135. The Law of Hiding Three-Tenths of Your Skill (1)
In response to Jin Samyeong's question, Ma Hwi stroked his goatee with evident satisfaction.
"I've obtained permission from the successor of the Crimson Dragon Great Hero, so now we have the justification we need. It seems we can push a bit harder in front of the Gangbuk Sado Alliance. That should accelerate the unification of the unorthodox factions even more. Wouldn't that make it all profit from here on out?"
"I hope the day comes soon when the unorthodox folk of Gangbuk and Gangnam band together, just as you say, Military Advisor."
While the two conversed, the expressions of those watching from behind split into two camps.
Jin Semi felt a spark of hope that the Crimson Dragon Great Hero might still be alive, while Heukui Salpung and Pyeon Yukranga worried whether they should vanish from the jianghu altogether.
What if it turned out that the Crimson Dragon Great Hero was the fourth young master of the Hebei Paeng Family?
The jianghu could turn upside down.
For now, though, the situation seemed reassuring enough even for Heukui Salpung.
But for some reason, the nagging unease wouldn't fade—he couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the end.
Ma Hwi, the Easy Profit Master, gazed up at the ceiling with a hearty laugh, his face the picture of a benevolent everyman as he surveyed the room, as if all matters were settled.
In that instant, a glint flashed in his eyes.
Because he believed his deal with Han Bin was only just beginning.
These kinds of ventures were all about justification, after all.
The promise he'd made to Han Bin—giving up half—could be renegotiated anytime after the Gangbuk Sado Alliance unified.
A man who'd lived his life profiting at every turn, true to his moniker of Easy Profit, would naturally recalculate once he'd used Han Bin to his advantage.
At that moment, Jin Samyeong commented on Ma Hwi's smiling face.
"You truly are remarkable, Military Advisor."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Even while conceding profits, you smile like that. It makes me think the jianghu you see is something far grander."
"Haha, something like that."
Easy Profit Master Ma Hwi grinned and nodded.
In his mind, the unification of the Gangnam and Gangbuk Sado Alliances would take just one or two years at most.
Once that period passed, his deal with Han Bin would be done.
By the time Han Bin returned to the Mangho Squad's camp, Sim Miho and the others were on their feet, eyes bloodshot from fatigue.
The first to rush over was Yi Muming.
"Did everything go well, Master?"
"If it hadn't, I wouldn't be back in one piece. Both arms still attached means it went fine."
Han Bin flashed a grin, and Seolhwa, trailing behind, piped up.
"Young master, I've got something I'm really curious about."
"Curious? That's five iron coins."
"Aw, I don't have any."
"Fine, freebie this time. Shoot."
"Earlier, when I brought the paper and ink, you said you didn't need it."
"Yeah."
"You've always written contracts before. So why not with Military Advisor Ma Hwi this time?"
"Seolhwa!"
"Yes, young master."
"Contracts are for equals. When the gap is this ridiculous, you don't write one. Remember that, Seolhwa."
"What do you mean, gap?"
"Who do you think owns this shrine and barracks we're building? Seolhwa."
"Uh, the Gangnam Sado Alliance?"
"Nah, wrong."
"Then who?"
"The guy enshrined there, if he's alive. It's his."
"Gasp, young master…."
"Military Advisor Ma Hwi will come crawling back within a year. And hand over half."
"Within a year?"
"Eh, by then we can draw up the contract if we want. Now that it's started, it's gotta be a profitable venture."
"Ah!"
Seolhwa let out an exclamation, staring at Han Bin in awe.
She'd thought it was all over, but this felt like the real beginning.
Seolhwa was convinced Han Bin had a next move.
Profiting off Easy Profit Master Ma Hwi?
Something no ordinary person could even dream of.
She looked at Han Bin anew.
What should she learn from him?
Swordsmanship?
Or business savvy?
Then Han Bin continued.
"Remember, Seolhwa: contracts are only for equals."
"Contracts only for equals…."
Chewing on his words, Seolhwa trailed off with a beaming smile.
She'd signed a contract with Han Bin, after all.
A three-year one, no less.
Even Easy Profit Master Ma Hwi, the Sado Alliance's military advisor who didn't qualify for one, got lesser treatment than her.
The thought made her giggle uncontrollably.
Her laughter spread like a contagion through the group.
Those chuckling were the Mangho Squad members who'd overheard the exchange between Seolhwa and Han Bin.
Jo Ho nudged Jangsan's side and whispered.
"Uncle, we signed contracts too, right?"
"Yeah, we did."
"Haha, so we're treated better than Easy Profit Master Ma Hwi."
"Exactly right, Jo Ho."
"Hehe, suddenly I'm all pumped up."
Then a shadow loomed behind Jo Ho and Jangsan.
Jo Ho whipped around at the sudden appearance.
He tilted his head upon recognizing the figure.
It was none other than the physician Jang Ja-myeong.
"Why the grin, Doc?"
"Jo Ho, not sure if I should say this, but…."
Jang Ja-myeong trailed off, and Jo Ho tilted his head again.
"Just say it straight."
"Well… mine's a three-year contract."
"Gasp, three years?"
"Yep, three years. Meaning I'm getting the top treatment here."
"Nah, don't think so, Doc."
"Then who? Who's got better?"
