Ally or Enemy? (1)
Find one of the North Five Great Families that will side with you.
And get the family head's signature on the test.
Passing that was like plucking stars from the sky.
The real trick was realizing the true meaning of the test—and when.
As Paeng Daewi pictured Hanbin flustered in his mind and chuckled, Paeng Kangwi set down his teacup.
Clack!
Unlike his usual stoic self, a faint smile curved Paeng Kangwi's lips.
Paeng Daewi blinked at the expression.
"Brother, what's with that look?"
"I figure that kid Hanbin will solve it faster than anyone else in the family."
"Pardon? You're serious?"
"He's no tiger—he's a fox. Anyway, we'll see. I'll bet he passes within a month."
"Hmph. In that case... I'll bet..."
"Hesitating on a wager already?"
"I'll go with three months. No, make it he won't solve it."
"What's your stake?"
"The baekaju I've been hiding since I was ten."
"Hahaha, since you were ten? So you've been drinking since then? Without your brothers knowing? That's news to me."
"Gah! I misspoke, brother. Ten years ago."
"Confessions always burn the cheeks, no matter when!"
Paeng Daewi shot a glance at the ceiling under Paeng Kangwi's teasing tone.
Paeng Kangwi then asked,
"By the way, brother—did you stash something in the Maengho Bigo's underground while I was in seclusion?"
"What do you mean?"
"Isn't the underground for stuff too good to toss but useless right now?"
"Yes, that's spot on, brother."
"So why'd that kid pick access to the underground as his reward? Now I'm curious."
"Well, I think..."
Paeng Daewi trailed off, and Paeng Kangwi gestured impatiently.
"Out with it."
"He probably needed a training chamber."
"A training chamber?"
"Heard he stayed a full day underground before coming out."
"Hm. Some enlightenment down there, maybe..."
"Want me to check it out?"
"No need, brother. We shouldn't waste time on trivia."
"Right you are."
Paeng Daewi nodded and drained his tea in one gulp.
Paeng Kangwi smiled at the sight.
A third of the family's forces had been sorted out.
The estate was still in disarray because of it.
For now, it was time to rebuild the family's unity.
The same moment.
Hanbin set out from the Hebei Paeng Family with the Aekhyeolmaengho-dae.
He walked slowly, pulling the Five Elements Token from his robe.
Yi Muming eyed it curiously.
"Master, is this the famous relic shared by the North Five Great Families?"
"Not a relic—more like a hot potato."
"Hot potato?"
"You heard a few days ago. Gotta get the other families' approval on this."
"Just one family's enough, right?"
"You think that's easy?"
"What do you mean?"
"Know what the North Five Families' heir candidates call this test?"
"What, master?"
"North Penance."
"Penance?"
"That's how tough it is. Few heirs finish on time. Most beg their families for a retake. That's the part everyone knows."
"Then shouldn't we ask those who've passed for help?"
Yi Muming furrowed his brow, recalling the heirs of the North Five Families.
Hanbin smirked at him.
"No one's ever spilled how they solved it. That's the rule. Without that rule, the test wouldn't have lasted a century."
"So how're you gonna do it?"
"But I know someone who clearly knows the right answer to this test."
"Who? Shouldn't we meet them first, master?"
"No need."
"No need? Why not?"
"'Cause it's me!"
Hanbin grinned and jabbed a thumb at himself. Yi Muming's jaw dropped.
"Master!"
Seolhwa, who'd been listening, chimed in.
"Young master, what's the trick?"
"That curious, Seolhwa?"
"I'd even give you five iron coins."
"Sorry, but five iron coins won't cut it. Top secret."
"Oh."
Seolhwa sighed dramatically, then glared like she'd seen it coming.
The Aekhyeolmaengho-dae members watching burst into laughter.
All wearing the "got pranked again" faces.
Sim Miho approached Hanbin, something dawning on her.
"My lord, a moment."
"What is it, Deputy Sim?"
"We're heading to the Simun Family, right?"
"Nah, we'll hit them later."
"Not to the Simun Family where Hero Simun Mugeol is? Then where?"
Everyone tilted their heads at her words.
The North Five Great Families: Hebei Paeng, Shandong Ak, Moyong, Huangbo, Simun.
Of them, Hanbin's connections were Shandong Ak and Simun—thanks to recent meetings with Simun Mugeol.
Everyone figured Simun was the fastest path. Eyes sparkled.
Hanbin answered.
"Huangbo Family."
Eyes widened at the curt reply.
