Chapter 1516: This Isn't My Fault? (Part 1)

The hall was filled with pin-drop silence.

No one dared to speak first or formulate a response. It was too shocking, to the point that even the Shaolin disciples who had come here to help the sect leader were staring at Hong Daegwang with eyes that seemed to say, 'What did I just hear?'

Could you blame them?

"Man...the Beggar's Union is no joke."

"I never thought there could be a place worse than Mount Hua."

"That's right. At this level, Mount Hua's almost like a conservative Confucian scholar."

"Today, I saw that Chung Myung Dojang is a righteous Taoist who highly respects the elders. Amitabha."

In a world where murder could be justified depending on the situation, and robbery was a common way of life, even in a world that appeared to ordinary people as hell, where only demons roamed and chaos prevailed, there was a sin considered too heinous to commit.

"...Really, it's like it was staged."

Deceiving one's teacher and betraying one's sect (欺師滅祖).

A serious offense that, once committed, led to immediate punishment. Even martial artists who would usually investigate the circumstances behind any killings committed by their sect members and determine whether the deceased deserved it or not would turn a blind eye to and swiftly imprison anyone involved in betrayal of teacher and sect.

Even allowing such a criminal to live would result in condemnation from other martial artists. This grave sin was none other than the '欺師滅祖.'

And now, Hong Daegwang had not only branded his own sect leader and elders as not even beggars but as shameless trash.

This situation even drained the blood from 'that' Jo Gol's face.

"S...Sahyung. Why is he doing this?"

"...Maybe his blood rushed to his head."

"Even if it did, that's too much."

"Gol-ah."

Surprised, Jo Gol turned around when Yoon Jong, wearing a gentle smile, spoke.

"There's no point in trying to find a reason when a madman does something crazy. If it's a madman, what's the use of investigating?"

"...If you look at it once, Sahyung seems like a truly bad person."

Everyone was horrified, staring at Hong Daegwang, but he remained unfazed.

"Hehehe?"

...He couldn't do it. He was standing there, turning purple, belatedly realizing what he had just said.

"Oh, no. Th-that... I mean..."

He stammered, sweating profusely in the gaze of everyone.

"I-I didn't mean that."

"What do you mean?"

"Wait a minute, Mount Hua's Divine Dragon. Now is not the time for jokes!"

Hong Daegwang looked around with a frightened expression.

If he was going to make enemies, he should've decisively turned only one side into an enemy. That way, he could stand on the side of the winner. But now, Hong Daegwang had managed to offend both the opposing sect leader and the elders.

This way, no matter who won...

"That... Haha... I didn't mean to do that. That's not what I meant."

"What do you mean by 'that'?"

As if attempting to offer an excuse, he stammered, but suddenly, he turned to Chung Myung and cursed.

"It's all because of you, damn bastard!"

"...Huh? I stayed quiet this time, didn't I?"

Chung Myung, who had been cursed out of nowhere, blinked.

"I got used to hearing you talk nonsense all the time, so I did it too!"

"No, why blame me after you've done it yourself?"

Normally, Chung Myung would have jumped around, ready to beat the beggar, but this time, he didn't get angry. There was no need to get angry. Instead, he rummaged through his robes.

"Let's see... It didn't get squished. Ah... It's fine!"

Chung Myung took out something from his chest and threw it to Hong Daegwang.

"What... What is this?"

Caught off guard, Hong Daegwang quickly unwrapped a long object wrapped in white paper. Could this be the silk pouch of Gongmyeong? [idk]

"This is...!"

The long and somewhat round thing...

"Sweets?"

No, why would he carry sweets...? More importantly, why did he give this to him?

"Eat it."

"Huh?"

"It seems like you're about to die soon, lying in a dark cave with your arms and legs cut off. So, thinking it's the end, have some sweet things to remember the last taste..."

"Hey, you son of a..."

The sweets Hong Daegwang was holding were hit with a palm strike. Chung Myung tasted the sweets.

"Ah... what a waste."

"Is this the time for jokes?"

"It's not a joke, that's why..."

Hong Daegwang firmly shut his mouth.

It wasn't that, it really wasn't a joke. If the situation weren't so chaotic, the elders and the sect leader probably would've been having a heated debate on where to start cutting off Hong Daegwang's limbs.

"Well..."

It was at that moment that Hong Daegwang realized his bleak future and was desperately trying to wrap his head around it.

"There are no beggars..."

Ilho Shin Gae murmured with a voice that seemed to have lost its strength. Thanks to that, the attention that had been focused on Hong Daegwang was entirely drawn to that direction.

"...Not a beggar."

A bitter laugh escaped.

"Yes. That's right... That's right."

