Chapter 1482
Why are you suddenly here? (2)
‘We’re screwed.’
‘It’s over!’
‘Why on earth is he here?!’
‘I told you this would go horribly wrong, Chung Myung, you idiot!’
Sweat poured from the bodies of Hwasan’s disciples like rain. Who could have imagined they would run into Lee Songbaek in faraway Kaifeng, not even in Xian?
‘What do we do? Do we run now?’
‘How can we escape in this situation?!’
‘And why, of all people, did we have to run into him with a bunch of beggars?!’
The bigger issue was that Lee Songbaek was with high-ranking members of the Beggars Sect. This was akin to being caught plotting treason in the middle of the imperial palace. The frozen disciples of Hwasan desperately exchanged glances.
However, no matter how great their confusion, it was nothing compared to the bewilderment of Lee Songbaek, who had suddenly encountered them.
“…Daesahyeong?”
Lee Songbaek stared blankly at the people standing before him. The robes they wore were undoubtedly those of Jongnam, and the person in the lead was unmistakably Jin Geumryong. But…
‘Who are they?’
He swore he had never seen the people standing behind him. How could there be disciples of Jongnam that he didn’t know?
“No…”
As Lee Songbaek blinked, the faces of the disciples before him seemed to whiten even more, like blank sheets of paper. Among them, a slightly shorter man at the back was twitching his body as if he were a restless puppy.
“Huh?”
Lee Songbaek, who had been scrutinizing his strange beard, raised an eyebrow in surprise. His expression twisted oddly.
“Lee Sohyeop. Who are they?”
“Uh… well…”
A beggar standing beside Lee Songbaek asked with a somewhat sharp voice. Lee Songbaek glanced at the figures before him and then spoke.
Baek Cheon involuntarily tightened his grip on his sword.
As the suffocating tension settled…
“I greet you, Daesahyeong.”
Lee Songbaek addressed Baek Cheon with a polite gesture. Caught off guard by his impeccable manners, Baek Cheon blinked involuntarily.
Thunk!
“Ah!”
Sensing someone jabbing him in the back, Baek Cheon quickly put on an arrogant expression.
“Indeed, Saje. It’s been a while.”
Responding with a tone befitting Jin Geumryong, Baek Cheon eyed Lee Songbaek with a subtle anticipation.
‘Could he have been deceived?’
Even though Lee Songbaek was familiar with Jin Geumryong, there was still a slight chance of being fooled, even for a moment.
“But… that’s a bit too much, Sahyeong.”
“…Hm?”
“Even if you have little faith in your Saje, how could you come without a word? Wasn’t this task entrusted to me?”
Baek Cheon quickly spun his thoughts and retorted in a cold voice.
“This is an order from the Sect Leader. You must understand.”
This should be the perfect, annoying answer.
“What?”
However, upon hearing the response, Lee Songbaek furrowed his brows as if something seemed off.
‘Huh? Did I make a mistake?’
Maybe saying it was the Sect Leader’s order was a response that didn’t quite fit the situation…
“You must understand… It’s the first time I’ve heard you speak like this, Sahyeong. I thought for sure you’d say it’s none of my concern.”
At Lee Songbaek’s bewildered yet respectful reaction, Baek Cheon’s eye trembled slightly.
‘How the hell has Jin Geumryong been living his life, this crazy bastard!’
His clothes were already damp with cold sweat. He never imagined he would face such an absurd situation where he was suspected for not being annoying enough.
Just as his forehead was about to be drenched in sweat, a beggar spoke up.
“Then this must be Jin Daehyeop of Jongnam.”
It seemed the earlier conversation hadn’t been particularly significant to them. Baek Cheon sensed that the tension among the observing beggars had somewhat eased.
Lee Songbaek spoke.
“Ah, yes. That’s right. I should introduce…”
“It’s not necessary. We are in a hurry as well, so let’s leave the introductions for another time.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Since Jin Daehyeop likely has matters to discuss with you, we’ll arrange another time for ourselves.”
“…Didn’t you have something to attend to?”
“That’s no longer an issue.”
The beggar gave a slightly awkward smile and then performed a neat salute.
“Then.”
“Ah… yes. Stay safe.”
