Chapter 59
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Successor Beggar (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Successor Beggar downed the alcohol in one gulp.
A pleasant buzz washed over him.
On the table was a dish of stir-fried mushrooms, which Woryeong had made for the first time in a while.
“Oh, stir-fried mushrooms!”
As the Successor Beggar reached for them, Cheon Muryang blocked him with his chopsticks.
“Sorry, but these are mine.”
“Tsk. How petty.”
“Let’s get back to the point. You were investigating the Cheon Family to find this ‘meddler,’ is that it?”
“Well, something like that.”
Cheon Muryang nodded.
Originally, the Cheon Family was supposed to be manipulated by the Council of Elders and slowly walk the path to ruin.
It was an unprecedented path to collapse, so it made sense that the Successor Beggar would take an interest.
“If I may add, we’ve achieved more than we expected.”
“Successor Beggar!”
The old beggar tried to stop him, but the Successor Beggar simply stuck out his tongue, still wearing a mischievous smile.
“I always thought Hangzhou was just a place for leisure, but I was wrong, wasn't I? Beneath the surface, there’s quite a bit of profound scheming going on.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The Tang Clan, didn’t the Tang Clan get involved? Ah, surely you didn't know?”
“Of course not.”
How could he not know?
He had just cut down the Tang Clan’s poison three days ago.
“So you did know. Discovering that the Demonic Cult and the Tang Clan are connected to some extent is an achievement in itself.”
The Successor Beggar rambled on, telling Cheon Muryang many things.
‘He’s already figured this much out.’
This wasn’t much different from what Cheon Muryang had learned through direct experience.
The only difference was whether it was experienced firsthand or inferred indirectly.
‘As expected of the Beggars’ Sect.’
Their process of gathering information, sorting truth from falsehood, forming plausible hypotheses, and verifying them was incredibly systematic.
‘That must be how the Successor Beggar was able to uncover it.’
Of course, by then, it had already been too late.
After all, the Cheon Family had been annihilated right after that.
“I’ll consider your proposal.”
“Please, think it over carefully.”
“Putting that aside.”
The Successor Beggar relentlessly asked him to work together.
In response, it was Cheon Muryang who broke into a sweat.
‘This guy is like a leech.’
So, he had barely managed to shake him off by saying he would think about it.
What remained was the matter of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.
“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”
“Yes. Do you know anything about the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly?”
The Successor Beggar tilted his head.
He seemed to be doubting his own ears.
“The Dragon and Phoenix Assembly?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, are you planning to attend?”
“Hm?”
The Successor Beggar’s expression soured.
Before Cheon Muryang could even wonder why, the Successor Beggar launched into a long speech.
“I mean, those damn bastards call themselves the rising stars who will lead the next generation of the orthodox sects, but they act just like a bunch of old, cunning foxes.”
The Successor Beggar’s face, as he spat out words as if channeling the principles of a swift sword, was so flushed it was impossible to tell if it was from the alcohol or from being out of breath.
‘He’s not done.’
After taking a deep breath, the Successor Beggar continued his rambling story.
“I went a few times, hoping to find some decent talent, but the whole assembly stinks to high heaven. Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, my ass. It’s a Dog and Cat Assembly, that’s what it is.”
It seemed the Successor Beggar was greatly disappointed with the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.
“Of course, you might find some talent as rarely as you’d find a bean in a drought… but Wudang or Shaolin, they’re just so... stuffy.”
There was nothing he wouldn't say.
Watching the Successor Beggar spout off whatever came to mind, Cheon Muryang laughed.
“Interesting. But I have to go.”
“For what reason?”
“Don’t I need to announce to the world that a new order has been established in the Cheon Family?”
“Oho.”
“And the Tang Clan will be there, won’t they?”
“Of course.”
“The Namgung Family will be there too?”
“They’re regulars.”
The corners of Cheon Muryang’s mouth lifted.
It was a smile of genuine amusement.
“Right. That’s reason enough to attend.”
“I can guess what you have with the Tang Clan, but it seems you have a connection with the Namgung Family as well. Ah, I am aware that the treasured daughter of the Namgung Family is staying with the Cheon Family, but…”
The Successor Beggar’s eyebrow arched.
For some reason, he had a strange feeling.
“That eyebrow of yours is quite insolent.”
“Well, what can I do? I was born this way.”
