Chapter 151. The Grand Game (1)
Roll, roll.
Spotting the object rattling on the table, Hwang Bo-man-cheong asked in a voice brimming with curiosity.
"Aren't those Go stones?"
"Yes, exactly."
At Han Bin's response, Hwang Bo-man-cheong's eyes lit up.
Without a word, he picked up one of the stones.
A chill instantly seeped into his fingers.
Hwang Bo-man-cheong's eyes widened.
He had never gone a single day without holding Go stones, but this sensation was entirely new.
It felt just like grasping the body of a sword spirit, the sharpness flowing through his fingertips.
Tossing the stone lightly between his fingers, Hwang Bo-man-cheong asked,
"So, what on earth are they made of?"
As if he'd completely forgotten the earlier incident, his voice was filled with pure curiosity.
Han Bin pointed to the black stone and explained.
"Dark iron with a black sheen, mixed with a material harder than cast iron."
"Could it be...?"
"Yes, that 'could it be' is right. The stuff commonly called mukcheol."
"Mukcheol... So these white stones are mukcheol blended with silver?"
"That's correct. You have a keen eye."
"Hmph. Go stones made from mukcheol—that's a first for me."
"First time making them for me too."
"Heh heh. Mukcheol's a nightmare to work with. Who'd you commission for this? I'd love to snag a craftsman like that myself."
"That's my trade secret, family head."
"Oh ho. So your suppliers are one of your hidden aces too?"
"Something like that."
Han Bin gave an awkward smile, and Hwang Bo-man-cheong narrowed his eyes.
"Then why show them to me?"
"Didn't I mention earlier? I want to finish our talk over a game with you, sir."
"Then bring out a Go board."
"I'm looking for a board to match these stones."
Han Bin gestured to the mukcheol Go stones.
"Hmm."
Hwang Bo-man-cheong stroked his beard, eyeing Han Bin thoughtfully.
He seemed lost in contemplation, hesitating for a moment.
No suitable board was coming to mind.
Seeing this, Han Bin swept the stones back into their pouch.
Sweep.
Hwang Bo-man-cheong asked in surprise,
"Why put the stones away?"
"Looks like you're not in the mood for a game."
"Hmph, fine. Fine."
"Got a suitable board?"
"No... well, yes. Not exactly a Go board, though..."
As Hwang Bo-man-cheong trailed off, Han Bin replied with a friendly smile.
"Anywhere that suits these stones will do."
"Then prepare after my meal."
"I'll be waiting."
"By the way."
Hwang Bo-man-cheong glanced toward Han Bin's side.
Han Bin tilted his head.
"Is that girl your maid?"
"Yes. Why do you ask, family head?"
"Mind if I ask her a few things?"
"Go ahead."
Han Bin stood and stepped aside.
Suddenly, Hwang Bo-man-cheong and Seol-hwa were face-to-face.
Hwang Bo-man-cheong beamed at her.
"I see you do good work, little one."
"..."
Seol-hwa tilted her head as if she had no idea what he meant.
That only seemed to delight him more, and he continued with a smile.
"How about ten silver nyang a month?"
"..."
As Seol-hwa tilted her head again, Hwang Bo-man-cheong pressed on with the gentle expression of a kindly neighborhood grandpa.
"Ten silver nyang a month—want to work under me? You don't seem tied down to the Hebei Paeng Family."
Hearing this, Han Bin swallowed a bitter smile from the side.
He must have been watching Seol-hwa's movements too.
She'd switched her sword grip undetected and shadowed everyone to map their paths.
If he'd noticed all that, it was no wonder he coveted her skills.
With eager anticipation, Hwang Bo-man-cheong awaited her answer. Seol-hwa spoke.
"No thanks."
She shook her head.
Hwang Bo-man-cheong's eyebrow twitched.
But only for a moment. He grinned brightly and tried again.
"What about twenty silver nyang?"
"No thanks, grandpa."
Without a hint of hesitation, Seol-hwa replied, and Hwang Bo-man-cheong sighed.
"Sigh."
Before the sigh even finished, Seol-hwa turned aside and said,
"I'm hungry, young master."
She slipped back, and Han Bin stepped forward again.
"Seol-hwa says she's hungry. We'll take our leave then."
"Heh heh, go on."
"See you after your meal."
"One last question before you go."
"Ask away, family head."
"You said her name's Seol-hwa. How much do you pay her?"
"Three candies a week."
"..."
Hwang Bo-man-cheong stared at Han Bin in silence.
Han Bin gave a final salute and vanished from sight.
Once Han Bin was gone, Hwang Bo-man-cheong glanced sideways.
Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon stood there.
"Sister-in-law, I didn't mishear that, right?"
"You heard correctly, family head brother."
"Unbelievable. My twenty silver nyang got shot down for three candies!"
"Shot down? Watch your dignity. And it's not exactly three candies."
"Didn't he just say three?"
"Three a week—that's over twelve a month. Do the math right."
"Ever the law enforcer. Impressive."
"What do you mean by that, brother?"
"Your math's spot on."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Then I'll wrap up one calculation of my own."
"What calculation?"
"You dragged me into today's mess, so that promise to boost the law enforcement budget? Consider it never happened."
