Chapter 71
Five time periods exactly after Ha Hyeon, Namgung Min, and Chwiwol Geolgae left the Namgung family.
As winter made the days shorter and the sun was setting, they were able to enter Gosi County.
“Aish. Why do young people these days have so little energy? You’re exhausted after running just this much.”
Ha Hyeon already looked completely drained, and Namgung Min also seemed somewhat tired, but Chwiwol Geolgae appeared completely composed as if he had done nothing at all.
Namgung Min felt renewed awe toward Chwiwol Geolgae.
It wasn’t simply because his martial arts and movement techniques were exceptional.
‘He maintained just enough speed to push Ha Hyeon to his limits. As expected, he is the greatest master when it comes to movement techniques.’
But Namgung Min only knew half the story.
Chwiwol Geolgae hadn’t perfectly adjusted his pace for Ha Hyeon’s training.
‘Huh? At this rate, we might be late for the feast. Let’s speed up.’
‘No. If we continue like this, Ha Hyeon will collapse. If he collapses and we stop, we’ll be late for the feast. I should slow down.’
Though his pace adjustments were strictly purpose-driven, they coincidentally matched perfectly.
They couldn’t rest even after entering Gosi.
Their destination wasn’t just Gosi County, but Old Man Jang’s house.
Only after traveling much further and stopping in front of a massive estate were they finally able to end their journey.
Boom boom boom-
Ding-a-ling ding-a-ling
The sounds of drums and lute music resonated from inside the estate, suggesting the feast was in full swing.
“Good. It seems we’re not late yet. Let’s hurry inside.”
Chwiwol Geolgae’s face brightened as he entered through the wide-open main gate.
“Wow-.”
Ha Hyeon couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
He had seen many crowded places before.
There were way more people in Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, and in the markets of Beijing where North Paeng family was located.
But this was his first time seeing such a grand estate with numerous people sitting in their own spaces, eating, drinking, and celebrating.
“Is this your first time seeing something like this, Hyeon?”
At Namgung Min’s question, Ha Hyeon nodded without even thinking to close his mouth.
The Shin family was a local dignitary in that region, but they were originally a frugal household and didn’t hold such large feasts.
And the same was true for the Namgung family.
Although the Namgung family estate was several times larger than Old Man Jang’s estate, Namgung Mu-ryong disliked noisy gatherings and extravagance, so they had never held a feast of this scale and likely never would.
“Come, come, children. Let’s get a spot over here. You see the end over there? That’s where you can get food and alcohol.”
Chwiwol Geolgae demonstrated by swiftly standing at the end of the line and returning with several plates.
“Old Man Jang is this generous. Even when a beggar like me comes, he gives the same food as everyone else.”
“Don’t other people give food to beggars?”
“No, they do give food, but not normal meals like this.”
“Then what?”
“Beggars gather near the back door and are served food separately. There might be leftovers mixed in, or byproducts from food preparation, but even that is something to be thankful for.”
Chwiwol Geolgae scarfed down one of the pancakes he had brought.
Though it looked like an ordinary pancake, watching him eat made it seem like a world-class delicacy.
He continued speaking before fully swallowing what was in his mouth.
“Did I tell you? Old Man Jang is the second richest man in Gosi County.”
“Yes, you did.”
Ha Hyeon quickly dodged the food particles flying from his mouth as he answered.
“Do you know who’s the richest?”
“Who is it?”
“You’ve seen him before. I’m not sure if you remember, but it’s Jung. The one who tried to scam you for the price of the Hwaseop…”
“Ah! That old man from the general store. I remember. Was he that wealthy?”
“Of course! He’s a well-known rich man not just in Gosi County, but probably throughout Henan Province. But he’s as stingy as an ant’s behind, never hosting a feast or giving alms to beggarsâa completely heartless character.”
As Chwiwol Geolgae clenched his fists and trembled, a loud voice erupted from behind him.
