Lightsword Tomb-1
The Sucheon Society was in complete chaos, as though a beehive had been struck.
They should have first focused on restoring order within, but their impatient leader, Mok Woo-jeon, instead gave reckless orders to his subordinates—pursue the strange intruders at all costs.
As a result, the Society's defensive posture was left riddled with gaping holes.
Seonu Jin slipped through one of those very gaps like a shadow.
It was, in fact, the easiest infiltration he had ever carried out.
Even when he had infiltrated the minor force of Nagajang in Guizhou, it had not been this simple.
'Had I known it would be like this, I could have brought Miss Tang along without issue.'
With a relaxed smile, Jin quickly found what he had come for—the prison where the condemned were held.
At last, it was time to rescue Do Munseung of Yeongnam Sword Sect, his original purpose in coming here.
'And while I'm at it, perhaps glean some information as well.'
Once Do Munseung was freed, Jin also intended to probe further into Mok Woo-jeon's secrets.
With the Society still reeling from its losses, the disappearance of one or two more prisoners would surely go unnoticed.
Soon, Jin found Do Munseung lying atop a pile of hay in one of the outdoor cells.
To his surprise, the man seemed unscathed. His face bore a pensive look, but his body showed no sign of injury.
From the shadows nearby, Jin sent him a soundless transmission.
— Brother Do. Do not speak aloud, only listen.
Do Munseung, idly swinging his foot, froze in shock.
— I am the one who tried to aid you when you were taken this morning. Knowing of your innocence, I have come to set you free.
Do Munseung slowly rose, glancing around before leaning toward the bars and shaking his head.
'What?'
Jin frowned. That seemed a signal of refusal—as if he did not wish to be rescued.
It was a strange thing indeed. For someone sentenced to execution, and who had once even fled to escape, to now refuse freedom was baffling.
Jin decided he needed to speak further with him.
He silently moved around the prison, disabling not only the guards but also the nearby prisoners by striking their vital points.
None of them even realized what had been done to them.
Do Munseung stared in dazed shock as Jin appeared before him.
"You… could it be that you are Amhyeolhyang?"
Amhyeolhyang was an assassin of unknown origin, counted among the Thirty-Six Stars of the Martial World alongside Guyu-eumma Jigi-eum.
Jin chuckled softly.
"No. I merely studied stealth arts as a hobby. But why would you refuse to flee? Were you not sentenced to execution?"
Do Munseung gave a pained expression, bowed slightly, and spoke with gratitude.
"First, let me thank you deeply for coming to save me, despite us having only met once."
Then he explained:
At first, he too had thought he was to be executed. But today, after being captured, he had been told something different.
Jin frowned.
"Told something different?"
"Yes. They said that if I entered a certain cave and brought back what they desired, I would not only be spared execution, but also allowed to return home. But if I refused, they would execute all members of Yeongnam Sword Sect as accomplices in my flight."
Retrieve something from a cave…?
Jin's eyes gleamed.
This smelled very much like it was connected to Mok Woo-jeon's secret.
The secret that had once slaughtered countless warriors in the north… perhaps even the very secret that, years later, elevated him to one of the Thirty-Six Stars.
'If that's the case…'
Jin quickly formed a plan in his mind, but before speaking it aloud, he asked again:
"Do you believe them? That if you bring back what they want, they will let you go free?"
Do Munseung shook his head bitterly.
"No. What I do believe is their threat—that if I refuse, they will execute my sect family."
Jin sighed deeply.
So he had chosen to sacrifice himself rather than endanger his people.
As Jin had suspected at first meeting, Do Munseung was a man of upright heart.
It was a tragic thing.
Yet from Jin's perspective, that decision made matters easier.
With a lighter heart, he said:
"In that case, may I offer you a proposal?"
Do Munseung's eyes widened.
"A proposal?"
"Yes. One that may save your life… and prevent further bloodshed."
As Jin spoke, Do Munseung's gaze grew more serious, listening intently.
***
Meanwhile, the Lord of Sucheon, the Ascending-Heavens Swordsman Mok Woo-jeon, hounded his men late into the night, driving them to track down the so-called Azure-Crimson Twin Swords.
Even with hunting hounds unleashed, the fiends left no trace.
He hated to admit it, but it seemed they had escaped completely.
"Grrr!"
Grinding his teeth in fury, Mok Woo-jeon suddenly recalled the words of the blue-clad fiend.
'After sacrificing so many lives for your greed, do you still deny being the foremost villain of Sichuan? How utterly shameless you are.'
At the memory, his expression twisted.
How had they known?
And how much did they know?
His thoughts turned, unbidden, to Do Munseung.
'No… it couldn't be?!'
