Chapter 57: Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Let Go. Don't Stop Me

"Don't worry, hero. The treasure map definitely existed."

Treasure map—a map showing where treasure is buried.

Occasionally appears in the martial world.

Maps recorded with all sorts of complex codes claiming secret manuals or divine weapons are buried.

At such times, codes aren't the problem.

The problem, as always, is people.

Since martial artists are those who grind their lives to become strong, how attractive would treasure maps be?

Blade fights already abound over who gets the treasure map.

'The trap is that most are worthless junk though.'

Already looted places, or worthless items when found—these cases are rather fortunate.

Sometimes malicious traps.

Among Demonic Cult's great veins, the Blood Vein scattered fake treasure maps and feasted on the blood of martial artists who came seeking treasure.

"I don't know what they tried to find. But we actually reached the stone tomb."

This treasure map is real.

"It was a huge stone tomb. We entered through a collapsed wall, not the entrance."

"A collapsed wall? Didn't someone enter first?"

"Didn't seem so... Seems a part collapsed for unknown reasons. Don't know. Maybe from the shock of us digging down."

"I see. As long as no one entered first, it's fine."

"The mechanism formations were still operating as is. We only looked near where we entered then came back out."

The miners discovered several martial arts books there.

The books Dang Yang carefully pulled from his chest looked quite old.

I also carefully received them examining thoroughly.

If these were secret manuals, no need to go to the stone tomb.

"These aren't secret manual level."

Just as a scholar's study doesn't only have old books, a martial arts master's bookshelf also had various martial arts books stuck in.

Probably some among such books.

"Seemed so. The really important things were probably inside the mechanism formations. Even these were difficult for us to learn."

Thanks to Dang Yang they could learn even that much. Dang Yang who professionally handled passage design knew writing well.

"Hero, what's wrong?"

I examined Dang Yang's complexion.

"An elderly person suffered trapped in tunnels."

"Everyone suffered together, so what again..."

"Yet your complexion is bright."

For an elder who experienced hardship, extremely healthy.

"Elder Dang Yang, at Murim Alliance Luoyang Branch's Outer Hall, there's a hero called Kwak Daebang."

"Kwak Daebang? I know, but why him?"

"Continue learning martial arts with the miners. If there are blocked parts, first come find me, and if I'm not there, go find Kwak Daebang."

"Mm? Telling me to continue learning martial arts at this age?"

Not telling you to become a martial artist.

That's too big a choice.

"The martial arts you learned now seem to fit well. Don't you feel your health improved?"

"That is true but..."

"The miners who follow you, the children you saved—stay beside them long."

Learning common martial arts at Dang Yang's age, achievement is obvious.

Just needs to help health.

"The miners showed good adults' appearance to children at that mountain. Especially among them, Elder, you're literally an 'elder.' Please train steadily staying healthy."

If even one more good adult existed—Luoyang would become that much better city for children to live in.

"Whew... This is. It's arduous to learn, so I was going to stop."

I just smiled slightly—binggeut.

Training is arduous. I know that well.

"Still, I'll do as the hero says."

Not sending someone or having healthy miners deliver—this was the reason.

I wanted to receive this promise.

"Then I'll take my leave..."

Now time to rise and return.

"Hero, there's a fact other miners don't know."

"Looking at the entered position and structures seen inside, inner structures are concentrated in the front part of the entire stone tomb."

"What does that mean?"

"Definitely has double structure. After finding treasure, don't just come out. There's something else!"

I arrived at the Black Path hideout without delay.

Preparations were: the map Dang Yang drew, shovel and pickaxe, and—

"Thanks for including me!"

Brought Yang Cheonjo.

"Brother Kwak is support, Cheonjo is supply."

Though wondered about coming alone—

"Heard there are mechanism formations inside the stone tomb. Brother Kwak also trained Body Protection Technique, so please help me a bit."

"To stuff my body in, would need to dig passages wide?"

"Anyway, Brother Kwak is digging, so what's the problem?"

Even for maintaining secrecy, Kwak Daebang's character was trustworthy. Tight-lipped and no greed.

"Cheonjo, if we come out needing rest immediately, let's impose on you."

Yang Cheonjo lived in nearby Banggachon.

Though somewhat rash, he trusted and followed me, so would keep secrets.

"Yes, I told mother too. She said come anytime."

Since Sang Jinhwa herself was a master, could receive help if needed.

"Did you hear about your maternal grandfather Ten Thousand Leaves Hand of Taehang?"

"No, she doesn't tell me well. Hero, can't you go ask?"

"Right, after finishing this work if there's opportunity."

There'd be reasons for keeping it secret.

Not my place to interfere.

I led the way looking at the map.

, three people—reminds me of that day heading to Oga Pharmacy. Coincidentally meeting on the road, various chaotic things happened.

"After turning here, from the point immediately visible... Mm?"

We walked following the steep mountain path animals used. The destination was the base of some low cliff.

He said from here, digging in would arrive at the stone tomb entrance. Mixed with much rock, also said definitely bring pickaxe.

"Hero, did we hear correctly?"

"A tunnel's already dug?"

As Kwak Daebang and Yang Cheonjo said.

A tunnel slightly taller than a person was dug wide open—ppeeong.

I examined the tunnel wall.

Wondered if perhaps an animal dug it, but wasn't at all.

As if cut with a famous sword, the rock was cleanly cut.

