Chapter 105
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Wudang and the Beggar's Sect
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Jegal Yeon sifted through the documents piled on her desk, extracting a few key reports. Then, she headed straight for the Alliance Leader's office.
But when she arrived, she found she couldn't enter.
“For heaven’s sake! Why hasn’t the Martial Alliance acted yet?!”
A highly agitated voice erupted from within the office.
“Ahem! You there! You are in the presence of the Alliance Leader! Show some courtesy!”
“Courtesy? Did you say courtesy? The Blood Hand Honored One, whom you declared dead, appeared at our sect! Does your Alliance, which conceals the truth even from its allies, dare speak of courtesy?”
“What did you say?”
“If you have a mouth, then speak. Is this the faith and righteousness the Martial Alliance preaches?”
Frowning, Jegal Yeon let out a soft sigh.
It wasn't hard to guess the situation inside.
‘Was his name Daoist Master Unjeong?’
The younger martial brother of the former Sect Leader of the Qingcheng Sect, who had died a few months ago, had rushed here to lodge a formal protest.
“Our sect cannot help but be disappointed by your Alliance’s lukewarm response!”
The office door burst open, and a middle-aged Daoist with a flushed face strode out.
Making no effort to hide his anger, he stomped down the stairs. After joining the Qingcheng disciples waiting for him in the distance, he left the Martial Alliance without a single glance back.
Only then did Jegal Yeon enter the office.
Her eyes fell on Namgung Baek, sunk deep into a grand chair, his hand pressed to his forehead.
The other high-ranking officials of the Martial Alliance, scattered throughout the office, looked much the same.
They all wore drained expressions after the shouting match.
Seeing their somber faces, Jegal Yeon felt a surge of anger.
Every last one of them was a scarecrow, just watching the Alliance Leader’s lips.
These men, who should be unhesitatingly offering counsel to the Alliance Leader for the good of the Alliance, were instead just gauging Namgung Baek’s mood! They were the very corruption that darkened the Martial Alliance’s future.
‘Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter.’
Jegal Yeon masked her inner thoughts with a stoic expression.
Though not in the way she had intended, the situation was turning in her favor.
“Leader of the Heavenly Ear Corps, Jegal Yeon, greets the Alliance Leader.”
Namgung Baek nodded, his face weary.
He had been suffering considerably from the political pressure closing in from all sides recently.
“The criticism regarding the failure to subjugate the Ten Great Villains is growing stronger.”
“Spare me the obvious.”
Jegal Yeon placed the letters of protest she had intended to present to Namgung Baek back on the table.
“Have you found their whereabouts?”
At Namgung Baek's question, Jegal Yeon shook her head.
“If you are referring to Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, I regret to say we still have no leads.”
Namgung Baek’s brow furrowed.
Jegal Yeon quickly continued.
“However, we have been tracking the movements of those we suspect are with them.”
“This again?”
Despite Namgung Baek’s rebuke, Jegal Yeon did not back down.
“It is said that rearing a tiger invites calamity. Why do you neglect a matter that will surely become a source of trouble?”
Jegal Yeon raised her voice.
“The Divine Physician's son, currently staying near Mount Wudang. It is believed that Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi are part of his group.”
Namgung Baek’s eyebrow twitched.
Jegal Yeon, who he felt had been gradually crossing the line, was now openly expressing her opinion in a public setting.
“Can you take responsibility for those words?”
At Namgung Baek’s low growl, Jegal Yeon stubbornly nodded her head.
“If you command it, I will stake my very life on it.”
Namgung Baek fell silent at Jegal Yeon’s relentless refusal to retract her claim.
“You must make a decision. According to the Qingcheng Sect’s message, Cho Ak-ryang is severely injured.”
This was truly a golden opportunity not to be missed.
“If we let this moment pass, such a chance will never come again.”
Namgung Baek did not want to accept it, but there were too many eyes watching.
