Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Entering the Murim Alliance
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A short time later, Cheonhwi arrived at the entrance to the Murim Alliance and looked up with astonished eyes.
'It's huge?'
Even compared to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Murim Alliance was far more massive.
It was as if there was another castle inside an infinite fortress.
'No wonder the elders were kicking up a fuss about invading the Central Plains. Even the main cult couldn't afford luxuries like this.'
The Murim Alliance's buildings were so opulent it was clear why the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had coveted the Central Plains since ancient times.
'But that's got nothing to do with me now.'
He finished his thoughts.
Aiming for the Central Plains, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—none of that had anything to do with him anymore.
'I'm too busy worrying about Mount Hua Sect as it is. The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult? Forget it.'
Hyeondo chuckled at Cheonhwi's wide-eyed stare at the Murim Alliance.
'It's impressive the first time, sure.'
Anyone would be overwhelmed upon first facing the Murim Alliance.
He himself had been the same.
"The Alliance looks the same as ever,"
The two muttered to themselves as they approached the massive gate.
Chae-aeng!
The two guards at the gate crossed their long spears.
"Mount Hua Sect, right?"
"What business do you have at the Alliance?"
"The Military Strategist summoned us."
Hyeondo handed over the letter as he spoke.
The guard examined the letter carefully, his eyes widening.
"This is the Military Strategist's seal..."
"Confirmed."
The two withdrew their spears with solemn expressions and pushed open the gate.
Grinding—
The massive gate opened with a loud rumble, revealing the interior of the Murim Alliance.
'This is practically a small castle.'
Cheonhwi marveled at the sight inside.
A castle within a castle, truly.
Numerous halls dotted the area, connected by small streets everywhere.
And plenty of people.
"What? Mount Hua Divine Sword?"
"The Mount Hua Divine Sword?"
Eyes from those nearby focused intently.
Men in various uniforms and robes froze in place like statues, feet rooted to the ground.
'Total spectacle.'
Feeling the piercing stares, Cheonhwi glanced sideways at Hyeondo.
Hyeondo already looked slightly flustered by the attention.
'He's frozen up. What to do?'
As he pondered a way out, the crowd suddenly parted.
"You've arrived."
Moments later, a group pushed through the crowd.
Among the splendidly dressed entourage, a handsome young man stepped forward toward Hyeondo and unfurled a fan.
"We've been waiting."
Cheonhwi stared into the eyes of the man covering his nose and mouth with the fan.
'A fox in hiding.'
His eyes screamed ulterior motives.
Something fishy.
As he thought that, the young man's eyes curved like crescent moons with a smile.
But only for a moment—he turned his gaze to Hyeondo.
Snap!
He snapped the fan shut dramatically and clasped his hands in a formal salute.
"This one is Seolgeom, Tongue Sword, Deputy Military Strategist of the Murim Alliance."
"Deputy Military Strategist?"
Tongue Sword smiled at Hyeondo's question.
"Indeed."
"...Hyeondo of Mount Hua Sect."
"An honor to meet you."
Cheonhwi stared steadily at Tongue Sword.
His pupils writhed like snakes—disgustingly off-putting.
'Guys like this need to be crushed with force.'
As if sensing the gaze, Tongue Sword smiled with his eyes.
"If you don't mind, might I know this young hero's esteemed name?"
"Cheonhwi."
"Pleased to meet you, Young Hero Cheonhwi."
Then.
"Deputy Strategist."
One of the entourage called out to Tongue Sword.
"Yes?"
"As we discussed earlier, we'll escort Daoist Hyeondo."
"...Understood."
Tongue Sword looked displeased but nodded helplessly.
He turned to Hyeondo.
"Daoist, please go with them."
Wrinkle formed on Hyeondo's brow.
"Weren't you guiding us?"
"I'd love to."
Tongue Sword shrugged, pointing with his index finger to a tall hall behind.
"But the higher-ups up there ordered it. What can a lowly one like me do but obey?"
Already irked at being handed off, he spoke sharply.
"Oh, and Young Hero Cheonhwi, please come with me."
Hyeondo's face darkened instantly.
"Why separate?"
Tongue Sword flinched at the growl but masked it.
