Chapter 282

Chapter 282
Chapter 282. Night of the Greedy Ones (3)

—

What situation leaves a human being completely speechless? It is when one is minding their own business, only to suddenly face an unprovoked torrent of verbal abuse. Because of this, So-un-Jin’s sense of logic had recently been thrown into total disarray.
“I belong to the great Beggars’ Union!”
He simply could not comprehend the phrase “Beggars’ Union member” that this vagrant kept yelling over and over. Did enrollment in the Beggars’ Union grant someone the authority to hurl insults at random travelers? On top of that…
“Beggar’s Staff Technique! Striking the Short-Legged Dog!”
Judging by how he shouted the titles of his moves out loud while launching an assault, the fellow was clearly lacking in sanity. Consequently, So-un-Jin began administering a physical lesson to the vagabond while keeping his irritation under wraps. He found himself questioning why the leadership of the Beggars’ Union would ever instruct such unruly characters in the martial arts.
‘Good grief, this lack of discipline is exactly why the Demonic Cult tramples over them.’
An association that prided itself on being a premier surveillance collective failed to notice when an individual within their own ranks had lost his mind. Seriously, if a group cannot even keep track of the cutlery inside their own residence, how could they possibly spy on the goings-on of an outsider’s household? Could a blundering intelligence network like that truly deserve its reputation?
The striking motions of the Beggar’s Staff were being executed with considerable force, yet this particular style’s counters had already been thoroughly exposed by Jegal Cheon-gi. This vagrant remained ignorant of the fact that such attacks were completely ineffective without employing the ultimate forms.
“Agh! Ugh!”
Deflecting the path of the incoming pole by striking the vagabond’s elbow with his weapon’s sheath, So-un-Jin planted his foot firmly onto the fellow’s toes just as he lost his balance. Immediately after, he drove a front kick straight into the man’s midsection.
“Gah-ha!”
As the vagabond hovered momentarily in mid-air from the impact, So-un-Jin waited for the perfect moment to send him soaring backward with a spinning heel strike.
Thud!
Because of that single execution, the vagrant was destined to be labeled as “The Fellow Who Got Hit by a Reverse Roundhouse Kick” for the foreseeable future.
“Oooooh…”
Whether he was completely incapacitated by the physical trauma or utterly devastated by the embarrassing moniker he would now carry, the vagrant remained curled on the ground in a ball for quite a while. Ignorant of his internal torment, his subordinate companions rushed forward in a frantic scramble to assist him.
“Leader!”
“Chief! Are you alright?”
“You were just sent flying by a reverse roundhouse kick…!”
“Gah! Shut your mouths!”
Even the concerned shouts echoing from his followers felt incredibly grating to O-sam, who ground his teeth together and shoved them away. Lying on the dirt weeping from the pain was simply too wounding to his pride.
“Y-you underhanded rogue. How dare you resort to…!”
A reverse roundhouse kick… a reverse roundhouse kick… In the honorable circles of the Orthodox Murim, was such a maneuver not considered just as dishonorable as blinding a foe with a handful of dirt? It was an utterly unpardonable tactic in the eyes of O-sam, who had spent his entire life training as an elite operative within the Beggars’ Union.
“You scoundrel! Do you have no fear of the retribution that awaits you?”
In spite of this, the alleged human trafficker—or rather, So-un-Jin—remained completely unbothered, merely letting out a heavy breath.
“Sigh, this troublesome vagrant is wasting my time… I have a tight schedule, so beat it before I decide to break more of your bones.”
“…Y-you insolent brat!”
The defeat he had just endured was entirely a consequence of his own lack of caution. He had fallen into the practice of declaring his offensive techniques aloud to ensure no innocent bystanders were harmed, a habit that had ultimately manifested as this catastrophe. Even so, he harbored no regrets. As an honorable warrior of the Beggars’ Union who upheld the righteous path, if he were to succumb to a trivial setback like this, he would be unworthy of his position within the Beggars’ Union. O-sam forced himself to his feet and squared his shoulders proudly.
“Now I shall face you with my full capability. Brace yourself.”
“…Good grief.”
