Masters In Captivity (4)

It was the sound of the bamboo pole Yu Jinsan had gripped snapping out of his hands.

He didn’t even have a moment to be startled.

One hundred and eight split bamboo staffs descended like tentacles and coiled around his entire body.

Not a sliver of thought that he could dodge it crossed his mind.

Yu Jinsan hastily covered his head with both hands.

No sooner had he done so than a brisk series of sounds burst forth.

Thwack-! Thwak-kakkaak-!!!

It felt as if a torrential downpour was battering his body.

Groans escaped his mouth as he was mercilessly pounded.

“Aagh!”

Soon his stance collapsed and he landed hard on his buttocks.

All of it had happened in the span of a single breath.

Even though Yu Seol hadn’t infused her bamboo staffs with internal qi, their force was not to be dismissed.

If not for the Vajra Indestructible Divine Arts, he would have been bedridden for a while.

Had she used it as in a real fight, his limbs would have been torn apart.

Yu Seol stepped forward, bent her knees, met his eyes, and asked.

“How was it?”

Yu Jinsan simply sat down with a thud and gave no answer.

How could he feel good after being suddenly thrashed by his granddaughter?

“Gramps, are you sulking?”

“…”

“I was just testing a move. I thought I could block it all.”

“Don’t lie! Someday your grandpa will die by your hands.”

“Then I’ll make you a delicious dinner, cheer up.”

That threat only made him more fearful.

Yu Jinsan silently shook his head.

Seeing her grandfather still upset, Yu Seol pondered.

What could she possibly do for him?

After a moment’s thought she slipped behind him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and whispered.

“Then I’ll teach you too. The Invincible Seol’s Spear Technique, this move, Tentacles One Hundred and Eight Strikes.”

That was impossible to resist.

Each technique her granddaughter devised emitted earth-shattering power.

As the head of a spear family and as a spear fighter, it was undoubtedly a coveted spear method.

“…You’re going to teach it without conditions?”

“Yes. I promise.”

What on earth was gotten into her?

If so, the conversation had to change.

Yu Jinsan cleared his throat, dusted off his butt, and stood up.

“Ahem! Then let’s pretend this never happened.”

With his mood lifted, Yu Seol smiled brightly.

“Hehe. Teach me now?”

Looking up, the sky was streaked with the colours of dusk.

It was time to feed Wang Sa-pyeong dinner.

“But first, let’s lift this gloomy mood. Where did you put that special dish?”

“There!”

Following her gesture, he saw a small old iron pot neatly placed — just enough for two children to have a meal.

She must have been cooking between martial arts training.

Yu Jinsan went over and peeked under the lid, then quickly shut it again.

“What’s wrong? I put a lot of thought into making this dish.”

Just from the smell he could tell: among all the dishes his granddaughter had concocted, this was the masterpiece.

Of course, in a different sense.

“No, he’ll really like this. Hurry up and bring it, follow me.”

The pair carried the pot over to where Wang Sa-pyeong was.

He was leaning against a tree, sleeping quite contentedly.

“You look content. It’s mealtime, so wake up.”

Wang Sa-pyeong rubbed his sleepy eyes and replied.

“Didn’t I say I wasn’t eating?”

“If someone who claims they’ll die if they miss a meal skips one, what then? In a way, we’re lifesavers.”

“Lifesavers? How am I supposed to eat stewed moles, you lunatics!”

Wang Sa-pyeong knew full well.

That he had no choice in the matter.

Before he knew it, Yu Seol had come up behind him and gripped his shoulder, immobilizing him.

“What did you just say?”

The low single sentence carried an indescribable weight.

Crushed by the pressure, his tone changed without his realizing it.

“I-I didn’t mean…”

“I made this with care, so you must finish it all today. Got it?”

Wang Sa-pyeong’s eyes welled with tears as he reached out his hand.

He reached to lift the lid of the old pot Yu Jinsan held out.

A connoisseur by nature, there was no food he couldn’t eat if it tasted good.

Beneath his worry there was, truthfully, a sliver of hope.

‘Please…’

His trembling hand cautiously gripped the lid.

And with a deep breath, he opened it.

Suddenly he began to vomit uncontrollably.

“Guhhh!!!”

Yu Jinsan crouched, pinching his nose, and shouted.

“What the hell are you doing in front of food like that!?”

“…I-I-I can’t possibly eat this. Absolutely won’t!”

“It’s a health dish made with nutrition in mind. Stop whining and open your mouth.”

Just as Yu Seol grabbed his chin.

He gasped and urgently shouted.

“W-wait!”

“What’s with ‘wait’? If it’s hard to swallow, we’ll help you from now on.”

“I-I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you everything I know!”

A triumphant smile spread across Yu Jinsan’s face inwardly.

He had been waiting for this moment.

He signaled his granddaughter to let go of his chin.

“If there’s any lie, you’ll be having a midnight snack tonight.”

“I swear. I’ll tell you everything I know. Please, just not that…”

Yu Jinsan nodded with a satisfied expression.

“Then first question. Where is the Information Control Courtyard’s headquarters located?”

“I believe it’s near the summit of Mount Marun.”

Mount Marun is not far from Kaifeng.

The scenery is splendid, but its rugged terrain keeps ordinary people from climbing it.

“How large is it?”

“Hundreds of lower-level people collect information, and I heard about thirty high-ranking personnel are stationed at the headquarters. Each one is a carefully selected elite, so their martial arts are excellent.”

