Chapter 1487: I Didn’t Come Looking For You? (Part 2)

"Eeek? Sect Leader?"

"That guy?"

The Five Swords looked at Master Lu with unbelieving eyes. Even Hye Yeon, who was generally calm, and Lee Songbaek, who was not adapting well to this atmosphere, were wide-eyed.

They heard that the sect leader of the Beggar's Union was an old man with disheveled hair, currently bedridden from illness. The rumor spread so widely that it became almost common knowledge in the martial world.

However, the person standing before them was a robust middle-aged man who showed no signs of illness.

'No, before that....'

Baek Cheon asked, somewhat puzzled.

"That, is he the Sect Leader of the Beggar's Union?"

"That's right."

"Then...."

Everyone gave Baek Cheon a criminal offensive side eye. What was he trying to say...

"..."

"....It seems strange, considering how wealthy he looks."

Everyone's heads drooped.

Oh, right. It does seem a bit odd. It's hard to imagine a beggar living on the top floor of this luxurious building in such fine silk clothes.

So, it's not a false statement, but...

"....That's not the important thing now, Sasuk?"

"It's strange!"

"But..."

Yoon Jong hesitated to point out, feeling awkward.

At that moment, instead of Master Lu, it was Chung Myung who answered the question.

"I told you. Beggars have a lot of money."

"...That's right."

"And, it's precisely because they're beggars that you shouldn't trust them."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"People who live their whole lives dealing with information won't easily give away their own property. You're believing rumors when you should be doubting what you've seen with your own eyes?"

"...That's true."

Upon reflection, it was a very natural thing. However, no one here had thought about that fact.

"...Why did we just believe it without question?"

"Who would've thought the Beggar's Union would deceive us? We're both of the righteous sects?"

"If there was something strange, I thought someone from another sect would notice."

Master Lu lightly laughed at the Five Swords' words.

"The Central Plains are vast, and deceiving people is easier than you think. Like the fact that almost no one noticed that you were pretending to be Jin Geumryong."

"Uh, well... yes."

From a positional standpoint, Baek Cheon couldn't refute that. But Jo Gol still looked skeptical as if his suspicions weren't resolved.

"No, then who was the person Hong Daekwang mentioned as the beggar king? I don't think he would say that about this person. Is he deceiving us like a person from the Beggar's Union?"

Master Lu didn't provide a clear answer. He just smiled meaningfully.

"...There's not a single trustworthy person in the world."

Jo Gol looked at Master Lu with the eyes of a child who had been stabbed in the back by someone he trusted. Seeing that gaze, Master Lu let out a wry smile.

But then, the one who had maintained reason and composure throughout took the appropriate action now.

"Lee Songbaek of the Southern Edge Sect greets the Sect Leader of the Beggar's Union."

Lee Songbaek politely bowed. Only then did the Five Swords, who had regained his senses, show a surprised reaction.

"S-Sect Leader, greetings!"

"I apologize."

"Kill me!"

Master Lu pressed his temples as if his head was throbbing.

"No need for formalities here. Just...."

His gaze turned to the symbol of the Southern Edge Sect on Baek Cheon's clothes.

"Let those who imitate Southern Edge and those who imitate a tavern owner talk."

"...Yes."

Anyway, it wasn't a situation where they could show proper etiquette in various ways.

"So."

Master Lu spoke to Chung Myung as if time were precious.

"It seems like I've given the answer you wanted. Now it's my turn to ask, why did you come looking for me?"

The conversation had been with the Five Swords, but naturally, the question was directed at Chung Myung.

While others seemed quite shocked by the situation, Chung Myung nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders as if it wasn't particularly surprising.

"I didn't have any specific intentions. I just wanted to see what was going on."

"....Hmm?"

"I can't do anything against someone with their butt pulled back, hiding. I felt like I needed to drag them out, at least for now."

A low sigh escaped from Master Lu's lips.

"Many others tried to do the same. There were numerous attempts. But I never expected someone to come looking for me using this method."

"They were being too complacent."

"No."

Master Lu shook his head.

"Even if others had thought of the same method as you, they couldn't have reached this far. People can't chase after birds normally. Moreover, this Guiding Golden Sparrow (聽領金雀) is trained to fly only over rough mountains and wide rivers..."

"Guiding... what?"

"Guiding Golden Sparrow. That bird."

"Oh, the Millenium Golden Pigeon?"

"Guiding Golden Sparrow."

"Yes, Golden Pigeon."

...The muscles on Master Lu's face twitched. Seeing this, Yoon Jong whispered to Baek Cheon.

"Is the sect leader losing to him? Is this really the sect leader?"

"No, not the sect leader, even the Jade Emperor wouldn't be able to defeat him..."

"I agree."

The Five Swords' mind became complicated. Should he laugh or cry at the guy who said everything he wanted to say even in such a situation?

While watching the chirping bird intently, Chung Myung grabbed the struggling Baek-Ah by the chin.

"The means weren't bad, but not everyone possesses spiritual creatures."

"Baek Jeon of the Yunnan Beast Palace. I certainly didn't consider that."

"Baek Jeon?"

