Chapter 21

Even though he had set out on this mission to suppress his thoughts about Dang Ran-yeong, for some reason, he kept recalling him at times like this. It was so rare to find someone so handsome, strong, and just wicked enough without crossing the line that Cheong-ra even felt a slight sense of injustice.

As Cheong-ra inwardly sighed again, his face suddenly stiffened. His gaze was fixed on a hairy centipede crawling on the ground. It was a common insect in the mountains, but not for Cheong-ra. Just looking at it made his stomach churn and gave him goosebumps, as if it were crawling on his own body.

Knowing well what his friend abhorred and feared, Ju Mu-gwang used the tip of his shoe to flick the insect far away, out of sight. Only then did the color return to Cheong-ra's face.

"Junior Brothers, what should we have for lunch when we arrive?"

Song Geum-hye asked, pretending not to have noticed Cheong-ra's reaction, as she gathered the bandits in one place. Ju Mu-gwang tied the gathered bandits together in a line with a rope.

"I heard the spicy noodles in Hubei are delicious."

"Then let's hand these bastards over to the authorities and use the reward money to have a hearty lunch."

Geum-hye spoke cheerfully and pulled the bandits up with the rope as they refused to move. She didn't use much force. When she whipped them a few times with the rope, the resisting bandits screamed and staggered to their feet in unison. Then, as Ju Mu-gwang glared at them fiercely, they reluctantly followed.

The three of them, having reached their destination of Xiangyang, handed the bandits over to the authorities and enjoyed a delicious lunch with the reward money. Afterward, they immediately went to find the Beggar Sect. In a small town like Dragon Spring, they could barely meet a one-star beggar, but in Xiangyang, a city in Hubei Province, they could easily meet not only one-star beggars but also the three-star beggar who was the branch leader.

Hou Sheng, the branch leader of Xiangyang, was much more delighted with the alcohol they brought than the food. With a very red nose and the smell of alcohol emanating from him in broad daylight, he was the epitome of a drunkard. He gulped down half a bottle of alcohol in one go and provided the information they wanted.

"The ones you're looking for entered this city a few days ago. They came in cautiously like rats, but alas, they couldn't escape the eyes of the beggars. Since no one has seen them leave yet, they should still be in this city."

Hou Sheng chuckled and lowered his voice after moistening his throat with more alcohol. His eyes were clear, unlike a beggar who was drunk in broad daylight.

"Be careful. There have been unsettling rumors circulating around various parts of the Central Plains lately. Moreover, that Enlightened Mind Tea seems to be spreading to other regions besides Dragon Spring."

"There are people who would even suck out human liver if it helps them rise in the world."

Ju Mu-gwang, who came from a prestigious family, sighed and said. In fact, the official who had been a regular at Plum Blossom Inn in Dragon Spring had also obtained Enlightened Mind Tea to feed his son, hoping he would pass the civil service examination. As he opened another bottle of alcohol, Hou Sheng clicked his tongue.

"Hmph, wealth, honor, what are they all for... It's so much more comfortable to live without greed."

They respectfully bowed and expressed their gratitude to Branch Leader Hou Sheng, who had kindly provided them with information they hadn't even asked for.

"Thank you for your help, Senior."

"What's with calling this beggar Senior?"

Although he grumbled, the old beggar of the Beggar Sect didn't seem to dislike being called Senior and treated with respect. As the three of them were about to leave after finishing their business, Cheong-ra hesitated and turned around.

"Excuse me, Senior."

"Hmm?"

The old beggar, who had gotten quite drunk in that short time, responded with bleary eyes. His expression, which was so annoyed that he seemed to be half-asleep, suddenly became alert at Cheong-ra's next words.

"I'd like some information about Dang Ran-yeong."

"Junior Brother. Why do you want information about Dang Ran-yeong?"

"That's right, Cheong-ra. The Great Senior Brother also warned you. Don't do anything foolish out of a desire for revenge."

Song Geum-hye and Ju Mu-gwang, startled by Cheong-ra's sudden action, tried to dissuade him. However, when Cheong-ra stubbornly stood his ground despite their dissuasion, Hou Sheng, realizing that he wouldn't back down easily, scratched his greasy head. Without even asking for details, it seemed that the news of Cheong-ra's defeat against Dang Ran-yeong had already spread this far.

"Well, I can tell you since he's a famous bastard. But whatever you're planning to do, I'd advise against it if possible. There are so many who have ended up in a sorry state after rushing at him for revenge."

"I'm not doing this out of a desire for revenge."

"That's what they all say..."

Hou Sheng refused the money pouch Cheong-ra offered, saying that the good alcohol he had received was sufficient payment. He hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.

