The Specter of the Dragon Island
A desolate island floats amid the boundless sea.
One small island where a few gulls glide in lazy circles.
Crack—!
A craggy peak rising like a mountain in the center, black basalt cliffs revealing themselves as the waves recede, the soil and sand layered upon them forming a solid foundation.
A deserted island.
Gwak Yeon, the master of Flying Dragon Hall, stood at the prow and watched the island grow closer, slowly turning his head.
“Young Master, receive this.”
“What is this?”
The answer came from the second young master of the Seoho Gwak Family.
Gwak Yeon.
What Wei Jong-geuk handed him, who was about to step off the ship for the martial competition, was a rod shorter than a pair of chopsticks.
“The moment you land on the island, drive it into the ground. If poison has been scattered on the island, the rod’s color will turn black at once.”
“Poison?”
“Yes. It could be Sand-Controlling Poison, which scatters internal energy, or Paralytic Poison that has seeped into the sand and soil for a long time and becomes heavier when it touches salt.”
Wei Jong-geuk fell silent for a moment.
Staring at the white foam boiling along the island’s edge, he spoke with resolute expression.
“So, when the rod changes color, lift it high toward us at once. Then we will go in.”
“I will kill them all together!”
Cheon Gang, who had drawn his sword without anyone noticing, growled fiercely.
And behind them, the elite warriors of Flying Dragon Hall—the main military force of the Seoho Gwak Family—were inspecting their weapons one by one.
“Cowards! Poisoning the competition stage before they even fight?”
There was no objection to Cheon Gang’s usual blunt remark, for all shared a common enemy.
The Jusan Baek Family.
It was their collective wish to display the power of the Seoho Gwak Family to the rival sect that clearly relied on underhanded tricks.
Crack, crack.
The warriors of Flying Dragon Hall were stretching their bodies, the chance to wield the refined martial arts long sharpened in secret finally arrived.
Wei Jong-geuk, who would command them, and Cheon Gang, the bodyguard of Gwak Yeon.
Both men’s nerves were already fixed on the enormous sailing ship approaching from beyond the island.
“…We stake our lives. We will prevent the young master from falling victim to those cowards’ treacherous schemes.”
Between the Seoho Gwak Family’s ship and the deserted island lay the Jusan Baek Family’s ship sailing from the opposite direction, surely carrying Baek Jung-hyeok and his men.
Very soon.
When the count reached thirty, both sides’ ships would reach the island’s edge.
Between the direction the two great families’ ships approached, there was yet another vessel.
A blue sailing ship of the Cheonhae Merchant Group.
From the luxurious prow, Yeo Geum-hwi, the leader of the Cheonhae Merchant Group, opened his mouth with a curious expression.
“How is the atmosphere?”
“I bet a full wager on Baek Jung-hyeok. The remaining two-thirds was on Gwak Yeon, based on the most recent rumors and surprises.”
“As expected.”
“What does the ship leader think?”
“Hmm.”
“Actually, to minimize danger on the next voyage, it would be safer if the Jusan Baek Family wins.”
“Where do you think the ‘young master’ is cheering?”
“That’s… hard to say.”
The general of the goat-bearded captain glanced back over his shoulder.
A small window on the sailboat’s highest mast.
A single ray of sunlight shone through it.
Twinkle.
That precious Hundred-Li Mirror.
The man who watched the deserted island through the mirror that allowed distant objects to be seen as if nearby was the only child of the Cheonhae Merchant Group leader.
At the same time, he served as vice captain of the Cheonhae Merchant Group and would accompany the next voyage with the winner of this competition.
“Gwak Yeon and Baek Jung-hyeok. Judging by their personalities alone, probably—”
The general of the Cheonhae Merchant Group tilted his head, wondering about the vice captain’s character.
“Kheh heh! Finally beginning?”
“You dropped the bottle.”
“That’s cheating! Hey, Yeo Geum-hwi! This ship’s view is beautiful! Bring me another chair!”
“…My lord!”
Moyong Wol-un and Jegal Chan approached from behind.
Yeo Geum-hwi respectfully bowed to the pair, smiling broadly.
“Are you short on drink?”
“I’ve changed my mind! My drink today will be the fighters’ brawl!”
“Oh, my lord, we would be honored if you treat us and share your experience! What are you all thinking! Why not bring tiger skins and the best chairs!”
“Wine, the newest batch!”
“Bring Minghua wine!”
Soon three seats and a table of liquor stood on the prow.
One seat was Yeo Geum-hwi, the Cheonhae Merchant Group leader, and the other two belonged to Moyong Wol-un and Jegal Chan of the Central Seven Great Families.
Thereafter, the very moment they selected the next vessel’s destination—the leading family of Zhejiang—and the remaining empty seat in the Seven Great Families alliance, a huge drum sounded.
Dong—!
“Both sides, disembark!”
“Both sides, disembark!”
From the ships of the Seoho Gwak Family and the Jusan Baek Family, the figures leaped out and charged toward the left and right of the island.
“Martial competition…”
Once more, a huge drum echoed through the air.
“…Begin!”
The curtain of the martial competition rose.
***
At the edge of the deserted island.
Gwak Yeon landed lightly upon the black basalt struck by the waves.
Tap.
One step planted, he shifted his body toward the center. In his eyes appeared the solid ground that made up the entire island.
‘Indeed.’
Craggy rocks jutted everywhere.
Gravel and stone fragments beneath scattered soil and sand looked, at first glance, like any ordinary deserted island one could reach from the sea.
‘But poison is everywhere.’
As a vampire, Gwak Yeon sensed it.
With his extremely sensitive senses sharpened to the utmost, he caught something immediately.
“Haa…”
Breathing deeply, a foreign scent mixed with the salt air unique to the coast filled his nostrils.
Poisonous aura.
