บท 611: Chapter 1499: How Dare I Not Follow? (Part 4)
Pa-ba-ba-bak.
The sound of someone roughly rubbing their face echoed in the quiet inner room.
"Sigh... I'd rather die than suffer."
"Oh, it's been a while since I heard that?"
"Gol-ah. Shut up."
Chung Myung ground his teeth and glanced upstairs. As if he was at fault for everything...
"So, let's summarize...."
The more he thought about it, the more his head hurt. Chung Myung pressed his temples while speaking.
"Sixty percent of the Beggar's Union are already under the control of the elders of the Beggar's Union. To utilize the Beggar's Union's intelligence, we need to subjugate those elders and turn the people we want into leaders."
"That's right."
"That fucker!"
"Ah, Amitabha! Calm down, Siju!"
"Stop it, you bastard! You're talking to a dead person!"
Hye Yeon and Yoon Jong, who were standing on both sides, quickly grabbed him and held him back. Chung Myung could only glare at the ceiling while being restrained.
At that moment, Jo Gol asked Baek Cheon in a small voice.
"But, Sasuk."
"Yeah?"
"Is the situation really bad right now? If the sect leader helps us, it could be a good opportunity to intervene in the succession and turn the Beggar's Union to our favor."
"True. If things go well, the Beggar's Union might..."
Baek Cheon stopped talking from there. What he originally wanted to say was, 'If things go well, the Beggar's Union might withdraw from the Ten Great Sects and join the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.' But it seemed inappropriate to say that in front of the Beggar's Union's sect leader.
"However, if things go wrong, the consequences could be unimaginable. Intervening in the succession of another sect goes completely against the principles of justice. No, it's not just against the principles, but almost declaring war against the Beggar's Union."
"Is it that serious?"
"I was originally supposed to become the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, but imagine the Southern Edge Sect intervened and made that bastard, Baek Sang, the Sect Leader."
"...That's good?"
"..."
"Ah, no. That won't do! We should do good things ourselves! How dare those Southern Edge guys act up? Let's burn down the Southern Edge Mountain!"
"Right. So that's what it was."
Baek Cheon, noticing Lee Songbaek rubbing his face in uneasiness behind, cleared his throat before speaking.
"Anyway... If we make a wrong move, the situation could turn into a situation where the entire Beggar's Union becomes our enemy."
"But if the sect leader is on our side, wouldn't the situation be different?"
At that remark, everyone looked at Pungyeong Shin Gae. The Pungyeong Shin Gae placed at the end of everyone's gaze seemed to have an awkward smile.
"Well... I might be expelled right away even if I say this right now...."
"Bluffing, that bastard!"
"Oh, Chung Myung!"
"Let go, let go! All I want is the sect leader, Sahyung! Don't draw your sword!"
"Narrow-minded."
Watching the disciples of Mount Hua rushing in from all directions to suppress Chung Myung, Pungyeong Shin Gae began to sweat profusely.
They knew exactly who they were suppressing...
When Yoo Iseol, as usual, began to stab Chung Myung's head with her sheath, Pungyeong Shin Gae couldn't bear to watch any longer and turned his head away. An irreparable disaster in Kangho's leadership had already happened. They just didn't know yet...
Yoon Jong, who was holding Chung Myung's arm, made a groaning sound and said.
"Sasuk. Given the current situation, how about requesting support from the main headquarters of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"
"Are you asking us to request assistance from the Sect Leader and the Great Sect Leader to pull out their swords and intervene in the Beggar's Union succession issue?"
At that moment, something occurred to Yoon Jong.
The image of Hyun Jong rushing forward with all his might, eyes bloodshot and Plum Blossom Sword in hand. Really, just thinking about it...
"I might have a heart attack."
"Is there a separate Heavenly Demon? It's a Heavenly Demon..."
"I feel dizzy."
If things continued like this, they might have to verify with the top of their heads how many grains of sand were rolling around in Mount Hua.
"Let me go!"
"Promise not to cause trouble."
"I got it! I got it, so let go!"
"... I don't trust you."
