The Big Elder Has Arrived (2)

“Yang Monster.”

With soft words, Yu Jinsan displayed his power.

The warriors, burdened by the qi of a Supreme Master, felt uneasy.

“…Euk!”

“Wh-why are the Yin Yang Twin Monsters here…?”

Although the White Flower Clan wasn’t well-known beyond the village, they still held influence in Murim.

They had informants everywhere.

In Shaanxi, everyone knew of the Yin Yang Twin Monsters.

As the warriors panicked, Yu Seol tugged on her grandpa’s sleeve.

“Grandpa, what is it? Shouldn’t we be kind to people we know?”

“This is a quicker way to communicate. If we keep explaining everything, when will it end?”

It was always the most cumbersome part of their journey. Everywhere they went, they only seemed like children to others.

Even if the method was blunt, he had to skip the details.

“That’s not acceptable.”

Yu Seol, unable to understand it, raised her left hand. Yu Jinsan’s pressure dissipated instantly. It was impossible to do unless it was someone as strong as her.

And so far, she has always followed his instructions.

“…”

Yu Seol raised both her hands towards the terrified warriors.

“Don’t worry. We won’t hurt you.”

But the response was unexpected.

“…Y-Yin Monster?”

“W-we were mistaken.”

What exactly had gone wrong? It was merely an instinctive reaction.

It was astonishing how exaggerated the rumors about the Yin Yang Twin Monsters were.

It seemed like the Clan Leader had heard the commotion and appeared.

At that moment, Yu Jinsan walked past and said,

“Why are you so startled by a prank? Follow me.”

The Clan Leader, Yu Kwang-un, gathered his men and followed.

Their destination was the small palace where he carried out his duties.

Yu Kwang-un, who recognized Yu Jinsan, couldn’t conceal his astonishment.

“Great Elder?”

“Correct. Has it been about 10 years?”

“I think it’s been about that long since I last saw you. The identity of an elder… I never imagined you would come back with a body reformation.”

“Somehow, things ended up like this. I had to divert the attention of those around me, so you can understand why I had to be so forceful when entering, right?”

“Yes, but the Yin Monster…”

Even though Yu Jinsan reassured him, he couldn’t help but be a bit distracted by the Yin Monster, who terrified the Justice Faction.

But his anxiety didn’t last long.

Because Yu Seol, who was waiting politely, folded her hands and bowed her head.

“Hello, I am Seol.”

Since when did his granddaughter become this polite with adults?

“Since when have you been so polite? You used to speak informally to Grandpa.”

“Hehe.”

He couldn’t help but find it amusing to see the child blushing.

Yu Jinsan looked dumbfounded for a moment and then glanced at Yu Kwang-un.

“Let’s see… She is my youngest son’s eldest daughter, so if you think about it, so you’d be something like tenth cousins.”

“Then, the Yin Monster is your granddaughter?”

He seemed perplexed and hesitant.

According to Yu Jinsan’s words, the Yin Monster wasn’t some old man who reverted back in age, but a real child. Considering the martial achievements and reputation she had, it was hard to believe it to be true.

“A martial god was born into our family. Anyway, more details will come later. But where are you going, and why are you in the Clan Leader’s seat?”

At that moment, Yu Kwang-un’s face darkened.

“Father passed away three years ago.”

“I don’t understand. I suppose he was old, but what happened?”

“…”

Seeing his difficulty in speaking, it felt like there was something more to the story.

Yu Jinsan calmly waited.

And then half an hour passed.

“When Father was alive, he was very worried after hearing about the Great Elder. The Murim Alliance had issued this arrest order, saying you had gone insane, but Father never believed that. Why didn’t you come here during that time?”

“If he had fled here, it would have meant both of us facing death together. But why the sudden change of subject? Is there something that shouldn’t be discussed?”

“…”

For some reason, he fell silent again.

In this situation, there was no choice but to wait until he decided to speak again.

Yu Jinsan shifted the conversation to a different topic.

“There is a place called the Flying Blade Clan not far from here. I want to know what kind of people they are, so give me some information.”

For some reason, Yu Kwang-un remained silent.

Yu Jinsan had no choice but to wait once more.

The silence stretched on.

“…Great Elder. Did you mention the Flying Blade Clan?”

“Yes, the Flying Blade Clan. I have some information, but I first want to confirm if they are indeed the ones I need to confront. If you don’t know anything, don’t feel pressured to speak.”

After he finished speaking, Yu Jinsan’s eyes widened in confusion. This was because he could sense a certain killing intent.

“…you know it was them.”

“What?”

“The ones who killed Father.”

It was something he couldn’t comprehend.

The White Flower Clan was a small, neutral force that didn’t take sides. They were more akin to a martial arts school than a clan.

Moreover, Yu Seop-pung, the former Clan Leader, was known for his gentle nature and was not someone who would easily make enemies.

Yu Jinsan silently observed his face.

An expression that seemed to be a mix of anger and resentment. There definitely appeared to be a story behind it.

