Chapter 131. The Calculations Are Spot-On (1)
At Yi Mu-myeong's greeting, Seomun Jingyeong responded with a cautious expression.
"Yi Mu-myeong... Could you be that Peak Realm swordsman Yi Mu-myeong, young hero?"
Yi Mu-myeong looked at him in slight bewilderment.
He couldn't imagine his name spreading as far as the Seomun Clan—outside Henan, at least.
"Young master Seomun, famous? I'm afraid I don't follow."
Yi Mu-myeong gave an awkward smile, and Seomun Jingyeong waved it off.
"You're too modest. North of the river, your fame spread from that one-against-a-hundred duel with the Mu Clan swordsmen."
"Well, the one-against-a-hundred part is a bit exaggerated..."
Yi Mu-myeong trailed off and glanced at Paeng Hanbin.
In truth, it had been Paeng Hanbin who'd faced off against the Mu Clan warriors in that supposed one-against-a-hundred duel.
He'd borrowed Yi Mu-myeong's identity to escape a bind, and now the rumors had taken on a life of their own.
Unsure how to proceed, Yi Mu-myeong hesitated until Paeng Hanbin stepped in quietly.
"I'm delighted my disciple's reputation has reached the North."
"Master."
Yi Mu-myeong bowed his head deeply.
He wasn't thick-skinned enough to boast of feats he hadn't performed.
Seomun Suyeon watched with a hand over her mouth, giggling softly.
"Hehe."
To her, the bowed Yi Mu-myeong seemed the picture of humility—a true martial artist.
But it could border on rudeness, depending on the view.
Seomun Jingyeong quickly intervened.
"My apologies, young hero."
"No harm done."
Yi Mu-myeong waved it off lightly.
Anyone could see Seomun Suyeon's laughter stemmed from fondness.
With the icy tension thawing, Seomun Jingyeong eyed Paeng Hanbin carefully.
Even on second glance, he didn't look a day over twenty.
And yet his skills defied imagination?
Seomun Jingyeong had never heard of anyone his age wielding a sword at such a level.
So, a rejuvenated elder master, perhaps.
But the vibe didn't fit that either.
He replayed Paeng Hanbin's single move in his mind. No matter how he tried, no sword style came to mind.
In some ways, it might even rival his father, Seomun Mugeol.
His eyes shifted as the thought struck him.
As Seomun Jingyeong gazed at Paeng Hanbin with newfound respect, Seol-hwa tilted her head at the group.
"Didn't you say you have a spider phobia, sis?"
"Yeah. That's why I couldn't even speak earlier."
Seomun Suyeon answered the youthful-looking Seol-hwa casually.
Seol-hwa cocked her head again.
"But there were tons of spiders—not just one or two. How'd you make it up the mountain path?"
"Eh, out of sight, out of mind."
"Oh, so that's why you didn't freak out over the spider right under your foot..."
Seol-hwa trailed off and glanced downward. Seomun Suyeon instinctively followed suit.
A massive spider squatted at her feet—furry, with legs as thick as a child's pinky finger.
Bigger than the one from before.
Seomun Suyeon's movements froze.
Her mouth hung open in shock.
Seomun Jingyeong darted to her side and stomped the spider.
Squish!
A ground-shattering stamp forceful enough to drive a stake.
But Seol-hwa was faster.
She snatched the spider mid-air and flung it far away.
Then she smiled sweetly.
"Killing it like that is just sad for the spider. It didn't do anything wrong. It can't help how it was born..."
Seol-hwa stared wistfully, and Seomun Jingyeong scratched his head.
"You're right."
"You could've just moved it somewhere out of sight..."
"Sorry. I didn't think that far."
Seomun Jingyeong apologized again, eyeing Seol-hwa.
Her motion—snatching the spider faster than he could act—lingered in his mind.
His thoughts were a whirlwind.
Meeting a Peak Realm swordsman like Yi Mu-myeong who matched him was shock enough. His master the same age?
And the maid-like Seol-hwa? Her level was impossible to gauge.
Unlike Seomun Jingyeong's turmoil, Paeng Hanbin chuckled softly at Seol-hwa.
A killer's pity?
It didn't suit an assassin at first glance.
But somehow, it fit her perfectly.
Seomun Suyeon stared at Seol-hwa in awe.
"Wow, you're brave. Thanks for saving me."
"Hehe, no biggie. I saved the spider, not you, sis."
"No, really—thank you. I'll repay you someday."
"Then next time we meet, load me up with tanghwa candy, sis."
"Tanghwa? I'll buy you as much as you want."
As the two bonded instantly, Paeng Hanbin smiled—until he sensed movement behind them.
He turned.
A man raced toward them like lightning.
Not a leaf stirred—far beyond ordinary skill.
Before anyone could react, the stranger closed in, robes whipping.
Paeng Hanbin narrowed his eyes.
The aura wasn't hostile.
Whoosh!
Moving at speeds rivaling Hong Chilgae, the man halted effortlessly before the group.
Thud!
Paeng Hanbin sized him up.
Seomun Jingyeong and Seomun Suyeon reacted first.
"Father."
"Dad."
The man was Seomun Mugeol, their father.
"Suyeon, what happened? I heard your scream and rushed over."
