Cut One and Two Grow Back - 5
It's strange. No matter how much I think about it, something's off. 'Why no word yet?'
The outpost we used to roam the seas. An uninhabited island pretty far from the mainland. That island was stuffed full of treasures we'd stockpiled over the years—ever since our predecessors joined forces with Huang Yan Hou. Even the Fujian bandits who allied with us were awestruck by the sheer amount of wealth buried there. So I handpicked some reliable guys and ordered them to haul it all to a new base. And still, nothing.
'Did they eat it up and bolt?' No, impossible. We'd just torn apart a traitor who tried to run off with the cash and scattered his pieces across the sea. Anyone greedy enough to eye the glory our forebears built? We sent them straight to join their ancestors. No one sane would dare after witnessing that. They know we'd hunt them to the ends of the earth and kill them.
I even sent loyal idiots who lack brains but follow orders to the letter—just in case. Guys who might fumble surprises but stick to instructions religiously.
'...Some variable cropped up.'
Then the silence from those outpost guys makes sense. It means something hit them they couldn't handle with their wits.
What a headache. I'd sent underlings back and forth between the outpost and mainland with zero issues, so this shouldn't have happened. Should've gone myself if I'd known.
At least some treasure's already moved to the new spot. But losing men who obey without question or pushback? That's a huge blow. Good luck finding replacements like that anywhere.
"Those damned government dogs."
Irritation and rage boiled over; I ruffled my hair savagely. Had to be the officials' doing. Who else in these waters would dare touch us so boldly? Infuriating.
They're already hounded by Fujian bandit brothers, whimpering because they can't handle their own kin—and now they come for us? Shameless upstarts.
'I'll make them regret it.'
Hitting their undefended rear while they're distracted? Easy. We lost most treasure, sure, but our forces are intact. We could deal the government a fatal blow blindfolded. So, vengeance for my sunken brothers—
"Ch-Chief!"
"What is it?!"
Just as I'd steeled my resolve, some idiot starts a commotion. These fools, every last one—can't read the damn room. When your chief's vowing revenge for brothers lost to the cold depths, show some restraint!
"B-Big trouble! The government's on the move!"
His words only soured my mood further. I already knew they'd hit us.
"You make a fuss over the government stirring? How many times have we clashed with their dogs while ruling these seas?!"
Ever since brave sea men united against the Mongols, only for our leader to surrender to the throne and snag the Huang Yan Hou title—we've fought countless government lackeys. Against villains trying to leash free sea heroes. Against vermin shoving petty laws down our throats.
So no need to panic over officials now. It's routine for us.
"It's different! Not like before!"
But my underling kept trembling through my fury. Ridiculous. Different how? Zhejiang's swamped handling Fujian overflow bandits; Fujian's practically their stronghold. No way they handle a massive hero band like us. Plus, Hangzhou's Dong-gu Wang left recently to smash wokou pirates. With Gu Gang's Gu Gangwang on that expedition, they're gone a while. Two kings away—no quick return.
...Or so I'd thought.
"This is insane."
Not until I checked beyond the outpost. Not until I saw the massive army closing in.
Not until I spotted those proudly raised banners amid the troops.
'Damn it all.'
My mind went blank. Thought some desperate officials scraped together a force despite shortages. But no—not the Zhejiang or Fujian grunts plagued by bandits. Worse.
'Why's that old monster here...!'
And the one guy I most wanted to avoid showed up. The madman who'd left east with Dong-gu Wang was here too.
Gu Gangwang. Pirates' nightmare. The Central Plains' top lunatic who declared anyone using martial arts on water without his permission a pirate to exterminate. The grim reaper who turned Yangtze brothers into wandering ghosts.
I fled to this mainland to dodge him. Other dogs don't scare me, but that rabid beast...!
"Chief! What now?!"
"No escape! Those bastards blocked every route—how'd they even know?!"
"What were the sentries doing?! How'd they miss that army?!"
Underlings panicked at the banners—especially Gu Gangwang's. For water-dwellers, his name's pure terror.
"...Scatter."
"Huh?"
"Everyone scatter and flee on your own. Fighting means annihilation; grouping up means sweep. Better to disperse."
Harsh truth, but reality. Two kings, two dukes leading that host. No winning with our strength; too late to flee as one. Only hope: leave it to heaven, run solo.
Luckily, our outpost's in rugged mountains—picked on Fujian bandit advice. Expert touch. Head southwest a bit, hit Fujian. Once there, brothers help us vanish. More mountains, harsher terrain than Zhejiang.
"Chief! Flee alone?! How can you—!"
"You can come with me if you want. But if they ID me as chief, I'm priority target."
"...How can you say that! But we survivors must remember you! We won't forget your sacrifice!"
Griping underlings switched to "safety in scattering" quick. Damn fools. Can't blame 'em—I'd do the same.
'At least the terrain favors escape.'
Dense trees, dug tunnels, branching caves, hidden waterfalls everywhere. With luck, I can hide one body.
So, trust the heavens.
The Marshal Offices feel like aces up the sleeve—last resorts. Managing regions rivaling national size, only five in Daesong. Casual moves dilute prestige, tire troops.
So Zhejiang and Fujian screamed but handled internally to avoid escalation. Fail and pass to marshals? "Those local bureaucrats suck..." rumors fly.
I, a central official, was about to nag the marshals—but no need now.
"Gu Gangwang Your Highness! Dong-gu Wang Your Highness!"
"When did you arrive?!"
Left Army Marshal Office Left Marshal Duke Jo-guk Yi Mun-chung rushed upon hearing the kings landed at Onju-bu. Front Army Marshal Office Left Marshal Duke Cho Deung Yu followed once Fujian unrest caught the kings' eye.
Kings' procession spooks even sluggish marshals. Locals failing means marshal ire, but to kings, local woes are marshal woes. Kings might call dukes "lazy lords."
Thus, two kingly forces plus two marshal armies formed a massive suppression squad.
"Burn it all! Traitors daring invoke noble names! No mercy!"
"This land's now foul and cursed! Purge with fire, rebuild!"
The dukes, nearly emperor-stamped, went berserk pounding self-proclaimed Huang Yan Hou heirs.
"Hm. They fight well, as expected. Worthy of duke titles."
"Who else as reliable as our dukes?"
Gu Gangwang and Dong-gu Wang watched, chuckling praise. Good thing—nearly lost dukes to pirate-scum stress ulcers.
"That mountain. Decent waterfalls, right?"
"Yeah."
"Hmmm."
Gu Gangwang stroked his chin, then beckoned his adjutant.
"Call the Gui Ju boys. I'll handle with Yeo Ga lads myself."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Adjutant vanished at the order.
"Your Highness, with Dukes Jo-guk and Cho stepping up, no need for you. Just spectate leisurely..."
"No. Vermin infesting seas invoke Fang Jin's name—how can Yeo Ga sit idle? I'll exalt Fang Jin's name personally!"
Mouth says Huang Yan Hou heirs, but that sly grin tells all. In Gu Gangwang's head, they're not mountain bandits—cowardly pirate class-change. Still sea trash he must purge. Mountains or not, sea scum to him.
'Waterfalls make it 'sea' enough?' Fits waterfall-pirate types I'd seen.
'...Gui Ju boys?'
Gui Ju lads for waterfall pirates? From mere pirates to Gu Gangwang's favored strike team. Family glory for them.