NOVEL NEXT Ch. 9
Chapter 9: The Light Under the Lamp
“Ink Sword Hero, this way, this way. This is the prime spot.”
Swift Wind led me under a small bridge near the alley.
“Indeed. Even under the bridge, the ground isn’t wet, and sunlight and breeze flow well.”
“Right? Perfect for begging on the bridge and resting underneath.”
He sat on the ground, stretching his legs.
Even in late autumn, his rolled-up pant legs revealed long, lean, muscled calves.
A master of lightness skill, earning the title Swift Wind.
Lightness skills vary by use. Swift Wind specialized in running long distances without tiring.
“It’s been a while. Why so scarce?”
The Beggar’s Gang and Rogues’ Guild vie for the top spot as the jianghu’s best intelligence network.
The Rogues’ Guild focuses solely on information, while the Beggar’s Gang handles both intel and direct chivalrous acts.
I and Swift Wind met during those acts.
“I, uh, my son was born.”
“What? Congratulations! Congratulations, Ink Sword Hero!”
Swift Wind offered genuine joy.
So genuine he pulled a hidden bottle of liquor from his robe.
Top-grade Shaoxing wine.
“Oh, well. Passing the back alley of Yunzhong Inn, I found this lying on the street. Saved it for a special day, and today seems it.”
Liquor from a beggar was rare.
Normally, I’d accept a drink, but,
I waved it off.
“No, I need to return to a house with a child. Liquor’s tough right now.”
“Oh my, my short-sightedness. You must keep pure with a young one.”
We laughed, facing each other.
Before asking about Mud Beggar, I raised a curiosity.
“Why aren’t Beggar’s Gang members visible on the streets today?”
The spot where young beggars nearly faced the burly men was a main road.
Beggar’s Gang members should’ve intervened, yet none appeared.
“Hm. They went to support the Chang’an sub-branch, short on hands. I was called but didn’t go.”
“I see.”
That explained the absence.
“We’re busy enough in Luoyang, yet support…”
Luoyang’s chaotic security traced back twenty years.
“War was war. Reconstruction brought famine, bandits, all sorts of hardships.”
Twenty years ago, Luoyang was a battleground in the war for the throne. Repeated clashes left it desolate, spawning many wanderers.
Disasters piled on afterward, as Swift Wind said.
By now, the glory of being a past capital of multiple dynasties was gone.
“No wonder they call it a ruined capital.”
A city of ruins.
Beggars, Black Path, wanderers flooded in like mud.
“What about the wanderers?”
“Wanderers. Many are settling now.”
“That’s good.”
“Losing a livelihood is a big deal. Even after disasters, some keep wandering, growing used to it.”
My wandering childhood from the war flashed back.
But it’s past now.
Swift Wind let out a long sigh.
“Why’s that?”
“A Taoist temple outside the city helped wanderers settle and find work, but it closed.”
“Really? Why?”
Swift Wind sucked on a duck bone stripped of meat.
“Why else? Lack of funds.”
Money.
Money was the issue.
“I’ve no interest in earning, content as a Beggar’s Gang member. But seeing this often… makes me think money isn’t bad.”
Even Swift Wind said that.
With a trading leader among the beggars you protect.
Time to ask.
“Some wanderers become beggars, right?”
“Plenty, plenty.”
“Still, doesn’t Swift Wind know most of them?”
“Hm, more or less.”
“On my way, I saw a beggar with mud caked on his face. They called him Mud Beggar. He was sharing his food with kids.”
Swift Wind scratched his head.
“Hm, such a person? If Ink Sword Hero mentions it, I’ll look into it.”
“…….”
An autumn breeze blew.
It was refreshing earlier, but now it raised goosebumps.
Such a person?
I’ll look into it?
When I met Mud Beggar Zhu Hochong in the alley,
- I’ve seen him begging a few times, but whether he remembers…
He’d said.
If so, Swift Wind remembers.
More than that, he’d have assessed who he was.
‘Yet he pretends not to know in front of me?’
“…….”
Pretending not knowing means he does.
Then Zhu Hochong isn’t begging alone but under Swift Wind ’s protection?
A wealthy trading leader living as a mere beggar, not even a Beggar’s Gang member?
His half-year hiding makes sense.
Using the Beggar’s Gang network explains his precise trade orders.
If so, his crimes might be framed.
But in my past life, I met a Beggar’s Gang elder and discussed Zhu Hochong.
The main branch knew nothing.
No pre- or post-reports.
‘Swift Wind ’s solo act?’
I watched Swift Wind gnaw bones.
If he protected Zhu Hochong under Luoyang sub-branch authority, he’d report to the main branch.
‘Completely private?’
Then Zhu Hochong’s crimes’ validity is unclear.
Pretending not knowing.
I’d have been fully deceived without my knowledge.
“Ahem.”
But I know.
I pushed, subtly, a step further, but aggressively.
“On another note, I saw Zhu Hochong at the top of the wanted list on my way.”
“Hm.”
A grunt.
Could be a reaction to being caught off guard.
“So they say. I thought he was just a successful trading leader. He gave us alms often. Who’d think…”
Swift Wind was seasoned.
He masked his reaction as lamenting the world.
“Did he give that much alms?”
“Oh yes. Our kids ate well because of him.”
“Really? Didn’t Swift Wind get any?”
“Me?”
He smacked his lips.
“I’ll admit it. I ate a lot. That I’ll own.”
“And?”
