Chapter 1522: Upon Reflection, I Was Wrong (Part 2)

Thud thud.

In the time when the dew formed overnight had not yet dried, about a dozen people rushed through Guando.

"How long will it take to reach Shaanxi?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, probably two days should be enough."

"Two days... If we go, there will be plenty of work again."

"Tsk tsk tsk. Even in the midst of it all, you're still concerned about personal tasks. That's the problem."

"...But by now, wouldn't it be mostly completed?"

"There's no end to trivial matters, it seems..."

"Yeah. Managing people is not an easy task. People create work just by increasing in number, you know? That's why it's tough for us."

The faces of Mount Hua disciples turned in unison. It felt like something foreign had been interfering with their conversation since a while ago.

"But..."

"Huh?"

"Is it okay for you to be here?"

All eyes turned to Hong Daegwang, who shamelessly faced them with a look as if to say, "Is there a problem?"

"Why?"

"...Amitabha. Shouldn't you be concerned about the collapsed Beggar's Union right now, rather than being here worrying about the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

"Tsk tsk. Living secluded in the mountains, you don't understand the world's affairs."

"...What?"

Hong Daegwang shrugged, saying.

"The position of the Sect Leader is not meant for dealing with such trivial matters. Forging relationships between factions is the most important rule."

"..."

"So, what's most important to me right now? It's the relationship with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance! And within the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, it's the relationship with all of you, the core members! Strengthening those relationships is the key, you know? That's what matters most!"

"But if those relationships are falling apart right now?"

"Huh? Why?"

"Oh, come on..."

Sighs escaped from the mouths of Mount Hua disciples in unison. They thought they had cleanly departed, but some kind of trouble had stuck to them.

That trouble was even poking at Chung Myung, tormenting him.

"Hey, Mount Hua's Divine Dragon. Get up. How long are you going to sleep? Of course, the Light-Splitting Sword's broad back must be comfortable for you."

Jo Gol, who had been running with a sullen figure towards Baek Cheon, asked.

"Sasuk, can I hit this guy?"

"...Don't do that. He's going to be the Sect Leader."

"We hit people who'll become Sect Leaders anyways, don't we?"

"...Did you hit me by any chance?"

Jo Gol avoided Baek Cheon's gaze with an 'Oops.'

At that moment, Chung Myung groaned and tossed around. Something flowed from his slightly open mouth.

"Ugh! It's wet! Don't drool, you bastard!"

"Ugh... Don't shout. My head hurts."

"What did you drink so much!"

"Ugh, ugh...."

"Oh no!"

Jo Gol grabbed what was stuck to his back and threw it away. Then Chung Myung spun in the air and landed on the ground.

"Uweeeeek!"

"...Ten points."

"Yeah, ten points for me too."

"Eleven points, including the artistry in the finish."

"Isn't that a deduction factor?"

Chung Myung, groaning, shook his head and struck his chest. The hangover seemed truly severe.

"Hey, Mount Hua's Divine Dragon. Are you okay... Ahhhh! Don't wipe your mouth with someone else's sleeve!"

"...It's already shabby anyways."

"What are you saying! This crazy guy!"

Hong Daegwang, gritting his teeth, quickly retreated from Chung Myung. Chung Myung, unaffected, grumbled.

"Ugh. I'm really going to die. How strong was that gentleman's drink..."

"Oh, about the Sect Leader? Our old man Guo Li was originally famous for his drinking skills. The gossip didn't spread because there weren't many people who had drank with him. Ah, forget it. If I tell you about something that happened to me before..."

"Ah, never mind. I'm not interested in the old stories."

Having received emotional wounds, Hong Daegwang quickly became sulky. Ignoring him, Chung Myung asked with a stern face.

"More importantly... Why are you here?"

"I told you. I'm going to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance."

"Why?"

"Why? Well... Sect Leader... No, I need to greet Maengju-nim. Please take care of me from now on."

Chung Myung's eyes narrowed.

"It's not because you don't want to work, right?"

"Hey! Who do you take this Hong Daegwang for!"

Chung Myung pondered seriously. If he was genuinely concerned for the future of the Beggar's Union, burying this guy somewhere here would be...

"Well, that too, but currently, there's nothing good about me being there."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

When Chung Myung asked again, Hong Daegwang briefly clicked his tongue and said.

