Chapter 21: The Beggars of Gaebang Are Curious
The next day, rumors spread quickly.
The streets of northern Anhui overflowed with rampant gossip.
Martial artists, those with a toe in the martial world, and even ordinary folk chattered about the flaws of prestigious families and sects. Few remained unaware of the stories.
“Did you hear the rumors?”
“You’ve heard them too? Rumors are just rumors. Too absurd to consider.”
Most dismissed them as nonsense. Yet doubts inevitably sprouted.
“No, there’s something more.”
“Are you suggesting the Seomun Family and Cheongwol Sect are suspicious?”
“Of course not.”
“Then?”
“Ha! You’re not thinking. Even if they’re innocent, everyone says ‘no smoke without fire.’ In this situation, whoever benefits most is the true mastermind.”
“Now that you mention it… The Seomun and Cheongwol factions must be fuming!”
“And what of Cheonhwaseogo? Dragged into this despite keeping their distance from the martial world. They’ll be boiling over too.”
Through the rumors, Cheonhwaseogo became the victim, while the Seomun Family and Cheongwol Sect were tasked with clearing their names or exposing the conspiracy’s source.
“Wait—isn’t the solution simple?”
“Hm?”
“If the Seomun patriarch and Cheongwol Sect leader visit Cheonhwaseogo to resolve the misunderstanding, that’s it! We’ll even get to see that overseer’s face.”
“Brilliant! If neutral prestigious families join, it’d solidify things. We could crush this ‘Black Faction’ while we’re at it!”
“Exactly!”
Some debated solutions; others quietly hoped for chaos.
That night in the marketplace:
Crunch, slurp.
A middle-aged beggar sprawled in an alley, gnawing a chicken leg. Beside him, a younger beggar gulped loudly.
Unable to endure, the younger finally spoke:
“Brother… How is it?”
“Disgusting. Never thought I’d eat chicken tasting like garbage. A first in my life.”
“T-then give it to me!”
The younger opened his mouth wide.
The middle-aged beggar shook his head solemnly.
“As Gaebang’s Buntaju, how could I commit such cruelty? Hardship is my burden.”
Crunch, slurp.
The younger’s face twisted.
“Damn bastard!”
The middle-aged beggar’s eyes bulged.
“What did you call me?!”
“Me? When?!”
“‘Damn bastard,’ you said!”
“Brother, you know I always say ‘damn brat,’ never ‘damn bastard’!”
“Ah… Right.”
The middle-aged beggar nodded.
“My mistake. Apologies.”
“It’s fine.”
“But disciple—when I apologize, I get violent. Don’t know why. Feel like stomping someone—”
Crunch.
He stamped on the younger beggar, who rolled screaming until a gust of wind scattered dust, revealing a small, giggling figure.
The middle-aged beggar sucked a bone clean.
“Our cute maknae arrives!”
“Buntaju! Guess what I saw?”
The young beggar’s eyes sparkled.
“Out with it! Don’t make me visit the Underworld from curiosity!”
“The rumor-mongers entered Cheonhwaseogo!”
“What?!”
“Why?!”
The young beggar giggled.
“Fun, right?”
“Damn right!”
“F***ing genius!”
Buntaju’s smile vanished.
“Why the cursing?! Our noble Gaebang shouldn’t reek of foul words! Swear again and I’ll kill you, you son of a b****!”
The youngest intervened before Buntaju pummeled his disciple.
Later, the three huddled conspiratorially.
“Cheonhwaseogo—full of meek geniuses like plants. Why spread rumors?”
“Heh… They’re scared.”
The young beggar smirked.
“Meaning the rumors are true!”
“Exactly. If anything happens to Cheonhwaseogo, Seomun and Cheongwol will be first suspects.”
“Kyah! So scholarly of them!”
Buntaju rubbed his hands.
“Play this right, and we’ll catch a big fish.”
“The Seomun Family?”
“Idiot! Cheonhwaseogo, obviously! Their Grand Duke’s changed lately. I’m backing them!”
“Me too!”
“My vote as well!”
Cheonhwaseogo’s Grand Duke Residence:
Yoon and Bumung raged before their elder brother.
“We must expose the Seomun and Cheongwol’s rot and strike them down!”
“Divine punishment upon those hypocrites!”
Hugong had already recovered assets stolen by the overseer—thanks to their storage in the Continental Armory. Yet three formation manuals, two paintings, and a blue-white porcelain remained missing.
Though indifferent to art, Hugong refused to let this slide.
“Filthy scum! Let’s end them! How?”
Yoon and Bumung fell silent, faces paling as they realized the factions’ power.
Yoon slapped his knee.
“Brother! You’ve thought of something!”
“My knee itched.”
“Then scratch it! Don’t joke around!”
“It really itched! You’ve no ideas either!”
“I do! Report to the Martial Alliance!”
Hugong froze.
Heh… Bold.
Bumung puffed up.
“That’s the Alliance’s purpose!”
Yoon brightened.
“But didn’t that fat ‘world’s strongest’ die?”
Hugong’s face twitched.
“Even without him, the Alliance has masters!”
“But would they listen? Seomun and Cheongwol have more influence!”
Hugong snapped.
“Pathetic! Relying on others? We’ll handle it ourselves. First, target Cheongwol—”
BONG! BONG! BONG!
Warning bells rang.
“The Cheongwol Sect leader is here,” announced Songhwa.
“With only his daughter.”
At the cliffside:
Ban-gyo-young frowned at the precipice.
“Father, are we lost? This is just a cliff.”
“Cheonhwaseogo’s entrance lies here. An illusionary formation.”
The sect leader gazed at the illusory sky.
“This cliff, clouds—all mirages.”
