Chapter 108: I’m This Kind of Person. -01
The Geum Family Head spoke calmly.
Even if it was his own child, if he had committed a cri, he had to be punished.
Of course, if it had been done without anyone knowing, he would not have cared.
That, in its own way, was also a kind of ability.
But Geum Sang-ryong had failed to do so.
And since there was not only a replacent but an outstanding one nad Geum Hoyeon, the Geum Family Head did not hesitate in making his decision.
“That’s a relief. I was wondering what I would do if the Family Head asked
to show him leniency.”
“Sang-ryong was the one who crossed the line first. Rather, I am grateful that Hero Ban showed consideration.”
The Geum Family Head replied with a bitter smile.
Though he was his first child, as he had said, Geum Sang-ryong was no longer a child.
Thus, he had to accept the consequences of his actions and take responsibility.
Just as a rchant suffered losses when a business venture failed, this was no different.
“Still, isn’t he the First Young Lord of the Geum Family Estate?”
“Not from this mont on. And the final victor has beco Hoyeon.”
Gulp!
Geum Hoyeon, who had been listening anxiously to the conversation between the two, widened his eyes.
He had never imagined those words would be spoken here.
“Congratulations.”
“F-Family Head?”
Ban Hojin turned his head and looked at Geum Hoyeon.
However, Geum Hoyeon stared at the Geum Family Head with a startled expression.
Even after hearing it directly, he seed unable to believe it.
“From today onward, you are the Young Family Head.”
“Gasp!”
At the Geum Family Head’s words confirming it once more, Geum Hoyeon covered his mouth with both hands.
If he did not, it felt as though a scream would burst out.
“Congratulations!”
“I suppose we should call you Young Family Head now instead of Young Master Geum.”
“Congratulations.”
Seeing Geum Hoyeon unable to hide his joy, Seo Joun, Seon Woo-bang, and Jeong I-ryung offered their congratulations.
At that, Geum Hoyeon’s eyes began to redden.
He had taken on the challenge, but in truth, everyone had thought his chances were slim.
Geum Sang-ryong’s support base had simply been too solid.
Yet when he accomplished what everyone had deed impossible—what even he himself had thought would be difficult—an indescribable emotion surged within him.
At the sa ti, he looked at Ban Hojin with tear-filled eyes.
“Thank you! Thank you, everyone!”
Geum Hoyeon first expressed his gratitude to Ban Hojin.
In a way, it was Ban Hojin who had made him the Young Family Head.
If Ban Hojin had not helped him, the present him would not exist.
Thus, after thanking Ban Hojin in a choked voice, Geum Hoyeon t the eyes of the others as well.
“Please continue to take good care of my son.”
“I haven’t really done much.”
“Hahaha.”
“I believe he would have done well on his own even without .”
Ban Hojin smiled aningfully.
He understood what the Geum Family Head was worried about even as he made that request.
However, Ban Hojin had not the slightest intention of doing such a thing from the beginning.
Now as well as in the future, there was only one thing Ban Hojin desired.
“Then I would appreciate it if you could at least help him when tis are difficult.”
“I’ll consider it when the ti cos. My dream is to live idly without working.”
“What?”
The Geum Family Head’s eyes widened.
He was startled by the unexpected remark.
“Rather than living busily, my dream is to live leisurely and peacefully.”
“Huh. You are serious.”
“Yes. But unfortunately, it is an extrely difficult dream to achieve.”
The Geum Family Head let out a faint chuckle.
He had never expected that of all people, Ban Hojin would harbor such thoughts.
At an age full of vigor and with such outstanding skill, he had assud his dream would naturally be to beco the greatest under heaven, yet hearing a dream completely opposite to that made him laugh in disbelief.
“I never imagined that would be your dream.”
“Each person has their own dream.”
If he explained the reason, it might make sense, but Ban Hojin could not say it.
No— even if he did, they certainly would not believe him.
Thus, Ban Hojin offered no further explanation.
“Ah, and as for Sang-ryong, I will leave him to Hero Ban’s judgnt. Though he is a rchant, that does not make him exempt from the laws of the Jianghu.”
