Chapter 629
Chapter 629
Chapter 629. The Will Passed Down (1)
At my words, Captain Kwon Jik spoke with a startled expression.
“What does that mean? You will try it yourself?” (Kwon Jik)
“Since I was the one who gave the opinion, I think it is only natural that I should do it.” (Eun Seoho)
I believe it is right to take responsibility for the opinions one gives.
Because not taking that responsibility means one gives opinions and makes decisions that much more recklessly.
And that leads to wasted money.
Such people waste more money in one go than someone who idles around and eats free meals.
One of the things I hate most is throwing money into the air.
Thinking that, I said to Captain Kwon Jik,
“Please do not worry.” (Eun Seoho)
In truth, I was not worried at all.
It was true that I had confidence in my own skill, but if Miss Seo Hyang had seen me in danger, she would have sent Palgap.
And choosing the Bak horn made of wood was almost certainly the correct answer.
I approached the stone statue and carefully grasped that horn with my hand.
Then I gave a triumphant smile.
As expected, just as I thought.
The horn was not fixed in place, and it seemed I only needed to press it.
When I carefully pressed the horn, it smoothly pushed inward.
Gggggg.
At the same time, I heard the ground rumble, and a door that seemed to lead underground appeared before us.
“We solved it!” (Royal Guard)
“We finally solved the riddle!” (Royal Guard)
“Waaaaaah!” (Everyone)
The people cheered, and Captain Kwon Jik said to me,
“Thank you. Thanks to you, we solved the riddle.” (Kwon Jik)
“It is the result of everyone joining forces.” (Eun Seoho)
“I knew you would say that. But it is clear that this is your merit.” (Kwon Jik)
Master Craftsman Cha approached me.
“The Captain is right. In any case, the real thing begins from here, so you must brace yourself.” (Cha Geoyi)
“Of course.” (Eun Seoho)
I nodded and examined the door leading underground.
Some phrase was written on the stone door.
“There is something written here.” (Eun Seoho)
“You can leave things from here to us.” (Cha Geoyi)
“I leave it to you.” (Eun Seoho)
I obediently stepped back and recalled the phrase I had read.
[O fated one who has come this far, I wonder who you might be.
Are you our enemy?
A passing guest?
A friend?
Or our descendant?
If you made this door appear by pressing Bak’s horn, then you must be either an enemy or a passing guest.
If you are an enemy, I warn you, turn back.
Inside this place are obstacles you cannot withstand, enough to make everything until now seem like child’s play.
The guest should turn back as well.
What lies inside is useless to you, and you will only lose your life for nothing.
You who have shown the token of friendship and trust and followed Bak’s guidance to this place,
Help my descendants.
Descendant who has come here by shedding blood and following the guidance,
What remains inside is our will, so through it, realize our will]
I thought deeply.
In truth, the content of the phrase was not difficult.
Because it was a warning and a request left behind by the one who made this Sword Tomb.
It was telling enemies or guests to turn back.
It was telling friends to help the descendants, and telling descendants to realize their will.
But there is no particular warning for friends or descendants.
That point bothered me.
Because that meant, in other words, that a friend or descendant of the person who made this place could enter without any hardship.
[The token of friendship and trust]
And [shedding blood].
As I pondered deeply, a thought suddenly flashed through my mind.
Could it be that?
I immediately approached Captain Kwon and made a polite request.
“There is something I would like to confirm. So, how about we go outside for a short rest and come back in afterward?” (Eun Seoho)
“You want to go out and come back in?” (Kwon Jik)
“Yes. So please persuade Master Craftsman Cha.” (Eun Seoho)
Master Craftsman Cha was reading the phrase engraved into the stone door with a serious expression.
Captain Kwon looked at him and seemed to fall into thought for a moment.
Just when I was wondering if I needed to say a little more, he gave a small laugh and opened his mouth.
“Let us do that. Master Craftsman Cha!” (Kwon Jik)
“Yes, did you call me?” (Cha Geoyi)
“Let us go outside for a while and clear our heads.” (Kwon Jik)
“Yes? You mean now?” (Cha Geoyi)
“The Sword Tomb is not going to run away, is it? And this place has poor airflow, so staying here too long is dangerous.” (Kwon Jik)
“That is true. When one stays in a place where the air does not circulate well, one sometimes even sees hallucinations.” (Cha Geoyi)
Fortunately, Master Craftsman Cha readily followed Captain Kwon’s words.
“Stop work! We are going outside!” (Cha Geoyi)
And so the work was stopped, and the entire exploration party headed outside.
“Ahem. So why did you suggest we rest?” (Cha Geoyi)
Master Craftsman Cha approached me and quietly asked.
“Yes? What do you mean?” (Eun Seoho)
“Do you think I have so little sense? I have lived this long on that one thing alone.” (Cha Geoyi)
He really is quick-witted.
