“I just want to smash everything to pieces.”

Mujin sighed as he watched Muhwa clench his fists and speak with such intensity.

“Muhwa, maybe you could tone it down a bit?”

Muhwa pouted, thinking it over. “I believe we need to defeat the Black Path here.”

As Muhwa responded with renewed determination, Mujin and Mucheol chimed in.

“Wouldn’t it be better to gather information first and report back to the main sect?”

“I’ll follow the senior brother’s advice.”

Each had a different answer, hinting at their individual personalities.

Muhwi looked at Muhwa and Mujin in turn. “Explain your reasons.”

“The Black Path lives off the money they extort from innocent people. As a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, it’s only right to stand up against injustice.”

“We don’t know much about the Black Path in Poseong, and even if they are just a gang, it’s risky for just the four of us to take them on.”

“Is that so?”

Muhwi crossed his arms, nodding as he considered his disciples.

“Tomorrow, the three of you will gather information on the Black Path in Poseong. Find out how they affect the people, their numbers, their strength, and any other details.”

Muhwa tilted his head. “What about you, senior brother?”

“I’ll be moving separately. I thought about splitting you up too, but after what I saw today, that’s not an option.”

Muhwi stood up, adding, “Gather the information and reassess. I’ll expect your answers by tomorrow evening.”

* * *

Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Muhwi slowly opened his eyes.

“Phew…”

Even after combining martial arts techniques to his liking, it wasn’t the end. He needed to refine the flow and principles through repeated practice with the improved Guso Heart Method.

After finishing his meditation, Muhwi checked outside.

“Perfect timing.”

Seeing the crescent moon in the night sky, Muhwi sensed his disciples in their rooms and quietly left.

As he descended to the first floor, the innkeeper, who had been dozing at a table, sensed Muhwi’s presence and woke up.

“Ah, Master. What brings you here?”

“Is the kitchen still open? I think the cook is still around.”

The innkeeper wiped his drool and smiled, rubbing his hands together. “Of course, Master. It’s the perfect time for a late-night snack. How about a bowl of noodles?”

“No, from here to there. Bring me a bit of everything.”

Muhwi pointed to the menu on the wall, and the innkeeper’s eyes widened with delight.

“Oh, and bring two or three bottles of liquor.”

Muhwi handed over a small pouch of coins, and the innkeeper accepted it with a bow.

‘Oh my.’

The weight of the pouch felt like it contained more than enough to cover the meal.

“I’ve given you extra, so make sure the portions are generous.”

“Of course, Master.”

With a bundle of food and bottles in hand, Muhwi strolled through the night streets of Poseong.

The colorful lights illuminated the darkness, and the occasional drunken singing echoed through the air.

“Oh my, handsome master, come play with us.”

“Visit our tavern, and we’ll treat you well.”

“What’s that in your hands? Let’s share!”

Women with brightly painted faces waved colorful scarves, trying to catch his attention, but Muhwi didn’t spare them a glance.

As he moved past the vibrant nightlife, the lights and women faded, leaving a dull darkness around him.

Yet, Muhwi continued to search for something, his eyes scanning the surroundings without pause.

His gaze finally settled on a spot beneath a bridge.

‘Found it.’

Something was stirring in the shadows under the bridge.

“I’m so hungry.”

“Maybe it’s because I didn’t beg enough today. My stomach’s really acting up.”

As he got closer, he heard murmured conversations and caught a whiff of a musty smell.

“Hmm.”

Muhwi wrinkled his nose at the odor, exhaling deeply as he stepped into the shadows beneath the bridge.

Growl.

“Sounds like your stomach’s crying out.”

The people gathered under the bridge were beggars.

But not just any beggars—they were disciples of the Beggars’ Sect, trained in martial arts. Their belts bore knots as proof.

“Hmm?”

Despite the sudden approach of a stranger, the beggars merely lifted their heads from their reclining positions to look at Muhwi.

And it wasn’t because of Muhwi himself, but the faint aroma of food wafting from the bundle he carried.

Had he come empty-handed, the beggars wouldn’t have paid him any mind.

“Oh, what a mouthwatering smell.”

“This spicy scent… it must be the beef noodles from the Wusuke Inn.”

The beggars’ ability to identify the inn by scent alone was impressive.

As they began to rise, Muhwi sat down in front of them and opened the bundle.

A variety of dishes and three bottles of liquor.

The beggars’ eyes sparkled with delight.

“Delicious. Still warm, too.”

Muhwi deliberately took a large bite of a dumpling in front of the beggars.

“Oh!”

“Food!”

As the beggars sprang toward the bundle, a flash of light sliced through the air.

Muhwi’s sword had drawn a line in front of the bundle.

“You beggars think I came here to give you charity?”

Only then did the beggars pay attention to Muhwi, who had brought the food. A middle-aged beggar examined the line drawn by Muhwi’s sword.

“Impressive for someone so young.”

Though distracted by the food, they were still disciples of the Beggars’ Sect.

Yet, they hadn’t seen the young warrior’s sword move, even from a seated position. It was remarkable.

‘To draw a sword so fluidly from that position…’

The beggars, surprised, noticed the two red plum blossoms embroidered on Muhwi’s sleeve.

“Ah… no wonder your swordplay is exceptional. You’re from the Mount Hua Sect. We apologize for our rudeness.”

Following the middle-aged beggar’s lead, the others bowed to Muhwi. As the beggars of the Beggars’ Sect showed their respect, Muhwi returned the gesture.

“I’m Muhwi, second disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.”

“Muhwi? A disciple of the Mount Hua Sword Saint. I’m So Jinga of the Beggars’ Sect.”

