“Did you hear that rumor?”

“Not exactly, but I know it’s probably nonsense as usual.”

“But isn’t it interesting?”

Well, that’s true. “So, what kind of rumor is it this time?”

“Apparently, people from the Nine Great Sects and the Five Supreme Clans are gathering to search for the Ghost Shadow Thief’s hidden vault.”

“Renowned orthodox martial artists? I thought they usually tried to mediate and cool things down in situations like this.”

“Turns out, even the prestigious sects had things stolen from them.”

“Huh. So that’s why…”

As the conversation drifted from a distant table, everyone in the inn began to listen in. We were no different.

According to a fairly eloquent man speaking, the Ghost Shadow Thief was a legendary eccentric who stole the secrets of the Five Supreme Clans and the Nine Great Sects alike. So naturally, his vault must rival the storerooms of the Murim Alliance or even the imperial palace…

“…Or so they speculate. But it’s probably not on that level.”

“Right. At best, it’s probably just below that—things that would be nice to have, but not critical. Or items with ambiguous symbolic value.”

“That doesn’t mean they’re useless, though.”

When it comes to martial arts, it might not reach the level of divine techniques, but it would still be more than enough to be considered top-tier. That’s why it was stored securely.

Besides, if the prestigious clans and sects were robbed in the past, that vault itself is proof.

Returning what was taken could earn us favors—or put others in our debt.

And the Tang family is one of the few factions in the Central Plains that must never be taken lightly.

In the past, when the Tang family wasn’t as strong as it is now, there were those who broke promises or stabbed them in the back.

They all met the same end.

Like any martial family, the Tang family built its reputation through blood. Who would be so foolish as to willingly make an enemy of them, even casting away their own honor?

If we’re the first to reach the vault and seize what’s inside, we could certainly use it to strike favorable deals.

As I nodded inwardly, Tang Sowol, having been glancing at the excited man from earlier, continued speaking.

“Those who don’t know what’s actually inside will only feed their delusions, and that’s when things get dangerous.”

“Be careful. This time, most of those who should be acting as mediators are participants themselves. You could get caught in something unpredictable.”

“The Ghost Shadow Thief must have anticipated that and sent us the complete map. Well, whatever happens, I believe Brother Cheon will handle it somehow.”

With one hand propping up her chin and the other holding a piece of meat from the table to my mouth, Tang Sowol smiled slyly.

I took the bite, and only then did she beam with satisfaction.

As I shook my head at her antics, her smile slowly faded.

“But… I wonder if this is really okay.”

“What do you mean?”

“Leaving behind Hyang and Sister Hwarin like this.”

Right. This trip to Gansu was to be just the two of us—me and Tang Sowol.

Seol Lihyang needed to focus on her recently begun training in sonic arts, and Seorin’s appearance was becoming increasingly recognizable, meaning any movement on her part drew excessive attention.

To quietly reach the vault using the complete map we had, it was best for only the two of us to go.

Besides, this wasn’t just about raiding a vault—it was about giving the Ghost Shadow Thief a proper sendoff.

And since we were the only two who truly had a connection to him, it made sense.

Above all…

“Isn’t it nice to go out together like this once in a while?”

“Oh my… I didn’t think you’d say something like that, Brother Cheon.”

Tang Sowol smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

This time, I picked up a piece of food with my chopsticks and held it out to her.

“I have some awareness, you know. All things considered, I think we needed this kind of time.”

“Awareness…? Really?!”

Pretending to be shocked, Tang Sowol trembled with laughter, unable to hold it back.

“Heheh. Just kidding. It’s a joke, so don’t look like that. Besides, isn’t it true that you usually have no awareness at all?”

“I’m not totally clueless. Just… not great at it.”

“Hmm. From my perspective, outside a few rare cases, you’re basically clueless. Yum.”

Tang Sowol opened her mouth wide and accepted the food I offered—like a baby bird being fed.

After chewing for a bit, she finally spoke.

“Mmm. Truth is, I also kind of wanted time like this. Let’s enjoy it in moderation.”

“Right. In moderation.”

It goes without saying, but the treasure map isn’t the only one.

Aside from the one we have, the rest were scattered in pieces that need to be gathered.

I don’t know how many copies were distributed, but considering the Ghost Shadow Thief’s intention to drive the entire Murim world into a frenzy over his vault, he was surely well-prepared.

Judging by the current scale of the commotion, by the time we reach Gansu and locate the vault, someone else might have completed their map too.

And the vault surely isn’t just sitting there. It’s bound to be protected by traps and mechanisms, which means it’ll take time to breach.

“Let’s hope nothing goes wrong…”

I finished my meal while speaking a line I didn’t even believe myself.

