Chapter 172: It Is Fate (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 172: It Is Fate (1)
Henan, and the Shaolin Temple within it, held profound significance.
It was undeniably a core territory of the Ten Sect Alliance.
The fact that the Murim Alliance itself was formed in Henan was largely thanks to Shaolin's influence, which alone spoke volumes of its importance.
Within the Alliance, Shaolin commanded the largest number of followers and enjoyed substantial support from various quarters. In many ways, it was the very embodiment of the Orthodox Faction.
But I held a different view.
A bunch of bald-headed monks with hearts as black as their robes.
A place where they had shed their decency along with their hair.
At least, that was my opinion of Shaolin.
"So, when do you plan to visit Shaolin?" Tang Soyeol asked as we ate after the banquet.
By now, it had become a regular routine for us to share meals.
"I'm thinking of going before I return home," I replied.
As I'd said before, I had no personal business at Shaolin. If not for Elder Shin's request, there would be no need for me to go.
Still, I suppose I would have had to visit eventually.
I didn't have a compelling reason, but since I'd come all the way to Henan, it seemed appropriate. Besides, it wasn't as if there was nothing for me to do there.
And if I get the chance, I'll see the future Heavenly Dragon.
A youth who already officially held the title of Heavenly Dragon. While the title was granted through negotiations between the Murim Alliance and Shaolin, in my eyes, this individual deserved it regardless.
Of course, he becomes a demonic human in the future.
But that event lay far in the distance, if it even occurred in this lifetime. The idea of a young child bearing Shaolin's hopes turning into a demonic human was truly absurd, yet it was a tragedy that would soon unfold.
As I pondered this, idly nibbling a dumpling with my chin propped on my hand, Tang Soyeol spoke up quietly.
"Young Master Gu…"
"Hmm?"
"Then… are you planning to accompany Lady Moyong to Shaolin?"
Her question brought back the memory of my encounter with Moyong Hi-ah. I could scarcely believe she had approached me so suddenly.
Why did she say those words to me?
This was none other than the formidable Moyong Hi-ah. Such a cold, emotionless individual wouldn't act without a purpose. I knew she was a woman who could completely conceal her emotions in both words and demeanor to ensure her schemes succeeded.
No.
That was precisely why I refused her. As firmly as possible.
It wasn't that I distrusted Moyong Hi-ah, but I saw no need to involve myself with her unless absolutely necessary. Thankfully, when I denied her, she simply nodded and left without pressing further. I had thought she would at least state her reason for coming to me.
Drip—
I glanced towards the sound of pouring water. Namgung Bi-ah was refilling my empty teacup. When I looked at her questioningly, she spoke with half-lidded, sleepy eyes.
"Drink… water. You look thirsty."
I wasn't particularly thirsty, but I drank it anyway out of gratitude. After quenching my throat, I asked her, "How are you feeling?"
"…Fine."
Since the sword hadn't cut deeply, the doctor said it wouldn't leave a scar. Thanks to her relatively high martial realm, Namgung Bi-ah's healing was progressing quickly.
Good.
It had been on my mind, so I was relieved she was fine.
Hearing our exchange, Tang Soyeol suddenly chimed in. "You must be glad."
"Hmm?"
"Well, you did visit her room every day."
"…Did I?"
"Strange… I could've sworn you went every day."
When had she seen me? I'd made sure to be discreet. So how had she noticed? Thanks to her, I was thrown into an awkward situation.
Upon hearing Tang Soyeol's words, Namgung Bi-ah began staring at me with suspicious eyes. Under her intense gaze, I found myself slightly averting my own.
What a hassle.
"…I just went because I had nothing else to do," I offered as an excuse, but her expression didn't change.
As if this was what she wanted, Tang Soyeol started giggling behind us.
"You find this funny?"
"Well, it is funny."
I had no idea what part of this she found amusing. I sighed and went back to eating dumplings. The way Namgung Bi-ah was staring at me was unsettling, but I still had to fill my stomach.
As I popped a whole dumpling into my mouth, I glanced at the person next to me, who had barely touched her food: Wi Seol-Ah. Seeing her like that, I scoffed internally.
