Chapter 60: Perfect Counter
“Disciple! Where are you off to?!”
“I've learned everything already.”
“The Three Heavenly Rebirths of Human Knowledge is just a part of my enlightenment! There's even greater stuff!”
“Really?”
“……Y-Yes! Of course!”
“Not really feeling it.”
“Tell me what you want! I'll grant anything!”
“Then I'll think about it.”
“……If it's something I can do, I'll definitely make it happen.”
“Sure. See you.”
Jeong Gwang finally shook off the clinging Dang Gi-hwang and headed to the dining hall.
Hmm. No matter how I think about it, the Three Heavenly Rebirths seems like all there is.
Even if there wasn't much left, swapping it for a reward sounded like a decent deal.
Ah. That's not the point right now.
Jeong Gwang arrived at the dining hall and slipped into the kitchen unnoticed.
Scanning the interior with eagle eyes, he let out a quiet sigh.
It's all gone.
Had he come too early?
Numerous chefs were sweating profusely as they prepared the food.
Stealing from them unnoticed would be child's play, but he had no desire to do so.
Even dogs don't mess with someone eating, so how could a person steal from chefs in the midst of cooking?
What to do?
Rubbing his growling stomach in thought, Jeong Gwang realized the obvious solution.
Just go outside the Murim Alliance.
Leaving the kitchen, Jeong Gwang headed for the main gate but paused.
To eat meat outside, I'd have to change out of my Taoist robes.
And not to mention using a disguise charm.
All just to fill his belly—what a hassle.
Should I just chew on some grass?
As he pondered like a true Taoist for the first time in ages, his eyes lit up.
Two figures—no, two giants—were approaching him.
The big, handsome beggar Yu Jeong-pung greeted him with an awkward expression.
“Haha. Little brother. How've you been?”
“Same old. What's up?”
“Well, Master wants to see you, so I came to fetch you.”
“Huh? Since you're Jeong's little brother, your master must be the gang leader?”
“That's right. In the jianghu, he's known as the Flying Righteous Beggar.”
Jeong Gwang was impressed.
A righteous beggar flying through the skies!
What a cool yet utterly pathetic nickname!
The quiet, small, filthy old monk-beggar spoke up.
His sharp, raspy voice hinted at a nitpicky personality even before he said a word.
“Pleased to meet you. I'm Yang Hoe.”
“Hello.”
“Hmm. More polite than the rumors suggest.”
“Yeah.”
“……Some parts match the rumors, though.”
“So, what's this about?”
Yang Hoe scratched his chin and said,
“I'll get straight to the point. Do you want to inherit my master's insights?”
“Your master? Oh, the one who was nagging me. No.”
Yang Hoe's eyes widened slightly.
“……You're serious?”
“Yes.”
“……Why?”
He'd gotten the answer he wanted and could just leave.
But it was so baffling he had to ask for the reason.
He'd never imagined anyone rejecting a Ten Supremes' enlightenment.
Despite the long reasoning, Jeong Gwang's reply was concise.
“Don't need it.”
“……!”
“Can I ask you something too?”
“……Go ahead.”
“Know any good places to eat nearby? Somewhere with private rooms or a back garden.”
They say to ask beggars for the best food spots.
Beggars wandered every noodle shop, inn, and tavern begging without discrimination.
They knew not just the taste but the hygiene, freshness of ingredients, and even the chefs' and staff's personalities and generosity.
Besides, Henan Province, home to the Murim Alliance, was the Beggars' Sect's main headquarters—practically their front yard.
Decent places popped into Yang Hoe's mind one after another.
“Hmm. Based on your conditions…… Yimi Noodle Shop, Lianhua Inn, Manyxiang Tower—those should do.”
“Stayed at Lianhua Inn already, and Manyxiang Tower probably hasn't opened yet. Guess it's Yimi Noodle Shop.”
Muttering to himself, Jeong Gwang asked again.
“You guys hungry by any chance?”
Yang Hoe was a beggar.
The king of beggars, no less—the Beggars' Sect leader!
“Beggars are always hungry.”
“Knew it. Let's go.”
“Where?”
“Yimi Noodle Shop.”
