Episode 150: The Red Beggar
Sensing the strange tension in the air, Hwayeon Shinni remained silent. Instead, Hongmyeon Nogae turned to Hong Geolgae with a question.
“What is your name?”
“Hong Jusan.”
“And your nickname?”
“I’m not significant enough to have a nickname, but those who know me often call me Hong Geolgae.”
“Hong Geolgae. A beggar with the surname Hong. I’ve met at least ten people with that nickname.”
After a brief pause, Hongmyeon Nogae continued, “But you’re not just any beggar. Are you the one who was taken in as a disciple by Daepunggae Paengcheon?”
“Yes, it seems you know my master.”
“Indeed, we’ve known each other for quite some time.”
Though Paengcheon held a higher rank with six knots compared to Hongmyeon Nogae’s five, their similar age and mutual respect meant they didn’t stand on ceremony with each other.
Now it was Hong Geolgae’s turn to ask, “Are you the deputy chief of the Central Division of the Beggars’ Sect, Hongmyeon Nogae?”
“That’s correct.”
Hong Geolgae paused, then asked in a subdued voice, “Do you remember the name of the previous deputy chief of the Central Division?”
“Yes, it was Yubonggae Hongjeong.”
Listening in, Deungseonruju gasped. The connection between Hong Geolgae and Hongjeong, both sharing the Hong surname, was no mere coincidence. Jangsang Chaeju and Hwayeon Shinni also sensed the relationship between Hong Geolgae, Hongjeong, and Hongmyeon Nogae.
Hong Geolgae’s gaze was steady as he looked at Hongmyeon Nogae. It was a look that seemed devoid of any emotion, yet it could also be interpreted as filled with cold anger. Jangsang Chaeju instinctively placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.
’…Is he here to avenge his father?’
In contrast, Hwayeon Shinni remained unfazed, exuding the calm of an absolute master. Whether weapons were drawn or not, any conflict here would be decided by Hwayeon Shinni’s will alone.
Dang Mujin and Namgung Myeong understood this well. They stepped forward, each placing a hand on Hong Geolgae’s shoulder.
Namgung Myeong’s voice echoed in Hong Geolgae’s mind, followed by Dang Mujin’s less practiced attempt.
The sudden seriousness of the situation left Hong Geolgae bewildered. Contrary to what others thought, his grudge against Hongmyeon Nogae was not significant.
He knew Hongmyeon Nogae was his father’s enemy, but he had never even seen his father’s face. Since learning about his connection to Majeongae, the person he considered his father and master was Majeongae, not Hongjeong.
Of course, he didn’t harbor no feelings at all towards Hongmyeon Nogae. But without Hongmyeon Nogae, he wouldn’t have met Majeongae or Dang Mujin. Moreover, he was quite content with his current life, so his feelings towards Hongmyeon Nogae were more of a peculiar annoyance or mild discomfort than deep-seated hatred.
Hong Geolgae glanced around, sensing the tension.
‘Why is this situation getting so strange?’
He had asked about the previous deputy chief’s name not to rekindle any grudge but simply because he couldn’t quite remember his father’s name. He had only heard it once, from an old woman under a bridge a couple of summers ago.
Even though it was his father’s name, it was easy to forget since he had never met the man. It wasn’t a particularly memorable name either.
But despite Hong Geolgae’s intentions, the atmosphere was taking an unexpected turn. If he could use telepathy, he might have tried to explain, but he didn’t have that skill. As a first-rate martial artist, he was stuck, unable to act decisively.
Everyone’s eyes were on him, expecting a reaction. Though their expectations varied, they all assumed Hong Geolgae was burning with a desire for revenge. Even Hongmyeon Nogae thought so. The only exception was Hong Geolgae himself.
The oppressive atmosphere weighed on him, and his indecisiveness prevented him from defying their expectations. So, he did what everyone anticipated: he glared at Hongmyeon Nogae with fierce eyes.
‘I can explain to Mujin and Namgung Myeong later.’
Seeing his expression, the others tensed up, yet they seemed somewhat relieved that he reacted as expected.
