Chapter 89
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Execution at the Harbor
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“What in the world is going on here?”
The first to leap off his horse and ask was Nangong Seong.
Yu Hyun scanned him up and down, noting something different from usual after not seeing him for days, and raised an eyebrow slightly.
Nangong Seong held a sword in his left hand.
It wasn’t drawn, but within allied territory, it was etiquette to keep one’s sword sheathed at the waist or on the back.
For a right-hander like him to hold it in his left meant he was ready to draw at any moment—combat stance.
And considering his current position...
Yu Hyun instantly grasped his intent and couldn’t help but smirk.
This guy was trying to protect him. Just in case the Haenam Island warriors made a move.
“Clan Leader! What on earth is this? You said you were coming from behind, but you entered the Moon Clan’s harbor? And friction with Haenam Island warriors? You’re the one whose justice, heroism, and righteousness are renowned across the orthodox sects for saving people from a mob. There’s no way you’d act recklessly, so did the Haenam Island warriors do something to you?”
“......”
Gye Dusin followed, approaching with unnecessary flattery spilling from his lips.
It amounted to: Yu Hyun was a righteous man known even in the orthodox sects, so he couldn’t be at fault, while the Haenam Island warriors must be guilty, so try something if they dared.
The method differed, but like Nangong Seong, he was trying to shield Yu Hyun from the Haenam Island warriors.
One with the sword, the other with words...
“......”
Yu Hyun paused mid-smile at their obvious actions and fell into thought.
In any case, judging by Gye Dusin’s words and behavior, it seemed no one yet knew he had arrived on Haenam Island long ago to help the Moon Clan’s young ones.
Moreover, their open protection of him before the Haenam Island warriors meant they weren’t under any particular restrictions.
It also implied there was a reason the new Island Lord hadn’t stopped the attack on the Moon Clan...
“Step aside. Don’t do anything pointless.”
“Un-Uncle.”
“Clan Leader.”
As Yu Hyun pushed the two aside with both hands, Nangong Seong and Gye Dusin wore expressions like they wanted to die trying to stop him.
What did they think they were doing?
Protecting him? Did they think they were already among the Righteous Six Saints?
Get real, you fools. I’m the senior now.
If anyone’s protecting, it should be me—not hiding behind my juniors.
Besides, he had acted, so he would bear the responsibility.
“I am Yu Hyun, leader of the Justice Alliance’s Hidden Dragon Squad.”
“We are Haenam’s Enforcement Squad.”
“......”
Pushing past Nangong Seong and Gye Dusin, Yu Hyun greeted them, and the Enforcement Squad merely nodded curtly from horseback.
How rude... Well, it’s your front yard, so I’ll let it slide.
It was a situation that naturally provoked displeasure. Their own warriors knelt like beaten dogs before an outsider—anyone would seethe.
Internally offering magnanimity as vast as the sea, Yu Hyun carefully observed the man before him.
Though his energy was restrained, by the feel of his spirit, at minimum... aura realm? Or higher? His presence rivaled mid-level transcendents.
Impressively strong, beyond expectations. Enough to explain Nangong Seong’s tension.
This new Haenam Island Lord. Rumored not to have the chiefs’ recognition... yet commanding such a warrior, and still treated like an outcast?
Nonsense.
A man who could lead a sect, wielding such a subordinate, was no ordinary figure.
If scorned despite that, it was either due to his status as new Island Lord or some hidden reason.
“May I ask what happened? Why did you attack our Haenam warriors?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“......”
At the Enforcement Squad’s curt question, Yu Hyun widened his eyes in bewilderment.
“Hmm, how strange. I even sent someone to relay the situation here, but it seems you didn’t hear from him? Or did he deliberately hide his own men’s wrongdoing?”
“......?”
“Tsk tsk, your underlings are that poorly managed?”
The Enforcement Squad’s eye twitched at Yu Hyun’s words.
“I got separated from my group due to some business and departed late. It wasn’t a Justice Alliance ship but one I chartered privately, and we hit rough seas, landing here.”
“......”
“When I arrived, Haenam Island warriors were extorting the island natives.”
The Enforcement Squad’s brow furrowed deeper at Yu Hyun’s explanation.
“From what I heard, there was internal strife, but this is unacceptable, isn’t it? Extortion, no less—and against fellow Haenam folk. That’s the sort of thing riffraff from the unorthodox sects do.”
“......So you intervened?”
“That’s right. I can’t stand by injustice; it’s my nature.”
“......”
At the overly courteous explanation, the Enforcement Squad fixed him with a chilling gaze.
Hidden Dragon Squad. He’d learned of the new organization when Nangong Seong and the others visited.
But it was peculiar.
Nangong Seong and Gye Dusin were warriors strong enough to command respect, exuding fitting presence.
