#74: I Am The Fishing King. (2) — Warrior Grandpa and Supreme Granddaughter

Dong-gu grinned as he ate the golden fried fish that Yu Seol handed him.

“So delicious! This is the best fish I’ve ever had.”

“Hehe. I caught it.”

Yu Jinsan patiently waited until Dong-gu finished eating.

After a while, Dong-gu wiped his mouth and got straight to the point.

“Have you heard of the Black Night Clan?”

“This is my first time hearing about it. Is this about the information I asked you to find?”

“Yes. It’s said that their power has expanded rapidly over the past five years, and their wealth is enormous. At least in Henan province, their information is better than the Beggars Union’s.”

When it came to handling information, the Beggars Union was the best in both name and influence. But could there be any clan or sect that could threaten that?

This came as an interesting fact to him, but he also questioned it.

“Quite odd. Are you saying that the beggars, who don’t let their own siblings take food from their bowls, are letting them act like this?”

“I don’t think there’s anything special about it because they are running it like troops. From the rumors, most of them are hired wandering warriors, and the formal members of the clan are hiding in the shadows.”

“Well, if you have money, it would be of more help. How do we contact them?”

“It is said that if one drinks the black mountain tea in Baek-hwa County’s traditional tea house, they will approach you within a few days.”

Even Yu Jinsan, who loved tea, had never heard of this name before.

It seemed like that one special tea was only sold there, but it somehow felt familiar.

“Black mountain tea… Isn’t it possible for a normal person to drink it out of curiosity?”

“One cannot drink it without purpose. One cup of it costs around 5 coins.”

Five silver coins. It was an amount that Yu Jinsan would dare to spend, but others wouldn’t.

“It’s too expensive, even for curiosity. We can only hope that it is worth it. Well, you did well.”

He didn’t have high expectations for this man, as he seemed too naive, but he had done well.

It was obvious how hard this guy must have worked to collect all this information.

“It was nothing. If there is anything else you would like me to do, please let me know.”

The target was Shaolin on Mount Song. To be precise, it was the monk Won Gang who was there.

Since there was no other information, the order to conduct the investigation fell on them. He had to contact the Black Night Clan.

But before that, he had to resolve something else first.

“Any information about the Hahu family?”

As if waiting for the question, Dong-gu brought out something from his pocket.

“This is information my aunt held. Take a look.”

“Hmm. Kid, you’ve done really well.”

Dong-gu scratched the back of his head, feeling shy.

“I need to work hard for everything. This is something my family’s lives depend on.”

“It’s nice to be honest.”

As expected, the content was what Yu Jinsan had anticipated.

They were the strongest people in Hunan. The Hahu family wasn’t a force that could be easily confronted.

They had the best warriors. From the first-rate warriors and even the elders whose martial arts strength couldn’t be guessed.

And to make matters worse for him, they even maintained close contact with the officials. So, he would have no choice but to suffer the consequences from the Governor if anything happened.

“Tomorrow is the day, right?”

“Yes, Elder. Tomorrow is the day for the Hahu family to move.”

“Let’s head back now. The old man must be waiting as if his life depends on it.”

“Yes, please follow me.”

Yu Jinsan and his granddaughter held hands and walked behind Dong-gu.

After a while, they reached the entrance and saw a familiar figure.

The youngest son, Seok, was waiting and looking anxious.

“Third Hyung! I was so worried about you being late! Did you manage to resolve the matter?”

“Yes. Are the others all inside?”

He nodded and wrapped his arms around the children behind Dong-gu.

“Oh my! My truly amazing niece and nephew! Grandpa is waiting inside, so let’s go~.”

Dong Woon-geol was the head of the Dong family.

He sat on the ground leading to the outside pavilion with a serious look.

It was only after learning that Dong-gu and the kids were safe that he calmed down a bit.

“My children. Come up here!”

Without another thought, Dong Woon-geol patted Yu Jinsan and Yu Seol firmly on the side.

He was jealous of how much this man loved his grandkids. Dong-gu, who knew the truth behind this, asked with a bitter look.

“Then why are you here? Your face doesn’t look good either.”

“I did think about it carefully, but I don’t think this is right.”

“What do you mean?”

“Tomorrow, our San will face that bastard from the Hahu family. I am worried about putting too much burden on a little kid like him.”

