Chapter 75 - Chance Companions
It was a massive river that evoked the sea itself. Swollen to a muddy yellow by the downpour that had raged until dawn, its currents churned so violently and wildly that one couldn't help but wonder if any boat could possibly navigate it.
The dock, where grand merchant ships and dozens of small fishing vessels lay anchored, bustled with crowds from all directions.
Yeon-hoo and his group settled some distance away, waiting for Baek-un's return.
Dongbang Ri asked, “Won't the Northwest Murim pursue us even along the waterways?”
“They might under normal circumstances, but timing makes it impossible now. No need to worry about them.”
“What do you mean?”
“We're three days behind schedule. Since we haven't clashed with the Northwest in that time, they won't suspect we've fallen this far back.”
“Ah... so they're searching for us much farther ahead.”
“Exactly.”
Dongbang Ri marveled anew. She'd questioned their sluggish pace from the start but hadn't found a chance to ask—until now.
Even calculating something like that...
“You don't usually ask questions, even when you're curious?”
“What?”
“You seemed puzzled by our slow speed...”
Dongbang Ri gave a wry smile. “I wanted to ask, but there was no opportunity.”
“I'll take it as you trusted me.”
“Half right.”
“And the other half?”
“You're human, so I figured mistakes happen. But if you planned it all and adjusted our speed accordingly, then my doubts were delightfully wrong. Still, if you'd told me from the beginning, I could've relaxed...”
“I'll tell you in advance next time.”
“Hahaha!”
Sama Song burst into hearty laughter. As Yeon-hoo and Dongbang Ri turned, he said, “Frankly, I felt the same as Lady Dongbang. I followed because I trusted you, my lord, but hearing this now clears the air. Haha!”
Dongbang Ri wondered briefly: Did Sama Song truly trust Yeon-hoo completely? And what of the entire Iron Blood Family?
They follow blindly. Otherwise, the famously shrewd head of the Sama family wouldn't act like this.
Then, in the distance, Baek-un came sprinting back, clutching a fistful of bamboo hats.
His run looked ordinary at first glance, but in a few blinks, he was right before them.
As Dongbang Ri expressed her admiration, Akso asked, “Did you get enough?”
“Found a merchant ship heading our way, but it was over capacity because others beat us to it. So I bought hats and gave them all our remaining silver.”
“All of it?”
Akso and Cheol-u's brows furrowed. They hadn't counted it, but the pouch Yeon-hoo had handed over held a considerable sum—evident from the clink alone.
Baek-un shot them a sly grin. “What choice did I have? They insisted.”
“Even so, that much money...”
“Enough.”
“Come on, you're too much. Next time, you two handle it.”
“You too.”
Yeon-hoo stood, brushing off his clothes, and pulled on one of Baek-un's bamboo hats deeply. A smack and groan echoed behind him, but he ignored it and strode forward. The others donned hats and followed.
Dongbang Ri caught up to Yeon-hoo. “Shouldn't we investigate those who reserved first?”
“Of course.”
“Then we shouldn't all go together.”
“Don't overthink it. If they're from the Northwest, we kill them and abandon the river. Simple.”
“...Is that part of the plan too?”
“Naturally. If needed, we sow more confusion among them... Think of it that way.”
Dongbang Ri swallowed a laugh at Yeon-hoo's unflinching demeanor, but glancing at Sama Song, she couldn't help a chuckle. He wore a broad grin.
Baek-un called out, “My lord, the ship leaves in two hours. Shall we eat first? Once underway, it'll sail straight through the day and night.”
* * *
The inner dock was surprisingly lively, lined with inns and shops hawking all manner of goods.
In the shabbiest inn sat experts from the Ghost Family. They'd traded bamboo hats for human-skin masks, perfect disguises. Even Han Yu-hwa, once a peerless beauty, now looked like an ordinary housewife—though her eyes remained hazy from lingering injury.
Jeong-ryong, disguised as a common youth, entered with two guards carrying a large bundle.
Meeting Han Song-i's gaze, Jeong-ryong said, “They go nonstop for a full day, so I prepared liquor and food for the ship.”
“And the cabin?”
“No worries. Secured the captain's quarters.”
Han Song-i nodded silently, drained his cup, and turned to Han Yu-hwa. “Once aboard, take pain-relieving medicine and rest. Just endure a bit longer.”
