The Reason for the Fight (2)
Gadeuksang grinned, his teeth gleaming white against his disheveled beggar appearance. His hair was a wild mess, grime caked his face, and his clothes were little more than rags, but those teeth shone brightly.
“Gangbang leader? Lol, just imagining it makes me happy. Too bad my master's tougher than a whale's tendon. It'll be years before that happens.”
“……”
“By the way, you know who I am, but I don't know you? Let me take a guess—using all the street smarts from twenty years of begging.”
“Yeon Hojeong.”
“Huh?”
Yeon Hojeong rarely cupped his fists in formal greeting.
“Eldest son of the Bi-san Yeon Family in Jiangsu, Yeon Hojeong. Pleased to meet you.”
Gadeuksang's eyes widened. It was a greeting full of proper etiquette and respect—no hint of disdain for his beggar status.
“Uh… yeah, pleased to meet you too.”
He was quietly surprised. The Beggar Sect stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Nine Great Sects and Seven Great Families. But it was also the faction most shunned by the young heirs of prestigious clans. The reason was simple: every Beggar Sect disciple was a beggar.
Experienced martial artists of the White Path respected the sect's prowess, but young folk just saw filthy beggars and kept their distance.
In that light, Yeon Hojeong's greeting stood out.
To think I'd run into him here.
Yeon Hojeong's gaze held genuine goodwill toward Gadeuksang. How could it not? Despite amassing power rivaling the White Path martial world, he'd been scorned as a black path denizen. Yet Gadeuksang had treated him as a true comrade from the heart. In those harsh years, he was one of the few Yeon Hojeong had felt human warmth from.
“Man, it's been forever since anyone greeted me like that.”
Gadeuksang scratched his head vigorously. It looked like dandruff might fly out, but surprisingly, none did.
“Then you must be the Yeon Family's second young master?”
Yeon Jipyeong cupped his fists crisply.
“Pleased to meet you. I'm Yeon Jipyeong, second son of the Bi-san Yeon Family in Jiangsu. It's an honor to meet Open Gang's Huigae.”
Yeon Jipyeong's greeting was equally proper and respectful. No prior familiarity, but no condescension either.
Gadeuksang fidgeted awkwardly. It was a welcome greeting, but he wasn't sure how to respond.
One thing was clear, though.
Damn! He's nothing like the rumors.
Yeon Hojeong smiled and asked, “Finished eating?”
“Eating? Yeah, just wrapped up. Stuffed myself silly. Haven't had food this good in ages—can't even remember.”
“Too bad. If you're free, join us for lunch.”
Yeon Jipyeong stared at his brother in surprise. He'd never seen Hojeong invite someone to eat first.
Gadeuksang nodded hesitantly.
“Uh, sure.”
“Rest well, then.”
“You too.”
With that, the Yeon brothers entered the restaurant.
Watching their backs, Gadeuksang smacked his lips.
“Was gonna probe from Choseong-ru onward, but got ambushed first.”
Was Yeon Hojeong onto his intentions and striking first?
Nah.
To become Beggar Sect heir, reading people was essential. Gadeuksang could tell Yeon Hojeong's goodwill was utterly pure.
That's what makes it weirder.
As he scratched his head in lingering unease, a voice called out.
“Huigae?”
Gadeuksang turned. A handsome young man in fine silks stood there, a blue sword at his side.
Gadeuksang grinned.
“Namgung family heir?”
Namgung Hyeon cupped his fists.
“Namgung Hyeon. Pleased to meet you.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“What brings you here?”
“Had business nearby, heard about the junior summit. The smells wafting out were killer, so I barged in without a care for face.”
Namgung Hyeon frowned slightly. It was a gathering of Seven Great Families' juniors—if someone had permitted it, there was no need to complain. But wasn't the Namgung family hosting? They should've been notified in advance. And a beggar at a place full of noble heirs? Even if Beggar Sect vice-leader, it soured the mood.
“Enjoy your stay.”
With a perfunctory greeting, Namgung Hyeon headed inside.
Gadeuksang chuckled slyly.
“Now that's normal.”
No offense taken. He was over thirty with plenty of rivers-and-lakes experience. But Yeon Hojeong lingered in his mind—that gaze was too vivid.
“Have we met before?”
“No.”
“Oh, right.”
“Stuck at home all that time—when would I have seen the Beggar Sect's little boss?”
“True.”
“Why?”
“It's the first time I've seen you invite someone to eat first.”
Was it? Thinking back, maybe so. Even as the Black Dark Emperor, he'd eaten alone unless rallying forces or for political gain.
Some things never change.
Gadeuksang's smile was still pure. The White Path's info chief wouldn't be that innocent, he figured.
