Chapter 225
Chapter 225
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 225
Chapter Title: Moth to a Flame (2)
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"They're on the move."
The deputy leader of the Death Command Unit, Mi Nok, spoke up just as Pavilion Leader Gu Yangcho was lifting his cup to his lips. His motion came to a quiet halt.
"Any changes?"
"None. They're traveling on two ships—one carrying the Sword Comet and the Sword Pavilion's swordsmen, the other with Sima Geon and his group, along with the Jeon Gal clan's Crouching Dragon Corps."
"They haven't spotted the tail, have they?"
"No signs of that, but honestly, I can't be certain. Those kinds are perfectly capable of pretending not to notice even if they have."
Gu Yangcho nodded in agreement with Mi Nok's words.
Under normal circumstances, he would have issued a stern reprimand.
As an executor of the Blood Fiend Cult, trained specifically in shadowing, pursuit, and assassination, such uncertainty in words or actions was utterly unacceptable.
But the target was Sima Geon, and that changed everything. Gu Yangcho himself didn't expect Sima Geon to miss his men's movements.
"Let them try if they dare. Could even be a provocation."
"A provocation...?"
"Means he's that confident."
Mi Nok's expression darkened slightly at Gu Yangcho's words.
"Afraid?"
"Pardon?"
"Are you afraid of losing your life?"
"No, not that. It's just the thought that we might fail that's frightening."
Having heard the answer he wanted, the chill on Gu Yangcho's face softened.
"You can gauge how formidable he is just by looking at the foes he's faced so far. But we're the undefeated gamblers who've never known failure. This time will be no different—we'll succeed. So don't fear too much."
"Understood."
"They won't arrive for a while yet, but just in case, double-check everything. Not a single gap can be tolerated."
"Yes, sir!"
Mi Nok withdrew quietly after receiving the order. At that moment, a man who had been silently nursing his drink until then slowly raised his head.
He was in his early thirties, with delicate brows and beautiful eyes like a woman's, and a sharply prominent nose—but unfortunately, his strong, angular jawline ruined the overall balance of his face.
He was Cheol Ak, grandson of the Blood Fiend Cult's Dharma Protector Blood Flame Army, who had lost his life to Sima Geon and Cheol Woo while attacking First Prince's group on their way back from Shaolin Temple. Cheol Ak had since risen to fame as the head escort of Yanghwa Escort Agency.
"Uncle."
"What?"
"You've heard a lot of lies today."
"Lies?"
"You said we'd succeed."
"You think we'll fail?"
"If it were just him, maybe. But he's got a big entourage, including the Sword Comet, the Sword Pavilion, and even those beggar-like Crouching Dragon Corps rabble. It'll be tough."
Cheol Ak shook his head, though his expression wasn't particularly grim.
"If you knew we'd fail, why join this plan?"
Gu Yangcho asked with a smile.
"The odds of failure are high, but it's still the best chance we'll get. Miss this, and who knows when we'll face them again. You know that too, Uncle. I haven't even properly held Grandfather's funeral yet."
"Killing him is probably impossible. He's that strong. But revenge doesn't have to mean slaying him personally. He needs to taste the pain of losing family and comrades. That's enough for me. Of course, cutting his throat would be ideal."
"Heh heh heh! So you were thinking the same as me, Uncle. Truth is, I have no intention of clashing with him directly. I'm not skilled enough, and if I die, who's going to hold Grandfather's funeral or set up the ancestral table? One of his underlings' heads for the altar will do just fine. I'll settle for that for now. The real revenge comes later, once I've honed my skills properly."
"Excellent judgment."
Gu Yangcho didn't stint on praise for Cheol Ak's words, which some might call cowardly.
He much preferred this over blind rage born of vengeance. Recognizing his own limitations and seeking the best possible outcome in the current situation—that mindset appealed to him greatly.
"Still, it's a bit disappointing."
"What is?"
"No matter how much he cherishes his comrades, blood ties are different. It would've been perfect if his brothers were with him. Ideal offerings for the altar."
As Cheol Ak expressed genuine regret, Gu Yangcho let out a meaningful chuckle.
"Just wait. You might hear some unexpected good news from afar."
"Uncle! You don't mean..."
Cheol Ak started to ask, but Gu Yangcho's lips remained sealed.
The boats departed from the dock and sailed smoothly.
The sky was crystal clear without a single cloud, and a perfect breeze blew—ideal weather for cruising.
Unlike the crew silently going about their duties, the captain wandered the pleasure boat, chatting here and there. His talk was mostly about local scenery and historic sites, but he told it in such an engaging, lively way that everyone responded enthusiastically.
"Talented guy."
Cheol Woo smirked as he watched the captain, surrounded by the Crouching Dragon Corps, chatting away.
"I eavesdropped a bit earlier. Even I got sucked right into his stories. Impressive patter, and it wasn't even anything special."
Cheol Woo nodded at Manchu's words.
"That's how he's survived this long. Especially without any real martial prowess."
