Where The Sword Points (6)

Ha Suk-heon’s face clearly hardened.

It wasn’t just him. Ha Jun’s eyes, blazing with jealousy and rage, shook as if an earthquake had struck.

By contrast, Jin-hyeon was composed, and Han Cheol-sang kept his blank face. Only Do Il-gang grew increasingly tense at the unusual exchange across the table.

After a moment.

“What do you mean by that?”

His voice was a shade lower, but steady.

Jin-hyeon shook his head.

“I dislike the idea of binding myself and my people to something tangled up with the words ‘Eight Martial Houses.’”

“?”

“Unless it can put Sichuan Murim beneath its feet, I’ve no reason to entrust it with my life.”

A curious look passed over Ha Suk-heon’s face.

It seemed he did not know of Cheongyang Association’s secret undertakings.

Thinking on it, that was natural. The Cheongyang Association hid its strength thoroughly, and the work underway was reviewed daily to avoid all eyes. Some drifter from nowhere could not possibly know.

‘No, leave the possibility open. He could know and feign ignorance. But…’

Thinking it over ten, twenty times, he came to the conclusion that it was impossible for him to know.

Still, caution never hurts. Ha Suk-heon offered something vague.

“The Cheongyang Association already stands at the top, so we’ve never thought about putting Sichuan underfoot.”

A faint disappointment tinged Jin-hyeon’s face.

It was the kind of look you try not to show, yet can’t quite hide.

“Is that so?”

At that moment, Ha Suk-heon was certain.

This one didn’t know the association’s secret.

Conversely, he seemed to overvalue himself. If they had the daring to unify Sichuan Murim, perhaps. If not, he had no wish to join hands.

‘Truly arrogant. And yet…’

That arrogance wasn’t bad.

Rather, he felt pleased. A man with talent like that should rightly harbor ambition to set a region beneath his feet.

A man who wouldn’t waste talent and bore great ambitions. It was just the sort the Cheongyang Association needed now.

“But that is only my view, the Association Leader’s may differ.”

Jin-hyeon gave a small laugh.

“If you’re leaving room for me, there’s no need.”

“Heh, that’s not it.”

“I’ve heard the repute of the Divine Palm Adept, Great Hero Ha, until my ears are callused. They say you’re Cheongyang Association’s strongest, save the Leader. How could one like you not know the Association Leader’s mind?”

He subtly flattered Ha Suk-heon.

Ha Suk-heon was a seasoned man of the Kangho and didn’t blink at ordinary praises. But perhaps thinking the other already in hand, even that thin gold leaf felt welcome today.

“Heh heh, wherever you heard it, that’s merely Kangho gossip.”

“In any case, we’ve no reason to stay longer.”

When Jin-hyeon rose, Han Cheol-sang and Do Il-gang rose with him.

Without showing haste, Ha Suk-heon smiled mildly.

“Why not just send the other two back and share a drink with me?”

Jin-hyeon shook his head.

“It would be wrong for a noble man’s time to be wasted on a stray guest like me.”

The smile at Ha Suk-heon’s lips faded.

“I’ve near lived half a century. In all that time, no one’s called my eye lacking. Your skill alone suffices to be a guest of honor of the Cheongyang Association.”

“I’ll accept the sentiment.”

“Heh, it would harm neither you nor me.”

“Put me aside, what would it do for you, Elder?”

“Even if you don’t tie bonds with us, how often does one meet talent like this? To share a cup and speak of the past is a great pleasure in life.”

It was extravagant praise. Jin-hyeon paused in thought. No, he pretended to.

Silence pooled in the courtyard.

Ha Suk-heon felt himself growing impatient without realizing it, and didn’t even find that strange.

How much time passed?

Jin-hyeon sighed and spoke.

“I need time to think.”

A pity, but this was enough to say he’d taken the bait. Calming the urge to smile, Ha Suk-heon put on a look of disappointment.

“Then it can’t be helped. Perhaps, can you settle your thoughts before the Radiant Sword Festival ends?”

“I’ll do so.”

Only then did Ha Suk-heon rise.

“Again, you needn’t especially bind with us. It’s only a cup of wine, don’t feel burdened.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Great Hero Ha. Hearing that, I think I can decide sooner.”

“Heh heh, good.”

Jin-hyeon politely gestured cupping fist to palm.

“I’m truly moved by how generously you treated an uninvited guest. The next time we meet, I won’t come empty-handed.”

Laughing heartily, Ha Suk-heon returned the gesture.

“When we meet again, just bring a good wine. I’ll prepare the place and the dishes.”

“Understood.”

With that, Jin-hyeon and the two left the residence.

“Haah…”

Do Il-gang was already gone from Ha Suk-heon’s mind.

“A truly formidable man. Innate talent paired with firm boldness. Still young and lacking in parts, but already a great tiger. His future excites me.”

Ha Jun asked in a somewhat crushed voice,

“Is he truly so great?”

Ha Suk-heon shot him a reproving look.

“Jealousy in measure drives growth, in excess it blinds like venom. What use is there for your eyes if they can’t see?”

Ha Jun ground his teeth. Truly, all the insults of his life together hadn’t felt filthier than today’s.

“I admit he’s an excellent master. But to merit such treatment from you…”

“His martial skill differs little even compared to this uncle’s.”

“!!”

Disbelief flickered over Ha Jun’s face.

