The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 102

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Before Yeong and Gaon departed for the village.

 

“There is one thing you must know for sure. Gaon.”

 

The Chief finally brought up an important matter to Gaon.

 

“What is it?”

 

“While you are away, I will prepare for the relocation of the mountain fortress and root out the internal traitor. However, we must prepare for any contingency.” 

 

“Are you keeping in mind the possibility of Jeon Bongjin launching an attack?” 

 

“No.”

 

The Chief firmly shook his head.

 

“You do not need to worry about General Jeon. His forces are vastly insufficient to handle us. He too would not want an unnecessary clash. Because he is someone who calculates practical gains.”

 

Gaon nodded.

 

Smart as he was, he soon realized what the Chief’s real concern was.

 

“Then… you are worried about the Prime Minister’s side.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The Chief’s eyes darkened for a moment.

 

“The path the internal traitor can choose is one of two. To side with Jeon Bongjin, or to hand over the location of the mountain stronghold to the Prime Minister.”

 

At those words, Gaon tightly clenched his fists.

 

‘Revealing the location of the mountain stronghold to the Prime Minister.’

 

That wasn’t simply a matter of losing the mountain stronghold.

 

It was an act of driving the Chief who saved and took him in, and the family members he had lived with for a long time… all to their deaths.

 

‘It’s not as if I hadn’t thought about the possibility of such a thing happening, but….’ 

 

Gaon squeezed his eyes shut.

 

The people brought here had all undergone thorough verification and were ones who had crossed countless life-or-death crises together.

 

Family… who fought together,

 

laughed together,

 

and endured together.

 

‘So I had hoped they would at least not make that choice….’ 

 

As if reading Gaon’s mind, the Chief quietly reached out and patted his shoulder.

 

“I hope so too. That such a thing won’t happen.”

 

Deep sincerity was imbued in the Chief’s voice.

 

“But… those with deep anger and hatred sometimes get consumed by those emotions and make choices they will regret.”

 

Gaon quietly nodded. More than anyone else, he knew that best.

 

Because he was the one who hated and rejected Yeong the most at first.

 

And.

 

He was also the one who regretted those days the most.

 

“And if the base is exposed to the Prime Minister and the mountain stronghold falls into danger… we will move to the secret base that only you, I, and Dupil know about.”

 

A secret base.

 

Since the location of the mountain stronghold was top secret, the Chief had prepared numerous contingency plans.

 

One of them was the second base where they could temporarily relocate in case of emergency.

 

Although the Chief had sent secret letters and prepared several bases throughout the country.

 

This place, among the many bases, was known only to the Chief, Dupil, and Gaon.

 

‘If so…’

 

Gaon asked in surprise.

 

“So… that’s why you told me to move the important items in advance.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Move the important supplies to the secret base.”

 

Right after Yeong’s secret was revealed, it was the first instruction the Chief gave.

 

Gaon had thought that instruction was simply part of the preparations for the mountain stronghold relocation… but the Chief was already looking much further into the future.

 

“If you sense anything wrong at the mountain stronghold when you return… head there immediately. Do you understand?”

 

At the Chief’s firm request, Gaon quietly nodded.

 

Hoping that such a thing would not happen.

 

Arriving at the village and being chased by the Prime Minister’s private soldiers, Gaon was certain.

 

‘Seeing the private soldiers flocking like this… it’s clear nothing is wrong at the mountain stronghold.’

 

Gaon’s judgment was that if they had found out the location of the mountain stronghold, they wouldn’t be chasing Yeong and him.

 

However, that prediction was completely wrong.

 

Under the captain’s command, the ship quickly arrived at the beach.

 

We hurriedly crossed the boarding plank and stepped down onto the shore. 

 

And Gaon briefly summarized the situation.

 

“Since the Prime Minister’s private soldiers were definitely chasing us… I thought there was no incident at the mountain stronghold, but this is unexpected. I don’t know what happened, but it turned out just as the Chief said.”

