I Was Glad To Be Together. (2)

Yu Jinsan watched the conversation between Meng Nam-cheon and Storm Rider with a puzzled expression.

‘What happened? Why is this old wizened man calling our Seol “sister”…’

He was also curious why his granddaughter hadn’t returned with them, but from Storm Rider’s tone it seemed she would arrive soon.

He could ask Yu Seol about the details once she returned.

That was not the important point right now.

With Storm Rider’s appearance, everyone’s emotions fluctuated.

The balance of power had completely reversed.

He then looked up at the Murim Alliance experts with his hands clasped behind his back.

“Hey, you kids there. How long do you intend to keep glaring at this old man?”

Elder Mu-jin of the Wudang Sect and Hwa Ryong-gae of the Beggars Union were not young themselves.

Yet they were being called “kids.”

They had reason to be angry, but they tried to control their emotions.

Mu-jin stood shoulder to shoulder with Hwa Ryong-gae and replied.

“We came to carry out the Murim Alliance’s mission. We must capture the Yang Monster today, so do not interfere.”

The moment he finished, Storm Rider’s gaze turned cold.

It was an entirely different atmosphere from before.

“I spoke kindly, but I suppose you think this is a joke.”

“……”

As if a cold front had swept in, the air around them chilled.

Though Mu-jin and Hwa Ryong-gae were experienced Murim Alliance experts, Storm Rider was a figure of a different order.

He was a legendary martial arts prodigy who had lived one hundred and eighty years, having undergone two instances of Age Revival.

With each step he took, the faces of the two who faced him grew sterner.

At last, when the distance between them narrowed to less than a three meters,

“So you want to give it a try?”

Mu-jin and Hwa Ryong-gae hesitated, unsure of what to do.

They seemed to lack confidence facing one man between the two of them.

At that moment, Storm Rider, who was looking down at them, heard someone’s transmitted voice.

• “Storm Rider Great Warrior. When the opportunity comes, you must kill those two.”

It was a transmitted message sent by the Yang head of the Yin Yang Twin Monster.

Surprised by the unexpected message, Storm Rider reacted with puzzlement.

• “Is that really necessary? Besides, there are too many eyes watching here.”

• “A pretext can be manufactured. If you agree, I’ll arrange it myself.”

It had been the Murim Alliance that had brazenly approached this place.

Moreover, the crowd watching was largely sympathetic, so with some cunning it would be entirely possible.

But Storm Rider still seemed unconvinced.

• “It seems no one has been killed by them yet; why go that far?”

• “I know the habits of those slippery bastards well. If we don’t kill them now, they’ll be a future threat to Soyo Mountain Villa.”

Yu Jinsan was certain of that.

They were supposed to be elites representing the Wudang Sect and the Beggars Union—people who valued pride and honor as much as life.

If arrogant men like these were humiliated before the crowds of smaller sects, they would not hold it in.

If given the chance, they would surely bite back.

However, Storm Rider seemed to have already made up his mind and clearly refused.

• “Do not worry about that. As long as I am here, they will not be able to harm anyone.”

One could not blame his decision.

Killing the Murim Alliance’s core figures would be a heavy burden.

Storm Rider, being aligned with the Justice Faction, naturally felt that way; his feelings were understandable.

• “If that is your resolve, I understand. What do you intend to do now?”

• “For now, we’ll talk them down and send them away. If the Yin Monster sister returns, we’ll discuss it again.”

Yu Jinsan abandoned any plan and observed their conversation.

Elder Mu-jin spoke to Storm Rider in a softer voice.

“Please drop your hostility. We have no feelings toward Soyo Mountain Villa.”

Perhaps sensing a retreat from the Murim Alliance, Storm Rider also adopted a milder tone to placate him.

“There’s no need to see blood unnecessarily. If you leave now, I’ll consider today’s matter as if it never happened.”

At that, Hwa Ryong-gae, who had been silent, slyly interjected.

“May I ask what your relationship is with the Yin Yang Twin Monster?”

“As you’ve heard, he has a very deep relationship with this old man. So ask no more.”

“Then what happened at the White Flower Blood Cult?”

Yu Jinsan watched their conversation carefully.