Although trust was lacking, everyone reluctantly stepped back. Chung Myung sighed deeply and sat down on a chair. Scratching his head with one hand, Chung Myung narrowed his eyes at Pungyeong Shin Gae.
Pungyeong Shin Gae subtly avoided eye contact.
"This is why beggars are..."
"...Sorry."
"Tsk."
"So, who is the leader on the other side?"
"He is Ilho-gae ["Tiger Beggar"] Jo Namcheon (趙南天)."
"Ilho-gae?"
Pungyeong Shin Gae nodded silently.
"Gungu-Ilho (群狗一虎) Jo Namcheon. He is gathering the elders and trying to become the sect leader himself."
"Not 'Gungyeilhagdo' but 'Gungu-Ilho.' A tiger in a pack of dogs..." [not sure, Gungyeilhagdo = "군계일학도", "Gungu-ilho" = "군구일호", couldn't find the difference]
As Chung Myung narrowed his eyes, Pungyeong Shin Gae opened his mouth with a bitter expression.
"As you may guess... He was originally the one who should've taken the position of the Beggar's Union's Sect Leader. Just..."
"That old man was looking for someone who would follow his wishes, and that person ended up becoming a sect leader?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"...It seems unfair."
From Jo Namcheon's perspective, he would've gone crazy.
Just by looking at the title 'Gungu-Ilho,' one could imagine the treatment he received within the Beggar's Sect. And yet, such a person was robbed of the position of the sect leader overnight without any apparent reason.
"Is he your disciple?"
"He's my Sahyung."
As Chung Myung looked back with a chubby face, Pungyeong Shin Gae's head gradually lowered.
Jo Gol whispered to Baek Cheon again.
"Sasuk, what's the situation?"
"Yoon Jong, who everyone naturally thought would become the Sect Leader, suddenly lost his position to you one day."
"Huh? Then Mount Hua is screwed, isn't it?"
"..."
Everyone who pretended not to listen turned to look at Jo Gol for a moment. Jo Gol flinched.
"Why?"
"No, it's nothing."
"I just thought I was doing a good job of understanding the topic."
"Smart."
"Ah, well, it's only natural. Anyway, so, Yoon Jong Sahyung's position, became the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, and deliberately created chaos in Mount Hua. So Sahyung, after seeing that, gritted his teeth to gather other disciples to reclaim the position of Sect Leader. Is that right?"
"If we have to draw a parallel, it seems so."
"Well... Sasuk? I don't know if it's because I'm short-sighted, but even if I hear this, it seems a bit..."
"It does, doesn't it?"
The gaze of Mount Hua disciples looking at Pungyeong Shin Gae gradually became dull.
"That side seems like the hero."
"...This side is the villain."
"To be honest, if it were me, I would have given up a long time ago."
Just coughing continuously, Pungyeong Shin Gae had no room for rebuttal. He simply followed the will of his predecessors, but others wouldn't see it that way.
"Ah, well. Anyway, so, this Tiger Beggar or whatever guy is gathering the elders to become the sect leader. How far has it progressed? Sixty percent? Seventy percent?"
"That... well..."
"It's not the seventy percent, right?"
"In reality... the agreement among them has already been completed. It's just delayed because there is no clear way for them to confirm that decision with the Beggar's Union's sacred stamp." [not sure if it's stamp, ig it's like mount hua's 'great virtuous sword']
Chung Myung's pupils shook greatly.
"It's over?"
"Yes."
"Ah, but, you didn't seem that incompetent. What have you been doing until now?"
Pungyeong Shin Gae's eyes instinctively glanced upward.
"That... Shifu told me to wait a bit because he said you would handle it directly..."
"...And it ended up like that without a resolution?"
"Yes."
"While using the Quieting Breath to barely stay alive, the moment he opened his eyes, he just left..."
"In a way... yes."
"Ugh...."
Chung Myung grabbed his neck to fall backward, but Tang Soso, who was watching, casually placed a needle on the back of Chung Myung's head.
As the blood poured out, Tang Soso said nonchalantly.
"Since I took out the blood, your blood pressure should drop. Keep going, Sahyung."
"Kkuueung."