And you say nothing's wrong?
If Wi Seol-Ah was ignoring her food, something major had to be bothering her. I'd asked her a few more times since our last talk, but she hadn't given me a proper answer. Well, she had answered—by insisting over and over that nothing was going on.
After watching her for a moment, I quietly patted Wi Seol-Ah's head. If she didn't want to tell me that badly, pushing would only make it worse.
I continued my meal until Muyeon approached from behind and whispered, "Young Master."
"Speak, I'm listening."
After a brief hesitation, Muyeon continued, "A man from the Beggar’s Sect has come looking for you, Young Master."
I paused, my hand hovering over a dumpling. "Who?"
"He introduced himself as Chuwong of the Beggar’s Sect. He said he had a promise with you, Young Master. Should I send him away if you don't wish to meet him?"
Chuwong was the only one who had sought me out after the tournament ended. It was proper to respond, but I wasn't obligated. Noticing my hesitation, Muyeon began, "Then I'll send him back—"
I stopped him with a gesture. "No, tell him I'll see him after I finish eating."
Although it seemed bothersome to meet a beggar right after a meal, this was Chuwong, the future King of Beggars. He might seem unimpressive now, but he was destined to shine and become a true hero when disaster struck.
It would be beneficial to build a small connection with him.
My reputation had risen considerably after the tournament, so this was a good opportunity.
I ate the last dumpling on my plate and stood up. "Finish your food and rest. I'll be back shortly."
Wi Seol-Ah and Tang Soyeol responded with a synchronized "Okay!" Seeing them behave so similarly warmed my heart, though I didn't let it show.
After leaving the building, I saw a group of beggars loitering outside. Passersby gave them a wide berth. No one dared say anything to them, knowing they were likely from the Beggar’s Sect—this was Henan, after all.
"Why are you just standing out here in the street?" I asked, wondering why they were wandering about.
Chuwong, who stood at the front, smiled awkwardly. "Hehehe… Young Master Gu, wouldn't it be stranger if beggars went inside a building to wait?"
A fair point.
I observed him and asked, "I heard you were looking for me."
"Ah… First, let me congratulate you on your victory, Young Master Gu. Or should I call you the True Dragon now?"
"…No, I prefer the former."
Just hearing that title gave me goosebumps. Who in the world had decided on 'True Dragon'? The Alliance Leader? When I denied it with a bothered expression, Chuwong seemed taken aback. It must have seemed odd—a young prodigy displeased with a prestigious title instead of celebrating it.
"A-Anyway… I'm very grateful you came out to see me."
"This isn't some grand meeting. You don't need to thank me."
But it was a grand meeting—for Chuwong, at least.
"How could it not be grand? I'm meeting the victor of the tournament!"
Though I was being modest, I knew it was significant. But bragging too much would do more harm than good.
"Also, do you plan to talk here like this?" Though not crowded, it was still a public street—hardly the best place for a conversation.
Chuwong seemed to agree and guided me to what appeared to be a prearranged spot. "It may not be as neat as your residence, but it won't be uncomfortable!"
I nodded. Honestly, I wouldn't have minded sitting on the ground, but as the heir of a noble clan, I had to maintain some decorum.
The building Chuwong brought me to was indeed not particularly neat, but it wasn't uncomfortable either.
"D-Do you want me to bring you some tea?"
"You have tea?"
I couldn't imagine tea being available here, no matter how I looked at it.
Chuwong quickly clarified, "Well, we don't have any on hand, but we can get some right away if you want, Young Master Gu!"
"…Then, it's fine."
Of course there was no tea here.
I crossed my legs and sat comfortably. There was no need to act noble here. As soon as I sat down, Muyeon, who had followed me, began scanning the area as expected. He released a pulse of qi, a clear signal to the others that he was watching.
Noticing this, Chuwong raised an eyebrow slightly. He had sensed that Muyeon was at an extremely high realm for an escort. I saw it the same way.
Not long now.
It seemed Muyeon wouldn't take much longer to break through the Peak Realm barrier.