Shrugging it off, the Successor Beggar chuckled.
“In that case, I suppose I’ll have to attend this Dragon and Phoenix Assembly as well. I can’t miss out on something this interesting.”
“I’m warning you now, don’t even think of interfering.”
“Of course, of course. I’ll pretend I don’t know anything. Besides, my business here in Zhejiang seems to be finished anyway.”
“Good. That’s enough.”
“Do you have any more questions?”
“Yes.”
“Then…”
The Successor Beggar rose from his seat.
Looking at Cheon Muryang with a surprisingly relieved expression, the Successor Beggar slowly bowed his head.
“It was wrong of our Beggars’ Sect to break the laws of the martial world and gather information within the Cheon Family’s territory without permission.”
“…”
Then, without waiting for a reply, the Successor Beggar raised his head.
“Therefore, I hope the Cheon Family will show us magnanimity.”
“Fine. I accept.”
“Thank you.”
It was important to draw clear lines.
Only then could a new relationship be established.
“I’ll see you at the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”
“Yes. Let’s do that.”
“Ah, please take this.”
“…?”
The Successor Beggar took something out from his robes.
It looked like the handle of an old staff.
“It’s not much, but if you show that, you’ll be able to receive help from the Beggars’ Sect.”
“Successor Beggar!”
The old beggar’s eyes widened.
Not only that, but his hands trembled, suggesting it wasn’t something given to just anyone.
“…”
The old beggar silently urged him not to take it, but Cheon Muryang pretended not to notice.
“I’ll accept it gratefully.”
“Th-this is!”
“Well then, we’ll be on our way.”
Perhaps wanting to leave a clean final impression, the Successor Beggar seemed calm, unlike before.
“Ah, Great Young Lord.”
“…?”
“Please, do not let those words of yours—that you will pursue righteousness—change.”
The Successor Beggar was serious.
Sincerity should be answered with sincerity.
Cheon Muryang nodded.
“I won’t.”
“Until we meet again.”
The Successor Beggar left with the old beggar.
Even as he left, the Successor Beggar was greeting each of the people who had formed the encirclement.
Cheon Seonhak, who had approached at some point, asked.
“Are you just letting him go?”
“The Successor Beggar is a lot like me.”
“What?”
“No, perhaps it was I who wanted to be like him.”
In Nameless’s life, unable to leave the Cheon Family, the Successor Beggar’s unconventional actions were an object of envy.
‘Because I wanted to do the same.’
That might be why he had unconsciously imitated the Successor Beggar’s free-spirited life.
“You’re wrong.”
“…”
“It seems you didn’t see the look in that boy’s eyes properly.”
But Cheon Seonhak, who had been watching from the side, shook his head.
“I could feel respect and admiration in his gaze toward you.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. So, walk your own path. Whatever path that may be…”
Behind Cheon Seonhak, the warriors of the Cheon Family who had released the encirclement gathered.
Woryeong, Neung Ryeoun, Cha Myeonghak, and many others, including the Wandering King, gazed at Cheon Muryang.
Everyone showed their will to follow Cheon Muryang.
“What’s with this atmosphere?”
Of course, the Wandering King grumbled, but he didn’t try to leave the spot.
“We will be behind you.”
Cheon Muryang smiled.
He spoke to everyone with sincerity.
“Thank you.”
As if feeling he had to add a word to the atmosphere, the Wandering King chimed in.
“Do whatever you want.”
“…”
“Haven’t you been doing that all along?”
The Wandering King let out a short laugh and continued.
“As for the consequences…”
Woryeong cut in.
“Are you saying you’ll take responsibility, Elder Wandering King?”
“What?”
The flustered Wandering King.
But Woryeong stuck her tongue out at the Wandering King and stood beside Cheon Muryang.
“Young Master, just walk your own path. We’ll take care of what’s behind you.”
“I never said that! You guys should take responsibility, why are you dragging me into it?”
“Goodness! Just go with the mood!”
“Ugh!”
The grumbling Wandering King and the scolding Woryeong.
Lately, the Wandering King seemed completely unable to win against Woryeong.
Seeing all of this, for some reason…
Cheon Muryang just found himself laughing.
“Thank you, everyone.”
He meant it.
And sincerity always gets through.
“Then I’ll be in your care from now on.”
He decided to be confident, anytime, anywhere.