The logical thing would be to run to Geol Jon and tell him Jeong Gwang had refused, so give up.
But for beggars, never refusing free food was the true way.
“Fine. Let's go.”
Yimi Noodle Shop wasn't a large establishment.
Yet its reputation was stellar, thanks to delicious food and the staff's excellent service.
Even with two beggars showing up.
“Welcome! Thank you for visiting Yimi Noodle Shop.”
The waiter bowed politely, and Jeong Gwang handed over some silver taels first.
“Hello. Private room, please.”
“You've descended to the mortal world, Immortal Sir. This way, please.”
“I'm not an immortal, though?”
“That's how you appear to these humble eyes.”
The excellent service grew even more so.
The immortal and two beggars entered a cozy private room and took their seats.
“Gang leader. What's good here? No—order whatever you want.”
“You're really treating us all?”
“Of course.”
“A man's word?”
“Worth a thousand gold.”
Yang Hoe, his raspy voice now tinged with excitement unlike his usual tone, rattled off a list of dishes.
Yu Jeong-pung chimed in.
“Little brother. Without liquor, won't the dishes feel slighted?”
“Go ahead.”
“As expected of you—such heroic spirit!”
Once the long order ended, the waiter left.
With nothing left to say, the three stared blankly at each other.
To break the awkward tension, Yu Jeong-pung spoke up.
“Little brother. I heard Dok Jon is passing his insights to you. What a tremendous opportunity. Congratulations.”
“Opportunity?”
“Of course. Who else in the current murim has such fortune?”
Jeong Gwang tilted his head.
“Is that so?”
“Haha. Feeling shy, eh? I get it. Not too overwhelming, is it?”
“It's done already.”
“……What did you just say?”
“I learned it all.”
Yu Jeong-pung's eyes widened.
Yang Hoe's did too.
He'd comprehended Dok Jon's insights in just two days.
Who would believe that?
Yang Hoe, in a good mood from the promise of good food, furrowed his brow.
I didn't realize he was such a braggart. Why does Master fancy this kid?
His martial arts were strong, as rumored.
He had incredible talent.
Even terrifying killing intent.
But…….
No great success comes from braggarts. They boast beyond their abilities because they know they'll never reach them.
Master must be senile. Wait, he already was.
Causing big and small incidents was par for the course, and mobilizing gang disciples for pointless “heroic acts” that gave everyone headaches was routine.
Even if the sect revered righteousness, at this rate, there'd be no disciples left.
No wonder the gang disciples openly avoided their Supreme Gang Leader.
As Yang Hoe frowned thinking of Geol Jon, Yu Jeong-pung sent a transmission.
—Master. Little brother isn't lying.
—You call that believable?
—He's a bit rude, but not one to spout nonsense. Hear him out.
—Hmm.
With Yang Hoe's silent approval, Yu Jeong-pung spoke.
“Listen, little brother. It's not that I don't believe you, but it's astonishing. Could you explain in detail?”
Just then, the waiter brought in liquor and dishes, setting them on the table.
“Enjoy your meal.”
“Thanks.”
As the waiter left, Yu Jeong-pung asked again.
“Come on, tell us. I'm dying to know.”
“Hmm. There's something more important first……”
“What?”
“You have to keep this a secret. Brother Yu's master—is he tight-lipped?”
“……!”
Asking if the man himself was discreet, right in front of him.
As Yang Hoe's eyebrow twitched, Yu Jeong-pung jumped in desperately.
“Of course. He's the Flying Righteous Beggar, after all.”
“If he's really tight-lipped, I can't say.”
“……His body may be light, but his lips are heavier than Mount Tai.”
Jeong Gwang's gaze turned to Yang Hoe.
“Gang leader. Can I trust you?”
Yang Hoe barely restrained himself from whacking Jeong Gwang with his ta-gu-bong.
It might be something truly important.
“……I won't tell a soul. Speak.”
“A man's word?”
“Haa…… Worth a thousand gold.”
At those words, Jeong Gwang grinned.
“Then dig in.”
“……What?”
Jeong Gwang started eating heartily.
It wasn't the grass the thoughtful waiter had placed before the Taoist Jeong Gwang.
It was meat dripping with oil.