Well, there is a reason people say old ginger is spicy.
I nodded.
“There is one thing I wanted to check outside. Do you remember what was engraved on that stone door earlier?” (Eun Seoho)
“I remember.” (Cha Geoyi)
“It is because of that. I wondered whether, if one could show the token of being a friend or prove oneself a descendant, one might be able to enter that place without effort.” (Eun Seoho)
“That makes sense. So you must have thought of something?” (Cha Geoyi)
“Yes. That is why I want to test it. And there is also a personal matter.” (Eun Seoho)
Saying that, I glanced back.
When we came outside, the sun was setting.
It is already evening.
When we came outside, those who had been waiting ran over and asked,
“What happened?” (Royal Guard)
“Is the exploration over?” (Royal Guard)
At that, Captain Kwon spoke.
“That is not it. We will rest briefly and go back in tomorrow. The air was lacking, so our heads were not working well.” (Kwon Jik)
“I see.” (Royal Guard)
“I want to go rest for a bit.” (Kwon Jik)
“We will prepare at once.” (Royal Guard)
Late at night.
Using that darkness, there were people moving stealthily toward the Sword Tomb.
They were even wearing Momahye, with animal fur attached to the soles of their shoes to erase footprints and footsteps.
Among them was someone who had worked as a laborer, so they did not lose their way.
“Stop!” (Guard)
At that moment, the person standing guard stopped them.
“What is the matter?” (Guard)
“There is something I left inside, so I came in.” (Spy)
“How careless. Hurry and bring it out.” (Guard)
“Thank you. Ah, by the way, has anyone gone in before us?” (Spy)
“There is no one inside.” (Guard)
“Thank you for telling me, Great Hero.” (Spy)
They were able to enter the Sword Tomb without any obstruction.
“With all the mechanism formations dismantled, it is truly comfortable! We should have spread the rumor earlier. Then we could have explored the Sword Tomb this comfortably.” (Spy)
“Exactly. When I think of the trouble we went through searching for this place for no reason.” (Spy)
“It was harder to instigate the Royal Guards dispatched here.” (Spy)
They whispered in low voices as they walked inside the Sword Tomb, and soon arrived before the stone door.
“Is this the place?” (Spy)
“That is right.” (Spy)
The one working as a laborer said,
“This is the entrance that appeared after the riddle was solved.” (Laborer)
“Then we should report this to the higher-ups first. And you and I will go inside.” (Spy)
“No, I think it would be better to wait for an answer from above. There is a warning written here, is there not?” (Laborer)
“There is also the method of stealing it after they excavate it and bring it out.” (Spy)
It was then.
“Who is the one who has awakened us from our sleep!” (Yeo Eungam)
A sudden command rang out like frost.
At that, they were frightened out of their wits and said,
“W-where is that sound coming from?” (Spy)
“Is there someone else besides us?” (Spy)
“They clearly said there was no one inside!” (Spy)
But that booming voice did not stop and continued to echo.
“You who dare to awaken us from our sleep! You shall not escape a curse!” (Yeo Eungam)
“Hueeeek!” (Spy)
An empty, pitch-black Sword Tomb.
At the voice heard inside it, their waists gave out, and they ended up collapsing on the spot.
Human imagination is originally endless, and through that imagination, fear becomes maximized.
“Aaaaagh!” (Spy)
They barely got to their feet and scrambled out of the Sword Tomb.
I looked at those fleeing in terror and said,
“You worked hard, Warrior Yeo.” (Eun Seoho)
“It was nothing.” (Yeo Eungam)
The one who made the voice that frightened them was Warrior Yeo Eungam.
And Warrior Jin Yu is following behind them.
There is a reason I did not take their lives here.
It is to find out where their higher-ups are.
I knew their identities from the beginning. And the identity of the one working as a laborer too.
How could I not know when I could feel such thick energy of the Black Way mixed with the scent of blood?
Of course, other people would not be able to tell.
My companions and I quietly left the Sword Tomb and returned to our quarters.
Because it was too late today.
.
.
.
As soon as the day dawned, I finished my breathing and qi circulation, ate breakfast, and then headed to Young Master Yeon Yoomun.
It was a bit early, but I had made an appointment, so there was no particular problem.
But there, I encountered an unexpected person.
Master Seo Im, no, Her Highness the Princess.
She had thrown off her men’s clothing and was wearing clothes befitting a princess.
I quickly lowered my head and paid my respects.
“This humble merchant, Eun Seoho, greets Her Highness the Princess.” (Eun Seoho)
“Raise your head.” (Princess)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
I asked her,
“What brings you here?” (Eun Seoho)
“I have been staying here since we arrived. We are married, so what could be the problem?” (Princess)
“……You are married?” (Eun Seoho)
“We have already shared our first night.” (Princess)
“…….” (Eun Seoho)
That is insanely fast.
