A Trivial Misunderstanding (3)
Among the Three Lights was Akbigwang of the Shandong Ak Family.
Those who belonged to the Three Lights all shared one trait.
Beyond their love of fighting, each had one other obsession they pursued with mad fervor.
In Gwanggae's case, it was money.
How did he know this so intimately?
Because in his past life, Han Bin and Gwanggae had been friends.
He hadn't recognized him at first due to the young face, but once the name was spoken, the memories flooded back.
Gwanggae spoke to Han Bin, lost in thought.
"What're you doing? If there's a come, there has to be a go, right?"
At Gwanggae's urging, Han Bin replied nonchalantly.
"I'm Paeng Hanbin."
Gwanggae tilted his head.
"From the Hebei Paeng Family, by any chance?"
Han Bin shrugged and continued.
"Yeah, so?"
"The Hebei Paeng Family... using a sword? ...And you beat me with that sword?"
Understanding the implication, Han Bin chuckled softly.
This was the typical reaction when someone from the Hebei Paeng Family took up swordsmanship.
But Gwanggae was in no position to say that.
Han Bin replied curtly.
"You're the last one who should be saying that."
"Ahem."
Gwanggae coughed awkwardly and turned his head.
He had a guilty conscience.
It was amusing—he was a beggar, yet more obsessed with money than anyone.
Momentarily embarrassed, Gwanggae soon leaned forward.
"The Hebei Paeng Family... that means you're loaded, huh?"
His true colors showed immediately.
As Gwanggae narrowed his eyes, Han Bin waved him off.
"I'll tell you later. Just give me another drink first."
Han Bin held out his hand, and Gwanggae passed him the gourd flask.
He poured a mouthful into his throat.
The sharp, refreshing burn felt like it washed away twenty years of pent-up resentment.
Han Bin and Gwanggae passed the flask back and forth in silence.
An awkward quiet hung over them by the campfire.
Suddenly, Gwanggae clapped as if struck by a thought.
Clap.
Han Bin asked at the sound breaking the silence.
"What's up?"
"By the way, what the hell were you doing swimming in the middle of the river?"
As Gwanggae changed the subject, Han Bin launched into his prepared story.
"I was being chased and fell into the river."
Finishing, Han Bin narrowed his eyes at Gwanggae.
Han Bin was calculating his next move.
While Han Bin schemed, Gwanggae asked in surprise.
"What the hell did you do to get chased like that?"
"It wasn't a big deal..."
Han Bin trailed off and tore into another bite of rabbit meat.
He set down the skewer with a clack, and Gwanggae's eyes gleamed.
"If something's up, tell me!"
"So we can fight together?"
"I'm bored."
Han Bin stared at Gwanggae in idle.
Standing, Han Bin asked incredulously.
"Do you even know who the enemy is?"
"I don't know who, but anyone who messes with a rich guy like you has to be a bad dude, right?"
"Pfft."
Han Bin spat out his drink at the blunt words.
"What?"
"You're right. They are bad dudes."
"Exactly! Bad guys need to get crushed! Perfect timing since I'm bored."
At Gwanggae's declaration, Han Bin grinned.
A beggar who loved money and fighting even more.
The guy was a mad beggar, alright.
Then Gwanggae asked.
"By the way, you hurt? Got qi deviation or something?"
"Curious?"
"Eh, whatever. As long as you can fight. Looks like first-rate? Anyway, what was that technique you used?"
Gwanggae's curiosity was endless. Now it extended to the moves.
It was probably a technique he'd never seen before.
Han Bin said flatly.
"Street brawl!"
Gwanggae spewed the mouthful he'd just taken.
"Pffft."
The alcohol sprayed into the night sky.
Han Bin dodged quickly and yelled.
"Hey, you asked, so why're you—?"
"......"
Choking, Gwanggae couldn't respond.
After coughing for a while, he narrowed his eyes toward the mountainside and turned.
"Wait here a sec."
"What's wrong?"
"I sense presences from afar."
At the same time, Gwanggae closed his eyes and twitched his ears. He pointed to a spot on the mountainside.
Han Bin could guess the situation.
They were probably unorthodox warriors.
By now, the Shanxi Three Evils would've spilled everything, and excited Sapa fighters would be bloodthirsty to catch him.
Playing dumb, Han Bin asked.
"Presences from over there?"
"Judging by the animals' movements, they're heading this way."
No sooner had Gwanggae spoken than Han Bin swiftly extinguished the campfire.
Gwanggae smiled approvingly.
"You look like a total noob fresh out of the gates, but you've got some experience."
As he narrowed his eyes, Han Bin beamed innocently.
"Instinct. Oh, got a favor to ask."
"What? Spit it out."
"If we run into people, don't mention me."
"Got it. We'll talk after."
Gwanggae nodded.
With that, he vanished with the rustle of grass.
Swoosh.
The lightness skill Gwanggae had just used was Gugeol Ship-pal-bo, which Han Bin had tucked away in his manual.
Normally taught only to formal disciples and above.
But Gwanggae, recognized for his talent, had likely learned it in his twenties.
Well, as Hong Chilgae's special disciple, Han Bin could've learned it without being a full Beggar Clan member anyway.
Watching his retreating figure, Han Bin's eyes sparkled.