‘How can I issue an order to hunt down my benefactor?’
Closing his eyes in thought, Namgung Baek made his decision.
“If you are so certain, I will go and confirm it myself.”
It was the only choice that could prevent a mistake.
‘Perfect.’
Realizing the meaning behind his words, Jegal Yeon smiled inwardly.
A wise bird chooses its tree carefully.
There was a time she had believed Namgung Baek was the true leader the Martial Alliance needed.
But not anymore.
A man blinded by his own stubbornness, unable to make sound judgments, was unfit to be the Alliance Leader. Contrary to these inner thoughts, Jegal Yeon bowed her head with utmost respect.
“I am grateful for your decisive leadership, Alliance Leader.”
***
Mount Wudang, a sacred Daoist mountain located south of Jun County in Hubei Province.
Seventy-two peaks and twenty-six rocky crags.
And with them, pavilions that held long histories and stories.
There was nothing here that was not famous. But what made Mount Wudang famous today was something else entirely.
The Shaolin, known as one of the twin pillars of the martial world.
Alongside them, the Wudang Sect, the other pillar supporting the orthodox factions, was located right here.
That was why the villages at the foot of Mount Wudang prospered.
The number of thriving inns alone was over thirty.
However, one of them…
The Seongwon Inn, in particular, was not accepting guests.
This was because a group that had arrived some time ago had rented out the entire establishment.
In a detached building within the inn’s quiet rear courtyard.
“You must have absolute rest for the time being.”
At Dan Ak-seon’s firm words, Cho Ak-ryang smiled softly.
“I will.”
Having finished organizing the sterilized acupuncture needles in their case, Dan Ak-seon stretched widely.
He had used up quite a bit of energy treating Cho Ak-ryang over the past few days.
“Well then, I’m going to head out for a bit. I need some medicinal herbs.”
As Dan Ak-seon stood up, Beom Gye-wi also shifted as if ready to get up.
But in that instant, Han Seol-hwa’s sharp gaze shot toward him.
“I believe I told you not to do anything.”
Beom Gye-wi flinched and reluctantly sat back down.
After warning the two with another glare, Han Seol-hwa followed Dan Ak-seon out.
Dan Ak-seon headed straight for the apothecary.
As it happened, the owner was away.
As they squatted by the entrance, idly waiting for the owner to return, Han Seol-hwa spoke to Dan Ak-seon.
“We don’t know when the owner will be back. Why don’t we look around elsewhere in the meantime?”
It seemed she was quite bored of waiting.
Han Seol-hwa smiled at Dan Ak-seon, whose face lit up.
“We have plenty of time anyway, so take your time looking around. Everything you see, hear, and experience is a form of study.”
“Study?”
“Yes.”
Nodding, Han Seol-hwa gazed at the lively marketplace.
“Do you know what was the hardest thing for me when I first left the North Sea Ice Palace and entered the martial world?”
“What was it?”
“The fact that I knew nothing.”
Han Seol-hwa let out a faint, self-deprecating laugh.
“Back then, I was truly ignorant of the ways of the world. So I made many mistakes. I found myself in difficult situations many times.”
“It’s hard to believe that you, of all people, went through that.”
“It wasn’t just once or twice. I made many… mistakes.”
Recalling those times, Han Seol-hwa’s eyes grew distant.
“Because I didn’t know how to deal with people.”
What was she remembering?
For a moment, Han Seol-hwa’s eyes filled with sadness.
As she stood there, lost in memories of the past, her face was etched with an undeniable regret and sorrow.
“Don’t blame yourself. Whatever it was, it’s in the past.”
Dan Ak-seon smiled brightly, looking at Han Seol-hwa.
“Thanks to you, I get to learn like this.”
Han Seol-hwa smiled softly, touched by Dan Ak-seon’s comforting words.
The mistakes of the past, the painful memories that still brought regret…
Perhaps he had to experience all of it in order to meet this child. The thought eased her heart. And so, the two of them began to slowly wander through the village and the market.
