The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 367

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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 367.
“I haven’t seen beggars like you before.”
As that piercing gaze swept across his face, Nam Goong Woon’s expression stiffened slightly.
‘It’s the eyes!’
He felt it too.
His eyes hadn’t yet become those of a true beggar.
But he couldn’t change his gaze on the spot, nor could he naturally mimic a beggar’s demeanor.
‘If I can’t overcome even this crisis, hasn’t all my suffering been for nothing?’
A faint hum.
But then soft inner energy burrowed into his armpit.
Bu Eunseol, gripping his shoulder, was secretly channeling her energy to tickle the pressure point beneath his arm.
‘I understand!’
Grasping Bu Eunseol’s intent, Nam Goong Woon suddenly opened his mouth and began laughing.
“Hehehehe!”
As he laughed as if possessed, Hae Poong’s brow furrowed.
“That old man’s face is scary. Ehehehe.”
Nam Goong Woon had been an incorrigible ruffian even in the Nam Goong Family.
A person who brazenly did things ordinary folk would never dare attempt. He was displaying that nature without restraint.
“That old man’s glare suddenly made my stomach hurt.”
Then Nam Goong Woon yanked down his pants, exposed his buttocks, and squatted down.
Bu Eunseol quickly pulled his pants back up and lowered her head.
“I-I’m terribly sorry. He’s already not right in the head, and he took such a severe beating.”
“Hmm.”
Hae Poong nodded, recognizing the food scraps and stench lodged between Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon’s yellowed teeth.
‘They are disciples of Gae Bang, that much is certain.’
Yet something unsettling lingered.
Hae Poong, who had been scrutinizing Bu Eunseol, spoke in a low voice.
“Which Bun Ta’s disciples are you?”
“I-I don’t know.”
At Bu Eunseol’s answer, cold sweat trickled down Nam Goong Woon’s spine as he laughed nervously.
‘How could Bu make such a mistake here?’
“You don’t know?”
Hae Poong’s eyes gleamed with suspicion, and Bu Eunseol bowed and cowered.
“How would lowlifes like us know anything?”
And she hurriedly continued.
“We simply came to Gae Bang because Noh Hwa Ja, who was at the Blue Stone Path in Seo Moon of Bok Bu Ju, saw our condition and told us to enter Gae Bang.”
Then Hae Poong’s rigid expression softened.
“Ah, so the late Fukken Bun Ta’s hundred fragrant masters recommended entry.”
In truth, if a vagrant-looking first-generation disciple spoke their origin and Bun Ta so clearly, that would be strange.
The fragrant masters of various regions had the authority to admit first-generation disciples.
Because they accept disciples haphazardly, the reality is that the management of first-tier disciples is virtually nonexistent.
“That’s right, yes. I heard that Noh Hwa Ja’s surname is Baek.”
Bu Eunseol bowed her head again as she spoke.
“When entering Gae Bang, they said even begging wouldn’t suit me. So they gave us a token and told us to go to Gaebong.”
“I see.”
Hae Poong nodded with a sympathetic expression.
As a running joke, it’s said that Gae Bang has over a hundred thousand disciples.
Though the claim of a hundred thousand disciples isn’t entirely baseless—most of the adult beggars in Zhong Yuan are registered with Gae Bang.
But the vast majority are merely first-tier disciples like these, knowing nothing and simply going about begging.
Yet the reason they enter Gae Bang is for one single benefit.
If they receive even first-tier status, the probability of avoiding beatings while begging increases significantly.
“Hehehehe.”
Just then, Nam Goong Woon, who had been grinning widely, locked eyes once more with the young girl standing beside Hae Poong.
She was extraordinarily beautiful, yet her gaze was arrogant.
“What are you staring at?”
The moment her gaze fell upon Nam Goong Woon, Bu Eunseol doubled the inner force she was channeling into the Blood Sealing Point beneath his armpit.
Thereupon, Nam Goong Woon began laughing even more wildly.
“Hehe. Ehehehehehe.”
“Ugh. He’s completely witless.”
Then she turned to Hae Poong.
“Let’s go, Master. If we stay here any longer, I fear my mind will become addled as well.”
“Wait.”
Hae Poong scrutinized Bu Eunseol’s form keenly, then spoke in a low voice.
“What is your name?”
“Nun Gkal, sir.”
“Hm.”
Hae Poong chuckled softly, then addressed the middle-aged beggar standing behind him.
“In Guk. Promote these two to second-tier disciples and send them to Gyu Hwa Dong. And you shall take charge of teaching them the fundamentals for a while.”
Hae Poong spoke quietly to the middle-aged beggar.
“This serves as a reprieve from the punishment I would otherwise impose. Do you understand?”
