Episode 117

As days passed, Yu Jinsan’s appearance grew increasingly haggard. This was because the demands of Do Hye Satae were becoming too much to bear.

Blood had long since streaked down his face, and beyond that, he looked like a skeleton.

‘Are there any other crazy bhikkhunis in this world? I am sure they have been poisoned by the devil.’

Initially, it was just a massage, but that was merely the beginning.

Every day, he had to do strange things he couldn’t even bear to imagine, all while avoiding the warden’s watchful eyes. To save the children…

His shoulders slumped, and he weakly clasped his hands together.

“I will just go now.”

Before him, she lay on the bed in a seductive pose, her head resting on one hand, a look of satisfaction on her face.

“Wait. Do you know what day tomorrow is?”

“…Uh?”

A meaningful smile appeared on her face.

“A day without the warden. He probably won’t be back until the next morning.”

At that moment, a glint of murderous intent flashed in Yu Jinsan’s eyes. It didn’t matter why she was telling him this.

How long had he been waiting for those words, enduring so much humiliation? He was insanely happy, but he restrained his expression.

“But why are you telling…”

Instead of answering, Do Hye Satae gestured for him to come closer. As Yu Jinsan approached, she whispered softly.

“I will tell Do Hwa Sajo. Come visit me tomorrow evening.”

What was she trying to do? He couldn’t fathom her dark intentions, but it was a welcome development. Because he had no intention of being subdued tomorrow.

“Yes.”

After leaving the warden’s hall, he began to move under the guidance of an instructor.

Noticing the quiet training ground, it seemed outdoor training had ended early today, and internal qi training was in progress.

Upon entering the barracks, most of the children were seated cross-legged, diligently practicing. Not a single child was neglecting their training. The moment one fell behind, they would be killed.

The number of children who would survive to the end was determined from the start.

Only one hundred fifty were to remain out of the three hundred currently alive, which meant half of them would have to die if they didn’t act.

“Come here quietly.”

Yu Jinsan gathered the children he had recruited in this place.

They were the elites, chosen for their exceptional skills and courage, all reliable children who had received his help.

Twelve faces, circled around him, were filled with determination.

“What’s the matter? 137.”

Yu Jinsan raised his index finger and whispered in a low voice.

“You all remember what I said?”

“…?”

He said nothing, but there was this tension in the room.

The children nodded silently with flushed expressions.

“Tomorrow night, when I’m called out, start acting one hour after nightfall. You all understand, right?”

The detailed plan had been discussed beforehand.

“Yes.”

“Got it.”

Yu Jinsan looked at each person’s faces. Fortunately, no child seemed scared.

He encouraged them with a satisfied look.

“Believe in yourself because you are strong. Everyone is using every last bit of their courage.”

Including himself, there were thirteen people conspiring in this barracks.

It was unrealistic to think that this small number could overpower the instructors.

But Yu Jinsan felt confident. The kids in front of him would become a small spark and light a big fire that would not go down.

After sorting out the situation there, Yu Jinsan went out, pretending to go back.

He stealthily glanced around before heading to another barracks, where he had recruited a few more children.

In order to succeed in tomorrow’s operation, even the smallest forces had to be gathered as much as possible.

The person who had decoded the Buddhist scriptures was Sima Hyun, a scholar from Sichuan Province.

His residence is this thatched hut in the countryside, surrounded by a wooden fence.

There was a small yard in front where one could practice martial arts, and there was also a small field around it.

Although it had always been a quiet and secluded place, recently, there has been a change due to the arrival of an unexpected guest.

“That is amazing. I don’t know if the world changed or if I have been left behind. Why are kids these days so strong? It is truly shocking.”

The person holding out a sword in the yard was Wang Cheong, Sima Hyun’s guard.

In front of him stood a kid, a boy facing him in the same stance.

“There is a long way to go. The elder I saw at the training ground was a lot stronger than you.”

The boy was Cheong Pung, who came here at the behest of Yu Jinsan.

Wang Cheong, having heard the entire incident, reported to Sima Hyun, and thanks to his connections with Yu, the boy was allowed to stay.

Cheong Pung was the strongest at the training ground, so much so that he and Wang Cheong were on the same level. Perhaps that was why the two were competing with each other in martial arts and growing stronger.

“Are you talking about the old man who sent you here?”

“Yes. I saw him ambush the instructor and subdue him in an instant.”

“He is a strong person. But there is one kid who can overpower him in an instant.”

“Grandpa’s granddaughter?”

Wang Cheong nodded, his gaze intent on the distant mountain.

“Yes, she is a child with the talent to be a martial god, one unprecedented in the history of martial arts. I think the world will be like the land of heaven when she steps back.”

When the story of Yu Seol came up, Cheong Pung’s expression darkened.

“…Yes. She needs to come out fast.”

“It seems like you are worried about that place again.”

“It has been too long. I wonder how’s Grandpa… I hope he is safe.”

