The Return of the Sw Chapter 41 : Invest with Certainty. -02

Chapter 41: Invest with Certainty. -02

Ban Hojin let out a snort of laughter as he spoke.

It was amusing because he knew everything already, yet still said it like this.

“I know you’re trying to stake your claim in advance, but that just makes it even more burdensome.”

“That’s how it should be.”

“What’s the big deal? Turning down something that’s being given to you isn’t exactly polite either. Besides, it’s not like Young Master Geum overdid it, is it? It’d be a problem if he were doing this to the point of bankruptcy, but considering what he gained from this incident, what you received is really very little.”

In Ban Hojin’s view, Seonwu Bang and Seo Joun were more than qualified to receive at least this much.

First of all, they had risked the most important thing a person had—their lives—and they had trusted Geum Hoyeon.

Geum Hoyeon had repaid that trust with material compensation.

Of course, it wasn’t as if the two had gone purely for Geum Hoyeon’s sake, but either way, what mattered was the result.

“When you put it that way, that’s true.”

“We really did gain a lot this time. Tangible things, but especially the intangible ones.”

“What are you two going to use the money you received for?”

At Ban Hojin’s words, the two showed contrasting expressions.

Unlike Seonwu Bang, who pondered calmly, Seo Joun’s eyes sparkled with excitement, his face lit up.

“I’m planning to keep mine for now. You never know when you might need it later, for expenses and such.”

“As for me, I’m going to send everything home except what I’ll personally use.”

“All of it?”

Not only Ban Hojin, but even Seonwu Bang looked slightly surprised.

The amount they had received after looting Taeho Stronghold was no small sum.

So when Seo Joun said he would send most of it to the Seo Family Estate, Ban Hojin asked back.

“Yes. Our financial situation wasn’t very good to begin with. And since they spent a lot of money because of me, it’s only right that I repay them.”

“That makes sense too.”

Knock, knock, knock.

As Ban Hojin looked at Seo Joun with an approving gaze, a guest arrived.

At the sound of the knocking, not only Ban Hojin but the two others shifted their gazes toward the entrance.

“It’s me, Great Hero Ban. May I come in?”

“Yes. Please come in.”

Hearing Geum Hoyeon’s noticeably more respectful voice, Ban Hojin laughed inwardly. He knew exactly why the man was acting like that.

“You two are here as well.”

“Yes. After all, aside from us, there isn’t really anyone here that we know.”

“Am I not included?”

Geum Hoyeon looked at Seonwu Bang with a deliberately hurt expression.

In a way, he could also be considered a comrade-in-arms, so it felt like he alone was being left out.

“Aren’t you extremely busy right now? How could we dare ask for a private meeting?”

“If the three of you come looking for me, then even if I have no time, I must make time.”

“Thank you for even saying that.”

Seonwu Bang smiled faintly.

Knowing it wasn’t just empty words, he felt quietly pleased.

“Are you satisfied with the lodging?”

“Other than being too luxurious, it’s fine.”

“That’s precisely why I invited you here.”

Geum Hoyeon asked while looking at Ban Hojin, passing Seonwu Bang and Seo Joun.

He had assigned them the finest detached annex in the Geum Family Estate, but honestly, he felt even that wasn’t enough.

Considering what he had gained from this incident, that was how he saw it.

However, Ban Hojin seemed to think differently.

“I can’t really get used to it either.”

“You could say it feels a bit burdensome.”

Seonwu Bang and Seo Joun chimed in as well.

Though both were from prestigious families, this kind of extravagance was a first for them.

Thinking it went beyond luxury into sheer extravagance, both smiled awkwardly.

“You three are more than qualified to enjoy this. So please don’t feel burdened and rest comfortably.”

“How are things going?”

“They couldn’t be better. However, it’s not completely settled yet. You could say it’s either evenly matched, or that I’m slightly ahead.”

At Ban Hojin’s words, Geum Hoyeon’s expression turned serious.

