Chapter 365
Namgung Un's face twisted into an expression of utter disbelief.
"Completing an internal core through death?"
"Until just moments ago, there was no internal core within this person's body. But the moment their breath ceased and their blood circulation stopped, the core formed."
Bu Eun-seol's pupils darkened with a deep, shadowed light.
"To artificially create an internal core, it seems they must first implant the 'Demon Seed' into a living person."
He exhaled a heavy sigh before continuing.
"And once the person who received the Demon Seed dies, the artificial core is completed."
"So... you're saying they use a living person's body as soil to plant the seed of an internal core?"
"Exactly."
"Then...?"
A terrifying intuition flashed through Namgung Un's mind as he muttered under his breath.
Swish.
In an instant, he spun around and began meticulously examining the fallen masked men.
Immediately, he noticed slight bulges near their temples and the backs of their necks.
Sshhk.
Namgung Un drew a sharp golden needle and sliced open one of the corpses.
Squelch.
The flesh near the temple split apart, and a small orb, slick with blood, tumbled out.
An artificial internal core.
These masked men, too, had been implanted with the Demon Seed capable of forming such a core.
"This... can't be."
Namgung Un trembled as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"It's true, then."
Though Namgung Un had traveled the martial world far more than most his age, he had never witnessed much of its darker side.
But to plant a seed inside a living person and then kill them to harvest an internal core?
It was an act of cruelty so extreme he had never even heard of it in his life, and his rage burned fiercely.
"The Beggars' Sect has long been one of the great pillars of the righteous faction. How could they commit such vile acts?"
Clenching his fists, Namgung Un spoke through gritted teeth.
"What could the Beggars' Sect possibly lack that would drive them to this?"
"You're right. They lacked something. A great deal, in fact."
Bu Eun-seol's voice was calm as he explained.
"The term 'Nine Great Sects and One Gang' speaks for itself—the Beggars' Sect was once hailed as the foremost school under heaven. But in recent times, their influence and martial prowess have dwindled so much that the title has become meaningless."
Bu Eun-seol conjured the image of the Beggar King, Gu Hong-cheong, in his mind before continuing.
"Because of this, there's long been a faction within the Beggars' Sect pushing to restore its former strength. And the one leading that charge was none other than Gu Hong-cheong."
"So they used human lives as collateral to create internal cores... to forge a stronger Beggars' Sect?"
"The Beggars' Sect could afford it. They have more than enough people to spare."
With beggars gathered from all corners of the Central Plains, the number of disciples under the Beggars' Sect was beyond counting.
Unless one held a high enough position within the sect, people could die left and right without anyone noticing.
"To exploit their numbers like this... I can't believe it."
"If there were a sect that could kill people with ease and reap enormous benefits from it, it would probably be the Beggars' Sect."
"But the Beggars' Sect reveres the Path of Chivalry—!"
Bu Eun-seol cut Namgung Un off sharply.
"That's nothing but an old saying now. Failing to produce any outstanding disciples, the Beggars' Sect has long been on a path of decline. Now, it's become a gathering place for those who worship power above all else."
Namgung Un didn't argue further, instead exhaling a sigh of shame.
That the Beggars' Sect—once called the foremost school under heaven and a pillar of the righteous faction—would stoop to such acts in pursuit of power?
He was so ashamed he wanted to crawl into a mouse hole and hide.
"I'll return to the main house at once and report this. Then I'll request the Martial Alliance investigate the Beggars' Sect."
"Useless."
"What?"
"The Beggars' Sect isn't the mastermind behind the creation of these cores. They're merely greedy pawns being used by another."
"Pawns? The Beggars' Sect?"
Bu Eun-seol sighed, as if resigned to explaining, and briefly recounted his own experiences up to now.
From the Black Alliance in Qinghai to the government officials cultivating internal cores in the Underground Sacred Capital.
And how a certain faction had completely erased annihilated sects, repurposing their remnants as their own limbs.
"Like the Black Alliance Lord, the Beggars' Sect was likely manipulated. Their desire to restore their former glory was cleverly exploited."
"So there's another force behind all this."
Having heard everything, Namgung Un shook his head with a bitter sigh.
"I never even dreamed such things were happening."
Then, stroking his chin with a grave expression, he added,
"But if such forces are pulling the strings, shouldn't we inform the Martial Alliance even sooner? If they launch an investigation, they should be able to uncover evidence that the Beggars' Sect has been compromised."
"Any sect or organization has eyes and ears connected to outside forces. And the Beggars' Sect would have even more."
Bu Eun-seol spoke decisively.
