That Person Is My Friend. (2)

Cheon Il-ho grew increasingly triumphant.

With a Yang Monster on the left and a Yin Monster on the right, what was there to be afraid of?

“You fellows, why aren’t you saying anything? I told you I’m friends with the Yin Monster Great Warrior; why don’t you believe people?”

“…….”

The martial artists inside the inn were frozen solid and couldn’t move an inch.

It was because the momentum the Yin Monster exuded unconsciously crushed their bodies and minds.

“Everyone, remember clearly what I said earlier. Understood?”

It was a warning to behave unless they wanted to suffer a nasty fate.

Having finished speaking, Cheon Il-ho finally wore a relieved expression. Unlike before, no one dared speak harshly to him.

Seeing that his grievance was lifted, Yu Seol gathered her qi back into herself. She judged that this was enough.

The martial artists gathered around let out sighs of relief as if they could finally breathe.

But no one opened their mouth.

“Sir, do you know where Storm Rider is?”

Everyone listened intently to the Yin Monster’s question.

It was the moment when it became clear they had come to fight Storm Rider, just as the rumors said.

Cheon Il-ho assembled the rumors he’d overheard in the inn and answered.

“Probably no one knows. They say he hasn’t even been seen lately.”

“Oh no, what should we do. That won’t do~”

“Maybe the Great Warrior is coming, so he’s hiding out of fear. There’s no need to bother with such a coward.”

At that moment, the martial artists from Zhejiang Province who had been holding their breath stirred.

Some even trembled with anger.

Wasn’t Storm Rider the pride of the easterners?

At last, one man couldn’t hold back and bravely objected.

“Elder, you fear no one.”

He was a sharp-featured martial artist wearing a red light armor.

Yu Seol looked at him and asked.

“Then where can we go to meet him?”

“He’s like the wind; folk like us can’t know.”

At that moment, Yu Seol sprang up from her seat.

Though she merely stood up, every martial artist in the inn flinched.

Even the man who had just spoken was sweating coldly, worried about possible harm.

But Yu Seol had no such intention. She only stood to ask questions to those nearby.

“Then who is the best fighter right now?”

A moment of silence passed.

After they furtively gauged one another in the quiet.

As if by agreement, they all pointed to one man in unison.

“Great Warrior Meng Nam-cheon of Soyo Mountain Villa is the best.”

“That’s right. The Invincible Sword Great Warrior Maeng is surely the one.”

“Of course.”

It matched the information passed along by Black Night Clan’s Eun Hwa-rin.

Bearing the sobriquet ‘Invincible Sword,’ he was an expert who had never lost once and was also Storm Rider’s disciple.

They had planned to try to learn Storm Rider’s whereabouts from him anyway.

“Good. We were planning to go there anyway.”

Someone watching asked cautiously.

“Are you thinking of challenging Great Warrior Meng?”

Facing him in martial combat was not part of the plan.

But fighting a strong opponent is a sweet temptation no matter who it is.

Yu Seol glanced over at her grandfather.

For some reason he nodded quietly. It likely meant he wouldn’t interfere and that she should decide for herself.

“Will he accept my challenge?”

“Great Warrior Meng has never avoided a challenge, as long as the opponent is qualified.”

The eastern martial artists also had deep trust in Meng Nam-cheon; before being Storm Rider’s disciple, he was simply that capable.

“Then am I not qualified?”

The martial artist who met Yu Seol’s gaze flinched and urgently replied.

“Tha-that’s impossible. I was merely describing his tendencies.”

Why would she lack qualification? The one eyeing the supreme position beyond the ten great martial experts was none other than the Yin Monster.

The legendary tales of his feats were widely known among the martial artists here too.

“Thanks for telling me.”

Having spoken, Yu Seol turned back and sat down.

Then Cheon Il-ho cleared his throat and subtly asked.

“Um, Great Warrior… if it’s all right, may I come along too?”