"Ah, brother! There's a saying about a man's word being worth a fortune. What kind of family head flips like hot water boiling?"
"I'm family head before I'm a man. What do gender or promises matter? As long as the family's interests are served."
"That's too much."
"I'll stay here and think. You handle the rest. I'll bump the budget based on your performance."
"What are you thinking about?"
"The top priority is protecting my son's arm. Then we plan the next move."
"Why not just subdue the Paeng Family's fourth son and force a promise...?"
Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon trailed off.
She didn't like the idea, even as she said it.
Han Bin's first impression had unnerved her too—he felt like her own brother.
Seeing her conflicted expression, Hwang Bo-man-cheong chuckled.
"You're underestimating him, sister-in-law."
"Underestimating? I never did."
"You could beat him, but not capture him. Kill him, maybe, but never make him submit."
"What do you mean?"
"That's my secret."
Hwang Bo-man-cheong gazed wistfully at the spot where Han Bin had stood.
He meant every word.
The kid had some hidden cards, sure, but surpassing his own realm? Impossible.
Martial might alone fell far short.
But Han Bin's lightness skill was the issue.
If he decided to run, no one in the North could catch him.
That was his conclusion after observing.
Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon's voice snapped Hwang Bo-man-cheong from his reverie.
"To me, he looked like Super Peak at best. Is he really that impressive to earn your praise, brother? His inner power control was exceptional, though."
As she tilted her head, Hwang Bo-man-cheong laughed.
"Haha. What you should truly admire are his feet and his mouth."
"Feet and mouth?"
Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon narrowed her eyes and tilted her head.
Silence stretched between them.
As it grew awkward, Hwang Bo-man-cheong clapped as if struck by inspiration.
Clap!
Startled, Hwang Bo-seo-hyeon asked,
"Brother, why the sudden clap?"
"Does our family have anyone who could match that kid?"
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind. I'll look into it myself."
Grinning broadly, Hwang Bo-man-cheong rose.
Arms crossed, he gazed at the sky.
Then he traced imaginary lines in the air above.
Over this virtual Go board, he placed stones one by one—white, black, and even red ones.
The red, of course, represented Han Bin.
Han Bin and Hwang Bo-man-cheong met again two hours later.
Hwang Bo-man-cheong led him to a cave connecting the Huangbo Family's main hall and the rear mountain.
Stalactites hung from the entrance ceiling like icicles, and a chill permeated the interior.
Glancing over the entrance, Han Bin remarked,
"This seems a far cry from the Go board I had in mind, family head."
"You'll be impressed once you see it. Relax."
"Feels like I'm being taken hostage. Just my imagination, right?"
"Your face shows no fear, just curiosity. Am I wrong?"
"You saw right."
"Your tone suggests you knew I'd bring you here."
"Can't fool you, family head. I've heard about the Huangbo Family's most mysterious spot."
"Perfect then. See for yourself."
Hwang Bo-man-cheong pointed to a door ahead.
An iron gate barred the cave.
Han Bin narrowed his eyes. Its thickness was impossible to gauge.
Beyond it lay what he sought, no doubt.
With an awkward smile, Han Bin replied,
"Just looking at it drains my energy. I'll follow behind you, family head."
"Suit yourself."
Hwang Bo-man-cheong approached the gate and gripped the recessed groove.
Effortlessly, he shoved it aside.
Han Bin smacked his lips.
It looked casual, but the family head's feet had sunk over a foot into the ground.
Beyond the open gap loomed a vast space.
Like an entire training ground transplanted inside.
Hwang Bo-man-cheong pointed and laughed.
"Haha, this do?"
"..."
Speechless, Han Bin scanned the area behind the gate.
Lines were etched into the floor.
Precisely nineteen horizontal and nineteen vertical—a perfect Go board.
Reading Han Bin's expression, Hwang Bo-man-cheong slowly walked to the center.
Step, step.
The cave amplified the echoes strangely.
Standing beside him at the center, Han Bin noted,
"The heaven point."
"Right. This is the heaven point."
Hwang Bo-man-cheong stomped lightly.
Thud!
A thick dot marked the spot—the board's exact center.
Han Bin looked around.
Encircling the heaven point at regular intervals were eight star points.
It was a Go board, alright.
In his past life, Han Bin had been here.
After the Demonic Cult's raid, to investigate.
But back then, it was ruined beyond recognition.
Someone had left traces across the martial world; someone else had destroyed them.
Best to claim it first.
If it mattered enough for enemies to wreck, it was valuable to him.
That's why he'd aimed here.
He'd planned to use Hwang Bo-gyeon-u's blunder as an excuse, but Hwang Bo-man-cheong made it easier.
What secrets did this place hold?
Time to find out.
Han Bin pulled a pouch from his bosom.
"Here you go, family head."
Inside were stones with a dark sheen.
"Thanks. You've split them already. Expecting me to take black?"
Hwang Bo-man-cheong chuckled incredulously, and Han Bin produced another pouch.
"You've played white your whole life. Time to try black, no?"
Finishing his words, Han Bin swiftly recalled stances from the Yongrin Sword Art.
Baekbal Baekjung.
Ilchok Jeongbal.