Chapter 281
Chapter 281
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 281
Chapter Title: The Red Beggar of the Six Lords
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Dang Mujin's group followed the ridgeline of the Qilian Mountains for quite some time before finally reuniting with the herb gatherer and the Yagul siblings.
The herb gatherer asked in a voice laced with subtle tension.
"Uh... did everything go well?"
"It got sorted out, more or less. A few survived and fled, but they won't set foot in the Qilian Mountains again."
Only then did the herb gatherer let out a sigh of relief.
If Dang Mujin's group had been routed, unorthodox martial artists would have swarmed back in and torn the mountains apart.
Both the herb gatherer and the Yagul siblings had been lucky to survive. There was no guarantee luck would strike twice.
The group returned to the village where the battle had taken place and recovered the body of the unnamed old woman.
Even with the herb gatherer right there, they had no choice but to call her the unnamed old woman because, despite claiming to be her disciple, the herb gatherer didn't know her real name.
Simply retrieving the body and leaving felt a bit unsatisfying, so Dang Mujin thoroughly searched the old woman's dwelling and pocketed a few unidentified healing pills.
'Better I take them than leave them to rot. No one else is going to get anything out of these pills anyway.'
There was no guilt. He'd avenged her by taking down the Twin Blood Elder, so he felt fully entitled to the pills.
Of course, it had been Hong Geolgae who'd actually finished off the Twin Blood Elder, but that wasn't a big deal.
Dang Mujin asked the herb gatherer,
"What will you do from now on?"
The herb gatherer answered immediately.
"I'm planning to stay in the Qilian Mountains."
"There won't be many people left here. You sure that's okay?"
"There were never many to begin with. Besides, you mentioned there'll be chaos in the outside world—Righteous-Unorthodox War, Righteous-Demonic War, that sort of thing, right?"
"That's right."
"Then it's even better to stay in the Qilian Mountains. This time was weird with all the martial artists flooding in, but outsiders rarely come here. Martial artists even less so. In the end, the safest place in the world is right here."
He was saying he'd hole up deep in the mountains to avoid the flames of war.
Normally, Dang Mujin would have pointed out that a Righteous-Unorthodox War had little to do with ordinary folk, but he couldn't say that now. The herb gatherer had already suffered once.
"...Understood. Stay safe."
"I'm the one who owes you all a great debt. Come back anytime."
Dang Mujin's group left the herb gatherer behind and headed out of the Qilian Mountains with the Yagul siblings.
*
As one might expect, the village where the Twin Blood Elder and Ghost King had been wasn't the last outpost of unorthodox martial artists. To escape the Qilian Mountains, Dang Mujin's group had to fight through two more minor skirmishes.
But what troubled Dang Mujin's group the most wasn't the battles with unorthodox fighters.
It was Hong Geolgae's attitude that truly tormented them.
Hong Geolgae strutted with every single action, without pause.
"I should eat like a true master. Food builds the body, after all—surely enlightenment lies in the meal too."
"Rest is part of training too. I'll close my eyes and contemplate my inner self like a true master."
Of course, the "master" Hong Geolgae meant was an Absolute Peak Expert. By his standards, a Peak Realm master wasn't even worthy of the title—it was a lowly achievement.
Dang Mujin sighed silently.
'...Hong Geolgae's finally snapped.'
Unlike Hyun-gong or Nangong Myeong, who had serious flaws, Hong Geolgae had always seemed reasonably normal.
But now, even he wasn't right in the head.
'Neither I nor Nangong Myeong strutted around that much.'
Dang Mujin and Nangong Myeong only strutted to tease Hong Geolgae when the opportunity arose.
Hong Geolgae, on the other hand, created opportunities just to strut.
'Was he never humble? Just never had the chance to strut?'
Whether it was his innate nature or years of his friends' relentless teasing that twisted him, Dang Mujin couldn't say. Either way, the result was the same.
Dang Mujin covered the Yagul siblings' ears and steeled himself.
'Now I'm the only sane one left. I have to keep my head on straight.'
*
Two days after the final skirmish, Dang Mujin's group finally emerged from the Qilian Mountains.
Waiting outside were three warriors from the Piercing Spear Sect, along with Daoists from other sects.
There were fewer people than when they'd entered the mountains. Casualties had mounted, it seemed.
As Dang Mujin's group appeared, Sun Woo-ja of Mount Hua Sect greeted them joyfully.
"You arrived just in time. We were about to head in ourselves if you didn't show by today."
Dang Mujin was fairly exhausted but maintained propriety with a cupped-fist salute.
"Glad we didn't keep you waiting."
"Let me see... No fatalities, good. We were worried the Ghost King or Twin Blood Elder might've been on your path."
"They were."
"Hm?"
"Ghost King and Twin Blood Elder were there."
