Chapter 203
Chapter 203
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 203
Chapter Title: Chasing the Ferocious Beasts
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Namgung Hyeok slipped out of the family head's chamber and hurried back to his quarters.
"Everyone, get ready and follow me!"
The Thunder Dragon Squad, having just finished circulating their qi, stood up with puzzled expressions.
Namgung Ryong, Paeng Jung-hyeok, Paeng Yeon-hwa, So Hye-yeon, and the others who had been on standby also rose to their feet.
Paeng Jung-hyeok quickly asked,
"Did you find them?"
"We start looking now!"
"What? Us?"
"Then who?"
"The main family, the Namgung Clan, and the escort agency are all searching for those ferocious beasts..."
As Paeng Jung-hyeok trailed off, a terrifying blaze erupted from Namgung Hyeok's eyes.
"I'll find my own stuff! And once I do, I'll crush them!"
Find them and crush them?
Huh?
"Follow me. I know where we're going!"
Namgung Hyeok left the Namgung estate and swiftly headed north.
Namgung Ryong, Paeng Jung-hyeok, Paeng Yeon-hwa, So Hye-yeon, Geum Cheom-sang, and the Thunder Dragon Squad all rushed after him in a group.
Paeng Jung-hyeok approached Namgung Hyeok and asked,
"Where are we headed?"
A strange sense of anticipation arose from the way Namgung Hyeok moved without hesitation, as if he already knew something.
"Do you have a plan?"
Namgung Hyeok turned his head.
"A plan?"
"Yes! Is there a way to track down those ferocious beasts...?"
"A way, huh."
Namgung Hyeok stopped walking and scanned the surroundings.
It was a quiet alley on all sides. No drunken revelers in sight, not even a stray dog lying around—just utter silence.
As the others looked on in confusion, Namgung Hyeok opened his mouth.
"Come out."
"Pardon?"
"I said come out."
"...Young Master Namgung Hyeok, I get that you're furious, but you can't let heartfire consume you. That's just..."
"Words don't work on you!"
Namgung Hyeok kicked a pebble on the ground.
The stone shot out like an arrow and struck the wall with the weight of an iron mace.
Screeech! Thwack!
"Kek!"
A sharp cry burst from the direction of the wall amid the violent impact.
"Hm?"
"Huh!"
"A beggar?"
Everyone jumped in surprise and turned toward the wall.
Sogolgae rubbed the lump protruding from his forehead with an awkward expression.
"Heh, hehe. Uh, when did you know? My Hook Concealment Technique has improved since..."
"You stink!"
Thwack!
"Kek!"
Sogolgae teared up as he took a blow to the back of his head.
'Damn it, no way I stink!'
The Hook Concealment Technique perfectly masked even odors. He was confident it could fool a dog's nose, so being called out for smelling was utterly infuriating.
Sure, beggars not smelling wasn't normal, but at least during the technique, he could hide any stench.
So how the hell did Namgung Hyeok pinpoint his exact location?
Stinking?
Even the renowned later-generation experts of the martial world couldn't sense a thing.
Look at Paeng Jung-hyeok's dumbfounded face!
He's so shocked he can't even close his mouth.
So Hye-yeon drew her sword to his throat, Paeng Yeon-hwa unsheathed her blade at his crown, and the three Thunder Dragon Squad members blocked his escape...
...This isn't right?
Looking around, it was a secluded alley, and before he knew it, Namgung Hyeok was right in front of him, snorting like an ox.
Man, this is prime mugging territory.
"...Y-Young Master Namgung Hyeok."
"Why are you tailing me?"
"I'm not tailing you just to tail you..."
"Hold on."
Namgung Hyeok furrowed his brow slightly and grabbed Sogolgae by the collar.
"Now that I think about it, I told you Myriad-Year Flower Dew beggars to come find me, but instead you're playing hide-and-seek here?"
"Young master! It's a misunderstanding! I was stationed here as part of the intelligence network!"
"Intelligence network?"
"Yes, the intelligence network!"
"Bullshit network—you were spying!"
'Damn it, how does he know?'
Shake shake shake!
