Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 73: The Back Opening of the Beggar's Sect (3)

Jo Seong-won stared at me, his eyes wide with shock.

He clearly hadn't expected me to demand a transmission of martial arts in this manner.

The surrounding area buzzed with noise.

The reactions of the Beggar's Sect members were varied. About half took it as an insult, while the other half glanced back and forth between Jo Seong-won and the Sect Leader, Hong Gu-ga, with strange expressions.

Seeing this, it seemed a significant number of them harbored doubts about Hong Gu-ga granting the position of Back Opening to his grandson, Hong Geol-gae.

The voice of the Namcheon Iron Sword echoed in my mind.

The justification isn't bad, is it? This is a chance to resolve Jo Seong-won’s long-standing resentment.

Just as the Lesser Conversation Sword said, Sect Leader Hong Gu-ga looked utterly flabbergasted, his face flushing red.

While the justification was sound, the Dog Beating Staff Technique and the Descending Dragon Eighteen Palms were martial arts reserved strictly for the leaders of the Beggar's Sect. To openly demand they be taught must have been infuriating.

Finally, a roar erupted from Hong Gu-ga’s mouth.

"You might as well take my eyes instead! You... No, you clearly take this Sect far too lightly!"

He still had his pride. As the head of one of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, he obviously wouldn't accept this easily.

However, this wasn't my true aim.

Just watch. Someone is bound to step in. Maybe I should push a little harder.

"I suppose there’s no choice then. We shall settle our grievance with one of your eyes, Senior—"

"Wait just a moment!"

At that moment, Taoist Master Do Uk, the Sect Leader of the Zhongnan Sect, intervened.

Just as expected.

I feigned confusion and asked, "Is something the matter, Senior?"

"Young Hero So. This humble Taoist fully understands your feelings."

"If you understand, then why?"

"Look here, Young Hero So. In a way, the Beggar's Sect and everyone here are part of the same family within the Orthodox Martial World, are we not?"

It was the classic justification used by the Orthodox Faction. It was similar to the saying that all within the four seas are brothers—the idea that everyone is one family.

Unlike those of the Evil Faction, who tend to pursue individual or organizational gain, those of the Orthodox Faction have a strong tendency to band together. Thus, when a grievance like this arises, someone always steps forward to mediate using such a pretext.

I spoke as if reluctantly giving in.

"......Well, I suppose that is true."

"Then is there truly a need to go to such extremes?"

"My person could have died. Had my companions and I been weak in martial arts, we would have met the same fate. How is this extreme?"

"You are right. Your words are correct. However, even in the pursuit of justice, is there not a need for some degree of mediation? Don't you agree, Sect Leader Hong?"

Taoist Master Do Uk spoke to me persuasively before seeking agreement from Sect Leader Hong Gu-ga.

Recognizing that Do Uk was trying to help him, Hong Gu-ga chimed in.

"The Taoist Master is correct."

"Then what would you have me do? Jo Seong-won, who is one of my people, was framed so miserably. Are you telling him to just endure it?"

"Who said anything of the sort? Having heard the story, it seems this young man’s circumstances are indeed pitiful. Wouldn't you agree, Great Hero Hyeok?"

At Taoist Master Do Uk’s question, the Wolf King Hyeok Cheon-man gave a small nod. He likely thought it would help settle the situation.

Taoist Master Do Uk turned back to me.

"To be honest, while your method would allow his talent to be recognized, isn't it excessive to demand all the martial arts that only a Sect Leader of the Beggar's Sect can learn?"

"Then how else are we to verify his talent?"

At my question, Taoist Master Do Uk spoke cautiously.

"Sect Leader Hong. According to this young man, it seems the Descending Dragon Eighteen Palms hasn't been fully transmitted yet. Is that correct?"

Hong Gu-ga hesitated to answer.

Of course he would. He was the one who had been Jo Seong-won’s master. It was impossible for such a man not to know his disciple’s martial talent or achievements.

He knew Jo Seong-won was superior to his grandson, Hong Geol-gae, which was exactly why he had covered up the fact that Jo Seong-won had volunteered to be a spy in the Blood Cult and was still trying to dispose of him now.

But with so many eyes watching, he couldn't just stubbornly deny it.

"......That is so."

In the end, Hong Gu-ga gave the only answer he could. He had no choice.

Taoist Master Do Uk spoke as if everything was working out.

"It is a breach of etiquette for a member of another sect like myself to interfere, but for the sake of a peaceful reconciliation between both parties, how about this?"

"How, exactly?"