"That Shadow Force's intelligence network surpasses even the Martial Alliance's. The moment we report this to the Martial Alliance, the Beggars' Sect will immediately receive word and destroy all evidence."
Namgung Un felt a heavy weight settle in his chest.
To think there was a faction casting such a dark shadow over the Murim—and Bu Eun-seol had been clashing with them all along?
"So there's no way, then?"
"We have to obtain proof ourselves."
"How do you mean?"
Bu Eun-seol gestured to the fifty-some corpses.
"The Beggars' Sect fed these men the seeds of the Internal Cores. They'll definitely come to retrieve them."
Namgung Un let out a quiet "Ah."
He realized Bu Eun-seol intended to track them himself.
"Then shouldn't we put the Internal Core back inside?"
"It doesn't matter. Once they realize something's amiss, they'll have to return to their headquarters."
"I see. Then I'll wait with you."
Bu Eun-seol and Namgung Un concealed themselves in a hidden spot about three hundred feet away from where the masked men had fallen.
About an hour passed.
With the Sound of Breaking Air, a dozen beggars arrived at the clearing where the masked men lay.
They scanned their surroundings meticulously, checking for any signs of people nearby.
But they couldn't detect Bu Eun-seol and Namgung Un, who had completely suppressed their presence.
Once they confirmed nothing was out of place, they drew daggers from their robes.
Then they approached the fallen masked men and began extracting the Internal Cores embedded in their necks or temples.
Shhk. Thud.
They worked with practiced efficiency, as if they had done this many times before, swiftly moving from one corpse to the next.
Then, one of the masked men noticed the corpse from which Namgung Un had already retrieved the Internal Core and called his companions over.
The masked men huddled together, whispering urgently for a long moment before suddenly activating their Movement Technique and fleeing the area.
Whoosh.
As they launched into Lightness Skill, Bu Eun-seol and Namgung Un stealthily began pursuing them.
The masked men didn't stop even once, maintaining their Lightness Skill for a full day and a half.
And the place they finally arrived at was none other than Kaifeng.
Once inside the city, the masked men abruptly scattered in all directions as soon as they reached the marketplace.
Bu Eun-seol and Namgung Un watched from the roof of a tall pavilion.
"So it really was the Beggars' Sect."
Though they seemed to disperse randomly, the direction they were heading was unmistakably toward the Beggars' Sect's Headquarters.
Having noticed one missing Internal Core, they were likely splitting up to shake off any potential pursuers before regrouping at the Headquarters.
"What do we do now? Once they enter the Beggars' Sect's Headquarters, gathering evidence will be nearly impossible."
Bu Eun-seol replied as if it were nothing.
"We'll have to go in and get it ourselves."
"You mean infiltrate the Beggars' Sect's Headquarters?"
"That's right."
"Absolutely impossible."
Namgung Un waved his hands dismissively.
"The Beggars' Sect's Headquarters is even harder to infiltrate than the Martial Alliance or Shaolin."
He sighed before continuing.
"Beggars have their own unique traits. If an outsider tries to blend in, they'll be exposed immediately. No matter how skilled a spy is, infiltrating the Beggars' Sect is simply unthinkable."
While the Martial Alliance and Shaolin have tight security, at least outsiders and visitors are allowed to move about.
But inside the Beggars' Sect's Headquarters, it's only beggars among beggars.
And no matter how well you disguise yourself as one, real beggars can spot a fake in an instant.
In short, unless you can turn your entire body invisible, infiltrating the Headquarters is outright impossible.
"We'll infiltrate as beggars."
Crack. Pop.
Bu Eun-seol activated the Face-Changing Bone-Shifting Art.
His facial bones shifted, and Seol-so's face transformed into one that looked even more simple and naive.
"Brother Bu. Changing just your face won't be enough."
Namgung Un shook his head firmly.
"Beggars have their own way of life and habits. Ordinary people don't know them, so no matter how well you disguise yourself as a Destitute Beggar, you'll be caught immediately."
Then he added cautiously,
"My family has excellent intelligence operatives. I'll have them infiltrate instead."
"You're right. No matter how capable an informant is, they'll be exposed the moment they step into a beggar's den."
Bu Eun-seol spoke with an unconcerned expression.
"And if a spy sent by the Namgung Clan is discovered, it won't just be your problem—it'll reflect on the entire Namgung Family."
"But...?"
"It's fine. I've played the beggar many times in the past."
Bu Eun-seol patted Namgung Un's shoulder.
"You should return to the Namgung Clan. I can handle this alone."
Then he gave a faint smile.
"If I obtain definitive proof, I'll share it with you."
