Beggars’ Sect Headquarters, Beggar’s Cave.
This was the office where Deputy Leader Haepung handled various matters.
Seated at a desk with his hands clasped, Haepung furrowed his brow. He had been secretly tracking and diverting the artificial energy cores Nobong was creating, but there were still limits to building a formidable force.
Deputy Leader Haepung“I don’t know what forces Nobong is colluding with,” he muttered.
He had long known that Nobong wasn’t truly bedridden. His plan had been to seize the Green Gourd, oust Nobong, and take the sect leader’s position. But when Gu Hongcheong was killed by Bu Eunseol, Haepung’s chance to become sect leader vanished. After all, he had become a figure who collaborated with a demonic path member to kill the supreme elder.
‘If I can’t become leader, I’ll make my disciple one.’ After much deliberation, he decided to elevate his most outstanding disciple, So Hwa, to the leadership. That would be as good as being leader himself. But a problem arose.
To use the Green Gourd to remove Nobong, unanimous agreement from the elders was required. However, Mak Hong, the Long Staff Beggar and one of the Eight Paths elders, objected.
“I agree to using the Green Gourd to remove the sect leader,” Mak Hong had said. “But, Haepung, it’s absurd for your disciple to lead the sect.”
Having seen through Haepung’s intentions, Mak Hong had already rallied the elders who followed him. Even if So Hwa became leader, the sect’s strength would be fractured. Left with no choice, Haepung proposed an open competition.
“Should fellow sect members shed blood? Let’s compare our forces, and the stronger one takes the leadership.”
Mak Hong accepted the proposal. A real power struggle would mean bloodshed among their own. Thus, Haepung and Mak Hong agreed that whoever amassed greater forces by the next elders’ meeting would become sect leader.
“No, this won’t do.”
The elders’ meeting was approaching, but Mak Hong’s faction was stronger. To turn the tide, Haepung needed a powerful martial force.
“I must become sect leader this time.”
Haepung had already borne the stigma of killing the supreme elder to pursue the leadership. If he failed now, he’d have no place left in the sect.
Rustle.
At that moment, a dark figure slipped into the office. Haepung turned, seeing a strikingly handsome man whose face seemed divine. But to Haepung, it was like a demon risen from hell—Bu Eunseol, the demonic path’s heir who had brought him to ruin.
“How dare you come here!” Haepung roared, channeling his energy to strike.
Boom.
But a tremendous force emanated from Bu Eunseol, pressing down on him. Haepung struggled to breathe, his face paling. The overwhelming inner energy was beyond resistance.
“Don’t get excited. I’m here to help,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Don’t mock me!”
“If things continue, Mak Hong will take the leadership.”
Haepung gritted his teeth. “What’s that to you?”
“Compared to someone like Mak Hong becoming leader, it’s better for my side if you take the position.”
“…”
“Of course, Nobong must die.”
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol withdrew his energy. The murderous intent in Haepung’s eyes had faded as he listened.
“What do you mean?”
“You know well enough,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “Nobong has built a separate force to cling to his leadership, sustained by the eerie power of energy cores.”
Haepung clenched his teeth. How did this fiend know that?
“If this gets out, the Beggars’ Sect will be branded a public enemy of the martial world, facing annihilation or, at best, seclusion.”
Haepung’s heart trembled. He had sacrificed everything to become sect leader. If Bu Eunseol meddled, it would all be for naught.
“So, what do you propose?”
“I need Nobong’s energy cores,” Bu Eunseol said.
“What?”
“Being the demonic path’s heir isn’t easy. But with those cores, I could build a force like his.” Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes. “If the sect is destroyed, the Martial Alliance will dispose of the cores, won’t they?”
“What are you getting at?”
“I’ll take the cores,” Bu Eunseol said calmly. “You become sect leader. I’ll only take Nobong’s cores.”
Haepung frowned. “What does me becoming leader have to do with you taking the cores?”
“I’ll deal with Nobong.”
Bu Eunseol spoke firmly. “I have no use for the sect’s filthy forces, so you can take them. That should ensure your victory over Mak Hong.”
“Why tell me this?”
“Who becomes sect leader doesn’t matter to me,” Bu Eunseol said with a nonchalant expression. “But to solidify my position as heir, I need a personal force free from the Ten Demonic Sects’ interference.”
Haepung nodded faintly, finally grasping Bu Eunseol’s motives. Through various intelligence networks, he knew Bu Eunseol had friction with the Ten Demonic Sects.
“You want me to absorb Nobong’s forces?”
“Exactly. If you do, no one could oppose you as sect leader.”
Haepung’s heart wavered. Bu Eunseol’s plan offered only benefits, with no downsides—a radical proposal.
