Do you know who I am? (4)

The hall fell into silence.

As invited guests, it wasn’t proper to disrupt another sect’s event. However, no one could reproach Baek Cheon for his rudeness or accuse him of overstepping his bounds because his argument was grounded in proper etiquette.

“Vice Sect Leader… I understand what you mean, but it would be more appropriate to address that after the current proceedings are finished.”

“I have one question.”

“Yes?”

“Have the elders and everyone else here already paid their respects to the previous Sect Leader?”

The elders’ faces showed signs of embarrassment. Indeed, no one present had thought of that.

“…That is…”

Baek Cheon’s statement was clear and decisive. The disciples of Hwasan exchanged glances and whispered amongst themselves, their lips forming silent words.

‘Wow… He’s really eloquent.’

‘That’s our Sasuk. Once he has the stage, he goes all out. The problem is he only gets his senses back when the stage is set.’

‘Exactly. We must differentiate between Dongryong and Baek Cheon.’

None of the Beggars Sect elders could easily open their mouths.

This indicated how persuasive Baek Cheon’s words were. As the only outsider here, he represented Gangho and sought to pay respects to the previous Sect Leader. How could they possibly stop him from doing that?

Moreover, strictly speaking, it wasn’t Baek Cheon’s place to make such a claim. Rather, it was the Beggars Sect members who should have ensured that they led the guests to pay their respects to the late Sect Leader. Having someone as high-ranking as the Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan pay respects would greatly enhance the Beggars Sect’s prestige. That’s why they go to great lengths to invite distinguished guests whenever there’s a leadership transition.

The elders, who had been casting their glances around, ultimately focused unanimously on Ilho Shin Gae. He was the only one here who could respond to Baek Cheon’s request.

Ilho Shin Gae let out a bitter smile in the midst of their gazes, realizing the confusion in the elders’ eyes.

‘This is why we shouldn’t have let outsiders in.’

When outsiders are present, uncontrollable variables inevitably arise. This is especially troublesome when dealing with tricky entities like Hwasan.

The only saving grace was that he had not yet lost control of the situation. Taking a deep breath, Ilho Shin Gae stared directly at Baek Cheon and spoke.

“On behalf of the Beggars Sect, I thank the Vice Sect Leader for his deep consideration.”

“Think nothing of it.”

Baek Cheon slightly bowed his head, gracefully displaying humility. Before Chung Myung’s expression of nausea could fully appear, Yoon Jong quickly grabbed Chung Myung’s head and pushed it down.

Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Ilho Shin Gae didn’t witness this and continued speaking.

“However, regretfully, it is difficult to grant Vice Sect Leader’s request. The reason being, the late Sect Leader’s body is not here.”

“What do you mean by that?”

When Baek Cheon asked with a puzzled expression, Ilho Shin Gae responded with a sorrowful look.

“Unfortunately, the late Sect Leader did not pass away here, but in another location. Thus, we have not yet been able to bring his body back to the main headquarters.”

“…In another location?”

“Yes.”

“Then what was the cause of his death?”

“Vice Sect Leader must be aware that the Sect Leader had been suffering from a chronic illness.”

Baek Cheon nodded silently. It was such a widely known fact in Gangho that there was no need to question it.

“Despite that, Sect Leader felt he could not stand by and do nothing in the face of Sapaeryeon’s invasion and the Demonic Cult’s movements. So, he personally went to investigate despite his ailing condition. Unfortunately, things went wrong in the process…”

“Are you saying he was ambushed?”

“That is not certain. The exact details can only be known after a thorough investigation. What I do know is that Sect Leader is no longer with us, and we cannot leave the position vacant for too long.”

Baek Cheon’s lips twitched faintly.

On the surface, it sounded plausible. Those unaware of the true situation might have been impressed by the late Sect Leader’s determination to investigate the enemy despite his poor health.

However, Baek Cheon, knowing the truth, could see through Ilho Shin Gae’s awkwardly feigned sorrow and falsehoods.

“Did the elders hear this news from you?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Only from you?”

At Baek Cheon’s question, Ilho Shin Gae hesitated for a moment.

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Is the only person who confirmed the death of the Sect Leader just you, Elder?”

Ilho Shin Gae frowned, his face hardening.

‘Do these people… came here knowing something?’

No, that couldn’t be. Sect Leader was not someone who could easily reveal himself. Furthermore, there was no way someone outside the Beggars Sect could know about Sect Leader’s movements.

“I represent the elders of the Beggars Sect. There is nothing strange about me being the one to hear this.”

“Then who was the person who brought you this news?”

“The person who was accompanying Sect Leader. A trustworthy person. He confirmed the facts and reported them to me.”

Ilho Shin Gae spoke slowly, glancing sideways to gauge the elders’ reactions.

‘Damn…’

There was no noticeable disturbance among those he had firmly won over. However, there was clear unease among those who had not supported him.

These elders had realized that all the information in this situation was based solely on Ilho Shin Gae’s words, planting seeds of doubt.

