Chapter 522

Chapter 522
## Chapter 522. The Monster That Eats Despair (7)

—

“You seem remarkably calm.”

“We have encountered Jiangshis before as well.”

“……I see.”

**Lee-hwa-gyu**’s remark carried a strange undertone, but I simply remained quiet and listened.

“Before the Jiangshis showed up, I was paralyzed with fear, but I convinced myself it was just part of the ordeal.”

Typically, a resting place meant to harbor grand treasures and relics does not exist without mechanisms designed to ensnare the greedy thieves targeting them. Moreover, finding Jiangshis there served as a grim confirmation that the Sword Tomb was indeed genuine. Even for lesser-grade Jiangshis, it had been three centuries since their kind had vanished entirely from the Jianghu. The casualties caused by these entities only heightened the certainty that magnificent treasures lay ahead.

“However, that wasn’t the end of it.”

Living people materialized alongside the undead. Initially, I assumed they were merely fellow raiders who had broken in for the wealth, but a striking anomaly set them apart. The Jiangshis left them completely unharmed.

“Furthermore…… they exuded an eerie, twisted energy. A malicious force I have never encountered throughout my entire life in the Jianghu.”

Given that the Demonic Cult had remained hidden from the world for the past five hundred years, such unfamiliarity was only natural. Even if scattered remnants of the Cult had occasionally surfaced over time, it was an affair that rarely concerned unorthodox **Huk-do** figures like **Lee-hwa-gyu**.

“It was a presence so foul it defied description. Simply crossing blades with them felt as though one’s internal organs were being utterly shattered.”

In truth, **Lee-hwa-gyu** admitted that he had sustained internal damage himself, even if the wounds were relatively minor. Mysterious figures whom the undead refused to strike had arrived. Utilizing the Jiangshis as a vanguard, they struck blindly at everyone, making no distinction between righteous **Baek-do** or unorthodox **Huk-do**. Those who witnessed the slaughter came to a realization. This place was no hidden cavern of supreme fortune and legacy, but a treacherous pit designed to lure them to their doom.

“From the very beginning, it made no sense. How could so many secret maps revealing the location of such a legendary treasure hoard be scattered so freely across the land?”

I posed a question while gently suppressing the pang of guilt that pricked at my conscience.

“Exactly how many of them are down there?”

“How many?”

**Lee-hwa-gyu** let out a mocking scoff.

“The sheer count isn’t the issue. The depths of this place are already crawling with them.”

“……”

The admission that their numbers were beyond reckoning meant that the subterranean tunnels of the Sword Tomb had already been thoroughly overrun by the Demonic Cult.

“Do you want to know what makes this even worse?”

Terror vibrated clearly within **Lee-hwa-gyu**’s eyes.

“No matter which corridor you choose, the Jiangshis are marching right alongside them.”

**Lee-hwa-gyu**’s hushed tone echoed distinctly through the silent stone chamber, imprinting itself on everyone present. This explained the cryptic statements he had made at the start of our encounter.

“The undead are present in numbers beyond comprehension. This isn’t some petty ambush laid by a common fool. I am telling you, this is a grand trap engineered by monsters capable of dragging our entire **Huk-do**—no, the absolute entirety of the Jianghu—straight into the abyss.”

Hearing an outlaw of the **Huk-do** openly voice concerns regarding the survival and destiny of the broader martial world was a surreal experience. Yet, in that heavy silence, not a single soul stepped forward to mock or dispute **Lee-hwa-gyu**’s words. To view it from another perspective, the impending doom was so terrifyingly absolute that even a lawless rogue was left fretting over the state of the realm. Those familiar with **Lee-hwa-gyu**, as well as the strangers in the group, shuddered under the weight of an icy dread.

“Forget about the treasures or whatever else brought us here; we need to turn around and move the other way immediately. Whether our goal is to flee for our lives or launch a counterattack, standing around in this chamber accomplishes nothing.”

Reverting to the frantic energy he displayed when our paths first crossed, **Lee-hwa-gyu** barked out words taut with raw anxiety.

“Come with us. Continuing down this corridor is a mistake.”

Prompted by **Lee-hwa-gyu**’s warning, the martial artists gathered in the chamber grew visibly rigid. If his testimony held true, the path directly ahead was synonymous with a land of slaughter.

“If my word alone is insufficient to earn your belief, then listen to what the others have to say.”

**Lee-hwa-gyu** gestured toward the survivors accompanying him. Among the ranks stood several cultivators originating from reputable **Baek-do** institutions.