“Didn’t the elder in there tell you not to worry and wait?”

The term elder referred to Sima Hyun.

Wang Cheong was the type of person who believed everything Sima Hyun said without a doubt.

But Cheong Pung was different. He appeared to be restless too many times a day.

“Still, I am so anxious. Instead of waiting, can’t you just go and ask for help?”

“That cannot happen. The elder said that if the process is interfered with while they are gaining enlightenment, one could fall into a state of madness and turn insane. Do you want to bring about the end of this world?”

“…No.”

Wang Cheong patted Cheong Pung on the shoulder with a kind smile.

“I am sure he will be safe, so let us wait calmly. He is a wise man, so he must have found a way.”

“Yes.”

“And it is still early, so let us spar one more time and then start preparing the meal.”

There was nothing more satisfying for a warrior than meeting a partner with similar skills.

And so the two would spar all day and grow close.

Kang!

The two swords interlocked, producing a metallic sound.

With that, the full-on spar began.

Even though they wielded real swords, they were infusing them with qi, ensuring there was no chance of harm on either side—just a simple exchange of clashes.

The faces of the two people dancing together were brighter than ever.

Kaang! Kaang!

The tense sparring continued for several minutes, with neither holding back, and after the clashes, the two widened their distance again.

And it was when they were standing facing each other.

“Mister Wang! Have you seen where Grandpa went?”

“…?”

Wang Cheong turned his head at the familiar voice that came.

But no matter how much he searched, he couldn’t find the source of the voice.

Cheong Pung was also puzzled.

“I definitely heard it right next to me…”

And after looking around for a while, the eyes of the two soon turned to the roof of the thatched house.

A clear face with snow-white skin and large eyes. It was unmistakably Yu Seol.

The one thing that was different was her beautiful hair, down to her waist.

If her hair had grown so long in such a short time, it meant she had undergone another transformation through enlightenment.

She must have finally mastered the martial arts of Shaolin and reached enlightenment.

“…Seol!”

Yu Seol, who was on the roof, kicked off gracefully and soared into the air. But the sight of her coming down through the air was bizarre.

Wasn’t it like a feather slowly drifting in the wind, not caring about gravity?

Cheong Pung, with his mouth wide open, snapped back to his senses and quickly approached Yu Seol.

“You are Seol? Grandpa sent me; I’ve been waiting for you.”

Yu Seol was 9 years old.

Although she was 3 years younger than Cheong Pung, their height difference wasn’t huge, probably due to the difference in growth rates.

“Yes, I am Seol. Where is Grandpa now?”

“At the Emei Sect. He asked you to come and help him as soon as you got out. He might be in danger.”

Yu Seol’s eyes widened at the thought of her grandpa being in danger.

“Danger? Where is the Emei Sect?”

Cheong Pung, already feeling uneasy, saw no need to hesitate any longer.

“I will take you. Follow me!”

As the day ended, Yu Jinsan moved to the warden’s place.

Do Hye Satae, wearing just her pajamas, was a bhikkhuni who knew nothing about shame.

She asked, lying cross-legged on the bed and tapping her toes.

“You’re here?”

“…Yes.”

“I was waiting. Come and massage my shoulders first.”

It always began with a massage, followed by gradually escalating demands.

But today, Yu Jinsan was indifferent to whatever followed.

‘This snake. She has been playing with me enough.’

Yu Jinsan moved his hands more sincerely than before, relaxing her muscles so that her mind and body would turn drowsy…

“Ahhh… It feels nice today. Today it feels like I am riding a carriage to paradise.”

“I will relieve everything. Close your eyes and feel refreshed.”

“…Right.”

Yu Jinsan climbed onto her back and began to apply pressure with his knees and left hand.

While his right hand secretly moved towards his waistband to draw a weapon he had brought in advance.

Having endured countless hardships since birth, he had never felt as tense as he did at this moment.

‘Phew. I never thought I would get this nervous.’

There was only one chance.

A corrupt adversary with fearsome skills.

If he couldn’t defeat her now, he would suffer even more.

He held his breath and stealthily took out the dagger he had placed there in advance.

Yu Jinsan’s gaze was fixed on the back of her neck.

“137. What are you doing?”

Yu Jinsan felt goosebumps rise. Unable to show his shock, he tried to control his breathing.

“Uh…?”

Fortunately, the response he received was unexpected.

“How long do you plan to just massage the top?”

“I-I am sorry.”

Yu Jinsan took a deep breath and searched for another vital spot.

Wasn’t she skilled? Even if attacked, she wouldn’t die right away, so after careful consideration, he targeted the left side.

‘In a split second, I’ll release strong qi and pierce her heart.’

He couldn’t hesitate any longer. It was almost time for the children to begin their action.

The armory must have been tampered with, and the alarm should be sounding soon; it would be too late otherwise.

Deciding this, Yu Jinsan raised the dagger.