By noon, the caravan began to move.
A dozen alliance riders, four wagons, two supply carriages, and at the center, Heuk Cheon and his group. Seo Ryung rode beside him, while Ji Seol-Hwa and several of the older orphans flanked the rear.
Min-ah and Han-ju shared a seat atop the lead supply cart. Ae-rin sat behind them, scanning the trees with sharp eyes.
"I thought we'd be more... secretive," Min-ah said, trying to keep his voice low.
Han-ju grinned. "Sometimes the best way to travel unnoticed is to let everyone see you coming. Loud and proud. Makes people think you've got nothing to hide."
Ae-rin elbowed him. "Or that you're bait."
Han-ju's grin faded slightly. "Also that."
They passed beneath old banners strung across the mountain road, symbols of the Murim Alliance, faded by time but still standing.