The Central Plains were vast, and each region had its distinct local color.
Perhaps because of this, Dan Ak-seon was completely absorbed in looking at everything with childlike curiosity.
After walking for some time…
Dan Ak-seon suddenly stopped.
They were at the edge of the village, far from the bustling market.
He was standing before a deserted, empty lot in a secluded area.
“Are they fighting right now?”
About thirty paces away.
Spotting two figures entangled in a chaotic cloud of dust, Dan Ak-seon asked Han Seol-hwa.
After gazing at the spot for a moment, Han Seol-hwa shook her head.
“They seem to be friends.”
“Friends?”
His curiosity piqued, Dan Ak-seon walked toward them.
As they got closer, he could begin to hear their voices.
“Let’s settle this today! You’ll end up having to call me big brother.”
“It’ll be you calling me that.”
“If you’re so confident, then come at me, you stubborn little brother!”
“My name is not stubborn.”
“Hey! It’s a nickname, a nickname. A term of endearment.”
“I refuse. I don’t like it.”
“You’ll like it after a few punches!”
Dan Ak-seon found it fascinating that the two could chatter nonstop even while exchanging blows.
He decided to find a spot and watch.
Before long, Dan Ak-seon realized the two were about his age.
Was that why?
He found himself naturally drawn in.
The two were almost perfectly matched. It was, quite literally, a deadlock. Then, at one point, Dan Ak-seon let out an involuntary gasp of admiration.
“Wow! How did he dodge that?”
Dan Ak-seon pointed at the two and asked Han Seol-hwa.
“Did you see that? I was sure he was going to get hit in the jaw, but he took it on his shoulder and deflected the attack. And then he closed the distance and countered.”
Dan Ak-seon was now completely captivated by their spar.
The martial arts of the two, which were on a different level and of a different style than his own, were fascinating, but their martial prowess was also considerable.
“He seems to be a disciple of Wudang. And the other one…”
Han Seol-hwa unconsciously furrowed her brow.
“Appears to be a little beggar from the Beggar’s Sect.”
“So that’s why they’re so good at fighting.”
Han Seol-hwa silently nodded, watching Dan Ak-seon completely engrossed in the spar.
‘This is probably good for him.’
A wide range of experiences would surely help Dan Ak-seon in the future.
Another gasp of admiration escaped Dan Ak-seon’s lips.
“Wow! That Beggar’s Sect disciple’s movements are really hard to predict. He looked like he was about to fall when he staggered, but it was a feint to draw in his opponent’s attack!”
A glint appeared in Han Seol-hwa’s eyes.
She too had seen the move Dan Ak-seon mentioned.
‘Drunken Immortal Steps?’
It was undoubtedly one of the ultimate arts of the Beggar’s Sect.
In other words, it wasn't a technique that just any disciple of the Beggar’s Sect could learn.
‘Come to think of it…’
The same was true for the young Wudang disciple fighting the beggar. Although it wasn't fully developed and didn't show clearly, she could occasionally sense the essence of Wudang's ultimate techniques.
“Whoa! That was…?”
Dan Ak-seon shouted with excitement.
He was so immersed in their spar that his voice had grown loud without him realizing it. The two suddenly stopped fighting and jumped back.
Dan Ak-seon was feeling disappointed that the spar had abruptly ended.
“You know him?”
“No.”
The two boys shot Dan Ak-seon a bewildered look.
After a moment…
“Who are you?”
The boy who seemed to be the Wudang disciple asked.
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
Faced with the boy’s sharp gaze, Dan Ak-seon answered in a fluster.
“I’m… Dan Ak-seon.”
The Wudang disciple paused, then blinked his innocent, calf-like eyes.
“I see.”
At those words, the beggar boy standing next to him let out a sigh.
“What do you mean, ‘I see’? I didn’t ask so you could hear his name.”