Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Good Teacher, Beneficial Friend
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Only then did Han Ibi realize that these were the supreme masters known throughout the martial world as the Heavenly Five Tyrant Dragons of the Murim Alliance.
At that moment, the monk clasped his hands together and addressed Han Ibi's group.
"Congratulations on becoming the Little Five Tyrant Dragons. I am Zayun of Shaolin Temple."
He was the picture of a typical martial monk, with dark, weathered skin and a sturdy, muscular build.
The whiny young man from Huashan Sect who had just begged for an introduction—Sopyeong—quickly chimed in.
"Congratulations, everyone. I'm Yang Sopyeong of Huashan Sect."
He had a boyish face that could pass for a youth's, paired with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Next came a soft, melodic voice.
"Nice to meet you all."
Her words instantly captivated the Little Five Tyrant Dragons.
"I'm Gi Serim of Kunlun Sect. Let's get along well."
She was a healthy beauty with an egg-shaped face and toned, subtle muscles throughout her body.
Next was a man dressed in Taoist robes similar to Yang Jae's, his tall, imposing stature immediately drawing the eye.
"I'm Baek Geonyu of Wudang Sect."
And then...
There was clearly one more person, but he seemed lost in thought and said nothing.
Unable to stand it any longer, Gi Serim smiled and spoke up.
"He's a bit prickly by nature. That's Seon Mujae, the great hero of the Beggars' Sect."
At that point, Chae Geukik spoke.
"Alright, everyone must be starving, so let's do the Little Five Tyrant Dragons introductions over dinner. Especially you Heavenly Five Tyrant Dragons—please take a good, close look at our young heroes."
Han Ibi was astonished.
A round table large enough to seat all these people at once!
It was no ordinary scale, that was for sure.
And so the meal proceeded in a warm, cheerful atmosphere for a good while.
It wasn't quite on the level of the delicacies from the Black Devil Hand Lodge, but they had clearly put some real effort into it.
Suddenly curious, Han Ibi asked,
"By the way, why exactly do they hold events like this?"
The assembled heroes gave him puzzled looks.
Bang Gwangsil explained,
"Young hero Jongli comes from Qingcheng Sect, so he's not up on Murim Alliance news."
Baek Geonyu of Wudang Sect added,
"I see. Qingcheng Sect isn't even part of the Murim Alliance—how did you end up as one of the Little Five Tyrant Dragons?"
A woman's voice cut in sharply.
"Who cares how. It happened, didn't it?"
It was Gi Serim of Kunlun Sect. She continued,
"Young hero Jongli probably hasn't heard of it, but... this acquaintance ceremony is all about fostering close cooperation and communication between sects. We went through it ourselves a long time ago. A few have changed since then, of course..."
Baek Geonyu of Wudang interrupted,
"No need for all that complicated talk. Let's keep it simple. Listen up."
Han Ibi turned to Baek Geonyu.
"One person here will become your guiding mentor. Not exactly like a master, though."
Han Ibi asked in surprise,
"Pardon?"
"You can train however you like, but the evaluation won't be so free."
Han Ibi tilted his head and asked,
"So we're competing again?"
Gi Serim replied,
"What can we do? It's a pity..."
She wore an expression like she might burst into tears any second. It was impossible to tell if it was genuine or an act.
Han Ibi asked,
"A pity?"
Gi Serim said,
"Of course. In a year, when you all meet again, you'll have to fight each other to the death."
Han Ibi thought to himself,
'Hmm. It's like a mentorship system. Dramatic growth for the Little Five Tyrant Dragons, plus exchange between sects. A brilliant idea.'
Right now, inside Huashan Sect's secret chamber, Meng Gapsun and the Heavenly Five Tyrant Dragons were holding a meeting.
It was fierce. Incredibly fierce.
Each member of the Heavenly Five Tyrant Dragons had to find a promising talent who could benefit their sect.
They must have received priority lists from their sect leaders before being dispatched.
Having seen enough backroom politics to make him sick, Han Ibi could guess it without even hearing.
How cutthroat the underhanded dealings must be.
Han Ibi mused,
'Humans really are political animals... Get three or more together, and politics begins.'
Bang!
Finally, the secret chamber door opened.
Some of the Heavenly Five Tyrant Dragons looked pleased, others dissatisfied, and some expressionless.
Han Ibi couldn't care less how it shook out.
But the other Little Five Tyrant Dragons seemed anxious, watching to see who their patron would be.
Meng Gapsun announced,
"The patrons for the Little Five Tyrant Dragons have been decided."
The Little Five Tyrant Dragons' eyes sparkled.
Meng Gapsun continued,
"A patron is different from a master. But... within the bounds of each sect's rules, they can pass on martial arts and other information. Treat them with the respect due an emperor, father, or master."
"Yes!"
The Little Five Tyrant Dragons replied loudly.
Meng Gapsun said,
"Now for the announcements. Hwangryong Dang Baekmun!"
"Yes."
"Sichuan Tang Clan will pair with Yang Sopyeong of Huashan Sect."
Yang Sopyeong approached and said,
"Looking forward to it, Baekmun."
Dang Baekmun replied awkwardly,
"Ah, yes. An honor, Great Hero Yang."
Three more pairings followed in the same vein.
Wudang Sect's Yang Jae with Kunlun Sect's Gi Serim.
Shaolin's Hyejeong with Wudang's Baek Geonyu.
Huashan Sect's Bang Gwangsil with Shaolin's Zayun.
