Chapter 283

Chapter 283
Chapter 283. Night of the Greedy Ones (4)

—

The 3rd Sub-branch of the Beggars’ Union Xi’an Branch.
Taking a slow look around the subterranean refuge constructed beneath the Cheong-myeong Bridge, So-un-Jin let out a soft murmur of appreciation.
“How is it that you beggar rascals manage to live in such comfort and style?”
Sam-cheol shivered, fighting to keep his rising temper under control. Had there been even a shred of justification on his side, he wouldn’t be enduring such intense humiliation. If not for that foolish O-sam kneeling right there with a completely oblivious look on his face, he would have pulverized So-un-Jin on the spot.
“Come now, a visitor has arrived; do you have nothing to offer?”
…Hold it back, just hold it back.
Typically, anyone arriving at the Beggars’ Union to purchase intelligence never came empty-handed. They were clients capable of paying handsomely, whereas the Beggars’ Union, acting as information brokers, were still fundamentally beggars. Because the majority of visitors brought their own refreshments to share with the hosts, it was unheard of for the Beggars’ Union to keep hospitality tea on hand. Even so, under the piercing glare directed at him, he felt compelled to provide something.
“Ahem, would a cup of water suffice?”
Sam-cheol attempted to greet his visitor with a strained grin, prompting So-un-Jin to exhale a heavy sigh.
“Sigh, what point is there in expecting anything from beggars. Just stop stalling and present the item.”
If you already knew they were beggars, why did you bother asking in the first place…! Clenching his fist so fiercely that his fingernails nearly bit into his flesh, Sam-cheol gestured to a nearby beggar, who promptly stepped forward carrying a small container. Carefully unlatching the lid, Sam-cheol angled the box toward So-un-Jin and spoke.
“Here it is.”
The instant So-un-Jin reached out toward the interior, Sam-cheol slammed the cover down.
“…What is the meaning of this?”
So-un-Jin’s expression instantly turned cold and sharp. Sam-cheol held his ground, glaring back at So-un-Jin without an inch of retreat.
‘…I feel like I’m going to lose control of my bladder.’
Caught in the middle of the suffocating pressure radiating from both men, only O-sam, remaining on his knees, was enduring an agonizing ordeal.
“Young Hero Jin, weigh your options carefully. If you claim this object, any future alliance with the Beggars’ Union will become impossible.”
“…What sort of nonsense are you babbling now?”
“Granted, our side committed an error. Yet, it stemmed from a mutual slip in communication. What I mean is, if there is no mutual concession here, navigating future partnerships will be exceedingly troublesome.”
“This beggar rogue certainly loves using flowery language. Give it to me straight.”
Hearing So-un-Jin’s mocking tone, a throbbing vein appeared on Sam-cheol’s forehead, though he rapidly mastered his anger.
“I am saying that even if we conclude the matter here, countless individuals within the Beggars’ Union are observing this, and they will undoubtedly remember what transpired.”
Despite being the party at fault—or rather, precisely because they were at fault—they adopted an even more assertive posture. They simply could not afford to pay a penalty every single time a misstep occurred in this fashion. Yielding their psychological advantage was out of the question.
In response, So-un-Jin merely offered a contemptuous snort.
“Is that supposed to be a threat?”
“I am merely advising you to reconsider. Let us find a path that benefits both parties.”
Regardless of how reckless that young man was rumored to be, Sam-cheol could not back down now. Indeed, because the youth was unpredictable, there was no telling what outrageous terms he might extort down the line, meaning this initial step absolutely had to be managed correctly…! Indifferent to Sam-cheol’s inner desperation, So-un-Jin scoffed.
“You truly are an incredibly brazen bunch. To be the ones who blundered, only to turn around and menace the aggrieved party.”
“Is that not precisely how the martial world operates?”
The powerful never willingly endure a loss. It is always the powerless who must bear the burden of sacrifice. That very reality was why every sect risked everything in their pursuit of dominance. Operating on that logic, Sam-cheol aimed to assert his superiority by hinting that between the Tae-eul-mun and the Beggars’ Union, the latter held far greater authority.
“I am well aware, perfectly aware.”