The middle-aged beggar called In Guk bowed his head.
“Yes, I understand.”
“Master.”
The beggar girl then opened her mouth in surprise.
“You’re accepting these two as second-tier disciples?”
“Does she not strike you as composed and quick-witted? Someone of that caliber should take to martial arts readily.”
“Even that fool?”
“Well, his body seems sturdy, so he should excel at something.”
And Hae Poong nodded as he regarded Bu Eunseol.
“The martial techniques of our faction can exert considerable power even if one enters late. Once you master the arts, you shall face no more hardship.”
“Th-thank you so much.”
As Bu Eunseol bowed her head, Hae Poong smiled and spoke to the beggar girl.
“Let us depart now.”
As Hae Poong led his organization away, only a middle-aged beggar named In Guk remained in that place.
“You two are quite fortunate.”
In Guk nodded while gazing at Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon.
“Once you become a second-rank disciple, you will have no need to beg anymore. The headquarters will provide meals for you.”
“Is that truly so?”
As Bu Eunseol’s small eyes widened like lanterns, In Guk chuckled and spoke.
“Indeed.”
Then he looked around and continued.
“Wait here for a moment. I will send a disciple from Gyu Hwa Dong to find lodging for you.”
As In Guk departed with a smile, Nam Goong Woon’s expression turned surprised.
「This is unexpected. Gae Bang is truly generous. To accept vagabonds like us as formal disciples.」
「Because we have our uses.」
「Pardon?」
Bu Eunseol spoke with piercing eyes.
「Gae Bang unhesitatingly sacrifices disciples to create artificial inner cores. And the perfect targets for such purposes are beggars with no records and no names.」
「Surely you don’t mean… they’re taking us as disciples to use us for artificial inner cores?」
「The masked assassins who attacked before were all young people as well.」
Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath and sent a whispered transmission.
「They need expendable people. Their true intention is to raise many beggar disciples as second-rank members and create artificial inner cores from them.」
Nam Goong Woon could not help but sigh.
Gae Bang had always revered righteousness throughout generations and had done much good for the Murim.
Yet now they were being swept up by shadowy forces, committing the heinous act of creating inner cores from human lives?
「It seems justice has vanished from the Murim. And of all places… for Gae Bang to do such things.」
Bu Eunseol said nothing.
From the beginning, there was no such thing as justice in the Murim. Even I did not come here to establish justice.
The Murim, the world itself—it all turns on nothing but purpose.
The procedure to become a second-rank disciple of Gae Bang, where one could learn martial arts, was surprisingly complex.
One required the recommendation of a provincial-level figure, and three out of five third-rank disciples had to consent after observing the candidate for a month.
Since ancient times, Gae Bang had revered righteousness. Therefore, they prioritized character above martial talent and selected disciples accordingly.
Moreover, from the second rank onward, one could handle Gae Bang’s information, so not only character but also those who were frivolous and reckless had to be filtered out.
Yet Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon became second-rank disciples of Gae Bang with surprising ease.
They went to the Jo Sa Jeon of the headquarters, performed the ritual bow, heard the ten rules of Gae Bang that must be upheld, and swore to follow them—and all procedures were complete.
Currently, Gae Bang’s leader was gravely ill, and the organization was torn into two factions.
Because of this, they shortened the procedures for becoming a disciple, wanting to add even a single person to their own faction.
Once all procedures were finished, Bu Eunseol received the name No Jung, and Nam Goong Woon received the name No Sam.
When nameless disciples receive names from Gae Bang, they take the surname of the current leader.
“They truly intend to use us once and discard us.”
Nam Goong Woon gazed at the two knots he had received from Jo Sa Jeon, then exhaled a long sigh and whispered.
“Otherwise, how could we possibly accept a second-rate disciple in such a manner to teach martial arts?”
At that moment, In Guk, who had assisted with the formal discipleship ceremony, approached the two and spoke.
“Congratulations. From now on, you two are second-rate disciples of this organization.”
Bu Eunseol bowed her head, while Nam Goong Woon chuckled softly.
Since Nam Goong Woon couldn’t mimic a beggar well, it was far better for him to imitate someone slightly foolish instead.
“Now, put these on.”
In Guk handed clothes to the two of them.
Though the garments were dirty, the fabric quality was quite good, and they didn’t emit the nauseating stench that Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon’s previous clothes had.
Moreover, while there were tears in various places, they appeared to be deliberately ripped to signify membership in Gae Bang, rather than from actual wear.
“What you must remember is that you are disciples of the Dirty Clothes Faction. Try to avoid associating with the Clean Clothes Faction disciples as much as possible.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression grew puzzled.
In the past, Gae Bang had split into the Clean Clothes Faction, which advocated wearing clean garments and expanding influence through funding and information networks.
