Chapter 745: We Move Forward
The man who revealed an intimidating presence with his massive build was none other than the Fire Dragon Division Leader, Cheon Dae-woong.
“From now on, anyone who moves without my permission will die. Don’t even breathe.”
His voice, infused with inner power, resounded thunderously.
Behind Cheon Dae-woong stood seven elite members of the Fire Dragon Division.
Called the Seven Flames, they had long served as his hands and feet, known for their rough and cruel temperaments.
The number of people the Seven Flames had killed on their way to making Cheon Dae-woong the Fire Dragon Division Leader of the Evil King Sect was greater than the total number of the Fire Dragon Division itself.
Having received intel and hurriedly set out in pursuit, Cheon Dae-woong had not brought the entire division but only these men with him.
His burning eyes swept across the interior of the tavern.
Then, his gaze met Ji Han’s. The moment their eyes met, Ji Han unconsciously jumped to his feet.
“So you really were here.”
From Cheon Dae-woong’s words, it was clear that someone had informed him that Ji Han was here. Originally, Cheon Dae-woong should have been tracking the corpse of the Man of Ten-Thousand Evils toward Shaanxi.
“A mangy hunting dog that sniffs around dares to pull a stunt like this?”
Ji Han’s eyes trembled. Memories of the contempt and torment he had long endured rose up, freezing his body. At the same time, a surge of disgust and rage shook him to his core.
“How dare you!”
Cheon Dae-woong’s fury exploded at the thought that he, of all people, had been deceived by Ji Han. The insults he had restrained on the way here finally burst forth.
“Did your father teach you to betray the organization that raised you? Yeah, I bet your old man crawled on the ground sniffing dung too! You monster, you dare deceive me?”
Who was really to blame for all this? As Cheon Dae-woong shamelessly insulted his father, murderous intent surged in Ji Han’s eyes. Though his father had sent him to his master at a young age, it had been to spare him from the hardships of poverty — to give him a better life.
At that moment—
“Sit down.”
Surprisingly, the one who spoke calmly was not Geom Mugeuk but One-Slash Sword Supreme.
Startled, Ji Han looked at her across the table. It was the first time she had ever spoken to him since they met.
“Let’s eat together.”
“Yes.”
Still shocked and dazed, Ji Han sat back down. Her simple words instantly calmed the anger and killing intent that had nearly consumed him.
The tavern fell into silence as everyone turned their attention to her. She radiated an elegant dignity completely opposite to the ferocious aura Cheon Dae-woong exuded.
One-Slash Sword Supreme took the first bite of the five-spice braised pork.
Everyone held their breath, to the point where even the sound of her chewing seemed audible.
She closed her eyes briefly as if savoring the flavor.
Then, her expression brightened beautifully.
“It’s delicious.”
Cheon Dae-woong, watching the scene before him, was dumbfounded.
He had clearly ordered everyone to put down their chopsticks, yet she was openly eating right in front of him?
He should have exploded in curses immediately, but the mysterious charm radiating from One-Slash Sword Supreme’s beauty made him hold back for a moment, curious to see how she would act next.
Geom Mugeuk looked delighted.
“Ah, what a relief. I was worried that after all that trouble we went through to protect this five-spice braised pork, it might not even taste good.”
Truly, this was the moment they had fought and run around so much to preserve.
One-Slash Sword Supreme offered some to Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“Orabeoni, please try some too.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of the five-spice braised pork.
“Not bad.”
That kind of reaction, from him, was the highest of praises.
“Eating only noodles at your age will ruin your health. You should eat a variety of foods like this more often.”
Her gaze then shifted back to Ji Han.
“Why aren’t you eating?”
He wasn’t in the mood to eat, but Ji Han lifted his chopsticks.
“I’ll eat.”
“Delicious food is what helps lighten one’s mood.”
Realizing that she was trying to care for his feelings, Ji Han was inwardly both surprised and moved.
He took a bite of the five-spice braised pork.
