Chapter 57 – All Things in Nature

Chapter 57 – All Things in Nature

One of the deepest parts of the Red Dragon Ship.

Left alone in Tae Ju-ha's library, San-ho quietly scanned the bookshelves.

'There is a huge variety.'

Although the library was not large, it was lined with books that were hard to find elsewhere.

San-ho had already finished reading all the books in the Tang Clan's library. However, while the family's library was limited to the influence of the orthodox faction, and among them, the martial arts and secret techniques of the Tang Clan, Tae Ju-ha's library was truly like a small world.

The fragments of the world he had gathered while traveling back and forth across the Yangtze River were stacked neatly in this place.

'Indeed, things like this can only be seen here.'

San-ho thought as he flipped through the book in his hand.

From records of spiritual beasts he had never heard of, to spirit medicines he wondered if they actually existed in the world, to a recipe for alcohol that was said to make the person in front of you look like a beautiful man or woman after just one cup.

'Since I wouldn't have believed in the Borrowing Flowers to Offer to Buddha if I hadn't actually seen it either… these books probably aren't all fiction.'

That was not all. There were also quite a few secret manuals of unorthodox arts whose cultivation was unstable, and traces of compensation methods researched by Tae Ju-ha were left on each chapter.

The martial arts of the Unorthodox Faction were limitlessly practical and overbearing.

Seeing these unfamiliar methods, San-ho's eyes were soon filled with interest.

'Asura Axe Method. Holding an axe would indeed look threatening. Ghostly Demon Eyes… can this be roughly considered an eye-strengthening technique?'

It was more useful than he had expected.

San-ho reached for the next book, quite satisfied with the contents of the secret manual. If the elders of the family saw this, they would have gasped and grabbed the back of their necks in shock. However, San-ho's philosophy was that there was nothing bad about learning anything.

"Tch… Still, I should keep this a secret, right?"

Having read the books for a long time, San-ho muttered with an embarrassed face.

Even though he was evaluated as an orthodox martial artist wearing the mask of the unorthodox faction, he was still strictly a warrior of one of the Five Great Families.

As San-ho was thoroughly reading through all of Tae Ju-ha's library like that, he pulled out a new book with the feeling of treasure hunting.

"Oh… this."

What appeared then was the exact same cover and inner paper material as the secret manual of the Heaven and Man Unity Art. San-ho, who drew a sharp breath, opened the secret manual. The familiar handwriting caught his eye before the contents of the book.

"…Found it."

The second volume of the three secret manuals.

San-ho's mouth parted slightly as he finally achieved the first goal of his venture into the Jianghu.

As he hurriedly flipped the pages, a subtle scent of ink wafted out. This too was a nameless secret manual.

– All things arise from causes and conditions, all things perish from causes and conditions.

'All things arise from connections and perish from connections.'

Everything in the mountains, rivers, and earth, and all things in nature arise from connections. Since even a single emotion arises due to connections, everything that exists is linked by cause and effect.

'Connections…'

Everything was connected.

San-ho realized this fact more deeply than anyone else.

How wondrous connections were.

This was true even if he only looked at his current venture into the Jianghu. He started from Sichuan and reached Sogu Village, and through the connection he made there, he set foot in Ghost Sword Valley. With the information obtained there, he came to stay at Drunken Lotus Pavilion, another connection, and finally met Tae Ju-ha and arrived at his secret library. This very moment held every single step of the process he had passed through.

If even one of them had not been connected, he would not have been able to obtain this secret manual. If the Heaven and Man Unity Art was about complete freedom, the second secret manual was about connections.

'It means that everything is both the cause and effect of each other, and exists because of that.'

Each and every written character became a woven connection, vividly coming to life in San-ho's vision. The second secret manual was short, but the realization stemming from experience was profound.

Then, as San-ho was tracing the characters with his fingertips, he suddenly let out a short exclamation.

"Ah…!"

Had he not read the first volume, these sentences would have merely looked like poetry or famous quotes. However, the more deeply he understood and resonated with them, the more a new path began to appear.

Everything connected.

The characters shone and danced as if they were alive. The energy wrapping around his entire body concentrated at his fingertips.

"……!!"

Although the formula was similar to the first secret manual, which drew the qi flowing in nature into the dantian, the result was different. As the warm energy gathered, San-ho realized where this energy should be directed.

'Just as the world gathers toward me, I too head toward the world.'

It connected like that.

'If this is possible.'

Being able to transmit internal energy to others of one's own will.

