Chapter 379 – The Back Wave Pushes the Front Wave (1)

"A duel?" ​

Dae Gun-sang's eyebrows twitched. ​

Wasn't it called "dare not request, but earnestly desired"? ​

The situation he couldn't dare ask for but had hoped for had unfolded. And by the thorn in his side, Bang Jin-bo, no less. ​

"Good! I accept the duel." ​

He answered without hesitation. ​

In a loud voice so everyone could hear. ​

He no longer thought things would work out with Eun So-cheong. He had acted so clingily that even a woman would lose interest. ​

But as compensation, he wanted to show Bang Jin-bo a lesson. He would make him pay dearly for daring to embarrass him. ​

'A chef? In the end, isn't it just a lowly profession making food?' ​

Dae Gun-sang gritted his teeth and drew his sword. ​

Sunlight hit the blade and scattered in all directions. ​

Demon Slaying Blade. ​

It was a famous sword gifted by his maternal family, the Jinzhou Yan Family. ​

Made by one of the world's finest craftsmen, its sharpness was beyond description. The Demon Slaying Blade that had absorbed countless people's blood emanated even an eerie ghostly aura. ​

"Mmm!" ​

"Truly impressive." ​

The people gathered around shuddered and stepped back. ​

Whatever his personality might be, Dae Gun-sang's skill was real. With the addition of the demonic weapon called Demon Slaying Blade, his presence was truly murderous. But Bang Jin-bo's expression facing him was calm. ​

Though Dae Gun-sang's energy pressed against his skin like needles, strangely he didn't feel afraid. ​

The moment he felt his opponent's energy, the Five Elements energy latent in his body began moving nimbly. As the five types of energy harmonized, vitality was felt throughout his entire body. ​

Bang Jin-bo drew the kitchen knife he wore at his waist. ​

"What's that?" ​

"Don't tell me it's a cooking knife?" ​

People murmured at the appearance of the short and blunt kitchen knife. ​

No one had expected him to draw a kitchen knife for a sacred duel. ​

Contemptuous lights appeared on several faces. ​

Duels between martial artists to compete in skill were sacred. Drawing a knife used for cooking in such a sacred contest felt like an insult to the martial artists. ​

Hot-tempered people spat curses, and quite many showed disappointed expressions. Still, Bang Jin-bo's expression didn't change much. It was proof of how deep his mental cultivation was. ​

"You bastard!" ​

Dae Gun-sang who saw the kitchen knife also reacted no differently from them. He thought Bang Jin-bo was insulting him. ​

"A Mount Hua Sect disciple… no, a chef? A mere chef dares to humiliate me? I'll cut off one of your arms here to punish your crime." ​

Pop! ​

At the same time, he kicked off the ground. ​

Instantly closing the distance and rushing toward Bang Jin-bo, he swung the Demon Slaying Blade. ​

Swish! ​

The Demon Slaying Blade came flying with angles and intensity sharp enough to be difficult for even peak masters to block. ​

Clang! ​

But Bang Jin-bo parried Dae Gun-sang's blade without difficulty. At Bang Jin-bo's unexpectedly agile response, Dae Gun-sang shouted even more angrily. ​

"You've hidden quite a skill. Try taking this too. Hyat!" ​

Demon Slaying Ghostly Spirit Blade. ​

The signature technique that made him who he is today was unleashed. ​

Blade energy spread like a net and came crashing down on Bang Jin-bo. But Bang Jin-bo didn't panic and deployed his footwork to retreat. ​

It was Mount Hua Sect's advanced footwork called Dark Fragrance Floating that moved without sound or trace. As if someone was pulling a rope from behind, Bang Jin-bo instantly moved more than ten zhang like that. ​

"Playing petty tricks?" ​

Dae Gun-sang quickly deployed his secret footwork to follow Bang Jin-bo. Then he consecutively unleashed the techniques of Demon Slaying Ghostly Spirit Blade. ​

Slice! ​

Air and space were mercilessly cut by his Demon Slaying Blade. ​

It was the very technique that had ruthlessly killed the Six Heroes of Dragon Spring. Terrifying attacks that could slice a person into dozens of pieces with a single move were continuously unleashed toward Bang Jin-bo. ​

Chilling waves of killing intent were felt. The source was precisely Dae Gun-sang. Yet even so, Bang Jin-bo didn't think of being afraid. ​

