The Return of the Crazy Demon-Chapter 231: You Still Don’t Know at Your Age?

With the Beggars’ Sect Leader watching, I stared at the Sun-Moon Radiance.

Maybe it was because of the added thunder energy, but this thing had already manifested—it didn’t want to be absorbed into my danjeon, nor vanish.

I glanced at the Beggars’ Sect Leader gripping my wrists and saw him clearly flustered.

“Zaha, if this goes wrong, we’ll all die.”

“Senior, let go and step back. I’ll take care of it.”

As soon as he stepped away, I let out a faint smile and altered the Sun-Moon Radiance using the principle of Reverse Heaven, transforming it into a Radiant Curtain.

“......”

The light of Sun-Moon Radiance morphed into a curtain that extended long from both of my hands—a shimmering barrier that instantly deflected all attacks. Like pulling noodles, it stretched out in long strands before I suspended it gently in the air.

The light scattered.

Perhaps this was the highest level of martial technique I had ever achieved in both this life and the last—this Radiant Curtain.

I regretted revealing my trump card.

But since I couldn’t allow the Beggars’ Sect Leader to get hurt, I had no choice but to commend myself for converting Sun-Moon Radiance into the Radiant Curtain.

He looked at me with awe.

“Amazing. I’ve never seen such a technique.”

“Is that so?”

“What was that martial art you showed before?”

“Sun-Moon Radiance. A combination of the energies of sun and moon.”

“And this light you fully converted it into?”

“I simply named it the Radiant Curtain.”

“Ridiculous. Is it a defensive technique?”

“Yes.”

If someone of the Three Calamities says it’s absurd, then absurd it is. Only then did the Beggars’ Sect Leader glance around.

Everyone’s faces had turned pale, but the color was starting to return.

“Everyone, plant your butts on the ground. You too.” 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

When the Beggars’ Sect Leader spoke to the Heavenly Alliance Leader, the entire Heavenly Alliance sat down like schoolboys in class. Even the elite of Jianghu looked like obedient students.

Shin Gae turned to me.

“Let’s sit.”

“Yes, sir.”

I sat. He dropped down beside me. He asked Juguk,

“Anyone dead?”

“No, sir.”

“Good.”

“Do your men recognize me?”

Juguk looked around at his officers, then replied,

“They don’t know, but I think they’ve figured it out.”

The Beggars’ Sect Leader looked around the Heavenly Alliance and said,

“So Juguk succeeded. Became the Alliance Leader, built a fine faction, surrounded by capable subordinates. You’ve made it.”

“......”

“Not many juniors make money like you do. I heard Lim Sobaek still lives off the monthly salary from the Martial Alliance, but not you, right?”

“No, sir.”

“Then even the head of a great noble house couldn’t flaunt his wealth before you. While I was in seclusion, I heard many brave juniors died in the chaos. You weren’t among them. I often asked around—what’s that brat Juguk doing these days? Turns out, you were doing just fine.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Maybe tone down the money-making.”

I looked back and forth between the Beggars’ Sect Leader and Juguk. Then Shin Gae asked again.

“Do you still need to make more here?”

“I’ll ease up.”

“If I had to name the most courageous juniors in Jianghu, you’d still be in the top ten. Your nature’s too aggressive. For a time, I wondered if you’d grow enough to join the Three Calamities the next time I faced them. I expected a warrior. But now, seeing you again, I find a greedy merchant chief in front of me. Did you come to Jianghu to become a great merchant? How long are you going to play errand boy for merchants?”

Juguk fell silent.

Shin Gae looked around and spoke again.

“Hey, juniors of the Heavenly Alliance.”

“Yes, senior!”

“I am the Beggars’ Sect Leader who never got to finish things with the other Calamities. I’ll be honest—I probably only have one good fight left in me. If I face those monsters again, win or lose, how much longer do you think I’ll last?”

“......”

“This time, I hoped for a two-on-two match. If even one qualified junior stepped up, we could settle it once and for all. I searched long and hard. Couldn’t find anyone. That’s why I secluded myself—to focus on a disciple. If I lagged, the other Calamities—those maniacs—would surpass me. I had a lot to think about. If I fall to the Cult Leader or Chunak, who among you will stop them? Young ones, I’ve got one fight left. If I handle that, it’s your turn next.”

“......”

He turned to Juguk.

“Your turn’s coming soon, too.”

“Yes, sir.”

“If you die chasing wealth, what’ll you do with all that treasure? Is money that important? Or are you planning to kneel before the Cult Leader and join him? Maybe you’ll keep half your assets that way. Congrats in advance.”

Juguk replied,

“I have no such intentions.”

“Then you’re planning to get beaten to death with your loyal followers, huh? What a fine leader you are.”

Only then did Juguk’s face go pale. He «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» looked like a tiger that’d eaten something wrong and was suffering indigestion.

Shin Gae looked at me.

“One day, a Demon Cult force was wiped out. I thought it was Lim Sobaek, or Juguk, or maybe another monarch. But it was some ‘Haomun Lord.’ Who? What’s Haomun? I’d only vaguely heard about it from my disciple Noshin—no one else knew anything.”

He turned back to Juguk.

“Why wasn’t it you? Make an excuse, great merchant.”

“I have no excuse, sir.”

Shin Gae’s eyes widened—and then whack—he slapped Juguk’s head. His neck twisted sharply, and a cold silence fell.

