From Now On We. (3)

Since it opened, Eunjin Inn was livelier than ever.

Even now, countless martial artists surrounded the Yin Monster, eyes gleaming.

Before long, their number had swelled to over a hundred.

“So tasty~”

Yu Seol gripped her chopsticks in an excellent mood.

Until now she’d eaten poorly on the island; only now was she having a proper meal.

The piled-up dishes on the table rivaled an emperor’s feast.

No sooner had she swallowed than someone spoke up.

“So, what happened to Jeon Sa-ryong?”

Yu Seol glanced around the table, then set a whole roasted chicken in front of her.

She stripped the meat with her chopsticks and popped it into her mouth.

“He ended up like this. Mmm~ it tastes amazing.”

Chewing, Yu Seol hummed a tune.

It suited her perfectly.

Meanwhile the martial artists murmured, parsing her earlier words.

“So that means Jeon Sa-ryong is dead, right?”

“It’s certain. Look—our hero stripped the bones clean like that.”

“Th-then the Yin Monster, the great hero, will be the supreme of the martial world…?”

“Yeah. Of course!”

Yu Seol casually raised her left hand.

The noisy room fell silent as if a mouse had been killed.

“I’m not the supreme yet. I haven’t been to the eastern region.”

But the martial artists paid it little heed.

“Bah. Whether she goes or not, the warriors there won’t be a match.”

“That’s right. There’s no way those guys are stronger than us southerners!”

Yu Seol tilted her head and asked.

“My grandfather said no. He said there’s a terrifying one over there, someone like Jeon Sa-ryong.”

In truth Yu Jinsan had said it out of caution; he didn’t really know. His hometown, Shaanxi, and the eastern regions lay at opposite ends of the map.

So he watched with interest from this floor.

At that moment a bearded, middle-aged swordsman scanned the crowd and shouted.

“Is there anyone among you brothers who knows them!?”

There were many martial artists here, yet no one stepped forward.

Who would have cause to travel that far?

Silence fell and disappointment settled on everyone’s faces.

Someone spoke in a small voice.

“I’m from Zhejiang Province.”

Zhejiang Province lay in the far east, a region crisscrossed by waterways.

Everyone looked at him expectantly.

“Ha ha! Luckily there’s one of you. Brother, please explain to the Yin Monster, great warrior.”

“I don’t know the details. I’ve only heard rumors…”

“Rumor or not, tell us what you know. Who’s the strongest in the eastern martial world?”

He hesitated a long moment, then spoke as if uncertain.

“A few names come up, but one called the Storm Rider seems likely. He’s so mysterious that little is known—I don’t even know if he’s human.”

“What absurd talk is that? Not human?”

“Just strange rumors. Some even say he’s an immortal…”

As the martial artists murmured, Yu Seol asked curiously.

“An immortal lives in Zhejiang Province?”

“It’s probably because of his appearance. They say his growth stopped at a child’s body, and rumors claim it’s a side effect of undergoing Age Revival twice.”

No matter how exceptional, even an absolute master is unlikely to experience Age Revival in a lifetime.

But to have undergone it twice? How old could he possibly be?

“I’m curious—I want to see him. Who else is there?”

The man from Zhejiang brightened at the Yin Monster’s attention.

He rambled, blurting out everything he’d heard.

But there were limits to his knowledge; he’d left Zhejiang nearly ten years ago.

Meanwhile Yu Jinsan, on this floor, looked out the window and fell into thought.

‘Storm Rider… If that fellow’s words are true, he’d be no easy figure.’

It was the first time in his life he’d heard of someone undergoing Age Revival twice.

He had thought no one could be stronger than Jeon Sa-ryong, but an inexplicable unease washed over him.

Anyway, worrying now wouldn’t change anything.

They had to meet the Black Night Clan and get details; their information would be more reliable.

Then Im Pyeong-su, sitting across from him, asked cautiously.

“Sir, are you troubled about something?”

“It’s nothing. Just listen. We shouldn’t leave expensive wine behind.”

They quietly resumed their meal on this floor as well.

Tilting their cups, they enjoyed watching the scene below through the railing.

Yu Seol’s stories seemed endless.

She told of how the residents hid in lava caves to escape Jeon Sa-ryong and of the huge captain who led the resistance.

Each event on Sea Dragon Island was remarkable.

The martial artists held their breath, listening intently.

Just as the story reached its climax,

Kwang-!!

The inn’s door flew open.

Everyone glared toward the entrance with annoyed faces.

But no one complained aloud.

Because the ones who had entered were led by a commander of the government troops.

He was a well-known military official responsible for security along the southern coast.

The Yin Yang Twin Monster also knew him well; he’d mobilized a warship to help them enter Sea Dragon Island.

For some reason his face was flushed with excitement.

“Is the news that Jeon Sa-ryong is dead true?”

Yu Seol nodded and answered truthfully.

“That’s right. You said you’d let us ride if we caught him, remember?”

At that, the commander began to laugh heartily.

“Hahaha! Hahahaha!!”