Dae Gun-sang's killing intent was truly remarkable. Considering his age which didn't differ much from Bang Jin-bo, it was unbelievably intense. But even such killing intent couldn't shake Bang Jin-bo's firm spirit. ​

While avoiding Dae Gun-sang's attacks, Bang Jin-bo glanced at Dam Ho. ​

No matter how remarkable Dae Gun-sang's killing intent might be, it couldn't compare to Dam Ho. If Dae Gun-sang was a hawk soaring through the sky, Dam Ho was a great roc that could cover the world with wings alone. ​

Dam Ho stood with arms crossed, not moving at all. It was an expression of will that he wouldn't intervene under any circumstances. But Bang Jin-bo didn't feel disappointed. Rather, he felt proud. Because he took it to mean Dam Ho trusted him that much. ​

Slice! ​

The Demon Slaying Blade came flying toward Bang Jin-bo's forehead, cutting through space. ​

A determination to kill at all costs was felt. ​

This was already beyond the level of a simple duel. It was no different from a life-and-death struggle fought with lives on the line. ​

Bang Jin-bo's face, always full of smiles, turned cold for the first time. At the same time, his eyes also became sharp. ​

Grip! ​

Power entered the hand holding the kitchen knife. ​

Unlike Dae Gun-sang, blade energy didn't form or show visible changes. But something had changed. The completely changed atmosphere proved that fact. ​

The first to feel that fact was precisely Dae Gun-sang who was facing Bang Jin-bo. ​

'This guy!' ​

Suddenly his spine felt chilly. ​

Whoosh! ​

At that moment, a silver thread swept past his side. He barely avoided having his clothes cut, but his robe was torn long and fluttered. ​

Bang Jin-bo's kitchen knife had penetrated his offensive and wounded him. Only then did Dae Gun-sang keenly realize that Bang Jin-bo possessed greater skill than he had imagined. ​

"Grrr!" ​

Dae Gun-sang bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. ​

The situation was getting twisted and twisted again. ​

His maternal family, the Jinzhou Yan Family, couldn't exert power in this situation, and Bang Jin-bo, whom he had been confident he could easily subdue, was actually displaying unpredictable martial prowess and putting him in danger. ​

Whoosh! ​

Bang Jin-bo rushed forward at terrifying speed. ​

His still youthful face rapidly enlarged. On that face that always wore smiles, firm resolve and determined eyes had appeared. ​

As Bang Jin-bo's kitchen knife moved dazzlingly, plum blossoms bloomed in the air. The Twenty-Four Hand Plum Blossom Sword that only the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen could learn was being unleashed. But his Twenty-Four Hand Plum Blossom Sword was also different from what the Plum Blossom Swordsmen had learned. ​

True Master Hyeon-so had refined it solely for him – Plum Blossom Blade, not Plum Blossom Sword. A blade technique optimized for deployment with a kitchen knife only one-third the size of an ordinary blade – that was precisely Bang Jin-bo's Plum Blossom Blade. ​

Clang clang clang! ​

The Demon Slaying Blade and kitchen knife continuously clashed. ​

Bang Jin-bo was as fast and intense as Dae Gun-sang. ​

Every time the two blades clashed, sparks flew continuously and intense shock waves burst forth. ​

"How can this be!" ​

"He's not falling behind Great Hero Dae at all!" ​

The heroes murmured in surprise at Bang Jin-bo's appearance of not yielding an inch against the renowned Dae Gun-sang. ​

The martial prowess of Demon Slaying Swordsman Dae Gun-sang was already famous enough that no one in the martial world didn't know of it, but Bang Jin-bo was a completely unfamiliar figure. ​

Though the martial world was said to have countless eccentric talents like grains of sand, there weren't many talents that could match Dae Gun-sang. So they had naturally thought Dae Gun-sang would win. But Bang Jin-bo was shattering their prejudices and showing himself fighting on equal terms with Dae Gun-sang. ​

Bang Jin-bo's appearance of deploying Plum Blossom Blade and fighting equally with Dae Gun-sang gave the heroes a fresh shock. ​

To properly deploy the Twenty-Four Hand Plum Blossom Sword, one had to learn the Supreme Clarity Heart Art. Therefore, all Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen also learned the Supreme Clarity Heart Art. But Bang Jin-bo was different. ​

