Chapter 60
Chapter 60
The Beggar (1)
"Here are the escort goods you requested."
"Ohh, thank you."
Se-woon handed a small chest to the manager of the Heavenly Silver Financial Institution.
The Heavenly Silver Financial Institution was the foremost financial institution in Henan, headquartered in Kaifeng, rumored to be the hub where all funds north of the Yangtze flowed.
The manager's face brightened as he inspected the stack of financial documents inside the chest.
"They're in perfect condition. You must have had quite the journey from Sichuan all the way here, Chief Escort."
"Not at all. I was happy to undertake this task, knowing it could forge a connection between the Heavenly Silver Financial Institution and the Tang Family."
"Haha, I truly appreciate your words."
The moment Se-woon received the summons from the Martial Alliance to report to headquarters, he immediately rushed to the Tang Family Escort Agency.
After thorough preparations due to the mission's risks, he decided to personally oversee the Heavenly Silver Financial Institution's escort mission that very day and departed for Kaifeng.
At that moment, the manager scratched the back of his head and spoke hesitantly.
"Ah, but I never imagined you'd arrive so early. I apologize for not being able to prepare a proper welcome for the Chief Escort."
"Not at all. We simply arrived ahead of schedule. I'm already grateful you're receiving us at this late hour."
The manager genuinely felt apologetic toward Se-woon.
It was customary to welcome an escort party with grand hospitality upon arrival, yet they had failed to do so.
But there was a reason for their surprise—Se-woon had arrived a full four days earlier than expected.
"But how on earth did you get here so quickly?"
"Let's just say the Tang Family Escort Agency has independently discovered some shortcuts. If you continue doing business with us instead of the Yiyang Escort Agency, you'll experience this speed every time."
"!!"
Without batting an eye, Se-woun smoothly polished his own reputation.
The manager's eyes gleamed as he observed Se-woon.
Outwardly, he appeared no more than a young man barely out of adolescence.
But the manager, having run the Heavenly Silver Financial Institution and encountered all manner of people, recognized it instantly.
'This kid is the real deal.'
Se-woon was a once-in-a-generation prodigy destined to make a name for himself not just in Sichuan but across the entire Central Plains.
And the reason the manager had elevated the Heavenly Silver Financial Institution to its current status was precisely because he never missed such talents whenever they crossed his path.
"Haha, your silver tongue is truly remarkable. Very well. At daybreak, I'll inform the Chief Manager that all escort missions to Sichuan will henceforth be entrusted to the Tang Family Escort Agency."
"Thank you. You won't be disappointed."
Se-woon clasped his fists in gratitude.
And so, the Sichuan escort missions of the Heavenly Silver Financial Institution were no longer assigned to the Yiyang Escort Agency—one of Sichuan's Four Great Escort Agencies—but to the Tang Family Escort Agency.
Once this news spread through the martial world, the Yiyang Escort Agency would lose even its title as one of Sichuan's Four Great Escort Agencies.
"Chief Escort—no, Young Master—your talent exceeds even what I've heard."
"You flatter me."
"Sigh, my son is the same age as you, yet he's still drowning in wine and women..."
"Ugh."
The manager couldn't continue badmouthing his son.
A pained groan from behind Se-woon interrupted him.
Only then did he remember the companions who had arrived with Se-woon—a man and woman slumped on the floor.
Tang Se-rin was pale, struggling to catch her breath, while Yeo-seon was half-conscious, moaning in distress.
Unlike Se-woon, who looked immaculate, the two were in a state indistinguishable from beggars.
What on earth had happened during the escort mission?
When the manager glanced at Se-woon with questioning eyes,
"...They both suffer from severe motion sickness."
"Ah, I see."
Se-woon scratched his chin awkwardly.
Gulp, gulp.
"Ahhh."
"Whew."
Tang Se-rin and Yeo-seon, having downed bowls of steaming broth, finally looked alive again.
After concluding their business, the three left the Heavenly Silver Financial Institution and moved to a nearby inn.
"Eat slowly, Sister. You'll upset your stomach."
"Order more. You should eat your fill."
Se-woon watched over them with concern.
But rather than gratitude, the two couldn't hide their bewilderment.
'...How is he completely fine?'
'...How can he possibly look this unaffected?'
The reason they had arrived four days early was simple—they had taken an absurdly treacherous route from Sichuan to Kaifeng.
Sheer cliffside paths were just the beginning; they had crossed countless precipices where a single misstep would send them plummeting thousands of feet.
And whenever they encountered a main road or an easier path, they had to sleep atop galloping horses.
It was the same agony that Ha-young and Cheong Yeon of the Emei Sect had endured while tracking Dokma—except they had done it for over ten days.
Yet Se-woon, who had led the charge the entire time, looked completely unfazed.
'...And he's not even a martial arts pinnacle master.'
The two could only stare in disbelief.
But their confusion was soon forgotten as hunger and thirst reclaimed their attention.
Once their ravenous feast finally ended, Yeo-seon asked Se-woon about their plans.
"We've arrived far earlier than the Martial Alliance's summons. What do you intend to do now?"
"Se-woon, shouldn't we head straight to the Alliance tomorrow?"
"No, Sister. I plan to take my time getting there."
"Hmm? Any particular reason?"
"Well, the journey's been exhausting, and it's my first time in Henan. I thought we could rest for a few days and explore the area."
Tang Se-rin's expression darkened at his reply.
"...To my ears, that sounds like you're planning to cause trouble."
