Episode 23: Chongqing

Rumors spread quickly. On the first day, there was one onlooker. By the next day, there were three.

By the third day, all the blacksmiths in Chongqing had flocked to Master Pung’s forge.

Gwiui was not one to miss such an opportunity.

He didn’t stop at charging two silver coins for entry; he actively began to rake in money. His methods were nothing short of cunning and ruthless.

“Does it make sense to charge a silver coin just to sit down?”

“If you don’t like it, you can stand and watch.”

“And what’s with the white line on the floor?”

“If you want to watch from inside that line, it’ll cost you two more coins.”

“That’s outrageous!”

“If you don’t like it, leave. But if you leave now, there’s no refund on the entry fee.”

“No, I’m not saying I want to leave…”

“You could have watched for free if you’d vacated the forge on time. You refused, didn’t you?”

The blacksmiths were helpless against Gwiui’s business tactics.

This was the epitome of a power imbalance. No matter what nonsense the one in charge spouted, the others had to tremble and pay up.

The blacksmiths were filled with the urge to storm out.

But the results that Tang Mujin was producing were beyond the realm of common sense and compromise.

It was worth enduring the humiliation and paying the money.

However, being fiery-tempered blacksmiths, they couldn’t just accept the situation without resistance.

They used Master Pung as a channel to indirectly voice their complaints.

“Master Pung, aren’t their demands excessive? I overheard them muttering about hiring assistants. They’ll probably charge us just to hold the tongs.”

“Come now, surely not. Charging for work, that’s absurd…”

As Master Pung mumbled his response, the frustrated blacksmiths voiced their grievances again.

“You know as well as we do, Master. They’re the type to say such things without hesitation. They’re possessed by the spirit of money.”

“I have no way to intervene. If they want to work and get paid, who am I to interfere?”

”…”

“Look, think of it positively. Opportunities like this don’t come often. You’re young, so investing a few silver coins now could benefit you for a lifetime.”

“Well, that’s true, but… Alright, I understand.”

Contrary to the blacksmiths’ thoughts, Master Pung skillfully defused their complaints and sided with Gwiui.

The reason Master Pung sided with Gwiui was simple: a portion of the profits was flowing into his pocket.

Without lifting a hammer, Master Pung was enjoying the highest earnings since he started running the forge.

After finishing the third day’s work, on their way back to their lodgings, Gwiui asked Tang Mujin.

“How many more days do you think it’ll take?”

“About seven more days should do it. I could put in more effort, but with the limited materials and equipment, it wouldn’t make much difference.”

Three days had already passed, so adding seven more would make it a total of ten days.

Given how quickly the previous work had been completed, ten days seemed like a long time.

However, for a swordsmith, focusing on a single piece often took two to three months. Ten days for crafting a fine sword was short, not long.

But Gwiui knew there was some unnecessary work within those ten days.

“It’s better without decorations. Just smooth out the scabbard and handle with paulownia or jujube wood.”

“In that case, three or four more days should suffice.”

“Three or four days, then.”

Gwiui crossed his arms and stroked his beard.

“I’m planning to leave Chongqing for a few days to take care of some business. Have it finished by the time I return.”

“What kind of business?”

“There’s something that’s been bothering me. No need for details.”

“Will it take long?”

“Five days if short, ten if long.”

“Got it. In the meantime, I’ll make a sword for myself.”

“Do as you please.”

The two returned to the Shinwol Inn, where they indulged in free drinks and food before falling asleep.

A little earlier, while Tang Mujin and Gwiui were raking in money at the forge, Hong Geolgae was wandering the back alleys of Chongqing, searching for a place to meet the Beggars’ Sect.

On particularly good days, Ma Jeonga would tell Hong Geolgae stories of his time living in Chongqing. Most were trivial tales.

Stories of idling around the hemp fields, the idle chatter of beggars under the bridge.

A few boastful tales of his prime years.

Stories covered in the dust of time, with nostalgia layered on top.

‘In the end, he never told me the story I was most curious about.’

What Hong Geolgae was most curious about was why Ma Jeonga left the big city of Chongqing to settle in Jueul Village.

But Ma Jeonga never shared that story before he passed away.

Well, it’s fine. Now that I’m in Chongqing, I can find someone who knows about my master.

Hong Geolgae headed to the area under the bridge over the upper Yangtze River.

There were far more beggars there than in Jueul Village. The larger and more prosperous a city, the more people who fall and collapse.

As Hong Geolgae approached the beggars, they eyed him warily.

Some shrank back at the sight of the three-knotted rope hanging from his waist.

Hong Geolgae asked the beggars.

“Who’s in charge under this bridge?”

The beggars didn’t answer and began to back away. Hong Geolgae grabbed the shoulder of the most decent-looking man among them. The beggar groaned.

“Ouch, what do you want? Sir, I’m just an ordinary beggar. I’m not in charge.”

“I know. I grabbed you because no one else would answer. Who’s the highest-ranking here?”

“What? There’s no such thing as rank here.”

Hong Geolgae frowned slightly and asked again.

“That can’t be. I’ve heard that when three or more of the Beggars’ Sect gather, there’s always someone of higher rank.”

“What? We’re not part of the Beggars’ Sect.”

Hong Geolgae’s eyebrow twitched. Could there really be beggars who weren’t part of the Beggars’ Sect?

But the beggar’s words didn’t sound like a lie.

