The Youngest Member Chapter 72

The head of the Punishnt Hall, Chupunggae.

As his na suggested, he entrusted his body to the wind and ran, and behind him, seven white knots fluttered.

The disciples of the Beggars' Sect spoke of their status with each knot.

From the white-clothed beggars with no knots to the one, two, and three-knot beggars who worked in the field.

Even a four-knot beggar, who was at the level of a branch leader, held money and power that was not befitting of a beggar. Even the officials of the imperial palace respected the four-knot beggars, and they held their heads high even within the Martial Alliance.

After that, passing the five-knot and six-knot beggars, the seven-knot beggar was the highest position a Beggars' Sect mber could reach with their individual ability.

Even the sect leader and his successor, the eight-knot beggar, did not treat the seven-knot elders carelessly. It was a position that only five people could reach in the Beggars' Sect, which belonged to the Nine Sects One Gang.

Naturally, they were the top masters of the Beggars' Sect, and they were people who could stably place their nas in the top hundred masters of the martial world.

When one said top hundred masters, it tended to seem sowhat weak. However, if one were to select only the top ten from the Nine Sects One Gang, it would be a hundred people.

Moreover, to be included in the top hundred among all the martial artists, including the Demonic Cult, the evil path, and the Five Great Families, their skills were beyond words.

Such a Chupunggae's expression was very serious. He was a man with not only skills but also special abilities.

'The sll leads to the Zhuge family.'

There were many words that described Chupunggae.

An elder of the Beggars' Sect, the head of the Punishnt Hall of the Martial Alliance, a first-rate tracker, etc...

Among them, the word that best described him was Mad Dog. Once he bit, he would not let go. Due to his constitution, his sense of sll was keen, and he tracked people by their scent.

And so, the place he arrived at by exerting his ability was the Zhuge family.

"This is troubleso."

Chupunggae, who was looking at the main gate of the Zhuge family, let out a sigh. The place where a magnificent door should have been, as befitting one of the Five Great Families, was empty.

Could it have been attacked by an outsider?

If so, could it be related to the fact that Cheon Woojin's scent led here?

Also, there was a heterogeneous silence in the chaotic atmosphere. Soone was intentionally making the Zhuge family mbers keep their mouths shut.

Chupunggae, whose thoughts had reached that point, imdiately stepped into the empty gate of the Zhuge family and shouted.

"I am the head of the Punishnt Hall, Chupunggae. I'll be intruding for a bit."

* * *

Chupunggae's eyes, which had entered the Zhuge family, shone sharply like a hidden weapon.

The expressions of the martial artists were awkward.

There was blood on the floor that had not yet been wiped away.

He saw a man who was limping while hurriedly hiding himself in a pavilion.

'Sothing is happening here.'

The Mad Dog of the Martial Alliance had caught a scent.

The stench of those who were lying was wafting.

Chupunggae grabbed one of them and asked.

"What's going on in the family? If you want, I can imdiately send a ssage to the Martial Alliance and send support."

"Ah, no. There's nothing wrong."

The martial artists of the Zhuge family were basically smart.

Even though the order had not yet been given, they were all hiding the situation and blocking information on their own.

However, in Chupunggae's eyes, the heterogeneity that occurred in that series of processes was clearly visible.

"What's that blood?"

"Ah, during a duel..."

"Did the door also break during a duel? The martial artists of the Zhuge family, not the Hebei Peng family?"

"Yes, well..."

The martial artist nodded his head. He wanted to get out of Chupunggae's sight as soon as possible. However, the grip of the Mad Dog that was holding his arm showed no sign of loosening.

"W-Hall Master. I'm sorry to say this, but I have an order from the family head, so I must..."

"The family head? Or Elder Zhuge Seong?"

"...Ahem, what are you trying to say?"

Chupunggae let out a chuckle. His mouth opened wide, and his yellow teeth glistened.

At that sight, the martial artist of the Zhuge family let out a groan, as if he were looking at a real mad dog.

"Have you seen Cheon Woojin?"

"Yes? Who is that..."

"The fugitive of the Martial Alliance, Cheon Woojin. He ca here."

The mont the martial artist's mind was about to go blank.

Thump-

A man grabbed Chupunggae's wrist.

Chupunggae looked at him with a strange smile.

"Oh, Commander Zhuge. It's been a long ti. How is it, is life worth living after leaving the boring Martial Alliance?"

"Ahem, how could the ti I spent as a commander in the Martial Alliance have been boring? Have you been well, Hall Master? First, please let go of this child's arm. He is a weak child."

Chupunggae looked at the man he was holding blankly and then slightly loosened his grip. There were handprints on the man's collar.

"Hahaha, I'm sorry. It's because I'm still full of vigor."

"Ah, no."

The man who had been caught by Chupunggae bowed his head with a look of relief and then ran away.

"Hall Master, why did you co so suddenly? If you had sent a ssage in advance, we would have prepared."

"Hehe, what preparation is needed to welco a beggar? Why would I have co? I ca on alliance business."