"Seolhwa's is three years too. And Great Hero Se Jaeo has no term limit. By duration, indefinite-term Se Jaeo takes the cake."
"Haha, Se Jaeo… Guess I gotta ask him myself if it's really indefinite."
Jang Ja-myeong narrowed his eyes, scanning the surroundings.
Se Jaeo was practically a comrade-in-arms from Cheonsu Manor, bonded by shared suffering.
But right now, rivalry flared over something trivial.
Jo Ho tilted his head again.
"Who you looking for?"
"Se Jaeo Great Hero, obviously."
"He left for Cheonsu Manor ahead of us. Said he had to find that plum blossom token ASAP."
"Ahead of us?"
"Yeah. You thought you two were close, but you didn't even know he was gone on the way here? He'd be hurt…."
"No, I knew. Just joking."
Jang Ja-myeong waved it off hurriedly, face stiffening.
Han Bin, watching from afar, tilted his own head.
"Why'd he leave without a word to me?"
"You really don't know, young master?"
"I wouldn't ask if I did."
"Scared you'd give him more work."
"Come on, what work? He just shows up, says a few words, and bounces every time."
That was when Se Munmugeol appeared before Han Bin, face grave.
He asked in a quiet voice.
"Young hero, is it true?"
"True about what? Don't spring it on me like that…."
"The conversation you had with Ma Hwi in the unorthodox camp earlier."
"Ahem."
Han Bin cleared his throat and met Se Munmugeol's gaze.
He'd sensed Se Munmugeol's presence near the tent.
Jin Samyeong, the Baeksa Gate leader, had set up a barrier, but a Hwagyeong master like Se Munmugeol wouldn't miss their words.
Han Bin thought it took him longer than expected. Se Munmugeol's solemn nature was the same in his past life and now.
Reading Han Bin's expression, Se Munmugeol apologized regretfully.
"I unintentionally overheard your talk with Easy Profit Master. My apologies for that."
"Gasp, how did you…."
Han Bin feigned wide-eyed surprise.
Se Munmugeol waved his hands, even more apologetic.
"I wasn't trying to listen; I was just worried for your safety…."
"No, I mean, Baeksa Gate Leader set a barrier—how could you hear through it?"
"Old age sharpened my ears more than I'd like. Forgive me."
"Overhearing's fine. Information is power, right? No need to apologize."
"I'm grateful you see it that way. So, are you really the successor to the Crimson Dragon Great Hero?"
"Successor… yeah, but we're practically one and the same."
Han Bin finished with an awkward smile.
That was the truth he could share.
Se Munmugeol pulled a small box from his bosom.
"Here."
He handed the little wooden case to Han Bin without hesitation.
"What's this?"
"A spirit pill from the Se Mun family."
"Why give it to me…."
"Didn't you say you're the successor I've been seeking?"
"The Great Hero can deliver it himself."
"You know that's not possible."
"What do you mean?"
"The Crimson Dragon Great Hero's fate is uncertain."
"Ahem."
"If he's passed on, it goes to you."
"…."
"But in exchange!"
"Name it."
"Spar with me."
"…."
Han Bin stared silently at Se Munmugeol.
The pill was a bonus; what he truly wanted was the spar.
A faint smile curved Han Bin's lips as he quietly cupped his fists in salute.
"Of course."
With that, he strode to an open clearing.
Se Munmugeol, who'd proposed the match, cried out in surprise at Han Bin's action.
"I didn't mean right now, but…."
"There's a saying: pull the ox horn while it's fresh."
Se Munmugeol raised his sword at the words.
"So is this the ox horn?"
Han Bin turned back with a grin, pointing to his chest.
"The real one’s right here."
Se Munmugeol nodded.
"True. The sword isn't in the blade—it's in the heart."
As they bantered, the two faced off in the clearing.
Han Bin and Se Munmugeol gripped their scabbards, eyes locked.
Se Munmugeol eyed his sword.
"This is called Gentleman Sword. Friends named it that because it's too straightforward. But once drawn, that honesty vanishes—mind yourself."
Han Bin indicated his own blade.
"Mine's Wol-a. First drawn under a full moon at its zenith. Overlapped like the moon's fangs, they said. No need to worry; it doesn't hide its teeth."
Se Munmugeol burst into hearty laughter.
"Haha, been a while since I could cut loose."
"Same here."
Both drew in unison.
Shing!
Shing!
Their blades caught the sunlight, gleaming proudly.
Their swords stilled exactly half a shichen later.
Se Munmugeol leveled his blade at Han Bin.
"That was fun. As expected of the Crimson Dragon Great Hero's successor."
"No, I fell short."
"Short? For someone lacking, you hid way too much…."
Se Munmugeol smacked his lips, eyeing Han Bin with regret.
Han Bin caught his breath and replied.
"I gave it my all."
"Not the words of someone who hid nine-tenths instead of three."
"Grateful you see it that way."
Han Bin bowed slightly and sheathed his sword.
Shunk!
Then he looked back at Se Munmugeol.
One realization dawned from the exchange.
Masters could see through attempts to conceal true skill.
You could mask the power in a manual, but not fifty years of innate inner strength.
How to hide one's core cultivation?
Han Bin gazed into the void, suspecting the answer lay in the new formula gained from sparring Se Munmugeol.