This meant it was possible to heal an opponent who suffered internal injuries, and to drag someone dying on the battlefield back to life.

No divine physician could do such a thing.

Was this not an ability akin to a merciful god?

A power just like life itself.

San-ho trembled slightly at the immense, hidden true meaning.

Viewed simply, the first secret manual contained the true meaning of unity, while the second secret manual contained the true meaning of healing and sharing.

'This is just like… a human Borrowing Flowers to Offer to Buddha.'

Of course, although the type was different, the ability to absorb natural qi and transmit it to others was similar.

To think he had such a persistent connection with a flower. Muttering softly, San-ho suddenly fell into thought.

'It gathers toward me. And I can share it. Then what on earth is the last volume like…'

It was then.

"Ugh…"

As his stomach churned again, San-ho covered his mouth. A strange sense of déjà vu, like when he learned the Heaven and Man Unity Art, churned his stomach. At that moment, a scene from the past flashed through his mind like lightning.

– I will find it. Don't worry.

The appearance of Tang San-ho. Behind him, a familiar landscape was vivid. Waiting for the remaining memories to return, San-ho concentrated his mind.

"……"

However, there were no more scenes that followed.

Unlike what he had expected, only a single memory rose vividly this time.

It was the location of the third secret manual.

'Tang San-ho, you crazy bastard…'

As he remembered that it had been hidden in a completely unexpected place, San-ho groaned, holding his throbbing head.

'Just like the saying that it is darkest under the lamp.'

It was then.

Someone opened the library door and urgently called out to San-ho.

"Young hero. I think you should come outside."

It was Geum-myeong, the pirate of the Waterway Fort whom he had met in Zhijiang.

"Do you see it?"

"Yes."

Nodding his head, San-ho ascended to the bow deck of the ship with him.

***

"You have arrived."

The pirates of the Red Dragon Ship showed their respects toward San-ho.

The sight of a direct descendant of one of the Five Great Families receiving greetings from pirates was a scene hard to believe even when looking at it, but San-ho, who had grown accustomed to this bizarre spectacle over the past few days, only nodded his head slightly.

It was then.

Far away on the Yangtze River, a huge ship gradually made its appearance.

"…Isn't that the Black Dragon Flag?"

The pirate standing in front clenched his fist tightly and muttered in an indignant voice.

After Tae Ju-ha rose to the position of leader of the Eighteen Waterway Forts of the Yangtze River, the symbol of the Waterway Forts changed to the Red Dragon Flag with a red dragon drawn on it. However, a giant Black Dragon Flag was fluttering on the huge ship approaching from afar.

It was a clear sign of rebellion.

"Is everyone ready?"

At San-ho's question, the pirates who had completed their battle preparations nodded resolutely.

"Let's make sure to catch them for the Chief Stronghold Leader."

"Yes!"

A thunderous battle cry.

Before long, the huge ship flying the Black Dragon Flag aggressively accelerated.

The Black Dragon Ship cut through the water and narrowed the distance in an instant. It was the moment when the face of the opponent standing on the deck became close enough to be visible.

Kwoooong!!

With a thunderous sound, the Black Dragon Ship rammed into the side of the Red Dragon Ship's stern. It was a collision large enough to make the massive ship sway from the impact.

Krrrck! Crack!

At the same time, huge grappling hooks attached to iron chains flew toward the Red Dragon Ship.

Pirates swarmed onto the deck of the Red Dragon Ship.

Tap, tap!

Those stepping on the connected iron chains and boarding also poured in one after another. Without anyone needing to go first, eyes filled with murderous intent turned toward each other.

"Attack!!"

"Uaaaargh!!"

"Don't let them escape!!"

The battle broke out in an instant.

Loud shouts, screams, and the sharp noise of clashing weapons mixed together, chaotically shaking the deck of the Red Dragon Ship. The pirates, who crashed over the Red Dragon Ship like a huge wave, emitted a vivid murderous intent as they swung their sharp weapons.

"You bastards, where do you think you are?!"

"Do you think we would be afraid of a mere Red Dragon Ship without its Chief Stronghold Leader?!"

"Run wild to your heart's content! There is no longer a Fist Demon in the Waterway Forts!"

Amidst the storm-like battle, San-ho calmly observed the situation.

'Where is Jang Dae-gwang?'

His eyes shone sharply as he looked for Jang Dae-gwang, the Stronghold Leader of the Moon-Dominating Stronghold, whose portrait he had checked beforehand.

