Using sword-flight, I flew day and night without rest and was able to arrive at Wuhan City within two days.
To be precise, I reached the northwestern area of Wuhan where the tomb of King Pyeong is located.
Although I managed my stamina with qi circulation along the way, I hadn't slept properly in four days since leaving the Shaolin Temple. My eyelids were heavy and I was indeed tired.
I should at least check whether there's a hidden treasure in King Pyeong's tomb, then get some sleep.
—But how exactly are you going to search the tomb?
How, indeed.
Wouldn't it be best to target the dark of night?
It's not a royal tomb of the Yan Dynasty, but I've heard that ancient royal tombs are managed by the state.
—Why?
Because they often contain countless treasures.
—Treasures?
Royal tombs are completely different from commoners' graves in terms of scale.
They're said to be built almost like fortresses in size.
So, it's said that treasures and riches cherished by the king during his life are buried with him. There are even cases where loyal servants, vassals, and concubines were buried alive along with the king.
—Buried alive? What kind of bizarre funeral custom is that? Anyway, if you're right, even just digging our way in will take a lot of time.
Well, it might not necessarily be that difficult.
Once inside, the tomb's interior is likely structured into multiple chambers.
But since King Pyeong's tomb was built over six hundred years ago, those chambers could've collapsed, filled with dirt just like you said.
—Then you better prepare a shovel or something. Don't tell me you plan on digging barehanded—or worse, with me or Namcheon Iron Sword?
"That's actually a good idea."
—What did you say?!
Sodam Sword grumbled in annoyance.
At that moment, the voice of Namcheon Iron Sword echoed in my mind.
—Unhui… Is that the King Pyeong's tomb you were talking about?
Wondering why it asked, I looked down—
"What on earth is this…?"
The old capital of Chu, Ying (郢).
King Pyeong's tomb was located not far from Nogamhyeon, northwest of Ying.
I had assumed that, even under government control, at most fifty to a hundred guards would be stationed there.
But the scene before me defied expectation.
Despite it being the middle of the night, the vast area around the brightly torch-lit tomb was occupied by nearly 5,000 government troops.
Moreover, hundreds of workers were busily engaged in an extensive excavation.
"Ha…"
I couldn't make sense of it.
Why on earth were government forces already excavating King Pyeong's tomb?
—What now?
If they were digging with torches in the dead of night, that meant the excavation was happening around the clock.
Under these circumstances, quietly investigating the royal tomb through ordinary means would be difficult.
There were just too many soldiers and workers.
"Why…?"
Unless one had solved the secrets hidden in the five enchanted swords made by the master craftsman Gu Yaja, or forced Seobok to reveal them, there would be no way to know something special was hidden in King Pyeong's tomb.
While I stood puzzled, something caught my eye.
It was a flag hanging over an ornate tent in the center of the military camp.
"Prince Gyeong?"
The flag symbolized a royal prince, with the character Gyeong (景) emblazoned on it.
It indicated that this was Prince Gyeong's command tent.
Prince Gyeong was one of the royal sons, destined to become the next emperor.
—Is Prince Gyeong the one leading this excavation?
Seems like it.
That he, a royal prince, would personally oversee the dig…
"Could it be…?"
Come to think of it, Prince Gyeong was also searching for the five enchanted swords.
If that's the case, it means he too was seeking the treasure they pointed to.
But Prince Gyeong only had a single clue: a rubbing of the Saryeon Sword.
Of the remaining swords, Geomsal Sword was in the hands of Jeolshim, one of the Five Villains, and Hojak Sword was with the current emperor.
—And the Blood Demon Sword is in your lucky pouch.
Right.
It's together with the Saryeon Sword in the pouch that can contain anything.
Even if he had miraculously found the elusive Akjeuk Sword, with only two clues, it should have been impossible to solve the mystery of Ilmodowon.
So how did he find King Pyeong's tomb?
—What are you going to do?
