Chapter 61
Chapter 61
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Deal with the Beggars' Sect Leader
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"So?"
Cheonhwi looked at Yong Jugae.
He had already figured the man was no ordinary beggar from the skillful way he'd handled and withdrawn his internal energy just moments ago.
'Didn't expect him to be the Beggars' Sect Leader, though.'
Even so, it didn't impress him much.
"Because you're the Beggars' Sect Leader, I should bow my head right away?"
"Y-Young hero?!"
Seolgeom gasped at Cheonhwi's flat response, but Yong Jugae himself nodded eagerly in satisfaction.
"Of course. A true martial artist of the jianghu needs that kind of spirit."
"Sigh. I give up."
Caught between them, Seolgeom shook his head as if his head hurt and stepped back.
"Good thinking. Now get lost."
"Sigh. When should I come back?"
"Return after about the time it takes to eat a meal."
Seolgeom nodded and approached Cheonhwi, whispering in his ear.
"Will you be all right?"
Cheonhwi stared straight at him.
"And what will you do if I'm not?"
"Well... I'm sorry."
Seolgeom gave a wry smile.
"Anyway, no one else called for me anywhere but here, right?"
"This is the last one. After this, I'll guide you to the Mount Hua Sect's quarters where you'll be staying during your time at the Murim Alliance."
"That works."
"Thank you for understanding."
"I'm not understanding anything."
"Haha."
Seolgeom laughed awkwardly and glanced at Yong Jugae.
"But if the elder changes his mind, it might get delayed..."
"No need to worry about that."
Yong Jugae cut him off firmly.
"That's a relief, then."
Seolgeom said with a weary face.
"I'll be going now."
As Seolgeom climbed the stairs and his presence faded beyond the door moments later, Yong Jugae spoke up.
"Now, shall we start our talk?"
The atmosphere in the room shifted in an instant.
"First of all..."
Yong Jugae paused, then pulled a scroll from his bosom.
He unrolled it on the floor.
Roll...
Yong Jugae pointed at the long sheet of paper with his index finger.
"Read this."
Cheonhwi's gaze calmly scanned the densely written text.
'What's this?'
He narrowed his eyes and glared at Yong Jugae.
"...Information on me?"
"That's right."
From the Five Mountains Conference five years ago to the recent incident at White Ghost Castle.
His eyes widened at the final entry.
It detailed his stay at the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion and even lessons from Jeokgeom and Seollan.
Information that would be hard for anyone not from Mount Hua Sect to know was listed in detail.
"So why show me this?"
Cheonhwi's voice sank low.
It didn't sit well knowing the man before him had such detailed knowledge of him.
"This is everything I've gathered on you so far."
Yong Jugae scratched the back of his head with a dissatisfied look.
After scattering dandruff everywhere for a moment, he clicked his tongue openly and stared at Cheonhwi.
"I pride myself on being able to collect every event in a typical martial artist's life from birth to now, but digging into you was as tough as investigating an imperial figure. It was a real hassle."
Yong Jugae's expression was sullen.
Even after Jin-gae had provided info on Cheonhwi and he'd scoured for more, that was all he'd found.
"I called you here to properly verify who you are. To find out what gives you the gall to speak boldly between the Mount Hua Divine Sword and the Flying Sword Squadron Commander. What martial arts you possess to shatter White Ghost Castle's gates in a single blow. And why you're trying to erase all traces of your information."
"Beating around the bush—you just wanted to know my skills?"
"In short, yes."
Yong Jugae sheepishly rolled up the scroll.
"And I've confirmed it today."
The moment he finished speaking, something astonishing happened.
Whoosh!
Flames erupted from the scroll in his hand.
It was the Samadhi True Fire.
"Now, the only record of you left in the world exists in my head."
Cheonhwi's eyes flickered with slight surprise.
There was no lie in his words—his pupils were steady, his breathing even.
"Why go this far?"
The answer came immediately.
"By destroying this information, I hope the Plum Blossom Sword Warrior's encirclement—the rift between Mount Hua Sect and the Beggars' Sect—will be forgotten."
As he spoke, Yong Jugae blew the ashes away and met his gaze.
'Oh? That's what it was?'
Cheonhwi grasped the situation at once.
Cutting off the seeds of future grudges before they could complicate things.
Such proposals had occasionally arisen even within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult in the past.
But a question arose.
"Why now? There were plenty of chances to clear the grudge before."
Yong Jugae chuckled loudly.
"You're right—there were many opportunities. But back then, there was no need."
"You really looked down on us."
"That's how it was at the time."
Cheonhwi's eyes narrowed.
Yong Jugae wasn't hiding that he'd underestimated Mount Hua Sect at all.
As if it were only natural.
'Even as part of the Nine Great Sects, to be dismissed this much.'
He'd vaguely sensed Mount Hua Sect's fallen prestige, but not to this extent.
"So things are different now?"
Cheonhwi stared at him as he asked.
The reason for the invitation was simple.
To check if Mount Hua Sect had enough value to warrant resolving the grudge.
He'd wanted to confirm it in person.
"Of course they are. With the Mount Hua Divine Sword who toppled White Ghost Castle, and you on top of that, how could they not be? Plus, the Alliance's situation is complicated..."
Yong Jugae scratched his greasy hair with a deeply troubled expression.
