Chapter 172: It’s Just Coincidence (1)
In Hanam,
and the Shaolin Temple within it, held a myriad of meanings.
It was, of course, at the center of the Ten Sect Alliance.
The reason the Murim Alliance was established in Hanam was also due to the presence of Shaolin.
The significance could not possibly go unremarked upon.
Among the Ten Sect Alliance, it held the largest number of followers and received the most support.
In many ways, you could say that Shaolin represented the orthodox sect itself.
Though my perspective was a bit different.
A collection of bald-headed, dark-hearted monks.
A den of scoundrels who seemed to have shaved off their hair along with their morals.
At least, that’s how I viewed Shaolin.
“So when do you plan to visit Shaolin?”
Tang Soyeol asked me during our meal after the banquet had ended.
By this point, it had become quite natural for us to eat together.
“Hmm, I was thinking I might go before returning to the sect.”
I said it out loud, but honestly, I had no personal reason to visit Shaolin.
If it weren’t for Elder Shin’s request, I wouldn’t feel the need to go at all.
Well, I guess I should at least pay a visit once.
It’s not like I had nothing to do there.
While it wasn’t a pressing obligation, visiting while I was already here could lead to some interesting encounters.
If I could catch a glimpse of the future Heavenly Dragon, that would be nice.
A young child who was already poised to inherit the title of Heavenly Dragon.
It was a name decided long ago between the Murim Alliance and Shaolin, but in my eyes, this child was worthy of the title even without the discussions.
Of course, they will end up becoming a demonic entity later on.
That was a far-reaching event, one that might not even occur in this lifetime.
The child, basking in the hopes of Shaolin, turning into a demonic being—it was downright absurd.
And it wouldn’t be long before such absurdities became commonplace in the era ahead.
As I rested my chin on my hand while nibbling on dumplings, Tang Soyeol quietly inquired.
“Um, Young Master….”
“Hmm?”
“Are you perhaps planning to go with Lady Moyong?”
At Tang Soyeol’s question, memories of that interaction with Moyong Hi-ah came rushing back. I never imagined she would approach me with such a proposal.
Why did she say that to me?
We were talking about none other than the infamous Moyong Hi-ah.
That cold, emotionless woman wouldn’t just talk to me without a reason.
I knew too well that she meticulously concealed her feelings in every word and gesture, aiming only for her agenda.
-No.
That was my outright rejection.
As firmly as possible.
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Moyong Hi-ah, but I simply believed I had no need to entangle myself in her affairs unless absolutely necessary.
Fortunately, she nodded and left without any lingering insistence upon my refusal.
I thought if she came all the way just to say that much, she would at least offer an explanation.
Dribble-
As I turned towards the sound of water pouring, I noticed Namgung Bi-ah filling my empty teacup.
I gazed at her, perplexed as to why she kept doing this, and she looked back at me with half-asleep eyes.
“Drink. You look thirsty.”
While I wasn’t particularly thirsty, I accepted the offer gratefully.
I quenched my throat and casually asked Namgung Bi-ah.
“How’s the body?”
“…It’s fine.”
She mentioned that the wound was not too deep, so there shouldn’t be any lasting scars.
And since Namgung Bi-ah’s martial skills were quite impressive, her recovery was going smoothly.
Good.
I had sensed a certain unease lurking beneath the surface, but I was glad to hear she was doing well.
Upon hearing our conversation, Tang Soyeol suddenly dropped her remarks.
“You must be relieved.”
“Hmm?”
“Well, you visited her every day.”
“Did I?”
“That’s odd… I vividly remember you going every day.”
When did she even see me?
I had been careful to be discreet.
So when on earth did she notice?
Now I was in a bit of a pickle.
After hearing Tang Soyeol’s words, Namgung Bi-ah looked at me with a suspicious gaze.
And I, feeling the weight of her stare, averted my eyes slightly.
What a pain this is.
“I just went because I had nothing to do,” I tried to explain, but her gaze didn’t let up.
Was this what they had aimed for? Hearing that, Tang Soyeol began to snicker from across the table.
“Is that funny to you?”
“It is amusing.”
Honestly, I could not grasp what part of it was amusing at all.
I let out a sigh and returned to eating dumplings.
Although I felt like I might choke under Namgung Bi-ah’s unwavering glare, I still had to fill my stomach.
I shoved a dumpling into my mouth and glanced at the person next to me, who had barely touched her food.
It was none other than Wi Seol-ah.
Seeing her fidgeting with her food, I inwardly scoffed.
And you claim everything is fine?
If Wi Seol-ah was so disinterested in eating, it had to mean something serious was bothering her.