 

Clench.

 

Gaon bit his lip tightly.

 

“…For now, let’s go to the secret base. The Chief will surely be there.”

 

At Gaon’s confident words, I nodded, but.

 

Unable to overcome the anxiety welling up, I lightly grabbed the hem of his clothes.

 

“B-but Uncle… what if… Dad couldn’t make it there… what do we do?”

 

I raised my head and stared at the middle of the mountain burning so fiercely that dark clouds were gathering.

 

It had rained heavily a while ago, so the humidity was on the high side, but seeing that the flames didn’t die down easily…

 

It was definitely a fire intentionally set by someone.

 

‘In that fire… what if the Chief is still left behind…’

 

Clench.

 

At the dizzying emotion, I clutched my chest.

 

Just then, Damho quietly came to my side and held my hand tightly.

 

“It’s okay. I’ll go with you.”

 

The tips of his fingers were certainly trembling, but the anxiety subsided a little at Damho’s eyes, which looked strangely firm. 

 

Seeing that, the vice captain suddenly stepped forward and suggested to the captain.

 

“I will go to the side where the fire started first and check if any of the mountain stronghold family members are left. How about the captain moves to the secret base first with them?” 

 

The captain seemed to ponder for a moment, then soon nodded.

 

“That would be best. But you must not get too close. It’s not just because of the flames. The ones who set the fire might be nearby.” 

 

“Do not worry. I will only take two people who are good at stealth.”

 

“Right. The rest of you, guard the pirate ship. Understood?” 

 

Having finished speaking, the captain turned his head and looked at Gaon and me.

 

“Our group will check the mountain stronghold, so don’t worry.”

 

“Thank you for your kindness. I will surely repay this favor.” 

 

When Gaon bowed deeply, the captain laughed and waved his hand.

 

“Aren’t we in a cooperative relationship now? It’s a given. Of course, I’ll have to have a deeper conversation with His Highness the deposed Crown Prince.”

 

Wink.

 

With a playful wink, the captain gestured as if telling him to lead the way.

 

Gaon nodded with a firmly set face.

 

“Then… we will depart. It will take about half a day of mountain climbing to reach the secret base. There are many rugged sections, so you must follow carefully.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Because the captain was there, Gaon spoke formally with all due respect, and when he looked back at the other group, everyone nodded at the same time.

 

“Yes! We will follow, First Commander!”

 

People gathered around the carts loaded with gold and silver treasures to reorganize the formation, and their solemn resolve was conveyed silently.

 

Just then, Gaon suddenly swept me up into his arms.

 

“Uh?! Uncle, I can walk…!”

 

“You insist on hiking the mountain when you were soaking wet just a moment ago. Just stay still in my arms. If you fall behind or get sick, I’m the one who suffers.” 

 

Although it was a grumbling tone, Gaon carefully adjusted his posture and wrapped my body warmly with a cloth.

 

“Let’s go this way.”

 

Step.

 

Gaon took the lead and moved forward, and the rest of the personnel, excluding the pirates heading toward the mountain stronghold, followed him.

 

Hoping that at the end of it, the Chief would be there.

 

We hiked the mountain for a full half day like that.

 

It was indeed worthy of being called a secret base. It was hidden behind a massive waterfall.

 

Going inside the waterfall revealed a cave, and passing through the cave revealed a space surrounded by trees.

 

Further inside, there was a high, sturdy wall built of stone.

 

“Oho… to think there was such a place?”

 

Showing interest, the captain stepped to the front and approached the stone wall.

 

“A secret base hidden by water! So cool! As expected, water is the best!”

 

Damho also ran next to the captain as if excited.

 

“Let’s go together, Damho!”

 

Just as I was about to get down from Gaon’s arms and run.

 

Thwack, thwack!

 

A couple of arrows that suddenly flew out thudded into the ground at the captain’s feet.