Would he be this worried if he had known that Yu Jinsan was someone who had aged backward?

Dong-gu waved his hand as if there was nothing to worry about.

“There is no other way, though. Don’t worry, he will win.”

“I guess so. If that bastard comes tomorrow, our San will take him down. But will that finally bring an end to our situation? What comes next?”

The youngest member, Dong-seok, who was watching, asked.

“Father, what do you mean?”

“If we can subdue them, I think we will let him live and then send him back safe.”

At his words, Dong-seok’s anger rose.

“Absolutely not! Five of our hyungs lost their lives to that man! It wouldn’t be good if they tried to rip us to shreds, but you just want us to send them back?”

When the atmosphere calmed down, Dong-gu glanced at him.

“Seok, what kind of habit is that, talking back to your father like that?”

It was a situation that wouldn’t happen in normal times. That was why Dong-seok’s anger towards the Hahu family was so great.

At that time, Dong Woon-geol waved his hand at Dong-gu. It was a signal not to go after the youngest one.

“How could I not want to do what you said? But if we kill him, stronger warriors from their family will come after us.”

“So?”

“Taking revenge for our family is important, but as the current head of the family, I cannot disregard the safety of our remaining members.”

“But do you still want to end it like this? Didn’t you say you wanted revenge, even if it meant our family’s destruction?”

When he was done, Dong Woon-geol, who had been speaking, lost his temper.

“Do you not want to protect San?”

By the standards of the family head, Yu Jinsan was the best in their family’s history. Naturally, having a real bloodline would be preferable.

He was determined to protect his grandchildren for their family’s revival.

It was Yu Jinsan who found himself reflecting on all of this upon seeing the old man. What he was witnessing wasn’t much different from what he had done to his own granddaughter.

However, unlike him, Yu Jinsan wasn’t generous enough to forgive the Murim Alliance.

Of course, he considered that if Dong Woon-geol had been in his shoes, he might have chosen differently. Although their situations were similar, their limits varied.

“……”

Dong-seok remained silent, unable to conceal his anger.

How could he not understand the youngest’s feelings? Dong Woon-geol sighed deeply.

“Revenge is a luxury of the strong. It is the privilege the world grants to those who are wronged. If San reaches that level of strength in the future, things might change, right?”

He could no longer persuade Dong-seok, as the old man already had tears in his eyes.

“You may do as you wish. But you will definitely regret this decision.”

Dong Woon-geol nodded and then gently patted Yu Jinsan on the head.

“Since the opponent hasn’t reached the Super Master level yet, he won’t be a difficult opponent for you. Conceal your skills as much as possible and keep mercy at hand.”

Yu Jinsan didn’t respond. He just looked into the distance with his characteristic expressionless face.

Dong Woon-geol also didn’t find it strange because he had already heard that the child wasn’t very talkative. Until now.

The next morning.

The gates of the Dong family burst open, and a young man who was watching outside jumped up and shouted.

“They’re coming!”

Dong-seok, who was out in the yard, frowned and approached him.

“Do not panic. We expected this.”

“It’s not that, Seok Hyung. We’re in huge trouble!”

Dong-seok, already on edge from the spar, was irritated. He wasn’t pleased with his foolish cousin’s nature.

“You all knew the Hahu family was coming, right? Our San will surely win, so don’t worry.”

“That’s what I mean! He’s coming!”

Now Dong-seok also felt something was off.

“What on earth do you mean by that?”

“Hahu Cheon is here. And other warriors, too—there are more than 10 of them!”

Dong-seok was so shocked, he couldn’t believe it.

Who was Hahu Cheon? He was one of the strong warriors in the Hahu family and the second son of the family head.

He was a Peak Master warrior, and from the family head’s point of view, he was someone no one could defeat.

“…Why is he here?”

“I don’t know either. What do we do now?”

Something was off.

They must have thought that Dong Woon-geol’s youngest was the only one left.

Then why are they doing this now?

“First, hurry up and tell everyone to gather.”

“Yes, Hyung!”

Dong-seok felt at a loss. So far, the Hahu family has only targeted the sons.

So why were so many people flocking to them when just one person would suffice? He couldn’t figure out their intentions at all.

‘What a mess.’