What could be more thrilling than witnessing the battle of peerless masters who could be called legends?

For Cheon Il-ho it would be something to boast about for the rest of his life.

He wore a desperate expression, like a puppy in urgent need of relief.

At that moment, her grandfather’s transmitted voice reached Yu Seol’s mind.

• Grandpa has nothing to do with it, so make the decision yourself.

Yu Jinsan intended to delegate as much as possible to his granddaughter; there’s nothing that helps growth like thinking and deciding for oneself.

And his granddaughter’s response was not unexpected.

“Of course, sir. We’re friends!”

Cheon Il-ho had come alone all the way from Guangdong Province to hear news of the Yin Yang Twin Monster.

Knowing that, his granddaughter wouldn’t refuse.

Given permission, Cheon Il-ho was moved and his eyes reddened.

“R-really? Thank you!”

“Come on, let’s eat first. I can’t fight when I’m hungry.”

“Yes, understood.”

“By the way, what’s good here? I’ll pay.”

To be fed by the Yin Monster—this was like a dream for Cheon Il-ho.

He had already eaten, but he didn’t show it at all.

“Wait, Great Warrior! I’m well versed in this inn’s dishes.”

Having said that, Cheon Il-ho happily called the server.

And his voice was louder than ever.

With their bellies filled, the grandfather-and-granddaughter and Cheon Il-ho stepped out of the inn.

Their destination was Soyo Mountain Estate; they planned to find the exact location once they reached the vicinity.

Not long after they set out.

Yu Jinsan glanced to the side and couldn’t help but chuckle.

He had noticed his granddaughter’s rounded belly.

“Seems the local food suits your taste.”

Yu Seol smiled brightly and lightly rubbed her stomach.

“Mmm~ the soy-braised king prawns were so delicious!”

Yu Jinsan nodded in agreement, then glanced subtly at Cheon Il-ho on their left.

“The clean flavor was superb. Thanks for the recommendation.”

Cheon Il-ho clasped his hands and bowed.

“I’m glad it suited you. I’m well versed in Zhejiang Province’s cuisine, so let me know if you have a preferred style.”

“Thank you. I’ll do that.”

The three had grown a bit closer over the meal, so the awkwardness had diminished.

Then Yu Seol tilted her head and asked.

“But why do those men keep following us?”

Cheon Il-ho glanced back absentmindedly and flinched.

About twenty feet back.

The eastern martial artists who had been in the inn were trailing after them en masse.

By headcount, not a single person was missing from their follow.

“What, them? Wait a moment. I’ll go and talk to them.”

“It’s okay, no need to worry about it.”

He could have left them behind, but Cheon Il-ho’s resolve was firm.

“No, Yin Monster Great Warrior. Those who tail us without permission must be taught a lesson.”

Having said that, Cheon Il-ho dashed toward them.

The dozens of martial artists who had been following at a fixed distance stopped and hesitated.

A moment later Cheon Il-ho reached them, knitting his brows as he asked.

“What do you think you’re doing? Did you think we’d not notice if you tailed us like that?”

One of them answered in a ingratiating voice.

“Um, brother from the south. Please take us along. We really want to see the duel between the Yin Monster Great Warrior and Great Warrior Meng.”

They were the nosy type of martial artists who came to the inn daily for gossip. So how curious wouldn’t they be?

But from Cheon Il-ho’s point of view, they were infuriating.

He couldn’t forget how they’d bossed him around not long ago.

He firmly held out his palm.

“I’m warning you—do not follow us any further. You’re getting on my nerves.”

The trailing martial artists were utterly despondent.

Then the middle-aged man in red light armor approached and gently grabbed Cheon Il-ho’s wrist.

“Sorry about earlier, brother. You know it was a misunderstanding.”

“…….”

“I apologize once more. It won’t happen again.”

Human hearts are like reeds.

The genuine apology melted Cheon Il-ho’s discomfort away.

At the same time his voice softened.

