Chapter 85 : Chapter 85

Chapter 85. The Scramble (1)

So Honggae, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth.

“Yes. A promise is a promise, so I’ll answer you. First, the guys you’ve been messing with recently are an organization called the Unwol Sect. They are one of the three organizations that have divided the Jianghu’s Black Market.”

Unwol Sect.

Strangely enough, it was a name Jin Yuseong was hearing for the first time.

He had not even known that the Black Market was divided into three factions at this time.

He only knew that in the future, Hyeok Ilso would unite the Jianghu’s Black Market.

Jin Yuseong lightly clicked his tongue.

‘Tsk. Is this the price for living like a coward?’

In his past life, he had only sought out those he thought he could kill.

In addition, by the time he had finished his training and entered the Jianghu, Hyeok Ilso had already united the Black Market.

While Jin Yuseong was reflecting on his past, So Honggae’s story continued.

“The three factions had maintained a relative peace, as if they had made an agreement, but recently, the conflict between them has been escalating.”

“Is there a reason?”

At Jin Yuseong’s question, So Honggae let out a hollow laugh.

“The reason is obviously because of you, isn’t it?”

“Us?”

“You messed with the Black Market managed by the Unwol Sect, didn’t you? You killed several skilled martial artists in the process. If the Mount Heng Sect hadn't helped, you would have been killed by them long ago.”

Jin Yuseong nodded.

As So Honggae said, if it hadn't been for the Mount Heng Sect, they would have died in Iyang.

He also had a rough idea of why a fight had broken out between the three major factions.

‘I overlooked the fact that all three are trash.’

Where would there be loyalty among trash?

Seeing the Unwol Sect weakened, the other two factions must have started to poke at it.

“Actually, we weren’t fully aware of their movements either. But recently, as their conflict came to the surface, it became much easier to trace their tracks. In a way, it’s thanks to you.”

“It must have become much easier to find them. So, do you know where Hyeok Ilso is?”

At Jin Yuseong’s question, So Honggae smiled bitterly.

“I’m sorry, but we don’t know his exact location either. We’ve gathered that he is a highly valued subordinate of the Unwol Sect's leader.”

Jin Yuseong frowned.

“You made us work like this without having the information?”

“Hahaha. Calm down. Instead, we have figured out the location of the nearest Black Market from here.”

Jin Yuseong glared at So Honggae.

“Ahem.”

Seeing him clear his throat, Jin Yuseong also let out a light sigh.

“Haa.”

He decided to think positively.

It was a matter of helping the pitiful.

Furthermore, thanks to helping these people, he was able to dispose of the hypocrite named Choi Cheol in advance.

“Alright. Then, for now, tell me the location of that Black Market.”

“Go to a place called Huaiji in Guangdong. About half a day’s journey from Huaiji, there will be a mountain called Great Ridge of Color. The Black Market is held on that mountain.”

So Honggae explained the locations of Huaiji and Great Ridge of Color in quite some detail.

It was because it was known in the world that Jin Yuseong was a newcomer to Murim. Also, since Jin Yuseong had mostly been active in Guizhou and Hunan, he thought he would be completely unfamiliar with the geography of Guangdong.

From Jin Yuseong’s perspective, who had been to Guangdong a few times in his past life, it was a truly unnecessary consideration.

“So when is the Black Market at Great Ridge of Color held?”

Thinking what an impatient fellow he was, So Honggae replied.

“Judging by the movements of the people who frequent the place, we are guessing it’s on the first day of every month.”

Having obtained the necessary information, Jin Yuseong nodded.

And just as he was about to turn away, as if his business was done, So Honggae said something unexpected.

“Ghost Sword Young Master. Instead of dirtying your hands by killing people from now on, would you be willing to dirty your hands by helping dirty beggars?”

An unexpected offer, made in a much more formal tone than before.

Jin Yuseong refused flatly.

“No.”

“Why? Is it because being with beggars is dirty?”

Jin Yuseong snorted and replied.

“I seek out and kill those who are less than trash. When I kill them, their bodies touch my skin and their blood splatters on my face. Compared to the blood those trash spill, the dirt and sweat of beggars are not dirty at all.”

“Even for the sake of punishing those villains, don’t you have any intention of joining our Beggar’s Gang? It’s a bit much for me to say it myself, but our Beggar’s Gang has many excellent martial arts. With your talent, Ghost Sword Young Master, you would surely be able to master them.”