The suffering they’d endured because of Jeon Sa-ryong must have been immense.

He looked extremely pleased.

“Good?”

“How could it not be? You’ve truly suffered. On behalf of the government troops, I offer our formal thanks.”

It was rare for a martial artist to receive such warm treatment from an arrogant commander.

When he offered a ceremonial salute, the surrounding martial artists and officials began to cheer.

As the excitement settled, Yu Seol slyly asked.

“By the way, aren’t there any gifts of appreciation?”

“Once the fact is confirmed, the bounty on Jeon Sa-ryong will be paid.”

She’d asked just in case—there was a bounty on his head?

Yu Seol’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s.

“A bounty? How much?”

“Three hundred silver coins. We’ll dispatch a fast ship to Sea Dragon Island to confirm immediately; please wait a few days.”

A full three hundred silver coins.

Perhaps because he had seized Sea Dragon Island without permission and slaughtered officials and civilians, the bounty was historically high.

Yu Seol’s spirits soared.

“Puhihi. Thank you~”

The Yin Yang Twin Monster stayed another week to collect the bounty.

They’d been staying in a room on the inn’s third floor.

With business concluded, the pair packed their things in the room.

“Our Seol is an angel. How could you think to donate all that money?”

Yu Seol had donated the entire bounty received from the authorities to the reconstruction of Sea Dragon Island.

To give such a large sum willingly and without conditions was truly commendable.

“Once the reserves run out there won’t be much to eat. They couldn’t farm because of the lava,” he said.

Yu Jinsan looked at his granddaughter in surprise.

“You really thought that far?”

“Yeah. Kids need to grow up well fed. Look at Dami—so skinny, just bones.”

She must have grown fond of the kids from Sea Dragon Island.

The bounty Yu Seol donated would be a great help to the island’s residents.

“Grandpa, you’ve raised Seol well. By now everyone must be grateful to you.”

“Heehee.”

Yu Jinsan didn’t begrudge the money either.

Now that his fame had risen, there would be many easy ways to earn money.

Besides, hadn’t he already set aside funds for retirement?

His current pocket money wasn’t abundant, but there was no reason to cling to wealth.

“Then let’s depart now.”

“Okay, tie this on my back~.”

Yu Jinsan firmly secured the bundle on his granddaughter’s back.

Then he kicked the door and stepped out.

Leaving the third floor, they saw martial artists packed densely below.

Everyone was watching them.

“They’re out!”

“Yin Monster, great hero, where are you heading?”

Yu Seol was immensely popular among the southern martial artists.

Despite unparalleled skill, she bore no airs of authority.

Even third-rate fighters addressed the world’s Yin Monster like a friend.

“I’m heading east now.”

“Are you really planning to conquer the eastern martial world?”

If she could even subdue the experts there, she’d be very close to becoming the unrivaled supreme.

“That’s right—I need to see if anyone fights better than me.”

The southern martial artists were eager but saddened to see them go.

Each voiced a regretful comment.

“Ahhh…”

“It’s such a pity to leave like this.”

“Can’t you stay a few more days?”

They had a long way to go. Hadn’t they lingered here long enough?

Descending the stairs to the first floor, Yu Seol stretched her fist forward and said,

“Everyone, put your hands together like this.”

“Like this?”

Everyone, half-unwitting, brought their fists together.

Then Yu Seol smiled broadly and said,

“Now, from this moment on we’re all friends. Okay?”

Although symbolic, it sent shivers through them all.

To be friends with the world’s Yin Monster felt like a dream.

“Please win for sure!”

“We’ll be cheering for you!!”

A few seemed ready to follow all the way east to see the outcome.

What did it matter?

Yu Seol waved one last time and left the inn with her grandfather.

It was the start of yet another journey.

They didn’t know how formidable the eastern masters were, nor where to find them.

First they planned to go to the rendezvous to meet Eun Hwa-rin of the Black Night Clan.

“Seol, you’re very popular. No one seeks Grandpa out, you see.”

Seeing her grandfather speak as if hurt, Yu Seol giggled.

“Heehee. Jealous?”

“Jealous? Not really…”

“Then Grandpa should just be friends with those guys too.”

Yu Jinsan refused outright.

“No way. I’m old; making friends with those young ones would be a disadvantage.”

“Puhihit. Then I’m the beneficiary~”

“Hmm. If you put it that way, I suppose so.”

After clutching her belly with laughter, Yu Seol straightened and said,

“Grandpa, do you know that guy keeps sneaking glances at us?”

Yu Seol hid her index finger in her sleeve and subtly pointed left.

Yu Jinsan knew exactly who it was without needing to look.

“It’s just a lackey of the Murim Alliance. From now on fellows like him will trail you wherever you go.”

“What shall we do? Shall we go punish him?”

The Murim Alliance’s surveillance network was everywhere.

As long as the Yin Yang Twin Monster traveled openly, beating a few lackeys here and there would never end—meaningless.

“What would we gain by beating such small fry? Just ignore them.”