In a small village in Gohyeon County, a stream flowed, and before the serene village stood Wonun Mountain.
At Seonhwa Peak near its summit, a legend lingered.
Long ago, Nohwaja Sochan, the Beggar Sect’s founder, achieved enlightenment and ascended to immortality there. Proving the legend, a house-sized, human-shaped rock stood near the cliff, called Wonsin Rock, said to be left by Nohwaja before his ascension.
Whoosh.
Occasionally, fierce winds swept Seonhwa Peak, but Wonsin Rock stood unshaken.
Step, step.
Dozens of martial artists climbed the steep path to Seonhwa Peak, all in tattered clothes with short staffs at their waists, eyes scanning vigilantly.
They stopped upon reaching the peak.
“No good,” the leader said, gazing at the distant sky with a weary face.
It was Mu Hong, leader of the Beggar Sect’s secret intelligence unit, Yeonghwadang, under Geul Wang.
“We’ve scoured Wonun Mountain for half a month, but no trace of the Green Gourd.” The Green Gourd, a sacred relic of Nohwaja, was the Beggar Sect’s original divine object, lost to later generations who adopted the Dog-Beating Formation Staff instead.
“Hmm.” Mu Hong shook his head, dejected.
On Geul Wang’s orders, he had wandered the martial world seeking the Green Gourd, which could secure Gu Hongcheong’s leadership. His obsession was relentless, leading to information that the Green Gourd was hidden in Wonun Mountain.
Yet, after half a month, they found nothing.
“Divine swords are said to be granted by heaven,” said Jeonggak, Yeonghwadang’s deputy, forcing a smile to console him. “You’ve searched tirelessly. Heaven will reward your sincerity.”
“I hope so,” Mu Hong said with a dry smile. “Then the Supreme Elder can lead the sect as leader.”
Like Gu Hongcheong, he was dissatisfied with the sect’s moderation and served Gu, who sought strength and reform. But legitimacy was crucial for Gu, nearing a hundred, to become leader again. The Green Gourd was essential.
Another half month passed, with no sign of the gourd or even a similar stone. Mu Hong and his team grew despondent.
“No choice,” Mu Hong said, licking his dry lips and crouching.
‘Man plans, heaven decides.’ Failing to find the Green Gourd meant Gu’s leadership plan was ruined.
“You’ve worked hard,” he said wearily, standing. “Let’s return—”
He stopped, eyes widening.
On Seonhwa Peak, two figures touched Wonsin Rock. Peering closely, he saw a tall man in blue and a youth in black, examining the rock seriously, even tapping it.
‘Them?’ Wonsin Rock was a sacred relic tied to the Beggar Sect’s founder. To touch and strike it before their eyes?
“They must be tourists drawn by the legend,” Mu Hong said, frowning, turning to Jeonggak. “Send the team to tell them it’s a sect relic, not to be touched.”
“Understood,” Jeonggak said, turning.
“Wait…!” the team exclaimed, pointing at the rock.
Mu Hong and Jeonggak turned, jaws dropping.
The black-clad youth nodded, and the blue-clad man drew a gleaming steel wire from his pocket, slicing the rock in two.
Crack!
The wire cut through like tofu, and with a thunderous rumble, the rock split.
Whoosh.
As dust cleared, the bisected Wonsin Rock fell off the cliff.
Boom!
The explosion shook Wonun Mountain like an earthquake.
Mu Hong stammered, speechless.
To destroy a relic tied to their founder’s legend? Then, a jade-colored gourd gleamed where the rock had stood.
‘Could it be…?’ The Green Gourd, the sect’s sacred relic, was embedded beneath the rock.
“The Green Gourd!” Mu Hong shouted, rushing up the peak.
The team followed, exchanging glances.
“It was hidden here,” the blue-clad man said, picking up the gourd and tying it to his waist.
“Let’s go,” he said to the youth.
“Yes,” the youth replied, turning.
“Wait!” Mu Hong shouted, reaching the peak. “Hand it over!”
He pointed at the gourd. “That’s ours!”
“…” The two narrowed their eyes at him.
Feeling their sharp gazes, Mu Hong waved his hands. “I’m not a thief!” But after wandering Wonun Mountain for half a month, their beards were scruffy, and their robust builds from external arts made them look more like bandits.
“Not a thief, but a robber?” the blue-clad man smirked.
Mu Hong said solemnly, “I am Mu Hong, leader of the Beggar Sect’s Yeonghwadang.”
“Yeonghwadang?” the man said, shaking his head skeptically. “Never heard of it in the Beggar Sect.”
“Of course not. It’s a secret intelligence unit under the Supreme Elder—” Realizing his slip, Mu Hong waved his hand. “I’m definitely from the Beggar Sect. That gourd—”
The black-clad youth nodded. “I know it’s the Beggar Sect’s sacred relic.”
