The Laws of Battle (2)
Two days later.
Han Bin's group finally arrived at the Hebei Paeng Family.
The Mangho Squad members gazing at the grand gates teared up.
Someone muttered.
"Still, nothing beats home cooking."
"Ah, now I can finally get some proper sleep."
But as they moved to enter the estate with a sigh of relief, an unexpected guard blocked their path.
"Halt."
The guard raised a hand, and So Daeseop and the others widened their eyes in shock.
So Daeseop shouted.
"What the hell is this?"
The guard looked apologetic as he replied to So Daeseop's outburst.
"We don't accept Beggar Clan members. Please go elsewhere."
At the guard's words, So Daeseop glanced around.
Then he let out an exclamation.
"Heavens!"
Even to So Daeseop's eyes, they looked like beggars. To be precise, they were top-tier beggars among beggars.
Their uniforms were ragged and torn in places, their faces caked with grime, making it hard to even recognize them.
Just then, Han Bin stepped forward from the back.
Curiously, only Han Bin's red uniform was spotless, without a speck of dust.
"It's me. Open the gate."
"Ah, sorry, sir. But these folks..."
The guard recognized Han Bin and tilted his head, pointing at So Daeseop and the squad.
"Yeah, they're the Mangho Squad. And this is Jang Ja-myeong, the squad's exclusive physician."
Han Bin introduced Jang Ja-myeong, who awkwardly clasped his hands in greeting.
But his mind was far from at ease. Since when had he become the Mangho Squad's exclusive physician?
He planned to bolt the moment this job was done.
As Jang Ja-myeong clicked his tongue, the group poured into the Paeng estate.
They unpacked and gathered at the Hebei Paeng Family's grand training ground.
Now it was time to prepare seriously for the spar.
There was only one day left until the match.
Tomorrow was the day of reckoning.
As the Mangho Squad assembled on the training ground, Han Bin spoke.
"This is the training ground where you'll fight tomorrow. Rest up now."
"Pardon? What do you mean, sir?"
Jo Ho rushed forward in panic, and Han Bin replied.
"Training's over for today."
"My lord, even if I die tomorrow, let me say this."
"Speak, Jo Ho."
"Didn't you say you'd make us stronger?"
"I did."
"But what have you actually taught us? My skills have regressed! With the spar tomorrow, shouldn't you at least teach us one more form?"
"A form?"
Han Bin looked around at everyone.
The entire Mangho Squad nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Han Bin continued.
"I'll teach you when the time comes."
With that, Han Bin left, and grumbles of frustration erupted here and there.
Jo Ho, who had spoken up first, vented.
"Argh, I tried getting stronger while forgetting the smell, but I'm the fool here."
"You too? I got duped as well. He just beat us under the guise of making us stronger—what kind of lord is that? Once tomorrow's spar ends, I'm out."
Someone chimed in, and Jangsan followed.
"Obviously. I'm done with the warrior life too. Time to take the money and start a business."
Then, a sigh came from the corner.
"Sigh."
The heavy, forlorn sound drew everyone's gaze.
There sat Physician Jang Ja-myeong, sighing deeply.
Under the squad's stares, Jang Ja-myeong cautiously spoke up.
"Man, I'm going crazy too. Patients come whenever I try to sleep. Even when I'm in the bathroom, patients show up—I haven't had a proper bowel movement in nearly a month..."
The squad members nodded in sympathy at his lament.
"You're the one who's suffered most, doc. Without you, we wouldn't have lasted."
Jo Ho said, and Jangsan agreed.
"Jo Ho's right. You're our benefactor."
At their praise, Jang Ja-myeong scratched the back of his head before continuing.
"Truth is, despite working day and night, I haven't taken a single coin from the Fourth Young Master."
The training ground buzzed at his words.
"For real?"
"All that hell for no pay?"
"At least we got paid."
To the uproar, Jang Ja-myeong looked wronged.
"Yes, exactly. No miser like him in the world. He didn't even cover medicine costs."
Finishing, Jang Ja-myeong looked skyward.
Of course, his real aim was to stick it to Han Bin.
But he prided himself on fulfilling his physician duties at Cheonsu Manor.
So how could he get nothing for it?
He'd gladly take punishment for being a villain, but he deserved compensation for acting the saint.
He'd diligently treated the squad, even after the mountain ghost poison was lifted.
From then on, the training ground turned into a stage for airing grievances.
A few pairs of eyes watched the scene.
By the time those eyes vanished...
Jo Ho rubbed his belly.
"Hey, mister, I gotta hit the bathroom."
"What'd you eat for lunch?"
"The food we brought from Cheonsu Manor earlier. Lately, my lower gut's been itchy. But when I go, nothing comes out..."
