With his large build, he exuded a threatening aura.
He was the Fire Dragon Division Lord, Cheon Dae-ung.
“From now on, anyone who moves without my permission dies. Don't even breathe."
His voice, imbued with inner energy, boomed thunderously.
Behind Cheon Dae-ung, seven elite members of the Fire Dragon Division lined up.
Known as the Seven Fires, they had long served as Cheon Dae-ung’s limbs, possessing coarse and cruel personalities.
The number of people killed by the Seven Fires to make Cheon Dae-ung the Fire Dragon Division Lord of the Evil King Sect exceeded the total number of members in the entire Fire Dragon Division.
Having received the information, Cheon Dae-ung had hurriedly chased after them, bringing only them instead of the entire Fire Dragon Division.
Cheon Dae-ung scanned the interior of the inn with his blazing eyes.
Then his gaze met Jihan’s.
The moment he saw him, Jihan shot up from his seat without realizing it.
"So you really were here."
Cheon Dae-ung's words made it clear.
Someone had informed him of Jihan's presence here.
Normally, Cheon Dae-ung should have gone to Shaanxi, chasing the corpse of the Ten Thousand Evils Hermit.
"How dare a hunting dog that does nothing but sniff around pull a stunt like this?"
Jihan’s eyes wavered.
The contempt and harassment he had habitually endured came to mind, and for a moment, his body froze.
At the same time, all sorts of unpleasant emotions shook him.
"How dare a punk like you!"
Cheon Dae-ung's anger exploded at the fact that he had almost been deceived by none other than Jihan.
The torrent of abuse he had been holding back on his way here finally burst forth.
“Did your father teach you to betray the organization that raised you like this? Yeah, your father probably crawled on the ground sniffing shit too, right? This monstrous bastard dares to deceive me?”
Whose fault was all this?
As Cheon Dae-ung shamelessly insulted his father, killing intent surged in Jihan's eyes.
Although his father had sent him away to his master at a young age, it was so he could live well and not suffer in a poor household.
It was then.
“Sit down.”
Surprisingly, the person who spoke calmly was not Geom Mugeuk, but the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign.
Jihan looked at her, sitting across from him, with a surprised expression.
It was the first time she had spoken to him since they met.
"Let's eat together."
“Yes.”
With a surprised and bewildered heart, Jihan sat down.
Her single phrase instantly calmed the emotions that had been on the verge of being consumed by anger and killing intent.
The inn fell into a hush as everyone stared at her.
She exuded an elegant grace that was the complete opposite of Cheon Dae-ung, who had created the hostile atmosphere.
The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign was the first to eat the Five-spice Pork.
Everyone held their breath, and it seemed as if they could even hear the sound of her chewing.
The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign closed her eyes for a moment, as if savoring the taste.
Her expression soon brightened.
"It's delicious."
Cheon Dae-ung, watching this, was dumbfounded.
He had clearly told them to put down their chopsticks, yet she was eating as if to spite him?
A string of curses should have erupted, but the strange charm emanating from the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign's beauty made him decide to watch for a moment to see how things would unfold.
Geom Mugeuk was delighted.
"Ah, what a relief. I went through so much trouble to protect this Five-spice Pork, I was worried it wouldn't taste good."
Truly, it was a moment he had protected by running here and there, stopping all sorts of fights.
The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign offered some to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“You should try some too, brother.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon also picked up his chopsticks and ate the Five-spice Pork.
“Not bad.”
For him, this reaction was the highest praise.
“If you only eat noodle dishes at your age, it’s bad for your health. You should eat a variety of things like this more often.”
The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign's gaze turned back to Jihan.
“Why are you not eating?”
Although he was in no mood to eat, Jihan picked up his chopsticks.
“I will eat.”
“Good food is meant to lift one’s spirits.”
Realizing that she was trying to care for his feelings, Jihan was inwardly surprised and moved.
Jihan ate the Five-spice Pork.
“It’s delicious.”
It was a lie.
He was so distracted that he couldn't really taste it.
Just then, Jihan’s gaze met Geom Mugeuk’s.
Seeing him, he realized he had momentarily forgotten whose subordinate he had become and who he was with.
Freezing up at the sight of Cheon Dae-ung was a discourtesy to Geom Mugeuk.
“I apologize.”
As Jihan bowed his head, Geom Mugeuk said with a smile.
“You saw it correctly.”
“Pardon?”
"A fool is certainly a fool."
Jihan had been the one to stop Geom Mugeuk from killing Cheon Dae-ung earlier, saying it was better to have a fool in the enemy camp.
And now, that fool had come looking for him on his own two feet.
Sensing that he had been called a fool, Cheon Dae-ung unleashed his killing intent.
“Now that you’re done eating, get ready to die.”
Swoooosh!
He didn't care if the people inside got hurt.
But the killing intent couldn't spread far before it was blocked by something.
Poong, poong, the killing intent bounced off gently.
Cheon Dae-ung was startled.