"Not Baek Cheon, but Baek Jeon...No, no. Stop it."

Master Lu shook his head as if he was tired of dealing with someone so persistent.

When placed the Guiding Golden Sparrow around Chung Myung, he couldn't have imagined such a situation. It was unimaginable to think that the person being observed could use the fact that they are being observed as an advantage.

'No. He must have thought of using it.'

But finding a target in the midst of so many beggars, accurately identifying someone who could fulfill his desires, and inducing specific actions were not easy tasks.

"How did you know that the Golden Sparrow was in Luoyang?"

"Well, that's..."

"Did you think it was logical to be in Nakyang?"

"No. It was just...that... because it's close?"

...Master Lu's face twisted again. Yoon Jong whispered to Baek Cheon again.

"Sasuk. Is that guy completely insane? Is this really the Sect Leader?"

"…Even Satan would get angry standing in front of a guy like that."

"I agree."

Ignoring their comments behind, Chung Myung casually continued speaking.

"Well. If nothing happened in Luoyang, I thought I'd try somewhere nearby. I thought at least one would bite."

"...."

"Fortunately, you took the bait from the beginning? It's fortunate that the Sect Leader is a reasonable person. I've been dealing with a lot of crazy people lately, so I feel like I'm getting weird too."

"...You told me earlier that I was a crazy person."

"That's true, but your way of acting is normal."

Master Lu let out a deep sigh and nodded his head. People dealing with information should not show their emotions recklessly. However, in front of this person, those rules seemed meaningless.

After all, what can you hide from someone who predicts the opponent's movements from a distant place?

"In the end, you came this far by poking holes in my plan."

"Yes. Well, if you improve it, it should be fine from next time."

"Then you'll find another flaw. Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword. Certainly...."

Master Lu nodded, looking at Chung Myung again.

"My doubts have been resolved. And I understand why you came. So, what do you want after meeting me?"

"I just wanted to ask."

"What?"

"What on earth are you doing here?"

Suddenly, Master Lu's gaze turned cold. It was a strange and chilling look, but Chung Myung nonchalantly glanced around with composure.

"Well, it's not a bad place. Perfect for some refreshing fun."

"What do you want to say?"

"I'm not someone who can't empathize with those who dream of an empty world. But still, shouldn't we choose the timing carefully? If a wildfire is approaching, leisurely fishing in the forest is not a refreshing pastime; it's a reckless act."

"Um, well..."

"Why did you neglect the Beggar's Union?"

Chung Myung interrupted Master Lu, inserting the main point. Master Lu fell silent.

This time, Chung Myung was staring at Master Lu with cold eyes.

"The world is halfway collapsing, yet the Beggar's Union is still unable to fulfill its role, divided and in disarray. Of course, I understood it at first. Even the strongest ox cannot pull a plow if its head is injured. But even so... they didn't seem to have any intention of treating that injured head. Isn't that strange?"

"..."

"Even if it was late, there should have been movement at the headquarters when the division occurred in the Yangtze River. Don't you think so?"

"I admit it."

Master Lu nodded willingly. The power of the Beggar's Union came from its numbers. In other words, reduced numbers meant the Beggar's Union couldn't exert its full strength. In that sense, what the Beggar's Union should've been most cautious about was none other than division.

The moment the Beggar's Union overlooked the division, it revealed to everyone...or at least to Chung Myung, that it had a problem.

"Being sick and claiming that your mind wasn't clear is not an excuse. Because, before it reaches that point, transferring the position is the tradition of the martial sects. If Sasuk said that he wanted to get along with Southern Edge, I would have thrown him into the repentance hall and only given him water."

"Chung Myung. Isn't that imprisonment, not transferring positions?"

"No, Sasuk. That's called torture."

Master Lu nodded.

"Considering that the Beggar's Union is not functioning normally, you must have thought that something must be wrong. So, in the process of finding the cause, you ended up here. Is that correct?"

"No."

"Hmm? Not correct?"

"I have to be precise in my words. I didn't come here to confirm the cause."

"Then?"

Master Lu frowned, unable to understand.

At that moment, four unrelated characters flowed from Chung Myung's mouth.

"Blood of the Beggar's Union." ["의혈개방."]

It was a phrase that was difficult to grasp the context easily. But strangely, Master Lu flinched momentarily. He couldn't hide the sign of disturbance.

'Why?'

Baek Cheon's eyes were filled with questions.

'Blood of the Beggar's Union' is commonly used when referring to the Beggar's Union's spirit. But why did he react like that to such an ordinary word?

"So, I wanted to know. Who made the Beggar's Union fall to this extent? Someone intentionally blocked the Beggar's Union from fulfilling its role. I want to know who that person is."

"...You."

"So, I didn't come here to confirm the cause."

Cheongmyeong's eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

"I came to eliminate it."

His hand slowly moved to the sword at his waist.

For a moment, Master Lu's face turned pale. A sense of pressure as if his throat would dry up even if he blinked once and the tension was overwhelming.

"Answer me."

"..."

"I must find a reason that satisfies me. Otherwise, you will die. I guarantee it."

Master Lu's fingertips trembled slightly.