Especially Chu Myeon Gae, who had openly opposed him, was watching the situation with shining eyes.

‘This can’t go on any longer.’

If the conversation continued too long, even if Ilho Shin Gae became the Sect Leader, it would generate gossip and undermine his authority.

“I understand there are many questions, but now is not the time to reveal everything. Remember, this current situation involves Sapaeryeon and Demonic Cult.”

“…”

“Information sometimes needs to be handled with utmost secrecy, as you surely understand, Vice Sect Leader.”

“Of course. Especially here in the Beggars Sect.”

“Exactly.”

“But, Elder.”

At that moment, Baek Cheon straightened his shoulders and looked directly at Ilho Shin Gae.

“What happens if that important information is incorrect?”

“…What?”

“If the information that the previous Sect Leader has passed away is wrong, who will take responsibility for all of this?”

“Such insolence!”

The startled elders shouted from all sides.

The elders were not oblivious. By now, they understood that Baek Cheon’s questions were not merely to clarify doubts.

“Vice Sect Leader! How can you speak so recklessly as a guest here?”

“Even if you represent Hwasan, this is inappropriate!”

“Are you looking down on the Beggars Sect?”

However, they couldn’t directly criticize or take action against him, only muttering in the background. The reason was simple: the name Baek Cheon, Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan, and the prestige of Hwasan itself.

Hwasan was no longer the fallen sect of the past. It was now one of the most prominent sects in the world, having repeatedly proven its strength. As the ruler of Shaanxi and a leading force in Cheonumaeng, no one could forcefully suppress its representative.

Baek Cheon cast a cool gaze around the hall and spoke.

“I simply want everything to be clear and certain. If not, our presence here could turn into a disgrace.”

“That… that…”

“Enough!”

Ilho Shin Gae raised his hand to silence the elders. Then, as if on cue, he put on a relaxed smile.

“If there is any issue with the information, I will, of course, take responsibility.”

“You, Elder?”

“Of course. Since I initiated all this, it is my responsibility to bear. Is that satisfactory?”

Baek Cheon stared at Ilho Shin Gae intently for a moment before nodding.

“Yes. That will suffice.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Vice Sect Leader. Now, I hope you will join us in celebrating the Beggars Sect’s new Sect Leader.”

Ilho Shin Gae paused for a moment, looking at each of the elders before he spoke again.

“And elders, please do not be too angry. This is all my fault for trying to handle things quickly due to the urgency of the situation, without following the proper procedures.”

“Hmm…”

“If you put it that way.”

Ilho Shin Gae’s face was full of confidence. He looked at Baek Cheon and the group standing behind him.

‘It seems they have figured something out, but there is nothing they can do about it.’

From the perspective of Hwasan, they would want to stop him from becoming Sect Leader at all costs. The moment he becomes Sect Leader, the Beggars Sect would return to being a full-fledged member of Gupailbang. Naturally, this would be unfavorable for Hwasan and Cheonumaeng.

But no matter how much fuss they make now, the outcome cannot be changed.

‘You must be the one behind all of this, right?’

Ilho Shin Gae’s gaze shifted from Baek Cheon to Chung Myung standing behind him.

It was the first time he saw Chung Myung’s face, but no one living in Gangho could fail to recognize Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung. When their eyes met, Ilho Shin Gae gave a faint smile.

‘Throwing a tantrum won’t work. You won’t be able to do anything.’

As Ilho Shin Gae was about to wrap things up, a triumphant smile spread across Chung Myung’s face.

Ilho Shin Gae’s heart sank for a moment.

“Got you.”

“…What?”

Chung Myung’s quiet words pierced Ilho Shin Gae’s heart like a dagger. With a sly grin, Chung Myung nodded towards someone and asked. 

“Is this enough?”

“Thank you, Geomhyeop.”

Soon, a man who had been standing behind Chung Myung slowly walked forward. He was so ordinary-looking that he had been overshadowed by the presence of Hwasan’s group.

‘Who is he?’ 

Ilho Shin Gae quickly racked his brain with a tense expression.

He had never seen this person before. No matter how much he searched his memory, he had no information about this stranger. But why was such a person stepping forward in this critical moment? What could he possibly intend to do?

The man, now at the front, looked around before taking something out from his robes. It was a simple wooden club, lying between a cudgel [곤(棍)] and a staff [봉(棒)], an item exceedingly familiar to the members of the Beggars Sect.

As he began to speak, all eyes were on him.

“What is the meaning of this?” 

Ilho Shin Gae demanded.

In response, the elders’ faces simultaneously filled with confusion.

“Huh?”

“Hmm?”

The voice of the unfamiliar man was all too familiar.

Buzz.

At that moment, a jade-colored aura swirled around the club the man was holding. The club soon turned a greenish hue. In an instant, the faces of all the Beggars Sect’s members turned pale.

That martial arts technique…

“If you are truly disciples of the Beggars Sect, show your respect before the rightful Sect Leader of the Beggars Sect.”

A voice, like an echo from the heavens, erupted from the man enveloped in the jade-colored aura.