Chapter 134:


    Secret Cave


    While the guards at the cave entrance were idly wasting time.


    Mu-jin, hispanions, and the martial artists of the Sichuan Tang n were gathering treasures. They each started moving through a small hole that they had made.


    Time was not on their side, so the size of the hole was just slightlyrger than Mu-jin’s build. It was wide enough for one person to barely squeeze through unless they were exceptionally small.


    Mu-gung, who wasrger than Mu-jin, had to practically contort his body to pass through the hole.


    As they were escaping one by one through the hole and moving to the opposite side of the cave entrance, halfway up the mountain.


    “Catch them!”


    “You won’t escape so easily!”


    Unfortunately, disruptors appeared.And they weren’t just any adversaries; they were quite numerous.


    Moreover, they weren’t simply many in number. The new arrivals were Taoists and nuns, martial artists from the Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect.


    Initially, the Qingcheng and Emei Sects, who had each breached different parts of the cave, decided to pursue the Tang n just in case.


    After all, apart from the Tang n, there were no significantpetitors to worry about.


    If the Tang n were wiped out while breaking through traps, they could simply move to another side. If the Sichuan Tang n obtained the treasures, they nned to ambush them.


    At thest moment, Mu-jin and Elder Tang Taeryeong, who intended to be thest to leave the cave, were intercepted. Elder Tang Taeryeong, in a fit of rage, shouted.


    “Cowards! You’ve been following us!”


    “Hahaha. It’sughable to hear cowards who use poison and hidden weapons call others cowards. Even the Original Patriarch wouldugh.”


    But what came back was only the sneering of Cheongpung, the elder of the Qingcheng Sect.


    Just as the enraged Elder Tang Taeryeong was about to use poison.


    – Do not kill! Just use incapacitating poison!


    Mu-jin’s urgent voice transmitted to his ear.


    It was well-known not only here but in many martial arts stories that the Sichuan Tang n always repays their debts, whether of grace or vengeance.


    * * *


    While moving with the Tang n martial artists, Mu-jin realized something very important.


    “This is a sweet deal.”


    As they descended the mountain, there were no lunatics to bother them.


    Even though they were carrying treasures and weapons openly, without any carriages.


    In a way, it was natural.


    In the cave, murder and extermination were possible, but in an open area like this, it was madness to confront dozens of Tang n martial artists.


    To kill them all and take the treasures, dozens or even hundreds would have to attack. If such arge number moved in this area, news would inevitably reach the Tang n.


    After that…


    They would live in constant fear, not knowing when they might be poisoned or struck by hidden weapons for the rest of their lives.


    So, using the Tang n martial artists asborers and guards, they movedfortably for a long time.


    “Hey, can I ask you something?”


    Elder Tang Taeryeong, who was moving with them, spoke to Mu-jin.


    “Please, go ahead.”


    “Why did you stop me?”


    “To prevent a bloodbath in Sichuan.”


    “Hmm… I thought so, but to think that was really the reason. Saving our youngdy as well, today I’ve seen a friend who truly deserves the title of hero. Hahaha.”


    Elder Tang Taeryeong let out a rare heartyugh.


    He also knew. If he had spread lethal poison and killed many disciples of Emei and Qingcheng there, it could have led to a full-scale war between the Tang n and those sects, which were already engaged in a battle of wits.


    And it wouldn’t have ended as a simple fight between the Tang n, Emei, and Qingcheng.


    Given the size and influence of the three major forces in Sichuan, they had numerous affiliated ns under them.


    Additionally, there were other sects and forces connected to the vested interests of the three sects.


    Countless martial artists would have died, and if arge number of civilians were killed in the process, even the royal court might have intervened.


    Mu-jin had another reason for stopping Elder Tang Taeryeong.


    ‘Things are already tangled, and if he had killed Qingcheng or Emei disciples, it would have been uncontroble.’


    In fact, Mu-jin hesitated to ept Tang So-mi’s proposal for this reason.


    When he went to the Tang n, he was not worried that they might kill them out of greed for the treasures.


    In the original history described in the second part of the novel, the ultimate victors of the Secret Cave Incident were the Emei and Qingcheng alliance.


    The Qingcheng and Emei alliance used the wealth and power gained from the treasures to pressure the Sichuan Tang n.


    ‘In the process of resisting that pressure, the Tang n allied with shadowy forces.’


    Preventing this was his goal, not directly interacting with the Tang n.


    Therefore, he nned to clear out the Secret Cave in advance.


    However, things were already deviating from Mu-jin’s n.


    Since the n was off track, Mu-jin needed time to consider his next steps.


    After contemting while moving with the Tang n martial artists, he concluded.


    ‘Since it’se to this, it’s better to move actively.’


    Rather than just taking the treasures and leaving, he decided it would be better to use the Tang n to clean up Sichuan a bit.


    And for this, he needed to confirm a few things.


    “Tang So-mi.”


    “Yes, please speak, Young Hero.”


    She answered without showing that she had noticed Mu-jin’s identity.


    “Do you remember the time when you obtained the Zhang Bodo from the Secret Cave?”


    “It was around the early hours of the Rabbit (5-7 AM). I heard the news while resting at the vi in Gan-yang-hyeon.”


    Mu-jin nodded slightly at her answer.


