Chapter 14
The signal flare from the reconnaissance ship soon reached the Maritime Defense Base, and Baek Cheon-Gi immediately tried to issue a deployment order to the White Tiger Squad after confirming that the Sea Dragon Gang had made a move.
“We shouldn’t deploy them.”
However, Baek Mu-Ok disagreed with him.
“Why shouldn’t we?”
“I find it suspicious that the Sea Dragon Gang is looting merchant ships at this point in time.”
“In what way is that suspicious?”
“For some reason, they seem to be trying to lure us in on purpose. They likely planned to use decoy tactics too.”
“Decoy tactics?”
“I suspect that they are planning to concentrate their attacks here once our forces have been divided, which is when our defenses are at its weakest.”
“What if that’s not the case and they’re really just aiming for the merchant ship?”
“Even so, we can’t send our men out. Protecting the merchant ships is certainly important, but defending this place is much more crucial.”
“It’ll be fine if this is just a one-time thing, but merchant ships will stop coming to Wenzhou if we keep letting those pirates plunder them.” If that happens, the Baek Sword Sect’s finances will be shaken.”
“The merchants will return once we eradicate the Sea Dragon Gang. Therefore, it would be better to prioritize defending the Maritime Defense Base first, at least until the Guangdong Jin Family intervenes.”
“I think it would be better to go on the offensive than to stay on the defense.” Mu-Gun, who had been listening to their conversation quietly, disagreed with Mu-Ok’s opinion.
“Why do you say so?”
“As you said, we should avoid sending out an entire sword squad to bolster this place’s defenses. But if I go alone, then the story changes.”
“Brother, do you intend to deal with an entire squad of the Sea Dragon Gang alone?” Mu-Ok asked, his tone implying he found Mu-Gun’s suggestion absurd.
“Why are you surprised? I’ve already done it once. What makes you think I can’t do it again?”
“The situation back then and now are far too different. If even one of the Sea Dragon’s Four Demons is on board, your safety will be at risk, brother.”
“Mu-Ok is right. I think that’s too reckless,” Baek Cheon-Ho also dissuaded Mu-Gun.
“Nothing can be achieved in the murim world without risking one’s life. If the Sea Dragon Gang sent out an empty ship, then we’d be able to figure out their strategy. And if they really sent out a ship to plunder merchant ships, it would be a good opportunity to reduce their power.”
“What are you going to do if the Sea Dagon’s Four Demons are on board? Brother, you are the first son of the Baek Sword Sect. Have you not realized that your safety is directly connected to the future of the Baek Sword Sect?” Mu-Ok stubbornly expressed his objection.
“There’s no need to worry about my safety. The Sea Dragon’s Four Demons aside, not even the Sea Dragon Gang Leader can do anything to your elder brother.”
Mu-Gun’s words rendered Mu-Ok momentarily speechless.
Others could think that he was just full of conceit, but he wasn’t. Mu-Gun truly was confident. Somehow, he sounded reliable. On the other hand, Mu-Gun’s confidence made Cheon-Gi’s expression complicated. He welcomed the fact that Mu-Gun was risking his safety, but the confidence he exuded lingered on his mind.
If Mu-Gun’s martial prowess was so high that he didn’t need to pay any heed to evcen the Sea Dragon Gang Leader, then...
‘No. No matter how strong he is, he can’t be that powerful.”
Cheon-Gi tried to undermine Mu-Gun’s martial prowess.
In the midst of all that conversation...
“Then I’ll go along with you.”
Baek Yong-Hwan asked to go with Mu-Gun again, much like he did with the reconnaissance mission. Before Cheon-Gi could speak up with a perplexed expression, Mu-Gun replied, “No, I’m going alone this time.”
“I won’t let you shoulder the risk alone, cousin. I will go with you.”
“I know how you feel. Still, if you come with me, you’ll only be a burden. If you really want to help me, stay here and become strong enough to come with me next time.”
Yong-Hwan lost his stubbornness upon hearing Mu-Gun’s cold-hearted remark. Although Mu-Gun calling Yong-Hwan a burden irritated Cheon-Gi, he was at least satisfied that Yong-Hwan wouldn’t be going with Mu-Gun.
“Think about this carefully. No one will blame you for not going.” Cheon-Gi deliberately spoke as if he was concerned about Mu-Gun’s safety.
“No, we can’t miss this opportunity to weaken the Sea Dragon Gang.”
“Alright, then. If that’s what you really want, then there’s no helping it. Tell me if you need anything.”