Those words carried another meaning—that if he found decisive evidence within the Beggars' Sect, he would hand it over to Namgung Un, ensuring his path to becoming the next Family Head.
But Namgung Un's pride was wounded instead.
Bu Eun-seol, the successor of the Demonic Path, was risking his life to infiltrate and catch the forces corrupting the murim.
And here he was, being told he couldn't handle it?
"Brother Bu. I have no ambition to become Family Head."
Namgung Un took a deep breath before speaking.
"It's just that I don't shy away when trials come my way. Like you taught me."
Then, with resolute determination, he declared:
"I'll go with you, Brother Bu. Just like we used to."
"There's no need."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned grave.
"Disguising as a beggar isn't easy. You wouldn't last a moment before running away."
"Haha, is disguising as a beggar really that difficult? That's probably because Brother Bu—"
Namgung Un's laughter died as his mouth snapped shut.
Bu Eun-seol's gaze was unbearably solemn.
Brother Bu isn't one to speak idly.
Namgung Un hesitated briefly.
During their past wanderings as rogue martial artists, they'd faced life-threatening dangers repeatedly—situations where even a hundred lives wouldn't have been enough.
Yet back then, Bu Eun-seol had never once worn this expression.
Meaning this was incomparably more grueling and perilous.
But the me of then and the me of now are different.
Besides, even in the worst-case scenario of infiltrating the Beggars' Sect's headquarters, what's the worst that could happen? Getting caught and fleeing?
Steeling himself, Namgung Un laughed and thumped his chest.
"Is there anything I couldn't handle if I'm with Brother Bu?"
Clasping his hands together, he spoke with utmost sincerity:
"Please take me with you. I beg of you."
"You're certain?"
"Absolutely."
Bu Eun-seol fell silent.
"Don't come to regret this."
"No need to worry!"
Namgung Un thumped his chest again, answering brightly.
"That will never happen!"
Namgung Un immediately regretted it.
"Ugh—"
The moment he took the clothes Bu Eun-seol handed him, overwhelming regret surged alongside a wave of nausea.
To infiltrate the Beggars' Sect's headquarters, Bu Eun-seol had led Namgung Un to a small village far from Kaifeng.
And upon arrival, they immediately located a den of beggars gathered near the outskirts.
These weren't Beggars' Sect members but vagrants treated worse than livestock.
"Two sets, if you would."
Bu Eun-seol extended silver taels to the man who appeared to be the branch chief.
Baring yellowed teeth, the man pocketed the money. Without a single question, he ordered his underlings to fetch the clothes immediately.
Martial artists borrowing beggars' garb to evade pursuit were a common sight, after all.
"Two bowls as well."
When Bu Eun-seol requested bowls, the branch chief couldn't hide his puzzlement.
"What d'you need bowls for?"
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol produced another silver tael.
Without further ado, the chief handed over two cracked bowls his underlings used.
Clutching the clothes and bowls, the two retreated into a secluded forest to change.
But Namgung Un couldn't even begin changing—he was too busy retching uncontrollably.
"Ugh— Hurk—"
Before he knew it, his face was smeared with tears and snot.
The beggars' clothes reeked of indescribable filth, stained with feces and crusted with dead insects.
Merely holding them made the noodles he'd eaten a year ago claw up his throat—wearing them was unthinkable.
"You can still back out now."
Bu Eun-seol, already clad in the filthy rags without hesitation, spoke flatly.
"In this state, you'll be exposed before even setting foot in the Beggars' Sect's headquarters."
At this, Namgung Un abruptly stopped retching and wiped his mouth.
"What nonsense is that? It's just yesterday's meal disagreeing with me."
After a deep breath, he forced himself into the beggar's attire.
The moment the tunic touched his skin, the acrid stench made his eyes water from the pungency.
Crack.
Just then, Bu Eun-seol activated the Face-Changing Bone-Shifting Art, thinning his frame further.
Draped in beggar's rags over his gaunt body, he became the spitting image of a destitute beggar.
"Can you perform the Bone-Shifting Technique?"
"O-of course."
Namgung Un inhaled sharply and began the technique.
Crack.
Though his face transformed into an ordinary one, Namgung Un's naturally tall and imposing bone structure remained.
Only his clothes and face looked like a beggar's; his build still looked impressive.
"Too much aristocratic flair lingers."
Bu Eun-seol scrutinized him critically.
"Reduce your frame further and add more fullness to your face. That would appear far more natural."
"Add fullness? Since when do beggars go around fat?"
"Not fat, but bloated. Years of eating filthy scraps swell both body and face naturally."
