Chapter 41: Mantis Behind the Sparrow, Eagle Behind It All (5)
Jang Ja-myeong craned his neck and asked.
"Then was I the mantis?"
"No, more like a sparrow."
"Then what mistake did the sparrow make?"
"The sparrow didn't watch out for the eagle coming from behind."
"Then are you the eagle, Young Master?"
"Haha, that's a secret."
Han Bin laughed cheerfully. He wasn't the eagle or the sparrow.
But he knew what he wanted to become later.
A dragon that devoured the entire world.
By the time he told this story to others, he'd probably be at least an imugi, Han Bin thought.
As Han Bin turned to leave, he glanced back and said,
"From now on, I'll call you Physician Jang casually. Oh, and when you're at the Paeng Family, focus on honing your medical skills at the infirmary. Only follow me when you return to Cheonsu Manor."
"Yes, I understand."
"Alright, I'll go talk to the Law Enforcement Leader now, so you'll be released right away. Get ready to leave and remember the messenger bird well!"
"Yes, I'll keep it in mind, Young Master."
Jang Ja-myeong teared up and clasped his hands in respect.
Whistling a tune, Han Bin left the prison and headed to the Law Enforcement Hall where Paeng Daewi was.
Law Enforcement Hall.
After explaining Jang Ja-myeong's situation in detail, Paeng Daewi's lips curled up to his ears.
Physicians were that precious in the martial world.
For Han Bin to cover all costs and recruit him to the infirmary? As acting family head, he could only welcome it with open arms.
"We'll handle it that way."
"Then I'll take my leave."
Han Bin clasped his hands respectfully and turned. Just as he was about to exit the hall,
Paeng Daewi called out.
"Fourth Young Master, hold up!"
At the sharp voice, Han Bin furrowed his brow.
For a moment, he frantically racked his brain, wondering if there was a flaw in his plan.
He even anticipated countless responses to defend against whatever Paeng Daewi might say next.
Seeing Han Bin's serious expression, Paeng Daewi's cheek twitched.
"Have you forgotten why you came here, Fourth Young Master?"
"Well, for these matters..."
"No, the reason before that."
"Well..."
"You came to spar with me. So, finish your business and then go—that's proper etiquette."
Paeng Daewi grinned and gestured to his subordinates.
At once, the Law Enforcement warriors rushed in, clearing the furniture from the center.
Han Bin scratched the back of his head. Sparring without productivity was what he hated most.
"Why the long face?"
"Ah, just nervous."
Han Bin replied quickly, but Paeng Daewi tilted his head.
"Doesn't seem like it."
"No, really, I'm nervous."
"No matter how I look... you look annoyed."
"I'm not. But..."
Han Bin trailed off, gazing at Paeng Daewi.
At that, Paeng Daewi said,
"Your eyes changed again. Like a beast spotting prey."
Han Bin stared at him in bewilderment.
He seemed like a brute who only trusted raw power, but Paeng Daewi was quick on the uptake.
Right now, Han Bin had spotted the formula manifesting on Paeng Daewi.
Sparkle, sparkle.
Glittering points on Paeng Daewi's chest.
Undoubtedly, they represented the formulas of the Yongrin Sword Art.
Han Bin's heart began to pound.
Thump, thump.
Paeng Daewi tilted his head and asked,
"What's with that look now?"
"Law Enforcement Leader, please grant me a lesson."
"Good, that's the Paeng Family tiger spirit."
"I'm not even a kitten yet, but I'll receive your teachings."
"Haha."
Paeng Daewi answered with laughter.
Thump, thump.
Han Bin's heart pounded even harder.
The points visible on the Law Enforcement Leader were exceptionally vivid.
Misreading it, Paeng Daewi smirked deeply.
"You look confident?"
"Misunderstanding. Please go easy."
"Misunderstanding, huh..."
Trailing off, Paeng Daewi raised his massive blade and assumed a stance.
"Sparring's done with blades, not words, right?"
Han Bin smiled and finished Paeng Daewi's intended line.
Whoosh!
Paeng Daewi's blade cleaved the air.
Han Bin's Moon Fang responded.
Shing!
Clang!
Their weapons clashed, resonating like a conversation.
Rrrrumble—hummm!
An hour later.
"Huff, huff!"
Han Bin gasped raggedly, dropping to one knee.
He hadn't laid a finger on Paeng Daewi until the sunset hid below his shoulder.
"You look beat. Let's call it."
"No."
Paeng Daewi shook his head.
He'd loved fighting in his youth too.
But not to Han Bin's extent.
And the tenacity to charge without even grazing a hair? Enviable.
Then Han Bin stood, clenching his fist.
He was only curious about that red point.
Ilchokjeungbal (One Touch Instant Burst)
Han Bin's body shot forward like an arrow. The final technique of the Yongrin Sword Art, squeezing out his last inner power.
Paeng Daewi didn't budge, slashing straight down with his massive blade.
Bam!
With the sound of earth splitting, Han Bin twisted away.
Rolling once, he checked where the blade qi had grazed.
The Law Enforcement Hall floor, deeply gouged.
Han Bin sheathed his sword.
"I surrender."
"Suddenly why?"
"Don't wanna die. Who uses blade qi so viciously against a nephew in a spar?"
Han Bin clasped his hands, and Paeng Daewi laughed heartily.
"Haha, fair enough."
