Baiting the Hook
"If my guess is correct, that secret cave is highly likely to belong to a Gold Core cultivator."
"..." Even Jekyeong could no longer maintain his indifferent attitude. Though his body remained casually leaned back, his eyes instantly flashed with sharp intensity.
Pleased with Jekyeong's reaction, Myeong-ha spoke with a bit more force in his voice. "The Gold Core cultivator is highly likely to have been of the human race, but perhaps not."
"Didn't you say that metal shard came from the middle of the Human Territory?"
"Yangseo Lake's history runs incredibly deep. In the past, Yangseo Lake was vastly different from what it is today. Well, that is true for most of the Human Territory, anyway."
"Are you saying that place was not part of the Human Territory in the past?"
"Indeed. At least seven thousand years ago."
Seven thousand years. It was an incredibly long time, let alone for humans, even by the standards of the Beast Race. Was there any beast currently in Yangseo Lake who remembered the world from seven thousand years ago?
It would be difficult for a Great Demon. But a Yao King might be able to.
While the lifespan of the human race was largely determined by their cultivation realm, the lifespans of the Beast Race varied wildly depending on their species. Great Demons of long-lived species could easily live for thousands of years, whereas short-lived species of Great Demons barely managed to surpass a thousand. However, once one reached the Yao King realm, even a short-lived species would have no trouble living for several millennia.
The Jansu Whale King...
The moment he heard the words "seven thousand years ago," the first figure that crossed Jekyeong's mind was the Jansu Whale King. Before the Heumwon Clan had stretched their reach here, he had been the very symbol of the Yangseo Lake beasts. Jekyeong did not know when the Jansu Whale King had become a Yao King, nor did he know exactly how long he had lived, but he was certain that among all the beasts in Yangseo Lake, the Whale King was by far the most likely to know of the lake's ancient past.
He wanted to rush straight to the Gyeongwang Palace to ask him, but of course, that was out of the question. Although his relationship with the Jansu Whale King was not bad, that was all it was. He was merely a Great Demon, and the other was a Yao King. Jekyeong never for a single moment forgot his place.
"You said it was highly likely?"
"Yes."
"And who else knows this?"
"You can assume almost no one. At most, the intruder who broke in that day, and perhaps his companions, if he even has any."
Feeling his explanation was slightly lacking, Myeong-ha continued. "I say it is highly likely, but as I mentioned, there is no definitive proof. I merely deduced it based on a few pieces of information I stumbled upon."
Having said that, Myeong-ha began to share the details he had gathered. Long ago—at least seven thousand years in the past—Yangseo Lake was incomparably more chaotic than it was now. The Beast Race, the human race, and various other minor foreign races fought fiercely for survival and resources. If modern Yangseo Lake was an era of peace, the lake back then could be described as a warring states period.
"Today, Gold Core cultivators are treated as the ultimate powerhouses capable of deciding the outcome of wars, but that was not the case back then. Of course, they were still considered top-tier experts, but they were not as rare as they are now."
According to Myeong-ha, there were at least twenty Gold Core cultivators in the region at the time, and conflicts among them were frequent. However, those clashes rarely escalated to life-or-death struggles. No matter how much more common they were compared to today, a Gold Core cultivator was still a Gold Core cultivator. Beings who had reached such a realm could not be easily killed, nor did they die easily.
"That is why the sudden disappearance of two Gold Core cultivators at once seems to have been a massive sensation even back then."
The records Myeong-ha had obtained were incomplete. Although they mentioned the disappearance of two Gold Core cultivators, they did not specify who they were. Perhaps even the one who wrote the record did not know their identities. Just as Jekyeong and Myeong-ha were learning of the past through fragmented records, the original chronicler might have simply jotted down a brief summary based on even older texts or hearsay.
"It was only ten days after I obtained those records that I stumbled upon their names. It was pure coincidence."
Myeong-ha had focused on a few place names left in the incomplete records. The chronicler had speculated on the location of their disappearance based on the two Gold Core cultivators' final movements, and those were the names Myeong-ha had seen. The problem was that it was mere speculation, and because thousands of years had passed, the names of the locations had changed multiple times, making verification nearly impossible. Nevertheless, Myeong-ha narrowed down a few candidates based on those ancient names. In essence, he was speculating on the chronicler's speculations. Having no other clues, he had simply given it a blind shot, but surprisingly, his stubborn method actually yielded a clue.
"What I found was a massive boulder. It was perfectly intact despite the passage of so much time."
A short inscription was carved into that stone.
Sang-yo suppresses Jegu,
may the Heavenly Dao rightfully commemorate this virtue.
"Is that... a monument of virtue?"
"It seems so."
The message was as simple as it was brief. And according to its contents, the boulder was undoubtedly a monument of virtue.
"Who is Sang-yo, and who is Jegu?"
"I do not know. But seeing how it mentions virtue, we can surmise they were not mere Foundation Establishment cultivators."
Jekyeong recalled the seniors of Bul-mang-won and nodded. The reason they diligently attended the assemblies of Bul-mang-won to deliver sermons to their juniors was also to accumulate virtue. He did not know exactly what this "virtue" was or what effects it had, but Gold Core cultivators seemed to hold it in extremely high regard.
"My theory is this. Both Sang-yo and Jegu were Gold Core cultivators. They fought a fierce battle in the past, but in the end, both disappeared."
"But what about the monument?"
Judging by the inscription on the monument, the battle had clearly ended in Sang-yo's victory.
