From Now On We. (1)

Il Kwang’s savage grip tightened around the gaunt Jeon Sa-ryong.

At that moment the Yin Monster’s punishment began in earnest.

He struck so indiscriminately it was as if his fists had multiplied into hundreds.

Jjeojeojeok-! Jjeojeojeojeok-!!

A heavy, ceaseless rumble burst out, like thunder rolling from a swelling storm.

They were so fast the warriors couldn’t even see the blows land.

All they could make out was Jeon Sa-ryong’s body turning into a blood-soaked husk.

He couldn’t fall; Il Kwang wouldn’t let go.

After a moment, a final strike rang out like a cannon blast, piercing everyone’s chests.

Kwaaaang-!!

When Il Kwang released him, Jeon Sa-ryong’s body slumped, appearing lifeless.

Thud-!

Judging by the faint blinking of his eyes, he was still breathing.

He looked like nothing more than a walking corpse.

The resistance warriors watched and whispered among themselves.

“He’s still alive, right? Looks like he took over a hundred blows.”

“Seems like it. Tsk tsk. Would’ve been better if he’d died.”

“He’s getting what he deserves.”

Leaving them behind, Yu Seol crouched at Jeon Sa-ryong’s head. She grabbed his ear, twisted it, and asked, “Why did you do it? Do you know how hard everyone had to struggle to hold their breath because of you?”

……

Jeon Sa-ryong couldn’t answer. He only blinked, as if he couldn’t believe what had happened.

As Yu Seol continued questioning, Yu Jinsan approached and stopped his granddaughter. “That’s enough. If you hit him more he’ll actually die.”

They couldn’t kill him before extracting information. As expected, Jeon Sa-ryong was likely one of Little Thunderclap Temple’s Blood-Thunder Heavenly Kings. There was much to learn.

Yu Seol, who had been huffing, calmed and stepped back.

Il Kwang watched, then told his subordinates with a relieved look, “Go down and tell everyone to come outside. From now on, the ones who should be hiding aren’t us, but the remnants who leached off this bastard.”

“Yes, Captain!”

Jeon Sa-ryong’s followers might remain, but they were no longer a real threat. It was only a matter of time before they were wiped out. From now on they’d share in this joy.

The warriors began escorting the residents out of the cave one by one. Those who came outside wore dreamlike expressions.

“S-say…”

“I never thought a day like this would come…”

“Sob.”

The residents who had been hiding in the lava caves had no chance to go outside until now. The fresh breeze, the scent of the forest, the chirping of birds—all were sensations they hadn’t felt in years. How to describe that joy? They streamed out weeping, unsure what to do.

“Seol unnie!”

At that moment a child scampered over and threw her arms around Yu Seol’s waist. It was the small, skinny girl who had introduced herself as Dami.

Yu Seol patted Dami’s head and smiled fondly. “Your sister kept her promise, right? You don’t have to hide anymore.”

“Thank you…”

While everyone was filled with emotion, Yu Jinsan quietly hauled Jeon Sa-ryong down into the cave to bind and interrogate him.

It took three days to eliminate the remaining holdouts. They didn’t forget to burn down the poison-plant fields as well.

Even Sea Dragon Island, once called Hell Island, began to show signs of life. There were still traces of devastation here and there, but recovery would be rapid.

Yu Jinsan stood on a hill, quietly gazing.

Im Pyeong-il, standing beside him with folded hands, asked slyly, “Sir, why are you sighing?”

“I’m worried she’ll get hurt acting like that.”

“Ah, come on. She’s just playing with the kids. Surely the great Yin Monster hero wouldn’t make a mistake, right?”

A group of children had gathered around Yu Seol, each of them excited.

“Who’s next?”

When Yu Seol asked, the children raised their hands and jumped up and down.

“Me, unnie! It’s me!”

“Sister, me too!”

She was playing with the children. It was heartwarming, but the problem was how she did it.

“Then let’s go~”

Yu Seol hoisted one child under each arm, leaped with all her might, and took to the air. She soared as if to pierce the clouds, leaving the children breathless.

“Eeeeeek!!”

“Hehehe! This is fun, unnie!”

Watching from afar, Yu Jinsan clicked his tongue and said, “She’s enjoying it more than they are. When our granddaughter was that age she had no peers, so she only played with her grandpa.”

Im Pyeong-il tilted his head and cautiously spoke, “Our captain said both of you achieved Age Revival. If you don’t mind, may I ask your age?”

“Did Captain Il Kwang say that? What were you thinking all this time?”

“When I asked, he said you must be at least one hundred and thirty, and that the Yin Monster hero seems about seventy.”

Yu Jinsan made a stunned face and raised a hand above his head in a mock attempt to flick him on the forehead—he couldn’t actually reach; he was too short.

“Oh ho, you little rascal!?”

“I-I didn’t mean any offense…”

There was no need to hide it. Yu Jinsan sighed. “My granddaughter is now eleven years old.”

Im Pyeong-il looked unconvinced and smirked, as if warning him not to joke. “Ah~ I know you’re joking, sir. Do you think I’d be so oblivious?”

“Tsk tsk. Believe it or not, suit yourself. In the martial world, it’s position that matters; age counts for little.”

