A Pleasant Day (2)

After hearing from his granddaughter, it seemed to be Eun Hwa-rin of the Black Night Clan.

She was the branch leader overseeing the southern region of Henan and the sharpest talent in the organization.

What reason would she have to come here?

She wouldn’t leisurely come to watch a regional spear technique tournament. It seemed she had business with him.

“Hmm. You say she’s looking for us here?”

“Yeah. She heard Grandpa entered the contest and rushed over, but she’s a bit late.”

That worked out well. He already had an urgent favor to ask of the Black Night Clan.

“But why didn’t she come with you?”

“She said to finish eating and then stop by the relay station. She’ll wait there.”

A relay station is a place to change horses.

There are lodging facilities and stables so travelers can rest briefly.

“Alright. It’s not far from here, so first fill your stomach and then let’s head there.”

“Okay!”

Yu Seol immediately dug in, moving her chopsticks hurriedly.

Although it was a rare feast, it couldn’t help but feel strange.

“Why are you eating so fast? Is there some treasure at the relay station?”

His granddaughter, cheeks puffed with food, moved her small lips.

“There is.”

“There is? What is it?”

Swallowing her food, Yu Seol replied with a bright expression.

“Hyun Hee unni is there too.”

She was the wife of Pung-ho, the head of the Black Night Clan.

She had adored Yu Jinsan’s granddaughter for a long time, even coming daily to offer to teach her martial arts.

Having not long given birth, she apparently chose a place nearby to raise her child.

It was surely a hundred times better than the damp, musty underground hideouts.

“You want to go quickly to see the baby, don’t you?”

Caught out, his granddaughter grinned.

Dong-gu, watching silently, kept piling meat onto Yu Seol’s bowl.

“Eat slowly. The relay station is close, so we’ll get there quickly.”

“I’ll enjoy the meal~”

The rare relaxed meal was filled with laughter.

Having eaten their fill at the inn, the three faced each other to say goodbye.

A colorful new bracelet was on Dong-gu’s wrist.

“Thank you, Seol. I’ll cherish the gift you gave me for life.”

Watching, Yu Jinsan intervened in the conversation with a pleased face.

“Keep it as a family heirloom since it was given by the Evil Faction’s greatest member.”

“Yes, of course. There’s writing engraved on it too?”

On the inside of the bracelet was a small inscription: ‘Dong-gu and Seol’s Friendship Bracelet.’

Though childish for an adult to wear, Dong-gu seemed to like it very much.

“Alright. Your father will be waiting, so go back quickly.”

Dong-gu hesitated, looking regretful.

“Will we meet again?”

“No matter how vast the Jianghu is, you’ll see each other again someday.”

“…Yes. Then until we meet again, please stay healthy, sir.”

“Healthy, indeed. I’ll live longer than you, so don’t worry. Don’t be lazy with your training.”

Dong-gu bowed in salute and then stroked Yu Seol’s head again.

“Seol, you must stay well until we meet again.”

“Yes! See you again, mister~”

Thus the three finished their farewells.

As Dong-gu walked away, he kept glancing back and waving his hand.

Yu Jinsan raised a hand as well and murmured softly.

“In all my life meeting countless martial artists, I’ve never seen such an innocent fellow. I hope nothing bad happens to him.”

His gaze at Dong-gu’s retreating figure was filled with genuine concern.

“Why? Dong-gu’s kind-hearted. No one would dislike him.”

“Tsk! That’s precisely why I’m worried. To survive the harsh Jianghu, one needs to be a bit shrewd.”

At that, Yu Seol opened her eyes wide and asked.

“Then what about me!?”

After looking at his granddaughter’s face for a moment, Yu Jinsan shook his head.

“Enough nonsense, let’s get going.”

At the relay station, Eun Hwa-rin stood waiting in front of a modest pavilion.

Her escort, who spotted them first, bowed.

“We meet often.”

Now noticing the grandfather and granddaughter, Eun Hwa-rin brought her hands together with a bright face.

“Congratulations, elder. I wanted to come cheer in person, but I’m a step late.”

“Oh dear, the whole town’s talking about it. But that child is here too?”

Eun Hwa-rin knew exactly who the child referred to; she had been the one to inform them that Hyun Hee was here.

“Yes. She was staying nearby, and when your granddaughter wanted to see her, she came running.”

A carriage was hitched in front of the pavilion, indicating she had arrived by it.

Then the pavilion door opened and someone appeared.

Holding a child to her left breast, she was undoubtedly Hyun Hee.

Yu Seol rushed over and hugged her tightly around the waist.

“Unnie!!”

“Seol, have you been well? I really missed you!”

“Yeah, me too.”

They embraced each other as if at a family reunion, making a fuss.

“Do you want to hold the baby?”

“Yes! What’s the name?”

“I named him Yeop. Seeing him smile, he seems to like his unnie.”

Holding a child for the first time since birth, Yu Seol smiled broadly.

“Hello, Pung Yeop. This your noona, Seol.”

“Gurgle!”

When the baby beamed, Yu Seol couldn’t contain her laughter.

“So cute~ So cute~”

Watching silently, Yu Jinsan snorted and murmured.

“That kid. He sang about wanting to hold a baby, and finally his wish came true.”

At that moment, Eun Hwa-rin beside him replied softly.

“I can’t believe it. Your granddaughter, with such an innocent smile, is called a terror ‘Yin Monster’ by the Justice factions.”

“Rumors are always exaggerated. Anyway, let’s talk privately.”

