Chapter 52 : Blooming Stage. -01

Chapter 52: Blooming Stage . -01

However, the problem was that Peng Hwayeong did not suit him.

So Seo Joun snorted.

In terms of standing beside Ban Hojin, both her beauty and her family background were lacking.

‘She’s not ugly, but compared to that young lady.’

And that evaluation was fairly cold.

It was because the comparison target was clear.

He had come to see Ban Hojin, but in any case, Seo Joun had directly faced Nan Hee-ju, so he could say it with certainty.

That as a woman, Nan Hee-ju was far more beautiful than Peng Hwayeong.

“Why are you glaring so viciously? You’ll startle Miss Peng. She might think an assassin has come.”

“Eh. When did I ever glare like that?”

“Just now.”

Seonwu Bang said in a serious voice.

Pointing with his finger at Seo Joun’s eyes and then at Peng Hwayeong.

At that gesture, Seo Joun cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment.

“No. It’s nothing like that. I just looked because it felt kind of awkward.”

“What feels awkward?”

“It’s only been a day since they even got acquainted, but it feels like they’re acting overly familiar.”

“Why does time matter when it comes to getting close? If hearts align, this is Jianghu—people even swear brotherhood at their first meeting.”

Rather, Seonwu Bang wore an expression as if he could not understand.

Personally, he thought well of Peng Hwayeong.

She did not have the sense of superiority typical of someone from a prestigious family, nor did she expect special treatment just because she was a woman.

Rather, from Seonwu Bang’s perspective, it felt refreshingly novel.

“Well, that’s true too, but.”

“Then is it jealousy?”

“J-jealousy, you say!”

“Then why are you stuttering?”

At the sight of Seo Joun flinching as if he had been struck right at the mark, Seonwu Bang wore an expression that said he had found something to tease.

He smiled slyly, as if he knew everything.

“I was just surprised because you suddenly said something completely absurd. I’m still seventeen, at an age where I need adults to look after me.”

“At seventeen, it wouldn’t be strange to get married. Besides, yesterday you looked ready to beat down Miss Peng’s escort warrior.”

“That was because they came at us rudely first. Leaving aside status, our standing in Jianghu is different. How dare they.”

Seo Joun snorted.

He could understand being looked down on himself, but not Ban Hojin.

Regardless of age, considering what Ban Hojin had shown, yesterday’s attitude was completely absurd.

“I admit that too. Honestly, I was irritated. They say the Peng Family of Hebei is one of the Five Great Families, but Hojin’s status isn’t something to look down on anywhere.”

“Exactly.”

“To be blunt, even if he had cut off an arm because he was offended, the Peng Family of Hebei wouldn’t have been able to say a word. Hojin’s position in Shaolin is quietly quite high. He’s the disciple of the current Shaolin Abbot and the junior disciple of the next Abbot.”

“If it really turned out like that, it would’ve been fun. With elder brother’s personality, if he charged in, it feels like he’d just beat everyone up.”

Seo Joun grinned.

It was because he could easily imagine how Ban Hojin would respond.

What was funny, though, was that he did not feel like Ban Hojin would lose.

Even when facing the Green Forest Great Lord, to Seo Joun it felt like Ban Hojin had not gone all out.

‘It makes no sense, but my intuition says so.’

That uniquely relaxed air was confidence itself.

It was the demeanor shown by someone confident in their own martial might.

And yet, Ban Hojin was not arrogant.

If he had fallen into arrogance, there was no way he would immerse himself in life-and-death training every single day.

“I think so too. But it doesn’t feel like he’d lose.”

“You feel the same way, right, brother?”

“Yeah. First of all, there’s what he’s already shown, and you saw it too when he faced the Green Forest Great Lord. Did it feel like a desperate struggle?”

“Not at all. If anything, it felt like he was playing with him.”

The image of Ban Hojin suppressing the Green Forest Great Lord as if handling a child remained vividly etched in both of their minds.

Even if he could not be counted among the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven, the Green Forest Great Lord was still more than enough to dominate the world as a master and a powerhouse.

Yet Ban Hojin had toppled such a martial artist with absurd ease.