While he was pondering, all the family members came out to the front yard of the manor.

Among the crowds, Dong Woon-geol wore a thoughtful expression.

“Father. I don’t know why they came here like this, but if San subdues Hahu Seong, then Hahu Cheon will step out right away.”

They had no other option.

Dong Woon-geol touched his forehead as if the situation were a mess.

“What are those crazy people up to…?”

“Even though our San is the disciple of the Sword Saint, it will be difficult for him to handle someone as experienced as Hahu Cheon.”

“I know. I know that this is bad.”

Dong-seok, with a sorrowful look, gripped the sheath of his sword at his waist.

“I will step forward. Let’s keep San safe for now.”

“This isn’t something you can handle.”

“There is no other way. I heard that our family has a future if San survives, right?”

The man couldn’t handle Hahu Seong, so how could he possibly handle Hahu Cheon? He must have been prepared to sacrifice his life for the children.

But from the beginning to the end, the head of the family was the one who would make the decisions.

“You don’t have to worry about it. Everyone will die today.”

A voice came from the entrance of the manor.

Two middle-aged men wearing white robes with white tigers embroidered on them stood there. They were Hahu Seong and Hahu Cheon.

Dong-seok, ever impatient, challenged them.

“What does this mean?”

A sly smile appeared on Hahu Cheon’s face.

“I suppose you are the one called Dong-seok. Let me reiterate. From today, the Dong family’s name will be erased from this world.”

His words were as good as a declaration that he intended to kill everyone there.

The moment he finished speaking, the Growing Blood Sword troops began to move through the manor with an agility that surpassed that of first-rate warriors. It was truly a hopeless situation. They took positions to ensure no one could escape.

The head of the Dong family shouted angrily.

“What is this outrageous act?”

Hahu Cheon’s expression darkened, filled with killing intent.

“Do you want to save your family?”

“…?”

“Then kneel down.”

His command was soft, but it carried many implications.

It suggested that by kneeling and apologizing, one might avoid the worst situation.

They were ordering the head of the family to kneel right in front of his family and friends.

It was with the assumption that he would want to save his family.

What choice did he have now?

Dong Woon-geol’s face trembled with unbearable shame as he gently bent his knees.

Just as he was about to kneel, suddenly, Yu Jinsan, who was waiting behind, grabbed his clothes and sent him a signal.

-If Grandpa kneels, I will cut off my legs.

It was something no child should ever say.

Yet, it was precisely what brought Dong Woon-geol to his senses. How could he kneel when his beloved grandchild threatened to mutilate himself?

Yu Jinsan could tell that the proposal was a farce from the flow of qi he detected from Hahu Cheon.

Instead, the killing intent intensified. It was clear that the intention was to end the Dong family’s miserable existence.

It was just as he had expected.

“I see you have a lot of pride. Well, it doesn’t matter. I have no intention of sparing anyone either.”

“You!”

Hahu Cheon seemed to relish the anger.

“The one who died at your hands was my youngest brother.”

“He brought it upon himself! He was the one who coveted my son’s woman and forced the duel! Besides, haven’t you already taken five of my sons as compensation!”

“How dare you speak of the youngest one like that…? Let’s see if you can still speak with your filthy mouth after all this.”

After saying that, Hahu Cheon nodded once towards the right.

And Hahu Seong drew his sword as he stepped forward.

“Do you think the world will turn a blind eye to your evil deeds?”

It wouldn’t be good if the brutal actions of this family became known to the world of Murim. It was cruel that they had to be ostracized for their actions.

But they seemed to have no intention of stopping either.

On the contrary, Hahu Cheon looked back with a relaxed look, as if something interesting had happened.

“I never thought about that. No one will ever know what happens today.”

“You people…”

“Maybe we should start with sparring before that? It is our Hahu family’s way to give back what we get.”

This meant killing Dong-seok in the spar with real swords and then killing the entire family at once.

There was no turning back now.

The family members didn’t even hesitate; they all just felt lost.

And in their gap, Yu Seol could be seen watching this scene.

At that time, an elderly woman hugged Yu Seol around her waist and patted her on the back because the child was shaking as if she were scared.

And Yu Jinsan, who saw that, realized it.

“Do not be scared, child. No matter what happens, Grandma will protect you.”