Chapter 495

Chapter 495
## Chapter 495. Shadow of the Setting Sun (8)

—

“Hmm… just what has taken place?”

The **Chil-ma-ji-gun** (Seven Demon Lords)… or rather, those who were now reduced to the **O-ma-ji-gun** (Five Demon Lords), recoiled slightly. It was an observation coming from the one individual whose judgment they had never doubted in their entire existence. The **Ma-noe** (Demonic Brain), eyes fixed on the written dispatch, murmured once more.

“I truly cannot comprehend this.”

The **Bing-hwa-sa** (Ice Flower Snake) let her jaw drop slightly in sheer astonishment. On the other hand, such a reaction was entirely warranted. Their century-long grand design was being utterly dismantled in the most absurd fashion.

“……”

The initial complication stemmed from the sheer volume of the treasure maps. By design, the **Ma-noe** had intended for the total count of these maps to never surpass twenty. The strategy required them to be unearthed under a veil of secrecy, allowing rumors to ripple out quietly so that a brutal conflict would erupt across the Jianghu to possess them.

Yet, even if matters were going awry, they were going spectacularly awry.

“Twenty thousand maps?”

“That is merely a conservative projection based on our observations; we cannot truly gauge how many more are currently in circulation.”

She found herself unable to voice the bitter truth that even low-level street vendors looking to make a quick coin were printing these treasure maps as if locked in a fierce production rivalry. It had devolved into a farce where literally any stray dog walking down the street seemed to hold a treasure map between its teeth.

The **Bing-hwa-sa** offered an alternative theory as if trying to soften the blow.

“Perhaps, we might suspect that one of the individuals who originally secured a genuine map conceived the notion of turning a massive profit by reproducing it.”

A sharp click of the tongue cut through the air.

“Tsk tsk. Do you take the operations of the Sacred Cult to be so amateurish? From the very inception, our targets were meticulously chosen, narrowed down specifically to those driven by boundless avarice and harboring the most malicious intents.”

“……”

The reprimand concluded quickly, given that the widespread dispersion of the treasure maps still fell within a manageable margin of error. The true crisis lay within the second complication.

“How is it possible that a precise location, one not even disclosed on the genuine map, is clearly documented on the counterfeits?”

Distribute the treasure maps, let the whispers spread, and allow the narrative to mature. Then, when every piece is aligned, throw open the gates of the Sword Tomb and drag the unsuspecting martial artists down into a living purgatory. Thus far, not a single component of that strategy had unfolded as intended. The most critical issue was that the data detailed on the forged maps was flawlessly precise.

“Hmm…”

This pointed to an inescapable reality.

“Could it be a mole…”

“……”
“……”
“……”

Incredibly, that was the solitary conclusion left to draw. If that were not the case, how could the exact location of the Sword Tomb—a secret guarded by only a select few within the highest echelons of the Sacred Cult—be laid bare for anyone to read on a common map?

“Yet that defies logic. To begin with, for anyone to plant a spy in our ranks, they would have to be consciously aware of our existence beforehand.”

Furthermore, what strained credibility even more was—

“Why would they squander such invaluable intelligence in this specific manner?”

Even for the **Ma-noe**, who prided himself on possessing absolute knowledge over the entire Jianghu and operating steps ahead of everyone else, this development was utterly baffling. It brought the frustrating sensation of an entire canvas becoming ruined simply because the single most pivotal stroke had been completely miscalculated.

“Where did these counterfeits originate?”

“…Do you believe someone is distributing them with deliberate intent?”

“Were it not deliberate, it would be impossible for these events to accelerate at such an unnatural pace.”

“…For the moment, we trace the source back to a curiosity shop. Intially, a massive quantity of bamboo-strip maps was brought to light.”

“Without question, the individual responsible for this maneuver must command a backing force. Track that person down without fail. Regardless of whether that fellow is a spy or something else entirely, he is an obstacle that will undoubtedly impede the path of the Sacred Cult.”

“We shall execute your command.”

Setting the map crisis aside, the most immediate vulnerability concerned the Sword Tomb itself. Because the timetable had been violently accelerated, they were forced into a position where their defensive arrangements were far from flawless. To make matters worse, with the location of the Sword Tomb laid bare to the world, a relentless tide of people was converging upon the site.

“What word did the **So-ma** (Young Demon) send?”

“He conveyed that the situation is shifting into something far more entertaining.”

“…Hmm, quite so.”

The **Ma-noe** spoke under his breath.

“Because in the end, the true objective lies in understanding the ultimate significance.”

The **O-ma-ji-gun** found themselves unable to grasp his underlying meaning.