And the Dirty Clothes Faction, which insisted on maintaining tattered clothes and adhering to the original principles of beggars.
But that was from Gae Bang’s early days. When had they divided again into the Clean Clothes Faction and the Dirty Clothes Faction?
“You’ll understand soon enough, but the current Leader of this organization is bedridden. So we must elect the next Leader of Gae Bang, and unfortunately that power has split into two factions.”
“Is that so?”
As Bu Eunseol responded appropriately, In Guk nodded.
“As the Dirty Clothes Faction, we plan to elect Vice Leader Hae Poong as Grand Elder and his disciple, So Hwa, as the new Leader. However, Mak Elder, who holds the position of Long Staff Beggar, is gathering forces and eyeing the Leader’s seat.”
Upon hearing this explanation, Bu Eunseol couldn’t help but smile inwardly.
‘He’s even worse than Geol Wang.’
Geol Wang had at least maintained his original principles as Grand Elder.
But Hae Poong was taking it a step further, using the strange title of Grand Leader to rule Gae Bang instead of through his disciple, wasn’t he?
‘He must have been unable to become Leader because of his cooperation with the Demonic Path.’
Hae Poong had assisted in the confrontation between Bu Eunseol and Geol Wang.
This was both to search for the sacred treasure of Gae Bang, the Green Tiger Furnace, and because of his confidence that Geol Wang would naturally be able to kill Bu Eunseol.
But when Geol Wang was instead killed by Bu Eunseol, he became branded as a traitor who had cooperated with the Demonic Path to eliminate an iconic figure of Gae Bang.
“I’ve said something unnecessary.”
Seeing Nam Goong Woon standing there with a vacant expression, In Guk spoke.
“Since you’ve become second-rate disciples, you can now stay at Gyu Hwa Dong. And come to the Bamboo Forest to the north before dawn tomorrow. I’ll teach you the fundamentals of my martial arts there.”
In Guk led Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon to the front of a large building.
It was Gyu Hwa Dong, where newly accepted second-rate disciples could live together and share meals.
Despite being a splendid and clean building, it was still named “Dong.”
“Rest now.”
After In Guk left, Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon stared blankly at Gyu Hwa Dong.
“Looks like new recruits of the Dirty Clothes Faction.”
At that moment, a group of beggars in neat clothes approached with a snort of disdain.
They appeared to be from the Clean Clothes Faction.
“Why don’t you just sleep rough here instead? If you want to play beggar so badly, why bother learning martial arts?”
They clearly disliked Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon and were deliberately picking a fight.
“Heh, hehehehe.”
At that moment, as Nam Goong Woon chuckled softly, a beggar suddenly threw a punch.
“Are you mocking what I say?”
Thwack!
A sturdy beggar kicked Nam Goong Woon squarely in the stomach.
“Heh, hehehehe.”
Even as Nam Goong Woon crumpled to the ground, still chuckling weakly, the Dirty Clothes Faction finally realized he was somewhat simple-minded and scoffed.
“Hmph, the Dirty Clothes Faction has truly fallen. Now they even accept such dimwitted disciples as formal members.”
They vanished somewhere, their interest lost.
“Gae Bang is truly showing signs of decline.”
Nam Goong Woon brushed off his clothes and sighed.
Even disciples of the same faction should unite, yet here they were turning blades against one another and tearing each other down?
“I cannot fathom why the leaders of Gae Bang fight amongst themselves over the position of Sovereign.”
As Nam Goong Woon wore an expression of bewilderment, Bu Eunseol let out a soft laugh.
“Gae Bang leverages its intelligence network to involve itself deeply in various Black Gang operations and underworld interests. Because of this, its leaders enjoy far greater power and luxury than the masters of other factions.”
Bu Eunseol spoke while surveying her surroundings.
“Moreover, the status of King of Beggars allows one to act without hesitation. If one wishes, they can indulge in every pleasure without regard for others’ opinions.”
“Yet Gae Bang has long maintained a clean reputation, has it not? I cannot understand how it has come to this.”
Nam Goong Woon felt genuinely ashamed.
He had always taken pride in the Orthodox Sects walking the righteous path. Gae Bang in particular was not a prime example of virtue and benevolence?
But the current Gae Bang was not only deeply fractured but had become corrupted like the Evil Sects.
“From the beginning, Gae Bang became irredeemably corrupted starting with the previous Sovereign, Sang Gwan Woon.”
Bu Eunseol spoke firmly.
“Because the disciples numbered so many, Gae Bang concentrated all authority in a single Sovereign. This has the advantage of uniting everyone around that central figure, but it carries the fatal flaw that if the one at the apex becomes corrupted, there is no way to purify the organization.”