I had asked her a few more times after that, but Wi Seol-ah didn’t answer me.
Well, she did respond.
With the same mundane lines about nothing being wrong.
After observing her for a moment, I quietly ruffled Wi Seol-ah’s hair.
If she was so reluctant to speak, I figured pursuing the matter would only backfire.
And so, while continuing my meal, Muyeon approached me quietly from behind, whispering.
“Master.”
“Speak up. I’m listening.”
Muyeon hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“A person from the Beggars Sect came looking for you, Young Master.”
I froze mid-bite, my chopsticks halting.
“Who?”
“He introduced himself as Chuwong from the Beggars Sect. He mentioned that he has a promise with you, Young Master. Should I send him back if you wish to avoid meeting him?”
Alas, only Chuwong approached me after the tournament.
It was only right for me to hear him out, though I wasn’t obligated.
As Muyeon sensed my reaction, he quickly spoke up.
“Then, I will send him back.”
However, I gestured for him to stop.
“No, just tell him I’ll see him once I finish eating.”
Although meeting with a beggar directly after a meal felt a bit uncomfortable, it was Chuwong—who would become known as the King of Beggars down the line.
For all his seeming shortcomings, he would eventually emerge as a genuine hero during times of peril.
So, it might be beneficial to foster some minor relationship with him.
My reputation had somewhat inflated after the tournament, making this a prime opportunity.
Once I finished the last dumpling on my plate, I stood up from my seat.
“Finish up, and take it easy. I’ll be back soon.”
Upon hearing my words, both Wi Seol-ah and Tang Soyeol chimed in with a cheerful “Okay!”
Seeing their similar responses made me feel like I was looking at two little critters, which warmed my heart.
Of course, I didn’t let that feeling show outside.
After stepping outside the inn, I immediately noticed a few beggars milling about.
People passed them by, casting looks of disdain.
It seemed the bystanders refrained from speaking due to the strong possibility that those beggars were from the Beggars Sect, given we were indeed in Hanam.
“What a sight for sore eyes,” I muttered as I quizzically addressed them.
“Why are you just loitering on the street?”
Chuwong, standing at the front, chuckled awkwardly in response.
“Hehehe, Young Master Gu, wouldn’t it be a bit odd for beggars to enter the inn and wait there?”
That was a fair point.
I inquired of Chuwong, eyeing him closely.
“I heard you were looking for me.”
“Ah! First off, let me congratulate you on your victory, Young Master Gu. Oh, perhaps I should now be calling you the True Dragon?”
“No, I’d prefer the former, thank you.”
Just hearing that title made my skin crawl.
Who in the world decided I’d be called the True Dragon? Was it the Leader of the Alliance?
Seeing my discontented look caused Chuwong to look slightly taken aback.
Which made sense. Most young prodigies would celebrate their new titles, but I appeared more annoyed than anything.
“R-Regardless, I am incredibly grateful that you took the time to see me.”
“Well, it’s not really a grand meeting for which you should feel thankful.”
For Chuwong, this was a significant encounter.
“Is it not great? I’m engaging with the victor of the tournament!”
While I modestly shrugged it off, I did understand that.
But if I boasted too much, it would result in more harm than good.
“By the way, do you plan to talk here like this?”
The street wasn’t bustling, but it certainly wasn’t the ideal place for a serious conversation.
Chuwong must have sensed this, for he quickly began guiding me toward a designated area he had presumably prepared.
“It may not be as clean as your residence, but you won’t be uncomfortable!”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind sitting on the floor for a chat, but I still had to bring forth some semblance of decency as an heir to a noble clan.
The building Chuwong led me to, as he said, wasn’t too neat, but it didn’t appear uncomfortable either.
“D-Do you want me to get you some tea?”
“You’ve got tea?”
No matter how I looked at it, I didn’t expect to find tea in a place like this.
Chuwong quickly answered my curiosity.
“Well, we don’t have any, but we can fetch some right away if Young Master Gu desires it!”
“Then that’s fine.”
Of course, I suspected there wouldn’t be any tea.
Crossing my legs, I settled into a comfortable position.
There was no need for me to worry about posture.
Once I took my seat, Muyeon, who had followed along, began to scan the surroundings as expected.
He released an aura as if to signal others to keep their distance.
Chuwong cast a surprised glance at this, realizing Muyeon was at an unusually high level for a guard.
I noticed it too.
Not much longer now.
It seemed Muyeon would soon breach the bottleneck separating him from the peak of the realm.
Though I suspect Namgung Bi-ah might reach it first.
