Yin And Yang (3)

The more he thought about it, the more he hated it.

“How dare these guys call us the Yin Yang Twin Monsters…”

As Yu Jinsan fumed, Yu Seol, who was training nearby, gently waved both her hands and asked,

“Then Grandpa is the Yang monster, and I am the Yin monster? Hehe, I like it.”

“It isn’t time to be happy. It looks like we will be branded as enemies.”

“I shouldn’t?”

“Of course…”

Yu Jinsan didn’t try to refute but instead closed his mouth.

Wasn’t this an irreparable relationship with the Justice Faction? Rather, it could be said that this was just the start.

Even though it might be a bit annoying, nothing would change.

At that time, Gwang Ho, who had given them the news, scratched his head and said,

“Then, Elder, I will take my leave.”

“Wait.”

“Uh…?”

Yu Jinsan said, holding him back and clinging to his waist.

“Let’s go for a walk.”

The two walked side by side in silence without deciding on a destination.

As they left the training center, Gwang Ho looked a bit puzzled.

“Is there anything you want to say?”

“I want to talk about the Clan Leader. Why is Baek Gyu busy these days?”

While he was immersed in martial arts training with his granddaughter, he had been observing the clan’s movements.

Yu Jinsan noticed how odd things had been recently. Baek Gyu’s journeys to the outside had become more frequent lately, and in addition to that, he had witnessed several more activities from the Demons Heavenly Alliance and the Killing Blood Clan, too.

“It is nothing. I don’t know what the elder is talking about.”

But the way this guy spoke was so unnatural.

Yu Jinsan was now certain that something was being hidden.

“That’s unfortunate. You don’t think I am a stranger, right? It’s fine. Just tell me.”

“…”

Gwang Ho hesitated for a moment. He wanted to reveal what was on his mind but was visibly frustrated by his inability to do so.

“I will keep it a secret that you told me. So come on now.”

“I apologize. The Clan Leader has asked me to be quiet…”

“About what?”

“I heard he doesn’t want to burden the elder anymore when you are leaving.”

Yu Jinsan raised his hand above his head and patted his back once.

“How can I not understand his feelings? I know of it. This place is in a mess now.”

Gwang Ho looked a bit surprised.

“… H-how do you know?”

“I guess I was right. How did I know? Well, because I saw you now, and if I leave, I would end up regretting this, right?”

“…”

Yu Jinsan looked at the distant mountain with a bitter smile.

“I remember the first time I came here. At that time, it was just your clan. A place that took in this old man and his three-year-old granddaughter, who had nowhere to go… Will you not be giving me the chance to repay my debt before I leave?”

It had been around five years since he had stayed here, so how could he simply run in the face of a problem?

He had no idea what was happening, but he felt like he had to solve this problem to calm down.

In the end, Gwang Ho, who had been thinking for a while, seemed to have made up his mind and confessed.

“It was because of the letter that the elder gave to the clan.”

“It was sealed, so I didn’t see the contents, but he said there was no particular content in it.”

Gwang Ho smiled as if he understood.

“Yes, it wasn’t much. It only held information about the plan to destroy the Evil Faction.”

“The plan to do what?”

“A general offensive by the political faction will begin at once in all regions of Kangho. It is a plan to bring the Evil Faction to submission overnight.”

Yu Jinsan tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand.

It wasn’t entirely impossible. It was commonly known that the power of the Evil Faction was about 30 percent of that of the Justice Faction.

However, this method of attack was not only inefficient but also not the method of the Justice Faction he knew.

“I don’t know about that. In any case, it has been confirmed that it had the seal of the Murim Alliance, so there is no doubt about it.”

“What is the date and time?”

“There are about 15 days left. Anyway, if it weren’t for the Elder, we would have been caught defenseless. We are prepared now, so it won’t fall apart easily.”

There was something somewhat unclear.

Murim was about balance, not complete peace. He didn’t understand this at all.

He figured he was definitely missing something, but there was no way to know right now.

“When that day arrives, many people from the Justice Faction will flock to Ho County.”

“Yes. They will come here in droves, but we will work together with the other clans and the Alliance to stop them.”

“Right. If any other information comes, please tell me without delay. I will continue to stay at the training center for the time being.”

“I will do that, Elder. Thank you for your help.”

There was nothing he could do right now, so he had to wait and see what would happen.

After sending him away, Yu Jinsan returned to the training center. When he saw his granddaughter relaxing her shoulders, he became somewhat anxious.

Just as expected. The excited cry of the child burst out as if she had been waiting for it.

“Grandpa, spar with me!”

A sparring match out of nowhere. Did it at least bring back memories from when she was a baby?

Given the changed circumstances, he couldn’t just take it lightly. Hence, he wasn’t very enthusiastic about it.

But how could he refuse his precious granddaughter’s request?

He spoke softly as he picked up a wooden training spear.

“Even though you are talented, remember that I have a lot of experience. And I know all your moves, so they won’t work on me. Are you sure you won’t regret this?”

Yu Seol touched her neck with the wooden spear, and her smile widened, deepening her dimples.

“Yes. Come quickly~”

Where had she learned such provocations? And to offer the first hit?

“You want to be scolded by Grandpa today, huh?”

Despite his words, he couldn’t ignore her simply because she was young.

Yu Jinsan gripped the wooden spear and lunged forward with speed.

Tatata!