At the very least, it seemed the youth possessed basic understanding. Sam-cheol felt a wave of relief wash over him internally.
“What is your decision then? Will you truly insist on taking it?”
While it would undoubtedly feel incredibly unjust to the current So-un-Jin, if the Tae-eul-mun wished to rely on the network of the Beggars’ Union going forward, he had to display compliance here. Even grand entities like the Nine Sects and the Five Great Families routinely deferred to the Beggars’ Union, recognizing that such deference ultimately served their own long-term interests.
However,
“Because I understand it so well…”
“…?”
A look of sheer irritation crossed So-un-Jin’s features.
“Take your hand off it; this belongs to me now.”
“…….”
Sam-cheol’s jaw simply dropped in astonishment.
‘Is he actually risking his entire sect’s future over a solitary treasure map?’
Granted, if it were a legendary chart, such a gamble might be justified. But this was merely a document drafted by the Beggars’ Union themselves. While it might lead to a miraculous medicine, the odds were heavily stacked against it. Moreover, even if it proved fruitless, they could hold no legal grievance against the Union.
‘More than anything, they lack the means to even set foot inside the Thousand Copper Cave to begin with.’
To wager the destiny of one’s entire lineage on a mere scrap of parchment. He had encountered numerous tales describing the Black Flame Dragon as an eccentric, but he had never anticipated a madman so utterly devoid of pragmatism. As Sam-cheol sat frozen in disbelief, So-un-Jin rapped his fingers against the container.
“An intelligence network, you see, requires the capacity to grasp the grand design. The foresight to look toward the horizon, recognizing potential and investing while an adversary’s strength is still minor. Prioritizing tangible gains over hollow vanity, and placing bets on ascending forces rather than entrenched powers—that constitutes the true core of an information broker.”
The small container creaked under his grip.
“Those who have become completely stagnant, consumed entirely with safeguarding their current privileges, have fundamentally abandoned their core purpose as an intelligence network.”
With those words, So-un-Jin seized the parchment and pulled it free.
“And as for an information broker that has surrendered its very identity, I have absolutely no use for such an entity.”
“…….”
The container sat completely vacant. Staring fixedly down at it, Sam-cheol found himself entirely unable to process So-un-Jin’s declaration. Every single phrase uttered by the youth laid bare the exact contemporary failings of the Beggars’ Union with absolute precision. A reckless youngster operating without a shred of fear? A lunatic lacking any sense of the future?
‘My assessment was entirely wrong!’
The Black Flame Dragon was not a man who spoke or acted on mere whims. A profound, calculating deliberation was woven into the remarks he delivered so carelessly. While O-sam had initiated the dispute, it was So-un-Jin who deliberately escalated the conflict. Recognizing that there might have been a calculated motive behind the youth’s decision to confront them directly, a cold shiver ran down Sam-cheol’s spine.
‘A youth who has scarcely crossed into manhood…’
Losing all interest in Sam-cheol, So-un-Jin stood up from his place and nudged O-sam with the toe of his boot.
“Hey, fellow…”
“Yes, sir.”
He then leaned in to examine O-sam’s features intently.
“Something has been puzzling me for a while now.”
Still dazed, Sam-cheol automatically narrowed his focus onto So-un-Jin’s words. He wondered what sort of deep, enigmatic inquiry the youth was about to pose…
“If your name is O-sam, does that mean you were the fifth child born, or the third?”
Huh? What kind of absurd topic was this all of a sudden…
“Are your ears blocked?”
“…Pardon me?”
“I’m asking whether it signifies fifth or third.”
“It, it indicates the third. The ‘O’ character utilized is the one that signifies ‘brilliance’.”
“Tsk, what a ridiculous way to name someone and cause confusion.”
Thwack.
So-un-Jin delivered a sharp swat to the back of O-sam’s head before striding out of the underground sanctuary. What in the world was that… Sam-cheol stood frozen, his face twisted in utter bewilderment at the sheer randomness. Had he misread the situation entirely? Was the youth nothing more than a lunatic after all…? Sam-cheol, who previously believed he lacked a true grasp of So-un-Jin’s character, now felt he comprehended him even less.

“Senior brother, are you truly unhurt?”
