72. Good Guy, Bad Guy, Badder Guy (1)
Sim Miho and So Daeseop, who had been watching the scene from a safe distance, had now quietly taken up positions beside Han Bin.
As everyone swallowed hard, Kang Yu-chan issued his command.
"Open the box."
"Yes, sir."
With a creak, the box swung open, revealing the gifts bestowed by the emperor himself.
Han Bin's eyes widened in an instant.
Inside lay a pair of daggers alongside a hefty pile of gold.
The gold made sense, but daggers?
Normally, when rewarding loyal subjects, wouldn't it be a long sword?
He wasn't in a position to be picky about hot or cold rice, but pure curiosity bubbled up anyway.
As if reading his expression, Kang Yu-chan spoke up.
"These are daggers forged from the claws of the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf. Those claws are even harder than the famed Darksteel of the West or the Millennia Cold Iron of the North Sea Ice Palace. His Majesty had daggers made from them as protective weapons—one each for the princes and princesses. The remaining two were commanded to be delivered to Young Master Paeng Hanbin."
At those words, Han Bin—armed with twenty years of past-life murim savvy—dropped to his knees without hesitation.
"Long live the emperor! Long, long live!"
Yeah, this was about the right level of deference.
Kang Yu-chan quickly helped him up.
"His Majesty commanded that you not show excessive formality to Young Master Paeng. And everyone knows your contributions more than warrant these gifts."
"Your praise is too much."
Han Bin clasped his hands in a formal fist salute.
But his eyes brimmed with questions.
Contributions? What contributions?
The gutted Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf?
Or the wolf extermination?
Sure, stabilizing the populace by wiping out the wolves was meritorious, but what he'd done was no different from any wandering hero cutting down bandits on the jianghu roads.
If every such hero got this treatment, the imperial treasury would run dry.
Han Bin ventured cautiously.
"This reward feels overly generous. I hardly know where to put myself."
"This is an imperial secret, but His Majesty wished a specific message conveyed to you."
Kang Yu-chan's face took on a meaningful cast.
Had Bin asked.
"What might that be...?"
Before he could finish, Kang Yu-chan replied in a hushed whisper.
"The inner core of the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf cured the Eighth Princess."
"Hm."
Han Bin narrowed his eyes. He'd certainly claimed that inner core. But suddenly it was back in play?
"That core was damaged at the time, though..."
"Ah, there's a common misconception among martial artists. Beasts and spirit creatures aren't limited to a single inner core."
A flicker of tension crossed Han Bin's gaze, but he quickly shook his head.
"I see."
Unbidden, tears welled in his eyes.
If he'd known, he never would've handed over the wolf right away.
Wasn't it jianghu etiquette to hold back the inner core for one's own cultivation growth?
Especially now that he knew he needed to cultivate both his innate energy and the Dragon Blood Divine Art. The bitterness stung all the more.
Reading his expression, Kang Yu-chan said,
"I'll report your loyalty to His Majesty. I didn't expect tears of joy like these. Both he and the princess will be delighted. And..."
Kang Yu-chan trailed off, rummaging urgently through his robes.
Like a parent digging for candy to soothe a crying child.
After a moment, he leaned in secretively.
Just listen.
'Huh?'
Han Bin startled. Kang Yu-chan had suddenly sent a sound transmission. And his tone had shifted too.
He schooled his features and nodded quickly. Kang Yu-chan continued the transmission.
This is a token bestowed in secret by His Majesty. Made from the imperial treasure, the Bloodstone Plaque. The emperor judged your character and commanded its bestowal. Seeing your expression, I know how loyally you serve the throne. Keep it hidden from others if possible. This is a personal request.
Finishing the transmission, Kang Yu-chan smiled and offered a small leather pouch.
"Here, take it."
"Thank you."
Han Bin accepted the pouch and tucked it away without checking.
Minus the transmission, their exchange looked perfectly ordinary.
"We'll take our leave now. Young master, with official business done, next time we meet, I'll speak freely as a friend."
Kang Yu-chan offered a fist salute, and Han Bin returned it deeply.
The head of the Royal Guard had shown Han Bin face only because he bore the emperor's decree.
"Speak freely" meant building personal ties.
And hadn't he already dropped formalities via transmission?
No way Han Bin would refuse.
"Please do."
"Until next time!"
Kang Yu-chan turned to go, then paused, tilting his head.
"Hm."
He cleared his throat, eyeing Han Bin.
Han Bin prompted quickly.
"Is something wrong, my lord?"
"I have a question, if you'll answer honestly?"
Switching to casual speech signaled private matters now.
Han Bin smiled brightly.
"Of course, go ahead."
"Your aura suggests you've at least reached the Peak realm."
