So That Is Why I Am Here.

The contents written on the plaques were not about Gansu, but strange tales drifting around northern Sichuan.

Red-Eyed Beggar had already known the group would reach Sichuan and had made the request in advance.

The title of Branch Master was no empty name.

“This one must be the work of kids.”

“What about this one?”

“Hmm…”

The Mount Hua disciples were even more enthusiastic than Gyo-ha and Seo Jong-dae.

They were sorting the plaques while even breaking into debates.

“Most of them are ordinary stories.”

Most were the kind of tales you could hear anywhere.

But the Beggars’ Union had not known exactly what kind of cases Gyo-ha wanted, which was why this had happened.

Once they separated out the ones that seemed like the work of yokai, only a few remained.

However, the Mount Hua disciples seemed to think differently.

“…Even so, this many are left.”

Eight plaques remained.

There were as many as eight that needed to be checked in person.

Of those, two were certain.

Even that was no small thing.

“If there are this many just in northern Sichuan…”

It was not even the whole of Sichuan.

This was only from the northern part.

What would it look like across the entire continent?

On top of that, this was only the beginning.

What would happen as time went on.

‘…Chaos is coming.’

A great upheaval was coming that could not be compared to anything so far.

“This one is close to Mount Qingcheng. We can stop by on the way.”

It was one of the cases that needed to be checked.

“Ah.”

At the words ‘Mount Qingcheng,’ Gyo-ha let out a small exclamation.

When the group turned to look, Seo Jong-dae beside him spoke.

“We should part ways here.”

“Brother Seo?”

“What are you saying!”

The Mount Hua Taoists asked back in shock.

Their reaction was so intense it was like hearing a breakup from a long-time lover, which startled Seo Jong-dae.

“I have business at the Qingcheng Sect and must stop there. If you head to the Tang Clan first, I will join you later.”

“Ah, if that is all, then it is fine.”

When Jeon Pyeong looked back at his juniors, the two nodded.

“We also have ties to Qingcheng. It would not do to come all this way and not pay our respects.”

They were both part of the Nine Sects, One Union.

It was only natural that they would have exchanges.

“…It may become troublesome though.”

“Heh, what trouble could there be.”

“Indeed. To say that between us is truly disappointing.”

At their words, Seo Jong-dae did not try to dissuade them further.

Since they themselves wished it, there was no need to force them away.

In truth, Seo Jong-dae himself wanted to leave more than anyone.

And there was one more person who wanted to leave this place at once.

The moment he heard that Seo Jong-dae had business with the Qingcheng Sect, Bong Seok’s face turned pale.

It was because he knew what had happened at the Justice Gate.

‘No way, surely not.’

Would they really go because of that?

They could be going to ask for reconciliation.

But he did not bother to ask.

The Mount Hua group might end up leaving.

Besides, nothing was certain.

‘Even if he’s a madman.’

Bong Seok glanced sideways at Gyo-ha.

From the moment Mount Qingcheng was mentioned, Gyo-ha had looked delighted.

Watching him even hum to himself, Bong Seok grew uneasy.

---

The Qingcheng Sect.

Mount Qingcheng was one of the birthplaces of Taoism, and at its center stood the Qingcheng Sect.

In the past, its name stood higher than Wudang or Mount Hua.

It was closer to a Taoist order than a Murim sect.

However, there had been a time when its lineage had nearly been cut off, and it became an open secret that those who barely kept the line going survived by working as assassins.

Though they later regained their strength, they had no choice but to yield the title of the greatest Taoist sect under heaven to Wudang.

Perhaps because of the pain from that time, unlike other Taoist sects, they involved themselves much more in worldly affairs.

The group marveled at the antique pavilions visible even from afar.

The halls rising high in the mountains gave off a mysterious feeling by their presence alone.

As the party approached, the Taoists guarding the main gate stepped in their way.

“This gate is for disciples only. Visitors should enter through the western gate.”

“I am Jeon Pyeong of Mount Hua.”

Jeon Pyeong cupped his fists toward the Taoists.

Jeon Hong and Jeon Gwang following behind also cupped their fists.

At the sight, the Qingcheng Taoists’ eyes widened.

