Time for the Hunt (1)

Sim Miho swiftly thrust her sword forward to block the absurd situation.

"What is the meaning of this? Why are you attacking our young master…?"

At that moment, Hanbin grabbed Sim Miho's shoulder from behind.

"Deputy Commander Sim, step back."

"No, you can't."

"This is a matter between families. It's not a place for the deputy commander to intervene."

At Hanbin's words, Sim Miho reluctantly withdrew.

Hanbin flashed a grin at Akbigwang.

"So, let's hear it."

"What is there to talk about? I'll answer with my spear."

Akbigwang spun his spear once before slamming it into the ground.

Bam!

As dust billowed around Akbigwang, Hanbin extended his sword and spat.

"Why the hell are you causing a scene and ruining everyone's drinks? Bad timing."

Akbigwang's eyebrows twitched at the sight.

In contrast, Hanbin beamed innocently—a smile utterly at odds with the battle about to unfold.

In Hanbin's eyes, only glittering yellow points were visible.

His opponent's realm was Peak.

It seemed on par with the Peak swordsman he'd crossed blades with back at the Paeng family.

The outcome of the spar didn't matter.

He just needed to claim those formulas.

Shing.

Hanbin drew his sword.

Whoosh.

At the same time, Akbigwang whirled his spear.

The spear tip sliced through the air.

As the blade cut the chill autumn wind, it produced a resonant whistle like a flute.

Whooosh.

In sync with the sound, the shadows of the two warriors moved.

Pak!

Hanbin's sword moved swiftly as well.

'Lightning Flash.'

This speed would work against a Peak expert like Akbigwang.

What Hanbin wanted wasn't victory, but the formulas contained within those yellow points.

Slash!

Hanbin's sword flew toward Akbigwang's left shoulder.

Whoosh.

Akbigwang raised his spear to deflect the blade, then swung the shaft down toward Hanbin's crown.

Crack.

Hanbin was already gone from that spot.

After several exchanges of blows, Hanbin and Akbigwang separated, glaring at each other from afar.

Perhaps drawn by the clash of weapons, members from other sects and officials gathered to watch.

"Why are they suddenly fighting?"

"No idea."

One official sidled up to Sim Miho on tiptoe.

"They're from the Hebei Paeng family, right? Why the fight?"

"I don't know."

The official turned to the Shandong Ak family's Samheowon.

"What's going on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠here?"

"I have no idea."

Samheowon didn't even turn his head, his focus entirely on the duel.

The official had no choice but to watch their clash.

Unable to follow the sword paths and spear movements ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with the naked eye, he let out a gasp of admiration.

"Heh, what a treat for the eyes today."

That was when it happened.

The two clashed again, the sound of weapons ringing out around the barracks.

Clang! Clang!

At the end of the sharp sounds.

Pik.

Hanbin's sword struck Akbigwang's right arm.

It wasn't deep, but Akbigwang quickly retreated.

Hanbin smirked and glanced somewhere else.

Seeing Hanbin casually looking away like an idiot, Akbigwang charged madly.

"You're dead. I'll make you a disgrace not just to Hebei, but to the entire Central Plains."

"Sounds good."

Hanbin replied.

He meant it.

After snagging one yellow point, another had popped up.

Bam!

Slash!

Clang! Clang!

At the end of their breathless exchange, blood soaked both their uniforms.

Hanbin's.

Akbigwang's.

They grew increasingly ragged.

One of the onlookers asked Sim Miho.

"Are the Paeng and Ak families blood enemies?"

At the question, Sim Miho of the Paeng family and Samheowon of the Ak family shook their heads in unison.

The official tilted his head.

If they weren't enemies, how could they fight so fiercely?

While their appearances grew equally wretched, their expressions differed sharply.

Akbigwang scowled deeply as he swung his spear, but Hanbin kept smiling.

Hanbin's eyes widened.

Not the numb (ma) of hemp, but the magic (ma) of demons.

But Hanbin understood its meaning from the next line.

'A technique specialized for fighting demons?'

Hanbin narrowed his eyes.

That was when it happened.

Akbigwang's spear flashed toward him like lightning.

Hanbin cried out in pain from his mistake of checking the formula.

'Damn it!'

As he gritted his teeth and twisted his body, pain surged into his left shoulder.

Squish!

His left shoulder had been pierced clean through.

Akbigwang's spear tip was embedded in Hanbin's shoulder, coming to a halt.

This signaled the end of the prolonged duel.

Hanbin had no intention of staking his life on this fight either.

That was when it happened.

Flicker, flicker.

A red point appeared at Akbigwang's waist.

It was the same as the one he'd confirmed with Paeng Daewi.

'In that case…?'

No need to think.

"Charge!"

With a shout, Hanbin lunged forward.

Stab!

The spear blade that had pierced Hanbin's flesh now protruded from his back.

The onlookers screamed.

"Gasp!"

"That madman!"

Even with the spear shaft jutting out from behind his left shoulder, Hanbin pressed on toward Akbigwang like a vengeful ghost.

Akbigwang was just as shocked.

This wasn't a fight to the death.

But he didn't release the spear.

Instead, he threw a left punch at the oncoming Hanbin.

Thud.

In an instant, Hanbin's form dropped low.

