In fact, Neung-heo’s attitude was rather peculiar.

For a martial artist who practices martial arts, a treasure map is an item that, in vulgar terms, makes one’s eyes pop out.

But Neung-heo knew his own place well.

“A treasure map? All sorts of monsters are eyeing it, so what else would I do but die if a black-way person like me covets it?”

So from the beginning, Neung-heo was not interested in the treasure map.

On the other hand, as soon as Cheonghyeonjin heard the news, his face turned serious.

“This is a big problem.”

Even if an ordinary treasure map appeared, that region would literally be in an uproar.

Moreover, what was the treasure map that had appeared now?

“If it’s the Red Blood Sword Demon, he was a swordsman who was counted on one hand in his time 400 years ago. A swordsman who was said to have enjoyed fighting to the point where his whole body was drenched in blood.”

He was a person who had roamed the martial world alone without any power.

So he had not raised any disciples.

The martial arts of a master who was counted on one hand in his time with a sword had been lost.

At least, that’s what was known.

But his treasure map had been discovered?

“And that too, in Shaanxi Province, which has been devastated by the plague.”

“Eum!”

When Cheon Mubaeck added his words, Cheonghyeonjin let out a groan and closed his eyes.

“Amitabha, this Taoist must go to Mount Hua immediately and check the situation.”

Mount Hua Sect, which called itself the leader of the orthodox sects, boasted the largest power in Shaanxi Province.

They had no choice but to react sensitively to the martial artists who were coming in from the outside.

Moreover, wasn’t Mount Hua Sect also in a chaotic situation due to the plague?

Of all things, since the treasure map of the Red Blood Sword Demon had been discovered and various martial artists were flocking in from the outside, Mount Hua Sect would also be watching the situation seriously.

“What will Young Master Cheon do? Will you go to Mount Hua Sect with this Taoist first?”

“No. I will move separately.”

Originally, he had been thinking of going to Mount Hua Sect…

Cheon Mubaeck narrowed his brow and changed his mind.

‘Even if I go to Mount Hua Sect, the tracking of the Blood Ghost Valley will be a distant task for now.’

Cheonghyeonjin had been attacked at Shaolin and had seen the skills of the Blood Ghost Valley, so he knew well the danger of the Blood Ghost Valley.

But the Mount Hua Sect main sect was different.

Because they had not yet felt a direct danger.

Their attention would surely be focused on the immediate treasure map of the Red Blood Sword Demon and the competition that the martial artists who were aiming for it were having.

‘I surely won’t be able to receive the help of Mount Hua Sect either.’

Cheonghyeonjin, who had noticed what Cheon Mubaeck was thinking, nodded his head with a bitter face.

“I understand, Young Master Cheon. This Taoist will definitely go to Mount Hua Sect and start the tracking of the Blood Ghost Valley.”

“I’ll be in your care.”

“If you need help, please visit Mount Hua Sect at any time. This Taoist does not forget a favor.”

Cheonghyeonjin immediately headed for Mount Hua Sect. Looking at his back, which was getting farther away as he used his lightness skill in an instant, Neung-heo frowned.

“Shit. I thought I’d get to see Mount Hua Sect once.”

“Did you come on a trip?”

“Then how are you going to move now? How are you going to chase the Blood Ghost Valley in this wide Shaanxi?”

“For now… let’s see the treasure map first.”

“A treasure map? No, why are you coveting a treasure map again?”

Cheon Mubaeck snorted.

What do you mean, coveting a treasure map?

‘I’ve never left a legacy, so what do you mean, a treasure map?’

No, something that doesn’t even exist has appeared?

And of all places, in Shaanxi Province, where the Blood Demon Sect had spread the plague?

‘It could be.’

Treasure map commotions are frequent in the martial world.

But among them, there were not many real ones. In nine out of ten cases, it ended with a fake treasure map or digging up the tomb of a completely different person.

‘But it’s the Red Blood Sword Demon.’

It’s quite a coincidence.

A smile slowly appeared on Cheon Mubaeck’s lips.

The Red Blood Sword Demon was one of Cheon Mubaeck’s numerous past lives.

And.

“It was the Red Blood Sword Demon who annihilated the Blood Demon Sect 400 years ago.”

“…Huh? Is that so?”

Neung-heo flinched for a moment.

