After finishing their conversation, the Namgung party prepared to leave immediately as promised. They had brought nothing with them, having rushed to follow the marks Seolhwa left, so there was nothing to pack. Maeng Deungho, as promised, provided a large boat and a few bandits skilled in navigating at night.
At the riverbank, preparations for the boat the Namgung party would take were in full swing.
“Please take good care of Soyak.”
Maeng Deungho's gaze fell upon Soyak, who stood holding Yu Kang's hand. In Soyak's arms was a bundle of his treasured belongings. A battle between the two fortresses would soon break out here.
He couldn't leave his sick child in a dangerous place, so he had entrusted his son to Namgung.
“I will hear the method of treatment when I come to pick up the child,” Maeng Deungho said to Seolhwa.
Seolhwa quietly nodded her head. Jin Soyak ran to Maeng Deungho and grabbed his thick hand.
“Be careful, Papa….”
Though he didn't want to go, the child knew his situation all too well. It was better to be separated for a while than to remain here and hold his father back.
“Don't… get hurt….”
“Alright. I'll see you in a few days.”
After the brief farewell, the Namgung party headed for the prepared boat. Just as the children were about to step onto the gangplank.
“!”
“!!”