Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Sima Clan
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The three people left at the inn each sank into their own thoughts.
Namgung Myeong worried that the Myriad Gold Merchant's master might have sent people out not to find the lost money, but for some other reason. Meanwhile, Dang Mujin and Hyeon-gong let their imaginations run wild on how to spend such an enormous sum.
In Dang Mujin's mind, the Dang family clinic had become a full-fledged Dang family stronghold. In Hyeon-gong's head, three grand Wudang branch halls stood tall.
As they indulged in these happy fantasies, Hong Geolgae and the Great Wind Beggar returned.
However, the Great Wind Beggar stopped short of entering the inn and spoke to Hong Geolgae.
"Jusan. I'm heading back now, so come find me next time."
"You're leaving already?"
"I only stayed at the Myriad Gold Merchant because I thought you might come. Seeing you're doing well is enough."
The Great Wind Beggar embraced Hong Geolgae like a father hugging his son, arms spread wide.
Then, he shot Dang Mujin a displeased glance. Dang Mujin felt the need to clear up the Great Wind Beggar's misunderstanding.
"Great Wind Beggar senior. I swear, it wasn't me who ambushed you in the dark."
"I know. Did you think I wouldn't even remember that much?"
The Great Wind Beggar stared at Dang Mujin with clear dissatisfaction before letting out a deep sigh and approaching him.
"You're Dang the young hero, right? Give me your hand."
When Dang Mujin held out his palm, the Great Wind Beggar placed something on it.
It was a wooden die the size of a thumb joint. The material looked like ordinary paulownia wood, and its edges were rounded from age.
Dang Mujin felt a bit disappointed by the gift of unclear meaning. But Hong Geolgae seemed slightly surprised.
"Master. Are you sure it's okay to just give away the die?"
"That's the only way."
Dang Mujin asked the Great Wind Beggar.
"This die must be something special, right?"
"When you're faced with a truly difficult decision, with no one to ask or rely on. It might help once or twice. Not guaranteed, but better than nothing."
Dang Mujin quickly pocketed the die. He'd thought it was just some trinket, but it apparently had mystical properties.
Merchants' tales were lies nine times out of ten, but a Daoist skilled in formations wouldn't lie.
The Great Wind Beggar crossed his arms and looked at Dang Mujin before offering one piece of advice.
"Young hero Dang. Don't rely on your luck. Don't rush into dangerous situations recklessly. Got it?"
"Yes."
Dang Mujin answered readily, and the Great Wind Beggar patted his shoulder encouragingly before setting off.
After the Great Wind Beggar's figure vanished from sight, Hong Geolgae, who had seen him off, returned and asked Dang Mujin.
"Dang Mujin."
"Yeah?"
"Could we stay in Luoyang a bit longer before leaving?"
"Why? We've finished everything we needed to do here."
"Master said Elder Geolsun will be coming this way soon. I want to meet him and learn a few more Anti-Dragon Eighteen Palms techniques."
The last time Elder Geolsun had appeared with Namgung Jincheon to drive off the Three-Eyed Demon, he'd taught Hong Geolgae one technique from the Anti-Dragon Eighteen Palms. He'd even said he'd teach more if they met again.
Considering how Hong Geolgae, who had only mastered the Anti-Dragon Tail Swing, used it so effectively, he must desperately want more of Elder Geolsun's teachings.
'No, desperately? If I were him, I wouldn't have stayed in Sichuan—I'd have gone searching for Elder Geolsun.'
He didn't know how urgent it was, but since their paths aligned anyway, Dang Mujin had no intention of refusing Hong Geolgae's rare request.
"Sure, whatever. But if it seems like the Myriad Gold Merchant's master will track us down, we might leave early."
"I know that much."
"By the way, did the Great Wind Beggar learn through sorcery that Elder Geolsun is coming here?"
"No. Master has six knots. His position in the Beggars' Sect is high, so he heard through other sect disciples."
Dang Mujin shrugged.
"Even six knots—I don't really know what that means."
"Nine knots is the sect leader, and eight knots for the vice leader is vacant. Master's superiors are just a few seven-knot elders and the sect leader."
The Great Wind Beggar was even higher up than Dang Mujin had imagined. He was inwardly impressed.
"What's Elder Geolsun coming to Luoyang for?"
"There's a regular Murim Alliance meeting."
"The Murim Alliance."
Dang Mujin had heard about the Murim Alliance from the Mysterious Physician.