“The precise shape of the journey is of little consequence.”

They simply fell into line.

“Send word to the Leader of the **Si-ma** (Corpse Demon) Sect. Order him to begin his preparations.”

“””We shall execute your command.”””

The **Ma-noe** shifted his gaze, looking toward a massive stone monolith carved in human likeness.

“**Ok-hwan**, the hour for you to step onto the stage has arrived far sooner than anticipated.”

The stone effigy shuddered with a sudden jerk as if responding to the call, shedding a fine cascade of gray rock dust.

Once the treasure maps detailing the Sword Tomb had proliferated to the point where they were being used as crude kindling or to wipe away filth in outhouses, the frantic rumors surrounding the tomb unexpectedly experienced a sharp decline in temperature.

“The old sages used to say that if a rare prize finds its way into even my ordinary hands, it ceases to be a rare prize at all.”

“Very true. If that treasure map carried an ounce of truth, it never would have been scattered like leaves in the wind.”

The vagabonds who had been desperately scouring the countryside for the coordinates of the Sword Tomb rapidly lost all enthusiasm. Even those who had already begun journeying toward Gansu Province halted and turned back, entirely disillusioned by the realization that the maps were being produced in such staggering numbers. Even when an anomaly strongly suspected to be the actual Sword Tomb was uncovered within the Great Snow Mountain, the general sentiment remained largely unchanged.

“Could this be nothing more than a cruel prank?”

“If the intent was to send the entire realm on a fool’s errand, then it stands as a remarkably effective deception.”

“Sword Tomb treasure maps! Three maps for a single copper piece! Purchase six, and we will include one absolutely free!”

“Are there truly still fools willing to part with hard coin for mere fire-starting paper?”

At this stage, even when merchants hawked the maps openly along the thoroughfares, passersby wouldn’t offer so much as a glance, ignoring them entirely. Naturally, it wasn’t that the roads to Gansu Province were completely deserted, but the sheer density of travelers had dwindled drastically compared to the peak of the initial frenzy.

“Within Gansu Province, the factions of the **Huk-do** Murim are currently voicing severe discontent. This stems from the fact that their anticipated numbers have fallen off a cliff now that public fascination has withered away, all due to the treasure maps unleashed by **Gong-ja Jin**.”

“Mmm, could it be that they are refraining from stepping into the fray because they themselves are masters of deception and betrayal, and thus suspect a trap?”

“…That dynamic certainly plays a part, but because only the Murim Alliance has mobilized its forces so far, the **Huk-do** factions feel as though they are being deliberately marginalized.”

Without a doubt, the flood of maps I had let loose had successfully filtered out a vast majority of the low-level rabble. Thanks to that outcome, the situation on the ground had avoided the immediate, violent clashes that typically marked the opening of such events. Furthermore, because the Sword Tomb had been forced open ahead of the enemy’s intended schedule, leaving their arrangements incomplete, the interior of the tomb remained quiet with no major incidents reported.

This was the perfect execution of striking down multiple targets with a single stone. If events maintained this trajectory and one consolidated faction took custody and regulated access to the Sword Tomb, the resulting bloodshed would be minimized. It was precisely when I was entertaining such optimistic thoughts that the trap was sprung.

[The lost inheritance of the **Black King** has been unearthed!]

The primary lure had been cast into the waters. None other than the **Paewang-talhon-do** (Overlord Soul-Snatched Saber), the very weapon wielded by the **Black King** during his reign of terror! The sudden emergence of the **Paewang-talhon-do** instantly breathed new life into the dying embers of the Sword Tomb rumors, driving the market price of the maps back up from their rock-bottom rate of four for a copper coin.

Moreover, this development inevitably commanded the immediate attention of the entire **Huk-do** Murim. Word spread like wildfire that the individual who had secured the **Paewang-talhon-do** was aligned with the Gansu sector of the Murim Alliance, and that the relic of the **Black King** was already being escorted straight into the Alliance’s custody. This intelligence was more than enough to incite furious outrage among the underworld factions.

“What manner of figure was the **Black King**? He stands as the very icon and pride of the **Huk-do** Murim! To think that the self-righteous Murim Alliance is bold enough to seize his legacy!”

“Even if the one who stumbled upon it claims ownership by right of discovery, in a situation of this nature, is it not common decency to surrender it to its rightful culture?”

“Is this the first time those hypocritical Orthodox bastards have pulled such a stunt? We must march upon the Sword Tomb this instant! We shall claim the legacy of the **Sword Zenith** for ourselves and exact rightful vengeance upon those sanctimonious fools!”

