Chapter 83
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Whirlpool
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At Yu Hyun's words, not only Yang Rim but everyone else gathered there tilted their heads in puzzlement.
“The Whirlpool?”
“Yes.”
“...How do you know of that place?”
Yang Rim wore a baffled expression.
How did he know? It was marked on the map, that's how.
But he couldn't say it straight out. These people had no idea about the millennium spirit tablet's existence.
“My main family is the scholarly Yu Clan Manor, so I've had a keen interest in history from the start.”
“Hmm... It was in the histories?”
“Yes.”
“That makes sense. In the past, there was frequent traffic between Central Plains folk and here... So some must have known of the Whirlpool.”
Yang Rim stroked his chin beard and nodded.
“The Whirlpool is our Moon Tribe's divine realm.”
“Ah, I see. No wonder the histories described it as brimming with mystical energy... I'd love to see it someday.”
Yu Hyun nodded with feigned admiration.
Damn, not just some sea area—it's a divine realm.
Of course it had to be.
Only a place like that could hide a heavyweight like the millennium spirit tablet.
Yu Hyun inwardly grinned in satisfaction, gazing at Yang Rim with eyes pleading for permission, when a sudden voice interjected.
“Patriarch.”
“...?”
Yu Hyun whipped his head toward the source.
In the left row, seated closest to the patriarch, was an elderly man whose face was etched with wrinkles as deep as his years.
He'd aged well.
When I get that old, I hope I look that kindly too...
“To invite an outsider to the Whirlpool? Out of the question.”
“...”
Kindly... my ass!
Yu Hyun's face twisted as if he'd bitten into something sour.
Kindly, hell—that spineless old geezer had no business stepping up.
If you've lived that long, at least know when to shut up. The patriarch and the tribe's benefactor were in the middle of a conversation.
“Hmm...”
“...”
At the patriarch's grunt, Yu Hyun's head snapped around with a loud crack.
It was such a sharp sound that anyone watching might worry his neck had snapped.
'Hmm'? 'Hmm'?
You're hesitating right now? Really?
“Patriarch, the Whirlpool became our Moon Tribe's divine realm after our sacred treasure emerged from it. No matter how much this man has done for the tribe, we cannot allow access to the Whirlpool.”
“...”
Yu Hyun barely swallowed a curse at the old man's follow-up.
That damn geezer for real.
What, you think it'll catch fire if I look at it or something?
My hard work and passion have just started steaming nicely—why sabotage it, let alone sniff around?
Do you have any idea what it took for me to get here? Huh? Huh!?
With superhuman patience, Yu Hyun kept his expression neutral while fuming inwardly. But something felt off.
The elders seated to either side were all nodding in agreement, and even Yang Rim furrowed his brow deeply in thought before finally speaking.
“The Grand Elder has a point. The Whirlpool is our Moon Tribe's...”
“...”
Son of a bitch... I can guess the rest.
Damn fools—if you've received a favor, the least you could do is tie the grass tight.
But no, they're yanking out what I carefully bundled.
Shit... what now?
How do I persuade these stubborn old coots?
If I sneak in and get caught, this good-guy image I've built so painstakingly goes to hell.
As Yu Hyun forced a smile and racked his brain for a way out, a voice spoke up.
“Grandfather, and elders.”
“...?”
Yang Hyo, who had been listening quietly, straightened up and spoke.
Oh no, not you too?
That's why the ancient sages said not to casually adopt black-haired beasts. I'm disappointed, kid.
As Yu Hyun shot him a look full of dismay, unexpected words came from Yang Hyo's mouth.
“How can you say no? What do you mean? He could have turned a blind eye but saved me instead. Even knowing it might cause issues between Haenam Island's main base and the Justice Alliance. And not only that—he convinced his comrades to make me a decoy in my place and bought time for our tribe.”
“Hyo, this isn't for you to speak on.”
“Why not?”
“What?”
“I'm the one who received the favor—why can't I speak up?”
“...”
“Thanks to him, we've gained a chance to rally our strength against the new island lord.”
“Hyo.”
“Surely you don't want me to become someone who forgets a favor? Do you want our tribe to turn into shameless ingrates who pretend not to know?”
“...”
“It's a divine realm, yes. It could be taboo, sure. But he's a good man. It's the footsteps of a good man reaching our tribe's sacred place.”
“...”
“Isn't it just looking? Isn't it mere scholarly curiosity? Without him, even that divine realm would be gone. If the new island lord tramples our tribe, what use is the divine realm then?”
At young Yang Hyo's words, everyone fell silent like they'd swallowed honey, and a spark of hope lit in Yu Hyun's eyes, which had been darting everywhere.
Well done! My little deer!
That's right! Repay favors like that!
After a long silence.
“Heh heh, well now...”
“...”
Yang Rim burst into hearty laughter.
The look in his eyes, as if he couldn't be prouder of his steadfast grandson, made Yu Hyun cheer inwardly.
It's done. It's done.
The deer saved me.
“Listen well, Yang Hyo.”
“...Yes.”
“Withdraw now and personally guide our benefactor to the Whirlpool.”
“I shall obey.”
Yang Hyo bowed politely.
“Patriarch! That's...”
“Grand Elder, speak no more on this matter.”
“...”
The damn geezer who had tried to block Yu Hyun's grand quest for the millennium spirit tablet was cut off before he could finish.
“From now on, we must discuss urgent matters.”
