A Deal with No Loss
Paeng Gang-hwi stepped into the training ground, his face etched with confusion as he asked,
"What on earth are you doing here?"
"Things just kinda ended up this way."
"Huh."
He looked ready to press further, but Pang Su-bin cut in.
"Oppa. The young master has bestowed a great favor upon me."
"The young master? You mean Hyeokryeon Gongja?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you holding that sword?"
"Well, actually..."
Pang Su-bin recounted everything that had happened.
From how her dao techniques suddenly wouldn't unfold properly, leading her to seek out her brother, to how Jeong Gwang had explained the reason and passed on swordsmanship to her.
Paeng Gang-hwi's expression grew complicated.
His heart was the same.
'If it's a sword art taught by the True Jade Dragon, it must be an extraordinary technique... but abandoning the dao for the sword? That's a serious issue.'
The Paeng family was one of the Seven Great Clans, brimming with pride.
Even if it was due to aptitude issues, to discard their hereditary martial arts and learn someone else's?
Paeng Gang-hwi, who cherished Pang Su-bin dearly and knew Jeong Gwang's true nature, could accept it... but.
'Everyone else will object fiercely. With Father away, Grandfather will have to step in.'
Speaking of which, his grandfather was approaching this very place.
And sure enough.
A robust elderly man, leaning on a cane, entered the training ground.
"Why are you here instead of in the hall?"
At the sight of the old man, Paeng Gang-hwi and his sister quickly straightened their postures.
"You've arrived, Grandfather."
The elder was Pang Man-so, the great patriarch of the Hebei Paeng Clan and grandfather to the Paeng siblings.
After receiving his grandchildren's greetings, he turned to Jeong Gwang.
"You must be Hyeokryeon Gongja. A pleasure. I am Pang Man-so."
"Hello."
His deep, probing gaze lingered on Jeong Gwang before he nodded.
"Impressive."
He also exchanged greetings with Baek Seung-mu and Jao, conducting himself with such impeccable propriety that he seemed less a warrior and more a scholar-official.
"But..."
He pointed at the sword in Pang Su-bin's hands and asked,
"Why are you holding a sword?"
At Paeng Gang-hwi's glance, Pang Su-bin answered.
"Well, actually..."
It was quite a long story.
Her bright, sparkling eyes twinkled like starlight as she spoke animatedly.
Pang Man-so listened silently until her tale concluded, then commanded,
"Show me once."
"Pardon?"
"The Su-bin Dominant Sword that Hyeokryeon Gongja taught you... Hmm."
His gaze shifted to Jeong Gwang.
"I nearly misspoke. Might I appraise it?"
"Go ahead."
With things having come to this, Pang Su-bin had no choice but to demonstrate her sword forms.
Hearing her own name in the sword art's title from her grandfather's lips embarrassed her, yet filled her with pride too.
But that lasted only a moment.
She steadied her heart and focused.
Then, she unleashed the Su-bin Dominant Sword.
A moment later.
Pang Man-so, his eyes slightly widened as he watched, turned his gaze away.
There sat Jeong Gwang, legs crossed casually, wearing a bored expression.
Pang Man-so's mouth opened slowly.
"If you don't mind, would you speak with me?"
Pang Man-so walked through the Paeng estate with Jeong Gwang.
He'd said they should talk, yet said nothing at all.
The compound was vast, and his steps slow. Who knew how long this would take?
Jeong Gwang shook his head inwardly.
'At this rate, the old man's going to collapse.'
Then he'd have to carry him on his back.
Best to take the initiative.
"You're advanced in years. Why not head back and rest?"
"I was sorting my thoughts, hence the delay. Might I ask a few questions?"
"Keep it short."
"Of course."
Despite Jeong Gwang's impudent words, Pang Man-so's expression remained unchanged.
"First, allow me one request. Gang-hwi told me who you are. He was trying to convince me, so don't hold it against him."
"Sure. I'll think about it."