“You are sincere.”
“As I said earlier, I believe every action carries responsibility. You may think
cold-hearted, but this is a position that can only be held by being cool and rational. Before I am Sang-ryong’s father, I am the Geum Family Head. I am the one who must think of the Geum Family above all else.”
“I understand.”
Ban Hojin knew it was the resolve of a leader.
If he had been the Geum Family Head, he would have made the sa choice.
Though his heart would ache and he would grieve, the Geum Family was more important than his child.
And since there was already a successor, the answer had been clear from the beginning.
“However, there is one thing I would like to request. Please send him off without pain.”
“I understand.”
He had never intended to leave future troubles behind in the first place, but hearing the Geum Family Head say this made Ban Hojin feel sowhat more at ease.
Moreover, for the sake of Geum Hoyeon, who would now act as the Young Family Head, it was right to punish Geum Sang-ryong decisively.
‘Once I wrap this up, I can return imdiately.’
Watching Geum Hoyeon tear up while his companions comforted him, Ban Hojin let out a faint chuckle.
Seeing that sight, it felt like they had truly grown much closer.
Swoosh.
anwhile, the Geum Family Head quietly observed Ban Hojin.
In truth, the reason he had arranged this eting was because he wanted to see the person nad Ban Hojin for himself.
Rather than hearing about him through others and assessing him that way, he wished to et him directly.
Having dealt with people for a long ti, he was fairly skilled at reading physiognomy.
‘We must go together no matter what.’
Physiognomy was not simply about looking at one’s face.
One had to observe the eyes, complexion, and many other aspects together to judge properly.
Thus, the Geum Family Head reached a decision in his heart.
Not only for his son, Geum Hoyeon, but also for the Geum Family, he had to maintain a close relationship with Ban Hojin.
‘He will beco soone even greater than he is now.’
The Geum Family Head was certain.
Even now, he was a master who shook the Jianghu, but in the future, he would undoubtedly beco an even greater figure.
Thus, he had to maintain an even closer relationship.
For the sake of Geum Hoyeon, the Geum Family Estate, and for himself as well.
After finishing matters at the Geum Family Estate and returning to Songshan, Ban Hojin checked the spoils of war.
Since the matter regarding Geum Sang-ryong had been concluded, it was now ti to distribute the spoils.
Beopmu and the Eight Protectors did not particularly desire anything, so Ban Hojin intended to pass their shares to Damhyeon.
“Now it’s just our lot left.”
The portion for the warriors sent by Geum Hoyeon had already been paid.
Though they were martial artists, they had not actually participated in combat, so Ban Hojin had paid them only wages corresponding to the work they had done.
Originally, they had refused to accept it, but since compensation for labor had to be clear, Ban Hojin had forcibly pressed it into their hands.
Knock knock knock.
“We’re here.”
“Co in.”
At the sound of Seonwu Bang’s voice from beyond the door, Ban Hojin turned his head.
Soon, with the familiar creak of hinges, the door opened and Seonwu Bang entered first, followed by Seo Joun, Murong Cheok, and Jeong I-ryong.
“Maybe it’s because the year has changed. The room feels a bit chilly. Should I scatter so Extre Yang Energy?”
“It’s Winter. Of course it should be cold. If it isn’t cold, is it even Winter? And I have Immunity to Cold and Heat, so I’m fine.”
“I know, but still, it’s better warm than too cold. Hehe.”
Even the chairs were filled with chill.
The mont he sat down, coldness climbed up his spine, and Seo Joun said with an easygoing grin.
“A mountain is definitely a mountain.”
“This Winter feels colder than last year.”
“It seems like there’s more snow too.”
Though the windows were tightly shut, perhaps because the house had not been built by an expert, there was a slight draft.
Even now, cold wind slipped through the gaps in the window, and Seonwu Bang shuddered once as he accepted the tea Ban Hojin poured for him.
Jeong I-ryong likewise received the tea respectfully with both hands and took a sip.
