The next morning, as soon as they stepped out of their room, they were greeted by the innkeeper, who wore a rather sour expression.
Hong Geolgae glanced at the innkeeper and mused to himself.
“Is he feeling the weight of a vice-leader’s presence?”
Of course, that wasn’t the case. Dang Mujin pointed outside the inn and spoke.
“How did they find us here?”
Outside the inn, there were dozens of beggars gathered. The innkeeper seemed worried that the beggars might disrupt his business.
The original plan was to have breakfast and then leave the inn. However, the three of them skipped the meal and hurriedly exited the inn. Eating while facing the innkeeper’s disgruntled face would surely ruin their appetite.
As they stepped onto the street, the beggars parted to create a path for them. While Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung found the scene overwhelming, Hong Geolgae reacted differently.
He walked with a slow, exaggerated swagger, his shoulders raised a good three inches higher than usual. It seemed as if his shoulders might touch his ears if they rose any further. Even someone who had passed the imperial exams wouldn’t carry themselves with such bravado.
Guided by the beggars, the group arrived at the residence of Hongmyeon Nogae. It wasn’t a particularly luxurious house. It was the kind of place someone might live in if they ran a small shop and didn’t have to worry about going hungry.
“Welcome.”
Hongmyeon Nogae greeted them as if he had been expecting Hong Geolgae. His demeanor was as courteous as it had been the previous night.
Hong Geolgae stood confidently and spoke.
“I came to ask you something.”
“What would you like to know?”
Hong Geolgae posed a rather unimpressive question.
“Being appointed as the vice-leader is great, but what am I supposed to do now?”
“Occasionally, you’ll receive directives from the headquarters, which you’ll need to follow. However, such directives are rare, so you needn’t worry much.”
“Is there anything else? Or rather, is there?”
Hong Geolgae almost slipped into a more casual tone with Hongmyeon Nogae but caught himself. Despite the clear hierarchy, he felt uncomfortable speaking informally to an elder.
Moreover, Hongmyeon Nogae was a master. Although unlikely, if Hongmyeon Nogae took offense at Hong Geolgae’s attitude, it could lead to a very awkward situation.
“If any issues arise involving the Beggars’ Sect, you can resolve them at your discretion. It shouldn’t be difficult. All members of the sect will respect the authority of the vice-leader.”
“Hmm.”
Hong Geolgae nodded, pleased with the mention of authority.
Hongmyeon Nogae added another point.
“What’s more important is not to cause any major incidents.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Like myself, the vice-leader may not have extensive learning. It’s due to our backgrounds.”
Hong Geolgae nodded again, prompting Hongmyeon Nogae to continue.
“Even those of us without deep learning can offer small help and resolve disputes. But if we become obsessed with achieving great feats and leaving a legacy, it can lead to trouble. Things often don’t go as planned, and even simple tasks can have serious consequences.”
The words sounded grand, but the point was simple: as long as you don’t cause trouble trying to do something big, you’ll do just fine.
Hong Geolgae found this even more appealing. He didn’t like complicated matters and wasn’t confident in handling them well.
He could enjoy the title of vice-leader of the Beggars’ Sect without any real responsibilities. It was the pleasure of authority without the burden.
Hong Geolgae thought about visiting the grave of his mentor, Majon Gae, in Jueul Village soon.
“As you said, Master, I’ve reclaimed my father’s position. Rest in peace.”
Hong Geolgae asked Hongmyeon Nogae.
“What will you do now, sir?”
“Not much will change. I’ll continue living as an ordinary member of the Beggars’ Sect and a part of the Hao Clan.”
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“I’d like you to take care of things in Zhongjing for a while. I have some urgent matters to attend to.”
“Understood.”
Hong Geolgae offloaded even the minor duties onto Hongmyeon Nogae, who seemed unfazed. It indicated just how few responsibilities there were.
After all, what obligations could there be in leading a group of beggars?
Hong Geolgae turned around with a swagger, the five-knotted rope on his waist swinging dramatically.
The three of them left Zhongjing and headed straight for Nogunsan. Namgung Myung remarked.
“It hasn’t been that long, but so much has changed.”
Unlike before, when the area around Nogunsan was desolate, now there were numerous carts heading to and from the mountain. Word had spread about changes in Nogunsan, attracting herbal merchants.
As they entered Nakseong Village at the foot of Nogunsan, a man who appeared to be in his early forties raised his hand in greeting.
“Isn’t that Young Master Dang?”
However, Dang Mujin couldn’t quite place the man. His face seemed familiar, but he couldn’t recall exactly who he was.
“Uh… who might you be?”
“I’m Bang Ik, the eldest son of Village Chief Bang.”
Though not particularly close, they were somewhat acquainted.
Dang Mujin tried to match the face of the man before him with the Bang Ik he remembered. There were similarities, but without the introduction, it would have been hard to recognize him as the same person.
The characteristic gloomy and defeated expressions of the people living in Nogunsan had vanished. The once gaunt face with protruding cheekbones now had a bit too much flesh. Bang Ik chuckled awkwardly.
“I do look a bit different, don’t I?”
“Yes.”
His arms bore white stretch marks, evidence of how quickly he had gained weight. It was a drastic change, but Dang Mujin was glad to see him looking better off than before.
Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung glanced around. Others were in similar situations, appearing more than just healthy, almost plump. The children, in particular, seemed even more so.
Dang Mujin clicked his tongue softly and commented.
“You look well-fed. But gaining too much weight isn’t good for your health.”
