to get angry at those words. They were the words that would make Geom Mu-geuk the angriest.
Geom Mu-geuk didn't get agitated at all.
“You must have looked into me when you took on this task. So I thought you would know me even better than I know myself.”
Geom Mu-geuk slowly walked over and stood before the Unorthodox Path martial artist.
“What is your name?”
“Just call me Pung.”
“Did you come here on the Alliance Leader’s direct orders?”
Pung hesitated slightly before answering.
“I believe that if you’re at the level to receive direct orders, you should know about the relationship between the Alliance Leader and me. You probably also know roughly what kind of relationship I have with Young Alliance Leader Bi. So, you can at least answer this much.”
“I left the Alliance under orders to investigate this Treasure Map incident.”
“From now on, you are definitely on my side, Pung.”
As Pung looked at him with a surprised expression, Mu-geuk added, “If you die here, how could I face the Alliance Leader and Sa-in? For now, let’s say you’re on my side.”
Geom Mu-geuk turned back to the Sound King.
“This is the kind of person I am. This man I met for the first time today must not die here either.”
Geom Mu-geuk moved his steps again and walked in front of Ji Han.
“This is a man who was an enemy but became my subordinate during this journey. I don't know much about him yet. I just made him my subordinate because I had a very good feeling about him.”
A smile formed on Ji Han’s lips. Because he’s capable. Because his martial arts are excellent. Hearing that it was because of a "good feeling" felt better than any of those reasons.
Geom Mu-geuk stared silently at Ji Han and said as if making a declaration, “I intend to never let this man die either.”
Next, Geom Mu-geuk stood before Tae-su.
“This man is the thief who had the Treasure Map. He’s a man with a good father. He probably didn't know the journey would turn out like this, so he must be very shocked right now.”
Tae-su’s pupils trembled as he looked at Geom Mu-geuk. Now that he knew Geom Mu-geuk’s identity, he didn't dare crack a single joke.
“He hasn't formed a relationship with me yet, but I’m going to take him back alive too. He succeeded in stealing my heart, after all.”
Tae-su was moved. To the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, it was something insignificant that could have been easily ignored, yet he was giving it such profound meaning.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable could see it. Geom Mu-geuk had become this strong because he was that kind of person. Because he had fought battles to survive even while dragging along so many hostages, he had become much stronger.
On the other hand, the Sound King could not understand Geom Mu-geuk at all.
“Why are you trying to save them all?”
No matter how politely he asked, the tone of his voice made it clear that he had omitted a certain phrase: Even these insignificant people.
“I suppose there are characters that even beautiful melodies cannot hide.”
When music was brought up yet again, the Sound King finally exploded and shouted, “Shut up!”
Then Geom Mu-geuk roared back, “No, you shut up!”
Everyone’s eyes focused on Geom Mu-geuk.
“You dare spout such nonsense as being able to kill my father in front of me? You dare threaten to kill my Demon Lords?”
Even though he hadn't fully unleashed his aura, Geom Mu-geuk’s momentum was immense.
“Yes, you are certainly one who cannot see what is ahead. Seeing as you say such things in front of me, you are one who sees nothing at all.”
Geom Mu-geuk’s cold gaze slowly swept over the Sound King, the Blade King, the Dark Blood Four Blades, and the iron-faced martial artist.
“None of you are getting into that tomb. Because you’re all going to die right here.”
Geom Mu-geuk spread his wings. As if they had been waiting, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable simultaneously drew the Heaven Extermination Great Blade and the One Flower Sword on his left and right.
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze finally stopped on the Sword King.
“Brother Ak, you stay out of this.”