Chapter 93
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Island Ambush
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The voyage proceeded smoothly enough.
Even after being left neglected for quite some time, the repaired galley was something Sang Man-seok could boast about.
It held steady through rough waves, shifting currents, and ever-changing weather, and the crew's responses were exemplary.
"The nearest islands from here are these two."
Thanks to that, Baek Ri-jeong and Seo Mun-ha were able to formulate and execute their plans without a hitch.
"Yes, this one and this one."
Seo Mun-ha explained, tracing the map.
"As you can see, they're small islands. The distance between them isn't far, so we can search both in one go."
It had already been eight days since they left the mainland.
The map, marked with countless notations, faithfully recorded their progress, and they steadily narrowed the search area.
"Since we've estimated the entrance to the secret harbor to be in this island chain, we can rule out any isolated ones."
Bukgung Yeon, seated in one corner of the cabin, joined in actively.
"To minimize our route as much as possible... we should anchor here first..."
"Oh... I see."
After earning Baek Ri-jeong's admiration, she glanced at Seo Mun-ha as if asking for his opinion.
"Let's do that."
"I'll inform the escorts."
Sang Man-seok bowed and left the cabin.
Screech...
The ship tilted in time with his footsteps.
"Urk."
Eom Pung suddenly clamped his mouth shut.
Despite a smooth journey without encountering even one of the rumored ghost ships, he feared seasickness more than any spectral vessel.
"S-sorry."
His face pale as he bowed his head deeply.
"You okay?"
"I have no face to show..."
Seasickness wasn't uncommon among martial artists, but for one at the peak, it was different.
Even with heightened senses, they could control it to some degree.
Having trained relentlessly with shackles on his limbs before, he still had a long way to go.
"...I'll excuse myself first."
His exceptional grit was praiseworthy nonetheless. Having endured to the end of the meeting, he bolted from the cabin like an arrow.
'He didn't need to stick it out that long.'
Seo Mun-ha sighed softly.
Being unable to fight when it mattered was the real issue, but knowing Eom Pung's diligence well, he decided to let it slide for now.
"How about the others?"
Seo Mun-ha surveyed the cabin anew.
More precisely, the people inside.
"It's rough compared to the alcohol, but nothing much."
"I can handle it."
Baek Ri-jeong, Baek Ri-seol, and Bukgung Yeon were no different.
The capital was famous for its canal villages.
The currents there paled in comparison, but the aunt and niece were seasoned on ships.
"Come to think of it, you received instruction from the South Sea Sword Gate, didn't you, Lady Baek Ri?"
Baek Ri-seol was also well-versed in the geography of Hainan.
"Just a brief connection in my youth. Hardly enough to call proper instruction."
In truth, it was only a handful of techniques, but it wasn't something to dismiss lightly. The one who had refined her arts was none other than the Sword Empress, one of the Ten Saints of the Sacred Heaven.
"Hmm!"
Bukgung Yeon eyed Baek Ri-seol with keen interest.
Her beauty was the kind that drew gasps even from women, and her martial prowess was outstanding. She was flawless.
Though they hadn't spoken much, the much-rumored White Phoenix lived up to her name, and Bukgung Yeon felt an unexpected kinship.
Two women in similar positions, yet leading utterly different lives.
They seemed like they might get along well, and soon enough, Baek Ri-jeong seized the moment for some camaraderie.
"Care to step out and chat for a bit?"
He nodded subtly toward Seo Mun-ha.
"Of course."
Seo Mun-ha followed without protest.
Whoosh―
A chill wind pierced the two men as they emerged onto the deck.
"What is it?"
Under a sky threatening a storm, Baek Ri-jeong stood at the bow and replied meaningfully.
"That girl."
"Bukgung Yeon?"
"She doesn't seem ordinary. She acts carefree, but her manners are ingrained. No child of a prestigious house would be a lowly harbor hand."
He didn't know the details, but he wanted to eliminate uncertainties.
"Can I trust her?"
"For now, yes. No malice there."
That was Seo Mun-ha's conclusion after much deliberation over the past eight days.
Even setting aside motives, her cooperation was beyond doubt.
Seo Mun-ha had crossed countless battlefields, but he had no experience commanding a naval force.
The aid of a renowned harbor pilot from Hangzhou had yielded far greater results than expected. Without her, they couldn't have searched so swiftly and precisely.
"I see. I'll trust your judgment."
Despite his grave demeanor, Baek Ri-jeong accepted it readily.
"That aside..."
As if there was another main point.
"What exactly is your relationship with that girl?"
"...Pardon?"
