We Can’t Be The Only Ones Who Suffer. (1)

Yu Jinsan met his granddaughter’s eyes and gave a single nod.

“Still, he’s an elder of the sect, so show some courtesy. Let him go peacefully.”

Jong Un’s standing among the elders was high, and his benevolence had earned him the Taoists’ respect.

If the sect had not fallen into crisis, he would be spending his remaining years peacefully somewhere on Southern Edge Mountain.

To think such a man might be executed in front of everyone—at the Yang Monster’s single remark to “let him go peacefully,” the assembled Taoists were stunned.

“No, you scoundrels!”

“Do you have to go that far?!”

“Sob…”

Several Taoists began to wail.

They watched as the Yin Monster hoisted Jong Un back to his feet.

Some turned away as if they couldn’t bear to watch.

There was nothing the Taoists could do but look on.

Besides, the sect leader’s life was still in the Yang Monster’s grip.

Jong Un stood hesitantly and whispered to the Taoists.

“Do not grieve. Is dying after losing a duel something to be ashamed of?”

Their lamentation only grew louder.

If one lost a duel, the victor determined life or death—that was the law of the murim.

But everyone was misunderstanding.

Jong Un heard the Yin Monster’s soft voice behind him.

“Go quickly, grandfather. Peacefully.”

“…What?”

Confusion crossed Jong Un’s face; he couldn’t grasp the meaning.

At that moment Yu Seol whispered once more.

“Our grandpa said to send you away. Go quickly. I have to fight the next opponent.”

They had never come to slaughter the Taoists.

What Yu Jinsan meant by “let him go peacefully” was not a release to the heavens, but a return to where they had come from.

Yu Seol, who had never killed an opponent before, understood precisely.

“So you’re playing with me now…” Jong Un started, but couldn’t finish.

He felt the Yin Monster’s palm approach his back.

The Yin Monster’s hand stopped an inch away from him.

The condensed qi in the narrow space between palm and back exploded, emitting a fierce repulsive force.

Zzhhng—!

Jong Un was shoved back, his feet scraping the ground involuntarily.

Screee—!

He skidded and came to rest exactly where he’d originally stood.

The nearby Taoists surged forward, elated.

“G-great sasuk!”

“Are you all right?”

Having returned safely to his place, Jong Un let out a sigh.

“…It’s humiliating, but we cannot deal with them right now.”

He who had experienced them firsthand was convinced, but the Southern Edge Taoists were not quick to give up.

Elder Hyun Jong approached cautiously.

“What about Jong Chan sasuk? He entered secluded training ten years ago; he may have become a tremendous expert by now.”

Every place had at least one hidden trump card.

Yu Seol, eavesdropping, listened with keen interest—until she heard Jong Un’s next words.

“Even if Jong Chan sasuk returns, it won’t help. And would you undo his years of training?”

“Sorry, sasuk. I was short-sighted.”

At that, chief elder Jong Hae stepped forward with a dark expression.

“Jong Un is right. It’s humiliating, but grant whatever they demand and resolve this situation.”

Elder Hyun Ho’s face showed disbelief.

“But if we retreat like this, the Southern Edge Sect’s honor will…”

“Hyun Ho.”

Hyun Ho, normally authoritative, bowed before the elders like a chastised child.

“Yes, Elder…”

“What honor do we even have left to protect now?”

Hyun Ho’s eyes reddened; the injustice burned him.

The sect’s sacred relic had been taken, the sect leader held hostage by the Yang Monster, and the sahyung who came to help had been beaten.

Thinking of all the times they’d suffered at the hands of the Yin Yang Twin Monsters made one want to cry.

“…Ugh.”

“Now it’s more important to survive and keep our line alive. Even if our generation sees no glory, can we throw away the children’s chance as well?”

If they fought the Yin Yang Twin Monsters to the death now, the Southern Edge Sect would never rise again.

Hyun Ho knew it too.

“We should try negotiating first—find out what they truly want…”

But that, now, seemed impossible.

Someone’s shout cut through the tension.

“The Yin Yang Twin Monsters have disappeared!”

It wasn’t a lie.

Moments ago the Yin Yang Twin Monsters who had stood before them were gone as if evaporated.

The Taoists looked around in confusion.

“Where did they go?”

“Maybe they just left?”

Questions, confusion, and a strange relief intersected.

No one knew the reason—except Jong Un, who indicated a direction to chief elder Jong Hae.

“That way, sahyung.”

Only then could they vaguely make out the Yang Monster’s departing back, clearly moving to leave the Southern Edge.

Though they didn’t know why, the Taoists felt relieved.

Elder Hyun Ho, however, could not hide his unease.

“I can’t see the Yin Monster’s form, sasuk.”

They could confirm only the Yang Monster.

Jong Un muttered with a dark expression.

“I missed its movement too, so I don’t know. We can only hope they left together.”

“They wouldn’t just leave like that. That Yin Monster—demon head that she is—she’s wicked…”

Hyun Ho fell silent, mouth agape.

