Chapter 58. I'll Guard My Own Share (2)
Standing beside Jeong Juseop, Hanbin shouted.
"Any sects willing to help with the dissection of the corpse, step forward. But only those who've staked a hundred nyang!"
Amid a brief murmur, the sects that had bet a hundred nyang all came forward.
One thing was common in their eyes: greed.
Now, Hanbin decided to toss a single pebble into the lake of their greed.
Hanbin walked into the midst of them alongside Jeong Juseop.
With Jeong Juseop on his back, Hanbin gazed at everyone with a consistently relaxed expression.
After scanning every single sect one by one, Hanbin continued.
"As far as I know, the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf is a demonic beast that lives in the kidneys. And its hide is said to be as tough as a turtle's shell, impenetrable even by arrows. The most important part is undoubtedly the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf's inner core. According to the rumors in the jianghu, the Blood Wolf's inner core boosts one's inner power by half a gapja. That's three times the potency of thousand-year snow ginseng."
Everyone gulped at Hanbin's words.
Satisfied with their reactions, Hanbin pressed on.
"Now, we're about to dissect the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf, but there's a problem here."
Hanbin paused for a moment.
Everyone waited breathlessly for his next words.
But Hanbin merely glanced at the Blood Wolf's corpse and the participating sects without opening his mouth again.
Unable to bear it any longer, Jeong Juseop asked.
"What exactly is the problem?"
"Yes, the issue is simple. The Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf is known for its extremely ferocious nature. Due to that ferocity and unpredictability, the prevailing theory is that its inner core roams throughout its body."
"Then can't we just extract it carefully?"
"The problem is that if you wield the blade wrong, the inner core could be damaged. So we must proceed with utmost caution. Naturally, any mistakes during the dissection will be the full responsibility of the sect involved."
"Ahem."
Jeong Juseop cleared his throat awkwardly.
He had grasped Hanbin's intent.
This was just like that infamous tale of Duke Po, who tried to find a baby's real mother by slicing the infant in half to share it!
Jeong Juseop figured they could simply exclude anyone who backed out here.
Of course, that was the reasonable judgment of a court official like Jeong Juseop.
Taking it a step further, Jeong Juseop addressed the sect representatives.
"Those confident in your skills, step forward!"
"……."
But they all stared mutely at the sky like fools with mouths full of honey.
Most of what Hanbin had said was true. Even the bit about the inner core moving around seemed plausible upon a moment's reflection.
More crucially, there was the Blood Wolf's hide.
If they cut it carelessly, its value would plummet.
And if traces of another sect's cuts appeared on it?
They'd have to shoulder the full loss in value themselves.
Jeong Juseop eyed the sect representatives.
Upon closer inspection, their gazes looked familiar. He recalled the gamblers he occasionally visited at the gambling dens.
Their eyes mirrored those of gamblers who had placed their bets on the table.
Jeong Juseop glanced back briefly.
Only Hanbin, who had turned this into a gambling den, wore a leisurely smile.
Their silence dragged on, long enough to finish a cup of tea.
Hanbin signaled Sim Miho from behind.
Catching the cue, Sim Miho hurried over and respectfully offered the sword with both hands.
Hanbin took Wol-a with a pleased expression.
Seeing this, Jeong Juseop tilted his head in confusion.
He'd thought the first to draw a sword would have no connection to the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf, yet here was Hanbin wielding one!
Hanbin stood before the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf.
"Fellow martial artists of the jianghu, as the lowliest among you, I will represent everyone and carve up the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf. And if no evidence emerges from the part I cut, I'll step aside cleanly."
Coughs leaked out here and there in response.
"Ahem, well, if that's the case."
"Yeah, if you're forfeiting like that."
Amid the murmurs, Hwang Bo-gyeon-u stepped forward.
"But with your skills, can you even slice through the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf's hide?"
"If I can't cut the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf's hide, I'll withdraw."
"Very well, then do so."
The onlookers clicked their tongues at the exchange. It looked utterly one-sided—Hanbin getting the short end.
Someone muttered.
"The Hebei Paeng Family sent out a pup instead of a tiger."
"Aigoo, if that were my kid, I'd just smack him!"
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u shot a sharp glare at the noisy crowd.
A signal to shut up.
Ignoring the commotion, Hanbin said to Hwang Bo-gyeon-u.
"For fairness, please assist me, Great Hero Hwangbo."
"How shall I assist?"
"Hold down the spot below where I strike."
Hanbin pointed his scabbard at the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf's scruff.
There was a slight protrusion there, like a fishbone embedded in flesh.
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u boldly pinned the Blood Wolf's scruff to the ground.
"Got it."
"Thank you."
Hanbin drew Wol-a from its scabbard.
Shing!
Wol-a gleamed brilliantly under the morning sun, revealing its exquisite form.
"Gasp."
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u let out a long sigh. At first from Wol-a's beauty, then from the sudden wave of fear.
Seeing Hwang Bo-gyeon-u pale, Hanbin asked.
"Are you alright?"
"I-I'm fine."
Even as he answered, Hwang Bo-gyeon-u couldn't tear his eyes from Hanbin's hand.
In his mind, Hanbin's skill level was second-rate.
What if a second-rate warrior wielded such a razor-sharp blade?
An accident could happen any moment.
That's how abysmal Hwang Bo-gyeon-u rated Hanbin's swordsmanship.
Then an even more terrifying thought struck him.
"Wait a second—the Paeng Family uses blades, not swords. Since when did you start handling a sword? You!"
