Chapter 54 – The Master of the Yangtze River

Chapter 54 – The Master of the Yangtze River

“…Pardon?”

“Since we are going to the Moon-Dominating Stronghold, we should pull them out and put them on board. Oh, and please put one of them on the flower boat I arrived in. It was rented, so I have to return it.”

“……….Pardon?”

It was not because he did not hear that he asked again. Geum-myeong, who had asked back without realizing it because he could not believe his ears, stared at San-ho with a dazed face. Going? Me? Where?

“The ship won't go by itself.”

“……….”

Ah, so right now.

I was the one who fell into the trap, and I was the one who got beaten up… yet I had to row the boat too?

‘Damn it, these crazy bastards are now using a Waterway Fort as a crew member…’

In less than a single double-hour, Geum-myeong experienced everything he had never experienced before in his entire life.

“Ah, I almost forgot something important.”

At the sound of Un-jo's voice, a small sliver of hope momentarily rose on Geum-myeong's face. Perhaps they had realized belatedly that they were water bandits and would just let them go!

“Hand over everything you have.”

Heavens.

Robbing a Waterway Fort on the Yangtze River. Yes, a crazy guy dressed in silk was robbing a Waterway Fort. He had thought he could no longer be surprised, but every moment was fresh. Geum-myeong laughed hollowly like a man who had lost his soul.

“You made a hole in the rented boat. You have to compensate for that.”

“Th-then the rest is…”

“Why ask such a thing? Of course it's mine. I completely emptied my money pouch over the last three days, so where do you think you're going to play innocent?”

‘…Even an asura ascended from hell would be more merciful than this guy!’

Geum-myeong ground his teeth, but Un-jo hurried him along, unconcerned. Behind him, San-ho lightly leaped onto the swift vessel.

“Nice ship! Let's use it together!”

A satisfied smile appeared on San-ho's face as he swept his eyes over the sleek stern of the swift vessel.

***

“How much longer?”

“If we follow the waterway like this, by tomorrow…”

Gulp.

Geum-myeong swallowed dryly without realizing it at San-ho's gaze, which watched him without a word. He had neither rushed nor scolded him, so why did he feel so suffocated?

“…If we rush as much as possible, we will arrive before sunrise.”

“Oh. That's good.”

Although he felt the resentful glares of his subordinates looking at him, Geum-myeong deliberately turned his head away.

The swift vessel, which had departed from between Zhijiang and Jingzhou, was now passing near Gongan.

Just then, a noisy commotion was heard from the bow. At the same time, the water bandits who were outside rushed into the cabin.

“B-Bandit Leader!”

“What is it?”

“I think you need to come out and see. That…”

Sensing a serious situation from the hesitating voice, Geum-myeong and San-ho quickly went outside. Then, a shocking sight was reflected in their eyes.

“…Oh dear.”

“What on earth is that…!”

Flames burned brightly on the Yangtze River shrouded in darkness.

Small sparks drifted leisurely over the Yangtze River like stars scattered across the night sky.

“………!!!”

And at the end of everyone's gaze, where the sparks flew from, two giant ships gradually began to reveal themselves.

“Th-that… isn't that the giant ship of the Moon-Dominating Stronghold?!”

The giant ship of the Moon-Dominating Stronghold, with iron chains and hooks hanging in clusters on its deck.

And opposite the Moon-Dominating Stronghold. A red giant ship that overwhelmed the Yangtze River by its presence alone. Above it, a massive Red Dragon Flag fluttered, proving that the Leader of the Eighteen Waterway Forts of the Yangtze River was here.

“…It is the giant ship of the Red Dragon Stronghold.”

It was a flame signaling the start of a war.

“What in the world…?”

As everyone was thrown into confusion by the unexpected sight, San-ho, who had quickly assessed the situation, gave instructions first.

“Since we don't know the situation, let's first extinguish all the lights on the swift vessel and head toward the nearby riverbank. We have to move as quietly as possible.”

“San-ho, what on earth is this…”

“Senior.”

San-ho grabbed Un-jo's shoulder and looked straight into his eyes. Red sparks were reflected in the eyes that met his.

“I will go.”

Un-jo shook his head resolutely.

“Don't you see that sight? If the war of the Waterway Forts has begun, that place is hell. Where do you think you're going?”

