What A Windfall. (1)

Having finished the work, Yu Jinsan first cooked noodles for his granddaughter.

Then he sat separately with Man-ho, and they chatted at length.

“By the way, what is that seed? It didn’t look ordinary.”

It was an item found inside the box taken from the altar.

That item was now being kept somewhere by Yu Seol.

“That’s right. Seeds formed through prolonged ritual hold special power.”

“Our granddaughter wants to plant it in the garden; will that be a problem?”

Man-ho answered immediately without a moment’s hesitation.

“A seed signifies creation. It’s something that repels beings who deny the authority of the gods. There should be no problem.”

“Then it’s fine to leave it be.”

“Yes. If my guess is right… a Spiritual Pill might grow.”

What is a Spiritual Pill? It is a sacred medicine with wondrous effects, like enhancing internal qi.

By his account, it would be nothing less than a rare treasure.

“A seed of a Spiritual qi? Is that really true?”

“The only way to be sure is to plant it. But abnormal methods carry a price. Perhaps the effects will be weaker than expected…”

Man-ho’s final words did not even register in Yu Jinsan’s ears.

He already felt like he’d struck it rich; a smile came to his face unbidden.

“So what if the effects aren’t great. If it can be harvested in quantity, there will be useful times to employ it.”

Man-ho nodded once with a small smile as if in agreement.

“Yes, elder, you’re right. By the way, is your hand really all right?”

Yu Jinsan showed his left hand on the table as he answered.

“It’s fine. Except for feeling some foreign qi, nothing else.”

“You must keep practicing so you can control that qi bit by bit.”

“Practice? What do you mean?”

“It’s not difficult.”

Man-ho gently took his hand with both hands.

Then, to his surprise, he pulled the prayer beads off his wrist.

He had been told not to remove them rashly. It was an unexpected, startling situation.

“What are you doing right now?”

A black current began to creep out from his hand.

Though the unpleasant qi made him uneasy, there must be a reason Man-ho acted this way.

Yu Jinsan calmed himself and waited patiently.

After another breath, Man-ho put the prayer beads back on.

“How did it feel?”

“When the beads were off, I felt an uncontrollable power. At the same time came the urge to destroy everything.”

“It is tempting you. Do not be dominated by that power; you must control it, elder.”

“Hmm. So does that mean I could use this devilish power?”

“Yes. But you must not keep the beads off for too long. Try increasing the time slowly as you practice.”

Yu Jinsan rubbed his left hand and nodded.

“A double-edged sword. Still, if used well, it could be quite useful.”

If it could be adapted to martial arts, it would become a devilish technique like no other in the world.

It couldn’t be used often, but it might help for a short time in emergencies.

“Yes, sir. Then from now on I’ll tidy up the dwelling.”

“What do you mean by tidy up?”

“There are still many stray spirits in the house. They all need to be guided to the afterlife.”

“They must be followers of the White Shadow Clan who harmed me.”

“Yes. After the leader’s soul perished, the spirits weakened, so exorcism shouldn’t be difficult.”

Yu Jinsan returned a warm smile to Man-ho’s meticulous consideration.

“Thank you. I owe you quite a lot.”

“Don’t mention it. Once the ritual is finished, nothing strange will happen anymore.”

The malevolent qi that had filled the manor everywhere could no longer be found.

Although sunrise had just begun, the place was already filled with warm, benevolent qi.

At last it had transformed from the worst haunted house into a comfortable dwelling.

The grandfather and granddaughter and Man-ho stood at the manor’s entrance to say goodbye.

“We’ll see you off. How could we let you go alone?”

Man-ho had been dragged here as if kidnapped by his granddaughter from far away.

It took 4 hours to come, and if he returned alone it would take at least three days for him.

Yet he waved his hands and refused.

“Really, it’s fine. Since I’m in Shaanxi, I plan to tour the famous mountains and cultivate.”

But Yu Jinsan had a nature that compelled him to repay any favor he had received.

He had been hurriedly brought here, so his pouch would be light.

He forcibly pressed two silver liang into Man-ho’s hand.

“You shouldn’t be hungry on your journey. Then take this travel money.”

“Giving so much… but it’s your kindness, sir, so I won’t refuse.”

Just as Man-ho turned to leave, Yu Seol waved her hand with a look of regret.

“Mister Man-ho, come visit again next time~”

“Sure! See you again, Seol-ah.”

The grandfather and granddaughter stood shoulder to shoulder silently watching him walk away.

Perhaps his back looked lonely; pity filled Yu Jinsan’s gaze.

‘If only that fellow still had family left.’

The memory of the tragic fate of his only son resurfaced as if it happened yesterday.

Despite carrying pain in his heart, the way he persevered and continued cultivation was admirable.

“Grandpa, what are you thinking about now?”

There was no need to tell the truth and make his granddaughter gloomy too.

“I was wondering what to plant in the garden today.”

“You said you’d plant eggplants and pumpkins for me. I’m going to plant the treasure seed.”

Truly, no one could match her memory.

Yu Jinsan snorted and continued walking.

“Ah, right. Hurry and change clothes and let’s head to the field.”

With everything back to normal, there was plenty to do.

They planned to finish sowing in the morning and resume training in the afternoon.

The pair wore straw hats, rolled their pants to their thighs, and went out to the garden.

In just one day, everything had changed completely.

It was a day when the warm morning sunlight felt especially pleasant.

“Don’t plant so carelessly.”