It felt as if an invisible barrier was surrounding him.
It was the first time this had happened since he learned martial arts.
Geom Mugeuk rose from his seat and walked towards him with a bright smile.
“You must be my subordinate’s former master.”
“Former master?”
“Jihan is now my subordinate.”
“By whose authority?”
It seemed he was about to say 'by my authority', but Geom Mugeuk looked at Jihan and said.
“By his own will.”
It wasn't that he had made him a subordinate.
He had come asking to be made one.
Having his killing intent blocked, Cheon Dae-ung became somewhat cautious.
He first played the card of the power backing him.
“Are you confident you can handle the Evil King Sect?”
At the words ‘Evil King Sect,’ the watching customers turned pale.
They had already guessed from his words and actions that Cheon Dae-ung was not a good person, but the Evil King Sect? Their evil deeds were so severe that everyone shuddered at the name.
“I can handle it, but the other customers might get indigestion.”
Thud.
Before anyone knew it, Geom Mugeuk had his arm around Cheon Dae-ung's shoulders.
“Now, now, let’s not do this here. Let’s step outside for a moment.”
The two had been standing facing each other a short distance apart, but now they were suddenly standing side-by-side, so to everyone's eyes, the intermediate step seemed to have been omitted.
Naturally, the most surprised person was Cheon Dae-ung himself, and the next most surprised were the Seven Fires standing beside him.
“Oh, your muscles are amazing! I happen to like people with muscles.”
Geom Mugeuk poked his bicep with his finger.
Yet, for some reason, Cheon Dae-ung didn't push him away.
Because of that, the Seven Fires watching them instinctively knew that Cheon Dae-ung had been subdued by him.
He hated it when others touched his body.
The two of them walked outside.
The bewildered Seven Fires followed behind them.
Jihan, who was watching, shot up from his seat.
"I'll be right back!"
He couldn't just sit there while his leader went out to fight because of him.
As he ran out, Taesu also shot up and ran out after him.
“They’re all so young.”
At the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign’s words, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon silently drank his wine.
The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign refilled his cup.
“Do you miss it?”
One would have expected him to say, ‘Of course I do.’
The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign shook her head.
“I did, before I met the Young Cult Master. I regretted and longed for the past, and back then, I was very angry with my life.”
“And now?”
The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign smiled without a word.
There was no need to answer.
She was showing her transformation, from her external appearance to her internal changes.
This time, the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign asked.
“Do you have any regrets, brother?”
After a moment of silence, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon finally brought out the emotions he hadn't shown for the past thirty years.
“I do.”
It was the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign who broke the heavy silence that flowed.
"Let's come here again. We can stand in line together."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at her with a surprised expression.
“Next time, let’s come just the two of us.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had been staring at her quietly, silently nodded.
Cheon Dae-ung couldn't resist.
He had no idea when his inner energy had been suppressed.
Moreover, the paralyzing points on his upper body had also been subdued, leaving him able to do nothing but walk.
Was it because the god of death had covered his eyes?
'He was a master!' Instead, he was having a different regret.
'I was careless!'
It was because he had been convinced that the masters were the old man and the woman.
Geom Mugeuk was too young to be a master.
His actions were too light, and he talked too much.
Cheon Dae-ung glanced behind him.
Fortunately, his subordinates were following closely.
Yes, he could wait for an opportunity and eliminate the man.
All the while, Geom Mugeuk kept talking.
“Everyone lined up to eat something delicious, so who are you and I to cause a scene there?”
What the hell is this madman talking about?
He was even more furious at the fact that he had been bested not only by a hunting dog but also by a guy like this.
"But why did you insult my subordinate's parents like that earlier? It was quite unpleasant to hear. I can usually tolerate a lot, but I can't stand insults about parents."
“I wasn’t insulting you, was I?”
“If you had insulted me, your head would be rolling around being kicked by the busy tavern boys right now. Before that, your body would have been split in half. Oh, I’m not saying I would have done it. I’m the type who detests breaking and killing things in taverns or inns. The two people I was with earlier are very fond of my father, so the moment you said ‘your father,’ your neck would have been lopped off, and your body would have been sliced in half, is what I’m saying.”
In the meantime, the two arrived at an empty lot behind the inn where no one was around.
As they stopped, the Seven Fires surrounded them with their swords drawn.
They couldn't attack recklessly, as Cheon Dae-ung could be in danger.
Trusting in the presence of his subordinates, Cheon Dae-ung asked.
“The treasure map, you have it, don’t you?”
“That’s right. We have it. Then let me ask you a question. Who told you we were at this inn?”
Cheon Dae-ung didn't answer.
Crack.
“Aaaaaargh!”
A scream erupted from Cheon Dae-ung’s mouth.
With a light twist from Geom Mugeuk, one of his shoulders had been crushed and broken.
“Oh my, I’m sorry. I must have grabbed you too tightly. I got nervous while waiting for your answer. This time, I’ll wait while holding this arm.”