Hm?
A sudden thought made Yeon Hojeong tilt his head.
But he wasn't at past summits.
In his past life before regression—when he'd attended junior summits as Black Emperor Castle lord—he'd never seen Gadeuksang. Certain of it.
Why now?
Was his memory wrong? Impossible.
If my memory's right, the past has changed.
His thoughts extended to the Jegal siblings.
I never stopped at Choseong-ru before. But this time I did. Without us, those Jegal kids would've been done in by that lunatic with the Yin Fire Red Style.
Definite. That Reohwabang leader would've torched the place regardless, and the Jegals' personalities meant they'd fight back.
So what happened to them in his previous life?
Thoughts chained together.
The Jegal family still existed then. They declined sharply but survived on other families' support.
And that clan…
“Mind if I join you briefly?”
Yeon Hojeong looked up. A middle-aged swordsman with neatly trimmed beard stood there. His pristine robes and the blue longsword on his back exuded sharp menace.
Namgung!
The swordsman frowned.
“Something on my face?”
“Just admiring how handsome you are.”
The man's eyebrow twitched—he took it as mockery.
“Who are you?”
“Hm! Chuseong.”
“……?”
“Escort captain for Namgung young master at this summit.”
Someone nearby gasped mid-bite.
“Thunder Hero Chuseong?!”
Murmurs grew. A famous master, apparently.
Yeon Jipyeong looked up in awe, but Yeon Hojeong drew a blank. Never heard the name, even during black path conquests or as Black Emperor Castle lord.
“And?”
Chuseong's face twisted visibly. Even as Namgung retainer, he was over forty—an elder. Juniors should show respect, but this brat's attitude irked him.
Yeon Jipyeong stood in alarm.
“Please, have a seat first.”
Chuseong eyed Yeon Hojeong coldly before sitting opposite, ignoring Jipyeong.
“Straight to the point.”
“Go ahead.”
“The banquet starts at noon today.”
“I know.”
“Leave before then.”
Yeon Jipyeong's eyes bulged.
“W-what do you mean?”
“Didn't hear? I'll repeat: leave the manor before noon banquet.”
Unlike flustered Jipyeong, Yeon Hojeong's expression didn't change. Or rather, a faint flicker of interest appeared.
“Leave?”
“Yes.”
“Reason?”
“Historically, no incidents marred Seven Great Families junior summits. But you've turned this prestigious gathering into a farce.”
Chuseong's gaze was ice-cold.
“You lack the qualifications. You know that.”
Glancing toward the window where Namgung Hyeon sipped tea elegantly in the sunlight, Yeon Hojeong finally spoke as a clatter erupted.
“Ridiculous!”
Yeon Jipyeong shot up, toppling his chair, his shout booming enough to startle everyone.
“Yesterday's mess is settled! My brother said he'd apologize at the banquet! And now you want us gone?!”
“It's about decorum, beyond apologies. Parading here brazenly from morning—do you even regret it?”
“Don't twist things! Eating here has nothing to do with remorse! And decorum is…”
“I've said my piece. No need to lose face further—leave before the banquet.”
Chuseong rose abruptly, but Yeon Jipyeong pressed on.
“Most importantly!”
His voice thundered through the hall—unbelievable from the ever-smiling youth, jolting all present.
“You're a family escort. Your job is protecting Namgung young master, not judging participants' qualifications.”
Chuseong sneered coldly.
“Is it?”
“What?”
“Hosting rotates every five years among Seven Great Families. This year, it's Namgung.”
“……!”
“I've been granted full authority over operations alongside young master—directly from the family head.”
“……”
“Yesterday, you handled it, so I stayed back. But today differs. You were soft-hearted and stopped there, but I won't tolerate threats to the summit.”
Yeon Jipyeong panicked. Direct orders from Namgung head? Hard to believe.
He wouldn't know. These summits were more camaraderie than formality—hence banquets, drinks, food. But young blood meant risks of brawls. Hosts sent reliable fixers for mishaps.
Yeon Jipyeong had never hosted or even attended before—details escaped him.
“Hosts can eject problems or people. Countless precedents. Nothing special here.”
“Urk!”
“You've heard enough. For your dignity, leave quietly.”
Embarrassment crossed Yeon Jipyeong's face. Then,
Staring at distant Namgung Hyeon, Yeon Hojeong spoke.
“Jipyeong.”
“……Yes, brother.”
“Cool off and sit. Eat.”
Yeon Hojeong bit into a large piece of dongpo pork.
“Mmm, forgot Father's words? Discern man from beast. Even thick-headed me does—you shouldn't falter.”
“……Gulp.”
“Eat quick. Getting cold.”