A Pleasant Day (3)

Seeing Yu Seol’s sniffle somehow made his heart feel heavy.

It reminded him of how she had recently wailed that she missed her mother.

Yu Jinsan nodded once with a faint smile.

“That’s right, if our Seol can’t do it, then she can’t.”

“Yes. We must go catch them quickly.”

His granddaughter, steeling herself, looked extremely serious.

But how could that be as easy as she said?

“Do you even know who it is and where to go catch them?”

Will to protect alone wouldn’t be enough.

Assassins by nature are elusive and leave no traces. If they’re capable of killing an Evil faction warrior, they’re top-tier killers.

No matter how he thought about it, they were no easy opponent.

“Grandpa, if you use a qi presence you can find them, right?”

Yu Jinsan, who had been looking at his granddaughter with pity, suddenly snapped.

“What, you little thing? What kind of stratagem are you talking about?”

“I heard people in Ho County talking. They said Grandpa’s presence finding are the best in the murim world. They call you the supreme being in that area.”

“No—what kind of filthy fools said that!?”

“I don’t know either. I heard it at the market.”

There were countless martial folk from the Evil factions who came and went in Ho County.

They praised his granddaughter as an Evil Faction hero while calling him a schemer; how infuriating those people were.

After a brief bout of fury, Yu Jinsan finally calmed himself and sighed.

“Next time you see those kinds of people, tell them it’s wisdom, not stratagem. Understood?”

“…Mm.”

He suddenly thought there was no need to get excited over baseless rumors.

He himself had just proved his skill in the spear contest by winning, after all.

His voice softened further.

“Then wait outside for a bit. The elders need to discuss how to catch that fellow.”

Yu Seol nodded and trotted out without another word.

She knew she wouldn’t be of help in that place.

Yu Jinsan crossed his arms and closed his eyes for a moment to ponder a plan.

Eun Hwa-rin, who had been waiting quietly, spoke cautiously.

“We’ll need bait, won’t we?”

“Indeed. Something very appetizing.”

To catch a big fish, you need a big bait.

Small traps likely wouldn’t even get a nibble.

The problem was that obtaining bait wasn’t easy, who would willingly expose themselves to become a target of an assassin?

“I ask for your advice. No matter how I think about it, I can’t think of a suitable person.”

Yu Jinsan was silent for a moment.

After a short pause, he opened his closed eyes and answered softly.

“How about a key officer of the Black Night Clan, the Evil factions’ top information network? Especially someone who oversees the southern region’s intelligence grid.”

Eun Hwa-rin pointed to her chest with a look of disbelief.

“M—me?”

Yu Jinsan nodded without hesitation.

“If I were that assassin, I would never pass you by.”

“But…”

“If you’re afraid, say so. It’s only an option. But I can’t think of any other alternatives.”

Who was Eun Hwa-rin? She was behind the rise of the Black Night Clan to such prominence.

He suggested using her, one of the most important figures in the organization.

Moreover, to be unquestioningly effective bait, they’d have to be ready to sacrifice at least one secret branch of the Black Night Clan.

It was a perilous gamble, a once-in-a-lifetime all-or-nothing bet.

After hesitating, Eun Hwa-rin hardened her expression as if making up her mind.

“…I will.”

“Your face looks like a soldier going to die on the battlefield. We’ll protect you, what’s there to fear?”

“…I will trust you, elder.”

Yu Jinsan gave a soft laugh and leaned back in his chair.

“No need to worry too much. If we prepare well, it won’t be as dangerous as you think.”

Now her expression softened as if she felt some relief.

“My knowledge is mainly managerial; I’m inexperienced with murim world methods. I’d like to hear more advice.”

“Hmm. In the murim world, there’s no one as cautious and perceptive as an assassin. Especially a top-tier assassin at the peak of skill. You must organize everything meticulously without missing a single detail.”

It’s not enough to prepare just the bait.

There could be no allowance for the slightest flaw.

The process of exposing identity to lure him in, and ensuring her safety afterwards.

Over the course of a day, Yu Jinsan talked extensively with her and consulted on plans.

Before long, a smile appeared on Eun Hwa-rin’s face; her worries had been eased.

“As expected, your plan has no gaps. You’re as remarkable as your reputation.”

