Chapter 17
A pigeon landed in the window of the Maritime Defense Base’s command building.
A small message tube hung from its leg, which made it obvious that it was a carrier pigeon. Baek Cheon-Ho, who had been standing in front of the window, unraveled the letter within the tube, his eyes widening in surprise upon reading it.
[The Sea Dragon Gang Leader killed the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons]
It contained information that was both shocking and hard to process. In the current situation, there was no merit for the Sea Dragon Gang Leader in killing the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons. However, the brief explanation at the bottom put things into perspective.
It mentioned the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons' attempt to leave the Sea Dragon Gang to protect their safety. Vindictive, the Sea Dragon Gang Leader used the Fantasy Fog Array to his advantage and killed the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons.
Cheon-Ho had no doubts about what he read. He was certain the spy he planted in the Sea Dragon Gang sent it to him. And that person was devoted to him.
To avoid exposing his identity, Cheon-Ho instructed the spy to send news only once—when the information was vital and extremely important. Hence, it was extremely unlikely that they had found out about the spy’s existence, and there was little possibility that counterespionage could take place.
“I should inform elder brother and Mu-Gun.”
Cheon-Ho called Baek Cheon-Gi and Baek Mu-Gun over in a hurry.
“What is it? Why did you call for us so urgently?” Cheon-Gi asked.
Mu-Gun also looked at Cheon-Ho curiously.
“I received important intel from the spy I sent to infiltrate the Sea Dragon Gang.”
“A spy?”
Cheon-Gi looked at Cheon-Ho. He seemed to have never heard of this.
“I did it on my own initiative.”
“What’s the intel, then?”
“He reported that the Sea Dragon Gang Leader killed the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons.”
“What? He’s got to be a madman to kill the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons in this situation.”
“The trio tried to abandon the Sea Dragon Gang for their own survival. Furious, the Sea Dragon Gang Leader used the Fantasy Fog Array to bury them underwater.”
“As expected of those belonging to an evil sect. They cast away their loyalty like it’s nothing but worthless dirt.”
“It’s welcoming news for us.”
“What about the possibility of counterespionage?”
“We can trust my spy. It’s extremely unlikely for him to have been discovered since I prepared him specifically for this occasion.”
“Are you certain?”
“At the very least, that’s what I believe.”
“Hmm, if the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons really have been killed, we can bring the Sea Dragon Gang to ruin without the Guangdong Jin Family’s help.”
“However, to attack the Sea Dragon Gang’s base, we first have to pass through the Fantasy Fog Array.”
“That’s certainly a problem. Is there any way we can break through it?”
“I’ll open up the entry path,” Mu-Gun spoke after listening quietly until then.
“You?”
“Since I personally confirmed its existence, I think I can find its entry path.”
“Speculations are not good enough. You have to give us a definite answer. Can you find its entry path or not?”
“I can find it.”
“If by any chance, you are lying for the sake of your ambition, you will never be forgiven.”
“That’s a given.”
With Mu-Gun claiming he could find the Fantasy Fog Array’s entry path, they were left with one last decision to make: to attack the Sea Dragon Gang base or keep an eye on the situation. If the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons had really been eliminated from the equation, it would be in their best interest to bring the fight to their enemy.
However, if by any chance, the deaths of the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons were just lies told as part of the Sea Dragon Gang’s scheme, then the Baek Sword Sect could fall into a precarious situation.
Cheon-Gi couldn’t easily decide. Cheon-Ho claimed they could trust the pigeon message the spy had sent, but Cheon-Gi believed it could result in heavy repercussions.
“Are you concerned that this is just another scheme of the Sea Dragon Gang?” Mu-Gun asked.
“Yes.”
“I don’t think the Sea Dragon Gang used counterespionage on us.”
“Why’s that?”
“If the Sea Dragon Gang were using counterespionage, they would’ve sent a letter hoping we would attack their base. However, as you already know, the Fantasy Fog Array is protecting their base. Do you think they would expect us to be able to break through it?”
“Unlikely.”
“Exactly. They believe we can’t break through the Fantasy Fog Array. In other words, the chances are low they would fake the deaths of the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons to make us invade their base.”