Still, Namgung Bi-ah will probably reach it before him.
She was also approaching her wall. Given her talent and the enlightenment she gained during her fight… it wouldn't be long before she overcame it.
"But why did you follow me here?" I asked Gu Jeolyub, who was standing stiffly behind me. "I told you to eat."
Gu Jeolyub hesitated before replying, "…My orders from the clan are to be your escort."
"Then you should have done your job earlier. Why show up now when you were nowhere to be seen during the tournament?"
"…"
"Your intentions are transparent, you idiot."
"Ahem…"
It was definitely because of the sword I received from the Alliance. After I mentioned I might give it to either Muyeon or him, Gu Jeolyub's eyes had lit up with fervor, and he'd been tailing me ever since. Like a loyal dog.
"Ugh, what a hassle…"
"I only wish to fulfill my duty as your escor—"
"Who's escorting whom? You're weak as shit."
Gu Jeolyub faltered, his expression deeply wounded. But he couldn't refute the truth.
Suddenly, laughter erupted beside him. It was Muyeon, who immediately covered his mouth as if nothing had happened.
Both of them are clowns.
Tsk, tsk. Clicking my tongue, I turned back to Chuwong. "Anyway, what did you want to talk about?"
Chuwong, snapping out of his daze, straightened his posture immediately. "It's nothing major… but there's something I'd like Young Master Gu to take care of."
Something the Beggar’s Sect wanted me to handle? Several possibilities came to mind, but first, I had to ask: "Why?"
I needed to know the reason. Honestly, I already knew, but the conversation had to flow naturally. Chuwong undoubtedly had a prepared explanation.
As expected, he launched into it without pause. "For generations, the Beggar’s Sect has provided… support, you could say, to talented young prodigies."
"Support? Are you giving money?"
"Jeez, what beggar has money?"
"Then what?"
"The support from the Beggar’s Sect is information! We wish to provide information to you, Young Master Gu."
Chuwong carefully retrieved a wooden token from his pocket and handed it to me. I looked at him bluntly.
Information, huh?
The word 'support' sounded nice, but this was just their way of creating a future claim on me. 'The Beggar’s Sect helped you back then, so don't forget our assistance'—that kind of thing.
A rather cheap deal.
Because I knew Chuwong's future, his offer held little value for me. He seemed to read my skepticism from my expression and flusteredly continued, "This token is given to very few people within the Beggar’s Sect."
"What's so good about having it?"
"You can obtain any information our branch can provide!"
Information from a Beggar’s Sect branch. For a typical young prodigy, that was a valuable offer. Noble clans already maintained good relations with the Beggar’s Sect, and every prodigy knew the power of information. This meant a faction within the sect was offering me special treatment.
It could certainly be useful, but part of me wanted to retort, 'Do I need it?' I already possessed much information the Beggar’s Sect lacked. While there might be times I needed their help, I also didn't fully trust them.
"Hmm…"
What to do? I couldn't outright refuse, and my original goal was simply to build a connection with Chuwong. I'd already achieved that through this conversation, but…
It feels like a waste.
More than the Beggar’s Sect, I wanted a relationship with Chuwong himself. Not too deep, but just enough.
Tap, tap—
I drummed my fingers on the table. I needed time to think. Chuwong was probably wondering why this kid was hesitating over such an offer. After all, the Beggar’s Sect rarely called in these favors; this was just one of their many methods of survival.
After staring at the token for a moment, I pushed it back towards Chuwong. A clear refusal.
"Huh?… Uhh… True—no, Young Master Gu? This is a very valuable—"
Chuwong began panicking, trying to explain further, but when I took something out of my own pocket and showed it to him, his jaw dropped, and he was rendered speechless.
"I don't need your token, nor your support."
What I held out was the wooden token given to me by the Immortal Healer, who told me to use it if I ever needed the Beggar’s Sect's help. He'd said that merely showing it could even grant me an audience with the sect leader.
I spoke while watching Chuwong short-circuit. "Could I ask you a favor? A personal one."
It was a request he couldn't easily decline.