A Filial Son

"Slurp! Chomp, chomp, chomp!"

"...I'm asking out of pure curiosity, but have you been starving?"

Tang Hwi had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠no choice but to ask the woman who was to become his ally. Since she was destined to become the future Dragon Head of the Beggars' Sect, he had offered to buy her a meal to gather some information. She had eagerly accepted, but he had already lost count of how many bowls she had emptied.

He glanced sideways. The stack of empty plates piling up in the corner of the table was more than enough to make him worry about his wallet. At this rate, he feared he might earn the disgraceful moniker of 'The Sichuan Tang Clan Scoundrel Who Runs Up a Tab.'

Tang Hwi was well aware that beggars loved free food. However, seeing someone who held the prestigious rank of Junior Sect Leader eating as if her life depended on it made him wonder if the Beggars' Sect was currently facing a severe financial crisis.

Whenever she ordered noodles, they slid down her throat as easily as water. When she ordered rice, she swallowed it down in massive gulps as if it were a light snack.

'Anyone would think she hasn't eaten in days. I can see exactly why the Beggar Phoenix is so unpopular despite her looks.'

The beauty of the Beggar Phoenix, Bang So-yul, was undeniably extraordinary. Her tattered clothes, seemingly fashioned from discarded rags, and the dark smudges of soot on her skin were undoubtedly filthy. Yet, the fact that her beauty still shone through such grime proved just how stunning she truly was. If she were to clean herself up properly, she would likely rival even the First Beauty of Sichuan, Tang Ga-hui.

However, her complete lack of grooming, combined with her gluttonous, street-beggar-like eating habits, was enough to instantly kill any romantic interest a man might have.

"Burp! Hehe. Mighty fine meal, I reckon."

"...I certainly hope so. You've polished off ten bowls. If you hadn't enjoyed it, I wouldn't have let it slide."

"Well, it ain't exactly free, is it? Ya came all prepared with questions, so when else am I gonna get a feast like this?"

In short, she was admitting that she had gorged herself as an advance payment for the information. Tang Hwi felt a sudden, renewed dread of beggars. If he had dealt with the Hao Sect, they would have conducted a fair trade befitting his status as a special guest.

"I need you to completely cut ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠off all information regarding Mudok Chae from the surrounding areas."

"Huh? Mudok Chae? What's wrong with them fellas?"

"This is top secret... but the Green Forest Lord has ordered all bandit forts to withdraw from Sichuan."

"......."

Even though Tang Hwi had shared information known only to himself and the Hao Sect, Bang So-yul remained nonchalant. Tang Hwi wasn't particularly surprised; he had already anticipated that the Beggars' Sect might have caught wind of it.

"But before those Mudok Chae bastards pack up and leave on their own, the Tang Clan must repay the grudge we owe them. Only then can we save face before the merchant groups and escort bureaus who trust and visit Sichuan."

"Aha... Is your conscience poisoned or somethin'?"

"What was that?"

"Nothin', nothin'."

Tang Hwi let her quiet mumbling slide. Repaying a grudge tenfold was just a polite way of putting it; in truth, it showed how incredibly petty he could be. To an outsider, it wouldn't be surprising if they clicked their tongues at the Tang Clan's sheer ruthlessness.

"Sure, Mudok Chae's been pesterin' the merchants and escorts passin' through Uibin City... but is it really enough to get the Tang Clan this riled up?"

"To me, the Tang Clan is precious. Who doesn't cherish their own home? Therefore, I will completely exterminate any worthless insects trying to eat away at my house. I will not tolerate their escape. They must be crushed under my heel like bugs, writhing until they draw their last breath. To achieve this, we must deal with Mudok Chae secretly... and swiftly. I have no intention of giving them time to prepare. I don't want them to catch even a whisper of our plans to retaliate."

"Ah, so ya ain't showin' 'em a lick of mercy and plannin' to slit every single one of their throats. Sheesh... Cold-blooded. Truly cold-blooded."

"That is the Sichuan Tang Clan, after all," Tang Hwi replied with a bright smile.

Bang So-yul shook her head from side to side. "If ya weren't so easy on the eyes, young master, I would've charged ya a hefty fee."

"I'm glad my looks are of some use, then."

"......."

Bang So-yul made no effort to hide her utter exasperation.

Namgung Bu-ryun was walking the streets alone, having temporarily parted ways with Tang Hwi. In the highly insular Tang Clan, it was unusual for anyone to constantly wander out to the streets of Uibin City to visit brothels. While other members of the clan rarely ventured out, Namgung Bu-ryun made it a daily habit.

Thus, when Tang Hwi had some business to attend to, they separated for a while, granting Namgung Bu-ryun a rare moment of freedom.

Befitting his status as a Super-Peak Realm expert, he expanded his sensory perception to ensure no one was tailing him. Once satisfied, he made his way toward a secluded, quiet alley.

Waiting there was the man who served as his contact for Mudok Chae.

"I received your note at the brothel. You need help?"

His tone was as arrogant as ever. It was a grating, offensive level of condescension, but the contact man was an unorthodox martial artist who possessed no pride to speak of.

