Behind the Praying Mantis Lies a Sparrow, and Behind the Sparrow an Eagle (4)
Third Young Master Paeng Mubin was on the verge of madness.
It had all been a scheme by his older brother, Paeng Kyungbin, and his mother, Lady Jeonghwa.
So why should he bear the blame for its failure?
Paeng Mubin caressed his stinging cheek and glared at Jang Ja-myeong.
"What the hell happened?"
"I handled the job perfectly."
"Did you mess up the dosage or something?"
"They only used water from exactly two wells. I confirmed they didn't touch any other sources. How could I screw that up?"
"Then explain this! I told you to deploy the energy-scattering poison, and look what happened! Didn't you see it yourself, you quack? They were flying around like they'd swallowed some damn elixir!"
"Why's that my fault? I saw their slave life at Cheonsu Manor with my own eyes. You saw it too, didn't you, Young Master Paeng Mubin?"
"Saw what? Them hopping around full of vim and vigor?"
"Their skin, their ragged beggar looks when they first arrived. Did that scream 'elite warrior who'd popped an elixir' to you? Now pay up the rest."
"Pay you? For what?"
"You promised the balance once I released the energy-scattering poison, didn't you?"
"And you're claiming it's done when the youngest punk's goons are prancing around fit as fiddles?"
"Hah, playing hardball, are we? Fine, at least cover the material costs for brewing it."
"You only cry when you see the coffin."
Paeng Mubin's tone shifted completely.
He drew the blade from his waist and fixed Jang Ja-myeong with a murderous glare.
"You gonna silence me?"
"Not silence—execute a traitor. You bastard."
As Paeng Mubin closed in with savage killing intent, Jang Ja-myeong glanced around wildly and backpedaled.
Whoosh!
Paeng Mubin had just raised his sword when someone shouted.
"That one's not 'silencing'—it's 'kill the dog to silence the village.'"
Paeng Mubin froze mid-swing and whipped around.
"Gah!"
He gasped.
Han Bin stood there, grinning ear to ear.
Paeng Mubin couldn't fathom why the youngest had shown up here.
But only for a moment. A venomous smirk curled his lips.
"Came to find your grave, have you?"
His blade slashed toward Han Bin.
Shing!
Han Bin wasn't just going to stand there.
He drew Wol-a from his waist.
Screee!
Their weapons met in a straight clash mid-air.
Clang!
The ring felt like a bell tolling the start of battle.
They each staggered back a few steps.
Han Bin flashed a fierce grin.
The clash of steel always soothed his nerves in a weird way.
Why did he feel this constant itch to just kill right here?
But no—stick to the plan. That step came later.
Han Bin recalled the form.
Launches the body like an arrow. Condenses qi at the sword tip. Requires three years of inner power. Recovers after twelve hours.
Han Bin shot forward, sword thrust straight.
Paeng Daewi, watching from afar, widened his eyes.
"Sword qi?"
The shout was brief. First, stop the killing.
Whoosh!
Paeng Daewi leaped in, blocking Han Bin's sword with the flat of his massive blade.
Bam!
Han Bin's smile deepened as he was pushed back slightly.
This was exactly as planned.
Then Paeng Mubin collapsed where he stood.
Thud!
Startled by the sword flying right at his face.
And Han Bin wielding sword qi? Total shock.
But Paeng Mubin was Paeng family direct lineage.
He couldn't stay sprawled like an idiot.
Regaining his composure, he scrambled up.
"You little—"
He never finished. Paeng Daewi had sealed his arm and leg acupoints.
Pop!
Paeng Mubin toppled like a felled bamboo stalk amid the grove.
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
Jang Ja-myeong, gaping at the scene, clasped his hands in salute to Han Bin.
"Great hero, thank you—"
But he too was cut off. Paeng Daewi sealed his acupoints as well.
Paeng Daewi pulled a small flute from his robes and blew.
Tweet!
The shrill note pierced the bamboo grove.
This was the signal flute for summoning the law enforcement warriors.
They could hear it from ten li away, making assembly a breeze.
By the time it'd take to sip a cup of tea, five warriors arrived before Paeng Daewi.
His orders were simple.
"Throw them both in the brain prison!"
Jang Ja-myeong awoke two hours later.
Han Bin sat before him.
"Feeling better?"
"Ah, Fourth Young Master. Thanks for earlier."
"No time. Listen up. The law enforcement chief's coming soon."
"Ah."
"Nod along to everything I say. It's your only way out."
"What the—"
"Think about it. If word spreads, can you really go back to Baekdok Valley?"
"Hm..."
"What about your junior sister left behind? You're earning coin to buy her gifts on your return, right?"
"Gasp! How did you—"
"I said no time. Change your mind midway? Your call."
