The Thousand-Li Escort Journey (1)
Paeng Daewi looked at Hanbin with utter bewilderment.
"Even granting the request, how do you plan to cover the costs of the escort all on your own?"
His tone carried a clear note of reprimand.
All the elders nodded in agreement.
Paeng Daewi's criticism made perfect sense to anyone watching.
This was an escort mission for a treasure of the Murim. The fee wouldn't be a pittance.
Which meant it should have been negotiated between families, not individuals.
At that moment, one of the elders stood again.
"Will Young Master Sa take full responsibility for this?"
Everyone turned to Hanbin at the pointed question.
A strange smile crept across Hanbin's lips.
What did that smile mean?
As curiosity filled the room, Hanbin spoke up.
"I'll cover all the costs myself. But in return!"
Habin paused, scanning the faces around him.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for his next words.
Changing his expression, Hanbin continued.
"I'll claim all the profits as well. And if it fails, I'll bear that responsibility too."
"That's..."
As the elder moved to interject urgently, Hanbin held up his palm.
"If anyone here wants to go to Henan in my place, I'll gladly step aside anytime."
"Hmph."
The elder turned away and sat back down. Hanbin pressed on.
"I know time is of the essence. I'm ready, so hand over the goods."
At Hanbin's words, Paeng Daewi gave orders to his subordinate.
"Bring the Qingming Pill at once!"
A short while later.
Madam Jeonghwa appeared in the main hall, carrying the Qingming Pill.
She approached lightly on her feet and stood before Hanbin.
"Young Master Sa, please save the Henan Jeong Family—the pillar of the southern Murim—with this elixir."
Perhaps mindful of the onlookers, she'd softened her tone.
But her eyes were cold, like a snake eyeing a mouse.
"Yes, understood."
Habin took the box from her.
An invisible clash of auras passed between them, but no one paid it any mind, assuming it was nothing.
Only Sim Miho narrowed her eyes, focusing intently on the scene.
But what held Sim Miho's attention wasn't their aura battle.
It was the box Madam Jeonghwa had handed over.
It was identical to the one she'd secretly taken from the Hebei Paeng Family a few days ago.
The next day, Hanbin had ordered her to return it.
Following his instructions, she'd placed it back in the Hebei Paeng Family warehouse just last night.
Sim Miho couldn't make sense of it.
Habin glanced at Sim Miho and flashed a meaningful smile.
Just then, someone whispered.
"Isn't that a Cold Iron Box?"
"A Cold Iron Box?"
"Even a hundredth of millennium cold iron's value is steep, but nothing beats it for preserving elixirs."
At their words, Sim Miho looked back at Hanbin.
He'd clearly anticipated the Qingming Pill going into that box.
So why have her steal it, only to return it the next day?
No matter how she puzzled it out, Sim Miho found no answer.
That was when Paeng Daewi shouted.
"This is a time-sensitive mission, so Young Master Sa—depart as soon as you're ready!"
"I'm already fully prepared. I'll join the Thousand-Li Escort Agency escorts waiting out front and head out immediately."
Habin gave a deep fist salute and turned to leave.
* * *
In front of the Hebei Paeng Family's main gate.
The Paeng Family guards tilted their heads curiously at the escorts from the Thousand-Li Escort Agency.
The guards stood at a distance, saying nothing, just watching with wide-eyed interest.
Then, murmurs rose from behind as Law Enforcement Leader Paeng Daewi and his entourage approached.
Paeng Daewi asked a guard.
"Where are the escorts from the Thousand-Li Escort Agency?"
"They're resting over there, sir."
The guard pointed to the distant group.
Paeng Daewi shaded his eyes with one hand and peered around.
He didn't see the large procession he'd expected.
After scanning for a while, Paeng Daewi asked again.
"I asked for the main procession, not the vanguard."
"Law Enforcement Leader, that's the entire group."
Paeng Daewi's eyes widened at the guard's explanation.
An absurd scene unfolded before him.
Just one coachman at the cart, with two escorts resting in the shade.
Only three people total from the Thousand-Li Escort Agency?
It was enough to drive anyone mad.
Paeng Daewi turned to Hanbin.
Meeting his gaze, Hanbin said.
"That seems to be everyone, Law Enforcement Leader."
"What did you say? You plan to go to Henan with just those three?"
As Paeng Daewi asked in shock, Hanbin replied.
"Yes, exactly. For transporting a single small box, deploying a large force would be like using an ox cleaver to kill a chicken."
"Do you even grasp the significance of this journey?"
"Yes, I do. That's why I'm going with a small elite team."
"Then you'll supplement the rest from the Mangho Squad, I assume."
"No. These three are the entire group."
Habin grinned. Paeng Daewi narrowed his eyes.
He'd acknowledged Hanbin as a young tiger. The boy wouldn't assemble such a minimal team without a plan.
The elders and division leaders watching from behind Paeng Daewi hesitated to step forward.
Intervening now might just dump the mission on them instead.
Paeng Daewi spoke with resolve.
"Then go and return safely."
"Yes, sir."
Habin saluted and walked toward the Thousand-Li Escort Agency escorts.
