A New Hurdle

"Alright, I accept your challenge, Choi Yeon!"

Kang Taeshin and Lee Gon finally accepted the challenge that Choi Yeon gave to both of them. Because if they didn't accept her challenge, they both felt that they had failed as men. Because this was a man's challenge and their pride was at stake.

"Remember, bring as many bananas as possible!" Choi Yeon added with an ignorant smile.

The three of them were getting ready, with Choi Rim as the judge. As soon as they got the signal and the code, with Choi Rim brandishing his three buffalo sword high, Choi Yeon, Kang Taeshin, and Lee Gon darted away so fast that the strong wind blew, making Bai Lu and Choi Rim cough as the smoke and dust rounded up from the ground, entering their esophagus.

"Let's wait for the three of them at the main road of the Nim river."

Bai Lu nodded his head and followed Choi Rim from behind. Meanwhile, Lee Gon was trying to grab as many of the bananas he had picked so quickly as possible. Taeshin, on the other hand, carried the two tall and huge banana trees with the strength of both hands, making Lee Gon surprised to see it.

Not staying silent, Lee Gon also followed Taeshin's footsteps by carrying two banana trees, and pulling them loose from their roots. However, as they darted towards the main road of the Nim River, they were both so surprised to see Choi Yeon sitting casually, crossing her legs and enjoying the banana she had just picked.

"What are you guys doing? What took you so long?"

Choi Yeon looked at Taeshin and Lee Gon who had just arrived. Seeing Choi Yeon who arrived first, made Taeshin and Lee Gon hold the tree that they intentionally carried with full force in both hands, so annoyed.

"How come you're here first?" Lee Gon looked incredulous at what he had just seen.

"You guys lost and I won. Isn't it obvious who is stronger and faster?" he said, sounding proud of his victory.

"But, how?" asked Taeshin who still couldn't believe it and accepted it.

"Challenges don't just rely on muscles, man. Use your brains too," he told him and threw the banana peel he had just eaten backwards, hitting the head of Choi Rim who had just arrived.

"Yeah!!! You monkey king!" shouted Choi Rim in annoyance.

"Sorry," he said as he turned his body around and looked at his brother, bringing his hands together until they formed a pyramid as a sign of apology.

What a strange way to apologize.

"What do you mean? I still don't understand?" said Lee Gon, who still looked confused.

"Look, my brother is a very unique and strange guy. He can talk to wild animals and also inanimate objects like trees, and other things. He was able to win not because of his strength or speed, but he talked to trees and other animals, so that they could help him and carry so many bananas without struggling."

Choi Yeon smiled with satisfaction as her brother talked about his true strength. Meanwhile, Taeshin, Lee Gon and also Bai Lu who had just arrived, looked flabbergasted and could only nod their heads.

"The sun has started to rise, it's time for us to leave. See you again, I'm so glad I met you guys," Choi Yeon said then left with Choi Rim following behind.

"May we meet again, Taeshin, Yuram, and Lee Gon. Goodbye," Choi Rim said and left with a warrior's greeting. Folding his two hands into a fist, with the right hand forming a fist, while the left spread his five fingers, then brought his hands together as a sign of respect.

"They are very strange creatures," Taeshin said quietly as he watched the departing twin brothers, who seemed to be fighting again.

The sun was beginning to rise. It was time for them to continue their long journey to the West. After packing up their belongings and looking ready, the six of them left to continue their long and endless journey.

"Do you know about Choi Yeon and Choi Rim?" asked Bai Lu to Asahi, Ling Fei and Yeongwan as they were walking through a mystical-looking wilderness.

"Choi Yeon? Choi Rim? Who are they?" asked Asahi in confusion.

"Last night, me, Taeshin, and Lee Gon met them by accident at the Nim River. In my opinion, they are very strange twins."

"Did they bring the 3 Buffalo Sword and two 3 Fire Dragon Daggers?" asked Ling Fei to confirm.

"Yes, that's right! Do you know them, Ling Fei?" asked Lee Gon impatiently.

Ling Fei nodded his head to indicate that he knew.

"They are two very tough brothers, Gon~ah. They're from Wonju, they're the children of the village chief who, if I'm not mistaken, hasn't had a child in almost 15 years. His wife went into asceticism and asked the god for a child. Her wish was heard by God, so God gave the village chief and his wife a pair of twins.

"Choi Rim and Choi Yeon are God's children who were raised by the Village Chief and his wife as their own biological children. I heard that the village they lived in was attacked and disappeared by the Aeshin ten years ago."

"Aeshin again?" exclaimed Bai Lu, Lee Gon, Asahi, and Yeongwan simultaneously.

"Apparently, a lot of people fell victim to the Aeshin. I really didn't expect that."

Asahi looked so annoyed that she drove her magic staff into the ground with such force.

"Now I understand. Why they have such unique and unusual powers. Apparently, they are the children of Gods who are very famous for their pranks. However, behind their pranks, Choi Rim and Choi Yeon are very strong because they are the children of a God."

Kang Taeshin explained, leaving the others dumbfounded at the origin of the two twin brothers Ling Fei had told them about.

"How did you meet them?" asked Yeongwan suddenly looking curious.

"Ah, it was accidental when I, Lee Gon, and Taeshin were viewing the full moon near the Nim River."

"Together? All night long?" asked Yeongwan again, making Bai Lu look mischievous as well as Taeshin, as they recalled the events before Lee Gon came.

"I'd love to meet them in person. I hope we can still meet them," Ling Fei said hopefully.

During the trip to the West, Yeongwan couldn't stop looking at the dense forest that looked very mystical. How could it not be? The forest was completely dark, there were no animal sounds, or even gurgling water.

"What's wrong, Wan~ah?" asked Bai Lu when she saw Yeongwan looking around every corner of the forest.

"Is this an illusory forest? Why does this forest feel so cold, damp, and strange?"

"Illusory forest? No way, we already killed Shin Yeongdo. So, it's impossible for the illusory forest to exist again," Bai Lu replied.

"But, this forest is really very strange, Noona. It seems uninhabited, and the air feels very cold like in winter. In fact, it's not time to enter the snow season yet, right?"

"Is this our next obstacle?" said Asahi, causing everyone to cast their eyes around, and look at every corner of the forest with probing eyes.