Chapter 189 - Yeon-hoo's Lie
Son Gyeom was Ga Hoe's trusted confidant, the military strategist of Hwangha Suryeon, and the leader of a special unit formed to assassinate key figures in enemy forces. During the pursuit, he discovered that the man they were chasing was none other than the lord of the North, Yeon-hoo. Just one day into the chase, Son Gyeom located the warship carrying Yeon-hoo's group.
With Geomga's experts aboard the warship as well, Son Gyeom planned to shadow them until Yeon-hoo disembarked and took to the land route.
Whoosh. As Son Gyeom pushed through the underbrush, keeping pace with the warship, he spotted Cheol-u and Seobaek stepping onto the deck. He quickly concealed himself.
They're no ordinary foes.
Son Gyeom trusted his senses, honed through grueling training. He raised a hand, signaling his subordinates to halt. Only after the warship had pulled far ahead did he emerge. There was no need to stick too close when he could catch up to the ship anytime.
"You, go ahead and scout for where the river narrows."
"Yes, sir."
"You two, cross to the opposite bank, tail the warship, and join us when we signal."
"Understood."
The three Black Cloaks split off toward the front and the far bank. Son Gyeom and his remaining subordinate pulled out waterskins and quenched their thirst.
The lone subordinate asked, "It's about two days to the Iron Blood Family. What if we don't get our chance by then?"
"Not two days. One."
"Pardon?"
"We have to factor in the warship's speed."
"Ah..."
Son Gyeom tied his waterskin to his belt and continued. "Time means nothing. Boarding that warship would be suicide anyway. The Iron Blood Family is quite a distance from the river, so we'll just shadow them until he switches to land."
"Shouldn't we report to the strategist now?"
"I told you to drop it."
"But..."
"Afraid of the strategist's reprimand? Or do you think we can't handle it alone?"
"Neither. It's just..."
"If you're worried about me, don't be. Focus only on imagining the moment you sever Yeon-hoo's head—let that guide your every move and action."
"Is this because of the late Protector?"
In an instant, murderous intent flashed in Son Gyeom's eyes. He seized his subordinate's throat with a blood-red hand.
Crack!
"You must want to die."
"Even if you kill me... I won't hold it against you. I'm just worried your judgment's clouded by vengeance..."
"..."
Son Gyeom's gaze flickered once before he released the man's throat.
"I've been moving with perfect clarity. If that makes you uneasy, go back."
"You know I wouldn't. I don't care if I die, but I'm concerned you might get hurt..."
"Enough."
"...Understood. If that's your will, I'll follow. Forgive my overstep."
"Fine. Go rest in the back."
"Yes, sir."
Son Gyeom watched his subordinate retreat into the woods, his own eyes darkening ominously. In truth, his elder brother Son Geon had fallen victim to Yeon-hoo's scheme and lost his life. Ever since, Son Gyeom had burned with a desire for revenge, waiting only for the day to kill Yeon-hoo.
If I tell the strategist, he'll call off the mission fearing escalation... I can't let that happen.
Son Gyeom suppressed his boiling killing intent and gazed at the warship. By now, it had vanished into the distance.
Incredible. To move that fast at such a size...
Hwangha Suryeon boasted hundreds of combat vessels, including large warships, but none matched this speed.
As Son Gyeom furrowed his brow, a low exclamation came from behind.
"Huh?"
He turned. "What is it?"
"I saw someone crossing the river behind us."
"What?"
"They vanished toward where our comrades crossed... Doesn't feel right."
Son Gyeom stared across the river where his men had gone, his gaze hardening.
"Follow me."
He plunged straight into the river, skimming the surface amid sprays of water. Just as he reached the bank, a scream pierced the woods beyond.
"Argh!"
Boom! Son Gyeom kicked off the ground and shot toward the cry like an arrow.
Moments later, he landed before his subordinates. One lay bleeding on the ground; the other clutched him, turning to Son Gyeom.
Son Gyeom pressed a finger to the bleeding man's nose—his eyes trembled. The man was already dead.
"What happened?"
"Someone's targeting us. We were tailing the warship when he ambushed from behind, killed this one, and vanished."
"You couldn't do anything?"
"I sensed his presence... but he was too fast. No chance to react."
Son Gyeom's eyes grew heavier. His men were elite, worth a hundred each. For them to sense an enemy and still fail to act meant the foe was extraordinary.
Who the hell...
The North was his first suspicion, followed by a third party. As confusion swirled in Son Gyeom's mind, about fifty jang back, a figure silently crossed the river.
It was Hwangtae. He fixed Son Gyeom's position with gleaming eyes.
Get scared and turn back now. That's your only way to live.