“You didn’t earn your wealth and fame alone. Never forget your subordinates’ sacrifices. Is dying together with them what a leader should do? Without your men, you’re no Alliance Leader. Don’t you know that by now, old man? Without beggars, I’m no Sect Leader. If Haomun’s wiped out, Zaha’s not a Haomun Lord either. A leader who—”

“......”

“If the Cult Leader defeats us all, Jianghu disappears. Then what? You all become cultists in a twisted religious sect. Fawning sycophants who end up beheaded like tyrant’s ministers. Whether you walk the dark path or shine on the righteous, never forget the greater cause. You pathetic bastard, do you want to die by my hand? People barely know me—but do you want to be the first Alliance Leader beaten to death by a beggar?”

Juguk answered faintly,

“No, sir. I’d rather die to the Cult Leader.”

The only man in the Heavenly Alliance who could slap its leader—that was the Beggars’ Sect Leader.

I watched their heartwarming conversation while trying to suppress laughter. My plan, if things had gone badly, was to wipe out eight-tenths of the Heavenly Alliance and flee to support Lim Sobaek.

But now I wasn’t sure whether my plan had failed—or whether this unexpected turn had given us all a new chance.

Either way, I respected Shin Gae’s words.

With a harsher tone, he called out,

“Young ones!”

“Yes, senior!”

“If I face the Three Calamities again soon, who among you will step up to fill the empty spot? Lim Sobaek? Whoever it is, your Alliance Leader won’t. There’s no profit in it. Once, he was known as a ‘Ferocious General’ alongside Lim Sobaek—a name that didn’t suit Jianghu, but still. How did it come to this? Did you all just spout flattery? You’re not blameless either.”

Now he scolded the entire Heavenly Alliance corps.

Their faces turned red in unison.

I finally spoke up.

“Senior, I’ll take that open seat.”

He snapped at me.

“You’re not ready! You couldn’t last a hundred exchanges and had to throw Sun-Moon Radiance. If the Cult Leader and Chunak combine their power, they’ll snuff that out instantly. I’ve watched the sun and moon rise and fall countless times while battling the Calamities. Zaha, do you think you can handle that?”

“Hm.”

Shin Gae stood up and looked between Juguk and me.

“Jianghu must survive. Only then can you have leaders and factions. Don’t waste your years being fools. Juguk.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Until next time.”

Apparently Juguk wasn’t completely heartless. He stood and offered,

“Senior, why not stay a few days?”

“Tell that to your men. I’m leaving. If you want to protect them, train harder. You don’t even work—what do you have to do? You’re still the same as when you used to get smacked around.”

“I’ll dedicate myself to training.”

Shin Gae looked at me.

“Zaha, let’s go.”

“Yes, sir.”

I walked side by side with the Beggars’ Sect Leader through the Heavenly Alliance’s base. Just then, I heard laughter from above—Noshin landed beside the Sect Leader.

This clueless bastard—when I glared at him, he shut his mouth.

Shin Gae asked,

“Why are you only arriving now?”

“Master, you’re too fast. Is it over already?”

Shin Gae sighed.

“My back hurts. Haven’t run like that in ages.”

“Ah!”

Noshin cried out and moved in front of him, ready to carry him on his back.

“Climb on, Master. You’ve worked hard.”

Suddenly, I acted on instinct. I slapped Noshin on the shoulder and gestured.

“Move aside, Noshin.”

“Why?”

“Master, get on.”

Shin Gae nodded.

“Alright. I should get a piggyback ride from the Haomun Lord too.”

When I crouched down, Shin Gae climbed on like he was mounting a warhorse. Sweat broke out on my forehead.

“What the—why so heavy, Master?”

He replied coldly,

“Shut up and run. Everything’s training. Noshin, lead the way.”

“Yes, Master. Hahaha. This foolish Haomun Lord thought piggybacking was just a joke. Let’s go!”

Noshin sprinted ahead, and the Sect Leader tapped the back of my head.

“Catch up, brat. Let’s see your light footwork.”

“Huh?”

I stammered, and suddenly his weight increased. Then, wrapping his left arm around my neck, he issued a threat.

“Alright, time for some light-footwork training. If you fall behind, I’ll strangle you. Move!”

“Wait—”

“Want to negotiate? Fine. Catch Noshin, and I’ll let go. Run!”

Suddenly, Gwangseung flashed through my mind.

What the hell is this?

Scenes of being tormented in my past life by Gwangseung raced by. It felt like that same role had shifted to the Beggars’ Sect Leader now.

This is too much...

And with my current strength, there was no way to avoid being strangled by one of the Three Calamities.

Thankfully, he lightened up a bit.

“That should do. Now catch up.”

Letting out a long sigh, I dashed after Noshin using light footwork. As I picked up speed, the man on my back gave a half-impressed comment.

“Oh... not bad. Still not faster than Noshin though. When will you catch him at this rate?”

As I ran, I asked,

“Where’s Noshin headed, anyway?”

The Sect Leader laughed.

“How should a beggar like me know? Just run. Run, Haomun Lord!”

Apparently feeling I’d fallen too far behind, Noshin turned back to taunt me.

“Your light footwork’s trash. You were faster back in Musan Gorge.”

These beggar master and disciple bastards were mocking me in sync.

These damned beggars...

I yelled,

“You filthy beggar bastard—!”

Noshin laughed and shot back,

“Not a filthy beggar bastard—I am a beggar, dumbass Lord!”

Even the Sect Leader on my back burst into hearty laughter. With no way to escape, I continued sprinting, prisoner to both beggar master and beggar disciple.

Who am I, and where is this?

I tried to be kind... and ended up trapped by beggars.

My life is just... one big beggar’s joke.