Can't Leave Empty-Handed (3)
Han Bin's serious expression didn't last long.
Rubbing his chin, he continued with a playful grin.
"They call it sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong."
"Ah!"
Seol-hwa's mouth fell open wide, as if she had nothing left to say.
It wasn't the kind of story that popped up in a serious situation like this.
Seol-hwa was genuinely curious about Han Bin's true feelings.
She had been force-fed poison by him and agreed to serve as his maid for three years in exchange for the antidote.
But spending time with him started to feel strangely off.
It was the realization that no one—not even her father, the lord of Heuksa Gate, or the strict nursemaid from her childhood—had ever taken care of her as well as Han Bin did.
Seol-hwa felt like she was finally enjoying all the things she'd missed out on as a child.
Even if dangerous situations cropped up now and then.
Following Han Bin's instructions, Seol-hwa began learning the forms one by one.
In her eyes, Han Bin was a natural-born martial arts instructor.
He explained every movement simply and pinpointed her mistakes with precision.
After half a day of training, Han Bin spoke up.
"I'll take a break now. You two keep practicing on your own."
Seol-hwa and Yi Mu-myeong clasped their hands in unison.
"Yes, understood."
"As you command, Master."
Han Bin quietly moved to a corner of the training ground and examined the manual hovering in the air.
Speed (speed):30
…
Mind (Heart):Void (null)
A new attribute called Mind, representing the heart, had appeared.
But since no heart had been accumulated yet, it was marked with Void.
The new Mind attribute in the basic manual was undoubtedly what enabled the True Dragon Soul Scattering Sword.
Han Bin smiled unwittingly.
From afar, Yi Mu-myeong watched Han Bin's smile and whispered in a low voice.
"Seol-hwa, Master's expression looks off. We'd better stay on our toes."
"Obviously. Better grovel and play it safe."
With that, Seol-hwa swiftly swung her sword through the air, forming the shapes of the Soul Scattering Sword that Han Bin had taught her.
Two weeks later.
Han Bin had planned to leave immediately after the mission, but having acquired the arrangement for the Yongrin Sword Art, he stayed in the Henan Jeong Family a bit longer to put his insights into practice.
Of course, that practice meant passing on the Soul Scattering Sword.
Over that time, Han Bin had transmitted the forms and attributes of the Soul Scattering Sword to Yi Mu-myeong and Seol-hwa.
The two had managed to learn the clumsy version Han Bin passed on.
Others might not notice, but Han Bin could confirm the results with his own eyes.
…
Mind (Heart):2
He had acquired Mind Force from Seol-hwa and Yi Mu-myeong.
In the process, Han Bin gained quite a few insights.
When Hong Chilgae had taught him the Beggar's Eighteen Steps and opened the path to the Fusion Manual, something had felt off: Hong Chilgae's version lacked polarity, yet Han Bin's had it.
It stemmed from the Speed formula in the basic Yongrin Sword Art, but it was an unexpected difference.
And now it was the same.
He was certain the two could execute the Soul Scattering Sword to a certain level after he taught them everything.
But reaching the perfected form Han Bin transmitted was beyond their current skills.
If he had to quantify the insight of the forms, it was about one out of the twelve stages.
He concluded that only he, with his connection to the Yongrin Sword Art, could execute it to full polarity from the start.
Still, it was undoubtedly a superior sword art, several steps above what they'd learned before.
Yi Mu-myeong and Seol-hwa could feel it in their bones.
Han Bin knew it was time to leave the Henan Jeong Family and head back to Hebei.
As he made his way to the family head's quarters to bid farewell to Family Head Jeong Muryong, one of the head's guard warriors rushed up to him like lightning.
"Young hero! The family head urgently summons you!"
Han Bin tilted his head at the man's words.
Over the past two weeks, Jeong Muryong had provided every courtesy but hadn't summoned Han Bin once.
Something unimaginable must have come up.
I wonder what it could be?