Reaching the cart, he snapped his fingers. Seolhwa appeared out of nowhere.
She carried a small bundle.
"Here you go, Young Master."
"Good work."
Then So Daeseop rushed up, eyes filled with worry.
"My lord, are you really going with just Seolhwa?"
"Have you ever seen me go back on my word?"
"No, but heading into danger with so few people—and just a maid—doesn't make sense. If you don't trust me, at least take Deputy Leader Sim."
Sim Miho, standing nearby, bowed her head.
"My lord, if you don't trust me, take Bodyguard Yi Muming at least."
Finishing, Sim Miho glanced at Yi Muming.
Meeting her eyes, he responded.
"If you don't trust me, even Volcanic Sect's Se Jaeo the hero..."
Se Jaeo, beside him, quickly cleared his throat and looked away.
"Ahem."
At that moment, the Mangho Squad members simultaneously saluted and shouted.
"We'll follow you too!"
Habin beamed at their display.
He felt their genuine concern.
Memories of his past life bubbled up.
Of course, this life would differ.
After silently regarding them for a long moment, Hanbin spoke.
"Anyone would think we're off to die, Leader So."
"Yes, my lord. Just say the word."
"Distribute these among the squad leaders."
Habin handed over the bundle from Seolhwa.
So Daeseop tilted his head as he took it.
He didn't know what was inside, but it was suspiciously light.
Then Hanbin exchanged a few words with the escorts and boarded the cart.
Once aboard, he called out.
"Depart!"
The cart slowly rolled away.
Watching it go, So Daeseop looked regretfully to the sky.
He couldn't comprehend it.
With unknown enemies potentially targeting the elixir, how could he leave so casually with just a handful of escorts?
And taking only a single maid, no less.
It was like flying a paper kite in a raging typhoon.
The kite wouldn't last days.
That was So Daeseop's thought—and the Mangho Squad's consensus.
Then Sim Miho cautiously tapped his shoulder.
"Leader!"
"Huh? What is it, Deputy Leader Sim?"
"What's in that bundle?"
"Oh, right..."
Only then did So Daeseop look at the bundle Hanbin had given him.
Habin had said to distribute it.
So Daeseop hurriedly untied it.
Letters spilled out in a cascade.
Everyone gathered around the unexpected sight.
Each letter bore a name.
So Daeseop.
Sim Miho.
Jo Ho.
Jangsan.
Se Jaeo.
...
Letters for everyone staying at Cheonsu Manor.
The folds were sealed with wax.
Naturally, each picked up their named letter.
As they did, writing on the bundle caught their eyes.
[After each confirms, the letter must be discarded.]
Short, but the meaning was clear.
These were secret letters for everyone.
The sound of seals breaking echoed as they opened them, eyes narrowing while rereading Hanbin's instructions repeatedly.
Among those checking their letters, Se Jaeo was the happiest.
He clenched his fist tightly.
Finally, a way to obtain the Plum Blossom Token.
Se Jaeo burned Hanbin's words into his mind, vowing to follow them.
Do exactly as written, and Hanbin would hand over the Plum Blossom Token.
'Just wait a little longer, Plum Blossom Token.'
Grinding his teeth in determination, Se Jaeo glanced at his friend Jang Ja-myeong, whom he'd befriended at Cheonsu Manor.
As everyone tore into their letters, only Jang Ja-myeong dozed off, head nodding.
"You alright, Physician Jang?"
"Ah, all done. All good."
Jang Ja-myeong jolted awake from his nap and looked around.
Anyone could see he'd been dreaming.
Se Jaeo patted his shoulder sympathetically.
"Must've overdone it last night, huh? Patients never stop coming."
"No patients yesterday. But Young Master Sa's request kept me up all night."
"Ha, that guy's heartless—no blood, no tears."
"Right? Looks like poison flows in his veins instead of blood."
"Ha, you're spot on, Physician Jang. That guy is..."
Se Jaeo trailed off. A chill ran down his spine.
He knew why immediately.
Dozens of glares surrounded him and Jang Ja-myeong, murderous intent thick in the air.
"You just badmouthed our lord, didn't you?"
"Whoa, didn't peg you guys for this."
"Plum Blossom Sword Guardian of the Volcanic Sect—think you can trash our lord?"
"Near ink becomes black, huh? Even good-hearted Physician Jang's corrupted."
Amid the uproar, Se Jaeo had to flee quickly.
* * *
Meanwhile, inside the rumbling cart, Hanbin—dozing carefree against the side—suddenly opened his eyes.
Seolhwa asked urgently.
"What's wrong?"
"Feels like someone's badmouthing me."
Habin turned back, gazing down the road they'd traveled.
Seolhwa laughed at the sight.
"Pfft, who would badmouth you, Young Master?"
"You're doing it in your head right now."
"Gasp."
As Seolhwa whipped her head away, Hanbin opened the side door and peered out.
Clouds drifted peacefully overhead, lush foliage flashing by below—a serene landscape.
Habin pulled out the Cold Iron Box tucked under his arm.
"Whatcha doing?"
"Hold on a sec."
Habin stood and rapped his knuckles on the seat he'd just vacated.