Namgung Hwi, the Filthy Beggar
The people who had come to see Namgung Hwi were dismissed without even knowing what had happened. It was an absurd situation even for the Hunter Association Chairman, who had lived long enough to see it all, so how bewildering must it have been for everyone else? To prevent any big rumors from spreading, the spectators were all sent packing first. He considered silencing their mouths but decided to leave it for now. Letting it be known that Namgung Hwi had some extraordinary connection with a Korean hunter would be a huge boon for Korea, after all.
Returning to the Chairman's office, the Association Chairman quietly watched the two leaning on each other, chattering away—Baek Hye-seo, utterly exhausted, and the other.
"Let's start by learning the heart method first."
"Heart method! Thank you!"
Were these two's nerves made of steel wire? The world was clearly about to erupt in chaos, yet here they were, chatting so casually. Was it madness or purity...? No, extreme purity could be seen as a form of madness in itself. Viewed that way, Namgung Hwi wasn't your average lunatic. Of course, he knew the man was a bit off. But rejecting offers from countless Constellations to become Haneul's disciple? That was a choice even a regular madman would tip their hat to.
"My disciple's got some real luck. The heart method you're learning now can somewhat mesh with the ones you'll pick up later, so you can upgrade it."
"I see... I thought you could only learn one heart method, but it can work that way too. Disciple, you've learned something new."
"Yep yep. It's called Cheonggung Mansang Simgyeol. Reaching great completion might be tough, but getting started won't be hard. It differs from your current one only in minor parts."
Namgung Hwi racked his brain, trying to decipher the meaning of Cheonggung Mansang Simgyeol in unfamiliar Korean. Of course, it was impossible. Even the Korean Chairman and Baek Hye-seo just blinked blankly—there was no way a Chinese man like Namgung Hwi could figure it out.
"Hmm... Is it because this disciple's aptitude is lacking? I'm having a bit of trouble understanding. Could you tell me how it differs from Cheonggung Daeyeon Singong?"
"Cheonggung Daeyeon Singong is the existing Namgung heart method. Cheonggung Mansang Simgyeol is one I made myself. You'll figure out the meaning as you practice it."
Haneul scratched her cheek and added,
"And the Cheonggung Daeyeon Singong you learned isn't the real deal. It's trash— not even a proper imitation. So it's impossible to learn the original."
"Understood. Thank you for explaining."
Namgung Hwi didn't look disappointed at all. To the Chairman, it was truly incomprehensible. He didn't know the full story, but he'd somehow sensed that the being claiming to be the Namgung Constellation was no good. For Namgung Hwi, who had been closest to it, it should've been a situation where cursing was justified—yet he brushed it off cleanly, without a hint of resentment.
"Hunter Namgung Hwi, may I ask something that's been bothering me?"
Unable to hold back any longer, the Chairman spoke up. Namgung Hwi nodded nonchalantly.
"Anything I can answer is fine."
"Don't you resent the Constellation... or feel like cursing it or something?"
Namgung Hwi paused in thought, then smiled softly.
"When things were most chaotic, I did feel resentment and hatred. But in the end, it was because of that Constellation that I could swing my sword, and it led me to meet my new master now. The ending wasn't good, but the beginning helped me, so I intend to uphold my own duty."
The Doorkeeper with the Massive Mouth that Opens the Beginning marvels at your excellent mindset.
"Whoa..."
The Chairman and her Constellation exclaimed in unison.
What the hell is this guy? Did he achieve enlightenment mid-sword swing? Shouldn't he be joining Shaolin at this point?
Just laughing it off would make him seem like a pushover, but with reasoning and understanding like that, he started looking less like a good person and more like some freakish anomaly. At the same time, it was the perfect answer revealing what kind of man Namgung Hwi was.
"Master."
Namgung Hwi turned to Haneul.
"Is it alright for this disciple to hold such a mindset?"
"If it's your duty, you should uphold it."
"...Thank you."
Namgung Hwi knew Haneul harbored ill feelings toward his former Constellation. That's why he'd been hesitant in his response, but her generous understanding lightened his heart immensely.
"Truly, thank you..."
"Mhm mhm. What a magnanimous master I am!"
