Chapter 1283
Who came to Gangnam? (3)
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“Here they come.”
Said Yeop Wi [엽위(葉圍)], the deputy head of Haomun Guangdong branch, as he watched the ships approaching the coast intently.
“Deputy Head, are those ships carrying members of Haenam sect?”
“It seems so.”
“Heh heh. How amusing. They acted so arrogantly, yet now they’re in a situation where their own ships are being hijacked.”
“That’s right.”
“What a disgrace.”
Mocking laughter echoed from all sides.
Now, it wouldn’t be wise to mock Maninbang, but Yeop Wi didn’t bother reprimanding his subordinates. He understood their resentment towards Maninbang.
‘Just because they’ve come under one roof doesn’t mean all their ill feelings will disappear overnight.’
The group originally known as Shinjuopae had never been on good terms with each other. However, their resentment towards Maninbang wasn’t simply due to personal conflicts.
Haomun was an intelligence organization. While engaged in various businesses, its core operations revolved around gathering information. In other words, numerous informants moved around secretly to collect information.
The original mission of the Haomun Guangdong branch was to monitor the notorious Maninbang and gather information across Guangdong province. Many individuals had perished in the process, and it wasn’t realistic to expect all their ill feelings to vanish overnight.
As long as it didn’t interfere with their mission, Yeop Wi found it convenient to tolerate the situation.
“They stormed into Haenam with such vigor, yet ended up being plundered in Guangdong.”
“Can’t tell if Haenam is clever or if those Maninbang idiots are just stupid.”
Of course, neither was true.
Yeop Wi chose not to comment and simply observed the ship piercing through the waves. The ones responsible for creating this current situation were not from Haenam nor Maninbang – they were the core figures of Cheonumaeng onboard that ship.
Yeop Wi gnawed at his lips as if trying to tear them apart. While those below seemed to enjoy the spectacle ignorantly, from his perspective, it wasn’t something to be pleased about. Considering the last time their tracks were spotted at the Yangtze, it was evident that their route to Haenam had been through Gangnam.
As a purported master of intelligence throughout Gangnam, Haomun’s failure to notice the movement of Cheonumaeng’s core members until they reached Guangdong was quite embarrassing.
Like a blind man with wide open eyes.
In such a scenario, if something were to happen that allowed them to smoothly go back to Gangbuk, what would be the consequence?
‘Undoubtedly, we will be held accountable to some extent.’
In the first place, accountability is just that. It’s not so much about who made the bigger mistake – what matters is whose power among the wrongdoers is weaker.
‘If it’s Paegun Jang Ilso, he will surely seize this opportunity.’
Just as Surochae and Black Ghost, it’s clear that Haomun will also be cut limb by limb and used for his own purposes. That, at the very least, must be prevented. And if handled well, perhaps it could even strengthen Haomun’s position. Cutting off Hwasan Geomhyeop’s head would be an achievement that’s unmatched within Sapaeryeon at least.
Yeop Wi, lost in thought with a determined expression, glanced briefly at Haomun’s members who were still berating Maninbang.
“If you’ve made enough noise, then shut your mouths.”
With a stern command, the members quickly closed their mouths and held their breath.
“Mocking Maninbang can wait until after the mission is over. What’s important now is not ridiculing them but not losing track of their whereabouts.”
“Don’t worry, Deputy Head.”
“Isn’t that our specialty?”
Yeop Wi silently nodded. Their confidence wasn’t unfounded.
Certainly, it’s hard to deny that Haomun falls behind in terms of information compared to the Beggars. How could they possibly handle the scale of the Beggars Sect, which is even called the “Ten Thousand Gates” in exaggeration
However, that doesn’t mean Haomun is inferior to beggars in every aspect. Haomun possesses a skill that beggars can never imitate: the ability to track and assassinate people.
‘Assassination.’
If successful, it would be optimal. But…
‘It’s too risky.’
Based on the information they’ve obtained about Hwasan Geomhyeop, attempting assassination itself seems impossible. He never shows any gaps.
‘But tracking is different.’
No matter how skilled Cheonumaeng may be, Gangnam is Saparyeon’s territory. Haomun wouldn’t miss their tracks here.
Yeop Wi could confidently state that the failures they were about to experience would simply be the price paid for underestimating Haomun.
“The incense [향(香]?”
“Prepared.”
The members immediately retrieved small vials from their pockets. Yeop Wi nodded approvingly. Judging by the red color of the vials, they seemed to be special-grade products [특상품(特上品], well taken care of.
“Let’s go over it once more.”
“Yes, Deputy Head.”
“It may not be difficult to track them down, but if we miss any of Cheonumaeng’s members among Haenam’s bastards, we’ll have a debt to repay. Once they approach the coast, the assassination team will risk their lives to get close and apply the tracking incense [추종향(追從香)] to their bodies. With that, even if it’s hell and not Gangnam, they won’t be able to shake off our pursuit. Do you all understand?”
“Yes!”
The firm response came back, and Yeop Wi silently nodded.
‘Good.’
He didn’t doubt the success of this plan. After all, Guangdong branch where he served as the deputy head was like the front line for Haomun. Naturally, the members under his command were the elite agents of Haomun, who had been carrying out missions in the territory of Maninbang.
Even though their opponents were the core figures of Cheonumaeng and Hwasan Geomhyeop, these skilled agents weren’t there to take lives. There was no reason they couldn’t accomplish a simple task like applying a scent.
