Because Grandpa Is Sad (2)

The World’s Greatest Spear Technique Tournament.

The day that made hearts race just to hear its name was steadily approaching.

Therefore, Yu Jinsan devoted himself to training day and night.

In the meantime, his granddaughter came twice every day to help and then disappeared somewhere. She seemed to have her own things to do.

‘Now there’s not much left to my goal.’

Before long, the Vajra Indestructible Divine Arts had reached eighty percent completion, and the techniques taught by his granddaughter had become imitable.

It was time to intensify training to advance another level.

With a long breath, his feet began to move dazzlingly.

It was the Whirlwind Footwork personally demonstrated by the head of the Yu household.

Sssssk-!!

A fairy-like movement riding the wind. The way he skillfully produced clones was remarkable.

Though different from his granddaughter’s lightning speed, it was more than sufficient to perform the Seol Seol Beatdown technique.

Yu Jinsan, who moved in circles, finally initiated his attack.

“Haap!”

With a fierce shout, Dragon Slaying Spear erupted from all eight directions.

Papapapat-!!!

Dark-reddish spear qi converged into the circle, shredding the space in a spectacular sight.

The technique’s originator, his granddaughter, could weave a net from thirty-six directions, but Yu Jinsan’s current limit was eight directions.

Even so, his face showed a satisfied expression.

‘This much should be usable in actual combat.’

Originally, every martial artist should have at least one secret move.

Having mastered the technique, Yu Jinsan felt reassured.

The Invincible Seol’s Spear Technique’s single technique, Seol Seol Beatdown. Its power matched its arrogant name, truly formidable.

He rested briefly with a satisfied expression.

“I thought you’d be here, brother.”

Turning around, Baek Gyu was approaching with a grin.

“Is the clan leader allowed to wander like this? You must be very busy handling stuff.”

“I heard you’re leaving tomorrow; shouldn’t you say your farewells ahead of time? I heard from Seol that you’re entering the tournament.”

It seemed he had heard that Yu Jinsan was entering the spear tournament.

“That brat, really. I told her to go quietly about this.”

“Haha. As if that could happen. She’s so excited she’s singing everywhere; I doubt anyone hasn’t heard of this.”

Participation in the tournament is a personal affair; why was she the one excited?

Maybe she was simply excited about this rare trip into the Jianghu.

But he couldn’t scold his beloved granddaughter for it. Yu Jinsan clicked his tongue and said.

“Tsk. I wanted to keep it secret, but I guess I can’t. By your outfit, little brother, it looks like you’re going out somewhere too.”

“There’s an Evil Sect Alliance meeting. As you said, the Justice factions are sharpening their knives, so we must prepare as well.”

For the time being, Ho County won’t dare act. They’ll likely start by clearing other heretical forces that are weak on defense.

And their fight wasn’t his concern; worrying about places with no ties would be endless.

Whatever they did, wherever they went, the Yin Yang Twin Monsters were free in everything and needed to pay attention to no one.

“But has the monk been quiet lately? If we both leave at the same time, there’ll be no one to keep things in check.”

The only one who could control Jeong Hye by force was Yu Seol.

Aside from them, only Yu Jinsan and Baek Gyu could somewhat restrain him.

With all three leaving at once, concern was inevitable.

Baek Gyu waved his hand as if to say not to worry.

“Haha. Don’t worry about him. He’s absorbed in something else right now.”

From Baek Gyu’s expression, it looked like something amusing was happening.

“Absorbed in something?”

“Haven’t you heard? Lately he’s been helping all day in the kitchen hall and hasn’t been coming out.”

Yu Jinsan flinched and doubted his ears.

The kitchen hall is the pavilion in the clan that prepares food.

A wild renegade monk who could do anything was helping there?

“I can’t believe it. Could he have taken a liking to cooking?”

Baek Gyu looked around once and lowered his voice.

“At first I thought the same. But actually, the monk has fallen head over heels for Aunt Wang.”

“Good heavens. That old woman must be up there in years. How could the monk be enamored with her?”

She was an old woman he had met even before he turned into an apostate.

As the head of the kitchen hall, she had no martial arts skill yet a fiery temper is what she possessed, so disciples didn’t treat her lightly. Being the oldest, she was nicknamed Aunt Wang.

“Haha. How can we know the hearts of men and women? Aunt Wang doesn’t seem to dislike him. In any case, they’re both lonely, so it’s for the best.”

“We’ll see how long that lasts. Anyway, as you said, it’s a relief; one more person to keep things in check.”

“Indeed. Thanks to Aunt Wang, I’ve been very at ease lately.”

Yu Jinsan also couldn’t stop smiling at the situation.

“I can only laugh. But you must have come for another reason, right?”

“I came to tell you to be careful. Rumor has it the Murim Alliance’s anger and resentment toward the Yin Yang Twin Monster has reached the heavens.”

“Well, that can’t be helped. Have they posted wanted notices from the Murim Alliance again?”

Baek Gyu snorted and replied.

“Wanted posters are only for those who can be wanted. These days the Justice faction folks in Shanxi even avoid children.”