The Murim Alliance was an organization formed by several prestigious sects around Henan. Similar to the Jeongcheon Alliance that included Wudang and the Supreme Medical Sword Sect, or other regional martial groups.
But there was one key difference between the Murim Alliance and others.
Unlike typical groups where a large sect bosses around smaller ones like a street gang leader, the Murim Alliance actually had real influence.
It included the most prestigious righteous sects: Shaolin Temple and the Beggars' Sect. And boasting the best Heat Wave Skill in the Central Plains, the Sima Clan.
Hyeon-gong showed interest in Hong Geolgae's words.
"So, you're going to the Murim Alliance to meet Elder Geolsun?"
"Yep."
"Then I should go too."
Hong Geolgae scratched the side of his head.
"Is that allowed? Wudang has no ties to the Murim Alliance."
"Special or emergency meetings might be different, but regular ones are nothing much. It's just for building camaraderie and showing faces periodically."
"How do you know?"
"I've attended a few Jeongcheon Alliance regular meetings. The Murim Alliance ones should be similar."
Hyeon-gong figured the Murim Alliance had no reason to dislike him.
Such organizations' prestige depended on how much respect outsiders gave them.
Conversely, Jeongcheon Alliance might dislike him poking around the Murim Alliance meeting. But he could brush it off as a young warrior broadening his horizons—no big issue.
'Even if a minor problem arises, it's fine. Making connections with Divine Victory, Elder Geolsun, or the Sima Clan's Crimson Flame Lord would be hugely profitable.'
Hyeon-gong finished his calculations in an instant and asked Dang Mujin and Namgung Myeong.
"You two want to come along?"
"Nah, I'm good."
"Me neither."
Namgung Myeong had no plans to be active in Luoyang.
Unlike his previous covert operations, last night's infiltration of the Myriad Gold Merchant hadn't ended cleanly. He harbored quiet anxiety about getting tailed.
Dang Mujin, on the other hand, wanted to visit people he knew in Luoyang.
He missed the folks from the Guisong Clinic he'd stayed with before, and the carpenter uncle who'd made Namgung Myeong's prosthetic arm. Especially the carpenter, who'd even come to Sichuan for their wedding celebration.
"Alright, whoever wants to go, go. Got it."
Hyeon-gong didn't force Dang Mujin or Namgung Myeong.
*
The group lazed around the inn as their base for a full five days.
Rumors spread that the Myriad Gold Merchant had been robbed, but there were no stories of the master reporting a theft or hunting culprits. Surprisingly, the Myriad Gold Merchant's master had cleanly written off the money.
Dang Mujin glanced at Namgung Myeong.
'Namgung Myeong's nonsense was actually spot on...?'
Once you're the world's richest, you can shrug off that much cash? Anyway, good for them.
On the sixth day of their lounging—the day of the Murim Alliance regular meeting—Hyeon-gong and Hong Geolgae headed to the Murim Alliance headquarters.
A sullen-looking guard stood by the main gate. The lack of tension on his face was easy to guess.
No one with something to hide would come to the Murim Alliance, and there were few masters in the world who could threaten today's visitors.
The guard asked Hyeon-gong in a calm voice.
"Where are you young heroes from?"
"From Mount Wudang."
Hearing Mount Wudang, interest flickered across the guard's face.
"Mount Wudang? A Wudang Daoist, then. May I have your monastic name?"
"Yes. Hyeon-gong."
"By any chance, Dragon Sword Hyeon-gong?"
Instead of answering, Hyeon-gong grinned sheepishly.
It looked humble at a glance, but he was immensely proud his nickname had reached Luoyang.
"And the Beggars' Sect disciple next to you?"
With no expectation of recognition, Hong Geolgae replied indifferently.
"I'm Hong Geolgae. From near Zhongqing, far away."
Unexpectedly, the guard seemed to recall something upon hearing the name.
"Hong Geolgae? The Cry-Style Beggar Hong Geolgae?"
Hong Geolgae panicked greatly. Few even in Zhongqing knew him—how did a Luoyang guard?
But more than that, the unfamiliar nickname before his name grated.
"...Cry-Style Beggar?"
"I've heard of a young Beggars' Sect disciple with great achievements who shouts his technique names loudly in battle... Am I wrong?"
Hong Geolgae squeezed his eyes shut and cursed the heavens.
He knew nicknames often stuck regardless of the person's wishes.
But without doubt, among all nicknames he'd heard, none were as idiotic as Cry-Style Beggar.
