Chapter 44 : The Destitute Had to Make a Move. -02

Chapter 44: The Destitute Had to Make a Move. -02

“Being accustomed to the right-hand sword didn’t mean being weak against the left-hand sword; it simply meant lacking experience with the left-hand sword.”

There was a reason martial artists struggled against left-hand swordsmen.

Unfamiliar trajectories and attack patterns were sufficiently threatening.

Ban Hojin himself had experienced it as well.

“There was no need to grip the sword tightly and fight.”

Ban Hojin muttered and swung the sword with his left hand.

Just as he had said, he didn’t need to hold the sword himself.

However, to understand and feel the trajectories drawn by a left-hand sword, actually performing it himself was indeed the best way.

“The balance was definitely skewed to the right. The muscles used were different too. And yet, I hadn’t noticed this before.”

Ban Hojin stood up entirely and swung the sword this way and that.

The room was so spacious that even performing a sword dance posed no problem, so Ban Hojin moved without restraint.

“The footwork was a mess too.”

As Ban Hojin slowly unfolded the Three Dharma Swords, a wry laugh escaped him as time passed.

A mess didn’t even begin to cover it.

No, it was literally a comprehensive disaster.

Yet, Ban Hojin found it fun.

“If I swung with my right hand and then switched to the left to attack, they’d really be thrown into confusion, wouldn’t they?”

Ban Hojin didn’t merely mutter the words.

He actually alternated between his left and right hands as he unfolded the Three Dharma Swords.

Rather than simply tossing the sword, he made it move naturally by crossing between his right and left hands.

At first, it was awkward as expected, but as time passed, it became familiar.

“Ho.”

At the same time, he began to feel the difference between the right-hand sword and the left-hand sword through his body.

Countless sword paths surfaced in his mind.

As a result, something that had been blocked began to open.

“My own sword.”

The Three Dharma Swords was a sword technique that lacked nothing to be called an absolute sword art.

There was a reason why even initiates in Shaolin’s history were rare.

But precisely because of that, it couldn’t be called Ban Hojin’s sword.

Since it was Shaolin’s sword, Ban Hojin had recently begun to ponder a sword of his own.

“The same went for the inner energy cultivation method.”

Ban Hojin’s dream had grown larger than in his previous life.

No, to be honest, Ban Hojin in his past life had no dream.

He had simply trained as instructed and learned the Three Dharma Swords.

But now, it was different.

Ban Hojin thought about what would come after the war with the Four Tyrants of the World.

He thought of the future in the Central Plains after peace returned.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Great Hero Ban, a guest has come to see you.”

Ban Hojin, who had been swinging his sword in complete absorption, suddenly came to a halt.

His concentration had been broken by the sudden voice of a servant.

However, even though the state of immersion was broken, Ban Hojin did not feel much regret.

His mental fortitude was not so low that he would be swayed by such a trivial matter.

“A guest?”

“Yes. The First Young Lord has come to see you.”

“The First Young Lord, you say.”

Ban Hojin, who was sheathing his beloved sword, wore an expression of surprise.

It was truly an unexpected visitor.

But on the other hand, it was also understandable.

When one’s back was against the wall, one would do anything.

“What should we do?”

The servant managing the residence where Ban Hojin was staying was a man of Geum Hoyeon.

That was why, even though Geum Sangryong had come, he did not guide him in without question.

Moreover, Ban Hojin’s standing was now completely different from before, making it impossible for Geum Sangryong to act recklessly.

“Guide him in.”

“Yes.”

Though it was an unexpected visit, Ban Hojin was not flustered.

Since he knew the purpose of the visit, there was nothing to be bewildered about.

Besides, by now, news of this place would have already reached Geum Hoyeon.

Creeeak.

A moment later, the door opened and Geum Sangryong, with his obese build, revealed himself.

Put kindly, one could say he had an imposing presence, but from a martial artist’s perspective, he was simply fat.

However, perhaps because he ate well, his face was glossy.

“This is our first time greeting each other like this, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.”

“I am Geum Sangryong, the eldest son of the Geum Family.”