Im Pyeong-il laughed long, then changed the subject. “But sir, are you really going to leave just like this?”

“What is there to stay for? The road we must take is long.”

Until now they’d stayed only to interrogate Jeon Sa-ryong. He hadn’t uttered a single word and had chosen to take his own life a short while ago. There was now no reason to remain.

“Then stay one more night. The captain says he’ll hold a festival tonight to repay the heroes.”

Yu Jinsan smiled faintly and shook his head. “Why would we accept repayment? Just take our gratitude.”

“Still, it would feel wrong to let the benefactors who saved the island leave empty-handed.”

“Benefactors my foot. Didn’t you hear what the Yin Monster said? We’re not such good people. We just don’t torment the weak.”

Yu Jinsan had no intention of denying his granddaughter’s words; whatever others thought, they’d left the Justice Faction and walked the path of the heretic. Therefore there were no prescribed rules for their actions. They were bound by nothing, judging and acting according to where their hearts led. That was the essence of the Yin Yang Twin Monster.

“Still, it’s a pity. I hope we can meet again sometime.”

“If fate allows, we’ll see each other again. But do you intend to stay on this island? Your younger brother will want to see you.”

Just before arriving on this island he had formed a bond with his younger brother, Im Pyeong-su. He had saved his life and received help. He had believed his older brother who went to Sea Dragon Island was dead, but if they reunited he would be overjoyed.

“I do want to see my brother, too, but I still have things to do here.”

“Hmm. So you plan to help rebuild the village.”

Besides, they’ll need escort forces to guard the island for a while. Thus not only Im Pyeong-il but many warriors chose to stay.

“Yes. In truth, the residents here are like family to me now. They’ll need help to stand back up.”

“I see. Understood.”

After a brief pause, Im Pyeong-il hesitantly spoke up. “Um, I wonder…”

“What is it now? Are you going to ask another favor?”

“You’re remarkably perceptive. If you meet my brother, could you pass along my regards?”

I remember martial artists from the south said they’d wait at the inn for news. But so much time had passed that there was no guarantee they’d still be there. Either way, they’d find out by checking.

“I’ll try.”

“Thank you, sir. If you get the chance, please deliver this.”

What he handed over was a roughly crescent-shaped necklace. Yu Jinsan tucked it into his chest and nodded, then called his granddaughter to prepare for departure.

The red sun slowly sank beyond the horizon. A man stood alone on the shore, quietly watching the beautiful sunset. It was the direction the Yin Yang Twin Monster had just vanished toward.

Was he saddened by their absence? Im Pyeong-il couldn’t take his eyes off that spot for quite a while.

‘Thank you for everything up until now.’

Im Pyeong-il was the first person to discover the grandfather-and-granddaughter who had come to this island. To him, the Yin Yang Twin Monster were lifesavers and held a special meaning beyond that. He was dazed and lost in thought for a moment.

“Why are you like that? Are you just sad because they left so suddenly?”

Turning around, he saw Il Kwang striding over, large as a grizzly bear.

“Captain…”

“I knew they’d leave like that.”

“What do you mean?”

Il Kwang crossed his arms and muttered, watching the sunset. “True heroes quietly vanish at the most glorious moment.”

Im Pyeong-il nodded slowly. “Ah… but Captain, earlier I asked the Yang Monster hero something.”

“What did you ask?”

“The Yin Monster hero said she’s eleven. I laughed it off, but that was a joke, right?”

Il Kwang snorted and laughed. “Of course. Do you think I was beaten up by an eleven-year-old before?”

The memory of the Yin Monster mistaking him for an enemy and almost killing him at the resistance hideout was still vivid.

“So the Yang Monster elder was just teasing me after all.”

“Yeah. If she can wield the Spear Control Technique, she could actually be a hundred and ten for all we know.”

“But wasn’t it a bit strange? For someone who achieved Age Revival, her behavior and manner of speaking felt…”

Il Kwang waved a hand as if to dismiss the concern. “Age Revival itself is as mysterious as transcending like a fairy lantern. No one knows the exact conditions for it to occur, and it has many side effects. In some cases the mind grows younger as well.”

“I understand now. As expected, Captain, you have so much experience and know everything.”

Il Kwang smugly rubbed his chin at the praise. “Come to think of it, there was one. A prodigious kid born with the makings of a war god.”

“Really? Who is that?”

Il Kwang murmured, recalling a long-ago memory. “Sword Marquis. She reached the Supreme realm at only nine years old, I think? You could hardly believe it, but it’s a fact.”

“No way. That’s truly impossible.”

“Why is it impossible? Have you forgotten whose daughter Sword Emperor Soso is?”

“I’ve heard the rumor she’s General Somu’s daughter, but reaching the Supreme realm at nine? That’s absurd.”

In his active days, Il Kwang had been the adjutant to Somu, the greatest master in the government troops’ history. Thus the Sword Empress was like a niece to Il Kwang.

“Then does it make sense that a peerless master in the Profound Realm who wields the Spear Control Technique is eleven years old?”

Im Pyeong-il began to laugh out loud. “Hahaha. Now that you mention it, that does sound absurd.”

“You think it’s funny too, right? Come on, let’s go enjoy the festival already.”