I Am The Chief Of This Place. (1)

Yu Seol found the little girl, who came up to about her chest, cute.

She kept fiddling with her earlobe and said, “I’m Seol, your unnie. Yu Seol.”

“I’m Dami.”

Dami suddenly threw her arms around Yu Seol’s waist.

Yu Seol froze, unsure how to react to the sudden embrace.

“Huh?”

“Unnie, you’re pretty.”

A corner of Yu Seol’s mouth lifted; she was pleased by the child’s compliment.

“You’re a good child, Dami. Are you hungry?”

“…Yeah.”

It wasn’t just Dami; everyone hiding here looked emaciated—impossible to guess how long they’d been starving. There was no time to linger.

“Wait right here. I’ll give you something delicious.”

“Huh? Food?”

Yu Seol began untying the bundle on her back. Inside were emergency rations she’d taken from the warship she came on. Snacks poured out.

Thud-thud-thud!

There were rice crackers and cookies, even dried fruit.

“Kids, come on, try this!”

At Yu Seol’s words, the children swarmed over.

“Wow…”

“What’s this?”

“Looks tasty.”

A liveliness none of them had shown before flickered in their eyes.

Where would they have had a chance to taste such inland snacks until now?

They seemed thrilled by the nutty, sweet flavors they were trying for the first time.

“There’s plenty more where these came from, so eat slowly, kids.”

Luckily, it didn’t look like it would run out. Besides, none of them ate much; their stomachs had likely shrunk from long malnutrition.

Each child popped a snack into their mouth and began sharing with the adults.

One of the onlookers couldn’t hold back and burst into tears.

“Sniff…”

Im Pyeong-il’s eyes, visible through his disheveled hair, were reddened.

Yu Jinsan beside him clicked his tongue. “Tsk tsk. How can martial folk be so soft-hearted? The two brothers are exactly the same.”

His younger brother, Im Pyeong-su, was also known as a chivalrous hero overflowing with righteousness and unusually affectionate.

The two brothers shared so many similarities.

“…I have never seen these children smile like this until now.”

Even Yu Jinsan found the children pitiable. They must have endured their whole lives in the darkness of Sea Dragon Island.

“How many more hideouts like this could there possibly be on this island?”

“There were originally more than ten, but most were discovered; only three remain. The other two have probably joined the headquarters by now. It’s the safest place—also more comfortable.”

They couldn’t tell where the headquarters were hidden, but it seemed to be quite large.

“But why hasn’t this hideout joined them?”

“They can’t. The enemy has set up an outpost on the route from here to the headquarters, and there’s no way to pass.”

It made sense; residents without martial training couldn’t possibly move without being detected by the enemy’s watchers.

They had to think of a way.

Yu Jinsan paused, then turned his head.

His granddaughter, incredulous, asked the children, “What did you say? You guys have never been outside during the day?”

“Yeah, unnie. Monsters will take you away.”

They had essentially never felt sunlight; and they weren’t truly free at night either—at best they’d occasionally get night air at the entrance.

Yu Seol clenched her fists so hard they trembled; she couldn’t understand why the children had to endure such suffering.

“Who would take them? Just try touching them—if you cross me…”

“Will unnie scold them?”

“Yes. This unnie will protect you, so don’t worry. Okay?”

Yu Seol tried to lead the children outside, but they hesitated; they likely needed permission from those guarding the place.

As Im Pyeong-il hesitated, Yu Jinsan spoke to him.

“It’ll be fine. Even if enemies approach, we’ll detect them well in advance—she can sense every living thing within five kilometers. As long as they don’t go far, there’s no danger.”

Im Pyeong-il held the makeshift stairs steady so they wouldn’t wobble.

“Now, everyone, go outside and feel the fresh air!”

As they climbed up behind the granddaughter, unspeakable emotions crossed everyone’s faces.

Yu Jinsan watched them, pity on his face.

He could not afford to be a grandfather who would embarrass his granddaughter. He did not want to sit idly by.

“People should live like people. We’ll help you, so don’t worry.”

Im Pyeong-il kept bowing in gratitude. “…Thank you, sir. Truly, thank you.”

To them, the Yin Yang Twin Monster’s presence was a ray of light shining in the dark.

When everyone rose to the surface, only the two of them remained underground.

Yu Jinsan looked around and kept sighing. Just imagining how they’d managed in such foul darkness was horrifying.

“How long does it take to get from here to the headquarters?”

“At the residents’ walking pace it takes half a day without rest.”

How many enemies would attack during a half-day march?

Killing them wasn’t the issue—the masked warriors poisoned by the red herb would charge until their last breath. No matter how strong their martial arts, perfectly protecting a long, stretched evacuation line was nearly impossible.

“We need more people to help escort them.”

Im Pyeong-il thought for a moment. “I can’t promise, but if we explain the situation to the headquarters, they might send troops.”

“Troops?”

