Good Guy, Bad Guy, Badder Guy (2)
Hanbin always carried writing tools with him to draft slave contracts on the fly.
A multifaceted talent versed in both letters and martial arts? Even Shim Miho, who respected her lord, thought that was a stretch.
But Kang Yuchan, brush in hand, remained oblivious to the reactions around him.
With swift, fluid strokes, he dashed off the words he wanted onto the paper.
Thud.
Finally, he set down the brush.
After carefully reviewing what he'd written, Kang Yuchan handed the letter to Hanbin.
"Give this to him when he wakes up."
"Yes, sir."
"It's meant for your eyes too, so read it before you pass it on."
"Of course."
Hanbin glanced at the letter, and his eyes widened.
Do not return to the Volcanic Sect until you have avenged this defeat.
I will personally inform the sect of this.
Furthermore, entrust the Plum Blossom Three Scriptures and Plum Blossom Token to Hanbin immediately upon waking.
The contents were straightforward: Se Jaeo was not to return to the Volcanic Sect until he'd gotten revenge for this loss. Kang Yuchan would notify the sect himself. And upon waking, Se Jaeo was to hand over the Plum Blossom Three Scriptures and Plum Blossom Token to Hanbin.
In other words, Kang Yuchan was stepping up to acknowledge the duel agreement. His only instruction was for Se Jaeo to defeat Hanbin and reclaim the precious Volcanic treasures.
Hanbin's expression shifted by the moment. Noticing this, Kang Yuchan spoke up.
"Did I place too heavy a burden on my little brother?"
"No, it's just... did you say 'little brother' just now?"
"I did. So treat me casually from now on."
"Got it, big brother."
Hanbin offered a small fist salute, and Kang Yuchan continued.
"If the letter's terms feel burdensome, we can pretend this never happened."
"No way. It's just one more duel down the line—what's the big deal? Consider it done."
"Haha, thank you. Then I'll owe you one, little brother."
"You got it. I'll etch that IOU deep in my heart."
Kang Yuchan chuckled at Hanbin's playful banter.
For the time it took to share a cup of tea, their conversation flowed with laughter.
Watching him, Hanbin swallowed a wry internal chuckle.
Kang Yuchan's manner toward him had shifted with every passing moment.
From "young master" at first, to "you" next.
And finally, "little brother."
Hanbin figured every title carried political intent.
Was Kang Yuchan truly acknowledging him from the heart?
Half yes, half no—that was Hanbin's read.
This letter reprimanded Se Jaeo while saving face for the Volcanic Sect.
It reframed the loss of the Plum Blossom Three Scriptures and Plum Blossom Token as a temporary loan, while obligating Hanbin to another duel.
Would that burden Hanbin?
Not at all, he could say with confidence.
The smile he showed Kang Yuchan was genuine.
Because this letter was a weapon in Hanbin's hands.
Wrapping up their talk, Kang Yuchan bid Hanbin farewell and called to his men.
"Alright! Time to head back."
He raised his golden longsword high, and the disciplined Imperial Guards turned as one.
It was like a puppeteer pulling strings on hundreds of dolls—flawless, without a single misalignment.
Clop. Clop.
They marched off the way they'd come.
The crowd watched the Geumuiwi's splendid departure in awe.
Someone snapped out of it and muttered.
"What the hell did we just witness? The Geumuiwi really came and went, right?"
"Yeah, I know that Kang Yuchan guy. Think his title was Blue Spirit or something."
"Ah, so Blue Spirit of the Volcanic Sect is him. What was he chatting about with Hebei Paeng Family's youngest young master?"
"Looks like the kid's got ties to the Imperial Court."
"Oh ho. Could be."
"Maybe that's why Se Jaeo went easy—court connections?"
"Nah, come on. You saw that duel. No way that was going easy."
"True enough."
As everyone who'd watched the duel buzzed with chatter, the long day drew to a close.
Heading back to his quarters, Hanbin pulled a pouch from his bosom that Kang Yuchan had given him.
Inside was a red jade plaque.
Hanbin tilted his head at it.
It looked valuable, but no treasure.
He tucked it away casually.
Since it was meant to be kept hidden, he'd probably never use it.
Hanbin figured it symbolized his ties to the court.
That night, in Lady Jeonghwa's quarters.
Lady Jeonghwa pulled out her album of paintings again.
Flip.
She paused at the page where the character "four" hid behind an orchid.
She glared at the "four"—now painted over black beyond recognition.
She couldn't make sense of today's events.
The youngest defeating a super peak master from the Volcanic Sect?
With nowhere to vent her rage, she slammed the innocent table.
Thud, thud.
After a moment, she stopped, nodding as if she'd found her answer.
"He was that boy's man from the start. That's why I lost."
That was Lady Jeonghwa's conclusion.
Se Jaeo of the Volcanic Sect had to have been bought off by the youngest young master, Hanbin.
She'd wanted to leave right after the duel, but couldn't—not with her invited guest Se Jaeo still out cold.
She'd been forced to endure the irritating Geumuiwi spectacle.
