The Give And Take Of Affection. (1)

Yu Jinsan and his granddaughter moved toward the place personally guided by the sect leader.

After walking about fifty paces along the footpath the scenery changed, revealing a colorful flower field.

The flutter of butterflies’ wings and the songs of birds delighted their ears.

It was a beauty completely different from what they’d seen so far.

Especially Yu Seol, who loved flower fields, couldn’t keep her mouth closed.

“…It’s pretty.”

The elders of the Wudang sect looked at the expression of the Yin Monster and smiled with satisfaction at his side.

Elder Mu-young, who had come to recognize them to some degree, approached with his hands clasped.

“In fact, this is the first time the Wudang sect has opened this place to outsiders.”

“So we’re the first?”

“Yes. It’s well maintained, isn’t it?”

“Yes. But what’s that over there?”

A pavilion above the pond displayed a relaxed elegance.

The cozy scene made one feel at ease just by looking at it.

“That’s where we’re headed. It was the place where our sect’s founder, Master Jang Sambong, used to meditate.”

Yu Seol, who had been staring in a daze for a moment, looked at her grandfather as if she’d made a decision.

“Grandpa. Let’s make something like that around our house later.”

“A pond and a pavilion? That will cost quite a bit of money.”

“It’s fine. Then I’ll earn more money. What do you think of my plan?”

Her granddaughter’s face flushed as if she were already happy just imagining it.

“Sure. With money, nothing’s impossible. Whether it’s a flower field or a pond, do whatever you want.”

“Heehee. When we get a house, we’ll decorate it prettily.”

As they chatted, the lead group had already reached the destination before they knew it.

“Now, please come up.”

Yu Jinsan and his granddaughter also climbed onto the pavilion and took a seat.

Below, koi swam leisurely in the clear pond.

It had a fair amount of charm.

The lush petals swaying in the breeze around it scented the air all the way there.

At that moment, the sect leader clapped his hands twice.

Clap! Clap!

That was the signal.

Two great disciples who had been waiting nearby hurried over and positioned themselves in front of the pond.

They held a flute and a seven-string zither in their hands.

A moment later, when the ensemble began, Yu Seol giggled and applauded.

Yu Jinsan also felt his mind clear for the first time in a while.

They were enjoying themselves like that for a short while when suddenly.

The sect leader discreetly opened his mouth.

“Come to think of it, you’re going to challenge the Murim Alliance leader. We also saw the challenge posted on the bulletin.”

Yu Jinsan nodded and replied.

“That’s right. But is it all right for us to be doing this? That viper-like woman won’t like it.”

“Our patriarch never cared about others’ opinions when making friends. That is the pride of our Wudang sect.”

He spoke indirectly; what he meant was that regaining the mystical items was more important.

And restoring the mind of Gwang Neung Master, who had reached the Profound Realm, as well.

If they could obtain these things, what did the Murim Alliance leader’s scowl matter?

Yu Jinsan understood the sect leader’s intent plainly. He had no reason to show it, so he played along for now.

“I’m grateful you think that way.”

At that moment, an elder approached carrying teacups.

There were only three cups.

They were given only to the sect leader and the Yin Yang Twin Monster.

“This tea is brewed from the thousand-year fairy fruit that the Wudang sect has kept safe. The taste is good, so please try it.”

Thousand-Year Fairy Fruit.

Yu Jinsan had a memory of hearing of it at least once.

This fruit, said to bear fruit once in a thousand years under extreme cold, is famous for its exquisite taste and for enhancing internal qi.

They had brought a rare tea so precious it could be called a Spiritual pill.

“How could you bring such a precious tea…”

To Yu Jinsan, who usually loved tea, it was worth more than all the delicacies in the world.

Looking at his granddaughter, she was sniffing with wide eyes in front of the teacup.

“It feels as if I’m in a snow mountain full of ice. And there’s a sweet floral scent…”

“Then you sensed it correctly. Please try it. Your stomach will warm and you’ll feel even better.”

Yu Seol took a breath for a moment, gripped the cup with both hands, and drank it down.

After finishing it, she gently closed her eyes.

As if she couldn’t come to her senses from the bliss.

After savoring a sip, Yu Jinsan repeatedly expressed admiration.

“It’s the first time in my life I’ve been intoxicated by the taste of tea.”

