Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Translator: Penny
Chapter 42
"Something feels... off," Sayo remarked, having given Yeom Dongmin a thorough thrashing.
Zhuge Munhyeon nodded in agreement.
Indeed, it was strange to have spared him.
Once again, he was betraying his dogmatic belief. Those who dared touch his family must never be forgiven. But before his grandfather, who had lived his entire life surrounded by the refined melodies of the zither, he couldn't bear to spill blood so brutally.
Damn that physician. He did his part too well. If he had woken up just a little later, Munhyeon could have finished them all off and ordered the juniors to clean up the manor. Now he would have to drag the man outside and deal with him there.
As he was deeply pondering this...
"It seems someone is backing the Palmun Gang."
"What? Someone's backing them?"
"That's the only explanation for their stubborn resistance. Even if they've become rogues, the combined strength of all the Beggar Disciples in Danggangu shouldn't be enough to challenge the Zhuge Clan. Upon closer inspection, some of them aren't even Beggar Disciples."
"Then could it be Wudang?"
"That's unlikely. Though our intelligence network is still developing, we've at least secured basic information about the northern region of Hubei Province."
"Hmm, then?"
"It seems Palmun has brought in an external power."
"An external power?"
"As you know, Danggangu borders Shaanxi, Henan, and Hubei. While it's not as lucrative as Dongting Lake, it's still a region with considerable interests."
He didn't understand.
The Zhuge Clan had no interest in the petty power struggles of the Central Plains factions. However, when issues directly threatened the security of the Zhuge Clan or the Outer Clan, they couldn't afford to ignore them.
"Continue."
"Yes. The profits from controlling Danggangu, given its economic significance, are unparalleled. While it's not as lucrative as Sanmenxia further north, controlling the tributaries connected to Danggangu grants access to the waterways leading to the Yellow River. This strategic advantage has made it a fiercely contested territory for centuries."
The Yellow River—the great river that flowed through the north. Just as the Yangtze River dominated the south, the Yellow River unified the north.
"Could Wudang potentially get involved? Even if they've renounced worldly affairs, they wouldn't abandon such wealth, right?"
"Of course. But as you know, Wudang never entered the power struggle in Danggangu in the past. Even if the world has changed, they wouldn't have abandoned their pride as Daoists. Otherwise, they would have attacked the Zhuge Clan long ago."
"Hmm. True."
Even when rotten, a noble remains noble.
Unlike the Zhuge Clan, Wudang hadn't declined; they had merely reduced their external activities.
If they had intervened, the Zhuge Clan wouldn't have lasted long, and the Heretical Factions wouldn't have been able to strut through Hubei.
Come to think of it, it was irritating. They ignored the Zhuge Clan while letting the Heretical Factions run rampant. How much hardship had the Zhuge Clan endured because of those bastards?
"If not Wudang, then what other power could be interfering? As far as I know, there are no Heretical Factions north of Hubei Province."
"It's located in the southern part of Henan Province."
"So those guys are trying to take over Danggangu?"
"That seems unlikely."
"..."
This woman... she was so confusing! Just tell him exactly what kind of people they were!
"Wudang doesn't covet territory, but they won't tolerate the Heretical Factions infiltrating Danggangu. It's a matter of pride."
"So?"
"It appears that the Heretical Factions in southern Henan are secretly backing the Palmun Gang."
"In other words, you're saying the Palmun Gang is pretending to be the Beggar's Sect to avoid Wudang's attention while secretly colluding with the Heretical Factions?"
"That's our initial hypothesis."
"Hmm..."
The complex web of power dynamics gave him a headache. He had never been good at pondering endless possibilities and stockpiling information. His approach had always been to cut the Gordian knot without untangling it.
"It seems we'll have to wake one of them up to confirm this. We can't be certain based on conjecture alone."
"Ah, you want to do that?"
"Yes."
"Then go ahead. If you need help, just say the word. I'm quite skilled at interrogation."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Nodding, Sayo approached the collapsed Beggar Disciples.