Yu Jinsan had expected the headquarters to consist of only a dozen or so warriors, so ‘troops’ implied a considerable force. It was hard to believe such numbers could be hiding on the island.

“We haven’t just been passive until now. We’ve been preparing a counterattack for a long time.”

“Is that so? Impressive.”

It was openly known that high-level masters from the southern martial world had crossed over here in large numbers. Everyone thought they’d been killed by Jeon Sa-ryong, but some had somehow held on.

“But it’s still insufficient. It’s called a counterattack, but we haven’t even dared to launch it yet.”

“Hmm. As expected, the difference in strength must be overwhelming.”

“Yes. But now that great warriors have come, the situation has changed.”

The news was welcome to Yu Jinsan. He no longer had to fight a lonely battle with only his granddaughter; with them, it would be easier to get close to Jeon Sa-ryong.

“First, I’d like to go to the headquarters and meet your chief.”

“I haven’t been to the headquarters since the enemies set up their outpost. But with great heroes here, there’s nothing to worry about. Shall we depart at once?”

“Do so. What reason is there to hesitate?”

Yu Jinsan and Im Pyeong-il climbed up from underground.

The two who emerged from the ruined temple looked around for a moment. Fortunately, the residents hadn’t gone far; they were sitting side by side near the entrance like sparrows, enjoying the breeze.

They seemed happy under the warm sunlight they were feeling for the first time; smiles never left the children’s faces.

And Yu Seol, gripping the Dragon Flower Spear, stood alone at the temple entrance—like a gatekeeper.

“Grandpa, where are you going?”

Yu Seol already seemed to know the contents of the conversation, so there was no need for a long explanation.

“You heard what they were saying below, right? We need to go request support from the headquarters.”

“Then who will protect those kids?”

“Your old man will go alone. I’ll be back soon, so keep watch for a little while.”

Yu Seol nodded, resolute. “Okay. No one will get in here without my permission now.”

The granddaughter looked more dependable than ever, like a general defending a narrow bridge against an army of a million.

“Alright. I’ll be back soon.”

At that time Im Pyeong-il was finishing explaining things to his comrades.

“I’ll lead the way, sir.”

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Yu Jinsan followed Im Pyeong-il toward the headquarters’ location.

Masked men were scattered across the island; there was no reason to draw attention.

After moving silently for a short while, Im Pyeong-il pointed. “That over there is their outpost.”

Where he pointed, three watchtowers and dozens of barracks clustered together. It looked like hundreds were gathered there.

They wondered what kind of high-level fighters might be stationed, but infiltrating now wasn’t a good idea.

“So they’re using that as a base to search for you?”

“Yes. When the residents move, this will be the most critical point.”

“It won’t be easy. Not only them, but everywhere you go is swarming with enemies.”

“I’m worried too. Do you have any insight?”

He had something in mind, but now wasn’t the time to speak of it.

“We’ll discuss it together when we reach the headquarters.”

“Yes, let’s move quickly.”

They used their lightness skill again and pressed on.

They had set out long ago, but progress was slow—partly because the island was large, and they had to detour to avoid enemy patrols.

After a while, as they neared their destination, one of them said, “We’ll see when we arrive, but I can’t help being curious.”

“What do you mean?”

“No matter how I look, I don’t see a place that could serve as the headquarters. Where on earth are so many people hiding?”

“A lava cave. It was discovered by chance a few years ago; you’ll be amazed when you see it.”

“That sounds exciting.”

Yu Jinsan had heard of lava caves: natural caverns formed by cooling lava flows that can be vast—some large enough to hold thousands.

After a short while, the two entered a dense forest. About halfway through, Yu Jinsan said, “Stop for a moment.”

At his single word, Im Pyeong-il came to an immediate halt.

“Why?”

“Can’t you see the ambush up ahead?”

About ten meters ahead, shadows flickered atop the straight trunks of trees. Seven figures clung to the treetops, all at the peak of their prowess.

“It’s fine. We’re just a patrol.”

It wasn’t exactly surprising, but even a patrol like that was a formidable force.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice came from the treetops. “Long time no see, Im hyung! You’re still alive! But who have you brought with you?”

Im Pyeong-il smiled and waved one hand. “A noble guest from afar! I must meet the chief at once, so please…”

He trailed off and flinched—because someone very close to his right had been spotted. They had approached so silently and so near that it was no surprise they startled him.

His appearance was distinctive enough to mark him among notable figures even in the Central Plains: a shiny bald head, a bear-like massive frame, and eyes slitted like a wagtail that made his presence intimidating.

But his voice was robust and hearty. “Hahaha! Im hyung has brought an extraordinary person!”

“T-the chief…”

They say a master recognizes a master; the suddenly appearing man and Yu Jinsan each sensed at a glance that the other’s martial might was extraordinary.

Soon the hulking man called the chief clasped his hands toward Yu Jinsan. “Pleased to meet you! I am Il Kwang, the chief of this place.”