In truth, Haneul wasn't pondering anything so complex. Yeah, the Cheonggung-whatever was annoying, but not enough to dwell on. Why chew on something you could just kill and be done with? She planned to visit soon anyway—and if that was too much hassle, she could kill it right now. But going berserk would wipe out nearby innocent Constellations too, so she held back. Swinging a house-sized electric flyswatter in a swarm of tens of thousands of flies to catch just one? Way too annoying and tricky.
"Alright. Time to learn the heart method."
"Before that, do you want to hear this disciple's past story? I thought I'd share since I haven't told you anything about myself."
"Nah! Not interested!"
"Understood."
"The incantation starts with—"
Namgung Hwi began committing the incantation Haneul recited to memory, looking unfazed. The Chairman and Baek Hye-seo freaked out at the sudden training session and bolted outside. They had backlog work anyway, and they knew better than to let others overhear martial arts incantations.
*****
While Namgung Hwi practiced his heart method...
The Association's first floor was swarming with guild masters who had rushed over urgently from China. Six great clans and seven sects—thirteen leaders of China's massive guilds in total. With so few people, their overwhelming presence as powerhouses made the place feel packed.
They didn't eat, didn't use the bathroom, didn't sleep... They just sat cross-legged in one corner of the first floor, refusing to budge. When asked if they'd be better off going upstairs due to the awkwardness, they insisted peeking on someone else's martial training went against propriety—they'd wait till it ended. Even their Constellations had said the same, apparently. The Korean branch guild masters from the Central Plains had told them so. They refused hotel offers too. Warriors could go four days without sleep, they said. They accepted the concern graciously. What a headache-inducing bunch these murim folk were.
Worry? The Association staff just wanted to go home. Sure, there was on-duty staff, but who could leave in this situation? With the Chairman off handling urgent business elsewhere, the remaining staff had to deal. So the Association employees decided to camp out too. A day passed, then two, three, and into the fourth. At least these guys hadn't abandoned their humanity—they showered once a day at the bathhouse and came back clean, grabbing a full meal on the way. The staff had fully adapted now. Guild masters of China's mega-guilds? Just humans who eat, shit, and sleep like us. Even top hunters doze off... A sense of camaraderie even welled up.
Thus, the Chinese guild masters occupying one corner of the first floor weren't scary anymore. Now, the two who hadn't emerged from the Chairman's office for four days were the real terror. And on the fifth day...
The direct elevator to the Chairman's office activated. Everyone held their breath in that moment—the first-floor staff finally heading home after five days, the Chinese guild masters hoping for a taste of normal life... All mouths shut, waiting for the doors to open.
The elevator, having reached the 30th floor, began descending shortly after. Throats gulped dryly, fists clenched. Some guild masters even started pulling bribes for Haneul from their pockets. Haneul wasn't a Constellation's apostle, but the Constellations had all urged building good ties with her, so they'd prepared.
Others showed competitive fire. Like the man fiddling with his pot-lid-sized fist, and the woman exuding faint plum blossom scent as she wiped her sword with a cloth.
Ding— The elevator reached the first floor.
No one pushed ahead; they surrounded it in crane-wing formation, waiting for the doors. They slid open and...
"...What?"
A disheveled beggar stumbled out. Face caked in grime, nails black with dirt. And the stench—vile. Even the Beggar Clan leader would yield the throne to this guy.
"A beggar?"
"Why's a beggar here..."
"No way, Beggar Clan?"
"Oh ho, it's the Beggar Clan!"
"Huh? Beggar Clan? How'd they get here?"
The guild masters buzzed. The Beggar Clan had a guild too, among the nine great schools. But they were beggars—no money to come to Korea. How? And faster than the other ancient schools and clans? Even meeting Yoo Haneul first? This was no small deal. Those bastards aren't beggars—they're thieves! Every guild master thought the same.
"Has murim's propriety fallen this far...!"
"Even beggars must uphold merchant ethics!"
"You beggar scum! Ignoring us?!"
"Stole a private jet by begging?!"
"Never seen such a shameless beggar!"
As the guild masters raged, their Constellations did too. The Beggar Clan's was the most wronged.
The Beggar Who Holds the Righteousness of the World in an Empty Bowl expresses bewilderment.
The Beggar Who Holds the Righteousness of the World in an Empty Bowl protests to his apostle that there's no way he has money for a plane ticket.
