Chapter 182

Chapter 182: All-Knowing (2)

The master who oversaw the All-Knowing House rubbed his chin thoughtfully, pausing briefly to arrange his reflections before he resumed speaking.

“Since you appear to be in the dark, I shall explain it to you piece by piece. There is absolutely no individual possessing that identity within the River Capital.”

“However?”

“If you expand your search across the entirety of the Jianghu, a single person does exist.”

“I was certain of it!”

The Master of the All-Knowing House tilted his head slightly, locking his gaze directly onto Jeon Rahwa as he remarked.

“How fascinating. Is it truly possible that you are entirely unfamiliar with Kim Rae-won?”

“Yes.”

“Well, it stands to reason you have come seeking information precisely because you lack it.”

“…?”

The Master of the All-Knowing House reached for a teacup and unhurriedly poured some tea.

The beverage itself gave off a subtle, elegant fragrance, but because a rancid odor emanated from his fingers, it was difficult to genuinely appreciate the brew.

Not that it truly signified anything, given that the drink was never intended for a guest’s consumption anyway.

“Regarding this Kim Rae-won.”

He brought the teacup briefly toward his lips, then lowered it once more before carrying on with his explanation.

“He is a high school student.”

“…A high school student?!”

At that exact moment, a designation that Jeon Rahwa had previously encountered finally surfaced.

To be absolutely accurate, it was a ‘title’.

● ● ●

A short while later.

Tap.

Stepping away from the premises of the All-Knowing House, Jeon Rahwa tilted her head in confusion.

‘High School Student….’

A true name is bestowed at the moment of birth, meaning it cannot possibly reflect a person’s distinctive traits or innate qualities.

Conversely, a title emerges naturally from the reputation one establishes through their behavior or martial prowess as they navigate the Jianghu, condensing their identity into a definitive moniker.

For this very reason, a common phrase echoes through the Jianghu: ‘A true name perishes with the body, but a title endures across generations.’

High School Student.

This individual had abruptly emerged roughly two decades in the past.

No soul knew his place of origin, and he employed entirely unrecognizable martial arts that defied conventional lineages.

According to one particular rumor, upon his initial appearance, he lacked even the ability to communicate in the local tongue.

Whenever curious onlookers pressed him for his identity, he would invariably offer the response, ‘High School Student,’ and those words simply transformed into his permanent title.

The widely accepted narrative claimed that the moniker was solidified after he defined himself in that manner upon being recognized as a master equal to one of the Three Monsters during the Orthodox Assembly Gathering.

—Jeongil High School. I was a high school student there.

School (虐敎).

This did not utilize the character ‘Hak (學)’ which denotes learning, but rather ‘Hak (虐)’ which signifies cruelty.

It referred to a vast and merciless faction situated on a separate, undocumented continent.

By his own account, a standard foot soldier within that organization was designated as a high school student.

He maintained that he was merely a low-ranking member among their numbers.

However, the prevailing consensus within the Jianghu held that he was simply exercising humility, and that he was almost certainly one of the prominent ‘leaders’ commanding Jeongil High School.

He.

That is to say, the High School Student remained a prominent figure in the Jianghu for roughly ten years before vanishing without a trace.

Certain whispers suggested he had abandoned his ambitions within the martial world to fully dedicate himself to the spiritual path of a cultivator, while other rumors claimed he had journeyed back to his birthplace to assume command as a cult leader.

The single undeniable fact was that more than ten years had elapsed since his last recorded sighting in the Jianghu.

And the true name belonging to that High School Student was….

‘Kim Rae-won?’

Even though the High School Student was a celebrated figure of immense renown throughout the Jianghu, his actual birth name remained shrouded in obscurity, which explained why Jeon Rahwa had been entirely unaware of it.

‘No, that cannot be right.’

To begin with, the timeline simply failed to align, did it not?

He had spent nearly a decade making a name for himself in the martial world, and an additional ten years had gone by since his sudden retirement.

Even if he had commenced his journey in the Jianghu at the youthful age of twenty, he would inevitably be approaching forty by this point in time.

Yet….

On the flip side, several details felt remarkably conspiratorial.

A martial artist possessing the sheer strength required to obliterate the entire Iron God Gang single-handedly.

The exceptionally uncommon family name ‘Kim’.

Furthermore, though the differences were subtle, his physical traits seemed somewhat distinct as well.

‘Since I have already formally placed the inquiry, I have no choice but to bide my time.’

She had only managed to satisfy the required payment by collecting every scrap of Martial Currency she could uncover (?) back at the Plum Blossom Fortress.

It had proven entirely pointless, regardless of how forcefully she protested that this legendary High School Student and her acquaintance Kim Rae-won were two completely unrelated individuals.

The proprietors had stood their ground, asserting that if the investigation proved the targets were distinct, they would instantly reimburse her double the collected sum, thereby demanding an exorbitant fee for an exclusive investigation.

“Those absolute currency-grubbing parasites!”

