Even A Mere Gaze Is Fate. (1)

Out of the blue, three hundred silver coins.

Yu Jinsan sent a telepathic message to his granddaughter with a baffled expression.

• The attempt was bold, but there’s no way they’d give such a large sum. You should’ve asked for around fifty coins.

Still, Yu Seol held up three fingers with a serious look.

No matter that he was the commander of the Golden Army, it wasn’t a small amount.

Unless they were tapping into the Blue Dragon Troops’ hidden assets.

Yu Jinsan judged he would refuse, but his expectation was completely off.

“Very well. I’ll give three hundred silver coins as requested, but keep your promise.”

To offer such an enormous sum merely as the price for a truce.

It was something he hadn’t expected at all.

Leaving a stunned Yu Jinsan behind, his granddaughter nodded and replied.

“But you have to give it by today.”

Hwang So-cheon made a shocked face, then soon nodded.

“Understood. Then consider the matter settled.”

With that, Hwang So-cheon rose from his seat.

As if his business was finished, he strode out without looking back.

Five officers fell into step behind him, escorting him.

When they disappeared, only the two of them remained in the vast hall.

In the silence, the corner of Yu Seol’s mouth slowly lifted.

Then she suddenly threw her arms around her grandfather’s neck.

“Puhuhu! Grandpa, we’ve hit the jackpot!”

“Ugh, I’m getting suffocated. What are you going to do with all that silver?”

“I’m going to buy a house.”

She was the granddaughter who had wandered with him her whole life.

It seemed she’d secretly wanted a house very much.

Helping guards and gathering silver had likely been for that reason.

He felt a pinch of bittersweetness for some reason.

“…Now?”

Yu Seol released his neck and met his gaze with a serious face.

“Yes. I’m buying a manor. Somewhere with a big yard and a garden.”

Yu Jinsan fell into thought for a moment.

He had planned to buy a house after settling all his finances, but his granddaughter seemed impatient.

Although they had a brief truce with the Blue Dragon Troops, things were not yet peaceful; separate issues with the Murim Alliance remained.

How many Justice Faction forces were there constantly eyeing the Yin Yang Twin Monster? Troubles would likely never end.

“If we buy a manor, news that we’re homeowners will spread quickly. Won’t enemies keep coming?”

“They’d raid our house?”

“Mm. They’d probably come from time to time and be a nuisance.”

Yu Seol rolled up her left sleeve and clenched her fist, which trembled.

“Let them come. I’ll teach them what justice is.”

Just imagining it made his head throb.

But if his only granddaughter wanted it and it would make her smile, he could endure it.

And having a stable place to prepare their next steps wouldn’t be bad either.

“To avoid such scenes, we should look into Ho County.”

“Uncle Baek Gyu’s neighborhood?”

“Yes. If it’s an Evil factions’ stronghold, the Justice Faction won’t dare come easily.”

“Then let’s ask Uncle if there’s a good place!”

Their first destination was the Defeating Blade Clan in Ho County.

Yu Jinsan silently smiled and nodded.

Grandfather and granddaughter clasped hands and stepped outside amicably.

After the Age Revival, holding his granddaughter’s hand felt awkward, but what did it matter.

Seeing Yu Seol’s grinning face warmed his heart.

From afar, Jeon Chung could be seen using his light footwork skill to run toward them. It seemed the main gate situation had ended.

A moment later he arrived in a breath and asked with eager eyes.

“The Golden Army has fully withdrawn. How did the negotiations go?”

“Hm. It went as I said—it progressed well.”

Jeon Chung breathed out deeply as the tension seemed to drain away.

“…Phew. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Governor Wang will be released soon, so go to the palace. And you’ll need to send those two ratlings back home as well.”

“Yes. Thank you so much, sir. I will never forget this favor.”

Yu Jinsan waved his right hand slightly and answered gruffly.

“What’s favor? We helped each other; don’t hold it in your heart. Anyway, our business here is done; we’re leaving today, so that’s that.”