Watching in bewilderment at the bizarre antics, Yang Hoe finally asked,
“I promised to keep your secret, so why aren't you talking?”
“This is the secret.”
“……?”
Jeong Gwang even poured himself a cup of liquor.
“Me eating meat and drinking. Don't tell anyone.”
“……!”
Yang Hoe's face flushed red.
This is what he calls a secret?!
He'd thought it was something huge, given Jeong Gwang's hot topic status, but just meat and booze?
Even Yu Jeong-pung was dumbfounded.
“Little brother. You ate and drank freely when we first met. Why the act today?”
“Figured the gang leader's old and stuffy…… conservative.”
“…….”
Yu Jeong-pung rolled his eyes toward Yang Hoe.
His puffed-up cheeks showed he was beyond furious.
—Master. Little brother's rude, but no malice…….
—If he'd spoken with malice, I'd be vomiting blood and dead by now!
Yang Hoe was truly enraged.
Who had ever treated the Beggars' Sect leader like this?
To think I'd live to see such a disrespectful brat. How did a prestigious sect like Kunlun end up with…… Wait.
His eyes widened slightly.
No. They do have one. They do!
He thought of his master, Geol Jon.
A bratty kid and a senile old coot.
The bratty kid had no interest in the senile coot's enlightenment.
The senile coot wanted to pass his enlightenment to the bratty kid.
Pair them up?
A picture formed in his mind.
The insolent kid mouthing off and the furious old coot trembling in rage!
Where else in the world was there such a perfect counter?
Master won't back down anyway. If I force it with gang leader authority, he'll cause another mess.
Better to let him brag about it openly.
If that kid boasts like he did about Dok Jon—mastering the insights in two days…….
The old man might collapse from anger.
At least the sect and Yang Hoe would have some peace for a while.
Let them suffer a bit.
Yang Hoe smiled and picked up his chopsticks.
“Mmm. Delicious. Jeong-pung, eat up.”
“Ah, yes.”
The two beggars began devouring the food ravenously.
Jeong Gwang eyed Yang Hoe suspiciously.
Look at that. He's plotting something.
From that earlier look and expression, it was clearly nothing good for him.
Related to Geol Jon, probably. What is it?
Jeong Gwang soon shook his head.
Whatever. If they pick a fight, he'd smash them.
Wait. That!
Staring at Yang Hoe with a cold smile, Jeong Gwang suddenly shouted.
“Gang leader! Dog hair falling from your sleeve! It'll get all over the food!”
“W-What?”
“You smack them with ta-gu-bong arts, right? Perfect for catching dogs.”
With his belly full, Jeong Gwang returned to the Kunlun Sect lodging in high spirits.
It wasn't that his junior brother Baek Seung-mu was happy to see him—rather, he approached with a suspicious look.
“Senior brother. Where have you been?”
“At the Tang family lodging. Why?”
“A guest came looking for you. Said you were at the Tang lodging, but you'd already left.”
What kind of tactless guest was this?
Why bring up useless details?
At least he wasn't prying, probably thinking he'd gone sightseeing.
“Who?”
Before Baek Seung-mu could answer, Heo Cheong's door opened.
“Jeong Gwang. Come here.”
“Yes, Master.”
Inside the room were Heo Cheong and a slender middle-aged man.
With three long spears propped beside him, he was clearly from the Shandong Yue family.
“Greet him. This is the Shandong Yue family's Quick Heart Flash Spear, Great Hero Ak.”
“Hello.”
“Great hero? Call me Ak Hyeong-ik. Honored to meet the Jade Jade Dragon. Haha!”
He seemed as cheerful as his nickname suggested.
The guy who visited at Lianhua Inn and dined with Master.
They hadn't spoken, but Jeong Gwang remembered the face.
Did this guy come because of Spear Venerable?
Sure enough.
Ak Hyeong-ik sighed.
“Sigh. To be honest, my uncle's been hounding me so much I came to see you, Jade Jade Dragon.”
“Spear Venerable?”
“Yes. He's throwing a fit, insisting on passing his insights to you. I was originally going to ask you to refuse.”
“Not anymore?”
Ak Hyeong-ik grinned.
“Thought of a better way.”