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Chapter 95




The old man’s friend, the old man’s disciple.


Noyushim and Sima Mantian.


Though the age difference is huge.


With no prying eyes, they chat freely about common topics.


“I wanted that friend to succeed me as the leader of the Beggar Sect. That’s why I taught him the Dog Chasing Stick Technique.”


“But do you know what happened after he learned it?”


Noyushim poked the ground with his stick, bursting into a ridiculous laugh as if recalling that time.


“He said he couldn’t settle down until he collected all the martial arts in the world, resigned before his inauguration, and ran away.”


“That friend has a sneaky side too.”


Imagining the master, with his huge frame, running off in his underwear after leaving a letter, I couldn’t help but chuckle.


“Very master-like indeed.”


“Hmm… Now that I think about it, the Dog Chasing Stick Technique is passed from the previous leader to the new one.”


Noyushim playfully joked.


“In a way, you could say you’re the new leader now. How about becoming the leader of the Beggar Sect?”


“Thanks for saving me, but I’ll pass.”


I lightly declined, as it was clearly a joke.


“I have parents and a cute little sister to take care of. Being a beggar is a bit…”


As I’ve said before, I plan to learn from my father, live leisurely, and train in martial arts.


Of course, the Beggar Sect isn’t all bad.


The Righteous Faction: Martial artists who joined the Beggar Sect, inspired by its freedom and chivalry. They’re not real beggars and live like everyone else.


The Dirty Faction: Real beggars who beg on the streets. Some are quite strong.


Though divided into these two factions, they’re all part of the Beggar Sect.


If I joined and became a beggar, my mother might collapse from shock.


“Haha! You’re right! What’s so great about being a beggar!”


Though it was a joke, Noyushim laughed heartily without any offense and prepared to leave.


“…It’s time. Thanks for putting up with this old man’s chatter.”


“Thank you so much today. I won’t forget this kindness and will repay it.”


I bowed, ready to see him off.


“Enough. I helped because I wanted to. But let me give you one piece of advice.”


Noyushim waved his hand and lifted me up.


“Fame in the martial world is a double-edged sword. And today, you showed off your might in front of many…”


Was it the old man’s worry or his experience predicting the future?


“You’ve made a name for yourself, Sima Mantian.”


With a serious face, the old man advised his junior.


“From now on, regardless of your intentions, many factions will try to recruit you or see you as an enemy.”


“Also, since I’ve officially helped you, those who dislike me will hate you too and plot against you.”


His tired black eyes, contrasting with his youthful face, looked at Mantian with a strong, unwavering gaze.


“But even so…”


As the leader of the Beggar Sect, one of the Nine Great Clans, he imparted his wisdom.


“As one who has learned the Dog Chasing Stick Technique, break but do not bend.”


With those words, Noyushim poked the ground with his stick and disappeared into the distance.


‘Did you hear that, Tagujang? He’s telling you to break appropriately.’


‘Tagutagu… Tagu… Taguwung…’


(Even though he couldn’t use it properly… his conscience… exploded… Tagu…)


Ignoring Tagujang’s voice threatening to protest in the Tagujang Gallery, I took a deep breath.


Anyway, we could’ve at least shared a meal before he left.


Leaving without any attachment…


I’ve always felt that martial artists are too cool with meetings and partings.


“……”


Watching Noyushim’s back disappear into the red sunset, leaving only a piece of advice behind.


“Has the old man left?”


Jaro approached casually, having finished his talk with the Martial Alliance elders.


“He just left. …I owe you this time.”


Even though I caused all the trouble, others cleaned up after me, which is embarrassing.


“Thank you for helping.”


I said with a slightly dejected voice.


“Enough. It’s natural for a senior to look after his junior.”


Jaro took out a cigarette, inhaled deeply, and exhaled with a faint smile.


“…And when Mo Dan sent that guy flying, it felt satisfying.”


Given his position as the Martial Alliance leader and other reasons, he couldn’t act, but he cared for Sososo and wanted to deal with Mo Dan.


In a way, the relationship between Jaro, Mantian, and Mo Dan is like that of senior brothers.


…Was I being trained as a junior?


Thinking this, something came to mind.


“Ah, speaking of that guy, I just remembered.”


I hadn’t had the chance to ask before, but now that things have settled, I asked my senior a question that had been on my mind.


“Why did the master tell Mo Dan about himself but not about the other disciples to me?”


I wasn’t upset, just genuinely curious.


“That guy isn’t a prophet, but he tailors his teachings.”


Jaro answered lightly while smoking.


“For Mo Dan, the existence of a senior was necessary. For you, he probably thought it wasn’t.”


“…Huh?”


“Considering his strong-willed personality, he would’ve kept chasing after you, trying to surpass you, the one praised by his respected master.”