He'd flattened his upper body to dodge the fist.

At the same time, Hanbin's sword sliced across Akbigwang's waist.

'One Touch Instant Kill.'

Impaled on the spear, he'd used the technique to reach Akbigwang's body.

"Argh!"

Cries of alarm erupted from the surroundings.

A bluish sword aura flickered at the tip of Hanbin's blade.

It was only a matter of time before Hanbin cleaved Akbigwang in two.

As everyone gaped, Hanbin's sword miraculously halted.

Clack!

Like an ox stopping after a day's labor, Hanbin's sword came to a perfect stop, its task complete.

Drop.

Akbigwang let go of his spear.

He conceded defeat.

But the spear didn't hit the ground.

It dangled precariously from Hanbin's left shoulder.

All eyes turned to the two warriors who had battled so fiercely.

Someone murmured.

"The bearing of true heroes."

With those words, applause broke out here and there.

Clap, clap.

Some clapped their hands.

Others stamped their weapons on the ground.

Bang!

Bang!

The echoes shook Jeongmun Mountain.

At that moment, Sim Miho caught sight of Hanbin's expression.

'What on earth…?'

Hanbin's face resembled that of a sage who had attained enlightenment.

And rightly so, for new text floated before his eyes.

From this text, Hanbin realized that Human-grade formulas revealed even higher techniques.

A smile lingered on Hanbin's lips as he read the final line.

He had reached a new realm in the Yongrin Sword Art.

The onlookers gasped once more at Hanbin's demeanor.

Grinning with a spear through his left shoulder—he looked like an asura.

Someone said.

"What grudge could there be between those two families…?"

His words sparked the same question in everyone.

Though all eyes were on him, Hanbin nonchalantly raised his sword and slashed.

Slice!

Akbigwang's spear, which pierced his shoulder, snapped in two.

Then he turned and called to Sim Miho.

"Deputy Commander Sim Miho."

"Yes, my lord."

Sim Miho rushed over, at a loss for what to do.

Hanbin casually pointed at the spear shaft.

"Deputy Commander Sim Miho, what are you waiting for? Pull it out quick."

"Pardon?"

Sim Miho's eyes widened.

The broken spear shaft dangled precariously there.

Hanbin urged her.

"You gonna leave it like that? What if it festers? Hurry up and yank it!"

Sim Miho reluctantly pulled out the spear shaft.

Pik!

Blood gushed from the pierced flesh around the shaft.

Hanbin walked casually back to the barracks.

The surroundings erupted in chaos.

Akbigwang stood with his mouth agape, silently watching Hanbin depart.

Once inside the barracks, Hanbin promptly collapsed.

Hanbin opened his eyes exactly one full day later.

When he did, a warrior taller than him by a head lay beside him.

Upon closer inspection, it was Akbigwang.

At that moment, Akbigwang opened his eyes.

H anbin and Akbigwang locked eyes.

Awkward situation—too weird to avoid or start talking.

They stared without even blinking.

How much time passed?

Akbigwang spoke first.

"I concede."

At the unexpected words, Hanbin narrowed his eyes.

Akbigwang's concession made no sense.

H anbin asked.

"Concede what?"

"Lady Mu Sojeo."

"Lady Mu So what?"

"She's the woman I love. But I yield her to you."

Akbigwang's words were as disjointed as a torn letter.

Hanbin pieced them together like a puzzle.

'Damn it!'

Hanbin nearly spat out a curse.

He asked.

"Just one question."

Like during the duel, he spoke casually.

But Akbigwang nodded without discomfort.

"Speak."

"Is this 'Mu Sojeo' you mean Mu Soryul?"

"Who else but Lady Musoryul of the Mu Sword House?"

"Hold on, let me sort this out."

"Speak."

"Do you think you know what my relationship with Mu Soryul is?"

"Aren't you engaged?"

"That's ancient history."

"Ancient history? What do you mean?"

"We broke off the engagement."

"Don't lie."

"It's been so long I don't even remember when."

"I asked you two days ago."

"Hmph."

Hanbin let out a groan.

They said a woman's grudge could bring ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠frost in May—who knew things would twist like this?

He was the one who'd tossed that opportunity to Mu Sowi, yet she still held a grudge!

Hanbin shook his head.

Seeing Hanbin's expression, Akbigwang's face subtly changed.

"Sir hero, is that true?"

Even the address had shifted.

'Ah, shit!'

Hanbin cursed inwardly. He continued the conversation with a sliver of hope.

"Yeah, it's true. That was ages ago."

"Sir hero, why didn't you tell me…?"

"When did you ask? Wait, did you charge at me thinking I was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Mu Soryul's fiancé?"

"What other reason could there be?"

"Ah!"

Hanbin stared at Akbigwang in disbelief, who then cautiously asked.

"But why did she dump you?"

"Why do you assume she dumped me?"

"Hm."

Akbigwang eyed Hanbin up and down with a dubious look.

Now Hanbin had to make a judgment about Akbigwang.

"Hey."

"Yes, sir hero?"

"That was fun, but let's not cross paths again if we can help it."

He meant it.

He had nothing more to say to a guy charging like a lunatic over a woman.

Akbigwang blinked.

"What do you mean?"