"How long since we left?"
Sima Geon asked.
"Almost two hours."
"Two hours?"
Sima Geon's gaze turned skyward. Though the hour of the Monkey (3-5 PM) was ending, the sun still blazed fiercely.
"Sun's really beating down."
"Afternoon rays like this make you so drowsy."
Cheol Woo stretched grandly as he spoke.
"Perfect time to stir things up. Noejeon."
"Yes, Division Leader."
"Fetch the captain."
The group, who had been idly admiring the view, all turned to Sima Geon at once.
"Yes, sir."
Noejeon dashed off to the captain, eyes sparkling.
"You called for me? Is something amiss?"
The captain rushed over and bowed politely.
"No, everything's fine."
"Too fine, that's the problem. Boring as hell."
Cheol Woo sneered.
As the captain hesitated, unsure how to respond, Sima Geon asked in a low, steady voice.
"No need for chit-chat now, so I'll just ask straight. When do we start?"
"Pardon?"
"When does it begin? We've waited plenty. You planning to drag it past today?"
"W-what do you mean...?"
The captain forced a smile, feigning confusion, but his eyes trembled faintly.
"Blood Fiend Cult."
Before Sima Geon finished speaking, the captain leaped into action.
Just as he was about to plunge into the water, Cheol Woo snatched his nape.
"Whoa, quick on the draw."
Cheol Woo shoved his face close to the terrified captain, grinning in a way that perfectly matched his title of Diamond Yaksha.
"Good instincts. No lame excuses—just straight for escape."
"I thought the disguise was perfect. How'd you know?"
Cheol Woo pointed at Black Wolf in response.
"Everything else checked out. Definitely not like those trackers from the outpost. But no ordinary person could stay as calm around Black Wolf as you did. Hearing about it and seeing it up close are worlds apart. Plus, you were subtly leaking murderous intent."
The captain realized suppressing his killing intent in Black Wolf's presence had been a mistake.
"Kill him."
Resigned to his fate, the captain's face showed utter defeat.
"What're you saying? Can't just kill you off the bat."
The captain's eyes shook wildly at Cheol Woo's grinning face.
At that very moment, the same scene was unfolding on the lead boat.
"The boats are coming."
Mi Nok rushed in, face flushed with excitement, to report.
"How far?"
"They say it'll be visible any moment now."
"Hm."
A groan escaped Gu Yangcho and Cheol Ak in unison.
"I'm off."
Cheol Ak downed his last cup and rose.
"Be careful. And don't push yourself."
"I told you earlier. No dying until I've exacted proper revenge. But Uncle, you..."
"Me? What about me?"
Cheol Ak stared at him for a moment before shaking his head.
"Nothing. Let's make it a smashing success."
"Yeah. Don't worry."
"See you later."
Cheol Ak bowed respectfully to Gu Yangcho.
Gu Yangcho nodded with a faint smile at the uncharacteristic gesture.
Once Cheol Ak left, the smile vanished from Gu Yangcho's lips.
"Sharp kid."
Unlike Cheol Ak, who planned to survive for future revenge, Gu Yangcho had no intention of sparing his life. With subordinates ready to sacrifice under the banner of avenging father and brothers, he couldn't afford to. And Cheol Ak had seen right through it.
"Mi Nok."
"Yes, Pavilion Leader."
"The Water Thorns?"
"Standing by."
"All prepped solid? This plan's success hinges on how they perform."
"No need to worry. Failure's not an option."
"The fire ships?"
"Eight in total. The moment you give the word, they'll swarm from all sides."
"The attack's important, but..."
That was when it happened.
"They're coming! Boats incoming!"
Gu Yangcho's words cut off at the sudden shout.
"Pavilion Leader."
"Right. Let's go."
Gu Yangcho hurried to the bridge renowned as the Number One Bridge Under Heaven.
A massive structure spanning the north-south waterway east to west.
Even at the waterway's narrowest point, its length and scale were jaw-dropping.
The myriad carvings, paintings, and inscriptions on its crescent-moon arch were why it bore that fame, drawing countless poets, scholars, romantics, and travelers.
Gu Yangcho, Mi Nok, and over thirty Death Command Unit members blended seamlessly among the throng on the bridge, like clouds in the sky—no hint of incongruity.
"That must be them."
Mi Nok pointed at the distant boats.
Ships plied the waters in numbers, but the two descending side by side stood out sharply.
Gu Yangcho's eyes twitched.
Unconsciously, his fists clenched, and his heart raced.
Steadying his breath, his gaze shifted to the dock not far from the bridge.
Among the usual pleasure boats, much smaller vessels crowded the area. What drew the eye were those shrouded in black curtains at their centers—the core of this plan: the fire ships.
By then, the pleasure boat carrying Sima Geon and the Sword Comet had reached the bridge vicinity.
"It's starting."
Mi Nok murmured quietly as he watched a group from a nearby pleasure boat slip silently into the river.
