Chapter 98
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: The Reversal at the Training Ground
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The martial artists swarmed in all at once.
The new Island Lord's decree.
Even if they harbored resentment, even if there were crucial reasons tied to their livelihoods, it was an inviolable command that every soul on Haenam Island had to obey unless given special instructions otherwise.
Those who disobeyed were traitors, and the punishment for such was severe.
Especially in the current atmosphere on Haenam Island.
With the Moon Clan's rebellion and the pursuit of the Justice Alliance martial artists who had attempted the usurpation.
Thus, every martial artist on Haenam Island who received the decree raced toward Oji Mountain like mad, and the entrance to the main fortress became a chaotic marketplace teeming with the sudden influx.
So many had gathered that most didn't even stop their horses before charging through the main gate, and the scant few guards there couldn't properly check anyone.
The Whirlwind Brigade and the tribal warriors arriving from all directions reached the fortress's largest training ground—what looked like an open clearing with no barriers—without even dismounting.
In the midst of the buzzing training ground stood three men in hoods, slumped over with their arms bound to a horse post crossed in the shape of the character 乂.
Satisfaction curled on Bang Haegun's lips.
He couldn't see their faces, but the rags one wore were unmistakably the white-beggar robes of those filthy beggars.
Then the other two?
He knew without looking.
The new Island Lord had captured Yu Hyun, so the remaining one had to be Nangong Seong.
This sealed it. No one could save them now.
The Justice Alliance, Beggars' Sect, Nangong Clan. No matter how mighty their sects, they wouldn't dare plead for the lives of those guilty of usurpation. It would be tantamount to declaring war on Haenam Island.
Now only their severed heads would cross the sea, and the secret would stay buried.
Thud thud thud thud.
As everyone approached the criminals tied to the post, a maid dressed in the attire of the new Island Lord's residence came rushing in frantically.
Her face was deathly pale for some reason.
Had she been frightened during the criminals' capture?
The maid stopped before Bang Haegun, clutching her trembling hands, and spoke.
"The, the, the Island Lord says..."
"......?"
"He praises the Whirlwind Brigade for their merit in capturing the criminals... and orders all of you to step forward."
Praise?
Bang Haegun let out an involuntary chuckle.
The new Island Lord must have been planning to shrug his shoulders at him like a cat that caught a mouse.
Of course. How much humiliation had he endured being dismissed by Bang Haegun all this time?
Even if he was just a pretender wearing the title, he probably wanted to show off his authority before everyone.
Pathetic scum...
But with all the tribal chiefs and their warriors present, giving the Island Lord a moment to save face wasn't a bad idea.
"Understood. But why hasn't the Island Lord shown himself?"
"Ah, th-that's... He said he's personally bringing out a gift for the Whirlwind Brigade captain who earned the merit..."
"I see... Good grief. How dangerous must it have been for you to be this tense? You're sweating so much."
"Pardon? Oh, no, it's nothing."
The maid hurriedly turned her head away, avoiding his gaze, swallowed hard, and retreated.
Bang Haegun shook his head at the sight, then turned arrogantly to sweep his gaze over the tribes.
"The Island Lord personally captured these criminals—what an exhilarating achievement! And to credit me with his own deed, how could I not express my utmost respect for such humility?"
"......"
The tribal chiefs furrowed their brows at Bang Haegun's shout but said nothing.
The new Island Lord and Whirlwind Brigade had already seized control of Haenam Island. Power lay with them, and the chiefs could only focus on protecting their tribesmen.
If they fell out of favor, they might lose everything just like the Moon Clan had to the Hwan Clan.
They might even bear the stigma of rebellion like the Moon Clan...
As if reading their thoughts, Bang Haegun flashed a sinister smile at the chiefs before turning and stepping forward.
"All Whirlwind Brigade members, step forward!"
"Yes!"
With bold, confident strides, as if proclaiming their dominance, the Whirlwind Brigade warriors fanned out in formation behind Bang Haegun.
That was when everyone was waiting for the Island Lord to appear.
"I'm a bit late, it seems."
"......?"
A familiar voice suddenly boomed from the side, causing everyone to whip their heads around in shock.
Yang Lim, the Moon Clan's chief.