The martial arts of the Beggar’s Gang, such as the Dog Beating Staff Technique and the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, were outstanding martial arts that were called the best in the Jianghu.

But Jin Yuseong, as expected, refused without a moment’s hesitation.

“Your path and mine are different.”

“Is it because you only care for beggars?”

Jin Yuseong shook his head and replied.

“It’s because you have many things to protect, and I have nothing to protect.”

The Beggar’s Gang members, who moved for the great cause of protecting beggars, yet could not touch Choi Manor.

This was not only because they were of the Righteous Path.

It was because only by being of the ‘Righteous Path’ could they truly protect the beggars.

If they went around stirring up trouble under the pretext of helping beggars, they would inevitably make enemies everywhere.

Above all, because of their grand ambition to protect all the beggars in the world, they were in a position where they could not act rashly.

“If I were to join the Beggar’s Gang, I feel like I would die not from fighting, but from a stress-induced illness.”

Was it because of his firm refusal? So Honggae snorted once and returned to his usual tone.

“Hmph. Refusal is fine, but there seems to be a contradiction in your words.”

He turned his head and looked towards where Jin Yuseong’s party was.

“You also have people to protect, it’s the same.”

At So Honggae’s point, Jin Yuseong chuckled.

“They are not people to protect, but comrades. I may be stronger now, but within a few years, they will become stronger.”

Jin Yuseong genuinely thought so.

It was only because he had obtained various miraculous encounters based on the memories of his past life that he had grown strong so quickly.

Since their talents were superior to his, he expected to be surpassed at some point.

He did not particularly feel envious. He just had a simple wish.

He just hoped that even after they grew up, they would not be tainted by evil, that they would become people who would readily stand up against villains.

After meeting Jin Yuseong’s eyes, which were filled with conviction, for a moment, So Honggae chuckled and said.

“Come to think of it, it seems the reward was lacking compared to the effort you all put in.”

Saying so, So Honggae suddenly put his left hand into his ragged trousers.

Jin Yuseong frowned at the sight of So Honggae fumbling with something.

It was not because it looked dirty.

“The information is enough. I don’t need any valuables.”

So Honggae snorted.

“What valuables would a beggar have for you to expect any.”

Soon, he took something out of his dirty trousers and held it out.

“It’s a wooden token with my name on it. If you ever face a dangerous situation, hand this over to a nearby beggar. Our Beggar’s Gang will protect you once.”

After looking at the wooden token for a moment, Jin Yuseong reached out and took it.

“I hope the day I have to use this never comes.”

“I’m regretting it too. Seeing what you guys do, it seems you’ll use it only after causing some huge trouble. Well then, take care.”

“Take care of yourself.”

Jin Yuseong clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute to So Honggae, then turned his back and walked towards his party.

They packed their belongings and left Chimju.

As if they were in a great hurry, they ran, using their movement techniques.

In the distance, their figures quickly grew smaller.

“Ugh. B-Bro smells weird.”

Only Nam Geon’s loud voice echoed faintly.

When their figures had become as small as ants in the distance, the Three-Knot Beggar, Sang-gu, approached So Honggae.

“Hall Master. Isn’t it a bit dangerous to give that wooden token to the Ghost Sword Young Master?”

Sang-gu’s face was full of worry, because of the Ghost Sword Young Master’s character that he had observed while they were together.

As the rumors said, he was a man who would kill any villain without question.

Especially the sight of him torturing the master of Choi Manor, Choi Cheol, was enough to give him goosebumps just by thinking about it.

But to his surprise, So Honggae clicked his tongue at Sang-gu’s question and replied.

“Tsk. You still have a long way to go. Why are you so obsessed with what you see on the surface?”

“Pardon?”

What kind of nonsense is that?

While Sang-gu swallowed those words internally, So Honggae added.

“It’s true that the Ghost Sword Young Master is cruel to villains. But did he just kill Choi Cheol? When Choi Cheol first interfered with us, the Ghost Sword Young Master just let him be. Also, when helping the beggars, he showed no signs of being disgusted or tired. Perhaps a sign of frustration, but that's it.”

“……He looked like he was dying to kill Choi Cheol and the common people of Chimju.”