Jeon Chung replied with regret in his tone.

“You’re leaving already? I haven’t even tasted the Yin Monster great hero’s cooking yet.”

“If you want, come find us later in Ho County.”

“Understood. I’ll definitely stop by.”

The farewell seemed to be wrapping up, but there was still one unsettled thing.

“Mister.”

At Yu Seol’s soft call, Jeon Chung bowed and replied.

“Yes, great hero. Speak.”

“Can you give me five of my silver coins by today?”

It was the special reward he had promised to give if they tracked down Blue Dragon Troops members.

She hadn’t forgotten.

“A-alright.”

It was beginning to grow a little dark.

An hour ago, the grandfather and granddaughter had left the city gate and now strode proudly along the main road.

They were walking slowly to rest for a while.

Perhaps because they had a hefty pouch of silver? The pack on the granddaughter’s back looked very heavy.

“Now we’re rich.”

For some time now, Yu Seol’s smile had been stuck to her face.

“You seem happy at the thought of buying a house.”

“Yes, I love it! Should we make a garden in the backyard and plant crops?”

She was already imagining how to decorate the manor in her own way.

He couldn’t help but smile.

“Alright, Seol, do whatever you want.”

“Heehee. Grandpa, aren’t you hungry?”

Now that he thought about it, it was already past dinnertime.

And since the sky was darkening, they needed to find somewhere to stay.

“Hmm. We should find an inn and rest a bit.”

The fuller the purse, the heavier the voice, as they say.

Yu Seol shook the pack on her back and said confidently.

“Yes. Let’s buy and eat lots of delicious food.”

The grandfather and granddaughter resumed moving using lightness skill.

They were martial experts with movement as fast as the wind and eyesight sharper than an eagle’s.

Moreover, Yu Seol was flying through the air, surveying tens of li around them.

In no time at all, Yu Seol approached and shouted.

“Found it!”

Yu Jinsan followed his granddaughter to the place.

It was a pavilion off the main road in a secluded spot with few people.

Perhaps because of that, it looked very small and cozy for an inn.

A grand signboard reading the Twin Dragon Inn hung awkwardly at the entrance.

“Good. Let’s rest there today.”

The pair hurried inside and Yu Jinsan glanced around the inn from the entrance.

There were only seven tables.

As expected, it was small and had almost no customers.

There were six people who looked like martial folk, sitting at two of the tables.

Dressed neatly in white robes, they gave off a gentle, righteous aura. At a glance, they looked like members of the Justice Faction.

‘This is going to cause trouble.’

The Justice Faction were the type to cause a stir when it came to the Yin Yang Twin Monster.

As expected.

Their lively conversation stopped as if by magic.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed at the inn’s entrance and wouldn’t move.

“…No, no way?”

Was it because of her most distinctive appearance? Their reaction showed they’d recognized who she was.

Since the spear contest had been held not far from here, it wasn’t strange they’d recognize the Yin Yang Twin Monster.

Wherever they went, hiding their identities wasn’t easy.

At least until her body fully matured, it seemed unavoidable.

In the quiet, quick-witted server approached the entrance and bowed politely.

“Oh my, honored guests. Please take a comfortable seat.”

Yu Seol glanced around and pointed to the largest seat, asking.

“Can we sit there?”

It was a spot that could easily seat eight adults.

Though it was oddly spacious for just two, Jeom So-i stretched out one hand as if it didn’t matter.

“Yes, of course. There are no other guests anyway; please make yourselves comfortable.”

“Thank you~”

Yu Jinsan awkwardly sat opposite his granddaughter and asked.

“Why did you pick such a large spot?”

“Well, if the table is small, there’s no room to put the food.”

Just how much food did she plan to order?

No matter how big her appetite, she’d probably leave most of it.

As her grandfather, he needed to teach her about spending.

