Hong Geolgae
At the Tang family clinic, there was a gray cat. It was kept to drive away the mice that often appeared to gnaw on the medicinal herbs.
Though it was never tied up, the gray cat always returned precisely at mealtime after wandering outside.
It had no name, but the gray cat was diligent—catching at least one mouse every three days. Each time, Tang Jeseon would fetch some cheap scraps of meat from the butcher and feed it.
After eating, the cat would curl up at the edge of the courtyard where the sun hit and doze off. Among everyone at the Tang family clinic, the only one who napped before sunset was that gray cat.
But lately, the gray cat had gained a companion.
That companion was none other than Dan Seol-yeong.
Though it wasn't even noon yet, she was sitting in the shade, nodding off.
Known as the most diligent person in the Tang clinic, Seol-yeong had suddenly become very sleepy about half a month ago.
She would nap after breakfast, nap after lunch. Yet she wasn't staying up late at night, nor wandering outside. Once the sun set, she returned to the annex as always and never came out.
At a glance, it seemed like a lazy lifestyle. But no one scolded her.
On the contrary, Tang Jeseon brewed all sorts of nourishing tonics for her, and her meals grew more lavish by the day. Even had he fathered a daughter in his old age, he would not have doted on her with such care.
Though no one voiced it aloud, everyone knew the reason for these changes. Those who came and went from the Tang clinic accepted it as natural.
What was strange, however, was that Tang Jeseon's attitude toward Sam Anbul had also become noticeably warmer. Yet no one knew exactly why.
Tang Mujin cautiously asked Sam Anbul,
"Elder, did something happen between you and my father?"
"Nothing at all. Why do you ask?"
"Lately Father seems to treat you with more friendliness."
"Well… perhaps he realized that the enlightenment of Shaolin far surpasses that of the Amitabha Sect."
Sam Anbul spoke in riddles. Of course, Mujin didn't understand.
***
Dan Seol-yeong and Tang Mujin began to think about marriage. Even Tang Jeseon lent his thoughts to the matter.
Among noble families, weddings were complicated affairs, requiring observance of the six formal rites , often taking months of preparation. If the two families lived far apart, it could take even longer—sometimes over a year.
But ordinary folk did not go through such procedures.
The parents of both households would simply meet to settle matters directly, skipping intermediaries, and the final rite of chinyeong —the groom fetching the bride in a palanquin—was often all that was done.
Afterward, inviting the villagers, serving food, and holding a modest feast would conclude the wedding.
But the wedding of Tang Mujin and Dan Seol-yeong would be even simpler.
Since Seol-yeong was an orphan with no family, there were no negotiations between households and no need for a bridal procession.
In truth, even just setting a bowl of water and completing the vows would not raise any complaints.
Still… this is a wedding. Can it really be so plain?
Mujin felt it wasn't right and asked Seol-yeong directly. But her answer was blunt.
"Do you think those formalities matter? The result is what's important."
A typically practical reply from her. Yet both Mujin and Jeseon felt such a wedding would be too lacking.
After all, it was the marriage of an only son and the welcoming of a precious daughter-in-law. Such an event couldn't just be brushed aside.
Finally, Mujin thought of an idea.
Even if we skip the complicated rituals, we should at least invite a few close acquaintances.
He began listing people to invite.
Those he had met near Shaolin in Henan, or people he had known during his stay in Luoyang.
Like the carpenter who had helped craft Namgung Myeong's prosthetic arm, or the people of Guisong Clinic, who had once sheltered him.
Inviting just a handful of such people would make the wedding lively.
Guests usually came only from neighboring villages. If people traveled all the way from Henan or Luoyang to Sichuan, it would be quite the talk of the town.
And once they returned home, they would spread the tale of Mujin and Seol-yeong far and wide—an added bonus.
We're well off financially these days, so covering their travel costs won't be hard.
Mujin resolved to invite guests secretly, without Seol-yeong noticing.
But while he was preoccupied with wedding plans, Seol-yeong stopped him short.
"Marriage is important, yes. But there's something else you need to do first."
"Hm?"
"You said you had unfinished business. Did you forget?"
"…Of course not."
She was talking about avenging Gwiui.
Revenge for Gwiui, and the wedding. Mujin couldn't abandon either.
Sitting beside him, Seol-yeong said,
"Before the wedding, you must finish that task. Misfortune must be dealt with before joy. You know this."
Mujin muttered in reply,
"Misfortune? There's no need to worry about such things. We can hold the wedding first."
"And then what? Leave your bride alone the moment you marry her? Either give it up, or finish it first—there's no middle ground."
Seol-yeong knew he could never give up on Gwiui's revenge. They had even traveled together with her for a time.
The reason she brought it up now was to ease the burden of the wedding and tell him to take care of his duty first. A rough but thoughtful gesture, very like her.
Mujin was so moved he almost embraced her on the spot, in front of everyone. But Seol-yeong coyly pulled back and smacked his hand.
And she wasn't finished.
"And don't go alone."
"Hm?"
"I heard you insisted on handling the revenge by yourself. Is that true?"
"Uh… yes."
"Don't let pride drive you onto a dangerous path."
"But for the revenge to be complete—"
When Mujin refused to yield, her eyes flared.
"Do you want to make me a widow? Bring help. On this, I won't back down."
Sam Anbul, who had been sitting at a distance, approached. Clearly, he had been eavesdropping despite pretending otherwise.
"She's right. If you face Salmak alone, there's an eight-in-ten chance you'll die."
"So, Elder… are you saying you'll help?"
Seol-yeong's face brightened. With the renowned Sam Anbul at their side, Salmak would be no threat.
