Chapter vv15c9

* Act 3, Scene 1 *

Pirates – The Black Sea Wind

A ship bobbed gently on the waves, a short distance from the island. It wasn’t large, but it was sleek and fast, with a sharp prow, a narrow beam, and multiple triangular sails designed to catch the wind.

The *Black Sea Wind*, as it was called, was a ship with a long and storied history. It had sailed across countless treacherous seas, its exploits legendary among its peers. It had never once sunk, a testament to its seaworthiness.

A one-eyed man stood on the deck, his gaze fixed on the island.

Mount Putuo.

It was his target. The distance was great, and the moonless night made it difficult to see, but he could make out a few faint lights, like fireflies in the distance.

“You’ve memorized the infiltration route, haven’t you?”

Do-gok asked Jung-gwang, his first mate.

“Of course, Boss!”

Do-gok was the captain of the *Black Sea Wind*, the undisputed leader of the crew. The fact that he was called “Boss” on a ship in the middle of the sea spoke volumes about his profession.

Smack!

A fist shot out, cleaving the night air.

“Ouch!”

Jung-gwang, the ship’s navigator and strategist, known as the Wise Seagull, yelped in surprise.

Do-gok growled.

“I told you not to call me Boss! It’s ‘Admiral’! How many times do I have to tell you? Do you want to die?”

Admiral. It was a title usually reserved for the commander of a fleet of warships. It was a bit much for a pirate captain.

‘Such a poser… Admiral? He’s just a pirate…’

Jung-gwang had a better grasp of reality than his captain. He would have been willing to accept “Captain,” even if he didn’t particularly like it. A man should know his place.

But Jung-gwang was wise, and he knew how to play the game. He grumbled inwardly, but he kept his expression neutral. He was a master of diplomacy.

“Admiral Do-gok! Ah… what a glorious title!”

He decided to ignore his captain’s delusions.

Pirates!

There were bandits in the mountains, and pirates on the sea. It was a matter of geography.

Some argued that it wasn’t about geography, but about the mode of transportation. So those who flew through the air were sky pirates, and those who traveled through space were space pirates. But others dismissed this as a matter of semantics.

Regardless, the important thing was that their main occupation was plunder and destruction. They might claim to be “free spirits of the sea,” rebelling against an oppressive society, but they were still thieves.

Do-gok was missing his right eye. That’s how he had earned the nickname “One-Eyed King.”

The *Black Sea Wind* was one of the most feared pirate crews in the South Sea, a source of terror and nausea for any ship that crossed its path. And its captain, Do-gok, was often used as a synonym for “scoundrel,” “villain,” or “bastard” among sailors.

Why was this notorious pirate crew here? To do what they did best, of course.

His empty eye socket was a souvenir from his younger days, a reminder of an encounter with a swordswoman. He had been lucky to survive, but the scar was a permanent reminder of his humiliation. He hated her, but he was also afraid of her. He knew better than to seek revenge. It would be suicide. He valued his life too much for that.

Jung-gwang was one of the few who knew the swordswoman’s origin. She was a disciple of the Sword Clan. And… she was none other than Yi Ok-sang, the Sword Empress.

Do-gok had been spared by her mercy. It was a gesture of compassion, befitting the Guardian of Guanyin. Perhaps she had hoped he would mend his ways. But he was a pirate, and he didn’t know the meaning of gratitude. He repaid her kindness with hatred. From that day forward, he had loathed the Sword Clan. But he wasn’t stupid. He knew better than to attack them directly.

The Sword Clan, and the Sword Empress, were both objects of his hatred and his fear. So he preferred to strike at them indirectly.

His plan to raid Mount Putuo Temple was a perfect example of this.

“We’ll commence the operation at the hour of the rat!”

He ordered.

Night patrols were an important duty for the Sword Clan.

It was customary for disciples with two-winged emblems to take turns patrolling the island at night. In principle, they were supposed to patrol in pairs, but for various reasons, it wasn’t uncommon for them to patrol alone.

Tonight, Dokgo Ryeong was alone. And she was the only one who witnessed what happened.

‘Those… those are…’

A group of about twenty men, their shoulders laden with heavy sacks, were moving stealthily along the beach. They were heading towards Mount Putuo Temple.

‘Pirates?’

She quickly ducked into the bushes.

“Captain Gwang-hae, this was surprisingly easy.”

One of the men said to the leader of the group, a hulking figure with a large saber at his waist.

“You’re telling me. I was expecting Mount Putuo Temple to be heavily guarded, but it was a piece of cake. What a letdown!”

Gwang-hae replied in a gruff voice.

“Knowing the location of the alarm bells and the patrol routes helped. The first mate is a genius.”

“Hmph, what good is a brain if you’re just a seagull? At least he’s not fit for the roasting spit!”

Gwang-hae said dismissively. He clearly had a rivalry with Jung-gwang.

Their conversation left no doubt as to their identity.

‘Pirates! They dared to steal from Guanyin’s temple!’

She knew what she had to do.

‘I have to alert the clan!’

She reached into her robe for her emergency whistle, but her face paled.

‘It’s not here! I forgot my whistle!’

It was a rule to carry an emergency whistle while on patrol. She knew that, and she had never forgotten it before.

She must have left it behind by mistake. Everyone made mistakes. But why today, of all days?

She had become complacent, lulled into a false sense of security by the long period of peace. A warrior should always be prepared for the unexpected… She had been too relaxed, too caught up in her recent happiness. It was shameful. But now was not the time for regrets.

“Stop!”

She drew her sword and charged out of the bushes.

“Wh-Who’s there?!”

The pirates, startled by her sudden appearance, froze.

“You dare to steal from Mount Putuo Temple…? You have some nerve! Return what you stole! Or face the wrath of my sword!”

She tried to sound intimidating, but her words lacked conviction. She was alone, outnumbered.

“Wh-What the…? It’s just a girl!”

Gwang-hae said, his hand on his chest.

“You dare to mock me, little girl? …Huh?”

His eyes widened as he took in her beauty. It was an unexpected bonus. A surge of lust coursed through him.

“Wow, what a beauty!”

Her beauty was rare in this remote corner of the world.

He licked his lips, his gaze predatory. It was a disgusting sight. The raiding party leader was the most brutal, the most ruthless, the most vicious member of the crew.

Gwang-hae, the raiding party leader of the *Black Sea Wind*, was no exception. He was known as the “Mad Wave” because he left the ships he raided in a state of utter chaos, as if they had been ravaged by a storm! He was not someone you wanted to cross paths with, especially if you were a beautiful young woman.

“You dare to challenge the Black Sea Wind alone! Your courage is admirable, but I’m afraid you’ll have to come with us. As our prize, hehehehehe.”

He laughed, his voice dripping with malice.

“Men, she’s a valuable prize. Don’t damage her! Handle her with care!”

Dokgo Ryeong was enraged by his words.

To be captured by pirates meant being sold into slavery. It was a fate worse than death. And the Black Sea Wind… she had heard of them. They weren’t known for their mercy.

“You bastards! You’re slavers! I’ll kill you all in the name of the Sword Clan!”

She resolved to kill them. She had never killed anyone before, but she had no choice.

“Th-The Sword Clan!”

The name