So-un-Jin massaged his temples as he stared at the stubborn vagrant. The combat style the man was preparing to unleash after claiming he would fight seriously was none other than the Eighteen Beggar’s Staff Techniques. Observing his stance, it was evident he had not yet unlocked the highest tiers of the martial art. Because of this interruption, the training regimen of his Sajes had been brought to a standstill.
‘What a tiresome obstacle to encounter after traveling this distance.’
As though they valued their time just as intensely as he did, his Sajes kept their eyes locked onto O-sam. A profound duty welled up inside him to dispose of this vagabond instantly for the benefit of his cherished Sajes. So-un-Jin thumped his hand against his torso as if instructing them to rely entirely on his strength, casting a warm, supportive smirk toward his disciples. Naturally, the remaining four…
‘Please just hold your ground a bit longer, we beg you! Let us have a moment of peace…’
‘Yet another miserable soul is about to be ruined…’
…were harboring completely different thoughts. So-un-Jin curled his index finger, motioning for O-sam to advance.
“Very well, since when has my path ever been free of annoyances? Come on then. I will simply view this as an afternoon spent disciplining a rabid hound.”
“Hyaaa!”
Adopting his opening stance, he unleashed a rapid succession of maneuvers: “The Dog Crouches and Sees the Tail,” “The Sunflower Strikes the Dog,” and “The Mad Dog’s Chaotic Bite.” So-un-Jin utilized the Eight-Eight Divine Steps (Tae-eul-pal-man-sin-bo) to smoothly glide past the trajectory of the incoming staff. Witnessing this, O-sam’s eyelids fluttered in disbelief. Even if an adversary understood the fundamental movements, the Eighteen Beggar’s Staff Techniques were not an offensive style that could be avoided so effortlessly. Furthermore, let alone peers of his age, even veterans holding the same 4-knot rank found it incredibly taxing to withstand his Eighteen Beggar’s Staff Techniques, so how was someone like So-un-Jin reading the strikes perfectly and weaving through them as if he had designed them himself?
‘What is happening here…’
What’s more, his evasions were executed with minimal displacement. He was bypassing the Eighteen Beggar’s Staff Techniques by mere millimeters, using only the necessary effort. Achieving such precision indicated one of two possibilities.
‘Could the gulf between myself and So-un-Jin… really be this vast?’
Either there existed an insurmountable disparity in their martial prowess, or the man had entirely memorized every single variation of the Eighteen Beggar’s Staff Techniques. But considering it had taken him a full year of intense study just to master the forms of the Eighteen Beggar’s Staff Techniques, there was no logical way So-un-Jin could have memorized them all. As his analysis brought him to this conclusion, O-sam understood that this adversary was far beyond his capability to defeat. Yet, retreat was no longer an option.
“H-hold on a moment…”
“Hold on? Who has time to hold on in this freezing weather?”
So-un-Jin, drawing back a fist that crackled with concentrated energy, glared down at O-sam with an icy, malicious expression.
“Consider this retribution for shouting unprovoked insults at me.”
Boom.
A devastating force rippled through O-sam’s frame, causing his internal organs to tremble violently. Despite the impact, his feet remained firmly anchored to the earth.
‘Arrgh!’
Before a proper cry of agony could escape O-sam’s lips, So-un-Jin’s fist shot forward once more, burying itself deep into the vagrant’s midsection.
“This is for loitering around my path since dawn and bringing foul luck to my morning!”
Crash.
“And this is for disrupting the invaluable practice session of my beloved Sajes!”
Bringing his leg up high above his shoulders, So-un-Jin brought his heel down like a falling axe directly onto the center of O-sam’s head.
Thwack!
Through the agonizing sensation of his skeleton being systematically shattered and his skull splitting apart, O-sam envisioned the image he had witnessed earlier. The four companions trailing behind, looking as though they were marching toward their own graves, drenched in sweat during the dead of winter in a state miserable enough to shock even a beggar…
‘What kind of lunatic subjects his own Sajes to that level of torture as training!’
He desperately wished to scream about the sheer absurdity of the accusation, but O-sam choked on his breath and collapsed into unconsciousness.
Dust, dust.
“What an absolute nuisance of a… well, he is a vagrant. A mad vagrant causing a scene, good grief.”
As So-un-Jin dusted off his hands and walked back over to his group, Eun-ho spoke up with a look of genuine bewilderment.