Sim Miho pressed urgently.
"The Huangbo Family?"
She cocked her head. Nothing jumped out, but the name felt heavy somehow.
After a long think, she gasped.
"My lord!"
"Yeah, Deputy Sim?"
"Hwang Bo-gyeon-u is their heir candidate."
"Yep. So what? Problem?"
"He's the one you backstabbed in Absol Valley..."
"Hey, Deputy Sim, quit lying. When did I ever backstab him?"
Hanbin waved it off and turned away innocently.
Sim Miho stared in disbelief.
Someone behind her spoke up.
"The one who hits forgets easy."
It was Jo Ho.
Seolhwa nodded beside him.
"Right. The hit one tosses and turns; hitter sleeps like a log."
Sim Miho shot back,
"You two got it backwards, no?"
"Oh, did we?"
Jo Ho scratched his head. Seolhwa doubled down seriously.
"Nope. Hitters always sleep like logs."
Jo Ho jumped in as her eyes gleamed.
"Then the hit ones just suffer?"
"Duh. But some hit ones sleep like logs too."
"Riddle time..."
Jo Ho trailed off, tilting his head. Seolhwa held up one finger.
"Only one kind of hit one sleeps easy."
"What's the answer, Seolhwa?"
Jo Ho looked eager.
"Dead ones stretch out fine."
Jo Ho's jaw dropped at the punchline.
He laughed heartily moments later.
"Whoa, Seolhwa got me good. I'll buy you candy on the way."
Sim Miho thumbs-upped, amused.
"Our Seolhwa's got wit!"
"Hehe."
Seolhwa beamed at the praise.
Hanbin chuckled and turned away.
As laughter died down, he called,
"Deputy Sim."
"Yes, my lord."
"Take this."
Hanbin handed her a money pouch.
Sim Miho peered inside and narrowed her eyes.
"This much..."
Hanbin cut her speculation short.
"Enough for that darksteel commission. No wild guesses."
"Darksteel why?"
"Find the darksteel first. Then read the letter in the pouch for the rest. Gotta gear up to hunt."
"Gear?"
"Move out!"
"Yes, my lord."
Sim Miho bowed deeply.
Moments later.
Following orders, she split from the group with a grim look.
One week later.
At the foot of Garam Mountain, on the Hebei-Shandong border.
A labyrinth of halls sprawled there.
The Huangbo Family—one of the North Five Great Families.
The liveliest spot, as befitting a martial house, was the training grounds.
Shouts echoed from dawn across the Huangbo training fields.
One roared loudest, shaking the family—the main training ground.
"First Form...!"
"Second Form...!"
Towering eight-chi brutes bellowed through their forms.
A man watched from the platform.
He nodded soullessly, face gloomy.
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u.
Heir to the Huangbo Family, pillar of the next generation.
In Shandong, alongside the Ak Family, the Huangbo were hailed as martial pillars.
As their heir? His future was golden.
Yet lately, worries plagued the promising youth.
It started with that Absol Valley ambush.
No physical scars, but the mental blow was huge.
Or rather, it was financial.
"Argh, that damn contract!"
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u recalled it unbidden.
Reporting to the family upon return would've ended it, but pride silenced him—big mistake, costly one.
Confessing now would fix it, but pride forbade.
His brother, Hwang Bo-yeong-u, approached.
"Brother, something troubling you?"
"No."
"Is it that Hebei Paeng youngest who got you last time?"
"Hmph."
"Knew it."
"I'll wring that punk's neck someday."
"He's an heir candidate, right?"
"Yeah, brother. So he'll come here eventually."
"The heir test?"
"Yep. When he does, I'll make him grovel, Paeng Hanbin. Won't get shit from our family anyway."
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u ground his teeth.
Hwang Bo-yeong-u smirked slyly.
"Brother, that 'someday' is now."
"What?"
"Paeng Hanbin's heading this way."
"Here? Already rejected elsewhere?"
"Straight to us."
"Right after saddling me with that usurious contract?"
"Usurious? What, brother?"
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u waved it off hastily.
"Nothing. Don't worry."
"Two heads are better than one, brother. Whatever it is, pooling brains might yield better plans."
"Got a good way to wring his neck? Spill it."
"Well..."
As Hwang Bo-yeong-u explained, Hwang Bo-gyeon-u's smirk grew.
By the end, it reached his ears.
The same moment.
Atop Garam Mountain, overlooking the Huangbo halls, Hanbin scratched his ear and tilted his head.
"Someone talking about me?"