Chapter 66
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Division (3)
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The beggars had a hard time grasping Myeong-gak's words.
Why on earth would opening a restaurant just for martial artists require spreading the word through the Beggar Clan?
But their expressions hardened at his next statement.
"The place opening the restaurant is that very house on the hill by the riverbank."
"You mean that hunter's house, the one with the unknown identity?"
The sharp-eared beggars who eavesdropped everywhere already knew that the hunter living by the riverbank was an extraordinary master.
"That's right. We're opening it there. But spread the word only to the major martial families and sects of the martial world. If riffraff start flocking in, the owner will lose his temper. His disposition is far from ordinary, so keep that firmly in mind."
The beggars exchanged glances before turning their eyes back to Myeong-gak.
"Understood. But before that, we beggars have something to ask the two of you."
"Ask away. I'll answer honestly."
"What happened at that house a few days ago?"
It was clearly referring to the visit from the Infinite Sword Demon of the Demonic Cult.
Myeong-gak feigned complete ignorance.
"Nothing at all."
The beggars' grime-streaked faces twisted in displeasure.
"Myeong-gak, are you trying to fool the eyes of the Beggar Clan? We saw it with our own eyes—the retainers of the Zhuge Family who were staying with the Seok Family left the Zhuge clan's young lady, the one they were supposed to protect with their lives, here and rushed back to their main house."
As expected, it was tough to fool the Beggar Clan's beggars.
They wandered everywhere, scavenging for food, so their instincts were razor-sharp.
Myeong-gak and Cheongpung quickly exchanged glances.
To enlist the beggars, they needed to dangle some substantial bait.
"Namo Amitabha, Kwanseum Bosal. We've confirmed the revival of the Demonic Cult."
The beggars recoiled in shock and hurriedly asked.
"How... how did you confirm it?"
"An heir to one of the Demonic Cult's Five Emperors appeared and then vanished."
The beggars' mouths fell open in astonishment.
Why had the Demonic Cult's Five Emperors suddenly popped up here?
What kind of figures were they?
Before the Great Heavenly Demon had even stepped forth a hundred years ago, they were the demon kings who had emerged first into the martial world and annihilated countless sects and families.
"T-tell us... about that one."
They were so shocked they could barely string words together.
Myeong-gak spun his lie with utter innocence.
"Even this monk doesn't know. My divine techniques couldn't even catch a glimpse of his shadow."
Sensing the gravity of the situation, the beggars shoveled down the rice and side dishes from their battered bowls in a single gulp.
Urp...
The beggars belched, filling the air with a rotten stench.
"To get us beggars moving, you'll need silver."
It was a fact Myeong-gak and Cheongpung already knew all too well.
The beggars moved for silver.
As soon as the demand for silver arose, Myeong-gak slipped behind Cheongpung.
Now facing the beggars directly, Cheongpung shot a glare at the monk hiding in his shadow before pulling a money pouch from his bosom.
"Damn monk."
"Make it plenty."
Cheongpung, who had pulled out two taels of silver, added two more and handed them over.
"You can poke around everywhere else you like, but absolutely do not set foot on Mount Emei."
Mount Emei.
Home to the Emei Sect, where one of the Seven Stars Lords served as sect leader.
Yet in the current martial world, there was nowhere that welcomed the Emei Sect.
The beggars, thrilled with the four taels, bowed deeply.
"Even beggars who beg for rice have our pride. We'll always welcome jobs like this, so come find us again."
Myeong-gak and Cheongpung watched as the beggars scattered in all directions.
"Monk, which place do you think they'll hit first?"
"In my view, either the Peng Family or the Beggar Clan itself. The Blade Lord Peng Cheon-ho is infamous for his impatience."
"The martial world is going to erupt. Yuanshi Tianzun, this Huanin County will inevitably become the center of it all."
That was precisely Myeong-gak's aim.
His master had long insisted on forming the Martial Alliance, the unifying force of the martial world.
Now that renowned experts from across Jianghu would flock here, talk of establishing the Martial Alliance would be unavoidable, whether they liked it or not.
Through the mouths of the Zhuge Family retainers who had been staying with the Seok Family, news of the Five Elders' emergence would spread to the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families.
"Myeong-gak, I'm afraid the Demonic Cult from a hundred years ago is returning."
"Cheongpung, why do you think we're sticking close to the High Expert? In the current martial world, no one has clashed more with the Demonic Cult hiding in the shadows than him. They'll keep trying to kill him relentlessly, and the true nature of the Demonic Cult lurking in the darkness will come to light. Whether we want it or not, he's at the eye of the storm. We need to find any excuse to stay by his side."
Hahaha...
It was a grave situation, worrying over the future of Jianghu, but laughter burst from Cheongpung's lips.
"You swindler of the world."
Puhehehe...
Seok Ja-kyeong, out on patrol, stopped at an inn to fill his empty stomach and have a drink with his meal.
He and his fellow clansman left the inn as evening was falling.
On his way back to the clan, he spotted Feng Ja-yeong walking with the leader of the Feng Family Merchant House and flashed a subtle smile.
Before, he'd just given a light nod when passing a beautiful village girl, but now with his newfound confidence, he wanted to strike up a conversation.
The fact that the Feng Family Merchant House wasn't particularly wealthy, combined with the alcohol, played a part.
"Hold up a moment."
Feng Yang-jo, hurrying back to the caravan, stopped and turned at the voice calling from behind.
"Ah, no way. Isn't this Young Master Seok?"
