Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Beggar at the Gate
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The Seven Great Families were expected to show dignity befitting their status.
That was why the commotion at the main gate from midday onward was far from welcome to Namgoong Hyu. The gatekeepers had surrounded one man, and heated arguments were echoing loudly enough that it was impossible to ignore.
'A beggar?'
The man facing off against the gatekeepers was dressed in filthy rags. His unkempt hair looked like it hadn't been cut in ages, and his clothes were so tattered that their original shape was only guessable. The only intact item he carried was the gourd slung at his side.
"No means no, even if you throw a fit!"
"Oh come on, is this really the renowned Namgung Family, top of the Seven Great Families? Even village folk are more generous than this!"
"Hey, enough is enough, you—!"
It looked like he'd come begging.
What guts.
To act so brazenly right at the Namgung Family's main gate.
Beggars usually didn't go door-to-door unless it was a feast day, out of their own code of conduct...
As Namgoong Hyu scrutinized the man's appearance, their eyes met through the wild tangle of his hair. Despite his rough speech, his gaze was sharp and full of spirit.
'From the Beggars' Sect, huh.'
No matter how rough he acted, he couldn't hide his roots. Namgoong Hyu wondered why a disciple of the Beggars' Sect had come all the way here to cause a scene and what his intentions were.
"What's going on?"
"Y-Young master. It's nothing. We'll handle it."
"Handle it? The yelling's echoing all the way into the inner courtyard."
The flustered gatekeepers had no idea what to do. It wasn't their fault anyway. Namgoong Hyu brushed past them and confronted the man directly.
"What brings you, young disciple of the Beggars' Sect, to our family?"
"I've been rude from the start. I'm Park Il-do of the Beggars' Sect."
The man cupped his fists in greeting as he replied.
It was a name Namgoong Hyu had heard before.
"I see. Park Il-do. I'm Namgoong Hyu."
"Just as I thought. I knew it was you the moment I saw those perfectly honed muscles."
"You're too kind. Let's skip the pleasantries. What business does the Beggars' Sect master's disciple have here?"
Park Il-do.
He was the disciple handpicked by the notoriously picky Beggars' Sect master of the day.
The master might grumble that he hadn't even mastered the basics yet, but it was common knowledge that he'd already been marked as the successor.
"I came to see my brother and asked for a meal, but these guys tried chasing me off right away."
"Your brother?"
"More precisely, my sworn brother. I heard he's staying here to become a son-in-law."
Son-in-law... Could it be?
"You mean my brother-in-law?"
"If his name is Yi Se-woong, then yes."
"A most honored guest, then."
Did his brother-in-law have a sworn brother?
He had no idea what the intent was behind kicking up a fuss at the Namgung Family's gate, but he'd find out in due time.
If he was a friend of his brother-in-law, he needed to be welcomed warmly.
"My brother-in-law is out on an errand right now, so you'll have to wait a bit."
"Is that so? What timing. I'm starving, and he steps out."
"If it's alright with you, would you join me for a meal?"
"Ha! Your magnanimity has me bowing my head."
Park Il-do laughed heartily and followed behind Namgoong Hyu, not forgetting to stick his tongue out and tease the gatekeepers on the way.
As he led the man inside, Namgoong Hyu thought to himself.
'A guest of my brother-in-law is a guest of our family.'
He had to treat him with the utmost hospitality.
The ultimate ingredient he'd stubbornly pursued even after being corrupted by fine cuisine thanks to Yi Se-woong.
Chicken breast.
Who knew he'd get to show off his even more refined recipe to him first? As a friend of his brother-in-law, he'd surely appreciate its true value.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ They say reunions are most joyful when they come unexpectedly.
That was my first thought upon spotting Park Il-do sprawled on the floor of my room.
"Long time no see, brother."
"Brother my ass. How'd you manage to show up here looking like that?"
"Your brother-in-law seemed pretty open-minded."
It had been a long time.
A long absence that had scattered my childhood impressions like grains of sand.
Yet it felt as familiar as if we'd met yesterday.
"I heard you threw quite the tantrum. What was that about?"
"Oh, that?"
Thump, thump.
Park Il-do patted his belly as he answered.
"He's called a son-in-law, but isn't he still on thin ice? I was curious."
"So you kicked up a fuss at the Namgung Family's main gate?"
"Would I hesitate to take that risk for my brother?"
Park Il-do was full of bluster.
Seeing him like that stirred a sense of nostalgia—he hadn't changed a bit.