"Sect Leader Hong, transmit the remaining martial forms to that young man. Then, why not have him and the Back Opening duel using only the Descending Dragon Eighteen Palms? That way, it will be clear whose talent is superior, will it not?"

The Lesser Conversation Sword asked, sounding impressed.

Exactly. It’s within the range I anticipated. To make a deal, you have to start much higher than what you actually want. That way, the other party feels like they aren't losing out when you settle on the line you actually intended.

The members of the Beggar's Sect began to murmur. Rather than being negative, they seemed to agree with Taoist Master Do Uk’s suggestion.

Conscious of the reaction around him, Sect Leader Hong Gu-ga shouted, "That fellow is no longer my disciple! How can I transmit the Descending Dragon Eighteen Palms to him?"

At those words, the Wolf King Hyeok Cheon-man intervened for the first time.

"If it is as you say, Sect Leader, then it means you weren't punishing a member of your own sect, but rather trying to arbitrarily dispose of one of my Junior Brother's people, does it not?"

"!?"

Struck by the logic, Hong Gu-ga was left speechless.

I had wondered if Hyeok Cheon-man was leaning toward the other side despite calling me his Junior Brother, but I was glad he stepped in to help at the right moment. Thanks to him, the situation had become one where I could have taken an eye and no one could have complained.

In the midst of this, an old beggar with seven knots on his sash—evidently an Elder of the Beggar's Sect—stepped forward.

"Sect Leader. Wouldn't it be better to settle this once and for all?"

"Ui Gu-saeng, you!"

"If the Back Opening, Hong Geol-gae, defeats Seong-won with his own skill, will that not preserve the dignity of both this Sect and yourself?"

From the way he spoke, it seemed the Elder named Ui Gu-saeng had also harbored doubts about naming Hong Geol-gae as the successor. Otherwise, he wouldn't have set the stage like this.

Then, another seven-knot beggar stepped forward.

"Elder Ui’s words have merit, Sect Leader."

"Even you, Elder Jo Hak..."

Hong Gu-ga’s anger reached its peak, and he looked ready to snap, but he suddenly fell silent. Seeing the Adam's apple of the beggar called Elder Jo Hak trembling, it was clear he was sending a message via Sound Transmission.

He was likely suggesting a plan.

Soon, Sect Leader Hong Gu-ga spoke.

"Fine. I shall follow Taoist Master Do Uk’s words."

"You are indeed a man of character, Sect Leader Hong. To make such a decision..."

"However, I have a condition of my own."

"A condition?" Taoist Master Do Uk asked, frowning.

Hong Gu-ga spoke with force in his voice.

"The Descending Dragon Eighteen Palms is a palm technique that only the Sect Leader can master. If Jo Seong-won loses the duel, it is only right that it be taken back."

"......What do you mean by that?"

"How can an outsider be allowed to keep the martial arts of this Sect? If he loses, his muscle meridians will be severed and his Dantian destroyed. If you agree to this, I shall follow through without another word."

"Hooo..."

At Hong Gu-ga’s harsh demand, Taoist Master Do Uk let out a sigh. If they proceeded this way and Jo Seong-won happened to lose, he would lose his martial arts entirely.

His intention was transparent. He wanted to make the duel itself fall through.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

I saw the corners of Hong Gu-ga’s mouth curl up as he looked at me, as if asking, 'Will you still go through with it?'

I turned my head toward Jo Seong-won. He was nodding with a look of firm resolve in his eyes. It was clear he was willing to risk losing his martial arts just to settle his grievance.

Lose? He won't lose. I hate losing more than anything.

Looking at the triumphant Hong Gu-ga, I put on a troubled expression and spoke.

"This is quite difficult."

Hong Gu-ga sneered. "If you lack even that much resolve, you don't have to accept."

"But you see, Senior. By that logic, shouldn't the same happen even if Jo Seong-won wins? Since he is no longer a member of the Beggar's Sect, his muscle meridians should be severed and so on, right?"

The people around us nodded in agreement.

Hong Gu-ga’s eyes narrowed. His goal was indeed to strip Jo Seong-won of his martial arts one way or another.

I clapped my hands together as if a brilliant idea had just struck me.

"Ah! We could do it this way."

"What are you talking about?"

"It would be a waste to lose his martial arts even if he wins after being taught, wouldn't it? If this all stemmed from a misunderstanding, couldn't Jo Seong-won simply be accepted back into the Beggar's Sect?"

"What?"

"Isn't it so? If Jo Seong-won wins, it proves his martial talent is superior, making him more suited for the position of Back Opening. Does it make sense to give up on such a talent?"

"!!!"

