The Martial Alliance Treasury.
A place where all sorts of treasures of the Martial World were stored, an Absolute Forbidden Zone known to be accessible only to the Martial Alliance Leader and those he permitted.
A mysterious aura, befitting its long history, flowed from the very gates.
As he passed through the formation, Geom Mugeuk was honestly hopeful.
It wasn't because he coveted a martial arts secret manual or a Divine Weapon.
It was because of the hope that one of the orbs the Secret Vessel could absorb might be stored here in the Martial Alliance Treasury.
But he really hadn't expected the Martial Alliance Leader to bring him here.
“This is the first time someone from the Divine Sect has come this far. Perhaps the first in all of history.”
“It is an honor, Alliance Leader.”
Was it only people from the Divine Sect? He could probably count on one hand the number of Righteous Path martial artists who had seen this place.
“Since becoming the Alliance Leader, I have never once used an item from this place for personal reasons.”
Jin Pae-cheon looked down at his own sword and added.
“This sword, too, is one I have used since my youth.”
He had not touched the elixirs or the Divine Weapons within this place.
“I believed that this was not mine, but the Martial Alliance's, a legacy left by our ancestors to protect the Righteous Path Martial World.”
Geom Mugeuk spoke to Jin Pae-cheon with respect.
“It is because you are such a person that you have been able to protect the Righteous Path Martial World until now.”
He meant it sincerely.
If the Alliance Leader had been filled with greed, his father would not have overlooked that flaw for so long.
Although he was also a grandfather whose heart was swayed by his grandchildren, Geom Mugeuk knew that a person with such a heart was an even stronger martial artist.
“I pondered what kind of reward I should give you.”
Geom Mugeuk had told him he would have resolved it well even without his help, but would he really have? Would his crisis instinct truly have kicked in against a friend he had known for decades? He thought not.
Geom Mugeuk had saved his life and the lives of his grandchildren, and by extension, the fate of the Martial Alliance.
For the second time, following the last incident.
Honestly, he wanted to say, as a reward, I will make you my grandson-in-law.
Of course, their relationship was not one that would allow for it, and even if it were, he now knew it could not be a gift.
Rather, if he became his grandson-in-law, it would be he who received the gift.
“If you were an ordinary master, I would have assessed your skill and talent and bestowed upon you a martial arts secret manual and a treasured sword myself. But I cannot do that for you.”
Jin Pae-cheon’s gaze turned toward the Martial Alliance Treasury.
“So, you shall choose yourself.”
A surprising statement was added.
“Take three things you desire from this place and come out.”
Geom Mugeuk was startled by the unexpected gift.
Not just one, but three?
Jin Pae-cheon saw the surprised Geom Mugeuk and gave a single nod.
“Alliance Leader, I am too greedy to refuse such an offer. If you thought, ‘Surely this fellow will refuse on his own,’ you have underestimated my greed. You think I’ll reduce three to one? No, I am a greedy man who schemes to increase three to five.”
“It was a decision made after much thought. Take three.”
Only after that confirmation did Geom Mugeuk rejoice.
“Thank you so much! Thank you, Alliance Leader!”
He didn't just rejoice; he was ecstatic.
He jumped up and down in front of the Alliance Leader.
“Are you that happy?”
“Of course, this is a place I’ll never get to see again in my life, isn't it? Just to see it would be an incredible thing, but to be able to take three artifacts, how could I not be happy? I’m truly happy! Treasures, just you wait! The Incarnation of Greed is coming! I’m coming to take five!”
“Three!”
“Yes! I’m coming to take three!”
Seeing Geom Mugeuk so happy, a smile formed on Jin Pae-cheon's lips.
Yes, this was much better than feigning refusal when offered something, only to accept as if one couldn't resist.
To rejoice freely, enough to make the giver feel good as well.
“But why three?”
Geom Mugeuk asked and then guessed the answer himself.
“Is it perhaps because I rooted out the three people who had deeply infiltrated the Martial Alliance?”
Jin Pae-cheon hadn't decided on three for any particular reason.
It was just that telling him to take only one seemed cold, so he said three.
If he had to give a reason, it would be more accurate to say it was because he had saved him, his grandson, and his granddaughter.
One for each person.
“Just so you know, I’m going to take only the very best things.”
“Do so.”
Jin Pae-cheon took out a large key, inserted it into the hole at the entrance, and turned it.
Krrrrrr.
The massive door slowly began to open.
“Well then, I shall be back.”
“Take your time to look around, even if it takes a while.”
“Thank you very much.”
After showing his respect with a formal bow, Geom Mugeuk stepped inside.
Behind the door was a corridor, and at the end of the corridor was another door.
The walls leading to it were embedded with Night Light Pearls, so it wasn't dark.
Usually, broken or low-quality Night Light Pearls were used to replace lanterns, but here, they used very bright and high-quality ones.
From the very start, it made one's heart flutter.