"It's nothing, Father. I got spooked by a spider, but they saved me."
Despite the misunderstandings, Seomun Suyeon kept it simple: they'd helped.
She gestured at Paeng Hanbin's group, and Seomun Mugeol cupped his fists toward him.
"Thank you for aiding my children. I am Seomun Mugeol."
The elder showed respect first, so Paeng Hanbin stepped forward with a grin.
A lean face, sharp jawline.
Only the faint white hairs hinted at his age.
A Hwagyeong master, the Seomun Clan's signature swordsman.
He'd yielded the clan head seat to his brother for sword cultivation alone—a man of obsession.
Wielder of the North's heaviest blade.
The epithets before "swordsman" spoke volumes of his stature.
Of course, Paeng Hanbin remembered him from his past life.
From North's Greatest Sword to Central Plains' Supreme Blade.
A principled man shunned by the Justice Alliance, dubbed the Gentleman's Sword.
No shared history in his past life, but this time, an alliance was needed.
And those flickering points across his form...
Dragon Eye formulas, plain as day.
Truth be told, parting with Seomun Jingyeong and Seomun Suyeon empty-handed felt like a loss.
But Seomun Mugeol?
It was like stumbling upon a master on the road.
Paeng Hanbin returned the fist-cup.
"No trouble at all. Just a small favor on the mountain path. Your reputation precedes you, great hero—it's an honor. I'm Paeng Hanbin."
Seomun Mugeol smiled back at the warmth in his eyes.
"Paeng Clan... Hebei Paeng Family, then?"
"Yes. The youngest, Paeng Hanbin of Hebei Paeng."
"Hebei Paeng..."
Seomun Mugeol trailed off, eyeing the sword at Paeng Hanbin's waist.
Paeng Hanbin knew the implication.
The Seomun Clan was one of the North's Five Great Families alongside Hebei Paeng.
They knew each other well through exchanges.
Paeng Hanbin chuckled lightly.
"We get that misunderstanding often—no swordsmen in Hebei Paeng."
"My apologies if I offended."
"Not at all."
Then Seomun Mugeol's gaze shifted to Seomun Jingyeong's blade.
Still clutched, half-shattered.
His eyes flicked to Yi Mu-myeong's—also snapped in two.
Then to the scattered fragments on the ground.
From the broken blades alone, he pieced it together.
The issue was...
"What in the world..."
Seomun Mugeol scanned the surroundings.
No master nearby capable of such precise intervention.
Sudden clamor rose from below.
He tensed, peering down.
"A large group approaching."
"No need for concern, great hero."
"What do you mean?"
"My men. I'll take my leave."
Paeng Hanbin headed toward the ascending Mangho Squad.
Seol-hwa and Yi Mu-myeong followed naturally.
Seomun Mugeol watched him go, then turned to his son.
"What exactly happened?"
"Well..."
Seomun Jingyeong recounted everything.
Seomun Mugeol's expression shifted constantly.
When the tale ended, his gaze fixed on the shattered blade fragments.
"You're certain that Paeng youth did this?"
"Yes, Father. I was shocked too, learning he was from Hebei Paeng."
"Hmm."
"What is it?"
"Put that aside. Follow his group for now."
"What about the person you're seeking?"
"That can wait. I need to learn about that young man's sword."
Seomun Mugeol eyed Paeng Hanbin chatting with his subordinates afar.
Seomun Suyeon chimed in.
"I'm all for it, Father. Made a new friend—don't wanna split so soon."
"New friend? The Paeng fourth young master?"
"No, his maid."
Seomun Mugeol blinked in surprise, curiosity lighting his eyes at his daughter.
Paeng Hanbin smirked at the voices behind.
Seomun Mugeol was the type to retreat if approached first.
Leaving like this would draw him in. Eavesdropping confirmed: the plan worked perfectly.
With the fish hooked, Paeng Hanbin's steps lightened.
* * *
An hour later.
Seomun Mugeol had joined Paeng Hanbin's group.
He treated Paeng Hanbin and the Mangho Squad as if he'd always been one of them.
His down-to-earth nature for a Hwagyeong master put the squad at ease.
As Paeng Hanbin and Seol-hwa walked beside him—having dismounted their carriage—Seomun Mugeol eyed the squad.
"Is this the True Blood Mangho Squad?"
The True Blood Mangho Squad was Hebei Paeng's third-strongest force, under Enforcement Leader Paeng Daewi's command.
A high compliment to the Mangho Squad's prowess.
Paeng Hanbin smiled faintly.
"No, my personal Mangho Squad."
"Your subordinates... So you're a young clan head candidate?"
Seomun Mugeol's eyes widened.
Only candidates could command named forces.
Blade-obsessed Seomun Mugeol hadn't heard of a new Hebei Paeng candidate.
"Yes. Recently recognized."
"Ha, I've been too detached. Embarrassing not to know of changes in a fellow Northern Great Family. My apologies."
"It happens. I'm fine. Where are you headed, if I may ask?"
Paeng Hanbin studied him intently.
He'd heard Seomun Mugeol shunned the world for training. What brought him out?
Genuine curiosity.
Seomun Mugeol answered with a kindly face.
"Seeking someone I must meet."
"Someone?"
"A Sapa master called the Crimson Dragon Hero."