“Exactly. So do you think he’d be afraid just because it’s the Peng Family of Hebei? To speak coldly, if it’s the elite of the Eighteen Green Forest Strongholds, even the Peng Family of Hebei would find it hard to guarantee victory.”

“Hm. That’s true.”

As if he had never been jealous of Peng Hwayeong, Seo Joun stroked his chin and nodded.

Though the Peng Family of Hebei was one of the Five Great Families, when evaluated objectively against all of the Eighteen Green Forest Strongholds, it was true that they fell a bit short.

Not to mention numbers, and if it was elite versus elite, they would have only a slight advantage.

But if an overwhelming number were poured in, no matter how strong the Peng Family of Hebei was, it would be difficult.

“It’s just a hypothetical, though.”

“On the other hand, elder brother is alone, so if he fights with hit-and-run tactics, it’d be a real headache. Or, like the saying ‘slay the leader to capture the bandits,’ he could just cleanly take out the head.”

Seo Joun drew a line across his neck with the edge of his hand.

But to Seonwu Bang, those words did not sound like a joke.

“Seriously, where did such a monster even fall from?”

“But for us, our situation is a bit better, isn’t it? At least he’s not an enemy, and we’re receiving advice. It almost feels like he’s a troubleshooter.”

“Exactly. He always perfectly resolves our doubts. And with conviction, no less. That’s not easy unless one’s realm is extraordinary, even if one walked the path ahead of us.”

“So I plan to follow him well. I’ll be satisfied just standing beside him. My life as it is now is also thanks to elder brother.”

Though he was born with innate talent, Seo Joun knew.

That catching up to Ban Hojin was close to impossible.

So Seo Joun adjusted his goal.

If he could not surpass him, then he would stand shoulder to shoulder beside him.

“Meeting Hojin was also good fortune for me. Because it showed me that there is a new world. In many ways.”

Seonwu Bang’s gaze passed over Ban Hojin and moved to Peng Hwayeong.

As if she never tired, Peng Hwayeong kept pouring out questions, and what was surprising was that Ban Hojin, though grumbling, still somehow answered them.

‘There must still be geniuses who haven’t revealed themselves.’

Even without using grand terms like reclusive masters or hidden experts, Seonwu Bang was able to see the real world while being with Ban Hojin.

Not merely a world that existed, but a wild world teeming with geniuses and monsters.

Yet though it was shocking, it was not frightening.

Rather, a competitive spirit unlike anything before boiled up fiercely.

‘I might not be able to beat Hojin, but I won’t lose to anyone else.’

Within Seonwu Bang’s eyes, small yet burning flames flared up.

Flames named competitive spirit.

***

“The Peng Family of Hebei is huge. Is it because the people are big-built?”

“Since, after all, there needs to be no inconvenience in daily life.”

“The main house will someday grow to about this size too, and lots of people will come visit.”

Looking at the enormous estate that resembled a fortress, Seo Joun steeled his resolve.

That someday, he would make the Seo Family Estate just like the Peng Family of Hebei he was seeing now.

And Seonwu Bang, standing beside him, felt the same way.

“Welcome to the Peng Family of Hebei.”

“You look to be in a good mood.”

“It’s my home, after all. And you three came together as well.”

Peng Hwayeong was usually full of smiles, but now she wore an even brighter one.

It seemed that having returned home, she had become mentally at ease.

“We’ll be leaving tomorrow, though.”

“Still, guests are guests. And Father really wants to meet you. All three of you.”

“Me as well?”

Unlike the excited Peng Hwayeong, Ban Hojin—who was not visiting the Peng Family of Hebei for the first time—wore an indifferent expression.

Even though the master of the Peng Family of Hebei wanted to see him, there was no change in his expression.

But the other two were different.

Especially Seo Joun, who looked startled.

“Yes. Young Master Seo and Young Master Seonwu as well.”

“I’m not sure if we’ll have the time.”

“Even if you don’t, you’ll have to make it. And surprisingly, Father isn’t that busy.”

Peng Hwayeong laughed mischievously.

Like a playful child.

As Seonwu Bang tilted his head at the mischief filling her eyes, Peng Hwayeong led the three of them.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

“Are we going to the lodgings first?”

