The moonlit sea of Birahng shimmered beneath a vast expanse of inky sky, studded with countless stars. Cheon Hwan(天煥) narrowed his eyes, scanning the horizon where the moonlight danced upon the waves. It wasn''t long before he spotted the silhouette of a merchant vessel, its dark hull cutting through the shimmering expanse. Oars protruded from its sides, their rhythmic strokes propelling it forward. Jang''gyeong Yoon approached.


    "It seems they intend to flee," Yoon remarked


    "It''s futile," Hwan said with sneer. "No ship is faster than the Black Wings."


    Yoon''s eyes narrowed as he assessed the size of the distant vessel. It was a sizeable merchant ship, a tempting prize. "It must be the Namgyo merchant vessel," he said thoughtfully.


    "None other would possess such a vessel," Hwan agreed. "Prepare the oars. Increase our speed."


    "Yes, Guardian," Yoon acknowledged.


    Oars emerged from the Black Wings'' hull, their blades slicing through the water with increasing speed. Even with minimal effort, the Black Wings easily gained on the merchant vessel. The distant ship drew closer, the faces of its crew now discernible. Arrows began to fly between the two ships, a deadly exchange in the moonlit night. Undeterred by the incoming volley, the Black Wings'' crew launched grappling hooks, pulling the merchant vessel closer. Each time the merchant sailors attempted to raise the boarding planks, a hail of arrows forced them back. With escape no longer an option, they drew their weapons, steeling themselves for a fight. The Black Wings'' warriors swarmed across the boarding planks, and a fierce battle erupted.


    The merchants, ill-prepared for such an assault, quickly crumbled. Hwan, his gaze sweeping across the deck, noticed a knot of fierce resistance. Amidst the chaos, a few figures fought back with surprising ferocity. Their blades flashed against the Black Wings'' warriors. A few of Hwan''s men fell. Even Yirahng, nimble as she was, struggled against a skilled mercenary.


    "Soyeol mercenaries," Yoon reported, his voice tight with frustration. "We''ve already lost two men, five are injured."


    "Those mercenaries are nothing special," Hwan said dismissively, annoyed by the unexpected resistance.


    "None of you are impressive."


    He finished his assessment and strode across the boarding planks, joining the fray. The mercenaries recognized their primary target, abandoning their current opponents to converge on Cheon Hwan. The warrior who had been battling Yirahng also joined the attack, his blade aimed at the black-clad figure.


    Hwan drew his sword. The first two assailants fell before they could even clash blades with him, their waists and ankles sliced through. The next attacker swung his swords down towards Hwan''s head, but he parried the blow, using the flat of his blade to deflect the attack. He then exploited the opening, his sword flashing forward to strike the attacker''s collarbone.


    Hwan waited, his blade poised, as his enemies surged forward, their attacks reaching a fever pitch. Then, just as their momentum waned, he struck. He met each assailant with calculated precision, deflecting their blows and exploiting their vulnerabilities. His sword moved with a deceptive lightness, slicing through the air with deadly grace. He thrust, he parried, he riposted, each movement a blur of deadly efficiency. He reveled in the feel of his blade against flesh, the subtle give of muscle and bone as he twisted his weapon deeper. With chilling ease, he cut down five Soyeol mercenaries, their lifeblood staining the deck.


    They were herded to a corner of the deck, their faces pale with terror. Some, driven to desperate measures by their fear, leaped into the churning sea. Swords and spears found their marks with ruthless efficiency. Blood pooled on the deck, seeping between the planks and dripping into the cabins below. While one group finished off the remaining merchants, another ransacked the ship''s hold. Hwan leaned against the railing, watching the carnage unfold, waiting for the chaos to subside.


    "When silence finally returned, broken only by the lapping of waves against the hull, Keumpyeong Hui(金平喜) emerged from below deck.


    "Guardian, the ship has been secured," Hui reported.


    "Transfer the valuables to the Black Wings," Hwan commanded. "Leave the rest."


    "Yes, Guardian."


    Just as Hui turned to leave, the faint cry of a baby echoed from below deck. The sound, though muffled, was unmistakable, drawing confused glances from the assembled men. Hwan frowned.


    "Why is there a babe crying on a merchant ship?" he asked.


    "I''ll investigate," Hui replied, hurrying back below deck with a handful of torch-bearing men.


    They found the infant nestled amongst a pile of cargo, swaddled in cloth. It appeared to be no older than a year. There were no women among the crew, so Hui assumed the child belonged to one of the merchants. He returned to the deck, cradling the infant in his arms, and presented it to Hwan.


    "The father must have hidden the child within the cargo," he explained.


    Hwan''s brow furrowed. Hui, sensing his displeasure, cautiously asked, "What are your orders, Guardian? Should we take it ashore...?"Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    "Kill it," Hwan commanded.


    Hui''s face paled. "Guardian?"


    "If you cannot bring yourself to stab it, then throw it overboard. We do not leave survivors. Death is the only mercy you can offer."


    "But Guardian, you have spared Dahrae''s father," Hui said pleadingly.


    "He is useful," Hwan replied dismissively.


    Keumpyeong Hui stood paralyzed, his mouth agape. Without hesitation, Hwan drew his dagger and swiftly ended the infant''s life. The delicate neck, barely able to support the weight of its tiny head, was more than halfway severed with a single stroke. The child, its cries silenced before they could even begin, coughed up a splatter of blood and died. Keumpyeong Hui crumpled to the deck, the lifeless infant still clutched in his arms. His clothes were stained with the child''s warm blood.