His heart pounding, Mok Woo-jeon raced toward the prison.
If those who had mocked him so thoroughly also knew about Do Munseung, they might well have used his distraction to spirit him away.
'No, no…'
His heart thundered madly.
Do Munseung might not know, but to Mok Woo-jeon, he was a man of utmost importance.
If the fiends had stolen him away, it would be a disaster beyond measure.
But when he arrived, all he saw were guards and prisoners slumbering soundly—and Do Munseung too, asleep within his cell.
"Hahhh… hahhh…"
Breathing raggedly, Mok Woo-jeon watched him for a moment, then slowly turned away.
Rage flared at the sight of his men sleeping unguarded, but if he vented it now, he might not be able to stop. He could end up killing them all.
Leaving the prison, he looked down at his trembling hands.
'When did it come to this…?'
His inner fire surged uncontrollably, threatening to consume his reason entirely.
He slapped his cheeks hard.
'No. Steady yourself, Mok Woo-jeon!'
For now, he could still fight off the madness.
"Huuhhh…"
Exhaling deeply, he thought bitterly.
It was all because of the Tomb of the Lightless Sword (Gwanggeomneung).
It was that cursed place that had burdened him with this inner demon.
It was because of it that his son, Mok Seryeol—once hailed as the future of the Society—had died.
To end this accursed fate, Mok Woo-jeon knew he had to break the seal of the Tomb of the Lightless Sword.
No matter what it took.
He paused, turning his gaze back toward the prison where Do Munseung lay asleep.
That man was now his only hope.
If even a paragon of righteousness like Do Munseung could not break the seal, then his only choice left would be to collapse the entire mountain.
***
The next morning, Do Munseung was roused early by visiting warriors.
"Rise, Do Munseung. It is time to depart."
The sun had not yet risen. Blinking drowsily at the pale light of dawn, he asked:
"So soon?"
A tense warrior snapped at him.
"Don't talk back! Just get moving!"
Another quickly restrained him.
"Easy. We were told to bring him with respect."
"Hmph! Respect, my foot."
Do Munseung studied their faces carefully. For some reason, they all seemed unusually on edge.
Outside, horses were already prepared.
And atop one of them sat the Lord of Sucheon—Mok Woo-jeon.
With weary eyes, Mok Woo-jeon spoke to Do Munseung.
"Come along, Young Hero Do. You must be tired—I apologize for calling you so early. We are pressed for time."
Do Munseung felt no desire to show courtesy to the man who had captured him and was holding the lives of Yeongnam Sword Sect hostage.
So he only bowed his head silently.
Mok Woo-jeon's eyes twitched at the gesture, but he said no more.
Soon, Do Munseung and the warriors departed from Sucheon Society.
They traveled discreetly, keeping a close watch on all sides, moving as if determined that no outside eyes should witness them.
Bound and carried upon a horse, Do Munseung cast a glance behind him, then slowly closed his eyes—his face betraying no concern for where they might be taking him or what might be done.
But this was not resignation.
Though his nose caught no scent, his body still carried the invisible trace Jin had left on him the day before: Chujong Fragrance of the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
Colorless, odorless—undetectable to anyone but those trained to recognize it.
Which meant Jin would surely be following behind.
The very same man who, after only a single meeting, had infiltrated Sucheon's prison to rescue him.
Knowing he was not alone brought a quiet steadiness to Do Munseung's heart.
It was then that Mok Woo-jeon suddenly spoke again.
"You ask nothing. Are you not curious where we are going?"
Do Munseung slowly opened his eyes, gazing coldly at him.
"There is only one thing I wish to know. Will the Lord truly keep his promise not to harm the members of Yeongnam Sword Sect?"
Mok Woo-jeon regarded him in silence for a moment, then let out a wry laugh.
"You are truly unlike others. Perhaps you might indeed succeed where they have not."
He nodded and spoke firmly.
"On my honor—no, on my very life—I swear it. If you cooperate with us, not a single hair on Yeongnam Sword Sect will be harmed. You may trust me."
Do Munseung's eyes softened slightly. He asked again:
"Then what of me? Will I be allowed to return safely as well?"
At this, Mok Woo-jeon faltered. He could not bring himself to answer.
He only looked at Do Munseung with a troubled expression.
Do Munseung nodded faintly.
There was no need for words. The answer was plain enough—he would not be allowed to leave alive.
It was a hopeless answer, but Do Munseung remained calm.
"As I thought. It seems I never had a path to survival in the first place."
Mok Woo-jeon could not help but admire his composure.
Indeed, Do Munseung was worthy of the reputation of being Sichuan's greatest man of righteousness.
