Chapter 12
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: A Beggar's Feast
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What do you mean by that?
Hong Gae asked, his eyes narrowing.
Well, I heard from the beggar uncles on the Southern Route that the reason the Beggars Sect isnt getting involved is because you took a bribe, Mister Hong Gae.
Who said that!
They said theres no way youd just stand by while beggars are dying in droves otherwise.
!!
It was a difficult accusation to ignore, and Hong Gae flinched.
What do you mean by that?
If Coptis root is this expensive, how are the beggar uncles supposed to get treated? They have no choice but to give up and die.
Oh, I heard that not all beggars in the world belong to the Beggars Sect! So, youre just pretending not to know because it doesnt matter if beggars outside the Sect die, is that it?!
Hong Gaes expression turned grim.
Just as Wi Ji-cheon had said, only a portion of the worlds beggars belonged to the Beggars Sect.
No one dared to mistreat a beggar from the Sect.
A surge in the price of Coptis root?
It was an issue unrelated to the Sects beggars.
What medical house would refuse to treat a beggar from the Beggars Sect?
However, that wasnt the case for ordinary beggars.
The Beggars Sect had a duty to protect the other beggars of the world.
Its not that I dont know. A boy like you wouldnt understand, but the world is a complicated place. The martial world cannot carelessly interfere in the affairs of civilians.
Could he just strong-arm them with force?
If things were that simple, powerful martial artists would have already taken over the entire world of commerce.
No matter how righteous the intention, reckless intervention would bring about severe repercussions.
Especially, as was evident from their neat clothes, the Beggars Sects main source of income was not begging. It was donations from the wealthy.
The South Central Medical House was one of the places that regularly sponsored the Beggars Sect.
Oh, I see. So youre just going to stand by and watch the beggars die because you cant do anything? If I were a beggar, I think Id be very disappointed in you, mister. I might even misunderstand and think youre ignoring them because you took a bribe.
Hong Gaes lips tightened into a firm line.
The boys innocent, audacious words were like daggers, striking him repeatedly.
Say, mister, youre a high-ranking member of the Beggars Sect, right?
Im a Branch Chief.
No, he wasnt just any Branch Chief.
Normally, the Branch Chief of a city the size of Nanyang would have three knots.
Five knots signified a rank equivalent to a Hall Master at the main headquarters.
Hong Gae was a disciple of the Dragon Head of the Beggars Sect. In other words, he was one of the Successor Beggars.
However, that didnt mean he was the designated heir.
The Sect Leader had over ten disciples.
Hong Gae was in a position where he had to prove his worth among his more than ten martial brothers.
Could this brat know my situation?
If Hong Gae were an ordinary Branch Chief, this incident wouldnt have been a major problem.
But he was one of the Successor Beggars.
If he let the beggars die, he would most likely face heavy criticism.
So what do you want me to do? I cant just go and bash the head of the South Central Medical Houses master, can I?
It was a nasty situation.
He couldnt act rashly, but if he stood by and did nothing, he would find himself in a political predicament.
Actually, there is a way. A way for you to protect the beggars without putting too much pressure on the South Central Medical House.
What is it?!
Before the cholera spreads in earnest, you can help the beggar uncles strengthen their bodies in advance.
Huh?
I read it in a medical book. The root of all illness is when the body becomes weak, allowing malevolent energy to invade. So, if they build up their bodies to prevent the cholera from entering, that should work.
Well, thats true, but
Strengthening the body was important, but did it make sense to think that alone could prevent an epidemic?
Is this kid an idiot? No, he is an idiot. What kind of serious conversation am I having with a kid like this?
Just as Hong Gae, his face showing his disappointment, was about to wave his hand and say, The kid should be on his way now.
I heard that Ojamok fruit is really good for strengthening the body.
!!
Hong Gae flinched.
The Beggars Sect had an excellent information network.
He knew that the Medical Immortal Medical House had recently been buying up Ojamok fruit as if hoarding it.
The South Central Medical House and other medical houses that primarily used Ojamok fruit had already stocked up on it, so everyone had been laughing at the Medical Immortal Medical Houses actions. But now?
You dont mean?
Besides, dont the beggar uncles already have a tradition of visiting rich houses to get food ahead of the dog days of summer? I think a few beggar uncles came to our Medical Immortal Medical House last year.
Wi Ji-cheon said with a bright smile.
But his face no longer felt so innocent.
I dont think a place like the South Central Medical House can get angry just because the noble warriors of the Beggars Sect take some Ojamok fruit to brew and drink for their health, can they?
A few days later.
A feast was held in the central street of Nanyang.
It was a feast thrown by the beggars.
It wasnt uncommon for the Beggars Sect to hold various events, so most people thought nothing of it, but those who knew the inner story felt differently.
N-No, what is the meaning of this, Great Warrior Hong?! My familys Ojamok fruit!!
The general manager of the South Central Medical House came running, throwing a fit.
Hong Gae nonchalantly picked his ear.
He, too, was displeased with what the South Central Medical House was doing, so his words did not come out kindly.
What can I do? Cholera is spreading, but someone swept up all the medicine, so its all gone. As a Branch Chief, I cant just stand by, can I? I have to at least help my poor beggars strengthen their bodies. They need to eat something like Ojamok fruit to overcome the cholera, dont you think?
E-Even so, to do something like this!!
Tsk, youre ruining the taste of the dog meat. Hey! Bring out the chickens the Black Ghost Sect provided! If its such a problem, Ill pay for the Ojamok fruit later. Ptui, its tough being a beggar.