“Last Winter, everyone was at their own hos. This is our first ti spending Winter at Songshan, so of course it feels different.”
“Ah.”
At Ban Hojin’s words, the four of them widened their eyes.
They realized that naturally it would feel different.
“For now, each of you take one of these.”
Thud.
At the sight of the four being surprised over such a trivial fact, Ban Hojin chuckled and took out the small wooden boxes he had prepared in advance, placing one before each of them.
All of them blinked, alternating their gazes between Ban Hojin and the boxes.
“What is this?”
“We paid Shaolin and the Geum Family Estate their wages, but not ourselves. Since we obtained these together, it’s only right to distribute them. Of course, there will be differences depending on contribution.”
Not only Seo Joun, but Seonwu Bang, Murong Cheok, and Jeong I-ryong subtly glanced at one another.
Rather than curiosity about what was inside the box, it was clear they were wondering whether they should accept it.
Though he had ntioned differences in contribution, in truth, aside from Ban Hojin, the four of them had perford at similar levels.
“Let’s open them first. We should at least see what’s inside.”
“Shall we?”
At Seonwu Bang’s suggestion, Seo Joun readily agreed.
In truth, he was curious as well.
Jeong I-ryong and Murong Cheok seed the sa, cautiously extending their hands toward the boxes.
Click.
As they opened the palm-sized wooden boxes, a faint bitter fragrance rose.
It was similar to the scent of dicinal herbs, and Seonwu Bang tilted his head.
It looked like a dicinal pill, but he could not determine exactly what it was, so he naturally turned to Ban Hojin.
“It’s a Baekdok Pill (百毒丸).”
“Don’t tell —the Baekdok Pill of the Sichuan Tang Family?”
“That’s right.”
“How did you—? No, was this in the Secret Vault of the Dark Moon Sect?”
Seonwu Bang’s eyes widened.
Murong Cheok was no different.
With an expression entirely different from monts ago, he stared at Ban Hojin with his eyes wide open.
anwhile, Seo Joun and Jeong I-ryong, who were unfamiliar with the Baekdok Pill, rely watched the three of them.
“I was surprised too. It’s not on the level of the Cheondok Pill, but the Baekdok Pill is also extrely rare outside. It’s an item that only leaves the Tang Family with the permission of the Tang Family Head.”
“But how?”
“I don’t know either. It didn’t say through what route they obtained it. But from what I’ve confird, it’s genuine.”
“Huh.”
Shaolin was also renowned for its alchemy.
They manufactured the Great Restoration Pill and the Lesser Restoration Pill, known as miraculous dicines of the Murim.
As such, they had more than enough ability to discern authenticity.
Therefore, Seonwu Bang did not doubt it in the slightest.
He was simply astonished.
That the Dark Moon Sect possessed four Baekdok Pills—and that Ban Hojin had presented them so casually.
“Um. What is the Baekdok Pill?”
On behalf of Seo Joun, who swallowed dryly, Jeong I-ryong asked cautiously.
He did not fail to understand Ban Hojin’s intentions, but it felt sowhat excessive.
“It may not be called a miraculous dicine, but in terms of value, it’s comparable. In so ways, it could be considered one—at least when it cos to poison. If you take it, you can beco a body immune to a hundred poisons. To be precise, if it is completely absorbed.”
“Gasp!”
As the conversation with Seonwu Bang seed to conclude, Seo Joun, who had asked carefully, was shocked.
He was startled at the ntion that it could make one immune to a hundred poisons.
At the sa ti, he understood why Seonwu Bang and Murong Cheok had been so shocked.
Although he cultivated the Blazing Deity Divine Art, a peerless Yang-attribute cultivation art, and thus had relatively high resistance to poison, others did not.
And having resistance did not an one was free from poison, so there was no harm in taking the Baekdok Pill.
Rather, it was beneficial.
“Are you truly giving this to us?”
Instead of Seo Joun, who swallowed dryly, Jeong I-ryong asked carefully.
“It’s only natural. We risked our lives fighting the Dark Moon Sect—shouldn’t we receive at least this much?”
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