There was no room to interrupt between Yu Seol and Hyun Hee.

While the two enjoyed their reunion, she intended to discuss business.

“Yes, then please come inside.”

After exchanging glances with Hyun Hee, Yu Jinsan followed Eun Hwa-rin inside.

The two entered the pavilion and sat facing each other across a table.

“So, what business brought you here to find me?”

“Actually… I have a favor to ask.”

Though they were close with the Black Night Clan, this was the first time they’d asked for help.

He couldn’t help but be curious about the background.

“That’s surprising. Still, this is fortuitous. I also had a favor to ask of you.”

Eun Hwa-rin smiled at Yu Jinsan’s positive response.

“Then please, sir, you speak first.”

“I won’t decline. We captured a man at this blade contest who acted with impure intent. Do you know anything about him?”

Eun Hwa-rin immediately nodded.

“If we didn’t know even that, the Black Night Clan wouldn’t be called an information-handling organization.”

“Then this will be quick. Who do you think that man is?”

“Given he targeted you, he’s likely a high-level warrior from the Justice factions.”

“And?”

“If such a warrior’s face isn’t known, it’s obvious. He’s probably someone sent by the Blue Dragon troops.”

Her quick wit made the conversation easy; no small explanations were needed.

“I think the same. That fellow has been escorted to the nearby government office.”

“We know that well. And we know what you want, too.”

“You’re decisive. Go on and tell me.”

“The organization won’t leave him be; he’ll be released one way or another. You want to trace those connected to him during that process, right? Using our connections.”

Surprise flashed across Yu Jinsan’s face.

To pinpoint exactly what he wanted — she was increasingly impressive.

The Black Night Clan, with ties to Henan officials, certainly had that capability.

“A talent like you assisting Pung-ho — that fellow is truly blessed.”

“I received a great favor I couldn’t repay to the Clan leader.”

“There must be some story behind that. In any case, that’s all I want. Now tell me your side.”

They had even been removing tattoos recently, so tracking them would only get harder.

They had to use every resource available before the culprits hid deeper.

“The trouble began after the incident at Geumyang Temple.”

The battle at Geumyang Temple had become a legend among the Evil factions.

They had massacred the Justice faction warriors who had gathered there from the Shaanxi region.

Didn’t the Evil factions even gather at Ho County to celebrate that event?

Meanwhile, the Murim Alliance had been grinding their teeth to avenge that humiliation.

“Has retaliation already begun? When I left, Ho County was quiet.”

“Ho County hasn’t changed. It’s now the strongest sacred site among the Evil factions.”

Ho County is guarded by the renegade monk Jeong Hye and Baek Gyu, with support from the Black Cat Sect.

Though not all are combatants, the strength of the children who escaped from the Mount Emei was not negligible.

Moreover, countless warriors still came and went there, making it a place the Murim Alliance couldn’t easily touch.

Thus Yu Jinsan had anticipated this.

Their retaliation would be aimed not at Ho County but elsewhere.

“So in the end, are they venting their rage here in Henan?”

“Yes. The Evil Faction forces here are shaken. We’ve suffered significant losses as well.”

“Tell me in more detail.”

Yu Jinsan clasped his hands on the table.

Listening quietly to her, the situation was astonishing.

Principal figures of the Evil Faction in Henan were being assassinated one by one.

There was something fishy about it.

Assassination was a shameful method for the Justice faction, who preached chivalry and justice.

“The most recent target was White Snake Clan. Its clan leader was assassinated, and the Blue Dragon troops who was being interrogated by him escaped.”

Evil Sect Alliance’s White Snake Clan.

They were skilled in trick techniques and hypnotism, and had been entrusted with interrogating the captured the Blue Dragon Troops from Geumyang Temple.

Given the circumstances, there was no doubt it was a sinister hand.

Now they seemed intent on striking the Evil Faction while minimizing their own losses — a full-scale war would be risky with the presence of the Yin Monster.

“What a shame to let a captive slip away. What losses has the Black Night Clan suffered?”

“Three of our exposed officers have been taken as well. The losses keep coming and we have no answer…”

Eun Hwa-rin trailed off, frustrated.

Yu Jinsan could sympathize with her feelings.

The Black Night Clan’s forces mostly consist of hired wandering warriors, and they don’t have many skilled warriors.

If even renowned Evil Faction warriors were being struck, what could they possibly do?

A desperate situation must have persisted.

Since the Yin Yang Twin Monsters had come to Henan, it was natural to seek their help.

“At this rate, neither you nor the child by the door will be safe.”

As Yu Jinsan pondered for a moment,

The pavilion door suddenly burst open.

Yu Seol had already appeared, standing in the doorway blinking.

She had wrapped a small child like a pouch on her back.

“Hyun Hee unnie is in danger?”

Whether she wanted to or not, their conversation was reaching Yu Seol’s ears in full.

Profound warrior’s superhuman hearing could even catch a bird’s chirp tens of li away.

After briefly meeting his granddaughter’s eyes, Yu Jinsan nodded.

“That’s right. If we don’t catch that man, it won’t be safe.”

“Who is it?”

Perhaps because his granddaughter’s unusually serious face was amusing,

Yu Jinsan suddenly grew playful, shrugging his shoulders with a tease.

“Even grandpa doesn’t know that. But what do you plan to do about it?”

Suddenly tears welled up in Yu Seol’s large eyes.

“Yeop mustn’t lose his mother like I did…”