In fact, there were only two cups of tea brewed from the thousand-year fruit.

What the elder gave the sect leader was water; there wasn’t enough to make three proper cups.

The sect leader drank the plain water in his cup while observing the expressions of the Yin Yang Twin Monster.

The two looked as if they’d been intoxicated by opium and couldn’t come to their senses.

Now that the Yin Yang Twin Monster were in good spirits, it was the perfect opportunity.

• Quickly bring out the gift you’ve prepared.

An elder who received the sect leader’s signal handed him a wooden box.

A Taiji pattern was carved on the outside, and it looked rather heavy.

And it was gently placed before the knees of the Yin Monster.

“What is this?”

“It’s a small gift we’ve prepared. Please open it.”

The wooden box was small, but the important thing was its contents.

With a pounding heart, Yu Seol slowly and slightly opened the lid of the box.

After peeking in through the small gap for a moment.

Yu Jinsan, curious, craned his neck like a turtle.

Snap!

Yu Seol quickly snapped the lid shut, as if trying to hide it from her grandfather.

“Why are you hiding it?”

“I’ll show you later.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief.

Why would she hide it from him?

He was curious about the reason, but he’d find out later anyway. There was no rush.

“How do you like the gift we prepared?”

Instead of answering, the Yin Monster whispered something into the Yang Monster’s ear.

They seemed to be discussing something for a moment.

The sect leader was curious, but their conversation didn’t leak out.

After everyone waited with sweaty palms for a while.

The Yang Monster spoke to the crowd with a solemn face.

“The Yin Monster was very pleased with the gift and wishes to offer a favor in return.”

How long had they been waiting for this moment?

The sect leader’s heart pounded as if it would burst.

“R-Really?”

“Yes. The Yin Monster said he wants to personally cook for you all. If you eat it deliciously, he said he’ll return the Taiji token.”

Before he finished speaking, the sect leader and elders were swept with joy.

Some were so moved they had tears in their eyes.

The humiliation they had endured until now had finally borne fruit.

At least they were promised the return of the Taiji token, but what a thing that was.

“Thank you so much, Yin Monster hero!”

Yu Seol also clasped her hands and bowed to the sect leader.

“What comes should also go. He cooked for us and gave a gift, so we give back the same.”

“Yin Monster hero is truly magnanimous. We’ll prepare a place, so how about staying here for a few days?”

Yu Seol exchanged a glance with her grandfather for a moment, then readily nodded.

“Alright, then.”

It wasn’t part of the plan, but thus began the cohabitation of the Wudang sect and the Yin Yang Twin Monster.

Life at the Wudang sect wasn’t bad.

No, it could be said it was better than ever.

Although their relationship wasn’t friendly, so what?

Opportunities to enjoy such luxurious living were rare.

“Seol is coming in~ Hng~ Hngg~”

Yu Seol hummed a tune as she strolled alone through the Wudang sect.

She had the Heaven Piercing Sword set on her back, hands clasped behind her.

A member of the Heterodox factions walking freely on Wudang Mountain was a first in the sect’s history.

Yet no one dared to stop her.

In fact, every priest she passed bowed and saluted.

The reason was the Gwang Neung Master trailing obediently behind her.

“Grandpa, why do you keep following me?”

“…”

As expected, no answer came.

His bloodshot eyes were fixed solely on the Heaven Piercing Sword.

“Why do you look at me with such sorrowful eyes? Do you want it that much?”

Though he didn’t reply, his gaze clearly said so.

How could he not covet this Heaven Piercing Sword?

The reason he couldn’t fully complete the Taiji Heart Sword, and the reason his mind was fractured.

Everything was because he couldn’t draw this treasured blade.

“Alright. Let me touch it just once.”

Yu Seol generously held the Heaven Piercing Sword out a little, and Gwang Neung’s arm trembled as he reached for it.

Even in his fractured state, some change of emotion seemed to surface as a strange sound escaped his lips.

“Kkuuh…”

At that moment Yu Seol pulled the Heaven Piercing Sword back and said.

“I’m not giving it to you; I’m just lending it briefly, okay?”

“Kkuuu…”

Gwang Neung Master’s eyes seemed to say, ‘I understand—give it quickly.’

Feeling pity, Yu Seol pressed the Heaven Piercing Sword firmly into his hand.