Zhuge Hu, who had served as the commander of the Earthly Righteousness Unit of the Martial Alliance in the past, had a smile.

"Well, I suppose so. Then I will guide you. If it is alliance business, the family will cooperate with all its heart."

"Guide. To whom will you guide ?"

Zhuge Hu's eyebrows twitched.

The aning of Chupunggae's words was clear.

It was only right to guide a visitor from the Martial Alliance to the family head. However, all major and minor affairs were being handled by Elder Zhuge Seong.

Zhuge Hu, who had a displeased expression for a mont, erased it and then said with a smile again.

"I'm truly sorry, but the family head is not feeling well right now. I will guide you to the elder first."

"As expected."

Chupunggae burst into a chuckle as if he had known it. At that sight, Zhuge Hu took a deep breath, composed himself, and then guided him.

* * *

The place Zhuge Hu guided him to was the family head's hall.

To be precise, its small training ground.

It was the place where Zhuge Seong had set up a formation and trapped Cheon Woojin.

Zhuge Seong could not leave this place for the ti being. Because he himself was one of the components that made up the formation.

He had a servant prepare tea and welcod the unwelco beggar.

"Hah, Chupunggae, it's been a long ti."

"To use the training ground of the family head's hall. As expected of Elder Zhuge Seong."

There was a bone in his words.

However, Zhuge Seong's expression did not change in the slightest.

If he were to be swayed by such a shallow trick, how could he be called an elder of the Zhuge family?

"I am just always grateful for the family head's grace. I heard you ca chasing a fugitive from the Martial Alliance? Sit down first."

Chupunggae sat opposite Zhuge Seong with a natural movent.

"Is there no wine?"

"Unfortunately, I am abstaining from alcohol. If you want, I can give you so."

Zhuge Seong let out a smirk.

If one drank alcohol while casting a formation, their energy would scatter.

Chupunggae looked at him blankly and then shook his head.

"What's the fun in drinking alone? I'm fine."

Chupunggae, who said so, picked up a dried persimmon, chewed on it, and then continued.

"You heard right. I'm chasing a fugitive from the Martial Alliance. I sent my subordinates, but the days just kept getting longer, so I had no choice but to step forward myself."

"Hah, the level of the Punishnt Hall's martial artists is by no ans low. The fugitive must be quite a master."

"He is a master. It's been a long ti since I've seen such a master."

"If you say so... well, did the alliance leader run away?"

The two burst into laughter at the sa ti.

Although it was a truly disrespectful statent, one could even curse the Son of Heaven in his absence.

Soon, Chupunggae, who had nodded his head, erased his smile for a mont and said.

"No, it's a low-ranking alliance mber nad Cheon Woojin. He's in the Black Tortoise Unit, where the daughter of the Zhuge family is the deputy commander."

"Hah, how..."

Zhuge Seong's expression also beca serious.

The two disliked each other.

Chupunggae disliked Zhuge Seong because his insides were cunning, and Zhuge Seong disliked Chupunggae because his madness was unpredictable.

And so, the two masters who disliked each other hid their emotions and talked about this and that...

"Did you hide him?"

Chupunggae threw a strong move. If one suddenly got to the point after a lighthearted conversation, a reaction would surely occur in the opponent.

Chupunggae threw a strong move and then observed Zhuge Seong.

However, Zhuge Seong's expression was completely unruffled.

"? Why would I hide a fugitive from the Martial Alliance?"

"Then did you kill him?"

"This person! You're saying sothing that could get you in big trouble!"

"That's right. It's a truly big trouble. It's a good thing you know. So hurry up and hand over the fugitive."

"..."

Chupunggae glared at Zhuge Seong.

Zhuge Seong also did not avoid his gaze.

The desk between the two began to tremble, and soon the vibration spread throughout the entire room.

Zhuge Seong was not a man who had beco the real power of the family just with his resourcefulness. He was basically a person who had received the choice of a woman from the Hebei Peng family. The Hebei Peng family revered strength.

"Did you get the alliance leader's permission? If you search the Zhuge family without evidence, you'll face a backlash. You're getting old, aren't you? You're not young anymore, so shouldn't you be a little more careful?"

"How old am I?"

Chupunggae picked his nose.

A blatant contempt was cast on Zhuge Seong's two eyes.

"If you don't go back right now, I will officially issue an order to expel you and protest to the alliance."

Zhuge Seong was dignified.

There was no evidence that Cheon Woojin was here.

The Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation would not collapse.

It would take a long ti for Chupunggae's suspicion to disappear, but there was nothing he could do right now.

Chupunggae also knew that fact.

"Well, I only have my gut feeling."

Chupunggae got up from his seat. In an instant, the trembling of the room subsided.

He picked up one more dried persimmon from the desk, stuffed it in his pocket, and then continued.

"If by any chance you hid Cheon Woojin, or he died, or even if not, if a connection is found in the recent incident at the Black Tortoise Unit, you will die at my hands."

"Hahahaha! Is it alright for a hall master of the Martial Alliance to speak so recklessly? It's so absurd that I can only laugh."