“We don’t have to worry about counterespionage, then?”
“Yes.”
“You certainly have a point. However, they could also be hoping for us to believe this message so they can attack the Maritime Defense Base once its defenses have weakened.”
Baek Cheon-Gi raised a counterargument.
“That’s certainly possible, but using counterespionage to aim for that gap poses a liability for risk.”
“What do you mean?”
“The moment we believe this scheme of theirs, we’d probably spare no effort in eradicating them. That could mean the Baek Sword Sect sending reinforcements to bolster and concentrate our forces here. The Sea Dragon Gang had most likely already taken that into consideration. Hence, they wouldn’t use counterespionage in that way.”
Cheon-Gi could not refute Mu-Gun’s explanation.
“So you vote to attack the Sea Dragon Gang base instead of waiting for the Guangdong Jin Family’s help.”
“That’s right. I wouldn’t have minded waiting for it if we couldn’t do without it. However, in the current situation, there’s no need for us to owe the Guangdong Jin Family a favor.”
“Do you feel the same way, Cheon-Ho?”
“Yes.”
“Understood. However, since this is a serious matter, I’ll have to send a pigeon message to the headquarters and obtain approval.”
“Of course.”
Cheon-Gi drafted a message that detailed the deaths of the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons and their intention to attack the Sea Dragon Gang’s base. He then sent it to the headquarters in Wenzhou.
Three days later, a reply came from Baek Sword Sect patriarch Baek Cheon-Sang, giving them his permission to attack the Sea Dragon Gang. As Cheon-Gi gathered all the forces situated in the Maritime Defense Base, Mu-Ok was sent to the Guangdong Jin Family to inform Cheon-Ung they no longer needed the Guangdong Jin Family’s help.
Cheon-Gi immediately issued an order for deployment once three of the Baek Sword Corps’ squads had gathered. Hence, they left the Maritime Defense Base and advanced toward the Sea Dragon Archipelago.
An hour after that, their three ships—the White Dragon Ship, White Tiger Ship, and the White Wolf Ship—arrived at the Sea Dragon Archipelago, which was still surrounded by the Fantasy Fog Array.
They then waited for the Fantasy Fog Array to change. After all, they’d find themselves in a precarious situation if it were to transform while they were already inside it.
After some time, the sea fog greatly quivered, signifying that the Fantasy Fog Array had undergone changes.
“Let’s go in. Follow the White Wolf Ship closely! Don’t get left behind!” Mu-Gun shouted at the White Dragon Ship and the White Tiger Ship, then entered the Fantasy Fog Array with the White Wolf Ship.”
The White Dragon Ship and White Tiger Ship followed closely behind the White Wolf Ship. Standing at the prow of the ship, Mu-Gun invoked the Thunder God's Heavenly Eyes. The technique gave his eyes a golden glow and allowed him to see the energy flowing through the Fantasy Fog Array. Reading its flow of energy, he discovered the entry path.
He immediately informed the helmsman regarding the direction of the entry path, and the helmsman of the White Wolf Ship steered the ship according to his words.
The interior of the Fantasy Fog Array was covered with dense sea fog, preventing them from distinguishing their surroundings at all. That made it difficult for the naked eye to avoid reefs and other obstacles, which the Fantasy Fog Array’s death trap was full of. The sea current inside it was also so strong that if they were to enter, they would likely end up shipwrecked.
However, Mu-Gun accurately located the entry path with the Thunder God's Heavenly Eyes, allowing the White Dragon Ship and White Tiger Ship following behind the White Wolf Ship to smoothly make their way through the Fantasy Fog Array.
***
At the same time, Yeo Gang stormed into the Sea Dragon Palace, which gave Gun-Hyo an ominous feeling. Sure enough, Yeo Gang reported something unexpected.
“Gang Leader! We’ve got a huge problem! Three of the Baek Sword Sect’s squads have broken through the Fantasy Fog Array and are entering the Sea Dragon Archipelago.”
“What nonsense are you spouting? How could they even pass through the Fantasy Fog Array?”
“I don’t know how they found it, but they seem to know its entry path.”
“That’s ridiculous. You know quite well that the entry path can’t be discovered without the Fantasy Fog Diagram.”
“That isn’t important right now. What matters is that the Baek Sword Sect had broken through the Fantasy Fog Array and is on their way here,” Yeo Gang said, frustrated.
“Despite how difficult it is to succeed, it only takes a split second for everything to crumble down to pieces, huh.”
Gun-Hyo smiled bitterly. He had to overcome various challenges to build the Sea Dragon Gang. However, it really only took a moment for it to all collapse.
This was all because of Mu-Gun, the first son of the Baek Sword Sect. The moment he showed up, everything fell to ruins. With everything coming to an end, Gun-Hyo at least wanted to kill him at all costs.
“We need to get out of here before the warriors of the Baek Sword Sects storm in,” Yeo Gang hurriedly said.
“Are you telling me to abandon the Sea Dragon Gang and run away?”
“We have to survive to plan for the future. If you survive, the Sea Dragon Gang can be rebuilt any time.”
“No, that’s just a cowardly excuse made for the sake of staying alive. I dedicated my whole life to the Sea Dragon Gang. I will share my fate with it. However, I won’t just stay still until death claims me. I will take the Baek Sword Sect’s first son—the main culprit of our downfall—with me on my way to the underworld. Now, leave me alone and be on your way, Yeo Gang.”
Gun-Hyo’s words made Yeo Gang’s expression fill up with a mixture of emotions. He couldn’t decide whether he should leave Gun-Hyo and run away by himself. However, he had no intention of dying here with Gun-Hyo.
“I won’t curse you even if you leave me and run away alone, so go before it’s too late. If you don’t want to go alone, it would be fine if you took some of our useful members along.”
“I’m sorry I can’t stay by your side and help you to the very end. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. I was able to live in luxury because of your benevolence.”
“What luxury? You probably had a hard time being scolded by me day in and day out.”
“To be honest, it was a bit severe.”
“Oh, Are you acting this way because you won’t be seeing me again?”
“Are you really not going to go with me?”
“Don’t make me say it twice.”
“I understand. I hope you achieve your goal. If I get the chance, I will avenge you, Gang Leader.”
“Beat it. Don’t throw away your life for no reason. Just live in comfort.”
“I’m going.”
Yeo Gang politely told Gun-Hyo his final farewell and hurriedly left the Sea Dragon Palace. Now alone, Gun-Hyo equipped his sword and waited for the warriors of the Baek Sword Sect to come.
***
With Mu-Gun’s guidance, the three squads of the Baek Sword Sect safely passed through the Fantasy Fog Array and began their attack on the Sea Dragon Island, the main island of the Sea Dragon Archipelago.
The Yellow and Blue Dragon Squads, which remained behind, blocked their advances, but their enemies were beyond their capabilities. The Baek Sword Sect warriors swept through the Sea Dragon Island with overwhelming force.
Mu-Gun was at the forefront of it all.
Considering not even one of the Sea Dragon’s Four Demons could defeat Mu-Gun, stopping him was impossible for ordinary pirates.
Mu-Gun cut down the pirates blocking his path without hesitation. Witnessing the Baek Sword Sect’s forces overcome the Fantasy Fog Array flustered the Sea Dragon Gang, and Mu-Gun’s overwhelming might only further ruined their will to fight. Without even a drop of fight left in them, they proved no match for the three squads.
Upon confirming the battle situation no longer needed his presence, Mu-Gun looked everywhere for any traces of the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons.
However, he didn’t sense any form of energy powerful enough to be considered one of them. Given that they didn’t appear even though the situation had tilted in favor of the Baek family, the intel the Baek Sword Sect received about the deaths of the Sea Dragon’s Three Demons proved true.
If so, the only one left to defeat was the Sea Dragon Gang Leader. Mu-Gun turned toward the Sea Dragon Palace, which stood high in the center of the Sea Dragon Island. The Sea Dragon Gang Leader was most likely inside it.
Mu-Gun immediately performed the Thunder God's Shadow and headed toward the Sea Dragon Palace. Cheon-Gi watched Mu-Gun’s movements from afar.
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