Before Jo Ho finished, Jangsan spoke.
"Weird, same here. Though the food there was pretty crappy."
The other squad members nodded too.
Differences in degree aside, they'd all felt that odd tickle in their lower bellies.
Yi Gongja's quarters.
The guard who had observed the training ground reported to Yi Gongja.
"It's total chaos. Tomorrow's spar is a done deal."
"That bad?"
"From what I saw, the Fourth Young Master has serious issues."
"What kind?"
"He's a miser who only cares about tormenting people, not improving the squad's skills."
"Could it be an act?"
"No way. If that's acting, they'd be opera performers, not guards."
"Hmph. But what's this about him being a miser?"
"Overheard he even stiffed the physician. Some guy named Jang Ja-myeong was with them..."
As the guard explained, Yi Gongja Paeng Kyungbin smirked.
With the man he'd planted via the Third Young Master along, the outcome was set.
Now he just had to wait comfortably for tomorrow's show.
But suddenly, Paeng Kyungbin sighed.
"Sigh."
"What's wrong, Young Master?"
The guard asked curiously, and Paeng Kyungbin chuckled.
"I can't wait to see tomorrow's spar, but time's dragging so slow."
Yi Gongja Paeng Kyungbin gazed at the full moon through the open window.
The moon hung motionless, as if caught on something.
Of course, it was just the moon reflecting his impatience for time to fly.
Han Bin stared at the same moon.
Gulping from a jar of liquor, he wet his throat.
Cheolno cautioned.
"Young Master, spar tomorrow—don't overdo the drinking."
"It's fine. I'm not the one fighting."
Sim Miho burst in, unable to hold back.
"My lord, aren't you too relaxed?"
"Nah. I'm worried too. Can't lose my deputy squad leader."
"What're our odds now?"
"Five out of ten!"
"Whoa, my lord, that's zero chance of winning!"
"Eh, it'll work out somehow."
"My lord, I'll head in early."
"Packing already?"
"You catch on quick. Better prep the bags at least."
Han Bin laughed at her half-joking, half-serious tone.
"Using the stealth arts I taught you, huh."
"Thanks for that, my lord."
So Daeseop had focused on basics, while Sim Miho had learned stealth from Han Bin.
Outwardly fine, but inwardly rotting.
Mention of stealth made Sim Miho touch her face.
It was incomparably dry and rough now.
Like well-dried jerky.
Glancing at her, Han Bin asked.
"What's up? Deputy Sim, slacking on training?"
"No, my lord. This is plenty."
Sim Miho smiled brightly and waved it off.
The stealth Han Bin taught was simple.
Don't eat, don't shit, don't move—that was the secret.
Hence her current state.
From Han Bin's view, he'd taught the essentials.
The basics of the fasting method, after all.
He looked up at the sky.
A grin spread across Han Bin's face after staring awhile.
Basic Edition
Speed, Speed, Speed, Speed, Speed ……
Body, Body, Body, Body, Body, Body
Power, Power, Power, Power, Power, Power
Merit, Merit, Merit, Merit, Merit ……
Return
Applied Edition
Jeon-gwang-seok-hwa (Lightning Flash)
Touch, Emit
The next day at noon.
A proper sparring platform had been set up on the grand training ground.
The surroundings were packed with spectators come to watch.
Somewhat surprisingly, there was a raised dais for the family head.
Seeing it, Han Bin clicked his tongue.
He could guess how much effort Yi Gongja had put into this stage.
Yi Gongja and Lady Jeonghwa seemed intent on burying him here via this spar.
An hour remained until the match.
Yi Gongja's guards glared sharply at Han Bin's side, while the Mangho Squad lounged around the platform as if it were a bed.
They looked utterly devoid of fighting spirit.
The onlookers snickered at the sight.
"Winner's clear."
"Good thing I bet on Yi Gongja's side."
"Eh, don't even say it."
"Why not?"
"It's obvious who'd win—everyone piled on Yi Gongja, so payouts are low."
"Someone bet on Fourth Young Master since there are odds?"
"Some lunatic dropped five taels of silver."
"Heh, must have money to burn."
Overhearing from afar, Han Bin scratched his ear.
"Why's it so itchy? Anyway, So Daeseop, the request— they'll be on time, right?"
"Yes, Master Blacksmith Jeong Cheolmin is coming personally."
Just then.
The rumble of a cart approached from the distance.
Rumble rumble.
The ground shook as it passed—heavy load for sure.
Spotting the cart, Han Bin grinned and ran over.
Jeong Cheolmin and granddaughter Jeong Soyeon sat at the front.
Jeong Soyeon jumped down and rushed to Han Bin the moment she saw him.