Chapter 63
Episode 63
The Later Beggar, Jang So-pyeong (2)
If someone were to ask which sect in the world had the most money—
Some might point to the Wudang Sect, which, thanks to the Sword Emperor, had received the largest donations in its history.
Others might argue for the Namgung Family, which had deep ties with the imperial court, operated one of the Four Great Merchant Guilds of the Central Plains, and held sway over the three realms of government, commerce, and martial arts.
And some might mention the Five Evils of the Unorthodox Faction—the Nightless City—which ruled the nighttime streets of Jiangnan, including Hangzhou and Suzhou.
But in truth, there was one place that raked in more money annually than all three combined.
The Beggars' Sect.
The reason this astonishing truth remained hidden was simple.
Though they earned vast sums, very little of it stayed in their hands.
'Because the beggars use every coin they gather—whether from alms or selling information—solely to uphold righteousness.'
To hunt down the Blood Cult's leaders who had vanished after committing atrocities.
To devise countermeasures against demonic practitioners who wielded the terrifying Sama External Martial Arts.
To rescue commoners who had suffered at their hands.
The Beggars' Sect never used their wealth for personal gain.
They devoted everything to proving their virtue and eradicating evil.
And the reason they could do so was simple.
From the lowliest unranked beggar to the Dragon Head Gang Leader who led them all—
The Beggars' Sect was a faction composed entirely of those who had nothing left to lose.
Because they had nothing to lose, they never compromised with injustice.
Because they had nothing to lose, they revered righteousness alone.
Revere righteousness.
That was the one and only rule that made the Beggars' Sect what it was.
But any martial artist worth their salt knew just how difficult and arduous it was to uphold this sole principle while navigating the trials of life.
Yet even if it meant facing a meaningless death, the beggars never broke their creed.
'...How long has it been?'
Because this was a place that revered righteousness.
Perhaps it was because, for so long, the world had dismissed their way of life as foolish and pitiable.
Meeting someone who truly understood the values they believed in and fought for—it filled him with warmth and joy.
For the first time in ages, Jang So-pyeong, the Later Beggar, felt the pride of being a disciple of the Beggars' Sect surging within him.
His gaze toward Seo-un grew noticeably warmer.
"...Well, you came to the right place. That's what we're about."
"Not that I was trying to flatter you."
At Seo-un's words, Jang So-pyeong chuckled softly.
"I know. I could tell you meant it."
Then, Jang So-pyeong straightened his posture.
With a seriousness that left no room for levity, he spoke again.
"Let's get back to business. We need the Ten-Thousand-League Tracking Incense. So, what do you want from the Beggars' Sect in return?"
His tone was heavy, almost solemn.
The value of the Ten-Thousand-League Tracking Incense—the only means currently available to trace the Mountain Wandering Perfume—was truly priceless.
But Jang So-pyeong already knew that even if Seo-un demanded ten thousand gold, his master—the Dragon Head Gang Leader, the Eccentric Hong Il-shin—would agree without hesitation.
'Putting aside the fact that he sought us out despite not being a disciple, tracking the Blood Cult's vanished leaders requires this incense. Even if he asks for an exorbitant price, we'll have to accept.'
Just as Jang So-pyeong was thinking this—
Thud.
Clatter.
"Huh?!"
Seo-un abruptly pulled several items from his robes.
A worn, unidentifiable ledger, a glass vial, and a crossbow-equipped shutou.
"...What's this?"
"Crane Spirit Elixir and the Forbidden Crossbow."
"...!"
The moment Seo-un uttered the names of these forbidden martial artifacts, Jang So-pyeong stiffened.
These were items Seo-un had retrieved after his battle with Tang Ho-yeol.
"My uncle, Tang Ho-yeol, purchased these forbidden artifacts from a mysterious faction. And in their next transaction, he planned to buy the Mountain Wandering Perfume from them."
"W-wait, you don't mean—?!"
Understanding dawned on Jang So-pyeong, his eyes widening.
Seo-un nodded.
"They're definitely connected to the mysterious faction supplying the demonic practitioners with the Mountain Wandering Perfume."
"...!"
"The ledger lists the locations where they made contact. My condition is simple: I want the Beggars' Sect to track them down."
The moment he heard this, Jang So-pyeong began flipping through the ledger like a madman.
Truthfully, he had been agonizing over where to even begin investigating this shadowy organization.
Even if they captured the Blood Cult's leaders, there was no guarantee they would talk.
But he never expected Seo-un to hand him such a concrete lead.
Watching Jang So-pyeong's frenzied reaction, Seo-un felt a quiet satisfaction.
'Disclosing just that forward outpost is the best move.'
The contact location recorded in the ledger was one of the Blood Cult's small forward outposts—something Seo-un knew from his past life.
It was a front sect involved in drug production and distribution. If the Beggars' Sect started digging here—
They would inevitably uncover enough information about the Blood Cult to bring the Orthodox Faction into the fray at the right moment.
"Hah... Alright. Understood. So, what else?"
"Hm?"
"What else do you want?"
"What do you mean, 'what else'?"
"...??"
Seo-un tilted his head in confusion.
Jang So-pyeong mirrored the gesture, tilting his own head the opposite way.
'...This kid, don't tell me—?!'
