CRS Chapter 8

An old man in tattered, shabby clothes and another old man adorned head to toe in silk.

It was an ill-matching picture, but the two seemed quite close.

“Did you see it too?”

“Yes, he was quite impressive.”

“Impressive? Those three are among the best of the later-stage disciples. Yet he subdued them effortlessly.”

The shabbily dressed old man’s eyes gleamed, while the man beside him sighed.

“Here we go again. Namgoong clan leader is waiting, let’s hurry.”

“Ho ho. My eye for talent has never been wrong. Just wait and see.”

With that, the old man quickly moved away.

“Hey! The clan leader is waiting, I said!”

Despite the urgent call, his steps remained steady.

Knowing his old friend’s stubbornness, the other old man shook his head.

“Just don’t be late.”

“I’ll follow shortly.”

After giving a perfunctory reply, the old man headed straight for Eunho and Somi’s dining spot.

“Ahem.”

At the sudden sound of someone clearing their throat, Somi’s eyes widened.

“Is there room for this old man to sit?”

“Yes! There’s a spot here…”

“There isn’t.”

Faced with Somi and Eunho’s contrasting responses, the old man chuckled and sat down.

“Ho ho, what a cold-hearted youngster.”

Despite this, Eunho continued to focus on his meal without even making eye contact.

Seemingly ignored, Elder Chu glanced at someone in the distance.

A young man quickly rushed over.

“Fourth-generation disciple Woo Bang-gae greets the respected Elder!”

Everyone’s eyes, except Eunho’s, grew as big as saucers.

The young man who introduced himself as a fourth-generation disciple was clearly from the Beggar Clan.

While the Beggar Clan was an organization of beggars, no one dared to underestimate them.

One of the Nine Great Sects and known as the eyes and ears of the righteous faction – that was the Beggar Clan!

An elder of such an organization would be counted among the top masters.

Only then did they notice the eight knots tied at the old man’s waist.

The Beggar Clan distinguished ranks by the number of knots.

Nine knots symbolized the Clan Leader.

And eight knots symbolized an Elder.

The old man called Elder, Chu Gwang-gae, wore a smug expression.

However, Eunho’s reaction was completely different from what he expected.

“I thought I felt an annoying gaze from afar, so this was it. How childish.”

A glint appeared in Elder Chu’s eyes, surprised that Eunho had noticed his ploy of not mentioning his position directly but revealing it through the young man he had stationed in advance.

He didn’t expect him to catch on.

However, shamelessness is a basic quality of beggars, and Elder Chu was an excellent beggar.

“Ho ho, I suppose one becomes more childish with age.”

Regardless, Eunho remained focused on his meal.

Only Somi, sensing the strange atmosphere, sat uneasily.

Smacking his lips with an unexpected response, Elder Chu continued:

“I hear you received teachings from the Wanderer?”

The Wanderer was Namgoong Cheong’s alias.

Despite mentioning his master, Eunho’s continued disregard slowly heated Elder Chu’s temper.

“Listen here. When an elder speaks, you should at least respond.”

Elder Chu reached out his hand.

His target was Eunho’s right hand, moving his chopsticks!

Once again, his expectation was off the mark.

He had intended to grab Eunho’s hand to stop him, thinking he was too focused on eating, but Eunho’s hand moved in a strange way and avoided his grasp.

“W-What?”

Elder Chu was flustered.

While it wasn’t his full strength, he had imbued his movement with a subtlety that a young martial artist shouldn’t have been able to avoid.

However, he did succeed in briefly halting Eunho’s meal.

Still with his head bowed, Eunho muttered lowly.

“Old man.”

“?”

Not thinking he was being addressed, Elder Chu looked around.

But there was indeed no one else who could be called “old man” except himself.

Eunho raised his head and their gazes met.

‘Ah. He was calling me after all.’

A wry laugh almost escaped him.

To be called “old man” by someone so much younger in both rank and age.

No, if he’s the Wanderer’s disciple, perhaps our ranks are somewhat similar…

Eunho spoke calmly.

“Just get to the point.”

Eunho was quite displeased at having his meal interrupted.

Elder Chu wore an embarrassed expression.

How long had it been since he’d been insulted in front of so many people?

But if he backed down from this, he couldn’t call himself an elder of the Beggar Clan.

“Ahem, join the Alliance.”

This was his original purpose.