"She's a woman, isn't she? When a young man and woman travel together, it's natural to suspect something."
Baek Ri-jeong pressed Seo Mun-ha with an even graver expression.
"Haha... I can't fool a great hero's eyes, it seems."
Seo Mun-ha smiled awkwardly.
"I once saw the family head disguise Seol-ah as a boy. It felt similar."
His awkward smile turned into a chuckle.
"Bukgung Yeon is the granddaughter of someone I owe a debt to from before."
"A debt?"
"She didn't explain in detail. But it's not what you're worrying about."
"I see."
Only then did Baek Ri-jeong relax his stern face.
As an uncle doting on his niece, he shared many traits with his brother.
"In that case..."
Baek Ri-jeong continued gravely.
"I'll confide in you alone. It's about Seol-ah."
Strictly speaking, it concerned the Baek Ri Clan.
"To put it simply, our main house is the polar opposite of the Seo Mun Clan."
All major and minor clan affairs required elder council approval, and decisions were made through them as well.
"Isn't it ridiculous? The family head's authority is minimal, while the elders hold excessive power. Seol-ah, her brothers—it's all their doing."
"..."
"But for the first time, I think they made the right call. Arranging your betrothal to Seol-ah."
Baek Ri-jeong, who had quietly observed Seo Mun-ha.
"So, take good care of Seol-ah."
He spoke not as a world-renowned master commanding the martial world, but as a mere uncle.
"Poor girl. From childhood, she's been tossed around as a clan tool. You'll have seen how stifling that is."
"Haha..."
"Comfort her well."
Like Seo Mun-ha, Baek Ri-jeong couldn't abandon his clan either.
"If we face a choice between the two up ahead, I'd have no choice but to side with the young lord."
No matter how cherished his niece, she couldn't compare to the heir.
"So, protect Seol-ah in my stead."
Before the inscrutable secret base of the Immeasurable Divine Throw, he seemed to be shaking off his unease.
"Lady Baek Ri is far stronger than you think."
Seo Mun-ha replied firmly.
Looking down as an uncle blinded him to certain things.
"But if she ever falls into danger, I'll follow your words."
"...Thank you. Haha."
Baek Ri-jeong broke into a broad smile.
As if Seo Mun-ha's final words had eased his worries.
Rumble!
Leaving his honest grin behind, the anticipated downpour struck, and the galley neared their target island.
Whoosh!
Heavy raindrops enveloped the entire small island.
"Whoa."
A government soldier slipped while moving supplies along the rugged coastal ridge.
'Why is this damn weather so fickle...!'
Unlike the open view, the capricious weather boiled like porridge throughout the journey, impossible to predict, not even letting a single day pass peacefully.
Thud.
Bukgung Yeon let out a sigh of relief, watching the end of the procession.
"Good thing we're not too late."
Some of those who had disembarked wrung out their clothes.
Fortunately, most avoided looking like drowned rats.
Dignity aside, not every one of the hundred martial artists had reached the stage of being impervious to heat and cold.
They quickly set up shelter and caught their breath.
"Should've stayed on the ship another day if we knew it'd be like this."
As Bukgung Yeon said, the shower showed no sign of stopping soon.
Plop.
Gathered around the makeshift tent, people dropped their rears onto the underbrush without ceremony.
The voyage had been uneventful, but for some like Eom Pung, it hadn't been easy. The warriors, weary through and through, were soaked in rain and sweat.
Fwoosh.
Seo Mun-ha lit a fire for them with ease.
"...Huh?"
Bukgung Yeon's wide eyes and gaping mouth mirrored her own astonishment.
And for good reason—it was her first time witnessing the Samadhi True Fire firsthand.
This was a technique possible only for those in the Middle Realm or higher, requiring not just profound inner power but precise control.
It wasn't a feat anyone could perform, and Bukgung Yeon marveled anew at Seo Mun-ha's prowess.
"The more I learn, the more amazed I am at martial artists."
She sought agreement from someone nearby.
"...He is remarkable."
Baek Ri-seol beside her half-agreed.
"Though it has little to do with him being a martial artist..."
"Ah, sorry, sister."
Having become like sisters in short order, Bukgung Yeon displayed her natural affability without restraint. As polite as she was warm, she promptly corrected her slip.
"I didn't mean to discriminate."
Baek Ri-seol slowly shook her head.
"The government and the martial world are inevitably at odds."
In truth, she still found Bukgung Yeon somewhat uncomfortable.
"I understand your position as an inspector."
"Really. I dislike martial artists, but I like people like you even more, sister Seol. Beautiful... strong..."
