The Only Way Is Ahead (2)

Baek Gyu’s martial arts abilities were truly astounding in real life.

The members of the assassination team attempted to block his path, but it was futile.

The two swords he wielded in both hands began to cut down everything in their way.

Chak! Puak! Clack!

“Kuak!”

“Ack!”

Baek Gyu moved past the bodies of warriors clad in the enemy’s garb, which lay like fallen leaves in the cold wind.

Indeed, he was the leader of a sect for a good reason.

When his men arrived later, the assassins lacked the skill to resist.

“Everyone, step back!”

At the command of Yong Cheon-il, their leader, the other assassins started to flee from Baek Gyu.

His subordinates had tried to hold out until then, and now they attempted to escape, but it was no easy task.

This warrior with his dual swords…

His eerie demeanor and the nagging in their throats made them seem like rakshasas from the underworld.

‘There is no need to watch any longer.’

Yu Jinsan turned his back, cradling his granddaughter to his chest.

Although her eyes were covered, there was no point in him witnessing the massacre.

As he silently retreated, he heard the voice of a dying woman.

“Grandpa…”

Turning back, he saw Maeng Ryun-hwa, looking pale, bowing her head.

“…?”

“Thank you.”

Yu Jinsan looked at her for a moment, then nodded once with a kind smile.

“Hurry and tend to your wounds first.”

With that, he turned and walked away, not looking back until he reached his destination.

His destination was a cozy place tucked away in a corner of the manor.

“Let’s take some rest now.”

After entering the room, he lay down without a second thought. No matter how strong one was, age didn’t relent. Before long, his body felt exhausted.

Through the open door, he could see his granddaughter frolicking in the yard.

“Hii~”

He couldn’t help but marvel at the child’s tireless energy.

“Don’t go outside; just play around here.”

Where was the time to focus on childcare?

He rubbed his eyes and watched the child play.

Only after a good while did his granddaughter resume toddling.

Quietly, the child approached him and lay next to him with arms wrapped around him. At last, she seemed content with their game.

“Let’s take a deep breath, wake up, and then have breakfast.”

The child’s eyes, which were half-closed, smiled. And Yu Jinsan slowly relaxed, seeing her like that.

He wasn’t one to sleep much, but today, he fell asleep quite quickly.

How much time had passed? He was dreaming when he heard it.

“Hyung, are you inside?”

It was Baek Gyu.

As he was rubbing his eyes, Yu Seol jumped up.

The child stood reflexively and ran towards the door, enticed by the sugar-coated fruits in his hand.

Yu Seol clung to his pants, her eyes lighting up.

“Seol, are you awake?”

“Yes! And we brought snacks for our pretty child!”

After the sweet was handed to her, he lifted the child and spun her around.

“Hee. Nice.”

Baek Gyu had taken control of the situation with understanding.

The decisive child in front of him was adorable.

At that moment, Yu Jinsan approached from behind with a puzzled look.

“You must be busy, so why come all this way?”

Baek Gyu put the child down and hugged him tightly with both hands.

“If it weren’t for you, huge problems would have arisen. I don’t know how to thank you.”

Yu Jinsan waved his hand.

“Just pay for a meal, and we’re even.”

“What are you talking about? I am Baek Gyu. I might not know much else, but I am a person who will never forget kindness.”

Perhaps it was the seriousness of his expression, but Yu Jinsan nodded and led him.

“Let’s sit down and talk first.”

In the corner of the room, there was a small table suitable for two.

And the two of them sat down, leaving the child to her sweets.

“The injuries to your wife were serious. What happened?”

“The crisis has passed, so we don’t have to worry. She is strong as a bone. So if she eats well, she’ll be all better.”

He couldn’t help but laugh at Baek Gyu, who spoke as if he didn’t care. But he knew how frantic the man had become upon seeing his wife wounded.

Yu Jinsan smiled and filled the teacup beside him.

“Haha, anyway, I’m glad we overcame the crisis. But who were those who came in? It seems like they are from the Killing Blood Clan.”

“Right, they were from there, and one of them was from the True Killing troops. I showed them what I could do, so they won’t try this again.”

“Still, don’t let your guard down. Judging from the experience of my old age, the real crisis starts now.”

Baek Gyu gulped down the entire cup of tea and snorted.

“It doesn’t matter. I have no intention of letting this continue. As soon as the sun rises tomorrow, we attack, and I will personally cut the neck of their clan leader.”

“I know your martial arts very well, and they are strong. But I don’t think it will be wise to attack blindly.”

Baek Gyu tilted his head and asked.

“…What do you mean?”

“The fact that he drew his sword first means that he is confident. Of course, he must have thought of something in case the operation failed.”

Baek Gyu thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

That made sense.

“Like you said, they might be setting a trap.”

“From my guess, it’s certain. Well, they might be more prepared than we know.”

“But one cannot ignore the chance of an ambush. It is the providence of this place that the underestimated may not be taken down with just that.”

“I’m just telling you not to attack them blindly. No matter what fight happens, shouldn’t we keep the damage to a minimum?”

Baek Gyu, who stared out the window expressionlessly, seemed to be looking at the enemy clan.

