Chapter 144
Chapter 144
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Dog's Rice Bowl
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Ah, I see."
"The election for the next Martial Alliance Leader will be held three months from now. Around this time, the Martial Alliance holds a preliminary general assembly."
"Sounds like there's a lot to prepare."
"Indeed."
"But what exactly is it that you want me to do..."
"Attend the general assembly as the Qingcheng Sect's representative."
Han Ibi asked in surprise.
"Pardon?"
"Are you deaf? I said attend the preliminary general assembly."
"Ah, of course I heard you. But why aren't you, the Sect Leader, going yourself..."
But Bok Yeon-hwa continued without so much as acknowledging him.
"This preliminary general assembly will be held at Wudang Mountain."
"What? Wudang Mountain?"
"Yes. Get ready right away. You need to depart for Wudang Mountain within two days at the latest."
* * *
That very evening.
With Bok Yeon-hwa's permission, Yi Sin-song prepared a welcoming banquet for Han Ibi.
Sung Chun-don and his faction still harbored resentment toward Han Ibi, it was true...
But compared to his initial uninvited arrival, it was like night and day.
The Qingcheng elders and disciples competed to praise him.
"He's the pride of our Qingcheng Sect. I knew from the start that Jong Ri-mae was no ordinary man."
"Senior Uncle Jong Ri-mae is a role model for our young disciples. If time permits, please grace us with some guidance."
And so on...
So Eun-ri did not attend.
She had realized her limitations painfully at the Martial Alliance and was now devoting herself entirely to training.
But in her place, Yeo Nan-ju—the one Han Ibi least wanted to see—sidled up and acted all chummy.
"Well, when we were trapped in that secret chamber, you said Jong Ri-mae senior uncle... Oh! But that's Martial Alliance classified info, so I can't tell you. Hohohoho. Sorry."
Most of it was fretting over Jong Ri-hyeok, who still hadn't returned anyway...
Regardless, Han Ibi was at a loss with the excessive welcome.
The Qingcheng disciples, their hearts eased after so long, were thoroughly enjoying the rare event.
Han Ibi seized the moment to ask Elder Ha Bong-rye, who had taken over as steward in place of the late Seo Ui-jae.
"Has there been any progress in investigating the identity of those villains who attacked our Qingcheng Sect?"
Ha Bong-rye replied with a grave expression.
"We initially suspected they might be from the Mosan Sect and looked into it... but we haven't secured sufficient evidence yet."
"I see."
At that, Han Ibi thought,
'That's all the progress they've made?!'
He felt like grabbing the man by the collar and shaking him while saying it.
Sigh. Of course.
At Qingcheng Sect's current level, they couldn't possibly uncover such advanced information.
'I need to head to Wudang Sect soon and dig into it myself. If the Heavenly Star Palace is behind it, it might connect to the destruction of the Jongli Clan too...'
* * *
Once more, Han Ibi departed for Wudang Mountain amid the Qingcheng Sect members' send-off.
Envy dripped from the young disciples' eyes.
Once sufficiently far away, Han Ibi muttered,
"Man... China really is too damn big."
Not even two days after settling in, he was back on the road, and complaints spilled from his mouth.
At least it was a silver lining that Wudang Mountain was in Hubei Province, bordering Sichuan.
Han Ibi spurred on the fine steed Yi Sin-song had hastily prepared and hurried along the path.
Bok Yeon-hwa's instructions replayed in his mind.
[The Martial Alliance preliminary general assembly is a battleground for the candidates vying for next Alliance Leader. It's also a warzone for sects seeking entry into the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Clans.]
[So what exactly do you want me to do?]
[Are you asking because you don't know?]
[...Yes.]
[When a new Martial Alliance Leader is elected, the lineup of the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Clans is restructured. You must elevate our Qingcheng Sect's status in preparation for that.]
Whoa. So basically, fully leverage the Little Southern Dragon title to pave the way for Qingcheng's return to the Nine Great Sects...
Talk about convenient.
She told him the 'what' but skipped the 'how'...
Han Ibi pondered atop the jolting horse, then shook his head and muttered,
"Ah, whatever. I'll figure it out when I get there."
Suddenly, his expression turned serious.
'Finally, I'll get to meet that Tak Bu-yong, the Wudang Sect Leader... How should I act around him...'
The thought brought Song Myeong-cheon to mind, leaving a bitter taste.
Recalling the villain's treacherous acts from the epic quest made anger surge.
'Traveling alone brings out all these gloomy thoughts. Damn. It's convenient, but kinda lonely too.'
About ten days' ride on horseback.
Han Ibi was steadily making his way, stopping at inns along the route.
On the sixth day since leaving Qingcheng Mountain.
It was an ordinary morning, no different from any other.
Han Ibi was staying at the Jinryeong Inn, a fairly large establishment in the area, and was about to finish his breakfast-cum-lunch and leave.
As he ate his thin noodles, a commotion reached his ears.
It came from the inn's entrance.
Curious, Han Ibi glanced over.
"Hey, is this guy new? He seems clueless."
A scrawny middle-aged beggar with a goatee was yelling at a young waiter.
Han Ibi's eyes gleamed.
He had spotted four knots at the beggar's waist.
Yet the young waiter didn't flinch despite the shouting.
