Sword Genius of the Hebei Paeng Family - Chapter 136: You Must Hide Three-Tenths of Your Skill (2)
Confirming formulas with Dragon Eye.
You have obtained the True (Jin) formula from the Application Edition of the Yongrin Sword Art.
What the hell?
Han Bin narrowed his eyes.
The formula he’d pulled from Hwagyeong master Seo Mun-mu-geol was supposedly just a standard one from the Application Edition?
Didn’t the formulas’ quality vary based on the opponent’s realm?
As doubts piled up in Han Bin’s mind, a dry cough came from Seo Mun-mu-geol.
“Ahem.”
Snapping out of his thoughts at the sound, Han Bin turned his head.
There stood Seo Mun-mu-geol, gazing at him with a look of regret.
His expression was like that of a kid whose meal had been snatched away midway.
Of course, Han Bin felt the same.
Points denoting formulas still lingered on Seo Mun-mu-geol’s body.
Han Bin quickly cupped his hands in a fist and continued.
“Thank you for the enlightenment.”
Caught off guard by the sudden courtesy, Seo Mun-mu-geol’s eyes widened.
“What do you—”
Before he could finish, Han Bin flashed a broad grin.
“Wasn’t this a spar we barely managed to arrange?”
Leaning forward and lowering his voice, Han Bin drew Seo Mun-mu-geol in closer.
“Indeed it was. So, what are you getting at?”
“How about we cross swords whenever we have time on the road? There’s no rule saying we can only spar once, right? If we use training wooden swords, we could go at it for an hour straight without issue, don’t you think?”
Seo Mun-mu-geol quietly studied Han Bin.
He had approached the duel treating Han Bin as the Hwagyeong master True Dragon Hero.
Of course, he’d lowered his inner power to match.
Through the exchange, he’d glimpsed the true prowess of the Red Dragon Hero in Han Bin.
What if Han Bin’s realm matched his own?
Seo Mun-mu-geol replayed the recent bout in his mind.
The result?
If their realms were equal, it was a sword path utterly impossible to predict.
Han Bin’s swordsmanship was that unpredictable.
Traces of it still danced before Seo Mun-mu-geol’s eyes.
A bit more sparring, and he might uncover more about this enigmatic master called the Red Dragon Hero.
With Han Bin suggesting it first, how could he resist?
Using wooden training swords would let him unleash his skills more freely, too.
Having made up his mind, Seo Mun-mu-geol let out an unwitting, pleased chuckle.
“Haha, splendid. Just what I’d hoped for.”
“Thank you.”
Han Bin dipped his head slightly, and Seo Mun-mu-geol beamed with a kindly face.
The two, fresh from their duel, exchanged smiles like old Taoists who’d just placed the final Go stone—utterly serene.
But Seo Mun-su-yeon, watching them, sighed and gazed worriedly at the sky.
“Whew!”
She’d thought no one was crazier about martial arts than her father, Seo Mun-mu-geol.
Yet out in the world, she’d found someone even worse.
They chatted so casually, but to her eyes, their condition was dire.
Several spots on Seo Mun-mu-geol’s robes hung empty, and Han Bin was even worse off.
Blood seeped through the gaps in his red martial robes, testament to the bout’s ferocity.
Seo Mun-su-yeon figured it was only that bad because her father had held back.
But to spar again?
She turned to check her brother Seo Mun-jin-gyeong’s face.
Sure enough, he wore the same dazed expression as her.
That was when it happened.
A mountain-shaking rumble echoed.
Boom! Boom!
Looking back, the Mangho Squad was slamming their swords into the ground.
Yi Mu-myeong beside them did the same.
They looked like soldiers steeling themselves before marching to war.
One of them shouted.
“As expected of our lord!”
It was Jo Ho.
His cry sparked cheers from all around.
“Truly the Gentleman Sword Hero!”
“To think we’ll witness spars like this from now on! My heart swells!”
As the cheers died down, a regretful voice came from beside Seo Mun-su-yeon.
“Ah, you really need snacks to watch a good fight…”
Turning, she saw Seol-hwa—the girl who’d caught the spider earlier—smacking her lips.
Even a child like her was thrilled by combat?
For a moment, Seo Mun-su-yeon questioned Han Bin and his crew.
At the same time, at the Justice Alliance headquarters in Xi’an.
Moyong Jin-u, one of the alliance’s strategists, hurried to the reception room at his friend’s sudden visit.
Thud-thud.
His neat robes became disheveled from the rush, but Moyong Jin-u didn’t care as he dashed on.
Mid-thirties in appearance.
His soft jawline seemed to proclaim his gentle nature to all.
Kindness and mildness.
That was one of the praises Justice Alliance warriors heaped on Moyong Jin-u.
Yet his starched robes were impeccably stiff, without room for a single needle.
Ask around the alliance, and they’d say he embodied contradictions.
Infinitely strict with himself, infinitely lenient with others.
That summed up Moyong Jin-u.
So everyone gawked as the usually composed man ran by with flushed excitement.
