Shall We Be Friends? (1)

“What is this?”

As expected, the granddaughter couldn’t resist a gift even if she ignored everything else.

She seemed terribly curious about the bundle an elder of the Wudang Sect had brought.

“It’s nothing. A small token from the Wudang Sect for the Yin Yang Twin Monster great heroes.”

Yu Seol took the bundle, crouched down, and quickly began to unwrap it.

Inside were one set each of a pink and a black light robe.

The silky fabric was softer than anything she’d touched before, and the sizes seemed likely to fit her body just right.

And near the shoulders, each had embroidery symbolizing yin and yang, respectively.

When on earth had the Wudang Sect prepared something like this? It must have been made by a master craftsman.

“Wow. Is this for us? Thank you, grandfather!”

Yu Seol smiled from ear to ear at the pretty gift.

“I’m glad you like it. Elder Mu-young, the most skilled artisan in our Wudang Sect, made them himself with his disciples.”

The Wudang Sect had personally made clothes as gifts for the Yin Yang Twin Monster; if the martial world learned of it, it would spark controversy about the sect’s identity.

Just how important was the Heaven Piercing Sword to the Wudang Sect to go to such lengths? Even Yu Jinsan, who watched, was puzzled by their devotion.

It was then that Yu Seol, stuffing the clothes away, called to Gwang Cheon with a suspicious look.

“But we can’t give back the Heaven Piercing Sword!”

Her practical calculations were always precise.

No one would trade a world-famous sword for merely two robes.

Gwang Cheon, the chief elder, reacted calmly as if he had anticipated it; in fact, he even wore a small smile.

How much effort had the Wudang Sect poured into reclaiming a single Taiji Token? They never expected to gain anything else from the Yin Monster for so little.

“It truly is a heartfelt gift without condition. So please, don’t be concerned and accept it.”

“Is that so? I’m accepting it because grandfather asked—there’s no other way.”

Contrary to her words, Yu Seol had already tightly tied the bundle to her shoulder.

Yu Jinsan, watching, held back a laugh and stepped forward.

“However, the elder of the Wudang Sect wouldn’t have come just to deliver this. Tell us what other business you have.”

Knowing Gwang Cheon’s intentions, his visit was not entirely welcome.

But part of him felt pity seeing an old man, who should be retired and resting, rushing about alone—it reminded him of his former self.

“I came to check on Sahyung Gwang Neung. Since following the Yin Monster great hero, his spirit seems to have grown faint…”

Yu Seol slid the Heaven Piercing Sword she had tucked between her legs up and said.

“It’s because of this Heaven-Piercing Sword.”

“Indeed, it seems that that sword has an effect in healing Sahyung’s spirit.”

Gwang Cheon also seemed to guess the situation; he had likely heard about the commotion at the Training Ground.

And there was something the Yin Monster had said earlier.

That only when the Yang qi of the Heaven Piercing Sword was added could the Taiji Heart Sword achieve perfect yin-yang harmony.

He had noticed that the changes arising from that process affected Gwang Neung.

“Shall I lend it for a moment?”

Lending it for a short time as a return for the gift wasn’t difficult.

But Gwang Cheon shook his head as if he hadn’t even considered it.

“No. What meaning would that have right now? We do not have the ability to heal Gwang Neung sahyung with the Heaven Piercing Sword.”

“Then it can’t be helped.”

Yu Seol promptly took the Heaven Piercing Sword back as if that suited her fine.

Gwang Cheon looked toward the distant Heaven and sighed deeply.

“Gwang Neung sahyung once led the charge more than anyone to uphold the ancestor’s will. He was a man who would throw away his life at any time for the Wudang Sect.”

For some reason, Yu Jinsan remained silent.

Yu Seol nodded to dispel the awkwardness and replied.

“But he must have been a bit greedy. He practiced the Taiji Heart Sword without the Heaven Piercing Sword.”

Gwang Neung at the time would not have been unaware of the side effects.

One couldn’t help but wonder why he made such a hasty decision.

There seemed to be some unknown story behind it.

“He must have had no choice. In the past, Sahyung tried countless times to pull the Heaven Piercing Sword embedded in the Wind Wall. In the end he failed every time…”

Listening absentmindedly, Yu Seol opened her eyes wide and shrugged her shoulders.

“Is that so? Mine just came out by itself.”

“Hm. Even watching it, I couldn’t believe it. How something so firmly embedded could come out so easily…”

“That’s because you didn’t use proper force.”

Gwang Cheon couldn’t refute that.

The monstrous strength of the Yin Monster he had witnessed then was beyond imagination.

In any case, what did such reasons matter in the present situation?

The chief elder of the Wudang Sect wanted only one thing.

“Anyway, our Wudang’s Master Jang Sam-bong prophesied that the one who pulls the Heaven Piercing Sword will save the world. So everyone’s fate rests with the Yin Monster great hero.”

It was the kind of statement that would stir anyone’s heart.

But such heroic theatrics were not Yu Seol’s concern.

“Why are you on my case? You’re being bothersome~”

Perhaps because her reaction was lukewarm, Gwang Cheon continued in a slightly flustered tone.

“Th-that means that from now on the Wudang Sect will not make the Yin Monster great hero our enemy. Even if we don’t possess the sacred items.”

“How can we believe that? The Wudang Sect is on the side of the Murim Alliance. And last time, you tried to stab me in the back!?”

She didn’t have to say it; she hadn’t forgotten that the sect leader and elders had planned to attack her after she pulled the Heaven Piercing Sword.

Faced with Yu Seol’s boldness, Gwang Cheon calmed himself and spoke.

“At the time, we were so shocked that we only set our stance. We had no intention to actually attack.”

“Is that true?”

