My Younger Siblings Are the Greatest Masters in the World - Chapter 156
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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156.
Then the old beggar’s eyes curved like a crescent moon.
“Oh my! There’s a kind-hearted young master over there!”
The old beggar skillfully dodged Jeom Soi’s hand pushing against his chest and approached Seol Mujin’s group.
“Hey! Stop right there!”
Seol Mujin spoke to Jeom Soi who was following the old beggar.
“Bring the finest bottle of alcohol from the inn.”
“Yes, but first let me chase away this beggar…”
“It’s alcohol to serve this guest.”
Startled, Jeom Soi left saying “I understand” and went into the kitchen.
“Hehe! I knew you were a kind-hearted person.”
Seol Mujin pointed to the empty chair across from him.
“Please sit.”
“To even offer a seat to an old beggar! Just giving me some leftover food would be enough.”
“It seems Gaebang’s situation is quite difficult these days. For Bang-ju to personally go around begging.”
The old beggar Sogungja didn’t bother to deny his identity.
“A beggar is still a beggar even when old, so I must be faithful to my duties. Hehe! Then without shame…”
As soon as Sogungja sat down, Hwangbo Cheonak, Namgung Hyemin, and Jegal Jaeryeong stood up abruptly and cupped their fists.
“Hwangbo Cheonak of Hwangbo Sega greets Bang-ju!”
“Namgung Hyemin greets Bang-ju!”
“Jegal Jaeryeong of Jegal Family pays respects to Bang-ju!”
Sogungja, who had just sat down, stood up again.
“Oh my, this is too much courtesy for this old beggar, too much.”
Meanwhile, Jeom Soi brought a bottle of alcohol.
Seol Mujin offered a cup toward Sogungja.
“It’s Nyeohong with a rich fragrance. Places that sell Nyeohong aren’t common.”
Sogungja respectfully received the cup Seol Mujin offered.
“This is too precious an alcohol for an old beggar to drink. But since I’m a beggar, I must drink whatever is given.”
After drinking and letting out a “Keu—!” exclamation of admiration, Sogungja spoke.
“Expensive alcohol is indeed different. Absolutely exquisite!”
“Now that I’ve served you alcohol, please tell me your business.”
“There’s only one reason for a beggar to leave his straw mat. Begging.”
Seol Mujin took out one silver coin from his pouch and threw it in front of Sogungja.
Sogungja’s mouth fell open as he quickly grabbed the silver coin, then stood up and bowed.
“Thank you! You will be blessed!”
“If your business is finished, please go now. You may take that alcohol with you.”
“I haven’t finished my begging yet.”
“Do you need more money?”
He seemed ready to give more if desired.
“Then just a little more…”
Seol Mujin threw the entire silver pouch to Sogungja.
Sogungja looked at the silver pouch falling with a clink and made a strange expression.
Seol Mujin’s action was beyond Sogungja’s expectations.
The three watched the two men’s interaction with fascinated expressions.
The scene of Seol Mujin, a high-ranking official with unfathomable martial arts, and Sogungja, the leader of Gaebang, the foremost sect in Murim, engaging in a battle of wits was not entertainment they could easily enjoy.
Soon Sogungja showed his characteristic sly smile.
“You’re a kind-hearted person indeed. Since you’re being generous, please let the poor beggar children at least beg. Hehe!”
“You’re begging.”
“There are plenty of beggars who can’t even do that.”
“Not everyone can live doing what they want to do.”
As the conversation circled around without getting to the core, Sogungja, unable to bear it, spoke directly.
“They say the weather has warmed up considerably, but the prison floor is still cold. At least let them beg on a straw mat.”
Seol Mujin spoke with a deliberately puzzled expression.
“Why are you telling me about beggars being imprisoned? Surely you’re not asking me to abuse my authority?”
“Hah—! What do you want?”
Sogungja yielded for now.
Having lived his entire life as a beggar bowing to others, this time wouldn’t be difficult either.
