What Must Be Done (3)
In ordinary circumstances, the two groups of black道 warriors might not have clashed so violently.
But both factions were already seething with rage.
For the black道 group that was the mountain stronghold's backer and behind the child kidnappings, their carefully built stronghold had been smashed to pieces overnight.
So while searching for the culprit, another black道 group showed up—naturally, they assumed these newcomers were responsible for wrecking their base.
The black道 warriors pursuing Eun Seo-ho were equally furious.
They'd gone through unnecessary hardship. Eager to vent their anger anywhere, they didn't back down from a fight that came to them.
And unfortunately, their skills were evenly matched, forcing both sides to suffer heavy losses.
Meanwhile, the one who had indirectly caused the clash between the two black道 groups was now at Kongdong Mountain.
"Is this Kongdong Mountain, young master?"
I nodded at Palgap's question.
"Just as you said, it's pretty impressive."
"Of course."
Since ancient times, Kongdong Mountain has been called the Finest Mountain of the West and Peerless Scenery East and West, renowned for its stunning peaks.
It's even said to lie beneath the Big Dipper and North Star.
"If you run into any Kongdong Sect Taoists, treat them with utmost respect," Yeo Eung-am warrior added.
"The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's headquarters in the Ten Myriad Great Mountains is right next door. They clash often and are always wary of outsiders."
"In simple terms, they've been hounded by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult so much that they'll cut your throat the moment they peg you as an enemy."
"That's scary."
"No need to tense up that much. It's still a great place."
Indeed.
Kongdong Sect is truly a fine place.
That's why they endure constant beatings from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult without abandoning this mountain.
Of course, revenge probably fuels their resolve too.
With fellow disciples dying to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult during training, how could they lack vengeance in their hearts?
That's why their signature sword art is called the Subduing Demon Sword Technique—meant to subdue the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
"So we're hiding out here?"
"Yeah."
I nodded.
"The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and Kongdong Sect brawl whenever they feel like it. No way black道 folk would come this close."
In truth, black道 figures often visit Gansu Province to pledge themselves to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
But there's one place they never approach: this Kongdong Mountain.
If a black道 wanderer gets caught by a Kongdong Taoist here, they won't even leave bones behind.
"No inns or anything on Kongdong Mountain?"
Yeo Eung-am warrior answered Palgap's question.
"There are, of course. But they're all run directly by the Kongdong Sect."
"The sect themselves?"
"Yeah."
I nodded.
"They double as inns normally, but in emergencies, they turn into supply bases."
Think of Kongdong Sect as perpetually on wartime footing.
They take blocking the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult seriously in everything.
In my previous life, around this time, an incident had plagued the sect.
The reason I'd come to Kongdong Mountain now was to claim the item that sparked that event.
A short while later.
We arrived at an inn on the mountain.
"......"
Everyone except Yeo Eung-am warrior gasped in admiration.
"The inn... it's huge."
"A three-story building in a place like this!"
"Never imagined it."
Mountain inns are usually one or two stories at most—small and shabby, given the location.
But could a tiny inn serve as a supply base?
Especially when a clash with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult meant fighting for at least a month straight.
I chuckled and said, "Father mentioned it, but seeing it myself... yeah, it's massive. Let's head in."
We entered the inn.
"Welcome, benefactors."
A boy with a sword at his waist greeted us—judging by the address, a Kongdong Sect disciple.
"We'll be staying a few days."
"Understood. How many rooms?"
"Two for three people each, and one for two."
Me and Palgap in one; the guards split three per room in the others.
"Got it. And where are you benefactors from?"
The crucial moment.
A question to distinguish guest from foe.
"From Beijing."
"Beijing? All the way from there?"
"Yes."
I subtly flashed the inspector magistrate's badge from my sleeve.
"Hup!"
"Keep it quiet, please."
"Of course."
I showed it before he could probe deeply for two reasons.
First, half-baked lies wouldn't fly. They'd ask our business and verify it—getting caught would spell trouble.
Second, Kongdong Sect had ties to the imperial court, obligating them to accommodate anyone on the emperor's orders without question or interference.
Now, whatever I did here, no suspicions or meddling.
We unpacked in our rooms and headed downstairs for dinner.
"Dinner orders?"
Knowing my status, his attitude was politely deferential.
Gansu Province boasted must-try dishes.
"Beef noodles, lamb blood sausage, and stir-fried mung bean jelly."
"Right away."
"Any cheombae?"
Cheombae is a traditional fermented oat drink, with grains floating in it. It sours quickly, so rare outside high plateaus like this.
"We have it."
"One each."
