Chapter 70: Chapter 70
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Under the cover of midnight, three shadows moved silently across the rooftops of New Sichuan.
Jang Geon, Li Yeon, and Yang Goeng arrived at the perimeter of the grand estate belonging to Gyeon Woo-young, the Guild Leader of the New Sichuan Merchant Association.
The estate was massive, surrounded by high stone walls and guarded by armed patrols wielding lanterns and crossbows.
Leaning against a tiled roof opposite the estate, Yang Goeng observed the patrol patterns and whispered:
“The guard rotation is remarkably tight. These aren’t ordinary private guards; their posture and movement patterns clearly indicate formal Imperial Army training.”
Jang Geon nodded slowly.
“Gyeon Woo-young holds the rank of Commandant Fierce Tiger in the Imperial Army. It makes sense that his personal estate would be guarded by elite soldiers.”
Li Yeon pointed toward a large, secluded warehouse located in the eastern section of the estate.
“Look at that building. There are twice as many guards posted around it, and the windows are reinforced with iron bars. That must be Warehouse No. 13.”
Jang Geon looked at the warehouse and made a decision.
“Yang Goeng, stay on the perimeter and keep watch for any sudden reinforcements or alarms. Li Yeon and I will infiltrate the warehouse.”
“Understood. Be careful inside,” Yang Goeng replied, slipping into the shadows of the roof.
*
Using Shadowless Footwork, Jang Geon and Li Yeon glided across the high wall, completely bypassing the ground patrols, and landed silently on the upper roof of Warehouse No. 13.
Jang Geon pried open a wooden skylight latch with subtle internal power, allowing them to drop inside without making a sound.
The interior of the warehouse was vast and dimly lit by a few oil lamps hanging from wooden pillars. Crates, iron-bound chests, and sacks of rare goods were stacked high.
Descending to the floor, Jang Geon and Li Yeon began inspecting the contents of the crates.
Opening a series of heavy wooden chests, Li Yeon gasped softly.
Inside were rows of illicit military-grade weapons, dark spirit stones, and secret ledgers stamped with the official seal of the Dark Dragon Corps.
“This is proof,” Li Yeon whispered, holding up a leather-bound ledger. “Gyeon Woo-young has been using his merchant network to smuggle imperial armaments to rogue factions while funneling the profits into his private army.”
Just as she spoke, a cold, gravelly voice echoed from the shadows behind them:
“You’ve seen more than you were supposed to.”
Jang Geon and Li Yeon turned instantly.
Emerging from behind a stack of crates was a tall, broad-shouldered man in dark martial robes, flanked by a dozen elite guards holding drawn swords and loaded repeating crossbows.
It was Gyeon Woo-young himself.
Gyeon Woo-young looked at Jang Geon with a cold, condescending smile.
“Jang Geon… I knew you were investigating my operations, but to think you would dare break into my private warehouse. You have brought your own death upon yourself.”
Jang Geon remained entirely calm, holding his scabbard lightly at his waist.
“Gyeon Woo-young, as a Commandant of the Empire, you swore to protect order. Yet you orchestrate terror, kidnap innocents, and plunder the New Continent for your own greed. Your crime cannot be forgiven.”
Gyeon Woo-young laughed harshly.
“Justice? Order? In this new world, power is the only truth! Kill them both and burn the evidence!”
At his command, the elite guards unleashed a volley of crossbow bolts toward Jang Geon and Li Yeon, signaling the start of a fierce battle in the dark warehouse.