"Green-Eyed Poison Dragon Dang Ran-yeong. Since you've met him once, I won't describe his appearance. He's the owner of the White Jade Merchant Group and one of the wealthiest individuals in the Central Plains. His exact martial prowess is unknown, but there are rumors that he defeated Lightning Whip Sword last month."

Song Geum-hye, who had been listening to Dang Ran-yeong's story without much thought, jumped up.

"What? But isn't Yoo Cheon-so of the Lightning Whip Sword known to be a supreme master? How can Dang Ran-yeong have defeated such a martial artist? That's absurd!"

Song Geum-hye's reaction was understandable. Considering Dang Ran-yeong's age, it was unthinkable for him to have reached the supreme realm where he could skillfully wield sword energy.

Seeing that most of the martial artists who had reached the supreme realm were over sixty years old, it was astonishing even if Dang Ran-yeong was a genius among geniuses. Only Cheong-ra, who had actually fought against Dang Ran-yeong, was lost in thought, recalling his martial prowess that day.

"That's what the rumor says, and I don't know exactly if he won or not. After the two of them dueled, Lightning Whip Sword disappeared without a trace. But on the other hand, Dang Ran-yeong is still walking around so confidently, so I'm guessing he didn't lose."

"It must be just a rumor. Either Lightning Whip Sword isn't at the supreme realm, or that Dang Ran-yeong was defeated. It has to be one of the two."

"Well, anyway, my point is that he's a wealthy and unfairly strong bastard, so give up any thoughts of revenge. Got it, Young Master Baek Ri?"

"Yes, Senior. But..."

What Cheong-ra wanted to know wasn't about the rumor of Dang Ran-yeong defeating Lightning Whip Sword. All three of them had jumped to conclusions and made assumptions about Cheong-ra's question.

He didn't have a desire for revenge, but rather a competitive spirit, or more precisely, a desire to be defeated. As long as the opponent was stronger than him, he didn't care about anything else, so Cheong-ra was curious about something other than Dang Ran-yeong's exact martial prowess.

"Do you know about the woman named Hwan-hong who is under Dang Ran-yeong? And also about the Venomous Horned Serpent called Yong-rin or Rin-a?"

'Hwan-hong? Hwan-hong... I guess that's the name of the woman who appeared with Dang Ran-yeong in Dragon Spring.'

"She had a small and slender build, wore claws on both hands, and appeared to be around twenty years old. Oh, and she had a scar on her chin."

Hou Sheng frowned as if trying to recall his memory. Soon, he remembered the information he wanted and spoke with admiration.

"If my guess is correct, it must be Silver Lotus Twin Claws Hwan-hong. She's a bold woman like a tiger with exceptional martial prowess. I wondered where she had gone after the Blossom Garden Sect was annihilated, but it's surprising to hear that she's working under Dang Ran-yeong."

Silver Lotus Twin Claws Hwan-hong. Repeating that name, Cheong-ra asked.

"You mentioned annihilation?"

"There was a sect called Blossom Garden Sect that was annihilated in a bloody massacre overnight a long time ago. It's probably a story you're not familiar with since it happened when you were young. As for the Venomous Horned Serpent, I'm not sure. I've heard rumors that he always keeps a snake with him, but it wouldn't be large enough to be called a Venomous Horned Serpent."

"Then could it be that he knows how to control spirit beasts?"

"I don't know about that. But if he not only has Silver Lotus Twin Claws under him but also knows how to tame spirit beasts, he can be considered a formidable and dangerous man."

After organizing the information Hou Sheng had provided in his mind, Cheong-ra expressed his gratitude and left. When they had put some distance between themselves and the branch leader, Cheong-ra spoke softly to Geum-hye and Mu-gwang, who had serious expressions.

"Martial Sister, I think Dang Ran-yeong is deeply involved in what happened in Dragon Spring. There are too many suspicious points in various aspects."

"Listening to Senior's words, it does seem that way. Could it be that he controlled the spirit beasts to attack people? To erase evidence of Enlightened Mind Tea?"

Geum-hye sighed, as if she had a premonition that capturing the ones who had attacked the sect's disciples and fled might be more troublesome and difficult than expected. Ju Mu-gwang also seemed to have similar thoughts as he spoke gravely.

"Anyway, I hope it doesn't get entangled with our task. Our immediate task is to capture the expelled ones, so let's focus on that."

Geum-hye and Cheong-ra nodded. But was Dang Ran-yeong really the culprit who controlled the golden-furred bear spirit beast to attack Dragon Spring? For some reason, along with that doubt, the mournful cry of the bear lingered in his mind.