"The Alliance Leader and Military Strategist wish to meet the Daoist, not Young Hero Cheonhwi."
Hyeondo's expression twisted.
"Then why invite Cheonhwi?"
"The Alliance Leader didn't, but someone else did call for Young Hero Cheonhwi."
"Who?"
Tongue Sword glanced at the interrupting Cheonhwi, then whispered with the folded fan against his cheek.
"The Beggars' Sect."
"Beggars' Sect?"
Cheonhwi frowned.
His connection to the Beggars' Sect was singular.
'Did Jin-gae reveal my identity?'
Hyeondo furrowed his brow in two deep lines, thinking the same.
"Why does the Beggars' Sect want him?"
"I don't know the details."
"No details, and yet you..."
"You'll find out when you go."
Tongue Sword said to Cheonhwi.
As Hyeondo glared daggers.
"We must go now."
The men urged urgently.
"The Alliance Leader awaits."
"Alright. Wait a moment."
Hyeondo spoke firmly to the prodders, then approached Cheonhwi and whispered.
"Be extra careful not to let the Beggars' Sect uncover what you did."
"I will."
Hyeondo sighed.
Cheonhwi had no idea what chaos would ensue if his identity leaked, or how ruthless the Beggars' Sect could be.
"Keep it in mind."
"Yes, yes."
"Absolutely. Absolutely."
After emphasizing one last time, Hyeondo departed with the group.
Once they vanished, Tongue Sword muttered with visible relief.
"Sheesh. I need to snag that Military Strategist position soon. Running errands like this."
He grumbled, then turned to Cheonhwi with a bright smile.
"Shall we go too?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Here we are."
"They say the Beggars' Sect is a den of beggars, and it sure looks the part."
Cheonhwi eyed the hall ahead with distaste.
The place Tongue Sword led him to was a rundown building.
So old the cracked walls and door seemed ready to crumble at a touch.
"Hahaha. Yeah."
He laughed awkwardly and knocked on the shabby wooden door.
"Anyone there?"
"Who is it!"
A raspy voice exploded from inside, stabbing at their ears.
'...Sound transmission technique.'
Cheonhwi neutralized the piercing sound with his inner energy, then his eyes flicked outward.
A sharp presence approached silently from ten jang away.
As it drew nearer.
"It's me."
Tongue Sword grimaced and shouted, hands over his ears.
"How am I supposed to know who 'me' is?"
"Tongue Sword."
"What? You?"
Suddenly, an old man burst from the ground.
"What brings you... Huh?"
The old man tilted his head at Cheonhwi standing beside Tongue Sword.
"Who's this punk?"
"Young Hero Cheonhwi of Mount Hua Sect, the one you mentioned last time."
"Cheonhwi? Did I?"
The old man scratched his greasy hair with filth-encrusted nails, then clapped as recollection hit.
Clap!
"Ah! The kid who tagged along when Mount Hua Divine Sword and Flying Petal Sword Lord toppled White Ghost Castle."
The old man stared piercingly at Cheonhwi.
Cheonhwi stared back.
'Filthy.'
Simple impression.
The old man embodied grime.
'Don't want to get close.'
His eyes narrowed involuntarily.
Greasy hair clumped like dirt, plastered to his face; his robes too filthy to call clothes.
Step—
The old man stepped closer.
A wave of stench hit; Cheonhwi pinched his nose, face twisting.
"The smell's bad. Could you back off?"
"What'd he say?"
The old man's eyes bulged, then he burst into roaring laughter.
"Puhahaha! Tongue Sword, hear that?"
"If you're at it, shut your mouth too."
Cheonhwi's brow furrowed.
The laughter unleashed a mouth-stench that pierced his pinched nose, pounding his head.
"...Huh."
The old man patted the stunned, speechless Tongue Sword's shoulder.
"Hey, hear that? Telling me to shut up and back off. Puhaha!"
The old man rolled on the ground, clutching his belly.
After a while, he stopped, wiping tears from his eyes.
Cheonhwi, watching it all, squeezed his eyes shut in horror.
'Damn! Shouldn't have looked!'
They were tears from his eyes, but on his fingers, they'd turned to muck.
"So you're the weird Daoist my worthless disciple mentioned? Definitely weird."