Kwak Daebang and Yang Cheonjo also touched the wall following me, conversing among themselves.

"This is definitely traces using martial arts. Moreover, one person did it."

"Right. An incredible master at that."

"Ek, then won't that person take the treasure too?"

Dug a tunnel with transcendent martial arts.

"Brother Kwak, let's put down shovel and pickaxe here. Should hold weapons."

"Cheonjo, when I give instructions, go to Senior Sang requesting help."

Treasure maps have no owners. Treasure too.

If someone gets it first, just step back would be fine.

"Whoever it is dug from the point Elder Dang mentioned. Only possible with treasure map or copy."

"Who had the treasure map? Black Path connected to Demonic Cult."

Tension also rose on both their faces. They each pulled out twin blades and short staff.

"What's inside is either Black Path or Demonic Cult."

"Your words are right!"

Seureung—I also drew Mukheun.

Whatever treasure in the stone tomb, couldn't hand it to Demonic Cult.

Left hand holding torch, right hand holding weapon—moving inside quickly.

"Ink Sword Hero, the door's broken."

The stone tomb entrance's steel door was pierced.

"Pierced this cleanly?"

Not Luoyang Black Path's level.

"Could be a Demonic Cult figure. Brother Kwak, depending on situation, might need to avoid fighting."

"Right. Might be better to escape first assembling pursuit team."

"Cheonjo, absolutely don't speak roughly. Don't even open your mouth. When I say quiet, close your mouth going 'hap.'"

"Yep! I won't miss and—"

With Yang Cheonjo's mouth-closing sound as last, we entered inside the stone tomb.

A narrow corridor about two chi (60cm) continued, with stone chambers appearing in between.

Originally a path requiring breaking through mechanisms.

However, now a passage about one jang wide was pierced through the stone tomb corridor.

On the floor scattered arrows, throwing stars, poison liquid, etc.

Kwak Daebang shook his head.

"Brutal. Someone for whom mechanism formations are useless."

"If it comes to it, I'll block so please send Cheonjo outside."

"I'm also Silver Hero now, so if three of us fight together..."

Everywhere pressed flat as if crumbled. With overwhelming inner power release, crushed all mechanisms and everything.

Thanks to that—didn't go far before encountering him.

Stone chamber at the corridor's end.

Location where a senior deceased's coffin was enshrined.

When we carefully entered, one man's back was visible before the coffin.

Whether the man threw them, several torches burned on the floor.

Peolleok—following lonely wind blowing from the passage, firelight swayed.

The man's long shadow also swayed together.

As if noticing our presence, he raised his head.

Saw height as six chi (1m 80cm), but seems he'd been bowing his head. Raising head too, seven chi tall (2m 10cm). Unusually elongated fellow.

"Did I take too much time?"

With words, he turned toward us.

Kwak Daebang and Yang Cheonjo flinched.

I was equally surprised.

Beyond faint firelight—

Smiling with glistening two eyes and mouth split wide as if tearing.

"Unexpected meeting. Delightful. Delightful."

The man didn't care about our condition. As if truly delightful, wearing huge smile—

Dwireuk—right eye looked at Kwak Daebang, left eye at Yang Cheonjo.

Dwireuk—this time crossing gazes, left eye at Yang Cheonjo, right eye at Kwak Daebang.

"Three. Today's connection is three?"

This time, the clothes the man wore entered view.

Clothes made by patching various colored cloth. Would be colorful in bright outside.

Absolutely not White Path.

Black Path also don't have such eyes.

Demonic Cult. For origınal chapters go to nοvelfire.net

Not petty Demonic Cult but real Demonic Cult.

However—martial arts, height, clothing, face...

An unforgettable figure once seen.

'Strange. What is this dissonance?'

The appearance itself is bizarre, but something else more bothering?

"Rak, rak, rak, rak."

The man clicked his tongue making sounds.

The last needed clue was that sound.

The tongue-clicking sound pulled me into memory.

So you're Ink Wind Sword Jin Yeomyeong.

Before regression, back when my alias was Ink Wind Sword.

I was struck by palm strike spitting blood.

To not die even taking my palm force. Worthy for Water Vein's sworn brothers to cut down.

Mukheun flew from my hand rolling over there.

That fellow was looking down at me.

The robe already soaked in blood—color unknown—and body probably shrunk with Bone Shrinking Technique.

At first, wondered what sound.

Only later looking back did I realize it was tongue-clicking sound.

Back then, the face entered view more than sound.

Face distorted by burns—no nose, no lips.

Only barely remaining eyes gleamed smiling.

"What are you thinking about?"

He approached before me—seureureu—as if gliding.

Kwak Daebang and Yang Cheonjo involuntarily stepped back. Natural reaction. Facing that fellow makes it so.

I—still stood holding position.

"Rak, rak, rak, rak. If interesting thoughts, let me hear too."

One crazed about delight tries playing with my life.

Told Kwak Daebang not to rashly provoke.

Told Yang Cheonjo not to open mouth.

Now I just need to do well.

"What, why, bothering? Can't I think a bit with my own head?"

Teodeok, teok—Kwak Daebang and Yang Cheonjo grab my shoulders.

'Told you not to rashly provoke?'

'Told me not even to open mouth?'

Ah, let go a bit. Don't stop me.

"Huh? I said can't I think a bit?"