Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: We Must Be Righteous (1)
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Shanxi sub-branch leader Deok-geun ultimately couldn't let go of his stubbornness and ended up exposing his true colors.
It seemed the fire had been lit because Professor No Sam, who shared a mentor-disciple bond with him, was present.
Well, whatever.
The young beggars of the Shanxi sub-branch, who had gathered under Deok-geun's intentions, wore expressions like, 'This isn't right.'
Professor No Sam stepped forward with a stern shout.
"You bastard Deok-geun! You filthy scum!!"
He tossed Regret, which he had been holding, back to me.
Thanks to that, my master returned to my embrace and sent me a message.
- From the moment I checked that letter, I knew he was a black-hearted wretch beneath clean clothes, but I didn't expect him to be such filth. Where does this Deok-geun guy have even a shred of righteousness?
'I noticed it when he was whining to the young beggars about riding a tiger or spilled water, but even I didn't think he'd go this far.'
While exchanging a few words with my returned master like that.
Sharp words flew between Deok-geun and No Sam like sparks.
At some point, No Sam's leg scraped the ground and twisted at an angle.
As someone who had learned the Dragon Subduing Palm, I immediately understood what that stance meant.
'He's dead serious about beating him to death?'
But could he really engage in an intense fight with his internal injuries?
That was when.
The moment that worry crossed my mind.
Something flashed white near the Shanxi sub-branch wall.
A sturdy old beggar appeared, grabbing No Sam's shoulder.
Though it was our first meeting, I instantly recognized the man's identity.
'Iron Dog Manbok?'
He carried a staff made of Crystal Lush Green Bamboo, with nine knots tied at his waist—there was only one such beggar in the world.
'The Beggar's Sect Leader.'
And sure enough.
No Sam, fuming and trying to shake off the hand on his shoulder, let out a deflating sound, confirming my guess.
"...Huh? Leader?!"
The beggars surrounding the training ground crossed their arms over their chests in the Beggar's Sect salute.
"We greet the Leader!"
I also quickly formed a fist salute.
"Eon Yong-un of the Murim Academy..."
Manbok gave us a casual nod before closing the distance to Deok-geun in an instant with his mystical footwork that seemed to skim the ground.
And he swung the green staff he held.
Whoosh!!
Deok-geun freaked out and flailed his hands to block it.
But the swung staff traced a perfect 'Zhi' shape, evading Deok-geun's grasp and landing squarely on his head.
Crack!!!
It looked like a casual swing.
But try as I might, no clear way to block it came to mind.
Then, the identity of that staff technique flashed in my head.
'That's the Dog-Beating Staff Technique, isn't it?'
Dog-Beating Staff Technique.
The ultimate secret technique passed down only to sect leaders through generations, symbolizing the Beggar's Sect itself.
- Among them, it's the Strike on the Head to Awaken the Mind. Back when I faced off against that Beggar King bastard, it was exhausting, but hmph. Seeing it land on that filth's head feels pretty satisfying.
While I discussed the staff's opening move with my master like that.
Deok-geun clutched his bleeding forehead and protested toward Manbok.
"Why are you doing this?!"
To Deok-geun's protest, Manbok held out his staff and replied.
"Why are you doing this? Deok-geun, what is this?"
Of course, he didn't stop at words.
The Dog-Beating Staff Technique followed Manbok's words.
Thwack!
"It's the Dog-Beating Staff! How could I not know it's the divine emblem symbolizing the Leader's authority?! But even if you are the Leader, you can't treat a Seven-Pocket Beggar like me this way! As the only sub-branch leader granted Seven-Pocket status among them, how can you without going through the Enforcement Hall..."
Thwack!!
"Aaaack!!"
"Half right, half wrong. Yes, this is the Dog-Beating Staff. But whether you're a Seven-Pocket or Ten-Pocket Beggar, I can beat you."
Thwack!!!
"Ugh!"
"The Dog-Beating Staff was made to beat dog-like bastards from the start. That's why it's called Dog-Beating—the staff that catches dogs, right? You're that dog-like bastard, Deok-geun. No, worse than a dog?"
Thwack! Crack!! Thwack!!!
Under the relentless Dog-Beating Staff, Deok-geun turned into a bloody, bruised mess in an instant.
Especially his arms and right leg dangled in a pitiful state.