At the exact same time, torrents of criticism were hurled toward the leadership of the **Sa-huk** Alliance, which had hitherto remained passive, watching from the sidelines with folded arms.

“While you boldly proclaim yourselves as the governing authority representing the **Huk-do** Murim, do you intend to sit idly by while the legacy of the **Black King** is stolen away under your noses by the Murim Alliance?”

“How long do you intend to remain passive spectators while the common, vulnerable folk of the **Huk-do** are ruthlessly trodden upon?”

“Precisely! For how much longer will you tolerate the double-dealing arrogance of the Orthodox hypocrites?”

In short order, announcements began to circulate indicating that the **Sa-huk** Alliance was actively organizing its own specialized vanguard to intervene. The reappearance of the **Black King**’s weapon had whipped up a colossal tempest, striking not just the underworld factions but sending shockwaves across the entire breadth of the Jianghu. An endless stream of martial artists began descending upon Gansu Province once more, frantically buying up whatever maps they could find, and as the crowds swelled, the atmospheric tension mounted to a dangerous peak.

“The dispatches indicate that violent skirmishes are breaking out in virtually every town, beginning from the very borders of Gansu Province.”

The intelligence brought to me via **Yang Gun-baek** carried an ominous weight.

“The protests from the **Huk-do** Murim grew so deafening that the leadership of the **Sa-huk** Alliance ultimately conceded and sanctioned the deployment of an elite vanguard.”

I had calculated that **Dam-ak** would hesitate to throw his weight into the matter, given how highly suspicious the sheer volume of distributed maps appeared, but—

*’There is almost certainly another hidden hand pulling the strings here.’*

Given that the **Sa-huk** Alliance operates as a fractured coalition much like the Murim Alliance, the internal political maneuvering and conflicting personal agendas run incredibly deep.

“What is the strength of their deployment?”

“The rumors suggest they are structuring their numbers to be roughly double the size of the Murim Alliance’s contingent.”

“They are clearly anticipating the arrival of the Alliance’s secondary reinforcement group, then.”

“Indeed.”

Now that the **Paewang-talhon-do** rested firmly within Orthodox hands, the Murim Alliance found themselves backed into a corner where they had no choice but to plunge deeper into the heart of the Sword Tomb. Recognizing this, the **Sa-huk** Alliance had mirrored their movements by throwing their own pieces onto the board. The secondary martial artists were charging toward the danger in high spirits, likely encouraged by how effortlessly they could get their hands on a map.

“…If your anxiety is running this high, would it be wise for us to halt the production and distribution of our maps?”

“Even if we cease our operations, do you truly believe the other syndicates will halt theirs? There is no purpose in stopping now.”

“……”

The reality that an increasing number of these mid-tier martial artists might lose heart and abandon the venture before ever crossing the threshold of the Sword Tomb due to the sheer ferocity of the competition could actually yield a more favorable outcome in the grand scheme. After all, that tomb was never a playground where mediocre brawlers could expect to tread and walk out alive.

“Where do we stand regarding the profits accumulated from our map sales?”

“Ah, yes. The current revenue designated for **Gong-ja Jin** stands at approximately seventeen thousand gold coins…”

“Ihihi!”

“……??”

“Ah, forgive me. A highly amusing anecdote suddenly drifted into my mind.”

**Yang Gun-baek** cleared his throat and resumed his report, his eyes scanning down the ledger once more.

“With seventeen thousand gold coins already secured, and roughly another five thousand gold coins projected from outstanding balances…”

“Uha-hat!”

“???”

“Ah, my apologies. I suffer from a strange, deep-seated ailment where uncontrollable laughter manifests whenever I find myself sinking into profound despair. Setting that aside, have the items I requested been fully secured?”

“Are you referring to the supply of **Cheongsim-boryeong-hwan** (Clear Mind Spirit-Preserving Pill)?”

“The very same.”

**Yang Gun-baek** nodded smoothly, adopting an expression of absolute competence. He truly was an exceptionally capable associate to have in one’s corner.

“For the time being, I have instructed our contracted apothecaries throughout Hubei Province and along the primary thoroughfares leading into Gansu Province to maximize their production lines. Yet, if I may inquire, what is the purpose behind gathering such an immense quantity of **Boryeong** pills?”

What other purpose could there be, if not to wield them as an absolute weapon when the time comes to utterly ruin the plans of those Demonic Cult degenerates?

“For the moment, disregard the financial overhead entirely and command them to manufacture every single pill within their capacity. Should they require an upfront deposit to secure materials, you have my permission to draw directly from my personal shares of the map revenue.”

