Black Cat, White Cat (5)
Han Bin confidently held up five fingers.
Seeing that, Yi Se-myung grinned, flashing his white teeth in delight.
After laughing heartily for a while, Yi Se-myung spoke up.
"Something big, eh? Five nyang of gold..."
"No, something small."
Shaking his head, Han Bin inwardly clicked his tongue.
Even with Cheonsu Manor rotting his guts away, this guy was trying to jack up the price—a true merchant through and through.
He opened his mouth again.
"Even at a rock-bottom price, silver taels are still..."
"No. Even smaller."
"What?"
As Yi Se-myung blinked in surprise, Han Bin approached him.
In an instant, Yi Se-myung waved his hand, unfurling a sound barrier.
"Enough. Talk from there."
"Yes, sir."
Han Bin sat back down and gazed at Yi Se-myung.
Yi Se-myung, said to wield the brush better than the sword, casting a sound barrier?
Han Bin wasn't particularly shocked. He'd experienced it in his past life, after all.
As if he'd been waiting, Han Bin whispered softly.
"Five mace of iron coins."
"Iron coins?"
"I'm not buying the mountain because of Guigok Manor. I'm offering to take responsibility for it. This is your chance to pull that aching tooth."
A secret whisper no one else could hear.
Only then did Yi Se-myung understand why Han Bin had wanted to speak privately.
It was to save face for him in front of everyone.
He nodded quietly.
At that, Han Bin untied the bundle at his side and pulled out writing tools.
He dashed off the contract in one fluid go.
Yi Se-myung's eyes widened.
Not a single clause was flawed.
Han Bin's brushwork was as smooth as if he'd hustled in the markets for decades.
As he went to write the amount, Han Bin paused and looked at Yi Se-myung.
With a pitiful expression like a rain-soaked puppy.
Yi Se-myung tilted his head.
"What's wrong?"
"Agency head, could you grant me one favor? If so, I'd value Cheonsu Manor higher."
"Hebei Paeng Family asking me a favor?"
As Yi Se-myung's eyes narrowed, Han Bin quickly replied.
"Not from Hebei Paeng Family. A personal request from me."
"Speak."
"I'd like to commission three requests in advance."
"Three favors from me..."
"I'll add the fee to Guigok Manor's price."
"Hmm. Go on."
At Yi Se-myung's words, Han Bin didn't hesitate and pulled a packet from his bundle.
This was half the money he'd received for the dark iron.
Swish.
Yi Se-myung's eyes widened at the hefty-looking money pouch.
After staring for a long moment, he responded.
"Do you think it's proper for a Paeng Family heir to entrust requests to Thousand-Li Escort Agency? You expect me to accept without knowing what they are?"
Thud!
Yi Se-myung slammed the table.
The table didn't shake, but his force reached Han Bin.
Han Bin gritted his teeth and withstood it.
Possible only because he'd prepared in advance.
Not easy at his level, but he stared back at Yi Se-myung with a calm expression.
Then Han Bin's eyes widened.
What was that?
Golden points flickered on Yi Se-myung's shoulder.
Yongrin Sword Art formulas!
A small groan escaped Han Bin's lips.
"Mm."
Misreading it, Yi Se-myung chuckled.
"Cheonsu Manor is yours, but for other favors, prove your worth."
"What proof?"
"Touch my body, and I'll acknowledge you."
Yi Se-myung smiled slyly and poured in more inner power.
Suddenly, the table began to tremble.
Creak, creak.
Han Bin racked his brains furiously.
Touching him was like handing over the formulas.
But how?
He could endure, but attacking would strain his body too much.
Han Bin clenched his teeth.
'If I'm backing down here, might as well die!'
This was his true resolve.
He chewed the inside of his cheek.
Blood soon pooled in his mouth.
His actions created the illusion he was on the verge of collapse.
As Yi Se-myung moved to withdraw his power...
Han Bin spat a fountain of blood.
Splurt!
His nearby guard blocked Yi Se-myung.
Splat!
The guard was drenched in Han Bin's blood.
As everyone panicked, Yi Se-myung shoved the guard aside and rushed to check Han Bin's pulse.
He hadn't wanted Han Bin hurt.
That was when.
Han Bin's hand struck Yi Se-myung's shoulder.
No inner power, but sudden.
Yi Se-myung leaped back a step.
"What is this?!"
Despite Yi Se-myung's fierce aura, Han Bin smiled.
"I touched you."
"What did you say?"
"Didn't you say? If my attack touches you, you'd hear me out."
"......"
Yi Se-myung stared at Han Bin, speechless.
Moments later, his laughter filled the room.
"Haha. Cheeky brat."
"May I continue?"
Then, text appeared in Han Bin's vision.
Formula confirmed via Dragon Eye.
Acquired Gong (Underworld) from the Basic Section of Yongrin Sword Art.
Han Bin smiled.
Yi Se-myung was dumbfounded. How many late-generation experts in North Murim could strike him and grin like that?
Of course, it was a misunderstanding, but it worked in Han Bin's favor.
Yi Se-myung's wrinkles danced again.