"I guess it was a good thing I didn't kill them after all."
Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong shot her sideways glances at her muttered remark.
"What? What's wrong?"
"Ah, no, nothing..."
Though he answered thus, his face brimmed with discontent.
Damn it, he's whining about not killing them.
"Did you see his eyes? He was glaring at us like he wanted to kill us!"
"That damn younger brother..."
Zhuge Munhyeon tuned out the grumbling complaints. It wasn't like it was a one- or two-day thing. By now, it had become second nature.
"What are you all staring at?"
"Huh?"
"We saw him trying to escape. Bind him with pressure point strikes before he wakes up. That'll make it easier for Sayo to interrogate him."
"Got it."
Despite their grumbling, they carried out the orders efficiently.
"Ummm..."
Meanwhile, Sayo, having stimulated the pressure points to wake the Beggar Disciple, began her interrogation by revealing the unique knot hidden within his waistband—a distinctive mark of the Beggar's Sect.
"I am Sayo, the Mysterious Demon Sword, disciple of Purple Ghost, former Branch Head of the entire Hanyang Prefecture Branch."
"M-Mysterious Demon Sword?"
"You've abandoned the Beggar's Sect's name. Are you planning to dispense with courtesy as well?"
"I pay my respects, Senior."
"Indeed."
The dejected man shifted his gaze nervously, trying to gauge the situation.
"Don't be afraid. I have no intention of harming someone who was once a member of the Beggar's Sect."
"B-but..."
"As you know, they are the Zhuge Clan, and the place where our Master entrusted himself."
"Huh? You're from the Zhuge Clan, Purple Ghost?"
"Yes. When Hanyang Prefecture's Namcheon colluded with the Heretical Factions to rebel, the Zhuge Clan rescued me from persecution."
"Ah... I see. So, Purple Ghost..."
"Our Master intends to use the power of the Zhuge Clan to revive the Beggar's Sect. Many have already joined our cause. When we arrived at Danggangu, we found Palmun acting strangely."
"T-that..."
"I know. You're forming an alliance with another faction, aren't you? The person here at the banquet is likely one of them."
The Beggar Disciple swallowed hard, his eyes betraying unease. Her conjecture was largely correct.
"What's your name?"
"I... I am Eunwoo."
"Good. Eunwoo. As fellow Daoists, let me ask: Did all the sects of Danggangu participate in Palmun's schemes?"
"T-That..."
"Answer honestly."
Eunwoo frowned, clearly conflicted, before steeling his resolve. "If I answer, what will happen to me?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know as well as I do what betrayal means."
"Betrayal... Do you really think it's worth being loyal to a coward who abandoned his subordinates and fled? And who exactly are you accusing of betrayal?"
"..."
"Is exposing the flaws of Palmun considered betraying the Beggar's Sect?"
"Still, I need to be certain. It's not just my life on the line, but my family's as well."
"Hmm..."
Sayo pondered Eunwoo's words for a moment.
Though rare, some Beggar Disciples did marry and raise families. They even established several villages.
Now, those communities have scattered to the winds...
"Didn't I tell you? Purple Ghost came to Danggangu to gather the Beggar Disciples of Hubei and revive the sect."
"So...?"
"I will take you and your family under my protection. If necessary, I will provide a home for your family."
"Truly?"
"It's a promise made by the Patriarch of the Zhuge Clan. They've already established a foothold on Yungjungsan to revive the Beggar's Sect."
"Ah..."
"So tell me, have all the Beggar Disciples of Danggangu pledged their support to Palmun?"
Eunwoo didn't hesitate long.
With a resolute nod, he shook his head and said, "No. We had no choice but to follow the decision of our Senior. We have nowhere else to go."
"I see. I understand now. Then who is Palmun meeting with right now?"
"A representative from the Seven Kill Sect of Henan Province. I don't know his name, but I heard he's an Elder."
