Translator: Nox
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Escort Trap
#1
The caravan moved slowly through the mountain pass.
Jeongga Yeong-yeong sat beside Hyeon-do, clearly uncomfortable.
“I’ve never left the city before,” she admitted.
“You’ll get used to it.”
She glanced at the road, nervous.
“This isn’t a normal route, is it?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s the one no one expects us to take.”
Hyeon-do pulled out a map.
“See this bend? Perfect ambush site. But no bandit would expect prey to *enter* from here.”
Yeong-yeong blinked.
“You planned this?”
“Yes. And don’t worry. We’re being watched.”
She looked around in alarm.
“By enemies?”
“By our escort.”
#2
In the cliffs above, a cloaked figure stood.
Jeongga Jin-hyeon.
Once a wandering martial artist — now advisor and scout.
He studied the road ahead.
Three wagons. Four guards.
A setup meant to look weak.
But inside each wagon...
Hidden compartments. Weapon caches. Defensive formations.
It was bait.
And it worked.
“Movement ahead,” he said.
On cue, shadows shifted.
Figures emerged — bandits.
Too many.
“Good,” Hyeon-do muttered.
He stood atop the lead wagon, cloak fluttering.
The moment they drew weapons—
BOOM!
He leapt forward.
[Thunder Pulse Strike!]
A wave of lightning slammed into the lead attacker.
The rest hesitated.
He didn’t.
He moved like a storm.
Seok-hyeon and Yi Baek struck from behind.
Jin-hyeon rained arrows from the ridge.
And from the side—
Mo Seo-hwa appeared, tossing poison needles.
It was over in minutes.
The ambushers fled.
Hyeon-do didn’t pursue.
He just turned to Yeong-yeong and smiled.
“Still nervous?”
She shook her head slowly.
“No.”
#3
Later, by the campfire—
“Why do they keep coming?” she asked.
“Because we’re winning,” he replied. “And that scares people.”
“They think you’ll stop?”
“No. They think I’ll win *too much.*”
He poked at the fire.
“That’s when people start plotting. Not to defeat you — but to contain you.”
“Will you let them?”
“No.”
He stood.
“I’ll burn every leash they try to put on me.”
【To be continued in Chapter 28】