“That’s it. Judged a criminal, what can you do? As a White Path Beggar’s Gang member, I can’t associate further.”
Then he made a comical face.
“Isn’t that so? If I caught him for the reward, it’d change things.”
Swift Wind laughed heartily, joking.
I laughed loudly, patting his shoulder.
“What if I plan to catch Zhu Hochong?”
“Huh?”
His shoulder tensed slightly, then relaxed.
“I applied for paternity leave with the Alliance.”
“Paternity leave? What’s that?”
“Literally. Taking a break to raise my child.”
“Whoa, weren’t you diligent with Alliance missions?”
“My thinking’s shifted lately.”
“Well… looks good to me. But what’s that got to do with catching Zhu Hochong?”
“The Alliance stipend stops.”
“Ahh.”
Swift Wind clapped his hands as if understanding.
“Then I’ll have to help. I’ll inform you if I get info on Zhu Hochong!”
A masterful act to the end.
“Hahaha, would it be that easy to catch his tail? Just talk. I’ll look into other matters.”
Confirmed.
Swift Wind is hiding Zhu Hochong.
Luoyang’s lantern light.
The space under the lamp was very dark.
* * *
“Oh my, you rascals. Uncle’s tripping.”
Mud Beggar wailed as young beggars clung to him.
He swayed, supporting them.
“Hehehe, Mud Beggar Uncle’s fun to tease.”
“Tease me? You little!”
Pretending to smack them, the kids giggled and scattered.
“You brats, run slow! Uncle’s out of breath!”
Chasing them, he soon stopped, panting, a smile spreading.
The street’s harsh life couldn’t break the kids’ laughter.
Because an adult laughing with them stood by.
“What a blessed life.”
A shadow fell over Mud Beggar’s face.
“Swift Wind .”
“Ahem.”
“Honored Swift Wind .”
“Right. Be careful. Long hiding can make you sloppy.”
The Beggar’s Gang protects beggars.
A Luoyang sub-branch leader like Swift Wind earned respect from all ages.
“Yes, Honored Swift Wind . What’s that duck bone in your mouth?”
Crunch, crunch.
Even after parting with Ink Sword Hero and meeting Mud Beggar, he still chewed a duck bone.
Chewing like this extracts every last bit of oil. That savory taste was a beggar’s delicacy.
But today, it tasted bitter.
Swift Wind and Mud Beggar entered a shack to talk comfortably.
“Swift Wind , what’s troubling you?”
“The bounty on your head is too high.”
Mud Beggar, Zhu Hochong, chuckled.
“One hundred tls? High? Just proves the magistrate’s a thief. Only a hundred tls for me?”
“To you, maybe not. But it’s a fortune for most.”
Gruffly, Swift Wind added,
“Even a hero like Ink Sword Hero’s taken interest.”
“Hmm.”
Mud Beggar nodded at the mention of a martial artist’s interest.
“It’s all about money in the end. Even you, Swift Wind .”
“Hmph. Not the same.”
“Still, you’re protecting me for a reward, aren’t you?”
Mud Beggar lay back on the shack floor.
A confident demeanor, unbecoming of hiding.
“You’ve gotten used to begging. As a leader, you ate well, yet you handle begged meals.”
“I told you, I begged enough as a kid. And I’ll be a leader again soon. The magistrate’s replacement is near.”
“You’ve said that forever.”
“I said it would happen, not soon. I’ve confirmed the court’s mood, so don’t worry.”
Swift Wind helps Zhu Hochong hide until the current magistrate is replaced.
The end seemed near.
“Our sub-branch keeps mouths shut. Only my close aides know. Just be careful, Leader Zhu.”
“I’ve managed so far.”
“Then no one will know.”
Swift Wind and Zhu Hochong nodded at each other.
Almost there.
“If needed, you can carry me and run.”
“True, but if your identity’s exposed, trading leaders you’ve harmed might send assassins. You were too harsh on them.”
“Kahahaha, can’t help it when earning money.”
Laughing, Zhu Hochong asked,
“Afraid?”
Swift Wind bristled. Calling a jianghu man fearful insulted martial pride.
“Don’t talk nonsense. No one in Luoyang disrespects me.”
“The Alliance branch leader?”
“Hwangbo Gak? Hmph, Hwangbo clan or not, he’s more into politics than martial training.”
“What about that Ink Sword Hero?”
“Ink Sword Hero?”
Swift Wind fell silent.
Zhu Hochong interjected,
“Young, isn’t he? Above you, perhaps?”
Swift Wind didn’t bristle. Ink Sword Hero was different.
“Can’t guarantee I’d overwhelm him. He’s strong and progresses fast. Can’t take him lightly.”
Zhu Hochong frowned.
“What if he turns hostile?”
“Hostile?”
“I’m labeled a criminal now. Frivolous charges, of course.”
“People think otherwise.”
“Hm?”
“They say there’s a reason he grew his trading company so fast.”
“Why? You know my charges are framed, Swift Wind .”
“Sometimes, watching you, I wonder if I misjudged.”
“Enough of that. Tell me about a hostile scenario.”
“Hostile? Ink Sword Hero?”
Swift Wind pondered, then answered.
“Rest easy. He’s naive.”
“Naive?”
“He doesn’t suspect others well. Trusts me completely. Unless he suddenly changes, which won’t happen, you’re safe.”
Swift Wind nodded firmly.
“He knows nothing.”
Zhu Hochong nodded too.
But.
They didn’t know.
That Ink Sword Hero Jin Yeomyeong knew the situation best right now.