Sword Genius of the Hebei Paeng Family - Chapter 27: Predator or Prey (1)
Madam Jeonghwa gazed back at the family register.
The Hebei Paeng Family's direct descendants numbered four.
So why were there more markings on her register?
The reason was surprisingly simple. What she desired encompassed not only the Hebei Paeng Family but also her natal home, the Henan Jeong Family.
Among Hebei's direct line, the only ones left unscathed now were i (two) and sam (three).
These two young masters were her own sons, yet Madam Jeonghwa's eyes held little affection as she looked upon their markings.
She deemed both her boys insufficient to fulfill her ambitions.
It was while Madam Jeonghwa was admiring the markings she'd made herself.
Her eyebrows twitched.
A hand shot out at the same time.
Whoosh.
The brush sliced through the air toward the window.
It slipped through the gap in the door and struck something.
Thwack.
Madam Jeonghwa rushed over and flung open the window.
There lay a broom, toppled over.
It looked just like one she'd propped up after cleaning earlier that day.
"I've been on edge lately. Sigh, cold air isn't good for the skin anyway."
Letting out a breath, Madam Jeonghwa closed the window.
Thud.
She'd shut it too hard; the frame rattled violently.
It mirrored her turbulent state of mind these days.
The sudden emergence of the youngest young master was grating on her nerves.
* * *
The black shadow beneath the shuddering window slithered away silently.
It slipped into the bamboo grove and shed its mask.
The revealed face belonged to Hanbin.
"Man, she's no joke," Hanbin grumbled.
He quietly doffed his night clothes, stowed them in his travel pack, and glanced back at Madam Jeonghwa's quarters.
Today, he'd confirmed his place on the list of rivals in her mind.
"Should I be flattered? Eh, it's an honor, I guess."
According to his memories of his past life, the Hebei Paeng Family's downfall began with Madam Jeonghwa.
To Hanbin, she was a viper slithering into a pack of tigers.
But vipers had their own ranks.
Hers was close to a millennium-old imu—a serpent on the verge of ascension.
Yet even an imu couldn't best a dragon.
Clenching his fist, Hanbin resolved to become that dragon and soar the heavens.
It was time for him to sharpen his blade as well.
The moment passed, and Hanbin schooled his features as if nothing had happened, heading back to his quarters.
As he arrived, Cheolno popped up before him.
"Young master!"
"Ah, Cheolno. You startled me."
"The physician said you shouldn't move for a week. Where have you been?"
"Sitting still made me antsy."
"You sparred with five swordsmen from the island and Lady Musoryul of the Mu Sword Family today. And you're antsy?"
"Lying around feels like it'll make me sick."
Cheolno eyed Hanbin skeptically.
But soon his gaze narrowed.
"Young master, what's this on your cheek?"
Cheolno wiped Hanbin's cheek with his sleeve.
A smear of blood stained the fabric.
It looked like a fresh scrape. Hanbin flashed an embarrassed grin, unflustered.
"Must've brushed a tree without noticing."
"If you keep getting hurt..."
As Cheolno's eyes welled up again, Hanbin waved his hands frantically.
"I got it, Cheolno. I won't get hurt anymore."
Cheolno still seemed unconvinced that his young master's skills had truly advanced.
Finishing up, Hanbin hurried ahead like he was fleeing.
But moments later, he tilted his head.
"By the way, why're you still up, Cheolno?"
"How could I sleep with all that racket?"
Cheolno sighed, and Hanbin cocked his head.
"Racket?"
"The training grounds—metal clashing nonstop. Can't get a wink."
Perplexed by Cheolno's words, Hanbin narrowed his eyes.
"What noise?"
"You really don't know? It's the Guardian Squad training."
Then, from afar, the ring of steel on steel.
Clang. Clang.
Cheolno was right.
Hanbin veered toward the training grounds.
Torches stood in neat rows there, illuminating the Guardian Squad warriors swinging their sabers in the center.
Hanbin watched admiringly for a while before strolling forward.
Sensing his presence, So Daeseop dashed over in one bound.
"You've arrived, my lord."
Hanbin grinned at So Daeseop's crisp salute.
"Why's everyone pushing so hard?"
"Your spars today moved us—we couldn't sleep, so we came out."
So Daeseop spoke with utter sincerity.
Hanbin scanned the group.
The others stared back with the same earnest expressions.
Was it the flickering torchlight?
It felt like their passion burned hot.
"Training's great, but take care of your bodies," Hanbin told So Daeseop. "Push too hard, and you won't break even."
"No, my lord. Seeing your prowess, our hearts won't calm."
So Daeseop's eyes blazed with determination—it was genuine—but Hanbin waved him off.
"Squad Leader So, come on. Don't do anything out of character. Head in and sleep. There's an old saying: strange actions shorten your life."
"No, my lord! Even if it kills me, I want to grow strong. Help us. Teach us your secret to rapid growth. I know you won't share any special techniques, but..."
