39. The Eagle Lurking Behind the Praying Mantis and Sparrow (3)
With the House of Discipline warriors gone, only Hanbin's group—now bearing the title of Mangho Squad—remained.
Hanbin nodded toward Sim Miho.
Receiving his signal, she cupped her fists and vanished from the spot.
At that moment, So Daeseop sidled up.
"My lord, do you think the Discipline Master will be all right?"
"Why worry about him, So Daeju?"
"Didn't he mention some illness last time?"
"Oh, you mean his dyslexia?"
"Yes. He's probably buried in paperwork right now..."
"Yeah, if his temper flares up into qi deviation, that'd be trouble. Guess I should drop by to say thanks anyway."
"That sounds like a good idea."
"I had business at the House of Discipline anyway."
"Business there?"
"It's a secret."
Hanbin quietly turned his gaze toward the House of Discipline.
* * *
At the Hebei Paeng Family's House of Discipline.
Paeng Daewi stretched in front of the mountain of documents, then tilted his head.
"Huh? Why are my ears itching like this?"
"Maybe pay a visit to the medical hall."
"Nah, I'm fine. Did you deliver the flags properly?"
"Yes, that's what I heard."
"Any word from the Mu Sword Clan?"
"No, it's still quiet."
Paeng Daewi tapped his temple.
It was odd.
No complaints from the Mu Sword Clan since that day.
But that wasn't the issue now.
What was giving him a headache was the avalanche of paperwork the family head had dumped on him before entering secluded cultivation.
How did half a day's worth pile up to waist height?
It felt like he'd been deliberately avoiding reviews until shoving everything his way upon retreat.
He'd fled to the House of Discipline from the main hall, but the documents followed him here.
The towering stacks before him were more terrifying than a sharpened blade.
"Damn it!"
Paeng Daewi kicked the pile delivered straight to the House of Discipline.
Just then.
A Discipline warrior cautiously approached.
"Master!"
"What is it?"
"We've received an anonymous complaint."
"A complaint? Bring it here."
"Lady Jeonghwa delivered it personally. She's almost..."
Before the warrior finished, Lady Jeonghwa arrived lightly on her feet, escorts in tow.
The family head's second wife appeared, and the Discipline warriors stirred.
At the slight commotion, Paeng Daewi raised his palm.
The warriors fell instantly silent.
Ignoring them, Lady Jeonghwa strode confidently to the center.
Seeing her, Paeng Daewi bowed.
"You've come, sister-in-law."
"Yes. Have you been well?"
"Didn't we meet at the training grounds at lunch? What's this about a complaint?"
"It seems there's an issue with the conduct of the youngest young master, our new little successor candidate."
"Conduct?"
"Take a look at this."
Lady Jeonghwa handed over a letter.
Paeng Daewi grimaced involuntarily upon receiving it.
To his dyslexic eyes, letters were poison.
His face twisted at the dense text handed over so casually.
"I've received the letter— just tell me."
"Simply put: the youngest young master has colluded with the Cheonri Escort Agency."
"Cheonri Escort Agency?"
Paeng Daewi's brow twitched. He knew the rough situation.
But he hadn't expected internal meddling.
Not with the family head in seclusion and the first wife away at her parents' home.
He understood, though.
With her own son's honor in the gutter, it wasn't beyond her.
Lady Jeonghwa pressed the pausing Paeng Daewi.
"You knew, didn't you?"
Just then.
A cough came from behind.
"Ahem."
As Lady Jeonghwa startled at the sudden presence.
The cougher continued.
"Sounds like you were talking about me."
Hanbin smiled at Lady Jeonghwa.
Paeng Daewi stepped forward in her stead, her mouth agape.
"I was just about to call for you. We've received a complaint about your conduct."
Paeng Daewi shook the letter.
Moments later, his expression turned icy.
With a formal complaint filed, duty as Discipline Master demanded investigation.
Paeng Daewi knew this was political maneuvering over succession, not true justice.
But fairness was his role.
Seeing his face, Hanbin deeply cupped his fists.
"Understood. May I explain?"
"Of course."
Paeng Daewi nodded, and Hanbin snapped his fingers backward.
Snap!
Sim Miho rushed in simultaneously.
She pulled a letter from her bosom and handed it to Hanbin.
Hanbin glanced between Paeng Daewi and Lady Jeonghwa before passing it to her.
"This will make it clear."
Lady Jeonghwa eyed him dubiously.
Paeng Daewi nodded approvingly.
Nothing terrified him more than the documents piled on his desk.
Hanbin was the best at easing his mood in the Paeng Family.
Reading the letter, Lady Jeonghwa furrowed her brow.
"And what of this, youngest young master?"
"It's not collusion with a rival—it's a transaction."