“The treasure map of the Red Blood Sword Demon, who had annihilated the Blood Demon Sect, was discovered in Shaanxi Province of all places.”

Cheon Mubaeck snorted.

In fact, not much was known about the Red Blood Sword Demon.

Except for the fact that he was a master who was counted on one hand in his time, it was not known where his sect was or what martial arts he had learned.

It was also because a lot of time had passed, and because Cheon Mubaeck had intentionally not left any traces of himself.

The person who knew the most about the Red Blood Sword Demon in the current martial world was Cheon Mubaeck.

Cheon Mubaeck just found the current situation funny.

‘I was active in Hubei Province as my main stage, and I died there.’

Then what would be the reason why the treasure map of the Red Blood Sword Demon had appeared in Shaanxi Province at this very moment?

Cheon Mubaeck could not be sure.

But one thing was clear.

“Whether it’s the Blood Demon Sect, or a movement following the orders of the Blood Ghost Valley.”

In any case, it was related to the Blood Demon Sect.

Whether it was the Blood Demon Sect itself moving, or whether they were plotting something under the orders of the Blood Ghost Valley, he had to confirm, but Cheon Mubaeck decided to chase the treasure map.

“Let’s move, Neung-heo.”

“Aww! I shouldn’t have followed you to Shaanxi.”

“Come to think of it, was there a left-handed sword technique among the martial arts of the Red Blood Sword Demon?”

“What are you doing?”

“…?”

“How are you going to move when you’re so slow? Are you going to crawl?”

* * *

Im Hong looked at the building with a pitiful face.

No, the ruins that had been the Shaanxi Province branch.

“Right. It’s better this way.”

He had persuaded and chased away the martial artists who had come to extort the information of the treasure map.

Of course, it was not an easy task.

But the reason why the Hao Faction had survived in the martial world was clear.

The weak had always studied and prepared ways to survive the persecution of the strong.

It was the mechanism trap.

Im Hong had activated the mechanism trap and had repelled the martial artists who had come.

But in the process, the martial artists who had come had proven that they were peak masters and had ruined a considerable number of the mechanism traps.

“Hoo. For the time being, I’ll have to close the business in Shaanxi and focus on Henan.”

There was something that Im Hong could take comfort in.

“The treasure map of the Red Blood Sword Demon!”

The Hao Faction was still the Hao Faction.

Although he was a step late, he had obtained information about the treasure map not long after.

It was not information about who owned the treasure map.

It was the real treasure map.

“This is probably the real one!”

Im Hong’s eyes shone. The treasure maps that were currently circulating in Shaanxi were presumed to be about three.

But Im Hong was almost certain that what he had just obtained was the real one.

“This cloth on which the treasure map is drawn is at least 300 years old. It’s a cloth that was woven in the way they used at that time.”

Even if this was not the one of the Red Blood Sword Demon, at least the treasure map that was rumored now was a strong candidate.

“Should I sell this to Mount Hua Sect?”

If it was Mount Hua Sect, which called itself the ruler of Shaanxi, they would surely want this treasure map.

Even just for Shaanxi Province to become quiet.

“Or should I sell it to others and leave?”

Im Hong did not covet the treasure map.

Because the treasures of the treasure map were nothing but poison to the Hao Faction.

Im Hong, who had been thinking for a moment, decided.

“Still, it’s Mount Hua Sect. I’ll sell it to Mount Hua Sect and leave Shaanxi. And I’ll go to Henan and build up my power, and when Shaanxi Province becomes quiet, I’ll come back.”

“I’ll buy that.”

“…!”

In an instant, Im Hong was so surprised that his body stiffened.

His heart turned cold.

He hadn’t felt any presence at all, but a voice from right next to him!

He barely managed to roll his eyes and looked in the direction where the voice had come from.

‘A rich young master?’

Shaanxi Province was literally in a state of chaos.

Due to the occurrence of refugees and robbers, the public security was extremely unstable. So it was not easy to see the attire of such a rich young master.

The young man calmly walked in front of Im Hong and said.

“If that’s something you’re selling, let’s sell it here. I don’t accept haggling. Let’s make a clean deal for exactly one silver tael.”

“…”

Sell it here?

Do you know what this is?

And that too, for one silver tael? A treasure map that would get a lump of gold if he went to Mount Hua Sect right now?