“Since it has already broken out, we need to check it out further. Looking at it… it's not hell, but maybe the neighborhood right next to it.”

“Do I look like I'm joking with you right now?”

“Senior.”

Dumbfounded by the confidence of unknown origin, Un-jo shut his mouth.

“I'm not saying I'll go alone because it's dangerous, but because I'm just going to take a quick look at the situation. You know who I am.”

You know that sneaking in is my specialty, right?

Adding these words softly, San-ho smiled to reassure him.

The smell of burning wood drifted in the river breeze. As the swift vessel, which had reached the vicinity of the riverbank before they knew it, carefully cast anchor, a quiet silence enveloped the completely dark ship.

“Fortunately, it seems they didn't see us from over there.”

The eighteen Waterway Forts each possessed a Waterway Fort and a giant ship. Since the group departing from Zhijiang had come aboard a small swift vessel belonging to the giant ship, they were able to avoid catching their eyes.

“Looking at the situation roughly, they seem to have already finished one battle and are now in a lull.”

“……”

San-ho asked Geum-myeong, who was silently staring at the Red Dragon Ship.

“I think we will only know the details if we go there. What are you going to do, Mister?”

“If something has happened to the Chief Stronghold Leader… we must deliver the news to the other Waterway Forts.”

Geum-myeong was resolutely opposed to the rebel faction. This was because he remembered clearly what kind of consequences such actions by the Moon-Dominating Stronghold had brought about ten years ago. Although Geum-myeong's forces located near Hubei were the weakest among the Waterway Forts, he had always supported the new Chief Stronghold Leader.

‘But… why are both sides unprepared despite a battle having occurred? Neither side has sent a carrier pigeon or requested to join forces… Something is strange.’

There were a total of five rebel factions within the Waterway Forts. Yet, what was visible now were only the giant ships of the Moon-Dominating Stronghold and the Red Dragon Stronghold.

“Let's see, there should be about one double-hour left before the sun rises.”

Looking up at the sky, San-ho motioned to one of the water bandits.

“Your clothes.”

“…Pardon?”

“I can't go wearing this.”

San-ho fluttered the sleeves of his splendid silk robe to show him.

“Mister, are you ready?”

When San-ho, who had changed his clothes, asked out of the blue, Geum-myeong tilted his head in bewilderment.

“Why me…?”

“Of course, because you're a Waterway Fort, Mister.”

It wasn't as if he had just realized that now…? After leading a Waterway Fort into a trap, throwing him into the Yangtze River, and making him row the boat?

“……?”

“Then you must be really good at swimming, right? Then we can reach that place in no time, right?”

With a face that asked why he was even questioning something so obvious, San-ho pointed at the Red Dragon Ship. You, take me, there.

“……….”

Geum-myeong was left jaw-dropped by San-ho's astonishing way of thinking.

‘Now he's even dragging me into hell…’

It was the first time in his life he had ever seen someone use a Waterway Fort as a means of transportation. In the end, having been led by the hand of an asura to visit Yama on his own feet, Geum-myeong could only blink his eyes in despair.

***

Before long, as they reached the riverbank from which the two giant ships were visible, San-ho whispered softly.

“From now on, we will suppress our presence as much as possible and head to the Red Dragon Ship. Once I go up, return to the swift vessel immediately. If the worst-case scenario occurs, you have to prepare for it, Mister.”

“This is an affair of the Waterway Forts. I cannot turn back after coming all the way here.”

“At any other time, it might be fine, but not now when there is internal strife. If another Waterway Fort interferes, it is highly likely to worsen the situation. Let's assess the situation and then decide.”

“Do you even know how many water bandits are up there? Just how…”

Seeing Geum-myeong's panicked face, San-ho smirked and replied.

“You worry about the strangest things. I will take care of that myself.”

Splash—

Suppressing his presence first, San-ho began to submerge into the waters of the Yangtze River. Moving along the surface would definitely get him caught. Moving deep below the water and approaching silently was the current goal.

As he submerged his head completely into the cold river water, Geum-myeong soon approached and grabbed San-ho's wrist. Unleashing his specialty, the Water-Rising Art, Geum-myeong moved rapidly toward the Red Dragon Stronghold like waves rising in calm waters.

Bubble, bubble—

Before he knew it, as the reflection of the burning flames on the surface of the water became visible, San-ho carefully poked his head out.