    ‘I knew it. They had a backup Zhang Bodo.’


    Mu-jin’s group moved to raid the Taeeulmun around the early hours of the Tiger (3-5 AM).


    Even considering the time spent fighting and cleaning up after finding the hidden Zhang Bodo, it was at most half an hour.


    It meant the Zhang Bodo had started spreading in Gan-yang-hyeon half an hour after they left. Unless they had prepared in advance, it was an impossible speed.


    “But why do you ask?”


    Tang So-mi asked with curiosity, but instead of answering, Mu-jin added another question.


    “I’ll exinter. Did you head straight there after obtaining the Zhang Bodo?”


    “Yes.”


    “Was it for the treasure?”


    “Honestly, it was to prevent Qingcheng or Emei from getting the treasure. I thought waiting for a letter to reach the main family in Chengdu would be toote, so I nned to go first and gather information.”


    “Isn’t Qingcheng or Emei also based in Chengdu? Moreover, their sects are located in the mountains, so they should be slower than the Tang n?”


    “They have affiliated ns and rted people. I heard that Qingcheng and Emei’s affiliated ns’ disciples were seen moving urgently in Gan-yang-hyeon.”


    “It’s early morning during the hours of the Rabbit. How did you get such information?”


    Though Tang So-mi tilted her head at Mu-jin’s continuous questions, she soon pointed to the bodyguard standing next to her.


    “In the morning, I noticed some chaos outside, so I went to check. The Taeeulmun mansion was on fire, and Zhang Bodo was scattered around.”


    The taciturn bodyguard exined, and Mu-jin nodded.


    “I see. Now that I think about it, we haven’t introduced ourselves properly. My name is Kang Hyuk.”


    “I am Tang Hyeok-soo, responsible for Miss Tang So-mi’s security.”


    While exchanging greetings with the bodyguard, Mu-jin had to manage his expression carefully.


    ‘I found him.’


    The name he had seen in the novel had popped up.


    * * *


    Without any further obstacles, Mu-jin’s group and the Tang n martial artists reached Tangjata, the area where the Tang n resided.


    The atmosphere there was rather grim, as if preparing for an imminent war.


    “It’s Elder Tang Taeryeong!”


    “Miss Tang So-mi has returned too!”


    However, the vigers cheered loudly upon recognizing them.


    It seemed the tension from the Secret Cave incident had affected the entire vige.


    Tang So-mi, Elder Tang Taeryeong, and the Tang n martial artists exchanged brief conversations with the vigers and received their warm hospitality as they headed to the main family of the Sichuan Tang n, a grand mansion.


    Mu-jin’s group was treated with considerable hospitality, as they had saved Tang So-mi.


    After soaking in warm water and enjoying a sumptuous meal (which, of course, included a variety of meat and fish dishes, but they were now used to it),


    “Have you checked all the secret manuals?”


    Mu-jin asked Mu-gyeong, who was reviewing the manuals they had looted from the Secret Cave.


    “I’ve skimmed through them once. Some seem useful, and there are some peculiar ones.”


    “Peculiar ones?”


    “Yes. There were some martial arts that seemed to be stolen by the thieves from other sects, like ascending martial arts in fist and sword techniques, and some martial arts that seemed to be used by the thieves themselves.”


    Mu-gyeong handed a few manuals forward as he spoke.


    There were techniques like the Golden Locking Hand for theft and rope handling skills for securing treasures, but the martial arts that caught Mu-jin’s eye were different.


    [Phantom Step], [Shadow Art]


    Just from the names, Mu-jin had a feeling, but he asked to confirm.


    “What were these two about?”


    “Both are simr. Phantom Step allows you to move without a sound, as if you have no feet, and Shadow Art lets you blend into the darkness, erasing your presence.”


    Mu-gyeong exined, and Mu-gung, who was listening, snorted.


    “These martial arts don’t suit us.”


    ‘Us’ presumably referred to the Shaolin. Despite being a Buddhist sect, the Shaolin was known for its upright and honorable nature, fitting the term ‘righteous path.’


    However,


    “Can you break down the essence of these two manuals into a book for me to readter?”


    Mu-jin intended to learn both of these techniques.


    Despite his experience in the special forces, where he was somewhat adept at hiding and stealth, it was only effective against unsuspecting or ordinary people.


    Experts could enhance their senses with internal energy and even detect things that couldn’t be perceived by the five senses.


    Therefore, learning these two techniques would allow him to use his special forces’ stealth skills even against experts.


    ‘It will be very usefulter.’


    Considering he had to deal with the shadowy forces scheming in the dark, these two techniques were the greatest harvest from the Secret Cave.


    * * *


    After that, Mu-jin’s group continued to rest at a mansion-like pavilion.


    Mu-yul yed in the yard with Ling-ling, Mu-gyeong read the manuals, and Cheongsu Dojang conversed with his sword.


    Meanwhile, a visitor arrived at the pavilion. Or rather, the owner came.


    A Tang n martial artist came to convey the family head’s message.


    “Young Hero Kang. The family head wishes to speak with you.”


    “Understood.”


    Mu-jin dly epted the invitation.


    He needed to meet and talk with the Tang n’s family head anyway.


    To deal with the matter rted to the person he met earlier in the day, Tang Hyeok-soo.