Then another elder urgently pointed.

“Th-that’s it!”

The vast sky spread beneath the clouds.

Like a heavenly warrior riding the winds, the Yin Monster cleaved the air toward them.

At the sight, many Taoists froze in terror and confusion.

“G-good heavens.”

The Yin Monster swooped toward the cluster of Taoists, descended, snatched someone’s nape, and shot upward again.

It was like an eagle seizing prey.

“First class disciple Mu Seong.”

“Why take that child?”

No one could answer.

Why abduct only one first class disciple while leaving the sect leader and elders unharmed?

Everyone stood speechless.

At that moment the recovered sect leader Hyun Jong approached the elders and bowed his head.

How could he lift his face after bringing the sect to such a state?

“As sect leader, I have no face left.”

Retired elders do not interfere in daily operations; when a crisis threatens the sect’s survival, they lend their strength and counsel.

“Hyun Jong.”

“Yes, Elder Jong Hae.”

“It seems our role ends here. Meet with them and resolve this wisely. And…”

“Please, speak.”

“Did you say those people are called the Yin Yang Twin Monsters? Whatever happens from now on, abandon any thought of confronting them.”

Hyun Jong could not answer. He felt anger, injustice, and despair.

Jong Un, who had faced the Yin Monster, stepped forward to persuade them.

“Their methods are crude—like enraged beasts, reckless—but in my view they are not pure villains.”

Elder Jong Hae cut him off as if unwilling to hear more.

“Fine. I trust you, sect leader, to decide well. We will return now; do not summon us again over matters involving them.”

With that, the elders turned and left—to seclude themselves in the mountains and spend their remaining days.

After they departed, Hyun Jong let out a deep sigh.

It was truly the worst day in Southern Edge Sect’s history.

As sect leader he felt like dying—he wanted to hide in a mouse hole.

“Sigh. We will convene the supreme council immediately.”

Hyun Jong and eight elders gathered—the highest authorities of their era—around a table, all wearing dark expressions.

“Sect Leader sahyung. Three of our people were among the Murim Alliance members who set fire to the Yin Yang Twin Monsters’ home. Two from the Tang Family, and one a nun from the Emei Sect.”

“Continue, Hyun Jin sajae.”

“Next, it will likely be the Tang Sect’s turn. Shouldn’t we warn them in advance? If Sichuan Tang of the Tang family personally intervenes, there might be hope.”

The Sichuan Tang is one of the murim’s five great powers, its prestige immense. Tang So-cheon was famous for dominating the region.

But Hyun Jong shook his head.

“There’s no need. Do not concern yourself with the Sichuan region.”

Elder Hyun Jin persisted, unwilling to accept it.

“Sect Leader sahyung. Shouldn’t we at least warn them so they can prepare? Request support from the Murim Alliance as well.”

“He said leave them be. We can’t be the only ones who suffer.”

“Pathetically, our Southern Edge barely straddles the threshold of the old great sects. What will happen if today’s incident spreads as rumor?”

It wouldn’t just mean being pushed out of the old great sects; it would start a path of decline.

“Understood, Sect Leader sahyung. So the Tang Sect and Emei Sect must endure the same humiliation as us.”

“I feel sorry for them, but that’s the only way our Southern Edge Sect can maintain its lifeline.”

“I understand.”

Hyun Jong nodded.

“Our Southern Edge Sect will use today’s events as a lesson and be reborn. From now, we declare the sect closed for one year to strengthen our foundation.”

The elders agreed.

It was time to lock the gates and train as many experts as possible.

“I will follow the sect leader’s will.”

“I also agree.”

“A good proposal.”

Hyun Jong’s dark face brightened slightly. He looked to his right and pointed.

“Hyun Ho sajae.”

“Yes, Sect Leader sahyung.”

“You, sajae, go find the Yin Yang Twin Monsters and learn what they want. We must rescue the abducted child—and retrieve the spirit token as well.”

Hyun Ho’s expression darkened sharply.

He hated the thought of facing the Yin Yang Twin Monsters in his dreams.

The memory of the Yin Monster calling him “Southern Edge” and beating him made his joints ache.

But he could not disobey the sect leader.

He forced his reluctant lips to form the words.

“Understood, Sect Leader sahyung…”

The view of Southern Edge Mountain piercing the clouds was solemn and magnificent.

There were those now riding the clouds like immortals.

“P-please spare me.”

It was first class disciple Mu Seong, taken by the Yin Monster, his face a mess of tears and snot.

He couldn’t even look down; the dizzying height made him feel faint.

“You insulted me and our grandpa, didn’t you? You’re dead now.”

“I-I’m sorry. I was momentarily insane at that time. Please…”

He begged until his strength failed, but it was useless.

For insulting the Yin Yang Twin Monsters and then trying to run away—there was no mercy.

Yu Seol, gripping the back of his neck, sped through the air even faster.

After a moment, she saw her grandfather and the Five waiting for her at the agreed place.