“Did I seem petty? I’m not one to hold grudges.”

“Then why can’t we?”

“Please understand; the Yin Monster Great Warrior is uncomfortable.”

They were politely refused, but the martial artists here did not give up.

If anything, they pressed more urgently.

“You said you’re friends, right? Can’t you put in a good word for us?”

“I beg you. I’d risk my life to see it.”

“Please……”

At this point Cheon Il-ho looked troubled.

“Why don’t you move separately?”

“We’ll be stopped at the entrance. Unless we sneak in behind the Great Warriors together…”

It wasn’t wrong. Soyo Mountain Villa was the most powerful martial force in Zhejiang Province.

It wasn’t a place for small fries to come and go as they pleased.

Reluctantly Cheon Il-ho sighed and said.

“Wait a moment. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll ask the Yin Monster Great Warrior.”

“Th-thank you, brother. We won’t be a bother—please say something on our behalf.”

Cheon Il-ho scratched his head and turned away.

But there was no need to explain in the first place; the Yin Yang Twin Monster had already heard everything.

“Do as you like, sir.”

Though they were some twenty feet away, it sounded as if the voice was right beside them.

In any case, the authority to decide had been granted.

With a lighter heart, Cheon Il-ho looked back at the eastern martial artists.

Each of them looked at him with eager longing.

After meeting their gazes for a moment.

“Very well. Let’s all go together.”

At that moment, everyone clenched their fists and cheered.

They couldn’t contain their joy.

“Wooaah!”

“Th-thank you, brother!”

“We’ll guide the way.”

The procession heading to Soyo Mountain Estate suddenly swelled to over thirty.

Each of them was excited, anticipating a grand spectacle.

Meanwhile, Yu Jinsan, walking at the front, silently observed the situation.

If it were him, he wouldn’t have taken anyone along. But now he intended to respect his granddaughter’s decision.

‘Child. Now let’s watch what results your decision brings.’

As the group increased, their pace of travel slowed considerably.

They walked slowly, like a stroll, without using lightness skill.

By the time they had traversed a day’s distance, Yu Jinsan quietly called Cheon Il-ho.

“How long did you say it would take to arrive?”

“I checked; at the current pace it will take two days.”

“That’s maddening. Very well.”

Though his heart was uneasy, there was nothing urgent.

Yu Jinsan shook his head slowly and began leisurely admiring the mountain scenery of Zhejiang Province.

The sight of all manner of martial artists moving in a procession was highly conspicuous.

Maybe that’s why every martial artist they met approached out of curiosity.

Near the rear of the column, another group was approaching.

“Brothers, where are you going?”

“Ah, they’re Great Warriors from Hawon Clan. I wonder if I should say this.”

“How can you be so ungrateful? What’s the great spectacle everyone is crowding to see?”

Then someone with a twitchy mouth pointed a finger at the front and whispered.

“Do you know who that person up front is? He’s the Yin Monster Great Warrior of the world.”

“…My, my goodness. Is that true?”

“Don’t be surprised. They’re on their way to challenge Great Warrior Maeng of Soyo Mountain Villa to a duel. They’ve agreed to take us along.”

“P-put us in too.”

Six more people subtly joined in.

And the number kept swelling.

Watching the unfolding scene, Yu Jinsan asked his granddaughter with a worried look.

“Child. What do you make of this situation?”

Yu Seol shrugged as if she didn’t understand the question.

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Look back once. A small decision can lead to such big consequences.”

The column that had been only about thirty had swelled to around a hundred.

And that number would continue to grow until they arrived.

“Hehe. So what~ More people is better. It won’t be lonely.”

The duel with Meng Nam-cheon was merely a side amusement for the granddaughter; the real goal was Storm Rider.

But the situation was gradually expanding into an increasingly unpredictable territory.

Yu Jinsan decided not to interfere for now and to keep watching.

‘Alright, it’ll work out somehow. Do whatever you want to try.’