“The words of **Great Hero Lee** speak the absolute truth. What lies ahead is pure damnation.”

“I would rather choose death right here than step foot back into that nightmare.”

It was a bizarre spectacle: righteous disciples of the **Baek-do** stepping forward to validate the claims of an unorthodox **Huk-do** leader. **Lee-hwa-gyu** pressed me once more, his tone demanding an immediate resolution.

“We must retreat in the opposite direction without delay. At this moment, it is our sole chance at survival. Those monsters could stumble upon this position at any second.”

As he instinctively began to shift his weight to retreat, I addressed him firmly.

“We intend to keep advancing forward.”

“What did you say?”

Just as he warned, the path ahead might very well be an inferno teeming with undead thralls and unholy zealots. However, if there was a solitary lesson written in blood from my previous existence—

*‘We must never allow ourselves to be guided into the trap they have laid out.’*

Despite the Demonic Cult possessing a terrifyingly overwhelming level of martial prowess, they consistently deployed intricate and deceptive stratagems to secure absolute victory. The reality that their forces were actively blocking the primary corridor indicated their true objective was to force us deeper into the subterranean maze.

“Have you completely lost your mind? Do you truly intend to march everyone who relies on your leadership straight into a slaughterhouse?”

Yet, even if I were to dissect their tactics and psychological patterns for the crowd, how many souls present possessed the clarity to readily embrace such reasoning? Even the grand Murim Alliance of my former life had only come to comprehend this truth after sacrificing mountains of corpses as an expensive lesson. Therefore, the only path available to me was to offer the truth plainly, neither coercing their compliance nor allowing myself to be swayed by their panic.

“I do not believe moving further into the depths offers us any genuine safety either.”

“Near the rear terminal of these passages, there is a connecting threshold that bridges into the primary route of a neighboring cavern system. If we manage to cross into that secondary artery, we can eventually find our way back to the surface, regardless of how long the journey takes.”

**Lee-hwa-gyu**’s voice sharpened with a sudden, defensive hostility.

“And what is your plan if that secondary artery has been secured by the enemy as well?”

“……There is no guarantee that it is blocked.”

As he spoke, a frosty malice began to bleed into his demeanor. He likely felt that having his perceived lifeline—the sole path of salvation he clung to—dismissed so readily was akin to a direct assault upon his person.

“Furthermore, if we retreat inside and hold our ground, there is always the possibility that a vanguard reinforcement from either the Murim Alliance or the **Sa-huk Alliance** will arrive to break the siege.”

While I lacked precise knowledge concerning the internal events of the Sword Tomb during my past life, I was painfully aware of history: the reinforcement squads dispatched by the Murim Alliance had ultimately been slaughtered and interred alongside the initial scouting parties.

“We will forge our own path to salvation by breaking through.”

“You are insane.”

**Lee-hwa-gyu** lunged forward and gripped the fabric of my sleeve. I lowered my gaze to inspect his hand before locking eyes with him directly.

“What do you think you are doing?”

“Even if these people are nothing but self-righteous **Baek-do** fools, I refuse to stand by and watch them march willingly into a mass grave.”

**Lee-hwa-gyu** flicked his eyes momentarily toward the disciples of Shaolin and **Zen Master Cheon-sim**. It was an unspoken appeal that made his underlying motive transparent: it wasn’t our survival he cared about, but their backing.

*Tak.*

With a swift motion, I batted his hand aside. He stared down at his freed fingers in astonishment before glaring up at me with open enmity. His right hand twitched instinctively toward the pommel of his blade.

“Did everyone hear this?! This green horn who claims to guide you is actively plotting to lead you all straight into the jaws of death!”

Having chosen his course of action, he immediately pivoted to sowing seeds of rebellion within my followers.

“I have laid out the dangers plainly! The path ahead is choked with Jiangshis and the shadowy figures who command them! Yet, this reckless fool insists on dragging every single one of you into that meat grinder! How can you allow this!”

**Lee-hwa-gyu** paused to draw breath, his features twisting into an expression of desperate drama.

“Do you truly intend to keep placing your lives in the hands of this boy?”

He barked the accusation while thrusting a finger in my direction. I raised a hand to catch **Dang-seo-hee**’s shoulder, stopping her as she prepared to confront him. The moment those toxic words left his mouth, the seeds of discord had already taken root. In any future moment of sheer panic, that seed would inevitably seek a crack to bloom and shatter our unity. If that was the case, it was far wiser to sever the rot immediately.

“If that is your wish, you are entirely free to take anyone who agrees with your path and depart.”