Sogolgae gaped as Namgung Hyeok shook him by the collar.
This guy's intuition is on another level.
The truth was, Gang Leader Chwi Golgae had ordered him to monitor Namgung Hyeok's every move and report anything unusual, which was why he'd been hanging around.
Sogolgae felt chills at Namgung Hyeok's instincts anew.
"Where are the other beggars?"
"I-I'm the one in charge here?"
"Beggars never work—what are you lot doing?"
"B-Beggars don't have jobs!"
"Oh, right. That's why you're beggars."
Namgung Hyeok paused his collar-shaking in agreement, then resumed.
"So what are the other beggars up to?"
"Most are out because of Yellow Dog Pass! Everything else is on hold—they're all out fishing for Myriad-Year Flower Dew in the rivers!"
"All out fishing, and your network still runs?"
"Haha! We're the Beggar Clan, young master. Even if we drown, our mouths keep floating..."
"Brag much."
"Ahem! Anyway, the gang leader specially, very specially, ordered me to provide you with intel, so I've been on standby."
Sogolgae puffed up proudly.
"Seems like you need the Beggar Clan's information."
"That's why I found you, beggar."
"...Calling a beggar 'beggar' might make some not respond..."
"What."
"...I was going to ask what you want to know."
"You know. Spill it all."
If it's the Beggar Clan, they'll know why he sought them out without him saying.
Sure enough, Sogolgae cleared his throat dramatically and spoke.
"I'm telling you this because you're you, young master. Caravans approaching Anhui Province are getting robbed one by one. The methods match what you're after with those ferocious beasts, and they're being extra cunning, like they smell trouble."
"..."
"Of course, the Five Great Clans couldn't dig up even this much, so it's impressive, right? These guys are so sly, even our main branch is struggling..."
"You don't know either?"
"If not for Yellow Dog Pass, we'd have caught them ages ago. Anyway, we're still finding traces... Yes."
"Why do the incompetent always yap the most?"
"Incompetent?!"
Sogolgae yelled, then flinched at the murderous glares around him and lowered his voice.
"...Have pity on us beggars working day and night for you, young master."
"So?"
"What? Ah, I'll definitely get a lead in a few days and report back!"
"A few days?"
Namgung Hyeok sneered at the boastful Sogolgae.
"What if my spirit herbs vanish in those few days? What if they're licking them up right now?"
"..."
"While we stand here, my spirit herbs are being sucked dry by those vile bastards! Find them, beggar! Hurry up and find them! If you're the Beggar Clan, then do it!"
Shake shake shake!
Let go already, let go!
"Bring them in, and I'll give you extra credit!"
"Extra credit?"
"Yeah, don't you want the Jade Tablet?"
"Jade Tablet!"
Life returned to Sogolgae's soulless eyes.
"I'll find them! I have to! I'll mobilize every bit of the Beggar Clan's network!"
Sogolgae declared with blazing eyes.
The others stifled laughs as they watched Sogolgae flopping back and forth, still gripped by the collar.
After a thorough shaking, Sogolgae bolted off somewhere.
"Follow me!"
Released, Sogolgae staggered like a drunkard but dashed away energetically.
Namgung Hyeok let out a hollow chuckle at the excited beggar leaping ahead.
"Look at that beggar runt sprint."
The others nodded.
"The Beggar Clan really is fast with info."
"..."
"Should've contacted them sooner—would've saved the hassle. Why suffer like this?"
"...Not on good terms with the Beggar Clan."
"Huh?"
Namgung Hyeok turned at Paeng Jung-hyeok's unexpected reply.
Paeng Jung-hyeok cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Well... it just happened that way."
"Hah, figures. The Five Great Clans and Nine Great Sects have always looked down on beggars from way back, huh?"
"..."
"Sigh, that's why judging by status is stupid. What's wrong with being a beggar?"
"That's not something you should say, Young Master Namgung Hyeok..."
"Ah, we're losing him. What are you waiting for? Run!"
Namgung Hyeok brushed it off lightly and unleashed Bloodwind Divine Technique after the dot that was Sogolgae.