    "Such weakness," Hwan sneered, turning away from the gruesome scene.


    Jang''gyeong Yoon approached the stunned Keumpyeong Hui. "Dispose of it. Now. And don''t just sit there like an idiot.”


    Hui, his face ashen, slowly got to his feet. With his eyes squeezed shut, he dropped the tiny body into the dark water. The child disappeared beneath the waves, leaving barely a ripple.


    "What about the ship, Guardian?" Yoon asked. "We could sell it for a good price.


    "Sink it," Hwan replied dismissively. "We have no need for such trivial gains."


    "But Guardian, it''s a valuable ship," Yoon insisted. "Who knows when such an opportunity will arise again? We could sell it in Soyeol"


    Hwan was starting to get annoyed. He loathed dealing with such mundane matters, but Yoon''s persistence was clear. With a resigned nod, he granted his permission.


    "Do as you see fit," Hwan said.


    "Yes, Guardian," Yoon said, bowing deeply.


    Hwan turned and headed back towards the Black Wings. Yirahng, however, was quick to intercept him, her face alight with a triumphant grin. He looked down at her, his expression unreadable. She stepped closer, her blood-stained body pressing against his, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist.


    "Let''s go to the cabin," she said seductively, her eyes sparkling. Her right eye, a crimson hue that shimmered in the moonlight, burned with a playful lust.


    Hwan said with a smile. "Now?"


    "Yes, now," Yirahng insisted. "Now is perfect."


    Hwan just chuckled. Yirahng, sensing his acquiescence, pulled him towards the cabin, their footsteps echoing on the deck.


    Yirahng closed the cabin door and, with a swift motion, pushed Hwan onto the bed. His clothes fell open, revealing skin crisscrossed with scars, gleaming in the flickering candlelight. Yirahng''s own clothes seemed to melt away, her nakedness a source of pride rather than shame. She stood unashamed, her body a tapestry of scars contrasting against her smooth, sun-kissed skin. Hwan''s lips found those scars, tracing their paths with a hungry urgency. The taste of salt lingered on her skin. Yirahng, vibrant and untamed, moved with a restless energy, her body a wave crashing against his. She arched her back, a moan escaping her lips as pleasure coursed through her. Hwan flipped her over, pinning her beneath his weight. Yirahng''s heat intensified as Hwan explored her body, his touch leaving a trail of fire. His hand tightened around her throat, his grip possessive. Yirahng''s eyes fluttered, her nails raking across his cheek, leaving red marks. He released her neck, pulling her close, their bodies entwined. Her cries echoed through the cabin as he collapsed on top of her.


    As his breathing slowed, Hwan touched the scratches on his cheek, the blood already beginning to dry.


    "Careful with those claws," he murmured, his voice rough against her neck.


    "I thought you were going to kill me," Yirahng replied teasingly.


    "You know I wouldn''t," he chuckled.


    He propped himself up on one elbow, his hand reaching out to stroke her hair. The tangled mess of black and white strands, damp with sweat and seawater, resisted his touch. He tugged at a knot, pulling her head back. As he leaned in for a kiss, Yirahng twisted away, rolling out of his reach. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, her voice a low murmur against his skin.


    "Let''s go above deck," she whispered.


    "We just came down," he replied, his voice wearily.


    "I want to feel the night air," she murmured.


    "Why are you so energetic tonight?"


    Yirahng nuzzled against his back, her cheek pressed against his damp skin. "Let''s go," she urged.


    Hwan sighed and pulled on his clothes. Yirahng, already dressed, bounded up the stairs. He followed more slowly. Yirahng leaned against the railing, her gaze fixed on the churning water below.


    "I want to swim," she said.


    Hwan joined her at the railing. "You would drown in these waters at night."


    "Everyone dies eventually," Yirahng replied, her tone oddly serene for someone so young and full of life.


    He grasped her chin, making her meet his gaze. "Not you. Not before me."


    Yirahng smiled playfully. "That''s a foolish wish, isn''t it?"


    He smiled back, but didn''t reply. Yirahng, sensing his reluctance to discuss the matter further, changed the subject.


    "Aren''t you worried about your father? Dahrae sent a new message."


    "He''s always been a sickly old man," he said indifferently.


    "Don''t you want to see him before he dies?"


    Hwan let out a harsh laugh. "Return to Wicheong Palace?" he said with a sneer. "You think I did all this to crawl back to that wretched cave?"


    "But you''re the Guardian, the rightful king," Yirahng argued. "Do you intend to spend your life at sea?"


    "No," he admitted. "But Wicheong Palace is no place for a king. It''s a rat''s nest."


    His voice was filled with bitterness. Yirahng pulled open his robe, pressing her face against his bare skin. She wrapped her arms around him, her gaze lifting towards the star-studded sky. A red star blazed in the distance, its light growing brighter, eclipsing the others. Yirahng''s eyes widened.


    "Look," she whispered, her voice awestruck. "That star is strange."


    "What star?" Hwan said dismissively. "Are you stargazing now?"


    "Yes, but I''ve found something... unusual."


    He felt a chill. He pushed Yirahng away and looked up. The crimson star blazed ominously, casting a shadow over the deck. The playful atmosphere vanished. The other crew members murmured nervously. Hwan''s heart pounded.


    "Summon Jang''gyeong Yoon," he ordered, his voice sharp with urgency.


    His crew, distracted by the phenomenon, didn''t hear him. Hwan raised his voice.


    "Fetch Yoon!"