While watching him, I gaze at the Sun and Moon’s Light Sky.
Could it be because I infused lightning qi? Since it has already manifested, I’m uncertain if I want to absorb it into my dantian.
I watch as he grips my wrists.
“Zaha, everyone will die.”
“Senior. Release my hand and step back. It will be resolved.”
As soon as he retreats, I smile softly and utilize a technique to invert the martial arts, transforming it into a gentle shroud.
“…”
As the martial arts transforms into a vast veil, this long curtain of light instantly repels all the attacks. It is filled with tremendous energy, which I stretch out as if I were pulling noodles, allowing it to hover in the air.
The light begins to scatter.
In a sense, this vast martial arts skill was a culmination of my past and present lives. It was a trump card that I had successfully discovered.
I cannot hurt the Beggars Union Leader; therefore, I have to applaud myself for altering the martial arts. The Beggar’s Union Leader is amazed and says,
“This is astonishing. I have never witnessed a retreat like this.”
“Is that so?”
“What martial arts did you use earlier?”
“It is a martial arts that combines Yin and Yang qi, the Light Sky of Sun and Moon.”
“And the resulting glow?”
“I have named it Light Veil.”
“How ridiculous. Did it transform into a defensive technique?”
“Yes.”
He seemed to find it absurd, and it truly was. Only after that did he glance around.
Everyone was lost in thought, but gradually the color was returning to their faces.
“Now everyone, please take a seat. Including you.”
When the Beggar’s Union Leader instructs the Alliance leader, he obeys. In an instant, many powerful warriors were transformed into school children.
And the Beggar’s Union Leader says,
“Let us sit.”
“Yes.”
I take a seat, followed by the Beggars Union Leader. He asks Ju-guk,
“Anyone dead?”
“No.”
“Thank goodness.”
“Do your men recognize me?”
Alliance leader looks around and says,
“The don’t, but they should have noticed you.”
Beggars Union Leader looks around at the alliance.
“I guess Ju-guk accomplished his mission. It appears that the alliance has many skilled individuals, and this place is impressive, just like the subordinates under your command. You have succeeded.”
“….”
“There are few juniors who earn money. I heard that Im So-baek still gets paid monthly by the alliance, but you don’t?”
“Yes.”
“If that is the case, even the head of the martial arts family will be unable to brag about their wealth to you. When I was living in recluse, I heard news of Kangho, and oftentimes I would hear word about juniors with strong personalities who were ending up dead. I would often ask Ju-guk because you were never a part of that news. Ju-guk, what is he doing? And after all this, it seems you have been doing well.”
“Right.”
“I need to make some money in a proper way.”
I glance at both of them, and Beggars Union Leader asks the leader of the alliance,
“Do you need to earn more?”
“A fair amount.”
“If I were to list out the most courageous juniors in Kangho with my ten fingers, you would be one of them. Because of your violent personality, there was a moment where I had hoped that you would grow to take my position as one of the Three Disasters. What I expect from you is the appearance of a warrior. It has been a while since I saw the head of greedy merchants sitting in that place. Have you committed yourself to becoming a great merchant? How long do you plan to continue running after merchants like this?”
The leader of the alliance remains silent.
And the Beggars Union Leader looks around and says,
“Juniors of his.”
The subordinates all answer in unison.
“Yes, senior.”
“I am the leader of the Beggars Union, who couldn’t match the other Three Disasters in the past. Honestly, I can only face them in battle one last time. If I were to fight those terrifying and aged opponents again, regardless of the outcome, would I have any life left?”
“…”
“For the next decisive battle, I wanted a two-on-one fight. If I had just one junior to fulfill that role, wouldn’t it be possible to cover for me? I thought about it for a long time, but I couldn’t come to an answer. The one to come with me will take my position. And this is why I couldn’t retire for a long time. It’s because if I fall behind by focusing on my disciples, then the others would surpass me. I’ve been having a lot of trouble with this. If I fall to the warriors, will you all be able to handle them? I’m an old one, and there’s just one fight left in me. If I handle that, then you will be next.”
“…”
Looking at the alliance leader he continues,
“Your turn is coming soon.”
“Yes.”
“If you die by the Demonic Cult leader while trying to make money, where do you plan to spend it? Are you saying that money is the most important thing? Or do you intend to kneel before the
Cult Leader? Then you will be able to keep half of your assets, so I guess you need to be congratulated.”
The alliance leader says,
“I have no intention of doing that.”
“Then, as the alliance leader, you are feared in this position. They fear that those who follow you will beat you to death. Truly an astounding alliance leader.”
This was when the face of the alliance leader turned pale. He looks like a disgruntled tiger.
“One day, I heard the news that some of the Demonic Cult troops came out and they were massacred. In my heart, I expected it to be Im So-Baek, the Alliance Leader, or someone else. But it turned out to be the Low-Down Sect Leader. Who even is that? What is this Low-Down Sect? Only my disciple No Shin knew of him, but even then it wasn’t much.”
And the Beggars Union Leader asks him,
“Why wasn’t it you? Go ahead and try to make an excuse.”
The Beggars Union Leader’s eyes remain wide in that moment, looking straight ahead. When the alliance leader isn’t able to respond and turns his head, silence fills the air.