“!”

Faced with my sudden compliance, **Lee-hwa-gyu** snapped his gaze instantly toward the Shaolin contingent. It was a bizarre sight—a man who under normal circumstances would fear the judgment of Shaolin above all else, now desperately craving their validation. Yet, not a single monk from the Shaolin Temple moved a muscle to join him. The arrogant outlaw’s brow creased in deep confusion.

“Are you truly determined to stride into a graveyard? Have you already forgotten the terrifying strength of an Iron Jiangshi?”

As the crowd remained stubbornly motionless against his expectations, **Lee-hwa-gyu**’s behavior grew increasingly erratic, his shouting echoing off the walls. It was then that the deep, resonant voice of **Zen Master Cheon-sim** cut through the tension, vibrating through the stone chamber.

“**Benefactor Jin**, lingering here any longer seems counterproductive. Should we not hasten our march?”

“Understood.”

Acknowledging the master, I turned my attention back to **Lee-hwa-gyu**. He glared back at me, his eyes burning with a volatile mixture of fury and a crushing sense of humiliation.

“I have long known that the hypocrites of the **Baek-do** were blinded by conceit, but today is the first time I have witnessed them acting stupidly enough to leap into a pit of fire by choice.”

He turned on his heel and began to march toward the deeper recesses of the cave, his movements stiff with irritation.

“We will be sure to deliver the news of your pathetic demise to your families!”

Leaving behind those words—which carried the ambiguous weight of either a desperate prophecy or a bitter curse—he departed. We stepped over the echo of his warning and continued our advance.

**Do-kwang-su** had desperately desired to turn back with **Lee-hwa-gyu**. To be absolutely precise, he had been on the verge of taking that leap. If only **Lee-hwa-gyu** had delayed his parting curse by a mere fraction of a moment. The instant the outlaw unleashed his hostile aura, an incredibly oppressive, murderous intent had saturated the air, pinning **Do-kwang-su** to the floor. Paralyzed by the pressure, he had missed his window to move and was left with no choice but to remain tethered to **Jin-so-un**’s faction.

*‘If only you had held your tongue for a few seconds longer…….’*

He lamented bitterly in the privacy of his thoughts, though a small part of him felt a wave of relief. After all, powerful figures like Shaolin’s **Zen Master Cheon-sim** and his elite monks were refusing to retreat. No matter how dangerous the path ahead was proclaimed to be, traveling alongside such masters guaranteed a high chance of staying alive. Surely the renowned monks of the Shaolin Temple would not stand idly by and watch a ‘virtuous’ civilian like himself get slaughtered by monsters?

*‘Without a doubt, they will protect me.’*

With that goal in mind, **Do-kwang-su** exerted every ounce of effort to ingratiate himself with the Shaolin brotherhood. While he could never hope to match their profound martial arts prowess or deep internal reserves, **Do-kwang-su** possessed a far superior instinct for raw subterranean survival.

“You have my gratitude. There is truly no need for you to trouble yourself to this extent.”

“*Amitabha*……”

Stumbling slightly over his own words in his eagerness, the monk looked at him with an expression of mild surprise.

“**Benefactor Do**…… do you follow the path of the Buddha?”

“In my younger years, my heart yearned deeply for the monastic life, but circumstances forced me away. I have carried a heavy burden of remorse ever since. I cannot express how profoundly grateful I am to at least mitigate a fraction of my worldly transgressions before my time comes, humble though my efforts may be.”

Before long, a look of genuine respect softened the monk’s features.

“Please, do not harbor such harsh self-reproach. The sublime teachings of the Buddha are not meant to inflict guilt upon those whose paths stray from the monastery walls.”

“Perhaps you are right. Yet with the shadow of mortality looming over us, these long-buried sentiments seem to spill from my lips unbidden.”

The monk offered a serene, compassionate smile.

“Fret not, traveler. Since the boundless mercy of the Buddha blankets **Benefactor Do**, you need not harbor terror toward the end, nor will demise claim you easily.”

“……Ah, *Amitabha*.”

Internally, **Do-kwang-su** was practically dancing with joy. Having successfully cultivated this level of goodwill, the monks would surely intervene to save him if his life fell into jeopardy. Clutching onto the survival instincts that had kept him breathing through countless crises, **Do-kwang-su** kept pace behind **Jin-so-un**.

As time pressed on, **Jin-so-un**’s contingent pushed deeper into the earth. By the time the erratic, frenzied assaults from the victims of the **Musim-hwan-gak-san** began to feel like a tedious routine, a shift occurred.