Geum Sangryong performed a fist-clasp salute with an uncharacteristic degree of politeness.

He emphasized the three characters ‘eldest son’ as he spoke.

Yet, he did not show the slightest hint of arrogance.

Even though he was young, Ban Hojin was a martial artist who had single-handedly destroyed the Eighteen Green Forest Strongholds, so Geum Sangryong observed proper etiquette.

“I am Ban Hojin of Shaolin.”

“Last time, there was too much chaos for me to properly greet you. I apologize.”

“I understand. Please, have a seat.”

“Yes.”

Had Ban Hojin been an ordinary martial artist, Geum Sangryong would have acted as he pleased, but he could not do so before him.

Moreover, Geum Sangryong had something he wanted, so he was extremely careful with his words and actions.

“For what reason have you come?”

“Hahaha, straight to the point?”

Geum Sangryong wore a flustered expression at Ban Hojin’s words, which asked for his business the moment the tea was poured.

It was too headlong, excessively so.

“Aren’t we both busy? And it’s not as if we’re close enough to share idle chatter.”

“Can’t we become close in the future? I don’t think there’s a need to draw such a firm line from the very beginning.”

Geum Sangryong smiled with an affable expression.

However, his two eyes were rapidly observing Ban Hojin’s expression.

His gaze scrutinized every action—his eyes, facial expressions, and hand movements.

“I’m sorry, but that seems difficult.”

“I will offer twice the conditions the Second Young Lord proposed. Come to me.”

“Are you telling me to change ships now?”

“That’s not what I mean. You could think of it as moving to a better place.”

Geum Sangryong smiled leisurely.

No matter how much had been offered, or promised, he was confident.

He was confident he could offer more than Geum Hoyeon.

“Do you even know how much I’m being paid to say such a thing?”

“ I don’t know. But what matters is that I can bear it. Even though I’ve almost been caught up to by the Second Young Lord for now, I am the eldest son of the Geum Family and its only legitimate heir. In the end, the one who rises to become the Young Estate Lord will be me.”

“I’ve heard that nothing has been decided yet.”

“It will be decided soon. If Great Hero Ban were to come to me, that time would be shortened even further.”

Seeing that Ban Hojin did not reject him outright, Geum Sangryong let out a sneaky grin inwardly.

Even martial artists were still people.

Moreover, Ban Hojin was a lay disciple rather than a monk, so it was impossible for him to be without material desires.

“So that’s how you see it.”

“Join me. The Second Young Lord’s limits end here. He can never become the Young Estate Lord.”

“As far as I know, it isn’t only the children of the principal wife who can become the Geum Family Head.”

“Achievements matter most. It’s true that I’ve faltered for the moment, but I’ll soon return to my original position.”

“…….”

Geum Sangryong spoke with full confidence.

However, despite his bold declaration, Ban Hojin did not look like he was about to be swayed.

No—more precisely, his true thoughts were impossible to read.

Setting aside his martial prowess, he was only just of coming-of-age, yet his inner thoughts were completely opaque. That left Geum Sangryong inwardly flustered.

“Very well. I’ll give you three times the amount. I promise three times the conditions you’re receiving from the Second Young Lord right now. And if I become the Young Estate Lord, I’ll give you four times.”

Gulp!

At Geum Sangryong’s words, the trusted aide standing behind him swallowed his dry saliva.

Even double the amount would have been enormous, but jumping straight to four times made it impossible to even estimate the sum.

At the same time, it made Geum Sangryong’s boldness palpable.

Hearing that he was willing to give even more than that, the middle-aged man looked at Ban Hojin with a genuinely envious expression.

“Please help me.”

“I’m sorry, but my intention will not change. Some people sell their trust, but I am not one of them.”

“Then how much do you want?”

Geum Sangryong’s eyes shone.

There was nothing he hadn’t been able to buy in his life.

Having never seen someone who didn’t collapse before money, Geum Sangryong was confident.

In the end, Ban Hojin would surely change his mind.

“I believe I’ve made myself clear.”

