Subduing the Sea King
Having successfully brought the mighty mercenary group known as the Red Wolf Corps under his command, Yeon-hoo immediately turned to his next task. It was something that hadn't been part of the original plan.
Thud!
The young prisoner flinched at the sound of the water bowl Yeon-hoo set down. His face was already deathly pale, and cold sweat had soaked his chest and armpits, staining them dark. And for good reason—he had just endured an interrogation from Yeon-hoo that was far more terrifying than any torture.
During that time, Yeon-hoo had extracted vital information about the pirate band and confirmed that the youth was the only son of their leader, who called himself the Sea King.
As Yeon-hoo stared at him in silence, the young man swallowed hard.
"Cheol-u."
"Yes, my lord."
"Bring one of them here."
"Understood."
Cheol-u stepped out of the tent and dragged in one of the youth's guards—a Black Cloak who had demonstrated exceptional martial prowess.
"Go tell your leader this: He has until tomorrow afternoon to come see me. If he doesn't, I'll leave what happens to his son to his imagination."
"……!"
The Black Cloak glanced at the youth. When the young man said nothing, the Black Cloak let out a deep sigh and rose to his feet.
That was when Yeon-hoo's finger flicked lightly through the air.
Pop pop pop!
"……!"
The Black Cloak's eyes suddenly bulged wide, and he began writhing, groaning in agony.
"Grrraaah……."
"You'll experience this every two hours, for the duration of one incense stick. Only I can release the seal. So, how should you conduct yourself?"
"Aaaargh!"
"Make sure you deliver the message word for word. And come back tomorrow with your leader. I'll release the seal then."
Thwack!
Another flick of projected energy, and the pain vanished as if it had never been. But the Black Cloak was already drenched in sweat from head to toe.
"Go."
As the Black Cloak left the tent, Yeon-hoo turned back to the youth.
"This will be your chance to see just how much your father loves you."
"What…… what do you plan to do with us?!"
Slap!
"Urk."
The youth's head snapped to the side from the blow delivered by the scabbard of Cheol-u's sword.
"Watch your tone, whelp."
As Cheol-u reached for his sword again, Yeon-hoo raised a hand to stop him. Then he addressed the youth.
"Even if you're curious, hold out for just one day. When your father arrives, you'll be spared. If not…… well, use your imagination."
"When my father comes, what happens after?!"
"Then not only you, but every pirate on that island will pay for their crimes and get a chance at mercy. Of course, if your father rejects the opportunity I offer…… the rest is up to your imagination as well."
"……!"
"Take him away."
"Yes."
Cheol-u hauled the youth out, and Gwan Baek, who had been sitting silently by the side watching everything, spoke up.
"I'm not sure this Sea King will come so easily. He's a rare breed, and so are his guards. They don't seem the type to submit without a fight."
"If his father doesn't show, we'll figure something out then."
Gwan Baek asked no more. He could sense Yeon-hoo's certainty that the Sea King would come.
"Unit leader."
"Yes, my lord."
"I need to brief the leadership on the Red Wolf Corps' mission in this war. Assemble them at once."
"Understood."
A short while later, the Red Wolf Corps' top brass gathered. Yeon-hoo explained their duties in detail. Their reactions varied throughout, but when he said this, fire blazed in every pair of eyes.
"You don't need to match the Blood King Army, but the Red Wolf Corps' reputation must prove true."
Had his pride been stung? Flames ignited in Gwan Baek's eyes as well. It was exactly what Yeon-hoo had hoped for. Cheol-u, who had seen through his intent, let a faint smile flicker across his lips before sending a transmission.
[You've lit the fire properly. Why not say the same to the Blood King Army?]
[You must want Gwan Baek dead.]
[……Pardon?]
Cheol-u belatedly realized his blunder. Blood King Sin Hwi would hunt Gwan Baek down before even reaching the enemy. Cheol-u pictured Sin Hwi glaring at Gwan Baek with blazing eyes, sword drawn.
'He'd do it a hundred times over. Heh heh heh.'
The next day, around evening.
Dozens of ships appeared on the sea not far from the Red Wolf Corps' camp. Blood-red flags fluttered menacingly from each one, their approach utterly intimidating. Several vessels rivaled the naval warships in size.
Yeon-hoo watched the pirate fleet from the edge of a cliff overlooking the coastline. Gwan Baek stood beside him, while thousands of Red Wolf Corps warriors waited behind in assault formation, ready for any contingency.
"I'd heard rumors, but I never imagined this scale. It's practically an army."
Gwan Baek clicked his tongue in awe. Yeon-hoo replied calmly.
"They're here to fight for us. Let's see what they can do."
"Honestly, I don't share your confidence, my lord. Pirates aren't exactly trustworthy……."