*Stiff—*

**Jin-so-un** abruptly halted his advance within a specific cavern junction. Right on cue, as if anticipating the pause, **Il-gak**, **Dang-seo-hee**, **Moyong-seol**, and **Zen Master Cheon-sim** turned their heads to trade knowing glances.

“It appears we have arrived at the threshold **Lee-hwa-gyu** warned us about.”

The dimensions of this chamber mirrored the previous tunnels closely. Yet, the leaders spoke as if they were detecting an invisible shift in the atmosphere—one entirely imperceptible to a mundane scout like **Do-kwang-su**.

“*Amitabha*…… Never in all my years have I registered an aura so utterly contaminated and foul.”

The countenances of **Zen Master Cheon-sim** and **Moyong-seol** darkened considerably. Conversely, **Jin-so-un** and his immediate companions, including **Il-gak**, maintained completely unbothered expressions.

*‘What am I missing here?’*

It felt entirely unnatural that an elder master of **Zen Master Cheon-sim**’s caliber looked visibly perturbed, while the younger martial artists—who had yet to reach his level of cultivation—were calmly loosening their muscles as if they knew exactly what to expect. **Do-kwang-su** found the contrast deeply unsettling.

“From this point forward, we will move in a strict, synchronized formation.”

It was incredibly frustrating…… or rather, he felt a profound sense of unease watching the authoritative **Jin-so-un** take control of the situation, but an insignificant tagalong like **Do-kwang-su** possessed absolutely no right to voice an objection.

“The disciples of the **Yoseong-dang** and I will secure the vanguard position. The Shaolin Temple will reinforce the center, and the Moyong Clan will anchor the rearguard.”

“*Hmm*……”

**Zen Master Cheon-sim** gave a slow shake of his head.

“Allow the Shaolin Temple and myself to spearhead the advance.”

**Do-kwang-su** let out a silent shriek of panic. His entire survival strategy hinged on staying glued to the Shaolin monks. If they volunteered to take the brutal brunt of the vanguard, wouldn’t his own chances of being pulverized skyrocket? Fortunately, his panic proved short-lived.

“No. The vast majority of our **Yoseong-dang** personnel have already clashed with these entities during our time in the **Muk-rim**. I must ask that your order remains in the center until your disciples have acclimated to their combat style.”

The dependable **Great Hero Jin-so-un** firmly declined the venerable master’s counterproposal.

“Encountered them within the **Muk-rim**…… So those rumors were far more than mere idle gossip?”

**Zen Master Cheon-sim** nodded slowly, murmuring words that carried an enigmatic weight.

“You have my gratitude for showing consideration toward an old monk’s limitations. I shall ensure this debt of kindness is properly repaid.”

Left entirely in the dark by their cryptic exchange, **Do-kwang-su** found himself utterly incapable of deciphering the true nature of their conversation.

“Assume your positions.”

The moment **Jin-so-un**’s command rang out, the assembled warriors systematically shifted into place. The **Yoseong-dang** fluidly locked into their customary vanguard sword matrix, while the Shaolin units trailing behind them deployed the intricate **Five Buddhas Formation**. With **Zen Master Cheon-sim** guiding the front, they spread out to occupy the widest sectors of the tunnel. It was a tactical layout clearly designed to minimize any potential casualties among the members of the Moyong Clan. Seizing the opportunity, **Do-kwang-su** subtly slinked into the ranks of the Shaolin monks. Nestled snugly in the space protected by the intersection of three separate **Five Buddhas Formations**, he felt a sense of security greater than any sanctuary he had ever discovered.

Right at that moment,

“**Do-kwang-su**.”

Accompanied by a sudden prickle of foreboding, **Jin-so-un**’s voice pierced the air.

“Yes? Surely my presence is no longer required up front? We have already successfully navigated our way onto the primary path, after all.”

**Do-kwang-su** answered with practiced eagerness, hoping to cement his position. However,

“Get up here and take your place directly behind me.”

“You absolute maniac of a ba…… *Hup*!”

A stream of vitriol nearly bypassed **Do-kwang-su**’s lips before he could stop it. He clamped a hand over his mouth as the monks shot him icy, disapproving glances, but the damage to his pious facade was already done.

“Considering the immense hardships you have endured thus far, I am making a special exception to ensure you are looked after.”

**Jin-so-un** delivered the statement with an air of magnanimous charity, but **Do-kwang-su** felt a violent urge to leap forward and rip the young leader’s mouth right off his face.