"We need to uproot any seeds of discord before Mount Hua grows even stronger."
"Faster decision than I expected. I figured you'd test the waters a bit longer."
"That was the plan."
Yong Jugae stared straight at Cheonhwi.
"But since you pierced through the Flying Heaven Shadowless Technique, no need anymore."
"Flying Heaven Shadowless Technique?"
Cheonhwi stroked his chin, recalling the bizarre lightness skill that had shot up from below.
"Oh, that weird movement art?"
"You pierced its essence without even knowing its name."
"There wasn't much essence to pierce."
"What do you mean...? Never mind."
Yong Jugae waved it off in exasperation.
"With this, our deal is done. No more grudge between Mount Hua and the Beggars' Sect."
"Not sure the others will agree with you."
Cheonhwi doused him.
But Yong Jugae smirked as if wondering what he meant.
"Mount Hua will never oppose your view."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After concluding the deal with Yong Jugae, Cheonhwi followed Seolgeom's guidance to the hall where Mount Hua Sect Taoists were staying.
"Come find me if there's any issue."
Seolgeom bowed to Cheonhwi and left.
"...This is the Mount Hua Sect's quarters?"
Cheonhwi muttered with dissatisfaction at the hall right before him.
It was dilapidated and dreary.
Like an abandoned building.
It paled in comparison to the other halls he'd passed with Seolgeom.
'So this is Mount Hua Sect's standing in the Murim Alliance right now?'
As Cheonhwi glared at the hall.
"Hm?"
A voice came from above.
He looked up to see a familiar face on the second floor, beaming brightly.
"It's Cheonhwi!"
A weary-looking middle-aged man leaped down.
At that moment, the plum blossom-shaped sword sheath at his waist swayed.
The sheath worn only by Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
He landed lightly before Cheonhwi with graceful movement and grinned.
"We got word you were coming, but you arrived faster than expected."
"Long time no see."
Cheonhwi returned the greeting.
He was Hyeonjin, sent to oversee the Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
"Heh heh. You've grown even taller."
Hyeonjin looked up at Cheonhwi with a smile.
He'd led the Plum Blossom Sword Guards here at the Alliance for years, returning to Mount Hua occasionally to pay respects.
"I heard Martial Uncle Hyeondo came too..."
"The Sect Leader went to meet the Alliance Leader."
"I see."
Hyeonjin's brow furrowed deeply.
"...He might stay there indefinitely."
He muttered and sighed.
"Sigh. We hoped for his help, but no helping it."
Speaking bitterly, he turned to Cheonhwi with a smile.
"But perfect timing. The Plum Blossom Sword Guards just returned and were eating. Especially Cheonyu—he's been looking forward to seeing you."
'Cheonyu?'
Cheonhwi racked his brain.
Then he recalled the dharma name.
"The eldest senior brother?"
Hyeonjin nodded.
"Let's go."
Cheonhwi followed Hyeonjin into the hall. His brow twitched at the creaking floor.
'Is this quarters? Or ruins?'
Glancing distastefully at the rundown state worse than an inn, he continued until Hyeonjin stopped.
"Here."
Slide...
Opening the closed door revealed people seated around a large round table.
"You've arr... Hm? Junior Brother Hwi?"
The tall young Taoist who'd greeted them shot up from his seat.
At his words, the eating Plum Blossom Sword Guards looked at Cheonhwi in shock.
"Junior Brother Hwi?"
"The real Junior Brother Hwi?"
The four seated Sword Guards' eyes widened.
They burst in surprise at the sturdy young man utterly different from the Cheonhwi they knew.
"Feeling better?"
"All good now?"
As their clamor grew.
"Quiet, everyone."
The young Taoist who'd stood first spoke firmly, silencing them.
'Must be the eldest senior brother.'
The presumed Cheonyu approached.
"Tough journey getting here. Oh! Not the time. You must be hungry after coming all this way. Take the empty seat."
Just as Cheonhwi's stomach growled, he sat where Cheonyu pointed.
"Long time, junior brother."
"Body okay now?"
As everyone welcomed him upon sitting.
"I know you're all curious, but hold back. He must be tired from the trip to the Alliance."
Cheonyu intervened.
The Sword Guards looked disappointed but soon resumed eating.
Impressively quick control.
'They obey him readily. Must have real leadership.'
Cheonhwi glanced at Cheonyu.
Sensing it, Cheonyu met his eyes briefly and smiled.
'Anyway, food first.'
Cheonhwi picked up his chopsticks.
After the meal.
"Junior Brother Hwi."
Cheonyu approached.
Stepping ahead of the Sword Guards hovering eagerly for a chat.
"Follow me. I'll show you your room for staying at the Alliance."
He led to the farthest room on this floor, glancing sideways before speaking.
"This is your room. Mine's right across—come anytime if something comes up."
Cheonyu smiled and entered his room.
Cheonhwi watched, then entered his assigned room and lay on the bed.
Thud.
'At least there's a bed.'
Lying down, his eyes drifted shut smoothly.
Rustle.
Cheonhwi jolted awake after some time.
'This presence.'
In the dead of night with silence all around, he slowly opened his eyes to the approaching footsteps.
"Awake, junior brother?"
He turned toward the voice.
Cheonyu stood on the moonlit windowsill, shaking a small bottle of liquor.
"How about it? Care for a drink?"