The Return of the Sw Chapter 49 : The One Who Gives the Answer

Chapter 49: The One Who Gives the Answer. -01

Ban Hojin was slightly startled inwardly by the unexpected eting.

He had not imagined that he would end up encountering Peng Hwayeong here.

It was Peng Hwayeong’s first ti seeing Ban Hojin, but it was not the sa for him.

‘To think that the future Blade Empress would co looking for .’

Even with his eyes closed, Ban Hojin was able to tell at once.

That the person who had co here now was the greatest master in the history of the Hebei Peng Family, the Blade Empress who had once ruled the world alongside the Sword Empress.

“I’ve been wanting to et you, Young Master Ban.”

“I am Ban Hojin of Shaolin.”

Even though it was a situation where others might have taken offense at the perceived rudeness, Peng Hwayeong smiled brightly.

After all, she was the one who had shown up unannounced without making any prior appointnt.

Because of that, Peng Hwayeong did not feel displeased or uncomfortable at all by Ban Hojin’s behavior.

“I’m sorry for dropping by so suddenly. You must have been very surprised, right?”

“Yes.”

“Keheum!”

At Ban Hojin’s blunt answer—saying so outright to her face when courtesy alone would have allowed him to deny it—the middle-aged man who looked to be around forty coughed awkwardly once more.

However, Ban Hojin was not the sort to be shaken by such pressure.

“You seem to be very honest, just as I’ve heard.”

“It’s better than lying. The Buddha also said that one should not lie.”

“That’s true.”

Recalling the Precept Against False Speech among the Ten Buddhist Precepts, Peng Hwayeong nodded.

She had never properly read the Buddhist scriptures, but it was such a famous saying that even she knew it.

“Monts like this really make it seem like you did study within the Buddhist sect.”

“Then how do I usually seem to you?”

“Wouldn’t you know better yourself?”

“Hohoho.”

At the sight of Seonwu Bang and Ban Hojin bickering so naturally, Peng Hwayeong covered her mouth with a hand as delicate as jade and laughed.

Just watching them was enough to tell how deep their friendship ran.

And so, in a way, she found herself feeling envious.

Setting aside the fact that she was a woman, Peng Hwayeong, as a human being, had no friends.

“I’m not going around causing trouble or anything, am I? I think I live my life doing good deeds in my own way.”

“I’m always on your side, big brother!”

Seo Joun added his support to Ban Hojin’s words as he shrugged his shoulders.

In a sense, it was proof in itself.

Proof that Ban Hojin had lived an upright life.

“Heh.”

Since Seonwu Bang knew that as well, he did not press Ban Hojin any further.

After all, in so ways, he too had received Ban Hojin’s help.

‘Still, her personality is completely different. Was there so kind of turning point that changed her nature?’

anwhile, even as he conversed with Seonwu Bang, Ban Hojin was subtly observing Peng Hwayeong.

Her disposition was far too different from the Peng Hwayeong he had known in his previous life.

No—her expression alone was already different.

That face, completely devoid of any trace of hardship or bitterness, felt utterly unfamiliar to Ban Hojin.

“May I speak now?”

“I’m sorry. We were talking amongst ourselves too much, weren’t we?”

“No, it’s fine. I’m the uninvited guest here. Since I interrupted the ti of the three of you, it’s only natural that I wait.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Not only Seonwu Bang, who had apologized, but even Seo Joun’s eyes widened slightly.

He hadn’t expected her to be so considerate.

In particular, Seo Joun’s eyes sparkled brightly.

She was taller than most won, but her proportions were so good that it didn’t feel strange at all.

And the more one looked at her, the prettier her face seed.

She wasn’t the type whose looks struck you at first glance, but neither was she soone who would fall short anywhere.

“I can hear you swallowing your saliva.”

“Huh?!”

At Ban Hojin’s remark, which seed to pierce right through him, Seo Joun flinched in shock.

But his hand was lightning-fast.

In a dazzling blur, the back of his hand wiped at the corner of his mouth.

If he had actually been drooling, it would have been a grave mistake, so Seo Joun hurriedly checked his lips with lightning speed.