"Speak."
"My requests won't harm Thousand-Li Escort Agency's interests."
"Not enough."
"How about this? ...It'll screw over the North Five Great Families. Hebei Paeng included."
At "North Five Great Families," Yi Se-myung's eyes gleamed like a tiger spotting prey.
Hebei Paeng, Shandong Ak, Moyong, Huangbo, and Seomun Families.
"Now that's different."
"Will you take the payment? It's included in Guigok Manor's price, of course. The commissions are our secret."
Han Bin offered the pouch again. This time, Yi Se-myung silently peeked inside.
Confirming the contents, he let out a hollow laugh.
"Heh, at least three nyang of gold."
"Yes."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"What do you mean?"
"We could've wrapped this up sooner... Tsk tsk."
"Gasp."
Han Bin gasped dramatically.
Of course, it was acting. He knew flashing gold wouldn't seal the deal instantly.
Even now, Yi Se-myung eyed his expression.
A man not to be trusted lightly.
"Those commission conditions—are they sincere?"
"Yes, sincere."
Yi Se-myung stared long and hard.
Grinning at the gaze, Han Bin wiped his face dry.
"You're wearing out my face, agency head."
"Heh heh."
Yi Se-myung chuckled like a Daoist sage.
After a brief silence, he took the contract.
The deal was sealed in a flash.
Everyone was stunned.
Yi Se-myung had one lingering question.
"What's your true intent in acquiring Guigok Manor?"
Han Bin wet his lips with tea before answering.
"Truth is, where else is there a training ground as good as Guigok Manor?"
"Training ground? Using that place? No one can live there."
"Exactly. My subordinates lack guts."
Half-true, of course.
Guigok Manor's value was far greater.
Still, Yi Se-myung seemed somewhat convinced—like a thorn finally pulled.
"Hmm, for that purpose..."
Trailing off, he glanced at Han Bin's distant companions with pitying eyes, as if foreseeing their hardships.
So Daeseop and Sim Miho quickly looked away.
They wanted nothing to do with such a deep-schemer.
They knew a serious talk had happened between Yi Se-myung and Han Bin, but suddenly they couldn't hear.
The other ronin couldn't either.
Someone from Thousand-Li Escort Agency must have cast the sound barrier.
Everyone just tilted their heads.
But they clearly saw the contract and money exchange.
As all held their breath, the barrier finally lifted.
Laughter erupted between Yi Se-myung and Han Bin.
"Keh heh."
"Haha."
As the laughs faded, Han Bin cupped his fists crisply.
"Agency head—no, great hero. My thanks."
Han Bin checked the contract again.
Three copies total.
One each, and the last to the magistrate.
The ronin clapped with sword hilts in celebration.
Clap clap.
Standing, Han Bin gazed into the air as if all was done.
Of course, he was viewing the formulas.
Sok (Strength) x4
Che (Underworld) x3
Ryok (Threat) x2
Gong (Internal Power) x2
One more gong—meaning his inner power had grown that much.
Han Bin stared vacantly into space before returning to his seat.
The ronin ebbed away like the tide.
No one here could casually chat across from the Ronin King. To them, Han Bin demanded respect.
At the unexpected turn, Cheolno, So Daeseop, and Sim Miho gaped.
Seeing Han Bin return slowly, Sim Miho spoke.
"Our lord just caused trouble, right?"
"Feels ominous."
So Daeseop shot back, and Cheolno nodded beside him.
"I get a bad feeling too. My hunches are spot-on, like a fortune-teller."
As they whispered, Han Bin arrived.
"What're you doing? My ears were itching—were you talking about me...?"
"No, my lord."
Sim Miho waved it off.
Chucking, Han Bin plopped down and spread the contract on the table.
Everyone gasped.
So Daeseop shot up.
"Gasp. My lord!"
"Why buy Guigok Manor?"
Sim Miho demanded urgently, but Han Bin just grinned.
Sim Miho began doubting him again.
This was pure childish whim.
Just hours ago, paying So Daeseop's treatment, she'd felt ready to give her all.
But his actions since left her feeling like she'd swallowed a sweet potato—stifled and frustrated.
As Sim Miho replayed the last few hours, Han Bin spoke.
"What'd you say? Guigok Manor?"
"You just bought Guigok Manor, didn't you?"
Now So Daeseop jumped in.
Pounding his chest, he got a stern reply from Han Bin.
"Don't call it Guigok Manor."
"Pardon?"
"From now on, no Guigok Manor. It'll tank the land value."
"......"
Everyone fell silent at Han Bin's words.
"Stop staring and finish eating. Yi Se-myung's footing the bill. Order more if needed."
Grinning, Han Bin raised a hand for the waiter.
"The most expensive dishes here!"
"Yes, sir."
As the waiter left, Sim Miho sidled close.
"My lord, you have a plan, right?"
"Of course."
"What plan? I can't figure it out."
"Secret."
Grinning, Han Bin shrugged and fanned himself with the contract.
Sim Miho, So Daeseop, and Cheolno finishing his food all tilted their heads.