The Temporary Disciple (2)
“Hmm.”
Hong Chilgae cleared his throat awkwardly, his face flushing a deep red.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d misjudged the situation.
At that moment, Han Bin’s bright, innocent voice rang out.
“But why are you so flustered, Beggar Grandpa?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“You’re even stumbling over your words.”
“No, hand that swallow over to me. I’ll put it back up there.”
Hong Chilgae pointed to the swallow’s nest high up on the pillar behind him.
“Right there, yeah?”
“Yes, that’s it.”
Han Bin smiled and handed over the baby swallow.
“Here you go. But can you really reach that high?”
“Of course.”
“For real?”
“Yeah, I’ll get it up there.”
“Then goodbye, Grandpa.”
After walking a good distance, Han Bin stopped and turned back toward Hong Chilgae, shouting.
“Beggar Grandpa, don’t eat that swallow! Pretty please!”
“Hem.”
Hong Chilgae’s cheeks burned red again.
Han Bin turned away with a pure, innocent grin.
But as he did, the corners of his mouth slowly curled upward.
He looked just like a fisherman who’d cast the perfect bait.
And Beggar Clan’s Hong Chilgae had bitten—hook, line, and sinker.
What Han Bin had shown him this time was Benevolence—the benevolence he always preached about most.
Meanwhile, Hong Chilgae stared at his hands as he watched Han Bin walk away.
In one hand, the baby swallow.
In the other, a single silver coin.
He quickly tucked the coin into his robe and launched into the air.
Whoosh.
Thud.
Kicking off the pillar, Hong Chilgae soared upward like a bird and swiftly placed the baby swallow back in its nest.
Flick.
The motion was so fluid and natural it was hard to believe.
Landing back on the ground, Hong Chilgae muttered to himself without realizing it.
“Did you see that?”
But there was no one to answer.
For some reason, that young man from earlier stuck in his mind.
He hadn’t gotten to ask everything amid the fluster, but hiding behind him without a sound?
No matter how he thought about it, it didn’t make sense.
And come to think of it, he hadn’t sensed any energy from him at all.
On top of that, flicking a pebble with the flat of his sword to snap a branch?
And showing mercy by saving the baby swallow?
“Ha!”
Hong Chilgae let out an involuntary exclamation.
The boy he’d just seen embodied all of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness—true benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust. A genuine talent.
Of course, he needed confirmation.
Hong Chilgae shot off toward where Han Bin had disappeared.
Tap.
After traveling some distance, Hong Chilgae came to a halt.
No matter where he looked, Han Bin was nowhere to be seen.
No one could vanish like this without using lightness skill.
That’s when he spotted merchants setting up stalls in the market.
Hong Chilgae decided to ask them.
“Excuse me, could I ask you something? You see, a young man in a red martial robe…”
As soon as he described Han Bin’s appearance, the merchant recognized him immediately.
“Oh, you mean the youngest young master of the Hebei Paeng Family? He’s pretty famous around Hebei—the biggest coward there is…”
“Famous? Coward?”
Hong Chilgae’s eyes widened.
* * *
Han Bin strolled toward the main gate of Cheonsu Manor with his wooden sword at his side.
It was about the time it took to sip a cup of tea from here to Cheonsu Manor.
He’d arrived quite early today, too.
Of course, it was all thanks to smart use of Lightning Flash and One Touch, Instant Strike.
His stamina had taken a noticeable hit from pushing himself.
But there was no need to worry. It would all recover in just twelve hours.
Upon reaching the gate, today’s guards—Jang Sam and Jo Ho—greeted him warmly.
“My lord, are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
Han Bin waved it off, but Jang Sam tilted his head, scanning him from head to toe.
Han Bin knew what that meant.
No trouble today?
He waved his hand dismissively.
“Jang Sam, what are you doing? People might think I’m some reckless punk causing chaos everywhere.”
“Haha, was I imagining things? Sorry, my lord.”
Jang Sam scratched his head.
Of course, his true thoughts were different.
The image of Han Bin shaking down the northern sects and families in Absol Valley was still fresh in his mind.
That had seriously undercut his lord’s accomplishments, in Jang Sam’s opinion.
To him, the ideal Han Bin was the one from before Absol Valley.
Seeing Jang Sam’s worried look, Han Bin replied nonchalantly.
“Jang Sam, your face gives everything away. You’ll never get a girlfriend with expressions like that.”
“What do you mean? Even someone like me has that girl next door…”
As Jang Sam started fumbling like a fool, Jo Ho poked his side.
“That’s a secret, mister. We’re keeping it quiet so you can make a move.”
“Ah, I wasn’t saying… Sorry, my lord.”
“Haha, it’s fine. Jo Ho, I always welcome a good snitch on gossip like that.”
Han Bin waved with a friendly smile, but Jang Sam quickly cut in.
“Jo Ho, enough now. Let the lord rest. Don’t keep bothering him.”
Realizing his slip, Jo Ho snapped to attention.
For some odd reason, chatting with Han Bin made truths spill out effortlessly.
Seeing Jo Ho flustered, Han Bin said,
“Alright, carry on. See you tomorrow, men.”
Just as Han Bin turned to enter,
A dust cloud billowed in the distance as someone raced toward them.
At the unnatural speed, Jang Sam and Jo Ho gripped their sabers tightly.
“My lord, looks like you stirred up trouble again. Go inside first.”