The real trouble came after they left.
The awakened Se Jaeo declared he'd stay by Hanbin's side.
In that absurd situation, Lady Jeonghwa could only turn away without a word.
She had no contract binding her mere guest, Se Jaeo.
He'd probably offered the guy more money.
Fuming, Lady Jeonghwa tore out the page symbolizing Hanbin.
But she shook her head.
She knew she had to fight this foe with reason, not emotion.
Acknowledge what must be acknowledged, abandon what must be abandoned swiftly—that was the path to her great ambition.
After deep thought, Lady Jeonghwa opened her eyes.
Her pupils gleamed. Her expression shifted, and she snapped her fingers.
Not a trace of worry lingered on her face.
Snap.
A guard entered at the sound.
Lady Jeonghwa's gaze toward him was like winter's thin ice.
She'd regained her composure, her true self.
"Deliver this letter to Henan."
"Yes, ma'am."
The guard saluted and vanished from her sight.
A week later, at Cheonsu Manor.
Hanbin strode briskly. Trailing him was yesterday's duel opponent, Se Jaeo, shouting as he chased.
"Where do you think you're running off to?"
Hanbin stopped and turned at the cry.
"Man, this guy's still not getting it."
"Not getting what?"
"Why keep throwing tantrums?"
"Tantrums? My body's recovered—accept my challenge already."
"What does recovery have to do with dueling?"
"Didn't you read the letter? I can't go back to the Volcanic Sect without beating you."
"And that's my problem how?"
"Hey, that's no way to speak to your martial uncle."
"Ugh, always bringing up seniority. Is that really so important?"
"In the jangho, seniority is truth. Juniors obey their seniors—that's the way of the world..."
"So that applies to us too?"
"Naturally. As long as it doesn't stray from the righteous path, juniors follow seniors' orders. That's the law."
"Hmm."
Hanbin cleared his throat. This was nonsense.
It held in the same sect, sure. But different sects? No.
Was he saying a junior had to fake death if a senior from another sect ordered it?
Ridiculous. But Se Jaeo insisted, and younger Hanbin couldn't just brush him off.
Resolving himself, Hanbin pressed on.
"Then can you promise?"
"Promise what?"
"That even across sects, juniors must obey seniors."
"Why promise something so obvious? It's basic jangho etiquette."
"Promise me."
"Fine, I promise."
Se Jaeo grinned broadly. Hanbin glanced around.
Momentarily, he spotted something and shouted.
"Master!"
Footsteps rustled from somewhere.
Rustle, snap.
Hong Chilgae appeared, deploying the Gugeol Ship-pal-bo.
At Hong Chilgae's arrival, Se Jaeo narrowed his eyes.
He'd seen him duel day, and now a week later.
He recalled Hanbin calling him master.
But unknown origins.
Any true murim master, he'd know. This was a stranger.
Probably some backwater Hebei hotshot.
Se Jaeo figured he'd shrink before the Volcanic Sect.
Of course, Se Jaeo didn't know what happened after he passed out.
He'd woken that day but lain in Cheonsu Manor's infirmary until yesterday.
As Se Jaeo eyed Hong Chilgae lightly, Hanbin spoke.
"Master, this guy..."
Before he finished, Hong Chilgae cut in.
"I heard it all."
He waved dismissively at Se Jaeo.
Grinning with white teeth, he leaned forward like a cat spotting a mouse.
Se Jaeo stepped back at the glint in his eyes.
"What the hell?"
"What?"
"Who are you to act so rudely toward me?"
"Just one question: How's your sect leader doing?"
"Gasp! Who dares insult the Grand Volcanic Sect Leader?"
"Heh, now that you mention it, it's been ages since I saw him. He was such a cute kid back then..."
At Hong Chilgae's absurd words, Se Jaeo's eyes bulged.
"Who... who the hell are you?"
"Me? Hong Chilgae of the Beggar Clan. They call me the Mujaeja. Wait, now I've got a disciple, so Yu-jaeja maybe..."
"Gasp."
Se Jaeo's eyes widened to their limit. He quickly sized up Hong Chilgae.
Mujaeja Hong Chilgae? Impossible not to know.
He'd visited Volcanic Sect countless times.
A wanderer who never stayed put—here one day, Kunlun the next. Beggar Clan master.
Seniority?
Nine Great Beggars matched Nine Great Schools, so martial granduncle level.
Se Jaeo shook his head. Too neat for a beggar.
As he pondered, Hong Chilgae flipped back his white martial robe's sash.
A Beggar Clan knot gleamed.
Se Jaeo's eyes widened again.
Then Hanbin's clear voice pierced his ears.
"Since you've made a promise, how about a serious talk on seniority, martial nephew?"
"......"
Se Jaeo stared silently at Hanbin.
No words came, try as he might.
The seniority talk was spilled milk.
Could he take it back?
Se Jaeo shook his head.
Best to beat Hanbin in a duel and escape.
"Haha, before we fuss over seniority, let's duel first..."
Hanbin cut him off.