Mangho Secret Vault (1)
Han Bin gazed idly at the distant mountains.
Watching him quietly, Jo Ho murmured in a small voice.
"Do you think what we're seeing is the same as what our lord sees?"
When Jo Ho turned to look in the direction Han Bin was facing, Jang Sam grinned brightly and replied.
"Probably..."
"I hope it is."
Jo Ho nodded as well.
That afternoon, in the Hebei Paeng Family patriarch's hall.
Han Bin slowly entered the hall.
The shoulders of the Mangho Squad following behind him were tense with resolve.
And rightly so—the Mangho Squad had been one of the key players in averting a crisis that nearly shook the southern murim.
What if the Henan Jeong Family had fallen into Jeong Hwiji's hands?
The shockwaves would have rippled first not through southern murim, but straight to the Hebei Paeng Family.
From that perspective, Han Bin and the Mangho Squad had essentially saved the Hebei Paeng Family.
Upon entering the hall, Han Bin narrowed his eyes and scanned the elders and division leaders.
He was gauging the atmosphere first.
But soon, he tilted his head in puzzlement.
It was because of the mood they exuded.
Han Bin and the Mangho Squad's return should have been like a triumphant army marching home from victory.
Yet the patriarch's hall, which ought to match that grandeur, felt unexpectedly subdued.
There seemed to be fewer elders and division leaders present, and even those who remained averted their eyes whenever they met Han Bin's gaze.
Han Bin tilted his head again as he looked toward the patriarch's seat.
Sitting there was not the acting patriarch Paeng Daewi, but the true patriarch himself, Paeng Kangwi.
What the...?
Han Bin's eyes widened slightly.
According to his memories, Paeng Kangwi's closed-door training still had a long way to go.
He must have emerged early to handle the matter with Lady Jeonghwa.
Curiosity suddenly stirred in Han Bin.
Had he broken through the wall?
If so, the future of the Hebei Paeng Family that Han Bin knew would shift subtly.
Which meant he'd have to adjust his own plans accordingly.
At that moment, Paeng Kangwi rose from the patriarch's seat.
He stood abruptly and approached Han Bin with slow, deliberate steps.
Thud. Thud.
The hall reverberated as if he were walking with inner power infused in each step.
As all eyes focused on him, Paeng Kangwi spoke.
"You've grown a great deal in my absence."
"......"
Han Bin pondered the words silently.
It didn't seem to refer to his physical size. More like he'd recognized the depth of Han Bin's inner power.
Paeng Kangwi continued.
"Congratulations on completing your mission. Thanks to you, the Hebei Paeng Family is cleansed."
Han Bin bowed his head slightly.
His eyes flicked toward the elders and division leaders.
Now I get the awkward atmosphere.
If the patriarch says we're 'cleansed,' it means Lady Jeonghwa's faction has been completely purged.
Quickly composing his expression, Han Bin replied.
"Thank you, Patriarch."
"Ahem."
Paeng Kangwi cleared his throat, as if somewhat disappointed.
What was that about?
Han Bin narrowed his eyes and studied Paeng Kangwi.
As he stared, his own eyes widened.
Though the man was concealing his presence, Paeng Kangwi had undoubtedly changed.
Han Bin pressed on swiftly.
"Congratulations on reaching the Hwagyeong realm."
He looked at Paeng Kangwi again.
Before, he'd been in an ambiguous state, one foot in peak and one in Hwagyeong.
But now, anyone could see it was pure Hwagyeong aura.
Others might not notice, but after traveling with Seomun Mugeol, Han Bin could clearly discern such presences.
The fact that Paeng Kangwi had reached Hwagyeong sooner than expected?
It means my plans need a subtle tweak.
At Han Bin's words, Paeng Kangwi cleared his throat again.
"Ahem."
Murmurs rippled through the hall here and there.
"The patriarch reached Hwagyeong?"
"Impossible!"
Exclamations burst out, soon turning into cheers.
"Congratulations, Patriarch!"
"We celebrate your achievement, Patriarch!"
As the cheers died down, Paeng Kangwi drew a crimson flag from his robes.
He handed it to Han Bin.
Han Bin received it respectfully and unfurled it.
The front bore the words "Red Blood," and the back read "Mangho."
As Han Bin examined the flag, Paeng Kangwi declared.
"From this day forward, the Mangho Squad shall be renamed the Red Blood Mangho Squad, and I grant them independent authority to exercise power outside the family."
At the patriarch's command, Han Bin knelt and replied.
"I shall obey your command, Patriarch."
Finishing, Han Bin turned and raised the flag high once more.
Cheers erupted in unison.
"Hooray!"
"We did it!"
It hadn't been long since they'd earned the Mangho Squad title, and now they'd evolved into an independent armed force.
From leader So Daeseop to the youngest warrior Jo Ho, all shouted with tears welling in their eyes.
Then Jang Sam tilted his head and muttered.
"But why 'Red Blood'?"
All eyes turned to Han Bin.
Then they nodded in unison.
Seeing Han Bin in his crimson martial robes, they understood why Paeng Kangwi had named it the Red Blood Mangho Squad.
Paeng Kangwi gave the Red Blood Mangho Squad members time to share their joy.
It was the courtesy a patriarch could show his youngest prince.
As the murmurs faded, Paeng Kangwi clapped his hands.
Clap, clap.
A warrior approached carrying a tray.
Atop it lay a pentagonal token.
Seeing it, Han Bin narrowed his eyes.
He knew exactly what it was.
The Five Elements Token.
Five Elements Token?
Han Bin recalled the conversation with Seomun Mugeol about the heir candidate trials.