"Seven Kill Sect?"
"Yes. I heard they're targeting the waterway rights."
"Waterway rights?"
"So... Henan's interests alone aren't enough. They're determined to seize the Danggangu riverbank along the Hubei border."
"That's correct."
"I understand. Thank you."
"It's a relief to be returning to the Beggar's Sect. I've been uneasy all this time."
"I understand. As the head of a household, you must be worried about providing for your family. Start by waking them and persuading them."
"If they refuse to be persuaded..."
"We'll have to kill them. That's what aligning with the Senior's will means. There's no mercy for those who break the Beggar's Sect Code of Chivalry."
Sayo's response was as cold as a blade slicing through air, and Eunwoo nodded resignedly.
"Understood."
"Please take care of it."
After patting Eunwoo on the shoulder, Sayo approached Zhuge Munhyeon.
"Did you hear that?"
"Yes."
"What are your intentions?"
"Hmm. So the Seven Kill Sect is backing Palmun, trying to seize the profits..."
In truth, it wasn't even worth worrying about. The answer was obvious. This was ownerless land that everyone coveted but hesitated to claim, either because they lacked the daring or because they were watching Wudang's every move. Leaving it unclaimed would only benefit others, and carelessness could even gain them enemies in the north. And with such vast profits at stake?
"Everyone, gather around."
"...?"
Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong approached, their prisoners tied up, wearing puzzled expressions.
Zhuge Munhyeon's mouth was stretched into a wide grin.
He was clearly up to something.
What in the world was he planning...?
"Danggangu... let's devour it."
"...?"
Devour Danggangu...?
"Food? Seriously, you idiot!"
"Why are you making it sound so easy?"
"You're crazy!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Munhyeon, why do you always do this?"
Startled, they stared at each other, their faces contorted in dismay.
Why again? Why are they lumping everything together just because of that? I'm just suggesting we all live in peace.
"What? What's the problem? It's not like it's difficult. If Sayo persuades them, we can avoid a full-scale war with the Palmun Gang. We'd only need to take out a few Senior members, the Elder from the Seven Kill Sect, and a handful of guards. How convenient is that?"
"This is serious! Don't just keep talking about killing... I just said it might be a little risky, not that I was angry. I'm serious!"
Zhuge Pyeong grumbled angrily, his face flushed with fury. But when he met Zhuge Munhyeon's gaze, he forced a smile and waved dismissively.
"Munhyeon. I understand your intentions, but this isn't a decision we can make lightly."
"Why not?"
"Let's assume, as you suggest, we eliminate the Palmun Gang and drive out the Elder of the Seven Kill Sect."
"..."
"How will we protect ourselves afterward? The Main Clan is already severely underpowered. Even if we establish a Branch, we lack the martial artists to defend it properly."
"Who needs to protect it?"
"What?"
"Only the Branch Head and a few subordinates would be needed."
Zhuge Munhyeon's words sounded utterly absurd.
How can a Branch exist with only a Branch Head?
"I told you before," Zhuge Pyeong said. "Don't focus on why it won't work. Think of ways to make it work."
"..."
When? Did he ever say that?
But no one objected.
"Now, let's think about this. If Sayo recruits the Beggar's Sect, where do you think they'll go?"
"Huh?"
"Well, they need a place to live, right?"
"That's true, but... what if the failed Seven Kill Sect decides to attack?"
"Wudang wouldn't just stand by, would they?"
"Huh?"
"They hate it when heretical factions enter Danggangu."
"You mean...?"
"Are you finally starting to understand?"
"Um..."
Zhuge Munho frowned and nodded.
Of course.
"What? What do you mean?"
"What about Wudang?"
"Ah, you two are just muttering to each other, understanding each other, and leaving the rest of us in the dark, aren't you?"
Gwan Hwipyeong grumbled, still confused.
This was really a problem, a real problem. Those two must have been abandoned infants left on someone's doorstep one day.
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny