Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 249

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 249
His hair was white as snow, yet it rippled gently in the breeze, and his eyes possessed a clarity that belied his advanced years.
The moment I saw the nine belts fastened at that man’s waist.
Manager Seong sensed something had gone terribly wrong, and Seol Woon-hwi’s brow furrowed slightly.
“…This is absurd… Be honest with me. You didn’t anticipate this, did you?”
“I didn’t.”
“What do we do? Should we flee?”
Seol Woon-hwi, who had been somewhat tense, let out a soft laugh.
One must choose their opponent carefully before attempting to flee.
Hye Jung-san, the Sect Leader of the Beggar Sect and the Divine Beggar of Nine Desolations, was a master of the Great Void Formless.
Even if I ran until my feet bled, he would catch me within four or five strides. Fleeing? There was no more meaningless act in this world.
“Even if I staked my life on stopping him, I feel like I’d be crossing into the afterlife in the blink of an eye.”
Manager Seong’s voice trembled.
Hye Jung-san’s reputation was known throughout the Central Plains. In particular, the nine belts he wore were symbols of the highest authority.
“Set your mind at ease.”
“…Are you truly at ease, Young Master?”
“Though I did not anticipate this, it has actually made things easier.”
“…That doesn’t seem right.”
Seol Woon-hwi remained composed.
“I was destined to meet this person eventually anyway.”
Seol Woon-hwi walked forward slowly, and Manager Seong followed behind, cold sweat beading on his brow.
Soon, Hye Jung-san and Seol Woon-hwi stood face to face.
Seol Woon-hwi spoke first.
“I am Seol Woon-hwi of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace. It is an honor to meet the Sect Leader of the Beggar Sect, of whom I have heard only rumors.”
Seol Woon-hwi’s demeanor as he offered his greeting remained composed.
Hye Jung-san examined Seol Woon-hwi carefully.
The boy he had heard rumors of was different from what he had expected upon seeing him in person.
He possessed a composure that seemed impossible for someone of seventeen years, and above all, there was not a trace of fear in the gaze directed toward him.
“I am Hye Jung-san, Sect Leader of the Beggar Sect.”
Hye Jung-san’s voice was heavy and deep.
“I have come to speak with you.”
“It is an honor. To receive a visit from the Divine Beggar of Nine Desolations.”
Seol Woon-hwi spoke with a slight bow of his head.
“Rather than entering inside, would it not be better to converse at that pavilion over there? The interior is currently under renovation, and it would be inadequate for receiving a guest.”
“Then let us do so.”
Seol Woon-hwi briefly turned his gaze toward Manager Seong and spoke curtly.
“Bring us some refreshments.”
“…Understood.”
Manager Seong headed toward the building, while Seol Woon-hwi and Hye Jung-san made their way to the pavilion.
Hye Jung-san had already sensed much from his first impression of Seol Woon-hwi. This boy was no ordinary child.
No, I can’t call him a child anymore.
At this level, it was fair to say he was a master worthy of respect in the Murim.
The very aura he emanated spoke to that.
The two men who had taken their seats inside the Pavilion naturally sat across from each other.
A breeze drifted in, and tranquility settled over them.
Neither man spoke.
Manager Seong brought out a table and set down two cups and two bottles of Juk Yeop Cheong.
There were certainly finer spirits within.
But Juk Yeop Cheong was the drink the Sect Leader of the Beggar Sect favored most, so it had been brought out. It was a moment where the Baekseol Wiryeong Dan’s information network truly shone.
Manager Seong naturally withdrew from the space.
At last, Hye Jung-san opened his mouth.
“What was your reason for killing our Beggar Sect disciples?”
Seol Woon-hwi seemed to pause in thought.
“A reason… I didn’t think you wouldn’t understand, but to put it simply—they displeased me.”
Hye Jung-san’s eyes turned cold.
“They displeased you?”
“Yes. I may not know much about other things, but I punish betrayal thoroughly. Ham Jang-sik betrayed me and set a trap for me. Isn’t that reason enough to kill him?”
“I’ve heard the story, but that is a matter to be addressed with Ham Jang-sik alone. Why would you extend his guilt to innocent disciples of the Beggar Sect?”
“It sounds like you’re asking why I didn’t take the time to distinguish who was who.”
“You heard correctly.”
“Then I’ll tell you. I didn’t want to bother with that.”
“…What?”
“I wanted to show the world what becomes of those who betray me. Ham Jang-sik betrayed me, and many thugs followed his orders. Rather than sorting out who was who, I judged it better to simply kill everyone I saw. That was my decision.”
“…Isn’t that something a demonic cultivator would do?”
“It’s a matter of perspective. If my actions are those of a demonic cultivator, then in wars between sects, the victorious side usually annihilates the opposing sect entirely—does that make them demonic people as well?”
“…”
“I believe I acted as a martial artist should. Senior.”
“…Hah…”
“And another thing. They bore the name of the Beggar Sect yet did nothing befitting the Beggar Sect.”
Hye Jung-san’s brow furrowed.
“What do you mean by ‘befitting the Beggar Sect’?”
“I understand the Beggar Sect to be one that embraces the beggars of the world, protects the weak, and realizes justice. But what of Seongchakju’s disciples?”
Hye Jung-san could not answer.
In truth, he was not unaware of the problems in each branch.
“They merely borrowed the name of the Beggar Sect while feathering their own nests. They didn’t even hesitate to torment common people.”
“But does that justify a massacre?”
“I’m not arguing the righteousness of my actions. I’m not making excuses either. I have not regretted killing them for even a single moment.”
“…”
“If I could turn back time, I would act the same way, and if I could kill even one more, I wouldn’t hesitate to go and do it.”
Hye Jung-san found himself at a loss for words.
What kind of person acts like this?
“Aren’t you afraid of the Beggar Sect?”
Not a shred of hesitation.
“No, sir. I am not afraid.”
“Not afraid?”
“No, sir. In fact, I don’t even find them threatening.”
“Arrogance and confidence are separated by the thinnest of lines.”
“I maintain excellent objectivity about myself, Senior.”
“Then tell me—why does the Snow Palace’s genius, Confucius, despise our Beggar Sect so?”
Hye Jung-san had interpreted Seol Woon-hwi’s assessment of the Beggar Sect as hostility. To some extent, he was right. But strictly speaking, it was not the whole truth.
“I don’t despise the Beggar Sect that much.”
“Then why do you evaluate it that way? Your words drip with undisguised hostility.”
“Because the current Beggar Sect is incomplete.”
“Incomplete…”
“The Sect Leader and Deputy Sect Leader are divided into factions, fighting each other. It’s unreasonable to view them as a single, unified organization.”
Hye Jung-san’s eyes sharpened.
Even with the factional divide, it wasn’t a major problem in the current situation.
“But if an enemy like the Eternal Snow Palace emerges, we could unite our intentions. If a truly unified Beggar Sect threatened the Snow Palace, could you still speak such words then?”
“Yes, I could, Senior.”
“…”
“Unite? Historically, such cases have been numerous, but it depends on circumstances. The Beggar Sect as it stands now could never unite, no matter what external enemy appears.”
Seol Woon-hwi continued, watching Hye Jung-san’s expression harden.
“I believe you know why better than anyone, Senior.”
“…Me?”
“Yes. If you didn’t know, there would be no reason for you to hold that position all this time, nor any reason for you to be alive.”
Hye Jung-san’s expression turned grave in an instant.
“…Who are you?”
“I am Seol Woon-hwi of the Eternal Snow Palace.”
“Who stands behind you?”
Seol Woon-hwi let out a soft laugh once more.
“Do I appear to have someone behind me?”
“That level of insight is impossible for your age. More than that—it’s physically impossible.”
“Why do you think so?”
“You understand the internal affairs of the Beggar Sect far too well, and you clearly know who my direct disciple and Deputy Sect Leader, Jin Mu-hyeok, has allied with.”
I was not flustered. Because he was right.
“Consider it from another angle.”
“Another angle?”
“Forget my age—think about everything that has happened so far. I have moved back and forth between the Murim and the Outer Martial World, and then came here to the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance. What do you think has transpired in this place?”
“…”
“There are things the Beggar Sect’s intelligence network cannot fully uncover. This time, I will ask you, Sect Leader. Do you know who I am currently playing a great match against, even at this very moment?”
Hye Jung-san’s brow furrowed.
“…Now I see. You were a vessel capable of holding the heavens.”
“That is how it appears to you.”
“If that weren’t the case, you couldn’t have played two great matches against ‘one who holds the heavens.’ It would be impossible.”
Seol Woon-hwi smiled.
“Indeed, you are worthy of being the Sect Leader of the Beggar Sect.”
“Is that praise, coming now?”
“I fear you’ve misunderstood my meaning.”
“…Hmm?”
“I hold the Beggar Sect itself in contempt, not its leadership. The Beggar Sect has many disciples—far too many to be anything more than a rabble. But those who lead them are martial artists of the Heaven Earth Four Realms or the Martial God Five Realms, and they pose a genuine threat. You especially are a considerable threat to me.”
“What of Mu-hyeok?”
“If you speak of the Vice Sect Leader, I have not faced him directly, but even if he were a martial artist of the Primordial Sole Existence, I would regard him with utter contempt.”
“Why?”
“Why, you ask? Rather, I would ask you this: what reason is there to respect a man who sells his own sect to another?”
“…A cutting remark indeed.”
Hye Jung-san exhaled deeply, as though regretting something.
Seol Woon-hwi, observing him, spoke briefly.
“May I say something?”
“Go ahead.”
“I have held you in contempt as well.”
His brow creased sharply.
“Well… it’s difficult to tell whether this is disrespectful or not. Though I trust there’s a reasonable explanation for it.”
“Why do you not make a decision?”
“…”
“Is it because he is your only disciple, and you cherish him?”
Hye Jung-san gazed toward distant mountains.
“Your complacency, Sect Leader, is dividing the Beggar Sect in two. If the Vice Sect Leader, already entangled with the Origin Blood Sect and cultivating their martial arts, surpasses you and claims nine belts, do you truly not foresee what will transpire?”
“…”
“Allow me to tell you.”
Seol Woon-hwi’s voice turned glacial.
“The Beggar Sect will be torn asunder and become a new faction of the Origin Blood Sect. The number of thugs I have slain will seem trivial compared to the Beggar Sect disciples who will perish, and among them will be the majority of the core talents who could have led the Beggar Sect forward.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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