Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Zhangsa's Beggars and Informants
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Leaving the Huangbo Clan, the first place Seol Hwa-un headed to was the marketplace in Zhangsa.
Perhaps due to the conflict between the Sasa Heavenly Gate and the Huangbo Clan, there were few pedestrians on the streets, and the atmosphere hung heavy.
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un scanned the streets carefully. Then he walked toward a beggar huddled in a corner, covered with a straw mat, pretending to sleep.
“I know you’re not asleep, so stop it and get up.”
“…….”
“Should I make you?”
Rustle.
“Ugh.”
The beggar finally reacted. He rubbed his eyes as if he’d just woken up and slowly rose to his feet.
“Yawn!”
Stretching languidly, he only then seemed to notice Seol Hwa-un, his eyes flashing.
Seol Hwa-un chuckled softly.
‘He’s trying hard.’
“Oh! Little brother. Have you come to bestow grace upon this Little Harmonizer?”
Clink.
A single silver ingot dropped into his begging bowl.
“Ohhh!”
The beggar hurriedly picked it up and bit into it.
“R-real silver! Little brother! You’ll be blessed!”
“Cut the nonsense and guide me to the Beggar Sect’s Zhangsa branch hall.”
The beggar looked puzzled.
“B-Beggar Sect? Little brother, there seems to be a misunderstanding. Not all beggars belong to the Beggar Sect…….”
“I know not all beggars are with the Beggar Sect. But.”
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes sharpened.
“A beggar practicing martial arts, constantly glancing around—especially watching me closely while pretending to sleep. That’s enough to call you a Beggar Sect disciple, isn’t it?”
The beggar could no longer deny it, his eyes widening.
“If you’re a disciple but hiding even the obligatory greetings, it must be to avoid detection by the unorthodox sects. Am I wrong?”
Admiration crossed the beggar’s face.
“They call you the North Heavenly Dragon for a reason. Impressive indeed. The Little Palace Lord was right. But why do you wish to go to our Zhangsa branch hall?”
“To meet the branch leader.”
The beggar burst into laughter.
“I’m the branch leader. Allow me a proper introduction. I am Ok Cheong-gae, leader of the Zhangsa branch hall.”
“Interesting. So the branch leader himself was watching me?”
Ok Cheong-gae gave a wry smile.
“With an opponent like you, no ordinary disciple could tail you without being spotted. Of course, even I got caught cleanly.”
“…….”
“You’ve shown sharp insight, so now it’s my turn. The reason the Little Palace Lord seeks me out—isn’t it because of the assassination attempt at the Huangbo Clan?”
“You hear things quickly.”
“We are the Beggar Sect, after all. We have to know that much. But…….”
Seol Hwa-un cut him off.
“I don’t need the Beggar Sect’s information on that incident.”
Ok Cheong-gae’s eyes widened.
“……Huh?”
“It probably doesn’t differ much from what the Huangbo Clan already knows, does it?”
“W-well…….”
“The Beggar Sect’s intelligence in Hunan Province has its limits, since you can’t operate freely here. I came to ask about something else.”
Stabbed right in the weakness, Ok Cheong-gae couldn’t hide his fluster.
‘He read even that? What kind of person is he……!’
Deflated, he asked,
“Then what exactly do you want to know?”
Seol Hwa-un’s gaze deepened.
“General information on the Hao Gate.”
Ok Cheong-gae flinched, looking troubled.
“That information…….”
“It would be wise to cooperate with me. Unless you want to be completely driven out of Zhangsa.”
“……!”
The words carried layers of meaning.
“And one more thing—where is the Hao Gate’s Zhangsa branch?”
* * *
Dabok Inn.
This rundown inn in a back alley of Zhangsa was small but always had loyal regulars.
However, the owner’s laziness meant it closed as soon as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Patrons always begged for longer hours, but he’d snap that they shouldn’t come if they didn’t like it, leaving them no choice.
The customers weren’t the bosses; the owner was. Yet the food was so exceptional that they kept coming despite the rudeness.
As the evening dusk settled,
Dabok Inn’s young errand boy, Little Ho, gazed at the sky and muttered,
“Time to close up?”
Just then, a young man entered the inn. He unconsciously frowned.
‘Closing time already…….’
“Sorry, sir, but our shop…….”
Before Little Ho could say they were closed, the young man quickly held out a silver ingot.
“Could you bring some simple noodles and dumplings? The rest is yours.”
“……!”
One silver ingot was worth forty copper coins, leaving thirty-seven even after the food.
‘What luck!’
But Little Ho kept his composure and said,
“It’s closing time, but I can’t turn away a new customer. Have a seat wherever you like.”
He swiftly pocketed the silver from Seol Hwa-un’s hand without missing a beat.
Seol Hwa-un chuckled and looked around the inn.
Worn chairs and tables. The wooden floor was so old it seemed it might give way if stepped on wrong.
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un took a seat at a table in the corner. Soon, voices arguing came from the kitchen.
“What? We’re closing, and you take an order?”
“Come on, cut me some slack! He’s a close friend who’s been starving! I’ll pay, so make it quick.”
“Ridiculous. Since when do you have friends, Little Ho?”
“A friend from when I was little! Happy now?”
“……Fine, I’ll deduct double your monthly pay.”
“You heartless owner!”
“Huh, double deduction, and you’re not canceling? How much did he give you?”
Little Ho flinched and yelled,
“Y-you’re so picky! I’ll make it and quit! Noodles and dumplings aren’t that hard!”
