The Moonlight Is Especially Beautiful (2)

“A leader of White Snake Clan?”

The rickshaw puller introduced himself that way.

White Snake Clan was a clan that had been ambushed by assassins while interrogating a Blue Dragon Troops member handed over by the Evil Sect Alliance.

Eun Hwa-rin said that during that incident the clan leader was killed and the Blue Dragon Troops member being interrogated escaped.

“Why would I lie about where I’m from? Look.”

He wiped his nosebleed and, looking wronged, rolled up his sleeve.

A vicious snake tattoo crawled up his forearm. By Yu Jinsan’s judgment, it had to be from White Snake Clan.

“It seems we’ve taken the wrong man. Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

For some reason, there was something a bit clumsy about an assassin.

Although it was a misunderstanding, it was an embarrassing situation.

After revealing his identity he even had tears in his eyes, looking aggrieved.

“You didn’t give me a chance to speak.”

Yu Seol, embarrassed, clasped her hands politely and didn’t know what to do.

“…I’m sorry, sir. My grandpa didn’t know.”

Yu Jinsan looked at his granddaughter with a baffled expression.

“Didn’t you attack him too?”

“Huh? I didn’t hit him though.”

If you look closely, Yu Seol only tripped his leg and didn’t strike him.

And yet he was trying to pin all the blame on her.

Yu Jinsan sighed and said softly to him.

“My apologies. The Yin Monster pointed you out, so there was nothing I could do. I don’t know how to make this up to you.”

“Compensation? That’s absurd.”

“No, if you’re still angry, hit me as much as you were hit.”

Who sane would hit one half of the Yin Yang Twin Monsters? Especially with the Yin Monster, the Evil factions’ supreme, watching.

It was unimaginable.

The leader White Snake Clan hastily waved his hands.

“Please don’t worry. Being struck by the heroes of the Evil factions is an honor I’ll accept.”

As expected.

Seeing his agitation subside, Yu Jinsan brought up the main point.

“Thanks for thinking that way. But tell me, why would someone of your rank be doing this here?”

A normal leader is a mid-to-high ranking leader within the clan.

For him to pose as a rickshaw puller and lie in ambush was unusual.

“If someone wronged us, returning it is our Evil faction way. At Black Night Clan’s request, I came to avenge the clan leader.”

It had been arranged to invite several warriors from the Evil Sect Alliance to strengthen the escort. He was likely one of them.

But there was something to clarify.

“Hm. Weren’t the escorts supposed to wait inside the manor? We said we’d catch him, so why were you lurking outside?”

“…I was blinded by revenge and was stubborn. It’s all my fault.”

“Did you not know your actions could raise the assassin’s alertness? You asked for it.”

The White Snake clan’s leader hung his head in shame.

The situation had completely reversed from moments before.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry. Just fix it now and that’s that. From tomorrow, stay away from here and go rest.”

The White Snake Clan’s leader slumped his shoulders and answered weakly.

“…Yes.”

He seemed regretful about not being able to join in avenging the clan master.

But how could he disobey the Yin Yang Twin Monster’s orders?

In the Evil factions’ murim world where strength is rank, a word from the Yin Yang Twin Monster is like law.

Watching his sullen face, Yu Jinsan clicked his tongue.

“How can a leader of a clan look so defeated? We’ll catch that bastard and hand him over—wait at the clan.”

“R-really?”

His face brightened as if the earlier shame never existed.

Having the enemy captured and presented was like striking it rich.

The Yang Monster surely had his own motive, but he didn’t care.

At that moment the leader’s mind filled with plans for how to deal with the bastard.

“It’s a promise. If he survives fighting us.”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

He alternately bowed repeatedly to the Yin Yang Twin Monsters.

Uncomfortable with the display, Yu Jinsan waved a hand dismissively.

“Enough. If your business is done, go.”

“Yes, then I wish you good fortune!”

As the leader walked away he limped slightly, one leg bothering him.

Yet he kept bobbing his shoulders as if in high spirits.

A slight injury, but getting a chance for revenge was a net gain, of course he was pleased.

Yu Seol watched his departing figure fondly and asked.

“He’ll recover quickly, right?”

“That ankle? Isn’t that where you tripped him from behind? And earlier you tried to pin it all on grandpa.”

Yu Seol avoided answering and stared off into the distance.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

Under her grandfather’s continued questioning, Yu Seol slowly turned and met his gaze.

With a face full of mischief.

“My bad~”

Yu Jinsan shook his head in exasperation.

He simply couldn’t handle his granddaughter.

‘Sigh. How is she exactly like her father when he was young.’

For a moment memories of his youngest son’s childhood surfaced.

He matured late, but as a child he was a notorious troublemaker who wouldn’t listen.

How many times had he had to grab the back of his neck in pain because of him?

Still, he was the kindest and most lovable child in the family.

Perhaps because of those memories, a gentle smile appeared on Yu Jinsan’s face.

Eun Hwa-rin arrived the next day before dusk. They could have sent a body double, but assassins are sharp; they couldn’t take chances.

Hidden on the pavilion of Golden Flower Escort Agency, the pair waited endlessly for the target.

They wouldn’t attempt to assassinate her in broad daylight while she moved with formidable guards.

The sun had fully set, and about two more hours had passed.

In the dim darkness two pairs of small pupils glinted.

