Guest War (2)
The word "change" was like bait used by fishermen—irresistible to anyone who heard it.
And sure enough, Se Jaeo's expression shifted.
"Change, you say..."
As Se Jaeo leaned forward with evident curiosity, Paeng Mubin grinned broadly, as if he'd expected exactly that.
"The new Soga-ju candidate isn't a blade user—it's a swordsman."
"Oh ho, a swordsman from the Paeng Family. Now that's a fresh breeze."
"Uncle, why not see this new wind for yourself?"
"My thanks, nephew. For sharing such fine information. Lead the way, then."
"I'll introduce you to the youngest at your convenience. Just say the word, Uncle."
"How about now?"
"Now? It's already bedtime."
Paeng Mubin waved his hand dismissively, unable to hide his rising smirk.
Se Jaeo's arrogant, disrespectful nature treated everyone equally—and that would surely be poison for Hanbin.
This was at least some small outlet for his frustrations, wasn't it?
Of course, the ultimate goal was to drive Hanbin out of the family.
And sure enough, the expected response came from Se Jaeo.
"Do you think nights and days mean anything to a warrior, nephew?"
The address had shifted from nephew to "sa-jil," a formal disciple relation. Paeng Mubin knew Se Jaeo's mood had soured.
It was a declaration of official business.
In truth, titles like "martial uncle" or "martial nephew" didn't sit well with him. His mother, Lady Jeonghwa, had once been an in-family disciple of the Volcanic Sect, entering around the same time as the "Jeong" generation. So he had no choice but to play along with the connection.
Not that he liked it, but Paeng Mubin decided to go with the flow for now.
"You're right, sir. I'll guide you."
"Ahem. 'Sir' feels a bit much."
Despite his words, a smile bloomed on Se Jaeo's face.
Se Jaeo rose, fastening a sword emblazoned with a vivid plum blossom pattern to his waist.
A short while later, in front of Hanbin's quarters.
Paeng Mubin paced like a puppy desperate to relieve itself, at a loss before Hanbin's door.
He'd planned to barge in and rile Hanbin up while he slept, but the problem was—no one answered no matter how much he called. It seemed the room was empty.
"Nephew, what's the meaning of this? Is this how the Paeng Family treats its guests?"
Se Jaeo, ever the arrogant one, began shooting barbs at Paeng Mubin.
"N-no, sir. I'm certain he hasn't left Paeng territory."
Paeng Mubin emphasized "certain" several times.
"Then where the hell did he vanish to? Does the Paeng Family have rat holes or something?"
"My apologies. I'll look into it right away."
Paeng Mubin bowed slightly and signaled his subordinate with a glance—find Hanbin's whereabouts.
"Ahem."
Se Jaeo cleared his throat, making no effort to hide his displeasure.
The moon had risen, yet neither Se Jaeo nor Paeng Mubin budged from Hanbin's quarters.
Not far off, a pair of eyes watched them intently.
In a small bamboo grove a short distance from Hanbin's quarters.
Hanbin lounged in a bamboo rocking chair, munching on dried radish.
His gaze, fixed on his own quarters as he chewed steadily, lifted the corner of his mouth in amusement.
Then a black shadow appeared.
"My lord, I have the information you requested."
"Deputy Sim Miho, you're getting fast."
"This is basic, right? But, my lord..."
As Sim Miho trailed off, Hanbin nodded casually toward her.
"Out with it, Deputy Sim."
"You'll cover my special duty pay, won't you?"
"Hm."
"My lord, I've been sleepless for three days and nights. Look at my face—I'm not some dried jerky..."
Sim Miho chattered on with complaints about her duties. They weren't exaggerated. After the wolf extermination mission, she'd been assigned to surveil Lady Jeonghwa.
Three sleepless days and nights—it was true.
Thanks to her, they'd anticipated Paeng Mubin and Se Jaeo showing up at Hanbin's door.
If he'd been there?
It might've turned into a hassle.
Hanbin flashed Sim Miho a meaningful smile.
"Don't worry, Deputy Sim. You've got plenty of cash."
"Where would I get money like that?"
"The funds I entrusted to you. Use what you need."
"Gasp!"
Sim Miho's eyes widened in shock.
"Why so surprised, Deputy Sim?"
"Th-that sum you just mentioned is way too much."
"Too much? It's just nose-picking money from the kids."
"You entrusted me with funds from the Huangbo Family—and incoming from the Shandong Baekdo Sect. Over two hundred nyang in silver... Wait, 'nose-picking money'? You mean the Huangbo funds?"
"Come on, why freak out? You know I spout nonsense all the time. Anyway, hand over the report."
"Fine, here it is, my lord."
Sim Miho offered the letter more deferentially than ever.
As Hanbin read it, his expression shifted by the moment.
The letter detailed Se Jaeo: Volcanic Sect's Plum Blossom Sword Master, of the high-ranking "Jeong" generation for his age.
His father was the chief of the Western An Man-gold battlefield.
He enjoyed the elders' full trust in the Volcanic Sect—but in reality, he was just a money line.
