Chapter 147: Getting the Lay of the Land (3)
The cheers rang out again, and Hanbin turned his head once more.
“Woo-hoo!”
“We won!”
It was the Red Blood Mangho Squad's voices this time too.
As the cheers faded, the squad members—who had encircled the training ground like an iron wall—parted ranks.
Someone was striding out through the gap.
He was probably the winner of this round of sparring.
Hanbin gazed pleasantly at the victor.
And the winner was none other than Jo Ho.
Jo Ho, fresh from the match and drenched in sweat, was walking out onto the edge of the training ground.
As soon as Jo Ho stepped off the field, Jangsan rushed over, clapping him on the shoulder with a grin.
“Well done, Jo Ho.”
“Well done? I surrendered later than you, old man.”
“Heh, that's what they call jianghu experience.”
“Pfft, I've had plenty myself.”
“Look at you, all grown up and climbing the ladder already.”
They bantered with the easy confidence of men who hadn't just finished a brutal spar.
Hanbin nodded approvingly at the sight.
At least the odds of getting stabbed in the back by a blind swing had dropped considerably.
Still, none of them showed the glowing points of the basic sword formulas.
Guess I need to drill them harder!
Hanbin resolved to crank up the training intensity a notch.
Unaware of his master's thoughts, Jo Ho spotted Hanbin and bounded over in a single leap.
Thud-thud.
Standing before Hanbin, Jo Ho beamed and cupped his fists in salute.
“My lord, I won!”
“Good job.”
Jo Ho's eyes sparkled at the praise.
No illusion this time—a tear had welled up, catching the sunlight.
Hanbin chuckled softly.
At that moment, the entire Red Blood Mangho Squad gathered around Hanbin.
They thrust their swords skyward in unison.
“Our lord has arrived!”
“Lord!”
Hanbin gave a light nod in response to their roar.
But Yi Mu-myeong tilted his head in puzzlement.
Why'd he show up so fast?
Only the first and second spars had wrapped up.
Less than half a shichen had passed.
Then Hanbin's voice whispered in his ear, too quiet for others to hear.
“Mu-myeong, get ready!”
“Pardon?”
“Things might be even worse than at the Henan Jeong Family. Brace yourself. Tell So the squad leader too.”
Yi Mu-myeong's eyelids twitched.
Henan Jeong Family?
Just thinking about that ordeal still made him dizzy.
It had been one crisis after another, his head on the chopping block at any moment.
Which meant from here on, they'd be walking a blade's edge at the Huangbo Family.
Biting his lip, Yi Mu-myeong met Hanbin's gaze.
What?
He cocked his head slightly.
To him, Hanbin looked like he was enjoying this.
His expression was so carefree, it almost seemed like the talk of danger was just teasing.
But Hanbin wouldn't joke in a situation like this.
He was clearly relishing it.
Yi Mu-myeong suddenly wondered what kind of life Hanbin had lived.
What hellish battlefields had he crawled through to find thrill in peril?
Ignoring the stare, Hanbin turned and strode off, the Red Blood Mangho Squad at his back.
There sat Hwang Bo-gyeon-u, chin propped on his hand, smirking at Hanbin.
Their eyes met abruptly. Hwang Bo-gyeon-u yanked his hand away and feigned nonchalance, looking flustered.
Hanbin eyed him with amusement.
His subordinates had lost spar after spar, yet he was grinning?
It meant things were still going according to Hwang Bo-gyeon-u's plan.
Hanbin marched toward him.
Thud. Thud!
Channeling his inner power, he stomped each step like a thunderous advance.
His footsteps cracked the Cheonggangseok pavement as if it might shatter.
Everyone froze.
The cheering warriors. The fighters poised for the next bout.
All heads turned silently toward Hanbin.
With every heavy stride, more eyes followed him—until Hwang Bo-gyeon-u came into view.
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u's eyes widened in shock.
Hanbin addressed him.
“Young master, what happened?”
“What do you mean, Paeng? Young master.”
“I rushed here because I heard there were casualties.”
“Casualties? What are you talking about?”
“First they said the family head summoned me. Then someone died here. What's going on?”
“I have no idea. Who told you that?”
“Who? One of your men, Warrior Song Gyeong-un.”
“Song Gyeong-un? Never heard of him. Must've been his mistake.”
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u shook his head, his cheeks quivering as he fought back a laugh.
Anyone could see it.
Hanbin pressed.
“Something good happen? Or about to?”
“Must be a misunderstanding. Just in a good mood watching the spars after so long.”
“You feel good even when your men lose? Quite the change from your usual self. I'd believe you if you said you were a Shaolin high monk. Haha.”
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u forced an awkward smile at Hanbin's laugh.
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
“Or maybe you're happy because you know what's in that contract you just signed?”
“The content?”
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u showed curiosity for the first time.
“Victory bonuses are separate.”
“……”
He narrowed his eyes at the contract before him.
His lips parted in surprise at the amount.
But only for a moment. He looked up and glared at Hanbin.
Calmly checking his sword sheath, Hwang Bo-gyeon-u exuded defiance, as if to say, bring it.
Hanbin brushed off the pressure with a smile and gripped his own sheath.
The sudden tension gripped everyone. They stared at Hanbin and Hwang Bo-gyeon-u.
One draw, and it could turn into a duel to the death.
Hanbin eyed Hwang Bo-gyeon-u's hand.
Will he actually draw?
