Black Cat, White Cat (4)
One of the black Underworld warriors drinking at the entrance shot to his feet.
"The Ronin King has arrived!"
"We pay our respects to the Ronin King."
Voices rose from all around in unison.
In time with the clamor, a white-robed scholar with graying hair stepped forward unhurriedly.
At the sight, Hanbin narrowed his eyes.
Yi Seomyung, the Ronin King.
Twenty years ago, he'd appeared out of nowhere in the northern rivers region and united all the ronin there. The northern ronin called him the Ronin King.
What drew attention in the jangho wasn't his martial prowess, but his intellect. He'd wielded his brush like a sword, rallying the ronin to establish the Cheonri Escort Bureau, the largest escort agency in the north.
That his sword was just as sharp as his brush was a secret known only to his inner circle.
The place Yi Seomyung had graced with his presence today was a ronin inn—a haven of rest for wanderers like them.
Once a month, he stopped by to scout promising talents among the ronin.
All those gathered in the inn now were here in hopes of catching his eye.
Ignoring the gazes of awe, Yi Seomyung trudged to a corner with his attendants.
Three of his escorts nodded at the waiter.
The waiter scurried to the kitchen with the message.
They were probably preparing the usual dishes in advance.
It was a scene Hanbin remembered well from his past life. He chuckled softly.
As Hanbin watched Yi Seomyung, Sim Miho poked his side and whispered.
"My lord, we should head out now."
"Why?"
"Well..."
Sim Miho glanced sideways toward where the Ronin King sat.
It meant nothing good could come from crossing paths with him.
He wasn't someone the Hebei Paeng Family would acknowledge as an equal.
As Sim Miho wished, Hanbin rose from his seat.
He seemed about to leave the inn to avoid him.
But the moment everyone started grabbing their things, Hanbin slowly walked not toward the exit—but straight toward Yi Seomyung.
Seeing this, So Daeseop furrowed his brow.
The man was the Ronin King, who ran the Cheonri Escort Bureau.
Crossing him could turn them into appetizers—or worse, leave them chewed to the bone.
As So Daeseop jumped up in alarm, Sim Miho tugged at his sleeve.
"Captain, hold on."
"We need to go..."
"Captain, look at my lord's face right now."
So Daeseop turned. There was Hanbin, beaming broadly, already standing before Yi Seomyung.
Confirming Hanbin's expression, So Daeseop quietly sat back down.
What the hell?
So Daeseop tilted his head. That relaxed look in enemy territory?
"Ahem."
So Daeseop covered his mouth and coughed dryly.
Sim Miho was right—they should watch and see.
Of course, the ronin were tense too.
Someone in Hebei Paeng Family martial robes approaching? They had no choice but to be on edge.
When everyone had gathered, Hanbin politely cupped his fists in greeting.
As Yi Seomyung narrowed his eyes, Hanbin slowly spoke.
"Greetings. Yi Seomyung, Bureau Lord."
Not the nickname Ronin King, but his real name. Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Few in the Cheonri Escort Bureau itself could call Yi Seomyung by name.
And this fresh-faced kid was doing it boldly?
To the watching ronin, it was prime entertainment.
"What? Did that kid just call the Ronin King by name?"
"Who's the guy anyway?"
"Looks like Hebei Paeng Family robes."
The ronin set down their cups, swallowing hard as they imagined the spectacle ahead.
A greenhorn getting cut down in one stroke—that was their mental final scene.
No one even blinked as Yi Seomyung's mouth opened.
"Haha. That's me, but who might you be?"
The unexpected response left everyone tilting their heads.
Strangely, there was no hostility. Just simple curiosity on his face.
Well, it matched his memories from his past life.
To talk with him, you had to pique his interest first. The best way? Casually using his real name.
Of course, if you couldn't follow through, things could go south fast.
Hanbin continued politely.
"First time meeting. I'm Paeng Hanbin of the Hebei Paeng Family, great hero."
"Paeng Hanbin?"
"The youngest of Hebei Paeng."
"Hm. What brings a scion of Hebei Paeng here?"
A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by brimming curiosity.
Meeting Yi Seomyung's gaze, Hanbin continued calmly.
"I have urgent business to discuss, so I took the liberty of approaching."
"Business?"
Yi Seomyung's eyes gleamed brighter.
A direct heir from the righteous Hebei Paeng Family coming to him?
First time in ten years since founding the Cheonri Escort Bureau.
Hebei Paeng was righteous; Cheonri straddled the line between righteous and unorthodox.
They stayed out of each other's lanes and thrived.
As Yi Seomyung's curiosity deepened, Hanbin spoke.
"To be precise, a deal."
"A righteous scion proposing a deal to me? You've got my interest."
Yi Seomyung emphasized "righteous," flashing neat teeth in a smile.
Hanbin didn't retort, just observed his expression.
It was sarcasm.
Sure enough, Yi Seomyung continued.
"Intriguing, and a deal sounds fine. But am I in a position to bandy words with some green kid whose blood hasn't even dried? If it's a deal with me, shouldn't the family head come himself?"
Just as Hanbin expected.
He replied as if he'd been waiting.