“It’s delicious.”
It was a lie. His mind was in such turmoil that he couldn’t even taste the food properly.
At that moment, his eyes happened to meet Geom Mugeuk’s. Seeing him made Ji Han realize that he had momentarily forgotten whose subordinate he was and who he was sitting with.
To freeze up before Cheon Dae-woong was, in itself, an act of disrespect toward Geom Mugeuk.
“I’m sorry.”
When Ji Han bowed his head, Geom Mugeuk smiled and said,
“You saw it well.”
“…Pardon?”
“A fool is definitely a fool.”
It was Ji Han who had once stopped Geom Mugeuk from killing Cheon Dae-woong, saying not to bother — that it was better to keep a fool alive in the enemy camp.
And now that very fool had come walking straight to him.
Feeling that he was being called a fool, Cheon Dae-woong’s killing intent erupted.
“Now that you’re done stuffing your faces, get ready to die.”
Swoooosh—!
He didn’t care if everyone inside the tavern got hurt or not.
But the killing intent didn’t spread far. It struck something unseen and bounced off softly with muffled thuds.
Cheon Dae-woong flinched in surprise. It felt as if an invisible barrier had wrapped around him. In all his years of martial training, he had never experienced such a thing.
Geom Mugeuk stood and walked toward him with a radiant smile.
“You’re the former superior of my subordinate.”
“Former superior?”
“Ji Han now serves under me.”
“Who decided that?”
Just when it seemed he would say, “I did,” Geom Mugeuk glanced at Ji Han and said,
“It was his own will.”
He hadn’t taken Ji Han as a subordinate — Ji Han had come to ask for it himself.
Realizing that his killing intent had been blocked, Cheon Dae-woong grew more cautious. He decided to first display the power that backed him.
“Do you think you can handle the Evil King Sect?”
At those words, the faces of the tavern’s patrons turned pale. They already suspected Cheon Dae-woong wasn’t a good man from his behavior, but the Evil King Sect? The very mention of that name made people shudder — it was infamous for its ruthless wickedness.
“I can handle it, but I’m afraid the other guests might lose their appetite.”
Tap.
Before anyone noticed, Geom Mugeuk had already slung an arm around Cheon Dae-woong’s shoulders.
“Come now, instead of causing a scene in here, why don’t we step outside for a bit?”
The two had clearly been standing several steps apart, yet suddenly they were side by side. To everyone watching, it seemed as though the moment between had been completely skipped.
Naturally, the most shocked was Cheon Dae-woong himself — and right after him, the Seven Flames standing nearby.
“Oh, impressive muscles! I must admit, I have a fondness for well-built men.”
Geom Mugeuk jabbed at his arm playfully with a finger. And yet, for some reason, Cheon Dae-woong didn’t shake him off.
That alone was enough for the Seven Flames to sense that their leader had been subdued. Cheon Dae-woong despised anyone laying hands on him, after all.
The two men walked outside, and the flustered Seven Flames quickly followed.
Seeing this, Ji Han abruptly stood up.
“I’ll go too!”
His master had gone to fight because of him — there was no way he could just sit there.
As he rushed out, Tae Soo also sprang to his feet and ran after him.
“Young people really are full of energy.”
At One-Slash Sword Supreme’s remark, Blood Heaven Blade Demon silently drank his wine. She refilled his cup.
“Do you miss it?”
He expected her to say, “Of course,” but instead, One-Slash Sword Supreme shook her head.
“Before I met the Young Cult Leader, I did. I used to regret and miss the past… I was angry at my own life back then.”
“And now?”
One-Slash Sword Supreme smiled wordlessly. There was no need for an answer — her entire being, from her outer grace to her inner peace, already revealed the change within her.
This time, she asked the question.
“Do you regret it, Orabeoni?”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon fell silent for a long time. Then, for the first time in thirty years, he revealed an emotion he had never shown.
“I regret it.”
The heavy silence that followed was broken by One-Slash Sword Supreme.
