Chapter – 85
After decoding the signal fire message, Kang Yu returned to Wi Yeon. It had been five days since leaving Poyang Lake.
“Does this mean… you already found the monster?”
“It seems so.”
Kang Yu handed Wi Yeon the decoded note.
[Monster found. Location: Zhejiang. Suspected presence of Sakhryun.]
Wi Yeon’s hand twitched as he held the note.
Only five days.
It was a treasure.
A priceless gift.
The righteous martial world—Bangjong, Baekdo, and organizations like Kwandang and Namgung family—were gathering under the child’s lead.
Not as a fragile alliance built on selfish interests, but a true union based on righteousness and chivalry.
[Monster found. Location: Zhejiang. Suspected presence of Sakhryun.]
It was the power of Kwandang, but also the child’s power. No one else could do it.
Wi Yeon, excited, grabbed Kang Yu’s shoulder.
“You worked hard. If not for you, this mission would have ended in failure.”
Now he could no longer imagine Kwandang without Kang Yu.
The child had already gone beyond Kwandang—he was the future leader of the entire righteous world.
“So… about the salary increase we promised…”
Wi Yeon shook his head lightly.
“You really never give up.”
His nose stung.
Even at a moment of praise, Kang Yu still spoke about righteousness and chivalry.
“Don’t worry. Our promise— I haven’t forgotten it.”
“I never forgot either.”
Just as the two were about to grow emotional again—
‘S-Sakhryun? Are you crazy…? We have to go to Sakhryun?’
Yeon Baek Rim, who had been listening from behind, felt miserable.
Sakhryun was the alliance of evil sects led by Pacheonmun, Dokgok, and Biungbang.
Even among evil factions, it was the headquarters of the most powerful groups.
It had been one of the villains in past martial-world stories, alongside the demonic sect.
And now they were telling him— someone barely surviving in the righteous world— to go to the very heart of the evil alliance?
“…Uh.”
The words “Can I sit this one out?” almost escaped his throat, but he couldn’t say it.
It was like hitting the back of a terrifying monster because he was afraid of the bandits in front of him.
If he went to Sakhryun, he might survive—but if he refused, he would definitely die.
The monster already suspected him.
“No, it’s fine.”
Yeon Baek Rim swallowed his words.
Wi Yeon turned to him.
“By the way, Sir Yeon.”
Wi Yeon politely greeted him.
“I couldn’t properly introduce myself before. I’ve heard much about your reputation. I am Wi Yeon.”
“….”
Yeon Baek Rim stiffened.
The leader of Kwandang— a legendary figure since his old theater days— was bowing to him first.
Of course, he didn’t show it.
“Calling me ‘sir’ is too much. I am just a traveler of the martial world.”
“Haha, you are humble as I heard.”
Wi Yeon slowly examined him.
He truly was an impressive man— humble in behavior, yet noble in presence.
Most of all, his energy was unusual.
Yet no aura of inner power could be felt, meaning he had likely reached the level of returning to simplicity— a true master.
Kang Yu’s testimony also supported it.
Without Yeon Baek Rim, they might have fallen to the Mountain Daoist Old Man.
He had even defeated two dangerous old masters alone just days ago.
‘As expected…’
Though a great blessing named Kang Yu had arrived after seven years, Kwandang still lacked manpower.
And now Kang Yu and Yeon Baek Rim had agreed to work together.
If Kang Yu trusted him, no further proof was needed.
Wi Yeon decided to continue.
“If you don’t mind, would you consider joining Kwandang—”
A small hand covered Wi Yeon’s mouth.
“Umm!”
Kang Yu quickly apologized to Yeon Baek Rim.
“J-just a moment, please.”
Kang Yu was shocked.
He had expected it, but this was too shameless.
The owner of the company was a good person, but sometimes he lacked manners.
How could he think of recruiting such a great person to a small trading post like theirs?
It was disrespectful to the divine dragon.
Now that it had come to this, there was no choice but to stop him.
Before Wi Yeon could speak again, Kang Yu whispered:
‘The divine dragon is a secret agent.’
‘Huh?’
‘I said the divine dragon is a secret agent.’
Wi Yeon stared at him.
‘I already know.’
Kang Yu jumped in surprise.
‘Y-you knew?’
‘Of course.’
It was strange.
If he was a secret agent, it should be secret— so how could he know?
Wi Yeon also found it odd.
Why did Kang Yu keep speaking as if he were a third party?
‘Then why do you keep calling him divine dragon?’
Oh no.
Kang Yu slapped his forehead.
The old man in Jangbaekdong always warned him:
“Grandfather Ma told you to come.”
“Yu, kid.”
“Yes?”
“Even if I’m older than Mr. Ma, you don’t say ‘grandfather nim.’ You should say ‘grandfather.’”
“Huh?”
“I am older. Do you not understand respectful speech? This place really lacks manners.”
The old man from the northeast emphasized proper speech.
The divine dragon was great, but the owner was clearly older.
So adding “nim” after divine dragon might be wrong.
‘The divine dragon is a secret agent.’
‘……’
Wi Yeon sighed quietly.
Why did he keep speaking as if he were talking about someone else?
‘I see.’
Kang Yu’s knowledge and talent were extraordinary.
Thinking he was saying strange things because of hidden circumstances, Wi Yeon decided not to press further.