What he had learned was the Five Elements Gentleman Art – originally he should never have been able to deploy Plum Blossom Blade. But Taoist Hyeon-so and Dam Ho had joined forces to make it possible. ​

'Now then?' ​

Bang Jin-bo's kitchen knife suddenly emitted dazzling light. Unlike ordinary Plum Blossom Sword, it was blade energy mixed with five colors. ​

Rumble! ​

Fire energy and metal energy harmonized, wood energy and water energy generated each other. And earth energy led all those energies together. ​

"Hyah!" ​

Bang Jin-bo let out an intense shout. ​

Plum Blossom Fragrance Travels a Thousand Li, Ten Thousand People Take for a Thousand Days. ​

Since plum blossom fragrance travels a thousand li, ten thousand people will be intoxicated for a thousand days. ​

The strongest techniques of Plum Blossom Blade were unleashed in succession. ​

For a moment, Dae Gun-sang saw an illusion as if the entire world was covered with plum blossoms. No, it wasn't an illusion. Bang Jin-bo's kitchen knife was actually blooming with magnificent five-colored plum blossoms. ​

It was a miracle only Bang Jin-bo who had learned the Five Elements Gentleman Art could create. ​

Tremendous crisis struck Dae Gun-sang. Just by looking, he could tell. The terrifying power contained in his opponent's attack. ​

The proper course would be to avoid and counterattack. But Dae Gun-sang's pride kicked in. He couldn't show the ridiculous sight of frantically avoiding an attack from an opponent he hadn't given even a speck of consideration to. ​

'I'll clash head-on and destroy it.' ​

Dae Gun-sang invested all his power to unleash Frenzied Blood Demon Slash, the strongest technique of Demon Slaying Ghostly Spirit Blade. ​

"Cry! Demon Slaying Blade!" ​

Rumble! ​

Responding to his call, the Demon Slaying Blade revealed its originally fierce fangs with a rough cry. And it collided with the technique of Plum Blossom Blade that Bang Jin-bo had unleashed. ​

Crash! ​

Instantly space exploded. ​

The space where the two techniques clashed warped, and the shock wave swept through the area like a tsunami. ​

"Urgh!" ​

"Hup!" ​

Martial artists caught in the tsunami-like energy wave tumbled this way and that. Only Dam Ho remained standing in place watching that scene. ​

A line of satisfaction was drawn on his face that had been expressionless like a stone statue. It was a moment when Dam Ho rarely showed emotion. ​

While others could only see the thick dust that had risen, Dam Ho's eyes were seeing the truth beyond it. ​

"Big brother." ​

But Eun So-cheong's face, having no way to confirm the truth, was full of worried light. She hoped Dam Ho would reassure her. ​

Dam Ho nodded and lightly extended his fist. Then tremendous wind arose, instantly blowing away the thick dust that had been blocking their view. And the truth was revealed before everyone. ​

"Ah!" ​

"How can this be!" ​

People widened their eyes at the unbelievable result spread before them. ​

One person was standing, another was kneeling. And beside the kneeling one lay a blade broken in two. ​

"Great Hero Dae…" ​

"To think the Demon Slaying Blade would break." ​

The one kneeling with an expression of disbelief was precisely Dae Gun-sang. ​

In his bloodshot pupils were lights of fear, confusion, and disbelief. ​

"For the Demon Slaying Blade to be broken by a mere kitchen knife…" ​

The Demon Slaying Blade broken in half was reflected on his retina. ​

The Demon Slaying Blade was like Dae Gun-sang's symbol. What had broken such a Demon Slaying Blade was none other than Bang Jin-bo's kitchen knife. ​

"How?" ​

He convulsively raised his head to look at Bang Jin-bo. ​

Slice! ​

At that moment, a tremendous fountain of blood shot up from his shoulder. ​

"Gun-sang!" ​

Yan Ju-cheon, who had been holding his breath watching until now, hurriedly ran to Dae Gun-sang. When he supported him, Dae Gun-sang had already lost consciousness. ​

That's when it happened. ​

"Waaah! Mount Hua's Grand Chef has defeated the Demon Slaying Swordsman." ​

"A new star has appeared in the martial world." ​

"The best!" ​

The heroes who confirmed the result of the match burst into cheers in unison. ​

The martial world was always thirsty for the emergence of new heroes. The appearance of new heroes always brought explosive cheers. Even more so if that appearance was dramatic. ​