‘The presences I can feel are… roughly in three places.’

As soon as he found an empty spot, climbed aboard, and hid himself against the wall near the bow, a crowd of water bandits rushed toward one location.

‘Where could it be?’

While quietly observing how things were unfolding, San-ho began to head toward the deepest part below the stern of the Red Dragon Ship. As the Red Dragon Ship was massive, its lower compartments were also deep, and he had sensed a strange presence coming from somewhere down there.

It was then.

San-ho, who was running along the path leading to the lower level, came to a sudden halt. A group of water bandits had already taken up positions near the stairs.

‘It's in this direction.’

Hiding in a corner and estimating the enemy's numbers, San-ho quickly scanned the surroundings. There was only one path. It was unavoidable situation. Fortunately, they had already finished one bloody battle. Realizing they were exhausted, San-ho drew his flying daggers.

‘In a situation like this…’

First, block the enemy's vision.

Swish! Swish!

In an instant, San-ho threw his flying daggers to extinguish the torches on both sides of the corridor. As darkness suddenly fell, the panicked water bandits began to clamor.

“Wh-what is it?”

“Why did the light suddenly…!”

Second, throw the enemy into confusion.

“……K-Kugh…”

“H-Heugh…”

When he scattered powdered paralyzing poison, the sound of the water bandits in front groaning and collapsing could be heard.

Now.

“Amb—…!!!”

Thud!

The voices of the water bandits trying to shout "Ambush!" dispersed into empty air. San-ho, who had kicked off the wall to leap right before their eyes in an instant, struck their fainting acupoints. At that moment, as their consciousness quickly faded, their eyes filled with shock.

“…!!!”

The person who had attacked them was wearing the martial robes of the Waterway Fort.

“Shh.”

“……!!!”

San-ho, placing his finger on his lips, approached the few who still had some consciousness remaining. The last thing to reach their ears was a quiet whisper.

“Since you must be tired, please sleep for a bit, and I will wake you up later.”

‘…?’

Having put more than a dozen water bandits to sleep like that, San-ho walked toward the most secret place of the Red Dragon Ship, the end of the corridor.

Standing before the door at the end of the creaking corridor, San-ho fell into thought for a moment. A strange presence was definitely felt from this place.

“Come in.”

The voice heard at that moment. The calm voice actually made the fine hairs all over his body stand on end.

Inside this room, the Master of the Yangtze River was present.

Creak—

“Having come all the way here, do you hesitate before the door?”

When he carefully opened the door, a figure stepped out from behind the shadow of the flickering torch.

“……!!!!”

The appearance revealed in the darkness. The overwhelming intimidation radiating with every step. He could know it instinctively. No, it was certain. Without a shred of doubt, this man before him was the Master of the Yangtze River. Fist Demon Tae Ju-ha.

Unless it was him, this overwhelming momentum could not be explained.

Tae Ju-ha had quite an exotic appearance. From hair like soft sand and burning eyes, to dark skin. San-ho hesitated for a moment at the appearance of the Chief Stronghold Leader, which was slightly different from his expectations.

But that was only for a moment; pulling himself together immediately, San-ho performed a cupped-fist salute toward Tae Ju-ha.

"I greet the Master of the Yangtze River. I am a nameless nobody of the Jianghu, San-ho."

“You came quite quietly. Judging by the presence you exude, you do not seem to be an assassin…”

Tae Ju-ha let out a dry laugh, as if he could reasonably guess the situation outside.

“What is your purpose?”

“I came seeking to ask you one thing, risking this rudeness.”

Glaring at San-ho with fierce eyes, he muttered quietly.

“Since your dedication is admirable, I will listen to your final words. Surely, you did not think you would return alive.”

At that moment, San-ho paused his words and quietly observed Tae Ju-ha. It was strange. Both the presence and the atmosphere. Perhaps because he had already become accustomed to Do Yi-gyeom's energy, the energy he felt was somewhat unstable.

Feeling suspicious, San-ho took a large step toward him. At the same time, Tae Ju-ha drew his sword as fast as a flash of light and thrust its tip toward San-ho's throat. Just as his breath was about to be cut off.

“Chief Stronghold Leader. By any chance, have you been poisoned?”

“……!!”

At the calm voice that flowed out, Tae Ju-ha's eyes widened.