"New or not, you gonna come in looking like that mess?"
The middle-aged beggar shouted,
"Who said anything about coming in? I just want leftover rice and a cup of booze. Kid, go get the owner. What am I gonna discuss with you?"
Just then.
A portly, balding middle-aged man came rushing over.
"Pil-mo! What kind of way is that to talk to a guest!"
He appeared to be the innkeeper.
"Aigoo, great hero. Sorry about that. He's new as of yesterday..."
Only then did the middle-aged beggar clear his throat with an 'ahem' and say,
"No issue. Business must be booming if you don't even have time to train the new hires..."
At that moment, the beggar's eyes sparkled.
The innkeeper held a bottle of premium bamboo leaf green liquor.
The innkeeper said,
"I had it ready just in case you dropped by."
The beggar burst into laughter.
"As expected of Innkeeper Jang Gong—what sets you apart."
The innkeeper offered a wrapped bundle.
The beggar cleared his throat again.
"Come on, no need for all this... Ahem. Leftovers would suffice..."
The innkeeper smiled.
"It's the Jinryeong Inn's token of appreciation. Please accept."
The beggar took the bundle with a reluctant expression.
"Any troubles lately?"
Hearing this, the innkeeper's face clouded over.
"Not troubles exactly... It's tricky... No, never mind."
The beggar looked puzzled.
"What're you scared of? Spit it out. I'll handle it—this Gye Pal-muk."
The innkeeper said,
"The Wi-min Group keeps coming around lately."
"What? The Wi-min Group?"
"Yes. They took protection money just a few days ago."
"What?! Why didn't you say something sooner?"
The innkeeper sighed deeply.
"Merchants like us live day-to-day; we can't afford to clash with martial artists..."
Gye Pal-muk bellowed,
"Fine. I'll report it to the sub-branch and get it sorted pronto."
The innkeeper's face brightened.
"Really... You sure?"
"Of course! Why would Gye Pal-muk lie?"
The innkeeper beamed even more.
He bowed repeatedly, waist-deep.
"Aigoo, thank you. Thank you, great hero."
The beggar said,
"Don't worry. See you later, Innkeeper Jang."
"Yes, yes. Take care, Great Hero Gye."
With that, Gye Pal-muk exited the inn.
Having just finished eating, Han Ibi quickly paid and followed him out.
Han Ibi trailed Gye Pal-muk at about five zhang distance.
Gye Pal-muk's steps were light and jaunty, in high spirits.
Likely thrilled with the liquor and food.
Suddenly, Gye Pal-muk ducked into an alley and vanished from sight.
Watching this, one of Han Ibi's eyebrows twitched.
Meanwhile, Gye Pal-muk pressed against the alley wall, holding his breath.
A seasoned Beggars' Sect warrior, he was a fourth-generation disciple who could lead a sub-branch if needed.
His eyes were sharp.
Even without that, a handsome young man eating thin noodles at an inn from morning stood out.
He first thought it coincidence they left together.
But confirming the persistent tail, he knew it was no accident.
Bumming meals in the Beggars' Sect honed one's instincts.
He knew to beware clean-cut scholar-types like this.
Among the outwardly respectable lurked unorthodox sect or cult villains...
Gye Pal-muk had long analyzed Han Ibi's gait and pace.
To seize initiative, disrupt the field.
Ambush at the right moment to rattle from the start.
He set down the liquor and food, counting inwardly.
'Three, two, one... Now!'
Stepping in Drunken Eight Immortal Stance, he leaped out swinging his staff.
"Who dares tail this Elder Gye the Dog-Hook... Huh?"
The target who should be there was gone.
Gye Pal-muk froze briefly, then relaxed his stance.
Then.
"Whoa! This liquor smells top-notch!"
Gye Pal-muk whipped around in shock.
Han Ibi had appeared, crouched and reaching for the bamboo leaf green.
"No!"
Gye Pal-muk swung his staff at Han Ibi's arm.
Whoosh.
The staff cut empty air.
'An expert.'
Gye Pal-muk readjusted and thrust at Han Ibi.
But...
"Wow! Food too."
Again, the staff stabbed nothing by a hair's breadth.
"Tch!"
Enraged, Gye Pal-muk flailed wildly.
Yet Han Ibi, still crouched, deflected the staff into empty space effortlessly.
Cold sweat trickled down Gye Pal-muk's back.
In a grave voice, he demanded,
"Who are you? What do you want here?"
"You gonna eat this? Smells amazing. Damn, I'm full but still salivating."
"What?"
"Hmm... Smells like stir-fried pork with green peppers. Good stuff's best shared, right?"
Gye Pal-muk finally exploded.
"You bastard! Get lost!"
At that instant, Han Ibi reached into his bosom.
Taut as a rubber band, Gye Pal-muk recoiled in alarm.
What emerged in Han Ibi's hand was a bowl.
"Mind sharing a bit with me?"
It was the bowl Sa Pyeong-cheon had given him.
Just then.
Gye Pal-muk's panicked expression shifted as if seeing a mad dog.
He muttered,
"Dog's Rice Bowl...!"
Han Ibi rose slowly, thrusting the bowl toward Gye Pal-muk.
"So, feeling generous now? One bowl of good info."
(To be continued in the next chapter)