Bang Jin-bo's emergence was such a case. ​

A young Mount Hua martial artist who had defeated the Demon Slaying Swordsman, said to be the greatest among recently emerged rising talents. But that young martial artist's true identity was a chef who made food. ​

People sent enthusiastic cheers for the dramatic emergence of a new talent. At this, Bang Jin-bo showed an embarrassed expression. ​

He wasn't someone accustomed to such cheers and attention. But he felt good. Not because he stood at the center of people's cheers, but because he had won while Eun So-cheong was watching. ​

"The Fist Demon's guarantee wasn't false." ​

"Ha! The birth of a new talent surpassing the Four New Stars." ​

People's voices tickled his ears. ​

"Jin-bo!" ​

Eun So-cheong ran to Bang Jin-bo. ​

'Where's hyung?' ​

While embracing Eun So-cheong, Bang Jin-bo looked for Dam Ho. ​

He could see Dam Ho's retreating figure disappearing through the crowd. He was heading alone toward the Alliance Leader's quarters. ​

Tap Tak-yeon asked Yuk Ha-seon in return.

“Do you think we can defeat King of Hell without doing that?”

“Blocking Empty Medicine Hall and expressing support are great things. But we also need people who will fight King of Hell.”

“The Tang family’s foundation is deeper and deeper than we think. Even if all five Cliques join forces and Poison Dragon flies and crawls, striking the Tang family head-on is suicidal. We’d have to turn thousands of enemies against us, including the Tang Family Main House’s direct and collateral lines, as well as all the vassal families.”

Jin Ja-gang felt the same way. The reason he hadn’t been able to strike Tang Qing despite wanting to was lack of strength.

“Then?”

“I found another method.”

Both Yuk Ha-seon and Ro-gwan focused on Tap Tak-yeon.

Tap Tak-yeon turned his head toward Jin Ja-gang then looked back at Yuk Ha-seon and said.

“If three or more of the Poison Sect’s Six Cliques agree, we can convene a meeting. And if more than half agree on an emergency proposal raised at that meeting, the agenda is submitted. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

Yuk Ha-seon laughed.

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of telling King of Hell to commit suicide with that agenda?”

“Why not?”

Yuk Ha-seon’s expression hardened.

“Hey, hey. Is this the time for jokes?”

“Physician Bell Healers are ruined and I said I’d block Funeral Parlour. Excluding the Tang family, Leper Mound, Pleasure Heaven, and our Coal Miners can pass the agenda.”

Tap Tak-yeon spoke each word resolutely.

“The agenda’s content is King of Hell’s expulsion. The reason is damage to the Poison Sect due to repeated failures!”

Yuk Ha-seon’s and Ro-gwan’s eyes widened.

The situation wasn’t bad. If it was now, expelling Tang Qing wasn’t impossible.

The Poison Sect’s Six Cliques outwardly had the character of an alliance.

Even though Tang Qing had been imposing his will through financial power until now, he couldn’t ignore an agenda passed by a majority of the Poison Sect’s Six Cliques.

“But… King of Hell wouldn’t meekly agree to an agenda to expel himself.”

Tap Tak-yeon continued.

“Passing the agenda is important. But that’s just justification after all. Consider it secondary priority. What’s most important and top priority is…”

Tap Tak-yeon paused briefly then spoke again.

“We can call King of Hell out alone beyond the Tang Family Main House.”

Yuk Ha-seon almost clapped.

“That’s right! Moreover, if he rebels against the agenda in opposition, we’d have justification to suppress him too.”

Ro-gwan was cautious.

“But it’s still the Tang Family Main House’s front yard. Can we kill him with just our strength?”

“That’s the only time King of Hell will be alone. At other times, we won’t even have opportunities like this.”

Tap Tak-yeon’s words were correct.

Tang Qing was reshaping the five Poison Sect Cliques to his taste. Next time, the faces before them might be different. Now was essentially the last opportunity to attempt great deeds with these faces.

“Good, what about afterward?”

“If we succeed in striking King of Hell and then pass the agenda, even justification will be on our side. After that, the remaining succession struggle is purely in Poison Dragon’s hands.”