“I’ve heard that. But having gone hungry for so long, it’s hard to control my eating.”
“Hmm.”
Seeing Dang Mujin’s hesitant response, Bang Ik waved his hands dismissively.
“Don’t worry too much. We’re gradually eating less. As the hunger fades, so does the appetite.”
Dang Mujin nodded.
Indeed, it didn’t seem right to lecture people who had been starving all their lives about their eating habits.
In any case, they couldn’t forget the reason they had come to Nogunsan.
“Where is Elder Pyochung?”
“He’s in the house with the pine tree in the yard, just over there.”
The group made their way to the house with the pine tree.
The pine tree, having grown in the mountains, twisted and turned rather than growing straight up. At first glance, it seemed unimpressive, but its twisted yet upward-reaching form seemed to suit Pyochung well.
Pyochung was practicing with his sword in the yard, but upon seeing Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung approach, his eyes widened. He quickly sheathed his sword and approached Dang Mujin.
“Young Master Dang, Young Master Myung. It’s been a while. And the young master behind you must be a friend?”
“This is Hong Jusang, a member of the Beggars’ Sect and the vice-leader of the Zhongjing branch.”
Pyochung squinted at Hong Geolgae. Hong Geolgae introduced himself again.
”…I’m Hong Geolgae. A friend of theirs.”
“I see. Nice to meet you.”
Dang Mujin’s gaze was fixed on Pyochung’s sword. It wasn’t the one Dang Mujin had crafted for him.
“It seems you’ve gifted the sword I made to the sect.”
“Wasn’t that the purpose of the sword you crafted?”
Dang Mujin laughed at the response.
“To be honest, I wondered if Elder Pyochung might not have delivered it to the Wudang Sect. It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but my blacksmithing skills are quite exceptional. Once someone holds a sword I’ve made, they rarely want to let it go.”
Both Pyochung and Namgung Myung nodded in agreement.
“Of course, I was tempted. I considered returning to Nogunsan several times. But I know my limits. I can’t surpass the peak.”
For martial artists, experience and enlightenment alone don’t guarantee endless growth. One must balance mind, energy, and body to advance to the next stage. That’s why people typically reach the next level at similar ages.
In prestigious sects, most people reach the first-class level in their late twenties to early thirties. Those who surpass the peak usually do so in their mid-forties to early fifties.
Pyochung was in his early fifties, the ideal age to surpass the peak.
However, while many reach the next level at that age, it doesn’t mean everyone can. In fact, the vast majority face their limits and can’t progress further.
Many become frustrated, unable to accept their limits. But some, like Pyochung, let go of their regrets when faced with their boundaries.
“Don’t you find it disappointing?”
“Of course, it’s disappointing. But everyone has their fate, don’t they?”
Pyochung looked at the pine tree in the yard.
“I’m a lot like this pine tree. When I should have been growing straight and tall, I twisted and turned. But I didn’t wither away; I survived and eventually spread my branches wider than most. Not every tree has to grow straight up. I’m content with this.”
Pyo Chung smiled gently.
“And because I’m content, I can let go of regrets. It’s not the way of a true master to covet a sword beyond my skill. Even those who have surpassed the pinnacle would find it excessive. For someone like me, just a first-rate warrior, to cling to such a sword would be absurd. It’s like putting a pearl necklace on a pig, as they say.”
Hong Geolgae discreetly hid the cyan-green bamboo staff behind him. Namgung Myung was visibly mouthing words, likely teasing Hong Geolgae through telepathy.
“Anyway, I have my duties to fulfill.”
Pyo Chung went to the back of the house and returned with a large jar, its lid firmly in place.
Dang Mujin opened the lid to reveal a collection of toxic substances inside.
Poisonous mushrooms, toxic herbs, insects, snakes, lizards, and frogs. It wasn’t a pleasant sight.
“Since you left, the villagers have been gathering these poisons together. I worry it might not be enough.”
“This will do for now.”
Dang Mujin took a deep breath and plunged his right arm into the jar. The living poisons seemed to sense something and clung to the edges, avoiding his hand.
But moving away didn’t change anything.
Dang Mujin closed his eyes and absorbed the toxic energy from the jar. The poisonous liquid that had pooled at the bottom began to recede, and the living poisons ceased to move.
His poison core filled up for the first time in a long while, a satisfaction different from cultivating internal energy.
Though his core was soon full, there was still poison left in the jar.
In the past, he would have stopped there, but Dang Mujin continued to draw in the poison.
His core and dantian trembled as if they could hold no more, but he paid no mind.
Like a dam facing a deluge, the poison within his core began to spread. In the past, this would have meant death as the poison coursed through his veins, but now it was different. His internal energy flowed through his meridians, naturally accepting the poison. It felt as if his entire body was filled with poison, but for the first time, Dang Mujin felt truly complete. The poisons in the jar were reduced to mere husks, and he withdrew his arm.
“Is it done?”
“Yes.”
Dang Mujin stepped away from the others and planted his foot firmly on the ground.
It wasn’t as destructive as the step of the Fire Lotus Goddess.
But it was no ordinary step. The grass around where his foot landed began to wither and droop.
‘Impressive.’
Dang Mujin looked up with a satisfied expression, but Pyo Chung’s face was less than pleased.
’…What’s wrong?’
Following Pyo Chung’s gaze, Dang Mujin turned his eyes to the side.
The pine tree in the yard had yellowed leaves.
Dang Mujin spoke awkwardly.
“It shouldn’t die. Probably.”
Of course, he wasn’t entirely sure.