Just Hit Me Once (1)

“Do you remember the time, long ago, when you helped us rob the Blue Dragon Trading Company?”

“How could I forget that incident? I’m old, but not yet senile.”

Eun Hwa-rin smiled silently at Yu Jinsan’s joke.

“Anyway, I heard you made a promise back then, to return part of the funds you gained to Baek-yang County.”

The people of that place, who once showed him kindness, still lingered in his mind.

Perhaps because of that, Yu Jinsan had told them to give most of his share to those people, around the time that incident would fade from everyone’s memory.

But since it was only a verbal promise, he scarcely expected it to be kept. It’s human nature for the wealthy to want more.

“That’s surprising. Did the clan leader really order it to be done?”

“Yes. They’ve already distributed goods worth eight hundred coins of silver to the villagers, and there will be one more round of support.”

“I didn’t misjudge the person then. That mustn’t have been an easy decision.”

“As you know, trust in information is worth more than gold. Besides, several of our recent ventures have been paying off, so it’s hardly a burden.”

The Black Night Clan traded in information, but that wasn’t all they did.

They ran multiple courier stations and merchant corps, and were rapidly expanding their commercial reach across the Central Plains.

That was possible because they’d succeeded in recruiting outstanding talents like Eun Hwa-rin.

Decisively, it was thanks to Pung-ho’s character, his ability to recognize and cultivate people.

“I’m glad to hear the Black Night Clan is prospering as if it were my own affair. Any other difficulties?”

“Everything’s fine now. Evil Sect Alliance is giving us full support. It’s all thanks to the Yin-Yang Twin Monsters, the great brothers.”

The pact made with Evil Sect Alliance leader Yong Yong seemed to be taking effect.

The nonaggression agreement between the Yin Yang Twin Monsters and Evil Sect Alliance that she demanded meant they wouldn’t bother the Black Night Clan and would watch their back.

In return, Evil Sect Alliance also gained information, so it was mutually beneficial.

“You even knew that? No need to worry. Consider it a small gift.”

“In any case, I wanted to be sure to convey our thanks. By the way, where is Yin monster right now?”

“She’s currently in seclusion training. Why do you ask?”

“Since I’m here, I have information to pass on to both of you.”

Eun Hwa-rin knew many things, but she seemed not to know Yin Monster’s true identity.

Was it the effect of muzzling those Chong-ta brat from Beggars Union Fortress? Still, not even telling the southern branch chief was exasperating.

“Because I’m the boss, just tell me.”

“Ah….”

Eun Hwa-rin agreed but still looked uneasy.

At that, Yu Jinsan thumped his chest with his fist and sighed.

“What do you mean ‘Ahh’? You’re a branch leader and didn’t know that? Yin Monster is my granddaughter.”

“Whaat?”

“Ask Chong-ta for the details. Those who should know will know.”

Eun Hwa-rin was dumbfounded and momentarily lost for words.

It was hard to believe, but why would Yang Monster lie?

Not being told such important information made her feel betrayed, understandably so.

“…When I go to Chong-ta, I’ll certainly question him about this.”

“By the way, what brought you here? You must have another purpose, right?”

“Yes. Actually, I’m here to tell you that this place may be exposed to danger.”

“Danger?”

“Several of the Murim Alliance masters who were in our surveillance have been disappearing one by one. A significant number were found in Shaanxi, and among them the presence of Kwon Hwang was even detected.”

Fist Emperor Ma Kwang-cheol — the name alone struck fear into the Evil Sect warriors.

A man who fought solely with his fists and was famed for never once having been defeated.

For such an absolute master to appear, it was no ordinary matter.

Moreover, according to Gambling Ghost, even the Blue Dragon troops active in Shaanxi were being summoned.

Clearly, something unusual was unfolding.

“Hm. If they’re gathering in Shaanxi, then of course they’re aiming for Ho county.”

Weren’t the children who escaped from Mount Emei’s training ground here? The Blue Dragon troops couldn’t have failed to notice that.

They would try by any means to get the children back and raise them as the Blue Dragon troops.

It was a situation they’d have to face sooner or later, and Yu Jinsan had foreseen it, one reason he brought the renegade monk here.

“I think the same. We’ll keep tracking them, and if we confirm anything we’ll send people here. There’s a Black Night Clan secret sub-base not far from here.”

“A secret sub-base too, the more I hear, the more amazed I am. By the way, does Baek Gyu know about this?”

“He probably doesn’t know yet. I was planning to meet him on my way.”

“Thank you. Do that.”

“Not at all.”

Even after Eun Hwa-rin left, Yu Jinsan devoted himself solely to martial cultivation.

Therefore, all preparations for Ho County’s defense were being led by Baek Gyu.

‘Now is not the time for me to step forward.’

It wasn’t that he didn’t care for this place; he was simply waiting for the right moment.

Until then, the most important thing was to raise the post Supreme level of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Arts as much as possible.

Five days passed, and at last a change came.

Hwaaak-!

A bright gleam flashed from Yu Jinsan’s form and then dimmed.

Soon his closed eyes slowly opened.

His pupils, capable of shaking the earth, shone with an irrepressible joy.

“Done!”

