Endless Questions and the Wandering Elder
Gu Sam was incredibly curious.
He'd heard so much about the martial world of the jianghu that he bombarded them with questions nonstop.
But Woo-gang didn't have much experience himself, so he couldn't answer most of them.
And Geomwang wasn't the type to patiently explain things either, so Gu Sam's queries just echoed into the void.
Yet the boy's mouth never stopped.
At first, his lively personality kept the mood upbeat and prevented any awkward silences, which was fine. But as time dragged on, it started to wear them down.
Every now and then, Geomwang would scold him to quiet down a bit, but Gu Sam's sealed lips would reopen before long.
Each time, Geomwang gave him a task.
He'd send him ahead to scout for inns in nearby villages, check the local atmosphere, or listen for any rumors about the martial world.
Gu Sam always bolted off without complaint to do as told, and only then could the two walk in peace.
It was partly to escape the chatter, but these were necessary errands too.
Still, nothing noteworthy had come from Gu Sam's reports yet.
Time had passed, but no rumors about the Murim Alliance or Woo-gang had surfaced.
Thinking about it, the Alliance would be desperate to suppress such talk anyway.
It exposed their dirty laundry, after all.
But the Murim Alliance excelled at manipulating rumors and information, so regular checks were essential.
And if they could snag even a tiny clue about Siu or those mysterious foes in the process, that would be ideal.
A few days passed like that, and the trio finally reached their destination.
"There. The Beggar Clan's branch division."
Geomwang pointed, and a decently built structure stood there.
It wasn't as grand as a Murim Alliance branch—more like a thatched hut woven from wood, grass, and earth.
Woo-gang, who had imagined a ramshackle hovel for a beggar gang, was quietly surprised by how neat it looked.
"Whoa... If our place had been even half this nice..."
Gu Sam muttered.
He'd never dreamed of a mansion.
Just a sturdy house that kept out the rain and wind would have been enough.
But reality had been harsher, and now the very home he'd always longed for stood right before him.
"Brace yourselves."
Woo-gang and Gu Sam blinked in confusion at Geomwang's words.
But the moment they stepped inside, they understood.
"Ugh!"
Gu Sam took one step in and immediately staggered back.
Woo-gang grimaced, pinching his nose and mouth shut.
He circulated his qi to block his sense of smell and clamped his lips tight.
The stench inside the branch was overwhelming.
The exterior and interior looked clean enough, but layers of the beggars' unique odor had soaked in deep.
Only Geomwang, who'd experienced it before, strode in unfazed.
"What brings the Sword King all the way to our humble branch?"
The branch leader emerged, sauntering out as if he'd been waiting.
Gu Sam's eyes widened.
'Sword King?'
Only then did he realize he hadn't known their identities until now.
He knew Woo-gang's name, but only from overhearing Geomwang call him.
He'd asked so many questions, yet skipped the basics.
Woo-gang never used the title "Sword King" himself, so there'd been no chance to learn it.
And who would imagine the Sword King traveling with them?
A figure one might never meet in a lifetime had been their companion for days. It was unbelievable.
Gu Sam's gaze naturally shifted to Woo-gang.
"What?"
"You're not hiding some big secret too, are you, young hero?"
It was a reasonable suspicion.
But Woo-gang just smiled without answering.
The reply came from elsewhere.
"And bringing the Flame King's disciple along, no less."
"Gasp!"
Gu Sam sucked in a sharp breath.
The Sword King and the Flame King's disciple.
One of the Two Kings, and the disciple of the other—they'd been traveling with legends.
Realizing this, his legs felt weak.
'I tried to pickpocket these people...'
A chill ran down his spine again.
"Where's Byeol Gae?"
"Byeol Gae... That one's like the wind itself—we don't keep close tabs."
"You must know. Especially someone like him—you need to track him properly."
Geomwang spoke as if he knew everything, and the branch leader let out a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha! Can't fool you, huh? Alright, I'll tell you. Last we heard, he was near the Shi family fortress in Hubei."
"Direction?"
"South."
"He'll cross into Shandong then."
"For now, yeah. But we should confirm again."
"You have a way to contact him?"
"We do."
"Tell him to come see me once he hits Shandong. I'll be waiting."
"Got it."
The branch leader nodded briefly to Geomwang.
Then he dipped his head slightly toward Woo-gang.
Woo-gang awkwardly returned the gesture.
"Let's go. We can take it slow now."
Geomwang led the way out, with Gu Sam and Woo-gang following.