"...Then to the main point. I don't believe you did this without reason. Why hide your identity? Is there danger looming over your sect?"
Jeong Gwang pondered briefly.
Whether to tell this shrewd elder the truth.
The deliberation was short.
"Nothing certain yet, so hard to say."
"I see. When it is, please tell me."
"Sure, why not."
"Thank you."
Jeong Gwang felt affinity for Pang Man-so.
Such people were rare.
'Before losing his martial arts, he must've been a force. On par with the Ten Supremes?'
That was secondary; what he liked was the man's straightforwardness.
"Nice to get it done in one go."
"Why waste effort on someone who won't listen after two?"
"Wow, you really get me. Did some background check?"
Thoroughly rude, yet Pang Man-so took it in stride, as always.
"One could say that. I heard about what you did to the prefect of Gansu Province. Quite impressive."
"Huh? You know about that too? So the Paeng Clan really is tight with the officials."
Pang Man-so nodded, murmuring,
"Combining murim rumors, stories from Gang-hwi and the household, and reports from official channels... I know quite a bit about you. But..."
His gaze flicked to Jeong Gwang.
"Still, I don't get it. Who are you, really?"
"True Jade Dragon."
"Not the nickname. Who you truly are."
"Jeong Gwang?"
"...Silly question. You are you, after all."
"You understand the Dao."
Pang Man-so smiled faintly and continued.
"What does an old recluse know of the Dao?"
"Then?"
"No great boasts in my life, but I pride myself on reading people. That's all."
Jeong Gwang glanced at Pang Man-so.
The old man limped badly, needing his cane.
Yet a faint scent wafted from him since earlier.
The smell of blood.
Ancient, but so steeped that it would never fade.
"Honed on the battlefield?"
"You catch on quick. Best hide yourself better."
"I am."
"Haha. Another needless remark. Let's sit here."
Pang Man-so sat with Jeong Gwang in a small pavilion.
Gazing at the bustling servants around, he murmured,
"My son becomes Alliance Leader, so he's throwing a grand feast. Thrilled to have rewritten the family history."
"Makes sense."
"I see it differently."
He looked Jeong Gwang straight in the eye.
"The greatest fortune for our clan is forging ties with you."
"Huh?"
"Why so surprised?"
"They said you had an eye for talent, and you really do."
Jeong Gwang's brazen words didn't faze Pang Man-so.
"Which brings me to it—I wish to deepen that bond with you."
"How?"
"Take Su-bin as your disciple."
"No can do."
Swift refusal, yet Pang Man-so remained composed.
"I figured. May I hear why?"
What reason was there?
He hadn't taken disciples in his past life; no reason to in this one.
If he had to say...
"...Too much hassle?"
"Teaching martial arts is a hassle."
"Yep."
Pang Man-so met Jeong Gwang's eyes firmly.
"Su-bin is a joy to teach."
Jeong Gwang agreed.
She'd memorized the forms and oral formulas of the Su-bin Dominant Sword in that short time.
Mastery would take years, but with such prodigious talent, she'd manage.
'Truly rare aptitude, even across both lives.'
As Jeong Gwang nodded, Pang Man-so probed slyly,
"You think so too?"
"Yeah."
"Perfect. Su-bin will be thrilled."
Pang Man-so smiled warmly, but Jeong Gwang doused it.
"Still no."
"...Why now?"
"I'm a Taoist of Kunlun Sect. We don't take lay disciples, let alone female ones."
Pang Man-so's prepared response came smoothly.
"I'll handle that. I'll meet your sect leader myself and make it happen. No worries."
Jeong Gwang's eyes gleamed momentarily.
A substantial gesture toward Kunlun.
'Well, there are ways.'
The Paeng patriarch couldn't meddle in Kunlun affairs.
Not a formal lay or mountain disciple.
He aimed to make Pang Su-bin Jeong Gwang's unnamed disciple.
'The kid's decent... no, exceptional.'
Even by Jeong Gwang's standards.