“Then where are the beggars of the Beggars’ Sect?”

“There aren’t any.”

“Don’t hide it. Tell me. There must be beggars from the Beggars’ Sect in Chongqing.”

“No, there are members of the Beggars’ Sect. Just no beggars who are part of it.”

Hong Geolgae couldn’t grasp the meaning of the response. There are members of the Beggars’ Sect, but no beggars who are part of it?

Isn’t the Beggars’ Sect made up of beggars, and aren’t beggars part of the Beggars’ Sect?

“What do you mean by that?”

Seeing Hong Geolgae’s complete lack of understanding, the beggar finally realized the situation.

“Oh, are you from outside Chongqing?”

“Yes.”

The beggar sighed in relief and explained.

“Phew. I thought it was something else. Sometimes members of the Beggars’ Sect from other cities ask the same thing. But the beggars in Chongqing aren’t part of the Beggars’ Sect.”

Beggars who aren’t part of the Beggars’ Sect?

Hong Geolgae looked around at the beggars. Not a single one had a rope with knots at their waist. Hong Geolgae was confused.

“Could you explain in more detail?”

“If you want to meet the Beggars’ Sect, you should head over there, not under the bridge.”

The man’s finger pointed to a row of taverns along the banks of the Yangtze. Each one was lavishly decorated.

“Are the Beggars’ Sect members occupying those taverns and blocking other beggars from begging?”

“It’s a bit different… but you’ll understand better if you see for yourself. I’m not good with words. I can’t explain it well.”

Hong Geolgae gave a slight bow to the beggar and headed straight for the tavern alley.

His mind was a whirl. How could the Beggars’ Sect members block other beggars from begging?

Aren’t the Beggars’ Sect supposed to be the protectors of beggars?

Hong Geolgae arrived at the tavern alley before evening.

It was a time when there were no staggering drunks, only busy merchants preparing for business.

Hong Geolgae looked around. There wasn’t a single beggar in the tavern alley.

‘It’s probably because it’s a main street.’

Beggars tend to stay in secluded places.

Hong Geolgae searched behind the buildings, places where beggars might be hiding.

But there were no beggars there either. Not a single one.

‘What’s going on?’

Hong Geolgae scoured the alleys between buildings and behind them, places piled with trash. But even as evening approached, he couldn’t find a single beggar.

Just as he was considering going back to the bridge to ask again, two burly men stopped him.

“Hey, you beggar. What are you snooping around for?”

“Oh, sorry.”

“Sorry, my foot. I’m asking why you’re snooping around. Didn’t we warn you beggars not to come into the tavern alley? If you ruin business, are you going to take responsibility?”

“Oh, I’m not from Chongqing, so I didn’t know.”

Hong Geolgae straightened up with an awkward smile. Only then did the men notice the three-knotted rope at his waist.

Their faces turned pale, and their attitudes changed instantly.

“Are you, by any chance, a member of the Beggars’ Sect?”

“Yes, I am.”

“We didn’t recognize you and were rude. Please forgive us.”

Hong Geolgae was more taken aback by their unexpected reaction.

In his entire life, no one had ever bowed to him like that.

“It’s not a big deal. It’s fine.”

The color returned to the men’s faces. They exaggeratedly flattered him.

“Oh, you’re so generous. What brings you to Chongqing, sir? If you’re looking for a good tavern—”

“I’m not here for that. I’m looking for a member of the Beggars’ Sect in Chongqing.”

“Oh! If that’s the case, I can help you right away. Our esteemed owner of the Ascendant Pavilion is a member of the sect.”

The man gestured to the building next door, a grand three-story tavern.

Hong Geolgae frowned, wondering if he’d misheard.

“The owner is a member of the Beggars’ Sect?”

“Yes, indeed. While he may not be as renowned as you, he achieved his second knot just last year. Would you like me to introduce you?”

The two men seemed oblivious to what Hong Geolgae found odd, responding with casual assurance.

After a moment’s hesitation, Hong Geolgae nodded. Whether it was the owner or a beggar under a bridge, he was here to meet a sect member.

“Yes, please.”

He followed the two men into the Ascendant Pavilion.

The interior was lavish, far surpassing anything the village chief’s house could offer.

Before long, they reached the third floor of the tavern, where a well-built man sat gazing out the window.

He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, slightly overweight, with a carefully groomed, sparse beard, and dressed in a pristine round-collared robe.

A decorative rope hung from his waist, not tied like a common beggar’s, but adorned with silk threads, more like an ornament.

Sensing their presence, the owner of the Ascendant Pavilion turned around, his expression quickly souring.

“Who is this beggar you’ve brought?”

“He’s no ordinary beggar, sir.”

The two men gestured towards the knots on Hong Geolgae’s waist.

Upon seeing the three knots, the owner’s demeanor shifted.

“Ah, you’re a member from another region. Impressive to have reached such a rank at a young age. What brings you here?”

While not overly deferential, he no longer regarded Hong Geolgae as a subordinate. Relieved, Hong Geolgae asked his question.

“May I ask you a few things?”

“Of course. You two, leave us.”

The owner dismissed the two men who had brought Hong Geolgae.

Now, only Hong Geolgae and the owner remained on the third floor.

After a long pause, Hong Geolgae finally asked his first question.

“What on earth happened in Chongqing that turned the Beggars’ Sect into something other than beggars, and beggars into something other than the sect?”