“Uh… listen, Dae-sa-hyeong. Exactly who are these beloved Sajes you speak of? Is there another group traveling alongside us?”
“What nonsense are you uttering? You individuals are my beloved Sajes.”
Pardon? Did my hearing fail me just now?
“…We are?”
“Of course, can you not perceive the profound care I extend to you, treating you all like precious treasures?”
Eun-ho felt a shiver run down his spine and found himself entirely speechless.
“By the way, Eun-ho-ya.”
“…Yes, sir.”
For some reason, the supposedly affectionate look from the Dae-sa-hyeong seemed to be locked squarely onto his lower limbs.
“Why have your legs stopped moving?”
“Ah… wait, what?”
Eun-ho, quickly looking downward, offered an immediate excuse.
“I was simply consumed by such intense fury toward that vile vagabond who dared insult our great leader, the Dae-sa-hyeong, that I… please forgive my lapse.”
“Is that the case?”
The other disciples, who had been watching Eun-ho with panicked expressions, subtly flashed him a quick thumbs-up. Let out a quiet breath of relief, Eun-ho swiftly pivoted the conversation to keep the Dae-sa-hyeong’s focus elsewhere.
“But Dae-sa-hyeong, did you not mention those individuals belong to the Beggars’ Union? Will there be no repercussions for this?”
“What if there are?”
“They will undoubtedly… return with reinforcements.”
The true terror of the Beggars’ Union did not stem from the individual prowess of its members. It lay in the overwhelming weight of their infinite numbers. On top of that, every single one of them possessed at least a rudimentary foundation in internal cultivation. New recruits were constantly mobilized to replace any losses. The claim of a hundred thousand active members was a conservative guess; did some rumors not suggest the true number was vastly higher? As the wanderers of the Jianghu often remarked: A decade might suffice to tear down Shaolin, but the Beggars’ Union remains unshaken even after a century.
“Did you not just provoke an adversary of that scale? I assumed you were aware, considering you referenced the ‘Beggars’ Union’ earlier…”
“Hmph. A beggar from the Beggars’ Union is still just a beggar at the end of the day.”
Indeed, what difference did it make?
“Pick up your pace. Unless your desire is to be pummeled into the earth like that fellow.”
Escaping a beating from the Dae-sa-hyeong at this very moment was far more vital than worrying about future consequences.
“Understood, sir!”
Regrettably, their advance was cut short before they could make any real progress. Roughly twenty vagrants materialized from the surroundings, completely blocking the path of So-un-Jin’s party.
“See there? What did I warn you about?”
“Eun-ho-Lee.”
“Yes!”
“You, maintain your marching motion on the spot.”
“…….”
“If you stop before I finish breaking these fools, you are finished.”
“I am already running as fast as I can!”
Eun-ho began frantically pumping his legs up and down on the dirt as if the ground beneath him had caught fire. Just as anticipated, their worst fears had materialized. Despite their ragged appearance, the opposing faction represented a core pillar of the prestigious Nine Sects and One Gang. It was foolish to assume they could simply walk away after leaving one of their members in a broken heap without encountering the local forces. Yet, the Dae-sa-hyeong’s countenance remained entirely unbothered.
“For what reason have you all gathered around me again?”
Faced with So-un-Jin’s dismissive question, the vagrant sporting the most ornate attire among the crowd took a step forward.
“I serve as the 3rd Sub-branch Chief representing the Shaanxi Xi’an Branch, Sam-cheol.”
“I have zero interest in your names and titles.”
So-un-Jin casually scratched the inside of his ear and gave O-sam’s prone body a dismissive nudge with his boot.
“My training session was disrupted because of this idiot. What manner of restitution do you intend to offer for my lost time?”
The disciples of Tae-eul-mun froze in absolute horror.
‘This is insane…’
‘What kind of madness is he spouting?’
‘Has his mind completely fractured?’
‘Dae-sa-hyeong… has lost his grip on reality…’
Sam-cheol likewise shook with pure rage at So-un-Jin’s mocking demeanor.
“You reduced a man to this state simply because your practice was slightly delayed?”
“What? Slightly?”
So-un-Jin raised his hand, curling his fingers down one after the other to count the offenses.