“Let’s come here again someday. We’ll wait in line together.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at her in surprise.
“That time, we’ll come just the two of us.”
He quietly gazed at her, then gave a firm nod.
* * *
Cheon Dae-woong couldn’t resist.
He had no idea when his internal energy had been suppressed. On top of that, the pressure point in his upper body had also been sealed, leaving him only able to walk — unable to move otherwise.
Was it because the reaper had veiled his eyes?
‘So he was a true master!’ he realized — but almost immediately, another thought followed.
‘I let my guard down!’
He was certain that the true masters were that old man and the woman. Geom Mugeuk was far too young to be called a master — his demeanor was too light, his words too many, his manner far too casual.
Cheon Dae-woong glanced over his shoulder. Thankfully, his subordinates were following closely behind. Good. He would find an opening soon enough to eliminate this man.
Meanwhile, Geom Mugeuk continued talking endlessly.
“Everyone came here to eat something delicious, waiting in line and all, so what sense would it make for you and me to start wrecking the place?”
What the hell was this lunatic babbling about? It infuriated Cheon Dae-woong even more to think that not only had he been humiliated by a hunting dog, but now by someone like this.
“But tell me, why did you insult my subordinate’s parents just now? I didn’t like what I heard. I’m usually a patient man, but I can’t stand people talking about parents that way.”
“I didn’t insult your parents, did I?”
“If you had, your head would already be rolling around on the tavern floor, kicked by the servers rushing back and forth. And before that, your body would’ve been chopped in half. Oh, not that I would have done it, of course — I’m not the type who enjoys breaking or killing in inns and taverns. But those two who were with me? They adored my father. The moment you’d mentioned his name, your neck — slice — and your body — slice — would’ve gone flying.”
As they spoke, the two of them reached an empty clearing behind the tavern where no one else was around.
Once they stopped, the Seven Flames surrounded them with swords drawn. Since Cheon Dae-woong could be put at risk, they couldn’t recklessly strike.
Trusting in his men’s presence, Cheon Dae-woong asked,
“The Treasure Map — you have it, don’t you?”
“That’s right. We have it. Then allow me to ask you a question in return. Who told you we were in this tavern?”
Cheon Dae-woong remained silent.
Crack—!
“Arghhhhh!”
A scream burst from his mouth.
Geom Mugeuk had lightly twisted, crushing one of his shoulders to splinters.
“Oh dear, my apologies. I must’ve gripped too tightly. I got tense waiting for your answer. This time, I’ll hold your other arm while I wait.”
As Geom Mugeuk reached for his other arm, Cheon Dae-woong shouted desperately,
“I don’t know! I only know that the person was sent directly by the Sect Leader!”
“Then at least describe what they looked like.”
“He was wearing a bamboo hat — I couldn’t see his face!”
Geom Mugeuk could already guess. This was the same man who had brought the Treasure Map and told him to apply the Soul-Chasing Incense.
In any case, he had now confirmed that the man was connected to the Evil King Sect Leader.
“After breaking your arm, I feel a bit bad, so I’ll share a piece of information with you. The truth is, the Treasure Map you’re so desperate to find — it was intentionally leaked by the very person who sent you.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“You called my subordinate a hunting dog earlier, but you’re the real dog here — one that knows nothing. Compared to you, my subordinate possesses a talent that no one else in this world could ever have.”
Geom Mugeuk turned his gaze toward the tree behind him.
“Ji Han.”
At his call, Ji Han stepped out from behind the tree where he had been hiding.
“If you were to fight these men, how many do you think you could take?”
“Three.”
The Seven Flames’ faces hardened with fury. How dare a mere hunting dog claim he could take on three of them?
“With your talent, just a bit more training and you’ll be able to handle all seven.”
Geom Mugeuk had perfectly assessed the skills of both Ji Han and the Seven Flames.
“I’ll show you the path later.”