"After the meal?"
"Yes."
Food arrived soon, and we enjoyed a hearty dinner.
.
.
.
The next morning.
We left our horses at the inn and set out.
After lunch and about three hours of walking, a rock carved like a young novice monk appeared.
Spotting that rock meant we were almost there.
I glanced at my group.
True to their first-rate warrior status, no one looked fatigued. Even Palgap seemed fresh.
Good.
Now came the hard part.
"Rest here a bit?"
"Sure."
We sat on nearby rocks in the clearing, sipping from canteens and sharing jerky.
The jerky was from that shop in Kaibong— we'd bought so much, plenty remained.
"Everyone decent at cliff climbing?"
The guards nodded; Seo-u warrior tilted his head.
"To some extent."
Myeongjong warrior and Changun warrior followed.
"Cliff climbing? Confident. When I first joined Huashan Sect, I scaled and descended the Cliff of Cliffside Swords twice a day or more."
I turned to Yeo Eung-am and I-pil warriors; they nodded.
"Our Jungnam Sect trained extensively on cliffs too."
They could manage.
Then Palgap asked, "Young master, why climb a cliff anyway?"
"Treasure hunt."
"Pardon?"
"Remember that book from Luoyang? Had some notes tucked in. One mentioned treasure here on Kongdong Mountain."
My offhand excuse left Myeongjong and Changun warriors puzzled.
"You're seriously following that?"
"Like I said before, every man harbors a treasure map in his heart."
"......"
"Let's go."
Another half hour, and we faced a sheer cliff.
"Palgap, wait below."
Me and the six guards began the ascent.
Frankly, near-vertical cliff climbing was grueling.
But the treasure up top justified it.
After a solid half hour, we reached a ledge big enough for all.
"Whew, we made it?"
"Yes."
"Myeongjong warrior, Changun warrior—you're impressive. Climbing like that! Surprised me."
"Haven't done it lately; skills have dulled."
"That's dulled...?"
"Wonder what their prime was like."
They chatted casually.
I scanned around and spotted a cave.
"Cave here. Let's check it."
The entrance was so narrow, it was invisible from afar.
Inside, a large lacquered black box sat prominently.
[This is a gift from heaven—may it be used according to heaven's will.]
"I'll open it."
Seo-u warrior stepped up; Jin Yu warrior stood guard.
Creeeak.
The lid opened. The guards blinked in shock.
"I-Is that... meteor iron?"
Yes.
This meteor iron—the cause of the incident that tormented Kongdong Sect in my past life—was what I'd come for.
Back then, it was found by chance.
A sect disciple, fleeing a tiger, fell onto this cliff and stumbled into the cave, discovering it.
Meteor iron, iron fallen from the heavens amid flames, forged weapons of unmatched sharpness and strength.
It even repelled evil, guaranteeing divine weapons.
A whole crate of it? The world erupted.
Not just the neighboring Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—countless others lusted after it.
Kongdong Sect tried defending it but buckled under pressure, eventually surrendering it to the Murim Alliance.
That meteor iron vanished from sight afterward.
Undoubtedly used for dirty deeds.
Better I take it—no hardship for the sect, no gain for the alliance.
"Whoa! Real treasure."
"Who tucked that treasure map in the book? Gotta wonder."
"What now?"
I grinned at Seo-u warrior's question.
"We take it, obviously. Finder's keepers—rule of the jianghu, right?"
"True."
Changun warrior added cautiously, "Handle with care. Word gets out, chaos."
"Agreed."
Having nearly been excommunicated by the Murim Alliance before, they didn't suggest donating it.
Of course, I'd brought them along with that in mind.
I eyed the meteor iron, estimating.
Enough for plenty of swords?
I planned to forge one for each guard.
As my protectors, they'd face unwanted trials alongside me.
A sturdy weapon was their first line of defense.
I wanted them safe, fulfilling aspirations, enjoying glory long-term.
The meteor iron's value was immense, but my guards were worth more.
"All secret, right?"
"Of course."
"Thanks. Let's descend."
I pocketed the meteor iron from the box.
Then glanced at the inscription.
[This is a gift from heaven—may it be used according to heaven's will.]
Heaven allowed me to find it, so any use I put it to must be heaven's will.
That's how I'd see it.
We burned the box clean, erasing traces, then descended.
"Young master! Treasure up top?"
I chuckled at Palgap.
"Later."
He nodded knowingly from my expression.
"Caught fish for dinner. Grill 'em up."
Fish ready in that short time!
Palgap, as expected.
Wonder where Master Bang and the Gold Guard daehyeop are now?
Getting eager to head back to Beijing.