In an instant, he closed the distance to his granddaughter and thrust the training spear without hesitation.

Swish!

The blunt tip, slicing through the air, targeted Yu Seol’s solar plexus.

Since he hadn’t used internal qi yet, there was no real danger. Even if the spear hit, it would only pierce through her defenses, causing no harm.

But as the attack neared, his granddaughter didn’t dodge; instead, she twisted her upper body slightly.

Pang!

The spear tip, which suddenly thrust into empty space, rotated half a turn, following the motion of her body as if the spear’s handle were a pivot point.

By the time it reached its intended destination, Yu Seol was no longer there.

Wheeik!

“…?”

There was no resistance in his grip. Once again, only the wind stirred.

His technique didn’t fail; it was her rapid movement. He hadn’t noticed it when he was beside her, but facing her directly, it felt like an insurmountable barrier.

He quickly retracted the spear, and, following his instincts, he thrust toward the rear.

The tip of the spear traced a curved path. Yet again, he was astounded by his granddaughter’s effortless evasion.

In that brief moment, he caught sight of Yu Seol’s beaming smile.

‘You’re so happy, but your grandpa is dying out here.’

It was no time for concern. Yu Jinsan launched into a serious onslaught.

His sparring technique, fierce as a storm, looked formidable.

But there was no change.

An unbelievable scene unfolded before him.

Wheik! Wheik!

His granddaughter, who had previously displayed such a peaceful look, was now avoiding everything with minimal movement.

She moved so quickly that it seemed as if several people were moving at once.

“Fighting isn’t just about avoiding attacks!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the child vanished from his sight, and the wooden spear aimed at his side became visible.

Her skill in changing positions and probing for weaknesses was extraordinary.

But who was Yoo Jin-san? With his vast experience, he couldn’t just be defeated like that.

Gritting his teeth, he swung his waist with all his strength and deflected the wooden spear.

Tung!

‘Haha! I did it.’

But his joy was short-lived.

The attack from a moment ago was just the beginning.

Yu Jinsan’s mind reeled as he watched Yu Seol’s subsequent attacks draw closer.

He couldn’t believe it and gripped the spear with one hand.

‘This can’t be happening.’

Moreover, his granddaughter’s attacks were gradually becoming faster.

Tung! Tung!

Their wooden bamboo spears clacked together, producing a series of lively sounds. Yu Jinsan was unable to regain his composure due to the relentless speed of the assaults.

But he did not fall.

His hands and feet began to twitch as his granddaughter intentionally slowed her attack speed.

‘Well, I heard that Baek Gyu avoids sparring with her, too. I guess this is why.’

Did she want the sparring session to last longer? Or was it because she couldn’t bring herself to hit her grandfather?

Whatever the reason, he did not think it was wise to continue the fight in this manner.

Yu Jinsan took a step forward, and his qi stretched out, creating numerous afterimages.

He shouted as he put distance between himself and his granddaughter.

“Stop!”

“Hmm. Is it over already?”

The child looked disappointed.

“This time, Grandpa concedes. We’ll go again next time.”

“Ugh, sure~”

Yu Jinsan nodded once more and slumped to the ground, forming a hand sign.

“Come and sit here for a moment.”

Yu Seol approached him and sat beside him, gazing at him curiously.

“What’s up?”

Yu Jinsan patted her head and spoke as though she were an oblivious child.

“I don’t know what dangers we may face in the future. So don’t neglect your training, as you did now. The future of our family rests in your hands.”

“I understand.”

“Also, remember what Grandpa told you. Your martial arts are too powerful, so from now on, control your strength. Even in a fight with an enemy, use only what’s necessary and always keep half your strength in reserve.”

“Uh, like I’m doing now?”

Yu Jinsan was taken aback by her words.

“…What do you mean now?”

The situation was absurdly never-ending.

His granddaughter’s admission—that she hadn’t even used half her strength—hit him like a thunderbolt.

This revelation came from her, and it was directed at him, a man who had undergone a full Body Reformation.

As Yu Jinsan looked on in astonishment, a figure entered his field of vision.

A middle-aged woman with a kind expression was approaching, carrying a basket. It was Maeng Ryun-hwa, Baek Gyu’s wife.

“Ah, you were here?”

“Mm. I was just doing some training with my granddaughter.”

“I’ve brought some snacks for you.”

At that moment, Yu Seol approached her with a beaming smile.

“Really?”

“These are rice balls that I made myself. Go on, try them.”

“Hehe, I will surely enjoy them~”

Yu Seol grabbed two large rice balls and offered one to her grandfather first.

“Go ahead and eat.”

“I’m fine. Grandpa isn’t very hungry right now, so Seol, you eat instead.”

Yu Jinsan seldom had an appetite for anything beyond his regular meals. But Yu Seol was not going to let him off so easily this time.

Mimicking his own mannerisms, she stretched out her hand and scolded him in a playful tone.

“You need to eat properly, Grandpa! That’s how you’ll grow stronger!”

Yu Jinsan twitched at her words.

Come to think of it, his granddaughter had grown slightly taller than him a couple of days ago.

Given her appetite, the difference was likely to widen in the future.

He didn’t know anything else, but he couldn’t compromise on this.

Yu Jinsan, who quickly snatched up the rice ball, looked at Maeng Ryun-hwa with a serious expression and said,

“Give me one more.”