The remaining beggars also gave a polite gesture to Lee Songbaek and Baek Cheon before quickly departing. Only then did the disciples of Hwasan let out a collective sigh of relief.
‘We survived.’
‘Ah, I think I am totally drenched.’
‘I can’t believe we made it out of this. I feel like I could escape from hell itself now.’
‘I feel like I lost ten years of my life…’
Everyone shuddered. However, not all problems had been resolved yet.
Baek Cheon, sweating profusely, glanced nervously at Lee Songbaek before trying his best to mimic Jin Geumryong as he spoke.
“In any case… I have a separate order from the Sect Leader and need to go somewhere now. We can talk later.”
“Is that so?”
Baek Cheon nodded firmly, putting on the most arrogant expression he could muster.
“Yes, then later…”
“Alright, do as you must, Baek Cheon Dojang.”
“Tha… huh?”
Baek Cheon, who had been about to turn away calmly, froze. Turning his creaking neck to look at Lee Songbaek, he saw him smiling brightly.
“If that’s the case… uh… then Chung Myung Dojang must also be busy?”
Hiccup.
Chung Myung, who had a ridiculous fake beard, had his shoulders momentarily twitch.
“And the other members of Hwasan must be busy as well?”
Everyone remained silent, their shoulders hunched as if they’d been caught in the act by a stern teacher.
“I said we should meet again, but I didn’t expect to see you here like this. Isn’t that right, everyone?”
“Ha…”
“Haha…”
The disciples of Hwasan forced awkward smiles. Lee Songbaek smiled gently.
“Since you say you’re busy, I should let you go quickly. If it’s something you must do to this extent, it must be important.”
At that moment, everyone marveled at Lee Songbaek’s character. Wasn’t this a situation where, if he had drawn his sword and threatened to behead them, he would still have been considered a Buddha for doing so?
“But… at least, you know…”
“…Yes?”
Lee Songbaek smiled gently once more. Everyone flinched again. They realized one thing for certain: despite Lee Songbaek’s kind smile his eyes didn’t move an inch.
“You should have enough time to explain what’s going on here, shouldn’t you…?”
“…”
“…Isn’t that right?”
“I’m sorry!”
With all the sincerity he could muster, Baek Cheon bowed deeply.
❀ ❀ ❀
“…So that’s what happened.”
In a private room of the tavern, beyond the ears of the beggars, Lee Songbaek nodded in understanding. He then looked carefully at those before him.
“I’m sorry.”
“We were wrong.”
“Sorry.”
“We committed a grave sin. Please, just spare our lives.”
As he watched the disciples of Hwasan lying flat on the floor, bowing their heads, Chung Myung grumbled with a sullen face.
“I mean, we might have done wrong, but isn’t it a bit much to be so groveling…”
“Shut up!”
“Keep your mouth shut, you idiot!”
“One day, I swear I’ll kill you! Don’t think I’m joking! I really will!”
Chung Myung flinched and shrank his neck like a turtle under the fierce threats.
Lee Songbaek unconsciously let out a deep sigh.
“…You’ve all been through a lot.”
At those words of empathy and understanding, everyone’s eyes reddened as if on cue. How long had it been since they met someone who understood their troubles?
“But… regardless, impersonating disciples of another sect is a bit…”
“…I have nothing to say.”
“I wondered why the beggars suddenly said they had somewhere to go with me. It was to confirm this, wasn’t it?”
“…I really have nothing to say…”
Baek Cheon was realizing just how flexible his waist could be today. Every time Lee Songbaek spoke, his waist automatically bent and straightened repeatedly.
But frankly, even this wasn’t enough. If Lee Songbaek hadn’t tactfully taken their side, they would have been making a desperate escape outside Kaifeng by now.
Lee Songbaek sighed and said.
“As a disciple of Jongnam, this is something I find hard to tolerate. If the roles were reversed and I was caught impersonating a disciple of Hwasan…”
“We would have beaten you to death on the spot! How dare Jongnam’s bastard-!”
“Shut up, would you?”
“Think before you speak, you madman!”
“Someone silence that idiot!”
Hye Yeon immediately took off his wig and shoved it into Chung Myung’s mouth. No one sympathized with Chung Myung. He deserved it.
