Favorable Terrain (2)
Hanbin stretched as he returned to the lodgings.
"Favorable terrain?"
He muttered to himself with an amused grin, eyeing the doors lining the corridor.
The phrase "favorable terrain" was common parlance among all martial artists navigating the jianghu.
The moment they stepped into the martial world, they became children riding a tiger's back—easy prey for any mishap or incident at the slightest slip.
Lost in thought for a moment, Hanbin sensed the presences of the Red Blood Alliance Tiger Squad members as he walked the hall.
"Still awake, huh."
And he was right.
They had all just barely reached the First Rate realm and were sitting cross-legged, refining their cultivation.
Hanbin ascended the stairs slowly, careful not to disturb them.
Only Seolhwa's and Yi Mu-myeong's rooms remained.
No presence emanated from Seolhwa's door, but grunts of effort leaked from Yi Mu-myeong's.
Hanbin shook his head slightly.
Lately, while teaching Yi Mu-myeong the Soul Scattering Sword, he'd noticed something.
Something inexplicable was holding back Yi Mu-myeong's growth.
Yi Mu-myeong was like a calf trapped in a small jar.
What happens if you stuff a calf into a sturdy jar?
It would remain a calf forever, unable to grow into a cow—bones breaking, flesh tearing, yet forever confined.
But if the jar was weak?
Well, the opposite could happen too.
If it was deemed too weak, just grow strong enough to shatter it.
That's what Hanbin demanded of Yi Mu-myeong.
Unyielding physical strength and mental fortitude.
And he had to push the heart method he'd learned from the Henan Jeong Family to its extremes.
Once essence, qi, and body unified in growth, the jar constricting Yi Mu-myeong would shatter.
Entertaining these thoughts, Hanbin slipped into his room.
Now he understood why Seolhwa's room felt empty.
She had collapsed asleep, face-down on the table—likely while tidying up.
Hanbin quietly pulled out the item Sim Miho had given him.
The next morning.
After breakfast, as Hanbin returned, Song Kyung-un—Hwang Bo-gyeon-u's right-hand man—appeared before him.
"Young Master Paeng, do you have a moment?"
Hanbin replied with a friendly smile.
"Of course, Guard Song. What is it?"
"Well..."
Song Kyung-un trailed off, glancing at the Red Blood Alliance Tiger Squad before continuing.
"Our young master suggests deepening ties between our houses."
"Ties? What exactly do you have in mind?"
"For example, friendly sparring matches between your subordinates and our young master's men."
"Get to the point—no examples."
"Sparring matches, precisely."
"Sparring... Not a bad idea."
"So you'll accept...?"
"Hold on, Guard Song."
"Pardon? Something else to discuss?"
"My men don't do friendly sparring."
"What do you mean?"
"They only do real combat."
"Real... combat?"
"My boys don't spar for free—they charge a fee."
"Pardon?"
"No pay, no play."
Hanbin waved dismissively and turned away.
Flustered, Song Kyung-un grabbed his sleeve without thinking.
"Young Master!"
Hanbin's eyes narrowed sharply.
The intensity made Song Kyung-un recoil instinctively.
He sensed he'd botched the opening move.
The first task from the young master had gone awry.
Martial houses naturally accepted sparring challenges with bravado.
But demanding money out of nowhere?
Song Kyung-un had never heard of such a thing.
And Hanbin's glare felt unnerving—like a sparrow before an eagle.
After a long stare, Hanbin spoke again.
"Guard Song. When I mention a fee, isn't proper etiquette to ask how much?"
"Ah, that is..."
"I'll cut to the chase: two nyang of silver per bout."
His tone had shifted to casual command, seamlessly.
Song Kyung-un was too rattled to notice.
"Understood. I'll relay and return."
"You've got half a shichen. Hurry."
"Yes, Young Master."
Song Kyung-un bolted off, feet blurring.
Hanbin's eyes narrowed.
Their scheme was underway.
Seolhwa, watching his expression, asked,
"You seem pleased, Young Master?"
"Gotta dance to their tune—at first."
Yi Mu-myeong tilted his head, chiming in.
"Dancing to their rhythm puts us at a disadvantage, doesn't it, Master?"
"Only if you just dance."
"Then what should we do?"
The Red Blood Alliance Tiger Squad members, gathered now, perked up eagerly.
Seeing their curiosity ignite, Hanbin grinned.
"Once you've danced, collect admission."
"Feels like the dancer and the collector are different people. Right, Master?"
From the back, Jo Ho interjected seriously.
"Obviously. The bear performs, the lord pockets the coin."
The squad nodded in agreement.
"Our maknae Jo Ho's spot on."
Yi Mu-myeong tilted his head again.