"I-I get it."
The prison door creaked open.
Paeng Daewi ducked through the narrow entrance, his presence even more intimidating up close—the third tiger of the Paeng family.
"Interrogation begins! Prisoner, ready to confess?"
"Yes, sir."
Jang Ja-myeong bowed deeply.
Then Han Bin spoke.
"I have something to say first."
"The Fourth Young Master does?"
"Yes. Truth is, Jang Ja-myeong here had good intentions but no crime."
"What was that?"
"We need to go back a month."
Han Bin launched into his tale with a grave expression.
"...Jang Ja-myeong crossed paths with me after failing to deploy the energy-scattering poison."
He glanced at Jang Ja-myeong, who nodded furiously. Han Bin continued.
"He took the job for his ailing mother, but his sense of justice wouldn't let him poison the Mangho Squad's training grounds. So I made him an offer."
Paeng Daewi listened raptly, like an old storyteller's audience.
As the tale paused, he prompted eagerly.
"What offer?"
"Simple. Keep the failure quiet."
"Ah."
Paeng Daewi let out a sigh, and Jang Ja-myeong kept nodding—it sounded plausible enough.
Han Bin pressed on.
"That's why our secret held until the duel day. The man plotting our downfall repaid his debt with elixirs."
Here, Jang Ja-myeong teared up slightly.
He'd never dreamed Han Bin would craft such a believable cover for him.
Even Paeng Daewi clapped.
"Aha, so that's their sudden power surge."
The question lingering in Paeng Daewi's mind dissolved.
Of course, Han Bin's intent to keep Cheonsu Manor's secrets under wraps for now was hidden too.
"By spilling every last secret technique from his sect."
"I see. So no grudges between you."
"If anything, I owe Jang Ja-myeong."
"And his sect?"
"Some nameless outfit atop Gyeongsu Mountain. I'd like to keep it secret. Leaks could mean expulsion."
"Expulsion, huh."
"Sure, he acted under Third Young Master's threats, but it strayed from the righteous path."
"Hm."
"That's why I want to help. I suffered no harm."
"Fine. Interrogation over. But what about Third Young Master? No harm done, but if you press charges, law enforcement has to punish him harshly."
"If Lady Jeonghwa asks nicely, I'll consider. And I'd prefer this mess stays in-house."
"Agreed."
Paeng Daewi nodded.
Just as Han Bin said.
Third Young Master meddling between Second and Fourth to sabotage one? A stain on Paeng family honor.
Paeng Daewi had been about to suggest secrecy himself—Han Bin had scratched the itch first.
With a satisfied look, Paeng Daewi left the interrogation cell.
Click.
As the door shut, Jang Ja-myeong prostrated himself.
"Great hero! Truly grateful. For hiding my identity, for fabricating that story to save me. When I return to Baekdok Valley, I'll repay you."
Han Bin rubbed his face at the earnest plea.
His expression was odd, though.
He stared at Jang Ja-myeong in disbelief.
"Hold up. Where do you think you're going?"
At the tone shift, Jang Ja-myeong's eyes bulged.
"What do you mean? To repay you, I have to leave and head back to Baekdok Valley..."
"Exactly. Who said you get to decide? You think I'm a pushover, Jang?"
"I'd never dare treat a great hero like that!"
"Right. Repayment means sticking here, slaving day and night. How's 'head right back' slip out so easy? Had me thinking you were possessed."
"S-So I stay here...?"
"Don't sweat it. I'll treat you right. Just three years."
"Why me?"
"Hate it? I'll send a messenger bird to Baekdok Valley. 'Jang Ja-gyeong of Baekdok poisoned Cheonsu Manor where Paeng Fourth Young Master trains.' Oh, and as a bonus, to your pals at Sacheon Dangga."
"Gah!"
Jang Ja-myeong's eyes nearly popped out.
Han Bin added,
"Like I said, quit anytime. Don't think of it as slavery, or I'll be hurt."
"Th-That..."
"Hey, it's fine! Say the word now, birds go out. Might get eaten en route, so I'll send six sturdy ones. Want 'em now?"
As Han Bin rose, Jang Ja-myeong lunged and hugged his waist.
"Great hero!"
"Ew, gross! I don't swing that way. Just answer."
"Yes! Three years. Arms break, legs break, I'll work like an ox."
"Knew I had an eye for people. Haha."
As Han Bin's hearty laugh faded, Jang Ja-myeong asked,
"Planned this from the start?"
"Nah, just you and Third Young Master's screw-ups."
"My screw-up?"
"When a praying mantis catches a bug..."
"I'll remember that."
"...it should watch for the sparrow behind. But mantises only think of their meal. So the sparrow eats 'em."
Han Bin beamed innocently at Jang Ja-myeong.