Chapter 76 - Bonds Rekindled
With the clamor of booming war drums, warriors poured out from every corner of the merchant ship.
"I'll go check it out."
Baek-un launched himself toward the bow. Yeon-hoo drew a quiet breath and rose to his feet. He turned to Sama Song.
"Do you know anything about the water bandits operating in this area?"
"A few years back, a group called the Blood Gate—known as the devil's spawn—stirred up trouble from time to time. But they've vanished without a trace since, and rumors say they've disbanded."
The Blood Gate was a name even Yeon-hoo had heard of. Alongside the Killing Gate, which had been driven to near annihilation by him, they were known as the most brutal organization in the world. Just as Sama Song said, they'd been active until a few years ago, then disappeared overnight.
Whoosh.
Baek-un returned.
"They're flying a flag with a pitch-black skull... Never seen these bastards before."
"Then it's not the Blood Gate. They used a crossed axe and sword emblem."
Yeon-hoo headed to the bow. Just then, the captain rushed out gripping a massive cleaver and bumped into him.
"How do you know they're water bandits?"
"They've been showing up around these waters since last year, attacking merchant ships and plundering lives and cargo. They're as ruthless as the old Blood Gate, so rumors say it's them with a new flag."
Unexpectedly, the captain showed no panic—calm as could be. If they were truly that savage, he couldn't have stayed so composed. Yeon-hoo eyed the roughly thirty warriors. The captain must trust their skills.
Clank! Clank!
Metallic clangs rang out from all sides. He turned to see massive ballistae swiveling toward the approaching bandit ships.
Yeon-hoo fixed his gaze ahead. Three ships. Each bore a massive flag flapping in the wind, emblazoned with a chilling black skull. The bandits at the prows waved weapons and bellowed ferociously, their aura savage to behold.
"What's going on?"
Dongbang Ri approached his side.
"Nothing to worry about. Go rest inside."
"I've rested enough. I'll stay here. Pirates, huh?"
"Seems like it."
"Tough luck for them. Of all ships, they pick the one my lord's on..."
That was when it happened.
Thung! Thung! Thung!
The ballistae fired. The massive bolts sliced through the air, embedding in the bandit ships—then erupted in explosions.
Kaboom!
The tips must have been packed with explosives.
"You bastard sons of bitches! I'll turn you all into fish food!"
"Fire again!"
Thung! Thung! Thung!
More massive bolts streaked out. But this time, hundreds of arrows from the bandit ships intercepted them midair.
Bwoooong.
The bandit ships blared horns in unison. Akso stepped forward.
"We'll handle them with the escape boats."
"No need for us to get involved."
"Pardon?"
Yeon-hoo tilted his chin toward the left. The Ghost Family's escorts were lowering small boats from the ship into the river. Of course, Yeon-hoo didn't yet know they were from the Ghost Family.
"Looks like they're no ordinary folk after all."
"We'll see soon enough."
Having watched over Han Yu-hwa in the cabin, Han Song emerged at the sudden uproar and ordered Jeong-ryong as the pirates closed in.
"We can't let them get close with Yu-hwa here."
"Understood. And how shall we deal with them...?"
"Kill them all if they resist."
"As you command."
Jeong-ryong rushed to the captain and ordered the escape boats lowered. The captain, who had eyed him oddly, suddenly seemed to realize something and complied without protest. The boats were small—barely enough for five each. With two boats, Jeong-ryong split six men, three per boat, and rowed toward the pirate ships.
Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
Evidently used to this, the Ghost Family escorts propelled the boats with blasts of inner force—a bizarre, ingenious method that cleaved through the river at high speed.
Dongbang Ri let out an admiring gasp.
"Didn't know you could do it like that."
Even Yeon-hoo was inwardly impressed by the novel sight. Simple once you knew it, but not something you'd think of without prior experience.
Splash!
As the two boats closed in rapidly, the pirates unleashed a barrage. Arrows, spears, and all manner of hidden weapons rained down like hail, but some were blocked by body-protecting auras, others by large shields fetched from the merchant ship.
Clang! Thud! Thump!
Yeon-hoo removed his bamboo hat. Just then, Han Song, gazing impassively at the bow, caught sight of him. His eyes flashed with recognition. Without his human-skin mask, Han Song spotted Yeon-hoo instantly.
Caught up like this again.
Han Song's eyes gleamed with a strange light. Then he sent a transmission to Yeon-hoo.
[Care to speak with me?]
Yeon-hoo turned at the sudden transmission. A middle-aged man with an unfamiliar face stared at him. A stranger's face, yet the eyes felt oddly familiar.