“You’re really having fun.”

“That’s not why we gathered here. More importantly, what brings you here?”

“Because I have a request for you, Young Master Ban.”

Even when Ban Hojin asked directly about her purpose, Peng Hwayeong did not panic.

She knew this was the kind of person he was, and she herself despised wasting ti on pointless small talk.

Rather, she preferred moving straight to the main point like this.

“A request for .”

“I know very well how rude it is to make such a request after suddenly showing up like this. But since everyone who could help arrange a eting is already here, I had no choice but to co in person. And I’m prepared to be refused as well.”

“I’ll hear you out, at least.”

At Ban Hojin’s honest and straightforward reply, just like everything he had shown so far, she did not sense any sharpness from him anymore.

Given how far she had gone, pressing him further would have been discourteous.

“So please listen.”

“I want you to spar with .”

“You ca all the way from Hebei Province just for a sparring match?”

“Yes. Originally, I was planning to visit the Geum Family Estate.”

Peng Hwayeong smiled gently.

Her face showed no hint of joking.

“Then you heard the news that I had co here.”

“Yes. I received a bit of help from the Beggars’ Sect.”

“Is it all right to say that?”

“I didn’t ask for their help with bad intentions.”

Peng Hwayeong spoke confidently.

She didn’t believe there was anything to be ashad of, since she hadn’t done anything wrong.

And yet, this was a sight that remained etched in Ban Hojin’s mory.

“A sparring match, huh.”

“I really want to learn a move from you, Young Master Ban.”

“If it’s experience you want, aren’t there plenty of places to gain it even if it’s not from ? Especially since you’re from the Hebei Peng Family, one of the Five Great Families—you must have plenty of guest retainers as well.”

“I t and sparred with everyone who was staying there before I left.”

Peng Hwayeong smiled brightly.

At that sight, Ban Hojin let out a dry chuckle.

Though her personality might be different, her essence seed the sa.

“Hm.”

“Please.”

Peng Hwayeong bowed deeply and politely toward Ban Hojin as he pondered.

Yet that ???? did not look servile.

Rather, instead of seeming like the daughter of a martial family, she looked like a martial artist in her own right.

“Very well. However, there is a condition.”

“Please speak. If it is a condition I can accept, I will accept all of them.”

Peng Hwayeong’s face brightened.

Contrary to her expectations, Ban Hojin had agreed far too readily.

On the other hand, the expressions of the middle-aged n standing behind her stiffened.

They were worried that Ban Hojin might propose so outrageous condition.

“Before I state the condition, it seems the escort warrior behind you does not like ?”

“Hup!”

The middle-aged man who had been subtly coughing to apply pressure sucked in a breath.

Though Ban Hojin was speaking with a smile, the aura flowing from him was nothing short of murderous.

The overwhelming presence felt as though it were pressing down on his entire body, making the middle-aged man shudder uncontrollably.

“If you have sothing to say, I would prefer you speak directly instead of coughing.”

“I-I apologize.”

Though he was young, Ban Hojin’s standing was not sothing that would be looked down upon anywhere.

It was only because he had beco Damhyeon’s disciple late in life that his age did not match his seniority.

Moreover, Jianghu was a world where strength reigned supre.

Even if the Orthodox Martial World valued etiquette and propriety, personal strength was still the most important factor.

“Miss Peng’s status is special, but the sa goes for , Bang, and Joun.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

The middle-aged man, having glimpsed even a fraction of Ban Hojin’s realm, replied ekly.

He had clearly realized that he was not soone he could dare to contend with.

At the sa ti, he sensed that the rumors had not been exaggerated at all.

“I’m sorry, Young Master Ban. I also apologize to the two of you.”

“There is nothing Miss Peng needs to apologize for.”

“No. A fault of my family mbers is also my fault. I should have spoken up first…….”

Peng Hwayeong apologized sincerely.

Thinking it over carefully, she realized that others could have reasonably taken offense.

The only reason no one had spoken up until now was because of her status.

They must have endured it because they dared not speak directly in front of her.

Realizing that this ti, Peng Hwayeong bowed deeply toward Seonwu Bang and Seo Joun.

