Chapter 37: Sparrow Behind the Praying Mantis, Eagle Behind the Sparrow (1)
Paeng Kyungbin hurriedly composed his expression and pointed at Hanbin's chest as he continued.
"Hanbin is clearly hiding a demonic manual."
"More nonsense?"
"No. Everyone saw the youngest carrying a demonic manual."
"Hm."
Paeng Daewi cleared his throat briefly and turned to Hanbin.
Hanbin awkwardly pulled a scroll from his bosom.
"Is this what you mean by a demonic manual?"
"That's right. I clearly saw your subordinate lose his mind upon seeing it."
"It's not a demonic manual, but since it's a secret manual, I can't show it to you."
"If you refuse to show it, doesn't that prove you're guilty?"
As Paeng Kyungbin's face brightened slightly, Hanbin smirked and replied.
"I won't show it to you, brother, but I'll show it to someone who can judge whether it's a demonic manual or not."
With that, Hanbin turned to the family head, Paeng Kangwi, seated on the platform.
His gaze alone made everyone understand his intent.
Meeting that gaze, Family Head Paeng Kangwi rose and leaped onto the sparring platform.
The onlookers' jaws dropped at the sight.
It felt as if a massive tiger had blotted out the sky.
Standing before Hanbin, Paeng Kangwi indifferently snatched the scroll.
Thud.
He unfurled it and narrowed his eyes.
At the top was clearly a contract.
Paeng Kangwi asked.
"Is this authentic?"
"Yes, it is. Family Head, read it to the end, and you'll understand."
"Very well. Let's see."
Paeng Kangwi slowly read through the contract.
The great tiger of the Paeng Family's expression shifted moment by moment.
The spectators craned their necks even further—now to the point where it seemed their heads might detach.
After finishing the contract, Paeng Kangwi quietly looked at Jo Ho.
"Did you sign this?"
"Yes, Family Head."
"What possessed you to sign it?"
"I... I'm not good with letters."
Jo Ho stammered in a trembling voice, and a hearty laugh burst from Paeng Kangwi's mouth.
"Kehahaha!"
Everyone on the platform widened their eyes at the laughter.
Only Hanbin responded with a small smile.
Before the echoes of that deep laughter fully faded, Family Head Paeng Kangwi declared.
"No guilt regarding demonic arts. And I hereby officially proclaim that the Fourth Young Master has won this spar. Now, fulfill your promise."
"As you command!"
Law Enforcement Leader Paeng Daewi deeply cupped his fists in salute.
As Paeng Kangwi turned to leave, he glanced at Second Young Master Paeng Kyungbin.
"I order the Second Young Master to half-year seclusion, effective immediately!"
Like a midwinter dawn wind, the command prompted Paeng Daewi to salute once more.
"We shall obey."
Before Paeng Daewi could even raise his head, Paeng Kangwi vanished from his seat.
On the training ground swept by that storm, Hanbin rubbed his thumb and forefinger together as he eyed Paeng Kyungbin.
A silent demand to uphold the promise.
Paeng Kyungbin sighed in response.
"Who do you want?"
"I'll take this one too."
Hanbin grinned and glanced at the platform where Lady Jeonghwa sat.
There was only one person Hanbin wanted.
Peak swordsman Yi Mu-myeong.
But right now, he wasn't under Paeng Kyungbin—he served as Lady Jeonghwa's guard.
It was a change born of Lady Jeonghwa's greed for his skills.
If he returned to Paeng Kyungbin's service, Hanbin would swiftly claim him.
In truth, the reward for this spar wasn't Paeng Kyungbin's wager.
The biggest prize was just now approaching.
Paeng Daewi stomped the platform with his massive foot.
Boom!
At the echo's end, he bellowed.
"Law Enforcement warriors, hear me! Escort the Second Young Master to the seclusion chamber!"
"As you command!"
The law enforcement warriors chorused and seized Paeng Kyungbin's sleeves from both sides.
As he was dragged away, Paeng Kyungbin shouted.
"Law Enforcement Leader!"
But Paeng Daewi didn't even turn.
Then Hanbin asked.
"Law Enforcement Leader, aren't you curious about this scroll?"
"No need."
Paeng Daewi waved it off.
Afflicted with dyslexia, he hated even looking at writing—so it was only natural. Instead, he gazed warmly at Jo Ho and smiled.
"Jo Ho, was it?"
"Yes."
"Come visit the Law Enforcement Hall when you have time."
"Thank you, Law Enforcement Leader."
"And don't hang your head for being illiterate. A warrior's strength comes from the sword, not the brush."
"Ah, yes, sir."
Jo Ho stammered in surprise.
Having secured his first reward—the removal of a rival—Hanbin leisurely descended the platform.
The crowd of onlookers parted like wheel ruts in the dirt.
Hebei's greatest coward had created this unprecedented spectacle, shocking everyone.
Even the Guardian Squad members couldn't approach him.
Only Cheolno rushed over.
"Young Master, you did well."
"Hey, Cheolno, did you find what I asked for?"
"Oh, right! I'll go right now."
As Cheolno dashed off after speaking, Hanbin approached Jeong Cheolmin.
"You're still here?"
"Of course. It's the way of the forge to watch to the end. That was refreshing today."
"Thank you. But Soyeon's gone missing again. I'll send someone to look."
"No need. She should be here any moment."
It was then.
From afar, Jeong Soyeon was struggling to drag a massive sack.
"Whew."