“Yeah, we’ll handle this.”
Jang Sam blocked Han Bin with his body and pulled out a horn whistle from his robe.
Screeech!
Immediately, the grounds inside Cheonsu Manor stirred to life.
The first to rush out was Mangho Squad leader So Daeseop.
Gliding in like a swallow on lightness skill, his face was etched with here we go again worry.
So Daeseop repeated the same mantra inwardly.
Act natural. As natural as possible.
He was one of the key players in the drama about to unfold.
Of course, Jang Sam and Jo Ho, on gate duty, knew nothing of the plan—they’d respond with full sincerity.
* * *
Finally, the dust cloud halted before the gate.
Jo Ho stepped forward, thrusting his saber out to bar the way.
He wouldn’t strike first, but he’d draw if they advanced further.
As the thick dust cleared, a figure emerged.
Jo Ho tilted his head.
He looked way too unassuming.
His clothes were patched everywhere, with a single gourd at his waist.
A dead ringer for a beggar.
And his gleaming eyes seemed a bit off.
But most importantly, the man was a master.
Jo Ho calmly withdrew his saber and cupped his fists.
“I’m Jo Ho, guarding Cheonsu Manor’s main gate. If it’s not too much trouble, may I have your esteemed name?”
“I’m Hong Chilgae of the Beggar Clan.”
Jo Ho’s jaw dropped. He gathered himself and forced out the words.
“Hong Chilgae, senior? Are you… the elder of the Beggar Clan, one of the Righteous Hundred Masters, the Weaponless Child?”
With no prior info, it was a perfectly natural reaction.
As Jo Ho asked in a trembling voice, Hong Chilgae nodded without changing expression.
“That’s me.”
At the confirmation, Jo Ho’s face stiffened slightly.
That’s when he noticed the knot at the man’s waist.
One of the Righteous Hundred Masters? A rare guest—no, a first in his lifetime.
An elder of the Beggar Clan and a Hundred Master. Just his status alone made Jo Ho freeze up.
He completely forgot he’d recently reached first-rate.
Then it hit him.
The issue was whether this man was friend or foe.
Jo Ho asked gravely,
“So, what brings you here?”
Hong Chilgae didn’t answer, instead looking up at the gate plaque.
Cheonsu Manor
Narrowing his eyes, Hong Chilgae recalled the info he’d gotten from the Hebei branch chief recently.
Cheonsu Manor had fallen into the hands of the Hebei Paeng Family’s youngest young master.
The merchant’s words earlier hadn’t clicked with the “non-entity” youngest son.
But now he knew exactly.
The bizarre actions of Hebei’s top coward.
The Beggar Clan was treating it as upgraded intel now.
Back then, he’d chalked it up to qi deviation causing erratic behavior.
But Han Bin yesterday and today had shaken Hong Chilgae’s convictions.
After staring at the plaque for a long moment, he nodded as if it all made sense.
The Hebei Paeng Family—one of the Northern Five Great Families!
Like father, like son—no wonder under that tiger.
“Just as I thought!”
Muttering as if he’d figured it out, Hong Chilgae unwittingly released his aura.
Seeing him amp up even more at the sight of Cheonsu Manor’s plaque, Jo Ho tensed further.
As Jo Ho gritted his teeth, bracing for what was coming, Hong Chilgae asked,
“Let me ask again.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“This is the home of the Hebei Paeng Family’s youngest young master, right?”
At the question, Jo Ho’s face screamed it’s over.
“That’s true, but did our lord do something…”
His voice shook badly.
A Righteous Hundred Master had just named the youngest young master.
Another scam?
Or did he beat up a Beggar Clan disciple half to death?
Or foist some shady slave contract on one of Hong Chilgae’s acquaintances?
Nothing good came to mind when it involved his lord.
And charging here in such a hurry? Definitely not something to brush off.
As Jo Ho shuddered, imagining doom for the Paeng Family, a bright voice came from behind.
“What brings you here, Beggar Grandpa?”
It was bizarre.
Han Bin’s voice instantly snapped the taut thread of tension.
Addressing a Righteous Hundred Master like that?
Jo Ho and Jang Sam couldn’t even fathom it.
As the two wondered, Han Bin brushed dust off his clothes and stepped toward Hong Chilgae.
Snapping to, Jang Sam blocked him.
“My lord, we’ll handle this.”
“Handle what, Jang Sam?”
“Well…”
Jang Sam trailed off, glancing between Han Bin and Hong Chilgae.
The awkwardness made Hong Chilgae cough repeatedly.
“Ahem, ahem.”
Han Bin stood casually before Hong Chilgae.
“Beggar Grandpa, what’s with the dust storm? You’re no runaway carriage. I thought horse thieves were after me!”
With Han Bin in front of him, Hong Chilgae dropped all his aura, turning into a kindly neighborhood grandpa.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Look at this. My favorite robe’s covered in dust.”
Han Bin shook his sleeve, pointing at the falling dust.
He wasn’t wrong.
The red martial robe was caked in yellowish dirt, like a warhorse that’d galloped a thousand leagues.
Hong Chilgae was thrown off more than a bit.
The kid had clearly heard his name from behind the guards, yet his attitude hadn’t changed a whit.
Same as their first meeting.
“Sorry about that.”
“So, what brings you here? Need more money? Uh, isn’t that a bit lacking in conscience?”
Han Bin tilted his head.