Yet, even in that state, he squeezed out words from his throat.
"This is oppression of the righteous faction! Know that the young beggars are watching!"
He seemed to be scheming to stop Manbok by leveraging the factional dynamics within the sect and holding the young beggars here hostage.
And for the moment, his ploy worked—Manbok halted his staff swing.
"Now that you mention it, it might look that way. Well, I don't know about the ones scattered elsewhere, but you here—speak up."
He scanned the surrounding young righteous beggars and spoke.
"If you still think the clarification procedure demanded of Eon Yong-un by the Shanxi sub-branch was justified, step forward one pace. If such a person exists, I'll stop my hand aimed at your sub-branch leader."
But no beggar stepped forward in response to Manbok's words.
Manbok's hand pointed toward the gate as he spoke again.
"Look at those two old beggars peeking from behind the wall by the gate."
My gaze naturally shifted there too.
Sure enough, two beggars had poked their heads out.
And behind them, about a dozen more beggars were visible.
"Enforcement Elder and Disciplinary Elder. This isn't just old beggars meddling—it's the Beggar's Sect's decision. Speak your minds freely. There will be no repercussions for opinions voiced here."
Yet again, no one stepped forward.
The young righteous beggars no longer sided with Deok-geun.
Manbok's halted Dog-Beating Staff began dancing once more.
"Motion rejected."
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
How long had Manbok's staff strikes continued?
At some point, Deok-geun foamed at the mouth and collapsed limply.
Having knocked Deok-geun out like that, Manbok slammed his Dog-Beating Staff into the training ground, clapped his hands clean, and spoke.
"I'm a beggar too, but if you ask me to name something utterly useless in the world, beggars would top the list. Do we produce a single grain of rice? Spin a single bolt of cloth? Clean clothes or dirty, we're still begging bastards in the end. But if that beggar pursues righteousness, he becomes a Beggar's Sect member."
Having opened like that, Manbok gazed at the encircling beggars.
"Thus, we must be righteous."
And he spoke again in a solemn voice.
"Begging itself is righteous, so a beggar's righteousness means knowing shame. Feel shame eating alms made from others' blood and sweat, spread the news until your feet blister if something happens that would keep the givers awake at night, and rise fiercely to fight."
Then, at some point.
His gaze fixed on me.
"But you forgot that and caused this mess, and instead, it came from the mouth of an outsider, Eon Yong-un. Know shame!"
Manbok pulled the Dog-Beating Staff from the training ground.
And pronounced judgment on the Shanxi sub-branch.
"Until further disposition is decided, all Shanxi sub-branch members will revert to White-Clothed Beggars. After strict investigation by the Enforcement Elders and disciples, final disposition will be determined through discussion with the Taiyuan branch!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Having issued the ironclad order to the Shanxi sub-branch beggars, Manbok approached me and spoke.
"On the way here, updated info said the Demonic Cult bastards were driven off for now, and the Yi estate is in mourning—is that right?"
"Yes."
"I was planning to pay condolences to the Yi estate, but stopped by the sub-branch first to confirm something before going. Saw this mess. I can hear the rest from you or Elder No. Coming along?"
"Sure."
Thus, excluding the Enforcement Elders and disciples staying at the sub-branch, I headed to the Yi estate with Leader Manbok at the fore, two elders, and ten disciples.
Along the way, Manbok peppered me with questions.
I shared what I knew and my thoughts with him.
How long had we walked?
"...Well. Let's handle that matter as you say, Yong-un."
"Thank you, Leader."
"I'm the one who should thank you—handing work to you when you're exhausted too."
No Sam cleared his throat awkwardly and spoke.
"Ahem. But Leader, when did you arrive?"
"Me? Around when Eon Yong-un was telling that bastard Complex to know shame?"
"From almost the beginning? Why didn't you stop it?"
"Why should I? The world's best show is watching a fight."
"......"
"......"
- ......
"What? Why look at me like that? I wasn't just stupidly watching! It was clear who was righteous, so I planned to step in if Yong-un got cornered! But the kid fought well?!"
Suddenly, the conversation arrow turned to me.
"Pulling out Dragon Subduing Palm was masterful, tiger-like guts, character too? When he spoke of other sects and shame, my jaw dropped. Come to think of it, No Sam, your eyes are sharp. As you said last time in Kaifeng, he's the real deal. So, Eon Yong-un!"