"Aren't you taking it for granted that the performing bear doesn't crave the money? Jo Ho."
"The lord taught the trick. Hogging the coin too? That's cheating."
Jang Sam nodded beside him.
"Damn right, kid."
Jang Sam still eyed Yi Mu-myeong earnestly.
Yi Mu-myeong smiled awkwardly and looked away.
But he didn't realize something.
His own mindset mirrored the squad's.
The hardest thing for a person to know is their own heart.
Hanbin just shrugged at the scene.
Song Kyung-un returned just shy of half a shichen.
Panting, he conveyed the young master's approval and invited them to the Huangbo Family's main training ground once prepared.
A guide servant was included, naturally.
Hanbin nodded and whispered to Seolhwa.
Her eyes sparkled as she vanished from her seat.
The others chuckled, assuming she was off for candy.
Hanbin commanded the rest.
"Leave no weapons behind. Spar like it's real battle. Arm fully for this."
The Red Blood Alliance Tiger Squad roared.
"As you command, my lord!"
Hanbin's group arrived at the Huangbo Family's main training ground precisely half a shichen later.
The squad trailing him brimmed with shining eyes.
They thirsted for real combat.
They sparred among themselves, but outsiders were essential.
And the foes? The Huangbo Family—one of the North's Five Great Houses.
Specifically, the young master's elite guards.
The next generation's leaders of the Huangbo Family.
Jo Ho whispered excitedly.
"Body's itching, Uncle Jang Sam!"
"Yeah, need to loosen up."
Jang Sam cracked his knuckles, fired up.
As fervor built, Hanbin quietly approached Hwang Bo-gyeon-u.
"Silver ready?"
Whispering discreetly, Hwang Bo-gyeon-u replied hastily.
"Come on. Think I'd stiff you, Young Master Paeng?"
"You're already plotting to, aren't you?"
"Before you leave our house, you'll get it. I swear."
Then—
Hanbin snapped his fingers.
This time, Yi Mu-myeong dashed forward.
Awkwardly, he unfurled a bundle.
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u blinked.
"What's this, Young Master Paeng?"
"Paper and ink outlast three-inch tongues."
"Gasp!"
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u yelped involuntarily.
It felt like dealing with a merchant, not a warrior.
The contract stunned him further.
The agreed sum was listed, plus dense clauses like in Absol Valley.
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u grabbed the brush thoughtlessly.
Per his and his brother's plan, this paper would be trash soon.
Just you wait.
Suppressing rage, his trembling hand signed.
As Hanbin smiled—
Someone came sprinting.
Song Kyung-un.
He rushed past Hwang Bo-gyeon-u to Hanbin, bowing quietly.
Then pressed his face to Hanbin's ear.
"Young Master Paeng, the family head urgently summons you."
Whispering, Hanbin narrowed his eyes.
"The Huangbo patriarch wants me?"
"Yes. Something important..."
Song Kyung-un lowered his voice further.
Hanbin glanced at Hwang Bo-gyeon-u.
He feigned ignorance, looking away.
Hanbin cleared his throat.
"Hm. Should I go alone?"
"Yes."
Hanbin eyed Yi Mu-myeong.
They locked eyes; Yi Mu-myeong bowed slightly.
"Your orders, my lord."
"Oversee the sparring in my stead. I'll step out briefly."
"Understood."
Hanbin nodded to Song Kyung-un.
"Lead on."
"Yes, Young Master Paeng."
As Song Kyung-un led, Hanbin followed slowly.
Hanbin was led to a secluded pavilion by a pond.
Four bridges connected the pond to the pavilion's paths.
A table sat at the center, laden with food—prepared for him.
Two maids still fussed over it.
Song Kyung-un stopped at the entrance.
"Wait here, Young Master Paeng."
"Thanks for the trouble."
Hanbin patted his shoulder amiably.
As Song Kyung-un left, Hanbin waited before the pavilion.
After time for a cup of tea—
Song Kyung-un came dashing back, frantic.
"Young Master Paeng, disaster! During the sparring..."
"What happened?"
"Casualties reported."
"Who got hurt?"
"Not sure if yours or the young master's men. Just heard the commotion and ran. Better check."
"Got it."
Hanbin nodded and crossed the bridge.
Out of sight, he furrowed his brow.
Song Kyung-un was lying.
Casualties without checking who?
A ploy to stoke maximum curiosity.
His tone and expression mismatched subtly.
Like someone forcing a falsehood.
Their scheme to corner him had begun.
"Shall I play their tune, then?"
Muttering, Hanbin vanished.
In a blink, he reappeared near the Huangbo training ground.
Cheers echoed.
Mostly from the Red Blood Alliance Tiger Squad.
Hanbin approached slowly.