Upon arriving at the family head's quarters, Han Bin narrowed his eyes.
There were only four people present, including himself.
His master Hong Chilgae was already there, standing beside Family Head Jeong Muryong and Great Young Master Jeong Inji.
For some reason, Jeong Inji stood like a statue by the door, not saying a word.
As Han Bin wondered what was going on, Jeong Muryong spoke.
"I've called this meeting to bring closure to the incident that occurred in the Henan Jeong Family. I will now carry out the final judgment."
Hong Chilgae nodded as if he understood.
Seeing that, Han Bin gave a small nod too.
With the upheaval in the Henan Jeong Family over the past two weeks more or less resolved, this seemed to be the moment to assign responsibility.
Given the atmosphere, Jeong Muryong clearly intended to hold Great Young Master Jeong Inji accountable.
Jeong Muryong turned to Han Bin and Hong Chilgae alternately and continued.
"I request that you two esteemed guests serve as witnesses. Will you hear us out?"
Finishing, Jeong Muryong clasped his hands solemnly toward Han Bin and Hong Chilgae.
Hong Chilgae nodded.
"Of course, Family Head."
"Yes, I'm fine with that."
Han Bin accepted as well.
Then he glanced sideways.
Seol-hwa and Yi Mu-myeong stood there, having followed him unexpectedly.
He figured this wasn't the place for them.
Just as Han Bin was about to instruct them to leave, Jeong Muryong shook his head.
"Young Hero Sa, aren't they your right and left hands? They may stay."
Looking at Seol-hwa and Yi Mu-myeong, Jeong Muryong clasped his hands toward them too.
It was an acknowledgment of their great contributions to saving the Henan Jeong Family.
With that, Jeong Muryong slowly walked toward the dais.
Thud. Thud.
The quarters echoed as if he were deliberately channeling his inner power into each step.
Jeong Muryong sat on the dais with enough force to splinter it.
Thump!
He glared sharply at Jeong Inji and said,
"Speak if you have anything to say."
At Jeong Muryong's sharp shout, Jeong Inji slowly approached the dais.
He then laid his sword at Jeong Muryong's feet.
Clunk!
The sword he placed down was the Henan Jeong Family's sacred relic, symbolizing the vice family head.
Looking at the sword, Jeong Muryong asked,
"What does this mean?"
"I am unworthy to serve as vice family head."
"Unworthy?"
"Yes."
"That makes sense."
With that, Family Head Jeong Muryong slowly descended from the dais.
Thud. Thud.
Approaching Jeong Inji, he picked up the sword Jeong Inji had laid down.
Caressing the scabbard, Jeong Muryong drew the blade.
Shing!
The blade shimmered mysteriously in the sunlight filtering through the window cracks.
It didn't matter if it was the light or sword aura.
Without a moment's hesitation, Jeong Muryong pressed the sword to Jeong Inji's neck.
A little more pressure, and Jeong Inji's head would roll.
Watching the scene, Yi Mu-myeong's eyes widened.
He'd eaten at the Henan Jeong Family for over ten years and had never seen Family Head Jeong Muryong this furious.
Is he really going to behead Jeong Inji?
No, he couldn't let that happen.
He'd have to step in if needed.
If Han Bin was his second benefactor, Jeong Inji was his first.
Unable to decide, Yi Mu-myeong unwittingly squeezed his eyes shut.
Then Jeong Muryong spoke in a low voice.
"Your crimes are grave. Neglecting your duties as vice family head. Trusting your brother too blindly, blood ties or not. But the greatest sin is trying to shirk responsibility."
"Father, I..."
Before Jeong Inji could finish, Jeong Muryong continued.
"If you're going to lay down your burden, settle everything first."
Finishing, Jeong Muryong furrowed his brow.
At the same time, blue energy swirled around the blade.
It was a resolute act, ready to sever Jeong Inji's neck at any moment.
Jeong Inji said in a trembling voice,
"F-Father."