As Geom Mugeuk reached for his other arm, Cheon Dae-ung shouted.
“I don’t know either! All I know is that it was someone sent directly by the Sect Master.”
“If you don’t know, you should at least describe his appearance.”
“He was wearing a bamboo hat, so I couldn’t see!”
Geom Mugeuk could guess.
It was the same man who had brought the treasure map and told him to apply the Soul-Chasing Incense.
In any case, he had found out that the man was connected to the Evil King Sect Master.
“I broke your arm, so I feel bad. I’ll give you a piece of information. The truth is, the treasure map you’re looking for was intentionally leaked by the person who sent you.”
“What nonsense is that?”
"You called my subordinate a hunting dog, but you're the real hunting dog who knows nothing. Compared to you, my subordinate is a person with a special talent that no one else in the world possesses."
Geom Mugeuk looked at a tree behind him.
“Jihan.”
At that, Jihan, who was hiding behind the tree, revealed himself.
"If you fought these guys here, how many could you confidently take on?"
“Three.”
The faces of the Seven Fires hardened menacingly.
How dare a mere hunting dog claim he could handle three of them?
“With your talent, you could take on all seven of them with just a little training.”
Geom Mugeuk had accurately assessed the skills of both Jihan and the Seven Fires.
“I will show you the way later.”
At the unexpected words, Jihan’s heart pounded.
The Young Cult Master was saying he would bestow his teachings upon him.
“No need to be so moved. They’re all cursing me for being trapped in a hell of training.”
“If it’s that kind of hell, I’ll go there as many times as you want.”
Cheon Dae-ung aimed for the moment Geom Mugeuk was distracted while talking to Jihan.
“Now!”
Simultaneously, the Seven Fires thrust the swords they had aimed at Geom Mugeuk.
The sound of flesh being torn was heard in an instant.
Not a single sword missed its mark.
Thrust! Thud! Stab! Stab stab stab!
The next moment, the Seven Fires’ eyes widened at the sight unfolding before them.
The person who had been stabbed was none other than Cheon Dae-ung.
In an instant, the two had switched places.
It was as if they had been aiming for Cheon Dae-ung all along.
Since they all aimed only for his vital points, Cheon Dae-ung coughed up a torrent of blood and died instantly.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The necks of the Seven Fires, who surrounded Cheon Dae-ung with their swords still embedded in him, began to droop.
Geom Mugeuk had circled around them at high speed, breaking their necks from behind.
His movements were like a flash of lightning, so the Seven Fires’ necks were broken before they could even pull their swords from Cheon Dae-ung’s body.
It was over in a flash, the sound unable to keep up with the action.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
In the center, Cheon Dae-ung lay dead, stabbed by swords, while the Seven Fires who surrounded him also died, their necks broken while still standing.
If anyone were to discover them, they would think it a truly bizarre sight.
A shiver ran down Jihan’s spine.
He knew Geom Mugeuk was strong, but he never knew he was this strong.
Their skills were worlds apart.
The Young Cult Master looked at him, the playfulness gone from his deep eyes, and said.
“Don’t look back anymore. We move forward.”
Jihan gave a deep bow on the spot.
“I will never be trapped in the past. Thank you.”
Just then, a voice shouted from behind.
“Me too!”
Taesu appeared and was about to say something when Geom Mugeuk raised his hand to stop him.
Then, as if he knew what he was about to say, he spoke calmly.
“Make your decision after you’ve seen your father.”
Taesu realized he had been too hasty and took a deep breath.
“Yes, I understand.”
And so, the three of them returned to the inn.
When they returned safely, the customers and the tavern boys smiled brightly and rejoiced.
Some people even applauded.
Jihan and Taesu ate the Five-spice Pork and drank wine with peace of mind.
A special dish came out from the kitchen.
“This is so delicious.”
Jihan could finally taste the true flavor of the Five-spice Pork.
Geom Mugeuk ran to the front of the kitchen and shouted through the serving window.
“This is so delicious. Please continue to preserve this taste! There are people who will come looking for it again someday!”
Watching him, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign looked at each other.
They had just talked about coming again, just the two of them.
It was as if he were a ghost.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head and held out his cup, and the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign toasted with him.
What was in their cups was not wine, but a promise.
The carriage ran and ran, finally arriving in Zhejiang Province.
On the way here, they saw countless martial artists flocking to Zhejiang Province.
There were masters and there were novices.
Some came in groups, and some came alone.
They were flocking like moths to a flame.
When the carriage arrived at the foot of the mountain, Taesu finally revealed the exact location of the Sword Tomb.
"The Sword Tomb is here, on Heavenly Eye Mountain."
It was Heavenly Eye Mountain, known as the eye of the sky.
“There are ponds on the eastern and western peaks of the mountain. When you look down from the sky, they look like eyes, which is why it's called Heavenly Eye Mountain.”
Taesu revealed the exact entrance to the Sword Tomb.
“The entrance to the Sword Tomb is below the left eye.”