Recruiting young, talented individuals into the Alliance was Elder Chu’s only hobby.

Murmurs could be heard not just from Eunho’s table but from the surrounding area as well.

That’s how groundbreaking Elder Chu’s statement was!

The Martial Righteous Alliance, the greatest coalition of the righteous martial arts world.

Moreover, every single person Elder Chu had personally recruited was walking an easy path in the Alliance.

It meant he would push hard for those he personally brought in.

Of course, this was of no interest to Eunho at all.

“No, thank you.”

“You do know that the guy you just beat up is the eldest son of the Northern Peng Clan, right?”

Eunho nodded nonchalantly.

“And you must also know that his father, Clan Leader Peng, has a terribly hot-tempered personality like an active volcano. Peng Ji-yeol, the Fist King, leader of the Northern Peng Clan and one of the Twenty-Four Martial Arts Masters. He’s even here at this gathering. With his keen eye, even if he doesn’t kill you, he could make things quite difficult for our young friend.”

“I didn’t know that.”

Eunho remained calm, but Somi, listening beside him, turned pale.

Even Somi, who wasn’t part of the martial world, knew well the rumors about Peng Ji-yeol, leader of the Northern Peng Clan.

While elders of the righteous faction usually valued propriety and dignity, he was absolutely not such a person.

A man who did whatever he wanted, regardless of reason!

Peng Ji-yeol was the epitome of the hot-blooded and unrestrained nature of the Northern Peng Clan.

“If you join the Martial Righteous Alliance, we can protect you. There are many Alliance elders here, and even the Sword Saint who is friendly to the Alliance. Soon, the Alliance Leader is expected to attend, so even Clan Leader Peng will have to mind his behavior.”

A look of confident victory settled on Elder Chu’s face.

No matter how strong this boy might be, he’s still just a later-stage disciple.

There’s no young man who wouldn’t fear incurring the wrath of a Five Great Clans leader, especially the notoriously hot-tempered Clan Leader Peng.

Eunho put down his chopsticks with a clack and looked at Elder Chu.

“I said no.”

His eyes showed not even a hint of wavering.

The only thing Elder Chu could read in Eunho’s eyes was:

Huh? Annoyance?

Had he seen such a youth among the younger generation recently?

Usually, most would bow their heads to the ground just knowing he was an elder of the Beggar Clan.

But this one didn’t. Even after mentioning the Fist King’s name, he still just looked annoyed.

He’s becoming more and more interesting.

Elder Chu gave Eunho a satisfied grin.

“Well, then there’s nothing to be done.”

“Oh?”

As Elder Chu backed down so readily, Eunho tilted his head in surprise.

Someone in such a position would usually be quite stubborn.

His easy withdrawal seemed rather strange.

Of course, it wasn’t important enough to postpone his meal over.

“If you’re done, please leave now.”

Eunho focused on his meal once again.

“I should finish my meal too.”

And Elder Chu also concentrated on eating.

As the two ate silently, an awkward atmosphere settled.

Rather, the surrounding people felt like they might choke.

Elder Chu kept glancing at Eunho, but Eunho didn’t give him a single look.

Soon, Elder Chu finished his meal and stood up.

“I have a feeling we’ll meet again.”

“Oh, that’s truly unpleasant to hear.”

Elder Chu’s eyes narrowed.

“I can see you’re quite skilled, but always be careful with your words in the martial world. This is sincere advice.”

“It sounds more like a warning.”

“Ho ho, I suppose it’s up to how you hear it.”

With that, Elder Chu left without lingering.

Eunho watched his retreating figure with an unreadable smile.

‘It should be about time for the Peng Clan folks to make their move.’

Eunho had fully anticipated the concerns Elder Chu had raised.

How long had he been rolling around in this world?

Including his past life, it’s been over a thousand years, a thousand!

Just by seeing how they raged, it was clear whether someone would give up or sharpen their blade and come back.

***

“What in the world is going on here!”

A deep, thunderous voice echoed through the dark underground prison.

“Well, you see…”

“Speak honestly.”

“We just wanted to have a little chat with her. But then…”

Peng Ji-hu’s expression, visible through the bars, twisted in anger.

“You fool. Didn’t I clearly tell you to be careful with your actions here?”

“I’m sorry, Uncle.”

Peng Jeo-ak hung his head, rubbing his wrist.

As if to say, ‘Look at this.’

