Chapter 87 : Chapter 87

Chapter 87: The Dragon Head Clan Leader, Musan-gae

In Kaifeng, of the Tianjin prefecture in Henan Province, there was the headquarters of the Beggar’s Gang.

The headquarters of the Beggar’s Gang was a place that coordinated and commanded the branch factions scattered throughout the Jianghu, so a vast scale was essential.

It was inevitably built as a large, multi-story pavilion, and for a den of beggars, it was a rather neat and respectable building.

Although they were a group of beggars, the Beggar’s Gang was also a place that held the honor and symbolism of being one of the Nine Sects One Gang, so it was not possible to build a shabby hovel and call it the headquarters.

The reason for enumerating these facts was that the headquarters of the Beggar’s Gang was not originally a building.

There was a time in the Beggar’s Gang when the place where the Clan Leader, also known as the Dragon Head Clan Leader, resided was the headquarters.

It was said to be a story from a time a little more filled with romance than now.

In any case, the current Beggar’s Gang had a symbolic building called the headquarters.

Many thought that the residence of the Beggar’s Gang Clan Leader would be on the top floor of that headquarters pavilion.

The leader of a hundred thousand beggars.

The only Nine-Knot Beggar in the Beggar’s Gang.

Although he had not entered the State of Harmony, he was a person praised as the greatest master of movement techniques in the Jianghu.

The residence of the Dragon Head Clan Leader, Musan-gae.

Thud. Thud.

Chwipung-gae, a master of the Eight Drunken Immortals Gait, one of the best movement techniques in the Jianghu, was walking with uncharacteristically heavy legs.

The reason was none other than that he was on his way to see the Clan Leader.

It was said that the weight of one's steps depended on one's heart, and his steps now were not very light.

It was because he had committed a sin.

“Hoo-”

Chwipung-gae's steps, on his way to see the Clan Leader of the Beggar’s Gang, were heading down, and down.

To get to the top floor of the tall pavilion called the Beggar’s Gang headquarters, one should be heading up, but there was no hesitation in Chwipung-gae's downward steps.

It was because Chwipung-gae knew the truth.

Chwipung-gae's steps stopped only when he reached the lowest place in Kaifeng, the territory of the poor.

There, a crude beggar’s hovel, which even a White-Robed Beggar would be reluctant to stay in, was located.

“Clan Leader, I’m here.”

When Chwipung-gae said so.

“You punk! Didn’t I tell you not to call me that here!”

A gruff voice welcomed Chwipung-gae’s visit.

The owner of the gruff voice was the Clan Leader. The pinnacle of the hundred thousand members of the Beggar’s Gang, the Dragon Head Clan Leader, Musan-gae.

He was residing in this lowest place, leaving the comfortable top floor of the headquarters behind.

-How can you call someone who lives in a place like that a beggar?

He had said so, and had made his own territory in the lowest place.

Musan-gae was a person who could be called the king of beggars among true beggars.

It went without saying, but this shabby space where this king of beggars resided had become the true headquarters of the Beggar’s Gang.

“If I don’t call the Clan Leader ‘Clan Leader,’ what should I call you?”

“What does it matter what we call each other among beggars?”

“Good to see you, Musan-gae.”

“You little punk, where is the fellow who calls the Clan Leader’s name to his face?”

“Are you crazy?”

The Beggar’s Gang was still living in an age of romance.

***

This was a story from before Chwipung-gae visited the Dragon Head Clan Leader's residence.

“Are you serious?”

“I am serious.”

“Me getting seven knots will help you?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

Chwipung-gae was not a fool.

It would be right to say he was on the smart side.

To be precise, he was more seasoned than intelligent.

Beggars who have encountered a lot of information tend to become seasoned, and Chwipung-gae could be said to be exceptional among them.

Twenty years with the Beggar’s Gang.

Now that he had reached an age where the word 'old man' was not an exaggeration, the seasoning that had grown with the years was more than enough to hold a cunning snake within him.

Therefore, Chwipung-gae could immediately understand Dancheon Myeong’s request.

The meaning of Dancheon Myeong's request to tie seven knots was not a simple one like 'I wish you would become an elder.'

It would be right to interpret it as 'I will make a request so difficult that you can only grant it if you become a Seven-Knot Elder.'

To extrapolate a bit further, it could be seen as 'I must use the Beggar’s Gang through you.'

It was because the greatest privilege of a Beggar’s Gang elder lay there.

In fact, Dancheon Myeong had captured a Divine Demon of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult for the sake of Chwipung-gae's revenge. The vicious Transcendent Demonic Realm master and the leader of the Five Great Demonic Families, the Yin Blood Divine Demon.

