Return of the Sword Emperor - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 7: Proving Oneself (2)

The mood of the Escort Team was good.
They had repelled three surprise attacks with minimal casualties, and Chham Hoe Ok, their destination, lay now but a day and a half away.
Support troops had arrived from Chham Hoe Ok as well.
While they could not compare to the Bok Ma Dan or the Mil Geom Dan, twenty men of superior skill to the regular garrison had joined their ranks.
With the arrival of the reinforcements, the entire mood of the Escort Team shifted markedly.
Though the escort mission was not yet complete, as their destination drew near and no variables capable of threatening the convoy seemed to remain, a palpable relaxation began to settle over everyone.
Yet there was one man who could not afford such ease: Dok Go Jin.

‘Something’s wrong.’

If things continued as they were, the reed marshes of Ye Su would be stained red with blood.

‘I cannot divine the enemy’s arrival in advance.’

But he had no intention of meeting them defenseless.
Dok Go Jin steeled his resolve and closed his eyes quietly, then set his mind earnestly to work, considering how best to face whatever enemies might come.

* * *

“What’s gotten into you, Commander?”

As Yu Seol Ran, who had been sharing wine with the others, seemed distracted, Woo Gon nudged him sharply in the ribs.

“That fellow over there. Something about his mood’s been strange the past few days.”

Following Yu Seol Ran’s gaze, Woo Gon turned and spotted Dok Go Jin sitting with his back against a broken tree stump, lost in thought.

“Strange how?”
“Haven’t you noticed anything odd about him?”
“Hmm, he seems much the same as always to me.”

It seemed Woo Gon had failed to perceive the subtle change that Yu Seol Ran had detected in Dok Go Jin.

“I know the Commander’s been taking things harder since what happened in Sa Rim, but aren’t you being a bit too sensitive?”

Yu Seol Ran shook his head at Woo Gon’s words.

“No, it’s not that. I can’t quite put it into words, but something’s definitely different.”

Jong Gak, who had been listening to their exchange, interjected quietly.

“Perhaps he’s grasped the beginning of an enlightenment.”

Both men suddenly stiffened and reacted sharply.

“Again?”
“No, I don’t think it’s that.”

At their keenly defensive reaction, Jong Gak let out a laugh.

“Have you forgotten how quickly he’s been growing stronger?”
“Still……”
“Compare him to how he was during his first initiation. Then you’ll feel the difference yourself.”
“…….”
“…….”

Having plunged Yu Seol Ran and Woo Gon into deep contemplation, Jong Gak turned his gaze toward Dok Go Jin.

‘Just how much stronger does he intend to become?’

When he’d first demonstrated the threshold of the Sam Hwa Chui Jeong at the Water Heart Pavilion, Yu Seol Ran had been shocked, but he’d accepted it as possible.
Not only Dok Go Jin, but talented individuals showing such growth wasn’t common—yet it happened.
But after joining the Escort Team and departing Gang Nam Chong Ta, Dok Go Jin’s rate of advancement had begun to exceed all reason.

‘The change began in Sa Rim.’

Jong Gak was the first to notice the transformation in Dok Go Jin when he returned, much later, from pursuing the remnants of Gwi Sal Gak.
After leaving Sa Rim, when other enemies attacked, the movements Dok Go Jin displayed gave Jong Gak profound shock.
What sealed his conviction was the third assault—against the wandering swordsmen.
Though Dok Go Jin seemed reluctant to reveal it, Jong Gak became certain that his Internal Power ran deeper than he could have imagined. Moreover, he found it impossible to gauge the full extent of his skill.

‘Does he grow stronger with each real encounter? Perhaps now he’s already equal to the leader…….’

Jong Gak, lost in solitary contemplation, let out a hollow laugh.
The situation felt absurd—naturally comparing Hyeol Ryeon Soo, known as a master among the elite of Jeong Mu Maeng, with Dok Go Jin, who had been in the Mil Geom Dan for scarcely more than a month.
What made it even more preposterous was that he couldn’t dismiss the comparison as unreasonable.

* * *

“Word has arrived that they will soon be here, Leader.”

At Gyoo Won Baek’s report, Nak Wol opened his eyes, which had been squeezed shut.

“How soon?”
“Within the hour.”
“Within the hour? They’re coming now, then.”

Nak Wol nodded, glancing about as he spoke.

“Is everything prepared?”
“Yes, we are perfectly concealed.”
“Keep a strict watch that no one acts recklessly.”
“Understood.”
“And…….”

Nak Wol frowned as he turned his head.

‘Ha! Must I truly rely on these wretches?’

Sighing, Nak Wol walked toward Ha Nam O Sal, who were idly chatting in contrast to his own men hidden in the reeds, and made his way over.

“What is it, Leader?”

Yu Rang Cheon, the captain of Ha Nam O Sal, narrowed his slitted eyes as he asked.

“The target approaches.”
“Ah.”
“They will arrive shortly. Make ready.”
“Ready? All this fuss over striking a mere Escort Team?”

Nak Wol disliked Yu Rang Cheon’s arrogant manner, but he held his tongue.

“Their strength is not to be underestimated. Moreover, Chham Hoe Ok is close at hand. If we tarry, reinforcements may arrive.”
“Well, fine then. Since we’ve pledged ourselves to Ma Do Ryeon, we should earn our keep, at least.”
“Note that we will initiate the assault. You are to support our lead.”

Nak Wol couched his warning against reckless action—lest they bungle the operation—in oblique terms.

“Do as you wish.”
“Very well.”

The moment Nak Wol nodded and turned, discontent erupted from those who had been watching his demeanor with displeasure.

“Brother, that young fellow has no respect whatsoever.”

Yul Seung, the youngest of Ha Nam O Sal, flared his eyes like an axe when Gae Hong, the third, let out a scoffing laugh beside him.

“He’s not that young. He might be older than you, the youngest.”
“Young or not, his manners are contemptible. How dare he hold his head high and speak before our brother? If I had my way, I’d just—”

Gwak In Bu planted his Iron Hammer into the ground with a glare.

“Fourth brother, there’s no need for you to step forward. Let me—”
“No. As I mentioned yesterday, that man’s skill is considerable. Even if I fought him one-on-one, I couldn’t guarantee victory.”

At Lee Doo Ryong’s words—the second of Ha Nam O Sal, whose skill exceeded even Yu Rang Cheon—Yul Seung fell silent.

“I don’t think so.”

Yu Rang Cheon shook his head, steadying himself on Lee Doo Ryong’s shoulder.

“No matter how strong that man is, I can’t imagine my brother losing.”

Lee Doo Ryong chuckled and shrugged.

“That’s just what I’m saying.”
“In any case, let’s lay low for now. We can’t afford to be caught with anything to hold against us later.”

At Yu Rang Cheon’s words, the atmosphere among the others shifted entirely.

“Hehe! It’s been a while since I’ve tasted blood.”

Gae Hong spoke with eyes already flushed red with excitement, and Gwak In Bu slapped his chest.

“Brother, shall we wager on who takes the most heads?”
“A wager? By all means. I’m not the sort to shy away from a challenge.”

Gae Hong laughed, licking the blade of his sword with his tongue.
The two began chattering about what to stake, and Yul Seung’s lips moved eagerly, desperate to join the betting.
Just then, Yu Rang Cheon gave an urgent hand signal.
Ha Nam O Sal quickly concealed themselves as the Escort Team appeared in the distance.

* * *

Just past noon, when the Escort Team arrived at Ye Su, a crisp breeze stirred the reed beds.

“This is Ye Su.”

Yang Un Wei, who had come from Chham Hoe Ok leading twenty soldiers to receive the Escort Team, pointed to Ye Su glittering in the sunlight and called out.

“We’ve nearly arrived. Cross that bridge and Chham Hoe Ok is just ahead.”

There was a bridge spanning Ye Su where Yang Un Wei pointed.
The bridge was some sixty paces long. Though Ye Su was no small stream, the water was narrow enough and shallow enough there that the bridge could be completed.
A reed bed occupied the path leading to the bridge. The reed bed that formed along the banks of Ye Su stretched nearly one hundred paces in width.

“The reeds are remarkably extensive.”

At someone’s shout, Yang Un Wei burst out laughing.

“Right now, it’s nothing special. But when late autumn arrives and all those reeds lose their green and turn golden—ah, that’s a sight to behold. Especially in the late afternoon sun, when the reed beds glow with such gentle brilliance… it’s absolutely breathtaking. If you knew how many people flock here to see it, you’d be amazed.”

At Yang Un Wei’s explanation, the others nodded with expressions brightening at the image. But Dok Go Jin alone studied the reed fields with unwavering gravity.

‘This is where the Mil Geom Dan’s Fifth Brigade was annihilated. If no unknown variables have intervened, whoever’s lying in wait should be from the Cheon Rang Dan.’

He released Ki Gam subtly into the surroundings, but felt nothing that suggested a proper concealment.
Yet his instinct told him plainly—enemies were hiding here.

‘This is indeed perfect ground for an ambush. The destination’s within sight, which dulls vigilance nicely. More than that, they’ll think the mission’s essentially complete once we cross the bridge.’

“Well then, let’s move on.”

At Yang Un Wei’s signal, the support team that had paused began moving again.
That’s when it happened.

“If I were the enemy!”

Dok Go Jin’s sudden voice drew every eye to him.

“I would set an ambush here.”
“Hey, what nonsense are you talking?”

Yong Cheol Seung beside him nudged Dok Go Jin’s ribs, gauging the situation.

“It’s the perfect place for an ambush.”
“I……”

Yong Cheol Seung’s face had gone pale as he scanned the surroundings.
The buoyant expressions of those who’d thought the escort would end safely drained away. The support team’s mood in particular soured noticeably.

“Are you saying there’s an ambush set up here right now?”

Yang Un Wei asked, displeasure crossing his face.

“I’m merely saying there’s a possibility.”
“This is a place we pass through every single day. The Ma Do Ryeon’s rats couldn’t possibly operate here from the start. An ambush with enough numbers to matter? Do you really think we’d miss something that size hiding in? That’s absurd.”

Yang Un Wei’s pride was wounded, and he showed his displeasure openly.
What was unexpected, however, was the reaction of the other escort members.
Though Dok Go Jin was merely the youngest of the Mil Geom Dan and his claim could be dismissed as reckless, those who’d witnessed his prowess at Sa Rim and during the two subsequent attacks watched the situation unfold with a ‘what if’ in their eyes.

“It’s possible, certainly. But look around you.”

Dok Go Jin surveyed the escort team and continued.

“What do you see in the atmosphere? Everyone—especially those who came to assist—is acting as though the escort operation is already complete.”

Instantly, nervous coughs rippled through the group.

“There have been three attacks so far. And for ten days since the last one, nothing. At the same time, your sharp wariness has faded. That’s when the enemy’s blade slides in—and delivers a mortal wound.”
“You’re not wrong, but you’re worrying too much, it seems.”

Yang Un Wei’s expression softened somewhat, as if accepting that Dok Go Jin wasn’t spouting complete nonsense. He turned to regard Jwa Jong Je, Jeok Mu Hwa, and Jong Gak in turn before continuing.

“As we discussed last night, Ma Do Ryeon is certainly targeting the escort team. But those three attacks were just bait—their real spearhead was Heuk Wol Dan, elite Ma Do Ryeon force. However, we at Jeong Mu Maeng saw through it and deployed Geuk Ma Dae to contain Heuk Wol Dan’s movements. So there’s no need to worry. I came here just to be safe……”

Dok Go Jin stopped listening.
Explanation was no longer necessary.
Now was the time for proof.

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