Perhaps he truly could be the one to break the cursed seal of the Tomb of the Lightless Sword.
As Mok Woo-jeon sank into such thoughts, Do Munseung asked once more:
"Then will you at least explain exactly what it is you expect me to do? If I must die, I would at least know why."
Mok Woo-jeon hesitated, then sighed.
"Very well. Since you have already accepted the situation, there is no reason to conceal it."
And the tale he told was one Do Munseung had never expected.
"Tell me, have you ever heard of Jeong Myeonggang, the Mad Hero-Sword Demon of fifty years ago?"
"…The Mad Hero-Sword Demon, Jeong Myeonggang?"
The martial world saw its 'absolute masters' change every two or three decades. Unless they were legends like the Thunder God or Sword God of a hundred years past, the names of past masters were often forgotten.
Do Munseung racked his memory until at last he recalled the name.
"Yes, I think I have heard of him. A capricious fiend who killed or helped people according to his mood that day."
Mok Woo-jeon gave a thin smile.
"Indeed. Known for his capricious temperament, he killed countless and earned endless grudges, yet his unmatched skill meant none could oppose him. For that, he was more often called simply the 'Lightless Sword (Gwanggeom)' rather than his title, Mad Hero-Sword Demon."
"I see. But why bring him up now…?"
Mok Woo-jeon's expression suddenly brightened, as though the thought alone filled him with delight.
Like a child boasting of a prized toy, he declared:
"We have discovered his tomb. A tomb we believe to contain his very martial legacy."
"…What?!"
The abrupt shift in his tone was disconcerting enough, but the content of his words left Do Munseung unable to remain calm.
The discovery of a former absolute master's legacy—such a chance was one any martial artist would risk their life for.
Mok Woo-jeon, pleased by his reaction, went on:
"And it is into that tomb that you must enter."
"…Me?"
Mok Woo-jeon explained further.
The tomb's entrance was an artificially constructed cave. Everyone who had entered lost their sanity and fell into madness.
"In truth, the inscription at the entrance states that only one of true heart may enter."
And that was why Do Munseung, famed as the most righteous man in the region, had been dragged here.
Do Munseung frowned.
"I don't understand. If the problem is madness, then why not send in stronger warriors? Masters like yourself, for instance."
But Mok Woo-jeon only sighed, shaking his head.
"Do you think we did not try? Of course we did. My son, Seryeol, was the first. I thought that as a peak master he might suffice."
His voice was heavy with regret.
From his expression, Do Munseung could guess what had happened, and kept silent.
Mok Woo-jeon continued, his tone bleak.
"It was arrogance. To scorn the safeguards left by a past absolute master, when we had not yet even touched the threshold of transcendence."
Mok Seryeol, once hailed as Sucheon's hope, had entered the cave brimming with confidence—only to emerge a madman.
And worse was yet to come.
"I should have stayed my hand, but seeing Seryeol fall into madness, I could not bear it. I moved to enter myself. But the Vice Lord, Ga Yu-ak, stopped me, insisting he go instead. And… he too went mad."
For Mok Woo-jeon, who had only moments before rejoiced at discovering the legacy, it was a nightmare.
And the true nightmare followed.
In his madness, Ga Yu-ak had brutally slain Mok Seryeol—his son—before his very eyes, at the cave's entrance.
"It happened in an instant. I could hardly believe it. I nearly rushed in myself, but the moment I set foot within, I felt it… an unknown impulse seeping into my soul. I realized at once that I would share their fate if I went further, and forced myself to retreat."
As he finished, his eyes stared into emptiness, as though seeing that day again.
Do Munseung sighed softly.
"They call him the Lightless Sword, and indeed it seems his tomb is nothing but a trap steeped in malice. Are you certain his legacy lies within?"
Mok Woo-jeon gave a faint, bitter smile.
"I cannot say. But can we give up now, after all this?"
Do Munseung said nothing more.
He did not voice the question of why he should be dragged into this, or why he must risk his life.
For in Mok Woo-jeon's gaze, behind the grief for his son, burned a greed he could not conceal.
Do Munseung could see it clearly.
***
By the time they arrived at their destination, the sun was already sinking low.
At last, Do Munseung beheld the Tomb of the Lightless Sword.
It was a secluded cave at the foot of a mountain, deep within the forest.
Pointing toward it, Mok Woo-jeon spoke.
"That is the place I told you of. The place you must enter. But as night is falling, you will rest today and go in tomorrow."
Feigning generosity as he spoke, Mok Woo-jeon glanced at Do Munseung.
Do Munseung only returned his gaze to the cave's mouth.
From the blackness within, like the gates of hell itself, two crimson eyes gleamed faintly in the dark.
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