Yuk Ha-seon and Ro-gwan looked at Jin Ja-gang.

“If it’s Poison Dragon, there should be a chance of winning in the succession struggle.”

Yuk Ha-seon thought briefly then nodded.

“Enough. It’s worth trying.”

“The problem is…”

Tap Tak-yeon drew out his words.

“Whether King of Hell isn’t thinking the same thing. If it’s King of Hell, there’s a high possibility he’s already prepared. So this is a matter of speed. A fight of who moves first.”

Tap Tak-yeon and Yuk Ha-seon looked toward Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang now understood the situation too.

There was no time.

The summer rainy season King of Hell desired was approaching, and Shaolin Temple’s Righteous Dharma March was right around the corner.

The Righteous Alliance was trying to swallow the Martial Alliance by elevating Indestructible Heavenly Sword as leader, while Taoist Haewol was digging traps and trying to return the martial world to its original state through massive slaughter.

If they missed the timing, they would face the worst situation without being able to do anything.

The choice was up to Jin Ja-gang.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward Jin Ja-gang.

It could no longer be delayed.

Jin Ja-gang decided.

“I’ll go. To the Tang Family Main House.”

Yuk Ha-seon clenched her fist tightly.

“Good.”

Ro-gwan and Tap Tak-yeon also nodded, showing satisfaction.

“Now only the execution remains.”

Finally, conspiracy plotting began in the small cave.

The time it normally took to notify of a meeting convocation and set the final date for the heads of the Poison Sect’s Six Cliques to gather was forty days.

However, the rainy season was approaching soon. They had to advance the timing as much as possible before something happened.

Therefore, after the convocation date was set, the execution date was decided within a maximum of thirty days.

Using the meeting convocation as pretext, they would call out King of Hell Tang Qing and strike Tang Qing on the spot!

Afterward, the plan was for Jin Ja-gang to enter the Tang Family Main House proudly under the protection of the three sects: Leper Mound, Pleasure Heaven, and Coal Miners.

If he received support from three of the Poison Sect’s Six Cliques, even the Tang family couldn’t easily expel Jin Ja-gang. Everything after that was entirely up to Jin Ja-gang.

Now all that remained was returning to Sichuan according to the date.

However…

Tap. Tap tap tap.

Suddenly, unwelcome sounds began coming from outside the cave.

“Rain.”

Tap Tak-yeon with keen hearing went outside the cave.

Yuk Ha-seon said.

“It must be a shower.”

“Wait.”

Tap Tak-yeon ignored Yuk Ha-seon’s words and called his subordinate to instruct.

“If there are any plum trees nearby, pick up fruit from the ground.”

He said to pick up, not pluck.

A Coal Miners warrior searched the surroundings and brought back a handful of plums. Tap Tak-yeon touched the plums and smelled them, then frowned.

“None are rotten, they haven’t fallen long ago, and they have a well-ripened fragrance. These are plums that fell due to the trust wind.”

Trust wind was another term for northeast wind.

Ro-gwan asked.

“What significance does trust wind have?”

Tap Tak-yeon answered.

“In the northern Yellow River and southern Yangtze River region, the so-called Jianghuai area, rain that falls with trust wind is called the rainy season…”

Jin Ja-gang suddenly felt his mind clear up.

The Jianghuai region!

Both were places where great floods occurred when rivers overflowed.

“Don’t tell me…”

“It’s not ‘don’t tell me.'”

Tap Tak-yeon said without even turning around, raising his head toward the sky.

“The rainy season has begun.”

Shadows fell across Yuk Ha-seon’s and Ro-gwan’s faces.

“Too early.”

“Heaven isn’t helping.”

When the rainy season began, water currents became fierce and rivers overflowed. Using waterways to Sichuan became almost impossible.

“When water levels rise, waterways get blocked. It would be good to hurry before the full rainy season comes.”

The three people reorganized their schedule and plans once more before setting off. They decided to move separately to prevent King of Hell’s suspicions.

Yuk Ha-seon received help from Coal Miners warriors.

Before leaving, Yuk Ha-seon advised.

“Be careful. King of Hell is cautious and meticulous. There’s no telling what might happen on the road to Sichuan.”

“I understand.”

* * *

Jin Ja-gang tried to calm down, but his excitement wouldn’t subside.