"Yes, that's right."
"Then let me ask again. A Peak realm expert like you got beaten this badly?"
"It was just a light spar."
"A light spar? From the looks of your wounds, it was one-sided. That doesn't happen without real animosity. Not a life-or-death duel—who the hell did you spar with? Hm..."
He seemed full of questions but held back.
Han Bin had no intention of keeping the spar secret.
He grinned casually.
"I sparred with Hero Se Jaeo of the Volcanic Sect."
"Mm."
A groan escaped him, his eyes darkening. Han Bin asked quickly.
"What's wrong?"
"Where is Se Jaeo?"
A hint of anger edged his voice. Han Bin narrowed his eyes.
The Royal Guard head had ties to the Volcanic Sect, it seemed. Not unusual—major sects often served the throne.
"He's resting in the shade by the training ground."
Han Bin phrased it carefully. Truth was, Se Jaeo was unconscious, under Jang Ja-myeong's care.
The treatment spot was shady, and unconsciousness was as good as sleep, so "resting" fit.
Kang Yu-chan's eyebrows twitched.
Han Bin's hunch looked right.
"I'll go see that punk. Unleashing the Twenty-Seven Plum Blossom Sword in a mere spar—not a duel? I'll have words with him. Aiming to kill someone His Majesty himself watches? Unacceptable."
Kang Yu-chan huffed indignantly, face hardening. Han Bin waved him off hastily.
"I'm fine, really."
"No. The Volcanic Sect is my home sect."
As expected. Han Bin feigned ignorance.
"The Volcanic Sect is your alma mater?"
"Yes. I know Se Jaeo—a total wastrel. Finally caused real trouble."
As his voice rose, Han Bin put on a good-natured face.
"He's a wastrel, sure, but go easy on him. In spars, injuries like this are par for the course in the jianghu, aren't they?"
He lifted his right arm, revealing the tattered sleeve.
The glimpse of sword wound made Kang Yu-chan grimace.
"I'm grateful you're so understanding, but this crosses a line. He could've taught with light forms—instead, full-force Twenty-Seven Plum Blossoms? And now 'resting'? Hah."
"..."
Han Bin silently watched him. Kang Yu-chan clearly assumed Se Jaeo had won.
Ignoring the look, he pressed on.
"I'll hold him accountable."
With that, he removed his helmet, handing it to a subordinate.
Official business over—now personal.
Thud, thud.
Infusing his steps with energy, Kang Yu-chan snorted like an angry bull, heading for Se Jaeo.
Sim Miho tilted her head at the sight.
"What's going on here? It's like he's already decided our lord's the victim."
"Yeah. Both ended up in rags from that spar. And Se Jaeo went down last—why?"
So Daeseop scratched his head too.
While they whispered, Kang Yu-chan reached the shade and eyed Se Jaeo, who Jang Ja-myeong had just finished treating.
He looked peacefully asleep.
"Mm."
Another groan, eyes sharpening again.
Han Bin spoke cautiously.
"My lord, please don't scold young hero Se Jaeo too harshly."
Now "young hero," not "great hero."
"Beating someone and then sleeping it off so casually? Even for an arrogant fool..."
Kang Yu-chan trailed off.
Up close, Se Jaeo's state wasn't pretty either.
He turned to Han Bin.
"Who won the spar?"
"Me."
"Ah!"
A short, sharp exclamation burst out as emotions rippled across Kang Yu-chan's face.
Regaining composure, he asked,
"Mind explaining what happened?"
"Well..."
Han Bin detailed it all: the spar's start, their wager, and the finish.
Kang Yu-chan's feelings churned anew.
He furrowed his brow.
"So he's not just sleeping?"
"Unconscious—same as sleep."
"Ah, I see..."
Kang Yu-chan glanced skyward.
Awkward silence flowed, then he spoke gravely.
"One favor."
"Name it."
Han Bin bowed politely. Kang Yu-chan relaxed a bit.
"Fetch me some writing tools."
"Right away."
Han Bin nodded to Cheolno nearby.
Having overheard, Cheolno grabbed a bundle from a few paces away.
Kang Yu-chan tilted his head as Han Bin took it and smiled.
"Writing tools here."
He unrolled the bundle, spread paper, set out inkstone and ink, and offered the brush deferentially.
Kang Yu-chan blinked, surprised.
"You carry these everywhere?"
"I love calligraphy, so yes."
"Hah, a true scholar-warrior..."
"Too kind, my lord."
Han Bin saluted modestly. Kang Yu-chan eyed him approvingly.
Sim Miho, watching, turned away with a tsk.
Ridiculous.
Those were his ever-ready slave contract tools, weren't they?
Like a fisherman with his net or a farmer with his plow.