novelraw Chapter 3 : Are You Going to Lose?
Chapter 3 : Are You Going to Lose?
Chapter 3: Are You Going to Lose?
Elder Hwa, Hong Chosam, stared at the Successor, who was glaring back at him with bloodshot eyes.
Why was the Successor so angry? Even Hong Chosam could not fathom the reason.
‘Certainly, up until yesterday, he was no different from usual.’
No, he had received a report that the boy had poured ten bottles of potent liquor into himself, claiming he was quitting gambling. But how could a person change so much in a single day?
The reckless words and actions, the radical personality—the core remained the same. Yet, something was different. It felt as if every single move was calculated.
However, that was impossible. It wasn't a matter of talent, but a matter of time. A level of maturity that could not be filled with a mere thirty years of life.
The name "Drunken Sword," Wang Cho, was widely known throughout the world as the foremost among the rising stars, but that was only within the realm of the youth.
Furthermore, he was only famous because he was born with the insane talent of the Celestial Martial Body. Otherwise, his name would have been buried long ago.
‘Since he never leaves his corner.’
Gisaeng houses, gambling dens, and the headquarters. That was the extent of the lifestyle habits Hong Chosam had on record for Wang Cho. He would earn money gambling and go to gisaeng houses to drink. He would sleep at the headquarters and return to the gambling dens, a life at the very bottom of the bottom.
Yet, his martial prowess was undeniable. An idiot who didn't even train properly had entered the Transcendent Peak Realm, a level similar to Hong Chosam himself.
The Transcendent Peak Realm was a level of power reserved for the sect leaders of small and medium-sized sects. Yet, Wang Cho had obtained his current martial standing without a shred of bone-breaking effort.
What would happen if he truly devoted himself to martial arts? Would the day come when the whole world knelt beneath the Beggar Sect—
Hong Chosam had once thought so. But what point would there be? That world would not be his own.
‘Even if Wang Cho becomes that strong, he cannot defeat the Lord.’
A human cannot defeat a five-hundred-year-old Imugi. The peerless masters who walk above the clouds, the sect leaders of the Nine Sects were the same.
On the day he joined the Dark Heaven Society. There was a man named Baek Cheon beneath a night sky that veiled the stars and the moon. A God of Martial Arts who knew everything about him.
Who in this vast world could defeat him?
The first emotion he felt was admiration as a martial artist, and the emotions following that were of pure awe.
To an old beggar like Hong Chosam, the absolute being Baek Cheon appeared as an Imugi. He was like the Supernatural Entities he had seen at Shaolin, the great sect nearest to the headquarters in Beijing. An opponent a human could not dare to face.
Therefore.
This was not betrayal. It was something that should have been done long ago.
‘I am sorry, Sect Leader. But it cannot be helped, can it?’
It's not as if you, bedridden as you are, could fight and win against the Lord.
* * *
My eyes stung. Feeling my vision turn red, I immediately recognized the cause. My capillaries had burst. It was a type of Qi Deviation or Inner Demon that people of the Jianghu often suffered from.
Did I end up like this because the situation of the Beggar Sect after my regression was so frustrating? No. The frustration that had built up since my fight with the Lord had simply exploded now.
Thinking of those high-and-mighty eyes that looked down upon the world, a smirk escaped me.
No matter how much Hong Chosam flies and crawls, could he ever even chase after Baek Cheon's shadow? The man who vied for supremacy with such a being? That's me. The former greatest in the world? That was also me.
“Elder Hwa, do I look like I’m doing this because I have a deep-seated grudge against you? If so, I am deeply sorry. I hate to break it to you, but I’m not particularly interested in you. I just want to know who is spreading poison into the wide river known as the Beggar Sect.”
“There are thorns in your words. I am not the kind of person you think I am, Successor. What did my disciple do that you slammed him onto the ground like that?”
Certainly, at this point in time, the corruption committed by Elder Hwa had not yet been revealed. I didn't have that evidence right now, either.
“I slammed him because he deserved to be slammed. If a mere member insults the Sect Leader, he should receive a fitting punishment.”