In Ilho Shin Gae's mind, memories from a distant past were resurfacing. The hand that had grabbed him when he was on the brink of freezing to death in the cold winter. The humble shelter that, despite being far from warm, had felt infinitely warm.

"That's right..."

Ilho Shin Gae became a beggar like that. In the darkest corners of the world, where the gazes of those who had wealth did not reach. Those who had found him in that place, extending their hands to help, were all so destitute that they couldn't even grasp food every day.

"So... I wished for the greatness of the Beggar's Union."

It wasn't just Ilho Shin Gae who felt that way.

Most of those who entered the Beggar's Union did so with that sentiment. A place that willingly accepted those who were not accepted by anyone else. Therefore, the Beggar's Union was an exceptionally gracious place for them.

Because it was such a Beggar's Union, he wanted to make it great with his own hands.

But the world took away the opportunity from him. After a long period of deep regret, he finally believed that the opportunity had come again...

Ilho Shin Gae closed his eyes.

When he thought about it, it was true. What he desired was a great and strong Beggar's Union.

However, in that Beggar's Union, there was no place for the shabby beggar who had extended a helping hand to young Ilho Shin Gae.

The greatness he depicted was only the greatness desired by the powerful him now. It wasn't the greatness that the young him, weak and miserable, had dreamed of.

Ilho Shin Gae opened his eyes and looked silently at Cheong Myung.

"So, that's what you meant, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

"Huh?"

"So, it turns out that I can't do it. Now I understand your words."

Chung Myung frowned in displeasure.

"...Even if I said it while spitting out blood, you still wouldn't understand." [not sure?]

It seemed like beggars had something in common. Ilho Shin Gae's gaze shifted away from Chung Myung to somewhere else.

"Sect Leader. No...the Beggar's Union."

Pungyeong Shin Gae also looked at him.

"Please speak, Sahyung."

"What are you going to do? Are you going to continue to stay in that position?"

It was an abrupt question, but Pungyeong Shin Gae immediately shook his head as if there was no room for consideration.

"I am a person with dignity. It's natural that I want a chance to make up for the mistakes I've made, but I also know that it's my selfish desire. Even without position or authority, I believe I can repay my sins."

"Then?"

"I intend to give up the position of sect leader and step back."

Ilho Shin Gae laughed in disappointment.

"So, in the first place, there was no reason to fight. I hated your Beggar's Union so much, but now it's coming to an end it seems endearing."

"Yes, Sahyung. But..."

"I know. You also couldn't tolerate my Beggar's Union, right?"

"...Yes."

Ilho Shin Gae closed his eyes again, remaining silent. When he opened his eyes again, his gaze seemed to be warm, as if contemplating something. Even his tone changed from that moment.

"Well, then that's what we should do. Both you and I... It's time for those who were swallowed up and changed in the past era to step back."

"Grand Elder!"

"What are you talking about!"

The elders collectively exclaimed in shock.

"What kind of talk is this at this point!"

Seeing the strong reactions from the elders, Ilho Shin Gae retorted with a cold expression.

"Well, what should we do then? Should we fight again to the end against the warriors of Shaolin and the people of Mount Hua?"

One of the elders shouted with veins bulging on his neck.

"If we resist to the end without caring for our lives, the ordinary beggars won't just stand by. Anyway, aren't they part of the same Beggar's Union? If they join the fight..."

"There will be a tremendous amount of bloodshed."

Ilho Shin Gae cut off, as if there was nothing more to hear.

"Are you suggesting that we use the lives of ordinary beggars to gain power?"

"Well, that's..."

Ilho Shin Gae sighed with disappointment.

The Beggar's Union that could sacrifice lives like pawns. Surely, it was the Beggar's Union he desired. However, it was never meant to convey such a meaning.

"Please calm down, Grand Elder!"

One of the elders shouted without giving up.

"Although they came from Shaolin, it's impossible that they share the same intentions as Bangjang. If we endure for a few more days while being suppressed, Bangjang will take care of them and return the Beggar's Union to our hands!"

Hye Bang's expression, which had been quietly listening, changed slightly. It made sense.

"In any case, this is a game where the winner takes all! If we endure a little longer..."

"It's done."

But Ilho Shin Gae raised his head with a face full of disappointment.

"In that case, the Beggar's Union will fall into chaos again. It's inevitable that rumors will spread about the one who drove out the Mount Hua people in alliance with Shaolin taking the new position of sect leader. The beggars won't follow me."

"Even so, what can they do? In the end, they have to follow. No, they must follow!"

Those words, more than any opposition, disheartened Ilho Shin Gae.

That statement directly proved Hong Daekwang's words that the Beggar's Union he wanted to create would only serve to inflate his and the elders' stomachs.

"It's already a symbolic victory. If we fail, we lose everything. But why hesitate!"