‘But…’
If this leaked, he’d be branded a traitor for collaborating with the demonic path again.
“You want me to become a traitor working with the demonic path again?”
“That’s not my concern,” Bu Eunseol said coldly. “Will you do it or not?”
“I’ll refuse.” In truth, Haepung had no intention of refusing. He rejected it once to negotiate better terms. But an unexpected response came.
“Then I’ll go to Mak Hong.”
“What?”
“He’s a pragmatic man. He won’t refuse my offer.”
“Mak Hong doesn’t know about the cores.”
“What does that matter?” Bu Eunseol said, smiling as he turned away. “The sect’s fate is irrelevant to me.”
Haepung clenched his fists. There was no room for negotiation.
‘No choice.’
Though Bu Eunseol walked the demonic path, he kept his promises. The ones who failed to cleanly eliminate him, spreading rumors of the “Lucky King,” were from Haepung’s side, weren’t they?
“Fine.” Haepung had resolved to do anything to become sect leader, even if it meant selling his soul to this devil. “You’ll really kill Nobong and take only the cores?”
Bu Eunseol, who had been walking away, turned back. “Of course.”
“What do you want from me?”
“When I kill Nobong, every sect member in Cheonhwa Villa will pursue me, risking my identity being exposed,” Bu Eunseol said firmly. “When I strike, set up a perimeter around the villa. Pretend to chase me but block the villa’s forces from pursuing.”
“Because you can’t bring demonic path forces into Kaifeng.”
“Exactly.”
“Hm.” Haepung nodded. Bu Eunseol’s plan was simple and clean, with no harm to him.
‘He thinks I’ll keep my promise like it’s ironclad.’
A smile crept onto Haepung’s lips. One of his lifelong regrets was keeping his promise to Bu Eunseol. Had he killed him with the Green Gourd or with his forces, Haepung would already be ruling the sect.
“Fine.”
Haepung bit his lip, feigning humiliation. “But keep your promise.”
“Of course.”
“When?”
Bu Eunseol said calmly, “The sooner, the better.”
“Then four days from now,” Haepung said in a low voice. “Come at noon. I’ll completely block the villa’s forces.”
The elders’ meeting was in half a month. Haepung planned to resolve Nobong’s issue and claim the leadership before then.
“Good. I’ll kill Nobong and take the cores that day,” Bu Eunseol said. “But bring as many forces as possible. The villa’s troops match over half the sect’s strength.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
Before he finished, Bu Eunseol had vanished.
“Heh heh heh.”
Haepung grinned broadly. “It’s all over now.”
Not only could he achieve his lifelong ambition, but he’d also have a chance to eliminate the demonic path’s heir who had humiliated him.
***
Mak Hong couldn’t understand.
Namgung Un, a direct descendant of the Southern Palace, had suddenly visited his office. His next words were even more astonishing: he offered to negotiate with Sect Leader Nobong to make Mak Hong the leader.
“Nobong is staying at Cheonhwa Villa, under the pretense of illness,” Namgung Un said.
Mak Hong showed slight surprise. ‘How did the Southern Palace learn of the sect’s affairs?’
“Ahem,” Mak Hong cleared his throat. “It’s improper for the Southern Palace to meddle in our affairs.”
“It’s not meddling. The Martial Alliance should handle this,” Namgung Un replied, pulling a letter from his robe and handing it to Mak Hong. “This is proof that Nobong has colluded with external forces to create sinister energy cores, disrupting the martial world.”
Mak Hong read the letter, his hands trembling. “This…”
If true, the sect would have to close its doors today.
“If you doubt it, verify it. No, you must verify it,” Namgung Un said, sighing. “Deputy Leader Haepung is involved too.”
“Haepung? No way,” Mak Hong shook his head. “He’s trying to oust Nobong to become leader. How could he collude with him?”
“Not collude. He uncovered Nobong’s truth but is scheming to absorb the cores and forces for himself.”
Mak Hong gritted his teeth. Haepung had collaborated with a demonic figure to kill the supreme elder, and now he aimed to swallow Nobong’s forces to control the sect?
“As a Southern Palace member, I’ve long admired the sect’s chivalrous legacy,” Namgung Un said with regret. “But we can’t let Nobong’s greed ruin its honor.”
“What do you want?”
“my palace will handle this,” Namgung Un said softly. “Elder Mak, just clear the path to Cheonhwa Villa and ensure Nobong doesn’t use force.”
“Hm.”
“I’m asking you to let us enter,” Namgung Un said earnestly. “If you station forces to allow my palace’s experts to enter, we’ll handle the rest. Naturally, you’ll become sect leader.”