Having hauled it to their spot, Jeong Soyeon wiped sweat from her brow. Jeong Cheolmin asked incredulously.
"Soyeon, what's all that?"
"I earned it."
"Earned what?"
"I bet all my money earlier. And this is what came back."
Jeong Soyeon flung open the sack, and Jeong Cheolmin's jaw dropped.
"Gasp! All this..."
He couldn't continue. It was filled to the brim with iron coins.
Only then did Hanbin realize and smile.
"Soyeon bet on me?"
"Yes! I trusted you, Brother Hanbin, and won this much."
"Good job. Fortune favors the faithful. So, what will you do with all this money?"
"S-sp... No. I'll just save it."
"Good. Give it to your grandfather to keep safe from thieves."
Hanbin smiled at Jeong Soyeon, and Jeong Cheolmin awkwardly smiled beside her.
It was then.
Cheolno came panting up to Hanbin.
Jeong Cheolmin asked.
"Cheolno, did you bet too?"
"I bet a little, but this is the Young Master's money."
Cheolno proudly opened his sack wide.
Jeong Cheolmin gasped.
"Heavens."
Inside wasn't iron coins, but silver—enough to feel like it had swept away the Paeng Family's monthly budget.
Jeong Cheolmin was half right.
It was funded by a month's pay from the Paeng Family warriors.
Afterward, as Jeong Cheolmin chatted more with Hanbin, he tugged Jeong Soyeon's sleeve.
He'd spotted the approaching Guardian Squad warriors.
Today's stars were them.
It was courtesy to step aside.
"Soyeon, time to go. And thank you for today."
Jeong Cheolmin turned to thank Hanbin.
"No need. Visit anytime."
Hanbin bowed slightly.
As Jeong Cheolmin and Jeong Soyeon left his sight, the Guardian Squad warriors arrived behind Hanbin.
"My lord!"
"My lord!"
Calling him in unison, they dropped to one knee.
All eyes focused on them.
Then Hanbin spoke.
"I don't know what's up, but let's eat first."
The tension shattered like a snapped puppet string.
"Haha."
"Heh heh."
Laughter leaked from here and there.
* * *
In the Hebei Paeng Family head's quarters.
Paeng Kangwi leaned back in his grand seat, arms crossed, staring at the hall's doors.
Then the doors burst open as someone rushed in.
Paeng Kangwi said as if expecting it.
"You're late."
"Yes, I had some business."
"Then hand over what you're hiding behind you and sit comfortably."
"How did you know?"
Paeng Daewi offered one of the two gourds he'd hidden behind him.
Paeng Kangwi uncorked it and sniffed.
"Fine liquor."
"Yes, I made a bit of money."
Paeng Daewi grinned shamelessly.
"Made money?"
As Paeng Kangwi narrowed his eyes, Paeng Daewi waved his hands.
"It's nothing. Just some windfall."
He couldn't admit to betting on the spar.
Truthfully, Paeng Daewi's earnings were pure luck.
Due to his dyslexia, he'd meant to bet on Paeng Kyungbin but mistakenly backed Hanbin.
"Have some first."
"Indeed."
The gourds clinked pleasantly in the air.
Clink!
As the sound faded, Paeng Daewi spoke.
"What was that punishment for the second son? Because he lost the spar?"
"No. It was for scorning the family."
"Scorning the family?"
"Enough of that. Consider it the family head's prerogative."
The conversation paused, filled only by the sound of more drinking.
Gauging the mood, Paeng Daewi asked.
"Anyway, what's with the youngest?"
"What do you mean?"
"That manual. I was curious too, but as you know, brother, I..."
"Ah, it wasn't a manual."
"Pardon?"
Paeng Daewi widened his eyes, and Paeng Kangwi chuckled.
"Not a manual, but you could call it one."
"What do you mean?"
"It was a contract. So..."
After hearing the full explanation, Paeng Daewi gaped.
"Gasp! So that's why Jo Ho and Jangsan seemed to lose their minds."
"They didn't seem to—they did lose their minds. If it were you, would you understand serving your brother for free?"
Paeng Kangwi watched Paeng Daewi's reaction.
As expected, he shook his head vigorously.
"Of course not."
"What if you had to repay tenfold for any mistakes?"
"That's... sounding pretty devilish now."
"Haha, maybe the kid's onto something."
Paeng Kangwi laughed heartily.
The booming sound leaked beyond the quarters, audible to passersby.
At its end, Paeng Kangwi narrowed his eyes.
"Lower the flag."
"If we lower the flag..."
"It's the one you think. He showed potential in this spar, so he deserves the reward."
Paeng Kangwi snapped his fingers.
Snap!
Before the sound ended, the chief steward entered with attendants.
They neatly spread a red cloth before Paeng Kangwi.
He stepped forward, took up a brush.
Swish!
Swish!
The brush glided across the cloth without hesitation.
Thud!
Paeng Kangwi stopped, gazed at the cloth, and picked up the massive sword beside the seat.
Shing!
He slashed the floor and stamped powerfully.
Boom!
The cloth parted cleanly.
It now unmistakably resembled a flag.
Satisfied, Paeng Kangwi said.
"Deliver this flag yourself."
"Not doing it personally?"
"I'm entering seclusion today too. Watching the kid gave me some insights."
Paeng Kangwi reached into his bosom.
A silver object emerged, attached to his right hand.
Seeing it, Paeng Daewi hastily cupped his fists.