'One guy's Dragon Sword, another's Righteous Dragon—why am I Cry-Style Beggar?'
His hands trembled as he spoke.
"Must be someone else. There are plenty of Hong beggars in the world..."
"Ah, sure."
Of course, the guard showed no sign of believing him.
There were many Hong beggars, but few young ones with Hong Geolgae's achievements. Especially traveling with a famous later-generation talent.
"Anyway, understood. Go on in."
The guard wisely stepped aside without prying.
The Murim Alliance headquarters was spacious but had few buildings, with people coming and going few enough to count on one hand.
Hyeon-gong whispered to Hong Geolgae.
"Cry-Style Beggar Hong Jusan, young hero. Do you know where the regular meeting is?"
"I'll let it slide once now, but mention Cry-Style Beggar in front of Dang Mujin or Namgung Myeong, and your head's getting cracked."
Hong Geolgae's voice simmered with uncharacteristic anger. The weird nickname had hit harder than expected.
Rising above skill levels, making enemies was unwise. Hyeon-gong decided not to tease more.
The two asked directions from people around the grounds and entered the building for the regular meeting, sitting in one corner.
"Being outsiders here won't cause issues, right?"
"If there was a problem, the gate guard would've tipped us off. Look at the layout. It's set up with spectators in mind. No problem."
A large square table sat in the meeting hall's center, surrounded by chairs. Their corner chairs faced the table. Hong Geolgae set aside his worries.
'If there's an issue, they'll just tell us to leave before starting.'
After a short wait, a few other spectators took seats.
They seemed from sects with branches in Luoyang. There was a Daoist who looked like from Mount Hua Sect, and one from Mount Zhongnan.
Feeling a subtle camaraderie, Hong Geolgae and Hyeon-gong exchanged awkward smiles when eyes met.
Then, people of extraordinary presence entered one after another.
First came a monk with stark white eyebrows and beard. A stranger, yet unmistakable: Shaolin's abbot, Divine Victory.
Next, a middle-aged man with red eyebrows and hair.
"That's the Sima Clan head, Crimson Flame Lord Sima Jeong."
Hyeon-gong whispered, and Hong Geolgae nodded.
"Looks like it. They say Sima Clan members have red hair and brows. It's true."
Five more middle-aged men followed. They appeared to be leaders of mid-tier sects below the Sima Clan.
Hyeon-gong gauged their skills one by one. None seemed weaker than the former Supreme Medical Sword Sect leader.
'As expected, the Murim Alliance is a cut above Jeongcheon Alliance. Where's Elder Geolsun?'
As Hyeon-gong pondered whom to befriend, Divine Victory spoke, starting the meeting.
"Let's begin. Elder Geolsun's arriving a bit late, so no need to worry about the old man."
Laughter rippled lowly as talk began.
But it was less a meeting and more casual chatter. People just sipped tea and exchanged simple words.
Faces were utterly relaxed, with no clashing opinions. Purely a friendly gathering.
Except for one fidgety person: Crimson Flame Lord Sima Jeong.
As the mood warmed, he clapped to draw attention.
"By chance, any progress on that request I made last time?"
"You mean finding the Mysterious Physician or Righteous Dragon?"
"Yes."
Hyeon-gong and Hong Geolgae, idly waiting while gauging Elder Geolsun's arrival, perked up. Two familiar nicknames mentioned.
But the other leaders just shrugged. One man explained in detail.
"The Mysterious Physician's location is impossible to guess, and for Righteous Dragon, we sent pigeons and men to Sichuan. But he's been away from home lately."
"No word on return?"
"None. We left word to come to Luoyang upon contact, but no telling when that'll reach him."
Ever-anxious Crimson Flame Lord looked like the sky had fallen. He clearly needed a physician urgently.
Slumping into his chair, he said.
"...Please find a way. Whichever of the two you bring to Luoyang, I'll reward handsomely."
At "reward," Hyeon-gong shot up his hand.
Most ignored the spectator, but Crimson Flame Lord asked hopefully.
"Got something to say?"
Eyes gleaming, Hyeon-gong replied.
"It's expensive, but there's a way to contact Righteous Dragon. How much are you willing to pay...?"
Crimson Flame Lord cut in.
"How many days?"
"Depends on the fee. Ten days at most. Three at least. If he's nearby, you could meet in five."
Crimson Flame Lord's eyes lit with ecstasy.
"Don't worry about cost!"
"Understood."
Hyeon-gong had hooked a sucker.