Then, in an extremely objective manner, he spoke about the current situation.

“So even after resolving this incident, you haven’t been able to overwhelmingly dominate.”

“The opposing support base was extremely solid to begin with. Still, this incident has clearly changed my position. And as time goes on, things will tilt further in my favor. For now, more than half of the Geum Family Escort Agency has already come over to my side.”

“I believe you’ll do well.”

“All of this is thanks to you, Great Hero Ban. Hahaha.”

Geum Hoyeon laughed brightly.

Though his body was exhausted from handling the aftermath, his heart was more at ease and happier than ever before.

“I didn’t accomplish this alone. It’s a result we all created together.”

“But the finishing touch was yours, Great Hero Ban. That’s why I’m truly grateful.”

“That, too, is Young Master Geum’s ability. It means you have good judgment.”

“That’s right. And because of this incident, I’ve become confident. Confident that I can do well even after becoming the Geum Family Head. Ah, come to think of it, there was something I wanted to ask, but I completely forgot until now. What should we do about the rumors? Completely blocking them is impossible, but we can delay them as much as possible.”

“It’s fine. There’s no need to control it. Even if it gets out, those who believe will believe, and those who don’t, won’t.”

Unlike the cautious Geum Hoyeon, Ban Hojin didn’t think much of it.

Perfect control was impossible anyway.

Too many people had seen him capture the Green Forest Great Lord.

And since he hadn’t done anything wrong, there was no reason to go out of his way to prevent it from being known.

“Even so, things will become quite inconvenient for you. In truth, requests to arrange meetings with you, Great Hero Ban, are pouring in. But I’m handling all of them at my level.”

“I’ll be relying on you going forward as well.”

“When it’s time to rest, you should rest properly. Meeting people is my job, but it isn’t yours, is it?”

“You seem to be enjoying it quite a bit, though.”

“Hahaha, does it show? Honestly, this is the first time I’ve ever received such intense attention within the family. Though I’m in the middle of a succession struggle, most people thought the First Young Lord would win. But since that’s been overturned for the first time, the reactions have been extremely fiery. Even marriage proposals have increased severalfold.”

Geum Hoyeon spoke in a tone more filled with awe than pride.

Having, for the first time, gained the upper hand over Geum Sangryong, Geum Hoyeon felt joy—and at the same time, steeled his heart.

He intended to carry this momentum forward and firmly seize the position of successor.

And to do that, he needed to further solidify his relationship with Ban Hojin.

‘I absolutely cannot let him go.’

Until recently, Ban Hojin had been a master known only to him.

But now, things were different.

Centered around those who had fought alongside him, Ban Hojin’s nameless reputation was spreading at a terrifying speed.

Not only through his own subordinates, but through Geum Sangryong’s men as well.

Because of that, Geum Hoyeon had no room to wallow in happiness.

With even a moment’s carelessness, someone else could snatch Ban Hojin away, so instead, Geum Hoyeon stayed sharply focused.

‘The best option would be to become blood relatives, but I don’t have anyone I could truly call my own younger sibling.’

Geum Hoyeon smacked his lips inwardly.

The younger sisters were quite numerous, but they were all half-siblings.

In other words, any benefit would only go to others, so with a sense of regret, Geum Hoyeon erased thoughts of blood relations from his mind.

“Come to think of it, you’re still alone.”

“I’ve been running around in a daze, and all I did was get older. I still have no thoughts about it. I plan to hold a marriage once I become the Young Estate Lord. When that time comes, things will be different from now.”

“That’s true.”

Ban Hojin nodded.

Even now, the conditions of the women being mentioned weren’t bad, but once he became the Young Estate Lord and the clear successor of the Geum Family Estate, it was obvious that marriage proposals would come from those with even better qualifications.

Coldly speaking, now wasn’t the time to worry about women anyway.

Even if he was ahead in the competition, the succession struggle wasn’t over yet.