In any event, I had successfully thrown a wrench into the machinations of the Demonic Cult and completed every necessary arrangement to make my own descent into the Sword Tomb, yet the official mobilization orders from higher up simply refused to manifest. My suspicion was that the elite leadership of the **Gu-pa-il-bang** (Nine Sects and One Gang) along with the **O-dae-se-ga** (Five Great Clans) had likely conveyed their intentions to claim priority access to the Sword Tomb to the Alliance command. Were it not for that internal politicking, the current bureaucratic stagnation within the Murim Alliance would not be this agonizingly slow.

I had gone so far as to draft a comprehensive tactical report to sway **Jegal So-myeong** regarding this exact crisis, yet the halls of the **Man-tong-bu** remained completely silent.

*’Did they simply relegate my warning to the scrap heap?’*

The distinct metallic tang of fresh blood was already beginning to ride the prevailing winds blowing out from Gansu Province, and yet my current duties as the active Hall Master of the Murim Alliance’s **Yoseong-dang** consisted entirely of—

“This is completely wrong.”

“…Did you not request a green fabric?”

“The specific shade of green I detailed bears no resemblance to this monstrosity. This material reflects far too much light. If one desires to merge seamlessly into the shadows of the night, a far more profound, absorbing green is required.”

“……”

Babysitting duties.

“Why does my meaning constantly elude you? Are you truly so slow-witted?”

“……”

This insufferable little terror.

“If you persist in displaying this level of incompetence, I may very well tender my resignation from the **Yoseong-dang** entirely.”

“…Ah, I comprehend now. Are you perhaps searching for a deep, ink-tinted emerald hue? Shopkeeper! Tell me you possess a genuine green beyond this trash! This fabric lacks all authenticity! Who in their right mind weaves such a gaudy, reflective green!”

Whew, what a miserable existence I lead.

Out of an assortment of ten superficially identical green textiles, **Dang Seo-hee** eventually isolated a single bolt and placed an order for three customized sets of combat attire. Shortly thereafter, the two of us were quietly consuming bowls of somyeon noodles within the cramped confines of a neighborhood stall.

“I received word that **Yong So-ah** is preparing to enter the Sword Tomb.”

Now that I thought about it, there was absolutely no scenario where that insufferable bastard would willingly sit out an affair of this magnitude. Since no notifications had reached my ears concerning the demise of **Myeo-in Satae**, it stood to reason that he had successfully managed to preserve her life in the end.

“Is that so.”

“The reports indicate the region is perilous, completely overrun by elements of the **Huk-do** factions.”

“Given the widespread rumor that the legacy of the **Black King** lies buried within, it is only natural that the underworld syndicates would swarm the area.”

The genuine threat lurking within the depths of the Sword Tomb had nothing to do with the underworld rabble or the ancient mechanisms safeguarding the interior. The true horror was the Demonic Cult. They were genuinely terrifying monsters. Even so, my thoughts weren’t born out of any genuine concern for that arrogant prick. There was simply no universe where a character like him would meet his end in a place like that.

“If this is truly a grand excursion for buried treasure, I find myself wanting to test my fortunes as well.”

“……”

Just what manner of harmless festival does she imagine the Sword Tomb to be… no, hold on. When it came to a warrior of **Dang Seo-hee**’s caliber, even if her plot armor didn’t quite match the absurd levels of **Yong So-ah**, I harbored very little anxiety regarding her ability to navigate the dangers of the tomb.

*’The total tally of corrupted martial artists **Dang Seo-hee** slaughtered single-handedly during the Great War of Righteousness and Demons…’*

The exact number eluded my immediate memory. The omission was simply because she was the type of monster who routinely returned to camp having butchered at least a triple-digit sum of heretic fighters every single time she rode out to the front lines. If any genuine worry plagued my mind, it was the grim probability that completely innocent bystander souls might wander into the meat grinder and perish, all due to the timeline of this current life drifting so drastically from the historical past I remembered.

“Ah, that reminds me, I also caught wind that **Seol** is mobilized to enter.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I am speaking of **Moyong Seol**.”

“Ah… for a moment I assumed…”

Wait, this couldn’t be right.

“Are you referring specifically to **So-jeo Moyong Seol** of the prominent Moyong Clan?”

“The very same. It appears the inner lineage of the Moyong Clan shares an ancient historical tie with the legacy of the **Sword Zenith**.”

“No, what sort of nonsense…”

“The word is that she is deploying personally with the express intent of recovering the earthly remains of the **Sword Zenith**.”

No, by what twisted logic could she possibly possess a historical connection to the **Sword Zenith**?