Chapter 1505: Who Am I? (Part 5)

[Just a reminder that "Pungyeong Shin Gae" is a title that means "Wind Shadow Beggar"]

"Ah…"

The elders of the Beggar's Union couldn't suppress their astonishment. The unfamiliar man exuded an energy unmistakably from the Beggar's Union's unique martial art, the Jade Profound Divine Technique (玉玄神功).

It was a secret martial art of the Beggar's Union, known only to the elders. There could be no higher authority than this in revealing the true essence of the Beggar's Union. Even more shocking were the words spoken by the man who practiced this martial art.

"A… Sect Leader?"

"Sect Leader?"

The head of the Beggar's Union. Someone they were familiar with. However, the appearance of the man in front of them was different from the Sect Leader Pungyeong Shin Gae they knew.

"What nonsense is this?"

"But, isn't this the Jade Profound Divine Technique?"

"It's not something a simple elder of the Beggar's Union would know!"

"How can someone like that be in the sect?"

"Well…"

Even the elders were at a loss in this bizarre situation. Despite the abundance of martial arts in the Beggar's Union and the number of elders, could there really be someone who had hidden such a secret for a lifetime?

As far as they knew, there was no Beggar's Union elder with such an appearance. So, was the man really e Pungyeong Shin Gae? The one who always covered his face?

"What are you all doing?"

The man, Pungyeong Shin Gae, looked around with cold eyes. One of the elders, swallowing nervously, opened his mouth with a tense face.

"Are you… really the Sect Leader?"

Pungyeong Shin Gae stared at him and said.

"Hang Qiu."

"Hu, Huk!"

The face of the tense Hang Qiu (恒醉) was dyed with astonishment. Not only did he know the name, but the manner of speaking and voice were not different from what they always heard from Sect Leader Pungyeong Shin Gae.

"How… can this happen?"

Though they thought otherwise, their senses insisted that the person standing before them was indeed the Sect Leader.

The one and only Pungyeong Shin Gae who possessed such martial arts in the Beggar's Union.

With certainty, Pungyeong Shin Gae sternly spoke.

"Elders, what are you doing? Capture this sinner immediately!"

"What?"

"Elder? What is this about…"

The elders were bewildered.

"To dare to steal the Beggar's Union's martial arts and impersonate the Sect Leader!"

A powerful aura emanated from Ilho Shin Gae, forcefully overpowering the energy that had flowed from Pungyeong Shin Gae's Jade Profound Divine Technique.

Pungyeong Shin Gae frowned and said.

"Sahyung. Are you really going this far?"

Ilho Shin Gae chuckled.

"Sahyung? A wicked guy dares to talk with such a mouth. I've never had a junior martial brother like you. The junior martial brother you're impersonating has already falln at the hands of enemies."

"How far..."

"Impersonating the Sect Leader of the Beggar's Union is a heinous crime punishable by death. You will pay a heavy price for that."

Pungyeong Shin Gae bit his lower lip.

He anticipated this outcome. However, experiencing the situation was truly disheartening.

Though their paths were different, he was the rightful Sect Leader of the Beggar's Union. How should one accept the denial of the Sect Leader's legitimacy by the Beggar's Union? [not sure]

"Capture that guy immediately!"

"Wait a moment!"

Chumyeongae, who had been observing the situation, shouted suddenly.

"If that person is the Sect Leader, then shouldn't it be you, Ilho Shin Gae, who kneels right now?"

Upon hearing this, some elders' faces showed signs of wavering. It made sense. If that person is indeed Pungyeong Shin Gae, the rightful Sect Leader, then Ilho Shin Gae should be the one to pay for falsely orchestrating his death.

However, Ilho Shin Gae remained composed and calmly asked.

"What evidence do you have to declare that person as the Sect Leader?"

"Well…"

"Do you even have a witness?"

Chumyeongae fell silent. Naturally, there was no clear evidence. But the man's voice and martial arts...

"Is it enough to acknowledge him as the Sect Leader just because someone who has never been seen before suddenly appears with the Beggar's Union's martial arts? Is the position of the Sect Leader in the Beggar's Union so easily obtained?"

"That's..."

"You!"

Ilho Shin Gae emitted a threatening aura, glaring at Pungyeong Shin Gae.

"If you are really Sect Leader Pungyeong Shin Gae, then naturally, you should have the Sect's sacred artifact! Show it to us. If you do, I will take my life in exchange. What do you say? Do you have the sacred artifact?"

Pungyeong Shin Gae, after a moment of silence, sighed and spoke.

"I do not have the sacred artifact right now."

As expected, reactions indicating that they anticipated this answer spread throughout. Pungyeong Shin Gae slowly raised his head and said.

"But there is a way to retrieve the sacred artifact. If you allow..."

"Arrest that guy immediately!"

"Yes!"

The door behind Ilho Shin Gae opened, and a group of sturdy men rushed into the courtyard.

"Stop!"

Chumyeongae, with a dark expression, hurriedly blocked their way.

"This isn't the way to resolve this matter, is it?"

"Find your reason, Elder Chumyeongae."

But Ilho Shin Gae, with a cold voice, retorted.