"Yes, Great Hero. It seems we must pull out of Sichuan this time. The Green Forest Lord has declared that all bandit forts must leave Sichuan. We want to pull off one last big job before we go. Yes, sir."

"Pull out? Then what do you plan to do about your future tribute?"

"......."

'This crazy bastard.'

The contact man couldn't dare utter those words aloud, so he kept his expression stiff and swallowed his curses. Although Namgung Bu-ryun was merely a Super-Peak Realm expert—which was mediocre for a prestigious clan—the contact man was a weakling who would easily be slaughtered by him. He had seen more than a few senior bandits lose their lives by acting cocky. Having gained wisdom from their deaths, he had learned the art of patience.

"Hehe. Lowly beggars like us have no choice but to obey the Green Forest Lord's command. We'd love to stay in Sichuan and keep paying our tribute, but our hands are tied, Great Hero."

"Useless wretches, the lot of you."

"Hehe. Still, it has been an absolute honor to serve as a doormat for a great man like yourself."

"Hmph. I suppose so."

The contact man bowed low to hide his contempt, treating Bu-ryun like an idiot. This foolish man loved flattery but wouldn't hesitate to break a limb if displeased.

"Anyway, we have no choice but to leave because of the Green Forest Lord. But before we go, we want to pull off a massive heist to repay the grace you've shown us, Great Hero."

"Hmph! What could mountain bandits possibly offer that would interest me? Forget it. Just make sure you pay your final tribute before you leave."

"?!"

The contact man was startled. Why was this greedy fool suddenly acting like this? If he returned to the fort empty-handed, he would end up buried alive by his boss.

"Great Hero!"

"What is it?"

"By any chance, is there a woman who has been getting on your nerves lately?"

Namgung Bu-ryun stared at him as if he had completely lost his mind. But of course, there was. He hadn't been to Honglu lately, so his memories of holding a courtesan were fading, and his lust was building up. He wanted to bed the courtesans at Cheonglu, but they kept rejecting him because it's not Honglu, which had been frustrating him. But he wouldn't share such details with these bandits.

"That is none of your concern. Get lost before I lose my temper."

"We can make that woman writhe helplessly in your arms, Great Hero!"

"Oh? And what trick do you lowlifes have up your sleeves to pull that off?"

"Great Hero, have you not heard of the medicine that's been the talk of the town lately?"

"Medicine? Are you talking about an aphrodisiac?"

Seeing Namgung Bu-ryun glare at him, trying to maintain his facade as a member of an orthodox sect, the contact man sneered inwardly. However, he put on a troubled expression and quickly denied it.

"Heavens, no! An aphrodisiac? What we have is a genuine, premium product on a completely different level. Once consumed, it simply fills a person with vigorous energy and an intense desire for intimacy; it doesn't just drive them wild like a cheap aphrodisiac. It is, strictly speaking, a stamina elixir."

Depending on how one framed it, the drug could be called either a stamina elixir or an aphrodisiac. Thus, the contact man spoke without a shred of hesitation.

"If you give this to a woman and make your move... Ah! She'll tear down all her defenses, spread her legs, and cling to you for dear life."

He spoke with absolute confidence, as if he had used it himself. In reality, he was merely repeating ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the tall tales of a Mudok Chae executive who had used it without permission.

However, his acting seemed to work, as Namgung Bu-ryun's expression filled with intrigue.

"Is it truly that potent?"

"Yes! And since it's a stamina elixir rather than a poison, it even works on top-tier masters! We commissioned the Hao Sect to verify that it works on Master Realm experts, and rumors say it might even affect those in the Transcendental Realm."

"Ho. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠A stamina elixir that works on the Transcendental Realm? ...Though that seems unlikely, the fact that it works on the Master Realm is already extraordinary."

"We bought a massive quantity of this medicine, but since we have to leave Sichuan, we're about to throw it all away. We will give it all to you, Great Hero, so please help us pull off one last big score!"

In any case, once they bedded the female martial artists and held a merchant's daughter hostage for ransom, their relationship would end. Namgung Bu-ryun would never be foolish enough to admit to anyone that he had been swindled by bandits, so they were safe from pursuit. Thus, the contact man lied shamelessly, projecting absolute confidence to win his trust.

"All you need to do, Great Hero, is invite the ladies to Uibin City under the pretext of having something to discuss. We, as proud bandits of the Green Forest, will ambush and kidnap them on their way here."

"Hmm."

Looking at the bandit bowing so low his back was at a right angle, practically begging him, Namgung Bu-ryun fell into deep thought. After pondering for a long moment, he reached a decision.

"Very well. After all, pests will always crawl back no matter how many you kill. I won't stop you if you want to bring me a grand offering before you leave. Who should I invite to this place?"

"Oh, thank you! We will send you a list of the women we want you to invite later. You just need to send out the invitations, Great Hero."

"I shall do so, then."

With that, Namgung Bu-ryun planned to leisurely collect his tribute and enjoy the spoils...

However, it was not long after Namgung Bu-ryun had sent out the invitations to the daughters of local martial academies and merchant groups residing in the neighboring cities.

Tang Su-ryeon made a sudden announcement to the clan.

'...What the fuck?'