I could not help but be startled by that speed.
This is likely the Emperor’s will rather than the Princess’s.
Since they have already shared their first night, this marriage cannot be taken back.
“I see. Congratulations.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you. But put those congratulations away and say them when we hold the wedding ceremony officially.” (Princess)
“At that time, I too will congratulate you properly.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. Please wait a little, and my husband will come out.” (Princess)
A moment later.
Young Master Yeon Yoomun, who had finished preparing, came out, and we headed toward the place where the Sword Tomb was.
“Are you happy now that you are married?” (Eun Seoho)
“Hahaha. Yes.” (Yeon Yoomun)
“A few days ago, you were full of worry, but you have become a completely different person.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, he looked up at the sky and said,
“The me who will be rolled around by His Majesty the Emperor is the future me, is it not? So right now, I am simply enjoying reality.” (Yeon Yoomun)
He continued speaking.
“And as a wife, she is satisfactory as well. No, she is someone far too good for me.” (Yeon Yoomun)
“Originally, everything comes with a corresponding price. It is what people call a cost.” (Eun Seoho)
“……That is true.” (Yeon Yoomun)
He smiled bitterly and nodded, then asked me,
“But why did you ask me to come to the Sword Tomb with you?” (Yeon Yoomun)
“Because there is one thing I want to request of you. Before that, there is something I would like to ask. How long is the history of this Chungyeong Fortress?” (Eun Seoho)
He thought for a moment, then answered.
“It is fairly old. It has probably been several hundred years.” (Yeon Yoomun)
“Then are you descended from the people who lived here?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. I heard that our family has lived here for generations. One of the wills handed down through the generations was never to leave this place.” (Yeon Yoomun)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
Then my guess is almost right.
We arrived at the entrance of the Sword Tomb, and I took out a needle and said,
“I am sorry, but may I draw some blood from your hand with this?” (Eun Seoho)
“My blood, you mean?” (Yeon Yoomun)
“Yes. Because there is something I want to test regarding the Sword Tomb.” (Eun Seoho)
He readily held out his hand.
“It is not difficult.” (Yeon Yoomun)
I pricked his palm with the needle to draw blood, then said,
“Now please place the hand with the blood flowing from it on this door of the Sword Tomb.” (Eun Seoho)
Following my instruction, he placed his hand on the door of the Sword Tomb.
At that moment,
Ddddddk.
I heard the sound of some structure moving. And then,
Sreung, thud!
The sound of the structure moving stopped, and the door opened by itself.
As expected! It is just as I thought.
I said to Warrior Seo U,
“Please call Captain Kwon and Master Craftsman Cha here immediately. Tell them it is urgent, so they should hurry too.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Seo U)
After waiting a short while, they came running.
“What is the matter?” (Kwon Jik)
“What is happening that you said it was urgent?” (Cha Geoyi)
Instead of answering, I pointed to the Sword Tomb.
“Please look here.” (Eun Seoho)
“Huh?” (Kwon Jik)
“Mm?” (Cha Geoyi)
They soon noticed the change.
Because at the entrance of the Sword Tomb, whose door had opened, there was not a trace of the broken debris from the rock that had fallen here.
“How did this happen?” (Kwon Jik)
I briefly explained to them.
“I thought the descendant mentioned in that phrase referred to Young Master Yeon Yoomun’s family here. After all, they have lived in this Chungyeong Fortress for generations for several hundred years. So when we used his blood to open this door, this passage was made.” (Eun Seoho)
I inferred it through the sentence I saw inside the Sword Tomb: [Descendant who has come here by shedding blood and following Bak’s guidance].
The element by which this Sword Tomb recognized someone as the descendant of the person who created it was blood.
In my previous life, everyone who carried the blood of the Lord of Chungyeong Fortress died.
Considering the methods of those people I experienced, they probably explored the Sword Tomb by force.
That makes me curious.
Did they actually succeed in exploring this Sword Tomb?
Only after wiping out every member of the Lord’s bloodline, the most important key to exploring this Sword Tomb, did they enter the Sword Tomb, so they may have felt a pang of realization when they saw that phrase.
In any case, the situation now is completely different.
“Then let us go in.” (Eun Seoho)
After telling the escort warriors to guard the entrance, I went inside.
And we exclaimed in admiration.
“Wah…….” (Yeon Yoomun)
“This is…….” (Kwon Jik)
That was because not a single trap, truly not even one, that had tormented us could be seen.
It was simply a straight path stretching onward.
And it took only one quarter-hour to reach the stone door engraved with the phrase that had taken us a day and a half to arrive at before.
“Hoo, now that it has come to this, it somehow feels empty.” (Kwon Jik)
That is exactly what I would say.
I said to Young Master Yeon Yoomun,
“Then please open this door.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Yeon Yoomun)
He opened the door.
But the reactions of the others, except for me, were strange.