Mu-jin and Hwa Ryong-gae took turns asking Storm Rider questions.

They asked about trivial incidents at White Flower Blood Cult and even about personal matters.

The conversation continued past the first watch of the day.

At first it seemed the Murim Alliance sought information, but something felt off.

‘…Could it be?’

A sudden ominous feeling flashed through Yu Jinsan’s mind.

Since when had those slippery Murim Alliance members become so talkative?

Watching the situation, he discreetly sent a transmitted message to Storm Rider.

• “Storm Rider Great Warrior. It seems those two are stalling for time.”

• “What do you mean?”

• “I have a bad feeling. They might be waiting for reinforcements.”

Yu Jinsan had heard that the Murim Alliance organized assassination squads to move together.

It was puzzling that the force numbered only two.

Now Storm Rider seemed to sense something was wrong; the mood shifted.

“It seems all matters have been discussed; if you have nothing more, depart now.”

Sending Mu-jin and Hwa Ryong-gae away was the priority.

With the crowd watching, they would be unlikely to return and make trouble.

Yet they remained immovable.

“We have a few more questions.”

“Didn’t I tell you to leave at once?”

“Our business isn’t finished, so we cannot leave yet.”

At that moment, a murderous aura he had never shown before rose in Storm Rider’s eyes.

“You bastards! What trick are you playing here!”

He seemed ready to cut them down if they did not leave immediately.

A freezing chill permeated the tense air.

Everyone held their breath and watched them.

Mu-jin and Hwa Ryong-gae hesitated, likely debating whether to withdraw.

A short while later, suddenly a woman’s profanity, laced with inner energy, echoed from somewhere.

“[You’re talking nonsense.]”

The crowd looked around in surprise but could not find the source.

Storm Rider was the first to spot her.

“…Hm.”

As soon as Yu Jinsan spotted her identity, he furrowed his brow deeply.

The figure descending leisurely from the sky, sword in hand, was someone he knew.

How could he forget?

A nasty one-eyed nun with an eyepatch over her left eye.

She was Hwa Ryeong Satae, the Grand Master of the Emei Sect and the Murim Alliance leader.

‘Why the hell is that damned woman here…’

The family enemy deeply involved in the destruction of the Yu family.

Her appearance here, someone he would like to beat to death, was unexpected.

“You’ve come, Murim Alliance leader.”

Mu-jin and Hwa Ryong-gae bowed toward her first.

It showed how formidable the Murim Alliance leader’s prestige was.

Hwa Ryeong Sa-tae nodded toward Yu Jinsan and said.

“What are you doing? Why haven’t you gotten rid of that rat yet?”

Hwa Ryong-gae whispered in a low voice.

“Storm Rider was blocking us, so there was some back-and-forth.”

Incredibly, he showed an involuntary fear of the Murim Alliance leader.

For what reason? It was utterly incomprehensible.

Then one corner of Hwa Ryeong Satae’s mouth slowly curled upward.

It was an utterly chilling sight.

“So you say you’re in league with that Yin Monster woman?”

“That’s correct. We have confirmed it.”

Their brief exchange carried a lot of meaning.

Watching, Yu Jinsan steadied himself and prepared for any contingency.

‘This is getting complicated.’

She scanned the area around the villa.

She was likely searching for the Yin Monster’s location.

After confirming the Yin Monster was not here, she strode toward Storm Rider.

“Out of the way. If you don’t want to die.”

The Murim Alliance leader’s attitude went beyond arrogance; it seemed to look down on the entire world.

She paid no heed to whether the crowd stared.

Storm Rider, studying her face, clicked his tongue and said.

“A nun who studies Buddhism full of murderous intent. It seems she was born with the aura of the Heavenly Killing Star—how could she become Murim Alliance leader…”

Yu Jinsan had already heard that information from Baek Gyu.

How a woman bearing the Heavenly Killing Star’s aura, fitting for a maniacal killer, became head of the Justice Faction was truly a mystery.

There was likely a backstory, but now was no time to ponder it deeply.

“Looks like that tiny brat thinks he can see everything.”

It was an insult hardly imaginable coming from a nun.

Storm Rider did not let her provocation go unanswered.