"I'm not kidding. I'll drag you by the hair to the marketplace and beat you to death with a club. Like beating a dog on a dog-eating day."

Chupunggae bared his yellow teeth.

Zhuge Seong was reminded again that the person in front of him was a mad dog. He didn't need to deal with such a son of a bitch.

"A guy who hasn't even learned the Dog Beating Staff Technique is talking about a dog-eating day. Anyway, goodbye."

Zhuge Seong, who said so, said to the outside.

"See the head of the Punishnt Hall out. Ah, pack so dried persimmons for him. He seems to like them very much."

Although it was an insulting remark, Chupunggae chuckled and started walking. He had caught a scent. That guy was definitely related to this incident. Once he bit, he would not let go.

First, after returning to the Martial Alliance, he would persistently harass him and let him know why he was called the Mad Dog.

Thinking so, the mont he placed his hand on the doorknob.

Rumble-!

It trembled once.

Chupunggae turned his head. It was the training ground right next to where he had been talking with Zhuge Seong.

Rumble-!

The vibration continued. This ti, the entire building trembled.

Zhuge Seong's complexion turned pale.

"Hey. What is this..."

The mont Chupunggae was about to say sothing, dark blood spurted from Zhuge Seong's mouth.

"Cough!"

Zhuge Seong collapsed to the floor. Blood continued to pour from his mouth.

'The formation...'

Because a huge impact had been applied to the formation, the damage had co to him, who was a component.

Basically, the impact that occurred inside the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation hardly leaked outside. Nevertheless, an impact of this magnitude ant that a huge collision that could not even be imagined was happening inside.

'But he can never co out. Never.'

Zhuge Seong tried his best to swallow the blood and waved his hand at Chupunggae.

"Get the hell out. It's a personal illness."

It was important to get rid of that guy first. If that guy caught a scent and targeted him, it would be troubleso in the future.

Although Zhuge Seong waved his hand, telling him to get lost, Chupunggae did not move a single step.

Zhuge Seong raised his head and looked up at Chupunggae's face.

"...This is crazy."

The eyes of the mad son of a bitch were glistening with madness.

That guy had bitten. He had instinctively felt that sothing was about to happen.

"Hey, I said get lost!"

"I don't want to."

"...!"

Zhuge Seong tried his best to compose his turbulent internal energy.

However, it was a aningless act.

Suddenly, an explosion of a different dinsion from the previous two vibrations occurred.

BOOM!!

* * *

After three impacts, the formation was broken.

The seven life gates and one death gate all collapsed.

A spiderweb-like crack appeared in the empty space filled with darkness, and eventually, its range gradually widened.

As the dark energy tore apart the formation, a bright light leaked through the gap.

The outside scene was visible through the opened gap.

The head of the Punishnt Hall, Chupunggae, and Elder Zhuge Seong.

Cheon Woojin walked out through the opened gap.

"T-this can't be..."

Zhuge Seong looked at the scene with an unbelievable look.

Chupunggae, who was next to him, hit his knee as if he had gotten it right.

Cheon Woojin's expression was just dry. There were no emotions.

Since he had tried to kill a rising talent of the white path, he was a guy who should be killed even by the standards of his White Master. Since he had tried to kill him, he was a guy who should be killed even by the standards of his Black Master.

It was rare for the standards of his two masters to be t at the sa ti, but the elder of the Zhuge family had achieved that difficult thing.

"Hey! Alliance mber Cheon!"

The head of the Punishnt Hall called out cheerfully.

However, there was no reason to answer.

Cheon Woojin raised the Crescent Moon Staff that was hanging down.

For a villain who had crossed the line, the guidance of the Crane Feather Fan was not needed.

Cheon Woojin kicked the floor and rushed.

"Uh, uh...!"

The head of the Punishnt Hall was greatly alard and stretched out both hands. The white energy that had ford on his two hands corresponded with each other and rotated. It created a pattern like the scales of a dragon.

The essence of the Beggars' Sect, the Seventeen Palms of Dragon Subduing.

Along with the Demon Subduing Palm of Shaolin, it was called one of the two great palm techniques in the world.

The energy that contained the spirit of a subduing dragon poured out.

However, Cheon Woojin did not slow down in the slightest. At that sight, the pale-faced Chupunggae eventually withdrew his energy.

'This crazy bastard!'

Cheon Woojin, who had received the evaluation of being crazy from the Mad Dog, swung the Crescent Moon Staff. The trajectory of the Crescent Moon Staff drew a dark half-moon.

In the center of that trajectory was Zhuge Seong's head.

Thwack-

A sound that was too hollow for the death of the real power of the Zhuge family.

His head burst open, and blood splattered in all directions.

A red rain was drawn on the walls with blood and flesh.

Cheon Woojin shook off the Crescent Moon Staff in the empty air and then put it away.

"..."

Silence.

A rather long silence flowed.

Chupunggae wiped the blood on his face with his hand.

He looked at the fugitive Cheon Woojin and the headless real power of the Zhuge family with an unbelievable look.

"You, you..."

(End of Chapter)