“You fool. Look at the result. In the end, the Ghost Sword Young Master only killed Choi Cheol. And that was only after it was revealed that he had dabbled in sinister spells. There seem to be many misunderstandings because the Ghost Sword Young Master’s methods are cruel, but he is not a man who swings his sword without thinking.”

He contemplates right and wrong before drawing his sword, but once everything is clear, he moves forward without hesitation.

At least, the Ghost Sword Young Master that So Honggae had grasped was that kind of man.

He was just puzzled as to how someone at an age to be called a young hero could be so seasoned.

“Is that why you gave him such a big reward?”

At Sang-gu’s question, So Honggae nodded.

It was by chance that So Honggae had found the Ghost Sword Young Master.

But he had not asked for the Ghost Sword Young Master’s help just for the sake of helping the beggars.

In addition to helping the beggars, it was his intention to understand the Ghost Sword Young Master.

Because he was a madman who had dared to use the Beggar’s Gang’s name without permission to punish the Underworld.

Naturally, there was a need to know what kind of person he was.

This was a kind of test, and So Honggae gave him a passing grade.

So Honggae suddenly recalled the last conversation he had with Jin Yuseong.

‘We have many things to protect.’

He was right. Because there were so many things to protect, there were many things to consider.

Even though they were beggars with nothing, they could not be free.

Perhaps it was because of that frustration that he had unconsciously wanted to cheer for Jin Yuseong.

Just then, Sang-gu, who was staring at So Honggae, asked again.

“Still, isn’t that token a bit too much?”

“It’s because I have something to be sorry for.”

Replying so, So Honggae brought a gourd bottle, which he had taken out from somewhere, to his lips.

As the strong smell of alcohol wafted over, Sang-gu frowned and asked.

“Something to be sorry for? What is it?”

“Heh heh. You don’t need to know.”

Giving a passing grade and the wooden token were separate matters.

In fact, while having the last conversation with Jin Yuseong, So Honggae had told one lie.

It was about the information on Hyeok Ilso.

He actually did not know where Hyeok Ilso was right now.

But he knew his whereabouts a few days ago.

If he sent a message to the main branch and asked for news, he might be able to find out Hyeok Ilso’s location somehow.

But So Honggae hid this fact.

‘It’s still too early.’

It was a judgment he made because of Hyeok Ilso’s actions he had heard about a few days ago.

So Honggae had received intelligence that the Silver Wolf Unit led by Hyeok Ilso had annihilated the Black Serpent Group.

Even the Beggar’s Gang did not know how the battle had flowed.

But they had a rough idea of the martial prowess of the Black Serpent Group.

Yet, they were annihilated by the power of the Silver Wolf Unit alone.

Moreover, the Silver Wolf Unit’s losses were almost non-existent.

It meant that the Silver Wolf Unit’s strength was overwhelming.

So Honggae thought as he looked in the direction Jin Yuseong’s party had left.

‘Not people to protect, but comrades.’

Jin Yuseong had argued.

That in a few years, those comrades would surpass him.

But at least, not right now.

Seeing the skills of Jin Yuseong’s party as they fought the Choi Manor martial artists, if they were to face the Silver Wolf Unit, there would inevitably be casualties.

‘Whether the Ghost Sword Young Master grows a few steps more, or his comrades grow more, at least until then, it is best to avoid the Silver Wolf Unit.’

This was also the reason he had gifted the wooden token.

He hoped that they would use that wooden token as a lifeline to buy time to grow.

With a complex expression, So Honggae drank from the liquor bottle again.

And a few days later.

One day, while he was still taking care of the beggars of Chimju after Jin Yuseong’s party had left.

A beggar from Guangdong handed So Honggae a letter.

In it was written various miscellaneous information obtained by the Beggar’s Gang members in Guangdong.

After skimming through them for a moment.

So Honggae’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.

- An old man suspected of being Qingliang Xueshang was spotted near Guangning.

Qingliang Xueshang.

The merchant who weighs the value of gold and blood.

One of the elders of the Unwol Sect that the Beggar’s Gang was aware of.

Normally, whether that man appeared in Guangning or not was not particularly important information for the Beggar’s Gang.

But So Honggae’s face had already turned pale.

‘Isn’t this like telling him to avoid the wolf, only to throw him into the tiger’s maw!’

Of all places, he had driven Jin Yuseong’s party towards the Black Market where that man had appeared.

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