Impenetrable Fortress (1)
Seol Muik's subordinate unwittingly swallowed hard as he gazed at the female herb gatherer.
Her fragile frailty, struggling even with a single bundle of herbs, contrasted strangely with her tanned, healthy allure, creating an oddly captivating charm.
Unable to help himself, Seol Muik's subordinate spoke up to her.
"Um, can I help carry your load?"
"I'm fine."
The woman waved him off with a small smile.
Undeterred by her refusal, the subordinate grinned and reached for what he assumed was a bundle of herbs.
Or rather, he tried to lift it.
"Ngh."
A low groan escaped him involuntarily.
No matter how hard he strained, the load she'd set down refused to budge.
Pity crossed the woman's face as she said,
"It's okay."
"No, I can do it..."
The subordinate couldn't finish. His body suddenly screamed in agony.
Crack.
It wasn't some abstract pain— it was a sound anyone nearby could hear.
He'd dislocated his shoulder from the overexertion.
Seol Muik, walking ahead, shouted back,
"What are you doing back there? Hurry up!"
"Y-yes, Young Master. Right away."
Clutching his dislocated shoulder, the subordinate dashed after him.
He glanced back at the herb gatherers, still baffled.
How could herb gatherers carry loads heavy enough to dislocate his shoulder?
He considered telling Seol Muik but shook his head.
It'd just earn him another scolding.
And so, Seol Muik's group faded into the distance from Cheonsu Manor.
As they shrank to a dot, So Daeseop asked Sim Miho,
"Who were those guys?"
"Dunno exactly, but they seemed nice. One tried to lift my bundle and popped his shoulder."
"Tch, careless fool. Think black iron weighs like nothing?"
"Right?"
Just then, a pigeon soared overhead.
Sim Miho glanced up. "Carrier pigeon?"
A short while later.
The pigeon landed before Cheolno's quarters.
More birdcages than expected were stacked there— Hanbin's setup for efficiency, since Cheolno spent the most time at Cheonsu Manor.
Information should be close at hand.
That was Hanbin's creed.
As the pigeon approached, Seolhwa swiftly leaped onto the roof.
Whoosh!
Landing atop it, she snatched the note tied to its leg.
She caged the bird, shoved in a handful of feed, and bolted to Hanbin.
"Young Master, message pigeon!"
"Just read it, Seolhwa."
Hanbin waved lazily, and Seolhwa narrowed her eyes.
"I can read it?"
"Go ahead. Nail it, and I'll book you some tanghwa candy."
He shooed her on.
Truth was, there was one reason for this.
Constant use of Concealment Aura was wearing on his body.
From Shandong's Garam Mountain to Hebei, he'd kept it up nonstop.
Could one maintain it for a full twelve hours?
Short answer: yes.
Even with the force attribute, it recovered after twelve hours.
That's why Concealment Aura worked awake or asleep.
But the side effect of endless use? True lethargy.
Hiding power so long blurred into real exhaustion.
A hurdle for Hanbin to overcome.
Seolhwa's voice snapped him from his thoughts.
"Great Young Master returns. Soga-ju candidate Hanbin, come to Hebei Paeng Family. That's it— just those two lines."
"Ah, big bro's back."
"What's First Brother like? Is he... generous?"
Seolhwa's eyes sparkled, and Hanbin tilted his head.
"Generous how?"
"With tanghwa? Hehe."
She grinned foolishly. Hanbin stared at the ceiling in silence.
Truthfully, he didn't have many memories of his eldest brother.
Ally or foe? Unclear.
In his past life, by the time First Brother returned, Hanbin had already run away.
Musing on the past, he muttered absently,
"Probably around now..."
His voice trailed off, too quiet even for Seolhwa to hear.
The next day, in the Hebei Paeng Family patriarch's hall.
Hanbin entered.
Elders and division heads stirred at his arrival.
"Heard things went south with the Huangbo Family..."
"Obviously. Was that doable in time? Especially for the Fourth Young Master."
They whispered, but Hanbin heard every word.
He memorized their faces one by one.
Even without Lady Jeonghwa's faction, the slander persisted?
Hanbin smirked.
Proof plenty of housecleaning left.
He strode casually toward the patriarch's seat.
Then—
Thud-thud-thud.
Urgent footsteps from behind overtook him.
The owner cut in front, turning to face him.
Hanbin narrowed his eyes.
A massive brute blocked his path.
Sleeveless even in the chill, his bronze skin rippled with muscles like bold brushstrokes.