But Hanbin ignored the question.
'Swift Sword, Difficult Horse!'
'One Touch, Immediate Burst!'
He infused Wol-a with both effects.
Seeing the faintly visible ripple of sword energy with the naked eye, Hwang Bo-gyeon-u shouted.
"Hold on just a moment!"
That was when Sim Miho rushed out urgently.
"My lord, wait! How many times have I told you not to hold the sword like that?"
"Did I?"
Hanbin scratched the back of his head, and Sim Miho quickly continued.
"Even if you've raised your inner power to first-rate, it's useless if your forms can't keep up. What if you miss the beast's neck and slice Great Hero Hwangbo's wrist instead?"
"No, Deputy Sim. I'm confident with a stationary demonic beast. Let me give it a try. If Deputy Sim stops me, what does that make Great Hero Hwangbo, who stepped up to help?"
Hanbin raised his voice, and Sim Miho reluctantly stepped back with a helpless look.
"My lord, then be careful. Not the wrist—aim for the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf's neck. Precisely."
Sim Miho vanished, subtly lifting the corner of her mouth where no one could see.
A flawless performance!
Hanbin thought bringing Sim Miho on this mission was the right call.
Meanwhile, Hwang Bo-gyeon-u's forehead beaded with sweat from Sim Miho's repeated pleas.
As a drop trickled down his cheek and splashed onto his wrist, he jolted in shock.
He'd imagined his wrist flying off.
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u cautiously eyed Hanbin.
Wondering if they'd crossed paths with bad blood before.
But only for a moment—he shook his head.
He swore on the heavens, this was his first time seeing Hanbin.
And he'd never clashed with the Hebei Paeng Family either.
As worries piled up in Hwang Bo-gyeon-u's mind, Hanbin spoke again.
"Great Hero Hwangbo, I ask once more. My hand's shaking a bit after so long without wielding a sword."
At Hanbin's final words, Hwang Bo-gyeon-u rose to his feet.
"Wait, Young Hero Paeng."
He'd unwittingly addressed him with respect as "young hero."
"What's wrong, Great Hero?"
"Why don't I cut it instead? Tell me the spot you want."
"Ah, but since we've staked our sects' responsibility for any mistakes..."
"I'll cut it precisely! Young Hero Paeng."
"If you're offering, then this spot... I'll hold it down."
Hanbin swapped positions with Hwang Bo-gyeon-u.
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u drew his sword.
Shing!
In turn, Hanbin secured the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf's scruff—not with his hand, but pressing down firmly with his scabbard.
Seeing this, Hwang Bo-gyeon-u asked.
"Why press with the scabbard instead of your hand?"
"It's dangerous. My swordsmanship is so poor that the odds of hitting exactly where I want are extremely low."
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u let out an unwitting sigh of relief.
He'd thought his warrior's life might end right there.
"Hoo."
Taking a deep breath, Hwang Bo-gyeon-u swung his sword down.
Swish!
His blade, which seemed to slice only empty air, was already back in its scabbard.
A true swift sword!
Everyone applauded.
Then, Park Pil-u of the White Blade Sect, watching from the side, remarked.
"Huh? It's still attached? Haha."
The laughter spread to the others.
"Ah, I knew it. Too fast."
"Kekeke. What was that even?"
"He just drew and sheathed it."
"The Huangbo Family's young master making such a blunder—he must be nervous."
Of course, Hanbin, who had watched up close, didn't laugh.
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u's sword had clearly passed through the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf's scruff—precisely the spot he'd indicated.
As everyone laughed and enjoyed the moment, a faint trickle of blood appeared at the Blood Wolf's neck.
Jeong Juseop spotted it first.
He shouted.
"The Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf's neck..."
That was when it happened.
The Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf's head thudded to the ground.
Thud!
The laughter stopped abruptly.
"As expected of the Huangbo Family's young master."
"My eyes didn't deceive me."
Amid the sudden shift in mood, Hanbin let out a hollow chuckle.
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u's sword had indeed been fast and precise.
But without Hanbin having taken the inner core, could it have cut through the hide?
Impossible.
It was hide that even Black Heaven's assassins at peak high-grade couldn't pierce.
Now, with the inner core gone, its toughness had drastically weakened—that made it possible.
Regaining his composure, Hanbin pointed at the severed head.
"Something's visible there. Great Hero Hwangbo, please check it yourself."
"Ahem."
Hwang Bo-gyeon-u coughed awkwardly and examined the clean cut.
What is this?
The object embedded in the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf's neck was extraordinary at first glance.
The slight touch of his fingertip felt like grasping an icicle barehanded in winter.
Iron that harbored such chill?
Millennium Cold Iron flashed in Hwang Bo-gyeon-u's mind.
Why would Millennium Cold Iron be here?
Suppressing his rising questions, Hwang Bo-gyeon-u picked it up.
Millennium Cold Iron soaked in blood?
What on earth is this?
Then Hanbin spoke.
"Great Hero Hwangbo, please let Lord Jeong Juseop and the fellow martial artists verify that item together."
"Understood."
Everyone gathered around Hwang Bo-gyeon-u, who wiped the bloodied Millennium Cold Iron with a plain cloth.
The true nature of the Millennium Cold Iron slowly revealed itself.
[Hebei...]
"Gasp."
Jeong Juseop inhaled sharply. It was utterly unexpected.
It was the Hebei Paeng Family head's token.
Gasp after gasp erupted from all around.