Chapter 194 : With the Heart of One Who Sows Seeds. -01
Chapter 194: With the Heart of One Who Sows Seeds. -01
The man felt an overwhelming sense of injustice at the thought that he had to die without even being able to resist or sound the alarm.
From the very moment he saw Ban Hojin, resistance had never even crossed his mind.
He knew better than anyone how absurd it would be to stand against Ban Hojin, a figure who could be counted among the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven.
That was why he had only planned to ring the alarm once and flee immediately. Yet when he failed to do even that, his body trembled with self-loathing.
Thud!
But even that train of thought did not last long.
Before long, the focus vanished from the man’s pupils, and his body collapsed.
Whoosh!
Ban Hojin passed by the corpse without a trace of emotion.
Using Void-Stepping Technique, he leapt over the wooden palisade built as high as a fortress wall.
“Who goes there!”
“It’s an intruder! An intru—!”
As he walked a little farther inside, realizing just how shoddy their guard was, the bandits finally spotted him.
It seemed they had never once considered that an intruder might come from outside, for both of them were visibly startled.
But their surprise lasted only a moment. Soon, they flared their killing intent and roared.
Yet before they could even finish speaking, the alarm bell rang out.
“What?”
“We haven’t even reported it yet?”
The sound of alarm bells echoing from all directions left them both bewildered.
They could not understand what was happening.
And that was their fatal mistake.
The price for taking their attention off Ban Hojin, even for a brief moment, was heavy.
Thud! Thud!
Once again, without lifting even a finger, Ban Hojin used the bandits’ own weapons to end their lives.
He was not merciful enough to personally deal with mere small fry when they were not even stronghold masters.
“It seems they’ve gotten used to it now.”
Watching the bandits leaping about like grasshoppers in every direction, Ban Hojin let out a faint chuckle.
As the saying went, practice made perfect. The method had become completely different from when they had first attacked a mountain stronghold.
With time, they had grown increasingly adept.
And now that their coordination had fallen into place, the bandits’ situation had become all the more maddening.
“Hyungnim! The hostages have all been rescued!”
“Good.”
“They’re women and children! Young Lady Nan has taken them out!”
“Then finish it.”
Though they were far apart, Seo Joun’s voice carried clearly. Ban Hojin issued a brief order in response.
Or rather, truthfully speaking, there was nothing for him to order.
The companions and the members of the Hao Sect handled everything on their own, leaving Ban Hojin free to stroll leisurely.
“Aaaagh!”
“P-please spare me!”
“I have committed no crime! I was captured and forced to become a bandit! Please believe me!”
Screams and groans filled the air from all directions.
Yet around Ban Hojin, there was only silence.
Most chose to flee, but there were still some bandits who occasionally drew their blades and charged at him.
However, Ban Hojin was an exception.
“They’re quick-witted.”
He let out a dry laugh.
The moment their eyes met his, the bandits chose to run, and the sight drew a scoff from him.
Of course, running did not mean success.
On the contrary, every single one collapsed to the ground.
Thud. Thudthudthud!
Without him even having to move a hand, the bandits were pierced through the neck or chest by the very weapons they held.
It was the art of Controlling the Sword with Qi, yet the consumption of Inner Energy was minimal.
And to maintain his senses, it needed to be used from time to time.
Besides, without at least this much, it would have been far too boring.
“A, a demon…!”
“You cruel bastard!”
“G-give us a chance to repent…!”
Seeing Ban Hojin and his group show not even the slightest mercy, the bandits wailed.
They felt it was too much, even if they had been the ones to launch a surprise attack.
If he were truly an Absolute Master, he ought to possess a generosity befitting such a title. Yet Ban Hojin did not, and they glared at him with bloodshot eyes as they shouted.
But Ban Hojin did not so much as blink.
“You have no right to say such things. Complaints are made by people. But you are not human, are you? You’re beasts wearing human skin.”
“Urk!”
Just because one shared a human appearance did not mean all were the same.
Among them existed those who were less than human—creatures no better than beasts.
Like the bandits here.
“Die quietly, you trash!”
“Your disappearance would be doing the world a favor!”
Their appearances differed, their positions differed, their ages differed—yet what they did was identical, as if stamped from the same mold.
Seo Joun and Murong Cheok, in particular, were greatly enraged by how they tormented and exploited children.
They had forced children to do labor that was difficult even for adults.
Some even bore traces of torture done for amusement, and the two slaughtered the bandits without the slightest mercy.
“It’s about time to wrap this up.”
In the past, some bandits had charged as if determined to perish together in Mutual Destruction, but not anymore.
Now, the moment their eyes met his, they fled with faces as if they had seen a ghost. Ban Hojin found himself with little to do.
He was not wandering idly for no reason.
Moreover, now that everyone carried out their tasks without direct orders, he could move at a relaxed pace.
“Even if we wipe them out like this, they’ll reappear someday as if nothing happened.”
“That will be left to the next generation.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You sound like an old man. You’re only twenty-one.”
“I think I’ve severed enough of the chain of grudges.”
Without even turning his head toward Seonwu Bang, who had approached at some point, Ban Hojin answered.
There might never be an end to revenge, but personally, he felt this was no longer lacking.
“You never know. The deranged think differently from ordinary people. Still, I think this is more than enough as an example.”