Right as Jeon Rahwa, consumed by indignation, was venting her frustration aloud in the vicinity of the All-Knowing House.

“W-we didn’t take anything… P-please do not hurt us.”

Jeon Rahwa froze instantly.

Peering around the bend of the narrow passageway where the sound had originated, she spotted a cluster of young ones huddled closely together.

There were multiple small children clad in shredded garments.

Terrified by the sudden shout she had uttered moments ago, the young ones were gripping onto one another for safety.

‘This is highly unusual.’

True beggars were non-existent within the River Capital.

To be entirely precise, outside of the deceptive panhandlers operating under the jurisdiction of the All-Knowing House managed by the Great Beggars’ Sect, they were not permitted to exist.

This policy stood because organizations like the Iron God Gang, the Seven Star Immortal Society, and rival factions had systematically ‘gathered’ every vagrant in sight.

Those possessing raw potential were drafted as students, those lacking talent but possessing physical strength were utilized as laborers, and anyone fitting neither category… was designated for alternative, grim purposes.

Should any unfamiliar wanderers surface? It was a certainty they would be apprehended before a single day could conclude.

Yet, despite this reality, here were children fitting that exact description.

‘Ah!’

The realization dawned on Jeon Rahwa almost immediately.

She understood that these young ones must have gained their freedom when the Iron God Gang was utterly wiped out.

“We, we… are not vagrants. W-we do not taste good, either.”

The smallest child in the group peered upward at her.

Could she have been roughly six years of age? A painfully thin young girl.

“I am so hungry….”

A young boy who appeared to be roughly ten years old lay stretched across the dirt, letting out faint, agonized whimpers.

The remaining children all appeared to be suffering from an identical level of deprivation.

“Haaa.”

A heavy breath slipped past her lips involuntarily.

Having occupied a nearly identical position herself until quite recently, a profound surge of sympathy welled up inside her heart.

“All of you, what is your total number?”

“T-ten of us altogether. For what reason do you ask?”

The eldest among the children provided the answer.

She appeared to be approximately thirteen years old.

“Where are the rest of your companions?”

“Over in that direction.”

The young girl gestured toward the remnants of a shattered structure.

The remaining children were concealing themselves within those ruins.

Jeon Rahwa retrieved a piece of silver from within her garments.

“Take this to procure some nourishment. And lose no time in purchasing proper clothes to cover yourselves.”

The young girl’s eyes expanded in disbelief.

“Is this real?”

“It is. However….”

Jeon Rahwa surveyed their immediate surroundings warily.

“You ought to relocate to a different area without delay. Cruel individuals will undoubtedly arrive to capture you shortly.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Iron God Gang has fallen, but alternative factions remain active, do they not? Such as the One-Eyed Sect or the Black Wind Hall.”

The color completely drained from the young girl’s face.

“…We possess no destination to flee to.”

Jeon Rahwa found herself equally trapped in uncertainty.

What location within the confines of this River Capital could truly offer security? Regardless of where they chose to hide, there existed not a single sanctuary where defenseless children could find genuine safety on their own.

As she remained frozen, attempting to devise a solution, the advice previously offered by Dong Bongsu flashed through her consciousness.

—I possess a solitary request for you as well. Righteousness. The moment you choose to execute a virtuous act, show no uncertainty.

I cannot allow myself to waver….

Though a sense of tightness gripped her throat, Jeon Rahwa ultimately reached her hand out toward the eldest girl.

“In that case, accompany this older sister.”

The young girl stared at her extended palm, showing clear reluctance.

Yet within moments, she shook her head in refusal.

“I shall not accompany you.”

“For what reason?”

The youth looked at each of her companions one after the other, after which her focus returned to Jeon Rahwa’s features, locking in place.

“I cannot desert them to go by myself.”

Jeon Rahwa gently stroked the young girl’s hair, a warm expression appearing on her face.

“I am incapable of proceeding on my own either, you see?”

“Pardon?”

“Because there is an older man who would absolutely reprimand me if I returned alone under these exact circumstances.”

At that precise instant, just as Jeon Rahwa was preparing to execute a ‘righteous deed’ in perfect accordance with the lessons taught by Dong Bongsu.

“Oh, so this is where you are hiding.”

A company of men materialized alongside a harsh, rough tone.

Individuals outfitted in crimson head coverings.

Across the front of their headwear, three deep brownish-red characters, far darker than the material itself, were carefully stitched.

Fire Bell Gang.

They occupied the position of the fourth most influential faction operating along the Western Road, positioned directly below the One-Eyed Sect and the Black Wind Hall.

Though, given recent events, it would be far more accurate to classify them as the third ranked power now.

Their number totaled five individuals.

Every single one was a middle-aged warrior, and a palpable warmth seemed to emanate from their physical forms merely from their movement.

Exactly as their title implied, the Fire Bell Gang was an organization that dedicated its training primarily to the mastery of flame techniques.