"Who's footing the bill for managing Cheonsu Manor?"
She snapped, yet maintained decorum toward the successor candidate.
Hanbin replied politely.
"As the summarized contract shows, I am."
"So ownership and responsibility both fall to you, little successor?"
"As you see."
Hanbin pointed to the letter.
It was officially notarized by the government.
Checking the seal, Lady Jeonghwa asked again.
"So it harms the family in no way?"
"I take full responsibility. I request the Discipline Master's notarization."
Hanbin's eyes gleamed.
He'd anticipated this attack.
Taking all responsibility meant ownership lay with him, not the family.
That was the point.
He wouldn't share future profits.
They would be entirely his.
He sought confirmation here.
"Can you guarantee that?"
"Yes. I swear on my honor as successor candidate. All gains and losses from Cheonsu Manor are mine alone—I stake my sword on it."
Hanbin raised his sword high. Paeng Daewi slammed his great blade into the floor.
Thud!
"My blade and I bear witness to that oath."
As the mood settled, Lady Jeonghwa stepped forward.
To Hanbin's eyes, it looked like a final desperate flail.
Standing before him, skirt trailing, she stared silently for a moment.
Then her red lips parted.
"Then how will you restore the Paeng Family's tarnished honor, little successor?"
"Has the Paeng Family's honor been tarnished?"
"Dealing with a rival at all tarnishes it."
"Using a rival for training tarnishes it?"
"How can you claim you used them, not the other way around?"
"The sparring results will prove it."
"Hm."
Lady Jeonghwa's brow twitched.
Moments later, her lips parted again.
"Then take full responsibility for all your actions. Without family aid!"
"Yes, I will."
"If you fail that promise, set down that sword."
The meaning was clear.
Abandon successor candidacy.
Hanbin asked meaningfully.
"Then, allow me one request."
"Speak."
"If you ever need my help, grant me this favor then."
"A favor...?"
"Nothing much. Give me this escort. Of course, after I make him submit by skill."
"Pfft."
Lady Jeonghwa let out a hollow laugh.
Ignoring her, Hanbin eyed her escort.
Yi Mu-myeong.
The warrior Hanbin coveted.
Different surname, but heir to all of Henan Jeong Family's arts—a peak realm swordmaster.
First time seeing him today.
Hanbin couldn't tear his eyes from Yi Mu-myeong.
The vivid sword dance at his waist swayed.
Hanbin barely swallowed his drool.
The room buzzed at Hanbin's words.
One warrior whispered.
"That's sticking your neck under the butcher's block."
"You never know."
"Who'd win?"
"Tch, no sparring's even set yet."
Paeng Daewi's glare silenced their murmurs.
The room went deathly quiet.
Lady Jeonghwa spoke.
"I permit it. I'll witness."
Paeng Daewi raised his blade, but Hanbin waved it off.
"Not that—just a written promise?"
"Ahem."
Paeng Daewi coughed into his fist.
Lady Jeonghwa stormed out, radiating chill.
With her gone, Paeng Daewi pressed his temple.
Chatting with a thorny flower seemed harder than paperwork.
"Whew."
Sighing, he tilted his head.
Hanbin stood staring at him.
"Why stare so intently, little successor?"
"I came with a request."
"Speak."
"I challenge the Discipline Master to a spar."
"Spar with me...?"
Paeng Daewi choked back laughter.
Struggling to compose himself.
Finally regaining his face, he said.
"Fine."
"Then let's go."
Finishing, Paeng Daewi swept documents from the table and tossed them behind.
"Yeah, let's!"
"But I choose the spot."
"Got one in mind?"
Hanbin glanced sideways and whispered.
"Secret."
"Haha, no jokes—lead on."
* * *
Moments later.
Hanbin led Paeng Daewi to a bamboo grove not far from Lady Jeonghwa's quarters.
"Why here of all places?"
"Lower your voice a bit."
"Ahem."
Paeng Daewi coughed. Suppressing presence was one condition of the spar.
At Hanbin's request to avoid drawing eyes within the Paeng Family.
But Paeng Daewi couldn't fathom guiding him deeper into the woods.
Just then.
Paeng Daewi narrowed his eyes.
Voices drifted from somewhere.
Dragging him here for a spar was suspicious enough, but conversing so deep in was more so.
Paeng Daewi pressed a finger to his lips first.
"Shh."
...
Hanbin nodded silently.
Following Paeng Daewi, Hanbin suppressed his presence and crept toward the voices.
They reached a point where the conversation sounded next door.
It was Third Young Master Paeng Mubin and Baekdokmun's Jang Ja-myeong.
Coincidence?
Of course not.
Hanbin had followed Sim Miho's marked path here.
Now seated comfortably, all that remained was enjoying the unfolding drama.