Do you know who I am? (2)

An elderly man with his hands clasped behind his back gazed at the rising sun outside the window. It was the morning sun that greeted him after a sleepless night. Though it wasn’t a pleasant sight for anyone, the old man’s face, looking at the new dawn, was filled with joy.

‘Today is the day.’

Finally, it was today. The day he would reclaim his position. The day he would restore the Beggars Sect, which had been shaken to its core, back to its original state. The day he would prove he was not wrong.

“…The Sect will greet a new era now.”

The old man, Ilho Shin Gae, had a gentle smile spread across his lips.

“Is everything ready?”

Ilho Shin Gae asked, looking at the procession of people gathering at the headquarters. The person standing before him gave a faint smile.

“Do not worry, Sahyeong. Everything is perfect. No, actually…”

One of the elders, looking at Ilho Shin Gae, grinned.

“Should we now call you Yongdu Bangju [용두방주*]?”

“Don’t be reckless.”

Ilho Shin Gae spoke in a scolding tone. However, his expression did not match his voice, indicating he wasn’t displeased.

“A moment’s carelessness can ruin the grandest of plans. We must remain vigilant until the very end.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Ilho Shin Gae’s eyes slightly darkened.

“Are all the messenger pigeons coming into the headquarters being managed?”

“Yes. Do not worry. No message will enter the headquarters until you ascend to the position of the Sect Leader.”

Ilho Shin Gae quietly nodded.

Pung Yeong Shin Gae, who was cornered, didn’t have many options left. If Ilho Shin Gae were in Pung Yeong Shin Gae’s position, he would have sent a message stamped with his seal to prove he is alive.

However…

‘You should have taken care of the headquarters earlier.’

That message will never be opened. The headquarters is already under Ilho Shin Gae’s control. Even if the message were opened, no one here would recognize it as genuine.

“We’ve come a long way for something that could have been resolved sooner.”

“How can it be your fault, Sahyeong? It’s a method that most wouldn’t think of.”

Ilho Shin Gae clicked his tongue briefly.

“But Sahyeong, what if… Sect Leader himself appears at the headquarters?”

“That won’t happen.”

Ilho Shin Gae shook his head firmly.

“If that coward had the guts for that, we wouldn’t have reached this point in the first place.”

“That is true, but…”

“And if by any chance that does happen… I too will be ready to stain my hands with blood.”

At the mention of blood, the elder’s face hardened slightly. Even though he understood what that “blood” implied, the elder didn’t try to dissuade Ilho Shin Gae. This was already a decided matter – it was just being confirmed once more.

“I still hope it doesn’t come to that. After all, he is my Saje.”

Ilho Shin Gae muttered quietly, then composed his expression before speaking again.

“Have the invitations been sent?”

“Yes. They have been sent to arrive at just the right time. While they will receive the invitations, no one will attend.”

A faint smile appeared on Ilho Shin Gae’s lips, as if he was pleased with the thorough handling of the matter.

Generally, the transfer of the Sect Leader’s position is a grand event. Thus, major sects usually invite renowned figures to honor the occasion with their presence.

However, this situation could not be handled in the usual manner.

Ilho Shin Gae also understood how unnatural it was for him to succeed Pung Yeong Shin Gae. There was no need to invite people from other sects and risk causing problems.

“And those who have entered Kaifeng now?”

“Various sect members have entered, but unless they are the head of a sect or someone of equivalent status, they were informed they would not be received as guests. There is currently no one of that status in Kaifeng, so you need not worry.”

Ilho Shin Gae nodded in agreement.

While heads of minor sects might be in Kaifeng, they wouldn’t dare to enter the headquarters, so there would be no problem.

“Good.”

“Thank you, Sahyeong.”

Ilho Shin Gae suppressed the smile that kept trying to surface. Publicly, he had to appear as if he was reluctantly taking the Sect Leader’s position due to his Saje’s tragic death. Even though it was just him and his Saje here, it was not good to reveal his true feelings.

‘It must be perfect.’

They say even a thousand careful plans can have a flaw. However, in his current situation, even a single mistake would be unacceptable. At least, not until the Sect Leader’s position was completely his.

“Sahyeong.”

“Hmm?”

“Everything is ready. It’s time to go.”

“All right.”

Ilho Shin Gae slowly nodded.

“Let’s go.”