He was strolling into the training ground, leading the Moon Clan warriors who had been imprisoned.
"Wh-what? Chief? How is this possible?"
Go Hyeon-tae, the nearest Hoe Clan chief, asked with bulging eyes.
"I was in prison so long, I took time to wash up and change into fresh clothes. What else?"
"Pardon?"
Everyone was baffled by Yang Lim's leisurely smile and casual reply.
"Bang, Captain. It's been a while, hasn't it? Thanks to you, I got a great prison experience."
"......"
He even waved casually at Bang Haegun, the man who had quelled the Moon Clan's rebellion and massacred their warriors mercilessly.
"You bastard..."
Bang Haegun's expression, naturally, was far from pleased.
His eyelids twitched violently, and his pupils dilated and contracted repeatedly.
What the hell was going on? How could this man, who should be in prison, be here?
Had the usurpation succeeded? Impossible.
The new Island Lord had clearly captured those three... Three?
Suddenly recalling three others, Bang Haegun's eyes widened.
New Island Lord Gok Ja-seong and the two Whirlwind Brigade warriors left to guard him...
"No way?"
The thought barely formed before Bang Haegun shot forward and yanked off the hood from the central figure bound to the post.
"......!"
The bloodied face slumped on the frame belonged to none other than the new Island Lord, Gok Ja-seong.
Whoosh, whoosh!
Bang Haegun swiftly ripped off the other two hoods as well.
Sure enough, they were his subordinates, slumped in similar pitiful states.
"No, this can't be!"
The watching tribal chiefs gasped in unison, and the gathered warriors began murmuring.
But none rivaled Bang Haegun's shock.
Bloodshot veins bulged in his wide eyes, and a ferocious killing intent erupted around him like a storm, kicking up clouds of dust.
"You bastards, what is this?! Colluding with the Justice Alliance's villains..."
"What? Hahaha!"
"......"
Yang Lim's sudden burst of roaring laughter cut him off.
"You dullard. To think all of Haenam Island danced to your schemes... How shameful."
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Still haven't grasped the situation?"
"What?"
Bang Haegun countered in bewilderment.
What was happening here? What was Yang Lim babbling about?
"The Justice Alliance aren't villains—they're the heroes who saved Haenam. And we didn't collude; we received their aid."
"Shut your mouth! You, who once led Haenam Island's tribes..."
"The one who should shut up is you!"
"......"
"Thinking of how I failed to protect the Island Lord and Young Island Lord because of your deception fills me with shame even now."
"......"
"But! Some proceedings against the criminal Gok Ja-seong have already begun per the Lord's command. Now, we shall judge you all."
Yang Lim bellowed over Bang Haegun's voice.
Lord? What did that mean?
"What are you waiting for! Draw your swords! Aim at those scum!"
Everyone stared in confusion at Yang Lim as he pointed at Bang Haegun and the Whirlwind Brigade, roaring.
Like Bang Haegun, they couldn't make sense of it.
"You filth! What drivel is this?! Not content with usurpation, now you're deceiving everyone with your silver tongue! You dare humiliate the Island Lord?! Whirlwind Captain, what are you doing? Leaving the Island Lord tied like that!"
Yeo Eung-seo, the Hwan Clan chief nearby, stepped forward in outrage, but Yang Lim smirked.
"Mad dog. As expected, you'd jump in. Think you'll get away? Betraying everything for personal gain carries heavy sin. You and your clan won't escape either!"
"Wh-what?!"
As Yeo Eung-seo gaped in shock, Yang Lim bowed toward the grand hall with a sneer.
"My Lord! Issue your command!"
His thunderous cry drew all eyes to the grand hall.
Creak.
In the deathly silence, the door opening echoed like thunder in their ears.
Step, step, step.
Footsteps.
Someone emerged slowly from the hall's darkness.
Feet appeared, then legs, and finally, a fully revealed face...
"Yu, Yu Hyun?"
Bang Haegun's face twisted savagely at the sight of that disarmingly clear smile.
"How are you here?"
"......"
Yu Hyun gave a slight chuckle toward the still-bewildered Bang Haegun, then glanced back into the hall.
Rattle, rattle.