Bu Eunseol gazed toward the distant sky, avoiding Nam Goong Woon’s gaze.
“The Eight Great Families face the same predicament. They have merely prospered because they have chosen capable family heads thus far, but….”
He paused briefly, cleared his throat, and continued.
“Should an inadequate person become family head, the organization would collapse beyond recovery. If one thinks of the future, it would be wise to consider various countermeasures.”
Thereafter, Bu Eunseol explained in detail what responsibilities a leader bears.
And if one cannot shoulder such weight, how one should guide an organization instead.
All for Nam Goong Woon, who would one day become the leader of the Nam Goong Family.
“Brother Bu, though we have not met in ages, you still teach me.”
Realizing Bu Eunseol’s consideration, Nam Goong Woon wiped his nose.
“I thought I had grown considerably, but it seems I still have far to go.”
Bu Eunseol nodded and changed the subject.
“From now on, we must search throughout Chong Dan for signs of artificial inner cores, or find No Bong, who lies ill. Only by securing concrete evidence can we trace the connections leading up to Gae Bang.”
“Understood.”
Nam Goong Woon’s eyes gleamed with determination.
From this point forward, they would need to search within Gae Bang and uncover evidence related to the artificial cores.
Gae Bang Headquarters was sprawling enough that its buildings were scattered sparsely throughout.
Moreover, since this was a beggar’s den, there was nothing worth stealing anyway.
Except for the places that managed information or housed books, they hadn’t stationed a single ordinary Wi Sa.
Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon spent the entire night wandering through Gae Bang Headquarters, observing their surroundings and tracking information about artificial inner cores.
“This is the signature footwork technique that our Gae Bang takes pride in—the Drunken Eight Immortals Step.”
And around the hour of the Rat, they learned the fundamentals of Gae Bang martial arts from In Guk.
He was originally the master of Man Gyeong Dang, Hae Poong’s direct intelligence unit. However, recently he had made several critical mistakes, lost Hae Poong’s trust, and faced the threat of demotion.
And Hae Poong had substituted that punishment by having him teach these two disciples of the Righteous Path.
Knowing this well, In Guk taught Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon the fundamentals of Gae Bang martial arts step by step without complaint.
“If you master just this much properly, you won’t have to worry about being beaten to death while begging.”
Normally, when a martial sect accepts disciples, the first thing they teach is internal energy cultivation.
Internal energy cultivation must serve as the foundation so that other martial techniques can be learned more easily.
But Gae Bang teaches footwork first to its disciples.
Although disciples of the Righteous Path no longer need to beg, they still teach evasion techniques first to avoid beatings.
“Hmm.”
After teaching earnestly for some time, In Guk let out a sigh.
The scrawny one was quite clever, but his body lacked strength.
The one with that silly grin wasn’t grasping even a third of what he was saying.
‘Well, what can I do? This is my duty too.’
But In Guk didn’t give up and continued to teach the two of them diligently.
‘After seeing nothing but vicious types every day, seeing real beggars who are truly beggars actually puts my mind at ease.’
He had been struggling greatly with the changing atmosphere of Gae Bang recently.
Beggars’ true calling was begging, yet they were splitting into factions and drawing lines against each other.
Even his master, Vice Leader Hae Poong, and Elder Mak of the Long Peak faction were drawing lines and cultivating disciples separately, were they not?
No matter how he thought about it, this atmosphere didn’t suit Gae Bang at all.
‘If only I could live thoughtlessly like those two.’
In Guk gazed at Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon, who moved slowly as if drunk, and smiled softly.
He felt that living so simply and calmly was truly the essence of a beggar’s way.
“That’s enough for now.”
After watching for some time, In Guk spoke to the two of them.
Looking at them, it seemed they wouldn’t master the Drunken Eight Immortals Step even with a year of training. Rather than that, it would be better to teach martial arts briefly and instead fill their bellies with food.
“That will do. Go eat some food, and come back tomorrow.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Hehe.”
Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon bowed respectfully with clasped hands to In Guk, then received a lump of cold rice distributed by the Headquarters.
“Those country bumpkins from Fukken sure do get around a lot.”
Occasionally, beggars from the Clean Clothes Faction would provoke or harass them, but Bu Eunseol and Nam Goong Woon endured silently.
And as always, they wandered here and there throughout the Headquarters.
With the Righteous Path knot tied around their waists and dressed perfectly as beggars, no one in the Headquarters suspected them.
Whenever they spotted a shaded spot beneath an empty tree, they would sit there and take a nap.
One appeared so thin and weak it was pitiful, and the other was constantly grinning for no reason.
There was not a soul in this world who would think of these two as the successor to the Demon Palace and the legitimate heir of the Nam Goong Family.

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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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