Chapter 81
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: The Decoy Plan
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Suddenly, Yu Hyun's eyes turned endlessly sly, causing Yang Hyo to flinch and shrink back her shoulders.
Why that expression...?
"Let me ask you one thing."
"Yes?"
"If Sam-a is the Moon Tribe's home ground, you know that sea better than anyone else, right?"
"Of course. No one in the world knows it better. It's the homeland the Moon Tribe has guarded for hundreds of years. But why do you ask...?"
"Hmm, I see."
"......"
Yu Hyun nodded slowly, stroking his chin with narrowed eyes.
He had borrowed the Sea Dragon King's Aqua Jade to hold his breath underwater for a long time(?), but to reach the place with the millennium turtle shell, he needed someone who knew the waterways well.
Moreover, with unpredictable dangers ahead, he also needed someone to divert attention just in case.
All things considered, Gok Ja-heon, the sub-lord of Haenam Island, had been the perfect candidate, but he had fallen into qi deviation, of all things.
However... if he helped this guy, the successor who ruled Sam-a and the Moon Tribe, he could freely come and go in the Moon Tribe's seas, which were in conflict with the island.
Yu Hyun stared blankly at Yang Hyo.
Whether Gok Ja-heon was trapped in qi deviation or who became the master of Haenam Island, it had nothing to do with him. The important thing was the millennium turtle shell.
"Alright! I've decided! I'll help you."
"Help...? Yes?"
"Your tribe. I'm saying I'll help."
"......"
Yang Hyo and Gye Dusin stared at him in a daze as Yu Hyun grinned boldly.
Then Gye Dusin suddenly widened his eyes and shouted.
"Chief!"
Damn, you startled me.
Who gave you permission to yell right in my ear?
"Why are you screaming like that!"
"Oh, well......"
"What? Why?"
As Yu Hyun scowled, Gye Dusin reflexively shrank back before demanding an explanation.
"What do you mean? Help how?"
"What's the problem?"
"Surely? You're not saying you'll get involved in Haenam Island's civil war, are you?"
"......"
At Gye Dusin's strong opposition, Yu Hyun had nothing to say and averted his gaze, furrowing his brow even more.
"Sigh, Chief."
"......"
"You haven't been in the martial world long, so you might not know, but you absolutely cannot get involved in this. It's not just about saving one kid. It's a civil war! Civil war!"
"......"
"The position of Haenam Island's lord is at stake! Do you understand? Even the Alliance Leader has no justification to interfere!"
"I get it, so calm down. Lower your voice......"
"Lower it? No way. We have to stop here. We've already crossed the line by attacking Haenam Island's ship while rescuing this kid."
"......"
Yu Hyun stared silently at Gye Dusin, who was glaring with bulging eyes and veins popping in his neck.
"......Sibul."
"Why?"
"You're spitting."
"......Ah, sorry! I mean, you absolutely cannot get involved. Absolutely. Got it?"
Ignoring Gye Dusin's desperate pleas, Yu Hyun wiped his cheek with a bored expression.
Gye Dusin pounded his chest in frustration at the blatant disregard.
He looked like he might keel over if left alone. Yu Hyun chuckled inwardly and called him again.
"Sibul."
"Yes?"
"Who said anything about getting involved in Haenam Island's power struggle?"
"Then? How do you plan to help!"
His glare was sharp and fierce.
Yu Hyun grabbed his habitually rising hand with the other and began calmly persuading him.
"Think about it. This kid's walking into the jaws of death to save her tribe. Don't you feel sorry for her?"
"Th-that's......"
Gye Dusin glanced at Yang Hyo at the appeal to compassion, then shook his head firmly as if steeling himself.
"Still no. I told you. We've already crossed the line."
"Kid, didn't you hear? If she delays, they'll all die."
"Still no."
"It's just a little help."
"No means no."
"Really?"
"Of course. If you insist on acting on your own, I'll report it to the Alliance for sure."
"Seriously?"
"Yes!"
"......"
Gye Dusin stood his ground firmly, showing no sign of yielding.
"Sigh......"
Yu Hyun let out a deep sigh and looked at Yang Hyo with pity, then spoke in a low murmur barely audible.
"Yeah, I see. I didn't realize."
"......?"
"Who would've thought the youngest disciple of the Beggars' Sect, symbol of justice and chivalry, could be so cold-hearted."
"Ah, no, that's not......"
"That young one is risking her life to save her tribe... They're all going to die. And I'm not trying to meddle in any power struggle."
"Chief!"
"......Tsk tsk. I taught you martial arts without any conditions, yet you won't even extend a small hand to this poor child."
"Ch-Chief."
"......Heartless beast."
"......"
"Cold-blooded monster without blood or tears."
"Ah, no......"
"Trash......"
"Damn it! Fine!"
"......"
Gye Dusin snapped irritably, cutting off Yu Hyun's elegant but relentless personal attacks.
"Sigh, you're driving me crazy."
He scratched his head furiously and paced around.
Anyone could see he was deep in torment. Yu Hyun's lips twitched, barely suppressing a smile.
As if I don't know you, kid. After all our time together.
"......Chief."
"Yeah?"
"Fine. Agreed. But promise me just one thing."
"What?"
"No getting involved in the power struggle. Absolutely."
"Sure."
"You promise?"