“But what’s the problem then?”

“From recent intel it seems the Murim Alliance has given up on Seol. Instead, they’re targeting you. Don’t leave your granddaughter’s side.”

There was no need to be outraged; it had been somewhat expected.

Hadn’t he been training for a while to prepare for such a situation?

“Thanks for worrying. But I’m not who I used to be.”

Baek Gyu glanced at Yu Jinsan’s entire physique.

His changed bearing and skin hardened like metal; he did seem stronger than before.

“Then I’m somewhat relieved. Anyway, travel well, hyung. Buy my niece lots of tasty things on your way.”

Baek Gyu said a few more words of farewell, then turned and left.

‘I should hurry to see Seol too.’

It was about time to wash up and pack his bundle.

He moved in the opposite direction from where Baek Gyu had disappeared.

He walked for a long time with no particular thoughts.

A delicious smell drew his attention to the kitchen hall nearby.

‘Is the renegade monk really here?’

He couldn’t imagine it at all; curiosity grew about the situation.

Yu Jinsan hung from the kitchen window frame and glanced inside.

Aunt Wang sat in a chair on one side of the kitchen, and behind her Jeong Hye was rubbing her shoulders.

The man who had been rampaging at Geumyang Temple was so docile here, truly a sight.

At that moment, Jeong Hye, who noticed him, gave a sly smile.

“Hyunnng~”

At that instant, Aunt Wang, who spotted Yu Jinsan, flushed and looked away.

“Oh my goodness!”

Yu Jinsan coughed awkwardly.

“Ahem. I didn’t mean to, sorry for disturbing you.”

As he was about to turn away, Jeong Hye called out urgently.

“Hyung, where are you going?”

“Hmm. I’ll be gone for a while. Don’t cause trouble while I’m away, younger one.”

“You’ll bring back a present for our cutie when you return, right?”

“Ye-yes.”

After leaving the pavilion, Yu Jinsan shook his head with a smile.

‘Absurd as it is, thanks to that happening I don’t need to worry about this place.’

The reason Jeong Hye was left here was to protect the Defeating Blade Clan, within controllable limits.

In that state, he could be gone for a while without worry.

A little later, returning to his dwelling, he saw his granddaughter’s back.

Humming a tune, she was busily stuffing things into her bundle.

“Grandpa, you’re back?”

She sensed his arrival without looking; her intuition was uncanny.

“Yes. But why are you packing so much? Why did you put in a carrot?”

He craned his neck like a heron to look inside from behind.

Clothes were one thing, but the sheer amount of snacks was astounding.

“They’re Seol’s snacks. Hurry and wash up, Grandpa. We have to leave now.”

Yu Jinsan looked exasperated.

“Why are you setting the departure time? That’s for your grandpa to decide.”

Regardless, his granddaughter began tying the bundle energetically.

“I’ve already prepared everything. Grandpa doesn’t need to pack anything.”

What on earth made her so impatient?

Yu Jinsan stared blankly for a moment, then asked slyly.

“If we go to Henan, you want to stop by the Black Night clan to see Hyun-hee unnie, right?”

Wasn’t Hyun-hee, the wife of clan leader Pung-ho, especially fond of his granddaughter?

Coincidentally, the Black Night Clan’s main base is in Kaifeng, Henan, not far from where the spear tournament would be held.

Yu Seol smiled sheepishly as if her intentions had been discovered.

“Hehe. I heard Hyun-hee unnie had a baby? I want to go see the baby quickly.”

He had heard that news when Eun Hwa-rin of the Black Night Clan visited earlier and had told his granddaughter about it then.

He had planned to drop by after the tournament to gather information anyway.

“…So you had it all planned too.”

Henan was not uncharted territory for the pair of grandparent and grandchild.

However, they didn’t have the time to travel by boat along the Yellow River as they had before.

Using light footwork skill, the fastest route was overland through Hangzhu Pass.

At Yu Jinsan’s light footwork speed, the distance to the tournament site would take three days, including ample rest.

As the huge bundle on his granddaughter’s back began to feel slightly lighter.

At last, they arrived at their destination.

Near the entrance of Zhonghua Mountain, about 30 km south of Kaifeng.

A spacious sparring ground adjoined the site of the tournament.

Since it was still the sign-up period, the crowd wasn’t too large yet.

“Grandpa, you’ve been here before, right?”

“Yes. Coming back like this brings back memories.”

It had happened over fifty years ago, yet it remained vivid.

A memory that wouldn’t fade even if he wanted; he had confidently represented the clan and been utterly humiliated.

Even now, thinking of that time felt like his chest was being torn.

“I think it’s over there. Grandpa, go sign up quickly.”

“What is there to hurry for? Let’s wait a moment.”

Yu Jinsan watched from afar and bided his time.

Anyone with skill could enter, but a little child’s solo registration wouldn’t be smooth. To minimize attention, he planned to approach when fewer people were around.

It was around then, while waiting.

Suddenly, his granddaughter extended her index finger somewhere and widened her eyes.

“Uh-oh?”

“Why?”

“Look, Mister Dong-gu is here too!”