"If you think it's too hard to take back, I'll cut your head off today. Choose."
"......"
Jeong Inji was speechless.
He had declared his resignation as vice family head because he saw no way to atone for his past mistakes.
Jeong Inji stared at Jeong Muryong, who gripped the sword wreathed in blue sword energy.
Suddenly, his eyes widened.
There was no emotion in Jeong Muryong's gaze.
No reproach, no expectation.
Just looking at Jeong Inji with utter emptiness, like a monk who had attained enlightenment.
Jeong Inji said,
"I shall obey your command."
At his response, the sword energy on the blade vanished.
"From this day, you are the family head."
"Understood."
"Take over everything I discussed with Young Hero Paeng. Not a single lapse."
"I will keep it in mind."
Jeong Inji deeply clasped his hands. Jeong Muryong sheathed the sword.
Click!
Before the echo faded, Jeong Muryong turned his gaze.
It fell on Hong Chilgae and Han Bin.
"Thank you. Senior Martial Uncle Mujaeja, Young Hero Paeng. I'll take my leave now. Any further matters will be handled by the new family head."
Jeong Muryong smiled warmly, pointing at Jeong Inji.
Han Bin quietly clasped his hands in response.
Hong Chilgae swallowed a wry smile, his heart not entirely light.
It was the moment a giant who had dominated an era stepped back.
Who was Jeong Muryong?
He had elevated the Henan Jeong Family—from having no name until the previous generation—to the ranks of the Five Great Families of Jiangnam.
Moreover, he had etched the family's reputation for swift swords into the jianghu.
For such a titan, this retirement felt too modest.
But Jeong Muryong's eyes shone with satisfaction.
His two benefactors had witnessed it.
Han Bin watched the slowly departing Jeong Muryong and nodded quietly.
Everyone present knew the one he truly judged was not Jeong Inji, but himself.
Retiring alive was a slight divergence from his previous life's history in the jianghu.
Of course, it was good news for Han Bin.
As long as the Henan Jeong Family endured, the contract with Jeong Muryong would hold its power.
After Han Bin's group departed, the new family head Jeong Inji received the family head's sacred relics.
He thought it was just the family head's plaque and Jeong Muryong's sword, but there was one more.
Jeong Muryong handed him a letter, saying it was something the family head must protect.
With trembling hands, Jeong Inji took the letter.
"This is a manual..."
Glancing around to ensure no one watched, he focused on the letter.
It couldn't contain anything ordinary if passed with the sacred relics.
In his judgment, it was indeed a manual.
What if it held a manual that could instantly boost the Henan Jeong Family's power?
Jeong Inji's heart pounded.
Where on earth did this manual come from?
Doubts aside, Jeong Inji tore open the letter.
Pop!
The letter opened, revealing what he assumed was the manual's contents.
Reading the first line, Jeong Inji's eyes bulged in absurdity.
— The Henan Jeong Family and Paeng Hanbin...
It was the contract between Jeong Muryong and Han Bin.
Jeong Inji knew of its existence.
But the more he read, the more absurd it seemed.
It was utterly unfair, in a nutshell.
Not in the give-and-take—that was balanced.
The problem was the penalty clause.
Jeong Inji chuckled.
Han Bin was the family's benefactor, but as current family head, he couldn't offer his liver and gall on a platter.
A sly smile tugged at his lips.
Contracts usually applied only to the current generation.
With a new family head, it was time for a renegotiation fitting the occasion—or so he thought.
...and shall retain full effect across generations.
Jeong Inji could only bow his head at that clause.
Just as resentment toward his father Jeong Muryong welled up inside him—
Creak!
The door to the family head's quarters burst open.
A warrior rushed in breathlessly.
Standing before the new family head Jeong Inji, the warrior shouted urgently.
"Traces of an intruder have been found!"
"An intruder? Where exactly?"
"In the training room used by the guests."
"Lead the way. I need to check it out myself."
Jeong Inji set the letter aside and rose from his seat.