“As you command.”
“Grand Elder, relay my will to each tribe immediately!”
“I obey.”
Soon, the gathering turned into the Moon Tribe's council of elders.
To unite the six tribes against the new island lord coming for them...
And with no reason for Yu Hyun to join the discussion, he stepped out with his praiseworthy deer, Yang Hyo.
“Let's go.”
“...Yes? Where to?”
“The Whirlpool, obviously.”
“Right now? You swam through the waterways all night—shouldn't you rest first...”
“...”
Yu Hyun didn't answer, just smiled and pushed Yang Hyo along.
Kid, you think I've got time for that?
Gotta hurry before those old timers change their minds. The millennium spirit tablet's waiting for me to claim it...
Come on, deer. Guide me to the fairy—no, to the millennium spirit tablet.
Hurry! Before I crack the whip!
* * *
The Whirlpool lay at the western edge of Haenam Island, the Three Evils' sacred divine realm.
Guided by Yang Hyo, Yu Hyun arrived at a small island a short distance from the Three Evils' beach.
It matched the spot on the map exactly.
They moored at sheer cliffs on the island's far side, where sharp-eyed warriors approached to escort them.
After parting from the warriors and trekking along the cliffside path for a while, they stopped before what looked like a golden cord strung up to bar entry, and Yang Hyo pointed with his finger.
“That's the Whirlpool.”
“...”
It was a massive cave mouth carved into the cliff face.
An enormous cavern where seawater surged right inside.
Woooong! Woooooong!
Was it wind rushing against the walls?
The cave howled like a giant beast.
“It's the sound of the water.”
“Huh? Not the wind?”
As Yu Hyun tilted his head, Yang Hyo grinned brightly and explained.
“The Whirlpool is where the waters swirl. I don't know the details, but the adults say countless waterways connect below the cave.”
“...”
“They crash into each other, making that sound.”
“Ah...”
“The surface looks calm, but underneath, the water spirals like a vortex.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Amazing...”
“Oh, the Whirlpool became a divine realm about two hundred years ago, when a white pearl emerged from the cave bearing our sacred treasure.”
“Sacred treasure?”
When Yu Hyun asked quizzically, Yang Hyo pulled a small pouch from his bosom.
“This is it.”
“...”
In Yang Hyo's outstretched palm lay a small pearl faintly tinged pink.
“...A pearl?”
“Yes, a pearl.”
“...”
It certainly looked like one... but it carried an eerie chill.
Hmm, some kind of ice spirit pearl?
Wild. For this warm southern sea to produce a pearl infused with cold qi.
“Amazing, right?”
“...”
“Even after two hundred years since discovery, it still holds the same chill as when first found.”
“...!”
As Yu Hyun gazed wonderingly at the Moon Tribe's sacred treasure, his eyes suddenly widened.
Wait... this?
Come to think of it, the millennium spirit tablet was said to hold extreme yin spirit energy, right?
Then this chilled pearl before him had to be one grown fat on the yin qi exhaled by the millennium spirit tablet.
“...”
Heh heh, heh heh heh.
The bastard's here. Definitely here.
Even marked its territory so kindly.
“One question?”
“Anything.”
“Has anyone ever entered the Whirlpool up to now?”
“Hmm, not that I know of. You saw the elders' reactions earlier? Since it became a divine realm, even tribesmen can't enter. The annual rites for bountiful harvests and sailors' safety are held outside the golden cord.”
Yu Hyun inwardly smirked wickedly at Yang Hyo's answer.
Two hundred years since the treasure's discovery, and no one's gone in since.
What did that mean?
The thing had holed up in the Whirlpool all that time. For me!
Time to go in. Gotta pay it a visit.
But...
Yu Hyun eyed Yang Hyo with a sly glint.
First, deal with this kid.
Crossing the golden cord was trouble enough—diving into the water? He'd raise holy hell.
From now until he claimed the millennium spirit tablet, there could be zero commotion.
“Isn't nature just wondrous? How does it create something like this?”
As Yang Hyo chattered while gazing into the cave, Yu Hyun stealthily, oh so discreetly and slowly, circled behind him, glancing around.
No one.
Just Yang Hyo and him.
Staring down at the back of Yang Hyo's head, Yu Hyun wore a chilling smile.
Tap.
His finger lightly touched the soft nape, and Yang Hyo slumped bonelessly.
“Kekeke, sleep tight.”
When you wake from that nap, this body will be a new man.
Yu Hyun caught the falling boy and laid him gently in a comfortable spot.
An hour would do.
He couldn't stay underwater longer than that, even with the Sea Heaven Jade's power.
“Whew, here goes.”
Yu Hyun took a deep breath and stepped high over the golden cord.
Toward a place no one had set foot in for two hundred years.
Step, step.
His footsteps echoed through the cave.
Whirlpool...
Gazing briefly at the water's surface rippling gently with the incoming waves, Yu Hyun soon wore a resolute expression and took the Sea Heaven Jade from his bosom, clamping it between his teeth.
Phew...
He felt the quality of his breaths shift—in and out.
The Sea Heaven Jade was working.
Spirit tablet, wait for me. I'm coming.
Splash!
Yu Hyun dove into the water with the expert diving skills honed at Yu Clan Manor, feeling invigorated.
Woooong!
As if sensing his approach, the Whirlpool roared fiercely once more.
Almost as if delighted by his visit...