Chapter 128 - Killing Another Prey (1/2)
”We killed Pang Ja-Kyung, but the battle isn't over yet. Old Tohyon, take us where the Pirate Generals and their officers are fighting. Let's see if we can take out other spirit soldiers.”
It was what Hei said as he kneeled down before Pang Ja-Kyung's lifeless body and took his space ring. He wouldn't let go of the spoils of war he had earned with his forces and his family's.
Upon hearing his words, Ho Yeon-Hong's eyes widened. She couldn't believe that after fighting Pang Ja-Kyung, Hei still had the desire to challenge other spirit soldiers, considering that the remaining spirit soldiers of Hong Shin's crew were stronger than that beast tamer.
”Hei, are you sure? Isn't it better to support the others and bring down the enemies that are within our reach?” Ho Yeon-Hong asked in a worried voice.
What she said was logical enough to think of, and it wasn't wrong at all. Even though Hei had won against Pang Ja-Kyung, it was only thanks to several factors that had chained to each other. There was no way of knowing that he could kill another spirit soldier. It was more logical to take down the enemies who were fighting on the ships and help their companions.
”I understand what you mean, but I won't change my mind. If only one of the enemy spirit soldiers were to win their fights, the situation would become bad for us. That spirit soldier could go to help one of his companions, and eventually, your sister could lose against Hong Shin. If that happens, it will be the end of all of us. It will be so even if we manage to wipe out all the enemies on the ships.” Hei quickly explained his point of view to Ho Yeon-Hong.
It wasn't as if he didn't know that by doing so, he would condemn many of the pirates who were fighting on the ships. However, if what he had just said happened, it would have been the end for all of them. Between the death of a dozen more pirates and total annihilation, he would have chosen the path that had the most chances of victory for himself and his family. Even though he didn't feel bad at staying in the Steam City, in the end, they weren't his companions, and he didn't feel such a deep attachment for them to compromise the victory itself.
Ho Yeon-Hong listened to Hei's words and bit her lips. What he said was right, and there was no way in which she could reply. Even though she felt sorry for the other pirates, she couldn't compromise her older sister's life itself.
”However, it isn't said that we could not do both. Only Ye and Xing will be enough for what I have in mind. Lian, you go with Ho Yeon-Hong and kill the enemies on the ships. Be careful, though, in any case. Even if you aren't facing spirit soldiers, you must not let your guard down.”
Hearing Hei, Ho Yeon-Hong made a big smile. It was evident that she was delighted with the alternative Hei had found. However, she tried to contain her joy and asked, ”Is it really okay? If you want, I can go alone to help the others. After all, Lian is a half-step spirit soldier. Her support will certainly help you more than mine.”
”No, there is no need. Only my spirit beasts will be enough. Besides, I can't risk you running into danger. So Lian will also function as your personal guard if there are any enemies of the seventh stage. Lian, please, be careful and be prepared for any eventuality.”
Lian nodded her head to indicate Hei that she had understood what he had said while Ho Yeon-Hong blushed at Hei's statement that he wanted to protect her so much that he assigned Lian as her personal guard.
”Old Tohyon, then approach one of the ships first so as to leave Lian and Ho Yeon-Hong. Then we'll go where I point you.”
”Roger, Master Hei, let's go!” Old Tohyon turned the helm quickly, leaving the place where they were. Since they had followed the flock of seagulls, they had gone quite a distance from the rest of the ships.
In a short time, they came to the side of one of the three allied war galleons, specifically the one under the direct command of Ho Ri-Na. On the deck, there was a close battle between the pirates of the two crews. Fortunately, the ship was sturdy enough to easily withstand, without sinking, due to the damage the battle was causing.
”Lian, Ho Yeon-Hong, go. Remember what I told you.” Hei quickly greeted the two as he helped them hook onto the side of the ship.
”Yes, don't worry, Hei. We'll get by.” Ho Yeon-Hong hurriedly replied cheerfully before returning to be serious as she prepared herself for the battle. Lian just nodded her head; however she and Hei exchanged a look of understanding containing meanings that were hidden from everyone else except them.
”Old Tohyon, let's go. We've already wasted a lot of time. We have to hurry before the worst situation happens.”
Old Tohyon operated the propulsion system while driving the ship to the place Hei was pointing to.
*
A few meters above the ocean level, two men were suspended in midair, panting visibly. However, there was a clear difference between them because one of the two was seriously injured on his right side and was blocking the flow of blood by placing his hand over the wound.
”Sok Yeong-Gi, I must admit that you surprised me. I didn't think you would have put me in such troubles. But for you, the end has now come.” Said the man without wounds while looking at his opponent.
The other person, wounded in the hip, was none other than Sok Yeong-Gi. Ho Ri-Na had assigned him to face against one of Hong Shin's spirit soldiers. However, the enemy was a second stage spirit soldier while he was only in the first stage. Although it had been a fair fight until recently, a moment of distraction had led him to suffer a severe injury. Now the tip of the scale hung on the spirit soldier of Hong Shin's crew.
”You won't say anything, Sok Yeong-Gi? Not even a few last words before you die?”
”Kim Seon, don't flatter yourself so much. Even if you have an advantage of cultivation, your spirit power is almost completely exhausted. If it weren't because your cultivation is superior, you would have already lost. The mere fact of being reduced to this state should make you ashamed of yourself.”
Despite being in that situation, Sok Yeong-Gi still mocked his enemy. He knew it would be a difficult fight due to the difference in cultivation. Nonetheless, he believed that a genius like him could do it even in those conditions. After all, didn't those who were destined for great things always be disadvantaged?
Kim Seon, the spirit soldier of Hong Shin, smiled coldly. He didn't like Sok Yeong-Gi's words at all since they weren't false. Although he had the advantage of both experience and cultivation, he ended up drawing and draining almost all of his spirit power. If it weren't for that moment of Sok Yeong-Gi's distraction, it was hard to say he would have emerged victorious from that fight. Yet Sok Yeong-Gi had made that mistake, and victory was now within reach of his hand.
”Sok Yeong-Gi. There is no point in continuing to play the big man. Now the end has come for you.”