“How would I become leader?”
“You joined forces with my palace to thwart Nobong’s ambitions and saved the sect from ruin. You also exposed the treacherous deputy leader’s plot, so you’re the rightful leader.”
“Hm.”
Mak Hong swallowed a groan. If anyone else had said this, he’d dismiss it as nonsense. But the Southern Palace, a leader among the Eight Great Families, rivaled the Nine Great Sects in influence. Supporting him as leader by merely opening the path to Cheonhwa Villa was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“Very well,” Mak Hong nodded. “I trust the Southern Palace’s honor and will assist you.”
He added firmly, “But keep your promise.”
Namgung Un smiled and clasped his hands. “Of course.”
***
Haepung stationed every disciple he could muster at the foot of Cheonhwa Mountain, where the villa stood. Nobong might notice the movement, but it didn’t matter. A siege alone wouldn’t spark a fight, and Nobong, knowing this, would only watch cautiously.
“But I don’t understand,” Haepung muttered, looking up at the mountain. “The villa has formidable forces. How does he plan to defeat them and catch Nobong, entrenched like a dragon?”
Step, step.
Something bizarre happened. A beggar with a scruffy, pointed beard approached—it was none other than Elder Mak Hong.
“Mak Hong?” Haepung questioned his eyes. “What brings you here?” he asked.
Mak Hong’s gaze was sharp. “I’m here to see Sect Leader Nobong.”
Despite knowing Nobong’s schemes, Haepung pretended ignorance, planning to use them to bolster his own forces. Fully aware of this, Mak Hong glared at him with loathing.
“Nobong?” Haepung repeated.
“Yes,” Mak Hong replied.
In truth, the one to meet Nobong was Namgung Un and his palace’s forces, bound by a firm agreement. But Mak Hong lied smoothly. “I have urgent matters to discuss.”
“That’s strange,” Haepung said, his eyes glinting sharply. “You’ve come to see the sect leader out of nowhere?”
Mak Hong replied calmly, “Nobong has neglected sect affairs for too long, citing illness. Today, I’ll meet him to discuss these matters directly.”
“Hm.”
As Haepung let out a low groan, Mak Hong scanned the forces stationed in the open area. “Why has the deputy leader brought so many disciples here?”
‘I can’t say I’m colluding with Bu Eunseol,’ Haepung thought, clearing his throat. “Nobong’s actions have been exposed to the demonic path’s intelligence network. I’m here to protect the villa based on that information.”
Mak Hong couldn’t hide his incredulity. “You expect me to believe that nonsense, deputy leader?”
“Believe it or not, it doesn’t matter,” Haepung said, avoiding Mak Hong’s gaze.
His agreement with Bu Eunseol was to surround the villa until sunset to prevent Nobong’s collusion with external forces. If he kept that promise, he could absorb Nobong’s forces and claim the leadership.
“Very well. Do your duty,” Mak Hong said, nodding and moving to enter.
Haepung shook his head. “I said you can’t go in.”
Mak Hong’s expression turned incredulous. “You said you’re blocking external forces. Are you calling me an external force?”
“I can’t rule out the possibility of you colluding with them. Please understand.”
“Hahaha,” Mak Hong laughed, incredulous. “Colluding with external forces is your specialty, isn’t it?”
With a mocking smile, he continued, “Didn’t you set the stage for the supreme elder to be killed by that demonic figure?”
That was Haepung’s gravest mistake, one he’d regret forever. As Mak Hong mocked him, murderous intent flickered in Haepung’s eyes.
“Watch your words, Mak Hong,” Haepung said solemnly. “Do you think you’ll hold your elder status forever?”
“Heh heh heh. Say that after you become sect leader,” Mak Hong replied with a smirk. “Which won’t happen.”
“You’re determined to go in?” Haepung asked sternly.
“Isn’t it strange for you to block an elder from meeting the sect leader?” At a loss for words, Haepung clenched his fists. If Mak Hong entered, it would break his agreement with Bu Eunseol, who might then abandon their deal.
“Mak Hong,” Haepung said, white-hot killing intent rising in his eyes. “Do you really think my words are empty?”
“That’s what I’d like to ask,” Mak Hong said, narrowing his eyes. “What are you scheming, surrounding the villa and blocking my path?”
“I already explained.”
“You expect me to believe something even a three-year-old wouldn’t?”
“Mak Hong.”
As solemn light gleamed in Haepung’s eyes, step, step, a figure in blue robes staggered toward the villa’s path.
He was imposing, with a noble air and clear, refined features. But his body was covered in wounds, his blue robes soaked in blood.
It was Namgung Un.
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