Return of the Mount Hua

It might have already started. (2)

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“There’s nothing unusual on the perimeter!”

“Hmm.”

Namgung Myeong gave a firm nod. At his side, Namgung Dowi followed closely, like a shadow, and examined the condition of the sentries with sharp eyes.

“No amount of caution is ever too much. Put your full effort into making sure not even the smallest detail is missed.”

“Yes!”

With a slight nod, Namgung Myeong moved on to the next area, accompanied by Namgung Dowi.

“What do you think, Young Lord?”

“Yes, Uncle.”

Namgung Dowi looked around Maehwado with fresh glance and spoke.

“It’s a relief that the island isn’t very large. At this size, even if enemies do attack, it won’t be too difficult to defend.”

“I think so as well.”

The forces currently guarding Maehwado weren’t just from the Azure Sky Sword Unit. Under Namgung Hwang’s orders, other martial units that usually protected the family estate had also gathered here. At least eighty percent of Namgung clan’s forces were now assembled on Maehwado.

With that much strength, it would be more than enough to go head-to-head with the Eighteen Strongholds of the Yangtze River.

“The small size of the island will actually work to our advantage.”

“Because Surochae rely more on numbers than the quality of their warriors, and that won’t help them here, correct?”

“Exactly.”

Namgung Myeong smiled, clearly pleased with the answer.

His nephew, who was destined to become the next head of Namgung clan, was indeed worthy of being called a genius. Not only was he skilled in martial arts, but his ability to read the tides of battle was also exceptional.

“Watch and learn well from your elder.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“To become an excellent martial artist, effort and dedication are enough. But for one who must lead a clan, that alone is not sufficient. You must be bolder, and you must see farther.”

“I always keep that in mind.”

“Good.”

Namgung Myeong gave a quiet nod.

‘I should thank Hwasan Geomhyeop.’

In the past, Namgung Dowi had often shown arrogance, causing Namgung Myeong much concern. It was somewhat inevitable, given Namgung clan’s inherent disposition and the towering presence of his father, but still – being full of confidence and being arrogant were never the same.

Fortunately, after losing to Hwasan Geomhyeop, he came to recognize his own shortcomings. And since the Yangtze River Disaster, he had become a completely different person.

If he continued to gain experience like this, he might even become a Lord greater than Namgung Hwang.

‘Though that won’t be easy.’

Someone like Namgung Hwang isn’t made through teaching. One must be born with an innate commanding presence.

“Do you know why the Lord chose to occupy this place?”

“…To be honest, I’m not sure, Uncle.”

Namgung Dowi looked around with a slightly uneasy expression. The darkened waters of the Yangtze River brought him a sense of inexplicable dread.

“It’s true that we’ve formed a bitter grudge with Surochae. But I don’t understand why we must face them alone. Hasn’t Namgung Clan already made its stance clear to the world?”

“You’re right.”

Namgung Myeong slowly nodded.

“By occupying Maehwado, we become a spear thrust forward. If we’re not careful, we might end up facing not just Surochae, but even Sapaeryeon on our own.”

“I think the same. No matter how I look at it, the losses outweigh the gains.”

“Yes. That’s a reasonable thought. But that’s how ordinary people like us think.”

“…Excuse me?”

Namgung Myeong smiled gently.

“I’m sure the Lord has thought the same. Yet he chose this difficult path for a different reason.”

“May I ask what that reason is?”

“If we back down here, we’ll appear to be acting under Shaolin’s command.”

Namgung Dowi’s face stiffened at the unexpected answer.

“The Five Great Families. It’s a fine title, isn’t it? But in the eyes of the world, the Five Great Families are still seen as something belonging under the umbrella of Gupailbang.”

“Uncle, that’s…”

“That’s reality. When Surochae seized control of the Yangtze, do you think the people there thought of us? Or did they think of Shaolin and Gupailbang?”

Namgung Dowi couldn’t bring himself to answer. No, there was no need to.

“That’s why the Lord chose to take the risk. The Five Great Families are not in a favorable position right now. The Tang Clan, which once stood as a pillar alongside us, has distanced itself.”

“…Yes.”

“If we now act in accordance with Shaolin’s will, what do you think will happen? We’ll never break free from the shadow of Gupaillbang.”

Only then did Namgung Dowi give a nod.

When you think about it that way, it’s actually the perfect time.

News that Gupailbang and Five Great Families responded half-heartedly to Shaolin’s summons had reached even this distant Yangtze region. Right now, more than ever, the influence of Shaolin and Gupailbang is at its lowest. So if not now, when would there ever be another chance to attempt something like this?

“The Lord wishes for the Five Great Families – and Namgung Clan – to make a name for themselves, not under the shadow of Gupaillbang or Shaolin. For that, he’s willing to take on a certain amount of risk.”

“But that’s not the only reason.”

As they quickened their steps, Namgung Myeong came to a stop and turned to look at Namgung Dowi. With a face full of certainty, Namgung Dowi spoke.

“I’m sure that’s part of it, but Father isn’t someone who would act solely for such reasons. I believe there is still a chivalrous spirit alive in his heart.”

A pleased smile tugged at Namgung Myeong’s lips.

“You’re stating the obvious. Of course, that’s the foremost reason.”