“I’ll have a bowl of noodles, so Seol, you order only two dishes.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Even if we have money, you mustn’t be too extravagant. Do you know how many people in the world starve?”

“Hng. I want to try lots of different things.”

“Well, if I say no, then no.”

Yu Seol pouted her lower lip in sulkiness.

She apparently hadn’t expected her grandfather to be so stubborn.

But Yu Seol was not one to back down.

Screech-!

Pushing her chair out, Yu Seol leapt up and looked around.

Her target was the Justice Faction members sitting meekly with their heads bowed.

On their table were only two plates of dumplings; otherwise it was piled with bottles of liquor.

“Where are you going?”

Yu Jinsan called to his granddaughter, but she sulked and didn’t respond.

“Hmph.”

Yu Seol was already striding toward the martial folk.

He could even feel the thudding of their hearts.

“Hello?”

The Justice Faction martial artists slowly lifted their heads, startled into a state.

“Uh, what business do you have with us?”

A Evil factions’ supreme, one of the Top Ten murim warriors who made even the Murim Alliance yield.

The fearsome Yin Monster was standing politely with hands clasped before their table.

“Would you like to eat with us? I’ll pay.”

The murim people hesitated as if they’d heard an illusion.

A Yin Monster offering them a meal.

It was something they couldn’t even imagine in a dream.

“D-do you mean to sit with us?”

“With u-us?”

Perhaps their lukewarm reaction deepened the disappointment on Yu Seol’s face.

“Yes. Don’t you want to?”

How could they refuse? If the Yin Monster wished, a single gesture could sever all their heads.

The Justice Faction members all sprang up at once without waiting.

“Ah, no.”

“N-no way!”

Awkwardly standing, they hesitantly joined the Yin Yang Twin Monster at the table.

At that moment, Yu Seol beamed and called to the server.

“Give us one of each dish, please!”

“Yes, understood.”

Eight people sat together, but only silence filled the air.

What rumors had they heard to make them so restless?

Excited alone, Yu Seol leaned on the table with her arms and scanned each person.

Then she fixed her gaze on the murim warrior sitting right beside her and asked.

“Mister, what’s wrong with your left arm?”

His left arm hung limply beneath the table.

At a glance, it looked like an impairment.

“N-nothing much. From an old injury…?”

He stopped mid-sentence, startled.

Because the Yin Monster had already grabbed his arm with both hands.

He hadn’t even noticed when it happened.

“Stay still.”

Crack-! Crackle-!!

“Aaaaah!!!”

Bones twisted with a sickening sound as a gruesome scream filled the inn.

Everyone except Yu Jinsan gaped.

They were frozen, gripped by fear.

As if nothing had happened, the screams stopped quickly and his expression gradually calmed.

The murim warrior, testing his arm bit by bit, was astonished.

The arm that wouldn’t move moments ago was now moving vigorously.

“Th-this can’t be… The physicians said this arm couldn’t be fixed…”

Before he knew it, Yu Seol was resting her chin on the table, smiling.

“You thought I was a villain?”

The murim warriors, previously terrified, began to calm down.

At least they’d sensed that the Yin Monster had no intent to kill them.

“N-no, that can’t be…”

“A-absolutely not.”

But the one to watch out for wasn’t just the Yin Monster.

The Yang Monster, silent and saying nothing, was hard to ignore.

The Justice Faction members kept glancing at him, gauging his reaction.

Noticing their stares, Yu Seol spoke with a solemn face.

“Don’t look at him like that. My grandpa may be a bad person, but he doesn’t bully the weak.”

At that moment, Yu Jinsan, who had been quietly watching, swallowed a breath.

A bad person who doesn’t torment the weak? How was he supposed to interpret such a contradictory statement?

In any case, for his granddaughter to judge him like that was simply astonishing.

He opened his mouth to retort, then shook his head.

Then, in a voice full of mock sorrow, he called toward the kitchen.

“Hey innkeeper! Bring a pot of bamboo leaf tea, will you?”