"I-Is that so?"
Crunch.
Following Bu Eun-seol's advice, Namgung Un used the Bone Shrinking Art to shrink his physique as much as possible while expanding his facial bones.
Soon, the figure of a thoroughly bloated beggar appeared.
"But will this level of disguise really let us enter the Beggars' Sect headquarters?"
Namgung Un wore an uneasy expression.
The Beggars' Sect headquarters was, in every sense, a den of beggars. Even the slightest awkward movement or unnatural demeanor would immediately draw suspicion.
"Of course not."
Bu Eun-seol led Namgung Un outside.
Then, with a faint smile, he said:
"From now on, we'll become beggars in essence."
Without delay, Bu Eun-seol took Namgung Un straight to Chengdu.
"To become a beggar, you must first grow accustomed to people's gazes."
"Gazes? What kind of gazes?"
"You'll understand once we walk through the marketplace."
Bu Eun-seol began leading Namgung Un through the bustling marketplace.
Passersby wrinkled their noses or cursed under their breath as they walked past the two, their foul stench wafting thickly through the air.
Some even flared up in anger, while others outright kicked at them.
These bastards—!
Rage surged to the top of Namgung Un's head.
As the direct descendant of the Namgung Clan, when had he ever been treated with such contempt?
After barely half a day of walking, the scornful stares and disgust from the crowd left him dizzy.
"Aren't you angry at all, Brother Bu?"
At Namgung Un's question, Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"Isn't it human instinct to avoid what's foul and filthy?"
"So if we're dirty and stink, we deserve to be scorned? To be kicked without reason?"
"That's just how the world works."
Bu Eun-seol answered indifferently.
"People despise those weaker and more wretched than themselves. It reassures them of their own happiness."
The words were so pessimistic that Namgung Un couldn't just laugh them off.
Worse, Bu Eun-seol's expression and gaze seemed to be tracing back through some past memory.
"Brother Bu... have you lived as a beggar before?"
"Not lived as one. I was one."
Avoiding Namgung Un's shaken gaze, Bu Eun-seol spoke flatly.
"I was abandoned too young... I didn't even have a name."
So that's how it was.
Only then did Namgung Un begin to grasp the kind of life Bu Eun-seol had lived—and why his heart had frozen over so completely.
His personality isn't cold by nature. Something happened that froze his heart entirely.
That was the thought Namgung Un had before parting ways with Bu Eun-seol in the past.
And he had wished, then, for Bu Eun-seol's frozen heart to thaw—for warmth to always surround him.
I've been spouting nonsense without knowing a thing about Brother Bu.
Recalling his past thoughts, Namgung Un felt an inexplicable guilt.
He had been born into a prestigious, well-respected family and raised without want.
What if he, too, had grown up powerless in a harsh environment? He might have ended up just as cold and pessimistic as Bu Eun-seol.
"I... I didn't realize what you'd been through, Brother Bu."
As Namgung Un scratched his head awkwardly, Bu Eun-seol shook his.
"There's no need to think like that. It's all in the past."
"But I can't help feeling like an ignorant fool who didn't understand the world..."
"You don't need to seek out things unseen—especially the ugly and unpleasant. Just do your best where you stand."
Bu Eun-seol didn't believe someone like Namgung Un needed to despair over not knowing the world's darkness.
He had been born into a renowned clan, raised brightly and without hardship. And with his good character and actions, he naturally brightened those around him.
That alone meant Namgung Un could positively influence countless people.
"Brother Bu."
"Now that you understand, you should turn back."
Only then did Namgung Un realize—
Bu Eun-seol had been deeply considerate of him all along.
The reason he had gone through the trouble of making him experience a beggar's life wasn't so they could go together—but to make him leave.
I'm not the same fool I was before!
In the past, he would have given up and turned back immediately. But now, things were different.
Namgung Un shook his head firmly.
"Since meeting you, Brother Bu, I've learned one thing."
He wiped his nose and spoke plainly.
"If you overcome every trial that comes your way, you'll definitely become someone great."
"Namgung Un."
"I'll prove it to you."
Namgung Un steeled his resolve. And he believed—
If he stayed by Bu Eun-seol's side, he could overcome any trial.
"Are you certain you won't regret this?"
"Absolutely!"
Namgung Un's eyes blazed like lit torches.
"Fine."
As if resigned, Bu Eun-seol held out the beggar's bowl to him.
"Then let's begin again."
The moment Namgung Un took the bowl, he would soon realize—
That everything up until now had been child's play.
And why Bu Eun-seol had tried so hard to dissuade him.