[Do you know me?]
[A little.]
At those words, Yeon-hoo strode toward the man. As always, Cheol-u followed.
Han Song removed his human-skin mask. In that instant, a long-buried memory surfaced in Yeon-hoo's mind.
The lord of the Ghost Family...
Han Song approached. Cheol-u's hand went to his sword hilt.
"Step back."
"......"
"It's fine. Do as I say."
Only then did Cheol-u retreat. Han Song spoke first.
"Thought I'd see you at the island, but we meet early."
"It's been a while."
"You remember me?"
"Yes."
"Unexpected. After so many years, I figured you'd forgotten."
"You're not easy to forget..."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It is."
"Safe journey so far?"
"Their misjudgment made it smooth. Now that I've met you in person, let me apologize first."
"Nothing for you to apologize for. Their folly. But will you just stand and watch?"
Yeon-hoo caught the implication and called back.
"Cheol-u."
"Yes, my lord."
"Go help them."
"Understood."
"Whoa!"
"Gah!"
Everyone on the merchant ship gasped in awe. When Cheol-u, Akso, and Baek-un suddenly leaped into the river, they thought they were fleeing. But seeing them race across the water like solid ground, eyes bulged in shock. Even more astonishing: the spray they kicked up marked their blistering speed.
Han Song's eyes held a faint gleam of admiration.
"Impressive retainers. Your clan warriors?"
"They will be soon."
"No point watching longer. Care for some tea inside?"
"Lead the way."
The two headed to the cabin as if there was nothing left to see. They didn't emerge until all three pirate ships were ablaze and sinking.
Moonlight shimmered on the river like jewels that night. Yeon-hoo and his group gathered around a lavish spread, finally enjoying a proper meal. The captain had laid it on as thanks—mostly rare Western delicacies fit for emperors or royalty.
Dongbang Ri got an unexpected gift too. Mistaking her for Yeon-hoo's lover, the captain gave her a bracelet of unknown gems. She tried to refuse at first, but Yeon-hoo's words—that ignoring goodwill was rude—made her accept. Her cheeks stayed flushed through the meal, forcing her to drink far more than usual to hide it.
Sama Song spoke up.
"Never dreamed it was the Ghost Family's lord. Met him once as a child, and now here... This feels like no ordinary bond. We should nurture it."
Baek-un asked, "What'd you talk about so long?"
"Nothing much. Just drink."
"I'm dying of curiosity... Can't you tell us?"
"Want me to make you?"
"Ah... No. I'll drink. Weird. Suddenly not curious at all."
Akso flicked Baek-un's head with a knuckle. The mood was buoyant. Everyone anticipated the Ghost Family connection—especially Sama Song. Watching him, Yeon-hoo felt a surge of affection. His excitement over an uncertain tie showed his devotion to the Iron Blood Family and the North.
Yeon-hoo poured Sama Song a drink, then asked Akso, "What do you think up close?"
"Of what?"
"The Ghost Family's strength."
"Unlike their rep for shamanism and illusions, their swordsmanship was exceptional. Especially their three-man sword formations—the destructive power was new to me."
"Their guard captain was insane. Almost our level, yeah?"
Baek-un chimed in. Cheol-u added flatly, "Your level."
"Same diff... Er, no. I misspoke."
Cheol-u glared at Baek-un's head-clutching act, then continued. "They were weak, so no special techniques. But in combat, they blocked attacks with eerie energies... Distinct from body-protecting auras."
"I felt it too."
"Me three."
Yeon-hoo nodded silently.
"They're elite enough for the lord's guard. You didn't show your full strength either, right?"
"No need against weaklings."
"Drink up. No more luxuries like this till we hit the island."
"Yes."
"Yessir!"
At the same time, in Han Song's cabin. A lavish feast unfolded there too. Like Yeon-hoo's group, they burned with curiosity about the conversation.
"Never heard of young masters like that in the Iron Blood Family."
"If he says they'll join soon, he brought them. For you to say that, they must be no joke."
"Yes. All three seemed born for battle. Toppling foes with minimal force and motion..."
Jeong-ryong trailed off. That said it all.
"We'll travel together till the island. Eat and drink your fill tonight."
"But we'll get dragged into their fight..."
"It's our fight now too."
"......"
Jeong-ryong glanced at Han Yu-hwa as if struck, then nodded.
"Show full northern lord's courtesy while together. Understood?"
"Yes."
The feasts in both cabins lasted till dawn. As morning sun rose, all emerged fresh as ever, exchanging greetings on deck. What once seemed a fleeting brush had woven into something entirely new.