"Hoo! I can breathe again!"
Only outside did Gu Sam gulp in the fresh air.
He'd newly appreciated how precious clean air was.
"Sorry for not recognizing you."
Gu Sam bowed to Geomwang and Woo-gang.
"Nothing to apologize for. And would it change anything if you knew?"
Gu Sam grinned sheepishly at Geomwang's question.
True. Nothing would change.
He hadn't been rude or overstepped.
Just keep being himself—no problem.
The three left the Beggar Clan branch and hit the road again.
"So, what's the Flame King like? How'd you become his disciple? Wow, I seriously never imagined..."
And so began Gu Sam's fresh barrage of questions.
Geomwang and Woo-gang found themselves resenting the branch leader.
***
Ten days after leaving the branch.
The trio had looped back toward Jeonam and settled in a quiet roadside inn.
With time to spare, they'd suggested he visit his siblings, but Gu Sam refused.
He didn't want to miss a single moment with these extraordinary people.
Of course, he missed his siblings.
But showing up might stir trouble for them, just adapting to their new life.
Young in years but seasoned by the streets, Gu Sam had a mature side.
Two days later.
Byeol Gae finally appeared.
He materialized out of nowhere.
It was lunchtime, and they sat by a window with a clear view outside.
They'd glanced at passersby now and then, and suddenly, amid the crowd, there he was.
Leaning against a building across the street, arms crossed, staring straight at Woo-gang's group.
"He's here."
Geomwang spotted him mid-meal and set down his chopsticks.
They'd just finished anyway.
The three stepped out and approached.
"Long time no see, senior brother."
Byeol Gae greeted Geomwang politely.
Geomwang scowled.
"What's with the 'senior brother' act? Not like you."
"You told me not to call you brother during your seven shades of anger. What's this now?"
Byeol Gae's tone flipped instantly, his seriousness vanishing.
Geomwang eyed Gu Sam.
"This the guy?"
"Yes. Hello. Long time no see."
Gu Sam bowed to Byeol Gae.
But Byeol Gae tilted his head.
"Have we met?"
"A few years back, you..."
Gu Sam eagerly recounted their past encounter.
Byeol Gae's eyes rounded in recognition.
"Oh, that kid! You've grown a ton. But why are you with them...?"
He glanced between Geomwang and Gu Sam.
"Long story. Not why I called you anyway—let's move."
"Fine by me anywhere."
Byeol Gae followed Geomwang.
They'd planned a teahouse, but Byeol Gae balked, so they sat on a quiet grassy patch instead.
"What'd you need?"
"You roam everywhere, so I figured you might've heard rumors about the Flame King."
"Just ask the Beggar Clan. Why drag me all the way here?"
Byeol Gae grumbled.
"Couple things. Anyway, nothing?"
"Nope. If I had, I'd have told the Alliance, you, or the kid here."
Byeol Gae knew Woo-gang too.
"Hm..."
"I poked around myself, just in case. Nada. What the hell's going on...?"
Byeol Gae shook his head.
"Then, if anything suspicious pops up, can you pass it our way?"
"Sure, easy."
"Not through the Clan—personally."
Byeol Gae frowned at Geomwang.
"What's the angle?"
"No angle. Just tip us off directly."
"Why the hassle?"
"Beggar Clan and Murim Alliance are tight. They'll find out anyway, but we don't want to tangle with them right now."
"I heard roughly what happened, but that's a weak reason."
Byeol Gae glanced at Woo-gang.
"Straight talk: We want to know before Sa Ma-gang does. If the Clan finds it independently, fine. But your personal intel? Tell us first, Clan later."
That was why they'd sought Byeol Gae specifically.
Get info before it reached Sa Ma-gang's ears.
After Woo-gang's mess, who knew if Sa Ma-gang might twist new leads too.
Byeol Gae stroked his chin, pondering.
"What's to think about?"
"Gotta come running every time? Pain in the ass."
Geomwang shook his head.
"No need to move yourself. Better you roam elsewhere. Use the kid instead."
He clapped Gu Sam's shoulder.
Byeol Gae's scowl deepened; Gu Sam looked stunned.
"You want me lugging around a tagalong?"
"Didn't you already teach him martial arts? Don't play dumb now."
"Hah... I hate hassle."
"You know from teaching: Train him right, he'll grow strong. Train him and make him our liaison. Perfect."
Geomwang pitched again.
After some thought, Byeol Gae accepted.