At those words, the triumphant expression on Hong Gu-ga’s face froze.

I didn't miss the momentum and continued.

"Let’s both take a step back and do this: If Jo Seong-won loses, it proves his talent is lacking as you said, so you may sever his muscle meridians and destroy his martial arts. But if he wins, you shall take Jo Seong-won back into the Beggar's Sect and name him the Back Opening. Wouldn't that resolve everything smoothly?"

"No... that's..."

Hong Gu-ga’s face flushed deep red. It was a classic case of trying to remove a wart only to gain another. Even Elder Jo Hak, who had given him the idea, seemed at a loss, unable to hide his bewilderment.

"Surely you didn't demand a martial ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠artist's very life as collateral without being prepared for at least this much?"

Grind!

Hong Gu-ga gnashed his teeth. Was he so greedy for his grandson despite not trusting him? If he had believed in his grandson’s talent even a little, he never would have reacted this way. He would have come forward with confidence.

"What do the members of the Beggar's Sect think? Do you agree with my proposal?"

I incited the crowd. One by one, the beggars began to raise their hands and shout their approval.

"Let's have a proper fight for once!"

"If the Back Opening wins, that's the end of it!"

Since the Sect Leader continued to show a lack of confidence, a large number of them began to support the idea of a duel.

Sect Leader Hong Gu-ga looked at Elder Jo Hak. Seeing their Adam's apples tremble, they were clearly discussing how to handle this situation.

Finally, he answered.

"......I truly have no way to defeat you with words."

His tone suggested he was accepting out of necessity. As long as I got what I wanted, I didn't care how it looked.

"Do you accept?"

"Fine. I shall accept your proposal. Whatever the result, the grievance with this Sect shall be wiped clean with this."

"Of course."

'Now, come back.'

When I reached out my hand, the Lesser Conversation Sword returned to me from where it had been floating in front of Hong Gu-ga’s eyes. As the dagger drifted and then fell into my hand, Hong Gu-ga let ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠out an involuntary sigh of relief.

In this situation, if he didn't accept, his dignity as Sect Leader would be shattered, so he had no choice. Being the leader of a group isn't easy.

However, he’ll probably try his tricks elsewhere.

Taoist Master Do Uk stepped forward.

"Since both sides have reached an agreement, we shall proceed as discussed."

Then, Sect Leader Hong Gu-ga spoke.

"However, since the Descending Dragon Eighteen Palms is a secret technique of this Sect, I shall transmit it via Sound Transmission in a private cabin. I hope you understand."

His words were reasonable. But hearing them, I realized exactly what had been bothering me.

I spoke up as if questioning him.

"Your words are correct, but what if you, Senior, were to intentionally teach even a single part of the energy circulation path incorrectly?"

At that, Hong Gu-ga’s pupils shook slightly.

So that was the trick. My guess was right.

Hong Gu-ga put on a stern face and shouted at me.

"What are you saying! Do you really think I would stoop to such a thing!"

"I only say it out of concern."

"I would never do such a thing."

"Just in case..."

At that moment, Sama Yeong stepped forward.

"There’s a simple way. If this Hong Geol-gae fellow and Sect Leader Hong both teach the energy circulation path to Young Hero Jo via Sound Transmission at the same time, he’ll know immediately if something is wrong, won't he?"

Not bad. That would solve the problem. I was going to suggest having an observer, but this way, he definitely wouldn't be able to mess with the energy circulation paths.

The others also thought it was a brilliant solution and nodded in agreement. On the other hand, Hong Gu-ga’s face was distorted beyond description.

The ship swayed violently.

We must have entered a rough patch of the river, as the surging currents made it difficult to keep one's balance.

Nevertheless, people were still gathered on the deck.

Before long, Wolf King Hyeok Cheon-man, Sect Leader Hong Gu-ga, Hong Geol-gae, and Jo Seong-won emerged from the cabin.

Hyeok Cheon-man had gone in as an observer at my request, to prevent Hong Gu-ga and Hong Geol-gae from coordinating their Sound Transmissions beforehand. Having someone block even the smallest attempt at trickery must have been agonizing for them.

Jo Seong-won sent me a Sound Transmission.

He was truly grateful. He seemed satisfied that he could finally learn the remaining palm techniques he hadn't been able to master before.

Don't ever forget this feeling. No matter how much you're one of my people, there has to be a give and take.

"Now! Both of you, take five steps back from each other."

Since Taoist Master Do Uk of the Zhongnan Sect had mediated, he also took charge of conducting the duel. Since neither of them was in peak physical condition, they decided to forgo internal energy and compete only with martial forms.