As expected of the Beggars’ Sect, they knew even the lesser-known details of the martial world.

So Jinga bowed his head to Muhwi.

“The Beggars’ Sect also regrets the tragedy of the Mount Hua Sword Saint. Our leader lamented not being able to assist more with the Xuesha incident.”

“It’s understandable. Your leader must have his hands full with the Jicheon Sect.”

“You know well.”

The beggars nodded, impressed by the young warrior’s knowledge of the martial world’s affairs.

“So, what brings you here?”

“I came to the Beggars’ Sect’s Poseong branch to learn about the Black Path that’s settled here.”

Muhwi glanced at the dilapidated shacks behind the beggars.

Though the Beggars’ Sect was widespread, they had no proper buildings outside major cities.

Wherever beggars gathered, surrounded by shabby shacks, that was a branch of the Beggars’ Sect.

“You mean the Blood Shadow Gang that took over the Huaryu Sect’s territory. We can tell you, but…”

So Jinga trailed off, eyeing the food Muhwi had brought. Understanding his meaning, Muhwi smiled.

“Food’s best when it’s hot. Let’s eat while we talk.”

“Thank you.”

With Muhwi’s permission, the beggars eagerly dove into the bundle, So Jinga included.

Even as he devoured a large piece of five-spice pork, So Jinga didn’t forget his duty.

“Chomp, chomp… So, the Blood Shadow Gang is quite formidable, unlike typical gangs.”

Each beggar, munching on food, shared what they knew.

Listening quietly, Muhwi poured them each a drink.

“But it seems like something important is missing from the story.”

“What do you mean?”

So Jinga asked, sucking on a duck leg.

“For instance, who might be backing the Blood Shadow Gang?”

So Jinga, intrigued by Muhwi’s question, licked the oil from his lips.

“May I ask why you suspect a backer?”

“Poseong isn’t a small place, and the Huaryu Sect was sizable for a mid-tier sect. How could a single gang monopolize Poseong’s interests?”

It was natural for others to vie for the vacant territory, and Poseong’s interests weren’t small enough for a single gang to handle.

Normally, several gangs would be fighting over Poseong’s interests, tearing them apart and competing.

The beggars, hearing Muhwi’s reasoning, looked at him with newfound respect.

“Your insight is sharp, Master Muhwi. It’s hard to believe you’re a young warrior just entering the martial world.”

So Jinga crossed his arms, pondering before continuing.

“We have suspicions, but nothing certain.”

“Who do you suspect?”

“A martial artist from the Gu Yugeom Sect, known as the Red Wolf Sword, frequently contacts the Blood Shadow Gang.”

“Red Wolf Sword…”

The name didn’t ring a bell for Muhwi. It seemed the person wasn’t particularly famous.

“But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Gu Yu Sword Sect is behind this. Because…”

So Jin-gye’s words were interrupted by Mu-hui.

“If the Gu Yu Sword Sect were involved, they wouldn’t bother hiding it. They’d be bold about it. That’s just their style.”

In Shaanxi, the major sects were the Mount Hua Sect, the Zhongnan Sect, and the Gu Yu Sword Sect.

While the Mount Hua and Zhongnan Sects held sway over the southern part of Shaanxi, centered around Xi’an, the north was entirely under the control of the Gu Yu Sword Sect.

Despite bordering two of the Nine Great Sects, the Gu Yu Sword Sect had never been one to tiptoe around Mount Hua or Zhongnan.

Their aggressive nature meant that if they intended to make a move in Pocheng, they would have done so openly, revealing their ambitions without hesitation.

That had always been their modus operandi in Shaanxi.

‘Besides, they probably don’t have the luxury to meddle in something like this right now.’

Recalling the current state of the Gu Yu Sword Sect, Mu-hui nodded slightly.

As So Jin-gye had pointed out, there was no concrete evidence, but it seemed unlikely that the Gu Yu Sword Sect was involved in this matter.

“You seem to know quite a bit. Have you heard many stories from the Sword Saint?”

So Jin-gye seemed impressed, assuming Mu-hui had learned well from the Mount Hua Sword Saint.

“Are you out in the martial world to gain experience, Master Mu-hui?”

“No, I’m just out to check on my family affairs. I can’t wander the martial world for long.”

“I see.”

In his past life, Mu-hui had been part of the unorthodox sects, giving him a keen understanding of their dynamics.

‘I’ve heard just about everything worth hearing.’

Having gathered information from the Beggars’ Sect and done his calculations, Mu-hui picked up his empty cup.

“Pour me a drink, too.”

“Oh, are you sure?”

“It’s not alcohol, just grain tea. What’s the harm?”

“Haha, you’re quite the interesting master.”

Soon, Mu-hui found himself drinking with the beggars.

Though his first drinking session was with beggars, the warmth of the liquor quickly washed away any reservations.

“Ah, that’s the stuff.”

“Oh, Master, it seems the grain tea suits your taste.”

“Indeed. Now, let’s chew over this fellow called Jeok Rang-geum.”

At Mu-hui’s request, information about Jeok Rang-geum began to spill from the beggars’ lips.

“Hmm, I think I have a good idea of what kind of person he is.”

Sipping his drink, Mu-hui committed every piece of information to memory.

Having absorbed all there was to know about the Blood Sword Gang and Jeok Rang-geum, Mu-hui made his decision.

‘I wonder what choice they’ll make.’

Though he had already decided, he was curious about what judgment his disciples would reach.

Would they push forward, or would they retreat?

It would likely depend on the information they gathered.

To hear their decision, he would have to wait until tomorrow evening.

‘There’s time until tomorrow evening, so I should refine my sword techniques.’

Mu-hui recalled the sword techniques from his past life.

The End