Chapter 27: “It Didn’t Work on .” -03
“Ah, to be precise, I am the Rumor Lord of the Hao Sect. I know absolutely nothing about Young Lady Nan.”
“When you put it that way, it makes
even more curious. As to why you wanted to et .”
Nan Hee-ju smiled aningfully.
While staring straight at him, that was.
“Wouldn’t it be good to have many friends in Jianghu?”
“Friends?”
At those completely unexpected words, Nan Hee-ju’s eyes widened.
She had never imagined that the word ‘friends’ would co out of Ban Hojin’s mouth so naturally.
Ban Hojin was a disciple of Shaolin, called the Great North Star of the Orthodox Martial World, and Nan Hee-ju was the Rumor Lord of the Hao Sect, which stood between the orthodox and unorthodox paths.
Yet when he spoke as if they could beco friends, Nan Hee-ju found it hard to believe.
“I’m genuinely curious, so let
ask. Does the Hao Sect choose its friends selectively?”
“Not at all. We’re not like that. If you really look at it, our Hao Sect is a sect where all kinds of people gather.”
“I’m not saying we should beco friends right away. Just that we should get to know each other. Without prejudice.”
“Without prejudice.”
Nan Hee-ju wore an expression of surprise.
She had never expected to hear such words from the disciple of the Shaolin Abbot.
Of course, he was a lay disciple rather than a True Mountain Disciple, but Shaolin was the most prestigious of the prestigious great sects.
That was why the current situation felt all the more unreal to Nan Hee-ju.
‘He doesn’t have
as his objective.’
Nan Hee-ju could tell.
She knew that his words just now were by no ans said to gain her favor.
Ban Hojin was looking at her and treating her not as a woman, but purely as the Rumor Lord of the Hao Sect.
Yet strangely, that didn’t wound her pride or make her feel bad.
‘……This is fine?’
Rather, it left a good impression on Nan Hee-ju.
At first, she had thought he was a strange man, but now it was different.
That didn’t an she had developed romantic feelings.
She simply liked him as a person.
‘Soone like this is fine.’
Nan Hee-ju’s eyes sparkled.
All the rising juniors of the Orthodox Martial World she had seen so far had been arrogant to a man.
They looked down on the Hao Sect and treated it lightly.
As if they themselves were noble beings.
But according to what she had observed, there were no truly dignified people among them.
On the surface, they pretended to be clean, but behind the scenes they were filthy and despicable.
Perhaps because of that, Ban Hojin lood even larger in Nan Hee-ju’s eyes.
“The Central Plains Murim doesn’t consist only of the orthodox path. And just because one belongs to the orthodox path doesn’t an everyone is clean. So I believe it’s entirely possible to beco friends with the Hao Sect as well. Of course, Shaolin and the Hao Sect might find it difficult. My thoughts and my master’s thoughts may differ.”
“I understand completely.”
The thoughts of an individual and those of a sect could differ greatly.
Moreover, although Ban Hojin was the Abbot’s disciple, that didn’t an he represented Shaolin.
Since that was what he was saying, Nan Hee-ju nodded in agreent.
In a way, she herself was in a situation similar to Ban Hojin’s.
“So I hope we get along well from now on.”
“The feeling is mutual. I debated a lot about whether to co or not, but I think it was the right choice to co.”
Nan Hee-ju smiled brightly.
She hadn’t achieved the best possible result, but this wasn’t bad either.
However, Nan Hee-ju didn’t know.
That Ban Hojin was seeing straight through her inner thoughts.
‘Lucky.’
Nan Hee-ju had turned her head in her own way, but Ban Hojin stood above her.
He knew everything—her purpose in seeking him out, and the reason she had removed her veil.
No, even if he hadn’t known, there was no way he would have fallen for a honey trap.
‘The Geum Family Estate and the Hao Sect, huh.’
Geum Hoyeon and Nan Hee-ju had both co to find Ban Hojin with, in the broad sense, the sa objective.
Both had gone to the Seo Family Estate to obtain the talent called Ban Hojin.