Wang Sa-pyeong’s attitude was unlike before; he even volunteered details that weren’t asked.

Yu Jinsan continued asking questions and pieced his answers together.

He soon became certain: this Courtyard had already been seized by the Blue Dragon Troops that the Murim Alliance leader mobilized.

Wang Sa-pyeong’s answers were consistent and likely truthful, but there was one thing to probe further.

“How do you know so much in detail?”

“Some from the high officials’ council. The rest I heard from my third son-in-law.”

“Is that third son-in-law the head of Information Control Courtyard?”

Given the circumstances, Yu Jinsan was convinced Wang Sa-pyeong’s son-in-law was likely a member of the Blue Dragon Troops.

“His post is of local governing, second in rank within the organization.”

If he’s in governing, that’s a military official of at least the fifth official rank.

Not a low rank, but compared to the Kaifeng’s Governor, it was a world of difference.

How he approached Wang Sa-pyeong’s daughter was therefore suspicious.

“So that vaunted third son-in-law has been living happily with my daughter, eh?”

“My daughter… unfortunately died of a mysterious illness soon after the marriage.”

Wang Sa-pyeong sighed; his reaction showed he had dearly loved his deceased daughter.

“That’s truly regrettable. But it’s a bit suspicious.”

“What do you mean?”

Yu Jinsan fell silent for a moment, folding his arms to sort his thoughts.

‘Assassins who operate only on orders starting families, even a passing dog would laugh.’

Such things would never be permitted by the organization in the first place. He knew that from his time training at Mount Emei.

Yet if a Blue Dragon Troop member married Wang Sa-pyeong’s daughter, it was natural to suspect ulterior motives behind his approach.

If the head of the Kaifeng administration became the father-in-law, it would be like giving the Blue Dragon Troops wings.

And she died of a mysterious illness right after the marriage?

Naturally, suspicion arose.

In the martial world there are hundreds of ways such a thing could happen.

But judgment was not his to make. If the magistrate in charge of major cases was alert, he’d deduce it on his own.

‘Perhaps things will get a bit easier.’

A meaningful smile crossed Yu Jinsan’s face.

“From now on, listen to what I have to say.”

Yu Jinsan’s tone shifted slightly.

Wang Sa-pyeong tilted his head at his suddenly serious expression.

“What is it?”

“Have you ever heard of an organization called the Blue Dragon Troops?”

“Did I not already say it’s news to me?”

He had asked before, and the same answer came again.

“It’s about them. It might interest you, they’re tied to your son-in-law as well.”

Yu Jinsan told him everything he knew.

About the Blue Dragon Troops, a martial organization that dug deep into and interfered with state affairs.

There was no reason to hide anything.

He revealed even their ruthless willingness to use any means for their ends.

Wang Sa-pyeong’s face, which had been listening quietly, gradually contorted.

He had never been this angry at any moment before.

“Really… really, is that true?”

“Who could make up such a long tale on the spot? There’s no reason to.”

Furious to the core, he hurled curses at someone.

“That bastard not only killed my daughter, but used me!?”

This wasn’t words supplied by Yu Jinsan; it was his own deduction from the facts and circumstances.

In a fit of rage, Wang Sa-pyeong swatted the old pot with his right hand.

He could have stopped him, but he let it happen on purpose — he sympathized with his feelings.

He suspected the spilling was intentional, but that detail wasn’t crucial now.

“So, Magistrate, how do you view those Blue Dragon Troops?”

A murderous light glinted in Wang Sa-pyeong’s eyes unlike anything before.

“All those worms who meddle in state affairs without knowing their place must be exterminated!”

He had seemed a corrupt official, but apparently he retained a shred of patriotism.

That would make matters easier.

“Hmm. But it’s not as easy as words. Even as a governor, if you act alone you’ll likely be stabbed in your sleep.”

“There are some generals connected to the military who have ties.”

“How can you be sure they haven’t been bought? The Protectorate official installed in Dunhuang was one of them, after all.”

Wang Sa-pyeong breathed harshly, unable to calm himself.

“I have a way. Send me. I’ll judge all those who are enemies of your family.”

His resolve had clearly changed.

But there was still some deficiency; people’s hearts are like reeds.

“I don’t have much faith. A supposedly high official has too many holes.”

“Then what do you intend? If you want to kill, do it now!”

Wang Sa-pyeong also knew well that Yu Jinsan had no intention of killing him.

If he had intended to, there’d be no reason to tell him about the Blue Dragon Troops.

“I’ll send you, but first come with us somewhere.”

“Go with you? Where?”

“Mount Marun. Come with us to confirm the courtyard’s true nature directly. Afterwards I’ll send you back to the Kaifeng administration.”

For Wang Sa-pyeong it was an offer with no loss.

He looked pleased; he too had business to attend to with his son-in-law at the headquarters.

“Fine! But Mount Marun is near Kaifeng Fortress, can you handle it?”

“What do you mean?”

“By now soldiers have probably been deployed everywhere to capture you.”

Soldiers in numbers aren’t always a threat, but among military officers there are those whose martial skills rival top martial artists.

Not that they were scared, but it’s wise to avoid unnecessary fights to reduce uncertainty.

That was why they’d been hiding here until the military’s vigilance died down.

But the situation had changed now; they’d found a way to eliminate the hassle.

“What is there to worry about when we’re with the magistrate?”