Thud-!

And at that moment, Yu Seol’s eyes widened.

Because the tip of the Heaven Piercing Sword was pointed at her.

Yu Seol twisted her torso urgently to deflect his attack.

A milky-white surge of qi brushed past her chest and gouged a hollow in the ground.

Clang-!!

‘Damn. I knew this would happen.’

To change so suddenly in an instant? He felt strong regret, but what could be done now? There was no turning back.

Gwang Neung Master’s fierce assault continued unabated.

The waves of sword energy approaching like slaughter left no visible gap to slip through, like a net.

But unbelievably, Yu Seol was evading them all.

Shash! Papapap! !

Statues shattered and warehouses collapsed as the surroundings were laid waste.

If this continued, the sect would suffer great damage.

Not far away, the Wudang sect’s Great Training Ground was in sight.

Yu Seol shouted as she lured Gwang Neung Master toward it.

“Everyone, get out of the way!!”

About a hundred priests in the Training Ground panicked and spread out to create distance.

“W-What’s going on!?”

“What’s happening?”

“T-Taesa Baek is attacking the Yin Monster!”

It wasn’t only them.

Priests from all directions began to converge on the Training Ground.

In an instant, a massive arena was formed at the center of the Great Training Ground.

The Wudang sect’s greatest master to reach Master Jang Sambong’s level—the sword lord, Master Mu-jin’s teacher, Gwang Neung Master—had clashed with the Evil factions’ supreme leader.

How could anyone miss such a spectacle?

But Yu Seol didn’t have the mind to care about their gazes.

“Give me back my Heaven Piercing Sword! While I’m still speaking nicely.”

While evading his attacks, Yu Seol kept up the chatter relentlessly.

She hesitated to counterattack, recalling her grandfather’s frail appearance from childhood.

Even at this moment, the supreme sword method Taiji Heart Sword unleashed countless bundles of fierce qi.

And it was even more astonishing to see the Yin Monster moving like a flying squirrel, evading every attack.

Boom-! Krawkkak-!!

The floor of the Training Ground split and piles of stones continuously flew up.

The problem was trusting the Heaven Piercing Sword and leaving the Dragon Flower Spear in the guest room.

But they couldn’t keep dodging forever.

“Ssiie!”

Yu Seol narrowed her brow and drew a river-like line.

At that moment, the small figure darted like lightning toward the gap between the edges of the Taiji-tracing sword tip.

It was a movement almost comparable to the speed of light.

Swoosh-!!!

It was the sound of the Yin Monster’s fist striking Gwang Neung Master’s flank.

At the same time, his feet dragged on the ground and he began to be pushed backward endlessly.

Scrrrk-!

But not a groan escaped from Gwang Neung Master’s mouth.

“So, you want to try me, do you?”

When Yu Seol spread her right hand wide, a sword that had been rolling on the ground flew up.

Shreeeeek-!!

In an instant, it shot through the air like a snake’s head aiming at its prey, targeting Gwang Neung Master.

Air Sword technique. Everyone gaped at this astonishing martial art of the Yin Monster.

“A-Air Sword technique?”

“Can former elder possibly stop that?”

“D-dangerous…”

Everyone watched in stunned silence.

“Take out the Taiji token!”

It was Elder Mu-young who had served them the food.

He hurried over, shouting.

Yu Seol didn’t want to strike the old man any further either.

When she drew the Taiji token from her waist, Gwang-neung Master’s steps came to an abrupt stop about three paces away as if by magic.

Everyone sighed in relief as the tense atmosphere calmed as if nothing had happened.

“Hurry and give it back!”

Yu Seol was snatching the Heaven Piercing Sword back from Gwang-neung Master.

Elder Mu-young stepped forward and bowed, saying.

“Yin Monster hero. The small kitchen is ready.”

Hadn’t he agreed to personally cook for the sect leader and the elders?

It seemed all the requested ingredients had been prepared.

At the thought of finally enjoying his hobby, Yu Seol’s mood quickly returned to normal.

“Really? Let’s go quickly. I’ll cook something delicious for you.”

“Yes, we’ll show you this way.”

The duel between the Yin Monster and Gwang Neung Master ended anticlimactically, but the disciples who had watched it were deeply shaken.

No one could speak until they disappeared from sight.