Namgung Bi-ah, while pacing at the threshold of her capabilities as well, shouldn’t take much longer to overcome this barrier, judging by her skills and recent experiences in battle.
But why did you follow me here?” I directed my inquiry toward Gu Jeolyub, who stood stiffly behind me.
“I told you just to grab a meal.”
Gu Jeolyub hesitated a bit before responding.
“Because the clan ordered me to be your escort.”
“Well, you could have done that a long time ago. Why are you showing up now after being nowhere during the tournament?”
Your intentions are glaringly transparent, idiot.
“Ahem.”
It was undoubtedly because of the sword I had received from the Alliance.
Ever since I implied I might pass that sword onto Muyeon or Gu Jeolyub, the latter had begun tailing me like a starving pup.
“What a drag…”
“I’m just trying to fulfill my duty as escort to the Young Ma—”
“Who’s escorting who here? You’re weaker than a stray cat!”
At my words, Gu Jeolyub faltered.
His expression wavered, but he couldn’t deny the truth of my statement.
Laughter erupted from beside us.
It was apparent that Muyeon couldn’t hold back his amusement any longer.
Gu Jeolyub turned to shoot him a bewildered look while Muyeon covered his mouth, trying to feign innocence.
Two fools, I swear.
Tsk tsk.
I clicked my tongue and shifted my focus back to Chuwong.
“So anyway, what did you want to talk about?”
Chuwong, seemingly snapping back to reality, straightened his posture immediately.
“It’s not much, but I have a favor I wish to ask of you, Young Master Gu.”
“Something concerning the Beggars Sect?”
A few possibilities surged to mind, but before I could mention them, I had to ask.
“Why?”
I needed to clarify the reason.
I already had an inkling, but keeping the conversation flowing was important.
Chuwong likely anticipated this as well. Without pause, he began to elaborate.
“Traditionally, the Beggars Sect has supported, in a sense, talented young prodigies through various means.”
“Support? You’re giving out money?”
Come on, how could beggars have any money?
“What then?”
“Support from the Beggars Sect equates to information! We’re seeking to provide information to Young Master Gu.”
Chuwong deftly produced a talisman from his pocket and handed it over to me.
Upon seeing this, I shot him a disinterested glare.
Information, huh?
While “support” sounds nice,
it was merely a way of anchoring their relationship to me for when beneficial things might happen down the line.
“Remember, we lent you aid back then,” that sort of insinuation hung in the air.
This is a bit weak.
Given my foresight into Chuwong’s fate, his words carried little weight for me.
Chuwong must have perceived my expression as he scrambled to elaborate further.
“This token is only given to select individuals from the Beggars Sect.”
“What’s the advantage?”
“Once you have it, you can easily acquire any information our branch can provide!”
Acquiring information at the branch level of the Beggars Sect.
For a young prodigy, that was a pretty sweet deal.
After all, noble clans had already maintained solid ties with the Beggars Sect, and commonly, everyone knew that information held vast power.
So, this was a clear indication that a part of the Beggars Sect was extending uncommon respect toward me.
That certainly had its merits,
but the idea of, Do I really need this? lingered.
I was already in possession of an ample wealth of information, much of which the Beggars Sect was unaware of.
While a scenario could arise where I required assistance from the Beggars Sect,
the trust issue surrounding the organization itself also posed a significant problem.
“Hm…”
What should I choose to do?
I couldn’t just dismiss it outright.
Primarily, my goal had been to establish a connection with Chuwong.
Though that goal was actively being achieved through conversation,
It feels like a waste.
Instead of gaining something from the Beggars Sect, I wanted to cultivate my relationship with Chuwong, but not too intensely, just a light tethering.
Tap tap-
I drummed my fingers on the table, needing a moment to think.
Chuwong probably wondered why I hesitated.
In truth, the Beggars Sect wouldn’t go around claiming they were responsible for another person’s success, supposedly playing a role in someone’s accomplishment.
This was merely one of the many survival strategies the Beggars Sect implemented.
As I absorbed the token’s presence, I nudged it back toward Chuwong.
That gesture signified my declining of his offer.
“Huh? Uhhh, True—no, Young Master Gu? This is truly a beneficial…”
Chuwong instinctively tried to clarify the benefits of the pass, somewhat flustered at my refusal. But when I produced a particular item from my pocket, his mouth dropped in shock.
“I don’t require the token nor the backing.”
What I revealed was the wooden token the Immortal Healer had given me, instructing me to use it if I ever needed assistance from the Beggars Sect.
If I merely presented that token, I’d be able to meet the head of the Beggars Sect.
I spoke, observing Chuwong’s bewildered state.
“May I request a personal favor?”
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