Flutter. Part of Hwangtae's sleeve fluttered in the wind, then floated into the air. He'd severed the man's breath in one strike, but the dying foe's instinctive counter had sliced his sleeve. Only one rigorously trained could reflexively strike back on the brink of death.
Yet Hwangtae refused to acknowledge the man's skill. Even losing a sleeve was intolerable.
I was careless, that's all.
Hwangtae sped northward. Having observed everything, he knew one Black Cloak had headed north. He intended to kill him too, ensuring no more interference.
Whoosh! The underbrush bent backward in his wake.
And from the nearby river, a head quietly surfaced. Seobaek. Spear in hand with a large fish impaled, he eyed the shaking bushes on the left bank, then looked ahead. The warship was far upstream now.
Seobaek glanced left again, then vanished beneath the waves.
* * *
Cheol-u stood at the stern, waiting for Seobaek. The ship had come too far from where he'd entered the water; worry gnawed at him.
Should I stop the ship?
Bubbles rose right before him, and Seobaek's head popped up. Cheol-u was genuinely startled.
Seobaek leaped onto the deck. "Chased you all the way underwater."
"Seriously?"
"You know there's nothing I can't do. And this outfit? Game-changer. Same effort, double the speed—at least. Add internal energy, and it's like riding a horse. But, brother."
Cheol-u narrowed his eyes at Seobaek's peculiar expression. He only made that face when something was up.
"We've got tails."
"Left bank?"
"You knew?"
"Thought I saw something over there earlier. Felt off. Guess I was right."
"Bushes bent without a sound. That's Grass Flying at an insane level, right?"
Cheol-u nodded silently. Grass Flying wasn't special, but bending grass soundlessly changed everything. Only those at Peak or beyond could manage it.
"If they're tailing us, they can't go all-out hiding their presence. To still pull off that lightness skill..."
"Sounds like some real monsters on our trail."
"I'll report to my lord. Change first. That all the fish you got?"
"Just fingerlings everywhere. Hey, fish now? With monsters chasing us?"
"So?"
"..."
"Change. Now."
"Yes, sir."
Heading to the cabin, Seobaek chuckled and scratched his head.
Worrying over nothing...
* * *
Yeon-hoo sat facing Cheol-u. In one corner, Dongbang Ri ground herbs for his wound.
Cheol-u relayed what Seobaek had seen. Yeon-hoo's reaction was flat.
"What now?"
"Ignore them."
"Pardon?"
"This'll be daily from now on. Reacting to every one would be a hassle. Dismiss what you can."
"Even if they follow to the main house?"
"That's different."
"Then..."
"If they make it that far, we'll at least identify them."
Cheol-u said no more as Yeon-hoo sipped his tea. Seobaek entered, changed.
"Tested it— this thing's incredible."
Seobaek rattled off results. Yeon-hoo remained impassive, but Dongbang Ri's eyes widened in awe from the corner.
Seobaek grinned. "Worth getting slashed, huh?"
Thwack!
"Guh!"
Cheol-u's fist met Seobaek's head.
"Songyeong—can he really replicate this exactly?"
"He's not alone."
"Eh?"
"With Hyeon Jin's help, he'll make something better. I believe it."
"Ah..."
Cheol-u nodded. He'd forgotten Hyeon Jin briefly.
With the strategist's talent...
Seobaek's eyes bulged. "Whoa! Better than this? Unimaginable. If it works, jackpot."
Dongbang Ri stood. A herbal scent wafted as she approached.
"Sit. Time for the herbs."
"No need."
"Pardon?"
"Already healed."
Yeon-hoo unwrapped the bandage. The wound, not even scabbed yet, was a faint scar.
"I recover fast."
"Even so..."
Dongbang Ri couldn't believe it. This was miraculous.
Her skeptical eyes softened, then she frowned at Yeon-hoo.
"You should've said so. Wasted good herbs."
"..."
Yeon-hoo was speechless. He'd just watched her grind them without thinking.
Cheol-u and Seobaek exchanged glances.
[My lord's in the wrong here.]
[Better bail.]
[Yeah.]
Then—
"Looks fine, but faint pain lingers. Herbs might help."
That stopped Cheol-u and Seobaek mid-turn.
[Lord's straight-up lying. Looks perfect.]
[...]
[Didn't take that hit on purpose, right?]
Thud! Cheol-u's kick landed on Seobaek's rear.
"What're you doing? Go prep the fish."
Outside, a faint smile played on Cheol-u's lips. Seobaek noticed.
"Why the goofy grin?"
"Goofy?"
"...!"
Whoosh! Seobaek fled to the stern like the wind.
Cheol-u glanced back at the cabin and smiled faintly again.
"Took you long enough. Heh heh heh."