His body stretched like taffy, catching up to Sogolgae's rear in an instant.
The people in the alley shook their heads and chased after Namgung Hyeok.
* * *
Sogolgae left the bustling streets of Hefei and raced into the mountain paths. Off the main road, rugged, winding trails appeared.
Sogolgae ran without hesitation, as if familiar with the way.
Soon, a small cave appeared in a cliff crevice, barely big enough for one person.
"Wait a sec. It's too narrow for two."
Sogolgae slipped in and out swiftly.
In his hand was a sack bulging with dozens of papers.
Sogolgae grinned.
"Pretty substantial, right?"
"Is this a Beggar Clan sub-branch?"
"Trade secret."
Namgung Hyeok chuckled dryly and waved him on.
"Pull it out quick."
"Don't rush me. Decoding all this takes time."
"Not if it's top priority—shouldn't be too hard."
"Huh? That's a trade secret... How'd you know?"
"Hurry up and open 'em!"
"Y-Yes!"
Sogolgae unpacked scrolls and rags from the sack.
The shabby papers were covered in scribbles, characters, and drawings.
Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue.
"Real beggar-style."
Well, could beggars even read properly?
If they studied that much, they wouldn't be beggars.
Sogolgae glared at Namgung Hyeok, then grinned sheepishly as their eyes met.
Reading the rag-like papers quickly, he said,
"Northeast of Anhui, a merchant caravan got hit. North side, another escort cargo robbed."
"And?"
"Ah! Last night, a bandit lair was cleaned out too..."
"A bandit lair robbed?"
"Yeah, apparently."
"No merchant morals. Robbing your own kind?"
"Tell me about it. No different from stealing a begging bowl from another beggar..."
"So. All the same culprits, decent scale?"
"Yes. Here's the inference... Huh?"
Sogolgae's eyes widened.
What?
How does this guy read Beggar Clan code?
Sogolgae stared in disbelief, but Namgung Hyeok calmly plucked the paper and pocketed it.
"What?"
"N-No, how do you read the code..."
"Code? It's pictograms. A three-year-old could do it."
"...This is the Beggar Clan's superior intel system. Even illiterate beggars can read it."
Namgung Hyeok yanked Sogolgae by the scruff and said,
"We head east now. There's another spot like this, right?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Go—run!"
Namgung Hyeok turned east and launched forward.
Sogolgae unleashed Drunken Eight Immortals Steps, his identity in turmoil.
'No way—he knows more than me? And why am I listening to him?'
Somehow, he'd become the guide in Namgung Hyeok's place, running for dear life.
His original mission was to hand over a few notes and resume network duties, but now he was sprinting alongside.
"B-But how long do I..."
"Run!"
"Yes, sir!"
Damn, look at those killer eyes.
Sogolgae averted his gaze from Namgung Hyeok's fiery stare.
Namgung Ryong and the Thunder Dragon Squad followed with tilted heads.
Guided by Sogolgae, they soon reached the east side of Anhui, far from Hefei, at the roadside shrine.
Sogolgae peeled back the straw mat covering it.
Dozens of notes lay beneath.
Shove!
Namgung Hyeok shoved Sogolgae aside and scanned the notes.
After rummaging, he shot to his feet.
"Here—found it!"
"What? Already? N-No way! How?!"
"The Beggar Clan's intel is top-notch!"
"...Heh, right?"
"Good! Let's go! Move, quick! Escort cargo hit half a shichen ago!"
Namgung Hyeok unleashed Bloodwind Divine Technique eastward.
Fwoooosh!
A gale erupted behind him, kicking up dust clouds.
Sogolgae gaped.
"C-Crazy, what lightness skill is that?"
So fast?
Namgung Hyeok, eyes manic, was truly wind-like.
Paeng Jung-hyeok, watching blankly, asked,
"...Where's he going?"
"...No idea."
"What?"
"Run! Lose him and we're screwed!"
This lunatic!
At least tell us where!
Sogolgae and the Namgung Clan folk bulged their eyes and frothed at the mouth chasing the sprinting Namgung Hyeok.