"In my opinion, that monument was likely erected by Sang-yo himself before he went to strike down Jegu."
"Hmm?"
"Whether it was to steel his resolve or because he was incredibly self-absorbed, I cannot say... but Sang-yo never returned after facing Jegu. This metal shard is the proof."
With a light wave of Myeong-ha's hand, a projection of a fist-sized metal shard materialized in the air. Though it was a mere illusion, it looked identical to the real thing, save for the fact that it could not be touched.
"Do you see it? Right here."
Jekyeong examined the spot Myeong-ha pointed to. A small, archaic inscription was carved along the edge of the metal shard.
"...Commemorate?"
"Indeed. And over here."
"End. And... Gu?"
As Jekyeong muttered with uncertainty, Myeong-ha nodded.
"Yes. And that character 'Gu' is the exact same character as the 'Gu' in Jegu's name, which I verified on the monument."
"So this metal shard is related to Jegu, and it was crafted to commemorate something?"
"That is one way to interpret it. But if it were merely a commemorative item of the past, that intruder would have had no reason to take such a massive risk to steal it."
Myeong-ha spoke in a meaningful tone. "This item holds a far greater significance than a mere souvenir. For instance... what if it is a key?"
Saying so, Myeong-ha pulled out an object. Jekyeong's gaze immediately locked onto it.
Contact.
It was an elongated metal shard, about the length of two finger joints. Even before Jekyeong could spot the characters carved on its surface, he recognized that it was of the exact same make as the shard shown in the illusion.
"You recognize it."
"Were they originally one piece?"
"That is my assumption, but what do you think, Fellow Daoist?"
"It is highly likely that they were."
"Haha." Myeong-ha chuckled, turning the metal shard over in his fingers.
"Let us assume they were originally one. I believe this is a key, or something of equivalent importance. If so, do you think that thief would need this piece as well?"
"..." Jekyeong stared intently at the elongated metal shard in Myeong-ha's hand. "If it is indeed a key, then most likely, yes."
A key existed for the sole purpose of opening something. And generally, a broken key could not perform its function. If the thief wished to open whatever lay ahead—the secret cave—with this key, they would naturally strive to gather all the pieces.
"Are you planning to use that piece as bait?"
"Bait?" Myeong-ha paused for a moment, then curled one corner of his mouth upward. "A fitting metaphor. Yes, I intend to do some fishing. After all, the information I have is limited, and even if my deductions are correct, there is not much I can do with just a single piece..."
"Are you asking me to hold the fishing rod with you?"
"Because I am afraid. If we hook a fish that is too large, I worry that instead of reeling it in, I might be dragged into the depths myself."
"..." As Jekyeong fell into deep thought, Myeong-ha also fell silent.
A Gold Core cultivator's secret cave? Based on Myeong-ha's story, it would be more accurate to call it a tomb rather than a secret cave. A tomb that was at least seven thousand years old.
Is this a fortuitous encounter? Had the kind of opportunity that cultivators only dreamed of finally presented itself before him? Ever since his recent journey to Jaseong Island, things had been pointing in this direction. Was great fortune truly beginning to smile upon him?
Yet, Jekyeong knew all too well that just as opportunities came with crises, crises also came with opportunities. Moreover, the one bringing this opportunity to him was none other than Myeong-ha. While Jekyeong did not believe Myeong-ha was trying to drag him into some insidious trap, he could not shake a lingering sense of unease.
Fortune. A Qi-destined Child. Is this, too, a fate orchestrated for this fellow? He knew such thoughts were foolish. He also knew that if he worried over every single detail, he would never be able to take even a single step forward.
In the end, the problem lies with me. No matter how he spun it, it was a simple matter. If he had the confidence to handle it, he would accept; if not, he would refuse.
"What is the plan?" After some deliberation, Jekyeong decided to at least dip his toes in.
The news that an auction on Haeyeon Island would be held again after a mere four months left many shocked and bewildered. Given the unsavory incident during the previous auction, they had assumed the Ghost Spider would take some time to catch his breath and reorganize his business. Yet, as if mocking their cautious assumptions, the Ghost Spider acted even more boldly.
The "distinguished guests" of the Haeyeon Island auction house, who had received the list of auction items in advance, immediately realized the Ghost Spider's intentions upon seeing the remarkably more lavish items on offer. He intends to carry on as if absolutely nothing happened.
Had the Ghost Spider made a fool of himself last time, such behavior would have only invited ridicule. However, those who had been present at the previous auction knew that what had transpired was unavoidable. Someone possessing a Naiyibu was practically carrying an extra life on them; no one could mock the Ghost Spider for letting such an intruder slip away. Unless a Gold Core cultivator had intervened, the outcome would have been the same for anyone else.
That aside, the Ghost Spider's resources are truly formidable. Or should I say his business acumen is extraordinary? The reason cultivators were willing to open their storage bags at auctions was solely because the items presented were of immense value. When rare treasures that were normally impossible to catch a glimpse of were poured out in heaps, it was only natural for people to lose their minds and spend lavishly.
"I have staked my entire fortune on this venture," Myeong-ha grumbled, spreading his hands wide. Jekyeong gave him a displeased glare.
"Anyone listening would think you were giving those items away for free."
"Truly exceptional items cannot be bought even if one has spirit stones."
"That is true, but you were not the only one who contributed, so stop whining."
At those words, Myeong-ha narrowed his eyes and glared back at Jekyeong. Not the only one who contributed? Well, he was not wrong.