The Road To Hell. (2)

Im Pyeong-su nodded readily.

“I owe you my life, so I’ll cooperate with anything—so long as it’s not against human decency.”

Yu Jinsan liked his straightforwardness. His martial skill didn’t match expectations, but he carried the rare demeanor of a wandering hero, scarce in the martial world these days.

“Seeing you reminds me of my youth; it makes me feel good.”

Im Pyeong-su sensed that the two before him were masters who had achieved Age Revival. Because of that, his tone grew even more cautious.

“If you’re from Shaanxi, are you perhaps a member of the Murim Alliance?”

From his expression, he seemed to idolize the Murim Alliance. It wasn’t strange— to a borderland martial artist who pursued chivalry, they’d be an untouchable idol.

“A member of the Murim Alliance… I once stood with them—until they stabbed me in the back. And do you think the sobriquet ‘Yin Yang Twin Monster’ suits the Justice Faction?”

“W-well then…” Yu Jinsan forced a calm smile to ease the tension.

“What of it if we’re Justice or Evil? Look closely—it’s all the same kind of people.”

“I’m sorry. I asked a pointless question.”

“No need to worry. By the way, who was that fellow earlier? He seemed out of his mind.”

“He’s a ruffian named Gu Yang-ho, a wicked troublemaker. It’s truly fortunate he met you today.”

As suspected.

Yu Jinsan nodded and began asking, one by one, the questions that had nagged him. About southern martial politics, notable masters, and directions to the Guangdong quay—Im Pyeong-su cheerfully answered everything he knew.

Most matched the Black Night Clan’s report, so nothing unusual—so far….

“Then I’ll ask just one more thing.”

“Please, ask. If I know it, I’ll answer.”

Yu Jinsan hesitated, then asked softly.

“Have you ever heard of the island called Sea Dragon Island?”

The destination was still far, but since it was an adjacent area he asked just in case.

Im Pyeong-su’s reaction surprised them.

“Ha—Sea Dragon Island, did you say?” He looked startled and even stammered.

“What are you so surprised about? It’s just an island.”

“Among southern martial artists it’s so taboo they won’t even mention it.”

“I can’t understand—why?”

“No one who enters has ever come out alive. Not a single exception.”

Yu Jinsan crossed his arms and thought. He hadn’t expected rumors about Sea Dragon Island to have spread this far. Clearly there was an extraordinary man there; he’d find out once he went.

“I see. Understood.”

“But… why did you ask about Sea Dragon Island?”

“Is the name something like Jeon Sa-ryong? I’m going to smash that bastard’s head.”

Jeon Sa-ryong—the Water Battle King. It was the fearsome name Eun Hwa-rin of the Black Night Clan had told him.

Strangely, Im Pyeong-su’s face darkened, and he asked a curious question.

“Do you know why there are no absolute masters in the southern murim world?”

Now that he thought about it, something was odd: no matter how remote, he had expected at least one Supreme realm expert to exist. Yet even Im Pyeong-su, hailed as a wandering hero, was only at peak human level.

“Seems there’s some backstory to this.”

“…It was about fifteen years ago, I think—the time Jeon Sa-ryong appeared here.” Eun Hwa-rin had said he didn’t leave Sea Dragon Island, so this must have been before he went onto the island.

“Do you mean to say they were all killed by him?”

Im Pyeong-su nodded slowly, pupils trembling as if recalling something he wished he hadn’t.

“He was a blood-crazed man. Wherever he went, bodies piled up like mountains and streams ran red with blood.”

“In short, a mad murderer.”

“That’s right. Many masters rose to challenge him, but none withstood even a single strike.”

Exactly as Eun Hwa-rin had said—those who faced him were killed in one blow. He had a feeling the man might be even stronger than he’d imagined.

“In the end, the southern martial world’s most renowned masters gathered.”

“And the result was not good, I take it?”

“Yes… It was truly horrific. I was there myself, but my body froze and I could do nothing.” Im Pyeong-su seemed to regard his survival as a shame.

“Not joining a reckless fight isn’t cowardice, so don’t blame yourself. But what happened after that?”

“When civilian casualties mounted, the military stepped in.”

“How could local officials deal with someone even martial artists couldn’t handle? Only elite troops from the capital could—”

If his words were true, even if the Blue Dragon Troops’ leader, disguised as a Golden Army commander, descended with his men, success would be doubtful.

But those focused on Tianzhu had no reason to waste effort here.

“That’s right. We were helpless. I believe the Murim Alliance was asked for help but they ignored us.”

At the time the Murim Alliance was busy wiping out the Demon Cult remnants; locked in a standoff with the Evil Sect Alliance, they had no bandwidth for this place.

“That must have been the worst of times.”

“It was truly a dark era—until the day he suddenly disappeared.”

“So that place was Sea Dragon Island.”

“Yes. Rumor has it he built his own kingdom there.”

He was one of the figures Yu must defeat to become supreme.

Yu Jinsan leaned back in his chair and glanced at his granddaughter. “They say he’s terrifying—what do you think?”

Yu Seol, savoring her soup, set down her spoon and said, “He’s a bad murderer. Grab his ear and twist it off.”

