All Things Return to Order (2)
Just as Hanbin had predicted earlier, the Demonic Cult had yet to make a move.
It was merely the remnant Blood Demon who had ventured into the Central Plains to retrieve the inner core of the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf.
Even though the entrance to their lair was sealed, who wouldn't go after their own lost treasure?
In that sense, the Demonic Cult had only stirred briefly.
At that moment, Musoryul asked with a worried glint in her eyes.
"I hope you find it. If I run into this Red Dragon Hero on my way, I'll be sure to pass along the message."
"Thank you, Lady Mu."
"By the way, do you know the way to the Henan Jeong Family? My group only knows the river route."
"Hm, in that case, I'll assign someone to guide you."
"I'll gratefully accept your kindness. When I return to the Musi Sword House, I'll repay this favor."
The two women shared some unspoken rapport.
But they had no idea they were searching for the same person.
Musoryul politely cupped her fists in salute, then shouted at the bandits still aboard the boat.
"Everyone, get off!"
At her command, the bandits aboard turned pale as ghosts.
At the same time, in front of the Seonhwa Inn in Jeongbaek County.
Hanbin stepped out of the inn but paused, cocking his head to listen.
"Someone talking about me? That's weird."
"Young master, aren't you being a bit too jumpy lately?"
Seolhwa, who had tossed out the question, bit into a candied hawthorn skewer.
Hanbin chuckled at the sight.
"You're right. In times as peaceful as these, I shouldn't be so on edge."
"Young master, it doesn't feel all that peaceful to me. What with the Blood Demon business and all."
"Nah, that's just Sapa stuff and whatever with this Red Dragon Hero. Got nothing to do with me."
Everyone's jaws dropped at Hanbin's words.
Anyone looking at Hanbin's face right now would swear he was talking about someone else's problem.
Hanbin handed Gwanggae a sealed letter.
"Take good care of this—it's for my master. Don't forget, deliver it as fast as you can."
"Your master? You had a master?"
Gwanggae tilted his head, eyeing the letter.
It was addressed to Mujaeja.
Hong Chilgae had spread the word in Hebei about taking a disciple, but the news hadn't reached Henan yet.
In truth, he should have asked about the traces of Gugeol Ship-pal-bo ages ago.
But Gwanggae had dismissed it as his imagination and hadn't brought it up.
He didn't think much of this letter either.
What mattered to Gwanggae right now was how much profit this job would bring.
As Gwanggae tucked the letter into his bosom, Hanbin turned to Yi Muming.
"Yi bodyguard, you absolutely can't chicken out on this one."
"Yes, my lord. No need to worry on that front—I've been through thick and thin."
"Oh, right—hide that necklace so it's not visible."
Hanbin personally tucked the necklace hanging from Yi Muming's neck inside his clothes.
Earlier, when Seolhwa pointed out the differences between him and Yi Muming, the necklace had stood out the most.
Yi Muming always wore a wooden plaque engraved with his surname, Yi (plum), around his neck.
As if it were some talisman.
Yi Muming pointed at Hanbin's neck in return.
"Shouldn't you hide yours too, my lord?"
"Thanks, Yi bodyguard."
Hanbin slipped his own small pendant inside his collar.
After bidding everyone farewell, Hanbin patted Jang Jamyung's shoulder.
"Time to head out, Physician Jang."
"Young Master Sa, are we really going ahead first?"
"Yes, we have to arrive first."
"No danger, right?"
"Just do exactly as we practiced at Cheonsu Manor. No danger at all."
"I'm still uneasy."
Jang Jamyung narrowed his eyes at Hanbin.
Truth be told, he wasn't just a little uneasy—he was downright terrified.
He was dressed as a physician, but so was Hanbin.
To any passerby, they looked like a pair of doctors walking side by side.
The plan was simple.
Rumors had it that the head of the Henan Jeong Family was growing sicker by the day.
Yi Muming would handle transporting the Qingming Pill, while Hanbin arrived first with Jang Jamyung to examine and treat the family head.
But something about this plan felt off to Jang Jamyung.
Hanbin spoke up.
"Physician Jang, you don't trust me?"
"N-no, it's not that..."
Jang Jamyung trailed off with an awkward smile.
He couldn't say he didn't trust him, but he couldn't say he did either.
If asked to name the single most untrustworthy person in the world, Jang Jamyung would point straight at Hanbin without hesitation.
But admitting that aloud? The fallout terrified him.
Hanbin smirked and took the lead, with Jang Jamyung dragging his feet behind.
As the pair vanished from sight, Yi Muming pulled Seolhwa along.
"Now, let's head inside."
"Yes, Yi bodyguard. We're not leaving for two days anyway, so let's rest up. Oh, grab some candied hawthorns on the way."
"Haha, sure thing."
As Yi Muming nodded, Gwanggae approached.
"I should get going now."
"Safe travels."
"By the way."
"Yes?"
"This Mujaeja on the letter... it isn't our Beggar Clan elder Hong Chilgae, is it?"
Gwanggae narrowed his eyes, awaiting Yi Muming's response.
"It is Elder Hong Chilgae."
"Didn't Young Master Paeng call him his master earlier?"
"Correct. Elder Hong Chilgae recently took our lord as his disciple."
"What?"