"You're lucky it was Namgoong Hyu. Anyone else would've beaten you black and blue."
"That guy's got a slippery personality, for sure. Couldn't understand his taste in food, though."
Oof.
A pang of guilt I'd neatly folded away in my heart resurfaced.
"What's wrong with the food?"
"He treated me like it was a banquet, so my jaw dropped. But it was all chicken breast. I thought he was feeding me candy instead of rice."
"......"
"The gamey aftertaste still hasn't faded. I'm heading out soon."
He'd somehow endured without bolting.
Even beggars who went wild for meat would've struggled with that.
"Anyway, I got a pretty lavish reception, all things considered."
"Good to hear. So, what's the real reason you showed up out of the blue?"
"We're reuniting after ages, and you're jumping straight to business? How rude."
"You didn't come all this way just to check up on me."
"Saves me the long explanation."
Park Il-do pulled a letter from his bosom.
"You put in a request with the Beggars' Sect? Good thinking."
"I trusted you."
"Heh, must be thanks to having a great brother."
"Great brother my ass."
"Anyway, about that woman you wanted me to find."
"You found her already?"
"Sighting in the Taihang Mountains."
"Reliable info?"
"Bandits paving roads around there saw her. Description matches perfectly."
Bandits?
Taihang Mountains... Don't tell me it's those guys.
"Were there three of them? Calling each other brothers?"
"How'd you know? You found them first, huh?"
"Eh... Let's just say there was an incident."
Good to know they're doing well.
They'd have been done for if they'd gotten greedy.
"Anyway, we even confirmed her destination."
"And?"
"Let's talk over a bowl of rice wine first."
Il-do was bargaining.
A drink for a commission fee? Cheap deal.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Few places turned away beggars. That's why we headed to a mat in the marketplace. The owner, in no position to be picky, greeted us with a beaming smile.
A few slices of meat and a bowl of stew.
Add a bowl of rice wine, and the shabbiness was hidden, creating a decent atmosphere.
"You should catch up with her soon. She's heading to Anhui Province."
"Coming here?"
"Yeah."
Il-do downed a bowl of wine as he spoke.
"So, what's your deal with that woman?"
"?"
"This, maybe?"
Il-do wiggled his pinky finger.
"You lunatic."
"I figured my brother was the bold type to take a concubine before even marrying."
"Why don't you save that nonsense for your sleep-talk?"
It was the kind of talk that could spell disaster.
Scary enough that I worried his master might overhear.
"Kidding. Can't believe you have a youthful-looking master. Unreal."
So he knew and was just probing.
"You, a disciple of the Beggars' Sect master?"
"Ugh, no point. You know how picky that old geezer is? Beats me over every little thing. I thought he picked me 'cause I make a good punching bag."
Il-do sighed dramatically. His breath reeked of booze, but his smiling lips suggested they got along fine.
"Compared to that, what about you? Got a jaw-dropping beauty for a master? Be honest. She take you as a disciple just for your looks?"
"What bullshit."
"You've always been like that. Pretty face gets you out of everything."
"......"
"While I was getting thrashed by that bag-of-bones geezer, you were sweet-talking your gorgeous master... Damn you."
"You're the one damned."
"Bastard."
Silly banter.
No substance, but I didn't mind. No need to overthink motives or directions.
Just trading barbs and laughing—it had been ages. A comforting familiarity.
Reminded me of the days picking at rice lees.
Those were good times.
"So, how'd you win over the world's greatest beauty? Spill."
"......"
"Cat got your tongue? Or like back then?"
Snick.
Il-do cut himself off and pointed at his own face.
"This?"
"......"
"You gonna say that?"
Blood rushed to my face.
Was the burning embarrassment from that thoughtless line from my immature days? Never imagined it'd boomerang back now.
"It's not like that."
"I still remember it. 'Why beg when women bring food to handsome guys like me?' or something?"
"......Stop."
Nothing more mortifying than dredging up childhood embarrassments.
Dragging up old stories like a coward?
The Beggars' Sect really didn't hold back for an orthodox faction, huh.
"Thought you were crazy. Yeah, you're handsome, but who brags about it so shamelessly?"
"Just drink."
"Hey! No touching this bowl till you answer!"
He slammed the table, yelling.
The guy showed no signs of backing down.
Buzzed as he was, maybe I should chop his neck with a hand blade.
As I seriously considered it...
"Senior Brother?"
My eyes caught Jegal Yeong passing by on the street, just as I searched for a topic change.
"Yi Se-woong?"
What was she doing in the marketplace?