I'll Lay the Trap (2)
She was a talented individual skilled more in schemes than martial arts.
In some ways, even more troublesome than Second Young Master Paeng Kyungbin.
As Hanbin examined their faces, Paeng Kyungbin clasped his hands in greeting before Law Enforcement Leader Paeng Daewi.
"Greetings, Uncle."
"Greetings, Law Enforcement Leader."
Sim Miho followed with her own greeting, but Paeng Daewi waved her off dismissively.
"Skip the formalities. State your business."
Paeng Daewi's tone was utterly businesslike.
At his words, Sim Miho, leader of Second Young Master's guard squad, stepped forward.
"A few days ago, we received intelligence that Paeng Family manuals were leaking to the outside."
"And?"
"While investigating based on that tip, we caught evidence today."
"What evidence?"
Paeng Daewi asked curtly.
"I personally witnessed So Daeseop hiding manuals to smuggle them out."
At that moment, So Daeseop shouted.
"I never did such a thing..."
Before he could finish, Paeng Daewi snapped his fingers.
So Daeseop's words cut off instantly.
His pressure points had been sealed.
Judging the situation had turned in his favor, Second Young Master Paeng Kyungbin stepped forward.
"It's certain. I stake my honor on it. Please investigate thoroughly."
Then, Hanbin, who had been watching from the back, slyly interjected.
"Everyone's condemning Squad Leader So Daeseop based solely on testimony. What if he's not the culprit? What then?"
Paeng Kyungbin narrowed his eyes.
He spoke as if annoyed.
"Are you saying I'm lying?"
"Lie or not, what if it's not true? What will you do then, Second Young Master?"
At the sudden change in address, Paeng Kyungbin narrowed his eyes again.
"Not 'Second Brother,' but 'Second Young Master'?"
It was a declaration of treating this as an official, non-familial matter.
Of course, having been bested by Hanbin just a week ago, he couldn't take him lightly.
But this time, with thorough preparation, confidence surged through his shoulders.
Paeng Kyungbin barely suppressed his rising smirk and spoke.
"They said you were mad, and now you're even mixing up titles."
"..."
Hanbin lowered his head and chuckled silently.
He had just spotted another cluster of yellow points granting the Yongrin Sword Art.
From the same Second Young Master as before.
There were two clusters.
In short, a jackpot.
One was on Paeng Kyungbin's face, the other on Sim Miho's back.
Hanbin unconsciously swallowed hard.
He wanted to absorb them right now, but defeating them in a spar and taking the formulas wouldn't be easy.
He had to bide his time.
Just then, Hanbin felt a sharp gaze and looked up.
The source was Law Enforcement Leader Paeng Daewi.
Paeng Daewi narrowed his eyes and spoke.
"Youngest. When you interject like this, you need grounds. If there's no evidence, I'll punish you strictly by family law."
The atmosphere chilled at Paeng Daewi's words.
Hanbin bowed slightly, his expression unchanged.
"Uncle—no, Law Enforcement Leader. Do you have evidence right now?"
"Their testimony is the evidence."
Paeng Daewi pointed at Paeng Kyungbin and Sim Miho.
Hanbin narrowed his eyes.
"And if I claim he's innocent? Does that count as evidence too?"
"Hm."
Paeng Daewi swallowed a grunt.
He prided himself on upholding Paeng Family rules more fairly than anyone.
But Hanbin's words forced him to admit his scales had already tipped.
After a moment's thought, Paeng Daewi said,
"What do you stake on your testimony? Honor? Money? Your life?"
"I have no honor, no money, and I don't value my life."
Laughter leaked from the surroundings at Hanbin's unwavering reply, furrowing Paeng Daewi's brow.
"Then what will you stake?"
"My guard squad."
The room erupted in murmurs.
Hanbin's guards from the Protection Squad reacted first.
"Why drag us into this?"
"Youngest Young Master, this is too much!"
"Damn it!"
Except for So Daeseop, they could still speak, and their resentful voices boiled over.
Other voices chimed in sporadically.
"Is this mutual destruction?"
"He's not right in the head."
"No words for this. Dodging his squad assignment was a blessing. Gotta pick the right side..."
As the commotion grew, Paeng Daewi slammed his greatsword into the floor.
Boom!
The resounding impact shook the Law Enforcement Hall, silencing everyone.
Paeng Daewi swept a fierce gaze around before turning to Hanbin.
"Very well. I accept your testimony as evidence."
"But on one condition. The law must be equal for all. They should stake the same to have their evidence accepted."
Paeng Daewi turned at Hanbin's words.
Meeting his gaze, Paeng Kyungbin scowled.
"That doesn't make sense, Uncle..."
Paeng Daewi cut him off.
"This is official business. Don't call me Uncle. What do you stake on your testimony?"
Glancing at Sim Miho, who nodded confidently, Paeng Kyungbin replied reluctantly.
"...I'll stake my guard squad too."
Paeng Daewi raised his massive blade high.
The technique, Mangho Cheonha of the Paeng Family—capable of blocking all attacks with a single move—whistled through the air with infused inner power.
