episode_0039

“Why the belt. What does it mean?”

At that moment, the old beggar sat down on the ground.

It meant he wouldn’t leave without drinking.

“Hmm, don’t act so rudely.”

“Sigh. So, what is it?”

He understood that he wouldn’t leave without drinking.

“He is called Nukok, the beggar. Sometimes called Subigu.”

Subigu Nukok.

Cheong didn’t know, but he was a famous beggar.

Starting from his nickname, he was known for keeping secrets well, a virtue that couldn’t be found in the open-minded nobles.

Of course, the reason for keeping secrets was not for the sake of some boring values like loyalty.

He openly said that he wanted to know all the secrets of the world.

It meant that he would become the most secretive person in the world, asking to reveal secrets.

Why, the king’s ears are like donkey ears.

People naturally twist their bodies wanting to spread secrets they know.

Those who confided in the beggar, who claimed to be a living reed field, were relieved in mind.

Cheong, who didn’t know the situation, let out a deep sigh.

“Seonja, why are you sighing so deeply?”

“Now even beggars are asking for my fortune. My fortune is truly. This body looks so insignificant.”

The old beggar’s eyebrows twitched.

If this bold child was a man, he would have immediately grabbed him and conducted a martial arts etiquette education.

But she was a young lady.

It was too light and embarrassing for the elders of the martial arts world to beat a girl.

This wicked woman.

She really knew the beggar very well, just like a real beggar.

Huh?

Nukok was taken aback.

If knowing the beggar well meant knowing him like a beggar, then what was the point?

Was it cursing someone by looking at them and calling them a beggar-like woman?

When did he tighten his neck like a respected person and…

Beggar brat.

This touched upon the principle of Shin Seon, who plowed the ground with a glass of alcohol and covered the sky with a blanket, turning the world into a bed.

In an instant, a gamble took place at the center of Nukok.

The endless, fumbling, and twisting flow of Jin-gi, which was awkward and fidgety.

But inside, there was a vast tolerance that could embrace heaven and earth.

Nukok vaguely realized that he had entered the late stage of enlightenment, taking a step into that world.

Nukok burst into laughter.

Cheong didn’t even realize his own enlightenment, let alone others’, and just nodded.

What is this? Is it schizophrenia?

Well, if you get old as a beggar, it’s understandable.

Nukok’s voice, which had been chuckling to himself for a long time, softened.

“Yes, this old man was right. I thought everyone would know when I mentioned the beggar, but it was a mistake. It’s a shame that I’m not recognized by everyone.”

“Well, are you, um, a famous person?”

“Well, sort of. Even though I’m somewhat famous around here, there wasn’t anyone who didn’t know me.”

“What’s so great about being a famous beggar?”

Cheong’s response was sharp.

Since kindness should naturally come from being happy, Cheong’s state was not very kind.

But Nukok was just smiling.

“Yeah. Whether it’s something to be proud of or not. What’s there to boast about being a famous beggar? Even passing beggars would laugh at me.”

If hitting doesn’t feel like hitting, then it’s not hitting.

Cheong’s enthusiasm waned as he scratched but didn’t get scratched.

“But, Seonja. Among the Taepyeong Swordsmen, who are not so great, well, if you want to put it that way, among the White Taoists, they are relatively decent.”

“Well. It seemed like that.”

If they were at that level of the lower ranks, then that’s how it would be.

Cheong agreed without hesitation.

“But even so, did you have to beat them up and chase them away, even taking their swords?”

“That was a bit too lenient of you, considering they were from the enemy faction. Whether they were Sa Faction or Pa Faction, if they were bad guys, not a single one would have made it out alive.”

It would have been better if you had been more strict.

Cheong’s taste has certainly changed.

“Oh, so if they were from the Sa Faction, you would have killed them all? You’re quite the fearsome warrior.”

Despite his words, Nukok’s expression took on a slightly more compassionate look.

“Still, was it necessary to intervene?”

“I’m not in a good mood, and I don’t like the way it looks.”

“You don’t like the way it looks?”

Cheong let out a deep sigh.

But it seemed better than drinking alone in peace, as he usually did.

Yes. I showed some kindness today.

Consider yourself lucky. Old beggar.

“If you received protection money, you should have also prevented other companies from encroaching. The boss here is too easygoing, and whatnot. Other companies.”

“The Jo Ho Bang.”

“Anyway, since they are not easygoing, what’s the difference between picking on a weakling and being picked on by a pack? If they were driven by the faction and surrounded, they should have fought like men, or if they weren’t confident, they should have given up the protection money.”

“That’s true, but it’s because the Seonja doesn’t know the ways of the Murim factions.”

Nukok said.

If a fight were to break out, it wouldn’t result in the immediate downfall of the faction, but rather a long period of bloodshed.

And as with most small factions, there would always be a larger power that supported or protected them, so a small conflict could escalate into a major war.

But if they were to give up the protection money as Cheong suggested, wouldn’t they just sit back and watch their business be taken away?

Cheong looked at Nukok in silence.

Who is this old man shielding with his blood?

Does he have some ulterior motive over there?

Why is he risking himself?

“Miss, if that’s the case, why bother distinguishing between factions? Just gather all the sword-wielding men and pick on those who don’t carry one. If you’re going to prey on the weak, might as well change the name to ‘Taepyeong Inspection’? Should be renamed to ‘Taepyeong Business.’”

“Huh! Hahaha…!”