Seol Mujin shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t particularly need anything.”
“I heard one of the beggars was rude to you, so I’ll bring him to kneel before you.”
Seol Mujin waved his hand dismissively.
“What would I gain from watching some beggar kneel?”
At the words “some beggar,” Sogungja’s expression hardened slightly.
He might call himself “a beggar like a beggar, a lowly beggar, a completely useless beggar,” but hearing such words from others was a different matter.
It was like how you can hit your own child, but others shouldn’t.
But the stern expression didn’t last long.
Sogungja soon grinned broadly and said.
“That’s right. Even the most precious people in the world would kneel before you, so an apology from a mere beggar wouldn’t even catch your eye.”
“You’ve done your begging and your business seems finished, so please go now.”
There was no trace of regret in Seol Mujin’s expression.
As Seol Mujin said, the reason for capturing the beggars probably wasn’t to receive Pyo Suncheol’s apology.
Capturing the beggars was clearly a move to save Bang Goyang, but Seol Mujin never mentioned Bang Goyang’s name.
Sogungja had to admit he didn’t possess the weapon to attack Seol Mujin.
If he dug deep enough, something would come out, but right now he was powerless against Seol Mujin.
But he couldn’t retreat like this, so Sogungja’s gaze shifted to Namgung Hyemin.
“Is the family head doing well?”
When Sogungja suddenly addressed her, Namgung Hyemin startled and answered.
“Yes. He is well.”
“That’s fortunate. Namgung Sega is connected to Gaebang in many ways, knowingly or unknowingly. And it’s not just Namgung Sega. Hwangbo Sega too, and Jegal Family…”
Seol Mujin interrupted Sogungja’s words.
“Have such conversations when you meet the family heads.”
“Aren’t these young heroes also important figures of their families?”
“I’m tired of listening. Meet separately later and have your pleasant chat.”
“You’re naturally busy with official duties, and this old beggar also has difficulty finding time due to begging. So how about we finish our conversation while we’ve met?”
“Hasn’t your conversation with Bang-ju already ended?”
Though it felt like losing somehow, he finally mentioned that name.
“Bang Goyang.”
He spat out the name he didn’t want to say, but there was no reaction from Seol Mujin.
How greedy.
“Jang Baekjoong.”
Only when that name came out did Seol Mujin finally react.
“Those are names I know.”
“They are criminals of Gaebang.”
“I see.”
“They will be punished according to Gaebang’s law.”
“I see.”
“This fact will not change no matter what happens. So please stop here as well.”
Seol Mujin, who had been staring at Sogungja, smiled slyly.
“If you make just one promise, the Gaebang disciples will be released by today.”
“As I already said, the power of life and death over Bang Goyang and Jang Baekjoong lies with Gaebang.”
“I have no intention of infringing on that. Just treat them well and don’t kill them until I return to Gaebong.”
Sogungja asked with a puzzled expression.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said. I want them to be alive when I visit Gaebong again in a few days. Let’s discuss this matter again then.”
Sogungja asked.
“Was this incident meant to show how much power Master Seol has?”
“You wouldn’t think this is the extent of my power, would you?”
Sogungja, who had been looking at Seol Mujin, smiled.
“It’s truly fortunate that this matter was resolved so well. Hehe!”
“Bang-ju should become a Peking opera actor.”
“Why would I run around when I can make a living sitting down? You’ll be able to see Bang Goyang and Jang Baekjoong when you come next time. As long as you come within ten days.”
“Two weeks. Just in case.”
As soon as Sogungja left the inn, a barrage of questions poured out.
“If this was going to happen, why did you capture the Gaebang disciples?”
“What’s the reason for giving a few days’ grace?”
“Can you save Elder Bang and his disciple?”
“Whoa! Ask one at a time.”
Hwangbo Cheonak said.
“I asked first. So answer me first.”