“Furthermore, he hurled vitriol at me and initiated the physical conflict.”
Aggravated by that unbothered composure, Sam-cheol barked out.
“Do you truly fail to comprehend the scale of the faction backing him?!”
“Why would I fail to comprehend? He screamed out the names of his styles for everyone to hear.”
“And yet you still laid hands on him!”
Sam-cheol ground his teeth together.
“To inflict harm upon an operative of the Beggars’ Union?!”
“If a beggar lacks the wits to judge his opponent, his wooden bowl gets smashed during his rounds; such is the reality of your profession. Surely you didn’t join your ranks without accepting that basic truth?”
“Identify yourself this instant. I will personally ensure your family and sect are ground into dust!”
Faced with the declaration from a bloodshot-eyed Sam-cheol, So-un-Jin merely let out a mocking chuckle.
“The world has truly turned upside down. A low-ranking 3rd Sub-branch Chief feels entitled to make grand declarations of vengeance. I wonder how the leadership at the Murim Alliance would react if they learned that Academy students were being terrorized in this fashion?”
“W-what did you say…?”
Sam-cheol felt a cold drop of sweat slide down his spine. Why was the mention of an Academy student suddenly being brought up? A student of the Academy was effectively designated as a future high-ranking official under the direct authority of the Murim Alliance. Possessing the status of an Academy student was no different from carrying a formal token of authority from the Murim Alliance itself. Consequently, ensuring their safety was a paramount mandate of the Murim Alliance. This protection was precisely why martial artists lacking prominent backgrounds fought desperately to secure entry into the Murim Alliance via the Academy, irrespective of their eventual achievements. Therefore, in essence, Sam-cheol had just threatened to demolish the Murim Alliance itself.
“Do-do you refuse to provide your name?”
Even so, there was no reason to completely lose his composure. Students within the institution were bound to form various alliances and cliques. As it happened, a number of disciples from the Beggars’ Union were enrolled in the current term. Utilizing those connections, this dispute could easily be smoothed over at a later date. In fact, he might even extract a formal apology for the disrespect shown to an ally’s senior.
“State your name first.”
To accomplish that, securing the identity of the target was an absolute necessity.
“What a chore.”
So-un-Jin, tilting his head back as if he had read every single thought passing through the man’s mind, answered flatly.
“Tae-eul-mun.”
“Pardon?”
Sam-cheol knit his brows in confusion. A minor clan he had never encountered… wait, why did it sound familiar? Tae-eul-mun… Tae-eul-mun… Tae-eul-mun… He felt certain he had encountered that name frequently in recent reports…
Suddenly, Sam-cheol’s eyes widened in realization.
“The New Star of Habbi! Tae-eul-mun!”
So-un-Jin let out a dry click of his tongue.
“It is not even the New Star of Anhui, what on earth is a ‘New Star of Habbi’? Honestly, the imagination of those who coin these titles is abysmal…”
Sam-cheol began to intensely evaluate the rogue-like traits of the swordsman before him. A dark martial outfit featuring intricate threadwork. A pitch-black blade resting at his hip, combined with a thoroughly unpleasant countenance. And most distinct of all, the unmistakable bulge protruding from the breast of his garment!
“C-could it be… are you the Black Flame Dragon?”
So-un-Jin scowled, clearly displeased by the mention of that particular handle. It was only at this exact moment that frantic internal alarms began blaring inside Sam-cheol’s head.
‘I have blundered catastrophically!’
And the consequences were going to be severe.

Sam-cheol shifted his gaze carefully. Three youths who bore the ragged appearance of beggars but shared a striking familial resemblance.
‘Those individuals must be the Geum, Eun, and Dong siblings recognized as the Three Dragons of the Iron Wall.’
And a young woman who would undoubtedly exhibit the elegance of a rare blossom if the layers of grime and sweat were thoroughly washed from her skin.
‘She can only be Sa-ryeon-Hong, the cherished sole offspring of Mun-gi-Hong.’
Furthermore, intelligence suggested that Sa-ryeon-Hong had even secured a private audience with Namgung Tae-ha during his visit to the Academy. While ordinary martial artists might still view them as a minor, insignificant clan, from the analytical perspective of an information network like the Beggars’ Union, they represented a volatile powder keg capable of instigating a massive crisis at any moment.