“Yes.”
Han Yu-hwa still suffered. A shard had embedded too deeply; though removed, the pain would linger days more.
The worse she hurt, the fiercer Han Song-i's rage toward the Northwest Murim—and his self-reproach grew.
They knew we'd enter the tomb and hid underground beforehand. Blew the thunder bombs at the cost of their lives.
A meticulous trap, banking on complacency inside. Without vulnerability, no thunder bomb could've harmed her.
You'll pay in blood, Wi Yeon Gwang.
Crack.
The liquor in his cup froze white.
“Calm your anger, Father.”
“Hmph...”
Han Song-i exhaled deeply, closing his eyes.
Then a merchant burst in. “Ship's departing soon—hurry!”
Moments later, Han Song-i and the others boarded the merchant ship.
The spacious deck brimmed with cargo; armed warriors dotted it—likely mercenaries against pirates or caravan guards.
A merchant approached. “Circumstances changed; only one cabin available. Everyone else stays on deck.”
“We already paid in full.”
“Circumstances. If not to your liking, refund and find another ship.”
“What?”
As Jeong-ryong's eyes flashed, Han Song-i spoke. “One's enough. Drop it.”
Jeong-ryong glared at the merchant, then led his guards to the deck nearest the cabin.
That's when a group of bamboo-hatted figures boarding caught his eye: two women, five men.
Habitually scanning them, Jeong-ryong found nothing suspicious. Weapons were common in Murim; hats shielded from sun.
“Show us to the cabin,” the lead hatted figure said.
The merchant repeated, “Everyone but cabin users stays on deck.”
The two women entered the cabin. Jeong-ryong frowned at them.
So that's the 'circumstance.'
He transmitted to a subordinate:
Keep a close eye, just in case.
Understood.
* * *
Having sent Dongbang Ri and the female attendant to the cabin, Yeon-hoo and the others claimed a spot on the right deck. Cargo piled high made it cramped, but offered something to lean on—far more comfortable.
Those bastards' eyes look off, my lord.
Baek-un's transmission. Yeon-hoo eyed the group opposite: Jeong-ryong and Ghost Family guards in human-skin masks. Without knowing their faces, masks or not, he wouldn't recognize them.
Keep a close eye, just in case.
Got it!
Dong! Dong! Dong!
“Cast off!”
Screech...
The ship lurched into motion. No sooner had it cleared the dock than the swift current seized it, rocking violently—but no one paid mind.
Whoosh!
Riding the momentum, the vessel glided smoothly over the water.
Yeon-hoo leaned against crates and closed his eyes. Unless nightmares plagued him, he hoped for at least a brief nap in daylight.
Tap. Tap.
Blood dripped from his blade. Below, a gasping man looked up through bloodshot, tear-streaked eyes. In his pupils gleamed dozens of severed heads, gruesomely mutilated.
Drip.
Blood trailed from his eyes, blooming like a flower on the floor.
“The millennium gate is breached, and you got what you wanted—did you have to go this far?!”
“My visit here must remain a secret no one in the world knows.”
“Cruel bastard. Even as a vengeful ghost, I won't forgive you.”
“I don't seek forgiveness...”
Slash!
The man's head tumbled.
“Curse not me, but the fate that made you gatekeeper here.”
Swish.
Yeon-hoo wiped the blood from his sword, sheathed it, and turned.
Suddenly—Grab!
A hand clamped his leg. Two at first, then dozens more, all drenched in gore.
“...!”
The hands dragged him underground. He kicked free, but sank deeper.
“Demon spawn. Your place isn't the mortal world—it's hell. Come with us to hell...”
Yeon-hoo snapped awake. His blurred vision cleared to a piercingly blue sky.
Damn it...
Drip.
A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek.
“Nightmare?”
Cheol-u's voice came from beside him.
Yeon-hoo reached out. “Liquor.”
A bottle of fiery spirits filled his hand. He downed it in one go, lay back on the deck, and closed his eyes.
Such nightmares left him hollow, body and soul drained for hours. This time too.
If I hadn't breached the gate, you'd have killed me. And yet you call me cruel...
He'd justified it to himself a thousand times, but the emptiness lingered.
Damn it...
Then—
“Pirates!”
Dong! Dong! Dong!