And that worked to Ban Hojin’s advantage.
Depending on how things were handled, Ban Hojin could make use of both the Geum Family Estate and the Hao Sect.
‘I can’t be certain yet, but they’re not exchanging contact, nor is their relationship deep.’
It was impossible to grasp the Hao Sect’s circumstances from a single eting.
Moreover, Ban Hojin had said he wanted to beco acquainted, but he hadn’t asked a single thing about the Hao Sect.
Still, there were things he could glean from Nan Hee-ju’s actions.
If the Hao Sect had already joined hands with the Four Tyrants of the World, there was no way Nan Hee-ju, the Rumor Lord of the Hao Sect, wouldn’t know, and she certainly wouldn’t have co to see Ban Hojin.
‘They might be trying to keep lines open to both sides, but the important thing is that they haven’t firmly taken anyone’s hand yet.’
Just learning that much was already a gain for Ban Hojin.
It ant there was still a chance to change the future.
And honestly, since Ban Hojin knew the Hao Sect’s future, he also felt a bit of pity toward them.
For a martial artist, yearning for strength was never sothing strange.
“I should be the one thanking you for coming to see
first.”
“What are you saying? I’m the one who’s grateful. If Young Master Ban hadn’t accepted my request, we wouldn’t even have been able to et like this in the first place.”
“Then let’s say we’re both grateful to each other.”
“Let’s wrap up this topic here, then. Ah, but what do you plan to do later, Young Master Ban?”
Perhaps because she knew that Ban Hojin had no lustful intent toward her at all, Nan Hee-ju felt comfortable in this setting.
Seo Joun, who showed the typical traits of a man, was present, but that level was rely endearing to her.
Moreover, since her subordinates had inford her via voice transmission about what they had learned regarding Seo Joun, she found it rather cute.
“Later, huh. That question is a bit too broad.”
“Do you plan to remain at Shaolin?”
Nan Hee-ju’s gaze naturally shifted toward Seo Joun.
She thought there must be a clear reason Ban Hojin had treated Seo Joun, who suffered from the Nine Yang Severed ridians.
Of course, it could have been because he valued the sanctity of life.
But the Ban Hojin she had observed wasn’t that generous or benevolent by nature.
“I used to think I probably would, but now I’m not sure. Perhaps I might co out into the world.”
Ban Hojin said with a aningful smile.
But he didn’t continue.
He didn’t think there was any need to bring it up here and now.
“As expected.”
“At that ti, I’ll be by Hyung-nim’s side.”
Nan Hee-ju’s eyes sparkled.
Because she had heard the answer she wanted.
Then Seo Joun, lacking tact, butted in.
“You should be going to the Seo Family Estate.”
“I'm the youngest son, you know. The Seo Family Estate will be inherited by my eldest brother.”
“Still, this is your ho.”
“Co on, I’ll visit from ti to ti, but I need to build my own family too. I was born a man—shouldn’t I harbor ambitions?”
“Well, sure.”
Ban Hojin replied halfheartedly.
With abilities that outstanding and a sharp mind to match, it was obvious he would take care of his own future just fine.
So ddling in Seo Joun’s affairs like this felt rather ridiculous.
“When you establish your family, Hyung-nim, I’ll beco your first vassal.”
“That’s a story for the distant future.”
“That’s why we should prepare in advance.”
“Don’t get too far ahead of yourself.”
Ban Hojin shook his head and shifted his gaze.
Yet Nan Hee-ju’s eyes were shining in a way that felt burdenso.
Seeing her expression, so transparent that he could clearly tell what she was thinking, Ban Hojin let out a dry chuckle.
‘Still, if things are to go according to my plan, helping Young Master Geum would be the right move.’
Even as Nan Hee-ju stared at him intently, Ban Hojin paid her no mind.
Instead, he thought about Geum Hoyeon and the Geum Family Estate.
When a fish willingly bit the bait, not catching it would be foolish.
And for Geum Hoyeon as well, it was by no ans a losing deal.
From early morning, the Seo Family Estate was in an uproar.
To be precise, it had turned into a sea of tears.