"Since the Sect Leader and Ilho Shin Gae have declared that they will give me the position of the Sect Leader, the elders will be searching for me like crazy."

"Why?"

"That's just how those guys operate. If the place they used to cling to loses power, they'll try to attach themselves to someone who has gained power. If I stay in Kaifeng, I can't avoid that situation."

"Hmm."

"But if I recklessly push them away, won't those guys also feel a sense of crisis? Regardless, the best thing is to keep it inconspicuous."

Chung Myung made a face that expressed dissatisfaction, but, in fact, when you thought about it, there was some logic in Hong Daegwang's words.

"I understand what you're saying, but is that necessarily a bad thing? Clinging implies that they'll kneel down in submission anyway."

"Not a bad thing! Those guys are too sly. They'll pretend to kneel flat and try to wield me as they please."

"That's natural, though."

Hong Daegwang let out a snort.

"Also! The Sect Leader said he would cover up the elders' mistakes, but I don't intend to do that. If they've committed a crime, they should pay for it."

Hong Daegwang's eyes were firm, as if he had already made up his mind. Chung Myung looked at Hong Daegwang slightly anew.

"Eh? What are you going to do? It's not like the Sect Leader left those nobles alone because they were attractive, right? Otherwise, if the Beggar's Union, already weak in the upper echelons, kicks out those guys, it will truly become a beggar group, won't it?"

"Kick them out? That's absurd. If we kick them out, they'd just go somewhere and have fun, can that be called a punishment? That's a reward."

"....Then?"

"I'll push them all to the front lines."

"....Huh?"

Chung Myung was momentarily taken aback. What was this beggar saying now...

"There's no need to sacrifice the beggars on the front lines. I'll push the elders into the forefront of the Evil Tyrant Alliance and cut off their support. Treat them the same as regular beggars. Oh, and I'll get rid of all the privileges the elders have."

"....To that extent?"

"You're an outsider, so you wouldn't know."

Hong Daegwang snorted.

"Regardless of what the Sect Leader says, it's all nonsense. In my opinion, the main reason why the Beggar's Union has become a mess is that the elders have forgotten the time when they lived as beggars. They need to experience the beggars' hardships and the suffering of the powerless again. So, I will thoroughly exploit the elders."

Chung Myung narrowed his eyes.

"Oh, no. I understand the meaning, but...."

"Is that so? You understand, too, right?"

"Well, but who's going to cover your back? Isn't a spear fair for everyone? Even if you have a tough hide, you won't be able to endure a spear from the elders, right?"

"Hahaha. That's why I'm going to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance now."

"Huh?"

"Mount Hua's Divine Dragon!"

Hong Daegwang grabbed Chung Myung's hand.

"Save me!"

"...."

"You don't need to come directly. If you send some elites from the Tang Family or Namgung Family of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, that should be enough. As long as you guys protect me until the things I've mentioned stabilize...."

Thud!

As Hong Daegwang was speaking, he suddenly collapsed with a cheerful chop.

"Huh? Sect Leader?"

In the place where Hong Daegwang collapsed, Pungyeong Shin Gae, who had appeared unnoticed, was standing. His face, looking down at Hong Daegwang, was a complex mix of irritation, anger, and even disappointment.

The disciples of Mount Hua shook their heads. Sect Leader. We also understand your feelings.

Pungyeong Shin Gae lowered his head slightly.

"I caused trouble."

Then he grabbed one of Hong Daegwang's legs, who had collapsed, and lifted it.

"For now, I'll put him in the position of the Sect Leader and send him to greet everyone properly."

"Uhm, yes."

"Then."

Pungyeong Shin Gae held Hong Daegwang like a sack of rice and disappeared like an illusion. It truly was a mystical technique worthy of being called a legend.

"....Karma is a real thing."

"Justice prevails."

"Even if you speak, do it in moderation."

Originally, did it make sense for the one who should inherit the position of the Sect Leader to leave the position vacant?

At that moment, a look of doubt and shock flickered across Baek Cheon's face.

Recognizing this, Yoon Jong asked.

"What, Sasuk? What's wrong?"

"No, it's not that. It's just that the story about the Sect Leader being skilled at drinking has some truth to it... Chung Myung was drinking with him all night, but even if he pulled out the alcohol with his martial arts, it's hard to believe he'd be in such good shape."

