Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Little Beggar
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Suddenly, he stopped right in front of Han Ibi, as if he could actually see him.
"Thank you kindly, young master."
"What, isn't this a world where we all live together?"
The old man reached out, fumbling until he found the chair, then sat down.
He spoke in a very quiet voice.
"Protector Ha No-eun of the Anpyeong Branch of the Beggar Clan humbly greets Elder Seon for the first time."
With that, the old man subtly revealed the hidden four-knot seal.
Seon Mu-jae said,
"Keep your voice down."
The old man bowed his head and replied,
"Yes."
"And..."
"Please speak, Elder."
"...It's a bit awkward to say this between us, but you should bathe once in a while. Situations like today could arise. Well, our Beggar Clan has changed a lot from the old days anyway."
Though it could have been embarrassing, the old man showed no change in expression.
"Understood."
Seon Mu-jae said,
"Have you looked into the matter requested through the sub-branch leader?"
Ha No-eun nodded slightly.
Just then, the waiter brought another plate of stir-fried vegetables.
Ha No-eun suddenly shoved the vegetables into his mouth while speaking loudly.
"Oh my, young master. Thank you. You'll be blessed for this."
Han Ibi chimed in.
"No need to thank me for something like this. Stay healthy for many more years, old timer."
The voices were loud, but paradoxically, it drew people's attention away.
It just looked like a rich young master showing mercy to a blind beggar.
Suddenly, Ha No-eun said,
"Is it alright to talk here?"
A wariness toward Han Ibi's presence.
Seon Mu-jae glanced at Han Ibi and said,
"No problem."
Reassured, Ha No-eun opened his mouth.
"The creation of jiangshi is officially prohibited. The Jinju Yan Clan hasn't produced any for decades either."
Seon Mu-jae said,
"But in the last two months, there have been a large number of disappearances in Hubei Province. The Sect Leader's order concerns exactly that."
The old man nodded and said,
"That's right. So the disciples of the Anpyeong Branch, from the branch leader on down, have been running around investigating. We actually expected you a bit earlier."
Seon Mu-jae glanced at Han Ibi and said,
"Well, I had some forgotten business, so I got suddenly summoned to the Murim Alliance. I was delayed because of it."
Ha No-eun smiled faintly.
"For an elder of the Beggar Clan, troublesome matters like that are a daily occurrence."
With that, he handed over a scrap of paper.
Seon Mu-jae quietly took it and tucked it into his robe.
"You've worked hard."
Ha No-eun bowed in thanks.
"No need... By the way, how many disciples should we mobilize? The Anpyeong Branch is no small outfit—we've got plenty of capable martial artists."
Seon Mu-jae shook his head.
"No need. I work alone."
Ha No-eun couldn't hide his shock.
"But Elder Seon..."
Seon Mu-jae said,
"I'll request support if needed. Say no more."
"Understood."
After that, Ha No-eun quietly finished his food and left.
Han Ibi and Seon Mu-jae then rose and headed up to the second floor, where the guest rooms were.
The moment they parted ways to their respective rooms,
Seon Mu-jae said,
"Not cluttering your mind with unnecessary stories is a wisdom of life. That's my first lesson to you."
A warning to forget what he'd heard.
Han Ibi said,
"Don't worry. I have no hobby of getting involved in pointless affairs."
"Good."
Seon Mu-jae nodded and entered his room first.
Han Ibi thought,
'What a complicated character. Best not to get tangled up with him.'
It was then.
An ominous tone brushed past his ear.
Assist Beggar Clan Elder Seon Mu-jae in completing the Sect Leader's special order.
🎁 Reward 1: Internal Energy +20, Strength +20, Agility +30, Wisdom +15, Charm +10, Reputation +5
🎁 Reward 2: Obtain a clue related to the Evil Spirit Lord
🎁 Reward 3: Unknown reward
'Oh no, please...'
But the system showed no mercy today either.
'This can't be. A quest popping up right now is hard enough to swallow, but a main quest?'
Han Ibi's mind grew complicated.
'I was worried we'd strayed too far from the original story, but a main quest appearing means we're not completely off track. That said... Reward 2 is pretty tempting.'
Han Ibi entered his room for now.
He paced the narrow space, formulating a plan.
First, he needed to monitor Seon Mu-jae.
From their earlier conversation, it was clear he had no intention of involving him in the mission.
So, the very classic but reliable method of tailing him was the only option.
'Ugh, this isn't the time for that.'
Han Ibi cracked the door open slightly and began watching Seon Mu-jae's room.
"Ah~ yawn."
Han Ibi yawned without realizing it.
Night was falling, but Seon Mu-jae's door showed no sign of opening.
Han Ibi muttered,
"Looks like no action tonight... Starting to get hungry, though."
It was then.
Squeak... squeak...
Footsteps echoed in the hallway.
They were trying hard to be quiet, but the inn's old wooden floor betrayed the intruder's presence without filter.
Han Ibi closed the door a bit more and peered through the crack.
A little longer, and a dark shape began to emerge.
'A person!'
Yes.
Looking around cautiously, it was unmistakably human.
With the sun set and darkness fallen, Han Ibi activated the 'Night Vision Technique' from his Eagle's Eye Technique.
Suddenly, a green infrared-like view lit up.
'Huh?'
Han Ibi tilted his head.
Due to the unexpected appearance of the figure before him.
Yes.
It was a beggar.
A boy beggar, no less.
A young beggar with his face caked in grime!
Han Ibi grimaced.