Wham!
The room resonated like a bell.
As the echo faded, Paeng Daewi declared,
"This blade remembers your oath."
He strode over and released So Daeseop's sealed points with heavy steps.
Then, with a nod, he indicated the Law Enforcement warriors.
They immediately unbound the ropes.
Freed, So Daeseop rushed to Hanbin, bowing deeply with clasped hands.
"Young Master, for my sake..."
"Shh. The real game starts now. Stay sharp."
Finishing with a grin, Hanbin turned to Second Young Master Paeng Kyungbin.
"Let's see your evidence first."
Paeng Kyungbin looked at Hanbin with ridicule.
"Digging your own grave! Fool."
After a mocking glance, he ordered his guard leader Sim Miho.
"Lead the way, Squad Leader Sim Miho."
"Yes. As you command."
Sim Miho bowed deeply and took the lead.
Moments later, everyone gathered at the Protection Squad's barracks.
Paeng Daewi scanned the room before ordering his subordinates.
"Search every inch."
The warriors dispersed, gathering every book and piling them before Paeng Daewi.
He squinted, inspecting each one.
"Iron Blood Blade Art? Not confidential."
He tossed it casually aside.
"Six Harmonies Sword Art?"
Paeng Daewi eyed So Daeseop.
"A Paeng guard practicing sword arts?"
As he glanced around, So Daeseop quickly explained.
"My apologies. I studied it to counter swordsmen."
"Fine. Moving on..."
Paeng Daewi sighed while checking the books.
The manual Paeng Kyungbin had accused him of—Ohodanmundo, unannounced but specified—was absent.
Five Tiger Gate-Cutting Blade, a supreme blade art for direct Paeng descendants only.
Smuggling it out was a grave crime.
Yet not even the "O" of Ohodanmundo was here.
Paeng Daewi glared sharply at Paeng Kyungbin and Sim Miho.
"Where exactly is it?"
His voice was icy, like rebuking criminals.
But Paeng Kyungbin and Sim Miho didn't lose their smiles.
Sim Miho stepped forward.
"Right there. He hid the manual behind it."
Everyone's eyes widened at her pointing finger.
It was a hanging scroll penned by the family head himself.
Speed (Mu)
A single character, yet brimming with power.
The family head's inner power emanated from the brushstrokes.
Paeng Daewi tilted his head.
"Behind the scroll?"
"I saw him hide it there."
Sim Miho pointed again.
Paeng Kyungbin nodded in agreement.
So Daeseop spoke up.
"Impossible. The family head gave it to me a week ago. There's no space behind it."
Despite their claims, no one dared touch the scroll casually.
Handling the family head's gift irreverently was profound disrespect.
Suddenly, the room fell deathly silent...
Second Young Master fidgeted with eyes gleaming in assured victory.
"We must check."
Paeng Daewi chuckled.
After a long, enigmatic smile, he leaped and snatched the scroll.
His hand whistled like a blade slicing air.
Whoosh!
So Daeseop's assumption was utterly wrong.
Paeng Daewi pulled a book from the hidden space behind.
"Th-that's..."
As So Daeseop's voice trembled, Hanbin jabbed his side.
He whispered,
"Keep it together. Just nod when I speak."
So Daeseop blinked in silent acknowledgment.
Then,
Paeng Daewi tossed the book down.
Thud.
His gaze shifted from So Daeseop and the book to the surroundings.
The book's contents were unknown, but emerging from a secret compartment fueled suspicions.
"No cover?"
At Paeng Daewi's words, Hanbin said,
"Please check it, Law Enforcement Leader."
Notably, Hanbin hadn't lost his smile.
Paeng Daewi flipped the cover.
His eyes widened instantly.
Murmurs erupted everywhere.
"So Daeseop was a spy."
"Stealing manuals? Unbelievable."
"Second Young Master was right."
"Of course—who is he to lie?"
As the noise swelled, Paeng Daewi slammed his greatsword down.
Bang!
Silence fell like death.
It felt as if time had frozen.
As everyone swallowed hard, Hanbin spoke casually.
"Law Enforcement Leader, please verify the book."
Paeng Daewi nodded sternly.
"I will."
He addressed the room impassively.
"This is not a manual."
Two pairs of eyes trembled violently.
Second Young Master Paeng Kyungbin shot forward like an arrow.
"What do you mean, Leader?"
"See for yourself."
Paeng Kyungbin flipped the pages.
The text began with "Heaven" (Destiny)—clearly the Thousand Character Classic.
He shook his head furiously, glancing sideways.
Hanbin wore a radiant smile, almost like a lotus bloom.
Only then did Paeng Kyungbin realize things had gone awry.
He had created the secret space in the empty barracks and hidden the Ohodanmundo behind the scroll just hours ago.
With the Protection Squad all on repair duty, betrayal from within was the only explanation.
At that moment,
Hanbin's gaze drifted somewhere.
His eyebrows curved like a crescent moon. He was looking at someone with evident pleasure.