To Sodam Sword's question, I silently looked down at Prince Gyeong's tent.
---
Inside Prince Gyeong's tent.
There, Prince Gyeong was having a private conversation with someone.
Looking pleased, he personally poured wine for a middle-aged man with a mustache, wearing an official magistrate's robe.
"You said your name is No Gang-yeon?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I shall never forget this favor."
"Please, Your Highness. I only wish to see you upon the Dragon Throne."
At Magistrate No Gang-yeon's words, Prince Gyeong laughed heartily.
Though he was not one to easily show emotion, everyone here was part of his inner circle.
So, he did not hide his joy.
"You truly are a man to my liking! Hahahaha!"
"Such praise humbles me."
"I promise you—on the day I sit on the throne, I will reward you with the position of Minister."
"I am deeply honored, Your Highness."
No Gang-yeon treated Prince Gyeong as if he were already emperor.
And while Prince Gyeong did not usually entertain flattery, he valued this man's contributions greatly.
On the prince's desk lay three rubbings.
Overlaid with another scroll, the markings combined to form four characters:
日暮遠王 (Ilmo Won Wang) — "Sunset Distant King."
And beneath the gaps between the characters were the words:
途 (Path) and 陵 (Tomb).
Yes—Prince Gyeong had deciphered the secret of Ilmodowon.
The man who had contributed greatly to this discovery was none other than the magistrate before him, No Gang-yeon.
Drinking happily, Prince Gyeong said:
"No Magistrate, you are to me as Zhang Liang or Fan Zeng were to their lords."
"I dare not compare myself to such historical giants."
"You're being far too modest. It was you who told me to use the excuse of replenishing the imperial treasury to obtain excavation rights to royal tombs across the land, was it not?"
Prince Gyeong had been appointed the head of the entire excavation effort.
He was not only digging up King Pyeong's tomb but many others simultaneously.
"Thanks to that, I may have gained a bad reputation for disturbing tombs, but it also helped me avoid the suspicion and interference of other royal princes."
That was true.
No one suspected Prince Gyeong.
Instead, many were pleased that he seemed to be wasting his time while others worked to win favor with the ailing emperor.
As a result, he could carry out these excavations without hindrance.
Prince Gyeong poured another drink.
"It's a shame I didn't discover your worth sooner."
"I am most grateful, Your Highness."
"Now that the excavation is nearing completion, I'm overjoyed. Forget about going home tonight, Magistrate. You'll drink with me till dawn."
"I wouldn't dare refuse, Your Highness."
Feeling pleased with the accommodating magistrate, Prince Gyeong gave an order.
"Someone out there!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Bring the courtesans into the tent!"
"At once, Your Highness."
Soon, beautifully adorned courtesans entered the tent as if on cue.
Their arrival made Magistrate No Gang-yeon grin from ear to ear.
"Let's drink ourselves into bliss tonight!"
With the courtesans playing instruments and seated beside them, the prince and the magistrate indulged in heavy drinking.
Just as the merriment reached its peak, with Prince Gyeong drinking straight from the bottle, he turned to one of the courtesans.
"Yeonsaeng, had I known you played the flute so well, I would've had you perform all night."
"Such honor, Your Highness."
"Play one more tune. If you please me again, tonight I might…"
Before he could finish—
Someone came running to the tent.
"Your Highness!"
Irritated by the interruption, Prince Gyeong shouted:
"If it's nothing urgent, do not disturb me! Tonight is for Magistrate No and—"
"The excavation team has just discovered the central chamber of the royal tomb!"
"What?!"
Startled, Prince Gyeong jumped to his feet.
The moment he had been waiting for had arrived.
As a grin spread across his twitching lips, he burst into laughter.
"Hahahahahaha!"
Everyone in the tent, including Magistrate No and the courtesans, bowed their heads and congratulated him.
"Congratulations, Your Highness."
-Step, step!
The tunnel that stretched out like a cave was actually the inside of a tomb.