“I am Bong Seok of the Beggars’ Union.”

Bong Seok also cupped his fists.

Only Gyo-ha and Seo Jong-dae stood blinking and watching.

They, too, had heard the name Jeon Pyeong.

Only then did the Taoists actually notice the robes the three wore.

They had not realized because the robes were in such disarray, but plum blossom threads were embroidered on their sleeves.

“…It seems you have gone through something serious. Please wait a moment, I will inform those inside.”

The Taoist beside them leapt inward.

At that sight, the three gave wry smiles.

They were reminded anew of just how they must look.

Before long, the Taoist who had left returned.

“Please follow me. I will guide you in.”

As they proceeded deeper inside, they saw a Taoist running toward them from afar.

“Jeon Pyeong!”

At the call, Jeon Pyeong’s face brightened.

“Song Gyeom. How long has it been.”

“Indeed. Jeon Hong, Jeon Gwang. Have you both been well.”

“Yes, it has been a while.”

The new Taoist seemed familiar not only with Jeon Pyeong but also with Jeon Hong and Jeon Gwang.

“What brings you here without even a word in advance. Never mind that, come in, come in.”

The Taoist called Song Gyeom spoke in a lively voice.

He did not seem very much like a Taoist and gave off a somewhat frivolous impression.

Once the group arrived at the reception room and took their seats, Song Gyeom spoke.

“One of you is from the Beggars’ Union, so when do you plan to introduce the other two?”

“Ah, these two are from the Kunlun Sect.”

“…Kunlun?”

Song Gyeom’s smiling face stiffened.

Soon his gaze turned fierce.

At the unexpected reaction, it was Jeon Pyeong who was taken aback instead.

Seo Jong-dae, sitting beside him, tapped Gyo-ha, and Gyo-ha let out a small “ah” before belatedly cupping his fists.

“I am Gyo-ha of the Kunlun Sect.”

“I am called Seo Jong-dae.”

“…What business does Kunlun have here at our main sect?”

At Song Gyeom’s cold voice, Jeon Pyeong swallowed.

Only then did he recall what Seo Jong-dae had told him.

Regardless of that, Gyo-ha spoke calmly.

“Master said there was something he was to receive, so we came.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Song Gyeom’s expression grew even harsher.

A sigh sounded from behind.

It was neither Song Gyeom nor Seo Jong-dae.

It was Bong Seok, sighing as if to say he had known this would happen.

“Truly!”

As Song Gyeom was about to erupt in anger, Jeon Pyeong stepped in.

“Calm yourself, Song Gyeom. What is this he is to receive, exactly?”

At Jeon Pyeong’s question, Song Gyeom closed his mouth.

It was all but a disgrace of Qingcheng.

A silence order had been issued, so even he could not speak of it lightly.

He could only throw a resentful look at Jeon Pyeong instead.

In place of Song Gyeom, who could not speak, Seo Jong-dae opened his mouth.

“Not only did they shelter the one who stole Kunlun’s secret manuals, they even read those manuals and tried to take them.”

Seo Jong-dae put particular weight on the words ‘secret manuals.’

At the unexpected words, the Mount Hua disciples’ eyes widened.

“Martial Uncle only meant to protect the manuals so they would not fall into the hands of evil men!”

“By snatching them from their rightful owner.”

“Justice Gate requested it. If you want to resent someone, resent them.”

“…The Justice Gate that pressured the main sect, you mean.”

It was Jeon Pyeong who spoke.

At his words, Song Gyeom was thrown off.

It was an angle he had not considered.

However, if it had happened at Justice Gate, it was not unrelated to him.

It had arisen while they were helping the Yu Family Manor.

“They could have just handed them over.”

A grumble came from the back.

The voice was small, but there was no way those present could not hear it.

When they turned their heads, there sat Bong Seok.

“From what I heard, it was not even an important martial art. Did they not ask for it just to save face on their side.”

At Bong Seok’s words, Song Gyeom made a dumbfounded face.

The reason was…

“I had heard the Beggars’ Union is no different from our sect.”

“That is why I am here, being dragged around like a dog.”