He walked confidently towards the main hall of the headquarters.

❀ ❀ ❀

It was a bizarre sight.

A grand hall, but old and seemingly about to collapse at any moment. The vast, desolate hall, which took up an entire floor of a massive building but had no practical use, was filled with dirty beggars clad in rags.

The scene might have seemed almost comical at first glance, but no one witnessing it dared to sneer. Those who filled the hall were none other than the elders and first-generation disciples of the Beggars Sect.

“…It seems like about half of them have gathered.”

“We’ve met the necessary quorum, but shouldn’t there be more?”

“Sect Leader died suddenly. We don’t have the luxury of time to gather all the beggars scattered across the land.”

“Well, that’s true…”

The elders of the Beggars Sect are not bound to the headquarters. Most of the absent elders are ones whose whereabouts are unknown even to the Sect itself. While it wouldn’t be impossible to find and gather them, there was no time for that now.

The beggars, talking in low voices, glanced toward the still-empty upper seat. Though it was merely a single raised platform in the middle of the vast hall, its significance to them was immense.

“In the end, it’s come to this.”

“…Sect Leader was indeed excessive.”

One of the elders of the Beggars Sect, Chu Myeon Gae [추면개(醜面丐) – Ugly Face Beggar], clicked his tongue.

“He practically abandoned the sect.”

“What could he do? He was ill.”

“Then he should have appointed a successor quickly. How can someone that sick not even designate a successor? This was bound to happen.”

Chu Myeon Gae clicked his tongue again. He was one of the few defending the former Sect Leader. The other elders’ dissatisfaction with the Sect Leader was incomparable to his. To the point that they agreed to place Sect Leader’s Sahyeong in his position.

“Thankfully, Elder Jao Gae isn’t here. If he were, there would have been chaos…”

“…What could he do? He left the sect. He wouldn’t be able to enter the headquarters.”

Chu Myeon Gae clicked his tongue briefly.

The person who opposed Ilho Shin Gae the most was Jao Gae. If Jao Gae hadn’t remained in the Yangtze River, the situation wouldn’t have escalated so quickly.

‘Why did you sever your own limbs, Sect Leader?’

If Jao Gae had been prevented from leaving the sect and had been kept in the headquarters, Ilho Shin Gae wouldn’t have been able to seize all power after the Sect Leader’s death.

But the ship had already sailed. All they could do was blame the foolish Sect Leader.

“We can only hope the new Sect Leader will do well. In fact, in such a situation, Ilho Shin Gae might be better than an unprepared successor, don’t you think?”

“Is that what you think?”

“Isn’t that your opinion, elder? After all, isn’t he Gungu Ilho?”

“…How can a tiger understand the thoughts of the dogs?”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.”

Chu Myeon Gae waved his hand dismissively.

Gungu Ilho, a fitting nickname for Ilho Shin Gae.

‘But if that’s the case, he shouldn’t have lead the Beggars Sect.’

The Beggars Sect isn’t a place to be led by someone exceptional – it should be led by someone who can understand many and has a heart full of passion.

‘This is the beginning of the end.’

Chu Myeon Gae let out a heavy sigh. There was nothing more he could do now.

And then.

Thud.

The door on one side of the grand hall swung open forcefully, and a few beggars walked in with an air of authority.

Ilho Shin Gae and his core elders.

The beggars lining the walls of the grand hall looked at them with serious eyes. Some with cheers, others with concern.

However, Ilho Shin Gae seemed unfazed by any of their gazes and confidently stood on the not-so-high platform.

Twitch.

Chu Myeong Gae’s face twisted slightly. Only the leader of the Beggars Sect was allowed to stand there. That was the unique authority granted to the Sect Leader in a sect that valued humility.

But now, Ilho Shin Gae had placed himself there, despite not yet being the Sect Leader.

As Chu Myeon Gae bit his lip, Ilho Shin Gae began to speak from the platform.

“As you have all heard, we received word last night that Sect Leader has passed away.”

The beggars held their breath.

“The even greater issue is that we could not find the sect’s sacred relic on Sect Leader’s body. We have lost both our leader and the relic overnight.”

The elders’ faces showed signs of bewilderment.

“W-what do you mean, the relic is lost?”

“That’s correct.”

“No, how could such a thing happen…”

Before anyone’s voice could rise further, Ilho Shin Gae continued firmly.

