"What do you mean by that?"
Hong Gae narrowed his eyes, suspicion flickering in them.
"I heard it from the beggars down on South Street," Wi Jicheon said innocently. "They said the reason the Beggars' Union isn't doing anything about this mess is because Uncle Hong took a bribe."
"Which bastard said that?!"
"Well, they said there's no other explanation. With so many beggars about to die, how could the Beggars' Union just stand by and do nothing?"
"!!"
Hong Gae stiffened. That was not something he could easily ignore.
"What are you talking about?"
"If huanglian is this expensive, how are the beggars supposed to get treatment? They'll just lie down and die."
"..."
"Oh, right! I heard not all beggars belong to the Beggars' Union. So you must mean the others can die for all you care, huh? Since they're not your people?"
Hong Gae's face hardened.
The boy wasn't wrong. Only a portion of the world's beggars belonged to the Beggars' Union. Those who did were untouchable — no one dared to harm them.
But the rest? They were fair game.
And the Union had a duty to protect them.
"I know that," Hong Gae muttered. "But you're just a boy — you don't understand how the world works. The martial world can't just interfere in civilian matters."
If strength alone could right every wrong, then the entire merchant world would already be ruled by the strongest cultivators.
Even the noblest intentions could bring ruin if acted upon recklessly.
And besides — as their tidy clothes proved — the Beggars' Union's real income didn't come from begging. It came from the donations of the wealthy.
The Southern Heavy Healer House had been one of those benefactors.
"Oh, I see," Wi Jicheon said brightly. "So you'll just sit back and watch the beggars die. If I were one of them, I'd be disappointed in you. I might even think you took a bribe to turn a blind eye."
Hong Gae clenched his jaw.
The boy's naive-sounding words cut like blades.
"You're an important man in the Beggars' Union, aren't you?"
"…I'm the branch leader."
Not just any branch leader.
Normally, a city the size of Namyang warranted a three-knot leader.
Five knots signified authority on the level of a regional hall master.
Hong Gae was no ordinary beggar — he was a direct disciple of the Beggars' Union's Chief, one of the Ten Successors.
That didn't mean he was heir, however.
There were more than ten such disciples, and he had to prove his worth among them.
'This brat… could he know my situation?'
If he had been just a regular branch leader, this wouldn't have mattered much.
But as one of the Chief's successors, allowing beggars to die without action could stain his name permanently.
"…So what do you expect me to do? March into the Southern Heavy Healer House and bash the clan head's skull in?"
It was a tricky dilemma.
If he acted rashly, it would bring trouble; if he stayed still, he'd face political backlash.
"There is one way," Wi Jicheon said calmly. "A way for you to protect the beggars without clashing with the Southern Heavy House."
"What is it?"
"Before cholera spreads, strengthen their bodies."
"…What?"
"I read in a medical text that all illness begins when the body is weak and evil energy seeps in. So if we fortify their bodies in advance, the sickness won't take hold."
"Well, that's true, but…"
It sounded logical — and utterly absurd at the same time.
Strengthening the body was important, sure, but to claim it could stop an epidemic?
'This brat's a fool. Why am I even entertaining this conversation?'
Hong Gae was about to wave him off when—
"I heard Five Wood Seeds are excellent for strengthening the body."
"!!"
Hong Gae froze.
The Beggars' Union's information network was extensive.
He already knew that the Divine Healer Clan had recently bought up an enormous amount of Five Wood Seeds.
Everyone had laughed at them for it, since both the Southern Heavy House and the Lee Healer Clan had already stocked up earlier.
"…You don't mean—?"
"I also heard the Beggars' Union has a tradition," Wi Jicheon said casually. "Before the hottest days of summer, your brothers visit wealthy families to get food for nourishment. I remember some came to our Divine Healer Clan last year."
The boy's smile was bright — too bright.
"But if the honorable Beggars' Union brothers took some Five Wood Seeds to boil for nourishment, I doubt the Southern Heavy House would dare complain."
A few days later, a festival broke out in the heart of Namyang.
A beggars' feast.
Such gatherings weren't unusual for the Beggars' Union, so most people ignored it.
But those who knew the truth were left speechless.
"Wh-what is the meaning of this, Hero Hong?! Those are our Five Wood Seeds!"
The steward of the Southern Heavy Healer House came storming into the street, red-faced with rage.
Hong Gae cleaned his ear lazily.
He'd never liked the Southern Heavy House's arrogance anyway.
"What can I say? Cholera's spreading, and someone's hoarded all the medicine. As a branch leader, I can't just sit still. My poor brothers need strength to survive — and Five Wood Seeds are just the thing."
"B-but still, this is outrageous—!"
"Bah, you're spoiling the mood. Someone bring the chicken the Black Ghost Sect donated! And fine, if you're so worried, I'll pay you for the seeds later. Hah! What a world, where even beggars get scolded for eating."
