Return of the Sword Emperor - Chapter 11

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 5: Sa-rim (1)

“Sa-rim……”

Nam Goong Ho lifted his head at the sound of Dok Go Jin’s murmur.

“Pardon?”
“That mountain over there.”

Dok Go Jin pointed toward Sa-rim and continued.

“The Dark Energy is unusually thick, and there are marshes scattered throughout. That’s why snakes of all kinds make their home here. That’s where the name comes from.”
“What? How would a new recruit know that? Most people don’t.”

Yong Chul Seung blinked in surprise at Dok Go Jin’s words.

“I remember hearing about it when I studied the Yong Dok Sool at the Training Center. They said unknown venomous snakes occasionally appear in Sa-rim as well.”
“You’ve got your facts straight. We’ve passed through a couple of times ourselves—it’s a vicious place. Snakes everywhere as far as you can see. The horrifying hisses, that distinctive stench… ugh!”

Yong Chul Seung shuddered at the mere thought of it.

“And yet this fellow has no problem drinking Snake Liquor.”

Won Jong’s jab drew a sheepish grin from Yong Chul Seung, who smacked his lips.

“A snake’s a snake, and liquor’s liquor.”
“Foolish as they come.”
“Everyone, quiet.”

Yu Seol Ran sensed the mood growing tense and reasserted order.

“Squad Leader, you seem unsettled.”

Woo Gon squinted his remaining eye at Sa-rim.

“The murk and dampness here are unusually heavy. Not to mention the snakes.”

Given the nature of the place, Yu Seol Ran’s expression darkened as well.

“And it’s a dangerous place too.”

Yu Seol Ran caught Woo Gon’s meaning in his tone and nodded gravely.

“It is rather perfect for such purposes.”

‘Their instincts are sharp, as always.’

Unlike Nam Goong Ho and Ha Jo Gyeong, who exchanged uncertain glances about whether they’d learned of Sa-rim at the Training Center, Dok Go Jin listened quietly to the two of them and found himself impressed.

‘Could it be here?’

Sifting through his memories, the escort procession bound for Chamhoe-ok had come under attack several times during its journey.
The problem was that the battle at Ye-su had been so devastating that he couldn’t recall precisely when or where the other attacks had occurred.

‘It would certainly be an ideal place for an ambush.’

As Dok Go Jin stared at Sa-rim with uncertain eyes, Jong Gak, who had been conferring with the other leaders, returned.

“Are we to make camp here?”

Yu Seol Ran asked.

“That’s right. But first, there’s something we need to do.”
“A reconnaissance mission, then.”

At Woo Gon’s words, Jong Gak turned his gaze slightly toward the Bokmadan and nodded.

“Exactly. But it seems the Bokmadan is sending out scouts as well.”
“Surely you don’t mean we’re moving together?”

Yu Seol Ran wrinkled her nose at the thought.

“Not a chance. Before I’d work alongside those soft-handed dandies, I’d rather not go at all.”

Jong Gak dismissed the Bokmadan—an elite unit even among the Jeongmumeng—with casual scorn and continued.

“In any case, since the Bokmadan is also sending out scouts, there’s no need for everyone to move. Some of us will stay behind to prepare the camp.”
“I’ll stay behind—”

Yong Chul Seung, who’d claimed he hated snakes, jumped forward but fell silent under Yu Seol Ran’s glare.

“Why take someone who doesn’t want to go? Have the newcomers prepare the camp instead.”

Yu Seol Ran shook her head at Woo Gon’s suggestion.

“That’s not it, senior. This is when we should let the recruits gain experience.”
“There could be an ambush. It’s not safe—no, wait. What am I saying?”

Woo Gon let out a hollow laugh.
Dok Go Jin, whose skill matched the Vice Pavilion Master’s, and Nam Goong Ho, who’d made a name for himself at the Training Center, had already surpassed their seniors in ability.
For warriors this strong, mere recruits only in name, what they lacked was experience alone—Yu Seol Ran was right.

“Yong Chul Seung.”
“Yes, Squad Leader.”
“Look after the Vice Pavilion Master and make sure the camp is properly prepared.”
“Understood.”