Since it was a royal tomb, the cave passage was wide enough to resemble a corridor of the imperial palace.
Naturally, excavating it took a significant amount of time.
Men who appeared to be royal guards led the way, followed by the King of Gyeong, flanked on both sides by courtesans.
Watching him, Magistrate No Gang-yeon cautiously spoke up.
"Your Highness, is there really a need to bring courtesans into the tomb?"
From his perspective, it made no sense.
This must be a very important matter for the King of Gyeong, yet he brought along five courtesans.
At first, he thought perhaps it was all for show, but seeing them now, it only reinforced the impression that the king was indulging in women and wine.
King Gyeong smiled gently and replied to the puzzled Magistrate No Gang-yeon.
"Do you think these ladies are mere courtesans?"
"Pardon?"
One of the courtesans responded with a sweet smile and lifted the edge of her skirt.
Beneath the fabric, the sharp glint of a hidden weapon was revealed.
No Gang-yeon's eyes widened with surprise.
'So they're not ordinary courtesans after all.'
The courtesans with King Gyeong were all trained bodyguards.
Despite appearances, their martial skills were nearly equal to the top royal guards.
"But the bow your companion carries is truly extraordinary," King Gyeong continued, gesturing behind No Gang-yeon.
There stood a middle-aged man, carrying a massive bow, a quiver full of arrows, and a weapon case strapped to his back.
"He's someone worthy of being called a divine archer."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"If you give him a chance, I'm sure you'll witness his skills in archery."
"Now I'm curious."
Though he said this, King Gyeong's interest did not go much further.
All of his attention was focused on what lay deep within the tomb of King Pyeong.
There was something he had long waited for.
'…Today, I may finally achieve the one thing that countless emperors failed to attain.'
King Gyeong was thrilled to be so close to that treasure.
They continued descending the corridor for a long time.
Along the maze-like path, many traces of blood were visible.
"Hmph."
King Gyeong let out a low groan.
In response, the leader of the excavation team walking ahead of the royal guards quietly said,
"Please don't worry. All the traps and mechanisms inside have been deactivated."
During the excavation, 37 diggers had lost their lives.
It was due to the hidden traps and intricate mechanisms.
Thanks to the involvement of trap experts, the damage was limited to that extent.
"The deeper we go, the warmer it gets."
To this, the excavation leader replied,
"That's because when the tomb was built, the central chamber where the coffin is placed was designed to block groundwater and cold air."
"How fascinating."
King Gyeong nodded, impressed by the design.
As they kept descending, a bright light appeared from within.
"Ooooh!"
The corridor opened into a large chamber filled entirely with gold.
Everyone—King Gyeong, the royal guards, and No Gang-yeon—gasped in awe.
Piles of treasure filled the space.
They had reached the heart of the royal tomb.
"This is the place."
"Yes, Your Highness," the excavation leader confirmed, pointing to the northern stone wall of the chamber, which looked like a sealed door.
"Inside here lies the coffin of King Cho."
It wasn't hard to guess, as the characters 平王 (King Pyeong) were engraved in large letters on the stone door.
There were four similar stone doors in the chamber.
To the right of King Pyeong's tomb was a wall marked with 忠 (loyalty), where the excavation leader said the king's retainers were buried.
On the left wall, the character 妃嬪 (concubines) was inscribed.
Among the remaining two walls, one was marked 畜 (livestock), and the other had no inscription.
'It must be here.'
King Gyeong instinctively approached the blank wall.
He was convinced that the treasure he sought lay behind it.
Barely able to contain his excitement, King Gyeong gave the order.
"Open this place…!"
Just then—
-Thud!
"Urgh!"
A scream rang out from behind, and King Gyeong turned his head.
The royal guards standing at the rear were collapsing, blood pouring from their chests.
The ones stabbing them were also dressed as royal guards.
The courtesans screamed in shock.
"Protect His Highness!"
