Unexpected (3)
I jolted in shock, goosebumps prickling across my entire body.
"What's wrong, young master?"
Palgap, standing beside me, asked. I rubbed my arms and replied,
"No, it's just... Great Master Hyeulgong smiled at me just now."
"What do you mean? He's been dead for over five hundred years."
"R-right. I must've seen things."
Then, a Ming Sect warrior spoke up with a concerned look.
"You've been working too hard lately. It might be best to rest up once we're back in Beijing."
"I want to do that too."
I gave a wry smile in response.
But did I really see things?
I'm sure Great Master Hyeulgong smiled at me. Yet when I looked again, his preserved face was exactly as it had been at first glance.
Expressionless, just peacefully serene.
I definitely saw it.
Maybe because I have one of the items he left behind, it was a sign entrusting it to me?
Or perhaps he approved of how things had changed from my previous life?
It occurred to me that Great Master Hyeulgong, who created this sword tomb, might have wished no one would die because of it.
Since his remains were in the center, the Murim Alliance and righteous faction claimed ownership.
"What should we do with these remains?"
At that moment, someone spoke with greedy eyes gleaming.
"There might be something inside them, right?"
In other words, they wanted to search the remains thoroughly.
Disgust welled up in me.
I glanced at Elder Gyeong-san-ja, who looked ready to agree.
I sighed inwardly.
I didn't know why he smiled at me, but he did smile at me.
I couldn't bear to see his remains desecrated.
Besides, wasn't this the man who left ten gold bars and a book of atonement for Shaolin Temple?
His heart was directed toward Shaolin.
Thus, his remains should be delivered there intact.
I said to Elder Gyeong-san-ja,
"Elder, I don't think we should touch these remains rashly."
"Why not?"
"Think of all the traps we've found so far. Can we be sure there are none here?"
"Hm..."
"Moreover, that inscription bothers me."
I pointed to the passage carved on the nearby wall.
I, Hyejin, will watch over this place.
"Great Master Hyeulgong's dharma name was Hyejin, right?"
"That's what we know."
"Then it means he's watching over something from here. But what?"
"The Heavenly Demon Cult, of course. He burned with hatred for them in life."
"In that case, he'd be facing northwest. But he's looking east."
"East?"
"East... Mount Song!"
Where Shaolin Temple stood.
"It means he never forgot Shaolin, even in his final moments."
"......"
"Buddhism teaches non-possession. He broke the precept against killing, but adhered strictly otherwise. Maybe it's only natural nothing remains in this sword tomb."
"True..."
"That makes sense."
"Then what was this sword tomb for?"
To someone's question, I calmly replied,
"Doesn't all the traps inside make it obvious? And how did we even know this was Great Master Hyeulgong's sword tomb?"
"The entrance said: 'This is Great Master Hyeulgong's sword tomb. Enter if you dare. Gold, jewels, secret manuals—claim whatever you desire...'"
Those gathered finally seemed to grasp the meaning. The Heavenly Demon Cult followers especially paled.
"To lure in the Heavenly Demon Cult and kill as many as possible?"
"......"
Everyone shuddered at the unimaginable grudge.
"He also believed no righteous faction members would enter, unswayed by greed for gold or manuals."
"......"
At my words, Murim Alliance and righteous faction members bowed their heads in shame or gazed at distant mountains.
That inscription at the entrance probably branded even the greed-blinded as evil, fit for death.
Anyway, the mood turned fearful and solemn, just as I'd intended.
"I hope Great Master Hyeulgong's remains go where he longed to be—back to Shaolin."
"But didn't Shaolin already excommunicate him?"
Hey! Who just poured cold water on the mood?
"That's true. But many still revere him. Even in Shaolin, they call him 'Great Master.' They won't mistreat him."
"......"
"If we desecrate his remains and Shaolin finds out later... who knows how they'll react."
The righteous faction and Murim Alliance fell silent at my words.
I turned to Elder Gyeong-san-ja.
"You're in charge here, Elder. Please decide."
"Hm..."
Elder Gyeong-san-ja groaned, face twisted in anguish.
Sweat beading on his forehead—not from heat, surely.
"Come to think of it, I heard Great Master Il-sim, who recently entered the Transcendent Realm, reveres Great Master Hyeulgong most."
"...I-is that so?"
The elder flinched, feeling the pressure.
Exactly as intended.
Shaolin wasn't a force to ignore.
They say if Shaolin's abbot claps, mosquitoes in Yunnan get crushed.
After agonizing, Elder Gyeong-san-ja decided.
"Hm... We can't mishandle those holy remains. We'll hand them to Shaolin."
Perfect!
Excavation resumed, and night fell.
I lay by the campfire in front of the barracks.
Excavation was nearly done, and we'd found Great Master Hyeulgong's remains.
My tasks here were complete, but I hadn't fully carried out the Emperor's orders.
I'd come here on imperial command, after all.