Observing the anxiety of Sa-ryeon-Hong, who had maintained a rigid silence throughout their time in the hideout, So-un-Jin tilted his head in confusion.
“Regarding what?”
“The Beggars’ Union. They are hardly an organization one can provoke so carelessly.”
The true authority of the Beggars’ Union rested in their infinite network of eyes, ears, and voices. Should their voices turn against someone, a righteous champion could instantly be branded a bloodthirsty fiend, and without access to their eyes and ears, navigating the intricate perils of the martial world became an impossible task. Was there not a common maxim stating that one should sooner offend the combined forces of the Nine Sects and the Five Great Families than draw the ire of the Beggars’ Union? Though she felt a surge of internal pride seeing that the reputation of the Tae-eul-mun refused to bow before the oppressive weight of the Union, she could not shake her dread regarding the repercussions. Furthermore, the Tae-eul-mun was actively pursuing growth across adjacent territories while managing the expansion of the Great Heaven Merchant Guild. There was no calculating what manner of obstacles they might face moving forward.
Given all that, why did the senior disciple… Sa-ryeon felt her throat go dry with tension.
“I was taught that the cooperation of the Beggars’ Union is indispensable when orchestrating any major endeavor in the martial world. From massive undertakings to the most insignificant matters, nothing moves smoothly without their assistance. Is it truly wise to sever ties like this…”
The Tae-eul-mun still required significant development. Indeed, beyond the sect itself, So-un-Jin faced an immense journey of his own. Securing the backing of the Beggars’ Union might be far more critical for So-un-Jin’s personal ascension than for the sect as a whole. Yet, the very individual who ought to be losing sleep over his prospects remained entirely unbothered.
“Put your mind at ease. Even without those mendicants, the progress of the Tae-eul-mun will face no impediments.”
“No, that is hardly the point…”
Sa-ryeon shifted her gaze toward Eun-ho-Lee. Even if the others failed to grasp the situation, surely the intelligent Eun-ho recognized the immense value of the Beggars’ Union?
“Eun-ho. Shouldn’t you offer some counsel to restrain him?”
“There is no need for concern.”
“Hmm?”
Eun-ho indicated So-un-Jin with his chin, who was already fully absorbed in scanning the vibrant marketplaces.
“Our senior brother may be eccentric, but he never takes such actions without establishing a fallback measure.”
Seeing that even Eun-ho, the sharpest mind within the Tae-eul-mun, preserved a completely tranquil demeanor, Sa-ryeon’s confusion only intensified, yet she chose to remain silent.
“Oh, look at that, I simply must try a bite of that dish!”
“…….”
…She ultimately concluded that expending her energy worrying about her senior brother was a thoroughly wasteful endeavor.
“Let us secure lodgings before anything else, senior brother.”
The thoroughfares of Xi’an were teeming with masses of people. One could easily spot travelers spilling out of taverns due to a complete lack of vacancies, alongside individuals pacing anxiously because they were unable to secure immediate shelter. In circumstances like these, relying on data from the local mendicants was standard practice. This was because the beggars monitored the occupancy of various inns in real-time, leveraging that information to turn a profit.
Regrettably, as if word of the confrontation at the subterranean refuge had already spread like wildfire, the beggars patrolling for clients deliberately steered clear of So-un-Jin’s companions, offering nothing but hostile glares. Sa-ryeon felt her anxieties resurfacing once more.
“Sigh… this is precisely the dilemma I feared.”
In contrast, not only So-un-Jin but also the brothers Geum, Eun, and Dong appeared thoroughly untroubled. Just as a heavy sigh was about to escape her stressed heart.
“Junior sister.”
Eun-ho offered a reassuring smile and tapped her on the shoulder.
“Observe carefully.”
“Observe what?”
Eun-ho directed her attention toward So-un-Jin with a meaningful look. While they were speaking, So-un-Jin had extracted a dark token, roughly the length of two digits, from within his garments and fastened it securely to the grip of his blade. Moments later.
“Pardon the interruption.”
An attendant from a local establishment approached their group.
“Am I correct in addressing you as the Eminent Hero So-un-Jin?”
“You are.”
“Accommodations have been prepared for your arrival. Permit me to show you the way.”
“My thanks.”
“Think nothing of it.”
