I wasn’t wrong. (1)

“What did you say?”

Ho Gamyeong asked, his voice sharp.

He wasn’t exactly known for his amiability. To be precise, his demeanor wasn’t unpleasant, but his cold and sharp expression often intimidated those around him.

Now, with bandages wrapped around his face, his icy gaze sent shivers down the spine of the reporter.

“The ships, we requisitioned them from nearby villages. We couldn’t find ones as large as the original ones, but we managed to get several of suitable size…”

“Stick to the point,”

Ho Gamyeong interrupted.

The reporter swallowed dryly.

“The sailors brought from the mainland are having difficulty operating the ships we acquired,”

he continued.

Ho Gamyeong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I don’t understand. Aren’t sailors supposed to operate ships? Why would it be difficult for them to do so with Hainan’s ships?”

“Well, they say that everything is not easy because the ships in Hainan Island have a different structure from the ships they used to sail in Guangdong.”

Ho Gamyeong let out a bitter laugh. Wasn’t this akin to a martial artist insisting that a different-shaped sword was difficult to wield, despite it still being a sword?

“Bring in the person in charge.”

“Come here!”

Whether the reporter anticipated Ho Gamyeong’s request or not, he immediately turned and shouted. A crew member rushed over and knelt before Ho Gamyeong.

“I… I am but a humble man to meet the commander…”

“That’s enough,”

Ho Gamyeong cut off the man’s unnecessary formalities. The man’s already pale face turned even whiter.

“You said you couldn’t operate the ships?”

“Yes… that’s correct.”

“Why?”

Ho Gamyeong’s icy gaze bore into the sailor.

“Are you suggesting that a boat unsuitable for our hands cannot be used?”

Ho Gamyeong asked, his tone firm.

“Oh, no, commander!”

The sailor bowed his head to the floor.

“Even if I am a lowly ignorant person, I’ve spent my whole life sailing ships! How could there be a boat I couldn’t handle?”

Ho Gamyeong nodded silently. Logically speaking, the sailor’s words made sense.

“And?”

Ho Gamyeong prompted.

“But, commander, the boats from Hainan are unfamiliar to us. Though the typhoon has passed, the waves are still high, and there’s currently a headwind. This means the boats we’re using will be delayed compared to usual.”

“Delayed?”

“Yes. It will take at least half a day longer to reach the mainland.”

“Half a day…”

If there were time, that would be tolerable. But right now, the one thing they lacked was exactly that – time.

“If that’s the case, then why can’t you operate them?”

“W-well, if you say you don’t know, then of course they won’t be able to,”

the sailor stammered.

“But… you should consider that it might take longer…”

Ho Gamyeong chuckled.

“You’re clever. That’s why you’ve been chosen to be a representative despite being young.”

For the sailor to claim he couldn’t operate the boats wasn’t just a literal statement. If they were to set sail without expressing their concerns and faced unexpected delays, the higher-ups of Maninbang would undoubtedly hold them accountable.

Right now, the sailor was attempting to get Ho Gamyeong’s approval for the excuses he would present later.

Normally, Ho Gamyeong might have even rewarded him for considering his position and proposing solutions. After all, people who think through their positions and offer solutions are Ho Gamyeong’s favorite type of people to work with.

However, what Ho Gamyeong felt at that moment was irritation rather than admiration.

‘Things are getting complicated,’

he thought to himself as he absentmindedly touched the bandage on his cheek. The dry bandage now felt damp and sticky.

“Commander! I’ll take charge of these sailors and make sure…”

“No need for that,”

Ho Gamyeong interrupted the reporter and asked the man,

“You’re saying you’re not familiar with these ships. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, we just need to call someone who is familiar with them.”

Ho Gamyeong’s lips curled into a slight smirk.

“From what I’ve heard, everyone in Hainan is a sailor, is that right?”

“Well, not everyone, but there should be at least one person who knows how to handle a ship.”

Ho Gamyeong nodded and turned his head towards the large fishing village adjacent to the coast.

“Bring them all. Leave no one behind.”

“Yes!”

Ho Gamyeong’s eyes darkened with determination.

The gathered villagers looked on with uneasy glances, surrounded by an aura of tension.

The names Maninbang and Sapaeryeon were enough to make even the strongest-hearted tremble. The fear they instilled in Gangnam was immense.

“Vil… Village chief.”

“Quiet…”

As someone attempted to speak out of fear, the village chief, Jong, quickly intervened, silencing them. He scanned the surroundings, trying to assess the situation.

‘What’s going on here?’

In his view, the atmosphere was far from ordinary. Each member of Maninbang who gathered seemed to be under some sinister influence.

“Is everyone here?”

“Y-yes. Everyone in this village is present.”

As chief Jong responded, Ho Gamyeong’s gaze shifted towards him.

“Are you the village chief?”

“Y-yes.”

Ho Gamyeong nodded.

“We need those who can sail the ship to the mainland.”

At his words, the village chief glanced briefly at the ship anchored on the coast.

“It’s the folks from Hainan who can sail Hainan’s ships the best.”

The faces of those who heard Ho Gamyeong’s words turned ashen.

“You mean… we have to sail the ships?”

“That’s right.”

Ho Gamyeong added words that didn’t need to be said.

“We need to chase after the ships that departed first as quickly as possible.”

Some among those present here understood what Maninbang wanted.

‘It’s Haenam sect.’

The coast where Haenam had seized the ships wasn’t too far from here. So, some knew that Haenam was aiming for something on the coast.

Sweat began to bead on the village chief Jong’s face.

“To… the mainland?”

“That’s right.”

“And then…?”

“It’ll depend on the situation.”

The old man’s complexion darkened.