Today, his first goal here was to obtain an orb for the Secret Vessel to absorb.
He had obtained the Secret Vessel from the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, and in the underground of the Yellow Dragon Martial Hall, he had connected with three hundred years ago and obtained the heart technique formula to control these energies.
He had currently absorbed three energies.
The Black Eye obtained from the Wind Heaven Sect.
The blue essence obtained from the Unorthodox Alliance.
The white essence obtained from the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Last time, in the underground of the Yellow Dragon Martial Hall, he had seen the mural of the Secret Vessel and the orbs.
There were a total of six energies for the Secret Vessel to absorb.
Black and white, blue and red, and yellow and violet.
Could he really obtain one of these energies from the Martial Alliance?
Having reached the end of the corridor, Geom Mugeuk opened the door with a pounding heart and walked inside.
The first space of the Martial Alliance Treasury was where treasures were stored.
Usually, in places where treasures are kept, the most common sights are various treasures made of gold.
Gifts sent by various merchant groups or sects, such as dragons, tigers, turtles, or toads made of gold, would typically fill a treasury.
But there was no such gold or jewelry in the Martial Alliance Treasury.
Here, there was only one type of treasure.
Poison-Resistant Beads.
Rows and rows of expensive, top-quality Poison-Resistant Beads were displayed.
When he opened the boxes stacked below, they were also full of Poison-Resistant Beads.
Each box was filled with beads of different grades.
Geom Mugeuk could tell.
The Martial Alliance was converting all its treasures into Poison-Resistant Beads for storage.
'Ah, they're preparing for war.'
At the same time, they were also preparing for the Poison King.
If a war were to break out, the Poison-Resistant Beads here would be immediately distributed to all the masters of the Alliance.
'You won't have to worry so much in this generation.
Even if a war occurs, Father won't put the Poison King at the forefront.'
Passing through the room of only Poison-Resistant Beads, he opened the door to the next room.
The moment he opened the door, a vast space revealed itself.
It was a space dozens of times larger than the place where the Poison-Resistant Beads were.
The energy emanating from this place was filled with the aura of the Righteous Path.
It was so full of righteous and chivalrous energy that an ordinary demonic practitioner or Unorthodox Path master would find it burdensome even to enter.
Geom Mugeuk slowly stepped inside.
This was a place where Divine Weapons were stored.
It was so vast that the end was not in sight.
Weapons hung on all four walls, and countless display stands holding weapons were set up in the inner space.
Geom Mugeuk walked slowly, looking at them.
They were mainly weapons used by masters of the Righteous Path.
That was why it was overflowing with the energy of the Righteous Path.
Below the display stands, the name of the weapon and the names of the masters who used it were written, and it was even detailed where and with whom those masters had fought.
This was not just a warehouse.
It was an exhibition hall where one could learn about the history of the Martial World.
He had been in several treasuries before, but this was the first time he had seen one so well-organized.
The weapons were famous ones he had heard of at some point.
Take this sword that immediately caught Geom Mugeuk's eye, for instance.
The name written below the display stand.
Nameless Sword.
It was called the Nameless Sword because it had no name, but it was more famous than any sword with a name.
It was the signature weapon of a peerless master who swept through the Martial World two hundred years ago, known as the Nameless Wanderer.
'I can't just pass by the Nameless Sword.'
He carefully lifted the Nameless Sword from the display stand and drew it.
Sreureung.
The sharpness emanating from the sword chilled the surroundings.
“It’s magnificent!”
Admiration escaped him automatically.
Any martial artist who used a sword would not be able to tear their feet away from this blade.
Next to it was a single pipa.
It was a weapon for a martial artist who used Sound Arts.
Heavenly Sound Pipa.
It was the signature weapon of the Bright Flower Fairy, a peerless master of Sound Arts in the past.
It was said that when the Heavenly Sound Pipa was played, those with weak inner energy would have their eardrums burst and their vital energy flow in reverse, leading to instant death.
There was a reason the Nameless Sword and the Heavenly Sound Pipa were placed so close together.
The Bright Flower Fairy had lost her life in a battle with the Nameless Wanderer.
The explanation below the display stand also described their final battle.
After taking a few more steps, there was a blade with a black dragon carved as if coiled around the blade's body.
Ink Dragon Divine Blade.
“Ah! I haven't even walked ten steps since entering the room, and already there's the Nameless Sword, the Heavenly Sound Pipa, and the Ink Dragon Divine Blade? And I can only choose three things from here? I'll take everything but three!”
If Jin Pae-cheon had heard, he would have laughed heartily, but truly, the Divine Weapons filling the place made him feel like lying on the floor and throwing a tantrum.
With every step he took, a history that had astonished the Martial World revealed itself.
Demon-Sealing Chain.
This chain weapon was also once the signature weapon of a Righteous Path master who roamed the Martial World, and the fan next to it, named the White Spirit Fan, was also an absolute weapon where life and death were decided with a single wave.