“A demonic bitch as Murim Alliance leader—it’s absurd. The future of the martial world is bleak…”

Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure erupted from the Murim Alliance leader’s entire body.

Swooooosh—!!

“I’ll tear that mouth of hers first.”

The pressure was so great that even Yu Jinsan’s spine chilled.

The only person unaffected was Storm Rider.

From the atmosphere, a fight between the Murim Alliance leader and Storm Rider seemed inevitable.

Watching silently, Yu Jinsan became certain of one thing.

‘The Murim Alliance leader’s target is Storm Rider before me.’

She seemed determined to kill Storm Rider today.

If he allied with the Yin Yang Twin Monster against the Murim Alliance, there would be no solution.

Sure enough, even at that moment she appeared to be exchanging transmitted messages with two elders.

Whatever the content, he was strongly convinced they were planning something very unpleasant.

“This old man will have to teach that brat a lesson today.”

Storm Rider picked up a thin stick like a cane from the ground.

Perhaps his hands were too small to grip a sword.

It was no problem; a master at that level is hardly constrained by the weapon he uses—unless it was a special divine weapon like Twin Dragon Spears.

‘Can Storm Rider really handle the Murim Alliance leader?’

Yu Jinsan stepped back with mixed worry and hope, watching closely.

He was extremely tense—the outcome could determine his own life.

But Meng Nam-cheon’s expression beside him was even more serious.

He needed to find out why.

• “Why is the leader so anxious?”

• “It’s the first time I’ve seen my master draw a weapon in actual combat. The Murim Alliance leader’s skill must be extraordinary.”

Yu Jinsan judged the duel would not be decided easily.

He had seen Profound Realm masters clash on Sea Dragon Island before.

Unless one side was overwhelmingly superior, it would take considerable time.

• “From now on, leader, listen to me carefully. The Murim Alliance leader is uneasy because she doesn’t know when the Yin Monster will arrive.”

Indeed, the Murim Alliance leader had been glancing around warily since she first appeared.

• “She’s probably afraid of a coordinated attack from Master and the Yin Monster Great Warrior. But we don’t know when the Yin Monster Great Warrior will return either.”

• “That’s not what I mean. The leader has resolved to kill Storm Rider Great Warrior today and intends to finish it swiftly before the Yin Monster arrives.”

• “What do you mean?”

Yu Jinsan glanced sideways and subtly indicated Hwa Ryong-gae and Mu-jin.

• “If my guess is right, after the fight begins those two will ambush Storm Rider Great Warrior from behind.”

• “Would the Murim Alliance really stoop to such a cowardly act in a one-on-one duel?”

On the surface at least, the Murim Alliance prides itself on chivalry.

But having been badly wronged by them in the past, Yu Jinsan trusted them not at all.

• “I saw those rascals exchanging transmissions. I’m only suggesting we prepare.”

• “That makes no sense. There are hundreds of witnesses watching here.”

• “Witnesses mean nothing. That mad nun could kill everyone here and shut them up without effort.”

• “Mass murder… Yang Monster Great Warrior, I just can’t believe it.”

Perhaps due to their Justice Faction leanings, both master and disciple were choked with frustration.

The fight between Storm Rider and the Murim Alliance leader had already begun.

They needed to finish their plan before it was too late.

• “The one who ordered the slaughter of my family’s kin and the kidnapping of my granddaughter was that Murim Alliance leader. We have no time—will you cooperate or not?”

After a moment’s hesitation, he conveyed his assent.

• “Yang Monster Great Warrior is a benefactor of Soyo Mountain Villa, so I will trust and follow you. Speak.”

• “Wounded as we are, we cannot withstand repeated ambushes from them. That won’t end well, so I propose another method.”

• “Whatever the method, just tell me what I should do.”

• “If they show signs of initiating action, leader, you must guard the rear of Storm Rider Great Warrior. It won’t be easy, but holding for a single exchange should suffice.”

How could one in fragile health easily block two absolute masters?

But holding out for a single exchange was worth attempting.

In the meantime, Storm Rider would notice the ambush and prepare somehow.

“Understood. Then what do you intend to do, Yang Monster Great Warrior?”

“Meanwhile, I will ambush the Murim Alliance leader from behind and try to sever her spine.”