While Hong Geolgae pondered how to resolve the situation, Hwayeon Shinni stepped forward.
“Enough. Stop this.”
She looked between Hong Geolgae and Hongmyeon Nogae before continuing, “This matter isn’t unrelated to me, but I’ve only just learned the full story. However, I don’t wish for discord between you two.”
With Hwayeon Shinni mediating, Deungseonruju let out a sigh of relief. If a fight broke out on the third floor of the tavern, it was clear the place wouldn’t survive unscathed.
“I know it’s selfish, but I won’t allow any conflict here. Both of you, stand down.”
With the mediator’s authority being absolute, everyone complied and stepped back. Hong Geolgae also breathed a sigh of relief.
The brief encounter at Deungseonru ended inconclusively.
Dang Mujin and his group rented a room at a nearby inn to rest. Hong Geolgae fell asleep briefly but soon awoke, torn about whether to explain the situation to Dang Mujin and Namgung Myeong.
It wasn’t a significant dilemma. He worried that if he admitted he had no intention of avenging his father, they might look at him strangely. That was the extent of his concern.
As he tossed and turned, trying to fall back asleep, he sensed someone approaching from outside the room. Dang Mujin and Namgung Myeong also awoke, their senses on high alert. They had indeed surpassed the pinnacle of martial arts.
Creak.
The door opened, revealing Hongmyeon Nogae. He carried a bluish staff and, uncharacteristically for a member of the Beggars’ Sect, a sword. Dang Mujin’s group was startled but quickly stood their ground.
Their combined strength was formidable. Namgung Myeong and Dang Mujin were confident they could hold their own against Hongmyeon Nogae in a one-on-one fight. So, they calmly observed his actions.
Hongmyeon Nogae, showing no intention of fighting, set the sword aside and sat down.
“Apologies for the late visit.”
“What brings you here?” Namgung Myeong’s voice was sharp, like a sword ready to strike.
Hearing it, Hong Geolgae instinctively knew this wouldn’t be resolved peacefully.
Hongmyeon Nogae replied, “I came to speak with Hong Geolgae.”
“Neither I nor Dang Mujin will leave.”
“I’m aware.”
All eyes turned to Hong Geolgae. The decision to listen or not was his.
With a deep sigh, Hong Geolgae put on a deliberately stern expression and asked, “What do you want to talk about?”
“An old story.”
Hongmyeon Nogae sighed deeply, his voice filled with regret as he began, “You know I was with the Justice Faction, and Hongjeong was with the Righteous Faction.”
“Yes.”
“Back then, I thought the situation was incredibly complex. But looking back, it was simple. I believed beggars should strive for prosperity, while Hongjeong believed the Beggars’ Sect should uphold tradition.”
It was a story Hong Geolgae was familiar with. As he nodded, Dang Mujin interjected with a harsh rebuttal.
“Are you here to say the Righteous Faction was just a bunch of old-fashioned fools?”
Hongmyeon Nogae shook his head. “No. The Righteous Faction’s argument was compelling. They believed that while everyone else lived like the Justice Faction, the Beggars’ Sect should remain at the bottom, embracing those too weary to look up. Shamefully, I thought the Justice Faction was right and the Righteous Faction was wrong. But with time, I realized it wasn’t about right or wrong.”
Hongmyeon Nogae knelt, a posture inappropriate before someone as young as Hong Geolgae. But the gesture was clear: an apology.
“As time passed, my views shifted. The Beggars’ Sect is for those at the lowest rung, for those too exhausted to look up. I should have pursued my dreams as a member of the Beggars’ Sect, not broken its traditions. Even Hwayeon Shinni realized this too late and regretted it.”
He picked up the sword he had set aside, offering the hilt to Hong Geolgae. “I’ve come to terms with my sins over time.”
Hong Geolgae instinctively took the sword, feeling it was the right thing to do.
“I also bear the guilt of not stopping my subordinates and watching a friend die. I’ve never forgotten my sins. They should be paid with my life, but I have much left to do. I’ll offer an arm for now and ask you to defer the rest of my debt. That’s why I’m here.”