Its not about paying the price, sir!
The general managers face was aghast.
You cant find Ojamok fruit at a time like this!
Why not? Did someone sweep it all up, just like you guys did?
The general manager was struck dumb.
With the crime they had committed, what could he possibly say here?
Those who knew the situation would, on the contrary, praise the Beggars Sect.
They would say that as noble warriors of the righteous faction, they had rebuked the South Central Medical House in a manner befitting the Beggars Sect.
You will regret this.
The general manager of the South Central Medical House disappeared after saying those words.
It wasnt an empty threat.
Looks like our funding is going to get cut.
Hong Gae scratched his head.
It couldnt be helped.
Still, it was a profitable trade.
The South Central Medical House wasnt the only one that donated to the Beggars Sect, and in exchange for a small loss, Hong Gae had earned honor.
Ill just eat a little less dog meat, I guess.
But beside him, Wi Ji-cheon casually remarked.
Dont feel bad about it. It wont be a loss for the Beggars Sect, even if the funding is cut.
Ahem, youre right. The beggars of the Sect have their pride! Wed rather not take dirty money from bastards like them.
Anyway.
Hong Gae looked at Wi Ji-cheon with admiration.
He had realized that Wi Ji-cheon was completely different from the rumors.
Wi Ji-cheon was no dunce.
On the contrary.
A prodigy.
It wasnt just the wicked from the evil factions or the demonic path who harmed people.
Sometimes, greed like this resulted in far more victims.
What was despicable was that in such cases, it was often difficult and ambiguous to intervene due to each partys complex circumstances.
This was the kind of situation that made the righteous factions curse the members of the evil and demonic paths for being even more filthy and terrible.
But this boy came up with a clever plan that strikes right at the vital point.
It was no coincidence.
What if the boy hadnt sought out the Beggars Sect? This kind of strong-arming would have been difficult. Even for the Beggars Sect, this was about as far as they could go. Within that limit, he had found the single most fatal move.
Moreover, he had even considered Hong Gaes political situation.
In other words, the boy had grasped the entire context and produced an answer like fitting the perfect key into a complex lock.
To think the dunce of the Medical Immortal Medical House was such a strategist. I heard his other brothers are also outstanding. The future of the Medical Immortal Medical House looks bright. Its a shame to lose the South Central Medical Houses sponsorship, but if we can get closer to the Medical Immortal Medical House instead
Then, Wi Ji-cheon brought up a curious point.
Im telling you, theres really nothing to feel bad about. How long do you think the South Central Medical House will last, Great Warrior?
Theyll last a long time. Its bitter, but thats the way of the world. Bastards like them live more extravagantly.
Hmm? I think differently.
??
I think the South Central Medical House will be ruined before long.
Just as Hong Gae tilted his head in confusion.
They messed with our Medical Immortal Medical House, after all.
!!
Hong Gae swallowed hard.
The boy was still smiling.
Come to think of it, he had been smiling like that ever since they first met.
As if to hide his true face.
Even beggars dont just stand by when their territory is invaded. I have no intention of letting the South Central Medical House off the hook either.
Why was it?
He was just a small boy.
But the moment he heard that cold voice, a chill ran down Hong Gaes spine.
He felt as if he had just caught a glimpse of the boys hidden face.
I have to show them that Im not someone to be trifled with.
The reason Wi Ji-cheon didnt want to reveal his martial arts was because of the Heavenly Immortal Divine Arts.
He was worried that drawing unnecessary attention might provoke his enemies.
However, that didnt mean he planned to live his life like a mouse, without ever showing his true colors.
I need to let them know that a mad dog lives in the Medical Immortal Medical House. That way, no one will dare to mess with us.
In that sense, Wi Ji-cheon had no intention of ending this matter amicably.
He would not stop until the South Central Medical House suffered a fatal blow, one that shattered its very pillars.
Weve heard from the South Central Medical House! They want to trade their Coptis root for our Ojamok fruit.
Whats the exchange rate?
Five to one. Theyve made a huge concession. Its all thanks to you, Cheon.
Wi Ji-mu gazed at Wi Ji-cheon with eyes dripping with honey.
Not only would they be able to acquire the Coptis root, but at this exchange rate, they could also make a considerable profit.
To think this kid was such a lucky charm!
However.
At five to one, how much are they valuing the Coptis root at?
Theyve priced the Coptis root at twice its regular price. The Ojamok fruit is calculated at five times its regular price. Given the situation, were getting a much better deal.
Tell them we wont make the deal.
Huh?
Tell them we have no intention of trading unless they sell the Coptis root at its regular price.
And the Ojamok fruit?
Naturally, we should get at least ten times its regular price.
This would make the exchange ratio not five to one, but twenty to one.
B-But theres no way theyll accept that deal.
Then we just wont make the deal.
Huh?
Uncle, whos in the more desperate situation right now? The South Central Medical House is entirely to blame for this incident. As time passes, people will only resent them more.
And that wasnt all.
The main clients of the South Central Medical House are all high-status individuals. Do you think people like that will tolerate delays in their treatment?
Wi Ji-mus face lit up with an Ah! of realization.
Then, he carefully lowered his voice.
Arent you backing the South Central Medical House into too much of a corner? You might not know, but they have a bad reputation behind the scenes. Theres no telling what kind of vicious measures they might resort to.
He knew.
Thats exactly what Im hoping for.
Wi Ji-cheon answered only in his mind.