This was a test any heir candidate had to undergo.
One side of the Five Elements Token bore an inscription.
-North Five Great Families
It was the mark of the Northern Five Great Families.
This trial wasn't just for the Hebei Paeng Family heirs—it was for all heir candidates of the Northern Five Great Families.
Paeng Kangwi grasped the Five Elements Token and placed his hand on one of its five faces.
His hand inscribed characters into one face.
Sizzle.
The characters appeared in a single fluid stroke.
There, boldly etched, were the words "Hebei Paeng Family."
Even more astonishing was the depth and width of the engraving.
The depth was uniform, the width as fine as if written with a fine brush.
This was done not by pressing a finger directly, but by channeling qi remotely.
Paeng Kangwi handed the Five Elements Token casually to Han Bin.
Han Bin accepted it reverently with both hands, and Paeng Kangwi continued with a benevolent expression.
"Inscribing our family name on this Five Elements Token signifies my pledge to support you. Ruling a family is too much for one person's strength alone. Go forth and forge your allies. You have three months. If you should..."
Paeng Kangwi trailed off, fixing Han Bin with a piercing gaze.
It was as if he were imprinting his very eyes into him.
Han Bin met that gaze unflinchingly.
Their eyes locked for a moment.
Seemingly satisfied, Paeng Kangwi withdrew his aura and continued.
"If you fail, I shall take it as your forfeiture of the heir position."
Han Bin immediately clasped his hands in salute and cried out.
"I shall obey, Patriarch!"
With that, he turned and raised the Five Elements Token high.
In an instant, the Red Blood Mangho Squad, elders, and division leaders slammed their weapons against the floor in unison.
Bam! Bam!
The sounds merged into one resounding echo through the hall.
But their expressions varied.
The Red Blood Mangho Squad members beamed with flushed excitement.
In contrast, the elders and division leaders looked worried.
Paeng Kangwi spoke again.
"Now, for rewards for completing this mission. Speak your desires."
Han Bin's eyes gleamed.
The promotion to Red Blood Mangho Squad was a group reward; personal ones should follow.
This was the moment he'd been waiting for.
Han Bin replied promptly.
"I wish to enter the Maengho Bigo."
Paeng Kangwi, seeing Han Bin's unhesitating response, asked with piqued curiosity.
"The Maengho Bigo?"
"Yes. I wish to study there for a time."
Murmurs immediately arose.
From the seats of the elders and division leaders.
"The Maengho Bigo is only for heirs and above. And a heir candidate wants to enter?"
"Even with his achievements, it doesn't make sense for a candidate to access the Maengho Bigo."
As the murmurs grew, Paeng Kangwi asked again.
"Which floor do you desire?"
"I want the underground."
Han Bin's answer held no hesitation.
Paeng Kangwi narrowed his eyes.
Access from the fifth floor up was restricted to heirs.
In other words, from the fifth floor onward lay manuals and worthy weapons.
The rest required only the patriarch's permission.
Moreover, though called a secret vault, the underground held nothing but trash.
The elders and leaders had murmured earlier because they'd assumed his request meant fifth floor or above.
There was no reason to enter the Maengho Bigo otherwise.
This was a request Paeng Kangwi hadn't anticipated.
He glanced at the murmuring elders and leaders.
They too seemed dumbfounded by Han Bin's unexpected ask.
After a moment's thought, Paeng Kangwi nodded.
"Granted. You may enter anytime before departing for the Five Elements Token trial."
"Thank you, Patriarch."
"Ahem."
Paeng Kangwi cleared his throat again.
Han Bin tilted his head at the sight.
The patriarch kept coughing as if disappointed—it was odd.
As Han Bin and the Red Blood Mangho Squad left the hall, Paeng Kangwi turned to his younger brother Paeng Daewi and cleared his throat once more.
"Ahem."
"What's wrong, brother? Craving liquor already? You've only just ascended to Hwagyeong—stay away from alcohol and focus on stabilizing your qi."
"Hah, do I look like I'm after booze, little brother?"
"Then what?"
"I'm just feeling a bit miffed."
"Miffed? Everything wrapped up perfectly, didn't it?"
"Precisely because everything's settled, I thought that boy would at least call me 'father' once. But he didn't even utter the 'f' sound—how could I not feel miffed?"
"It's surprising to hear you say that, brother. You've always preached separating public and private."
"Emotions are a beast—even hosinganggi can't contain them. Seeing myself reveal them unwittingly, I guess I'm getting old too, little brother."
"Haha, looks like you'll need that one drink today after all."
Paeng Daewi chuckled and pulled out a bamboo flask.
Paeng Kangwi's head turned toward it instinctively.
A short while later.
Laughter from Paeng Kangwi and Paeng Daewi echoed through the now-empty hall until sunset.
Han Bin had returned to his quarters in the Hebei Paeng Family after a long time and flung open the window wide.
Gazing at the setting sun, he wore a serene expression, like a fisherman patiently awaiting his catch.
He was waiting for the moment to head to the Maengho Bigo.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving only a red tail, Han Bin murmured softly.
"The setting sun looks the same over Henan or Hebei."
"Tanghwa candy tastes the same whether from southern or northern Dang style."
Seolhwa chimed in slyly, and Han Bin turned his head.
A pile of tanghwa candy sat before her.
Han Bin asked.
"Tanghwa from Henan and Hebei should taste different, right? They say tangerines become kumquats crossing the river—how could the flavor be identical?"
Munching on a piece, Seolhwa replied.
"Delicious is delicious. Hehe."
As Seolhwa giggled, the door burst open.
Creak.
Cheolno came rushing in, huffing and puffing.