Yet from the man before him, Yu Hyun, nothing emanated. No trace of internal energy, no refined warrior’s aura.
Aside from his striking good looks, he seemed no different from an ordinary person at a glance.
But a squad leader of a warrior unit couldn’t be weaker than his subordinates.
Thus, he must be an expert concealing his skill beyond detection.
“What now?”
“......”
“My explanation alone seems insufficient, and the terrified Moon Clan folk have all fled... If you wish, ask these warriors here? About why I fought your Haenam warriors and what they were doing.”
“......”
Glancing at his subordinates briefly, the Enforcement Squad dismounted.
He then stood directly before Yu Hyun.
“Enough explanation. Surely the Hidden Dragon Squad Leader wouldn’t fabricate the situation?”
“Still, verification...”
“No need. Extortion is strictly forbidden by the Island Lord. If these men harmed ordinary folk unfit for warriors, they must bear responsibility.”
“......”
Yu Hyun added no more at the Enforcement Squad’s words.
One phrase sufficed.
Extortion wasn’t the new Island Lord’s will.
Thus, the Moon Clan’s safety was assured—no further reason to fight.
Relieved at how smoothly it resolved, beyond expectations, Yu Hyun exhaled.
“If that’s the case.”
That instant.
Srring.
“......?”
At the sudden sound of steel scraping, Yu Hyun whipped his head around.
Shkagak!
“......!”
One head fell.
A head he hadn’t even perceived rolled across the ground, blood spurting like a fountain.
“U-Ugh!”
The warriors kneeling before Yu Hyun gaped and lifted their heads at the abrupt turn.
But the Enforcement Squad remained utterly calm, his swinging sword swift as lightning and merciless.
Shwaaak, sgak!
Thud, thud.
“......”
In mere breaths, nineteen heads tumbled one after another.
Clang.
In that brief moment, he shook the blood from his blade and sheathed it.
Yu Hyun’s face twisted in stunned halt at the unforeseen event.
“What is the meaning of this?!”
“......”
As Yu Hyun bellowed, the Enforcement Squad turned, speaking in a voice of perfect composure.
“I’ve exacted responsibility.”
“Responsibility?”
“Didn’t I say so earlier?”
“What?”
“If they harmed others, they must bear responsibility. That’s Haenam’s law, and I’ve merely enforced it. Why make a fuss? This isn’t for you to interfere in.”
“What did you say?”
He knew it wasn’t wrong.
Criminals couldn’t escape accountability. But this act felt like a show for him...
“Uncle.”
“Let go.”
“It’s Haenam’s law. You mustn’t interfere further.”
“......”
As Yu Hyun clenched his fists and glared, Nangong Seong rushed over to restrain him.
“The Island Lord wishes to see you.”
“......”
The Enforcement Squad spoke calmly to Yu Hyun once more and mounted.
“All hands, return!”
Not a flicker of disturbance from him or his accompanying troops.
Even killing enemies warranted a grimace—what of comrades? How could they be so impassive?
Staring daggers at the Enforcement Squad’s back, a head he hadn’t detected rolled to his feet.
Roll...
“......”
As if warning him.
Grit.
Yu Hyun ground his teeth, jaw muscles bulging starkly.
“......Uncle.”
“......”
Damn it...
Amid Nangong Seong’s voice thick with concern, Yu Hyun swallowed his rage.
Nangong Seong’s worry mattered, and above all, the people were saved...
But the Enforcement Squad’s brutality lingered in his mind.
Better to confirm more before informing the hidden ones of the situation.
They could leave, but these folk must live on here.
* * *
With uneasy hearts, they reached Haenam Island’s main fortress.
The island’s highest peak, shaped like Buddha’s finger that imprisoned the Monkey King, thus named Five Finger Mountain, hosted a vast city.
Central folk called the Island Lord’s abode Haenam Sect or Sword Gate, but islanders named it the main fortress.
Following the troops from Julip into Five Finger Mountain, Yu Hyun’s group passed dense jungle,
Kwaaaa!
A waterfall from the upper Changhwa River’s source plunged spectacularly toward the cattle, white foam scattering like mist.
Sodden trees and grasses glimpsed through the mist, unseen in the central plains, added to the mystique.
Further up, passing the massive fortress at mid-mountain, Haenam Sect’s halls emerged.
Countless halls densely lining the slope evoked another world.
Vastly grander and more ornate than the Moon Clan’s pole-and-thatch huts.
“You are the Justice Alliance’s Hidden Dragon Squad Leader.”
At the Enforcement Squad’s shout reining in at the halls’ entrance, warriors bowed and approached.
“From here, you proceed on foot.”
“......”
“The Island Lord awaits.”
Yu Hyun nodded at the warrior taking the reins.
He wanted to meet him. No—he had to.
To learn what kind of man kept such a butcher, and if he could entrust the Moon Clan folk to him.