The old man's face hardened abruptly.
As if the mad laughter was a lie, he stared intently at Cheonhwi and spoke.
"...Hmm. Mount Hua Sect through and through."
"What do you mean?"
Tongue Sword finally snapped out of it and asked; the old man's hand chopped down fast.
Thwack!
"Ow!"
Tongue Sword clutched his head.
"What was that for?"
"Daring to question a Beggars' Sect elder? Deserves a hit."
The old man tsked.
"Anyway, guest is here."
He spun and kicked the shabby door behind him.
Bang!
Unlike the exterior, the door was sturdy, swinging wide to reveal a passage.
"Follow."
The old man entered; Tongue Sword followed.
Cheonhwi watched them go, frowning.
Not appealing.
The old man reeked; how bad inside?
"Probably smells..."
"Don't worry. It doesn't."
A voice echoed from within.
Hearing the whisper from afar, the old man turned grinning.
Cheonhwi gaped at the yellow teeth amid missing gaps; the old man elbowed Tongue Sword.
"Kek. Ah, got it."
Tongue Sword quickly added.
"Doesn't smell despite the looks. And if you don't come, this old—er, the elder will chase you down."
Cheonhwi's face crumpled.
'No wonder I've always despised these filthy beggars.'
Image of the stinking old man pursuing gave him a headache.
'Can't just kill him like old times.'
He sighed, lips moving.
"Just talk and leave."
"Fine."
The old man smirked.
Untrustworthy, but Cheonhwi had no choice and stepped inside.
Step— Step—
Unlike the exterior, the interior seemed surprisingly not ancient.
After a short walk.
"Here."
Stairs appeared.
Leading underground; Cheonhwi peered down curiously.
"Amazed?"
The old man chuckled.
"This is the Beggars' Sect's Murim Alliance branch."
Cheonhwi followed the descending old man and Tongue Sword down.
The underground scene at the bottom was astonishing.
A vast artificial cavern; at the far wall, three red cushions lined up.
The old man plopped onto one.
"Don't stand there awkwardly. Sit."
The two sat.
Cheonhwi asked immediately.
"So why summon me?"
"Curious."
"About what?"
"You."
The old man grinned mischievously.
"Heard about you from my rotten disciple—got more curious about you than Mount Hua Divine Sword."
Tongue Sword looked incredulous.
"You called a Mount Hua disciple all the way here for that?"
"'That'?"
The old man's voice deepened ominously.
"Know how the Beggars' Sect became this mighty? Curiosity. Who's that expert? What kind of guy? What techniques? Gathering it all made us the giant we are."
"..."
Tongue Sword shut up.
True—the Beggars' Sect rose as an info sect before joining the Nine Great Sects.
"Tch, told you not to take it lightly. How'll you ever succeed the Military Strategist? Tsk tsk."
The old man eyed Tongue Sword pitifully, then turned to Cheonhwi.
"Following a stranger blindly—bold kid. What if I was your enemy?"
"Were you?"
"Not really."
"Then fine."
"...Cocky."
"Earned it."
"Even now?"
The old man's aura shifted instantly.
The jovial presence swallowed the cavern whole.
"Hup!"
Tongue Sword hastily circulated his qi.
But as his eyes bloodshot under the pressure.
"Tch, not bluffing."
The Beggars' Sect Leader withdrew his aura, interest waned.
"Hey, too much? He's young, but Mount Hua disciple."
"Too much my ass."
The old man snorted.
"He's fine."
"Huh?"
Tongue Sword whipped around.
"...!"
Shocked.
Massive cracks spiderwebbed around Cheonhwi beside him.
Unnoticed despite proximity—huge fissures.
Gulp—
Tongue Sword's throat bobbed.
"What was that?"
"Do you know who I am?"
"Old beggar."
Cheonhwi dropped politeness. After the qi assault, courtesy was out.
"Hahaha! Old beggar! Close, but the jianghu calls me different."
The old man laughed at the brashness.
The youthful arrogance pleased him instead.
He revealed himself.
"Dragon Pearl Beggar."
Cheonhwi's eyes narrowed.
He knew that name. Had to.
The giant sect commanding eight hundred thousand disciples.
The Beggars' Sect Leader himself.