Because that was the true nature of the scoundrel, Cheon Muryang.
* * *
It was after he returned to the family estate.
Cheon Seonhak suddenly came to see him.
“About the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”
“Yes.”
“I found the invitation, but…”
Not just anyone could go to the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.
An invitation was required.
Every year, the sect or family hosting the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly sent out invitations.
So, they must have sent an invitation to the Cheon Family as well.
“Did you find it?”
“Yes. There were two of them.”
“Two?”
“Yes.”
There were two invitations to the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly that had arrived for the Cheon Family.
“But the intention behind it is so obvious it’s laughable.”
Cheon Seonhak took two invitations from his robes.
Tassels were attached to the end of the invitations, each a different color.
“This one must be the family’s invitation.”
The invitation with the golden tassel was for the Cheon Family.
“Then, this must be my invitation.”
“Yes.”
The bronze-colored invitation was Cheon Muryang’s.
The Cheon Family was likely the only one to receive invitations with such a clear distinction.
“How childish.”
“…”
The bronze invitation was a mockery sent to the scoundrel Cheon Muryang.
Furthermore, sending the golden invitation separately was a silent urging to send someone other than Cheon Muryang.
“This means they don’t want me to come to the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, right?”
“That’s how one would have to interpret it.”
Cheon Muryang scoffed.
This must have happened before Nameless began serving Cheon Muryang, but it seemed he had been quite the laughingstock at the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.
“Tsk. Which family is hosting this year’s Dragon and Phoenix Assembly?”
“The Namgung Family.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
Cheon Muryang smiled.
Of course, this invitation had arrived long before he met Namgung Sang-hyeok, but interpretations could always vary.
“Then, even if they tell me not to come, I’ll have to force my way in.”
“What are you plotting?”
“What’s more entertaining than the lowly overthrowing the mighty?”
They would soon find out.
The price for mocking not just Cheon Muryang, but the entire Cheon Family.
“Overthrowing the mighty…”
“What’s more fun than bronze beating silver, and then beating gold?”
It was what he wanted.
The more they underestimated him.
Because Cheon Muryang had nothing left to lose.
“This will be interesting.”
“Yes. I’m already looking forward to it.”
Cheon Seonhak smiled.
‘It seems I was worried for nothing.’
There was no need to worry.
Because Cheon Muryang was someone who would overcome any extreme situation you put him in.
“But, about that child, Namgung Seo-hui. What do you plan to do with her?”
Namgung Seo-hui was staying at the Cheon Family estate.
Until now, she had been helping the women who had suffered at the hands of the Thousand-Faced Lust Devil recuperate, but the problem was what came after.
But Cheon Muryang just shrugged.
“She wanted to abandon the Namgung name, so whatever she chooses, it’s her burden to bear.”
“The Namgung Family could use this as a pretext to find fault.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for. I’ve already taken a hit from the Namgung Family.”
“…”
“If they decide to pick another fight… there’s no reason for me to avoid it.”
The Namgung Family, the Sichuan Tang Clan, and the Hebei Peng Family were known as the Three Great Families under Heaven.
Although they were clearly superior to the current Cheon Family, Cheon Muryang paid them no mind.
“When you say ‘another,’ do you mean you’ve already clashed with the Namgung Family?”
“Yes. Well, things happened, and I beat someone up a little. Unofficially.”
“What?”
It was so absurd he had to laugh.
But Cheon Seonhak understood.
“Good. You must have beaten them because they deserved it.”
“So, please leave the matter of Namgung Seo-hui to her own will.”
“Are you thinking of taking her to the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly?”
“Yes.”
“Do as you wish. When do you plan to depart?”
“I’ll leave as soon as possible. I also need to think about who to take with me.”
It was a trip out into the martial world.
As such, it would be a great experience in itself.
“Do so.”
“Ah, I’m only telling you this in advance, Uncle.”
“…?”
“After the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly ends, there will be a large martial arts tournament in Shaanxi.”
It was still in the future, but there was no harm in preparing in advance.
“I’ll need you to prepare for it, Uncle.”
“A martial arts tournament?”
“Yes.”
The prize for that tournament was a rather fine sword, one that would be fitting for Cheon Seonhak.
“That’s good news.”
“Yes. It’s finally time to show the world.”
The sword of the Cheon Family.