Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 75: The Eighteen Waterway Strongholds of the Yangtze River (2)

I always kept the evil ghost mask in a wooden case for situations like this.

I shed my outer robe. When I flipped it inside out, the grey cotton gave way to a crimson lining. By wearing it in reverse, it looked like a completely different garment. I had prepared this in advance so I could step into the role of the Blood Demon at a moment's notice.

Now then, shall I begin my true objective—not as a member of the Orthodox Faction, but as the Blood Demon?

Ssh!

I drew the Blood Demon Sword from its case.

*

On the upper deck of the escort transport ship.

A muscular, bearded man pointed his saber and shouted, "Hey, you old beggar! Accept our mercy while it's still being offered!"

At ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his shout, the expression of the elderly man dressed in rags hardened formidably. He was Hong Gu-ga, the Chamber Leader of the Beggar's Sect.

To think that I, the great Hong Gu-ga, would suffer such humiliation!

He was the leader of the Beggar's Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects and One Union, and an Elder of the Martial Alliance. Normally, he wouldn't have felt a flicker of fear even if the Waterway Strongholds attacked; he wouldn't have even spared them a glance. No matter how fierce they were, they were merely pirates.

Yet here, in a place like this, they had him surrounded. They claimed they would spare his life if he abandoned the ship and jumped into the water.

Grind!

His teeth clenched involuntarily.

[Grandfather. I think it would be best to leave while they are being 'generous.']

His grandson, Hong Geol-gae, sent him a message via Sound Transmission.

Stupid boy.

Hong Gu-ga clicked his tongue inwardly. Even if he was his own grandson, the boy was pathetically short-sighted.

He knows one thing but is blind to the second.

The situation was entirely different from when they had jumped off the previous ship. Back then, there had been no other choice. Even the Wolf King, Hyeok Cheon-man, had been struck down by the enemy and fallen into the river, his fate unknown. The enemies had shown no mercy, intent on slaughtering everyone on board. There had been no hope, let alone a chance of victory. Jumping overboard to preserve their lives had been the only option.

But not now.

Behind him stood Ho Jin-gak, one of the three sub-leaders of the Geumhwapyeong Merchant Group. He was the third son of the Great Merchant Leader, Master Ho Jin-woong. When the pirate ships appeared, Ho Jin-gak had begged him to protect the cargo at all costs. If Hong Gu-ga fled now without even attempting to negotiate or fight, he would become a laughingstock in the martial world.

Hong Gu-ga addressed the bearded man. "Did you say you were Hall Master Gwak of the Byeokyang Stronghold?"

"That’s right, old man."

True to his nature as a pirate and a bandit of the Evil Faction, his speech was incredibly coarse. There wasn't a shred of etiquette to be found.

Chamber Leader Hong Gu-ga maintained his composure and spoke. "As far as this old man knows, the heroes of the Waterway Strongholds usually let escort ships pass if a certain tribute is paid. Why are you demanding the entire ship this time?"

"That's none of your business, old man."

Reasoning was getting them nowhere. Finally, Hong Gu-ga took a firmer stance.

"This ship is under the protection of my sect. That means it is also connected to the Martial Alliance. If you insist on seizing everything on this vessel, you must be prepared to face the consequences."

It was a blatant threat. At Hong Gu-ga's words, the man called Hall Master Gwak suddenly burst into manic laughter.

"Khahahaha!"

The surrounding pirates joined in. It was mockery, plain and simple. After laughing for a long while, Hall Master Gwak’s face turned cold.

"Do it if you can. I'll turn you into fish food just like the last ones."

The threat never stood a chance of working. In the past, they had already defeated the forces sent by the Martial Alliance to suppress them. On the river, they were confident they could defeat anyone.

They aren't intimidated in the slightest.

There was no other way. Then, Hong Gu-ga suddenly recalled the words the pirates had shouted when they first ambushed the ship.

[Hall Master! This isn't the ship!]
[Damn it! Where are they hiding?!]

It seemed there was a specific ship they were hunting. Come to think of it, the only ships on the Yangtze River with black sails belonged to the pirates. Yet, the people who had attacked them earlier had been using those very ships. Perhaps there was a grudge between them.

Fine.

Hong Gu-ga decided to throw a bait, thinking he had nothing to lose.

"What if I were to give you some useful information instead?"

"Information?"

"For instance, regarding those who seized your ships."

"What!"

Unexpectedly, Hall Master Gwak and the other pirates reacted instantly. Seeing them bite the hook, a jubilant Hong Gu-ga continued.

"It seems I was right. You're looking for that ship carrying those mysterious masked men."

At those words, Hall Master Gwak strode forward, leveling his saber. "Speak now! Where did you see them?"

In response, Hong Gu-ga swiftly drew the Dog Beating Staff from his waist. With lightning speed, he executed the Rising Nine to Heaven technique. It was a move designed to thrust the staff and strike the tip of a saber or sword to disarm the opponent.

