Chapter 96
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Perfectly Predictable
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"Exactly as expected, not a single inch off. Pathetic bastard."
……Well, it's convenient for me, at least.
Yeo Eung-seo sending a messenger pigeon back to the main fortress despite having the chance to slit my throat while I slept meant he was clearly scheming to grab even more for himself. And now, one of those who received it would come rushing over in a panic.
The bait was cast, but what would bite was still unknown. The new Lord, some shadowy faction, or both.
Whichever it was, those tied to the chaos's puppets would be the most desperate.
After waiting about two hours in the chilly wind—
Perhaps setting out the moment they got the pigeon, hoofbeats began echoing from the direction of the main fortress along the distant road.
Just from the sound, I could tell. They're coming at full gallop, stakes high.
Drawing up my inner energy to sharpen my vision, I could make out their forms charging down the moonlit straightaway.
"As expected…… it's you bastards."
Guilty of some heaven-defying crime, the Lord's personal Whirlwind Brigade, faces veiled in bamboo hats.
From the way they whipped their horses like mad, they must be in a real hurry. And a decent number, too……
Alright, the stage is set properly. Time to draw their eyes full force, like promised with my lovely disciples, and empty out the main fortress.
Grinning, Yu Hyun leaped down from under the eaves.
"Huh?"
The warrior standing guard over the hall where Yu Hyun slept looked baffled.
"What, surprised?"
Yu Hyun shoved aside the dumbstruck man and approached the hall.
"Ah, n-no, b-brother? How are you……?"
"……"
Yeo Eung-seo, who had been pacing anxiously in front of the hall despite sending the pigeon, his mind not at ease, went wide-eyed.
That flustered look……
And who's your brother? Look at the age gap.
"Did you…… go see Sophi or something……? Huh? Why are you out here?"
Yu Hyun chuckled amusedly at the sight of him flailing, eyes darting between the firmly shut door and himself.
Ugh, not there. The roof.
You should've guarded it airtight, you toad-like bastard.
"What the hell was the guy guarding inside doing?"
Yeo Eung-seo muttered to himself in a daze over and over.
Idiot.
If the conspirator slipped out, you don't rush to grab him……?
What do you think the guy inside was doing? If he'd been wide awake, would I have gotten out?
"L-Look here. You must still have alcohol in you, so maybe rest a bit more……"
Yu Hyun shook his head pityingly at the words dripping with panic, then stopped at a suitable distance.
Let's see…… how far does the inner energy from the Millennium Spirit Patch go?
Swoosh.
As Yu Hyun suddenly stepped forward, Yeo Eung-seo asked in a trembling voice.
"What are you doing right now?"
Yu Hyun gave no reply, clenching his fist and pulling it back to his waist.
Whirrrrl!
As inner energy seeped into his gripped fist, the air swirled in like a vortex.
"Huh? Wh-what?"
Yeo Eung-seo spun around in confusion at the sudden gust.
Scared already? The real chaos starts now.
The inner energy gathered to its limit crackled like it would burst. Yu Hyun planted his forward foot firmly and thrust his fist out powerfully.
Boommmm!
The earth vibrated intensely.
Ruuuumble!
The twisted fist tore through the air, resonating. From the fully extended fist, the condensed inner energy erupted wildly.
Exploding fist, Thunderclap.
Rumble rumble! KABOOM!
"……!"
Nothing stirs up trouble like this…… Hold on.
Crrrack, crashhhh.
As the massive explosion's dust cleared, Yeo Eung-seo and the Huan warriors—along with Yu Hyun himself—gaped in shock.
The inner energy from the Millennium Spirit Patch was this strong……? Screw it, should I just fight them outright?
No. To expose every last accomplice and uproot it all, I need to wait longer.
Rice tastes better when properly simmered.
"Yeo Eung-seo."
"……"
"Better start picking out your grave ahead of time."
With a meaningful glare laced with killing intent, Yu Hyun bolted straight toward the beachside port.
KABOOM!
Smashing through walls with every stride.
"Th-this……! What are you doing! Chase him!"
* * *
Thud thud thud thud!
Horses carrying the veiled warriors galloped madly.
The leader at the front, a veiled figure—Bang Hae-gun of the Whirlwind Brigade—had a grotesquely twisted face.
All because of the messenger pigeon from Huan Chief Yeo Eung-seo.
Fifteen years. That's how long they'd been the Whirlwind Brigade to seize Haenam Island, how long they'd served loyally to earn the previous Lord's trust.
Finally, the time had come. They'd seated Gak Ja-seong.
Now, at last, the fruits…….
But the Righteous Alliance knew of them, and some bastard named Yu Hyun had uncovered it?
The previous letter said that bastard was involved in the Iron Fist Gang—swayed by the Southern Heaven's Glass Palace—being crushed by the Water Dragon King. Did he find something there?
It made no sense, no matter how he thought.
The Iron Fist Gang's base and their organization were different.
Be it the Water Dragon King, the Beggars' Sect, or anyone in the world—no one could ever find the connection between them. They were branches from entirely different roots to begin with.
But if Yu Hyun found a clue about them on Haenam Island?
Dangerous.