“Good! Then hand it over,” Mu Hong said, smiling and extending his hand.
“Don’t worry. We’ll deliver the Green Gourd to the Beggar Sect,” the youth said.
“I’m a Beggar Sect leader!”
“We’ll deliver it directly.”
“What does that mean…?” As Mu Hong stammered, the blue-clad man pressed his lips into a line, his expression stern.
“Go in peace. We swear to deliver the gourd to the Beggar Sect.” Turning to the youth, he said, “Let’s go, Black Leopard.”
The blue-clad man was Hyeok Sojin, the black-clad youth Black Leopard.
Sent by Bu Eunseol to find the Green Gourd, they had no reverence for Wonsin Rock, being unaffiliated with the Beggar Sect, and destroyed it without hesitation.
“Wait!” Mu Hong shouted, his face darkening as Hyeok Sojin turned. “That’s our sacred relic!”
“I said we know,” Hyeok Sojin replied boldly. “We’ll deliver it to the Beggar Sect, so why keep stopping us?”
“Well…”
Mu Hong faltered. Though part of the Beggar Sect, they opposed Deputy Leader Haepung. If these two delivered the gourd, it would go to Haepung, ruining Gu’s leadership bid.
“No choice,” Mu Hong said, raising his energy, realizing persuasion was futile. “I’ll take it by force.”
Hyeok Sojin smirked, observing his stance. “A robber after all.”
He handed the gourd to Black Leopard. “Take it to the Leader… I mean, the Grand Leader.”
“But Deputy Leader…”
“They’ll fight to the death to take the gourd for Geul Wang. I’ll handle them. Go.” Mu Hong’s eyes flashed, realizing they knew his identity and were provoking him intentionally.
“Who are you!” he shouted.
“No need to know,” Hyeok Sojin said casually. “Just get thoroughly beaten and tell that old man.”
“What? What?”
“Half a month from now, at the hour of the horse, at Ascension Platform.”
Swish.
Pulling the Blood Silk Rope from his left wrist, Hyeok Sojin grinned. “Tell him to come there if he wants the Green Gourd. A Nangyang Ten Demon Warrior will be waiting.”
His teeth gleamed brighter than the Blood Silk Rope in the sunlight.
***
The forest, after the rain, was filled with silence.
In a mountain slope slightly removed from the village, an old, dilapidated temple stood. Moonlight streamed through its broken roof, and a soft breeze leaked out. Most furnishings were broken, covered in cobwebs.
Crackle.
Inside, a campfire burned, and a robust, elderly man sat before it. His eyes gleamed in the dark, his frosty hair like crafted silver.
It was Geul Wang, Gu Hongcheong, one of the Four Gods and Seven Kings.
“Say that again,” he said.
Before him, a man knelt, face to the ground—Mu Hong, leader of Yeonghwadang.
“You lost the Green Gourd?”
“I’ve committed a grave sin, Supreme Elder,” Mu Hong said, head bowed.
He and his team had attacked Hyeok Sojin but were beaten and fled, reporting everything to Gu as instructed.
“A Nangyang Ten Demon Warrior,” Gu said, sighing deeply, gazing at the sky. “That mistake haunts me now.”
Back then, he had killed eight Peongan masters blocking him but failed to catch the Nangyang warrior who killed Seong Ryun. Had he pursued, this wouldn’t have happened.
“Even seeing the mountains and rivers, I should’ve hunted him down,” Gu said, his voice thick with anger.
The warrior who killed Seong Ryun became a Demon Sect successor candidate and now, as Death Shadow Corps’s leader, was thwarting his lifelong ambition.
“What did he demand?” Gu asked.
“Well…” Mu Hong said, head lowered. “He said if you want the Green Gourd, come alone to Ascension Platform in half a month.”
“Hahaha,” Gu laughed incredulously. “He’s serious.” He realized Bu Eunseol genuinely wanted a one-on-one duel.
“Some young fools overestimate their talent,” he sneered, curling his lips. “They never realize others have walked that path before them, and time’s gap can’t be bridged easily.”
“Supreme Elder.”
“He’s dumber than I thought,” Gu said, chuckling, pulling a small brass bowl from his robe. “Deliver this secretly to Elder Jin.”
Mu Hong’s eyes changed, recognizing the Beggar King Token, symbolizing Gu Hongcheong.
“And half a month from now…” Gu’s eyes narrowed like needles as he whispered.
***
Ascension Platform.
A wide, flat peak on Huitang Mountain, once a scenic spot for poets and tourists, now desolate and eerie. Bu Eunseol stood alone, eyes closed, motionless, blending into the landscape.
Step, step.
Low footsteps approached, and an elderly man with silver hair tied up ascended.
Wrinkled but with clear, sharp eyes and large, thick palms, it was Geul Wang, Gu Hongcheong.