With that, Hongmyeon Nogae raised his left arm and closed his eyes.
Amidst his confusion, Hong Geolgae desperately tried to make sense of the situation. Was he offering his arm as atonement for his father’s death?
However, Hong Geolgae had no intention of cutting off Hong Myeonno’s arm.
He doubted it would make him feel any better, and he wasn’t sure which side was right—the righteous faction or the opposing one.
Moreover, Hong Myeonno was one of Hwayeon Shinni’s most loyal followers.
Hong Geolgae wasn’t willing to incur Hwayeon Shinni’s wrath just to shake off a grudge that wasn’t even clear to him.
So, he maintained his composure and handed the sword back to Hong Myeonno.
”…Go back.”
Hong Myeonno looked at Hong Geolgae, bewildered by the situation.
“Is an arm not enough?”
“No. I don’t need your arm or your head. You can just leave.”
But Dang Mujin, Namgung Myeong, and Hong Myeonno all stared at Hong Geolgae in shock.
Their expressions said it all. Each of them was likely imagining their father or someone equally precious to them.
Their faces seemed to ask, ‘You lost someone so dear, and yet you forgive?’
Hong Myeonno gazed at Hong Geolgae for a long time.
After what felt like an eternity, Hong Myeonno let out a sigh filled with regret.
”…Hong Jeong. You’ve raised an extraordinary son.”
“My master’s teachings were greater than my father’s influence.”
”…I see. It seems your master, Majeon Gae, was no ordinary man.”
Hong Myeonno’s face was a mix of emotions.
Even if Hong Geolgae forgave him, the guilt he had carried for a lifetime couldn’t be washed away in an instant.
Hong Myeonno pondered deeply for a long time.
“In that case, there’s only one thing I can do.”
He started to hand over his rope with five knots to Hong Geolgae, but then changed his mind and untied all the knots.
Instead, he took Hong Geolgae’s rope and added two more knots to it, making a total of five. Hong Myeonno murmured.
“Only after taking the position did I realize I wasn’t fit for it, unlike Hong Jeong. But perhaps you are different.”
He returned the rope to Hong Geolgae.
“I’ll step down to become a mere Mu-gyeol-gae. From now on, you will take the position of the Middle Division Leader and Deputy Chief.”
The sudden announcement left Hong Geolgae stunned. But that wasn’t all.
Hong Myeonno handed him a bluish bamboo staff.
It looked like an ordinary bamboo cane, but the feel of it was anything but ordinary. It resembled wood in appearance, but its texture was more akin to metal or gemstone.
“The Chief coveted this, but I never gave it up. Take good care of it.”
”…What is this?”
“It was given to me by an old master I met in my youth. He called it the Cheongnok Bamboo Staff. It’s too much for me, but it seems fitting for you.”
Despite its grand name, the inside of the staff had the words “Dog Beating Staff” engraved in small letters.
He wasn’t sure what connection it had to the Dog Beating Technique, but the feel of it in his hand was extraordinary.
Hong Myeonno stood up and bowed to Hong Geolgae.
“Hong Myeonno Guwolun steps down here. I leave the future in your hands, Deputy Chief.”
With that, Hong Myeonno retreated and left the inn. Soon, his presence was gone.
Only then did Namgung Myeong and Dang Mujin start to chatter excitedly.
“So, do we have to call you Deputy Chief now?”
“What’s higher, a top martial artist or a Deputy Chief?”
“Obviously, a top martial artist is higher.”
“What is that staff made of? I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“How should I know?”
“What do we do if you don’t know?”
While Namgung Myeong and Dang Mujin continued their banter, Hong Geolgae sat in silence, lost in thought.
Just a few hours ago, when he entered Junggyeong, he had no expectations.
Yet somehow, in the span of a single night, he had become the Middle Division Leader and Deputy Chief, and had acquired an extraordinary weapon.
Hong Geolgae thought to himself.
‘I’m a lucky man.’