“Why would the Flying Blade Clan kill Pung?”

Yu Kwang-un stood up, rummaged through the bookshelf, and produced a letter.

“Because of this.”

Yu Jinsan, who silently read the content, frowned.

“East River Alliance? What are those who claim neutrality doing…?”

He, now an outsider of Kangho, realized it was another forced involvement.

In addition to the White Flower Clan, the names of more than 10 clans were listed. They all shared one thing in common—they were neutral troops.

“It’s called an alliance, but we really just became their sub-clan. We never wanted this.”

“It’s obvious. Regardless of whether the opponent is the Evil Faction or something else, the moment they abandon neutrality and participate in war, it all happens. And it’s not just this, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Then tell everything.”

Was it because he had someone to rely on? As the Great Elder began to inquire, Yu Kwang-un’s eyes filled with tears. Yu Seol, silently observing, was lost in her thoughts.

“They are extorting money in the name of clan fees. On the days we cannot pay…”

Listening any longer felt like his head would explode.

Yu Jinsan raised a hand to cover his mouth and glanced at his granddaughter, hoping to send her out for a while.

But he soon realized it was futile and immediately gave up. There was no way she would just leave, and even if she did, her superhuman hearing could not be stopped.

“You will hear that part later. First, tell me how Pung died. I know your father very well, and he isn’t one to easily succumb to others. Could it be that he endured until he was defeated?”

“…I am certain of it. Shortly after my father refused their offer, he was murdered by someone. If you look at the assassin’s needle, it was them!”

“How did you know it was the assassin’s needle?”

Yu Kwang-un wiped away his tears and took something out of a drawer, holding it up.

“This was embedded in my father’s heart.”

This small, sharply polished sword was unmistakably an assassination tool.

Although he couldn’t find anything unusual, Yu Jinsan examined it more closely.

‘A skilled assassin leaves no trace.’

If someone could kill like this, they must be first-rate warriors.

There was no way they would make the beginner’s mistake of not retrieving the needle.

It was clear that it was left there intentionally to warn them and instill fear.

What happened next was evident without needing to be asked. Unable to resist the ongoing coercion and threats, he likely joined the alliance.

“This won’t do.”

Those were Yu Seol’s words.

Yu Jinsan, looking puzzled, asked his granddaughter,

“What won’t do?”

“I know, Grandpa. They are bad people who killed Uncle, right?”

Did they say that no parent could hit their child too much? It was harder to find a grandpa who could truly discipline his granddaughter.

And since she wasn’t wrong, he couldn’t even say anything.

“You see them as bad guys?”

“Yes. They need to get beaten!”

Yu Jinsan nodded and mumbled,

“My granddaughter said they need to be punished, so lead us.”

“Uh…”

“Guide us to the Flying Blade Clan.”

If it was certain that the owner of the Blue Dragon Troops was the one who harmed the Yu family and his cousin, as the eldest member of the family, he couldn’t forgive them.

Suddenly, Yu Kwang-un hesitantly walked out the door.

Slash!

About 20 disciples, unaware of the situation, were anxiously waiting.

“…The Yin Yang Twin Monsters are kidnapping the Clan Leader.”

“Wh-what?!”

They couldn’t help but think so, as their leader was bowing politely.

Although they were anxious, they didn’t block the path.

“Nothing will happen, so don’t worry and wait.”

As Yu Kwang-un told them, the disciples just stood there.

The distance from the White Flower Clan to the Flying Blade Clan was covered on horseback.

It was a distance that could have been easily reached on foot.

“This is it, Elder.”

The old-fashioned manor was in front of them.

Beyond the tall wall, he could sense the presence of a crowd of at least 50 people.

After a brief inspection, Yu Jinsan withdrew the needle, the one previously embedded in Yu Seop-pung’s body.

“You stay put.”

“Great Elder. Are you certain? These people are intimidating, unlike our clan.”

Although the clan had once declared neutrality, its reputation in the region was formidable. Yet an air of mystery surrounded it.

Were they planning to assault and dismantle this place? It was only natural for him to feel concerned.

“Observe from a distance.”

He was worried that his involvement might jeopardize the White Flower Clan’s future.

“Grandpa, what about me?”

“Seol, you too, stay here. I must handle this personally.”

Yu Seol knew well. When her grandfather showed such seriousness, there was no use in arguing.

However, from her perspective as a granddaughter, she couldn’t help but worry.

“Grandpa, at least take a spear. Something doesn’t feel right about this place.”

Yu Jinsan shook his head.

“Why should those scoundrels tarnish my prized spear? I intend to reciprocate in kind. That’s our family’s code.”

He intended to employ the same assassination needle used on his kin and carry out justice in a similar fashion.

Yet, an unfamiliar unease tugged at his heart. His granddaughter’s anxious expression was disconcerting.

Did she sense something amiss here?

If so, he needed to make provisions for that.

“Child.”

“Hm?”

“Stay put here, and don’t wander off.”