Manipulators of fire.

“We endured a significant amount of trouble searching for these runts, and here they are, gathered in one convenient spot.”

The individual positioning himself at the front smirked widely.

His skin was heavily marked by historical burn tissue.

“We laid claim to this cargo beforehand….”

The edges of his mouth twitched upward as his gaze locked onto Jeon Rahwa.

“What exactly was the young maiden attempting just now?”

Jeon Rahwa found herself unable to construct a reply.

Even granting that she was the direct descendant of an illustrious faction, how much time had passed since those days? For greater than ten years, she had existed as nothing higher than a common laborer.

She had been engaged in the study of martial disciplines for a single day total.

Her entire physical form shuddered with tension.

Even so… she moved by sheer instinct to shield the young ones behind her person.

“I demanded to know your business. Young. Maiden.”

Bo Geonhwi, acting as the lead combatant for the Fire Bell Gang, advanced an additional pace, analyzing Jeon Rahwa with extreme care.

The skin at her temples was unlined, and she lacked any garments displaying the heraldry of a recognized faction.

She clearly did not represent the local authorities either, and he could easily detect a subtle undercurrent of panic etched across her features.

Heh heh, Bo Geonhwi emitted a quiet snarl as he finalized his assessment.

The verdict was clear: he could easily push Jeon Rahwa aside without consequence.

“If you choose to retreat this instant, I shall permit you to retain that attractive countenance of yours. You. Little. Wretch.”

Right at that split second.

「I explicitly instructed you to focus silently on your physical training, yet here you are, entangling yourself in difficulties?」

A deeply familiar voice resonated within Jeon Rahwa’s consciousness.

An auditory phenomenon meant for her ears alone.

An involuntary smile manifested on Jeon Rahwa’s face before she could even consciously process it.

She pressed her teeth against her lip, her features shifting into an expression of even greater determination.

Then, fixing her attention squarely upon Bo Geonhwi’s gaze, Jeon Rahwa gestured for the young ones to move further back.

“Retreat behind me.”

“Haha. Rejecting a courteous offer only to accept a harsh alternative.”

“If you choose to walk away this very moment, you might find yourself permitted to keep your life.”

“Kekeke. Young maiden, an attractive face provides zero utility in the midst of a violent conflict. Ah, naturally, once the altercation concludes, it becomes highly utilitarian. It is pleasing to look upon, and above all else—.”

“…”

“It features a variety of openings, does it not? I can move through the air like a butterfly and pierce like a hornet’s stinger, delivering my payload repeatedly without pause. Hehe.”

The moment his words concluded, Bo Geonhwi made a sudden, forceful grab for Jeon Rahwa’s arm.

Jeon Rahwa, who had anticipated an assault, rapidly executed a backward step, yet she failed to evade the movement entirely.

Rip—

The fabric covering her arm split open, revealing Jeon Rahwa’s shoulder to the open air.

“Oho? Observe this.”

The distinctive ‘Money’ character ink mark was instantly exposed to everyone present.

“A female bearing a servant’s mark, wandering about unattended without a master holding her tether?”

Bo Geonhwi’s gaze gleamed with a predatory intensity.

“A runaway servant, beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

“Hehehe, by what method did you discover that our Fire Bell Gang also engages in the retrieval of lost servants, causing you to deliver yourself directly into our custody?”

“The value of a single piece of property ought to provide more than enough coins for an evening of drinking.”

The martial artists of the Fire Bell Gang shifted their positions to enclose Jeon Rahwa in a curved formation.

It was one matter when her background remained uncertain, but now that her true status was laid bare, they possessed absolutely no reason for hesitation.

This was doubly true now that the massive barrier represented by the Iron God Gang had been entirely removed from the equation.

“It appears I shall be participating in a servant harvest for the first time in quite a while.”

“However, let us extract some amusement from the situation beforehand.”

“She lacks a current owner, meaning we are permitted to handle her roughly, correct?”

In spite of the escalating threat, Jeon Rahwa refused to concede an inch.

No, quite the contrary, a grin rooted in absolute certainty manifested across her features.

She cast a brief eye toward the terrified young ones behind her and then redirected her attention straight ahead, offering them reassurance.

“Cease your weeping. Everything is perfectly fine.”

Even though her hands were vibrating with intense fear, her countenance appeared far more serene than it had moments prior.

“I provided you with fair notice.”

“Hahaha. Notice? What sort of notice?”

“I instructed you to walk away. I stated that if you chose to retreat this instant, you might find yourself permitted to keep your life.”

“And what occurs if we refuse?”

“Your physical forms will be completely perforated with openings until you resemble a hornet’s nest. Oh, and for your information, hornets utilize stingers to pierce, not reproductive organs. After inserting it into whatever location satisfies you—”

Jeon Rahwa flashed an expression that perfectly mirrored the demeanor of a specific individual she knew well.

Exposing her pale teeth in a sharp grin.

“You will simply have to perish.”