Guards Of Hahu Sect (2)

“Father got up?”

The family members, who were scattered all around, gathered where the family head was.

Was it because five of his kin had died? Most of those who came were frail elders, women clutching children, and young ones unable to defend themselves.

Thud!

The family head, Dong Woon-geol.

After regaining consciousness, he emerged near the door and sat on the ground.

“Father, you’re awake?”

The youngest son, Dong-seok, offered a bamboo bucket brimming with water.

The family head gulped down the water he was given, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and said,

“I had a dream.”

“Uh? A dream?”

“A dream where my third son, Dong-gu, returned, riding a tiger that bit down the Hahu family.”

This was far from reality, yet it felt refreshing to hear.

Dong-seok, with a slightly brightened face, stole a glance at Dong-gu, who stood beside him.

“Instead of a tiger, I brought you beautiful grandchildren.”

The family head shook his head and looked across at the small pavilion.

That was where Yu Jinsan and Yu Seol were currently staying.

“…Seok.”

“Yes, Father.”

“How long have you been studying martial arts?”

“A little over 15 years.”

“Then how come you haven’t seen it yet?”

Dong-seok tilted his head, not understanding.

“…Sorry?”

“Don’t you see that our Dong-gu has brought back a dragon, not just a tiger?”

“Wh-what are you saying…?”

Even Dong-gu was confused by this.

As far as he knew, these children were people he had met at the port. But he couldn’t just reveal that to his father, who had just regained consciousness.

“If the father is a dragon, then they are dragons.”

Dong Woon-geol nodded and then rose to his feet.

“You named my granddaughter ‘Seol’? She is so pretty. I am sure she will be talked about for her beauty once she grows up. And bring my grandson to me in two hours. I will have to test them myself.”

“Uh? Test them?”

“Even if they try to hide it, I know. The martial arts of those children have surpassed the normal level and reached Peak. I never imagined a child with such qualities would be born into our family… You have raised them well, Dong-gu.”

As the head of the family, he was the most skilled person. He had stepped back from martial arts a long time ago, and his bones and body had stiffened. Therefore, he retained only the ability to detect others’ skills with his vision.

But if Yu Jinsan hadn’t intentionally allowed the qi to flow into his body, would this man have noticed?

That’s why he didn’t know the truth. Yu Jinsan’s skills were also beyond the Peak Master level.

The family members were all shocked at the words of the family head.

“Peak Master?” That was a position commonly seen in famous sects and families, and in a small family like theirs, having someone of the first-class warrior level was enough to be a family head.

This made them think their family head had gone a little insane.

“Uh?”

“What now…?”

Dong Woon-geol approached the coffin placed in the yard.

“First, order the funeral of Cheol to be concluded. And then let’s prepare for what comes next.”

They could not be drenched in sadness all their lives.

Wasn’t this the fifth one already?

Time was passing, and in four days, they might come again. So they had to prepare for anything.

Considering the timing, the funeral had to be held informally.

After it was finished, Yu Jinsan sat across from his granddaughter in the assigned room.

“I guess we’ll be staying here for a couple of days.”

“I like it here. Grandpa.”

“Hmm. If Seol likes it, then so does Grandpa.”

Did she feel better when she heard that her grandpa would help Mister Dong-gu? A bright smile appeared on Yu Seol’s face.

“Hehe.”

Nothing would change if they stayed here for a couple of days. And Yu Jinsan also had a few things to do with Dong-gu’s help.

While they discussed such matters, someone came and opened the door.

“You said your name is San? Come over; Grandpa is looking for you.”

“Yes.”

It was such an expected reaction.

Yu Jinsan exchanged glances with Seol and then followed the middle-aged man alone.

“Hmm. Does San usually not speak much? Contrary to your sister Seol, you seem to have a calm nature.”

“…yes.”

Yu Jinsan spared his words as much as possible. Not only was his manner of speaking awkward, but it wasn’t pleasant either.

The woman, unaware of this, nodded as if she understood and walked in silence. After a while, they reached a small training hall at the back of the manor.

An old man with white hair stood there, clutching his sword.

And there were onlookers.

Two of them looked worried.

“Father, please don’t push yourself.”

“What if you hurt your back now?”

The family members’ concern was natural. It had to be because the old man hadn’t held a sword in decades.

Yet he appeared determined.

It was because of his will to rebuild his collapsing family at any cost.

As Yu Jinsan looked into those eyes, he couldn’t help but feel saddened by the memories that surfaced in his mind.

“The only hope for the family. I hope my guess is right.”

Dong Woon-geol held a real sword, not one for training.

And he was going to aim it at his young grandson? At best, he thought it was a martial arts lesson, but this seemed utterly absurd.

“F-Father! What are you doing?”

“To your grandson…”

“Go ahead and stop me then.”

The youngest son, Dong-seok, tried to approach, but he couldn’t. This was because Dong Woon-geol released his qi.

“Eukk!”

Not a single family member could understand what the man was doing, Dong-gu included. How could he put a child who trusted him in danger?

“No, Father!”

“Shut up!”

Without giving them time to stop him, Dong Woon-geol moved.

The blade headed right for Yu Jinsan’s neck.

Everyone was shocked at the swiftness of the attack, as if it would claim the life of the child right then and there.

The only person who appeared calm in that situation was Yu Jinsan.