All eyes turned to Chung Myung.

Chung Myung was busy.

"Uweeeeek!"

"...It seems like he's not the Wind Spirit Beggar, but the Drunkard Spirit Beggar (酒鬼)."

Above the sky, there is another sky sky. The disciples of Mount Hua, now realizing this obvious fact, let out sighs.

"Phew... Finally arrived."

"I think it took a few days to go, but it felt like it took a long time to come back."

"That's just your feeling. Or maybe you're tired."

Baek Cheon agreed with Tang Soso's words. Returning without proper rest after engaging in a fierce battle was undoubtedly challenging. However, there was no time to delay; he knew better than anyone that there were piles of tasks awaiting in Hwaeum right now.

"Anyway, it's fortunate that we arrived and have something to bring back."

"That's right. If we returned empty-handed, there would be nothing to say even if we were beaten to death."

"When you think about it, didn't we run away while others were working? We should be grateful even if we were hung upside down in a fire pit."

A deep sigh escaped. Things had turned out well, but...

Chung Myung, who had come back to life on the way back, nonchalantly remarked.

"As long as the results are good, everything is good."

"Someday, you'll suffer a real big injury, you know."

"I've already suffered several times, Sahyung. The problem is that it doesn't get fixed even after all that."

"...That's true."

Baek Cheon shrugged his shoulders. Although the process was difficult, they had managed to obtain cooperation from the Beggar's Union, and even subtly improved relations with Shaolin. Considering the time invested, it was a tremendous achievement.

In a strange way, he felt like a triumphant general.

"It's a sensation I haven't felt in a long time."

"Right? I don't think I've ever come back with such excitement recently."

"I want to wash up."

"Go wash up quickly, Sago!"

"Alright, let's go."

Baek Cheon confidently led the way towards Hwaeum. Just a few steps in, someone near the entrance of the village caught their attention. He quickly ran towards them, and when he got closer, he recognized them.

"Oh? It looks like Un Geom Sasukjo?"

"Has he already heard that we're coming?"

With joy, bright smiles appeared on everyone's faces. Though they had only been separated for a few days, meeting each other here felt incredibly pleasant and joyous.

Un Geom, as if welcoming them, extended both arms... no, one arm and rushed towards them.

"So welcoming!"

"Haha. What great thing did we accomplish?"

Chung Myung, sticking out his belly joyfully, tried to step forward, but Baek Cheon grabbed his ponytail and pulled him back.

"Tsk. Even cold water has its ups and downs."

"...Ouch. That hurts!"

"Move aside!"

Baek Cheon pushed Chung Myung aside and warmly welcomed Un Geom.

"Sasuk! We've successfully completed the mission and returned..."

Baek Cheon's greeting couldn't finish. At lightning speed, Un Geom's knee struck Baek Cheon's forehead squarely.

"Eeeek!"

Baek Cheon, producing a pig-like sound that didn't suit him at all, bounced backward.

'Huh? What's this?'

'Did I see it wrong?'

For a moment, Mount Hua's disciples hesitated, looking at Un Geom.

And then, they saw it.

A sight they had never seen before, a figure of Un Geom that looked beyond demonic.

"Sa-Sasukjo...?"

"You..."

In Un Geom's eyes, a dense murderous intent surged.

"Wearing Southern Edge's uniforms, you entered Kaifeng and destroyed the Beggar's Union. Is that true?"

"...What?"

That...uh... was that...? Uh... it was true.

"Wait a moment. Sasukjo! Please listen first! There's an explanation for that!"

"The disciples of Mount Hua..."

Un Geom, instead of retracting his murderous intent, bit down on his teeth even more fiercely.

"...even wearing Southern Edge's attire?"

Uh... the problem wasn't that they destroyed the Beggar's Union; it was that they wore Southern Edge's clothes. There was no room for excuses.

"Today, I will make sure to correct your rotten spirits thoroughly."

"Sa-Sajukjo!"

"No, listen to us first!"

"Shut up!"

Turning into a vengeful demon, Un Geom leaped into the air towards the pale Five Swords. After a moment, the sounds of desperate screams began to echo in all directions.

In the future, Chung Myung recalled that day in this way:

There truly existed something scarier than the Heavenly Demon.