"Come on, when have I ever caused trouble?"
"??"
Countless incidents flashed through their minds, but they bit their tongues.
"The Heavenly Silver Financial Institution has arranged lodging for us, so let's take tomorrow to relax."
"Hmm, I suppose."
"Yeo-seon, you should spend tomorrow on your own as well. Since we're back in Kaifeng, you could visit friends from your old post at the Military Affairs Bureau."
"...Ah, that's... Well. It's... fine."
"...?"
Before being assigned to the Tang Family, Yeo-seon had worked at the Military Affairs Bureau.
But her reaction was oddly hesitant.
Clearly, there was some history Se-woon wasn't aware of.
"Anyway, Sister, you should head back to the inn and rest. Yeo-seon, since you know the area well, I'll leave it to you."
"Yes!"
"Hmm? Where are you going, Se-woon?"
Se-woon smiled faintly at Tang Se-rin's question.
"The moon is lovely, and the breeze is cool... I thought I'd go give alms to a beggar."
A beggar?
The two tilted their heads in confusion.
After leaving the inn, Se-woon headed straight for his destination.
As he walked through Kaifeng's dazzling night streets, a shadow darker than any he had shown his sister and Yeo-seon crossed his face.
'...So I've returned here after all.'
Lost in thought, Se-woon gazed into the distance.
The gates of the Martial Alliance headquarters were visible.
The place where, in his past life, he had met his end.
"Sir, if you haven't eaten yet, why not visit our inn? Our chef's skills are exceptional!"
"Hey, friend! Come share a drink!"
"Oh my! Handsome, aren't you? Want to have some fun tonight?"
Countless people laughed and chattered as they passed Se-woon, who walked in silence.
A scene of utter peacefulness—yet...
-Aaaah!
-P-please, spare me!
Now, Se-woon's eyes superimposed the surroundings with the streets of Kaifeng as they had once been—trampled and mocked by the Blood Cult, littered with corpses and blood.
But.
His reverie lasted only a moment.
'...Snap out of it. This isn't the time to dwell on the past.'
He was too busy reshaping the present anew.
'History is changing bit by bit. There's no telling what might happen first this time.'
Since Dokma's incident, Se-woon had been acting with careful attention to the subtle divergences between his memories and reality.
Most of the major events he remembered had occurred, but their timing had shifted, or the victims had changed.
Which meant—
'I can't rely solely on my past-life memories.'
He had to prepare meticulously for the major events within their context while remaining composed enough to handle unexpected situations.
And the reason he had come out tonight was precisely for that preparation.
Broadly speaking, there were two things Se-woon needed to act swiftly to prevent.
'The Luoyang Blood Incident.'
A horrific event that would occur half a year later in Luoyang, Henan—the first massacre the Blood Cult would unleash upon the martial world while concealing its identity.
It would mark the beginning of immense chaos in the once-peaceful martial world.
Preventing this bloodshed was his goal.
The second was stopping the foolish schemes of the Martial Alliance's Elder Faction.
'They'll propose replacing the Alliance Leader in about two months.'
Though it was long ago, the martial world had been so uproarious over this incident that he could never forget it.
Eight factions within the Martial Alliance had joined forces in an attempt to oust the Sword Emperor from his position as Alliance Leader—a major upheaval.
The chaos stirred by the Elder Faction lasted over half a year.
The neutral factions—Shaolin, Mount Hua, and Beggar's Sect—had refused to cast their votes until the end, leaving Namgung Myeong on the verge of becoming the next Alliance Leader.
But the Luoyang Blood Incident occurred around that time, leaving everything unresolved.
However, the devastation of the Luoyang Blood Incident had been magnified precisely because of the Martial Alliance's internal strife.
'Let's tackle them one by one.'
Just as his tangled thoughts began to settle—
Tap.
Se-woon arrived at his destination.
A small, unremarkable bridge with sparse foot traffic.
'There he is.'
As Se-woon slowly approached, his eyes lit up upon spotting a figure.
"Please, spare a coin. I haven't eaten all day."
"Ugh, let go, you filthy wretch!"
"Oof!"
An old beggar sat at the bridge's center, clutching at passersby's hems.
People scowled and sidestepped him, but Se-woon walked straight toward him.
"Kind sir, spare a coin."
Snatch!
Just as expected, the old beggar grabbed Se-woon's hem.
Without attempting to pull away, Se-woon retrieved something from his robes and placed it before the beggar—a bottle of bamboo-leaf liquor from the inn.
The old beggar glanced between the bottle and Se-woon before speaking.
"Ah, young master, I'd rather have a coin than liquor."
He shook his head repeatedly, feigning reluctance.
But—
Whisper.
Se-woon leaned close and murmured a single phrase into the beggar's ear.
"Clothes are best when worn."
"...!"
Whoosh.
The moment he heard those words, the beggar's aura transformed entirely.
His dull eyes ignited with sharp clarity, and an unmistakable killing intent surged forth.
Their gazes clashed in the air.
After a long, complicated stare, the old beggar finally responded.
"...People are best when new."
The original saying went: Clothes are best when new, people are best when old.
But with just one character changed in each phrase, the meaning had flipped entirely.
Thud.
In an instant, the old beggar sprang to his feet.
"Follow me."
Clutching the bamboo-leaf liquor, he strode away at a brisk pace.
As Se-woon followed, his eyes caught sight of the six-layered knot tied at the beggar's waist.
The mark of the Sichuan Overlord.