To be precise, he saw through the attack. It lacked any killing intent. Perhaps it was a test.

He could have chosen to remain still, but there was no longer any reason to hide his knowledge of martial arts.

And to help Dong-gu now, he had to demonstrate at least some of his skills.

Yu Jinsan slightly twisted his upper body and dodged the sword attack with minimal movement.

Pang!

The moment the tip of the sword passed in front of Yu Jinsan’s nose, making the wind felt, a smile appeared on Dong Woon-geol’s face for the first time.

His assault didn’t end with a single strike.

It became faster and more forceful.

Yet Yu Jinsan was adept at avoiding the hits, doing so in a leisurely manner.

The family members watching from the corner of the training hall didn’t seem to notice it.

On the contrary, Dong Woon-geol looked pleased.

“Amazing! Wonderful!”

The head of the family was known to possess the best sword technique—speed and sharpness—that left no doubts about his level.

But perhaps his body had stiffened with age? There was a lack of flexibility in his movements, and most of the attacks were executed with one hand, so they weren’t too difficult to evade.

After a while, Dong Woon-geol stopped attacking and began to laugh like a madman.

“Hehe! Hehehe!”

It was the first smile he had shown since the incident occurred.

For him, this was such a happy moment that he was able to suppress the sadness.

The family members had never seen this man smile so much.

“Let me hug my grandson just once.”

He lifted the child and placed him on his left chest.

Yu Jinsan, who was in Dong Woon-geol’s arms, had mixed feelings. He couldn’t believe that a man of his age was being treated like a child.

It was awkward, and he couldn’t get used to it, but he stayed there. Because he saw his past self in this man.

This was when he thought that fate was odd. Although there was a difference in position, there were similarities.

‘Friend. How can I not know how you feel? I will give up everything for today, so you can do whatever you want.’

From what he could guess, this man was similar to his own real age. Perhaps that was why he felt this odd kinship with the old man.

So he cleared his mind of any thoughts and let the situation unfold.

Before he knew it, he was in front of Dong-gu, held in the arms of the family head.

“Our Dong-gu has done such a great thing. I may have the virtue of sharing blood, but it wouldn’t have been possible if you hadn’t raised him well.”

“……”

What answer could he give?

Dong-gu’s mind was so confused then that he couldn’t cope. What he had just seen felt like nothing.

“Then how on earth did San’s martial arts improve so much? There is no way you could have made him grow this much.”

Dong-gu became desperate.

Although he couldn’t understand the situation, he had to make a decision quickly and respond.

But the outcome was already decided.

He couldn’t run away from the lie of calling them his children.

Moreover, if he were to tell the truth, well, his father might collapse again.

‘Well, it is a lie that started because of me. Adding a bit more won’t make much difference.’

There was no turning back now.

Having made up his mind, Dong-gu spoke softly with a solemn expression.

“It was pure luck, but most importantly, he had a wonderful master from a young age.”

“Of course. This wouldn’t happen normally. Then who is the master?”

Dong-gu also believed that things meant to happen would happen.

He chose one of the strongest warriors he had ever heard of.

“He is titled the Sword Saint. Have you heard of him?”

“Wh-what? Are you speaking the truth?”

How could they not know of him? A warrior whose sword technique was said to have reached sainthood.

He was also renowned as one of the top ten Murim warriors.

“I-It is true. He took notice of that boy when he was just three years old and continued to teach San in the remote mountain lands for five years. That’s why this child has a bit of trouble speaking.”

Dong-gu was flustered and blamed himself for Yu Jinsan’s odd manner of speaking.

The situation was growing out of control now.

‘What did you just say?’

His mind was so confused. But it felt like the family had agreed to it, rather than worrying about it.

“Ahm. It seems like the Sword Saint was jealous to see my grandson’s natural talent. Well, it does make sense. So, where is he now?”

If they could get help from the Sword Saint, then they wouldn’t have to worry about the Hahu family, right?

But those were just expectations. Because what Dong-gu said next was shocking.

“He died while fighting against the Sword Queen.”

His father had been absent from Kangho for decades now. Even if he made up random nonsense, his father wouldn’t know.

If the Sword Queen and Sword Saint heard this, they would frown upon it.

“Right. After all, we have to solve it with our own strength. But as long as this child is here, we will not have a problem.”

“…What are you thinking, Father? No matter how good one’s martial arts skills are, there is a limit unless one has experienced it in some way. I will step forward and handle it.”

The family head sighed in frustration.

“Dong-gu.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Even if there were a hundred people like you, they wouldn’t be able to take down this kid. If you don’t know much about your own kid, at least know your place. How can you speak such things carelessly?”

“Even so…”

“Don’t worry. I have already decided.”

“…Uh? About what?”

All the family members focused on what he would say next.

“I will pass on my martial arts to San so that he can crush down the noses of the arrogant bastards with amazing strength!”

Such shocking words!

Passing on the skills to another person at this age was bound to put his health at risk.

“You cannot, Father!”

“You might even die!”

Dong Woon-geol shook his head as if he had made up his mind.

“It isn’t like I will live forever. If I can just watch the Hahu family collapse, then I would happily take it.”

Although the family head said so, Yu Jinsan, who got involved in this, was unwilling to accept the situation.

How could he, who wasn’t related to this family, learn their martial arts?

So, thinking clearly for a moment, Yu Jinsan cautiously opened his mouth to speak.