‘The Black Flame Dragon… that maniac is an unpredictable wildcard who acts entirely without restraint…’
And the individual commanding the center of this group was none other than the Black Flame Dragon, So-un-Jin. That was the true nature of the arrogant ruffian standing directly in front of him.
“So-un-Jin…”
Sam-cheol muttered, his voice dropping to a tense whisper as he ground his teeth.
“Why… did you travel all this way on foot instead of utilizing the transportation provided by the Academy?”
Disciples of the Academy typically exploited their privileges to the fullest. Among the numerous perks granted by the institution was the arrangement for them to return to their respective homes in complete comfort. Had So-un-Jin simply availed himself of that luxury, this entire volatile encounter would have been avoided. That was the logic behind his query. However, So-un-Jin merely scratched his ear and muttered carelessly.
“Because I felt like it.”
Hearing the response, Sam-cheol’s face twisted into a sour expression.
“I choose to travel based entirely on my own whims; do I now require the authorization of vagrants to decide my route?”
“…….”
The reasoning was so undeniably straightforward that he could find no valid counterargument. It was unfortunate that O-sam had been severely beaten, but the fault ultimately lay with him for initiating a conflict without verifying the target’s credentials. The wisest course of action was to de-escalate the matter immediately.
“Very well. It appears a misunderstanding has occurred between our sides. Shall we agree to settle this matter quietly right here?”
Though the authority of the Murim Academy was formidable, his own faction was still the historic Beggars’ Union. In comparison to a minor sect like Tae-eul-mun, they were a monolithic entity and a dominant intelligence network. Surely Tae-eul-mun would have no desire to draw the enmity of the Beggars’ Union.
“Let us proceed with that.”
Hmph, as expected, even he respects the authority of the Beggars’ Union. Believing he had successfully resolved the issue, Sam-cheol prepared to turn his back when…
“Hold on a moment.”
So-un-Jin’s voice cut through the air from behind him.
“That agreement stands only if you offer adequate restitution for the damages incurred.”
“…Restitution for damages?”
Sam-cheol glanced back down at O-sam, who was currently sprawled on the ground with his eyes rolled back. He then raised his gaze to look at So-un-Jin, who stood entirely unharmed—worse, lounging in a completely relaxed, condescending stance. Exactly who owed restitution to whom in this scenario?
“Due to that vagabond’s interference, my Sajes were prevented from executing their training properly. Furthermore, his vile language inflicted deep psychological harm upon my sensitive soul. I require full compensation for both the lost time and the emotional distress.”
“…Ha!”
He had heard rumors that the Black Flame Dragon possessed a tongue sharper than a needle. His capacity for spouting utter nonsense with a straight face was unmatched. Sam-cheol could only let out a breathless chuckle at the sheer absurdity of the demand.
“Do you truly harbor no anxiety regarding the vengeance of the Beggars’ Union?”
“What nonsense is this vagrant muttering now?”
Predictably, the eccentric… no, So-un-Jin did not alter his style.
“When an error is committed, accountability must be taken! Does the Beggars’ Union neglect to instruct its members in such foundational ethics?!”
“…….”
“That fool resting on the dirt initiated a dispute and launched an attack against an individual who was merely standing in place. Assessing the raw data, the instigator and the injured party are perfectly distinct, so why do you persist in using flawed logic? You troublesome vagrant!”
Precisely as he articulated, looking strictly at the sequence of events, the blame rested squarely on the Beggars’ Union. However, in standard interactions of this nature, parties typically overlooked such details due to the mutual confusion…
“Do you refuse to provide compensation? In that case, I shall extract the payment from your own skin.”
“…Wait a hand.”
Observing So-un-Jin shifting his stance as if to unsheath his weapon instantly, Sam-cheol extended his arm to halt the escalation. His mind was racing faster than it ever had before.
‘He is a madman who completely disregards future consequences. If I mishandle this confrontation, there is no telling how far the destruction will spread.’