So Daeseop trailed off, cheeks flushing with shame, and saluted instead.
The warriors behind him mirrored the gesture toward Hanbin.
It wasn't just So Daeseop's wish.
Hanbin's face grew solemn.
"You want to grow strong? Teaching you isn't hard."
"Pardon?"
So Daeseop's eyes widened. The lined-up warriors' gazes ignited.
Hanbin, drawing all their eyes, asked again.
"Was that sincere, Squad Leader So?"
"Yes, utterly. I want to grow strong."
"No, not that—the part about 'even if it kills me.'"
"......"
So Daeseop hesitated. A chill ran through him at Hanbin's tone.
But gazing into Hanbin's clear eyes, he steeled himself.
"Yes, it's true. I don't want to live as a lowlife crushed under a master's foot without a fight. Please."
So Daeseop gritted his teeth.
He meant every word.
Of course, he didn't realize this plea would turn him into a moth flinging itself at flame.
Hanbin's expression shifted in an instant.
His face gleamed like ice reflecting the sun—cold yet warm.
He silently regarded the saluting So Daeseop.
So Daeseop remained bowed, salute unbroken.
They treated Hanbin as they would the family head.
Just that morning, So Daeseop and the Guardian Squad had doubted him.
But witnessing Hanbin withstand the five swordsmen's blades changed their hearts.
His skills weren't absolute, in their eyes. But his rapid progress in so short a time was key.
They believed he held a secret.
Plus, his tenacious endurance—refusing to fall—had ignited their resolve.
What if they could advance like Hanbin in days?
So Daeseop and the squad's hearts pounded with anticipation. They'd follow any order save one demanding death.
Under the moonlight, all saluted. Hanbin drew Wol-a from his belt.
"Those who wish to learn the path to strength, draw your blades!"
No verbal reply. But swords rose throughout.
Shing!
Bathed in moonlight, the training ground seemed brighter than ever.
Hanbin strode to the center, locking eyes with each warrior.
Confirming their will, he bellowed.
"From now, I teach you the laws of battle!"
A roar erupted in unison.
"Woo!"
They knew not this heralded their ordeal's dawn.
Hanbin muttered to himself.
"Everyone's like moths to a flame."
He meant it.
These men, emotions surging, charging in—they were no different from bugs drawn to lantern light.
Phoenix or moth? That was up to them.
They craved power; Hanbin needed to hone his blade.
Grinning, he turned to Cheolno.
"Cheolno, fetch some paper, brush, and ink."
"Yes, young master."
Cheolno dashed to the quarters and returned in a blink, unrolling paper before Hanbin.
Flutter.
As Cheolno ground the ink, Hanbin took the brush.
The ink gliding over the hanji under moonlight evoked a flower snake slithering by.
Swish, swish.
As Hanbin's brush danced effortlessly, the Guardian Squad gulped nervously.
All craned their necks, throats bobbing. Hanbin set down the brush and rose.
"Those who seek strength, step forward one by one."
At the unexpected command, the warriors exchanged glances.
First came the squad's youngest, Jo Ho.
Calming his racing heart, Jo Ho stood before Hanbin.
Hanbin proffered the paper.
Jo Ho peered at the writing.
Unable to read beyond the Thousand Character Classic, under dim moonlight, it was just ink blots.
"My lord, what does it say?"
"That you entrust your lives to me."
"Hm."
Jo Ho grunted lowly.
He'd pledged his life, but a written document made it abruptly real—and tense.
Then Hanbin spoke.
"This contract embodies Confucian ideals."
Indeed, it echoed phrases from the schoolroom.
The body, hair, and skin are received from the Lord...
It mimicked a passage from the Classic of Filial Piety at first glance—but parents were replaced with "lord."
In truth, it was near a deed of bodily surrender.
Even if they begged for this training, a whip needed a carrot too.
Continuing his explanation, Hanbin drew a pouch from his bosom and addressed them all.
"In exchange for forfeiting your lives, I offer one tael of silver as enlistment incentive—and ten taels more upon completion."
He untied the pouch.
Moonlight gleamed off piles of silver taels.
The warriors' hearts thrummed in resonance.
Thump!
Thump!
Hesitant Jo Ho snatched the brush from Cheolno as if entranced.
"Sign here, my lord?"
"......"
Hanbin smirked, pointing to the blank space below.
Swish, swish.
Fearing it'd be taken, Jo Ho signed swiftly.
Starting with him, the squad surged forward.
"Me first."
"I was first in line."
"No, I've been up front since earlier."
In a flash, all had signed. Hanbin rolled the contract and stood.
As they awaited his next words, he continued gravely.
"I'll reveal the first step to strength."
"......"
Last in line, young Jo Ho's eyes shone like full moons, silent.
The others matched him.
Hanbin eyed them, sensing the moment ripe.