Afterword - The Man Who Becomes a Legend

Wang Jincheong, the successor of the Beggars’ Sect, wasn’t particularly fond of Cheonryeonggae Hong Gwon.

“He’s like a thief.”

It was a long-standing tradition for a disciple of the Dragon Head to be appointed as the successor of the Beggars’ Sect. Opinions varied, but Wang Jincheong believed it should naturally work the other way around.

In other words, if a disciple was appointed as the successor first, then the successor’s master should logically become the next Dragon Head. It seemed like things were heading in that direction.

But then, out of nowhere, a rascal who seemed to have rolled in from who-knows-where snatched the position of the sect leader, throwing everything into disarray. For the first time in the sect’s history, there was no master-disciple relationship between the Dragon Head and the successor.

”…I don’t like it.”

There were many reasons Wang Jincheong disliked Cheonryeonggae, beyond just the fact that his master lost the sect leader position. For instance, he didn’t like Cheonryeonggae’s face.

There are plenty of ugly people in the world, and plenty of handsome ones too. With so many members in the Beggars’ Sect, there were bound to be a few decent-looking ones.

But Cheonryeonggae Hong Gwon was on another level. His looks were so striking that they seemed almost out of place. It was no wonder that, in his absence, the female warriors referred to him as “the handsome dog.”

Rumor had it that some of these female warriors had even tried to flirt with him.

“Could you perhaps show me the Hangryong Thirty-Six Techniques?”

At Wang Jincheong’s question, Cheonryeonggae shook his head with a bitter smile.

“Impossible. I lack the skill to master those techniques. I had hoped to ask him to teach me, but he left us so suddenly…”

“Ah…”

Wang Jincheong let out a deep sigh. Cheonryeonggae spoke in a somber voice.

“Have you ever heard that the heavens take the most talented first?”

“Yes, I’ve heard that.”

“Why do you think the likes of Namgung’s Sword Shadow, Wudang’s Song Eung Sword, and Tang’s Poison Master are still alive, while only Gyu Chunshin passed away so young?”

“That’s…”

“Seeing it now, his early death is proof of just how extraordinary Gyu Chunshin was. He possessed talents that even the heavens coveted. Hong Jusan, the great hero, was truly a genius of his time.”

As Cheonryeonggae spoke, tears welled up in his eyes. Wang Jincheong thought to himself.

‘Cheonryeonggae must have been closer to the master than I imagined. Perhaps I’ve misunderstood him all along.’

As the alcohol and honest conversation began to melt away his reservations, Wang Jincheong found himself able to look at Cheonryeonggae in a new light.

Cheonryeonggae could have easily used his authority to suppress Wang Jincheong. But he hadn’t, likely due to his modest and sincere nature.

Thinking of his master, tears quietly filled Wang Jincheong’s eyes. He missed the master who had been so down-to-earth, sometimes like a friend.

As Wang Jincheong wiped away his tears, Cheonryeonggae, sitting across from him, offered comfort.

“Wang, don’t be sad. Your master will always be watching over you.”

”…Then I have nothing more to wish for.”

“I promise you, on my name, that it’s true.”

With a somber smile, Cheonryeonggae proposed a final toast to Wang Jincheong.

“To the legend who left us too soon.”