Setting aside her increasingly lame excuses, it was true she intended no discrimination.
Bukgung Yeon's own skills were merely first-rate at best.
With exceptional intelligence, observation, and reasoning, she excelled in tracking, but her personal combat ability was only for self-defense. She couldn't compare to renowned martial artists.
"Besides..."
Even fellow martial artists were left speechless by Seo Mun-ha, so naturally she was awestruck.
"Besides?"
"Ah... it's nothing."
A shadow briefly crossed Bukgung Yeon's face.
Incidents like the Qingdan County case were mere glimpses of her accomplishments as a harbor inspector.
Faced with situations beyond her abilities, she inwardly berated her past mistakes and unwittingly defended martial artists.
"I've heard there are many gentlemanly heroes among recent martial artists."
She smoothly changed the subject, leaving no room for awkwardness.
"The government has its share too. Puppet officials abusing power never end, so it seems what matters is the person, not the background."
"..."
"By the way, sister, have you met that person?"
"Who?"
"Shandong was abuzz for a while over those demon heads running wild, right?"
Though someone backed her, her concealed status meant her network couldn't cross the Yangtze.
"Not confirmed info, but among the younger martial artists, a new master has emerged."
Baek Ri-seol glanced away inadvertently.
"A strikingly handsome young lord, they say. Charms women's hearts and wields arts rivaling infamous demon heads. I'd love to meet him sometime."
Bukgung Yeon's gaze followed.
Her indication was clear, and conversely, Seo Mun-ha, now approaching under their eyes, spoke.
"Sorry to interrupt."
The rain had stopped before they knew it.
"We should prepare soon."
"What... happened?"
In the brief lull, Baek Ri-seol narrowed her eyes.
"We're surrounded."
The storm had brought omens of war, filling the surroundings with killing intent from many presences.
'Since when?'
No sooner had the women's chat ended than a grand welcoming party began.
Splash!
As if they'd been waiting.
Thud thud thud―!
By estimation, hundreds of them.
"Divine Sword Unit, form up!"
"Sang Man Escort Agency joins the fray!"
After a brief rest, warriors from various groups suddenly engaged in battle.
"Young master!"
Urgent aides pursued Seo Mun-ha, and Bukgung Yeon, shaking off her surprise, met his eyes.
―They found us properly, it seems.
―Outnumbering is a black path specialty.
The intent was clear.
―Field battle would mean heavy losses for us.
―If the whole area is their outpost.
Sharp as she was, no need for lengthy explanations. The man and woman exchanged thoughts silently, minds intertwining.
―Time's short.
―Not much time.
Imperfectly, but in a flash.
"We need to change plans."
With aligned thoughts, Seo Mun-ha first reassessed the terrain on both sides.
"Eom Pung."
"Your orders, young master."
The unexpected numbers surpassed estimates, each rivaling a squad leader of the Present Heaven Unit.
"Sorry, but handle the remaining men."
"Understood. Leave it to me."
To add insult to injury, the location was disadvantageous. No questions asked, not even a verdict.
'No escape anyway.'
Skipping all justifications with the initial clash was the horde's way, so Seo Mun-ha devised a detached unit, turning crisis to opportunity by splitting forces.
'Then, only way is forward.'
Their goal wasn't a full frontal assault against the black path warriors pouring like molten lead.
Even repelling the surprise attackers safely, reforming for direct confrontation was the worst option now.
"And..."
Above all, he had a surefire plan.
"Once you slip through the chaos into Gwi Jeol Valley and invoke the government's authority, that'll drive them off."
Bukgung Yeon nodded, picking up his words.
Clang!
Uncertain identities cut both ways.
"Argh!"
It seemed indiscriminate at a glance, but they couldn't outright ignore the government's presence.
Snap!
Especially if it was Iron Blood Star, leader of the martial world.
"What a tiresome number!"
Baek Ri-jeong swung his sword once, guarding against mishaps, while Baek Ri-seol calmly stated her intent.
"Don't we need someone to identify my brother?"
No perfect excuse, but their synced teamwork from the voyage shone through.
"Young master."
Bukgung Yeon, staying for the battle, wished him luck.
"You owe me big now."
"Seems that way."
Her status might prove useful.
"Come back and pay it properly."
"If I don't return, next life."
"Not next life—pay in this one. I'll make you."
With her bold vow on his back, Seo Mun-ha broke through the battlefield with Baek Ri-seol, Neung Jo-un, Gu Chil, and a dozen warriors.
Rumble!
All the way to the entrance of Gwi Jeol Valley, hiding the secret harbor of the Immeasurable Divine Throw.