Gwanggae's eyes widened as he stared at the spot where Hanbin had departed.
It made no sense.
A direct descendant of the Hebei Paeng Family, and a disciple of the Beggar Clan?
Yi Muming continued with a chuckle.
"It's nominal. Our lord isn't pursuing the Beggar Clan path. Elder Hong just took him in because he coveted his talent."
"Still, even so..."
Gwanggae shook his head in disbelief and pulled out the letter again.
As he touched it lightly, he felt something inside.
Peeking inside, his eyes bulged.
It was a Beggar Clan knot.
The red knot was so aged it appeared black.
It was indeed an elder's knot.
And with red thread?
That meant Hong Chilgae was the intended recipient.
Which also confirmed Hanbin had mastered Gugeol Ship-pal-bo.
No one in the Beggar Clan his age had learned it, or so he'd heard.
And now someone who looked even younger than him had?
A spark of competitive spirit ignited.
Regardless, a red thread meant it was important.
For the honor of the Beggar Clan, he had to deliver it.
Gwanggae narrowed his eyes and vanished without a farewell.
Sasasak.
Yi Muming narrowed his eyes at Gwanggae's sudden disappearance.
"What's that about?"
"Young Master Gwanggae must be in a hurry."
"What do you mean by that, Seolhwa?"
"He's not rushing off because of urgent business or anything."
"Haha!"
Yi Muming laughed in exasperation.
He didn't hate Seolhwa's absurd responses, even in serious moments.
Come to think of it, she even resembled her lord Hanbin in that way.
Yi Muming headed toward the candied hawthorn vendor.
Three days later.
In front of the Henan Jeong Family gates, Yi Muming and Seolhwa paused for a deep breath.
Yi Muming felt the weight of a critical mission.
Seolhwa felt the dread of an near-impossible assassination.
Their hearts pounded all the same.
Though their resolves differed, the fire in their eyes burned equally bright.
Seolhwa took a deep breath and spoke.
"Young master, you have the Cold Iron Box, right?"
Yi Muming checked the box in his hand.
"Yes, Seolhwa."
"Then we should head in, young master."
Seolhwa dipped her head slightly.
Yi Muming was floored by the sight.
He had to act exactly like Hanbin right now.
Truth be told, Yi Muming was tense on two fronts. First, would anyone in the Jeong Family recognize him?
But that worry had flown out the window.
A bronze mirror check before leaving confirmed it: clothes truly made the man—his old appearance was gone.
With a new hairstyle on top, he was the perfect Hanbin.
He could walk into the Hebei Paeng Family like this, and they'd buy it.
His other worry was whether Seolhwa could pull it off.
That was gone now too.
He'd known she was concealing her skills, but not that she could treat him so naturally.
As Yi Muming stood before the Jeong Family's main gate, Seolhwa dashed to the guard.
"Hello, mister! We're from the Hebei Paeng Family."
The guard turned at Seolhwa's greeting.
"Hebei Paeng Family?"
Startled, the guard whispered to his colleague a few paces back.
The other guard bolted inside without a word.
Moments later.
Jeong Hwiji, the family's law enforcer, emerged.
He narrowed his eyes at the pair, then spoke slowly.
"You've had a hard journey, Young Master Sa. Where are the escorts from Cheonri Escort Agency?"
"A lot happened on the way. But we protected the Qingming Pill."
"Ah, we should have sent an escort. My oversight caused you hardship."
Yi Muming barely kept his expression neutral.
He knew Jeong Hwiji's words were lies.
They'd risked their lives escorting the pill because of these people, yet upon entering Henan soil, not a trace of the Jeong Family could be found.
"No, no. Isn't serving your family head the same as serving the jianghu?"
Despite his thoughts, Yi Muming's words flowed sweetly, just as Hanbin had instructed.
Jeong Hwiji replied.
"Come in, come in. Father's condition has worsened—he needs the pill immediately."
Jeong Hwiji gestured ahead impatiently, leading the way. Yi Muming followed, furrowing his brow.
Something felt off.
By his calculations, Hanbin should have arrived two days ago.
Slipped in, examined the family head's condition, and treated him by now.
But Jeong Hwiji spoke of urgency.
Yi Muming's heart raced.
Not for the Jeong family head, but for Hanbin.
His comrade-in-arms, his lord, who had shared blades and bonds.
Even if things went awry, Hanbin had to be safe.
Yi Muming glanced sideways.
Seolhwa walked casually, her steps bouncy and carefree.
He chided himself—his faith in his lord was lacking.
If even Seolhwa trusted Hanbin that much, how could he doubt?
Yi Muming clenched his teeth imperceptibly.
Jeong Hwiji halted before a building.
Yi Muming glanced up at the plaque.
Kwaryongjeon (Kuailong Palace)—the family head's residence.
The most ornate hall in the Henan Jeong Family, its pillars engraved with the swift sword and auspicious dragon, symbols of the clan.
Jeong Hwiji extended his hand.
"Hand over the Qingming Pill."
"Here it is."
As Yi Muming offered the bundle, a physician came rushing up.
Yi Muming barely stifled a gasp.
It wasn't Hanbin or Jang Jamyung.
Then where was his lord?
And what was the source of this ominous feeling?
Yi Muming composed himself.
The arriving physician took the Cold Iron Box containing the pill instead.