It would be of no use unless the leader was dealt with. If he did not draw him in completely, there was no telling when he would hide again. He was a guy who had escaped even from the sight of the Ten Venerables of the Martial World.

At that moment, on the bow of the Black Dragon Ship, an arrogant face looking at the situation with arms crossed came into view. Eyes glistening with greed, a mouth bearing a fishy sneer, and eyes enjoying this situation. There was no need to double-check.

"Found him."

Blood Axe Jang Dae-gwang. A cowardly opportunist who fled, abandoning his own subordinates.

As Jang Dae-gwang turned his head after feeling San-ho's gaze, the eyes of the two met in mid-air.

Frowning in displeasure, he boarded the Red Dragon Ship while emitting a bloody momentum. Clink. Clink. A chilling sound came from the axe held in his hand and the connected iron chain.

"A face I haven't seen before. Who are you, kid?"

A harsh voice grating on the ears.

"I am standing at the bow of the Red Dragon Ship, overseeing the battlefield, so what should I do if you still don't know who I am?"

At San-ho's tone, which felt somewhat relaxed, Jang Dae-gwang raised his voice like fire.

"No way the Chief Stronghold Leader would have handed over the Red Dragon Ship to a greenhorn like you! Where does this kid who still smells of milk think he is, unable to tell heaven from earth!"

When San-ho merely shrugged his shoulders without answering, Jang Dae-gwang grabbed the axe tucked in his lower back. Befitting his moniker 'Blood Axe,' the axe, stained with blood here and there, was highly threatening in its size and weight.

"I do not know how you coaxed the Red Dragon Ship's fellows, but as a member of my Waterway Forts, I cannot stand by and watch such a bizarre sight. There is no mercy in my hands, so I will let you meet the Chief Stronghold Leader again in the underworld!"

Kwarreureuk!

Jang Dae-gwang, veins bulging on his forehead, threw the axe toward San-ho's face.

Crack!

As San-ho quickly executed footwork, the heavy axe flew and embedded itself in the spot where he had been standing. It was a position where, if it had been just half an inch closer, the top of his foot would have been severed.

"You bastard!!!"

Jang Dae-gwang continuously swung the axe connected to the chain like a whip.

Just then, San-ho lightly dodged the large, lunging attack and suddenly spoke.

"Ah. I saw this just a moment ago."

"……What?"

"It's the Asura Axe Method, right?"

"……."

Jang Dae-gwang gripped the axe as if to crush it. How on earth did that greenhorn know his axe method?

"It is."

The sight of San-ho smiling broadly and hovering around him playfully. When neither the swung chain nor the heavy axe reached him, the enraged Jang Dae-gwang ground his teeth.

"This rat-like bastard…"

Jang Dae-gwang's attacks, full of murderous intent and malice, poured out roughly. An axe method that was entirely attack-oriented, thoroughly targeting the opponent's life. Jang Dae-gwang continued his brutal attacks as if trying to slice off the opponent's neck and limbs.

However, his rough and heavy attacks did not match well with the agile San-ho. As San-ho repeatedly dodged his attacks, Jang Dae-gwang looked around and shouted to the pirates of the Black Dragon Ship.

"What are you doing! Capture this rat first!"

Jang Dae-gwang's voice, ear-splittingly loud even amidst the chaos. Responding to it, three pirates of the Black Dragon Ship lunged toward San-ho.

"No, are you the only one with allies? I have them too, you know?"

How cheap for a grown man. Crossing his arms, San-ho muttered grumpily.

'Even though pirates are rushing toward him, far from dodging…'

It was just as Jang Dae-gwang, dumbfounded by San-ho's utterly incomprehensible attitude, was about to take a step.

Thump!

Jang Dae-gwang's body fell forward as if caught on something.

"What is this…?!"

Frowning, Jang Dae-gwang turned his head back. His ankle had definitely been caught. Yet, nothing was visible. It was the same when he pulled his ankle to stand up. As if some invisible thread were wrapped around it…

'…A thread?'

Before Jang Dae-gwang could even grasp the identity of what was wrapped around his ankle, a bright voice completely out of place on the battlefield pierced his ears.

"Got you!"

At that moment.

Bhoooo—!

A horn blast, as intense as a tsunami, resounded loudly.

The battlefield, which had been chaotic with heat and confusion, fell silent in an instant as if cold water had been thrown over it. For there was no one in this place who did not know what that sound meant.

A deep vibration that reached the heart. It was an overwhelming warning sounded when the Lord of the Yangtze River entered the battlefield.