Namgung Un wore an expression of utter disbelief.
“Completing an energy core through death?”
“Just moments ago, there was no energy core in this man’s body. But as soon as his breath stopped and his blood flow ceased, the energy core formed.” Bu Eunseol’s eyes were tinged with a deep, dark light. “To artificially create an energy core, it seems they must implant something called a Demon Seed, the seed of a demon, into a living person.”
Letting out a deep sigh, he continued. “And when the person implanted with the Demon Seed dies, the artificial energy core is completed.”
“So… they’re using a living person’s body as soil to plant the seed of an energy core?”
“Exactly.”
“Then…”
A chilling realization flashed through Namgung Un’s mind as he muttered softly.
Rustle.
He quickly turned and began meticulously examining the bodies of the fallen masked figures. He immediately noticed that the areas around their temples or the backs of their necks were slightly swollen.
Shing.
Namgung Un drew his sharp Golden Needle Sword and sliced into one of the masked figures’ corpses.
Slash.
The temple split open, and along with blood, a small bead rolled out—an artificial energy core. The Demon Seed, capable of forming an energy core, had been implanted in these masked figures as well.
“This can’t be.” Namgung Un trembled, unable to believe it. “It’s really true.”
Though he had ventured into the martial world more than most his age, Namgung Un had rarely witnessed its darker side. To think that they planted seeds in living people and killed them to create energy cores? This was a cruelty he had never heard of or seen, and it filled him with rage.
“The Beggars’ Sect has been a pillar of the righteous faction for generations. How could they commit such vile acts?” Namgung Un clenched his fists tightly as he spoke. “What could the Beggars’ Sect possibly lack to do something like this?”
“Exactly as you said—they must have lacked something. A lot.” Bu Eunseol spoke calmly.
“As the term ‘Nine Great Sects’ implies, the Beggars’ Sect was once called the greatest sect under heaven. But in recent times, their influence and martial prowess have waned so much that the title feels hollow.” Recalling the face of Gu Hongcheong, the Beggar King, Bu Eunseol continued.
“For a long time, there have been voices within the Beggars’ Sect calling for a stronger sect. The one leading that charge was none other than Gu Hongcheong.”
“So, to create a stronger Beggars’ Sect, they’re making energy cores by sacrificing human lives?”
“The Beggars’ Sect is capable of it. They have more than enough people.”
With countless beggars across the Central Plains under their command, the Beggars’ Sect had an almost uncountable number of members. Unless someone held a significant position, they wouldn’t even notice if a few died.
“To think they’d do this just because they have many people—I can’t believe it.”
“If you could gain immense profit by killing people, the Beggars’ Sect would likely be the faction most capable of doing so with ease.”
“But the Beggars’ Sect reveres the code of chivalry…”
Bu Eunseol cut Namgung Un off firmly.
“That’s a thing of the past. Unable to produce outstanding disciples, the Beggars’ Sect has been on a path of decline and has now become a place filled with people who worship power.”
Namgung Un didn’t argue further, sighing with a look of shame. To think that the Beggars’ Sect, once called the greatest sect under heaven and a pillar of the righteous faction, was doing such things to gain power? He was so ashamed he wanted to crawl into a hole.
“I’ll return to my clan immediately and report this. I’ll also request the Martial Alliance to investigate the Beggars’ Sect.”
“It’s pointless.”
“What?”
“The true culprits behind the energy cores aren’t the Beggars’ Sect. They’re merely pawns, driven by greed and manipulated.”
“Pawns? You mean the Beggars’ Sect?”
“Hm.”
With a reluctant sigh, Bu Eunseol briefly recounted his past experiences: the Black Alliance in Qinghai, the officials cultivating energy cores in the underground city, and the fact that some faction had completely rebuilt destroyed sects to use as their limbs.
“Just like the Black Alliance Lord, the Beggars’ Sect is likely being controlled. Their desire to rebuild the greatest sect under heaven was cunningly exploited.”
“So there’s another force behind all this.” After hearing everything, Namgung Un shook his head and sighed. “I didn’t even dream such things were happening.”
He rubbed his chin with a grave expression.