Yet Gold Guard's Kwon Jik Daehyeop and Kwon Eul Daehyeop showed no suspicious moves.
Were they just that vigilant?
Or innocent?
The Emperor wouldn't send me here without reason.
The stars were stunning tonight.
High altitude and dry air, maybe.
They say stars shine bright in deserts.
This area was near one, after all.
Water was so scarce, wagons hauled it daily.
Ah!
I sat up abruptly.
Right—the Guizhou Kwon Clan guarded those water transports!
Meaning they could relay news from here faster than anyone to someone outside Yeonji Mountain.
That someone could be from the palace... or the Murim Alliance.
Depending on who they reported to, I could learn which side the two Gold Guard heroes served.
Let's see, the time now...
They'd just be reaching Yeonji Mountain's base.
I stood and said to Palgap,
"I'll be right back—got some business."
"Understood."
I slipped away naturally and dashed down toward Yeonji Mountain's base.
Soon, I spotted the wagon drivers and their escorts.
Kwon Jik Daehyeop was among them.
Kwon Eul Daehyeop must've stayed at camp.
To relay any nighttime events.
Hiding my presence, I tailed them.
The wagons stopped by a stream.
A Yellow River tributary, good for drinking.
While workers loaded water, warriors patrolled vigilantly.
Observing, Kwon Jik Daehyeop ordered,
"Keep watch tight. I'll step away briefly."
"Yes, sir."
He left the stream for a dense forest.
I followed stealthily.
As he paced the woods, someone approached him.
Who?
Approaching so discreetly—impressive skill.
But no demonic aura.
I focused my hearing.
"You're here."
"Yes, Daehyeop."
"Today, Great Master Hyeulgong's remains were found in the sword tomb."
"I see. Nothing else?"
"Excavation should wrap up soon."
"Any signs of finds?"
"No."
"What should I report up top?"
"Tell them no need for further interest. No sign of the legendary artifact he's seeking."
"Understood."
The man vanished. Kwon Jik Daehyeop muttered softly,
"Why obsess over that artifact... It won't put him on the throne anyway."
He returned to the stream.
"......"
Meanwhile, I could only wear a grave expression at what I'd heard.
I didn't mishear, did I?
He said throne.
The throne—the Emperor's seat for handling state affairs.
Did the Emperor send me to watch these Gold Guard not for the Murim Alliance, but...?
Come to think of it, he just told me to monitor them, without specifying their allegiance.
That explained their lack of odd behavior—no need.
Whew, nearly struck out.
Learning Kwon Jik Daehyeop served not the Emperor, but someone eyeing the throne, raised questions.
Who did he serve?
And what was this 'artifact' mentioned?
I shook my head, clearing my thoughts.
No point speculating here.
My task was simple: find the boss of the man Kwon Jik just informed.
Tailing the mystery man quietly, I saw him release a messenger pigeon.
—Geum-ryeong.
—Kkwi?
—Do me a favor. Track that pigeon—where's it headed?
—Kkwi!
At my request, Geum-ryeong pursued it instantly.
.
.
.
.
The next afternoon.
Break time.
I approached Kwon Jik Daehyeop casually.
Despite fatigue from last night's escort, he worked diligently.
Before, it meant nothing; now, it did.
I knew why.
The artifact possibly here.
Geum-ryeong traced the pigeon last night, but not what artifact they sought.
Recall: the Emperor sent Gold Guard here possibly for an imperial artifact.
He might know what they sought.
Or they could be after something else.
Time to investigate.
But how to broach it?
As I pondered, a snake slithered by.
Idea!
—Geum-ryeong! Guide that snake near the daehyeop's feet!
—Kkwi!
Geum-ryeong approached; the snake startled and veered toward him.
Good!
"Watch out!"
I warned Kwon Jik Daehyeop and leaped.
"What the—?"
Whoosh!
I snatched the snake away and chatted with him.
"You okay?"
"Fine. A snake out of nowhere—odd."
"Yeah. Local ones are venomous; glad it didn't bite."
"Thanks for the help."
"No trouble."
I continued smoothly.
"Nothing turning up so far really means nothing's here. I said as much, but... I hoped something would."
"Hoped... You're not alone."
"Right? I secretly hoped for a weapon—like the red staff Great Master Hyeulgong used."
I probed subtly.
"What about you, Daehyeop? Hoping for anything?"
"Hoping..."
Having fully dropped suspicions—or eager to share his secret—he chuckled and continued.
"I hoped for an artifact."
"Artifact?"
"Yes. Legend says Great Master Hyeulgong saved Emperor in disguise during a forest patrol and received one as thanks."
"Such a tale?"
"Not well-known. Anyway, with it being his sword tomb, I hoped... but no."
"What kind of artifact?"
"Ah, a cloth wrapper."
"Pardon?"
"A red cloth wrapper. Write your destination on it, and it guides you safely anywhere."
A red cloth wrapper?
Wasn't the one wrapping the book and letter I found red?