Considering the intelligence that found the Yin Blood Divine Demon and the martial power that captured him, it was clear that he had received a grace that was difficult to even convert into money.

When you thought about it, what Dancheon Myeong had done was not a particularly unreasonable or rude request.

But because there was a point that made him reluctant…

“It’s not like just anyone can get seven knots. It will take a long time.”

Chwipung-gae deployed the feigned ignorance of a seasoned beggar. It was with a slight pang of guilt that pricked the conscience of a member of the Righteous and Chivalrous Beggar's Gang.

“Come on, let’s not be like this between experts.”

“Was I caught?”

“Long ago.”

“Tsk.”

Of course, it was no use.

Just like with the Yin Blood Divine Demon, that fellow knew everything.

The fact that Chwipung-gae was deliberately not ascending to the position of a Seven-Knot Elder was not a secret, but it was also not information that a non-member of the Beggar's Gang would know.

It seemed clear that he knew that information as well.

It was because his expression management must have been perfect.

‘What should I do…’

He had received an ocean-like grace from someone who had solved what could be called his lifelong wish.

Chwipung-gae was prepared to burn his own body to repay Dancheon Myeong.

But to be honest, he was reluctant to use the Beggar’s Gang.

It was because for him, the Beggar’s Gang was not included in the domain of ‘his own body.’

It wasn't that he was keeping a distance from the Beggar’s Gang, but because he loved the Beggar’s Gang more than anyone.

It was because what one loves is an object to be protected, not an object to be used.

“There will be no harm to the Beggar’s Gang.”

As if he had noticed Chwipung-gae’s inner thoughts, Dancheon Myeong had said so.

He was a fellow who was also ridiculously quick-witted.

Nevertheless, when Chwipung-gae couldn't readily give an answer.

“If you don’t want to, there’s nothing to be done.”

Dancheon Myeong said as if giving up.

“Who said I don’t want to!”

Having received such a grace, how could he turn a blind eye?

One of Chwipung-gae's philosophies was that a fellow whose face was different when entering and leaving the restroom was worse than a beggar.

Since Chwipung-gae was a proud beggar, he could not become a fellow worse than a beggar. Chwipung-gae was not such a shameless beggar.

“Don’t you want to do it?”

“Of course not.”

“You’ll do it for me?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll trust you.”

“Indeed.”

Now that he had made such a bold declaration, there was no room for retreat.

“…I’ll go and tie another knot.”

“Will two days be enough?”

“That quickly?”

“I know it can be done in a day. I gave you some leeway just in case.”

“Heung.”

He was truly an unknowable fellow.

A fellow who wasn't a beggar was as quick-witted as a beggar.

A fellow who wasn't a beggar had more information than a beggar.

And a fellow who wasn't a beggar was as cunning as a beggar.

The problem was that the fellow was so beggar-like that he was endearing.

He felt as straightforward and honest as the beggars themselves.

So much so that even if he hadn't received the grace, he would have wanted to grant his request.

As Chwipung-gae was about to move his feet.

“Shouldn’t you hear the request before you go?”

Dancheon Myeong’s words stopped him in his tracks.

“Weren’t you going to tell me only after I got the seven knots?”

“Why bother?”

“I see.”

This efficient aspect of him was also very beggar-like.

“Alright. What is the real request?”

“I want to obtain the Emerald Rescue Pill.”

“The Emerald Rescue Pill?”

“That’s right.”

“The one I know?”

“Is there another Emerald Rescue Pill?”

“No.”

“Then that must be it.”

A name he had not expected came out.

And the thought that came to him was…

“Was that all it was?”

This was it.

“Wait. I’ll be back.”

Chwipung-gae’s heart became light. His steps became lighter as well.

It was because what he, a true member of the Beggar’s Gang, valued the least was wealth. Even if it was the treasure of the Beggar's Gang, the Emerald Rescue Pill, it was the same for Chwipung-gae.

It was a relief that it was a request he could grant.

Well, that didn't mean that the road to see the Clan Leader would be pleasant.

“What brings you here?”

The Clan Leader, Musan-gae, asked Chwipung-gae. His voice was quite gruff, and he seemed to have many complaints about Chwipung-gae.

“Do I have to have business to come?”

“You have to have business. Is this place your living room?”

“Ahem.”

Chwipung-gae tried to lighten the mood but ended up with nothing.

“Stop with the nonsense and just state your business.”

Originally, to meet the leader of a large group, proper procedures, formalities, and etiquette were required.

But the Beggar’s Gang was not such a group, and Chwipung-gae was not such a person.