Perhaps it was what his granddaughter had said earlier—praise felt good, but it left a strange bitterness somewhere in his heart.

“You didn’t really think I was some scheming trickster too, did you? Like some people?”

“Of course not!? Your wisdom can’t be learned from books. I’ve always admired it.”

“Then why are you stammering?”

“…Huh? Me?”

Eun Hwa-rin even tilted her head in puzzlement.

Could she be acting?

Staring intently at her, Yu Jinsan waved a hand and said,

“Never mind that. How long will it take anyway?”

“It should take about fifteen days to finish all preparations.”

“Fifteen days… yes, that sounds about right.”

“Is there any problem with that?”

It wasn’t as long as he had thought.

There was no real problem, except having to wait out a dull time in unfamiliar Henan.

“Nothing at all.”

“Where will you stay until then?”

“Where else? I’ll find a room somewhere and hole up.”

Eun Hwa-rin smiled faintly as if she’d expected that.

“I’ll arrange a place for you. There’s a quiet, secluded spot; why not stay there?”

There was no reason to refuse; he needed to keep a low profile for a while anyway.

If the Yin Yang Twin Monsters were frequently seen in the operation area, they’d surely arouse the assassin’s suspicion.

Her suggested place seemed advantageous.

“That would be best. Very well.”

As Eun Hwa-rin had said, it was as quiet as a mouse, no sign of human presence anywhere.

The grandfather and granddaughter who stayed there showed opposite reactions.

‘They built a villa in the woods like this—quite something. A fine place to rest for a while.’

All there was, was a cozy cottage with a kitchen by a small pond.

But the birdsong and tall trees encircling the place soothed his mind.

He sat cross-legged on a rock by the pond all day, continuing qigong training to elevate the stage of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Arts.

Then he heard his granddaughter muttering behind him.

“…I’m bored. So bored.”

Yu Seol paced with her hands clasped behind her back, wearing a serious expression.

She seemed eager to play for a change.

But there was nothing here that could interest her.

She couldn’t go see Hyun Hee either; being with them would risk exposing her to danger.

“This won’t do.”

Resolute, Yu Seol approached her grandfather.

“Let’s go to the village to play. It’s too boring here.”

Yu Jinsan remained seated in his cross-legged training posture as if he couldn’t stop.

“Hmm. You can’t go out yet, so be patient. We have to lure that vicious fellow; if he knows we’re nearby he’ll run off.”

Because of the spear contest, the Yin-Yang Twin Fiends had become well-known even in Henan.

Their faces were too well-known; wandering about carelessly wouldn’t be wise.

“Hiying.”

She had come to Henan excited to play, and yet they were here training.

Being holed up in the woods made it hard to shake off the boredom.

“Not much longer now. Bear with it a little more. To become a great person you must cultivate patience.”

“Phew. How much longer do I have to wait?”

“Hmm. About ten days or so.”

At that, Yu Seol’s eyes widened as if they’d split.

“What? Ten days? Ten days!?”

Yu Seol grabbed and shook the collar behind her grandfather’s back.

His torso began to sway like reeds in the wind.

“Hey now, will you let go? If you keep this up I’ll be beaten to death by you!”

Pouted, Yu Seol said in a sulky tone.

“That’s mean.”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t even play with me.”

Turning back, he saw her lip jutting out.

He couldn’t just ignore his sulky granddaughter.

Given the situation, he couldn’t continue training.

It was a grandfather’s duty to play with a bored granddaughter. Yu Jinsan rose, stretched, and said,

“Our Seol has never cooked before, has she?”

“No, I haven’t.”

He intended to give his granddaughter a hobby of some sort.

Some cooking skill was necessary to make wandering the martial world less arduous.

“Making delicious food for someone is a true pleasure. Would you like to learn?”

“No. Why should I cook? I can just eat what Grandpa makes.”

Such a lukewarm response; she didn’t seem very interested.

“You’ll starve when Grandpa’s gone, then.”

“I’ll buy food. I have lots of money.”

She opened a small coin pouch at her waist—how funny it was to see.

Yu Jinsan smacked his lips and murmured softly.

“That’s odd. Our youngest daughter-in-law loved cooking for the family.”

“Really? My mother liked cooking?”

Her reaction was completely different from before.