Young enough to raise properly if he put his mind to it.
'Could be fun to teach.'
Unlike his past life, this life's Jeong Gwang had tasted that joy a bit—from Kunlun Taoists to the many he'd instructed.
Someone like Pang Su-bin would amplify it.
Jeong Gwang's resolve wavered slightly.
'Might not be bad to raise her.'
Sensing it, Pang Man-so spoke timely.
"The master-disciple bond is precious. Don't the famous orthodox sects value it more than blood ties?"
A touch exaggerated, but true.
"Why? It's a bond of absolute loyalty. An eternal ally."
"Not always."
"..."
After a pause, Pang Man-so continued.
"Let me share. In my military days, I saw countless betrayals on the battlefield. Routine."
His voice and eyes darkened deeply.
"When you see men as numbers, it's inevitable. I betrayed those who trusted me too—soldiers who charged recklessly at my orders and died. I knew, yet commanded."
"..."
"Even after moving to the palace guard, it persisted. Grew numb. But..."
His calm tone twisted.
"Once, I couldn't endure it. Betrayed by one I truly trusted—and I betrayed in turn."
"..."
"Hence this state. A cripple who can't walk right. Who saved me? My own son. Like a disciple saving his master and caring for his old age."
In clans blending family and sect, it wasn't wrong.
"See? Why you need a disciple?"
"I won't get hurt like that."
"...Wouldn't it be nice to have someone tend to you in old age?"
"Hm. Fair point."
Nodding, Jeong Gwang added casually,
"Even if I take her, can't keep her around."
"Understood. She's young. Visit often to teach."
"'Often' sounds suspiciously emphatic."
"A grandfather's heart is like that."
"Hmm."
Stroking his chin thoughtfully, Jeong Gwang asked,
"Will the young lady even want to be my disciple?"
"Would I not know my granddaughter's heart?"
"You mentioned meeting our sect leader."
"Yes."
"He likes money. Prepare generously."
Pang Man-so's eyes widened slightly.
"...Has Kunlun's leader changed?"
"No."
"...Un Jeok Jin-in, right? Renowned for detachment?"
"Old news. Even immortals have needs. Trust me and prepare well."
The ever-composed Pang Man-so gaped.
Extorting even while badmouthing his own sect leader!
"...Well-deserved reputation. The True Jade Dragon indeed."
"Praise?"
"...Yes."
"Oh, and."
"...More?"
Jeong Gwang clasped his hands, smiling.
"Infinite merits to the Buddha. How about tuition?"
"...!"
Jeong Gwang followed Pang Man-so, asking,
"Where to?"
"Gang-hwi nagged to give you something. But I'll give better."
Soon, they reached an antique hall.
Guarded by many warriors, who withdrew silently at Pang Man-so's gesture.
"Enter."
"..."
"What's wrong? A problem?"
Jeong Gwang felt an odd sensation.
'This is...'
Familiar from his past life.
No expectations, yet this.
"No. Lead on."
Inside, Jeong Gwang scanned the weapons, books, and artifacts—impressive scale.
But what drew him wasn't here.
"Secret passage?"
"Lost for words, eh? This way."
Pang Man-so pulled a book from the shelf; it shifted, revealing stairs down.
Night pearls glowed softly on the walls.
"My legs being inconvenient, could you...?"
Jeong Gwang already had him piggybacked.
"...Thank you."
"No trouble."
Using lightness skill down the stairs, a rusted iron door appeared.
Pang Man-so, dismounted, tapped it variously...
Kukukuku—
With grating noise, the door opened.
A new chamber revealed itself.
Filled with dazzling treasures.
"Oh! Nice."
"Choose slowly. Then I'll show what I originally meant to give."
"No need."
"...What do you mean?"
Jeong Gwang's eyes had fixed on one spot from the start.
Calling to him even before the door opened.
'What are you, to beckon me so desperately?'
He'd know soon.
A smile bloomed on Jeong Gwang's face.
"I think I'll take that one right away."