But Sam Anbul shook his head.
"No. It's better if I don't go."
Mujin understood. Sam Anbul had immense power, but he also carried immense enemies and burdens.
Even if no enemies appeared, it would still be a problem.
If Sam Anbul joined, the revenge would no longer be Mujin's—it would be Sam Anbul's bloody mission, with Mujin only assisting.
So Mujin thought carefully. He needed strong allies he could trust, people with ties to Gwiui, whose help came not from duty but from genuine will.
There were only two: Namgung Myeong and Hong Geolgae.
In the end, it has to be them.
When Mujin nodded, Seol-yeong clasped his hand tightly.
"Cast off all misfortune. Leave only blessings for the future. Understood?"
"…Yes."
He answered, squeezing her hand back.
***
Seol-yeong, blinking sleepily, added softly,
"Even if it takes longer than a month, just come back safe. Promise me."
"…I promise."
Tang Mujin's plan was simple: finish everything within a month and return.
There were several reasons for the tight schedule.
The most important was that even if Dan Seol-yeong had conceived recently, it would not show outwardly for another two months or so.
That meant until then, they could feign ignorance and hold the wedding without causing gossip.
But if things dragged on endlessly, both Seol-yeong and Mujin would be in trouble. Thus, he set a one-month deadline.
Even so, it wasn't an unreasonably rushed timeline.
Yangyang in Hubei Province wasn't too far—about half the distance to Luoyang.
For an ordinary person, it was a place they would never reach in a lifetime, but Mujin was already seasoned in long journeys.
Moreover, all of his companions were skilled in body-movement techniques, so they could reach Yangyang in a week. Even if they fought that Black Butterfly fellow day and night for two weeks, they could still return within the month.
Not long after they set out, Hong Geolgae began grumbling.
"I'm not some fish turd. Why do I feel like I'm just being dragged along wherever you go?"
"So what? Do you not want to come?"
"Not exactly."
Hong Geolgae preferred wandering freely over being tied to one place. Life at the Tang family clinic had been comfortable, but it was starting to feel dull.
Besides, something else had been gnawing at his mind lately.
Every time he looked at Mujin and Namgung Myeong, he felt as though their eyes were whispering "first-class expert." And he was certain it wasn't his imagination.
So he made a firm resolution.
There's bound to be a chance to fight. This time I'll break through the wall to the pinnacle. Once I return, I'll roam all over Chengdu and look down on every so-called first-class fighter I meet.
For one who reached the pinnacle, looking down on first-class warriors was only natural. With dreams of a glorious future, Hong Geolgae's steps grew lighter.
To get from Sichuan to Yangyang, they would pass through Chongqing and Mount Nogu. The distance pleased him, and the route was even better.
Mujin thought to himself:
First, I should meet with Hwayeon Shinni in Chongqing. I'll tell her that I'm marrying Seol-yeong.
Hwayeon Shinni was a giant among giants.
Even if they skipped all formal rites, just her attendance alone would make the wedding grand.
The people of Chengdu may not know her, but at least Elder Hwang Ryeongja will be astonished.
Afterward, they would pass through Mount Nogu to greet acquaintances and collect the poisons others had stored up for him. The thought of how much might have accumulated made his heart race.
As soon as they entered Chongqing, the three naturally headed for Deungseonru.
"Welcome!"
The master of Deungseonru rushed out barefoot to greet them, while those drinking inside looked on in puzzlement as the three youths were guided straight to the top floor.
After all, even wealthy merchants and famous martial artists were often denied entry to the third floor.
People whispered and speculated about who they might be, but Mujin's group paid them no mind.
Mujin and Namgung Myeong had visited Deungseonru several times before, but for Hong Geolgae, it had been ages.
With great satisfaction, he gazed outside. Born a beggar, to now be seated naturally at the highest level of such an expensive establishment—it felt like a dream.
I've done well for myself.
Faces of the Beggar Sect brothers who roamed under the bridges came to mind. Most vivid were the boy and his father who had been captured by bandits.
Before I leave, I should meet with So Samgu and So Seon again.
Leaning back in his chair, Hong Geolgae asked Mujin,
"So if we wait here, we'll meet Hwayeon Shinni, right?"
"Right."
"I should thank her too. Back then, I never got the chance to properly express my gratitude."
With that, he eagerly dug into the food with his chopsticks. Namgung Myeong did the same.
But Mujin could hardly touch his food.
It had been fine when they first entered Deungseonru, but afterward, a nagging sense of unease clung to him.
Did I do something wrong?
He couldn't think of anything specific.
But he knew he was missing something.
Frowning, Mujin slowly moved his chopsticks.
Then came the sound of footsteps ascending to the third floor.
There were four in total: the master of Deungseonru, Hwayeon Shinni, and most likely Hongmyeon Nogae and the current Beggar Sect Central Deputy Chief, Hyeon Jang Sangchaeju.
Mujin, Namgung Myeong, and even Hong Geolgae stopped eating and looked toward the staircase.
At that moment, Mujin realized what he had been overlooking.
Hong Geolgae and Hongmyeon Nogae…
The previous Beggar Sect Central Deputy Chief was Hong Jeong, known as Yubonggae—Hong Geolgae's father.
The current Central Deputy Chief was Hongmyeon Nogae, the Red-Faced Old Beggar.
The crucial point: Hongmyeon Nogae's appointment had not been a smooth one.
"…Ah."
The four figures appeared on the staircase. Exactly as expected.
Mujin stiffly turned his head.
Hong Geolgae was staring intently at the beggar with the unusually red face.
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