Even A Mere Gaze Is Fate. (2)

Before the Justice Faction’s murim warriors stood beings known to be the most dangerous.

Yin Yang Twin Monster.

It all began barely two years ago when they invaded the Southern Edge Sect and toyed with the Taoist warriors.

After that, they infiltrated the Shaolin Temple, made a mess, and even stole martial manuals from the Sutra Pavilion, earning a notorious reputation.

And that was not all. They had kidnapped elders of the Beggars Union, massacred elders of the Emei Sect—the legendary rumors never seemed to end.

“Since the Yin Monster is here, eat to your heart’s content.”

A wide variety of dishes were piled high on the table.

And the Yang Monster kept pouring drinks before them.

The six Justice Faction members couldn’t tell whether the wine went down their mouths or up their noses.

They just kept gulping down whatever was poured.

“Th-thank you.”

“What does it matter whether one is Justice Faction or Evil factions? If hearts match, anyone can be a friend. Don’t worry, drink your fill.”

Yu Seol, who didn’t drink, focused intently on tasting the food.

And Yu Jinsan kept pouring the cheap bamboo-leaf liquor for the Justice Faction members; he felt pleased watching them slurp it down despite its being the cheapest wine.

They drained three jars of wine, but Yu Jinsan, who had mastered the Vajra Indestructible Divine Arts, could not get drunk even if he wanted to.

But the Justice Faction martial artists were different.

As they grew tipsy, Yu Jinsan asked the question that had been on his mind.

“Come to think of it, I remember seeing clothing like yours long ago. May I ask which sect you belong to?”

“S-sect?”

They hesitated and could not answer readily.

Yu Jinsan was not unaware of the reason.

“You’re afraid we’ll come and harm you. Don’t worry, if that had been our intention, we wouldn’t be asking so politely.”

The six Justice Faction members exchanged glances.

Then the one who looked most senior answered cautiously.

“We are disciples of the True Heaven Clan—the True Heavens Six Warriors.”

“Ah, True Heaven Clan. Now I recall. There’s a fellow there named Yong Dae-chil, isn’t there?”

“How do you know our Fourth Elder? He recently passed away…”

Yu Jinsan emptied his cup with a look of regret.

About fifty years ago, he had been in the same unit when Yu Jinsan was active in the Murim Alliance.

He seemed to have died of old age; given his years, it wasn’t surprising.

“We only had a past connection. But what brings True Heaven Clan’s disciples here?”

Suddenly the True Heavens Six Warriors’ expressions grew a little dark.

Yu Jinsan waited silently for them to speak.

A short time passed.

“We were tracking the Southern Lands Sex Fiend.”

“Southern lands Sex Fiend? Just the name sounds like a rotten bastard.”

The conversation proceeded through the senior man.

His face, reddened by drink, grew even darker—he sounded furious just thinking about it.

“He’s a vile scoundrel of the world. He abducts women regardless of age, then rapes and murders them—hundreds of victims.”

“Huh. A scoundrel worthy of death.”

“And recently… one of our sect’s female disciples was attacked. The latest victim was found nearby; we’re investigating.”

Since the crime could merit the death penalty, it was only natural for the sect to take action.

Yu Jinsan refilled his cup as if in understanding and asked:

“What about his appearance and clothing? I’m asking so we can remember just in case.”

“Well…”

When he hesitated, Yu Jinsan urged him with his gaze.

“To be honest, we don’t know either. Everyone who saw his face was killed…”

Yu Jinsan gave a hollow laugh as if incredulous.

“How absurd. How do you expect to catch him if you don’t even know his appearance?”

“For now we’ve just been blindly following traces. We’re sure he’s somewhere around here.”

How could one track down and capture someone in the vast murim world without even knowing his face?

By that method, there seemed to be no chance at all.

“If you’re sure he’s nearby, try a lure, use a honey trap, for example.”

At that moment, color returned to the True Heavens Six Warriors’ faces.

“A lure, what a clever idea!”

“Why didn’t we think of such a method ourselves?”

“As rumored, your schemes are truly impressive.”

The word ‘scheme’ made Yu Jinsan’s eyebrow twitch.

How on earth had rumors about him spread among the Justice Faction?

About to retort, he restrained himself and picked up the wine jug.

“How could the rigid Justice Faction think that way? Step a little outside the box and you’ll see more.”

The True Heavens Clan disciples’ wariness had already broken; some even laughed.

The warm influence of wine played a large part.

“We’ve learned so much today.”

“Until now I thought all those from the Heterodox factions were wrathful and belligerent.”

“I never expected someone so congenial among the Evil factions.”

Though the True Heavens Six Warriors assumed he belonged to the Evil factions, there was no need to correct them—he couldn’t exactly deny it now.

“But if it’s found out you ate with us, wouldn’t that put you in a troublesome position?”

They were dealing with none other than the Yin Yang Twin Monster.

If rumors spread, True Heavens Clan might be accused of colluding with the Heterodox factions.

But the True Heavens Six Warrior, unconcerned, raised their cups.

They had changed completely from earlier.

“What’s wrong with people who get along sharing a drink?”

“And there’s no one else here but us, so it doesn’t matter.”

Yu Jinsan nodded slowly in agreement.

“Still, keep it secret. We don’t care what rumors say, but we won’t have young folks get into trouble.”

Half of the True Heavens Six Warriors already had half-lidded eyes from the wine.

They replied with slurred, giggling voices.

“Ah, it’s fine~”

“Don’t worry. I’ll offer a cup.”

“There aren’t any guests anyway.”

But there’s always a variable.

Sure enough, Yu Seol, quietly eating, pouted and spoke with puffed cheeks.

“Whaddya want, guest?”

At that moment, everyone’s eyes turned to the entrance.

If the Yin Monster could sense the flow of qi, it would surely notice.

The True Heavens Six Warriors, confident moments ago, were now tense.

They had said it didn’t matter, but of course they were uneasy.

What if the guest was a martial artist? If today’s events became rumor, how would they deal with the fallout?

They swallowed hard as if sobered up instantly.

“No need to worry. Let’s just say we’re the youngest disciples of True Heavens Clan.”

Only after Yu Jinsan reassured them did their tension evaporate.

Though the Yin Yang Twin Monster’s appearance was notorious, mixed among Justice Faction members they wouldn’t be suspected.

There would be no problem.

Then the inn’s door creaked open.

Creeeak-!

Only a single guest had arrived.

He was clearly a murim warrior—a swordsman in a gray light jacket, wearing a bamboo hat pulled low.

His left hand gripped the scabbard, his right hand hung ready to draw, prepared to strike at any moment, showing no weakness.

He was even deliberately gathering his qi inward.

Yu Seol had detected it long ago, but Yu Jinsan might not have noticed without intention.

He was undoubtedly a formidable warrior at a glance.

He strode in with heavy footsteps.

After a moment he took a corner seat, and Jeom So-i approached and bowed.

“Welcome, guest. What shall I prepare for you?”

“Just one bowl of wheat noodles, please.”

A single heavy word—nothing more.

The inn’s previous rowdiness fell silent; with a murim warrior present, the Yin Yang Twin Monster could not reveal themselves.

Breaking the silence, Yu Seol sprang up from her seat.

“Won’t one bowl of noodles be enough? Come sit here and eat with us.”

The man, seeming reluctant, remained quietly silent.

Perhaps embarrassed by the granddaughter, Yu Jinsan gave a subtle cue to the True Heavens Six Warriors, who joined in.

“Brother, don’t sit alone so somber—come over and have a drink.”

“In the Jianghu, they say a bond forms at a single glance. Come on over.”

“If you don’t come, we’ll come to you!?”

The True Heavens Six Warriors were drunk enough already.

After their persistent persuasion, the man relented and quietly came over.

Sitting down, he bowed his head and spoke in a low voice.

“I am Wei Ji-seong, inheritor of the Fortune Swordsmanship. Great heroes of the True Heavens Clan.”

“It’s an honor that you recognize us. I am the eldest sworn brother, Cheon Un-pil.”

“Yes. But those children…?”

Cheon Un-pil said with an awkward smile.

“They’re the youngest disciples of our sect. We brought them out to give them some life experience.”

“It’s strange. They’re old enough to have learned mind-methods—yet I sense no qi from the two children.”

He was an unusually suspicious man.

Cheon Un-pil, as if dismissing concern, offered him an empty cup.

“They only recently entered the sect. Don’t worry—please accept a cup, great hero.”

While they spoke, Yu Jinsan sent a silent message to his granddaughter.

• Child, why did you invite him to join? Aren’t they all uncomfortable?

• To get a closer sniff.

• Sniff what?

• That man smells of perfume.

• Perfume? Like the stuff women put on their faces?

• Yes. Isn’t it suspicious?

Yu Jinsan sniffed, but could not smell anything.

• I don’t smell it on you, Grandpa. Maybe it rubbed off from his wife.

• There are two types of perfume. Does that mean he has two wives?

There was clearly something suspicious.

While pondering for a moment.

Yu Jinsan suddenly saw his granddaughter’s face harden.

It was clearly the expression one makes when displeased.

Suddenly Yu Seol sprang up and strode toward the man wearing the bamboo hat.

“Mister, why do you keep glancing at me?”

Everyone was silenced by the sudden outburst.

Yu Jinsan watched quietly, and the True Heavens Six Warriors fell silent with tense faces—they dared not interfere with the Yin Monster.

The man who introduced himself as Wei Ji-seong answered in a heavy voice.

“I don’t know what on earth you’re talking about.”

Yu Seol stepped closer to him.

She stopped right in front of Wei Ji-seong’s nose and scolded him.

“You kept staring at me through the hole in your bamboo hat!”

They were less than half a step apart.

Wei Ji-seong did not answer; he took a deep breath.

Then he muttered something incomprehensible.

“Hah. Truly… magnificent.”

A thin stream of saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth beneath the bamboo hat.

It was like a beast eyeing a delicious prey.

Just as everyone thought this strange.

Suddenly Wei Ji-seong’s right arm coiled around Yu Seol’s waist like a snake.

Snatch-!

Grabbing Yu Seol, he hurled himself toward the door.

Bursting through the door, he ran like lightning.

Yu Seol hung over his shoulder in a miserable, slumped state.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

The True Heavens Six Warriors leapt up in alarm.

“Seol—no way?”

“…That bastard?”

“The Southern lands Sex Fiend?”

It was lightning-fast lightness skill—so fast the drunken men couldn’t even dare to give chase.

They could dispel their intoxication with internal qi, but it would take time.

While they floundered, only Yu Jinsan sat with a calm face.

He slowly gripped the wine jug and murmured:

“Don’t worry, everyone, sit down.”