These two martial artists were sworn brothers.
Geom Mugeuk had a broader and richer knowledge of the Martial World than anyone, so he recognized many of the weapons.
But reading the explanations revealed many hidden stories he didn't know.
As he looked around, he found that there were also surprisingly ordinary weapons.
If the person who used the weapon was a great warrior of justice, or if the weapon was used in a truly meaningful way, it was displayed.
When one's martial arts reach a certain level, a single worn iron sword, just by the fact that it was used by a martial artist one respected, would be more meaningful than any treasured sword.
And so, Geom Mugeuk walked on, looking at the weapons.
How far had he walked?
Suddenly, the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art was activated.
It wasn't because an immediate danger was detected.
It was because an unusually powerful energy was felt from ahead, causing the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art to react.
'What in the world is there?'
Geom Mugeuk walked toward it.
The closer he got, the more intense the energy became.
When he arrived, there was a wide space.
Before, the weapons were displayed densely like a Go board, but here, in a wide space, there was only one display stand with a single sword placed on it.
The Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art had been activated precisely because of this sword.
Just because of the energy emitted by a single sword, the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art was activated?
Come to think of it, this was the exact center of this second area.
The arrangement was such that the weapons were displayed in all directions with this sword at the center.
A single sword placed there.
Geom Mugeuk slowly approached it.
An intense righteous and chivalrous energy could be felt from the sword.
The moment he saw the name written below it, Geom Mugeuk's eyes widened in surprise.
Gentleman’s Sword.
A cry burst from Geom Mugeuk.
“The Greatest Gentleman’s Sword of All Time!”
That was the name used to call the Gentleman's Sword.
The Gentleman's Sword was a symbol of the Righteous Path Martial World.
It was known that if the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect had the Heavenly Demon Sword, the Righteous Path had the Gentleman’s Sword.
“Ah! So this is the Gentleman's Sword.”
It was a sword Geom Mugeuk had only heard of.
The scabbard and hilt of the Gentleman’s Sword were not ornate.
However, the energy felt from the sword overwhelmed any other weapon.
Geom Mugeuk stared silently at the Gentleman’s Sword.
First, he was amazed at Jin Pae-cheon.
As the Martial Alliance Leader, he could have taken and used this Gentleman’s Sword.
But he did not use it.
It was likely because it was a sword that symbolized the Righteous Path Martial World, steeped in long history and tradition.
'He must have known that I might choose the Gentleman's Sword?'
Did he believe that he wouldn't choose the Gentleman’s Sword?
Or did he think it was acceptable for him to take it?
In any case, since he had promised, if he said he would take this sword, Jin Pae-cheon would let him take it.
He was not a man who broke his promises.
“No, didn't I go so far as to call myself the Incarnation of Greed! What on earth did you trust to tell me to take whatever I wanted?”
He thought Jin Pae-cheon was incredible.
Geom Mugeuk approached the Gentleman's Sword until it was within arm's reach.
“Aren't you lonely, being confined in this place?”
A treasured sword like the Gentleman’s Sword would want to meet a good master and show itself to the world.
Geom Mugeuk's deliberation was not long.
“Alright, let's go out together!”
Geom Mugeuk decided to take the Gentleman’s Sword with him.
For such a precious sword to remain only in a treasury was not right for the Martial World, nor for this sword.
Geom Mugeuk carefully lifted the Gentleman’s Sword in his hand.
Even without drawing the sword, he could feel its energy.
As he held the Gentleman’s Sword, the Black Demon Sword at his waist let out a low hum.
Guuuung.
It had sensed the presence of the Gentleman’s Sword.
It was the moment a treasured sword recognized another.
Geom Mugeuk soothed the Black Demon Sword.
“Don't be nervous, it’s alright.”
Geom Mugeuk did not draw the Gentleman’s Sword.
It was not a sword he would use.
No matter how much he was promised he could take anything, and no matter how he had saved their lives, there were things one should not be greedy for.
“A reason to congratulate my friend has just come up.”
He planned to give the Gentleman’s Sword to Jin Ha-gun as a gift.
Because he possessed a character that perfectly matched the name of the sword.
Given Jin Pae-cheon's personality, even if Jin Ha-gun later became the Alliance Leader, it was unlikely he would give this sword to his grandson.
A man of integrity who had not touched anything in this place his entire life would not be able to give the Gentleman's Sword to his own flesh and blood.
'So, I will give it to him!'
Would the day come when he would see Jin Ha-gun perform the Imperial Sword Forms with the Gentleman's Sword?
Geom Mugeuk fastened the Gentleman’s Sword to the opposite side of his waist from the Black Demon Sword.
Thus, Geom Mugeuk chose the first of the three items he could have.
He had said it as a joke to Jin Pae-cheon, but he really did choose the best item.
Jin Pae-cheon must have had faith that he would not take this out.
But this, you didn't know, did you?
“You'll probably like that friend, too.”