“If such forces are behind this, shouldn’t we inform the Martial Alliance sooner? If an investigation starts, it should be easy to find evidence that the Beggars’ Sect has been compromised.”
“Every sect or organization has eyes and ears connected to external forces, especially the Beggars’ Sect,” Bu Eunseol said firmly. “The information network of these shadowy forces surpasses even my own. The moment you inform the Martial Alliance, the Beggars’ Sect will receive the news and destroy all evidence.”
Namgung Un felt a heavy weight in his chest. To think that such dark forces cast a shadow over the martial world, and that Bu Eunseol had been confronting them all this time?
“Then is there no way?”
“We have to seize the evidence ourselves.”
“How?”
Bu Eunseol pointed to the fifty-odd corpses. “Since the Beggars’ Sect fed these people the seeds of energy cores, they’ll definitely come to retrieve them.”
Namgung Un let out an “Ah” as he realized Bu Eunseol planned to pursue them directly.
“Shouldn’t we put the energy core back then?”
“No need. Since they’ve discovered something’s wrong, they’ll have to return to their base.”
“I see. Then I’ll wait with you.”
Bu Eunseol and Namgung Un hid themselves discreetly about thirty paces from where the masked figures had fallen.
After about an hour, a sharp sound of air being sliced echoed, and a dozen beggars arrived at the clearing where the bodies lay. They carefully scanned the surroundings for any presence, but they couldn’t detect Bu Eunseol and Namgung Un, who had concealed their auras.
Confirming no one else was around, the beggars drew daggers from their clothes and began retrieving the energy cores from the corpses’ necks or temples.
Slash. Thud.
Their movements were so practiced that it was clear they had done this more than once or twice.
“…!” Then, one beggar discovered a corpse from which Namgung Un had already taken the energy core and called to his comrades. They huddled together, whispering for a while, before swiftly using their movement techniques to leave the area.
Whoosh.
As the beggars employed their qinggong, Bu Eunseol and Namgung Un stealthily followed. The beggars traveled non-stop for a day and a half, finally arriving in Kaifeng.
Upon reaching the marketplace in Kaifeng, the beggars suddenly scattered in all directions. Bu Eunseol and Namgung Un watched from the roof of a tall pavilion.
“It really is the Beggars’ Sect,” Namgung Un said.
Though they seemed to scatter, their destination was clearly the Beggars’ Sect headquarters. Noticing one energy core was missing, they likely dispersed to shake off any pursuers while heading to their base.
“What do we do now? Once they’re inside the Beggars’ Sect headquarters, getting evidence will be difficult.”
Bu Eunseol said nonchalantly, “We’ll have to infiltrate and seize the evidence ourselves.”
“Infiltrate the Beggars’ Sect headquarters?”
“Yes.”
“That’s absolutely impossible,” Namgung Un said, waving his hands. “The Beggars’ Sect headquarters is harder to infiltrate than the Martial Alliance or Shaolin.”
Sighing, he continued, “Beggars have their own distinct traits, so any outsider infiltrating would be immediately exposed. No matter how skilled a spy is, they can’t infiltrate the Beggars’ Sect.”
The Martial Alliance and Shaolin, though heavily guarded, at least had outsiders and pilgrims moving about. But the Beggars’ Sect headquarters was filled solely with beggars. Even disguising oneself as a beggar wouldn’t work—real beggars could easily spot fakes. In short, unless one could become completely invisible, infiltrating the headquarters was impossible.
“We’ll infiltrate as beggars.”
Crack.
Bu Eunseol used the Face and Bone Shifting Art Technique, altering his facial structure to appear more innocent and simple.
“Brother Bu, changing your face isn’t enough,” Namgung Un said, shaking his head firmly. “Beggars have their own lifestyle and habits. Ordinary people don’t know these, so no matter how well you disguise yourself as a beggar, you’ll be found out immediately.”
He added cautiously, “My palace has excellent intelligence operatives. Why don’t I have them infiltrate instead?”
“You’re right. Even the most skilled operatives would be quickly exposed in a den of beggars,” Bu Eunseol said with a nonchalant expression. “If spies sent by the Southern Palace were caught, it wouldn’t just be your problem—it would escalate to an issue for the entire Southern Palace.”
