Chapter 66. Temporary Disciple (3)
Hanbin had brought the contract for a simple reason.
It stemmed from Hong Chilgae's personality—he hated being tied down in one place.
Even if they formed a master-disciple bond, Hong Chilgae wasn't the type to stick around forever.
Hanbin only needed him for a set period.
And he'd tailored the contract accordingly.
Hong Chilgae listened intently at first, but soon grew half-hearted, just waiting for Hanbin's explanation to end.
Truth be told, the early parts were explained slowly enough to follow. But as it went on, Hanbin picked up speed. By the end, he was talking so fast that no one could keep up, even if they wanted to.
The key point was just one thing: if either party wanted to break the contract, it would turn to scraps of paper.
He nodded like a puppet on strings.
Once finished, Hanbin pointed to the bottom of the page.
"Please sign here."
"Here?"
"Yes."
"But..."
As Hong Chilgae hesitated again, Hanbin scratched his head and added,
"That's why I added this just in case: probationary period."
He pointed to one section of the contract.
Hong Chilgae tilted his head.
"What's this 'probationary' business mean?"
"It's a trial period to get to know each other. Three months long."
"Was there such a thing?"
"I explained it. Right here. What if I don't meet your standards, Master? You're famous in the jianghu for your high standards. I'm worried this dull disciple might go against your wishes."
Hong Chilgae's faintly suspicious expression melted away at the added explanation.
"Well, fair enough..."
He trailed off. This wasn't for the disciple's sake—it was consideration for the master, himself.
If such a system had existed back then, he might've taken disciples more easily.
Scratch, scratch.
Hong Chilgae signed with a broad grin.
"This part has the same terms. Sign here too..."
Hong Chilgae and Hanbin both signed the two copies side by side.
After exchanging contracts, Hanbin smiled, fanned the paper dry, and said,
With everything settled, Hanbin handed his copy to So Daeseop.
"Keep this safe."
"Understood, my lord."
Perhaps from the relief of it all being done, So Daeseop bowed deeply without thinking.
He carefully reviewed the contract terms.
Then let out an involuntary yelp.
"Gasp."
"What's wrong, Daeseop?"
"Give me a moment. Sim, deputy commander."
So Daeseop's face turned strangely resolute.
A moment later,
Once Hong Chilgae had gone to unpack in his room, guided by Jangsan, So Daeseop spread out the contract.
"Looks like our lord's gone and roped in a wild horse."
"What do you mean?"
"This contract's absurd. It's called a master-disciple pact, but it's basically a slave deed."
"Slave deed? Who's the slave? Our lord?"
"No way."
So Daeseop shook his head weakly, and Sim Miho sighed.
"Sigh. Looks like our lord pulled off something shady."
"The problem is we're accomplices too."
So Daeseop found himself staring at the ceiling.
The next morning.
Hong Chilgae stood in the training grounds of Cheonsu Manor, dressed impeccably.
For the first time in sixty years of beggar life, he'd changed into clean clothes, but they felt awkward—he kept fiddling with them.
"Hm, maybe I should go back to my old rags..."
"No, Master."
"Hey now, I don't mind."
"Absolutely not. Honoring your teacher properly is a disciple's duty. While you're here, I want to treat you to the best."
"Heh, what a guy."
Hong Chilgae stroked his beard. Clothes make the man, they say—and he looked like an enlightened immortal now.
Even if he claimed to be from Volcanic or Wudang, anyone would buy it.
After fussing over his outfit for a while, Hong Chilgae finally spoke.
"You've passed the final test."
"Pardon? Final test?"
Hanbin tilted his head, and Hong Chilgae pulled out yesterday's contract. He held it out.
Hanbin made no move to take it.
He'd seen this coming.
With a smirk, he glanced at the letter in his hand.
Flames whooshed up from it.
Sim Miho, watching from the side, gaped.
"Sam mae jin hwa!"
A technique only the pinnacle of Super Peak could unleash.
Hong Chilgae continued, ignoring the stares around him.
"Know what this means?"
"You've decided to accept me as a true disciple. Contracts are made with the heart, not paper."
"Sharp kid. I've wandered the land seeking disciples with benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and fidelity. But yesterday, I realized the true talent I seek has one more trait."
"What's that?"
"Deceit."
"I'm too dim to grasp your meaning."
"Don't play dumb. I won't have my disciple lose anywhere or get stabbed in the back. I looked over that contract yesterday—you're no pushover. Or more precisely, you won't even pick fights you can't win."
"Then I'll give you my answer."
Hanbin pulled out his contract too.
He tossed it into the air; it fluttered away on the wind.
At the same time, he drew Wol-a from his waist.
Shing!
'Jeon-gwang-seok-hwa.'
'Ilchokjikbal.'
Hanbin slashed the flying paper mid-air.
It split in half. Another stroke quartered it.
