Hot Sweet Potato (4)
Seolhwa realized she needed to revise her plans.
She had decided it was necessary to blend in as one of the members of Cheonsu Manor.
That afternoon.
The law enforcement warriors stood before Hanbin.
"We convey the acting family head's command."
Hanbin clasped his hands in a fist salute before the warriors delivering the family head's orders.
"I shall obey."
"Fourth Young Master Hanbin, decide whether to accept or decline this letter and its mission."
With those words, the law enforcement warrior handed over the letter.
Hanbin rose from his seat, taking the letter without even unfolding it.
"I accept this mission."
"Gasp."
The law enforcement warrior was stunned.
They had a rough idea of what this mission entailed.
In fact, they had even placed bets among themselves on the way here.
It was a high-risk mission with no real gain.
Only a fool would accept it; anyone with a shred of judgment would refuse.
Yet here he was, accepting it without so much as glancing at the letter.
After a long sigh, the warrior asked again.
"Are you sure you don't need to check the letter?"
"If it's the family's command, it's my duty to follow. Choosing otherwise would be disloyalty to the family, wouldn't it?"
"The acting family head has given Fourth Young Master the option to choose. There must be a reason for that; I suggest you read it."
Hanbin shook his head.
"No need to check this letter. I'll cross to the main house as soon as I'm ready, so inform the acting family head accordingly."
"Understood."
The law enforcement warrior deeply saluted with clasped fists and backed away.
It was a courtesy reserved only for the family head.
Yet he was showing it to Hanbin as well.
He was moved by Hanbin's resolve to face any danger for the family.
The law enforcement warriors sensed an imperial aura in Hanbin that they had never felt before.
As the warriors withdrew, So Daeseop, who had been watching, asked,
"Are you sure about this, my lord?"
"Sure about what, So Daeju?"
"The letter. It seems like a seriously dangerous mission."
"Oh, this letter?"
Hanbin glanced at the letter in his hand and tossed it backward nonchalantly.
"Gasp."
So Daeseop quickly caught it in surprise.
"Hold onto that carefully. Oh, and don't open it."
With a wave of his hand, Hanbin departed. So Daeseop glanced around furtively.
His eyes met Sim Miho's, who was smirking.
"Deputy Sim, what just happened?"
"It seems like something my lord has been waiting for."
"Waiting for?"
"Don't you think Daeju that my lord has been too lenient up until now?"
"My lord, lenient?"
So Daeseop narrowed his eyes, searching for answers.
At that, Sim Miho continued,
"Think about it. How he handled Second Young Master and Third Young Master. He forgave them both."
"True. But that wasn't entirely my lord's decision."
"Even so, if he'd pressed the issue to the end, Third Young Master would still be locked in the brain prison."
"Hmm, fair point. So, what you're saying is my lord went easy on them, and there was a reason for it?"
"Yes. As the saying goes, frogs hunker down before they leap."
"Hmm."
So Daeseop narrowed his eyes at the spot where Hanbin had vanished.
In his view, his lord Hanbin had never hunkered down.
Hanbin was the one who had shaken the entire Hebei martial world— if that was hunkering down?
So Daeseop shook his head vigorously.
A few days later.
Hanbin entered the family head's hall of the Hebei Paeng Family.
In the center sat Paeng Daewi, the acting family head and leader of the law enforcement hall, flanked by elders and division heads watching Hanbin intently.
Though only a few steps apart, the atmosphere between Hanbin's side and the elders' was as divided as if a great wall stood between them.
The elders' gazes were sharp as honed blades.
They looked like vultures eyeing prey, determined not to miss any mistake Hanbin might make.
But Hanbin did not lose his smile.
"Thank you for entrusting me with this vital mission."
The unexpected words stirred murmurs among the elders.
Paeng Daewi raised a hand to quiet them.
Then he looked at Hanbin and said,
"Fourth Young Master, you know this mission isn't something to celebrate, right?"
"The life of Jeong Muryong, the great hero and head of the Henan Jeong Family, pillar of the Jiangnam martial world, rests on my shoulders. How could I not be pleased to be given such a crucial task?"
Coughs erupted here and there at Hanbin's words.
"Hah."
"Well now."
But their coughing stopped at his next remark.
"With so many experts in the Paeng Family eager to take this mission..."
Hanbin trailed off, scanning the room. The elders and division heads who had been glaring at him averted their eyes.
Grinning at that, Hanbin continued,
"I heard they stepped up. Yet it came to me— doesn't that mean you've acknowledged me to that extent?"
"......"
This time, not even coughs were heard.
They finally realized Hanbin had just landed a sharp jab at them.
At that moment, Jujakgakju Ga Gi-gun clasped his fists in salute.
"Yes, just by accepting this, I, Ga Gi-gun, support Fourth Young Master."
Hanbin rose and returned the salute to Ga Gi-gun.
Ga Gi-gun was one of the five swordsmen who had sparred with him before.
As the head of the information-handling Jujak Division, he had never publicly supported any young master.
Yet now he was openly declaring his support for Hanbin.
"Thank you, Jujakgakju. But may I assume the other elders and division heads share your view?"
At Hanbin's question, Ga Gi-gun chuckled softly and glanced around.