But Gwak Yeon simply smiled. He lifted the rod given by Wei Jong-geuk from his bosom and threw it straight to the ground, driving it in.
Thud.
The rod sank deep into the earth, its tip invisible.
Gwak Yeon immediately sensed that the rod would soon turn black, just as he had been told.
‘The ground is saturated with poison everywhere.’
With each step, poison would rise from the ground, spreading from soles to ankles and then legs, slowing movement as time passed.
It was not the most potent poison.
Over time it would naturally recover, but in this competition it would act fatally.
‘Probably one or two steps below my true ability.’
Yet Gwak Yeon did not care.
He had planted the rod on the ground solely to alert the Jusan Baek Family watching him from behind.
Originally he had intended to heighten the voice of those who urged pre-inspection of the competition stage, but he had changed it to a single rod.
If winning solved everything, a large family dispute could only delay obtaining information from the hidden forces for his father.
Twirl.
Gwak Yeon climbed the sandy slope and drew the iron sword at his waist, still in its scabbard. After drawing it, he gripped the scabbard and the sword separately in each hand.
‘The scabbard… is quite sturdy.’
He laughed.
Weaponry forged by the blacksmith of the Ha family. Though it required time to reveal its true worth, for him it was more than enough at present.
Thump!
The corner of his mouth rose.
This martial competition differed from the one against Gwak Ho-shin.
Gwak Yeon recalled the recent nights when he secretly struck down the Hangzhou Ghost.
Ever since, things had gone that way.
Nearing the island’s center, while waiting for the pleasure of justified violence.
Heh heh heh—
A faint laugh echoed.
Baek Jung-hyeok.
The moment Gwak Yeon’s five senses reached the tiny rock hill rising from the sand slope!
“Gwaks!”
A towering figure burst from the rock hill.
Against the sky where white clouds drifted, Baek Jung-hyeok’s large mouth yawned wide, his gaze piercing downward and locking onto Gwak Yeon. At the same instant, something flashed from his left hand.
“Greetings!”
A hidden blade shot from above.
***
The instant the hidden blade soared into the air, Baek Jung-hyeok thought:
‘Still that easy.’
‘…Ha!’
Observation was instantaneous.
Fixing his wide field of vision on the single point that was Gwak Yeon, he heightened his sight and scanned every movement of the opponent trying to counter the sudden assault.
‘Watch his reaction.’
The man simply stared at him calmly.
Was it too sudden?
Although the hidden blade shot at great speed, the man showed no significant movement, as if he could not even be startled.
Spit—!
The hidden blade grazed his shoulder.
He had barely dodged by leaning his body at the last moment, yet faint red marks appeared on his clothes.
Blood.
At that moment, Baek Jung-hyeok landed on the rock and, arms crossed, looked down at Gwak Yeon with smug satisfaction and shouted.
“Pathetic! You dared to challenge me with such meager skill!”
“Disgraceful.”
“What?”
“From the speed at which you grazed my skin, one can tell the hidden blade thrower’s skill level.”
“Khhaha! You couldn’t even dodge, yet you pretended to accept it to boast!”
“Comfortably thinking—”
“That was merely a greeting! Now! I will make you regret the arrogance of the Seoho Gwak Family that dared to bet their flag on the Jusan Baek Family first!”
“What are you talking about—”
“Watch carefully!”
Atop the highest rock on the island, Baek Jung-hyeok shouted at the top of his lungs, fully aware of it.
The many ships encircling the island, the many who watched and evaluated this fight from aboard, and even the Seven Great Families’ people. To leave a deep impression, Baek Jung-hyeok intended to surpass merely defeating the Seoho Gwak Family entrant who called itself Hangzhou’s Ghost and actually mock them.
“I am! Baek Jung-hyeok, the greatest man under heaven!”
A fairly good performance.
Before the serious fight began, from the highest point of the island looking down at the opponent, lightly testing, then declaring who ruled the place.
Baek Jung-hyeok felt he himself was splendid.
But this was not merely to set the mood.
‘The poison’s effect should be kicking in soon.’
Poisonous mist sank onto the island.
The poison that touched Gwak Yeon earlier would, over time, seep deeper and slow his movements and reactions.
‘No, perhaps it already worked?’
Looking at the sluggish action with which he had definitely not evaded the hidden blade he had thrown, it was quite possible.
Then.
‘This… the rest of the preparations were unnecessary.’
Smiling faintly, Baek Jung-hyeok recalled the preparations besides poison and looked down.
“Then, I go!”
In that state, Baek Jung-hyeok reached into his bosom and withdrew his hand.
Crossing his arms with maximum flair, he fired eight hidden blades from between his fingers at lightning speed and immediately launched his body downward.
The position and attack were prepared in advance before today’s martial competition, facing the sun directly.
Normally, if the sun was behind the one looking upward, it would be difficult to dodge many fast-flying projectiles one by one.
Whack—!
The eight hidden blades flew.
And the figure of Baek Jung-hyeok who drew his sword and shot along the predicted evasion path.
Gwak Yeon, who had torn his mouth in mockery, blinked at the very last moment before approaching.
A split second.
It seemed several clear clashing sounds, yet Gwak Yeon’s face filled Baek Jung-hyeok’s vision.
‘All dodged? How was that so fast?’
Even in confusion, Baek Jung-hyeok swung the sword he held reflexively. The sword Gwak Yeon gripped in one hand blocked it, creating a short confrontation.
“You made me wait quite a while.”
“Wha—”
“I love this sort of thing.”
“!?”
Finally facing each other up close, Baek Jung-hyeok heard Gwak Yeon mutter with a slight smile.
“Justified violence.”
Hee hee.
Goosebumps rose at once.
━━━Kwaaang!
A powerful kick sent him flying backward, burying itself into his abdomen.