“If we simply refrain from doing what we shouldn’t, and persist in doing what we ought to, then fame will follow on its own, won’t it? Just like… Hwasan.”

Namgung Myeong nodded.

“Yes. That’s how it should be.”

Hwasan.

Only a few years ago, it was a name nearly erased from memory. Yet now, Hwasan’s reputation even rivaled – perhaps surpassed – that of Namgung Clan, known as the leader of the Five Great Families.

Not through force, but through honor and righteousness, Hwasan had seized what Namgung Clan had long desired.

“They are truly remarkable.”

“Yes, they are. But we can do it too.”

Namgung Myeong patted Namgung Dowi on the shoulder. At times, the fiery spirit of this youth rekindled even his own cooling blood.

“Yes. We can do it…”

Just as he smiled and was about to resume walking, Namgung Myeong’s gaze suddenly shifted towards the river. His sudden seriousness made Namgung Dowi stiffen as he followed his uncle’s look.

But all Namgung Dowi could see were the gentle ripples of the water.

“…Uncle?”

“Hmph!”

Namgung Myeong’s sword shot out like a flash of lightning. A burst of white sword energy split the water violently and struck deep beneath the surface.

Paaah!

A fountain of water erupted. And then…

From the place where the ripples subsided, something large floated up to the surface.

Namgung Myeong’s expression finally relaxed once he saw what it was.

“…A carp?”

“It looks about the size of a person. No wonder you mistook it for something else, Uncle.”

“Indeed.”

Namgung Myeong shook his head. The carp’s blood spread red across the illuminated surface of the Yangtze River.

“We’ve wasted time. We have yet to inspect the rest and finalize our defenses. Let’s go.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

Leading Namgung Dowi forward, Namgung Myeong cast one last glance at the water.

‘Ominous.’

The river’s unfathomable depths continued to prick at his nerves.

“This isn’t a place to linger.”

Shaking his head, he quickened his pace.

At that moment. 

Shapes began to emerge one by one on the surface of the Yangtze River, shrouded in darkness – things that looked either like fish heads or small spheres.

Anyone with eyes sharp enough to pierce the gloom would realize that these were actually human heads, covered in specially made garments.

“Daeju.”

“The enemy’s ships?”

“There are five in total. All docked at the southern pier.”

“Five, huh…”

The one addressed as ‘Daeju’ gave a grim nod.

“Injuries?”

“Nothing serious. But… Namgung Clan is still Namgung Clan. I didn’t expect them to sense our presence.”

One of the squad leaders glanced down at his shoulder with a tense face. His skin had been split open, bleeding. If he hadn’t thought quickly and slashed the passing carp instead, their operation would have been ruined.

“Our opponent is Namgung Clan. We cannot afford even the slightest carelessness.”

“Yes, Daeju.”

“We end this in a single strike.”

“Yes!”

At his hand signals, the others nodded in understanding and slipped beneath the surface once more. Once he confirmed that all had begun their silent dive, he took one last look at Maehwado, imprinting it in his mind, before descending into the depths of the river.

Deeper and deeper still.

The dark river, where barely any visibility remained, swallowed them as they dove endlessly. They reached the riverbed and felt their way along the bottom. No matter how sharp one’s senses were, it would be impossible to detect the presence of those moving along the floor of the Yangtze.

Above their heads, countless fish, each giving off stronger presences than they did, swam back and forth.

But that didn’t mean they could relax.

The closer they got to the island, the shallower the water became, and the greater the risk that their presence would be discovered. This was precisely the kind of moment when they must not let their guard down.

As they glided along the riverbed, they all looked upward at once.

A pier is usually built at the point where river and land meet, where the depth is greatest and the slope steepest.

What they saw when they looked up was the underside of a large ship – exposing its vulnerable belly.

‘Not entirely careless, at least.’

Several Namgung clan’s swordsmen were guarding the ship, patrolling the waters nearby. That meant they understood just how important this vessel was.

But darkness is thicker underwater than above. No matter how vigilant the guards were, they wouldn’t be able to detect anything in these depths.

Daeju sneered at the clueless Namgung guards who had no idea of the threat lurking beneath their feet.

‘Namgung Clan?’

Certainly, they were a formidable and dangerous opponent.

If this weren’t the middle of the Yangtze River, that is.

They should have understood what it meant for an island to exist in the middle of the Yangtze.

‘Now it’s time to pay the price.’

Daeju pointed upward at the vessel. At his signal, every diver nodded and began ascending in unison. The bubbles created by their sudden movement burst upward like fireworks, scattering across the water’s surface.

In their hands were harpoons, each one glowing with a bluish aura.

Kwaaaah!

The sharp tips of the harpoons shot upward at once, slicing through the water like a storm of blades.

Kwaaaang!

With a deafening crash, they all slammed into the bottom of the ship simultaneously.

The thick wooden hull groaned, twisted, and split, and in an instant, dark water came surging into the ship’s belly.

“Wh-What’s going on?!”

“We’re under attack! Damn it! It’s a night raid!”

Namgung clan’s guards turned pale and shouted, their voices cracking at the sight of the sinking ship.

“St-Stop them! Protect the ship!”

Screams, shouts, and chaos painted the night on Maehwado.

After a long slumber, the fuse was finally lit once again.

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