"Then I'll take my leave."
Han Bin bowed deeply and departed.
He'd gained much from this spar.
The Yongrin Sword Art forms could bridge about one realm's gap, but beyond that? Tough.
Realms were the ultimate bully.
The glittering point on Paeng Daewi's chest lingered in his mind, but he'd harvest it later.
No need to get cocky and injure himself, delaying other formulas.
Han Bin hurried out of the Law Enforcement Hall.
Watching him go, Paeng Daewi smacked his lips.
That final strike wasn't intentional.
Blade qi had burst out unconsciously.
And Han Bin dodged it.
'Showing full intent to a kid!'
Paeng Daewi pondered entering secluded training himself today.
Returning to his quarters, Han Bin tilted his head at the group huddled by the entrance.
"What're you all doing there?"
"Ah, Young Master."
"My lord."
"My lord, why so late?"
Cheolno, So Daeseop, and Sim Miho stood simultaneously.
Cheolno, teary-eyed, rushed to Han Bin.
He carefully inspected Han Bin's face.
"Young Master, got hit again?"
Cheolno brushed dirt from Han Bin's martial robe with a prepared towel.
Han Bin said,
"Just a spar, no big deal."
"A spar?"
As Cheolno tilted his head, Sim Miho chimed in curiously.
"With who?"
"Law Enforcement Leader."
Everyone's eyes widened.
"Gasp."
"Why challenge a Super Peak master...?"
"Young Master, are you insane?"
As mouths gaped, Han Bin asked,
"Why so shocked?"
Sim Miho scanned him.
"No injuries?"
"I'm fine, but that guy's scary. Super Peak ain't a fluke. At the end, blade qi gushed out—I thought I was dead."
Sim Miho pressed,
"No Paeng Family young master has ever challenged an elder to a spar, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then why?"
"Just felt like it."
Of course, it was for the formula.
Silent So Daeseop spoke up.
"Never challenge him again. Two years ago, a squad leader asked for training and his arm..."
Han Bin waved him off as it dragged on.
The next day at noon.
Standing before Lady Jeonghwa's annex, Han Bin glanced inside.
In the vast Hebei Paeng Family estate, a splendid mansion stood apart.
The gardens and ponds showed more care than even the patriarch's quarters.
He'd visited often at night, but daytime was first, so Han Bin leisurely admired the scenery.
Arriving at Lady Jeonghwa's chambers, he sat opposite her.
Pour, pour.
Savoring the tea aroma, Lady Jeonghwa spoke.
"I heard from the Law Enforcement Leader. I apologize for the unpleasantness."
"No issue, if you keep your promise."
At Han Bin's words, Lady Jeonghwa glanced aside.
There, arms crossed, stood Absolute Sword Yi Mu-myeong.
His nickname came from reaching Peak realm fastest in the Henan Jeong Family.
By his past life's memory, Absolute Sword became Sword of Despair, then vanished from rumors.
Meaning his current realm was his limit.
Why do limits exist?
For excuses.
One word forgives all.
But limits exist to be broken.
Han Bin was confident he'd use him well.
The second reason to spar: the formula confirmed on him.
Yi Mu-myeong, catching her gaze, said,
"I'm the lady's guard, not an object. I'm set to return to Henan Jeong Family in six months, so becoming Fourth Young Master's subordinate is difficult."
Courteous but blade-sharp refusal.
Han Bin replied without displeasure,
"Then, will you grant a spar?"
"If Lady Jeonghwa permits, I will."
Lady Jeonghwa interjected,
"Set the place and time."
"They say pull a sore horn right away. How about here and now?"
Lady Jeonghwa nodded at Yi Mu-myeong.
He stepped forward.
"Then I'll guide you to the training ground out front."
"Yes, thank you."
Training ground before Lady Jeonghwa's chambers.
Two gleaming blades faced each other.
As Yi Mu-myeong eyed Han Bin, a transmission rang in his ear.
Kill him!
Short, but carrying everything.
Yi Mu-myeong gritted his teeth.
Lady Jeonghwa's command, whom he had to serve six months. No thinking of consequences.
The family head ordered him to be her blade for six months.
But arriving at Paeng Family, she and her two sons were utter scum.
Following them who shed a warrior's pride turned his stomach.
Serving Lady Jeonghwa ended here.
Following her deviation was against Henan Jeong Family rules.
Resolved to leave her side after this spar, Yi Mu-myeong drew his sword.
Shing!
Yi Mu-myeong thrust at Han Bin's throat.
A strike sharp with Henan Jeong Family style.
Han Bin dodged sideways swiftly.
With Jeon-gwang-seok-hwa's effect, he left an afterimage and vanished.
But Yi Mu-myeong's assault was relentless.
Like a snake, the blade tip twisted persistently.
Whoosh!
Han Bin retreated behind.
The blade pursued like a snake.
Han Bin grinned, eyeing the formula.
Ilchokjeungbal (One Touch Instant Burst)
A one-shot form consuming one formula point.
Simultaneously, Han Bin shot toward Yi Mu-myeong like an arrow.
Amazed cheers from onlookers.
"Ah, sword qi!"
"How's Fourth Young Master using sword qi?"
"Did he reach Peak?"
"No, could be the final stage of First Rate."
But Yi Mu-myeong heard none.
Only the flickering sword qi at the tip mattered.