“A—Ah, no, **Great Hero Jin**, I assure you I am perfectly fine right here……”

“*Ehey*…… there is no need to be modest. I told you to get over here quickly.”

*Piiiii-ing—*

The **Flying Dragon Claw** erupted from **Jin-so-un**’s sleeve, weaving through the crowded formation with uncanny precision before snapping firmly onto **Do-kwang-su**’s collar and hauling him forward.

*‘You utter lunatic……! I explicitly told you I don’t want to go!’*

**Do-kwang-su** clawed desperately at the robes of the passing monks as he was dragged away, but they smoothly brushed his frantic hands aside. By the time he realized he had been utterly abandoned by his holy protectors, his body had already bounced to the absolute front of the line, pinned directly behind **Jin-so-un**’s back.

*‘Damn it…… damn you, **Jin-so-un**…….’*

As if offering solace to the utterly despairing scout, a heavy, calloused hand slapped against his shoulder.

“You should count your blessings. Standing directly in the shadow of **Hall Master Jin** is a privilege. Consider it a well-deserved compensation for all your suffering.”

As **Nam-hwa-seong** offered his mocking commentary, **Do-kwang-su** felt an overwhelming urge to tear his mouth open as well…….

“What’s wrong? Are you experiencing some sort of physical discomfort? You are glaring at me quite strangely.”

“……*Haha*, of course not, my lord.”

Naturally, lacking both the martial capability and the raw courage required to act on his violent urges, he had no alternative but to stretch his face into a broad, obsequious grin.

*‘Damn it all…… what a pathetic life…….’*

**Jin-so-un** suddenly burst into a full sprint. Behind him, the warriors drew their weapons in unison, unleashing their raw, unbridled battle aura as though they were stepping into the definitive conflict of their lives. The sheer intensity of the killing intent made **Do-kwang-su** feel as though his lungs were collapsing. In that exact instant, he prayed with everything he had that the horrifying abominations described by **Lee-hwa-gyu** would turn out to be nothing more than a myth.

Unfortunately, it proved to be an utterly futile delusion. After a short period of rapid travel, a heavy, suffocating pressure permeated the air—one so thick that even a low-level martial artist like **Do-kwang-su** could feel it pressing against his skin.

*‘Th—This is wrong. This…… this is absolute damnation…….’*

With every single stride forward, it felt as though he were hurtling toward the edge of a bottomless abyss. Even as they sprinted blindly through a pitch-black void where sight was useless, he could swear that phantom blades were pressing against his throat from every conceivable angle.

*‘Yes, this exact sensation…… it can only be…….’*

The taste of demise. If one were to distill the pure essence of impending death into an emotion, it would perfectly match the terror clawing at his chest right now. Having spent his entire existence prioritizing survival above all else, his instincts screamed with absolute certainty: to take another step was suicide.

“*Heo-heok*! N—No! Stop! If we keep going down this path……”

“**Do-kwang-su**.”

In that precise instant of panic, a brilliant golden luminescence began to shimmer from the shoulders of the infuriating **Jin-so-un** running directly ahead. Miraculously, the moment the light caught his eye, the frantic, erratic hammering of his heart began to steadily ease.

“Do not attempt to flee.”

“……”

“As long as you stand your ground and do not run, I will settle the score for the debt I carry from my previous life.”

A previous life? A debt……? Faced with such completely nonsensical, out-of-the-blue statements, he opened his mouth to demand what on earth the young master was talking about—

*Thump, thump, thump, thump.*

The heavy, synchronized footfalls of three Jiangshis echoed out as they charged from the darkness at the far end of the tunnel.

“……?”

A bizarre phenomenon occurred within him. When he had first encountered a Jiangshi, the mere sight had left him paralyzed with absolute dread, and mere moments ago, he had felt the icy grip of mortality tightening around his throat. Yet now, despite staring directly at three approaching undead horrors simultaneously, his mind felt more profoundly tranquil than it ever had before.

*Thump, thump, thump.*

A second later, a voice carrying an absolute, unshakeable sense of security washed over his ears.

“Burn my words into your memory. So long as you do not turn your back and run—”

In an instant, **Jin-so-un**’s expression hardened with absolute resolve.

“This time, I will ensure you survive.”

Leaving behind that cryptic, incomprehensible vow, he leaped forward as his blade erupted into motion, carving a dazzling golden arc through the dark.

*‘Wh……at?’*

For reasons he couldn’t begin to fathom, **Do-kwang-su** felt those parting words resonate with a profound, aching sense of familiarity.