“What nonsense is this crazy beggar spouting? After not seeing each other for years, what are you saying?”
Chwiwol Geolgae turned around in shock to find Jung, the very person he had been gossiping about.
“Why, what are you doing here?”
“Goodness, my friend. I’m a merchant and Old Man Jang is a merchant too. My friendship with him is far deeper than yours. So what are you doing here?”
Chwiwol Geolgae puffed out his chest and answered proudly.
“I came to eat. So what!” â”What a miserable beggar you are. If guests flee because of the smell on this happy day, will you take responsibility? You have no conscience. No conscience at all.”
“Yes, I am a beggar! And I have no conscience! But what have you ever contributed?”
Chwiwol Geolgae and Mr. Jung started bickering as soon as they met, and Ha Hyeon and Namgung Min couldn’t find an opportunity to interject.
“Wait, wait. But who might these young heroes be? Judging by your appearance, you don’t seem to be from the Beggars’ Sect. Why are you traveling with this smelly beggar?”
“Elder, it’s been a while. Perhaps you don’t remember me?”
When Mr. Jung addressed the two of them, Ha Hyeon stood up and greeted him respectfully.
He opened his eyes wide and stared intently at Ha Hyeon.
Soon, he seemed to remember who he was.
Although Ha Hyeon had grown a head taller and his physique had filled out since three years ago, his bright, alert eyes remained the same.
“Oh my, you’re that young hero from back then!”
“Yes, the Hwaseop…”
“A-frame carrier…!”
Ha Hyeon and Mr. Jung exclaimed simultaneously.
Each remembered only what was favorable to themselves.
“Hmm, hmm. In any case, you’ve grown tremendously. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Yes. I am Namgung Ha Hyeon.”
“Namgung?! Then perhaps…”
“Yes. Sword Master Namgung Mu-ryong is my grandfather.”
Mr. Jung slapped his thigh and said:
“No wonder. Such handsome men are rare in the central plains. I thought you must be of Namgung blood!”
“If not for your help back then, sir, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
“No, all I gave you was an A-frame carrier and some dried meat. Hahaha.”
“Still, it was tremendous help to me at that time.”
When Ha Hyeon respectfully joined his hands and bowed his head, Mr. Jung laughed heartily, pleased.
Only Chwiwol Geolgae beside him pouted and muttered in a small voice, “I was the one who carried you on my back that day.”
“Then who might the young… the great hero beside you be?”
“I’ve heard much about you. I am Namgung Min.”
Namgung Min also greeted him with clasped hands.
But this time, Mr. Jung’s reaction was different.
“A-Azure Divine Dragon!”
“I’m embarrassed by the title.”
Mr. Jung approached Namgung Min and grabbed his hand.
While Namgung Min was startled, Mr. Jung said:
“Thank you so much for saving my brother’s life. I’ve tried to visit the Namgung family several times after hearing about it, but my livelihood kept me busy, and only now can I express my gratitude. I truly thank you.”
“Ah…!”
Namgung Min remembered rescuing Master Jung during Ha Hyeon’s first mission two years ago.
He also vaguely recalled Chwiwol Geolgae mentioning that Jung of Gosi County was Master Jung’s brother.
“I only did what needed to be done.”
“No! Today I’ve met my benefactor, and I cannot remain idle. Hey there! We have honored guests here. Bring the finest liquor and meat!”
When Mr. Jung confidently shouted, the estate servants tilted their heads in confusion, then shouted “Yes!” and ran to the kitchen.
Though Mr. Jung clearly wasn’t their master, they assumed from his confident demands that he must have arranged something with Old Man Jang.
“Tsk, tsk. Only you would try to show off using someone else’s food.”
“Hehe. Aren’t the guests the true hosts of a feast?”
“Someday I’ll do the same at a feast you host.”
“That’s why I plan never to host a feast until I die.”
Mr. Jung chuckled as he replied.
Even Chwiwol Geolgae had to shake his head at this behavior.