Nangong Seong pushed out a wheeled chair, followed by the jailers and physicians.
"......You?"
The pale-faced man wrapped in thick cloth against the chill sat in the chair.
Bang Haegun's eyes nearly popped out upon recognizing him.
"Th-that, that's..."
"How..."
Those scrutinizing the man's face sighed from various spots.
Young Island Lord Gok Ja-heon.
The man who had fallen into qi deviation was now being wheeled out by Nangong Seong, with the jailers guarding his side.
The sighs turned to tears, then to joy spreading across faces.
"Try raising your voice again. Before the Young Island Lord, who fell into qi deviation because of you scum."
"......"
Bang Haegun had no retort to Yang Lim's words.
It was incomprehensible.
How had the man he'd induced into qi deviation with some grand technique recovered...
"Whirlwind Captain..."
"......Y-Young Island Lord."
Gok Ja-heon parted his lips with effort, extending a hand from under the blanket to toss something out.
Clink, roll...
Bang Haegun gaped blankly at the small piece of lodestone.
"Recognize it?"
"......"
How could he not?
The tiny grains stuck to the lodestone.
The qi device that spreads through the bloodstream, blocking meridians to induce coma—Blood-Transforming Iron Needles—he had embedded in Gok Ja-heon's crown to fake qi deviation...
But how?
"Thanks to you, I lay bedridden a long time. Without the Justice Alliance warriors' help, I might not have recovered. But my mind was clear. Clear enough to hear every word you shared with my brother..."
Bloodshot eyes filled with venom as Gok Ja-heon glared at Bang Haegun.
"My father, myself, and all of Haenam Island... I will never forgive you or those behind you."
"......"
Bang Haegun realized everything had gone awry and squeezed his eyes shut.
His plan, fifteen years in the making...
The flawless fortress of a scheme crumbled like a sandcastle.
Shing!
Swords were drawn everywhere.
Tribal chiefs, warriors... Their rage-drawn blades gleamed blindingly in the moonlight.
And their tips pointed at Bang Haegun and the Whirlwind Brigade warriors.
Even the Hwan Clan...
No, not quite for the Hwan Clan.
Their blades aimed not at the flustered Hwan warriors, but at Yeo Eung-seo.
"I, I..."
With the situation reversed by Gok Ja-heon's appearance, Yeo Eung-seo collapsed to the ground, strength drained.
"Heh..."
"......?"
"Hahaha!"
Amid the powder-keg tension, Bang Haegun suddenly burst into mad laughter.
"Heh heh, damn it all... You got me clean. So that's the play. That's the play it was."
Bang Haegun opened his eyes, staring at the sky as he muttered to himself.
"Should've killed him outright instead of faking qi deviation..."
"......"
Swoosh.
Lowering his gaze, Bang Haegun fixed Yu Hyun with eyes brimming with murderous intent.
"All this from that head of yours?"
"......"
"Impressive. Truly impressive. Fifteen years' grand scheme undone by you..."
"......"
Grip.
Bang Haegun clenched his sword hilt.
A cruel smile twisted his lips as he intensified his glare at Yu Hyun.
Shing.
The sword slid out neither fast nor slow, held diagonally downward.
In an instant, pure white sword aura blanketed the blade like frost, thickening until it fully enveloped it.
The absolute technique called sword aura. Bang Haegun's blade bore perfected aura.
Shing shing shing!
At his signal, the black-robed warriors drew their swords in unison.
"I'll admit defeat. Admit we were had. But do you know?"
"......"
"Now that our identity's exposed, not a single ant will remain on this Haenam Island."
The surrounding tribal warriors, even the jailers and Nangong Seong, swallowed dryly at his displayed aura and bloodthirsty words.
"Crazy bastard. That's just your delusion."
Amid the taut tension, only Yu Hyun advanced nonchalantly.
Crack.
With leisurely, confident steps, Yu Hyun cracked his interlocked knuckles to loosen his stiff joints.
He hadn't fully tested it against Yeo Eung-seo anyway. Just how potent was the vital energy gained from absorbing the Millennium Viper.
Perfect timing, isn't it?
Let me test it on you... And if there's time, we can chat.
Something tells me you know quite a bit.