Chapter 1502: Who Am I? (Part 2)

The elderly man gazed out the window at the rising sun.

A morning that arrived after a sleepless night. For anyone, it was not a pleasant sunrise, but the face of the old man looking at the new morning was simply determined.

'It's today.'

Today was the day.

The day he would reclaim his position. The day he would restore the shaken Beggar's Union to its rightful place. It was the day to prove he was not wrong.

"...Now, the Beggar's Union will welcome a new era."

The old man, Gungu Ilho Shin Gae, smiled softly at the corners of his lips.

"Is everything prepared?"

The person in front of Ilho Shin Gae responded with a faint smile, as the latter observed the procession of beggars into the headquarters.

"Do not worry, Sahyung. Everything is perfect. No..."

He looked at Ilho Shin Gae with a hint of bitterness.

"Shouldn't I address you as Sect Leader now?"

"Don't act rashly."

Ilho Shin Gae spoke with a resolute voice. However, his expression didn't match the severity of his tone.

"Even a slight negligence can distort the ceremony. It must be flawless until the very end."

"I will keep that in mind."

Ilho Shin Gae's eyes sank slightly.

"Are you managing all the incoming letters to the sect properly?"

"Yes. Don't worry. No orders will enter the sect until you ascend to the sect leader's position."

Ilho Shin Gae nodded silently.

Pungyeong Shin Gae, cornered, didn't have many options. If Ilho Shin Gae were in Pungyeong Shin Gae's position, he would have sent a message stamped by the sacred artificat to prove his survival.

But...

'That's why I should've paid attention to the headquarters a long time ago.'

That letter would never be opened. The sect was already under Ilho Shin Gae's control. Even if that letter was opened, no one here would recognize it as genuine.

"I should have done this sooner."

"Nevertheless, it's not Sahyung's fault. It's usually a method not considered."

Ilho Shin Gae briefly clicked out his tongue.

"But Sahyung, by any chance... What if the sect leader appears in person at the meeting?"

"That won't happen."

Ilho Shin Gae shook his head firmly.

"If that guy had the audacity to do that, the situation wouldn't have come to this in the first place."

"That's true..."

"And if by any chance such a thing happens... I too must be prepared to get blood on my hands."

At the mention of blood, the elder's faces stiffened slightly. Even though they knew what 'blood' meant, the elder didn't try to stop Ilho Shin Gae. It was already a decided matter, just a confirmation.

"But I hope such a situation doesn't arise. He's also my junior martial brother, after all."

Ilho Shin Gae murmured quietly, his expression regaining composure, and then he opened his mouth again.

"Have the invitations been sent?"

"Yes. They have been sent in time for the arrival. People will receive the invitations, but there won't be anyone attending."

A faint smile appeared on Ilho Shin Gae's lips. He seemed to appreciate the neat handling of the matter.

Typically, inviting influential figures to the opening ceremony was a grand tradition for major sects. Therefore, in renowned sects, they would invite distinguished individuals to illuminate the occasion.

However, this matter should not be handled that way.

Ilho Shin Gae also knew that it was unnatural for him to follow in the footsteps of Pungyeong Shin Gae. Inviting someone from another sect to this event would only cause problems.

"Who is currently inside the hall?"

"Several people from various sects have entered, but I have informed them that only those who are sect leaders or of equivalent status will be received as guests. There is no need to worry; there are no suitable individuals within the Beggar's Union right now."

Ilho Shin Gae nodded.

Minor sect leaders might be present, but such individuals wouldn't dare enter the meeting without a proper reason. There should be no problem.

"Good."

"Thank you, Sahyung."

Ilho Shin Gae suppressed a smile that was about to form.

Externally, it seemed that had to take on the role of the sect leader due to the turmoil caused by Pungyeong Shin Gae's death. Even if there were only him and his junior martial brother were here, it wasn't appropriate to reveal that to the outside world.

'It has to be perfect.'

As they say, "A thousand thoughts, one mistake" (천려일실). However, for him now, even a single mistake was not permissible. At least until the position of the sect leader was perfectly secured.

"Sahyung."

"Hmm?"

"We are ready. Shall we go?"

"Yes."

Ilho Shin Gae nodded slowly.

"Let's go."

He confidently took a step towards the headquarters of the Beggar's Union.

* * *

It was a bizarre sight.