Understanding the master’s intentions, Jaro chuckled.


“You would’ve met eventually. …What a bothersome old man.”


The cigarette smoke floated up into the sky.


“Simply put, he thought you, as his senior, would correct that straying guy in his place.”


In other words, the master believed Mo Dan might stray but thought Mantian wouldn’t, so he didn’t mention the existence of a senior.


“Walk your own path,” the master’s unexpected trust made Mantian look up at the sky.


‘That old man… really overestimates people for no reason.’


Perhaps because of the red sunset, my ears turned red. I absentmindedly rubbed the back of my neck.


“Anyway, let’s stop talking about that old man. We’re in the Martial Alliance, not a place for long stories.”


…After resolving his junior’s curiosity, Jaro changed the topic.


“The meeting decided to give you a title.”


“…Huh? They’re giving me one? I thought they’d just bury it quietly.”


At the unexpected result, I tilted my head in confusion. Jaro snorted.


“Too many people saw it. They had no choice. If they didn’t give you one, they’d look like a weak faction beaten by some nobody.”


Originally, they might’ve buried it quietly, but with the righteous faction elder Noyushim openly supporting you…


They decided to give you a decent title to save face, making it seem like they weren’t beaten by some random passerby.


“…So, do I get a dragon name too?”


Personally, I’d like something cool, like “Dragon Who Deceives Heaven” or “Osiris’s Sky Dragon.”


“You’re not an official participant, but they decided on something decent.”


Just as Jaro was about to tell Mantian his title…


“…Mantian!”


“Lord Sima!”


From different directions, two girls, Guhae and Sososo, quickly approached.


They had been worried since Mantian was called to the Martial Alliance meeting and rushed over upon hearing he was safe.


“……”


They noticed each other, paused, and frowned.


…Watching this, Mantian recalled a character from “The Little Prince” he read in a past life.


The fox’s words came to mind.


‘You must not forget. You are forever responsible for what you have tamed.’


Mukgang’s words also surfaced.


‘You must always take responsibility for your words and actions.’


The blue eyes of the girl who received a name.


The gaze of the girl, slightly relieved of her heavy fate, turned to Mantian.


Nothing has ended yet.


Now is the real beginning. It’s time to take responsibility for what you’ve tamed.

***

Inside the Namgung Family estate.


The one who shamelessly uses the emperor’s name, one of the Ten Great Masters, Thunder Emperor.


Namgung Cheon quietly smiled as he listened to reports from his subordinates planted in the Martial Alliance.


“They acknowledged him but… didn’t want to give him a dragon name.”


A newcomer from the mountains, who roared and drove away the phoenix, defeated the dragon.


A being comparable to a dragon.


Mastering the martial arts of the vanished Jeonjin Sect, the stick techniques of the Beggar Sect, and the fist and foot techniques of the Esoteric Sect.


A clever tiger.


“Clever Tiger Sima Mantian.”


Namgung Cheon reached for another document and read it.


“Mr. Sima. I looked into it since we share the same surname. …He’s Sima Bu’s son.”


Now it makes sense.


Why he went through the trouble of creating a trade route to the surface. Why he brought back the daughter with the blood of the Baehwa Church’s saintess.


Like a wolf.


The ambitious, sharp Sima Bu came to mind.


Sima Bu’s plan became clear.


He sent his son to the non-existent Jeonjin Sect to infiltrate the righteous martial world.


For the wealthy Sima Family, rebuilding a non-existent sect is easier than dealing with existing ones.


Also, recently, he’s been teaching his daughter the Sima Family’s martial arts.


He plans to have his son influence the righteous martial world and entrust the family to his daughter.


“Planning to control both the light and the dark.”


With a flash of blue lightning in his eyes, he muttered the name of a man who could become a threat in these chaotic times.


“Sima Bu… a terrifying man.”


.


.


.


…And currently, the terrifying man Sima Bu.


“Ah! Look! A cloud that looks like big brother!”


Outside the carriage window, Yeonghwa’s delicate finger pointed at a cloud. Sima Bu nodded.


“Indeed. Well spotted.”


He thought of his precious child who left home.


‘That kid… I hope he’s not hurt… I hope he’s eating well…’


Yeonghwa’s eyes, looking at the cloud, also thought of Mantian and turned red.


‘Big brother… wait for me. I’m coming.’


Praying to the sun with her hands together for her beloved brother and husband.


Surviving as a Cripple in Murim

Surviving as a Cripple in Murim

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Score 10
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Released: 2022 Native Language: Korean
I was born a cripple in a world that values martial arts. Now what? This is the murim life of a martial arts idiot cripple. Until the day I become a martial arts expert.

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