Consider the bizarre path of chaos the Black Flame Dragon had carved out up to this point. Had every location he visited not been reduced to absolute devastation, as if picked clean by a swarm of locusts? Moreover, the moral high ground rested entirely with him. He had no fear of Tae-eul-mun itself, but if the Murim Academy and the Murim Alliance chose to intervene, the scope of the problem altered drastically. While the Beggars’ Union would survive the fallout, a political disaster of that scale would undoubtedly cost him his position as Sub-branch Chief. It was far more practical to resolve the matter by offering a reasonable concession.
Arriving at a conclusion, Sam-cheol spoke with a resolute expression.
“What manner of payment do you demand? Is it currency you seek?”
So-un-Jin smirked while tapping the front of his robes.
“What kind of currency would a group of vagrants even possess?”
Sam-cheol fought desperately to control his trembling frame. He was a beggar, yes. That was an undeniable fact… but why did the phrase “troublesome vagrant” uttered by this scoundrel feel so incredibly insulting? Even so, he had to endure. The individual before him was a lunatic… no, he was the formal Academy Representative, the Black Flame Dragon.
“…Then what is it you want?”
So-un-Jin let out a sharp grin.
“Your faction is distributing maps for this current venture as well, correct?”
“…….”
“Honestly, you lot fail to glean any wisdom even after the disaster that unfolded at the Demon Spirit Plateau.”
Pure disdain washed over So-un-Jin’s features, but Sam-cheol locked his resentment down tight.
“Simply hand one over. If you do, I will consider our accounts settled…”
“Are you referring to the treasure chart?”
Presently, the treasure charts detailing the location of the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil were being exchanged for a hefty sum of twenty gold taels per copy. To demand such an item over a minor altercation. This man wasn’t merely eccentric; he was operating like an outright brigand.
“Are you even aware of the market value of that treasure chart before making such demands?”
“What treasure chart… do you take me for a fool who doesn’t realize it is merely a layout of the Thousand-League Cave?”
“……!”
Sam-cheol felt the hairs on his arms stand up. How in the world had this person uncovered that secret? Although the Beggars’ Union was marketing the item as a treasure chart for the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil, it did not actually pinpoint the exact location of the item. It was nothing more than an illustrated layout of the labyrinthine interior known as the Thousand-League Cave. They were merely offering an educated guess regarding where the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil might potentially manifest. Even so, the documents were selling at an incredible pace. While twenty gold taels was an outrageous sum for a basic layout, buyers deemed it a bargain given the possibility of preserving their lives while attempting to secure the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil.
“I have no idea what madness you are implying…”
“If your intention is to feign ignorance, then our negotiation is terminated.”
So-un-Jin placed his hand back onto the grip of his sword.
“Hold!”
“For what reason?”
Sam-cheol barked out in panic.
“How did you come across th—”
“Twenty gold taels.”
“…What?”
So-un-Jin extended two fingers in the air.
“If your desire is to discover my source, pay twenty gold taels. An individual who profits off the exchange of information shouldn’t shamelessly expect to receive intelligence for free.”
“…….”
“Do you intend to make the purchase?”
What manner of creature was this? What was his true background?
“…Forget I asked.”
“And the map?”
“…….”
Sam-cheol, locked in intense deliberation, finally arrived at a choice. The destination was an area that remained inaccessible regardless of whether one possessed the map or not. Rather than persisting in a dangerous dispute with this volatile individual, it was far more sensible to simply surrender the document.
“…Very well.”
“Then we have a deal.”
At the exact instant the two parties reached an unexpected resolution.
“Oooooh…”
O-sam, who had been completely unconscious, dragged himself up from the dirt and, spotting Sam-cheol, began weeping like a helpless chick discovering its parent.
“Su-Sub-branch Chief! That bastard! It’s him! A mere Academy novice who fails to respect the might of a hundred thousand beggars dared to abuse an elite operative of the Beggars’ Union…”
Regrettably, O-sam’s desperate appeal was abruptly cut short.
Smack-crack-thud-shatter-pop!
The techniques of the Eight Drunken Immortals Fist exploded from Sam-cheol’s knuckles in a flash, striking O-sam squarely across the jaw. As darkness claimed him once more, O-sam stared at the mocking visage of So-un-Jin and thought to himself:
‘Why… must it always be me…’
Naturally, there was no one present who bothered to offer him an explanation.