Hong Chosam said no more. Perhaps he felt no need to argue. In an instant, the sound of falling leaves brushed past my ears, and Elder Hwa manifested right before my face.
‘The Ten-Thousand-Li Wind-Chasing Footwork.’
It was one of the many secret techniques of the Beggar Sect. Elder Hwa was, after all, an Elder of the Beggar Sect. He stood in a position deserving of respect anywhere in this vast Jianghu. From my perspective as a regressor, he was a scoundrel worth less than a pebble, though his reputation within the Beggar Sect wasn't actually bad.
Thus, the plan to bring down Elder Hwa should have proceeded slowly. It’s difficult to drop a big shot like this all at once. It’s just that my personality couldn't endure that wait.
Furthermore, I knew of the corruption that could perfectly ruin Elder Hwa. Having returned to the past, there was a vast amount of information I could use.
Poke, poke.
Feeling a cold sensation, I snapped out of my thoughts to see Elder Hwa poking near my heart with a long staff.
“Successor, I think you’re mistaken about something. If the Sect Leader had to weigh your life against mine in an emergency, whom do you think he would choose?”
“Me, obviously. Rather than a weak old man, wouldn't he choose the strong and vibrant me?”
“Why do you keep speaking informally? Do you have no sense of hierarchy? No matter what, you must show the proper respect for an Elder. What did I do wrong to deserve this?”
I suddenly stared into Elder Hwa’s face and realized one thing.
‘He’s already met Baek Cheon and joined the Dark Heaven Society.’
If so, why had he already revealed his claws toward the Beggar Sect, unlike in my previous life? Could it be that Baek Cheon had already made a move? To be honest, I didn't particularly care. What did it matter why he started moving?
I grabbed Elder Hwa’s staff, which was digging into my chest, with both hands and pushed it away. It wasn't loaded with that much Inner Qi, so it was quite easy.
Looking at Elder Hwa, who was glaring as if to kill me, a snicker escaped me. Having lived a long time, he must have instinctively felt the change in me.
‘Or perhaps he realized it through the insight of his Upper Dantian.’
He must be afraid of what kind of variable I might become to his plans. He wants to deal with me in advance, but he lacks the confidence to handle the aftermath.
I locked eyes with the foolish Chosam. Originally, the Clean Clothes and Dirty Clothes factions outside the headquarters got along reasonably well. As long as these people didn't incite conflict, there would be no problem.
Furthermore, the head of the Dirty Clothes Faction has no interest in politics. That is why Elder Hwa’s power is so noticeably massive.
“Elder Hwa, I’m sure you’ve done nothing wrong. I don’t want to expect anything from you either. I just want to look into your collusive relationships with the Righteous Chivalry Sect, the Golden Sword Merchant Association, the Heaven-Killing Sect, and the Heart Poison Sky.”
Elder Hwa’s body stiffened noticeably. It was because he understood the meaning of the words coming out of my mouth.
The Righteous Chivalry Sect and the Golden Sword Merchant Association were a sect and a company with significant standing around the headquarters, while the Heaven-Killing Sect and the Heart Poison Sky were major sects belonging to the Serpent Dao Alliance.
The Righteous Chivalry Sect and the Golden Sword Merchant Association were relatively fine. However, the Heaven-Killing Sect and the Heart Poison Sky were groups that one could be publicly lashed for simply associating with.
The Heaven-Killing Sect was an organization of assassins, and the Heart Poison Sky was a group of people obsessed with poison. What would an Elder of the Beggar Sect be doing meeting with the leaders of such notorious Unorthodox Faction?
‘What else? He was doing dirty business.’
Wasn't it obvious?
In contrast to my burst of laughter, Elder Hwa’s face was contorted as he vented his rage.
It meant his ugly face had become even uglier. Since ancient times, evaluating people by their faces was said to be wrong, but since I’ve never considered myself a righteous person, it didn't matter.
Grabbing the collar of my tattered robes, Hong Chosam spoke.