Sad and disappointed. Yet, he couldn't even express anger because he knew that he, too, was no different from them.

"Sect Leader."

"Yes."

"If they..."

Ilho Shin Gae took a short breath, composed himself, and opened his mouth again.

"If they resist so strongly, it's because they're afraid."

"..."

"Can Sect Leader ease their anxiety? I may not be enough with just my one life, but now, Sect Leader must also show them acceptance."

"I had such thoughts from the beginning."

Pungyeong Shin Gae responded firmly.

"I am informing the elders in advance."

"..."

"If you step down at this point, I won't hold anyone responsible for what happened today. Whether it's the attempted assassination of the sect leader, disobeying the Beggar's Union, or any mistake, it doesn't matter. This day will disappear from the history of openness!"

"Ah..."

The eyes of the elders widened slightly.

That promise was almost equivalent to ensuring their rights in the future. Those who had to inevitably have their martial arts skills abolished and be imprisoned as soon as they were defeated were given the opportunity to enjoy the same life as before.

Of course, it may not be completely the same, but considering that they had lost the battle, it wasn't enough to say that it was a blessing.

"One thing is different. I will take responsibility for all of this and step down from the position of the sect leader."

"Really... Are you sure, Sect Leader?"

One elder asked with an uneasy face. Pungyeong Shin Gae glanced at Ilho Shin Gae and replied.

"...From the beginning, both you and I were wrong. We should have realized that we couldn't lead the Beggar's Union in the right direction with this method."

Pungyeong Shin Gae closed his eyes as if pressing something.

'Shifu.'

He didn't want to say that his Shifu was wrong. However, at least he wasn't right. When he opened his eyes, Hong Daekwang, who was still frozen, came into his view. Insufficient, unseemly. However...

"The future of the Beggar's Union should be entrusted to those who will live that future. That's what a good person would do."

Pungyeong Shin Gae said. The elders swallowed their dry saliva and looked around.

"Amitabha."

Hye Bang chanted briefly, and Baek Cheon raised the sword in his hand slightly.

The sect leader had given up everything he could. If he was determined, he could even mobilize the support of Shaolin and Mount Hua to suppress everyone here.

In that case, wouldn't they have no other choice as well?

Now, all eyes turned to the last person who could organize this situation. Ilho Shin Gae spoke after a heavy sigh.

"As for me and the elders..."

A steady voice resonated.

"I will follow the sect leader's words. I only wish for a merciful resolution."

Finally, Ilho Shin Gae's last words concluded the situation.

"We surrender."

The Beggar's Union's appointment meeting.

Perhaps it was the moment when a massive yet small war came to an end. A complex mix of emotions crossed Pungyeong Shin Gae's face as he nodded.

"Today's events are sorrowful... As my Shifu said, every person carries scars in proportion to the wounds they've suffered..."

"Uh, excuse me..."

"Nonetheless, he mentioned that we can move forward. I understand his sentiments, but the children we raised..."

"Uh, Sect Leader?"

"Absolutely not the Beggar's Union..."

"Oh, no! Sect Leader!"

Pungyeong Shin Gae's face contorted. Why would someone keep interrupting at such a crucial moment? He turned around to glare at Baek Cheon.

"Whare you doing?"

"Uh... that, uh..."

'Hmm?'

Furrowing his brows, Pungyeong Shin Gae looked where Baek Cheon pointed. What was there to see...

Creak.

"Uh...?"

Creak...creak...

From that direction, there was a noise like something old and worn was cracking. No, it wasn't just a sound. It was actually splitting apart.

"Uh... what's that..."

"Is it... okay? Since most of the upper part is almost gone, only half of the remaining ceiling..."

Klunk!

"..."

Before that sentence could finish, the corner of the hall they were standing in started shaking significantly. The meaning of that tremor was clear. Everyone fell silent.

Creak...creak...

Large cracks began to spread on the floor as well. Shaolin monks were the first to quietly retreat.

"Collapse..."

"Impossible..."

Hong Daekwang's perfectly timed and desperate scream pierced through the hall.

"It's collapsiiiiiiiing! Run aaaaaaway!"

"D-Don't! We're getting buried aaaaaalive!"

"Aaargh! Why now!"

"For God's sake! There's no clean way to end anything!"

"No time to talk!"

"Ahhhhhhhhh!"

"Uh... over there? Uh..."

The beggars who couldn't enter and loitered outside were dumbfounded as they watched the Beggar's Union headquarters.

"It's collapsing..."

Rumble, rumble, rumble, crash! Rumble!

The shaky, old headquarters collapsed in an absurdly neat matter.

"Hu... hahaha."

It wasn't just the end of the battle.

The centuries-old symbol of the Beggar's Union, the worn-out headquarters, even its long history had ended in a ridiculous manner.