They had their own power dynamics, apparently.
Not my problem.
So...
Han Ibi said,
"Naturally, I'll be with the Beggars' Sect's great hero."
Unlike the other patrons, who showed fondness for their assigned Little Five Tyrant Dragons, Seon Mujae looked utterly disinterested.
Come to think of it, he had been the quietest among the Heavenly Five Tyrant Dragons.
With no reaction from Seon Mujae, Han Ibi had no choice but to approach him.
"Great Hero Seon. Looking forward to working with you."
But Seon Mujae merely glanced him over and gave the faintest nod.
Han Ibi felt a surge of irritation.
But then it hit him.
No one wanted to sponsor the Little Five Tyrant Dragon from lowly Qingcheng Sect...
Han Ibi thought,
'This guy's the least interested, so he got stuck with me. Whatever. Doesn't matter to me. I need to wrap this up quick and rejoin Jongli Hyeok. Gotta get home too...'
Another thought crossed his mind.
'Well, positivity is key. The Beggars' Sect has incredible information networks. Might learn something about the Evil Spirit Lord's whereabouts or the Zhongli Clan attackers. Could be a good thing.'
Meng Gapsun spoke then.
"This concludes the Murim Alliance's official event. Sects can handle things from here. We'll notify you separately about next year's sparring date."
And just like that...
It really ended.
After bidding farewell to the other sect members, Han Ibi followed Seon Mujae.
With his bushy hair and ragged clothes, he looked every bit the typical beggar.
If you ignored his razor-sharp features and piercing gaze, that is.
In appearance, he was a far cry from the refined beggar brothers Mun Wonbi and Mun Wonwol.
Seon Mujae remained silent for a long stretch.
Unable to bear it, Han Ibi finally spoke.
"This is right, me following you, Great Hero Seon?"
Seon Mujae glanced back briefly and said,
"Yes."
No further explanation.
Han Ibi followed wordlessly, and another half shichen passed.
Growing uneasy, Han Ibi asked,
"Can't we just go our separate ways?"
Seon Mujae turned with an annoyed look.
"What?"
Han Ibi said,
"I knew you didn't want to pair with me."
"You knew?"
"Of course. It was written all over your face."
"I hate troublesome things."
"Perfect. I hate them too."
Han Ibi stopped walking and said,
"So let's part ways here."
Seon Mujae replied,
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I have to bring you to the Gang Leader."
"The Gang Leader?"
But instead of answering, Seon Mujae strode off again.
A clear signal: don't ask annoying questions.
Han Ibi gave up and followed.
The Beggars' Sect headquarters was in the Tianjin region.
From Huashan Sect, that meant crossing Shanxi and Hebei Provinces.
How many days had it been?
To endure the boring journey with Seon Mujae, Han Ibi threw himself into training at inns along the way.
There was nothing else to do.
Zhongxing Inn, near Anping in southern Hubei Province.
This was tonight's lodging.
Having finally reached Hubei, Han Ibi was inwardly thrilled that the tedious trip was nearing its end.
As the sun dipped low, the two pushed open the Zhongxing Inn's doors.
The waiter wrinkled his nose.
A familiar pattern. Waiters never welcomed beggars.
But then Seon Mujae pulled out "silver" from his pocket, and attitudes changed.
Money and beggars coexisting...
It meant one thing.
The shrewd waiters saw past stereotypes, noting the eight-knotted sash at his waist.
Today was no different.
The waiter's contempt flipped to respect as he fawned,
"Heh heh heh. You're honored guests! Come in, welcome."
They took seats at a table and ordered grilled chicken.
Starving, Han Ibi eagerly awaited his food, tongue dancing in anticipation.
Then.
A commotion erupted at the inn entrance.
Han Ibi turned to see another beggar.
A blind old man, at that.
The cause was obvious.
The old man insisting on entering, and the waiter desperately blocking him.
The block seemed justified.
The foul stench wafting from the old man threatened to mix with the food aromas and induce vomiting.
Already, several guests were frowning at the scene.
Suddenly, Seon Mujae flicked his finger, sending something flying.
Whoosh.
Startled, Han Ibi caught it.
Incredibly, a single tael of silver.
No small sum.
Han Ibi asked puzzled,
"Why give this to me...?"
Seon Mujae slurped his pork broth and said,
"They'd look at me weird. You do it."
"Me?"
Seon Mujae slammed his bowl down.
In that instant, Han Ibi grasped his intent.
Han Ibi shot to his feet, strode to the center, and declared,
"This young master is in an exceptionally fine mood today."
And then...
Shing-.
He tossed the silver at the struggling waiter.
The startled waiter snatched it midair.
Han Ibi said,
"I need to rack up some merit to reach paradise. I'll treat this poor beggar to a meal."
Some guests looked displeased.
Han Ibi clapped twice—clap clap—and said,
"And premium liquor for every guest here, on this young master's tab. Sound good, everyone?"
Murmurs and cheers rose from the guests.
Drunkards offered toasts in thanks.
"My, that young master's handsome in face and heart alike."
"Sure is. Lives up to his looks."
No one turns down free drinks.
With passage granted the hard way, the old man shuffled in, tapping his staff.
Han Ibi whistled sharply and called,
"Over here, elder. I'll buy you one. Already treating one ragged fellow."
Seon Mujae's glare intensified.
But Han Ibi ignored it and added,
"No need to hold back."
The old man slowly made his way toward the voice.
(To be continued next time)