“Don’t worry too much. I, Baek Gyu, have only looked ahead and charged, never falling for any trick.”

Yu Jinsan sighed as if he were frustrated.

He had never thought there could be such an ignorant sect in Kangho. It was truly shocking.

As a person with skills, he liked this guy.

Their collapse would mean losing their hard-won place. Besides, he didn’t want to just sit there and watch, since he had formed ties with this clan.

Yu Jinsan, who took a sip of his tea, continued to talk.

“How about comparing the power of both clans?”

“There isn’t much difference. However, after they managed to take in the Black Dragon troops, the difference in numbers would be two to three times greater.”

Yu Jinsan, who was drinking tea with his ears open, cleared his throat.

“So, what you’re saying now is that you’re going to attack a sect with several times more members than your own and teach them a lesson?”

“Fighting isn’t about numbers, so don’t worry about that. If we just rush in and get the clan leader, we can finish it fast.”

Yu Jinsan slammed the table.

“Ugh! You brat!”

“No, brother, why are you so angry?”

Baek Gyu frowned, looking puzzled.

“How can you be this reckless? Shouldn’t you at least do some research to see if there’s even a chance of winning?”

“Our clan doesn’t do things like that. If we have someone to kill, we just go in and kill.”

Yu Jinsan felt this would lead to more confusion if it continued.

He asked, pounding his chest as if feeling suffocated.

“Give me the reason. The reason why you run your clan so recklessly.”

Baek Gyu seemed taken aback and sighed as he held back tears.

“If all the disciples are bald, how can they hide themselves in the crowd and conduct a search?”

Ah, right, except for Baek Gyu’s wife, everyone who learned martial arts here had no hair.

The reason why the clan had no choice but to be ignorant was that they sought to solve everything with mere strength.

It was impossible to scout without hiding their identity. Even if one went close to the Blood Killing clan, there was a high chance of them being discovered.

“…”

Yu Jinsan couldn’t speak anymore.

“All satisfied now?”

Clearing his throat, Yu Jinsan emptied his teacup.

“I misunderstood things without thinking about this. Still, wouldn’t it be better to find another way?”

“If there was a good way, Hyung, or if there is, then tell me.”

Yu Jinsan had something on his mind.

“Didn’t you say there was another clan in Ho County?”

“There is, but they are a lot weaker than you think, and they won’t be much help either. Besides, we don’t get along very well.”

“Whether you get along or not, you have to sort it out. If you cannot be an ally, then you cannot be an enemy either.”

“Well, the Demon Heavens Alliance is involved with the Blood Killing.”

Yu Jinsan nodded and suggested.

“Time isn’t on our side. I will scout out the sect, and you can go ahead and check the alliance and try to convince them. It might not be desirable, but it’s something that has to be done.”

Baek Gyu scratched the back of his head with a bitter look. It seemed like he really didn’t want to meet those people.

However, since Yu Jinsan was willing to step ahead and offer it to him, he couldn’t refuse.

“…I don’t know if this will work out, but I will try it.”

After it got dark, Yu Jinsan carried his granddaughter and headed north of the county.

On every street, warriors gathered in groups of two or three with shining eyes, probably acting as guards against Baek Gyu.

Fortunately, no one cared about Yu Jinsan.

“What would you like me to buy for a snack, Seol?”

“Hehe.”

His granddaughter automatically started laughing at the word ‘snack’.

Although the street stalls were closing one after another, there was still plenty of food to eat. Yu Jinsan’s steps halted in front of a fruit store.

“Welcome! Our dried persimmons are very delicious!”

“Please give me one for my granddaughter.”

Yu Jinsan offered a coin, but the owner hesitated slightly.

“That… child wants two?”

The man glanced to the side, clearing his throat. It was because Yu Seol was showing two fingers to the seller.

“G-give two.”

Yu Seol took the dried persimmons in both her hands and began to bite into them.

As she munched alone behind him, it seemed to suit her taste.

A happy smile appeared on Yu Jinsan’s face as he continued walking.

Finding the clan’s location wasn’t difficult. The largest and most magnificent manor was not too far away.

“Are they delicious?”

“Huh!”

“I brought snacks for you, so I guess Seol should help Grandpa, too.”

“I get it.”

Yu Jinsan stopped about a couple of feet from the place.

There was no need to delve deeper into the search, as he had this amazing warrior behind him who could sense any presence.

After settling down in a suitable spot, he looked toward the manor and asked,

“How many people are in there?”

“Many.”

Of course, there were a lot; since the concept of numbers was unknown to her, she couldn’t say the exact number.

But apparently, she couldn’t guess much. And that wasn’t important either. The question was, how many skilled people were there?

“Is there anyone whose qi is as strong as Uncle Baek Gyu?”

“Baek Gyu? Baek Gyu~?”

Perhaps she didn’t understand who Baek Gyu was. It was a disaster now.

While he pondered how to explain it to her, a word suddenly came to his mind.

“The bald-headed man.”

At that moment, Yu Seol stretched out her index finger and pointed it somewhere.

The deepest part of the manor. It was a single building that towered impressively high.

“Like this.”