Hanbin cocked his head, and the man spoke.
"Little bro, been well?"
"..."
Speechless, Hanbin eyed the enormous sword slung on his back.
Blade as long as a spear.
That confirmed it— his eldest brother.
Grown that much while I wasn't looking!
Reading Hanbin's shock, Paeng Hyeokbin clapped his shoulders heartily.
"Don't recognize me?"
"B-big bro?"
Hanbin forced an awkward smile. Paeng Hyeokbin laughed.
"Yeah, you've grown a ton."
"You too, bro."
"True. But I'm bigger."
Arm around Hanbin, Paeng Hyeokbin led him to Patriarch Paeng Kangwi.
Before him, both shouted in unison.
"Greetings, Patriarch!"
"Father!"
Paeng Kangwi rose, accepting their bows.
Thump-thump.
Heavy steps brought him close. He eyed them alternately.
"I called the elders and division heads for one reason."
Pausing, he scanned the room with unyielding gaze, sharp as a needle's point.
Elders and heads held their breath.
Silence fell. Paeng Kangwi continued.
"You all know of the unseemly incident in our house."
"..."
Hushed deeper still, all strained to listen.
The "unseemly incident" was, naturally, Lady Jeonghwa's affair.
Confirming their faces, Paeng Kangwi pressed on.
"One Soga-ju candidate has fallen. We must fill the vacancy. I want your opinions."
His eyes swept elders and heads, chin jutting to invite speech.
Hanbin watched silently.
He grasped the discussion's drift.
Soga-ju candidates managed house affairs— partial authority as trial.
Like overseeing commerce districts.
With Lady Jeonghwa's son ousted, his slot needed filling.
The debate began.
One division head raised a hand.
"Fourth Young Master has no duties yet, right, Patriarch?"
"Speak your mind."
"He should take a broader district."
"Broader? Be specific."
"Jangun-hyeon commerce in southern Hebei Province— give it to Fourth Young Master."
Then, from the opposite side, Jujak Division Head Ga Gi-gun raised his.
"Patriarch, I oppose."
"You too? Speak."
"Jangun-hyeon is too much for Fourth Young Master. Far from Hebei Paeng Family, overlaps Sapa turf. Needs political finesse. He's not ready."
"Jujak Head, isn't the challenge the point? To test ability?"
The first head interjected; Ga Gi-gun shook his head.
"Jeong Head. Why not take it yourself? Word is Baeksa Gate from Jiangnan's scouting nearby. Righteous-Sapa clash brewing. Too volatile for Fourth Young Master's age."
"Allow me."
A white-haired elder joined.
The hall turned battlefield.
Hanbin noted faces, sorting allies from foes.
Ga Gi-gun? Solid ally.
His words seemed dismissive, but knowing Jangun-hyeon, it was genuine concern.
Murim folk called it Mist Village— foes and friends unclear amid the fog.
Sapa held one-third commerce. Righteous factions like Hebei Paengga another third.
The rest? Neutral sects— mostly Sapa sympathizers.
Handing Jangun-hyeon to Hanbin? Dumping a steaming pile on him.
As Hanbin tallied sides mentally, Ga Gi-gun bellowed,
"Absolutely not!"
"No, Fourth Young Master must manage Jangun-hyeon commerce!"
Voices rose in deadlock. Paeng Kangwi slammed his great sword's butt on the floor.
Boom!
Silence crashed down.
Paeng Kangwi glanced aside.
Paeng Hyeokbin watched the fray amused.
Interest flickered in Paeng Kangwi's eyes. Low voice:
"Your thoughts?"
"The successor's judgment matters most."
"So if the youngest agrees, the risks don't matter?"
"Father, one question?"
"Ask."
"Did Second Brother manage Jangun-hyeon well?"
"What?"
"Never even visited, from what I hear. Pushed it aside."
"So youngest can slack too?"
"Up to him. Expecting results from a mess left by the predecessor? Absurd."
Paeng Kangwi nodded.
Sound logic.
"Elaborate."
"Discuss rewards for successor's success— that's proper."
The hall quieted.
Hanbin tilted his head.
Goodwill from Paeng Hyeokbin?
An ally brother in the family?
Doubt fleeting— handle the now.
Jangun-hyeon? Windfall, not worry.
Clap.
Hanbin stepped forward.
All heads turned, puzzled.
Gathering eyes, he spoke.
"To Brother's point, one more item needs discussion."
Murmurs erupted at the surprise.