Chapter 195 : With the Heart of One Who Sows Seeds. -02
Chapter 195: With the Heart of One Who Sows Seeds. -02
Unlike the members of the Hao Sect, who all staggered as though they might collapse at any moment, Seo Joun was perfectly fine.
As the sparring had just ended, he hoisted a Hao Sect member—who had been half-supported in Ban Hojin’s arms—onto his back and walked toward one corner of the Open Clearing.
He then carefully lowered the Hao Sect member to the ground.
Clang! Thud!
Unlike at the beginning, the metallic sounds ringing out now lacked strength.
They were all exhausted.
Yet what was strange was that despite their obvious fatigue, not a single one of them had fainted.
Though their eyes were unfocused and their bodies swayed unsteadily, the Hao Sect members did not give up and continued the Endless Sparring Training.
Thud! Boom!
But that, too, did not last long.
Starting with one, the sound of bodies collapsing echoed here and there.
They had fallen, no longer able to continue sparring.
“Move them.”
“Yes!”
Ban Hojin quickly checked their conditions.
Though it looked like he was only giving them a cursory glance, his judgment was precise.
No one knew that better than Seo Joun.
Because Ban Hojin could see through whether they were slyly pretending to collapse or had truly reached their limit, Seo Joun silently carried the fallen Hao Sect members away without complaint.
‘I need to work harder too.’
Watching the Hao Sect members who, even while losing consciousness, refused to let go of their weapons, Seo Joun steeled his resolve.
The mindset that had nearly grown lax tightened once more at the sight of the Hao Sect members lying unconscious like corpses.
And it seemed the same went for the others—their expressions mirrored Seo Joun’s exactly.
“Leave the treatment to us!”
“Move quickly!”
As the group carried away the unconscious Hao Sect members, the physicians who had been waiting on one side rushed over and examined them.
They were doctors summoned by Nan Hui-ju in preparation for any unforeseen situation.
Affiliated with the Hao Sect or connected to it in some way, they began checking pulses the moment the members were properly laid flat on the ground.
“We’ll continue, right?”
“Of course.”
“Certainly!”
“Let’s begin!”
No sooner had all the Hao Sect members been moved than Ban Hojin grinned.
The exhausted ones were the Hao Sect members; he and his companions still had strength left. Thus, Ban Hojin resumed the Endless Sparring Training.
One by one, the Hao Sect members who had regained consciousness wore stunned expressions.
Only now did they truly realize the gap in skill between themselves and Ban Hojin’s group.
“...They’re insane.”
Even Nan Hui-ju, watching from the second floor, was equally shocked.
Her escort warrior, Baekseol, was participating in the Endless Sparring Training, so for once she was alone. Seeing Ban Hojin’s group start sparring again, she let out a hollow laugh.
The disparity between them and the Hao Sect members was undeniable.
Especially the one who had shocked her the most was, as expected, Sama Uiseong.
“So that’s the kind of talent my brother chose.”
Truthfully, Nan Hui-ju had inwardly underestimated Sama Uiseong.
Because his intellect was so outstanding, she had assumed his physical capabilities would be lacking in comparison.
But once the lid was lifted, the result was entirely different.
Not a single Hao Sect member could compete with him.
“If he had come to us instead…”
Though she knew it was a pointless assumption, Nan Hui-ju allowed herself to imagine it.
What if Sama Uiseong had belonged to the Hao Sect?
And her thoughts extended beyond him to Seo Joun and even Jeong Iryong.
“Hoo…”
But imagination was only that—imagination.
Letting out a deep sigh, Nan Hui-ju shook her head.
No matter how much she imagined it, there was no possibility the three of them would ever belong to the Hao Sect.
Not unless Ban Hojin himself joined.
“He really is incredible. How is something like that possible at his age?”
Her eyes sharpened.
There had always been geniuses.
Ban Hojin was remarkable, but looking back through the history of the Murim, there had certainly been geniuses who surpassed even him.
However, there had never been someone like Ban Hojin—someone who could not only grow rapidly himself but elevate the level of others just as quickly.
“They say geniuses usually can’t understand ordinary people.”
People often said that.
Ordinary people could never understand geniuses.
And the reverse was also true.
Yet Ban Hojin deviated greatly from that pattern.
“I could just watch quietly, but I’m curious.”
Nan Hui-ju stroked her chin.
Her gaze never left Ban Hojin.
In truth, the Endless Sparring Training was something anyone could attempt.
But she would stake her life that no one could do it the way Ban Hojin did.
Without the discernment to identify each individual’s limits, one would see only half the effect at best.
Nan Hui-ju was certain of that.
To achieve the same results as Ban Hojin, one would need abilities equal to his.
“But he’s not the kind of man who’d answer even if I asked.”
Even if he did explain, she might not understand.
Unless one stood at a similar realm, the gap between them was immense.
Shaking her head to clear away stray thoughts, Nan Hui-ju looked at the Hao Sect members who were gradually regaining consciousness.
Remembering how they had refused to give up until the very end, a smile naturally formed on her lips.
“This time, we can change.”
The Hao Sect had always been pushed around from all sides.
That was why every successive Hao Sect Leader had dreamed of a strong Hao Sect.
Not because they wished to conquer the Central Plains Murim, but because they wanted to live like human beings.