In a blink, he'd reduced the contract to dust.
Hong Chilgae's expression shifted.
"Impressive achievements for one so young. Outstanding!"
"Oh? You think so? I'm not that great..."
Hanbin accepted the praise with an awkward smile.
This wasn't the end of the contract—it was the beginning.
Well, Hanbin had done exactly what Hong Chilgae wanted. Courtesy of memories from his past life, of course.
Had he won Hong Chilgae's heart?
Hanbin didn't think so.
He'd only piqued his curiosity. But for now, Hong Chilgae would stay.
Once that curiosity was sated?
He'd leave without a second thought.
Hanbin figured the shelf life was at least six months.
That would satisfy him.
Reading Hanbin's face, Hong Chilgae said,
"The Beggars' Clan doesn't have named disciples like the Nine Great Sects. Wear the knot I give you, and you'll have clan's privileges—even without it, you're my disciple. Just without the perks."
"What perks?"
"Beggarly ones."
"Then I'll pass on the knot."
Hanbin bowed slightly, and Hong Chilgae chuckled.
"Take it anyway. It's my gift."
He extended his right hand.
Whoosh!
A knot flew through the air.
Hanbin caught it effortlessly.
His eyes widened upon inspection.
It was a red knot.
The first knot given to the lowborn, meaning "enjoy long life."
Hanbin tucked it away.
After a brief exchange of courtesies, Hong Chilgae returned to his quarters.
But the onlookers were speechless.
Sim Miho rushed over first.
"My lord, what happened?"
"What's with you, Deputy Sim?"
"You clearly tricked Elder Wu-jae last night."
"And that's a problem?"
"He seemed to notice overnight, but instead of getting mad, he looked pleased. That's weird."
"If I hadn't struck first, he'd have tested me by stabbing me in the back anyway."
"How'd you know?"
"Folks who live by the blade all have similar habits."
"..."
Sim Miho just stared at Hanbin in silence.
Then he pulled something from his bosom and handed it to her.
"Keep this safe."
"What's this?"
"The contract."
"What contract?"
"Come on, Deputy Sim, don't be like that. You sound like some greenhorn from the jianghu."
"I'm seriously asking."
"Then read it."
Sim Miho glanced at the letter, and her eyes bulged.
"This is the master-disciple contract. But that one got shredded in the air earlier..."
She alternated glances between the sky and the paper, recalling the scene.
"Deputy Sim. In the jianghu, you lose the moment emotions take over. Grab every advantage till the end. Elder Wu-jae probably spotted the weird parts last night and tossed and turned over it. Brute force could've ended it, but he can't give up what he wants. He's got the power to flip the board anytime, unlike small fry like me—we can't afford to let go of any edge."
Finishing, Hanbin smirked toward where Hong Chilgae had vanished.
Sim Miho glanced at So Daeseop.
They exchanged looks.
She nodded. She shared his feelings.
All their admiration had crumbled.
Then Hanbin dropped a meaningful line.
"You two didn't see what was on that shredded letter, right?"
"My lord, how could we?"
So Daeseop jumped, and Hanbin laughed.
"Haha. Elder Wu-jae did. Now that he's got a temporary disciple, maybe he should change his nickname?"
So Daeseop's eyes widened.
Lately, he'd often felt like a puppy facing a tiger. Today was no different.
At the same time, Hong Chilgae, heading to the dining hall guided by Cheolno, paused and looked back.
Of course, Hanbin would be there.
He'd gained a prime talent with all five virtues—but too clever by half.
Especially heavy on the wisdom.
Today, the phrase "excess is as bad as deficiency" hit home.
This was a fitting first greeting. For now, he'd stay and satisfy his curiosity about Hanbin first.
A smile crept across Hong Chilgae's lips unbidden.
Then Cheolno spoke.
"Elder."
"Yes?"
"Do masters and disciples naturally resemble each other?"
At the out-of-left-field question, Hong Chilgae narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean, Cheolno?"
"Your face matched our young master's perfectly just now. Amazing."
"Heh."
Hong Chilgae let out a hollow chuckle.
Whether that was an insult or praise, he'd decide later. For now, he resumed walking.
Three weeks later, at a ferry post on the southern edge of Hebei.
This post was quite famous in Hebei.
The Zhang Ha River marked the border with Henan, and distant Zhengmun Mountain loomed.
With its azure dragon to the left and white tiger to the right, the scenery was breathtaking.
Another reason for its fame: it was run by Jeong Hwa, second wife of the Hebei Paeng Family.
Originally owned by the Henan Jeong Family.
But the family head had given it to his daughter upon her marriage away.
His final gift to the girl becoming a Hebei woman.
Today was Jeong Hwa's monthly visit to manage the place.
She sat on the top floor, the third story.
No guests allowed today.
Jeong Hwa sipped her tea, gazing at the distant Zhang Ha River.