The old beggar burst into laughter out of nowhere.

He laughed so hard that he clutched his stomach and bent over, laughing uncontrollably until he couldn’t breathe.

Cheong’s expression gradually cooled.

This guy is just crazy.

This is why beggars are no good.

Once enemies with beggars and ruffians, Cheong now had the right to despise them.

Cheong turned off his nerves.

How many times did he fill and empty his glass, playing with the cup?

Only then did the old beggar straighten up, sneak a glance, and ask.

“May I inquire about your master’s disciples?”

Why is he asking about our master’s name?

Cheong was about to retort that he had nothing to do with it, but their eyes met, and he flinched.

The old man had that unique, affectionate face.

The kind that looked at Cheong as if he were his master.

Even though he had been twitching and teasing the whole time!

Cheong answered meekly, his heart softened.

“He is under the tutelage of Seomun.”

“Oh! Seomun Sunbaenim!”

Nukok pretended to know.

Cheong confirmed once again.

“You know our master?”

“I’ve met him a few times before. About twenty years ago, I fought alongside this old man at Yeorung. If you still don’t like it, are you going to throw the first punch right away?”

Cheong immediately understood.

Ah! He knows Master! Seriously. Ugh.

“He said he was a disciple of the Shinnyeomun.”

“That’s not it. He said he was an external disciple.”

“Oh, an external disciple. That’s quite rare…”

If he cherished his disciple, there was no reason to keep him outside the faction.

It was all part of passing on everything the master had to offer, including the essence of the Zhonghua People’s Thousand-Year Philosophy, which included the concept of Guashi.

And within that were the background of the faction, internal positions and ranks, and so on.

But there was a slight catch when it came to the Shinnyeomun.

Wasn’t it a mysterious faction where disciples rarely went out?

Why should we keep them at arm’s length and give them freedom?

“The pinnacle of a sage has been surpassed.”

“Surpassed, you say? Are we talking about the later stages? I am a master.”

Nugok sighed in admiration.

“Perhaps, how old will you be this year?”

“I’m not sure. My master said I would be around twenty.”

“So, the senior has embraced the next generation!”

Nugok sighed even more.

The terms used were “pinnacle” and “later stages.”

Truly, the next world champion seemed likely.

“…!”

A bolt of lightning struck Nugok’s head.

It used to be the gathering place of the old-school martial artists.

But now, people in this world called them old-school.

It was all about falling into one side.

Openness, exclusion.

It was all thanks to the senior of the Mu Cheon Dae Je.

The aversion of the Mu Cheon Dae Je was well-known.

The recent realization helped Nugok understand the aversion of the Mu Cheon Dae Je, but it was still painful to think of them as worthless scoundrels.

Nugok recalled Cheong’s attitude and gaze towards him at first.

It was a deep-seated aversion towards the poor.

“I’m in trouble. If I mess this up, it will happen again…!”

He had to show his best.

Even if he wasn’t the best in the world, wasn’t he confirmed as the next best in the young generation?

The destructive power of the words spoken by the best in the young generation to a young martial artist had the potential to change one’s life.

“Do sages have a fateful connection with the poor? Not all poor people are bad.”

“Oh, come on. They’re just downright bad people.”

Cheong was ready to pour out his words.

The days of intense struggle in the fierce front lines, where the minimum requirements for human survival were taken away by the despicable ruling class, and their tyranny, repeated day in and day out…

But just as he was about to bring up the story, the Taepyeong Inspection reappeared.

Led by Nam Kang-jeong with his rough face, about twenty warriors poured in.

They brought their mothers with them, as Cheong had put it.

Nam Kang-jeong scolded them.

“Hey, that woman over there!”

Choosing words like “woman” or “girl” instead of using derogatory terms wasn’t a bad choice.

There was a sense of satisfaction in hitting without seeing blood.

Cheong smiled bitterly.

It was time for the second round in the already tense situation.

Cheong slammed his hand on the table.

As he tried to get up with a thud, the middle-aged man from the Taepyeong Inspection spoke first.

The Chief Inspector, the head of the Inspection Bureau, was also present.

The middle-aged man politely greeted him.

“Aren’t you the Su-bi elder?”

“Oh, I see. You’re the An-gyeong Il-geom.”

“If I had known you were here, I would have escorted you in, but I was in the dark about the news.”

“It’s fine. How could a beggar like me expect special treatment? I appreciate the words.”

The atmosphere was quite friendly.

Oh well, time to leave.

Cheong frowned.

“Elder, would you like to join us as a soldier and his companions?”

“Hmm, that’s the point.”

Nugok gave Cheong a wink.

It was a sign that he would take care of it.

In fact, Nugok had that much authority.

What’s this now?

An old beggar sitting down as if he owned the place.

Shouldn’t have tried to please him in the first place. My bad.

Why do these beggars always get in my way?

It had the opposite effect, but…

“From what I’ve heard, while it may not be entirely your fault, there were some careless mistakes on your part…”

Cheong filled his cup with disappointment.

Cheong didn’t care, but pouring a drink without spilling a drop, like handling a child’s head with one hand, was a skill.

It was also a display of the achievements shown by a master.

Cheong decided to just let them be and focused on pouring the drink.

As I lifted my head at the approaching footsteps, a neatly dressed young man excitedly exclaimed,

“Soldier! Let’s have a match!”

I looked at the young man with a puzzled expression.

What’s this guy on about again.