The Beggar Who Holds the Righteousness of the World in an Empty Bowl beats his chest, saying this is the most unjust thing in his beggar life.
Things that usually shunned him for the smell were suddenly swarming, hurling abuse—how could he not feel wronged? Beggar Clan warriors? They had no money for a plane, let alone a daily meal. They earned from hunter work but donated it all to the needier than themselves. What the hell was this mess? The beggar watching the chaos spoke up.
"...Seems like a misunderstanding."
Fluent Chinese. A Chinese beggar, then.
"What misunderstanding?!"
"This beggar scum's in for it today."
"What? Beggar Clan beating bastard scum to death?! What bastard scum are you beating to death? Commit seppuku!"
"Beggars! Boo!"
"...Haa."
The beggar slowly wiped his face. The motion unleashed a fresh wave of stench. Chinese guild masters, used to the Beggar Clan, endured it, but Association staff gagged wildly. Only the beggar stayed composed.
"I'm not a beggar. I'm Namgung Hwi."
"Ha! Impersonation as beggar-like as you! No, you are a beggar! You beggar bastard!"
"You think we can't sense Great Hero Namgung Hwi's presence, you idiots?! Arrogant beggar scum!"
"Great Hero Namgung wouldn't deign to speak to vermin like us!"
"Great Hero Namgung wouldn't reek like rotting trash! How dare you insult the great hero!!"
"Haha! Wash off that filth and maybe it'll show!"
A Jongnam Sect guild master fetched a basin of water and splashed it. Splash! As expected of a Thirty-Six Heavenly Sword practitioner—the water split into thirty-six streams, drenching the beggar's face precisely. Grime washed away, revealing his true face.
"Huh? Huh! Huh...? Ah...!"
A dumb groan escaped the Jongnam guild master. Silence fell as faces paled.
"Recognize me now?"
It was Namgung Hwi. The Jongnam leader stammered,
"Great Hero Namgung... Have you joined the Beggar Clan as of today...?"
The Beggar Who Holds the Righteousness of the World in an Empty Bowl perks up with sparkling eyes.
"The impurities and waste from my body were expelled. Like beol moseu... Similar effect. I'm still Namgung."
The Beggar Who Holds the Righteousness of the World in an Empty Bowl turns away dejectedly.
"Ah... Sorry. I greatly misunderstood. Your presence is completely different... Aigoo... Truly, truly sorry..."
Namgung Hwi gave a perfunctory nod and ignored the mumbling guild masters, walking on. Explaining his situation took a backseat to dragging these ruffians out first. He had no desire to explain anyway. All he wanted was to grab a sword and swing it ASAP. Still, basic human courtesy demanded it. He bowed slightly to the Association staff in clumsy Korean.
"I have no excuse for the Association staff. Sorry. I'll clean up properly after washing and sort it out. Sorry."
"N-No... It's fine. Really. No problem... Um, where's the one who was with you? Coming on the next elevator?"
The highest-ranking staffer there—who'd witnessed yesterday's chaos—asked in Chinese. Stench, guild masters, Namgung Hwi—whatever, just get out already. For that, Haneul needed to appear, but she hadn't.
"Where Master went..."
Rarely, Namgung Hwi trailed off with a troubled look.
-Huh? Disciple, is that a full moon? What the!! I'm off to the gate! If anyone asks, strike a cool pose and say 'Hear my victory cry'! That's all training too, got it? Yeah? Do it!
Master's teachings are the heavens. Master's words are the heavens... Master's command is...
Namgung Hwi struck a cool pose and expression.
"...Hear my victory cry."
Saying it, it felt less impressive than thought. Master's words were never wrong. Stroking the sword Haneul gave him, he added,
"Of course, by martial duel."
The staffer's face went blank. The guild masters weren't much different. Huashan Sect's Yeon Bi-yeong, who'd spoken most with him, ventured cautiously,
"...Wash up first, Great Hero. The smell's brutal. You'll fall to qi deviation before we duel."
"Mm."
Namgung Hwi headed straight to the Association showers. Meanwhile, Haneul was heading to Banpo-dong's D-rank Gate with Baek Hye-seo. A full moon night. Today was the day she'd promised the imoogi.