Her eyes lit up; she seemed finally interested.

“Of course. She was brilliant at it. I know some of your mother’s recipes, but if you don’t want to learn there’s nothing to be done.”

It wasn’t a lie; when she cooked, family members would eat two or three bowls.

“I-I want to try. Teach me quickly.”

Yu Seol nagged him with the eager face of an excited puppy.

But Yu Jinsan kept his gaze fixed on the pond, not even looking at her.

“You said you wouldn’t learn? It’s too late now. I have no intention of teaching you.”

He heard the sound of arms wrapping around his neck from behind.

Taken by surprise, Yu Jinsan cleared his throat.

“Kuh!”

“Hurry.”

She hadn’t applied force, but his chest tingled; if it had been an enemy instead of his granddaughter, his neck might’ve been broken.

“How dare you threaten Grandpa? Let go this instant!”

Her small frame and child’s voice robbed the shouting of any real dignity.

After releasing his neck, Yu Seol gently patted his back and tried to persuade him.

“Okay. So hurry and teach me. I’ll make delicious food for you every day, okay?”

Yu Jinsan reluctantly shook himself and stood up.

His stern expression softened somewhat at his granddaughter’s docility.

“This time I’ll teach you just as an exception. If you scare Grandpa again, there’ll be no mercy.”

“Thanks, Grandpa. What should I make first?”

Yu Seol followed him into the small cottage that served as the kitchen.

Inside, ingredients pre-stocked by the Black Night Clan filled the place.

“First, let’s make Dongpo pork. I’ll explain the steps and ingredient amounts, so listen carefully.”

Dongpo pork uses pork with the skin attached.

After salting the meat, you braise it slowly with fermented wine, sugar, soy sauce, and spices; in their family recipe, a few medicinal herbs are added.

With a granddaughter of near-superhuman memory, there was no need to explain twice.

If she followed instructions, the dish would be decent enough.

Having heard the explanation, Yu Seol nodded with a serious face.

“Grandpa, I’m sorry about earlier. I won’t do it again.”

“Alright. That’s a good granddaughter.”

“I won’t bother you. You keep training outside—I will cook and bring it out.”

“Alone? Can you really do it?”

“Yes. I’m my mom’s daughter, and she was good at cooking.”

For a moment, the mother overlapped with the granddaughter in his mind.

Her earnest face showed no trace of worry.

Yu Jinsan walked out with his hands behind his back, smiling contentedly.

‘Haha. Our Seol has finally matured.’

Soon after, happily, he sat back on the rock by the pond to continue his training.

Half an hour into renewed training.

At last, Yu Seol emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of food.

“Grandpa, let’s eat!”

Sitting opposite Yu Seol, Yu Jinsan’s eyes welled with tears.

He hadn’t imagined the day would come when he’d eat his granddaughter’s cooking.

Memories of past hardships made the moment deeply moving.

“Well done. The aroma is amazing.”

Cooking skill doesn’t necessarily match martial skill, but it certainly helps in some ways.

Though she’d held a kitchen knife for the first time, her dexterity was remarkable.

The meat and ingredients were processed uniformly without a hint of error, and she’d even added garnish—truly impressive.

“Go on, try it. It’s going to be good.”

Yu Jinsan picked up a large piece of meat and vegetables with his chopsticks and stuffed them into his mouth.

A significant sound escaped his mouth.

“Ahem!!!”

He had weathered many hardships, but this taste left him speechless for the first time.

He even shed a tear as he swallowed.

Sitting opposite, Yu Seol rested her chin on her knees and asked,

“How is it? Huh? Is it good?”

Rather than answer, Yu Jinsan asked something else first.

“Did you use only the ingredients I told you to?”

“No—I put in a lot so it’d be tasty. Very much.”

“…You tasted it first, didn’t you?”

Yu Seol shook her head and cried out.

“Respect the order of elders and juniors! Grandpa hadn’t eaten yet—how could I taste it first?”

After a deep breath, Yu Jinsan quietly asked again.

“Hmm? Why?”

Yu Jinsan picked up two pieces of Dongpo pork with his chopsticks and brought them to his granddaughter’s mouth.

“If you can eat ten pieces, Grandpa will call you ‘Grandma’ from now on. Come on, eat.”