“What’s that? Is that really Strategist Moyong Jin-u?”
“No kidding. What’s got him sprinting like that?”
“First time seeing him like this.”
“Nah, probably nothing big.”
Ignoring the murmurs, Moyong Jin-u flung open the reception room door.
Creak.
He spotted a man rising from his seat—two handspans taller than himself.
Massive shoulders tapered to forearms bulging like they’d burst his skin.
Behind him loomed a longsword as tall as a spear.
Faintly engraved on its blade: Hebei.
Moyong Jin-u quickly composed himself and spoke.
“What brings the great young master of the Paeng Family all this way?”
“Nothing much. Just missed your face.”
The man’s bronzed face rippled with his flexing muscles.
Moyong Jin-u grinned back.
He kept staring, reading the intent in that smile.
His name was Paeng Hyeokbin.
Heir to the Hebei Paeng Family, the first direct descendant officially eyed for successor.
“Glad to hear it.”
Moyong Jin-u spread his arms in welcome.
But he didn’t drop his guard.
Their small talk lasted until the tea cooled.
Finally, Moyong Jin-u’s expression shifted.
“Now, care to tell me why you’re really here?”
His face brimmed with anticipation.
Paeng Hyeokbin shrugged.
“Still as impatient as ever.”
“Pot calling the kettle black. If you weren’t desperate, would you trek from Hainan to here?”
“Oh ho, you even know I was in Hainan? Impressive intel. Worth the trip.”
“Everyone in murim knows you went wandering there. Don’t flatter your ‘intel’—you’re embarrassing me.”
“If your face is hot, cool it with this.”
Paeng Hyeokbin pulled a fan from his bosom and tossed it over.
Whoosh!
The real issue was the infused energy.
As the powered fan flew, Moyong Jin-u extended his hand.
Transparent qi rippled out, snatching it midair.
A swift attack and defense in an instant.
Yet Moyong Jin-u kept smiling as he unfurled the fan.
Shh-wing!
He squinted.
“The handwriting of Master Wang, the famed Hainan scholar.”
“Hard to come by. Got it just for you.”
“Tossing something this precious like a brute? Got energy to burn?”
“What surprises me is your Golden Claw snatching my power so lightly.”
“Hey, it’s a gift from a friend. I’ll treasure it.”
“Gift? Nah, a bribe. Now that I’ve taken it, spill.”
“Hm.”
“Starting with the truth behind the Henan Jeong Family incident.”
“Henan Jeong? You’re not here to nitpick their deal with the Justice Alliance’s Henan branch, are you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“That’ll cost extra…”
Moyong Jin-u trailed off, and Paeng Hyeokbin smirked.
“Bribe not enough? Let’s spar for old times’ sake, then talk.”
“No, no. Haha, what’s money between friends? Just kidding.”
Moyong Jin-u waved it off. Paeng Hyeokbin leaned back, arms crossed.
“Anyway, Jeong Hwi-ji, the second young master of the Henan Jeong Family…”
Moyong Jin-u explained excitedly.
Paeng Hyeokbin just nodded indifferently.
Once done, he asked.
“So, some mystery master showed up and saved the Henan Jeong Family?”
“That’s the gist.”
“And my little brother just got help from this mystery master? That’s it?”
“Spot on.”
“What about Hebei Paeng Family news?”
“Nothing yet. They’re probably in chaos too. Give it two days for word.”
“Then it’s just me and the kid left as successor candidates.”
“Pretty much. You’ll be the last one standing, though.”
“Too early to call.”
“You’ll flop taming the North Five Families’ heirs, I bet.”
Moyong Jin-u grinned.
The “taming” was a simple test from the patriarch for successors.
Seemed easy, but a nightmare for candidates.
Most confirmed their place—or lack thereof—there.
To Moyong Jin-u, it taught humility and despair.
Paeng Hyeokbin grinned back.
“Speaking of, it was supposed to be Second Brother’s turn, but now it’s the kid’s.”
“Yeah. We’ve both been through it. You’re here after ages—tea won’t cut it. Drink?”
“I’ll cover the tab. Got a big favor to ask besides…”
Paeng Hyeokbin stood, grabbing his longsword. Moyong Jin-u beamed genuinely.
He had plenty to discuss with Paeng Hyeokbin tonight.
They might share power someday.
Both rising stars on the North Five Dragons list.
And both successor candidates of North Five Families.
In short, allies sworn to prop each other to patriarch.
Eager for his friend’s proposal, Moyong Jin-u rose.
Ten days later, at Jangha Ferry.
Han Bin’s group and Seo Mun-mu-geol disembarked.
Expressions varied.
Seo Mun-jin-gyeong and Seo Mun-su-yeon were seasick wrecks. Seo Mun-mu-geol eyed Han Bin wistfully.
Their planned schedule was over.
Seo Mun-mu-geol decided not to seek the Red Dragon Hero anymore.
He’d felt the truth of it through spars with Han Bin.
“A shame. I’d love to stay, but my path ends here.”