'Why did I suddenly end up in beggar territory...'
The boy beggar seemed to be searching for something.
There were three rooms total in this hallway.
The boy beggar peeked at the two rooms, including Seon Mu-jae's, before slowly approaching Han Ibi's door.
Han Ibi hesitated—should he close the door and hide?
But he quickly changed his mind, flung the door open, and shouted,
"Who is it?"
The startled young beggar prepared to flee.
But Han Ibi instantly shot out his hand and grabbed the boy's wrist.
However...
"Huh!"
Han Ibi let out a sharp cry without thinking.
The boy's arm had dodged his grab, shrinking back momentarily in evasion.
'He knows martial arts. But I've got a way.'
Han Ibi activated his Eight Trigrams Steps and leaped out, swiftly taking three steps.
This forced the boy's body to turn around involuntarily.
Seizing the opening,
Grab!
He finally succeeded in gripping the boy's wrist.
Han Ibi said,
"I asked who you are."
The boy cried out,
"Ow ow! That hurts!"
Han Ibi grinned.
"Hey, pretending to be a kid won't work. You practice martial arts."
Han Ibi twisted the captured arm.
Surprisingly, a rebound force generated at the wrist, snapping it back to position.
Amazed, Han Ibi shouted,
"Impressive technique."
But Han Ibi applied even more force, bending the joint.
The boy finally submitted.
"Ow! Why are you doing this out of nowhere?"
Han Ibi said,
"Why's a beggar sneaking into an inn at night? Here to steal or spy?"
"Steal? Who would I— Ow! I'm no petty thief."
Han Ibi smirked.
"Then why were you prowling the guest rooms like a stray cat?"
The boy scowled.
"I was just... just looking for someone."
"Oh ho, is that so? Who?"
Even then, the boy beggar quickly scanned Han Ibi and said,
"At least it's not you, so mind your own business."
Han Ibi said,
"Hmm... A young beggar who knows martial arts sneaks into an inn at midnight looking for someone... Yeah, totally ordinary stuff."
"It's true... Aaa! I said it's true. Let go and talk."
"Fine."
Han Ibi suddenly released the boy's arm.
The unbalanced boy staggered, nearly falling.
But he quickly regained his footing, planting his stance and standing tall like a weed.
Seeing this, Han Ibi said,
"Excellent lightness skill. Solid foundation."
"You're really ridiculous."
"Not as ridiculous as you popping up out of nowhere. Now that I've let go, talk. Who are you looking for?"
"Hmph. Even if I told you, what would you know? When I meet him, I'll tell him to beat you all night, so watch out."
Then, noticing the boy's beggar garb, a thought struck Han Ibi.
"Are you looking for Great Hero Seon, by any chance?"
The boy beggar's eyes flickered momentarily.
Han Ibi said,
"You're with the Beggar Clan, aren't you?"
The young beggar looked somewhat surprised.
Han Ibi smiled.
"If you'd said so earlier... I would've taken you straight to Great Hero Seon."
With that, Han Ibi knocked on Seon Mu-jae's door.
"Great Hero Seon! Great Hero Seon! Sorry for the late hour. Are you asleep?"
He waited, but there was no response.
'It's definitely not bedtime yet.'
Han Ibi tilted his head and knocked harder.
Still silence.
Only then did Han Ibi realize something was wrong.
He immediately front-kicked the door handle, breaking it, and rushed into Seon Mu-jae's room.
Surprisingly...
"Huh? No one's here."
It was then.
The bed curtains fluttered in the breeze.
Yes.
The window was wide open.
Han Ibi slapped his forehead.
"What an idiot I am... Why'd I think the only way out was the door?"
The boy beggar's expression was much the same.
"Where... where did he go?"
Then, snapping to, he asked Han Ibi,
"Are you traveling with Elder Seon?"
"Yeah. I'm... hmm... unofficially... hard to explain, but yeah, companions. I'm from the Qingcheng Sect. We met at the Murim Alliance."
The boy beggar said,
"Did anyone... come by yesterday?"
Han Ibi shook his head.
"Not yesterday—today. Name was Ha No-eun, I think..."
The boy beggar exclaimed "Ah!"
"You've already met the Protector."
"Yeah."
"Good, he left safely. But why didn't he return to the branch..."
How would I know? More importantly...
"Oh right. Do you know where Great Hero Seon went? Seemed like he read a note left by that old Protector Ha."
The boy beggar shook his head.
"Only he knows that matter at the branch. He said it must be kept secret."
"I see... Guess we'll have to track him down ourselves."
Han Ibi activated his Eagle's Eye Technique and searched the room.
And then...
"Here it is!"
Han Ibi found a note tucked into a crevice under the bed.
"Sigh. Looks like hiding isn't his strong suit."
He unfolded what he assumed was the note from Ha No-eun and read it.
- ...Their secret workshop is presumed to be the Five Radiance Forge...
Han Ibi asked,
"Kid, do you know this Five Radiance Forge?"
The boy nodded.
"Of course. It's the most famous smithy around Hubei."
"Hmm..."
Han Ibi thought for a moment, then said,
"...Then I need your help for a bit."
"Pardon?"
"Take me to the Five Radiance Forge... Oh!"
A sudden realization hit him.
"You said earlier only Protector Ha knows about this, right?"
"Yes."
"But... a blind man couldn't have written this. So someone besides Protector Ha knows..."
"What are you saying?"
"Huh? Just that a blind man couldn't write..."
"Protector Ha isn't blind."