Im Hong was dumbfounded.

‘What kind of bastard is this?’

Im Hong was a martial artist who was in his fifties.

His martial world experience was not insignificant, and he now held the position of the branch master who was responsible for Shaanxi. Even he could not easily speak in this situation. Because he was dumbfounded.

“You want me to sell this for one silver tael?”

“Eum. Well. Haggling is necessary in business. Half a silver tael.”

Im Hong narrowed his brow.

‘He’s a crazy bastard.’

It wasn’t that he was increasing the price from one silver tael to two silver taels to haggle.

To reduce it to half a tael.

Im Hong scanned the young man. From his luxurious clothes to the sword with a gorgeous gold thread wrapped around it.

He looked quite rich at a glance.

‘Wait a minute, a gorgeous sword embroidered with gold thread?’

Numerous reports flashed through his mind in an instant.

Im Hong, without even realizing it, scanned the young man’s body shape and looked straight at his face.

No matter how he looked… it was exactly the same as the description in the report.

“The Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero?”

“Oh my. It’s a bit of a strange title, but it’s known all the way here.”

Im Hong was dumbfounded.

This rich young master, who didn’t feel any internal energy, was that tremendous Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero?

The new master who had saved Shaolin?

Right. Let’s say he’s the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero. But for a person with such a great reputation to ask him to hand over a treasure map for just half a silver tael.

“What are you doing? The Hao Faction does not sell anything unless it is a fair price.”

“Isn’t there something like a celebrity discount?”

“Look here. I don’t know if you’re the real Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero, and even if you are, this is not something for sale.”

Still, Im Hong was careful.

Because the probability that the opponent was the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero had arisen.

In the martial world, you have to be careful even with a small probability.

Cheon Mubaeck shrugged his shoulders.

“You said you were selling it to Mount Hua Sect earlier?”

“So it’s something to be sold to Mount Hua Sect.”

“Business will go bankrupt if you sell it by picking and choosing people.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of my business.”

“No, it will go bankrupt to me. The business.”

…This is a threat, right?

“The Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero is said to be a hero of the world who saved Shaolin, but are you now trying to extort this piece of cloth?”

“Extort? I’m saying I’ll buy it for a fair price. I’m different from other people.”

Different. Yes, very different.

To buy a treasure map for half a silver tael is very different.

Im Hong stopped talking any further.

In fact, he did not deny the possibility that this young man was the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero. Come to think of it, no matter how much he was engrossed in the treasure map, he had not felt any presence until he had come right next to him.

If he didn’t feel any internal energy, it might be because he was a greater master than him, not because he had no internal energy.

At least if the martial prowess of the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero according to the report was true, he was a greater master than Im Hong.

So Im Hong assumed that the opponent was the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero.

‘Since he’s a person who saved Shaolin, he must be devoted to justice. And since he’s a person of the orthodox sects, he must value his reputation.’

Im Hong cleared his throat and said.

“Seeing that you’ve come all the way here, you seem to know that I’m a person of the Hao Faction?”

“I know. I’m so moved that the little brat who was a waiter is now a branch master that I’m in tears.”

“…You know me?”

Im Hong flinched.

How did he know his past, when he was just a waiter at an inn when he was only ten years old?

“Right. I don’t like hitting a child either. So when I’m saying it nicely, hand it over for half a silver tael. Go buy some dumplings with that, child.”

“…”

Im Hong shook his head.

To think that a guy who was his son’s age, no. If he had gotten married early, a guy who was his grandson’s age was saying such things.

‘The title of Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero is also a false reputation.’

Im Hong sensed that he could not communicate with words if this continued.

So he had no choice but to use his hands.

No matter how weak the Hao Faction was, he was the branch master of a branch. He was a dancer who had survived in the martial world and had fought on the blade of the martial world.

At least he was a skilled person who could face one peak master.

“As a senior in the martial world, it seems some education is needed, Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero.”

“Oh my. He’s doing this even when I’m buying it for a fair price.”

Cheon Mubaeck drew his sword.

“Still, since there’s an old affection, I’ll tell you one thing.”

“…?”

Cheon Mubaeck smiled.

“If I win this, I’ll take the treasure map for free.”

Im Hong’s face hardened.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep