The First Guests. (1)

The grandfather and granddaughter were only able to arrive at the Defeating Blade Clan two days later.

In the meantime, the sect’s expansion work seemed to have been completed. The grounds had widened, and there were new halls and training yards, structures they had never seen before.

Everywhere they passed was full of life.

The disciples’ martial arts skills were improving by leaps and bounds, and the children rescued from Mount Emei were growing so fast it seemed they’d be adults in no time.

The Defeating Blade Clan’s daily rise in prestige had reached the point where it could be compared to the Nine Great Sects One Union.

“At this rate, the Defeating Blade Clan will soon be the greatest sect in the land.”

Walking beside Yu Jinsan was the clan leader Baek Gyu.

He waved his hand and replied.

“Don’t be ridiculous, hyung. We’re nowhere near catching up to the Mount Hua Sect in Shaanxi; it’s tearing us apart just trying.”

“Why compare us to the Mount Hua Sect of all things? I heard there’s a terrifying fellow there. His name was Qing… what was it?”

Yu Jinsan tilted his head as if he suddenly couldn’t recall the name.

Baek Gyu answered with a smile.

“That’s right. There’s a reckless, mad-dog type at Mount Hua who’s quite famous. Anyway, didn’t you tell us to set our goals high?”

“Hmm, I suppose. Still, with how the Defeating Blade Clan is now, we could easily take down the Southern Edge Sect, couldn’t we?”

Baek Gyu did not deny the comparison to the Southern Edge Sect.

They were confident they could decisively subdue those at the lower end of the nine major sects.

“It’s all thanks to you, hyung. And if it weren’t for that pretty niece of yours, we’d have collapsed long ago.”

“Hmm. I couldn’t see her earlier, but there she is.”

Yu Jinsan’s gaze turned to the right.

He saw his granddaughter playfully chasing the renegade monk Jeong Hye across the roof of a pavilion.

“Oh, don’t come here!”

“Heeheehee. Stand right there!”

Their feats of stepping on air and darting through the sky were astonishing.

Watching them for a moment, Baek Gyu let out a hearty laugh.

“Ha ha. The only person who could torment that fellow like that is Seol. Our disciples are so scared they avoid him at all costs.”

“Then they’re sane people. I’m afraid of that monk too.”

Jeong Hye possessed formidable martial arts, but his mind was unsteady and unpredictable.

Yu Jinsan himself had struggled against him several times.

And the only person who could physically overpower him was Yu Seol.

“By the way, hyung, I heard earlier that you reached a temporary truce with the Blue Dragon Troops—is that true?”

“Yes. On the condition that they won’t interfere in Murim affairs.”

“That’s good news for us. If they’d gone all-out, it would have been hard for us to hold out.”

“From the start my target was the Murim Alliance leader, the one with ultimate command. With the Blue Dragon Troops, her hands and feet, stepping back on their own, I had no reason to refuse.”

“Why did they back down so readily? Could they have broken with the Alliance leader?”

“I heard an invasion from Tianzhu is imminent. The Blue Dragon Troops were formed to counter them, so they can’t be worrying about Murim matters now.”

Yu Jinsan and Baek Gyu walked past the flower garden.

When the area grew quiet, Baek Gyu spoke softly.

“Then shouldn’t we take the Alliance leader down beforehand? Set a date. I’ll be there for that occasion.”

“That’s reassuring. But the Blue Dragon Troops wouldn’t withdraw like this unless they have backing. We must make sure of everything before moving.”

“What is there to worry about when we have Seol? With the Evil Sect Alliance lending support and Monk Jeong Hye helping, we could probably strike immediately.”

Yu Jinsan shook his head.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that things wouldn’t be that simple.

“From what I’ve learned, the Alliance leader’s martial skill has grown rapidly in recent years. If she’s reached the Profound Realm, we’d be in trouble.”

They had learned this through the Twin Snake Demons. According to them, the pressure when facing the leader felt similar to that of a Yin Monster.

If that fear proved true, the granddaughter could be in danger. They had to be certain of everything.

“You leave no gaps, as expected. I’ll report to Alliance leader and find out more about the Murim Alliance leader. If those Murim Alliance rats are involved, it’s our business too.”

“Do what you must, and thank you.”

Baek Gyu hesitated briefly, then changed the subject and asked.

“By the way, hyung, I heard from Seol earlier that you’re planning to secure a separate residence?”

“That’s right. We’ve wandered for far too long.”

Baek Gyu jested with a hint of disappointment on his face.

“Think of the Defeating Blade Clan as your home. There’s no awkwardness between us, is there?”

“What power do I have? My granddaughter wants a quiet place of her own.”

“I see. That’s understandable. Have you decided on a location?”

“I’ll start looking now. Preferably near Ho County.”

“Then wait a moment. One of our people is an expert in that area.”

Searching for and buying a house is a tedious and arduous task.

It was a great relief to have an expert to delegate it to.

Baek Gyu looked around, took a deep breath,

and then let out a mighty roar.

“Im Jeon-se!!!”

Baek Gyu’s shout echoed through the manor of the Defeating Blade Clan.

Not long after, someone was seen speeding over with light footwork.

The man who arrived in a single bound knelt on one knee before Baek Gyu and clasped his hands.

“You called, clan leader?”

He was a disciple Yu Jinsan recognized well.

If Yu Jinsan remembered correctly, he was sociable and efficient, helping with the sect’s administrative matters.

Baek Gyu gestured for him to rise and said,

“An elder wishes to buy a manor nearby; I need you to help.”

“I have my finger on all Ho County listings on the market. Tell me your budget and the layout you want.”

Yu Jinsan explained the situation to Im Jeon-se.

“The funds are three hundred silver coins. I’d like a place large enough for a training yard and a vegetable patch.”

Im Jeon-se considered for a moment and then wore an apologetic expression.

“It would have been possible before, but it’s a bit difficult now. Evil Faction have been flooding into this area recently, driving prices up.”

Ho County had become a stronghold for the Evil Faction, largely due to the activities of the Yin Yang Twin Monster.

It was nobody’s fault. Yu Jinsan smiled faintly as if to say it was fine and said,

“Then it can’t be helped. I’ll gather more funds and ask again.”

At that moment Baek Gyu grabbed Im Jeon-se by the shoulder and said,

“Whatever the price, look into it first. I’ll cover the shortfall.”

“…You’ll need at least five hundred silver coins.”

“Don’t worry about it—just find the place.”

The shortfall would be two hundred silver coins.

Yu Jinsan knew the Defeating Blade Clan had recently spent a lot on expanding their grounds.

It would be a significant burden for them to bear that amount.

He couldn’t accept help recklessly.

“I’ll accept only your goodwill, little brother. There’s no rush, so don’t trouble yourself further.”

There are many ways for martial masters to raise funds.

The most common are escort requests; they might hunt bounties on wanted criminals or act as mercenaries.

Especially with the famous Yin Yang Twin Monster in Murim, gathering two hundred silver coins would be easy.

Just as they were about to finish the conversation,

Im Jeon-se suddenly clapped his hands and shouted.

“Ah! Now that I think of it, there’s a manor being sold very cheaply. It’s on the outskirts of a village, but three hundred silver coins would be enough.”

Baek Gyu’s eyes lit up with approval.

“Good, I knew you’d know. Is the listing acceptable?”

“Yes, but it’s remote, so it might not be safe from the Justice Faction.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll crush any rats who bother you. Any other issues?”

Hesitating for a moment, Im Jeon-se lowered his voice and answered.

“There is one unsettling thing… the rumors aren’t good.”

“What rumors?”

“Quite a few people reportedly died there for unknown reasons. Apparently, no one has lived there for more than a month.”

At that moment a vein bulged on Baek Gyu’s bald head.

“You bastard, are you trying to introduce a haunted house to my hyung?”

“I-I’m sorry, clan leader. That wasn’t my intention…”

Yu Jinsan stopped Baek Gyu with one hand and said,

“What’s it matter? If the price is right, that’s all that counts. I don’t believe in such superstitions. Show me the place.”

“Still, hyung, there are always reasons things are sold cheap. Think it over.”

“Our family is prestigious enough to suppress any odd energies. Besides, we’re not ordinary folk—what harm could Murim people fear?”

With Yu Jinsan taking that stance, Baek Gyu could no longer object.

“Then tell me if you need any special assistance.”

“What would I need? Just lend me that fellow tomorrow for a bit.”

“Understood, hyung. If you dislike it at all, just come back. I’ll find another option.”

The grandfather and granddaughter linked hands and went to view the property.

Yu Seol was already excited, hopping about.

“Do you like it that much?”

“Yes, Grandpa! We’re finally getting a home~”

“Right. From now on, you won’t be teased for having no home.”

Not only that, wandering with a bundle on one’s back would be over.

The thought of buying a home for the first time made Yu Seol feel like she could fly.

“Mister Jeon-se~ When will we get there?”

Im Jeon-se had known Yu Seol since she was a baby—they called each other by name without awkwardness.

Leading the way, he smiled and said,

“Yes, we’re almost there. We’ll arrive in a moment.”

“I’m curious~ I’m curious~”

The grandfather and granddaughter walked along the winding path for quite a while.

It was so remote that there were no signs of people.

After following the winding path slowly, they finally reached their destination.

“Here we are. Seol, see if you like it…”

Before he finished speaking, Yu Seol had already pushed off the ground and leapt into the air.

She scanned the air and lightly landed atop the manor’s gate.

“Wah~ Grandpa, this place is the best.”

Yu Jinsan couldn’t hide his smile either—he liked it.

They hadn’t entered yet, but the surrounding scenery was splendid.

To the left of the manor flowed a clear stream, and behind it, colorful mountains presented a beautiful view.

“Alright, let’s take a look inside as well.”

Inside, a spacious courtyard opened up.

On one side there was a pond and fertile soil, good enough to be turned into a garden later.

A three-story pavilion stood at the center, with storehouses and other structures nearby.

Moving to the side, they found a wide open space large enough for a training ground. A strange-shaped statue stood on a platform in the center, but it could be removed.

“What’s that? A winged goat statue—I’ve never seen one before.”

“I’m not sure either, but it seems it was used for some ritual. If you remove that, you can use it as a training yard, sir.”

“Hmm. That sounds good.”

Behind the manor there was soil fertile enough for a vegetable patch.

It was a near-perfect place.

Entering the pavilion, they found the previous owner’s furniture left intact.

Most of it looked as good as new.

“The previous owner left in a hurry and left things behind. I asked, and they said you may use them.”

Yu Jinsan inspected every corner with a satisfied look.

“What a windfall. Everything’s here—we could just move in as is.”

“Yes. Apart from being remote, it’s a really nice place to live. The price is less than half of other places.”

“It certainly appears that way.”

After inspecting the entire manor, they returned to the front courtyard.

When even Yu Seol finished looking around and returned, Im Jeon-se clasped his hands and asked,

“What do you think? If you don’t like it, I’ll look for other listings.”

With their current funds, other places would be out of reach anyway.

Yu Jinsan personally liked it, but he had to ask his granddaughter first.

“Child, what do you think? Tell me if you don’t like it.”

Yu Seol nodded slowly with a serious expression.

“I’ve already decided.”