“What did you say?”

Ho Ga-Myung asked softly.

Ho Ga-Myung was never a particularly pleasant-looking man. To be precise, his features weren’t inherently bad, but his expression was so cold and sharp that it intimidated anyone who saw him.

With bandages wrapped around his face and a freezing glare, anyone reporting to him couldn’t help but feel their heart drop.

“T-the ships were requisitioned from the village. We couldn’t find anything as large as the one we came on, but we managed to secure several vessels of suitable size...“

“Get to the point.”

The man reporting swallowed dryly.

“The sailors brought from the mainland say it’s difficult for them to steer the vessels we requisitioned.”

Ho Ga-Myung’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I don’t understand. Aren’t sailors the ones who steer ships? Why would it be difficult to steer them?”

“Th-their explanation is that the ships of the Southern Island are structurally different from the ones they’re used to, so nothing is easy.”

Ho Ga-Myung snorted. It sounded like a swordsman complaining that a differently shaped sword was hard to wield.

“Bring me the person in charge.”

“H-Here!”

As if expecting Ho Ga-Myung to say that, the reporter turned and shouted. A burly man nearby dashed forward and dropped to his knees before Ho Ga-Myung.

“I-I’m a lowly man, commander, to see you...”

“Enough.”

Ho Ga-Myung cut him off as if formalities were unnecessary. The man’s already pale face went even whiter.

“You said you couldn’t steer the ships?”

“...Yes. Th-that is correct.”

“Why?”

Ho Ga-Myung looked at the sailor with a cold gaze.

“Should I understand that you mean the ships don’t fit your hands?”

“N-no, Commander!”

The sailor bowed so that his head nearly touched the ground.

“Even if I’m the lowest of the low, I’ve sailed my whole life! How could there be a ship I couldn’t steer?”

Ho Ga-Myung quietly nodded. By common sense, the man was right.

“Then?”

“B-but the ships of Southern Island are unfamiliar to us. Though the typhoon passed, the waves are still high and there’s a headwind. Under these conditions, vessels we helm will inevitably be slower than usual.”

“Slower?”

“Yes. It will take at least another half-day, perhaps more, to reach the mainland...”

“Half a day...”

If there were time to spare, they could go at their leisure. But the one thing they did not have now was time.

Half a day would be more than enough for them to escape Guangdong.

“So you’re saying you can’t sail?”

“I-if you ask that, of course we won’t. But... we must consider that it may take longer...”

Ho Ga-Myung gave a short laugh.

“Clever. That’s why you came as a representative at such a young age.”

The sailor’s claim that they couldn’t sail wasn’t literal. If they had left without saying this and time dragged on longer than expected, the Ten Thousand People Clan’s enforcers would certainly hold them responsible.

He was trying to get Ho Ga-Myung to officially acknowledge the excuse he would later use.

On another day, Ho Ga-Myung might even have rewarded him. He liked people who thought through their situation and offered solutions.

But right now Ho Ga-Myung felt irritation rather than admiration.

‘Things are getting tangled in here.’

He paused in thought and smoothed the bandage on his cheek with his fingertip. He could feel the dry bandage dampen with sticky fluid.

“Commander! I’ll put these people through their paces...”

“No need.”

Ho Ga-Myung cut off the reporter and addressed the man.

“So you’re saying you’re not familiar with these ships. Is that right?”

“Yes.”

“Then summon someone who is familiar.”

Ho Ga-Myung’s mouth twitched.

“I hear that the people of the Southern Island are all sailors. Is that so?”

“Not everyone, but among two people there’s bound to be at least one who knows how to steer a ship.”

Ho Ga-Myung nodded and looked away. He saw a large fishing village adjacent to the coast.

“Bring them all. Not a single person left behind.”

“Yes!”

Ho Ga-Myung’s eyes darkly flickered.

The gathered villagers watched the surrounding men with anxious eyes.

The name Ten Thousand People Clan alone could make the faint-hearted’s heart pound. In this Gangnam, the terror inspired by the Four Sects Alliance and the Ten Thousand People Clan was that immense.

“L-leader.”

“Be quiet...”

When someone attempted to speak in fear, the village elder Jong quickly hushed them and scanned the surroundings to assess the situation.

‘What’s going on?’

To him, the atmosphere felt ominous. The Ten Thousand People Clan’s warriors who had gathered them all seemed possessed by malice.

“Are they all gathered?”

“Y-yes. These are all the people in this village.”

As Elder Jong answered, Ho Ga-Myung turned his gaze toward him.

“You’re the village head?”

“Y-yes.”

Ho Ga-Myung nodded.

“We need people to sail that ship to the mainland.”

At those words the village head glanced at the boats moored along the shore.

“They’re Southern Island’s ships, so Southern Island people will know them best.”

The faces of those who heard Ho Ga-Myung paled to the color of dirt.

“You mean we have to sail the ships?”

“Yes.”

Ho Ga-Myung added a remark that didn’t need stating.

“And do it as quickly as possible, pursue the ship that left first.”

Some among them understood what the Ten Thousand People Clan wanted now.

‘It’s the Southern Island.’

The coast where the Southern Island Sect had seized the ship wasn’t far from here. Thus some already knew the Southern Island Sect was scheming something along the shore.

Sweat began to bead on Elder Jong’s face.

“We have to go... to the mainland?”

“Yes.”

“And after that...?”

“Depends on the situation.”

The elder’s expression darkened.

They say you only have to sail the ship, but once you board with those men, who knows what will happen. Unlucky ones could be held on the mainland for months; worse, they could lose their lives.