Chung Myung quickly rubbed his face with his hands and gritted his teeth.
"So... those guys just need to stamp the seal, and you have that seal, right?"
"That's correct."
"Then those guys... didn't fail to find you, but chose not to find you. What they need is the sacred stamp, not you. You wouldn't foolishly bring the sacred stamp here, and even if they caught you, you wouldn't willingly reveal its location."
"Exactly."
"Then can't we just persuade or beat them all and make a new Sect Leader?"
"Yes."
"Yes, you're talking like it's that simple! You bastard!"
Suppressing Chung Myung's seizure as if it were nothing, the Five Swords slowly raised their heads. A sense of frustration overwhelmed her. Why was nothing ever resolved easily?
"Hey, bastard!"
Chung Myung kicked off Hye Yeon, who was restraining his lower body, and stood up.
"So, is my job supposed to be easy?"
"What are you going to do, Chung Myung?"
Baek Cheon asked. Chung Myung's flipped eyes were filled with bloodshot veins.
"What can I do? It's a mess, whether I smash the Beggar's Union or get smashed!"
"...No, I don't think this is something that can be achieved by blindly beating people?"
"That's it!"
Chung Myung thought hard with his fists clenched. Then he nodded emphatically.
"But fortunately, we are in Kaifeng, and they don't know we're here."
"How does that help?"
"It's better than nothing. And... um, there's one thing missing."
Chung Myung turned his gaze towards Pungyeong Shin Gae.
"Where is that person?"
"That person?"
"That person! That guy!"
Pungyeong Shin Gae, who had been confused for a moment, suddenly exclaimed, "Ah!" with realization.
"If it's that person, he happens to be..."
* * *
"Damn bastards."
In the desolate alley of Kaifeng, Hong Daekwang spat on the ground with an irritated expression.
He didn't like these bastards from the Beggar's Union. Moreover, the fact that he was brought here just to be cursed at made it even worse.
"Why are those bastards asking me about what that guy did? Damn it. They can't even confront Joagae, but they're arguing with me!"
Currently, Joagae was leading those who followed him and was staying at the Yangtze River. Despite obtaining permission from the sect leader, the elders of the Beggar's Union were anxious to catch Joagae.
But since Joagae was officially out of the Beggar's Union, they couldn't call him in for questioning. So, instead, they dragged in the detestable Hong Daekwang.
Even with his mind already in chaos, being summoned to the headquarters several times due to this matter made Hong Daekwang's insides boil with frustration.
"Ugh, damn it! It's so filthy, really. Should I just withdraw myself?"
Since the position of the Sect Leader seemed already lost, it might be better to ask for refuge from Heavenly Comrade Alliance...
"No... still, it's better here than going under that person."
Hong Daekwang quickly adjusted his mindset. He had no intention of being under the command of Chung Myung. If this place was already hell, going there would be even more hellish.
"Sigh."
Hong Daekwang, who erased the option of heading to the Heavenly Comrade Alliance while grumbling, spat again. Just as he was about to take his unsteady steps towards the headquarters, it happened.
"Wait."
"Huh?"
Someone suddenly appeared and lightly grabbed him.
"Who... huh? Lee Songbaek? Southern Edge's Lee Songbaek?"
"I greet Hwaeum's Buntaju."
"Why is someone from Southern Edge suddenly coming to me? I know about Mount hua... Uh? Jin Geumryong? No, are people from Southern Edge... huh?"
As 'Jin Geumgryong' and other 'Southern Edge' members appeared behind him, Hong Daekwang's eyes widened. Soon... his two eyes shook violently.
"S-Southern? No, Mou... "
He covered his mouth. When he recognized the last person, his whole body trembled.
"Th-this is what... no, am I really going crazy? What the hell did you do...!"
"Hey, beggar."
"Mount Hua's Divine Dragon! Hey, you!"
"Didn't you want to become a Sect Leader?"
"What?"
"For your good friends, even if you lack abilities, you can still use courage, right?"
"...."
"Today is the day to use that courage."
While looking at the frightened Hong Daekwang, Chung Myung chuckled.
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