"That's not the issue!" the steward cried.
"You don't understand — Five Wood Seeds can't be found anywhere right now!"
"Why not? Someone hoard them all, maybe?" Hong Gae said pointedly.
"..."
The steward fell silent.
There was no defense for that.
Everyone who knew the truth would see this as poetic justice — the Beggars' Union, paragons of righteousness, chastising the greedy Southern Heavy House in their own way.
"You'll regret this," the steward spat before storming off.
It wasn't an empty threat.
"…They'll cut our funding," Hong Gae muttered, scratching his head.
He sighed — but it was still a worthwhile trade.
The Beggars' Union had many patrons; losing one wasn't fatal.
And in exchange, he'd gained prestige and respect.
'So what if we eat a little less meat?'
Beside him, Wi Jicheon smiled faintly.
"Don't worry, Great Hero. Losing their donations won't hurt you. Not really."
"Ahem, you're right. The Beggars' Union has pride! We don't need filthy money from men like that."
Hong Gae looked at the boy again — really looked this time.
The rumors about Wi Jicheon being a useless fool were clearly false.
This boy…
'A prodigy.'
He'd seen countless so-called heroes and villains, but few could strike at the heart of human greed so precisely.
Those merchants and healers who exploited others under the guise of righteousness were filthier than any demonic sect.
And yet this boy had cut through that corruption cleanly, without drawing a blade.
Not by luck — by design.
He'd chosen the Beggars' Union not by chance, but because it was the one group that could act just enough to make a difference without overstepping.
And he'd accounted for Hong Gae's delicate political standing on top of it.
A flawless move.
'To think the "fool" of the Divine Healer Clan is such a tactician. The clan's future looks promising indeed. Even if they lost the Southern Heavy House's favor, gaining his friendship is worth far more…'
But then Wi Jicheon said something strange.
"You really don't need to feel bad about losing their support."
"Hm? Why's that?"
"How long do you think the Southern Heavy Healer House will last?"
"They'll endure, of course. The world's unfair — it's always those bastards who thrive."
Wi Jicheon smiled softly.
"I disagree."
"…What?"
"I don't think they'll last long. In fact, I think they'll collapse soon."
Hong Gae frowned. "And why's that?"
"Because they touched my family."
"!!"
Hong Gae swallowed hard.
The boy was still smiling — the same calm, pleasant smile he'd worn since they met.
But now, that smile looked different — like a mask hiding something cold and merciless.
"When beggars have their territory invaded, they don't stay quiet, do they?"
"Of course not," Hong Gae muttered.
"Then neither will I," Wi Jicheon said softly.
For some reason, a chill crept down Hong Gae's spine.
He couldn't explain it — this was just a boy, after all — but the voice that reached his ears was colder than steel.
It felt as though, just for an instant, he'd glimpsed the true face behind that unchanging smile.
'I need to make it clear that I'm not to be trifled with.'
Wi Jicheon avoided revealing his martial prowess because of the Heavenly Immortal Divine Art.
Drawing attention could provoke enemies he wasn't ready to face.
But that didn't mean he planned to hide forever.
'People need to know there's a mad dog living in the Divine Healer Clan. That way, no one will dare touch us lightly.'
He had no intention of stopping halfway.
He would not rest until the Southern Heavy Healer House was broken — until its very pillars collapsed.
"News from the Southern Heavy House!" Wi Jimu burst in, beaming. "They're offering to trade huanglian for Five Wood Seeds!"
"What's the exchange rate?"
"Five to one! They're yielding quite a bit. All thanks to you, Cheon!"
Wi Jicheon smiled faintly.
Not only would they finally secure the medicine, but at that rate, they'd even turn a profit.
'Who would've thought this boy would bring us fortune?'
But then Wi Jicheon asked quietly, "At that rate, what price are they valuing huanglian at?"
"Twice the normal price," Wi Jimu said. "And Five Wood Seeds at five times. Given the situation, we're still coming out ahead."
"Reject it," Wi Jicheon said flatly.
"…What?"
"Tell them we won't trade unless they sell huanglian at standard price."
"And the Five Wood Seeds?"
"Ten times the market price, of course."
That would raise the exchange ratio to twenty-to-one.
"That's insane! They'll never accept that!"
"Then we won't trade."
"…What?"
"Uncle, who's desperate right now?"
Wi Jicheon's tone was calm, but his eyes gleamed.
"This whole mess is their doing. The longer it drags on, the more the people will hate them."
"And not just the people," he added softly.
"Their clients are all nobles and officials. Do you think those people will tolerate delays in their treatment?"
Wi Jimu stared, astonished, then leaned closer and whispered nervously.
"Isn't this pushing them too far? You might not know, but the Southern Heavy House has a dark reputation. Who knows what ruthless things they'll do when cornered?"
Wi Jicheon smiled faintly.
'That's exactly what I'm counting on.'