Though Ban Hojin had received the pressure directly, the two of them must have felt it indirectly as well.

“It did bother

a bit, but it’s fine now. Miss Peng apologized and all.”

“Hey.”

Seonwu Bang called out to Seo Joun in a low voice while watching both sides carefully.

However, Seo Joun was far more straightforward and aggressive than Seonwu Bang knew.

“Bluntly speaking, we’re not people of the Hebei Peng Family. And we’re not subordinates either.”

“……I apologize.”

At Seo Joun’s continued words, the middle-aged man bowed his head.

There was nothing incorrect in what he had said.

Of course, among the three, Seo Joun’s background might have been the weakest, but the important point was that the center of this group was Ban Hojin.

Having felt Ban Hojin’s imnse presence just monts ago, the middle-aged man apologized without hesitation.

“I accept that apology.”

“Good grief.”

At Seo Joun’s boldness, Seonwu Bang pressed a hand to his forehead.

But it was already too late to stop him.

Everything had already been settled, and it would have been awkward for him to intervene now.

“What’s wrong with that? Why try to cow a kid? If soone did wrong, they should be scolded—but Joun didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

“In a world where people wouldn’t hesitate to draw their blades just for being disrespected, this was resolved quite peacefully.”

At Ban Hojin’s words, Seo Joun nodded vigorously in agreent.

In truth, even if blades had been drawn, Seo Joun didn’t think he would have lost.

If three escort warriors charged him at once, it would have been difficult, but in a one-on-one fight, he was confident he wouldn’t lose easily.

“It’s scary hearing you say that. You really do seem like the type who would go through with it.”

“Doesn’t sound like a Shaolin disciple, does it?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Perhaps honesty was contagious, as Seonwu Bang nodded along.

Unlike the three calmly conversing, however, the middle-aged man swallowed his dry saliva.

If Ban Hojin had made a move, he might not have died—but he likely would have been left half-crippled.

“Let’s return to the matter at hand. I’ll state my condition now.”

“Yes.”

As an uninvited guest, Peng Hwayeong had silently waited while listening to the three converse.

Then, when Ban Hojin addressed her, she replied with a faint smile.

“Let’s have our sparring match on the sandy beach.”

“All right.”

Peng Hwayeong’s eyes sparkled.

She had realized the intent behind Ban Hojin’s suggestion to spar on sand.

At the sa ti, she found it fascinating.

She wondered how he had co up with such an idea.

“Oh? A sandy beach, huh.”

“A new environnt. Sounds interesting.”

Like Peng Hwayeong, Seo Joun and Seonwu Bang also caught on to Ban Hojin’s intent.

They wore expressions full of interest.

They had fought in mountains, on cliffs, and in valleys before, but neither of them had experience fighting on a sandy beach.

“Shall we start right away?”

“I’m fine with that.”

As if she had been waiting for those words, Peng Hwayeong answered with a resolute expression.

At that sight, Ban Hojin wore a subtle smile and led the way forward.

“Let

know when you’re ready. There’s no need to rush.”

“Thank you.”

At Ban Hojin’s words, which showed consideration not as the daughter of the Hebei Peng Family but as one martial artist to another, Peng Hwayeong smiled faintly.

Yet tension lingered within her.

The man before her was a rising junior, but one who existed outside the bounds of that category.

Thus, Peng Hwayeong took a deep breath, calming her tension to an appropriate level.

‘Hoo.’

Relaxing too much would prevent her from bringing out her true ability.

Knowing that proper tension led to optimal condition, Peng Hwayeong exhaled slowly and deeply, then drew the Geopae Blade she had been carrying on her back.

It was slightly shorter and thinner than the Geopae Blades her brothers used, but even so, it was an overwhelmingly massive weapon for a woman.

Yet Peng Hwayeong handled it comfortably with one hand.

Srrring.

As Peng Hwayeong drew her Geopae Blade and steadied her mind, Ban Hojin also drew his sword.

However, the atmosphere around him was completely different from hers.

With a calm face, he rely let his sword hang loosely at his side.

‘There’s…… no opening.’