“Sect Leader hid the relic before he passed away, and there is no way to find it. Our investigation confirmed that Sect Leader did not tell anyone its location.”

Anger appeared on the faces of several elders.

The relic symbolizes the entire sect and should never be considered a personal possession. How could Sect Leader have been so careless with it?

“Then what should we do…”

“You know as well as I do!”

Ilho Shin Gae’s commanding voice silenced the murmuring crowd.

“Gangho is in a state of extreme turmoil. The position of the Sect Leader cannot remain vacant for even a single day. Especially now that the relic is lost!”

The elders held their breath.

All eyes were on Ilho Shin Gae.

“Therefore, in place of our departed Sect Leader, I, as an elder of the Beggars Sect, will convene a grand assembly to determine the next Sect Leader. Right here, right now!”

Ilho Shin Gae clenched his fist tightly.

“The next leader must be someone who can lead the Beggars Sect through the upcoming chaos, someone who is exceptional beyond measure. And also! It must be someone capable of restoring the Beggars Sect to its former glory, repairing the damage done by the previous Sect Leader!”

“Yes!”

“Of course!”

The orchestrated cheers erupted, and Chu Myeon Gae once again bit his lip.

‘So this is how it ends up.’

His sigh was drowned out by the shouts, and Chu Myeon Gae closed his eyes, as if to shut out the reality unfolding before him.

❀ ❀ ❀

“Stay alert.”

“Come on, who’s going to come? Can’t you see those beggars standing there with their eyes wide open?”

“If anything happens, you won’t avoid punishment. Just stay focused for one more hour.”

“I’m telling you, nothing’s going to happen. Everyone’s too scared to even approach. Besides, we’ve already communicated that anyone below the rank of sect leader isn’t allowed. Who would dare approach… huh?”

The man guarding the main gate of the headquarters stopped speaking and blinked. A group of people was quickly approaching from the distance.

“Who are they?”

“Stop them first.”

The beggars drew their staffs from their belts and crossed them in front of the gate to block it.

“Stop!”

The approaching figures halted right in front of the gate at the command.

“Turn back. The Beggars Sect is currently conducting an important ceremony. Unless you are a Sect Leader, you cannot enter!”

At these words, the person leading the group smiled.

“In that case, open the gate.”

“If you understand, then leave… wait, what did you say?”

The person in the lead drew a sheathed sword from his belt and held it forward. He clasped his hands around the sword and bowed firmly.

“Baek Cheon, Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan. I have come to congratulate the Beggars Sect on this occasion. Please convey this message and open the gate.”

“Uh…?”

At Baek Cheon’s words, the beggars eyes widened in surprise.

Baek Cheon? Hwasan Sect…

“Ah!”

Finally noticing the plum blossom pattern engraved on the young man’s chest, the beggars were greatly astonished.

“Baek… Baek Cheon?”

“Hwasan Jeonggeom? Baek Cheon?”

Observing the shocked beggars, Baek Cheon calmly spoke.

“If one is acting on behalf of the Sect Leader, there should be no doubt about their qualifications fitting the rank.”

“W-Well…”

The beggars looked flustered, turning to each other in confusion. How could this be possible…?

“Is there a problem?”

“Um, please wait a moment. The criteria…”

“Criteria?”

Baek Cheon stared at them intently before speaking.

“The criteria are two: being comparable to a sect leader and belonging to a sect befitting the title of a major sect.”

The faces of the beggars turned pale at his words.

“The position of Vice Sect Leader should naturally be equivalent to that of a Sect Leader. Are you suggesting, then, that Hwasan is unworthy of being considered a major sect?”

The beggars’ expressions turned even paler.

A major sect.

Though it was a term that couldn’t be precisely defined, no one in Gangho dared to call Hwasan a minor sect anymore. Especially if it was the Beggars Sect.

One wrong word here could lead to an incredibly serious situation. The guards at the gate could never handle something of that magnitude.

“If that’s not what you think.”

Baek Cheon, with a graceful smile adorning his lips, spoke gently as sunlight lit his back.

“Would you please open the gate?”

The beggars, sweating profusely, opened the gate as if they were in a trance. Witnessing this scene, Baek Cheon nodded and stepped inside.

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes!”

With each step Baek Cheon took into the decrepit headquarters, it seemed to tremble under the weight of his presence.