He quietly gazed in the direction Gwanggae had gone.
About the time for a cup of tea to brew passed.
Lights appeared on the ridge.
Far by presence alone, but Gwanggae was right.
His senses had picked up the birds' movements and cries.
The lights on the ridge multiplied, snaking like a centipede's legs.
Just as he'd predicted.
If they caught him now?
No way.
Even if facing them head-on, it had to be after twelve hours or once he'd recovered his basic luck formula.
He'd seen their hand. Now it was a numbers game.
Han Bin reaffirmed the sage's words: life was an endless gamble.
The showdown at Yeongdan Mountain had thrilled him.
The rush of successive victories lifted the corners of his mouth unwittingly.
Swoosh.
Gwanggae returned with the same grass rustle and spoke urgently.
"What the hell did you..."
As Gwanggae hesitated, Han Bin asked.
"What's up?"
"What did you do to the Sapa guys?"
At Gwanggae's frantic expression, Han Bin waved it off.
"Nothing big."
"And over a hundred Sapa warriors are panting after you like that?"
"Not some public enemy of murim or anything. Don't worry."
Gwanggae laughed at Han Bin's words.
"Haha, my eyes don't lie. You're a total lunatic. You stirred up a storm, huh? When you screw up, go big..."
Excited, Gwanggae spat as he spoke.
Han Bin quickly shushed him.
"Shh! Enough."
"Got it."
"And you! One promise."
"What?"
As Gwanggae's eyes lit with curiosity, Han Bin whispered.
"Promise not to spill first."
"I promise."
Gwanggae finished and mimed gathering spit to flick at his forehead.
Han Bin blocked his mouth hastily.
"Not Beggar Clan style."
Gwanggae swallowed quickly.
"Fine."
The Beggar Clan promise involved spitting on each other's foreheads.
To etch the words deep into the mind.
In his past life, he'd once held a sword to Gwanggae's throat over that ritual.
Gwanggae still looked disappointed.
Han Bin spoke fast.
"I, Han Bin, together with Gwanggae."
"I, Gwanggae, together with Han Bin."
Gwanggae echoed.
Together, they continued.
"Swear to the heavens and earth to keep this secret until the end of the world."
Han Bin grinned.
"Good. Now, what comes next is business talk between partners. Listen up."
"Partners?"
Gwanggae's eyes widened.
Han Bin grinned wider.
"Partners" meant money was involved.
Han Bin continued.
"Hear me out, then ask questions. So..."
He briefly explained the events at Yeongdan Mountain.
Of course, omitting hidden details like the poison or luck formula.
Gwanggae's eyes bulged upon hearing it all.
"So, you threw down with a Demonic Cult remnant?"
"Yeah."
"And that remnant was a Hwagyeong master."
"Roughly."
"Plus, you screwed over the entire Sapa world?"
"That too, more or less."
"Hahaha!"
Gwanggae roared with laughter that shook the surroundings.
It was utterly absurd.
No one else would believe Han Bin's tale.
Even Gwanggae, sworn by heaven and earth, could scarcely credit it.
"So everyone thinks it happened while transporting the Qingming Pill as the Hebei Paeng Family rep? ...And the Demonic Cult?"
"Eh, whatever. Key point is spreading that I'm dead to the Sapa warriors."
"That's my specialty. But the pay..."
As Gwanggae trailed off, Han Bin pulled out the Cold Iron Box from his bosom.
Gwanggae's eyes trembled at the sight.
"Whoa, so it was true?"
"Proof I'm in charge of this escort. Ten nyang of silver for the rumor mill. Deal?"
"No wonder you stood out from the start..."
Gwanggae eyed Han Bin anew.
Han Bin chuckled dryly. Just five hours ago, he'd been pranking the old man.
But to lie so smoothly without blinking.
Still, the guy was trustworthy.
He'd fake death for money, risk life for a friend.
For now, "partner" would suffice over "friend."
"So, announce in front of the Sapa guys that the Hebei Paeng Family's fourth young master is dead."
"Not 'fourth young master'—say 'Crimson Dragon Hero'."
"Crimson Dragon Hero? Too grandiose for how you look now."
"Think what you want. Can I count on you?"
"Of course. I'll rally every beggar in Henan to spread it far and wide. No worries."
"You got the clout?"
Han Bin smirked.
Gwanggae was Henan branch leader, but peers would outrank him in seniority.
"Well, I eat five meals a day, so my clout's..."
As Gwanggae spouted nonsense, Han Bin cut him off.
"Enough."
"So how're you slipping away?"
"Wait quietly, and if they charge, just snap their necks."
As Han Bin laid out his plan, Gwanggae chuckled before turning serious.
"Just checking—you're not Sapa, are you?"
"Sapa? Where do you see that?"
"Your thinking ain't righteous sect. Plus, from when we met... kinda Demonic Cult vibes too."
Han Bin coughed awkwardly.
They say you grow to resemble who you fight.
After battling Demonic Cult so hard, maybe he did.
Shaking off the thought, Han Bin patted Gwanggae's shoulder.
"Let's move first."
"Yeah, got it."
They traveled about two hours, talking nonstop.
Then a fork appeared.
Glancing at the paths, Han Bin said.
"Perfect. A fork here."
Pointing to both ways, Gwanggae narrowed his eyes.