“Where did you hear that? How? It’s not something you should be able to know. Was it the Sect Leader? No, that’s impossible. I’ve certainly cut off his eyes and ears. No matter how great a figure like Baek Hae is by his side……”
When a person panics, they are bound to make mistakes. Elder Hwa was no different. He was listing his own wrongs and then, realizing his mistake, he shut his mouth.
For a moment, a sticky killing intent flowed from Elder Hwa before it was immediately erased.
‘He considered whether or not to kill me just now.’
Keep thinking, keep worrying. That way, it’ll be easier for me to crush you.
Actually, bringing down Elder Hwa was merely a small plan of mine. Although I’ve been modifying and refining my plans in real-time as various incidents have erupted since my regression, my ultimate plan was to stop the war and protect the Sect Leader.
Whether that’s possible, I didn't know.
Letting out a deep sigh, Elder Hwa looked at the sky. Even though it was a blue sky, I knew what landscape he was looking at.
‘The night sky where Baek Cheon’s Darkness of Heaven and Earth had unfolded.’
It was also the secret technique that took my life at the very end. Why didn't Baek Cheon kill me sooner? Someone like him wouldn't have needed to drag it out for fifteen years.
If I were to think about it using the lingering intoxication that hasn't cleared yet, perhaps he was lonely. I was the only martial artist who could match him in a fight.
Is even having these thoughts part of Baek Cheon’s plan? No. I am a person whom even I cannot predict.
The moment I saw Elder Hwa’s gaze turn toward Eungsam, who was standing awkwardly in the distance, I spoke urgently.
“Elder Hwa, surely you don't want the both of us to be dragged off to the Hall of Discipline? Are you going to take a hostage? Where has the tradition of a one-on-one life-and-death duel, selected by our mother of the Murim Jianghu, gone? If you are a man of the Jianghu……”
“Silence, Successor. What is this talk of a mother from an orphan? I see. I see what you’re trying to do. You want to stop the fighting between the Dirty Clothes and Clean Clothes factions, don't you?”
Having regained his composure, Elder Hwa smiled as if he were at ease. It was a bluff.
There are few who can smile after their crimes have been exposed. Especially someone who has made every effort to hide them.
“I shall stand on your side, Successor. I mean I will actively cooperate in returning the Beggar Sect to normal. Give me a few days' grace. I will settle everything within that time. How about it?”
Hearing Elder Hwa’s words, I smiled inwardly. This is why I don't hold Elder Hwa in high regard. Isn't his heart so obvious? It was too clear that it was a lie to escape the situation.
He will probably forge evidence and hide his ledgers elsewhere once he escapes this situation.
“Hm, very well. I’ll give you a week, so do as you please.”
“…Why does your manner of speech keep changing? Just stick to one.”
“You too. Isn't it because we're both uneducated? Let's just let it slide.”
Elder Hwa, who glared at me, soon vanished like the wind. Such a simple man. Getting worked up over being called uneducated.
Eungsam, who looked around several times as if anxious, stuck close to me and whispered in my ear.
“Senior, have you lost your mind? You’re accepting that? What, if Elder Hwa says he’ll give you the Beggar Sect now, will you just snatch it up? Wait, was the Elder always that kind of person? What about the Sect Leader’s eyes he said? How is that son of a bitch is in the Beggar Sect……”
“Eungsam, my ears hurt.”
“Yes, Great Senior.”
Eungsam, who backed away slightly from me, looked around again and asked.
“…I’m asking because you’re my senior. Hm, it makes no sense.. but if you and Elder Hwa— No, that bastard Elder were to fight, who would win?”
Asking who would win if we fought? Eungsam has been with me a long time, so he must have recognized that I didn't actually accept the proposal.
“Elder Hwa. He is certainly not someone to be taken lightly.”
“Are you going to lose?”
Am I going to lose? Not a chance. No matter how I thought about it, I couldn't picture a scene where I lost to Elder Hwa.
I smirked while feeling the cold moonlight of the night sky that had already turned dark.
“I’ll win.”