Although it might sound simple to just sail the ships, once they’re aboard with them, who knows what might happen. If luck isn’t on their side, they could be stranded on land for months, or worse, lose their lives. In such a situation, who would willingly step forward? Moreover, what Maninbang is attempting now is to chase after Haenam sect.

“But… sir.”

There was a pleading look in the old man’s eyes.

“We, we’ve been struggling for days after the storm. And now, if you take away our crew members too, we’ll…”

Ho Gamyeong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Are you suggesting that you will starve to death just because a few people are taken?”

“But you’re taking all the seaworthy boats, and we…”

“Enough.”

Ho Gamyeong cut off the village chief’s words neatly.

“I’m not one to shy away from an argument. In fact, I rather enjoy it. But right now, we don’t have time to waste on needless debates.”

The silence lingered.

“Ryeonju dislikes when Maninbang interferes with the common folk. But that doesn’t mean it’s about protecting them. The more commoners there are earning their keep, the more beneficial it is for Ryeonju in the end. However…”

Ho Gamyeong paused for a moment, then sneered coldly. His already chilling demeanor turned even more menacing.

“If there are those who still obstruct Ryeonju’s interests by siding with Haenam at this point, there’s no reason to protect them. It’s more advantageous for us to eliminate them beforehand.”

At his words, several Maninbang’s members drew their swords from their belts.

The faces of the villagers turned pale blue.

“Has your stance changed?”

Ho Gamyeong smirked as he glanced at the old man. However, in an instant, the old man’s eyes flashed with a fierce light.

“If you want to kill, kill.”

“What did you say?”

Even Ho Gamyeong seemed surprised by this turn of events.

“I said, if you’re going to kill, then go ahead and kill!”

He looked at the old man as if he couldn’t believe it. The old man, who had been trembling just moments ago, now glared at Ho Gamyeong with venom in his eyes.

“Have you lost your mind?”

“Lost my mind? Of course I have!”

The old man shouted, consumed by fury.

“Among Haenam’s disciples you’re chasing, there are even my own children!”

“…”

“However precious one’s life may be, what kind of insane parent would lend a hand to those trying to kill their own children? I’d rather die! Do as you please, you villainous bastards!”

Ho Gamyeong’s gaze darkened. It might have been inconsequential if only the old man had flown into a rage, but the moment the old man shouted other villagers behind him shown the venom in their eyes too.

‘Is it because they’re on the island?’

Relationships and bonds here are incredibly tight. If it were on the mainland, no one would dare oppose the actions of Sapaeryeon, regardless of family ties.

Ho Gamyeong nodded.

“Understood.”

“Commander…”

“Hunting down those who escaped is important, but… There are times when certain tasks must be completed urgently, no matter what.”

Ho Gamyeong spoke calmly, his voice devoid of emotion.

“Haenam will also need it. A glimpse of what those who oppose Sapaeryeon’s Ryeonju endure.”

A lively smile crept onto the faces’ of Maninbang’s members.

“Commander, then…”

“Don’t leave a single one behind.”

Ho Gamyeong scanned the gathered people before continuing,

“Kill every last one of them, and then burn the village to the ground.”

As permission was granted, members of Maninbang began to surge forward towards the villagers, ready to attack. Those in the village who sensed their fate closed their eyes tightly.

At that moment, someone stepped forward with a shout.

“Stop!”

“Hmm?”

Ho Gamyeong looked at the man who stepped forward with a determined expression. The resolute sailor clenched his lips tightly before speaking up.

“I can sail the ship. I’ll choose the one to sail another one.”

“Hmm.”

Ho Gamyeong scrutinized him with serious eyes before asking,

“Why should I agree to that? There are other places to find sailors.”

“…Reaching land may not be the end.”

“What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you chasing Haenam?”

“…”

“I can distinguish their traces and the marks they use.”

Ho Gamyeong laughed softly.

“You are a disciple of Haenam.”

“…That’s right.”

After a moment of silence, Ho Gamyeong nodded.

“You seem useful as a hunting dog. But one alone won’t suffice. If you bring a few more, the villagers, we might spare them.”

“…Understood.”

“Yu Gong!”

“Sang Gong!”

Yu Gong bit his lip tightly. He had tried to avoid getting involved, but now there was no choice. If these people died after he had even betrayed his sect to save them, wouldn’t everything he had done be in vain? He had to save them somehow.

“…I’ll do whatever you ask. So please… please spare them.”

“Deal. Alright then. Prepare quickly. We leave in half an hour. If preparations aren’t complete by then, consider the deal off.”

“Understood.”

“Understood?”

When Ho Gamyeong quietly inquired, Yu Gong bit his lip in response.

“I understand…”

Seeing the shame spreading across Yu Gong’s face, Ho Gamyeong nodded with an expressionless face. As he was about to turn away, he suddenly stopped.

“Oh, and…”

“Yes?”

In an instant, a sharp aura emanated from Ho Gamyeong’s hand.

Thunk!

The aura flew from his hand and struck the old man, who was standing at the forefront, mercilessly.

“Chief!”

“Father!”

The old man fell to the ground, blood splattering. There was no need to check – it was clear he was fatally struck.

“Excluding that old man.”

“…”

“Remember, a deal is a deal. If you fail to fulfill your role properly, the rest of them will end up in the same situation. And then, they won’t die as gracefully as now.”

Yu Gong bit his lip until it bled.

“I will… remember.”

“Good.”

Finally, Ho Gmyeong turned and walked away. The members of Maninbang also retreated.

Only then did Yu Gong turn his head to look at the villagers. Naturally, their eyes held no kindness.

Amidst the condemning and hostile gazes, Yu Gong unknowingly clenched his fist tightly.

‘I wasn’t wrong.’

It had to be done.

No, it had to be done that way.