In truth, I believed the result was already decided. From the start, there was a clear difference in talent between Jo Seong-won and Hong Geol-gae.

Jo Seong-won had reached the Supreme Peak Realm using only the forms of the Descending Dragon Eighteen Palms that he knew, even without the proper energy circulation. On the other hand, I had heard that Hong Geol-gae struggled to master even a single form.

"Now! Begin!"

Taoist Master Do Uk raised his hand and then brought it down.

Immediately, Hong Geol-gae lunged toward Jo Seong-won.

Swish!

"Take this, you bastard!"

He seemed to think that striking first and pressing the attack was his only way to win.

However, Jo Seong-won didn't waver in the slightest. The rational fellow used the Drunken Eight Immortals Step to dodge the other's palm strikes with preternatural grace. Not only that, he even took the man's back.

"Damn it!"

Hong Geol-gae unleashed the Divine Dragon Tail Whip of the Descending Dragon Eighteen Palms, but Jo Seong-won rotated his left arm to block the strike while simultaneously delivering a palm strike to the ribs with his right hand.

Thwack!

"Urgh!"

That must be the famous Dragon War Fish Night. Since it was one of the top three palm techniques in the Central Plains, even I could recognize it.

In that brief moment, the two exchanged about three forms. Hong Geol-gae’s face was flushed red after taking two of Jo Seong-won’s strikes. If they had been able to use internal energy, it would have ended even sooner.

The crowd murmured.

"......It's not even a contest."

"Their understanding of the forms is on a different level."

Not just the Beggar's Sect members, but everyone present could feel the gap in skill. Unlike Jo Seong-won, who utilized the forms in the right place at the right time, Hong Geol-gae was desperate to bring him down by any means necessary.

The more they fought, the more it proved Hong Geol-gae’s lack of talent. At this rate, it would be over within a few more moves.

"No, not like that!"

Sect Leader Hong Gu-ga, seemingly frustrated while watching the duel, subtly covered his throat with his hand.

Look at this. He was trying to give advice via Sound Transmission.

The Lesser Conversation Sword slid out of its scabbard and began to float around me.

'!!!'

Seeing that, Hong Gu-ga slowly lowered the hand he had raised.

In the meantime, Jo Seong-won, who had been dodging Hong Geol-gae’s palm techniques, prepared to finish it as expected.

"If we do this properly, you can't beat me!"

His palm strike thrust like lightning toward Hong Geol-gae’s chin.

Thump!

"Ack!"

With a short cry, Hong Geol-gae collapsed backward. Having taken a hit to the jaw, the shock to his head seemed to have knocked him senseless.

"Sigh."

Sect Leader Hong Gu-ga watched the scene and let out a long sigh, closing his eyes tightly. He looked like a man who had lost everything. The result could not be overturned by any means.

"Aaaaaah!"

Though the duel had been one-sided, Jo Seong-won looked up at the night sky with an overwhelmed expression. He had finally achieved the revenge he had longed for and regained his lost honor; the emotion of the moment seemed profound.

I smiled at him and sent a Sound Transmission.

[Congratulations, Back Opening.]

He responded with a wide grin.

[I don't know how I can ever repay this debt.]

Repay? What's there to repay? This means I now have the future leader of the Beggar's Sect under me. I'm the one who should be grateful. This is a deal with more profit than I can handle.

"Please announce the result, Senior."

At my words, Taoist Master Do Uk, who had been conducting the duel, prepared to declare the winner.

"The victory goes to Young Hero Jo—"

Rumble, crash!

A thunderous sound of something breaking echoed repeatedly from far ahead. At the same time, the screams of countless people rang out.

"What was that sound?"

"L-look over there!"

Everyone who had been focused on the duel turned to look toward the front of the deck.

"Wait, why is that ship suddenly—?"

The ship ahead of us—the third ship—was showing strange signs. Though it was some distance away, they were lowering their sails and hurriedly dropping anchors tied to heavy chains into the water.

I didn't know why, but could dropping an anchor even stop a ship in such a violent current?

I could see the ship being pulled forward by the flow of the water. It was impossible to hold out.

"Why on earth are they doing that?"

As I wondered, I saw something in the distance. Two ships with black sails appeared, sailing upstream from the right and left of the direction the third ship was heading.

It was an unbelievable sight.

Then, I heard someone shouting from the ship ahead.

"W-Waterway Stronghold!"

"The ships of the Yangtze River Eighteen Waterway Strongholds have appeared!"

'!!!'

The Waterway Stronghold had appeared much sooner than expected.