“I know it’s a difficult decision. I know it’s not an easy one by any means. That’s why I’m saying this now. I’m saying I’ll buy even Great Hero Ban’s trust and honor.”

The expenditure was greater than he had anticipated, but it had already become a situation where retreat was impossible.

Having come this far, he couldn’t return empty-handed, so Geum Sangryong pressed straight ahead.

And considering Ban Hojin’s age and future value, it might even have been a bargain.

Ban Hojin was not some mediocre martial artist but one who had single-handedly brought down the Green Forest Great Lord, so Geum Sangryong did not hesitate.

“My answer remains the same.”

“Please think it over one more time!”

At Ban Hojin’s expression, which showed not even a trace of hesitation, urgency spread across Geum Sangryong’s face.

Even at this very moment, Geum Hoyeon was surely on his way.

Perhaps because of that, impatience began to seep into Geum Sangryong’s voice.

Pababat!

Upon receiving the servant’s message, Geum Hoyeon moved almost at a run.

A deep fury was etched across his face.

There was no way he wouldn’t know why Geum Sangryong had gone to see Ban Hojin, and if Geum Sangryong were in front of him now, Geum Hoyeon looked ready to tear him apart.

“I didn’t think the First Young Lord would come at it like this. There’s still such a thing as business ethics.”

“That just means he doesn’t have the leisure to worry about that.”

“……Will it be all right?”

The Head of the Escort Unit, matching Geum Hoyeon’s pace as they moved, asked cautiously.

Human relationships were never absolute.

Especially when one was cornered like this, it was possible to present absurd conditions.

“He won’t give in easily. Still, you never know.”

Kwaang!

Arriving at Ban Hojin’s quarters in an instant, Geum Hoyeon gave the waiting servant a grateful look and then opened the door straight away.

He flung the door open roughly.

At once, everyone inside the room turned their gaze toward Geum Hoyeon.

“You…!”

“I didn’t think you’d stoop to something this filthy.”

“Filthy?!”

“If this isn’t filthy, then what is it? Something petty, perhaps?”

“Shut up!”

Despite sharing the same father, the two looked completely different.

Whereas Geum Sangryong had an obese body, Geum Hoyeon was comparatively lean.

Perhaps because of that, even their voices differed. Unlike Geum Hoyeon, who spoke calmly, Geum Sangryong shouted so loudly that his face turned crimson.

Seeing that ill-fated face made him angry, but since nothing had been decided yet, Geum Sangryong’s expression was tinged halfway with embarrassment.

“That sounds like something I should be saying. It’s already rude to barge in on my guest, and now you’re trying to recruit him?”

Geum Hoyeon’s gaze turned icy cold.

Yet beneath it, there was a trace of relief.

He knew exactly why Geum Sangryong was so agitated.

“Hmph! Trading partners can be changed at any time!”

“That’s true. Deals can fall apart at any time. But from the looks of it, the talk seems to be over, doesn’t it?”

Grit!

Geum Sangryong ground his teeth.

Then he glared at Geum Hoyeon as if he wanted to devour him whole.

Geum Hoyeon wasn’t wrong, leaving him with nothing to say.

Still, he didn’t retreat easily.

“If you change your mind, come find me anytime.”

“Please go safely. Since the Second Young Lord has come all this way, I won’t see you off very far.”

“……Then.”

Geum Sangryong left the room, his face still flushed red.

The outcome was different from what he had expected at first, and his eyes were filled with killing intent.

But he did not give up.

Failing now didn’t mean he would fail forever.

‘It’s merely two steps back for the sake of one step forward.’

Grinding his teeth, Geum Sangryong headed outside.

He didn’t forget to glare once more at Geum Hoyeon at the very end.

Yet even under that murderous gaze, Geum Hoyeon wore a relaxed smile.

As if to say, try it if you dare.

“It seems he’s been driven pretty hard. For that heavy-bottomed fellow to come all the way here himself. If it were his usual temperament, he would’ve summoned Great Hero Ban instead.”

“He must know that it wouldn’t change anything even if he did.”

“Hahaha.”