And that scent alone was sufficient. Haomun’s special Thousand-li Pursuit Incense [천리추종향(千里追從香)] could linger for at least ten days once applied. Specially trained agents could detect the scent from up to ten li away. With trained dogs, they could track it for over fifty li.
From here to the Yangtze River was a distance of over 2,500 li. Once the pursuit scent was applied, there was no dreaming of returning alive.
“They are almost there.”
“Lower your posture.”
“Yes!”
Yeop Wi’s eyes sank grimly.
‘If you confront them head-on with just your martial arts skill, you’ll naturally lose.’
But this wasn’t that kind of battle. It was a war where you just needed to kill the opponent by any means necessary. Now, they would come to realize just how relentless Haomun could be in such a war.
Thunk!
The ship roughly hit the sandbar.
A faint smile crept onto Yeop Wi’s lips. They didn’t even have the luxury to properly dock the ship. With Maninbang chasing them from behind and an encirclement forming ahead, was there even time to leisurely and safely dock the ship?
Yeop Wi clenched and loosened his fist silently. Their prey rushing was a good sign. They just needed to leisurely track and tighten the noose around the impatient ones.
“We are waiting for them to disembark.”
“Yes!”
Suppressing the slowly rising tension, Yeop Wi tried to minimize any movement.
‘Come on…’
He stared at the ship without blinking. But…
As time passed, someone couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Um… Why aren’t they getting off?”
“…That’s not possible.”
“No, I mean… I don’t sense any presence at all.”
Yeop Wi narrowed his eyes.
‘What’s going on?’
Despite holding their breath and waiting for a while, no one was disembarking from the ship.
“Let’s wait a little longer… They might suspect it’s a trap.”
“…Yes.”
Opting for cautious patience rather than rushing in, Yeop Wi bit his lip. But no matter how much they waited and observed the ship, there was no sign of anyone.
Finally, Yeop Wi spoke up.
“Gwiho.”
“Yes!”
“Go and check.”
“…Understood.”
One of the people cautiously rose and swiftly, stealthily approached the ship. In an instant, he climbed aboard.
Yeop Wi watched with tense anticipation. After a while… a loud shout echoed.
“Deputy Head! The ship is empty!”
“What?”
“There’s no one inside!”
Momentarily stunned, Yeop Wi snapped to attention.
“Empty?”
“Yes!”
He quickly shouted.
“Check the other ships too! Right now!”
“Yes!”
The men standing behind swiftly ran towards the other ships. Yeop Wi’s face hardened as he pondered.
‘How could this have happened?’
Scheme? No, a scheme fundamentally presupposes a benefit. What could possibly be gained by orchestrating something like this when time is of the essence for them?
“There’s none!”
“None here either! All the ships are empty.”
Yeop Wi clenched his lips tightly.
“Then are you telling me they vanished into thin air?”
“B-But there really is nothing! We’ve searched every nook and cranny, but there’s only traces that people were here, not even a single rat in sight!”
“This, this is…”
Yeop Wi hurriedly ran and leaped onto the ship with all his might. There was an eerie chill even on the ship deck, devoid of any sign of life. His spine tingled with a sudden sense of foreboding.
‘Damn it. This complicates things.’
The mission now fell on Haomun’s shoulders. It had to be successful no matter what. Even if one argued that Haenam and Cheonumaeng didn’t board the ships, it would only highlight Haomun’s incompetence, wouldn’t it?”
“Search everywhere!”
“Yes?”
“Scatter in all directions! They couldn’t have gone far.”
“But, but…!”
“Move instead of jabbering!”
Yeop Wi raised his voice sharply.
“They must have reached the coast and jumped overboard to dive as soon as they reached. How far could they have gone? They must have landed nearby. Find their traces and search the wet areas of the sand! Quickly!”
“Uh, understood…”
Perhaps overwhelmed by Yeop Wi’s forceful demeanor, the face of the frontline agent standing before him momentarily turned pale. Seeing this, Yeop Wi snapped out of his agitation and took a deep breath.
“I got carried away. Let’s stay calm for now…”
“That, that’s not it…”
“Hmm?”
“Cough!”
In an instant, blood sprayed from the agent’s gaping mouth like a fountain, drenching Yeop Wi’s face completely.
Yeop Wi, splattered with hot blood, stared blankly at the scene before him. His once-blue face was now almost blackened by the blood.
“Poison?”
“P-Poison!”
“Stop breathing! Damn it, there is poison on the ships!”
“Get out of here!”
But it was already too late.
“Cough!”
“Uwaaah!”
Those who had entered the ships all collapsed, spewing blood. Their faces, now darkened gruesomely, seemed to tell the grim outcome they faced.
“This… this can’t be… Ugh!”
Feeling nauseous, Yeop Wi hastily stepped back, raising his inner strength.
“Ugh!”
Even Yeop Wi, for a moment, was on the verge of vomiting blood. So, the inevitable outcome for the other agents was all too clear.
Collapsed on the deck, they convulsed, spewing black foam mixed with blood. Witnessing this gruesome sight, Yeop Wi’s face turned pale.
“Che… Cheonu…!”
Grimacing, he clenched his teeth tightly.
“These damn bastards! Aaargh!”
His enraged cry pierced through the sound of the waves, echoing fiercely.
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