Ha Suk-heon spoke coldly.

“His temperament, eyes, and strict bearing tell it plainly. Your paltry pride seeks to belittle a tiger.”

“…”

“Pitiful. If you matched even half your elder brother or younger sibling’s worth, you wouldn’t be like this.”

Unconsciously, Ha Jun bowed his head.

He felt wretched beyond words, yet couldn’t keep silent for the sake of his wounded pride.

“Setting aside his value, he’s one we must not take. He’s entangled with the Seol Clan.”

“I recall hearing that in passing as well. Ties with the Seol Patriarch?”

Perhaps thinking he was finally being heard, Ha Jun hurried on.

“Yes. He even escorted Seol So-ha as the Seol Clan’s representative. At this point, it’s fair to say that he’s part of the Seol…”

“Fool!”

“Huh?”

Pity even touched Ha Suk-heon’s face now.

“Have you already forgotten what that youth and I just said?”

“?!”

“Jin-hyeon is a man of ambition. As he should be. With such talent and skill, lacking desire would be strange. Would such a man settle for merely being under the Seol Clan?”

“That…”

“So foolish. From his temperament and speech, he’s well-seasoned in the Kangho, wherever he roamed. He even said he’ll leave the Seol Clan and found a clan. If he was bound to the Seol Patriarch, do you think that would possible?”

“!!”

“He said he’d establish himself near Jayang, close to the Seol Clan. In other words, he means to swallow the Seol’ Clans territory as well. He’s been using the Seol Clan to view the world.”

Ha Jun’s face went pale.

Ha Suk-heon clicked his tongue.

“He came here not to protect his man, but to display his value. Before the elder of the Cheongyang Association, foremost among the Eight Martial Houses, there’s no better stage. That’s why he brought his people too.”

“Huh?”

“He showed that winning him nets two extra masters besides. He proved his price is anything but cheap.”

Ha Jun gaped, speechless.

Looking at his nephew with disappointment, Ha Suk-heon sat and filled his cup.

As he poured, deep interest and anticipation colored his face for the first time in a while.

“Good. I thought I’d come to break my nephew’s legs and net a big fish, but it turns out that I can catch myself a tiger. This trip was no waste.”

“This is as far as it goes.”

At Jin-hyeon’s sudden words, Do Il-gang’s eyes widened.

“Huh?”

“With this, their interest in you will end. You can leave without burden.”

“What do you mean…?”

Han Cheol-sang added,

“The Patriarch turned the elder’s interest from you to himself. In short, from now on even Ha Jun won’t touch you.”

“!”

“It means you can live without worry now.”

Do Il-gang let out a breath of awe, finally grasping how things had turned.

“My thanks, benefactor.”

Jin-hyeon snorted a laugh.

“Nothing to thank. I may have spoiled your prospects. Most would rejoice at the Cheongyang Association’s interest as an honor.”

Do Il-gang shook his head.

“From Ha Jun alone you can see they lack virtue. Even if they’re the greatest sect under heaven, if they wink at knavery and vice, I won’t entrust myself there.”

Smiling, Jin-hyeon patted his shoulder.

“Hard as it was, was that enough Kangho experience for you?”

“More than enough. Honestly, I still haven’t grasped every intent in that talk.”

“There’s no need to grasp it all. What matters is with what mind each stepped onto the board. Think on it and make it yours.”

“I’ll bear it in mind.”

“Go on. Thanks to you, I enjoyed myself.”

“I can’t.”

He spoke flatly, even firmly.

Jin-hyeon tilted his head.

“Can’t what?”

Do Il-gang spoke with a calm face.

“Because I realized you could suffer trouble on my account.”

“That won’t happen. Now be on your way…”

“Something could happen with a man such as Ha Suk-heon. If I vanish suddenly, he might grow suspicious.”

“…”

“Until I repay the favor, I’ll do what I can.”

Han Cheol-sang gave a curious smile.

Jin-hyeon scratched his head.

“You’re sticking around?”

“You enlightened an ignorant man like me. I may not be gifted, but I’m not so foolish as to miss the heart of someone who does this much for me.”

Do Il-gang bowed his head.

“My sword can aim anywhere for my benefactor. That is a warrior’s duty.”

Jin-hyeon looked to Han Cheol-sang.

Han jutted his lips and shrugged, an exaggerated gesture of “why look at me?”

Jin-hyeon nodded.

“Fine, then. Stay by me for now.”

“Thank you. I’ll try not to be a burden.”

“Please do so.”

Do Il-gang’s face grew awkward.

Han slid in.

“Since it’s come to this, shall we head back and share a drink? Sort out relations, too.”

“We’ll part when the work’s done. What relations are there to sort.”

“Still. We’ve nothing else to…”

Just then, Jin-hyeon and Han’s eyes flashed.

“There is now.”

“So there is.”

“The Patriarch is plenty busy, I see.”

Smiling, Jin-hyeon jerked his chin toward Do Il-gang.

“There’s a bed free at the inn. Take him ahead and settle him in.”

“Understood.”

With that, the two disappeared.

At the same time, someone in black martial garb appeared from a corner of the lane.

“I come by order of the Branch Chief. At the pavilion where you last met…”

“Their intelligence, at least, deserves respect.”

It seemed they knew he had gone to meet the Cheongyang Association’s elder.

Jin-hyeon gave a wry smile.

“Let’s go.”