-Clang!
Immediately, the courtesans drew weapons hidden in their skirts and surrounded King Gyeong.
"Protect His Highness!"
Loyal guards stood in front of them.
Now, the situation had turned strange.
The royal guards were facing off against the traitorous ones.
King Gyeong was at a loss for words.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
In response, a man stepped forward—the middle-aged archer whom Magistrate No Gang-yeon had brought.
"Remove them."
At his command, the fake guards lunged at those protecting the king.
They were extremely skilled warriors.
Even though some of the king's guards knew martial arts, they were slaughtered in an instant.
-Slash!
"Argh!"
It took no more than a ten-count for all the king's guards to be subdued.
Only the courtesans remained around King Gyeong.
As the traitors approached them—
"Stop."
The middle-aged archer halted them with a word.
He stepped forward and said,
"Surely, Your Highness knows well that women are of no use here."
King Gyeong scowled and shouted,
"Who are you?!"
"Who I am doesn't matter, Your Highness."
"How dare you!"
King Gyeong's anger grew, but the man just smirked and calmly walked to the blank stone wall.
King Gyeong yelled,
"Stop right there!"
But the man ignored him and raised his fist to the wall.
-Boom!
A thunderous sound echoed as he punched the wall with lightning speed.
Amazingly, the wall remained completely intact.
King Gyeong and the courtesans were stunned.
"How…"
"Just as I thought."
The man nodded as if confirming a suspicion.
He raised his fist again—
"Stop right now!"
King Gyeong shouted once more.
The man turned and asked,
"Stop what, exactly?"
"How dare you covet what belongs to me?! Who are you to—?!"
The man laughed loudly.
"Hahaha!"
King Gyeong's face twisted in fury.
"How dare you!"
"Do not crave power beyond your station, Your Highness."
"What?!"
"You did well to lead the excavation, but your role ends here."
King Gyeong was speechless.
A mere guard was talking about "roles" to a prince of the empire.
He had poured so much effort into finding this place.
But the man sneered and asked,
"Are you angry?"
King Gyeong barely controlled his fury and spoke coldly,
"Did Prince Jin send you? Or was it Prince Yeong?"
"Ohh…"
King Gyeong was convinced one of them was behind this.
The man, intrigued, replied,
"You are indeed more clever than the other princes. Quite skilled at controlling your emotions, too."
"What?"
"If you had the righteous beliefs of Prince Jin, perhaps he would have favored you. What a shame."
Then the man gestured toward King Gyeong.
The traitorous guards raised their swords and began walking toward the king and the courtesans, exuding killing intent like wolves approaching prey.
Just then, a courtesan in a green robe stepped forward.
"Yeonsaeng!"
The others called out her name.
But she ignored them and walked toward the enemy.
One of the fake guards laughed.
"Looks like she wants to die first—"
-Snap!
The courtesan named Yeonsaeng snapped her fingers.
In the next instant, something unbelievable happened.
"Gah!"
"Urgh!"
The traitors, who were advancing, suddenly clutched their bodies as if struck and collapsed, vomiting blood.
Their bodies trembled, and they died on the spot.
'!?'
Everyone, including King Gyeong and the courtesans, was left speechless.
"Yeonsaeng… who are you, really…?"
They could no longer recognize the woman they thought they knew.
The middle-aged archer, realizing the threat, reached for the massive bow on his back.
At that moment—
-Crunch!
"Argh!"
His wrist twisted and snapped, the bone protruding grotesquely.
And it didn't end there.
The woman who broke his wrist grabbed his neck and slammed him into the wall.
-Boom!
The stone wall cracked and caved in.
The archer stared in disbelief at the woman gripping his neck.
He couldn't comprehend how such strength came from such a slender arm.
"Wh-What are you…?"
She spoke calmly.
"I heard you fled after losing an arm. Yet here you are, perfectly fine."
'!!!'
At those words, the archer's eyes widened in shock.