It was a massive hall. However, the hall was so old and decrepit that seemed it could crumble at any moment.

Dirty beggars, dressed in rags, filled the desolate hall that had emptied an entire floor of a large building. It was a vast hall, only large in size, with no practicality.

At first glance, it might seem ridiculous, but anyone witnessing this scene wouldn't dare to mock it. The beggars filling this hall were none other than the elders of the Beggar's Union and their disciples.

"...About half of them have gathered."

"Since more than half have come, the procedures are in order, but shouldn't there be more time originally?"

"The situation is urgent due to the sudden death of the Sect Leader. There's no time to gather beggars scattered throughout the world."

"Well..."

The elders of the Beggar's Union were not bound by the sect. Most of the missing elders were those who didn't even know the whereabouts of the Beggar's Union. While they could be found if one tried, the situation didn't allow for such leisurely searching.

Beggars conversing in hushed voices glanced at the still-empty seats. Though calling it seats was an exaggeration; there was only a single flat headstone installed on the flat hall. However, the significance of this small headstone to them was by no means small.

"In the end, it turned out like this."

"...The Sect Leader has been overly extravagant."

Chumyeongae ((醜面丐) ['Ugly Faced Beggar'], one of the elders, clicked his tongue.

"They almost destroyed the Beggar's Union."

"What can they do when they're sick?"

"Then, they should have appointed a successor quickly. Isn't it wrong for a person in such pain not to create a successor?"

Chumyeongae clicked his tongue again.

He, at least, supported the Sect Leader. The dissatisfaction of other elders towards the Sect Leader couldn't be compared to his. After all, would anyone agree to place the Sect Leader's Sahyung in the position of the next Sect Leader?

"Still, it's fortunate Jao Gae Sahyung isn't here. If he had come, he would've been in trouble..."

"...What can an escaped traitor do? He won't be able to enter the sect anyway."

Chumyeongae clicked his tongue briefly.

Ilho Shin Gae's greatest rival for the Sect Leader position was Jaogae. If the Sect Leader hadn't tied down Jaogae to the Yangtze River, the situation wouldn't have progressed so hastily.

'Why did you have to cut off your own hands and feet, Sect Leader?'

If Jaogae hadn't been confined, he could've at least delayed the situation.

But it was already too late. He could only resent the foolish Sect Leader.

"Even if you don't wish for the best for the new sect leader, Sahyung, wouldn't it be much better to have Great Sahyung Ilho Shin Gae than an incompetent successor in such a situation?"

"Do you think so?"

"Is Sahyung's opinion different? After all, isn't he a 'Tiger Among Dogs'?" 

"...How can a tiger know what a dog is thinking?"

"Huh?"

"Never mind."

Chumyeongae waved his hand dismissively.

'Tiger Among Dogs.' It was a good nickname that suited Ilho Shin Gae perfectly.

"But if that's the case, you shouldn't have joined the Beggar's Union."

The Beggar's Union was not a place led by an outstanding individual. It was a place where someone who could understand others better and had blood in their hearts should lead.

'I guess it will be a disaster.'

Chumyeongae let out a heavy sigh. At this point, there was nothing he could do.

And then, it happened.

Thud.

One side of the hall's door opened forcefully, and a few beggars walked confidently into the hall.

Ilho Shin Gae and his core elders.

The beggars lining the walls of the hall looked at them with serious eyes. Some held cheers, while others expressed concern.

However, as if Ilho Shin Gae paid no attention to anyone's gaze, he stood confidently on the not-so-high platform.

A shiver.

Chumyeongae's face slightly distorted. Only the sect leader could stand in that place. That was the authority given only to the sect leader in the Beggar's Union, even though it was just a single platform on the flat ground.

And yet, Ilho Shin Gae, who had not yet ascended to the sect leader's position, stood there with his own feet.

When Chumyeongae was about to chew his lips in frustration, Ilho Shin Gae opened his mouth.

"I'm sure you all heard, but last night we received intelligence that the sect leader has passed away."

The beggars held their breath.

"An even bigger problem is that we couldn't find the sect leader's sacred artifact anywhere in the sect leader's body. We lost both the sect leader and the sect leader's sacred artifact overnight."

Confusion appeared on the faces of the elders.

"W-We lost the sacred artifact?"

"That's right."

"No. How could this..."

Before everyone's voices could rise, Ilho Shin Gae spoke firmly.