Beggars Union Leader says,
“Your wealth and fame isn’t a product of your greatness. We must always remember that sacrifices were made by our subordinates. Is it the duty of a leader to accept those sacrifices and perish along with them? You cannot be a leader without subordinates. Look, do you know how old I am? Without the beggars, I am nothing more than a mere leader. And if the entire Low- Down sect perished, then Zaha would not be a leader of anything. Someone referred to as the leader…”
“…”
“If everyone is defeated by the leader, the strong will vanish as well. How can a strong man emerge in a place with such diverse people? The whole point is to join the sect and become subjects of the tyrants who murder others. Whether living as orthodox or unorthodox, we must always remember the cause. You brat, do you wish to die by my hands? People in the world are unaware of my existence. Will you be the first leader of such high status to desire death by my hands?”
The alliance leader barely musters up an answer.
“No. I would rather be beaten to death by Cult Leader than by senior.”
The man who could make a tiger bow was the Beggars Union Leader.
I observe the two of them engage in this friendly conversation while concealing my smile. In the event of a worst-case scenario, my plan was to eliminate a few of them and escape with the assistance of Im So-Baek, but this plan has been disrupted.
Actually, at first, I wasn’t sure if the plan had failed or if this was an opportunity for me.
Well, because I also respect the Beggars Union Leader I stay still and that is when he shouts,
“Juniors!”
“Yes, senior.”
“Currently, if I were to confront another one of the Three Disasters, who would fill my position? Will Im So-Baek emerge? Regardless of who takes the reins, the leader is mistaken. They won’t step down due to financial matters. Even if Im So-baek, a man with an incredibly formidable reputation, steps forward, but what happens after? Your responsibility is no small matter either.”
This time, the Beggars Union Leader reprimands the warriors of the alliance. As the warriors’ faces flush crimson, I interject.
“Senior, I will take that place.”
Which makes him yell back.
“You are lacking! You didn’t want to endure for long and chose to utilize the Light Sky of Sun and Moon, which led to the collaboration between the Cult Leader and Heavenly Prison. I have engaged in several battles and there are numerous alternative methods to what you employed. Now, do you believe you can manage it?”
“Hmmm.”
The Beggars Union Leader stands up looking at me and the alliance leader.
“A strong man needs to be in good physical condition to be a leader. Don’t waste time on foolish things, alliance leader.”
“Yes, senior.”
“Until we meet again.”
The alliance leader stands up.
“Senior, please stay a few more days before leaving.”
“Speak to your subordinates in a normal manner. Go. If you want to protect your subordinates, train harder. What will you do when nothing you try works? Your skills are no different from when you lost.”
“I will devote myself to training.”
The Beggars Union Leader looks at me.
“Sect Leader, let us go.”
“Yes.”
I stand alongside him, and we walk out of the alliance slowly. As we do, laughter fills the air, and it was No Shin, who was standing next to the Beggars Union Leader.
When I glare at him, No Shin goes silent.
Beggars Union Leader asks,
“Why are you here now?”
No Shin responds.
“Because master is too fast. Are you done already?”
The leader sighs and says,
“My back hurts a lot since I ran after a long time.”
“Ah!”
No Shin exclaims playfully and moves ahead of the leader, bending down to pick him up.
“Get on master. You worked so hard.”
I hit No Shin on the shoulder and say,
“No Shin hyung, be careful.”
“What?”
“Leader, get up.”
The leader nods.
“Right, Low-Down Sect Leader should also carry me on the back.”
When I lean forward, Beggars Union Leader pushes me as though he were riding a horse. I feel myself starting to sweat.
“What? Why are you this heavy? Leader?”
This makes the leader speak in a cold tone.
“Shut up and run. This guy. Everything should be considered training. No Shin lead us.”
“Yes, master. Hahahah. I think I know what joke the Sect Leader was planning. Let us go, Low-Down Sect leader.”
As No Shin rushes ahead, the Beggars Union Leader hits me on the back of my head.
“Follow him you bastard. Let us see your footwork.”
“Uh?”
I am quite taken aback. The Beggar’s Union Leader feels heavier. In an instant, he wraps his left arm around my neck and threatens me.
“Nice. Shall we do some footwork training? If you fall behind, I will strangle you. Go now.”
“Wait.”
“Do you want to negotiate the terms now? Catch up with No Shin quickly and I will release you. Swiftly.”
In an instant, I think of many things.
What is this situation?
In my previous life, I was constantly bullied by people like this. Somehow, it feels like the role is being fulfilled by Beggar’s Union Leader now.
‘This is a bit…’
Now that I think about it, my current skills are not sufficient to fight against the Three Disasters. While I am lost in thought, fortunately, the Beggars Union Leader feels lighter.
“Is this sufficient? Catch up to him now.”
After letting out a long sigh, I follow No Shin and unfold light footwork. As the pace steadily picks up, the Third Disaster’s mixed admiration and praise echoes from behind.
“Ohh…. How fast? Still, not faster than No Shin. So, when are you going to catch up?”
I ask the Beggars Union Leader,
“No Shin hyung, where is he going?”
Beggars Union smiles and answers,
“What do beggars like us even know? Run, run, Low-Down Sect Leader!”
Apparently, thinking that the distance between us had increased too much, No Shin comes back and threatens me.
“This is such a bad thing. I thought you ran pretty well in the gorge there.”
A master and his disciple simultaneously intimidate and ridicule me.
These bastards…
I yell at No Shin.
“This beggar-like bastard…”
No Shin giggles and replies,
“This beggar-like person is wrong; I am a beggar. You fool Sect Leader.”
The Beggars Union Leader, who I was carrying me on my back, bursts into laughter as if this whole situation was absurd. Despite being held captive by the Beggars Union Leader and his disciple, I keep fighting without any way out.
Who am I and where am I?
After helping someone out, I ended up getting captured by the beggars.
My life has been reduced to that of a beggar…