And Lady Jeonghwa held that line.
In her haste, she'd mistaken shit for bean paste.
Most crucially, Hanbin had no memory of a Se Jaeo.
The fact that this current Plum Blossom Sword Master wasn't in his past-life recollections?
It meant he'd die young—very soon.
After finishing the letter on Se Jaeo and Lady Jeonghwa, Hanbin smirked faintly and handed it back to Sim Miho.
"Burn this yourself, Deputy Sim."
"Why?"
"I can't incinerate it with Samjaejinha yet."
"Pfft, not that. Did the info disappoint you?"
"This is top-notch. I love it."
"Then why burn it? Keep it for later."
"Well, that's..."
Hanbin trailed off. In his talk with Sim Miho, he'd noticed something new about himself—different from his past life.
The letter was fairly detailed.
Yet he'd memorized its vast contents in one go. A new ability?
Had his upper dantian opened? Hanbin absently touched his head.
Noticing, Sim Miho asked,
"Feeling unwell?"
"Nah, I'm fine. Take some dried radish if you want."
"This is the last one."
Sim Miho pulled out a piece infused with extreme yang energy from her bosom.
Hanbin eyed his quarters like watching a play.
The conclusion was simple: no need to meet them.
Resolved, he turned to Sim Miho.
"Tomorrow, I'm re-entering Cheonsu Manor."
"Pardon? Weren't we staying here a month, my lord?"
"Plans changed."
"Because of that guy?"
Sim Miho pointed at the distant Se Jaeo.
"..."
Hanbin just smiled silently—a tacit yes. Sim Miho bristled.
"Why not just kill the Volcanic guest, my lord?"
"Deputy Sim?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Are you my bodyguard or assassin? If you suggest offing a Volcanic Sect guy, what am I supposed to do? I've told you a hundred times to mind relations with other sects—did I or not?"
Under Hanbin's scolding, Sim Miho looked skyward. Her lord was right on every point.
But had Hanbin actually nurtured those relations? She'd bet a hundred nyang silver he hadn't.
It was recent that he'd fleeced the pockets of Justice Alliance sects and families.
Yet Hanbin was thinking something else entirely.
The problem wasn't the Volcanic guest.
To Hanbin, Lady Jeonghwa was likely to bring in more guests. Given her personality, she'd beg the Henan Jeong Family if needed to build power.
Hanbin shot out of the Hebei Paeng Family's main gate like lightning.
A guard gripped his baton and cupped his fists toward Hanbin.
"Fourth Young Master, safe travels."
"Hm, yeah. Stay well."
"Thank you. We wish you great gains in this training. May boundless fortune follow you, Fourth Young Master."
The guard bowed repeatedly. Money's power was truly remarkable.
Until recently, he'd scorned Hanbin. But thanks to Sim Miho's "lubrication," the guard now slathered on flattery like honey.
"Thanks."
"Young Master."
The guard whispered conspiratorially.
"What is it?"
"A Volcanic Sect fellow's waiting up ahead."
Probably Se Jaeo. Hanbin had thought his only flaw was arrogance, but he was persistent too.
Like a child nagging for a toy.
"Got it. Thanks again."
Finishing, Hanbin glanced back. Sim Miho, catching his eye, slipped a few iron coins into the guard's pouch.
"Aigoo, thank you! Young Master, Deputy Commander—long life and health!"
His bushy beard practically flowered with his beaming smile.
Creak.
The gate opened, and Hanbin stepped out of the Hebei Paeng Family. As the guard had tipped, Se Jaeo and Paeng Mubin waited there.
Hanbin strode past as if blind to them. Paeng Mubin rushed up in a panic.
Blocking Hanbin's path, Paeng Mubin said,
"Little brother, where are you off to in such a hurry?"
"..."
Hanbin eyed Paeng Mubin wordlessly. He didn't like being addressed this way.
Until recently, Paeng Mubin had led the plot to poison the Mangho Squad and him.
They weren't acting on it, but swords at throats wouldn't be strange.
Besides, this was a time for self-restraint—Paeng Mubin's move seemed reckless.
Ignoring Hanbin's sour look, Paeng Mubin pressed on.
"I came to introduce you to a great hero from the Volcanic Sect."
As Paeng Mubin finished, Se Jaeo stepped forward right on cue.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Jeong Myeong, Plum Blossom Sword Master of the Volcanic Sect."
"Ah, the great hero Se Jaeo of the Man-gold battlefield."
Hanbin cupped his fists politely. But Se Jaeo, the Volcanic Sect's Plum Blossom Sword Master Jeong Myeong, narrowed his eyes and glared.
Calling him "Se Jaeo of Man-gold" instead of his sect title was a jab.
Se Jaeo continued,
"The reason I came to see you is..."
"One moment, Great Hero Se Jaeo. I'm in a rush—I'll greet you properly later."
"Hey now, such impatience. I'm offering to teach you Volcanic swordsmanship myself. Opportunities like this don't come often."
Finishing, Se Jaeo smirked faintly. Eyes hungry to sate his curiosity—and expecting something in return.