“When will they come?”

“When the time comes they’ll come on their own, so wait calmly.”

“Phew. I hope they come soon.”

Sitting crouched all day just blinking would naturally be boring.

Yu Jinsan smiled faintly and looked at his granddaughter.

“Didn’t you say we must catch him for Yeop?”

“Yeah. He needs to get scolded by me a bit.”

With half-closed eyes, Yu Seol rummaged in her bosom.

She finally took out the preserved hawthorn candy and began to unwrap the paper.

It was their last snack.

“You can’t keep eating snacks like that. To grow strong you need to eat proper meals.”

Yu Jinsan offered the rice ball he’d prepared, but she showed no interest.

Then Yu Seol rolled up a sleeve and flexed her left arm.

A bead-like bulging muscle popped out.

A firm muscle that didn’t suit the face of a cute little girl.

“Grandpa, look at this?”

“…When did you grow such fierce muscles?”

It was a bulge not to be found on the smaller, thinner body of Yu Jinsan.

He made up for everything with internal qi; his outward appearance was still that of a frail child.

“Grandpa, if you want to be like this you shouldn’t be picky—just eat. Try a bite.”

The granddaughter held out the candy with a serious face.

At that sight Yu Jinsan retorted with an annoyed look.

“If you’re giving it, give it all—just one bite?”

“Eat two.”

The candy had six candied hawthorn fruits stuck on it.

She was offering two of them.

She was just teasing; she never intended to actually give any.

“Fine. This is enough for grandpa.”

Gripping rice balls in both hands, Yu Jinsan forced them into his mouth.

He had no appetite but couldn’t slack off on eating.

The best plan was to eat as much as possible and grow fast; only then could he regain some of grandpa’s dignity.

“Hehe. Suit yourself if you don’t want it~”

Her face was full of happiness as she licked the candy.

She savored it as it was their last snack.

As they were nearly done with their food,

Yu Seol urgently pointed with an empty skewer.

“They’re here! Finally!”

Her voice was fairly loud, yet not a sound leaked outside the manor grounds.

Because the granddaughter was using her qi to control the space.

“Where?”

Yu Jinsan poked his head out and scanned the surroundings.

Darkness was no obstacle to his exceptional sight, but assassins’ movements were still hard to spot.

They had to be skilled elite assassins.

“See that shadow on the warehouse?”

Only after she pointed it out did a vaguely visible black shape’s unnatural flicker register in Yu Jinsan’s eyes.

Their camouflage was so perfect it elicited admiration.

Even the nearby guards hadn’t noticed them.

“Good spot. That’s definitely him.”

“Was I good?”

“Yes, excellent. Now go and catch him.”

Just as Yu Jinsan gripped his spear to act,

He froze at his granddaughter’s murmured words.

“But there’s not just one.”

“What? Where else?”

“They’re crouched behind the well over there.”

A dark shadow shimmered where Yu Seol pointed.

Two assassins operating as a pair, and in the opposite direction.

If one was spotted, the other could complete the mission while attention was diverted.

“They really are terrifying types.”

“But I feel like I’ve seen that old woman somewhere.”

“An old woman? She shows her face even here?”

Not covering her face likely meant she had the skill to back it up, or didn’t care if her identity was exposed.

Yu Seol nodded, remembered something, and clapped her hands.

“I saw them on a wanted poster before. Twin Snake Demons!?”

The Twin Snake Demons. Ferocious demons who use Demonic arts, top-tier wanted criminals marked by murim. In some circles they’re known as two evil snakes.

Hundreds of martial artists from both the Justice Faction and Evil factions have been killed by them.

Their movements are elusive and they’ve mastered assassin techniques, so no one has caught them yet.

But why, of all times, are they assassinating key Evil Faction figures now?

‘I suspected it was the Blue Dragon Troops’ doing…’

Blue Dragon Troops members do not practice demonic arts. If they did, it would have been noticed at Mount Emei’s training grounds.

What they’re doing now is no different from being hired blades for the Justice Faction.

It was utterly incomprehensible.

There were many questions, but they’d learn the answers once they captured and interrogated them.

“You circle to the right and seize that old woman.”

“Got it. Then grandpa?”

“I’ll handle the one on the left warehouse. Wait nearby until I make the first move.”

The night was as quiet as a mouse.

If a fight broke out, noise would be unavoidable.

If one were attacked first, the other might panic and act unpredictably. That was why they had to strike simultaneously.

“You sure about this?”

“Don’t worry. Assassins like them are nothing once you know their positions.”

“…Don’t get hurt, grandpa.”

“Alright. Capture them alive, but don’t beat their mouths too much so they can’t speak.”

To subdue an enemy without killing them requires an overwhelming difference in martial skill.

He couldn’t guarantee that, so he’d have to rely on Yu Seol to capture her opponent.

“Okay, I’ll be back.”

After exchanging glances, the pair moved stealthily in their respective directions.

At that moment the target Yu Jinsan had marked also began to move.

A stealthy shadow slicing through the air with the wind.

Where he was heading was clear.

The elegant pavilion deepest within the manor, where Eun Hwa-rin was presumed to be staying.

‘Twin Snake Demons. Let’s see if they’re as formidable as their reputation.’

Predicting his path, Yu Jinsan moved to a spot suitable for an ambush.