"Yeah!"
"Sigh, alright. So what's the plan?"
With Gye Dusin finally surrendering and asking with a sour face, Yu Hyun smiled brightly.
About time.
"We just carry out the mission as planned. We're heading to Haenam Island through proper channels, aiming to recruit Gok Ja-heon. And in the process, we find out why he fell into qi deviation. Since we're ordered to recruit him to the Dragon Squadron, a little investigation is only natural, right?"
"Huh? That's it?"
Gye Dusin looked puzzled.
That much wouldn't deviate from the original mission or involve the power struggle.
But surely that's not all, or why the fuss...
"Of course not."
"......"
"I can order the nearby Beggars' Sect branches, right?"
"Well......"
"Good enough."
"Yes?"
"We use bait to divert their eyes."
"Bait...?"
Turning to follow Yu Hyun's gaze, Gye Dusin met Yang Hyo's eyes and gasped in realization.
"Ah! You mean?"
"Ho? You get it already? Unlike Seong-i, your comprehension is impressive."
"......You're too kind."
He blushed slightly, clearly pleased inside.
Yu Hyun thought he was cute but inwardly clicked his tongue.
Same as ever, past or present.
Hot-blooded for justice and righteousness, weak to praise.
But a info-gatherer showing his emotions so openly...
"One kid, three adults. Tell them to lure the fast ones without getting caught. Make them think they can catch her."
"......Hm, you mean if they think they can catch her, they won't act rashly?"
"Exactly. For them, using the kid is the quickest and cleanest option if possible. Even if they bring in pirates, fighting all six tribes won't be easy."
"Right."
"While they chase the bait, we head to Haenam Island. I'll secretly meet the Moon Tribe chief with this one to rally the other tribes."
"Hm, so you're just buying time for them to gather forces against the new sub-lord?"
"Oho, when did our Sibul peek into my mind? Exactly."
"......Pfft, no need to be so impressed over this. Haha!"
"......"
Even as his ego soared with the praise, Gye Dusin wiped the smile and asked again, uneasy.
"That's it, right? You're not really intervening?"
"Never!"
"Really?"
"Yeah!"
"For real?"
"Hey! A man's word is gold."
"......Alright, got it. I'll head to the nearest branch right now and relay the orders."
"Good. Hurry. Time's tight to hook them with the bait."
"Yes."
Yu Hyun waved vigorously at Gye Dusin's retreating figure vanishing into the darkness.
Hurry along.
I'll keep my promise.
I won't touch Haenam Island's power struggle.
I just need to find the millennium turtle shell.
"Um, were you Murim Alliance warriors?"
"......"
Yang Hyo, who had listened silently throughout the conversation, asked with a surprised look.
Now you ask...
Yu Hyun finally removed his mask, gazing at her anew.
His face revealed in the flickering campfire.
"Gasp! Y-you're...?"
"You saw me at the inn, right?"
"......"
"Stop gawking and get ready to leave. While Dusin diverts them with the bait, we need to hurry. By the way, where do we get a boat? And someone to sail us to Haenam Island..."
"......"
Yang Hyo's eyes trembled slightly at Yu Hyun's words.
Murim Alliance warriors...? Why are they helping me?
It was baffling, but from their conversation, they had no ill intent.
Besides, grabbing the hand he offered was her only option.
Whatever their hidden motives, she had to save her tribe first.
"We have a boat."
"Huh?"
"There's a boat I used to escape Haenam Island."
"......"
Yu Hyun stared at her, not quite grasping.
A twelve-year-old kid... sailing?
"I was alone when I fled Haenam Island."
"Huh?"
Yu Hyun looked at her in disbelief.
......A prodigy. Total prodigy.
Anyway, a boat, and she can even sail it. Perfect.
"Where's the boat?"
"Near Omun Port."
"Omun?"
Omun was where they had escaped from. Meaning they had to go back.
"Whew, no choice. If the boat's there..."
As Yu Hyun prepared to leave, Nangong Seong returned grumbling, having washed his clothes in seawater to erase traces.
"Huh? Where's Dusin?"
"Oh, Dusin..."
After Yu Hyun briefly explained, a grave look crossed Nangong Seong's face.
"Uncle."
"......"
"You're planning to get involved, aren't you?"
"......Well, not exactly, but depending on the situation? If we're spotted entering Haenam Island, we might have to fight."
"Sigh, I'll follow your lead, Uncle, but I doubt Dusin will stay quiet. If it even slightly goes against his principles, he'll send a letter to the Alliance right away..."
"That's why you block him."
"Me? How?"
"If Dusin shows signs of acting out..."
Nangong Seong gulped dryly, tensing at Yu Hyun's suddenly murderous aura and lowered voice.
He'd heard him say it once.
For the goal, no means or methods are off-limits...
"If he does!"
D-does he mean kill him? His fellow disciple on the same path?
"Uncle! We can't do th......"
"Get him drunk."
"Wh...... Yes?"
"Plenty!"
"......Huh?"
"Enough to keep him down for three or four days."
"......"
"I trust you, Seong-a."
Yu Hyun gripped Nangong Seong's shoulder firmly, nodded shortly, and left with Yang Hyo.
Left alone, Nangong Seong just stared blankly at their backs.
Sealing lips with alcohol... How cruel...
If too much, he might puke himself to death...