“But…”
“It’s fine. I’ve lived as a beggar before.” Bu Eunseol patted Namgung Un’s shoulder. “Go back to your palace. I’ll handle this alone.”
He gave a faint smile. “If I find clear evidence, I’ll make sure to share it with you.”
His words meant he would give Namgung Un the decisive evidence from the Beggars’ Sect, helping him become the palace master. But Namgung Un felt his pride wounded. While Bu Eunseol, the heir of the demonic path, risked his life to stop the forces disrupting the martial world, Namgung Un was only saying it couldn’t be done?
“Brother Bu, I have no ambition to become the palace master,” Namgung Un said, taking a deep breath. “I simply don’t run from trials, just as I learned from you.”
With a resolute tone, he added, “I’ll go with you, like before.”
“There’s no need.” Bu Eunseol spoke with a serious expression. “Disguising yourself as a beggar isn’t easy. You’d flee in an instant.”
“Haha, is disguising as a beggar that hard? I think you’re—” Namgung Un stopped mid-laugh, seeing the utterly serious look in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
‘Brother Bu isn’t one to speak lightly.’
Namgung Un hesitated. During their time as mercenaries, they had faced dangers where even a hundred lives wouldn’t have been enough. Yet, Bu Eunseol had never shown such an expression back then. This meant the task was far more difficult and dangerous than anything before.
‘But I’m not the same person I was back then.’
‘Even in the worst case, if we’re caught infiltrating the Beggars’ Sect headquarters, we’d just have to escape, right?’
Steeling himself, Namgung Un smiled and thumped his chest. “With you, Brother Bu, what can’t I do?”
He clasped his hands together and said earnestly, “Please, take me with you. I beg you.”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course!”
Bu Eunseol let out a low groan. “Don’t regret this.”
“Don’t worry!” Namgung Un thumped his chest again, speaking confidently. “That won’t happen!”
He regretted it immediately.
“Urgh.”
The moment he took the clothes Bu Eunseol handed him, a wave of intense regret hit him, followed by nausea. To infiltrate the Beggars’ Sect headquarters, Bu Eunseol led Namgung Un to a small village far from Kaifeng. Upon arriving, he immediately sought out a den of beggars on the outskirts.
These weren’t Beggars’ Sect members but vagrants treated worse than livestock.
“I’d like to borrow two sets of clothes,” Bu Eunseol said, offering money to the man who seemed to be the leader.
The man flashed a yellow-toothed grin, took the money, and had his men bring the clothes without asking questions. After all, martial artists borrowing beggar clothes to evade pursuit was common.
“Two bowls as well.”
When Bu Eunseol requested bowls, the leader couldn’t hide his curiosity. “What do you need bowls for?”
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol handed over more silver. Without further ado, the leader provided two broken bowls used by his men.
With clothes and bowls in hand, the two retreated to a secluded forest to change. But Namgung Un couldn’t even bring himself to put on the clothes, retching uncontrollably.
“Urgh. Ughhh.”
His face was soon streaked with tears and snot. The beggar clothes reeked indescribably, stained with feces and crawling with insects. Just holding them made him feel like the chicken noodle soup he ate a year ago was rising in his throat.
“Give up now,” Bu Eunseol said, donning the filthy beggar clothes without a hint of discomfort. “If you’re like this, you’ll be exposed before we even reach the Beggars’ Sect headquarters.”
Namgung Un quickly stopped retching and wiped his mouth. “What do you mean? I’m just feeling queasy from yesterday’s food.”
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to put on the beggar clothes. The sour, pungent smell of the shirt stung his eyes.
Crack.
Bu Eunseol used the Bone-Shifting Technique again, slimming his frame. With the beggar clothes on his gaunt body, he looked like any common beggar.
“Can you use the Bone-Shifting Technique?” he asked.
“Of course!” Namgung Un took a deep breath and began the technique.
Crack.
He altered his face to look plain, but his naturally large and imposing frame remained. Despite the beggar clothes and face, he still exuded an air of dignity.
“You look too refined,” Bu Eunseol said, inspecting him. “Slim your frame more and make your face puffier. That’ll look more natural.”
“Puffier? Are there fat beggars in this world?”