Joy shone through Yong Chul Seung’s face as he answered loudly.

“We’ll be back shortly.”

As Yu Seol Ran finished her preparations to depart, Jong Gak glanced at the Bokmadan, already moving toward Sa-rim, and spoke.

“Be careful. Not just of snakes, but of any enemy surprise attacks as well.”
“Understood.”
“And show those people what real reconnaissance looks like—what a true vanguard’s role is.”

Yu Seol Ran smiled knowingly.

“Of course.”

* * *

In the western gorge of Sa-rim, darkness was already settling though the sun had not yet fully sunk below the horizon.
A suspicious gathering of men dressed in ash-gray martial robes stood assembled.
Roughly thirty in number, all wore masks that showed only their eyes, and each exhaled a thick, murderous aura.
In the center of the group, a middle-aged man whose face alone remained bare surveyed his surroundings and spoke.

“Everyone’s thoroughly familiar with the terrain, I trust?”
“Yes, Pavilion Master.”

The masked figures answered in unison.

“We’ve received word that they’ll pass through here as early as tonight, or by tomorrow at the latest. If these men have any sense, they won’t try to move prisoners through Sa-rim at night. Almost certainly, we’ll meet them tomorrow. But variables always exist. Moreover, they’ll know well enough that this place is dangerous, so they might send scouts ahead. That’s why we move into position now. Each of you, return to your assigned locations and wait for the signal. You must conceal yourselves perfectly, without the slightest flinch, and maintain absolute silence.”
“Understood!”

The masked figures dispersed like smoke.

“I’m not certain this is the right approach, Pavilion Master.”

Dan Hong Gyeong, the Vice Pavilion Master of Gwisalgak, let out a quiet sigh as he watched his subordinates conceal themselves.

“What do you mean?”
“My instincts are troubled. I worry we shouldn’t be provoking Jeongmumeng like this.”
“When have we ever cared about such things? A job comes in, sufficient payment is offered, and we carry it out. That’s all there is to it.”
“Still, sir. If we strike at the convoy headed for Chamhoe-ok, won’t we risk being marked as Martial World Enemies? They could send a Purge Squad.”

At Dan Hong Gyeong’s concern, Pavilion Master Im Sang let out a scoff.

“Hah! Martial World Enemies? We’ve already earned that status. When have they ever treated us as human beings anyway? And this is already decided.”

Im Sang’s voice had risen, but now he lowered it, casting a casual glance around before continuing in a measured tone.

“One head for ten gold coins. And even if the whole job fails, we don’t have to return the deposit. Where else in this world do you find work like that? So don’t be greedy—let’s just take five, five heads. That alone brings us fifty gold coins.”
Im Sang grinned, his lips twisted, his eyes glinting with avarice.

‘Why can’t he see how dangerous this truly is?’

Dan Hong Gyeong forced down the words that had risen to his throat.

* * *

At the edge of Sa-rim, a subtle tension hung in the air between the Milgeom-dan and Bokmadan as they moved to conduct reconnaissance.

“Moving around in a mob is one thing, but how should we divide the territory?”

At Yu Seol Ran’s question, Man Gyun, the Group Chief of Bokmadan, chuckled softly.

“Good point. Staying together would only be awkward. Let’s make this path the boundary—we’ll take the left side.”
“Then we’ll take the right.”

Yu Seol Ran turned without another word, as if she had nothing more to say.
She’d taken only a few steps when—
A cold voice spilled from Man Gyun’s lips, one who had been waiting for just this moment.

“Still so arrogant.”

Yu Seol Ran turned slowly to face him.
While Man Gyun’s eyes blazed with intensity, her expression remained indifferent.

“If you did something like that, shouldn’t you at least apologize?”
“Something like what? And what would that be?”

Yu Seol Ran’s voice was as dry as ever, but those who had walked beside her through long years were already wearing troubled expressions.

“Don’t play dumb. What happened in the inn.”
“Ah, that fool’s doing, you mean.”

Yu Seol Ran turned her head and pointed dismissively toward Lee Cheon Hu.
Man Gyun’s eyes narrowed to bitter slits.

“I’ll grant that he made a certain mistake. But your recruit made one far worse than that.”
“And?”
“Apologize formally.”
“Apologize.”

Yu Seol Ran’s once-cool gaze was beginning to burn.

“So what about how that bastard disrespected the Milgeom-dan?”
“What?”

Man Gyun’s expression flickered with confusion.

“What do you mean, what? That’s not something we can just smooth over with an apology.”

Yu Seol Ran’s tone shifted sharply.
Before Man Gyun could stammer out a rebuttal, bloodlust erupted from her eyes.

“Apologize? Spare me that horseshit. If I’d caught wind of the situation even a moment sooner, that fool wouldn’t be standing here now.”

Lee Cheon Hu trembled as her gaze locked onto his.

“Yu Seol Ran!”

Man Gyun’s voice cracked with fury.

“Shut it. If you’ve got a head on your shoulders, use what’s inside it. You want to lodge a complaint? You should have done it ages ago. Not on an operation, not when the enemy might be watching, not by stirring up discord. Maybe that’s how they do things in the Bokmadan, but not us. We don’t pull that kind of stupid infighting. But—”

A wild, feverish light kindled in Yu Seol Ran’s eyes.

“If you want to see this through to the end, do as you like. I won’t stop you. Though you’ll have to live with the consequences.”

As she finished, a chilling killing intent bloomed across her entire form. She was already in perfect combat stance. Ha Jo Gyeong, responding to her aura, had already drawn into a position to unsheathe at any moment.

‘This insane woman.’

Man Gyun cursed silently.
They’d run a few operations together over the years, though they had no real connection otherwise.
Man Gyun had hoped to salvage some shred of the Bokmadan’s tattered honor by borrowing authority from seniority, but Yu Seol Ran’s rampage left him floundering.
He’d tried to preserve his dignity and instead walked straight into a corner.
If he backed down, he’d lose face in front of his men. If he fought, the operation would fall apart.
Trapped between impossible choices, Man Gyun stood paralyzed while Yu Seol Ran’s contempt deepened.
A tension thick enough to shatter hung in the air.
As the atmosphere darkened toward the breaking point, Dok Go Jin stepped forward after exchanging a glance with Woo Gon.

“It is all my fault—my grave error has caused this entire situation. I apologize again. Please, grant me your forgiveness.”

He was a rope thrown down from heaven in that moment of desperation.
Man Gyun seized the chance before Yu Seol Ran could block him, words tumbling out in haste.

“That’s enough then. Since you’ve apologized, I’ll overlook it this time. But mind yourself from now on.”
“What kind of bull—”

The moment Yu Seol Ran began to spring forward, Woo Gon seized her arm.

“We’re moving out.”

Man Gyun, who had flinched at Yu Seol Ran’s reaction, barked orders at his men and hurried them forward.

“What are you doing, senior?”

Yu Seol Ran asked Woo Gon sharply.
Dok Go Jin had apologized, but she’d immediately seen through it—Woo Gon was the one behind the apology.

“This is enough, Squad Leader. Even a rat will fight back if you corner it too hard.”
“Then just stamp them down so hard they can’t even squeak.”

Woo Gon spoke in a soothing tone against Yu Seol Ran’s unyielding attitude.

“That’s only for enemies. These men aren’t enemies, are they? And if they see allied blood during the operation, like you said—who’s going to answer for it?”
“Well……”
“Look at them now. They won’t dare speak another careless word about this ever again.”

As Woo Gon pointed at the Bokmadan scrambling hastily away, Yu Seol Ran’s anger began to subside.

“Pathetic fools, making all that racket while claiming to scout. They have no fundamentals whatsoever.”

Yu Seol Ran let out a derisive snort and turned to address her squad members.

“Disperse and begin scouting. Move in pairs—one veteran, one recruit.”

At Yu Seol Ran’s command, the seasoned fighters quickly positioned themselves beside the newer recruits.

“Remember: even if you spot the enemy, avoid engagement unless absolutely necessary. We’re here to scout, not to fight.”
“Understood.”
“Return here before full darkness falls. Then we move out.”

With Yu Seol Ran’s order given, the squad members began moving toward Sa-rim.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————