The elders and division heads whose eyes met his looked away.
They had shoved this unwanted hot sweet potato onto Hanbin and had no intention of supporting him.
Not that it was surprising— most had already aligned with First Young Master or Second Young Master.
But Ga Gi-gun feigned ignorance.
"Probably."
Hanbin lightly saluted the elders and division heads.
"I gratefully accept your support."
"Ahem."
"Hem."
As coughs popped up around the room, Paeng Daewi twitched his beard, suppressing a laugh.
But soon, he schooled his expression and bellowed with infused inner power,
"That's enough!"
He was allowing the posturing up to this point before getting to the main topic.
As the room fell silent, Paeng Daewi spoke.
"Fourth Young Master, you're aware our merchants have been ambushed several times already."
"Yes, I know."
"But this mission allows no mistakes."
"Yes, I'm well aware. That's why I have a proposal."
As everyone tilted their heads at Hanbin's confident tone, Paeng Daewi said,
"Speak your proposal."
"This time, I request assistance from the Thousand-Li Escort Bureau for the mission."
"Hmm."
Paeng Daewi swallowed a grunt.
At the same time, the elders shot to their feet.
"Do you think that makes sense, Fourth Young Master?"
"Exactly! How can you suggest help from the Thousand-Li Escort Bureau?"
"I've suspected some shady dealings with them since you took over Guigok Manor."
"Hah, the prestige of Hebei Paeng Family dragged through the mud."
That was when it happened.
Shing!
Hanbin drew his sword.
Moon Ah spewed blue sword qi, radiating chill as if reflecting Hanbin's emotions.
Amid the tension, Paeng Daewi watched the standoff between Hanbin and the elders with arms crossed.
The elders held their breath at the sudden turn.
As the commotion settled, Hanbin declared,
"I swear on this sword that I will do nothing to harm the Hebei Paeng Family."
Simultaneously, the sword qi enveloping Moon Ah vanished.
As if nothing had happened, Hanbin continued,
"I have one question for you all."
"......"
"Is there any warrior in the world unaware that the Qingming Pill— Kunlun Sect's treasure and the key to saving Henan Jeong Family's head— is leaving Hebei Paeng Family for the south?"
"What are you getting at?"
One elder shouted, and Hanbin smirked before replying,
"From what I hear, the rumors are rampant. I wonder who started them?"
"Maybe you were the one spreading them everywhere, Fourth Young Master?"
At the elder's retort, Hanbin glanced back.
There stood So Daeseop, tense-faced.
Suddenly, Hanbin snapped his fingers.
Snap!
So Daeseop shot forward like lightning and halted before Hanbin.
He drew a letter from his bosom and respectfully presented it.
Hanbin gripped and raised it high.
The elders tilted their heads in confusion.
As curiosity peaked, Hanbin continued,
"This is the letter for this mission. As you'll see, I accepted it without knowing a thing about the orders."
"We heard from the law enforcement warriors, but how is that proof, Fourth Young Master?"
The elder bristled, and Hanbin chuckled softly.
"Take a look at this letter."
With that, he tossed it to the elder.
Whoosh!
Thud!
The elder caught it and asked, puzzled,
"How is this letter proof?"
"Examine it closely."
At Hanbin's words, the other elders and division heads gathered around.
Hanbin pressed on,
"Look at the seal on the letter— it's never been broken. So who spread the rumors? Me, who knew nothing? Or you all, who already discussed this mission?"
Silence blanketed the hall.
"Ahem."
"Hah."
As coughs trickled out, the bristling elder narrowed his eyes.
"Then how did you know about the mission? You seemed to know before coming here."
"Simple."
With that, Hanbin pulled a knotted cord from his bosom.
It was the red knot Hong Chilgae had given him.
Hanbin dangled and shook it lightly as he spoke.
"You must have heard rumors about my master. Through the Beggar Clan, I was investigating who spread word of this heavy mission. Naturally, I learned what it entailed in the process."
Hanbin smiled faintly, scanning the room.
Some who met his gaze hurriedly bowed their heads.
"Looks like someone's feet are getting itchy. The reason I want Thousand-Li Escort Bureau's help is straightforward."
Paeng Daewi picked up,
"Explain in detail, Fourth Young Master."
"Yes. The reason is..."
As Hanbin's explanation unfolded, the elders' and division heads' eyes flickered.
His idea was that radical.
In short, the mission outsourced to Thousand-Li Escort Bureau wouldn't be transport— it would be protection for Hanbin himself.
Nothing more.
He'd handle the gains himself and dump the baggage on them.
Having heard the plan, Paeng Daewi tilted his head.
"They agreed to the request? We'd still need to discuss funds..."
Concern in his eyes, Paeng Daewi grew more puzzled.
Hanbin's smile was deepening.
Before, he'd have dismissed it as a pup's bravado, but now, in Paeng Daewi's eyes, Hanbin looked like a young tiger.
Paeng Daewi awaited his next words.
In the hush, the doors burst open as a warrior rushed in.
Thud!
The panting warrior saluted Paeng Daewi and cried,
"Visitors from Thousand-Li Escort Bureau!"
All eyes turned to Hanbin.