Chapter 568: PAID

Childhood Friend of the ZenithWords: 2172

After Meeting Ubong Chwigye

After we met Ubong Chwigye, we returned to our quarters and began packing almost immediately.

The matter had been resolved far faster than we had anticipated.

“Since Ubong Chwigye has confirmed everything, there’s no need for further discussion.”

This was the message conveyed to us by the Wudang Sword Saint, who hadn’t even shown his face since our arrival at Wudang.

While it was a simple statement—that the leader of the Beggars’ Sect had completed the interrogation and no further interaction was necessary—it felt utterly absurd from our perspective.

“So, they’ve decided we’re no longer needed after they’ve gotten what they wanted?”

We had come as guests, and yet, after a single, brief acknowledgment, we were dismissed.

Of course, the Sword Queen was expected to handle the rest of the discussions on behalf of our group. Still, it felt as though the Wudang Sword Saint had no interest in engaging with us—the younger generation.

I wanted to believe this was just my insecurity speaking.

But this wasn’t the only thing that felt wrong.

“Even so, isn’t it strange that he didn’t meet with me at all?”

This wasn’t arrogance—it was an objective observation.

Considering my presence, alongside Gu Ryeonghwa, who was recognized as the Sword Queen’s disciple and a potential future Sword King, how could the Wudang Sword Saint not see us even once?

This wasn’t just a minor oversight; it was deliberate.

It sent a message: he had no intention of leaving a favorable impression on those who might one day dominate Zhongyuan.

“For someone so obsessed with reputation and standing...”

Why had he gone to the trouble of bringing along Ubong Chwigye, the Ghost Thief?

Perhaps to clarify the events involving the Ghost Thief or investigate the attack. But I suspected there was more to it than that.

To be honest, I had anticipated such behavior from the Wudang Sword Saint.

I had even hoped for it.

What I hadn’t anticipated was Ubong Chwigye himself showing up.

I had expected representatives from the Beggars’ Sect, but not their leader.

Still, this development wasn’t entirely unforeseen.