“Give me a reconnaissance ship. If possible, please also include a helmsman. I don’t need anything else.”
“So be it.”
Cheon-Gi ordered for a reconnaissance ship to be prepared at once. The moment it was ready, Mu-Gun reassured Cheon-Ho and Mu-Ok, who still looked worried and unconvinced. Afterward, he boarded the ship and immediately headed to where the Sea Dragon Gang’s ship was located. They could follow its route through the signal flares fired from the reconnaissance ships that had been scouting ahead.
Mu-Gun was standing at the prow of the reconnaissance ship that quickly cut through the current.
“First Young Master!”
Mu-Gun turned his head to the voice that was calling him from behind, surprised to see faces that should not be here right now. It was Baek San-Kyung and the five other squad members he shared a cabin with, including Nak Il-Bang.
“Why are you guys here?”
“How could we let you go alone, First Young Master? We secretly got on board in advance with the White Tiger Leader’s permission,” San-Kyung answered as their representative.
“This is completely unnecessary. This mission’s really dangerous, unlike the reconnaissance mission.”
“We came fully prepared.”
“You’re all hopeless.”
“No matter what you say, you’re the one who wanted to deal with the Sea Dragon Gang’s ship alone, First Young Master.”
“What do you mean?”
Mu-Gun looked dumbfounded. All six of them, including San-Kyung, suddenly knelt before him.
“What are you guys doing?”
“First Young Master! The six of us have decided to devote our lives to you. Please accept us!”
“Please accept us!”
At San-Kyung’s words, the others also announced their decision by repeating after him.
“How did you guys even come up with such a sudden decision?” Mu-Gun asked for their reason.
“As a martial artist, isn’t it only natural to admire the strong?”
“You’re following me just because of that?”
“We want to grow as a martial artist by your side, First Young Master. We believe you can lead us better than anyone else.”
“I can’t promise you wealth and honor just because you follow me.”
“The current monthly wage is enough.”
“If you follow me, you will be in frequent danger, just like right now. This is a bit of an exaggeration, but you will have to live with the possibility of death every day.”
“Then you will have to make us stronger, First Young Master. Strong enough that no danger will be of any threat to us.”
San-Kyung’s words baffled Mu-Gun.
“It feels like I’m being put in charge of a bunch of burdens.”
“Even expensive jewels were once rocks. Only through processing and working on them earnestly can they become expensive jewels. Even though we are worthless stones right now, wouldn’t it be rewarding to see us become shiny jewels through your guidance?”
“Hmph, you’re more eloquent than you look. Alright, I’ll take the lot of you in. You’d better be prepared for what’s to come. You are going to experience hell if you are to reach the level I want you to be in.”
“We’re ready. Thank you for accepting us even though we are lacking. We will do our best and be loyal to you moving forward.”
“I’m the one who should thank you. As long as you guys don’t betray me, I promise to cherish and protect you like a brother.”
Mu-Gun obtained six subordinates who truly followed him faster than he had expected. Martial artists truly did speak and prove themselves through martial arts.
If Mu-Gun’s martial prowess were not as great as they were now, it wouldn’t have been easy to win over the hearts of six people. In the meantime, the reconnaissance ship had caught up to the Sea Dragon Gang’s pirate ship enough for it to be visible.
“By the way, are you really going to face off against them just like this?” Il-Bang asked.
“Why? Are you afraid?”
“If I was scared, I wouldn’t have sneaked into this ship in the first place. I just think it is too reckless.”
“This probably seems like a reckless act to others, but for some, this isn’t such a big deal.”
“Understood. Then, we’ll put our trust in you and charge right in, First Young Master.”
“I appreciate the gesture, but that’s good enough. The six of you will remain on this ship.”
“No, what do you mean by that? We can’t just let you go alone, First Young Master. We will go with you. That’s why we secretly boarded this ship.”
“To be honest, you guys will just be a burden to me right now, and if we get too close to the pirates, they could cross over and capture our ship. So stay here if you want to help me. If worse comes to worst, I will have to fight while protecting the ship. So, stop complaining about it and stay here.”
None of them could refute his words.
“Are you frustrated? Don’t forget how you feel right now. When we get back, put all your might into training so you will never have to feel that way again.”
“Understood.”
Mu-Gun gave an order to the reconnaissance ship’s helmsman after convincing them.
“Please bring me a hundred feet closer.”
“Understood.”
The helmsman obeyed Mu-Gun’s order without a single word of complaint. The reconnaissance ship quickly approached the Sea Dragon Gang’s ship.
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