As expected, his granddaughter felt no fear. If anything, her fighting spirit blazed.

Seeing the two, Im Pyeong-su clicked his tongue and said, “I’ve told you everything, clearly.”

Meaning: make your own judgments.

Despite his warning, Yu Jinsan had remained composed from the start.

“Thank you. Many of my questions have been answered.”

“Not at all. I’m glad to have been of help.”

When their conversation ended, Yu Seol asked as if she’d been waiting. “Mister, I have a question too.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Is this place close to the sea?”

“Sea?” Im Pyeong-su tilted his head, surprised.

“The sea… you mean?” Yu Seol nodded, eyes bright with happiness. “Yes. Have you seen it, mister? My grandpa’s been many times. I’m going to see it soon too.”

Yu Jinsan cleared his throat, a pang in his chest. Im Pyeong-su, astonished, pointed off in a direction.

“You can see the sea if you go just a little that way.”

Yu Seol slammed both hands on the table and gasped, eyes wide. “Whaaat? What did you say!?”

“I mean the sea I mentioned. If you travel about fifteen kilometers from here you’ll reach it.”

For martial artists, fifteen kilometers was nothing. The sea she longed to see was within reach—how could they possibly pass it by?

Receiving his granddaughter’s expectant look, Yu Jinsan reluctantly nodded. “All right, let’s go take a look.”

They would reach the Guangdong quay eventually, but that was farther; it seemed nicer to see the sea leisurely here first.

Cheerful, Yu Seol called the server. “Heeheehee. Mister, please take care of the bill!” Her heart pounding, she didn’t hesitate. Having quickly paid, she grabbed her grandfather and began pulling him along.

“Hurry up, grandpa.”

“W-wait, at least say goodbye first.”

After a brief farewell to Im Pyeong-su, the pair turned away.

As they stepped outside, the inn buzzed. Martial artists seated here and there surged toward Im Pyeong-su.

“Warrior Im! What did you talk with the Yin Yang Twin Monster from Shaanxi?”

“You might have missed it from fainting, Im hyung, but they were phenomenal—peerless masters.”

“Come on, spill it, champion!”

Everyone buzzed impatiently, full of curiosity.

Im Pyeong-su sighed. “They’re heading to Sea Dragon Island. To smash Jeon Sa-ryong’s head.”

The surrounding martial artists shuddered. Jeon Sa-ryong—a master so fearsome people wouldn’t even speak his name—and the Yin Yang Twin Monster, who’d displayed invincible prowess, intended to face him?

It instantly became the hottest topic in the inn.

“They’re going to fight Jeon Sa-ryong?”

“Wow! This is amazing!”

“It could be the duel of the century.”

Expressions of barely contained curiosity spread across every face.

“Since I’ve taken Gu Yang-ho, I’ll be heading to Guangdong. I need to see the outcome for myself.” Im Pyeong-su felt the same pull.

“Take me with you, Im hyung!”

“I’ll go too. I can’t stand not knowing.”

“All right, let’s head to Guangdong first!”

Im Pyeong-su and a group of warriors began to form a party. Their singular goal: stake out the quay to Sea Dragon Island and learn the outcome.

Standing before the sea for the first time, Yu Jinsan was at a loss for words. The ocean stretched endlessly beyond the white sand, more majestic than he’d imagined, and he couldn’t tear his eyes from the setting sun on the horizon.

It felt as if something blocked in his chest had suddenly burst open.

“How can it be so beautiful…” The sight seared itself into him like no other; before such sublime beauty he couldn’t stay silent.

“Grandpa.” He hadn’t even heard her at first.

“…”

“Grandpa!” Yu Seol snapped him back to attention.

“Huh? What is it, child?”

“The sea is really beautiful, isn’t it?”

Yu Jinsan nodded, slowly spreading his arms. “That’s right. Feel the scent of the sea and the breeze. It feels like sitting atop the clouds.” He reached out with the senses of the Supreme realm to hold this feeling—he thought he might never feel it again.

“Grandpa.”

“All right.” With arms outstretched and eyes closed, he answered softly.

“Actually, this is your first time seeing the sea too, right, grandpa?”

Yu Jinsan’s eyes flew open. “What are you saying? Grandpa has been here often!”

“Really?”

“Of course! There are many kinds of seas. They each feel different; I’ll explain later.”

Yu Seol glanced at him suspiciously. She suspected him, but without proof, there was nothing more to do—and besides, it didn’t matter now.

“I’ll go for a little while.”

“Where to?”

“I want to see how wide the sea is. I’ll go to the end and come back.”

“What? You think there’s an end?”

Yu Jinsan tried to stop her, but he was a step too late. With a swish, Yu Seol cut across the surf and streaked away. The sight of a bright shaft of light slicing through the waves was spectacular. After a short while, she was out of naked-eye sight.

Staring blankly at the waves, Yu Jinsan sank heavily onto the sand.

‘Actually, Grandpa is curious too. What’s at the far side’s end?’

He gazed quietly at the sun dipping on the shoreline and sank into his private thoughts.