"...Dohwi."
A groan-like mutter escaped Namgung Myeong's lips. He had never imagined it. That his nephew could fight like that.
Of course, Namgung Dohwi was an excellent talent. That was true even setting aside the affection of kinship. Objectively, there were few in the world who wouldn't acknowledge him.
But the Namgung Dohwi he was seeing now was not the Namgung Dohwi he had known until now.
"You are..."
Paaaat!
At that moment, a sharp Emei Piercer flew toward Namgung Myeong's face. Namgung Myeong, who hurriedly twisted his head to dodge, quickly thrust his sword. After plunging his sword into the river pirate's heart, he bit down on his lip.
He had let his guard down for a moment. This wouldn't do.
"Lord! M-more of them are swarming in!"
"I know!"
This was no time to be moved. It was certainly not the time to feel proud of Namgung Dohwi. He quickly scanned his surroundings.
The river pirates who had scattered in all directions must have heard about the situation here, as they were swarming in like a colony of ants that had found food. It was a despairing sight, but Namgung Myeong did not waver. 'This was the outcome I already knew!'