Hanbin would've bet five iron coins he wouldn't.
Raising his gaze to meet the man's eyes, Hanbin noted he wasn't looking at him directly—but past his shoulder.
Waiting for someone.
They stood frozen, staring each other down.
Then Hanbin stretched lazily, yawning for good measure.
The taut string of tension snapped. Onlookers exhaled in relief.
Jo Ho let out a huge breath and whispered.
“Phew, close call.”
“Yeah, kid. Thought we were in for it.”
Jangsan agreed.
“Old man, I legit thought swords were coming out.”
Hanbin sauntered back to them, cool as if nothing had happened.
The spars resumed.
Yi Mu-myeong asked.
“Where's Seol-hwa?”
“Curious?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Curious? Five silver taels.”
“You told Seol-hwa it was five iron coins. Why charge me silver?”
“Simple. Value of money varies by person.”
Hanbin grinned.
Cheers erupted around the training ground again.
Another Red Blood Mangho Squad victory.
Leaning back in his chair, Hanbin tapped the armrest rhythmically.
As if counting down the time.
Then, as if the moment had arrived, he stood.
Urgent footsteps approached from somewhere.
Thud-thud.
Turning, Hanbin saw a Huangbo Family warrior kicking up dust as he ran.
As the dust settled, the warrior came into view.
He hurried to Hwang Bo-gyeon-u and whispered.
His voice rose in agitation.
Everyone caught one clear word:
Murder.
Murmurs rippled as Hwang Bo-gyeon-u approached Hanbin.
“We should pause the spars.”
“What's wrong, young master?”
Hanbin feigned ignorance, and Hwang Bo-gyeon-u jumped in eagerly.
“There's been a murder inside the Huangbo Family grounds.”
“A murder?”
“The law enforcement leader is urgently summoning you and me. We should go.”
“Hm.”
Hanbin cleared his throat and glanced back.
The Red Blood Mangho Squad and Yi Mu-myeong gaped at the sudden turn.
Hanbin winked subtly.
They relaxed a fraction.
Turning back to Hwang Bo-gyeon-u, Hanbin said.
“Alright, let's go.”
* * *
Hanbin and Hwang Bo-gyeon-u headed to the murder scene, escorts in tow.
Guided by a Huangbo law enforcement warrior, Hanbin narrowed his eyes.
The path was familiar, as expected.
It led to the pavilion he'd visited before.
They reached the pondside pavilion.
Hanbin eyed the distant structure.
Across the pond, Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon, the law enforcement leader, was already inspecting the scene.
She was listening to a maidservant.
Below her, someone lay bleeding out.
One of the maids he'd seen earlier.
Hanbin could guess the trap Hwang Bo-gyeon-u had laid.
Up to here, it was as planned.
The maid's sobs carried to his ears.
Moments later.
Having heard her out, Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon turned.
Her gaze was far from friendly.
Aura blazing with killing intent, she crossed the pond bridge.
The Red Blood Mangho Squad tilted their heads at her hostility.
No reason for it, no matter how they racked their brains.
Yi Mu-myeong murmured lowly.
“Why's she like that?”
“No idea.”
Hanbin shrugged it off like it was none of his business.
Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon arrived.
Ignoring Hwang Bo-gyeon-u entirely, she planted herself before Hanbin.
With a grave expression, she said.
“Paeng Hanbin. If you come clean, by the pact of the Five Great Families, we'll resolve this as a matter between clans. But if you hide the truth, we'll handle it by Huangbo Family law. Speak wisely.”
“Ask away.”
“Were you here earlier?”
“Yes.”
“Did you harm that maidservant?”
“Why do you think that?”
“She testified.”
Finished, Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon ordered her subordinate.
“Bring Yong-a here.”
“Yes, Leader.”
Soon, the warrior returned with the eyewitness maid.
Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon instructed her.
“Repeat to them what you told me.”
“Yes, Leader. So……”
The maid's story was straightforward.
She'd been setting out dishes on the pavilion and tidying the grass when someone approached from behind.
As she turned, her pressure points were struck, and she collapsed.
Once finished, Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon demanded.
“Anything to say, Paeng Hanbin?”
Her voice cut like a blade.
But Hanbin's expression didn't flicker.
“Yes. May I question the maidservant?”
“Permission granted.”
Hanbin was glad he'd built rapport with Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon beforehand.
She was giving him a chance to defend himself.
Her past-life memories confirmed she was fair in upholding the law.
Hanbin asked.
“You said someone approached from behind. How'd you know?”
“I saw their shadow.”
“Which way were you facing while tidying the grass?”
“Toward the pavilion.”
“From where?”
“From that side……”
The maid trailed off, backing away frantically.
Shuddering as if terrified of Hanbin.
Hanbin turned to Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon.
“Sorry, but may I speak with Hwang Bo-gyeon-u young master briefly?”
“Granted. You have time for one cup of tea.”
“Thank you.”
Bowing slightly, Hanbin approached Hwang Bo-gyeon-u.
The young master twitched his lips, barely containing his laughter.
Hanbin whispered, just for him.
“Think you can handle the aftermath?”
“What aftermath?”
“Loose ends!”
“What the hell does that mean?”
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u scowled irritably.
Hanbin should be panicking by now, yet here he was, casual and dropping formalities.
Lowering his voice further, Hanbin murmured.
“I've got a bit of a vindictive streak. This is your last chance to get off the tiger's back.”