* * *
In any case, they left with satisfied stomachs.
Mr. Jung naturally accompanied them.
“I really want to treat you to tea. Liquor would be good too.”
By now, Mr. Jung had decided to speak informally to Ha Hyeon and Namgung Min.
From the beginning, they had been uncomfortable receiving such formal speech from Chwiwol Geolgae’s friend.
“I’m sorry. I don’t drink alcohol.”
“Alas, you don’t appreciate the finer things.”
At those words, Namgung Min smiled gently and replied:
“Let’s go with tea today. I’ll try to learn about alcohol when the opportunity arises.”
“Alright. Follow me.”
As everyone followed him, they encountered a group of about fifteen beggars at the entrance of an alley.
The beggars seemed to have received a basketful of food from the feast and were sharing it among themselves.
“Hey! Don’t just look after yourselves; take care of the little beggars too. How can we let the children go weak from hunger? We adults can beg elsewhere, but those kids lack begging skills and often go hungry!” “Yes, senior martial brother!”
The beggar who appeared to be the leader was scolding the other beggars.
Chwiwol Geolgae’s shoulders perked up as he listened.
“Did you hear that? That’s the brotherhood of our Beggars’ Sect. Even though we’re beggars who live by begging, we always take care of our family members firstâthat’s basic.”
“I still won’t join the Beggars’ Sect.”
“Who asked you to!”
Ha Hyeon giggled as he looked at the beggars.
The leader who had been scolding the others had two knots tied at his waist.
“Oh my. That child looks young, but he’s a second-knot disciple.”
When Mr. Jung made this remark, Chwiwol Geolgae’s head turned sharply.
People commonly say that the Beggars’ Sect has the most branches of any sect.
But in reality, most branch members are either white-clothed beggars with no martial arts training or first-knot disciples who have just begun learning martial arts.
Only a select few first-knot disciples whose talents are recognized receive the second knot.
“A Beggar’s Eye.”
“Master, what is a Beggar’s Eye?”
“Literally the eyes of the Beggars’ Sect. They collect information about martial world events and serve as the eyes of the sect.”
“So second-knot disciples have extremely important roles?”
“Let’s see… in your Namgung family terms, they would be equivalent to official members of the Blue Dragon Pavilion.”
Ha Hyeon nodded as if he understood.
Chwiwol Geolgae looked at them and said with an annoyed expression:
“Jung, let’s go another way.”
“Why?”
“If they recognize me, they’ll surely cause a commotion. Calling me ‘Elder!’ and whatnot.”
“That would be troublesome. Let’s go around then.”
Mr. Jung and Chwiwol Geolgae turned their backs and headed for the side alley.
Namgung Min followed them, but for some reason, Ha Hyeon didn’t move.
“Hyeon, is something wrong?”
Namgung Min asked Ha Hyeon, but Ha Hyeon was staring intently at the second-knot beggar he had just mentioned.
For a very brief moment, Ha Hyeon looked as if he was recalling something, then he spoke.
“Ma Yun-cheol!”
It wasn’t a loud shout, but it was enough for the beggars to hear.
The second-knot beggar turned his head sharply to look in their direction.
Then, snorting through his nose, he strode over.
“Who are you to call my name so casually like a friend? You even look younger than me.”
Ha Hyeon found this situation amusing and couldn’t help but laugh.
“Just like before. Back then, you also picked a fight with me out of nowhere.”
“What? You’re laughing? When did I ever meet you…?”
His voice rose in question at the end.
He realized that Ha Hyeon’s face looked familiar.
“You… you…!”
“It’s been a while, Ma Yun-cheol.”
“Hyeon!”
He now seemed to remember and shouted Ha Hyeon’s name loudly.
The commotion made Chwiwol Geolgae and Mr. Jung, who had been walking away, turn around.
Ha Hyeon smiled leisurely and said:
“Seems like you’ve been training hard? Have you mastered the Striking Dog Eighteen Strikes to the extreme level yet?”
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