“Why did I capture the Gaebang disciples? To draw out Bang-ju, and since we met today, the purpose was achieved.”
Namgung Hyemin’s question followed.
“What’s the reason for telling them to keep those two alive for a few days?”
“I gave Bang-ju time to think. During those few days, Gaebang will investigate me.”
“It seems like they already know about you.”
“Right now it’s just scratching the surface, but now they’ll dissect me thoroughly. Once they learn about me, their attitude toward me will change too.”
Indeed, if even just those three people knew about Seol Mujin, they wouldn’t even think of making him an enemy.
Jegal Jaeryeong asked.
“If they learn about you, will they release Elder Bang and his disciple?”
“It can’t be that simple. However, my words will carry more weight during negotiations. But the most important thing isn’t that.”
“Then what’s important?”
“How much I want to save those two people. How far I’m willing to go for that purpose. Something like that.”
Jegal Jaeryeong asked with sparkling eyes.
“If my life were in danger from something like this, how far would you go?”
“I’d at least write a letter to the Jegal Family.”
“What?”
“I think I could write up to ten letters.”
“Tch!”
Although Bang Goyang and Jang Baekjoong weren’t released, the business in Gaebong was roughly finished.
“Shall we go to Jongnampa then?”
***
Hwang Dugong succeeded in entering Ilwolgung.
Although Won Baesong was despicable, he was someone who kept the promises he wanted to keep.
“Is this really okay? The three of you will stand out too much.”
Hwang Dugong said the Triplets had the finest qualities in the history of the Demonic Cult and decided to teach them martial arts separately.
There had never been a case before where an Elder personally transmitted martial arts to children who hadn’t even been there for a hundred days, and there never would be again.
Since they hadn’t passed through the Valley of Death, he couldn’t accept them as formal disciples.
Of course, the Triplets would have refused that anyway.
Seol Changho said.
“The more attention we draw, the better. It’ll increase our chances of entering Ilwolgung.”
Seol Ryeoseon asked Hwang Dugong.
“Has anything changed in Ilwolgung since we left?”
“It’s the same. They do occasional repair work, but even that is lackluster. It’s much more deteriorated than when Samtaesang was here.”
“As long as the structure remains the same, that doesn’t matter. But it seems the Cult Leader is really absent. That bastard had something like obsessive cleanliness.”
Seol Mantong said.
“He’s the only one who would wash his hands three times after taking a shit.”
Seol Ryeoseon scolded him, saying ‘That’s still better than you who doesn’t wash at all.’
Hwang Dugong, who had listened carefully to confirm no one was outside the room, lowered his voice.
“It might be true that the Cult Leader has fallen into qi deviation. The atmosphere in Ilwolgung is very murderous. It wasn’t this bad when I left five years ago.”
“In what way is it murderous?”
“Currently, four Elders are running the cult, and the power struggle between them is no joke. I could tell even though it’s been less than ten days. There was a reason that bastard Won Baesong brought me into Ilwolgung.”
Seol Changho asked.
“He wanted to borrow even your withered strength?”
“In such circumstances, when I came offering the Flame Lotus Attack Pills as a favor, he was delighted.”
Hwang Dugong grumbled, ‘I feel terrible about wasting those Flame Lotus Attack Pills.’
“I’ll have Heui make those for you later.”
“Oh, never mind. If I had wanted those, they would have already gone into my stomach. It’s fine.”
“But do you think you can bring us into Ilwolgung?”
“One person could enter originally, but I’m not sure yet if all three of you can enter.”
“Even if you’re withered, an Elder is still an Elder. Use some influence.”
Seol Ryeoseon asked.
“Is the Ilwol Treasure still on the second floor?”
“I haven’t heard any talk of it being moved.”
“Still, find out just in case. That place was robbed twice.”
Once was by the Invisible Great Thief, and another time was when Byeon Taebang stole several martial arts manuals and fled.
For the Demonic Cult, it could only be an indelible disgrace.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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