Then, belatedly grasping Seo-un's intent, Jang So-pyeong blinked rapidly, his eyes nearly popping out of his skull.
"W-wait. So you're saying—aside from tracking down these people, you want nothing else from us?"
"That's right."
"???"
"Oh, and don't worry about the Ten-Thousand-League Tracking Incense you'll use up during the investigation. I'll keep supplying it as long as you need."
"????"
This wasn't a transaction.
It was practically a favor.
Because there was nothing in this deal that actually benefited the Sichuan Tang Family.
After all, investigating the mysterious faction would require tracking Tang Ho-yeol's movements anyway.
Sharing updates on the investigation with the Sichuan Tang Family was trivial for the Beggars' Sect.
And yet, Seo-un was offering the Ten-Thousand-League Tracking Incense—an item that could fetch any price on the market—for free?
It made no sense. Jang So-pyeong couldn't help but wonder if Seo-un had some hidden agenda.
"...You called this an exchange, so why aren't you asking for more?"
"I already named my price—tracking down those connected to me. What else should I ask for?"
"That's—!"
Seo-un's innocent question left Jang So-pyeong speechless.
His head rang as if struck by a hammer.
Only then did he realize—
Seo-un had never even considered demanding ten thousand gold.
The young man before him simply wanted to do what was right.
'He's a full ten years younger than me, and yet...'
Jang So-pyeong studied Seo-un slowly.
His first impression had been that of a brash, immature youngster.
But now, he saw something entirely different.
Seo-un was like him—
No, he was a xia—a righteous warrior—far more accomplished than himself.
The moment this realization struck—
"Ha... Hahahaha!"
Jang So-pyeong burst into laughter without meaning to.
Seo-un, bewildered by the sudden shift, tilted his head again.
But Jang So-pyeong kept laughing uproariously, tears welling in his eyes.
When he finally managed to stop—
"Hah... Hah. You're really something, kid."
"...Are you sure you're the Later Beggar? You seem more like a madman to me."
"I'm both, so don't worry."
"Tch."
"Alright, let me clarify our position."
In an instant, Jang So-pyeong's demeanor shifted again.
All traces of laughter vanished, replaced by the solemn presence of a future leader of the Nine Sects and One Gang.
The sheer weight of his aura made Seo-un hesitate.
'Did I misjudge him?'
For a moment, Seo-un wondered if he had made a mistake.
His earlier words and actions—declaring he needed no compensation—had all been part of a carefully crafted act.
Knowing Jang So-pyeong's values from his past life, he had deliberately played the role of a righteous warrior.
But if Jang So-pyeong saw through his act and withdrew the Beggars' Sect's cooperation, the loss would be immeasurable.
However—
Jang So-pyeong's next words dispelled all of Seo-un's concerns.
"As fellow disciples who uphold righteousness, how could we take from you and send you away empty-handed?"
"...!"
"I formally propose an alliance between the Sichuan Tang Family and the Beggars' Sect."
"...!!"
"For the duration of our cooperation, any member of the Sichuan Tang Family may visit our branches in the Central Plains and receive whatever information they desire—free of charge."
"!!"
But Jang So-pyeong's offer didn't end there.
"Furthermore, I'll personally advocate to the Gang Leader for a formal alliance between our factions in the future."
"!"
"In today's martial world, it's rare to find those who share our ideals."
"!!"
This was an absolute windfall.
Jang So-pyeong acting as a bridge to negotiate with the Gang Leader was an offer beyond Seo-un's wildest expectations.
If an alliance could be formed this quickly, the Beggars' Sect's support would allow him to prevent countless bloodshed and sacrifices.
Suppressing his pounding heart, Seo-un spoke slowly.
"...Not a bad proposal."
"Pfft. Your reaction's as dry as ever."
Jang So-pyeong smirked, as if he had finally figured out Seo-un's personality.
But then, he added casually—
"Oh, and this is a personal request..."
"...?"
What now?
Did he want something else?
Seo-un frowned as Jang So-pyeong hesitated uncharacteristically.
"Out with it."
At Seo-un's urging, Jang So-pyeong's narrowed eyes curved into crescents.
And then, he said something Seo-un never saw coming.
"I want to be your friend."
"...What?"
...Friend?
The Heavenly Battle Divine Beggar of the Anti-Blood Alliance wanted to be friends with him?
For the first time, Seo-un was genuinely taken aback.
This defied all his expectations.
As mentioned earlier, Jang So-pyeong had been close friends with Seo-un's elder sister, the former Nine Dragons Death Phoenix.
Their statuses differed, and there was a ten-year age gap between them.
And yet, he wanted to be friends?
"What kind of nonsense is that? There's a ten-year difference between us."
"Tch, since when does the martial world care about seniority? What's a little age gap?"
"A little? It's ten years! And you were friends with my sister!"
"Come on, you've been speaking casually to me this whole time. Why get so uptight now?"
"That's because you dropped formalities first!"
"Exactly! So keep it up. Go on, call me 'So-pyeong.'"
"What kind of lunacy is this?!"
"Tsk tsk. You're insulting beggars in front of a beggar?"
And so, the debate over whether they could be friends raged on.
The once-quiet shack became a cacophony of noise, showing no signs of calming down anytime soon.