As an intelligence leader of twenty years, he understood situations at a glance.
“Let’s continue this later. We will discuss it another day.”
Yeon Baek Rim also nodded, not wanting to cause trouble.
“It would be best.”
Wi Yeon sent a messenger pigeon and prepared to depart.
“Let’s go. Elder Hyun will join us in Anhui.”
“Yes!”
The three then headed toward Zhejiang.
It was strange to see the Divine Sword of the Sun and Moon riding on Kang Yu’s back.
‘The divine dragon is respectable.’
‘……’
It was like the saying— blind men touching an elephant.
How could ordinary people understand a genius’s intentions?
They decided to ask questions later.
On the Island of Sakhryun (Sakhryudo)
The islands of Zhoushan floated like lotus flowers on a calm sea.
It was a beautiful sight.
Zhoushan is an archipelago of over 1,500 islands in Zhejiang. Though scenic, its complicated terrain often served as a hideout for martial world outlaws.
But that was in the past.
In the early Southern Song period, an alliance of evil sects was formed against the righteous factions.
The leader of that alliance made the largest island of Zhoushan their headquarters.
Sakhryudo— the island of the evil black alliance.
After Sakhryun settled there, Zhoushan Island gained another name.
And at the center of Sakhryudo, in front of the main hall, hooded men appeared.
Kang Yu, Wi Yeon, and Yeon Baek Rim.
Kang Yu lifted his hat and looked up at the huge gate.
“Wow. The walls and gate are huge. It might be bigger than Namgung family’s estate.”
Wi Yeon also lifted his hat.
“On the outside, yes.”
“It must have cost a lot of money.”
“In dirty places, money always flows.”
“The scenery is nice too.”
“It is still a backwater.”
“People living here must be happy. The sea is nearby.”
“The sea smells salty and unpleasant.”
“….”
Kang Yu stared at Wi Yeon.
He seemed unusually negative today.
Tilting his head, Kang Yu returned to the main topic.
“So the monster person is inside, right?”
Wi Yeon checked the guards on the outer walls.
“I heard the monster has ties with the owner of this place. Information from Kwandang— you can trust it.”
Wi Yeon’s eyes moved quickly.
The island was surrounded by sea, the outer walls were tall, and guards were stationed everywhere.
The walls looked thick— likely hiding traps and mechanisms.
Behind those walls were three of the Four Monsters of the evil martial world, equal to the Ten Great Masters.
They were:
Baek Mu Heun, leader of Sakhryun and Pacheonmun (a sword tyrant)
Go Myeong Heun, leader of Dokgok (poison master)
Bang Hwi Jin, leader of Biyeongbang (shadow sect)
A heavily guarded stronghold with elite masters.
Even though they had three top experts, this was enemy territory.
Entering the headquarters of the evil sect was like sticking one’s head into a tiger’s mouth.
They needed to infiltrate secretly and find a way to meet the monster.
If meeting was impossible, they might have to abduct him.
Wi Yeon looked down, hiding his face under the hat.
“Let’s go back and think of a plan—”
Knock knock knock.
“Is anyone there!”
Knock.
“Is—”
Wi Yeon froze.
He had never felt such shock.
A chilling sensation.
Though startled, he regained composure.
He had once been a field member.
“Who are you?”
The guard demanded again.
Wi Yeon bowed slightly.
“Hehe, we are here for a simple reason…”
“We came from Kwandang.”
“…!”
Wi Yeon turned his head stiffly.
For the first time, despair showed in his eyes.
“Why do you keep…?”
“Kwandang?”
The guard tilted his head.
He never expected the righteous organization’s heart to announce itself at the gate of the evil alliance.
That was logical.
The guard spoke hopefully:
“Kwandang? Where is that? How would I know it?”
Kang Yu scratched his head.
Well, it made sense.
A small trading post in a cave village— few people would know it.
They needed a more recognizable name.
‘The beggar elder said we compete but are on the same side. We also receive work from the emperor, so we can share information…’
Kang Yu spoke.
“We came from Kwandang under the martial alliance.”
“…!”
Wi Yeon stepped back.
For the first time since reaching the master level, he almost collapsed.
Looking back, this was his first mission with Kang Yu.
He could hardly believe what was happening.
“Martial alliance… Kwandang…?”
“Yes.”
The guard now looked suspiciously at Wi Yeon and Yeon Baek Rim.
Wi Yeon’s mouth dried up.
If they ran now, they might escape the guard—but Zhoushan Island was surrounded by sea.
Unless they were masters of light-footed martial arts like the Shadow Thief, they would eventually be hunted by the Four Monsters and thousands of elite enemies.
“Y-you…”
At this point, the situation was beyond his control.
While Wi Yeon struggled to speak, Kang Yu asked the guard:
“I am Kang Yu from Kwandang of the martial alliance. Is the monster person inside?”
The guard swallowed nervously.
What kind of situation was this?
He backed away and quickly ran inside.
Sounds of commotion spread— even Yeon Baek Rim could hear it.
Yeon Baek Rim thought:
Though he tried to stay calm, his underwear had been wet for a while.
Looking at Kang Yu, he barely swallowed the words rising in his throat.
‘Is this guy insane…?’
Hearing the footsteps beyond the wall, Yeon Baek Rim quietly closed his eyes.