“Even if it’s not me, the kids would probably handle it.”
“I feel the same. I’m not a chivalrous hero, but I can’t just pretend not to see.”
While raiding the mountain strongholds this time, Seonwu Bang had come to realize something anew.
Just how miserable the lives of the weak were—and that the world of Murim and the world of ordinary people were not separate realms.
“What’s so special about being a chivalrous hero? If you don’t ignore what’s right, that makes you one.”
“Maybe a true chivalrous hero is someone who never calls himself one.”
“Perhaps.”
As they conversed, they arrived before what appeared to be the stronghold master’s residence.
It seemed Sama Uiseong had already arrived; all sorts of items were piled outside the wooden building.
Rustle—
As if this was far from their first time doing such work, the Hao Sect members moved without a single wasted motion.
The items being stacked were also carefully sorted.
Ban Hojin watched the sight with satisfaction.
After finishing up matters to a certain extent, Ban Hojin settled in a quiet village.
Having dealt with the bandits, it was time to keep his promise.
“Chaap!”
“Hup!”
Resounding shouts echoed throughout the spacious yard before the detached annex.
It came from a hundred carefully selected talents of the Hao Sect, engaged in sparring.
Among them were Ban Hojin’s companions as well.
“Ugh!”
Defeat did not mark the end. As opponents were constantly switched, the Endless Sparring Training drew out wails from the Hao Sect members.
They had heard that even the rising juniors of prestigious families and great sects struggled with it, so they had steeled themselves.
If even those formidable figures found it grueling, then it would surely be even more painful for them.
But the reality of Endless Sparring Training exceeded its fearsome reputation.
“Blech!”
“Cough! Gah!”
Not only physically but mentally, they were pushed to the extreme, and retching and vomiting could be heard from all sides.
Some had barely begun when their legs gave out, unable even to stand properly.
Yet Ban Hojin did not so much as blink at the sight.
“Get up.”
“Ugh! Y-yes!”
“You can still continue.”
Though their initial resolve had faded within half a Shijin, the Hao Sect members did not give up.
They knew well that the Hao Sect Leader and Nan Hui-ju had personally requested this opportunity for them.
And since not just anyone could receive such a chance, they clenched their teeth and forced themselves up.
“Urk!”
“Gah!”
Of course, their bodies did not obey as readily as their will.
Unlike the beginning, their movements grew slower and duller with time.
Fatigue rapidly set in.
In contrast, Ban Hojin and his companions remained full of vigor.
‘Even Young Master Sama is at that level?’
‘Wasn’t he supposed to be the weakest?’
Even Sama Uiseong merely had a sheen of sweat on his face, otherwise showing little difference from the others. The Hao Sect members were left speechless.
They had not come here lightly and had confidence in their stamina.
At the very least, they believed they would surpass Sama Uiseong.
Yet when the lid was lifted, the result was entirely different.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Instead, it was the Hao Sect members who collapsed first.
Even seeing it with their own eyes, they found it hard to believe.
“If you think it’s too much, you may give up.”
“No!”
“We—we can continue!”
Looking at the Hao Sect members sprawled across the ground, Ban Hojin spoke in a flat tone.
As though telling them to rest if it was too hard.
But none accepted his words so readily.
Unless Ban Hojin himself told them to stop, they knew they had to keep going.
“Grrgh!”
“Hup!”
They knew that if it truly became too much, Ban Hojin would stop them.
Thus, regardless of gender, they gritted their teeth.
If Ban Hojin judged they had not yet reached their limit, then they could still continue.
And personally, they wished to see and feel it—
Their own limits.
Only by knowing and facing one’s limits could they surpass them. Suppressing the urge to collapse onto the ground at any moment, they forced themselves up.
“Begin.”
“Yes!”
Even responding drained them, yet they widened their eyes with forced focus.
If they were to fall, they would fall only after pouring out everything.
Passing out from exhaustion would not kill them, so they charged at their respective opponents.
‘They certainly have guts.’
Watching them charge again and again, Ban Hojin smiled inwardly.
Though they were talents carefully chosen by the Hao Sect, the hundred present were utterly lacking compared to him and even his companions.
Even if they were of similar age, their skill and talent were not worth comparing.
Yet despite that, they did not despair or give up.
They challenged.
And that pleased him.
That tenacious spirit.
If one lacked talent, then at least one needed grit and ferocity.
Thud!
Of course, persistence and tenacity alone could not always overcome talent.
But at the very least, they could create possibility.
If one thought it was pointless, a waste of time, and never tried, then that was the end.
Nothing would change.
“C-can I… go on…?”
“No more.”
A Hao Sect member in his late teens, who had collapsed, gripped his blade in reverse and tried to rise.
His eyes had long since lost focus, and both arms and legs trembled pitifully.
Yet still, he tried to stand.
Though he had fallen several times, he attempted to rise again. Ban Hojin caught him.
“I can continue…!”
“If you go further, you will only damage your body. Proper rest is also part of training.”
Ban Hojin shook his head.
This was the limit for the Hao Sect member before him.
And since it was the first time he had confronted his limit, anything further would be too much.
For today, simply facing his limit was enough to achieve the goal. Quietly, Ban Hojin pressed a vital acupoint.
“I will take him.”
“Please do.”
“No—!”