"If they defy me, wouldn't this be the perfect chance to sweep them away on land instead of sea?"
"Frankly, I'd prefer that."
"Heh heh heh."
Gwan Baek seemed like a completely different man. Not just in how he addressed Yeon-hoo, but in his eyes and expression—he now truly served as a loyal retainer. And yet, there was no hint of servility. If anything, it made him shine even brighter.
Dong dong dong!
Drums began to echo from the pirate ships. Then, a small boat dropped from the lead warship into the sea, and several figures boarded it.
"That one draped in the red cape must be the Sea King."
Ever perceptive, Gwan Baek. Despite the distance, he could clearly make out the faces on the boat.
Yeon-hoo fixed his gaze on the approaching vessel. A red-cloaked man stood at the prow, his face unmistakably resembling the youth's.
Gwan Baek glanced aside. Gwan-ryang and Cheol-u stood side by side.
"Bring him here."
"Yes!"
Gwan-ryang descended to the beach with a few Red Wolf warriors. Cheol-u followed.
Moments later, the red-cloaked man and five Black Cloaks leaped lightly onto the sand. Their glares at Cheol-u and Gwan-ryang were razor-sharp, but the two were unshakable.
Gwan-ryang asked, "Are you the Sea King?"
"And you're the lord of the North?"
Twitch.
Cheol-u's eyebrow curved like a blade. Gwan-ryang held him back with a signature grin.
"Discernment worse than a babe's, eh? Do you really think the lord of the North would meet pirates in person?"
"What?"
Cheol-u stepped forward. "A warning: Dare to speak so boldly before my lord again, and you'll go back as a headless ghost."
Shing shing shing!
The men behind the red-cloaked Sea King—all hands on sword hilts. But as he raised a hand, they slowly lowered them.
"Where's my son?"
"Follow us."
"Bringing only five guards…… He's got guts."
"All the better if they're skilled."
Yeon-hoo watched the Sea King approach, flanked by Cheol-u and Gwan-ryang. He and his five Black Cloaks left no footprints in the sand.
Then the Sea King looked up, his gaze locking with Yeon-hoo's in midair.
Faint smirk.
Yeon-hoo's lip curled slightly. The Sea King stared back without flinching.
'I hope your bravado matches your skill. If you're useless…… you won't see the sea again.'
Soon, the Sea King crested the cliff. Gwan-ryang said to him, "Show respect to the lord of the North."
The Sea King cupped his fists and gave a slight bow—that was his courtesy. Cheol-u's eyes flashed dangerously.
[Don't interfere, Cheol-u.]
Without Yeon-hoo's transmission, he might have drawn his sword. Yeon-hoo strode forward.
"You're the Sea King?"
"I am."
"Quite bold. Guess I need to break you first. Then we can talk."
"……!"
Whoosh!
Space warped where Yeon-hoo had stood. Gwan Baek flinched beside him, but Yeon-hoo was already nose-to-nose with the Sea King.
Boom!
A shockwave erupted, dust and sand billowing. Then the Sea King flew back like a cannonball, visible through the haze.
Shing shing shing!
The Black Cloaks drew their swords, encircling him. Cheol-u and Gwan-ryang drew theirs too, while Gwan Baek appeared at Yeon-hoo's side.
"No one interfere."
At Yeon-hoo's thunderous command, everyone—including Gwan Baek—stepped back.
Yeon-hoo regarded the Sea King, who glared at him with bulging eyes, and said impassively, "If you've got the skill to back your arrogance, I might consider mercy. Otherwise…… you'll forfeit your head. I'm not magnanimous enough to forgive impudent pirates, sea rat."
The Sea King's face flushed crimson. Yet he made no move to draw his sword.
[Remember: Your actions decide not just your life and your son's, but everyone else's too.]
Tremble……
The Sea King's gaze wavered faintly. He was a master, and he knew exactly what that strike had been.
"……Sheathe your swords!"
He forced out the words. But even after his order, the Black Cloaks held firm.
Cheol-u vanished in that instant.
Slash.
A gruesome sound—one Black Cloak clutched his throat, staggering back. Blood seeped between his fingers, then his head separated from his body and thudded to the ground.
Thump!
"That's enough."
Cheol-u reappeared in his original spot. Gwan-ryang stared at him in disbelief.
"Sheathe your swords, now!"
Clang! Clang!
Only then did the Black Cloaks comply, stepping back. The Sea King advanced, dropping to one knee and bowing deeply.
Thud!
"Forgive my insolence. Grant us mercy!"
His Black Cloaks knelt as one.
Thud thud thud!
Gwan Baek watched in awe.
'Subduing such stubborn bastards this easily…… Did he plan this from the start, luring them here?'