"I dare say the Cheonri Escort Bureau won't lose out."
"No loss?"
Yi Seomyung's eyes sharpened, as if peering into Hanbin's soul.
"Why not hear me out, Bureau Lord?"
"How do you plan to compensate me for my time?"
"If my proposal doesn't appeal, I'll cover everyone's drinks here today."
Yi Seomyung laughed in disbelief at the bold offer.
"Haha. Cheeky. But I don't mind. Entertaining—very entertaining."
Caught between wariness and curiosity, Yi Seomyung's inclination tipped toward what Hanbin wanted.
Suddenly, the ronin started buzzing.
"What'd he say? He's buying for us?"
"Gonna stuff ourselves silly today?"
The ronin's eager gazes turned to Yi Seomyung.
Unlike the expectant ronin, Sim Miho watching from afar looked horrified, at a loss.
It was all too sudden.
She'd thought Hanbin would just greet him and leave.
Never imagined the talk dragging on.
Amid the contrasting stares, Hanbin pressed on.
"In exchange, if my proposal appeals, you cover the tab here today, Bureau Lord."
Yi Seomyung's eyebrow twitched.
A light provocation from the kid. But he couldn't ignore it.
The ronin's stares burned hotter than watching the world's top fighters duel.
Curiosity pierced, his competitive spirit surged.
Accept and reject the deal—no big deal.
What mattered was showing not just victory, but the dignity befitting the Ronin King. That was courtesy to his watchers.
Changing expression, Yi Seomyung said.
"Very well. I'll hear your request."
His words reignited the buzz.
Some warriors were already ordering top-shelf liquor from the waiter.
Others piled on meat orders.
Yi Seomyung didn't scold them.
He just watched Hanbin with relaxed eyes, waiting for him to speak.
Hanbin glanced around, waiting for the unorthodox warriors' extra orders to finish.
Then he slowly opened his mouth.
"I'm interested in Guigok Manor."
Hanbin spoke briefly and eyed Yi Seomyung.
His eyebrow twitched again.
Hanbin had touched a raw nerve.
Guigok Manor was a bizarre estate where everything inside had turned yellow.
The problem? Thanks to it, the surrounding area was a uninhabitable wasteland.
Nights brought ghostly cries, and the land was so cursed that crops withered dead.
Yi Seomyung was desperate to unload it.
Unable to hold back, he asked.
"Why bring up Cheonsu Manor?"
Cheonsu Manor was Guigok Manor's original name.
"I'd like to buy it."
Yi Seomyung's eyes widened.
He averted his gaze briefly, stroking his beard with a cough.
"Ahem."
Five years since Cheonsu Manor became the infamous Guigok Manor.
They'd put it up immediately, but no buyers emerged.
And now this kid wanted it? Yi Seomyung couldn't believe it.
As he smiled faintly, gauging Hanbin's intentions, an odd laugh filled the space between them.
"Haha."
Meeting Yi Seomyung's gaze steadily, Hanbin spoke as if the moment had arrived.
"On rainy days, yellow water flows from Guigok Manor, killing village crops. Ghosts wail at night. And everyone knows the upkeep costs are enormous."
"Common knowledge. And you still want to buy it?"
Creases rippled across Yi Seomyung's face.
Narrowing his eyes, he asked.
"What's your reason, knowing all that?"
"I've earned candidacy for successor of the Paeng family."
Yi Seomyung's creases stilled. It was such an out-of-left-field remark.
Successor candidacy here, out of nowhere?
Composing himself, Yi Seomyung played along innocently.
"I hear there are two candidates for Hebei Paeng successor?"
"I've joined them this time."
"No idea why you're telling me, but congrats anyway."
"So I need to show the family and Hebei something. That's why I'm eyeing Guigok Manor in Hwangchu Valley."
"I don't get the 'interest.' Explain."
"I want to manage Guigok Manor and win the locals' hearts. The provincial office's favor as a bonus."
Yi Seomyung narrowed his eyes at Hanbin's words.
He racked his brains furiously.
Guigok Manor was called the land of death, surrounded by abandoned ruins.
Nearby farmlands were barren too.
Crucially, maintenance costs were no joke.
No buyers, so they'd tried handing ownership to the government.
The officials wanted no part of the hot potato, stalling things.
And now the Hebei Paeng youngest wanted it?
Was this kid connected to the officials?
Reasonable suspicion.
Yi Seomyung sent a transmission to his escort beside him.
-Do you know about that guy?
-He's the disgrace of Hebei we mentioned before. Hebei's biggest coward.
-What? Him?
-Yes. Freaks out at the sight of blood.
-Connections to officials?
-None we know of.
-So a lamb sticking its head in a tiger's mouth and acting bold?
-Still, we don't know his intent...
-Guigok is a rotten tooth to us. Worse than rumors say. The Paeng head's face will be priceless.
-Think the Paeng head will let it slide?
-No take-backs!
-But if Paeng complains about smacking a naive kid...
The escort trailed off.
Yi Seomyung's eyes flashed murderously.
He turned back to Hanbin.
"So, how much are you offering?"
Now the real deal began.