At those unexpected words, Ji Han’s heart began to pound. The Young Cult Leader was offering to personally teach him.
“There’s no need to be too moved. Everyone who’s gone through that training hell ends up cursing my name.”
“If it’s that kind of hell, I’ll gladly go through it.”
Cheon Dae-woong, watching Geom Mugeuk distractedly converse with Ji Han, seized the moment.
“Now!”
At once, the Seven Flames thrust their swords toward Geom Mugeuk. In an instant, the sound of flesh being torn filled the air. Not a single strike missed.
Puk! Puk! Puk! Puk! Puk-puk-puk!
But the next instant, the Seven Flames’ eyes widened in disbelief.
The one pierced by their blades was not Geom Mugeuk — it was Cheon Dae-woong.
Somehow, their positions had been switched, as if they themselves had aimed their swords at him all along.
Every strike had pierced only vital points. Cheon Dae-woong spewed a mouthful of blood and died on the spot.
Crunch! Crack! Crack!
As the Seven Flames stood there, their swords still embedded in their leader’s body, their necks began to droop limply.
Geom Mugeuk had moved in a swift circle, snapping each of their necks from behind.
His movement was faster than lightning itself. The Seven Flames didn’t even have time to pull their swords from Cheon Dae-woong’s body before their lives ended. In a single flash, it was over — the sound couldn’t even keep up with his action.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
In the middle stood Cheon Dae-woong’s corpse, impaled by swords, while around him the Seven Flames remained standing, their necks twisted, all dead.
Anyone who came across the scene would think it grotesque beyond imagination.
A shiver ran through Ji Han’s entire body. He knew Geom Mugeuk was strong — but not this strong. Their difference in power was like heaven and earth.
The Young Cult Leader looked at him then, the playful glint gone from his eyes, replaced by deep, solemn intent.
“Don’t ever look back again. We move forward.”
Ji Han knelt and bowed deeply.
“I’ll never be trapped by the past. Thank you.”
Just then, a voice shouted from behind.
“Me too!”
When Tae Soo stepped forward and tried to speak, Geom Mugeuk raised his hand, silently signaling him to stop.
Then, as if he already knew what Tae Soo was going to say, he spoke calmly.
“Make your decision after meeting your father.”
Realizing how hastily he had acted, Tae Soo took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.
“Yes, understood.”
And so, the three of them returned to the tavern.
When they came back safely, the patrons and servers greeted them with bright smiles of relief. Some even clapped their hands in joy.
Ji Han and Tae Soo relaxed, enjoying the five-spice braised pork and some wine. The kitchen even sent out a few special dishes.
“This is so delicious.”
At last, Ji Han truly tasted the flavor of the five-spice braised pork.
Geom Mugeuk ran up to the kitchen window and shouted through the serving hatch.
“It’s amazing! Please, keep this taste just the same! There will be others who’ll come for it one day!”
Watching him, Blood Heaven Blade Demon and One-Slash Sword Supreme exchanged glances. They had promised to return together when they were alone — and now this.
Truly, he was like a ghost who knew everything.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head with a faint smile and raised his cup, and One-Slash Sword Supreme toasted with him.
What their cups contained wasn’t wine — it was a promise.
* * *
The carriage ran on and on until they finally arrived in Zhejiang Province.
On the way there, they saw countless martial artists heading toward the same destination — some masters, some novices. Some traveled in groups, others came alone.
They were all flocking there like moths to a flame.
When the carriage reached the base of the mountain, Tae Soo finally revealed the exact location of the Sword Tomb.
“The Sword Tomb is here, at Heaven’s Eye.”
It was Heaven’s Eye Mountain — named for its resemblance to the eyes of the heavens.
“There are ponds on both the eastern and western peaks of the mountain. Seen from above, they look like eyes — that’s why it’s called Tianmu Mountain.”
Tae Soo pointed out the precise entrance to the Sword Tomb.
“Beneath the left eye lies the entrance that leads into the Sword Tomb.”
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