Most of them came from the lowest strata of society, so they all thought the same.
“This time, for sure.”
That dream had always ended as just that—a dream and a goal.
But this time felt different.
Not only Nan Hui-ju, but her master, the Hao Sect Leader, felt the same.
Until now, they had failed—but this time felt different.
Slide.
And the reason was the same for both of them.
A figure who had not existed before—someone capable of turning the world upside down—was favorably disposed toward the Hao Sect. That alone made them believe it was possible.
“Still, the most important thing is those disciples.”
Her gaze shifted from Ban Hojin back to the hundred Hao Sect members.
They were so young that “children” suited them better than “young.”
And because of that, Nan Hui-ju believed they were the future of the Hao Sect.
How much—and how far—those hundred would grow would determine the Hao Sect’s standing and future.
“I’ll work even harder as well.”
Clenching her fist, Nan Hui-ju murmured to herself like a vow and turned around.
Though dusk had fallen, it was still early to retire for the night when the Hao Sect Leader visited the detached annex.
More precisely, she came to Ban Hojin’s quarters.
Upon arriving with her escort guard, the Hao Sect Leader immediately straightened her attire.
By seniority, Ban Hojin was far beneath her—but the Jianghu was a world where the strong ruled. The Hao Sect Leader felt no shame in her actions.
Knock, knock, knock.
After checking her appearance one last time, she knocked on the door.
As if he had already known of her arrival, a calm voice responded.
“Please come in, Sect Leader.”
“It has been a while, Young Master Ban.”
“Please, have a seat.”
“Yes.”
As he rose and courteously offered her a seat, the Hao Sect Leader smiled faintly.
Though his standing had completely changed since they last met, Ban Hojin’s attitude remained the same.
She found that truly admirable.
Most people would grow arrogant even over trivial recognition, yet despite his youth, Ban Hojin showed none of that.
‘It isn’t easy.’
At her age, one inevitably saw all kinds of people.
One did not learn to read others so well without reason.
“It’s a little amusing. You are staying here, yet it feels as though I am the guest and you are the host.”
“Please consider it Young Master Ban’s home while you remain here. I have already told the children as much. Is there anything uncomfortable? Not only for you, but for the others as well.”
Accepting the tea Ban Hojin poured with both hands, the Hao Sect Leader asked.
She had instructed everyone to take utmost care of their guests, but one could never be certain.
No matter how much effort was made, the one receiving it might still find it lacking, so she quickly studied Ban Hojin’s expression.
“Not at all. The same goes for my companions. It’s almost too comfortable. You didn’t need to give us an entire annex. We can sleep anywhere.”
“That would be unacceptable. If anything, it is insufficient compared to what we received.”
“I consider it mutual assistance rather than receiving.”
Watching the Hao Sect Leader wave her hands in denial, Ban Hojin smiled faintly.
He did not believe he had simply given freely.
They had exchanged what each needed.
“If you see it that way, we are grateful. More importantly, does the food suit your taste?”
“It is so generous that it feels burdensome. Only Murong Cheok seems completely unaffected.”
“Hoh ho ho.”
Though she had only heard about it, the Hao Sect Leader could easily imagine Murong Cheok’s unique expression.
Despite meeting him only a few times, his peculiar personality had left a strong impression.
“As you have been informed, the Hao Sect members are following well.”
“I have no concerns about that. I know you will take good care of them. And Hui-ju is here as well. I came to see you personally.”
“Me?”
“Yes. I wished to express my gratitude in person. Not only for watching over the children, but because thanks to you, we avoided a great calamity.”
“Ah.”
Ban Hojin nodded, understanding at once.
“I should have come much earlier, but so many formidable figures had gathered at Songshan that it was difficult to approach. We have no grudges, yet one cannot help but feel wary.”
“I understand.”
“Had you not offered your advice—had we made the wrong choice—I would not be living so comfortably now. I wished to thank you directly for that.”
“It was not solely for you. It was also for the Orthodox Murim. Frankly, I had no desire to fight the Hao Sect. The same goes for the Geum Family Estate. I am grateful you made the decision you did.”
As the Hao Sect Leader bowed once more, Ban Hojin waved his hands this time.
He had not spoken for the Hao Sect’s sake alone.
He had judged it beneficial for both sides.
And the Hao Sect Leader had surely weighed all considerations before deciding.
In other words, she had not blindly followed his words.
The same applied to the Geum Family Estate.
In the end, one’s own interests were paramount.
“Nevertheless, it is true you took us into consideration. And I wished to see you again. Ah—should I call you Great Hero Ban instead?”
“Any title is fine. Use whichever is comfortable.”
Ban Hojin smiled faintly.
He knew well that the Hao Sect Leader had not come merely to convey gratitude.
She likely wished to see the growth of the Hao Sect members herself—but more importantly, to strengthen her relationship with him.
Once he had simply been the foremost among the rising generation.
Now, he had become a figure capable of influencing the entire Murim.
‘It’s not a bad thing.’
Everyone had their own way of surviving.
And there was also something called diplomacy.
Since it brought no harm, it meant little to Ban Hojin.
“Then I shall continue to call you Young Master Ban. Somehow, ‘Great Hero Ban’ feels distant.”
“As you wish.”
“Ah, have you heard any information regarding Tibet?”