He quickly composed his face and bowed to Seok Ja-kyeong.
He didn't know their exact names.
But the uniforms they wore were the blue garb symbolizing the Seok Family.
"It's been a while, Leader."
Feng Yang-jo bowed even deeper at Seok Ja-kyeong's self-assured demeanor.
"What brings you to call me?"
"Oh, just wanted to chat a bit."
He was speaking to Feng Yang-jo, but his eyes were fixed on Feng Ja-yeong.
The perceptive Feng Yang-jo didn't miss it.
Thinking he could forge a good connection with the Seok Family if he played it right, he promptly introduced his daughter.
"This is my daughter, Ja-yeong."
Seok Ja-kyeong, who already knew Feng Ja-yeong's name, greeted her as if meeting for the first time.
"I'm Seok Ja-kyeong of the Seok Family. Miss Feng."
"Feng Ja-yeong."
Feng Ja-yeong unwillingly bowed in return.
At that moment, his fellow clansman watching from the side tugged at Seok Ja-kyeong's arm.
"Hey, Ja-kyeong. It's already late to head back to the clan. Let's hurry."
But Seok Ja-kyeong had no intention of returning just yet.
"You go ahead. I'll follow shortly."
"The patriarch will chew you out."
"Don't worry about that. I'll explain it well when I get back."
Ahem...
The fellow clansman let out a displeased cough and walked off first.
Ever since his martial arts improved, he was turning more and more arrogant.
"Then I'll head out first."
After sending his fellow clansman away, Seok Ja-kyeong gazed at Feng Ja-yeong, who was averting her eyes, and smiled contentedly.
'One of the village's top beauties. Not as a principal wife, maybe, but a concubine would do nicely.'
Whether from the alcohol or not, Feng Ja-yeong's lovely face seemed even more stunning.
"Why don't we not do this here and head to my merchant house instead? I'll treat you properly there."
"Sounds good. Lead the way."
Feng Yang-jo took the lead guiding Seok Ja-kyeong, while Feng Ja-yeong walked silently beside her father.
She didn't like the man named Seok Ja-kyeong following behind.
Something about him seemed sinister, and she hated his arrogant gaze that looked down on others.
But she couldn't openly say she disliked him.
The trailing Seok Ja-kyeong scanned Feng Ja-yeong's figure from top to bottom.
'Even better than I imagined.'
After spending the whole day wandering the village sampling alcohol from various places, I entered a large wooden building nestled by the stream.
"Anyone here?"
If my cooking skills fell short, at least the alcohol had to be good, so I'd gone around tasting brews from inns and eateries in the village.
Then Gong of the Salmun House, who ran an inn, had recommended this place.
This massive wooden structure was a specialized brewery supplying Misun Pavilion, the village's most famous restaurant.
As I stepped inside, I saw men kneading nuruk by hand under the dim glow of lanterns.
"What brings you here?"
An elderly man came forward to greet me.
"I'm here for some alcohol. Heard this place has good stuff."
"What kind are you looking for?"
"Strong baijiu with a rich aroma."
The elder led me further in and showed me several jars about waist-high.
"Among the brews we make here, this is the strongest and most aromatic. But it has a clean finish—no one who tastes it forgets it. Five taels of silver per jar."
It was expensive.
Obscenely so.
Elsewhere, a jar went for less than one tael.
"I'll take one."
Still, I bought a jar right then and paid up.
The elder's eyes widened as I lifted the jar effortlessly.
Whoa...
"You're a powerhouse. Most folks can't lift one alone..."
I hoisted the jar onto my shoulder and left.
After trudging home quite a distance, I found Myeong-gak had set out dinner and was waiting.
"Why so late? Where were you?"
"Bought some alcohol."
I set the jar down and sat at the kitchen table, drawing Myeong-gak's interest.
"Mind if I have a taste?"
"Go ahead."
Myeong-gak rushed to the jar, broke the clay seal, and poured some into a bottle.
The aroma filled the kitchen, catching the attention of everyone at the table.
"Where'd you get that? The scent is incredible."
Namgung Hye showed interest, followed by Zhuge Ji chiming in.
"It smells just like the brew at Misun Pavilion before."
"Bought it from the brewery that supplies them."
The bottle made the rounds, and tasters nodded appreciatively.
"It's strong, but the aroma and flavor are top-notch."
A few rounds with dinner emptied the bottle.
Myeong-gak picked up the empty bottle and stood.
"That's enough."
"There's a whole jar left. Just a bit more."
"Then pay up in silver."
Tsk.
Myeong-gak smacked his lips and sat back down.
I ate the steamed fish and soup on the table and casually asked.
"So, once we open the restaurant here, the Five Kings and Seven Stars Lords will come visiting?"
Everyone at the table froze mid-bite.
"What makes you think that?"
"Isn't it obvious? One of the Demonic Cult's Five Emperors showed up here, so all eyes in the martial world are turning this way. Urging me to open a restaurant must be tied to that."
A heavy silence fell over the table.
No one could bring themselves to speak first.
I watched them slyly, a faint smile playing on my lips.
"So you're really planning to open the restaurant, huh?"
Kukukuku...
"Since it's something you hate so much, of course I have to do it."
Doing something the Great Heavenly Demon so vehemently opposed secretly lifted my mood.
But the Great Heavenly Demon was a great demon, after all.
Kukukuku...
"Perfect."
Eh?
I suddenly realized why the Great Heavenly Demon was laughing.