“I came to get my seven knots.”

It meant that he had gotten straight to the point.

“You son of a bitch, do you think the seven knots are some neighborhood ruffian leader's position? Do you think I’ll just give it to you if you ask?”

“Even a ruffian leader’s position isn’t just given if you ask.”

“You know that and you still act like this?”

“Heh heh.”

“Tsk. You damn punk.”

Chwipung-gae was over sixty.

Considering the etiquette of the Jianghu, it meant that he was long past the age to be cursed at.

But he continued speaking with a smile.

“Then what would a beggar do, beg or earn?”

“Don’t laugh, you enemy-like punk.”

“Hahahaha.”

“Damn punk.”

Chwipung-gae's mood did not worsen despite Musan-gae's curses.

Cursing in a way that didn't make one feel bad. This was also a charm that the Dragon Head Clan Leader Musan-gae possessed.

In fact, he had committed a sin.

“You punk who ran away so much when I said I’d tie the seven knots for you, do you think I’ll just give it to you now if you ask?”

This was it.

It was the sin of continuously refusing the Clan Leader's request to ascend to the seven knots and become a pillar leading the Beggar’s Gang.

But wasn't atonement the spirit of the Beggar’s Gang?

“So you’re not going to give it to me?”

He could just atone for his sin by getting the seven knots now.

“Tsk.”

For the first time, Musan-gae's mouth was shut by Chwipung-gae's words.

Musan-gae, who had been glaring at Chwipung-gae as if to scold him, opened his mouth.

“You punk who said you couldn’t get the seven knots until you achieved your revenge, what happened now?”

Chwipung-gae smiled at that question.

“You already know, don’t you? Are you going to be coy even with me?”

Chwipung-gae had not forgotten.

The fact that that cursing old beggar was the Clan Leader of the Beggar’s Gang.

Information was like water; it flowed to the lowest point.

Chwipung-gae was not unaware of the fact that this old beggar, who resided in the lowest place in Kaifeng, had the most eyes and ears in the world.

Thanks to his rather secretive movements, it wouldn't be talked about in the Jianghu, but it was impossible for the Clan Leader of the Beggar’s Gang not to know about the major incident of killing a Divine Demon of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

“Tsk.”

Musan-gae clicked his tongue at Chwipung-gae’s uninteresting reaction.

“So, how was he?”

Chwipung-gae knew that the question was about his benefactor, Dancheon Myeong.

And he fell into thought for a moment.

The second son of the Dancheon Clan, Myeong.

What kind of person was he?

The conclusion came surprisingly easily.

“I don’t know.”

At that answer, Musan-gae's squinting eyes widened.

Chwipung-gae knew the reason.

Chwipung-gae’s insight was well-recognized even within the Beggar’s Gang. This was something Musan-gae also acknowledged.

Chwipung-gae also knew that the point Musan-gae valued most about him was not his martial arts, which had reached the State of Harmony, but his insight.

It was only natural to be surprised that such a Chwipung-gae said he didn't know even after spending several days with him.

This was even more so because the opponent was not a seasoned, cunning old fox of the Jianghu, but a young man who had just passed his twentieth year.

And Chwipung-gae’s words were not yet finished.

“But I have decided to give my life to him.”

A firm resolve was set in Chwipung-gae's eyes as he said so.

“Hah-”

Musan-gae sighed.

This was also because the Clan Leader Musan-gae knew Chwipung-gae well.

A person who knew faith knew the weight of his own words better than anyone.

In that sense, Chwipung-gae was a person who never broke his word.

“It’s only been a few days and you trust someone so easily? Have your eyes become knot-holes as you’ve gotten older?”

“I’m in better shape than you, old man.”

Chwipung-gae smiled as he replied.

It was probably the clearest smile he had worn since becoming a beggar.

Musan-gae, who had an outstanding insight befitting a Clan Leader, was able to deduce a lot of information from that smile.

“Is he a good person?”

“That much is certain.”

“Tsk. Then that’s enough.”

Having said that, Musan-gae tossed a knot to Chwipung-gae.

If he tied that, Chwipung-gae would ascend to the position of a Seven-Knot Elder.

Originally, the procedure for appointing an elder of the Beggar’s Gang was not this simple, but since that knot had been Chwipung-gae’s for a long time, there was no problem.

The Seven-Knot Elder Chwipung-gae, who had fumbled to tie the knot, said.

“Clan Leader, in that sense.”

“What now?”

“Just give me one Emerald Rescue Pill.”

“Are you a crazy bastard?”

Musan-gae’s expression crumpled.