***

“Hehe. I’ve been waiting for you, Blood Flame Sword Demon and Sky-Winged Poison Phoenix.”

Just as we crossed out of Sichuan and stepped into Gansu Province, a woman with a gentle smile approached us as if she had been waiting.

And that’s when I realized—it had finally begun.

I had become fairly well-known recently. Not as much as Seorin, perhaps, but enough for people to take interest in me.

Whether they were after the vault or had other intentions…

I subtly raised my qi sense as I looked at the woman approaching.

Her smiling face, her faintly narrowed eyes that gave the impression of being perpetually squinting, her emotionless lips curved into a grin—and even the perfectly neutral tone that anyone would find pleasant.

It brought back unpleasant memories, but I knew who she was.

Sama Yuryeon.

A woman who spent her life fighting to become the heir of the Sama Clan but ultimately lost, then joined the Black Lotus Sect, where she climbed to the rank of Chief Administrator.

She was also the one who, under the Black Lotus Sect Leader’s orders, persistently hounded Ironblood Hall, and in my experience, she was the most dangerous con artist I knew.

She was the lover of the Black Lotus Sect Leader, and after hearing of his death at the hands of the Heavenly Demon, she committed suicide.

At this point, she’s still probably just struggling for footing within her clan. And that’s exactly why she’s approaching me and Tang Sowol now.

I remember it clearly, having suffered enough in my past life to recognize the signs.

That two-faced lunatic is here to scam us.

Even if she doesn’t go around actively swindling people, she’s extremely good at manipulating others to achieve her goals.

So I trusted my gut—and acted accordingly. First, by stopping Tang Sowol before she could respond.

—Just ignore her.

—Huh?

—How would she know when or where we departed? Doesn’t she already seem like trouble? Do you know her?

—Hm. Not at all. And she doesn’t appear to be carrying any symbols of affiliation either…

—Exactly. We didn’t even travel all night using lightness techniques. We’re not newcomers. She could have tracked us using information, but if she paid to track us through the Beggar’s Sect or the Hao Clan… then she’s not here with good intentions.

Tang Sowol nodded subtly and naturally clung to my side, linking her arm with mine.

“Brother Cheon, what shall we do for dinner tonight?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Ah, I know a good inn nearby. The dishes are Gansu-style, but they use Sichuan-style seasoning. I think it’ll be both familiar and refreshing.”

“Dinner’s just dinner. As long as it has meat, I’m fine.”

“You really do like meat, don’t you, Brother Cheon?”

“That inn is famous for its duck. You won’t regret stopping by.”

“Delicious, isn’t it? Ever since I was young, it was my dream to eat my fill of tasty food. It even helps with external martial arts training. Think about it—Shaolin warrior monks ate meat. The Peng Clan even more so. On the other hand…”

“On the other hand, the Daoist martial artists with their slender builds don’t usually eat meat. Even commoners are stronger if they eat well. But personally, I’d prefer if you didn’t get any bulkier than you are now, Brother Cheon.”

“Meat helps with external cultivation, but at higher stages, the benefits diminish. That’s why Shaolin has their 72 Extreme Skills, and the Peng Clan supplements with elixirs… Um, you two? Are you listening?”

“Don’t worry. I couldn’t bulk up even if I wanted to. My bone structure is just average.”

“That’s true. Even among Shaolin monks, external strength varied regardless of martial level. And the Peng Clan is said to have innate talent for physical strength passed down through bloodlines.”

“Are you… ignoring me right now?”

Sama Yuryeon’s narrowed eyes widened, incredulous. But to us, it only made her seem more suspicious.

I let out a faint killing intent around me and Tang Sowol.

As she tried to follow us, Sama Yuryeon flinched and instinctively clutched her throat.

Just a brief moment—a single blink’s worth of time—but her face had already gone pale from the clear killing intent she’d sensed.

It wasn’t especially strong or sustained… but she was never particularly gifted in martial arts.

Sama Yuryeon had only reached the Peak Stage thanks to the Black Lotus Sect Leader’s full support. To someone like her, that moment of killing intent must’ve felt like a nightmare.

Confident that the warning had been clear, Tang Sowol and I turned our backs to her and headed to our next destination.

***

“I already know where the Ghost Shadow Thief’s vault is—Ugh!”

“Tang Sowol!”

“Already handled it!”

She had been waiting outside our inn since early morning, chattering away, so we immediately struck her meridian point to shut her up.

Then, as if waiting for the cue, Tang Sowol used sleeping poison to completely knock her out and slung her over her back.

We exchanged a brief glance, then, as if perfectly coordinated, turned around and headed back into the inn.

Good. Smooth execution.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep