Chapter 1256: Will Take Care Of It (Part 1)

Pow! Pow!

One after another, human-size anchors fell into the water. The sound of the collision between the water and the anchors spread across the shore like the roar of cannons.

Even someone who didn't understand the meaning of this scene couldn't help but tremble at the sight.

"Commander! Anchoring is complete."

The one who hurriedly entered the cabin reported with excitement. However, Ho Gakmyung, gazing at a ledger, did not move.

"Hmm."

After a little time passed, Ho Gakmyung quickly closed the ledger with a swift motion.

Snap.

Without any hesitation, he stood up and walked out of the cabin. Passing through the narrow door, the scenery of the blue island came into view.

It was clearly different from the Central Plains. However, Ho Gakmyung moved his feet with an expressionless face.

Creak.

With each step he took, the deck of the ship creaked, screaming as if in pain. Walking to the bow, he quickly scanned the coast with emotionless eyes. Then, he asked,

"Where are the fishermen?"

"They seem to be busy running away; there doesn't seem to be anyone on the coast." 

"But those who were on the coast must have seen us."

Ho Gakmyung glanced at the ships anchored on the coast and opened his mouth.

"The Southern Island Sect will soon find out. There's nothing good about leaving loose ends. Disembark."

"Yes, Commander!"

The person who bowed politely turned around and shouted loudly.

"Ooooooooouuuuuut!"

"Yes!"

People waiting on each ship quickly jumped out.

Splash! Splash!

As the members of the Myriad Man Manor jumped into the sea in unison, the azure surface of the water was instantly covered with white foam. Those who descended moved forward decisively and gathered on the white sandy beach.

Watching this scene with cold eyes, Ho Gakmyung stepped on the ship's bow and lightly launched himself down to the white sandy beach.

Straightening his back and turning his gaze, he saw the warriors of the Myriad Man Manor in formation. He narrowed his eyes slightly.

After a while, someone who joined a bit late bowed his head.

"Commander!"

"Late."

"Sorry, sorry."

Ho Gakmyung shook his head briefly as if not pleased.

If any other Evil Sect had seen the spectacle unfolding on this coast, they would have been stunned and at a loss for words. In fact, the current appearance of these people was so organized they were more like soldiers than gang members.

Among all the Evil Sects in the world, only the Myriad Man Manor could display such a sight.

But even this sight didn't impress Ho Gakmyung.

"Commander! We're ready! Waiting for your orders!"

"Hmm."

Ho Gakmyung nodded.

In fact, in a situation where such individuals were waiting only for his orders, anyone would feel their chest swelling with pride.

However, in Ho Gakmyung's eyes, there was not a trace of excitement. He calmly assessed the situation as usual.

"Shall we advance?"

"Wait."

Ho Gakmyung grabbed the left sleeve with his right hand and lightly rubbed it. He seemed to be lost in deep thought. After a while, he spoke in a calm voice.

"It's strange."

"Yes?"

"There's too little preparation."

"Yes?"

In response to that statement, Munbang asked, seeming puzzled.

"They probably didn't expect us to come, so wouldn't it be natural for them to be unprepared? Even if the fishermen saw us, the news wouldn't have reached the Southern Island Sect..."

But Ho Gakmyung coldly interrupted.

"There are no footprints." [...screw you and your big brain, bandit...]

"...Yes?"

Ho Gakmyung's subordinate, Munbang, heard this and once again scanned the pristine white sandy beach. Indeed, there were no footprints to be seen.

But why would that be considered strange?

"Commander. Isn't it actually a good thing that there are no footprints?"

Ho Gakmyung turned his head and looked at Munbang.

"A good thing?"

"Yes. It's evidence that no one was here on this coast. It means they are unaware of our actions."

Ho Gakmyung furrowed his brow slightly.

"No footprints, even though there are anchored ships. Isn't that strange?"

"...Ah!"

Only now did Munbang look surprised as he gazed again at the coast. Apart from their ship, there were other ships anchored. The fact that a ship was anchored meant that people had disembarked. However, there were no traces of human presence on this white sandy beach.

Certainly, it was a strange occurrence.

"...It might have been erased due to the typhoon?"

"After a typhoon, sailors naturally maintain and repair their ships. If those repairing the ships saw us, they would have quickly left. In that case, there should still be footprints on the coast."

"..."

"Unnatural."

Ho Gakmyung lifted his head and looked at the island in front of him.

"So, that would mean they knew we were coming and set a trap in advance... Would those island villagers be capable of such a cunning plan?"

Ho Gakmyung turned his gaze slowly to Munbang. The chill in his eyes made Munbang's face turn pale.

"The Ten Great Sects seem to be mocking us."

"C-Commander. It's not like that..."

"Do you know when people are most despicable?"

"Well..."

"It's when they think they achieved something good through their own abilities."

Though Munbang tried to speak, he fell into silence as Ho Gakmyung continued.

"If Lord Ryeonju hadn't shown us mercy, those trash from Guangdong would have ended up as nothing. Yet, now that they think they've achieved something, they're behaving as if they're someone."

Munbang quickly lowered his head.

Ho Gakmyung rarely became angry over trivial matters. Even if his subordinates openly showed disrespect, he usually sighed and overlooked it. It wasn't because he was lenient; it was because he believed that even those individuals were better than having none at all.

However, there was only one case where he would react differently.

The moment someone challenges Jang Ilso's authority, Ho Gakmyung transforms from a cool-headed commander to an unruly devil.

Knowing this fact, Munbang could only be terrified.

"Commander! I absolutely didn't have such intentions."

"Is that so?"

"I just foolishly opened my mouth without thinking. How could I dare to think that my power, bestowed by the Lord, was something I earned? That's absolutely impossible."

Ho Gakmyung silently stared at the prostrate Munbang.

Despite the scorching sun beating down, Munbang felt a chill running down his spine.

"Get up."

"Yes!"

Munbang quickly stood up without hesitation.

"This was the last warning."

"T-Thank you, Commander!"

Munbang quickly bowed, sweating coldly. While it might have seemed like a common, light reprimand, Munbang knew better. He had just stepped into the gates of hell a moment ago and managed to escape.

"W-What should we do now?"

He swiftly changed the subject. It wouldn't be good if Ho Gakmyung continued to dwell on his mistake.

"There might have been traps."

Ho Gakmyung spoke softly as he looked at the dense bushes.

The coast was dazzlingly bright, and the grass adjacent to it was incredibly green. However, the bushes and mountains behind them were even denser and darker than the Central Plains.

If there was an ambush, they would surely be there.

"Should we take a detour?"

"No."

Ho Gakmyung's lips twisted strangely.

"If there are traps, we should go towards them."

Munbang watched Ho Gakmyung without saying a word. There were certainly questions, but now was not the time to ask Ho Gakmyung casually.

"Do not misunderstand the mission, Munbang. Our orders were not just to take down the Southern Island Sect's signboard. It was to completely annihilate anyone bearing the name 'Southern Island Sect.'"

"Ah..."

"If we bypass the traps, those who were digging them will spread out like insects that have lost their homes. Then, the aftermath becomes troublesome."

Ho Gakmyung looked at Southern Island's dense forest with eyes that showed no emotion.

"It would be better if the things we needed to eliminate were gathered in one place. It sped up the process."

"Yes!"

"We will proceed as planned. However!"

Ho Gakmyung glanced back at the ship he came on. After a moment of silence and contemplation, he spoke again.

"Lead the Spirit Unit (倀鬼臺) to guard the ship." 

His expression was indifferent.

"Cutting off the retreat is the most obvious move for those who pride themselves on knowing military tactics. Losing our ships won't have been a problem, but it would be bothersome."

"Understood!"

"Move."

"Yes!"

Munbang ran towards the Spirit Unit. A sense of relief for surviving a mistake and another chill filled his heart.

'Just against the Southern Island Sect...'

As Ho Gakmyung said, Munbang might not have had the qualifications to feel pride in the Myriad Man Manor's power. However, the objective fact was that Myriad Man Manor's strength overwhelmed the Southern Island Sect.

But now, Ho Gakmyung was planning strategies while facing the Southern Island Sect.

Because tigers do their best when hunting rabbits?

No, it wasn't like that. That's why it was frightening.

In Ho Gakmyung's mind, there was only one thought: how to carry out Jang Ilso's orders perfectly.

The decision to a trap laid by the enemy wasn't an expression of confidence that they could jump into the trap and defeat the enemy.

Ho Gakmyung had simply chosen a direction to swiftly eliminate the enemy even if it took more losses, all to fulfill Jang Ilso's command to handle Southern Island promptly. For Ho Gakmyung, only Jang Ilso's orders mattered. [we get it, you...simp]

This fact sent a shiver down Munbang's spine.

'No mistakes can be made in this mission.'

Munbang reiterated his determination, raising his voice toward the Spirit Unit.

"They're moving!"

"Okay. Then... huh?"

Yoon Jong, who had been observing the situation on the coast, widened his eyes and quickly turned to face Baek Cheon.

"The troops are divided?"

Baek Cheon blinked as he checked the situation on the coast. Indeed, some of the enemy forces seemed to remain, fortifying themselves as if guarding the anchored ships.

"Nokrim King?"

"Hmm."

Im Sobyeong scratched his head with the edge of his fan, chuckling.

"It seems Ho Gakmyung is giving the Southern Island Sect a higher opinion than expected. Well, that's the kind of person he is. Definitely a formidable foe. Excellent."

"No, the plan has gone awry, and you're calmly praising him now?"

"What should I do differently?"

Complaints erupted from all around.

"Ugh, seriously."

Im Sobyeong scowled, twisting his face into a sneer.

"Have these gentlemen underestimated war too much? Do they think that an actual war will smoothly unfold as planned? The basic rule of war is constantly adjusting strategies on the fly!"

"So, does that mean you've been beaten by Ho Gakmyung?"

"Does it mean he caught you off guard?"

"Does it mean he won?"

"...Bastards."

Im Sobyeong ground his teeth. At that moment, Baek Cheon asked again.

"So, what do we do now?"

"There's not much difference."

Im Sobyeong chuckled.

"As planned, wait until the enemy has enough distance, then... seize the ships!"

"What about those who are guarding?"

"Well, uh..."

Im Sobyeong glanced at someone with a sly smile.

"The most efficient Evil Sect grinder in the Central Plains will take care of it."

Chung Myung, who had already drawn his sword, was staring intently at the Spirit Unit on the coast. Everyone who saw that suddenly shivered. The sight of Chung Myung revealing his teeth was truly chilling.