Jumping to his feet, Yu Jinsan raised both hands above his head in delight.

Finally, the Vajra Indestructible Divine Arts had reached the seven-tenths post Supreme master level.

It had taken a full fortnight since reaching the sixth stage. How much hardship he’d endured.

Though it was only one step up, it felt like he had endured a period of relentless patience.

Skin hardened like rock and muscles like steel. His internal organs felt as if wrapped in protective metal.

His strengthened body seemed capable of withstanding even sword qi.

He felt like dancing, but for the sake of dignity he couldn’t.

“Heh. I should go get some fresh air for once.”

When he opened the door, something wrapped in paper lay at the entrance. From the smell, it seemed the gatekeepers had left dumplings.

Judging from the faint warmth, they didn’t seem old.

Tucking them under his arm, Yu Jinsan dashed off somewhere.

Just before leaving the Defeating Blade Clan estate, a child who recognized him shouted.

“Hello, grandfather!”

It was the child he had named Cheong Pung. He was the strongest one from Mount Emei’s training ground.

Yu Jinsan waved over his shoulder and kept running.

“Oh, yes!”

His voice sounded unusually bright.

His light steps took him toward the hillside where his granddaughter stayed.

Only when he neared the destination did he slow his lightness skill to muffle noise, not to disturb her meditation.

Every few days when he checked on his granddaughter, she was always sitting in the same spot.

And today was no different.

She hadn’t shifted an inch from her position two days ago; her posture was identical. She hadn’t moved an iota.

Truly, her mental fortitude was remarkable.

‘Dear child, Grandpa brought dumplings.’

Nearby were the snacks he’d left a few days ago, still there.

He had placed food so she could eat whenever hungry, whether she ate or not.

He wanted to tell her to eat, but how could he? She was doing it by choice. Besides, stopping halfway might nullify her training, so he had to be careful.

“…”

He carefully set the dumplings down and turned away without even breathing.

Even the slightest squirrel’s movement wouldn’t be subtler than that.

He tiptoed like a magpie and took a few steps.

“Grandpa, where are you going?”

A familiar child’s clear voice reached his ears.

Had he woken his granddaughter? Yu Jinsan, feeling apologetic, gave an embarrassed smile.

“Oh my! Grandpa must’ve disturbed you.”

“No, I just finished. But is it already time to eat? I’m not hungry yet.”

“Already? You sat like that for ten days.”

“Huh? I thought not even four ‘hours’ had passed?”

She seemed to have lost herself in the universe, in a state of no-self.

Forgetting the passage of time in the process of enlightenment was not strange. Yu Jinsan simply couldn’t understand it, having never experienced it.

“You didn’t move an inch — I was so worried you might be dead. Any results?”

“No, I’m frustrated to death. I can feel something, but when I try to grasp it, it slips away.”

“Grasp it? What do you mean?”

“Hmm… maybe catching wind, catching water. It feels like I could catch all of nature.”

“Catching nature? What fanciful talk is that?”

Yu Seol seemed to ponder how to respond. How could she put enlightenment into words?

“But Grandpa. Did you eat something good without me?”

“Something good? Do you think I secretly took a spiritual pill all by myself?”

Yu Seol stared him up and down.

“Strange. Something definitely seems different.”

Could his increased strength be felt by his granddaughter too? A shy smile crept across Yu Jinsan’s face.

“…How do you think it’s different?”

“Hm. You feel a bit firmer.”

If it was Yu Seol saying he felt firmer, then surely the Vajra Indestructible Divine Arts training had had an effect.

He was extremely pleased, but couldn’t show it foolishly.

Yu Jinsan feigned a cough and placed his hands behind his back.

“You saw it exactly. Come a little closer, child.”

His granddaughter blinked in bewilderment and approached.

“…Why?”

“Grandpa learned a new martial arts. Hurry, hit my belly once.”

“No. How could I hit you, Grandpa?”

Yu Jinsan nodded seriously.

“I’m not joking. I’m trying to test the power of the art, so go on, strike.”

“How hard?”

He was confident his current body could withstand anything.

But who was the opponent? Even as he answered, Yu Jinsan hesitated.

“Use half… no, just thirty percent of your strength to strike.”

“Thirty percent? No way — Grandpa would die.”

Though he hadn’t reached the Supreme warrior realm, he’d undergone a transformation and learned the Vajra Indestructible Divine Arts up to seven-tenths.

For her to say she’d die from only thirty percent in one blow, that wounded his pride.

“To be looked down on by the granddaughter I carried and raised — oh, how woeful I am in my old age…”

What could she do when Grandpa spoke like that?

After hesitating, Yu Seol clenched her fist.

“It’s really okay, right?”

As the granddaughter pulled her fist back behind her shoulder,

in that moment Yu Jinsan felt his heart drop.

He had always been on the same side and hadn’t felt discord; now, facing her, an unfamiliar terror started to constrict his heart.

The pressure was suffocating, as if he were fighting a mountain rather than a person.

The confidence that had overflowed moments before was gone.

“W-wait.”

“Why?”

Yu Jinsan urgently spoke before his granddaughter released her strike.

“F-first, test it with twenty percent of your power first.”