Strike King of Hell Tang Qing.

The head of the Poison Sect and direct enemy of the Medicine Sect.

If they succeeded in expelling Tang Qing this time, he could finally bring his revenge to a conclusion.

It wasn’t that there were no lingering concerns.

Tang Qing was Tang Ha-ran’s grandfather. No matter what anyone said, she wouldn’t welcome killing Tang Qing, who was a blood relative.

But it had to be done.

That was the driving force that had brought Jin Ja-gang to this point.

Even to meet the Hungry Ghost King, who might be the true enemy afterward, he absolutely had to succeed.

However, for now, he was more excited about the fact that he could return to Sichuan and meet Tang Ha-ran.

* * *

As if Tap Tak-yeon’s words had been the starting point, the rain didn’t stop.

At some point, the rain had changed to heavy downpour with thick drops.

The river water swelled instantly.

“Whoooosh!”

Jin Ja-gang, who had been waiting at the ferry for a boat to Wuhan, ended up hearing bad news.

“It’s too dangerous for boats to sail.”

All the passengers waiting for boats cursed and made a commotion. However, seeing the ferry boats right before their eyes swaying like leaves and about to capsize, they didn’t insist on boarding.

Jin Ja-gang’s expression hardened.

Unable to use lightness techniques, Jin Ja-gang had no choice but to walk.

To Sichuan was over five thousand li. Even walking quickly, it would take a full fortnight. However, considering crossing mountains and flooded rivers, it would take twice as long.

First, he had to reach Wuhan and catch a large ship.

“I’ll have to hurry.”

Jin Ja-gang immediately put on a rain cape and hastened his journey.

He had already sent messages through Qingcheng Sect to Emei Sect.

Jin Ja-gang had already provided answers to the three questions of the Divine Nun incident.

And in return, Emei Sect had agreed to help Jin Ja-gang.

If the Divine Nun hadn’t forgotten the promise made to Jin Ja-gang, Emei Sect would be the greatest help in striking Tang Qing.

* * *

The rain continued falling without stopping once.

Rumble, the already gloomy weather became even darker as it poured down rain.

Jin Ja-gang chose mountain paths to shorten the distance, but belatedly realized this was a mistake.

The rain was much heavier than expected.

Muddy water flowing down from the mountains constantly blocked paths, and the ground was slippery.

His feet slipped constantly if he wasn’t careful. When he slipped and got caught in the flowing water, he was even pushed downstream. Once he lost his way, finding it again wasn’t easy.

“Damn…”

Jin Ja-gang was troubled.

With insufficient lightness skills, he couldn’t use lightness techniques on treacherous paths. In one day, he barely traveled two hundred li.

Since he needed little sleep, if the weather were decent he could walk day and night, but at night the paths were too dangerous and he couldn’t see far due to rain and vegetation, making movement difficult.

However, he couldn’t delay time like this. Using the flat official roads would be good, but going around would take just as much time. No matter what, crossing mountains was the most time-saving.

After pondering, Jin Ja-gang decided to use Soul Seizing Thread. When climbing mountains, he hung Soul Seizing Thread on his folding sickle and threw it upward with all his strength. When the folding sickle embedded in trees, he held the Soul Seizing Thread and climbed without slipping.

Conversely, when going downhill, he wrapped Soul Seizing Thread around trees and slid down. When the Soul Seizing Thread’s length was exhausted, he injected internal energy to cut the tree and retrieve it. This way he wouldn’t suddenly fall off cliffs or slide endlessly.

His feet slipped frequently and he fell, making his whole body a mess. Getting scraped and bruised was routine. Instead, his movement speed became tremendously fast. Going downhill was even faster than running.

Jin Ja-gang moved unconditionally whenever he could move. After getting used to it, he climbed mountains in the rain even at night.

However, concentrating all his nerves on Soul Seizing Thread and the terrain under his feet left him extremely exposed to danger.

He couldn’t accomplish everything as desired. Jin Ja-gang chose to take risks and advance the timeline.

Thanks to such haste, he arrived in Wuhan after only seven days and nights had passed. He had arrived faster than expected.

Wuhan was a large city with large ships that could operate despite considerable storms and floods.

However, when Jin Ja-gang arrived, the river’s water level had risen so high that even those ships couldn’t sail.