Unlike the still-dazed Seo Joun, Ban Hojin asked about the lodgings first.

He was not the least bit fatigued, but he still detested being pestered by all sorts of people.

Even now, perhaps because he was with Peng Hwayeong, people were shooting curious glances at them.

“No. We’re going to the Family Head’s Hall.”

“Whaaat?!”

“He’s waiting.”

At the three words “Family Head’s Hall,” not only Seo Joun but also Seonwu Bang were startled.

They had not expected to meet the Peng Family Head the moment they arrived.

Kwoong!

Perhaps because of the family’s robust physical build, even the doors of the Family Head’s Hall were massive.

Passing through doors that looked at least twice the size of ordinary ones and entering inside, four men and women came into the three’s view.

At the same time, Seonwu Bang and Seo Joun tensed up.

At the thought of facing the Peng Family Head of Hebei, who occupied one seat among the Five Great Families, their bodies felt as if they had frozen stiff.

Step. Step.

In contrast, Ban Hojin moved his feet silently, wearing his usual indifferent expression.

Even though the master of the Peng Family of Hebei—one of the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven, the Blade King—was staring straight at him.

Moreover, the Young Lord and the Second Young Lord were also watching Ban Hojin with sharp gazes.

Having heard the rumors circulating in the world, the two stared at Ban Hojin as if they were dissecting him.

“I’m back.”

“Good. Did you achieve what you wanted?”

“Yes.”

“Judging by your expression, you look very satisfied.”

“I really think it was right to go and see him.”

At Peng Hwayeong answering immediately without the slightest hesitation, Peng Mancheol broke into a beaming smile.

As if anything his youngest daughter said was good to him.

However, that was strictly limited to his youngest daughter.

The gaze he turned toward Ban Hojin, Seonwu Bang, and Seo Joun who had come with her was exceedingly sharp.

“I am Peng Mancheol.”

At Peng Mancheol bluntly stating only his own name, without preamble, Ban Hojin let out a silent chuckle inwardly.

Because he thought that he was the same as ever.

Including the way he liked to toy with people.

Flinch!

At the tyrannical pressure of Peng Mancheol—called the Blade King and one of the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven—Seonwu Bang’s and Seo Joun’s faces contorted.

Facing that ferocious pressure, both of them strained desperately to endure it.

However, only four people—including Peng Mancheol himself—knew that this was a test.

The children, including Peng Hwayeong, did not notice this situation at all.

“I am Ban Hojin.”

Sahahaha.

Just as Peng Mancheol had done, Ban Hojin introduced himself succinctly.

At the same time, he raised his own pressure.

He split apart Peng Mancheol’s savage pressure that had been pouring only toward the three of them.

Thanks to that, Seonwu Bang’s and Seo Joun’s faces also returned to calm.

“I am Seonwu Bang of the Seonwu Family.”

“I am Seo Joun of the Seo Family Estate.”

As the sense of oppression vanished as if it had been washed away, what filled its place was anger.

No matter what, they had come as guests, and to test them in this manner was an act of extreme rudeness.

Even if Peng Mancheol was the Blade King.

Perhaps because of that, dissatisfaction was deeply embedded in the voices and actions of the two as they greeted him.

“Oh?”

But regardless of whether the two showed discomfort or not, Peng Mancheol’s gaze was directed solely at Ban Hojin.

Even if it had been a casual release of pressure, it was still the pressure of one of the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven.

Yet Ban Hojin had neutralized it with such ease that Peng Mancheol was slightly surprised.

He knew that Ban Hojin had defeated the Green Forest Great Lord, but he had not expected him to scatter his Aura so easily, so Peng Mancheol wore an interested expression.

“That greeting feels rather lacking in sincerity.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

The Young Lord and the Second Young Lord glared at Ban Hojin with displeased expressions.

Unlike Seonwu Bang and Seo Joun, who had shown a certain degree of courtesy, Ban Hojin’s greeting was brazen to the extreme.

“I merely responded in kind to rudeness.”

“What did you say?!”

Peng Chu-yeong, the Young Lord, shouted angrily.

However, even as Peng Chu-yeong’s roar thundered throughout the room, Ban Hojin did not blink an eye.

“Oppa!”

“Enough.”