“What reason would we have to lie? From now on we will value our friendship with the Yin Yang Twin Monster more than the Murim Alliance.”

Yu Seol understood the essence of his words: Gwang Cheon meant they would prioritize the Wudang Sect’s interests over the Murim Alliance.

In any case, their agenda wasn’t the point; the important question was whether they could be trusted.

Narrowing her eyes, Yu Seol still didn’t drop her suspicious gaze.

“Hmm.”

Although they’d grown closer to the Wudang Sect recently, it wasn’t enough to talk about friendship.

Gwang Cheon, of course, knew that well.

As the conversation warmed, he cautiously continued his persuasion.

“If Gwang Neung sahyung regains his senses, he will not go against the Master’s will under any circumstances.”

If they healed Gwang Neung, he would follow as Jang Sam-bong’s prophecy indicated and align with the Yin Monster.

Now he had come to the main point.

But that was not a decision to be made lightly.

At that moment, Yu Jinsan, who had been silently watching, answered on their behalf.

“I don’t think we can assist with that.”

Disappointment flickered across Gwang Cheon’s face, but he did not give up.

“Did you not say it would be possible for the Yin Monster great hero?”

“Because it is extremely dangerous and arduous. Do you, elder, have any confidence in how many of my attacks you can parry?”

“Well…”

“Fifty strikes? Three hundred? Perhaps you’ll have to withstand tens of thousands of attacks.”

In the process of perfecting the Taiji Heart Sword, one must endure attacks until one attains the insight.

If even one mistake occurred during that process, it could lead to irreversible consequences.

There was no reason to take such a risk.

Gwang Cheon, knowing this, grew increasingly downcast.

“It seems my greed… I tried to ask for too much.”

He couldn’t bring himself to ask them to risk their lives to help.

“I’m sorry, but please understand our position.”

Gwang Cheon quietly gazed at the motionless Gwang Neung.

Soon Gwang Cheon’s eyes reddened and he began to choke up.

It wasn’t hard to guess what he was thinking.

He was probably silently repeating apologies to his sahyung.

Watching, Yu Seol said with a look of pity.

“Why are you crying, grandfather?”

“Heh heh, my, I must be getting old. To be acting so foolishly.”

Though his mouth smiled, moisture filled his eyes and they looked full of sorrow.

“Were you close to Sahyung?”

Gwang Cheon nodded once and said.

“Gwang Neung sahyung, as the eldest of Gwang disciples, cherished me the most. I hoped his spirit might return after fifty years, but… I think my heart rushed ahead too much.”

In that moment, his sincerity felt untainted by personal interest.

Perhaps for that reason, the softened pair began to discuss something via spiritual transmission.

• Grandpa. Shall we just help once?

• He does look pitiable. But wouldn’t it be dangerous?

• It will be a bit tough, but not that dangerous.

Even within the Profound Realm, there are higher and lower ranks.

The unstable Gwang Neung was not stronger than the Ja Sa-ryong of Sea Dragon Island or the Storm Rider of Zhejiang Province.

Unless the Taiji Heart Sword was completed, he didn’t seem to be a major threat in his current state.

Having confirmed his granddaughter’s confidence, Yu Jinsan did not ponder long.

• Then judge and decide for yourself.

This too was part of preparing his granddaughter to become the supreme of the martial world.

It was the decisive reason Yu Jinsan would observe from behind.

Soon Yu Seol spoke with a meaningful smile.

“Grandfather. It is difficult, but we can do it.”

At the Yin Monster’s suddenly positive tone, Gwang Cheon’s eyes widened as if they’d split.

“Is that, is that really true?”

“But not for nothing.”

This was about awakening Gwang Neung—the great elder of Gwang disciples, the legendary top Wudang warrior since Jang Sam-bong, and the current chief pillar of the Wudang Sect.

Above all, wasn’t he the sahyung closest to him?

Gwang Cheon would do anything for him.

“State your demands.”

“We need some safeguards too, don’t we? What if later the Murim Alliance leader and others try to hit me together? Show us your trust first.”

Yu Jinsan watched approvingly as his granddaughter spoke logically.

If things went wrong and two Profound Realm fighters attacked, it would be a very troublesome situation.

And Gwang Cheon, standing across from them, seemed plunged into deep anguish.

“Ahhh…”

Soon his face hardened like stone as if he’d made a decision.

And after a moment.

Suddenly Gwang Cheon’s knees began to bend. He was about to kneel before the Yin Monster.

Yu Jinsan was very startled, as he had not expected it at all.

Wasn’t he the chief elder of the current Wudang Sect?

For such a man to kneel would mean the sect itself bowed its head; it was something that could not be done without letting go of everything.

But before his knees touched the floor, Yu Seol’s left hand moved at the speed of light and vanished from sight.

Thud-!

It was the sound of Yu Seol’s hand gripping his arm.

“You said you wanted to be close with us, didn’t you? That’s not how friends behave. That kind of sentiment is enough.”

“…Um, Yin Monster great hero?”

Gwang Cheon’s pupils trembled as his emotions surged.

Seeing that, Yu Seol gave an awkward little smile to ease the tension.

“Hee hee. I only need friends, not subordinates.”

At that moment, Gwang Cheon felt that a true connection had formed between him and the Yin Monster.

Perhaps because of that, the wrinkles around his eyes trembled and a single tear rolled down.

Then, as if making an oath, he spoke clearly with a trembling voice.

“…I Gwang Cheon swear by my name and honor, and stake everything on the heavens. From this moment, the enemy of the Yin Yang Twin Monster is my enemy.”

In that moment, Yu Jinsan was certain.

They had not yet won the Wudang Sect, but they had succeeded in winning Gwang Cheon’s heart.