Confronted by this sudden turn of events, Sa-ryeon stood entirely dumbfounded. Xi’an was hardly a city they frequented, yet an attendant had materialized as though he had been anticipating their arrival to offer guidance. Furthermore, the establishment the servant led them toward was an exceptionally grand estate among the city’s lodgings. Reflecting its high reputation, the main quarters of the tavern were absolutely packed with patrons, leaving scarcely any room to maneuver.
“Follow me this way.”
Yet, the attendant bypassed the bustling main building, leading the companions toward the rear grounds. Reaching their destination, they found an isolated detached pavilion complete with a small, serene pond.
“Would you prefer that I arrange for refreshments first? Or should I have bathing water readied?”
“The group appears quite famished, so please provide the meal first.”
“Right away, sir.”
The attendant offered a deep, respectful bow and withdrew. Given the unfolding events, Sa-ryeon found herself entirely incapable of processing the situation.
“Just what in the world is happening here?”
In stark contrast to her bewilderment, Eun-ho smiled with immense gratification.
“Our senior brother maintains an incredibly close alliance with the Hao-mun.”
“A close alliance?”
“Indeed. He holds the status of a ‘Guest’.”
Sa-ryeon’s mouth fell open in sheer disbelief. A ‘Guest’ of the Hao-mun. To begin with, did such a prestigious title even truly exist… And her senior brother possessed such an extraordinary credential?
‘What manner of individual is he truly?’
While Sa-ryeon remained lost in thought regarding the enigmatic nature of her senior brother, an eager Eun-ho stepped closer to So-un-Jin.
“Senior brother, given that a simple chamber would have sufficed, your decision to secure an independent pavilion must have been a thoughtful gesture to allow us to appreciate a festive atmosphere, correct?”
“Hmm?”
Ceasing his task of unpacking his gear, So-un-Jin cast a glance toward Eun-ho.
“What nonsense are you uttering?”
“Pardon? Then for what reason did you specifically request an isolated pavilion…”
“Up we go!”
Without offering a verbal reply, So-un-Jin pulled heavy metal bands from his luggage. No, why on earth were those objects being brought out again in this place…?
“Because if we conduct our physical conditioning inside standard guest quarters, it will cause an immense disturbance to the neighboring patrons.”
“…….”
“Within an isolated pavilion, it matters little what manner of racket we produce.”
He had distinctly promised that training would be restricted solely to the journey to Xi’an! He had deceived them once again! Though an absolute volcano of indignation welled up within them, the four disciples clamped their lips shut, terrified that any protest might result in additional weights being assigned to them.

Leaving behind his miserable junior brothers, who claimed they could no longer manage even a single step and had collapsed flat on their backs, he stepped out into the evening air of Xi’an. Despite the sun having fully dipped below the horizon, the thoroughfares remained choked with dense crowds.
‘The gathering is far larger than the historical accounts suggested.’
It appeared that a significantly greater volume of martial artists had converged on the city compared to the documentation kept by the Murim Alliance Xi’an Branch during his previous existence. Then again, there was little reason to include superfluous details in an official chronicle. These individuals had assembled after catching wind of the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil, which was manifesting for the fourth time in Xi’an as part of its sixty-year celestial alignment. Owing to the sheer volume of combatants seeking to claim the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil during this fourth manifestation, a volatile atmosphere, far tauter than usual, gripped the entire region.
‘Their numbers are remarkably high.’
The presence of disciples belonging to the Jong-nam Sect, who typically remained out of sight during the winter season, was notably dense. Members of the Jong-nam Sect were patrolling the avenues, flanked by individuals who clearly belonged to their subordinate martial clans. It was a blatant display designed to remind everyone exactly who held dominion over Shaanxi.
Right at that moment.
“What?! Repeat what you just muttered!”
Suddenly, a fierce shout erupted from a nearby corner of the street. Pedestrians began pausing to watch, and a few bystanders even displayed looks of eager anticipation, wondering if a violent clash was about to unfold.
“I simply meant that directing the disciples to maintain a watch throughout the entire night is an inefficient drainage of our stamina. It would be far wiser to permit some rest, and then as we approach the Thousand Copper Cave…”
Slap—
Accompanied by a stinging impact, the face of the individual offering the critique was violently jerked aside.