“So, while this puts me in a difficult position…”
Lee Songbaek glanced at Chung Myung, who was being gagged and beaten, and burst into laughter.
“‘Il just pretend I didn’t see anything.”
“…Are you sure about that? Ultimately..”
“Actually, I can be a bit foolish at times. So if I mistook Baek Cheon Dojang for Daesahyeong, it won’t cause much trouble. I’ll just get a bit of scolding.”
Baek Cheon looked at Lee Songbaek with a slightly bewildered expression. However, Lee Songbaek simply returned a clean smile without any hesitation.
“It’s because I believe Chung Myung Dojang’s intentions are aligned with a greater cause.”
“Sohyeop..!”
“…Although the method is a bit problematic.”
“I’m sorry!”
Baek Cheon kept repeating apologies and expressions of gratitude. Watching this, Jo Geol whispered quietly.
“This is going to drive Sasuk insane at this rate.”
“..He’s probably already there.”
How could he not be, after all they’ve been through?
“Anyway.”
Lee Songbaek scratched his head lightly as if he were troubled.
“There are other disciples of Jongnam in Kaifeng right now, so please don’t escalate things further. If the situation grows bigger, I won’t be able to help anymore.”
“Of course, of course.”
Baek Cheon bowed repeatedly as if he would give anything to please him. Lee Songbaek looked slightly bemused and embarrassed by his overly submissive demeanor.
“…Dojang, please stop apologizing so much. Seeing you apologize with that face makes me uncomfortable.”
“…”
At a loss for words, Baek Cheon fell silent.
Lee Songbaek then turned his attention to Chung Myung, whom Hye Yeon was in the process of pinning to the ground.
“But, Dojang.”
“Mm?”
“What are you going to do now? Even if you’ve avoided the eyes of the Beggars Sect, you won’t be able to maintain this situation for long.”
“Mmph! Mmmph! Mmmph!”
…Baek Cheon covered his face and muttered.
“Monk, please remove that wig from his mouth. Let’s keep these antics between ourselves.”
It’s embarrassing to the point of not being able to stay alive any longer, really.
“Phuhah!”
Chung Myung spat out the wig and coughed a few times, shaking off Hye Yeon before shrugging his shoulders.
“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that.”
Chung Myung, now free, tapped his chest confidently. At that moment, Baek Ah peeked out from under Chung Myung’s chin, sniffed quickly, and pointed with one paw.
“Kiii!”
“It seems like the scent is coming from somewhere nearby. Over there…”
Chung Myung walked to one side of the room and flung open the window.
“Wow!”
“Whoa!”
Everyone’s mouths fell open in awe. The view from the opened window was truly spectacular.
The street of Kaifeng at night, with the sun already set, was dazzlingly illuminated. The bright red lanterns lining the street instantly captivated everyone’s attention.
“We found it. It’s somewhere over there!”
“Great.”
“We’re lucky in many ways.”
“Is that the entertainment district? It’s a bit embarrassing.”
“Then let’s go.”
As everyone confirmed their target and was about to head out, Lee Songbaek raised a hand to stop them.
“Wait a moment.”
“Hmm? Why? Do you have more to say?”
“…Are you going there now?”
“We have to. The scent leads there. What have you been listening to?”
Lee Songbaek’s eye twitched slightly.
“Like… in those clothes?”
“…”
“At this hour? To the entertainment district?”
“Uh…”
Chung Myung alternated glances between his attire and the scene outside. If disciples dressed in Jongnam’s robes were to parade through the gambling dens, brothels, and all sorts of entertainment facilities…
Finally, Chung Myung fixed his gaze on Lee Songbaek and smiled brightly.
“Well, that’s not really my concern, is it?”
“Beggars, here- Whmmph! Mmmph!”
In an instant, Baek Cheon and Hye Yeon lunged forward, covering Lee Songbaek’s mouth and restraining him.
“Shh!”
“Be quiet, Sohyeop. If you open your mouth, you’ll get hurt!”
“Let’s tie him up.”
“Hmm! Guess we have no choice.”
The disciples of Hwasan laughed awkwardly. They had anticipated this might happen, but it was still a disheartening situation.
Now they were tying up and threatening a disciple of a Just Sect.
‘Sapa might be better than this.’
But it was too late to turn back. Unfortunately…
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