Doubt flickered across Sun Woo-ja's face.
Dang Mujin's group looked a bit disheveled and their clothes were in tatters compared to those who'd taken other routes, but no one bore grave injuries that hindered movement.
No one could have escaped unscathed from facing the Twin Blood Elder and Ghost King.
Sun Woo-ja scanned the surroundings, pondering what had happened.
"What in the world... Ah!"
The moment he spotted Hong Geolgae—feigning humility while subtly puffing out his chest—Sun Woo-ja's eyes widened. Hong Geolgae's aura felt different.
It wasn't the fully ripened presence of Young Heo-ja or Young Bo the Perfected, but it clearly set him apart from ordinary Peak Realm experts.
"Red Beggar. Don't tell me... you've had a breakthrough?"
Sun Woo-ja's voice trembled.
He hadn't expected Hong Geolgae—the least standout of the group—to reach the Absolute Peak Realm before the others.
Still with his shoulders squared, Hong Geolgae gave a slight bow and cupped-fist salute.
"I've merely grasped the first thread of martial enlightenment."
It sounded profoundly humble at first glance, but Dang Mujin's group caught the subtle implication.
'Only reaching the Absolute Peak Realm lets you grasp the thread of martial arts. You Peak Realm nobodies...'
True humility comes from those of moderate skill lowering themselves. But when someone far beyond that level feigns excessive modesty, it becomes deception.
Hong Geolgae was subtly mocking nearly everyone present.
The sole exception was Yu Jin-gwang.
The other warriors, including Sun Woo-ja, missed the subtext entirely.
They just thought: *This young man called Red Beggar achieved such immense heights at his age, yet remains consistently humble.*
*
Mount Zhongnan Sect and Qingcheng Sect had lost their sect leaders in this Righteous-Unorthodox War, along with heavy casualties elsewhere. They hadn't even taken down the Ghost King. Hardly a perfect victory.
But inflicting even greater losses on the unorthodox fighters and slaying the Twin Blood Elder tipped the scales toward victory overall.
Thus, the sects of northwestern Central Plains had done their part adequately in this war. Those who shone brightest would see their names spread across the land.
"Until we meet again."
With the situation settled, Yu Jin-gwang and the three Piercing Spear Sect warriors departed straight for their sect without fanfare.
The Qingcheng Sect Daoists headed back as well.
Jin-hae informed the Qingcheng Daoists of his intent to take the Yagul siblings with him, and they respectfully agreed.
It was a satisfactory outcome for Dang Mujin too. He'd be able to visit the two kids he'd grown fond of even back in Sichuan.
He waved as the pair, basking in the Daoists' affection, waved back enthusiastically. Dang Mujin waved to them as well.
Now left were Mount Zhongnan Sect, Mount Hua Sect, and Wudang Sect.
Truth be told, Dang Mujin wanted to head to Chengdu with the Qingcheng Daoists.
But Hyun-gong's insistent wish to return to Wudang and boast to Young Bo the Perfected about their exploits in the war derailed the group's destination.
*He wants to brag to Young Bo about our feats.*
Dang Mujin could accommodate that much. It'd add a few days to the journey, but that was all.
*
Passing through Mount Zhongnan Sect and Mount Hua Sect, the group finally headed toward Wudang Mountain.
Hyun-gong approached Hong Geolgae and whispered,
"Hong-hyung."
"Hyung? That's such a weird way to—uhm!"
From the exact moment the Twin Blood Elder died, Hyun-gong had become exceedingly deferential around Hong Geolgae. Calling him "Hong-hyung" started then too.
Hong Geolgae was two years younger, but that meant nothing to Hyun-gong.
A young king could rule with ministers, a young family head or sect leader could guide their clan or sect.
By the same logic, if you had the skill regardless of age, you deserved to be called "hyung" and respected—that was Hyun-gong's firm belief.
Hong Geolgae waved it off awkwardly.
"Don't call me hyung. Feels weird. And you've been using this overly formal speech lately— that's strange too."
"Fine, I'll speak casually. If 'Hong-hyung' bothers you... how about 'Hong Division Leader'?"
Hong Geolgae jumped.
"Division Leader?!"
But Hyun-gong continued calmly.
"Our current Beggars' Sect Leader hasn't named a successor, and given his age, he'll step down in a few years at most. He won't pick someone else as heir or next Beggar anyway. You're the next Leader."
"That's true, but hearing 'Division Leader' already..."
"You're one of the Seven Lords now. You can have that confidence. Just don't say it in front of others."
"Hmm."
The history of the Six Lords was nuanced. As far as Dang Mujin knew, Absolute Peak Experts had come and gone, but the Six Lords had held steady for quite some time.
Joint Sect's Elder Muryang had died—a Six Lord—but Yu Jin-gwang ascended to Absolute Peak, restoring the Six.