“Hmph, do as you like.”
As if truly leaving it to him, the owner emerged from the kitchen. Surprisingly young and quite handsome.
He glanced at Seol Hwa-un sitting there and scowled.
“Friend? Little Ho, he looks at least five years older than you. At least make your lies believable!”
Little Ho was too busy preparing the food to retort. But he seemed to have picked up a few tricks over the shoulder, and it looked decent enough.
“That little punk was thinking of going independent.”
The owner spoke to Seol Hwa-un with an annoyed expression.
“Eat quick and go. It’s closing time.”
“You sure it’s okay if I leave?”
“Of course. I’m the type to rest when the sun sets. You’re making me late for quitting time.”
“No way. Isn’t it because you have other business at night? This inn is just a front anyway.”
The owner furrowed his brow.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You know who I am…… Nice to meet you, Branch Chief Jo.”
The owner’s blank expression shifted as realization dawned, and he muttered,
“……Damn. You didn’t come to the Beggar Sect for their info—you came here for ours?”
“Sharp as ever. Fitting for the Hao Gate’s Vice Sect Leader.”
The owner gave a wry smile.
“Dealing with the Beggar Sect’s Hunan branch made me underestimate them. I didn’t think you knew this much.”
Resigned, he moved to sit across from Seol Hwa-un.
“One correction: I’m not the Vice Sect Leader—just one of many candidates.”
“Is that so? I heard you were a strong contender.”
“We’ll see.”
The owner fixed Seol Hwa-un with a piercing gaze.
‘Impressive indeed. Such depth and judgment at that age.’
It was hard to believe this youth was six years younger.
He clasped his hands politely.
“Pleased to meet you, North Heavenly Dragon. I am Jo Il-pyeong, chief of the Hao Gate’s Zhangsa branch.”
“Pleased.”
“You came to see me because of the incident at the Huangbo Clan?”
“You know well. Yes. As the branch chief knows, the Beggar Sect isn’t effective here.”
Jo Il-pyeong felt a flicker of pride.
It was praise for the Hao Gate—said to rival the Beggar Sect in intelligence—over the Beggar Sect itself.
‘No, that’s not it.’
Regaining his senses, Jo Il-pyeong spoke cautiously.
“We do have information that neither the Huangbo Clan nor the Beggar Sect possesses. But we can’t hand it over to you.”
“I’m willing to pay any price for the information.”
Jo Il-pyeong shook his head.
“It’s not about money. If you’ve figured out I’m the branch chief, you must know our situation. We have very close ties with Hunan’s unorthodox sects.”
“…….”
“Providing this info would make them suspect us for sure. As you know, our sect lacks power, so we’d be at their mercy. It’s a matter of the Zhangsa branch’s survival. I’m sorry I can’t help.”
Unexpectedly, Seol Hwa-un nodded readily.
“I see. I understand your position, Branch Chief.”
“……?”
‘He accepts it this easily?’
Just then, Little Ho brought the food.
“Food’s here!”
Ignoring the seated Jo Il-pyeong, he set it before Seol Hwa-un.
“Hehe, hope it suits your taste.”
“Thanks.”
Seol Hwa-un looked at Jo Il-pyeong and said,
“Since it’s out, I’ll eat before I go.”
“G-go ahead.”
Seol Hwa-un lifted the noodles with chopsticks. Freshly made, steam rose vigorously.
“Too hot.”
Blowing on them with a “hoo,”
Crackle!!
His breath didn’t just cool the noodles—the entire table froze solid.
“……!”
Startled, Jo Il-pyeong jumped up and backed away. Seol Hwa-un muttered nonchalantly,
“Oh dear, it froze too much.”
He blew again.
“Hoo.”
Whoosh!
Hot energy poured out this time, thawing only the noodles and dumplings precisely. Soon, the food was perfectly tempered.
“Perfect.”
Seol Hwa-un smiled in satisfaction and began eating.
‘Unbelievable!’
Jo Il-pyeong was a first-rate expert himself, but he’d never heard or seen anything like this.
Using internal energy with just breath was shocking enough, but wielding opposing energies—icy yin and blazing yang—so freely.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
‘Refusing info, so he’s showing force?’
The Hao Gate had gathered plenty on Seol Hwa-un. His arrival in Hunan wouldn’t escape the branch chief’s notice.
‘The North Heavenly Dragon is known as upright, unlike most Outer Realm folk. I thought he’d understand if I was honest…….’
His mind raced.
‘My guards can’t match him, and even all the branch together wouldn’t. Should I sacrifice myself to save the branch?’
As his face darkened, Seol Hwa-un finished eating.
“Delicious. A bit overcooked, but not bad for an errand boy’s work.”
He stood immediately.
“I’d hoped for help, but oh well. See you around.”
As Seol Hwa-un left without hesitation, color returned to Jo Il-pyeong’s face.
‘G-good! He’s just leaving?’
At the inn’s entrance, Seol Hwa-un paused.
“By the way.”
“……?”
Turning, he stared at Jo Il-pyeong.
“You know my ties to the Huangbo Clan?”
“Roughly…….”
“You know my temperament too. I won’t let the Huangbo Clan be like this. I even suspect ‘that incident’ was the Sasa Heavenly Gate’s doing.”
Jo Il-pyeong’s face hardened.
‘What is he planning……’
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“Suddenly I wonder—what will happen to the Hao Gate branch once the Sasa Heavenly Gate, center of Hunan’s unorthodox sects, is gone?”