"Yes?"
"Ever thought of being a beggar? I think it's your calling."
Such words came out.
My master at my waist was dumbfounded.
- Beggar as calling? Is that praise or insult?
Even current beggar No Sam furrowed his brow.
"Why would he be a beggar? His maternal family is Taiyuan branch? And calling it a beggar's calling for a bright-future kid?!"
- Exactly! This No Sam has some conscience for a beggar! He even objectifies beggars properly!
Manbok tried to clarify it wasn't what he meant.
"No, that's not what I—"
But No Sam didn't ease his brow.
"Elder Shanxi Golden Peng is doting on his grandson unusually—I'm worried he might not even let the Eon kid return to the academy! So don't say such things at the Yi estate!"
"Got it, you punk!"
While bantering like that, we arrived at the Yi estate.
Manbok and No Sam had bickered the whole way.
But now, as Beggar's Sect business began, solemnity settled on their faces as if it never happened.
I had a servant at the front gate incense altar send word to the main hall, then led the ten Beggar's Sect members to the altar there.
My maternal great-uncle welcomed us upon arrival.
Since it was now Beggar's Sect proceedings, I quietly stepped aside.
Manbok bowed deeply toward the altar, then formed a fist salute to my great-uncle.
"This lowly beggar Manbok, who gained a slight reputation in the jianghu, offers condolences."
My great-uncle bowed his head toward Manbok.
"I am Yi Gil-hwan, who handled money in the commerce world. In this matter, Professor No Sam here and the Beggar's Sect's aid were immense. I planned to visit first once the household settles, but for the Leader to come in person—how to express gratitude?"
Manbok firmly shook his head toward my great-uncle.
"No. The Beggar's Sect bears responsibility for this incident. I've come to take it, so dispense with formalities. If possible, grant this old beggar a chance to apologize and discuss future matters?"
"Of course. Please come inside."
"With Northern Hubei Powerhouse ahead and my disciple here too, let's have the disciple join the talk."
The elders entered the inner chamber of the main hall.
While they conferred, I had my own task.
'The Shanxi sub-branch beggars.'
I recalled the conversation with Manbok on the way.
"What to do with the Shanxi sub-branch beggars?"
"Doesn't the sect have rules?"
"Yes. But it's not just for the sect to decide alone? I said final disposition after discussion with Taiyuan branch. You're the involved party, Yong-un—can't ignore your opinion."
"Ah."
"Anyway. Enforcement Hall investigation will find heavy culprits and ambiguous ones... Purging them isn't hard, but..."
"Blind purges aren't wise. In times like these, Black Dao or Demonic Cult might reach out?"
"And it'd drain Shanxi-savvy manpower. You see the big picture coldly, huh? At your age, I'd have boiled over recklessly, but you... perfect beggar—er, got it, No Sam, stop glaring!"
"Then leave it to me. I'll take responsibility and handle them."
"Handle?"
"Eon family kid, what do you mean handle? Ahem. Anyway, he has expertise in... treating? those types. Recall the Azure Bamboo Pavilion I managed."
"...Well. Let's do as you say then, Yong-un."
That was when.
As I reminisced, my classmates arrived looking for me.
"Brother Eon?! The one with you is the Beggar's Sect Leader? Really?!"
"He visited Wudang Mountain before, so I've met him. Yes, the Leader. But why together?"
"Hey, is that important now? More importantly, did the clarification go well?! Tell us that first!"
I calmed them with a palm outward and spoke first.
"That later. So-rung, go to the spare mourning clothes by the altar and get some white headbands."
"Yes!"
"Yong-myeong, you get red pigment from the mourning hall."
But Yong-myeong paused, brow furrowed.
"Why red pigment all of a sudden..."
Zhuge Seol-ja muttered blankly.
"Dip white headbands in red pigment? ...R-red hats?"
Then, Cheon Jang-ho, who moments ago demanded details on the clarification, clutched his stomach feigning illness.
"...Urk. Spoiled rice cake I picked up? Stomach suddenly!"
Led by him, the others paled.
I quickly corrected their misunderstanding.
"Not rolling you guys today, so relax."
And pointed toward the Shanxi sub-branch direction.
"Plenty of ones to roll have appeared."