“There are also quite a few people trying to slyly latch onto you, Great Hero Ban. Probably because you’re a Lay Disciple.”

“Not a chance.”

“Pardon?”

At Seo Joun’s sudden interjection, Geum Hoyeon’s eyes widened.

But Seonwu Bang was nodding as well.

“Stay out of my business.”

“I’ll consider it only if they’re at least at the level of Sambong.”

“Well, anyone can have dreams.”

At Seo Joun’s confident declaration of his views, Ban Hojin shrugged.

Setting aside whether it was possible or not, he thought anyone could dream.

And considering Seo Joun’s potential, it didn’t seem completely impossible.

In Jianghu, what mattered most in the end was one’s own true ability.

“Great Hero Ban.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“May I ask how long you plan to stay?”

“I don’t plan on leaving immediately. In a way, this is the most dangerous period, and the two of them also need time to sort through what they gained from this battle.”

“I see.”

Geum Hoyeon’s face brightened.

He had inwardly thought Ban Hojin would leave after finishing his business, so when he heard that he would stay a bit longer for his sake, Geum Hoyeon looked slightly moved.

“If it’s inconvenient, I’ll leave as soon as possible.”

“No! Not at all! On the contrary, I’d be glad if you stayed longer!”

At Ban Hojin’s joke, Geum Hoyeon flailed his hands in surprise.

Rather, he honestly wished Ban Hojin would settle down here altogether.

So he replied while subtly conveying that feeling.

“I’ll let you know once the date is decided.”

“Yes. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to tell me anytime.”

“Ah! There is one thing.”

Just as Geum Hoyeon was about to stand up, he sat back down.

Then his eyes shone.

This was the first time Ban Hojin had made a request.

“What would that be?”

“Among the Lay Disciples of the Main Temple, there is a First-Generation Disciple named Jang Pilsang. I’d like you to look into him.”

“I’ll investigate thoroughly. But is it urgent?”

“No. It’s not urgent. I’d just like you to make sure to look into it properly.”

“Understood.”

Geum Hoyeon didn’t ask any further questions.

He thought that if help was being requested, there must be a good reason.

So he repeated the name Jang Pilsang in his mind.

“I’ll be counting on you.”

“I’ll bring the results personally once everything is sorted.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“No, it is. This is something I should naturally take care of. If either of you ever need my help as well, please feel free to tell me anytime.”

After meeting Seonwu Bang’s and Seo Joun’s eyes once each, Geum Hoyeon left the room.

He truly came only for his business, without interrupting the three’s conversation.

Even as he left, Geum Hoyeon chewed over the name Jang Pilsang once more.

Kwaaang!

Geum Sangryong violently slammed his fist down onto the expensive desk specially crafted from ebony wood.

Unable to restrain his anger, he struck the desk repeatedly.

Yet even so, the rage surging up from his chest didn’t subside in the slightest.

Brrr!

Instead, it boiled over even more.

What infuriated him even further was the fact that there was nothing he could do right now.

“P-please calm yourself!”

“Calm down? Do I look like I can calm down right now?”

“……”

The subordinates summoned by Geum Sangryong all shut their mouths at once.

The thick fury embedded in his voice made them hesitate to speak carelessly.

Instead, every one of them glanced sideways at one another.

“What’s the situation with the Geum Family Escort Agency?”

“……It’s leaning heavily toward the Second Young Lord.”

“That figures. They saw the Green Forest Great Lord fall right in front of their eyes. No matter what anyone says, the one who resolved this incident was that bastard. What about the atmosphere within the estate?”

“It’s being talked about a lot.”

“Hoo!”

Geum Sangryong let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes.

Even without asking, he had eyes and ears of his own.

Still, the reason he asked was to tell them not to just watch, but to think of countermeasures.

But while there were many people, there wasn’t a single one truly useful.

‘To think that such a ridiculous gamble would actually work. Just how did he even come to know someone like that?’

Grit!