Manryeokseung was set to reach Absolute Peak for Seven Lords, but Young Heo-ja's death dropped it back to Six.
Now, Hong Geolgae had broken through without any deaths.
The era of the Seven Lords had dawned.
A short distance away, Dang Mujin and Nangong Myeong stood with arms crossed, deep in thought.
It felt utterly unreal.
*...Him being called one of the Seven Lords? Beggars' Sect Leader someday? That make any sense?*
Meanwhile, Hong Geolgae perked up at Hyun-gong's words, imagining himself as Division Leader.
It hadn't even been a decade since he'd left Zhuul Village Branch with Dang Mujin and the others.
If he returned as Beggars' Sect Leader, disciples swarming like clouds, how would people look at him?
Hong Geolgae glanced at the hemp rope at his waist.
'Division Leader means nine knots, right?'
The beggar with three unacknowledged knots might truly have nine.
Beyond reclaiming his Zhongjing Division Leader seat, he might lead the entire sect.
Hong Geolgae seriously pondered what fine liquor to offer at Ma Jeon-gae's grave.
Hyun-gong added gravely,
"Hong Division Leader. When are you heading to Kaifeng?"
Kaifeng housed the Beggars' Sect headquarters—their true base.
"Kaifeng... No rush."
"You should hurry. If it were me, I'd rush there and show the Leader the true might of your Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms. If he gains insight from yours, it'll greatly help overcome the coming crisis."
Hearing this, Dang Mujin shivered. Hyun-gong's flattery transcended human limits.
Unlike typical sycophants who sneered inwardly while spouting sweet words, Hyun-gong's praise held genuine sincerity.
Hong Geolgae had no resistance to this. His lips twitched.
But he desperately regained his composure.
"...No. The Leader wanders everywhere, so even in Kaifeng, meeting him would be tough. Besides, he taught me the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms himself—it's ridiculous he'd gain insight from mine."
"There's a saying for nothing: the student surpasses the master."
Student surpasses the master. At those four words, Nangong Myeong—composing himself beside Dang Mujin—shuddered too.
*
The group finally reached Wudang Mountain. The accompanying Wudang Daoists brightened.
*The atmosphere's different from before.*
Dang Mujin's group had visited Wudang Mountain several times and knew its serene, tranquil air well.
But now it felt busier than usual.
Worse, it wasn't just Wudang Daoists milling about—unfamiliar faces were mixed in, like beggars.
Not ordinary beggars, either. These were Beggars' Sect disciples trained in martial arts.
Dang Mujin spotted one with a distinctive aura. A large mole beside his nose, but with a long, elegant beard rivaling any Daoist's. Yet his clothes and appearance were filthier than most beggars.
Examining him, Dang Mujin noticed the hemp rope at his waist.
'One knot, two, three... seven?'
Among Beggars' Sect disciples Dang Mujin had seen, excluding the Leader, the highest was Great Wind Beggar Peng Cheon with six knots.
Dang Mujin whispered to Hong Geolgae,
"Seven knots—what rank is that?"
"Elder."
With the eight-knot successor position vacant, elders were effectively the sect's second-in-commands. If Hong Geolgae got successor rank, he'd be third.
Hyun-gong muttered discontentedly.
"Sneaky lot! They must've heard the next Leader's coming and rushed to suck up. Hong Division Leader, don't let flatterers like that control you later. Got it?"
"Ah, of course."
Hong Geolgae's nose pointed skyward.
But Dang Mujin thought Hyun-gong's words nonsense.
They'd come straight from Qilian Mountains to Wudang without dawdling.
Even accounting for delays at Mount Zhongnan and Mount Hua—two or three days at most.
Not enough time for word to spread and draw Beggars' Sect members.
Dang Mujin approached the elder beggar.
"Greetings. Might this junior of the martial world ask you a question, senior?"
The beggar eyed Dang Mujin.
"Junior, eh? Who might you be?"
"I'm Dang Mujin."
"Dang Mujin... Ah! The Tang family head from Chengdu!"
"Yes, that's me."
The elder rose to meet Dang Mujin's eyes—signaling he didn't see him as beneath him.
"Fancy meeting a celebrity on Wudang Mountain. Lucky day, I suppose. What did you want to ask?"
"Might I inquire why you've come to Wudang Mountain? It doesn't seem like a casual visit..."
"There's been a major incident in the Beggars' Sect."
At that, Hong Geolgae's arrogance soared higher.
How many earth-shattering events could even a sect elder call "major"?
Dang Mujin shook his head slightly.
"As expected of the Beggars' Sect. Fast news, but I didn't expect this fast."
"Impossible not to know."
Then the Beggars' Sect elder dropped a bombshell Dang Mujin never saw coming.
"Who could've known the Leader would be assassinated?"