"A person who doesn't even possess the sacred artifact, barging into the Sect and impersonating the Sect Leader. If we allow such a person to sway us, what will the world say about the Beggar's Union?"

"..."

"The truth will be revealed when we capture him. If you continue to obstruct, Elder Chumyeongae, it seems you have other intentions."

"This is..."

Chumyeongae, with a bewildered face, looked back. Instead of support from the elders to calm the situation, he was met with their chilly stares.

At that moment, Chumyeongae realized.

'It's not important.'

Most elders were not curious about whether that person was really Pungyeong Shin Gae or not. No, even if that person was Pungyeong Shin Gae, they seemed indifferent.

"How... How can you all be like this?"

Frustrated, Chumyeongae raised his voice. Ilho Shin Gae's mocking voice echoed.

"You don't understand, Elder. Don't you get it? If that man is truly Pungyeong Shin Gae, it means that the Beggar's Union has been deceived by the Sect Leader all along. The Sect Leader, who was supposedly sick, was actually healthy, and all the delays on the pretext of illness were part of a plan to plunge the Beggar's Union into chaos. Don't you understand?"

Chumyeongae gasped and closed his mouth. Ilho Shin Gae, filled with conviction, shouted,

"The Pungyeong Shin Gae I know would never do such a thing. No, even if he were the Sect Leader, he couldn't! So, that man cannot be the Sect Leader of the Beggar's Union. Do you understand?" 

Ilho Shin Gae glared at Pungyeong Shin Gae with a face full of anger.

"The person who tried to destroy the Beggar's Union from within! You, the despicable one!"

"Elder! What is this..."

"I don't know? Who in the world would try to plunge the Beggar's Union into chaos?"

"...".

"Are you saying that Pungyeong, who was both my junior martial brother and the Sect Leader, had become a puppet for you people? How dare you utter such nonsense here?"

Rage emanated from Ilho Shin Gae's eyes, making it feel like he was a Sahyung furious at those attempting to tarnish the honor of his junior martial sibling. It was so convincing that it was hard to doubt.

However, the elders of the Beggar's Union present here understood Ilho Shin Gae's true intention. If that man was the Sect Leader?

In that case, they would have to acknowledge that the Sect Leader neglected the sect without any actual illness. Moreover, they would need to reveal to the world that the messages sent to various sects were, in fact, based on a misunderstanding.

Could there be a more humiliating disgrace than this? Abandoning the sect, misunderstanding even the death of the sect leader, and sending false information to sects worldwide. Would there be a sect more ridiculous than that?

No, it would be preferable if it only ended with mockery.

If handled wrongly, the Beggar's Union might have to admit that, for decades, it had been misled by the schemes of the Evil Sect and Demonic Cult, causing damage to Kangho for decades. Even if they refused to admit it, the world would surely point fingers at the Beggar's Union.

How on earth could this situation be resolved?

Pungyeong Shin Gae spoke again with a heavy voice.

"I know what I have done wrong. If I didn't intend to correct it, I wouldn't be standing here now."

"..."

"So, reveal the truth now. That's what I, as the Sect Leader, must do for the sake of the Beggar's Union."

Before Pungyeong Shin Gae could finish speaking, Ilho Shin Gae thundered like a storm,

"Stop spewing nonsense until the end! Outsiders like you have nothing to do for the sake of the Beggar's union!"

"Sahyung! No, Ilho Shin Gae!"

"Shut your mouth, you vile man!"

Pungyeong Shin Gae bit his lip and looked around. By now, everyone must have realized that he was indeed Pungyeong Shin Gae, the true Sect Leader, whose appearance had changed. However, the elders, when meeting his gaze, either subtly turned away or glared at him with intense hostility. His chest sank, and he was speechless for a moment.

"Do you have evidence that you are the Sect Leader?"

"How dare you impersonate the Sect Leader! You despicable wretch!"

"Are you mocking the Beggar's Union?"

Those who followed Ilho Shin Gae raised their voices vehemently. Even those who didn't support him couldn't bring themselves to meet Pungyeong Shin Gae's eyes.

Pungyeong Shin Gae wasn't present at this point originally.

If that were the case, everything would be fine. Regardless of the truth.

"Elders..."

"Don't worry, Elder Chumyeongae."

In response to Chumyeongae's weak voice, Ilho Shin Gae smirked.

"We will investigate the truth, so we won't kill him. We'll find out what this imposter was planning."

Chumyeongae nodded with depleted strength.

This wasn't the truth. It wasn't right.

But by doing this, at least the safety of the Beggar's Union could be preserved with fewer casualties.

Chumyeongae glanced at Pungyeong Shin Gae. In his complex and strange gaze, Pungyeong Shin Gae felt a chill in a corner of his heart. He clenched his fist so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palm, but he didn't feel the pain.

All those present here, looking at him, were making it abundantly clear with their eyes.

A somber voice echoed in his ears.

"You pitied and mourned those who unfairly died with determination, so you wanted to ensure their safety?" 

"...Chivalrous Sword."

"Look straight. This is the Beggar's Union you created. The fate of those who lost what they shouldn't lose, just to protect themselves."

Those words cut through Pungyeong Shin Gae's soul more sharply than any sword.