Who would willingly step up under those conditions? Especially since the Ten Thousand People Clan intends to pursue the Southern Island.

“But... heroes.”

Desperation shone in the elder’s eyes.

“W-we’ve been forced to lay up our boats for days because of the typhoon. And now you’re taking the boats; if you also take our men... we’ll be...”

Ho Ga-Myung’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Do you think a few men being taken will cause everyone to starve to death?”

“Y-you’re taking all the seaworthy boats, though...”

“Stop.”

Ho Ga-Myung neatly cut off the elder’s words.

“I’m not someone who avoids arguments. I rather enjoy them. But there’s no time to waste on pointless debate now.”

“......”

“The Alliance lord ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) dislikes warriors laying hands on civilians. But that doesn’t mean he’s protecting them. The more civilians who can perform their duties, the more beneficial it is to the Alliance. However...”

Ho Ga-Myung paused and then sneered coldly. His already chilly expression became chilling.

“If someone, even now that things have come this far, sides with Southern Island and obstructs the Alliance, there’s no reason to protect them. It would be more beneficial to the Alliance to eliminate them in advance.”

At those words, several Ten Thousand People Clan men drew the blades at their waists.

The villagers went ashen.

“Has your mind not changed?”

Ho Ga-Myung snorted and looked at the elder. But the elder, who moments ago seemed about to tremble and prostrate himself, suddenly flashed a fierce light in his eyes.

“If you want to kill us, then kill us.”

“...What did you say?”

Ho Ga-Myung showed a flicker of surprise at that.

“I said, if you want to kill us, then kill us!”

He stared at the elder as if incredulous. The man who had been trembling a moment ago now glared at Ho Ga-Myung with venom in his eyes.

“Has he gone mad?”

“Mad? Of course I have.”

Elder Jong shouted, possessed by fury.

“Among the disciples of the Southern Island Sect you’re chasing is my own child!”

“......”

“No matter how precious one’s life is, what kind of crazy parent would lend a hand to those who would kill their child? I’d rather die! Do as you please, you villains of the world!”

Ho Ga-Myung’s gaze darkened.

If it were only that one elder ranting, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but when he raved, Ho Ga-Myung saw the same venom appear in the eyes of the other villagers behind him.

‘Is it because they’re on an island?’

The ties and bonds were very tight. If this were the mainland, no one would dare oppose the Four Sects Alliance’s actions over a son or anything else.

Ho Ga-Myung nodded.

“I have a rough idea.”

“Commander...”

“Chasing the fleeing ones is important. But... there are things that must be not done even in haste.”

Ho Ga-Myung said calmly, without emotion. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“It’s necessary for the Southern Island too. A lesson showing what happens to those who oppose the Four Sects Alliance.”

At that, the Ten Thousand People Clan members’ mouths curved with predatory smiles.

“Commander, then...”

“Leave none alive.”

Ho Ga-Myung glanced over those assembled before continuing.

“Don’t leave a single rat alive. Kill them all, then burn the village.”

The moment the order fell, the Ten Thousand People Clan men lunged toward the villagers with murderous intent. The villagers, sensing their fate, squeezed their eyes shut.

Just then.

“Stop!”

A man shouted and stepped forward.

“Hm?”

Ho Ga-Myung looked at the man who had come forward.

The burly man, stern-faced, bit his lip and spoke.

“I’ll handle the ship. I’ll select who else steers the other vessels.”

“Hmm.”

Ho Ga-Myung scrutinized him seriously and asked.

“Why should I trust you specifically? You can find people to sail elsewhere.”

“...Arriving at the mainland isn’t the end of it, is it?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re planning to pursue Southern Island, aren’t you?”

“......”

“I can distinguish the traces they leave and the marks they use.”

Ho Ga-Myung smiled softly.

“So you’re a disciple of the Southern Island.”

“...Yes.”

After a moment of silence, Ho Ga-Myung nodded.

“You might be useful as a hunting dog. But one alone isn’t enough. If you bring a few more like you, I’ll spare the villagers.”

“...I understand.”

“Yu Gong!”

“Sang Gong!”

Yu Gong bit his lip. He had tried to stay out of it, but now there was no other way. He had even turned his back on his sect to save these people—if they died now, his efforts would be for nothing.

He had to save them somehow.

“...I’ll do whatever you command. So... please spare these people.”

“A bargain, fine. Agreed. Finish your preparations quickly. We depart within half a watch. If you’re not ready by then, the deal’s off.”

“Understood.”

“Do you understand?”

Ho Ga-Myung quietly asked again, and Yu Gong bit his lip.

“I... I understand.”

Seeing the shame on his face, Ho Ga-Myung nodded expressionlessly. Just as he turned to leave, he suddenly stopped.

“Ah, and one more thing.”

“Yes?”

In an instant, lightning-like force flew from Ho Ga-Myung’s hand.

Smack!

The force struck the foremost Elder Jong without mercy.

“Village elder!”

“F-Father!”

The elder collapsed, blood spraying. It was obvious at a glance that he was dead.

“Exclude that man.”

“......”

“Remember this: a deal is a deal. If you fail to do your part, the others will suffer the same fate. And when that happens, you won’t die as nicely as this time.”

Yu Gong bit his lip until it bled.

“I’ll keep that... in mind.”

“Good.”

Ho Ga-Myung finally turned and walked away. The Ten Thousand People Clan members, reluctantly, broke the encirclement and withdrew.

Only then did Yu Gong turn to look at the villagers. Naturally, their gazes were anything but friendly.

Amid looks of blame and hostility, Yu Gong unconsciously clenched his fist.

‘I wasn’t wrong.’

It had to be done.

No, it had to be.