“What happened to your wrist? Don’t tell me the Namgoong clan bastards…!?”

Peng Ji-hu glared at the Namgoong clan warrior guarding the prison.

“No, Uncle. Actually, that girl’s brother… sob!”

Peng Jeo-ak did his best to act pitiful.

He didn’t know what the Cheonha Merchant Guild young master had eaten to become so strong, but one thing was clear – he couldn’t win against him.

But Peng Jeo-ak wasn’t one to just let things go.

After all, didn’t he have the most reliable Northern Peng Clan and his father, who had risen to the Twenty-Four Martial Arts Masters, behind him?

Of course, Peng Ji-hu was no stranger to Peng Jeo-ak’s way of thinking.

But what could he do?

His older brother, the clan leader, doted excessively on his son.

“Ahem, so you’re saying all three of you were beaten by that guy?”

“…He was no ordinary person.”

“Tsk, just wait a bit. I’ll speak to the clan leader and resolve this quickly.”

“Yes, Uncle. I’ll wait. I’m sorry.”

Watching Peng Ji-hu’s retreating back, Peng Jeo-ak couldn’t help but smile.

He already felt triumphant.

When Father hears about this, not only that guy but even his father will be in trouble!

***

Bang!

A loud noise erupted from the VIP room prepared within the Namgoong clan compound.

Unable to contain his anger after hearing the story from Peng Ji-hu, Peng Ji-yeol had smashed the tea table.

Peng Ji-yeol glared, snorting heavily.

With a body easily twice the size of the culprit, a neck as thick as a tree trunk, and a sturdy-looking jaw.

His already massive frame, combined with his face turning red and blue with rage, truly made him look like a tiger.

“So, you’re telling me Jeo-ak is locked up in the underground prison?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“And you just came back without bringing Jeo-ak?”

“Well, you see. The Namgoong clan side refused so adamantly…”

“These impudent bastards dare!”

Crash-!

Peng Ji-yeol threw a teacup carelessly.

“Manager Ho-pyeong!”

At his rough call, the door slid open and a man with a sturdy appearance entered, bowing his head.

“Yes, Clan Leader.”

“You’ve heard the situation, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to meet the Namgoong clan leader directly and bring Jeo-ak back. So what do you think you should do?”

“…”

Manager Ho-pyeong silently looked at Peng Ji-yeol without answering.

He’s going to bring him back personally? What else is there for me to do?

Seeing this, Peng Ji-yeol thumped his chest in frustration and barked:

“Are you saying we should just let the one who dared touch the Northern Peng Clan’s young master go unpunished?”

“Pardon? But Clan Leader.”

Manager Ho-pyeong expressed his reluctance.

Was he saying to go and beat him up?

That’s absurd.

He was the leader of the elite forces of a martial arts clan, and not just any clan, but one of the Five Great Clans.

Most martial artists couldn’t even look him in the eye properly.

Even without the backing of the Northern Peng Clan, he was a peak expert ranked among the top hundred masters.

For someone like that to beat up a mere later-stage disciple?

‘And he’s even the young master of Cheonha Merchant Guild.’

If this became known, the Northern Peng Clan would become a laughingstock in the righteous martial arts world, and Cheonha Merchant Guild would use their vast financial power to pressure them.

As Manager Ho-pyeong was about to voice these objections…

“If you can’t do it, I’ll have to do it myself.”

A brief image flashed through his mind of the clan leader taking action.

The clan leader pushing through the crowd to approach the young master.

He would shout.

‘Hey, you! Come here. Won’t come? Then let’s fight right here.’

He beats him up. In front of everyone.

People would whisper, and the Martial Righteous Alliance would take measures.

Ah, the Namgoong clan wouldn’t stay quiet either.

After all, he’d be causing a scene at an elder’s funeral.

Cheonha Merchant Guild would apply pressure with their financial power and connections.

The Northern Peng Clan, suddenly reduced to beggars.

Tattered martial arts uniforms. A mostly vegetarian diet. Weapons with missing parts.

“…No, I’ll go take care of it.”

Curses ran through his mind.

No matter how he thought about it, it was better for him to go personally.

He could hide his identity and teach the boy a lesson in a secluded place, couldn’t he?

It felt distasteful, but it was a hundred, no, a thousand times better than the clan leader taking action directly.

As long as he didn’t get caught. Just don’t get caught.