Bong Seok mimed being tugged by an invisible leash.

Yet he was not wrong.

He was essentially being dragged around to repay the debt from that time.

‘I was not even the one who did it!’

Of course he could not help but find the Qingcheng Sect, who refused to repay their debt, distasteful.

On top of that, unlike Qingcheng, the Beggars’ Union had only read two volumes.

Song Gyeom started to speak, then shut his mouth again.

There was much he wanted to say, but it only circled in his mouth.

Soon, he let out a sigh.

“…I will report this to the ones above, so wait here.”

His choice was to leave the decision to those above.

As nothing more than a second-generation disciple, this was not a matter he could shoulder.

With that, Song Gyeom left the reception room.

Once he was gone, an awkward air filled the room.

The Mount Hua disciples had never imagined something like this would happen, and still had not recovered from their confusion.

At that moment, Jeon Gwang spoke up carefully.

“…Is this not Qingcheng’s fault. They could have just given it back and been done, like Brother Bong said.”

“Because it is Qingcheng.”

At Jeon Pyeong’s words, Jeon Gwang looked puzzled, but Bong Seok and Seo Jong-dae nodded.

“Because they are part of the Nine Sects, One Union?”

Was it the pride of a great sect?

As Jeon Gwang wondered, Bong Seok began to speak.

“That is part of it, but it is a bit different. In the past, the Qingcheng Sect fell out of the Nine Sects, One Union. It even went so far that their lineage almost died out. The current first-generation disciples may not have lived through it, but the Sect Leader and Elders still remember those days.”

Jeon Gwang and Jeon Hong’s gazes turned to Bong Seok.

Their eyes still showed they did not fully understand.

“It means they cling to their place in the Nine Sects, One Union more than anyone. Even more than the Mount Heng Sect, which joined later.”

As he spoke, Bong Seok glanced at Gyo-ha and Seo Jong-dae.

He knew whose spot the Mount Heng Sect had taken.

“That is why, unlike other Taoist sects, they are so active in all sorts of enterprises. In that situation, if they admit fault to Kunlun, which left the Nine Sects, One Union, they think their position will be shaken. And if Kunlun were to revive…”

One of the other Nine Sects, One Union would have to step down.

Common sense said the later-joining Mount Heng Sect was the likely candidate.

But it would affect not only Qingcheng’s Sect Leader and Elders, it would also influence the first-generation disciples who had watched their obsession.

Jeon Gwang and Jeon Hong stared at Bong Seok with wide eyes.

They had not known such complicated circumstances lay hidden behind this matter.

More than that, they were more surprised that Bong Seok knew all of this.

‘…So the Beggars’ Union really is the Beggars’ Union.’

Unaware of what the two were thinking, Bong Seok continued.

“Especially now that the Tang Clan’s influence is growing, they are bound to be on edge.”

The Nine Sects, One Union and the Five Great Clans.

They belonged to the same Orthodox faction, yet were bound up in complex interests.

“And…”

In a subtle tone, Bong Seok began.

“And?”

The group’s eyes turned to him.

Was there more on top of this.

With a more serious expression than ever, Bong Seok opened his mouth.

“My name is Bong Seok, not Mister Bong. Call me Brother Bong Seok. Hero is a bit much, so Young Hero or Young Master is fine too.”

At his trivial remark, disappointment spread across the group’s faces.

‘Of course.’

Bong Seok was still Bong Seok.

Seeing their looks, he was about to snap, but the others had already turned their heads away.

“What will you do if they refuse to give the manuals?”

Could he really be thinking of starting a fight here?

At Jeon Pyeong’s question, Seo Jong-dae shrugged.

“He said that if they refuse, we should have a few sparring matches instead and come back. That side seems to be looking forward to that more.”

At his words, the group’s eyes all turned to Gyo-ha.

Just as Seo Jong-dae had said, Gyo-ha’s face was full of expectation.

‘True enough.’

It seemed more likely than them actually getting the manuals.

On top of that, feelings toward Kunlun were already sour.

They would want to repay the humiliation.

‘…Whether they can is another matter.’

Jeon Pyeong looked at Gyo-ha and gave a wry smile.