Chapter 165. Impregnable (2)
One of the murmuring crowd spoke up in a low voice.
"What's this? Is he backing off at the last second?"
"Let's hear him out."
"Pfft, the Fourth Young Master's words are always so predictable."
As the murmurs grew louder, Family Head Paeng Kangwi's gaze swept over them once.
In an instant, the family head's hall fell silent, as if time itself had frozen.
Paeng Kangwi nodded toward Hanbin.
"Speak. What is the discussion?"
"Yes. I believe rewards are important, of course, but there must also be punishments for failure. And once all discussions are concluded, I will take responsibility for managing Jangun-hyeon."
Hanbin's words hung in the air, and the elders and division leaders exchanged glances.
Their faces clearly showed they thought his proposal—volunteering punishment for failure—was utterly absurd.
Even Family Head Paeng Kangwi tilted his head at Hanbin.
After a moment of silence, Paeng Kangwi spoke.
"Do you know what makes Heuksa Gate so fearsome? It's not their power."
"Yes, I know."
"They are the dregs of the unorthodox sects, with nothing left to lose. That's what fills Jangun-hyeon, and Heuksa Gate is the ringleader among them."
"Yes, I know."
"And yet you say you'll manage Jangun-hyeon? The moment you take it on, the lives of merchants tied not just to you, but to our entire family, will hang on your shoulders. They won't come after you—they'll tear into the powerless merchants like rabid dogs. Can you handle that?"
"Yes, I can handle it."
Hanbin stepped forward and cupped his fists in salute.
Everyone's eyes widened at the sight.
His action was tantamount to stepping into a quagmire of his own accord.
With that, the unexpected turn settled all matters.
Rewards and punishments were decided.
The reward would be requested by Hanbin upon his return from Jangun-hyeon. In case of failure, he would be immediately stripped of his candidate status for young master-in-training.
The gathered members dispersed like the ebbing tide.
Paeng Kangwi glanced sideways and remarked.
"A proper battle has ended."
"Indeed, brother. It feels like the family is back to normal after so long."
The responder was Paeng Daewi, the Law Enforcement Division Leader and the family head's younger brother.
"Do you think the youngest will succeed?"
"Of course not. How could anyone manage Jangun-hyeon without a single complaint from the merchants under their watch?"
"Hm. Then let's end that talk here. Got any baekaju left, brother?"
"Brother, someone already polished it off."
"Polished it off?"
"Yeah... wonder who could've done it."
"Are you suspecting me, brother?"
"Who else in our family could sneak a bottle of baekaju without meeting my eyes but you?"
"Maybe you had a sip in your sleep."
"Come on, brother... You call that a joke?"
"Haha, no joke."
"But the traces are odd."
"Odd how?"
"The footwork is peculiar. It might've been the Divine Beggar Elder who passed through..."
"No way."
"Yeah, probably not. But why didn't you ask earlier?"
"Did I make a mistake?"
Paeng Kangwi tilted his head.
"Why didn't you ask the youngest how he completed the Five Elements Token trial?"
"If he'd succeeded, that Hwangbo kid would've stayed quiet?"
"True. If it had worked, we'd have gotten a letter from the Huangbo Family by now."
"Exactly. The Huangbo Family head wouldn't sign the Five Elements Token without conditions, and even if he had succeeded, the youngest wouldn't hide it. The result is obvious, isn't it?"
"I agree. Anyway, the Hebei Conference is next month, right?"
"Yes. Attend if you have time, brother."
"No thanks. Why would I butt into money talks?"
"Heh, you need money to drink."
"The booze I mooch off you tastes the best, brother. Speaking of which, how about a top-up?"
Paeng Daewi grinned widely and held out his hand.
A heavy money pouch was placed atop it.
Thud.
Surprised by the sudden gesture, Paeng Daewi asked.
"What's this? A windfall... no, money?"
"Didn't you ask for it?"
"Still, this out of nowhere worries me, brother."
"Don't worry about me. Just report if the first or youngest oversteps."
"So this is hazard pay."
"Pretty generous for hazard pay, brother."
With that, Paeng Kangwi swiftly snatched the gourd from Paeng Daewi's waist.
Swish!
"Brother, why take my booze again?"
"Didn't I just pay for it?"
"What you gave was hazard pay, not booze money."
"Take it back if you've got the skills. Time to loosen up."
"You're on, brother."
Paeng Daewi nodded and gripped his greatsword.
Paeng Kangwi grinned, his lips curling pleasantly, and grabbed a random sword from the weapon rack nearby.
Clang! Clang!
After a few exchanges, laughter echoed through the family head's hall.
* * *
Leaving the family head's hall, Hanbin walked toward his quarters as if nothing had happened.
He stopped after a while.
A familiar presence trailed behind him.
"You can come out now, brother."
At Hanbin's words, Paeng Hyeokbin revealed himself.
"Sharp senses."
"I'm a bit of a coward. Do you have something to say to me?"
"It's your choice, Hanbin, but I had to say something."
Hanbin tilted his head.
This was the first time any of his brothers had called him by name—starting with the eldest.
Hanbin nodded.
"Please speak. I'll take it to heart."
"I said earlier that the second brother didn't manage Jangun-hyeon, right?"
"Yes, you did."
"Do you know why?"
"Because it was a hassle?"
He knew that wasn't the real reason.
After all, this young master had been loyal to Lady Jeonghwa's words, focused only on devouring the family.
It was natural he had no interest in Jangun-hyeon, a trade district with meager profits.