"Since the sect leader hid the sacred artifact and passed away, there is no way to find it. Even the confirmation results show that the sect leader did not reveal the location of the sacred artifact to anyone."

Some of the elders' faces were filled with anger.

The sacred artifact symbolized a whole sect. It shouldn't be the personal property of an individual, but how could the sect leader treat the sacred artifact so carelessly?

"So, what should we do..."

"We are all well aware!"

The firm voice of Ilho Shin Gae suppressed those who were murmuring.

"The current situation in Kangho is more chaotic than ever. The position of the sect leader can't be left vacant even for a day. Especially now, with the loss of the sacred artifact!"

The elders held their breath.

All eyes were focused on Ilho Shin Gae.

"So, instead of the deceased sect leader, I, in the capacity of an elder of the Beggar's Union, intend to convene a meeting to choose the next sect leader. Right here!"

Ilho Shin Gae clenched his fist tightly.

"The next sect leader must be someone who can lead the Beggar's Union through the imminent crisis, someone outstanding, and above all, someone with the ability to restore the Beggar's Union to its original state, which the previous sect leader destroyed!"

"Yes!"

"Of course!"

Hearing the resounding cheers, Chumyeongae bit his lips again.

'So it unfolds as expected.'

As Chumyeongae sighed heavily, he closed his eyes as if turning away.

* * *

"Stay vigilant."

"Come on, who's coming? The beggars are widening their eyes for no reason."

"If anything happens, punishment will be unavoidable. Just stay alert for just an hour."

"You say nothing will happen. Can't you see everyone is scared and not doing anything? We already conveyed that unless it's a high-ranking ceremony, we won't accept it, but who dares to..."

The guard at the main gate of the headquarters was speaking, but he blinked his eyes as he heard a commotion. A group of people was rapidly approaching from the front.

"Who is it?"

"Block them for now."

The beggars pulled out makeshift weapons from their waists and crossed them in front as if barricading the entrance.

"Halt!"

The approaching individuals stopped in front of the gate at the sound of their voices.

"Go back. The Beggar's Union is currently holding the ceremony to appoint the acting sect leader. Unless you are someone befitting the position of a sect leader, you cannot enter!"

With that, the person at the forefront smiled slyly.

"If that's the case, please open the door."

"Alright, then... huh? What did you just say?"

The one at the forefront raised the sword at his waist and extended it forward. Then, he firmly offered the sword.

"I am Baek Cheon, the Deputy Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect. I've come to congratulate the Beggar's Union's ceremony. Please convey this information and kindly open the door."

"Uh...?"

At these words, the beggars widen their eyes.

Baek Cheon? That Mount Hua...

"Ugh!"

Only then did the beggars notice the plum blossom pattern engraved on the young man's chest, and they were greatly astonished.

"Baek Cheon?"

"Mount Hua's swordsman? Baek Cheon?"

Looking at the astonished beggars, Baek Cheon spoke calmly.

"If I'm the deputy sect leader, there's no shortage of qualifications compared to the sect leader. That's obvious."

"That, that's..."

The beggars looked puzzled, turning to each other. How on earth...

"Is there a problem?"

"Well, just wait a moment. The criteria..."

"Criteria?"

Baek Cheon stared at them intently.

"There are two criteria. One, the position should be comparable to a sect leader. And the sect it belongs to should be a major sect."

"..."

"It is a natural fact that the position of the Deputy Sect Leader is equivalent to that of a Sect Leader, so are you implying that Mount Hua is not worthy of a major sect?"

At these words, the faces of the Beggar's Union members turned pale.

Major sect.

It was a word that couldn't be precisely classified, but now, no one in the entire world dared to call the Mount Hua Sect a minor sect. Especially if it was the Beggar's Union.

If they said just one wrong word here, something extremely serious could happen. The ones guarding the door could hardly handle such a situation.

"If that's not what you're thinking."

With a refined smile on his lips, Baek Cheon, bathed in sunlight, spoke gently.

"Would you kindly open the door?"

"...Um, we'll open it now."

The beggars, sweating profusely, opened the door as if entranced. Witnessing this scene, Baek Cheon nodded and took a step forward.

"Let's go in."

"Yes!"

The footsteps of Baek Cheon echoed heavily as he stepped into the old headquarters hall of the Beggar's Union.