He didn't know what, but it absolutely could not come to light.
The Heavenly Seat's master would soon be decided. The four different branches merging into one root.
And Haenam Island was the tribute to offer him, the master and arbiter of the world. No issues could arise until it safely reached his hands.
"Damn it……."
Grinding his teeth openly in anxiety, he whipped his horse viciously.
Yu Hyun's mouth had to be shut. No matter his position, even if the Emperor backed him—extermination was the only way.
"That bastard! He won't see dawn."
Killing intent blazed fiercely in Bang Hae-gun's eyes.
"Hurry! Almost there!"
Crack! Crack!
His shout and the whip drove the exhausted horses harder.
And at last, to the Huan Tribe's……
KABOOM!
"……!"
A earth-shaking explosion made them all yank their reins in panic.
What the hell?
What was clearly the chief's massive compound lay before them.
Yet one building had just exploded entirely.
Who…… set off a firebomb or something?
As Bang Hae-gun and his men stared in disbelief, the hall crumbled before their eyes with a crunch, like a sandcastle.
Eyes bulging, he leaped from his horse, rushed to Yeo Eung-seo, grabbed his collar, and slammed him to the ground.
Rip! Thud!
"Gahk!"
Crunch.
Bang Hae-gun stomped mercilessly on Yeo Eung-seo's chest and bent at the waist.
"Wh-what is this……."
"Shut up. One more word before I ask, and you're dead."
"……."
The savage eyes glaring down and the rising killing intent.
Overwhelmed by Bang Hae-gun's chilling presence, Yeo Eung-seo just widened his eyes and clamped his mouth shut.
"What happened?"
"H-he…… was definitely in there……."
"Was?"
"He suddenly escaped……."
"……!"
At "escaped," Bang Hae-gun's eyes widened.
Things were turning urgent.
If the bastard fled, he'd cross the sea. He absolutely could not be let go.
At this moment, nothing filled his mind but capturing Yu Hyun.
Grit!
Grinding his teeth to breaking, veins bulging on his neck, Bang Hae-gun roared.
"So Ha!"
"Yes."
"Seal the port and block all ships! Relay orders to every tribe. From now on, no rat escapes Haenam Island's shores—guard every coast tight!"
"Yes!"
"Whirlwind Brigade pursues the bastard now! Capture him at all costs; kill if necessary!"
"Yes!"
As warriors scrambled under the razor-sharp command, a shadow hidden in the darkness bared white teeth in a cold smile and slipped stealthily toward Haenam Island's main fortress.
* * *
Still before even the rooster crowed.
Oji Mountain, home to the Island Lord's residence, buzzed with activity.
Flutter flutter!
From the Messenger Hall handling communications, flocks of pigeons soared toward each tribe's lands, and all major warrior squad leaders were summoned.
"The Lord's command! All squads move immediately to the tribes' lands and control the warriors. Objective: coastal blockade! No ship leaves Haenam Island!"
"Yes!"
At the orders from Total Fleet Commander Hwang Hyu—bearing the new Lord's proxy seal—the Haenam Sect's warrior squads mounted up and charged out.
Thud thud thud thud!
The line of riders split into six paths, thundering away and shaking the earth.
"Damn, what happened in Huan territory? A blockade out of nowhere?"
Hwang Hyu stood alone at the now-deserted main gate after the warriors flowed out like tide, tilting his head.
The Whirlwind Brigade heading to Huan lands suddenly, and now the new Lord's blockade?
He just had to relay the Lord's dawn frenzy orders……
"……But it's been ages since the main fortress emptied like this. Even during the Moon Tribe rebellion, it wasn't this bad."
With the unprecedented mobilization stripping away all Haenam Sect warriors, only a scant guard force remained.
Glancing around uneasily for a moment, Hwang Hyu soon sighed shortly and shook his head.
"What's the big deal if it's a bit empty? Who threatens a place full of just Haenam folk?"
Still, the emptiness made the wind feel extra cold. Shivering once, he buttoned his collar and turned.
"Guess I should head in for some hot soup…… Huh?"
Mid-turn toward the interior, he spotted someone approaching fast from afar and narrowed his eyes.
Who? Face looks familiar……
"Latent Dragon Captain?"
Looking again in suspicion, it was definitely Yu Hyun, the Righteous Alliance envoy.
"Out for a dawn stroll or…… Huh?"
Thwack, thwack!
"……!"
As Yu Hyun neared him, he suddenly downed the two guards at the main gate.
"Ah, what are you……."
Hwang Hyu started in shock at the abrupt action.
Swoosh!
Yu Hyun closed in instantly.
Crack!
No time to dodge—a fist burrowed into his gut.
"Guh……."
Thud.
Yu Hyun casually kicked the wordless, crumpling Hwang Hyu aside and scanned sharply around.
Luckily, the guards weren't dense.
"Well, they're all out hunting me…… Alright, let's begin."
First, paralyze this Messenger Hall. No matter what happens in the main fortress, those outside can't know.
Grinning briefly, Yu Hyun launched himself back the way he'd come.
Keep searching hard.
By the time you hear and rush back, your conspiracy will be laid bare.