Watching his granddaughter, Yu Jinsan couldn’t help nagging.

Maybe because it was her first time sowing; unexpectedly, her seed-planting looked a bit clumsy.

“No. I planted them with my heart.”

Her stubbornness, like her father’s, was impossible to overcome.

“Watch grandpa well. You must plant each one at the right spacing and depth for them to grow well.”

“I’ll plant two at a time. So they won’t grow lonely.”

Yu Jinsan sighed and shook his head.

“Fine, how to plant is a farmer’s choice. Do as you please.”

“Okay. They’ll definitely grow tastier.”

They divided the field in half.

One side was planted with vegetables and fruits; the other had the mysterious seeds taken from underground.

If, as Man-ho said, a Spiritual pill grew, it would truly be a windfall. They couldn’t help but wonder what would sprout.

A short while later, while continuing the sowing, he looked up and glanced at his granddaughter.

“Child, it’s quiet; sing a song for us.”

At the mention of singing, a smile immediately blossomed on Yu Seol’s face.

“Heehee. My song? Want to hear it?”

“Yes. I heard it before; it gets one in good spirits.”

Yu Seol had never learned to sing, yet her innate sense for it was quite good.

After a few clearing coughs, Yu Seol began to sing.

“La la~ The most delicious vegetable in the world~ We plant two~ Grandpa plants one, I plant two! Obedient Seol~ Nagging grandpa! La la~ la la la~”

Yu Seol’s song continued at a very brisk tempo.

She hummed through her nose and bobbed her head, clearly enjoying herself.

When the song ended, Yu Jinsan laughed for a long time.

“That was the best. Our Seol has talent for singing as much as for martial arts.”

He had never heard such a melody anywhere before.

The lyrics were a bit grating, but her skill was superb.

Grandpa’s high praise sent Yu Seol’s spirits soaring.

“Heeheehee. Shall I teach you?”

“No. Grandpa can’t do that.”

At that, Yu Seol sprang up and approached with a meaningful smile.

“You can do it. Try following me once.”

Yu Jinsan suddenly felt afraid; when his granddaughter wore that expression she wouldn’t give up easily.

She seemed ready to force him to try if necessary.

“Ah, I said I can’t!”

Yu Jinsan was making a miserable face when it happened.

Suddenly Yu Seol’s expression shifted subtly right in front of him.

She tilted her head as if sensing something.

“Grandpa, a guest has come.”

A guest out of nowhere.

There was no obvious guess as to who it might be, but it was an opportunity to escape the moment.

“Who came? Let’s go take a look.”

Yu Jinsan dusted his hands and, with his granddaughter, went to the manor’s entrance.

A familiar figure stood gripping a heavy bundle.

A bald head reflecting the morning sun and a fierce countenance.

It was Baek Gyu, the clan leader of the Defeating Blade Clan.

“Seol, your uncle bought snacks!”

“Uncle Baek Gyu~”

Yu Seol dashed over and took the bundle.

As she looked at the contents, a bright smile lit her face.

“I stopped by the market and picked up a bit of this and that.”

“Heehee. Uncle really is the best~”

Baek Gyu ruffled Yu Seol’s hair and flashed a grin at Yu Jinsan.

“So you were working in the field with Seol. I hope I didn’t cause trouble for hyung.”

“No, it’s fine. You came at just the right time.”

Sincerity deeply showed in Yu Jinsan’s expression and tone.

If he’d been a bit later, he would have had to endure learning that strange song from his granddaughter.

Then Baek Gyu looked around and asked.

“Are strange things still happening in the house?”

“Everything’s been resolved now, so it’s all right. We’ll talk details sitting down.”

Yu Jinsan moved with Baek Gyu to the pavilion in front of the dwelling.

There was a pond nearby, making the place quite picturesque.

“It’s a very good place to live quietly. There’s a valley beside it and the mountain scenery is superb.”

“In a way it’s no different from your arrangement, little brother. Thanks to you we bought it cheaply.”

“If I’d known this place existed, I would have dissuaded you. I was really surprised when that fellow Im Jeon-se told me about it.”

Yu Jinsan said with a faint smile.

“Until yesterday I almost died, but now it’s all resolved, so it’s fine.”

He recounted everything that had happened so far.

How he resolved things with Man-ho’s help and even sealed the devil.

It was while he was talking for a while that it happened.

“Uncle~”

Yu Seol was carrying something on a tray with both hands.

On closer look, it was tea and snacks.

“Oh my. My niece has grown up now.”

“Enjoy, uncle.”

Yu Seol demurely set down the fruit and tea and hurried off again.

Yu Jinsan stared blankly at his granddaughter’s retreating figure.

“I can’t believe it. Seol wouldn’t act like this, would she?”

“Ha ha. Maybe my niece needs pocket money.”

“Hmm. That makes sense; you spent all your money buying the house.”

“Still, isn’t she lovely? Every time I see Seol, hyung, I’m really envious of you.”

Yu Jinsan nodded and smiled in agreement.

“But why did my busy brother come here? Not just to look at the house, I suppose.”

Baek Gyu replied in a low voice.

“Actually, I just came from meeting alliance leader.”

It seemed he had been secretly meeting Yong-yong, the leader of the Evil Sect Alliance.

Previously he had asked something of her through Baek Gyu.

This must be about that matter.

Specifically, it concerned information about the Murim Alliance leader Hwa Ryeong’s condition.