Paeng Hyeokbin gave a slight smile at Hanbin's answer.
"That's part of it, sure. But I think he gave up because he couldn't touch it. A matter of capability."
"Capability..."
"Could a Hwagyeong master eradicate flies?"
"There's a saying flies have nine lives, right? No need for a Hwagyeong expert—local kids can swat them."
"True. But kill one, and more appear."
"What lesson are you trying to impart, brother?"
"The unorthodox are just like flies. With the orthodox, crush the leaders and they crumble. But with the unorthodox, smash a few heads and new ones pop up."
"I understand."
"The Heuksa Gate thugs in your Jangun-hyeon are the worst of those flies. Only fellow unorthodox can manage them. That's what my investigation turned up—use it well."
"Thank you, brother."
Hanbin bowed his head slightly.
Everything matched what Paeng Hyeokbin said. Hanbin felt the eldest brother's genuine concern.
He couldn't predict the future, but for now, it rang true.
Helping a fellow young master candidate like this?
Hanbin smiled faintly at the eldest brother's attitude, so different from the second's.
But only for a moment. Hanbin's expression turned meaningful.
"But can I trust what you just said?"
"What do you mean?"
"That only fellow unorthodox can manage them."
"That's what the investigation says."
"Then I'll trust you, brother."
"Trust me on what?"
"That's my trade secret."
"Haha, intriguing."
Paeng Hyeokbin laughed broadly, but his eyebrows twitched.
Regaining his composure, he continued seriously.
"One more time: you can't kill flies. Dead flies draw even more."
"Got it. By the way, how was your own journey through the martial world, brother?"
"In one word..."
It started with "in one word," but Paeng Hyeokbin's tale showed no sign of ending.
Hanbin regretted bringing up the journey.
After a long chat, Hanbin slipped away from Paeng Hyeokbin's sight.
Narrowing his eyes at the sight, Paeng Hyeokbin murmured.
"He mustn't get hurt..."
He trailed off, gazing at the blue sky.
Moments later, he pulled a small booklet from his bosom.
Paeng Hyeokbin quietly reviewed its contents.
It was the investigation from his friend Moyong Jin-u.
Detailed reports on Hebei's situation, plus specifics on the youngest, Hanbin.
At a glance, he seemed an ordinary youngest son.
Or rather, pitiable.
Before leaving on his journey, Paeng Hyeokbin had worried most about the youngest.
Yet upon return after years, he had changed.
How?
His doubts piled up like the layered clouds in the clear sky.
* * *
Returning to his quarters in the Hebei Paeng Family, Hanbin paused at the threshold, tilting his head.
Over ten people crammed inside.
From Hong Chilgae to Yun the leader of Cheonri Pyoguk.
His room wasn't small, but it felt cramped with them all.
Doubt aside, Hanbin's mind raced.
This lineup seemed perfect for helpers in the fog village known as Jangun-hyeon.
Masking his expression, Hanbin surveyed the huddled group.
"What are you all doing here?"
The chatter halted at his voice.
They turned to look at him.
Meeting their eyes, Hanbin asked again.
"Didn't you say you were busy with Justice Alliance matters, Master?"
"Oh, disciple. You're here. I left the Alliance stuff to a spry young buck, so no worries."
Then, from behind Hong Chilgae, Se Jaeo poked his head out slyly.
"That spry young buck is me? Elder!"
"Haha, speak of the tiger..."
Hong Chilgae laughed heartily, but Se Jaeo cut in indignantly.
"I've been here the whole time. And I'm busy, Elder."
"Who said otherwise?"
As they bantered, Hanbin asked.
"Why's the Volcano guest elder—who's like a nephew to you—here? I left the sword and plum blossom token with Seolhwa."
"That's the problem. Seolhwa."
"Seolhwa?"
As Hanbin tilted his head, Seolhwa popped out from somewhere.
"Young master, I'm right here."
"Good, you're here, Seolhwa. What's this about?"
"I need your permission for something."
"From me? Not the Tang family, then..."
"No, not Tang family stuff. I made a bet with the Volcano uncle."
"A bet?"
"Hide-and-seek. If he couldn't catch me all night, he'd grant one wish."
"I remember that, Seolhwa."
Hanbin nodded, and Hong Chilgae clapped from the side.
Clap.
"Yeah, I remember that promise too."
Sim Miho and So Daeseop nodded from the back, prompting Se Jaeo to protest.
"Argh, and I said I'd give her a Tang family sword, but Seolhwa refuses!"
"My wish isn't a Tang sword, Volcano uncle."
Seolhwa shook her head, and Se Jaeo narrowed his eyes.
"If not a Tang sword, what wish do you have?"
"I have one."
Like squabbling children, neither budged an inch.
Hanbin said in disbelief.
"Enough for now. Seolhwa, hand over the plum blossom token and Plum Blossom Three Essences sword to your uncle-figure, Elder Se."
"Yes, young master."
Without hesitation, Seolhwa offered the white cloth-wrapped token and sword to Se Jaeo.
He took them, unwrapped the cloth, and swallowed hard at his possessions.
"Finally... finally..."
As Se Jaeo trembled with emotion, unable to continue, Hanbin turned to Seolhwa.
"Your turn now. Tell Elder Se your wish."
"I want that."
Seolhwa thrust her arm up vigorously, pointing with her index finger.
All eyes followed.
Se Jaeo, mid-emotion, tilted his head.
Suddenly, burdensome gazes poured onto him.