“Presumptuous whelp.”
It was readily apparent that the aggressor and the victim bore entirely different sect insignias on their attire, yet the man who had been struck offered none of the defiance one would naturally anticipate. Observing the dynamic, the reality of the situation became instantly clear.
“How dare a mere member of a vassal lineage speak with such insolence!”
“…….”
“Your sole duty is to execute our commands precisely as delivered! Cease attempting to utilize your worthless intellect!”
Tsk, typical behavior. As always, they excel at enforcing rigid hierarchies. The elder who had delivered the blow turned away with an angry huff, and the remaining entourage spared a brief glance at the injured man before scurrying after the senior master.
However,
‘Why does that man’s silhouette seem so familiar?’
While observing the profile of the individual who had received the blow, their gazes intersected the exact moment he shifted his head.
“Hmm?”
The man was none other than Sun-jik-Cheol.
“Tsk.”
I instinctively began to raise a hand in recognition but rapidly pulled it back. For someone like myself, who lacked precise knowledge regarding the exact level of control Jong-nam wielded over the Juk-hyeon-bang, it was a genuinely jarring revelation. At the very least, the Sun-jik-Cheol of my memories was hardly a man who would accept such humiliation lying down.
‘Yet he likely has no alternative.’
Should he choose to act purely on his impulses, the consequences would inevitably fall upon his companions. Because Sun-jik-Cheol values his organization above his own pride, he has no choice but to swallow his anger in such a scenario. I averted my gaze as naturally as possible to simulate total ignorance and resumed my walk along the avenue. By the time I had finished cataloging the key figures I needed to monitor within the Thousand Copper Cave and cementing their features into my memory.
“Hmm?”
Sun-jik-Cheol, whom I had moved past moments earlier, was already blocking my path once more.
“…….”
Considering the preceding display, I was hardly in the mood to engage in an argument with him, so just as I attempted to step around him, Sun-jik-Cheol spoke in a muted, quiet tone.
“Representative Jin.”
“So you have chosen to address me as ‘Representative Jin’ once more?”
I acted as though this were our initial encounter of the day, behaving entirely normally.
“…You witnessed what occurred just now, did you not?”
Tsk. Did he pursue me through the crowd merely to demand an answer to that? I offered the most neutral response I could manage.
“I saw nothing.”
“…I had not even specified what event I was referring to.”
Ah, blast it all, I truly wish I hadn’t been an observer to that display.
“Even if I acknowledge that I saw it, does that alter your reality in any way?”
Sun-jik-Cheol’s modern predicament mirrors my own historical path. That shared sense of profound discomfort was the primary catalyst for my swift departure from the scene earlier. Witnessing Sun-jik-Cheol’s current state forces me to confront my own past. Shifting my gaze downward, I noted that his clenched hands were trembling slightly. It was highly improbable that the biting winter breeze was the sole cause.
“Do you find my situation pathetic? Or perhaps you find it amusing?”
In the freezing winter climate, pale plumes of condensation accompanied his every word. And Sun-jik-Cheol’s eyes, reflecting an intensity far chillier than the weather, held a depth of emotion greater than ever before. I observed him silently for a brief spell before shaking my head.
“You look like nothing out of the ordinary.”
“…….”
Because I comprehend the exact emotional burden he carries to endure this, and because I recognize the precise internal state he must be maintaining. I spoke with a genuine appreciation of that exact mindset.
“You simply resemble a traveler who briefly lost their footing over a stray rock along the road.”
Sun-jik-Cheol’s eyes wavered violently for a fraction of a second.
“Representative Jin, you truly are…”
After a protracted pause, he finally found his voice again.
“Have you journeyed here to secure the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil?”
Seeing as my primary residence was in Habbi, it would be thoroughly absurd to claim I had travelled all the way to Xi’an for any alternate purpose, so I provided a candid answer.
“For what other objective would I have traveled to Xi’an?”
“If that is your intent, your wisest course of action would be to simply pack your belongings and return home.”
“……?”
Sun-jik-Cheol proceeded to speak with absolute certainty.
“Because the ultimate recipient of the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil has already been predetermined.”