Because Seo Joun was leaving ho for the first ti in his life, all the family mbers and household retainers had co out, crying.
In particular, Seo Joun’s mother and grandmother were holding his hands and refused to let go.
“Please don’t worry too much. I’ll learn a lot from Hyung-nim and co back.”
“You’ll make sure to keep in touch regularly, right?”
“Wherever you go, don’t skip als. Serve Young Master Ban well. You know that, right? Never forget, not for a mont, that Young Master Ban is your benefactor.”
Unlike his older brothers, who rely reddened their eyes, his mother and grandmother shed tears like chicken droppings falling in streams, and Seo Joun’s own eyes grew moist as well.
But in the end, he did not let his tears fall.
He believed that a true man must never show tears.
And if he showed weakness, his family would worry even more, so Seo Joun did his best to appear composed.
“I’ll keep it all in mind. Mother, Grandmother, please take care of your health too. I don’t have to stay at Shaolin all the ti, so I’ll co back as often as I can every New Year.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Hyung-nim already gave his permission.”
“Good. Our puppy, make sure you eat well and sleep well. Don’t ever overexert yourself, all right? Health cos first. There’s nothing more important than health.”
Seo Joun’s grandmother repeatedly stroked the back of his hand.
Until not long ago, he had been a sickly grandson, so her eyes were filled with worry.
“Don’t worry. I’m really strong now. I’ll beco even healthier from here on.”
“Alright, alright.”
Because his grandmother still wouldn’t let go of his hand, Seo Joun exchanged glances with his two older brothers.
Since they were brothers, it felt awkward to hold hands, so this kind of greeting seed better.
“Please take good care of Joun. And thank you, Young Master Ban.”
“I think I’ve already heard enough thanks.”
“From my standpoint, no matter how many tis I say it, it still feels insufficient. To
and to my family, Young Master Ban is a benefactor.”
“It makes
a bit uncomfortable, since I didn’t help with purely selfless intentions.”
“Even so, the fact remains that you saved him.”
Seo I-gyeong smiled gently.
Certainly, Ban Hojin’s words weren’t wrong.
But what mattered to Seo I-gyeong was that his youngest son could now live healthily, without pain.
That alone made him profoundly grateful.
“It may be hard for us to et for a while, but once he’s capable of traveling Jianghu on his own, I’ll send him to the Seo Family Estate often.”
“That’s fine. Don’t they say that every man has his own work to do? When undertaking great things, the household must not beco an obstacle. Exchanging ssages will be more than enough for . So please don’t feel burdened about that.”
“Understood.”
“And I’ve received much help beyond just Joun. Thanks to that, I’ve gained a new goal.”
Seo I-gyeong’s eyes changed.
When they had first t, he had looked as though he might collapse at any mont.
But now, it was different.
He had the eyes of soone who was dreaming.
“That’s good to hear.”
“However, there’s sothing even more important than my goal. If at any ti you need my help or that of the Seo Family Estate, please contact . I will run to you no matter where it is.”
“I understand.”
Seeing Seo I-gyeong speak as though making an oath, Ban Hojin responded with a deep bow.
He couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
And in a way, he could understand Seo I-gyeong’s feelings as well.
“It may not be a great help, but it will be better than having nothing.”
“That can’t be true. Just hearing your words already makes
feel reassured. Oh, by the way—if you ever get stuck while training with the sword, take a look at the signboard. It will help.”
“What do you an by that?”
“The person who carved the three characters on the signboard was the founding Estate Lord, correct?”
“That’s right.”
Seo I-gyeong replied with an astonished expression.
It was strange enough that soone ntioned the signboard no one paid attention to, but he was even more surprised that Ban Hojin recognized at a glance that it had been carved by the founding Estate Lord.
“The founding Estate Lord left the Seo Family Estate’s sword on that signboard. So it will be of great help to you, Estate Lord.”
“Ah!”
“I’m not in a position to evaluate other martial arts, but the Seo Family Estate’s sword is by no ans weak. So it seems you only need to train diligently.”
“……Thank you.”
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