“No fat beggars, but plenty with swollen faces. Eating filthy scraps for a long time naturally bloats the body and face.”
“Really?”
Crack.
Following Bu Eunseol’s advice, Namgung Un used the Bone-Shrinking Technique to reduce his frame as much as possible and puffed up his facial structure. The result was a convincingly plump beggar physique.
“But will this disguise be enough to infiltrate the headquarters?” Namgung Un asked, his expression uneasy.
The Beggars’ Sect headquarters was a true beggar’s den. Any awkward behavior or vibe would immediately raise suspicion.
“Of course not.”
Bu Eunseol led Namgung Un outside, a strange smile on his face. “Now, let’s turn you into a beggar, fast.”
He took Namgung Un straight to the city. “To become a beggar, you first need to get used to people’s gazes.”
“Gazes? What gazes?”
“You’ll understand when you walk through the marketplace.”
Bu Eunseol led Namgung Un through the bustling marketplace. Passersby wrinkled their noses or cursed as they passed the foul-smelling duo. Some even shouted angrily or kicked at them.
‘These bastards!’ Namgung Un’s anger surged. As a direct descendant of the Southern Palace, when had he ever been treated like this? After just half a day, the contemptuous stares and disgust made his head spin.
“Don’t you ever get angry, Brother Bu?” he asked.
Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile. “Avoiding things that are smelly and dirty is human nature, isn’t it?”
“So being dirty and smelly means you deserve contempt and kicks for no reason?”
“That’s just how the world works,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “People despise those weaker and more unfortunate than themselves. It makes them feel better about their own happiness.”
His words were so cynical that Namgung Un couldn’t laugh them off. Bu Eunseol’s expression and eyes seemed to be recalling the past.
“You really lived as a beggar?” Namgung Un asked.
“I didn’t just live as a beggar—I was a beggar,” Bu Eunseol said, his gaze distant. “Abandoned from such a young age… I didn’t even have a name.”
‘I see.’
Only then did Namgung Un begin to understand the life Bu Eunseol had lived and why his heart seemed so frozen.
‘His personality isn’t cold—it’s been frozen by some event.’
Namgung Un recalled thinking this before parting ways with Bu Eunseol in the past. He had hoped Bu Eunseol’s frozen heart would thaw and that his surroundings would always be warm.
‘I’ve been blabbering without knowing anything about him.’
Recalling his past thoughts, Namgung Un felt a pang of guilt. He had been born into a prestigious, affluent clan and raised without want. If he had grown up in a harsh environment like Bu Eunseol, he might have become just as cold and cynical.
“I think I didn’t understand your circumstances enough,” Namgung Un said, scratching his head.
Bu Eunseol shook his head. “No need for such thoughts. It’s just the past.”
“But I can’t help feeling like I’ve been an ignorant fool…”
“You don’t need to seek out the unseen or the unpleasant. Just do your best in your position.”
Bu Eunseol believed that someone like Namgung Un, who didn’t know the dark and dirty sides of the world, shouldn’t feel discouraged. Born into a noble family, he had grown up untainted and bright, uplifting those around him with his good character and actions. That alone allowed Namgung Un to positively influence many people.
“Brother Bu.”
“Now that you understand, go back.”
Only then did Namgung Un realize that Bu Eunseol had been deeply considerate of him all along. Making him experience life as a beggar wasn’t to take him along but to send him back.
‘I’m not the naive fool I used to be!’
In the past, he might have given up and returned home.
But not now.
Shaking his head firmly, Namgung Un said, “I’ve learned one thing from meeting you.” Wiping his nose, he spoke calmly. “If you overcome every trial that comes your way, you can become a great person.”
“Namgung Un.”
“I’ll prove it.” Namgung Un steeled his resolve, believing that with Bu Eunseol, he could overcome any trial.
“Are you absolutely sure you won’t regret this?”
“Of course!”
Namgung Un’s eyes shone like lit torches.
“Fine.”
With a resigned expression, Bu Eunseol handed him the bowl. “Then let’s start again.”
Taking the bowl, Namgung Un soon realized that the trials so far had been child’s play—and why Bu Eunseol had so strongly discouraged him from coming along.
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