Clang!

"Ugh!"

Having knocked away the saber of the caught-off-guard Hall Master Gwak, Hong Gu-ga used a Golden Snake Hand technique to twist the man's arm. He then followed up with the Eyeball Drop technique, forcing the man face-down and pinning his neck with the Dog Beating Staff.

"You damn beggar!"

"Uh-uh. Stay still. Unless you want your neck snapped."

Hong Gu-ga shouted at the enraged pirates. Seeing their Hall Master gasping for air under the pressure of the staff, the pirates hesitated, unsure of what to do.

So these river bandits actually have a sense of camaraderie?

Chamber Leader Hong Gu-ga sneered inwardly. He then shouted to the pirates, "I wish to negotiate with your highest leader!"

If so many strongholds had gathered, the Grand Hall Master must have come in person. He had heard that the pirates followed the Grand Hall Master's orders unto death. If he could just negotiate with him, he might be able to overcome this crisis.

When the pirates surrounding them remained silent, merely glancing at one another, Chamber Leader Hong Gu-ga shouted once more.

"I wish to negotiate with the Grand Hall Master! Is he not here?"

It was then. Three figures crossed over the ropes connected to the escort ship, using Lightness Skill. Their movements were on an entirely different level from the ordinary pirates.

This can't be...

Chamber Leader Hong Gu-ga could not hide his internal dismay. He could tell at a glance that every single one of them had reached the Supreme Peak Realm. They were not inferior to him in the slightest.

There were masters of this caliber among the pirates?

He had heard of the Yangtze River Four ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Guests, the leaders of the Waterway Strongholds. He knew they were skilled in combined attacks, but he had never expected each of them to possess such extraordinary martial arts.

But wait, weren't there four?

He had heard the Yangtze River Four Guests were four brothers. Yet, only three stood before him now. Of course, even these three were enough to make the situation incredibly difficult.

Is that man the Grand Hall Master, Gal Yong?

He saw a tall, muscular middle-aged man in the center of the three, holding a curved, hook-like saber. His aura was exceptional; anyone could see he was the leader.

Hong Gu-ga addressed him. "Are you Gal Yong, the Grand Hall Master of the Waterway Strongholds?"

"Hmph! I am Gal Yong."

Huh?

Unexpectedly, a completely different person identified himself as Gal Yong. It was the smallest of the three brothers, a bald man barely four and a half feet tall. Judging by the beast-like clawed gauntlets on his hands, he seemed to be a master of Claw Techniques.

What a strange bunch.

The third man was a massive individual with a hulking frame. He held a spiked iron flail attached to a chain; one swing looked like it could shatter a skull.

The man who identified himself as Gal Yong shouted, "You old beggar, you've lost your mind. How dare you summon me to come to you?"

"I may look like this, but I am a Chamber Leader leading a hundred thousand disciples. It is only natural to speak with someone of equal status."

"Status? A beggar sure is picky about the strangest things."

Gal Yong snorted. He then pointed his sharp claws at Hong Gu-ga and threatened, "If you don't put that damn stick away right now, I'll kill every single person on this ship."

At Gal Yong's command, the pirates leveled their sabers at the escort guards and the crew. they looked ready to strike at any moment.

"I had no intention of threatening his life. Go!"

Hong Gu-ga lifted the Dog Beating Staff from Hall Master Gwak’s neck. Gwak quickly scrambled away and ran to Gal Yong’s side.

Hong Gu-ga looked at Gal Yong and said, "The negotiation I want is simple. I will give you the information, and you let this ship pass safely."

"Let the ship pass?"

"The fact that all the heroes of the Yangtze River have gathered like this means something serious has happened to you, has it not? Why waste time on a common escort ship like this?"

At Hong Gu-ga's words, Gal Yong’s expression turned peculiar. It had been a guess, but it seemed the situation was indeed grave for them. The three brothers began communicating via Sound Transmission.

Finally, Gal Yong spoke. "And if we let the ship go and your words turn out to be a lie?"

Hong Gu-ga cheered inwardly. Seeing their interest, it seemed the negotiation might actually succeed. He shouted with feigned boldness.

"I swear upon the honor of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my sect. There is not a single lie in my words—"

It was at that moment. Before Hong Gu-ga could even finish his sentence, a voice echoed from all directions.

—Grand Hall Master Gal. The ships you seek have already exploded and are gone.

Everyone looked around at the sound of the voice. No one was in sight.

Six Harmonies Complete?

Six Harmonies Complete. It was an advanced form of Sound Transmission where the voice echoed from all sides, making it impossible to track the speaker's location. Chamber Leader Hong Gu-ga was thrown into a panic by this technique.

"That's a lie! The ships you're looking for are—"

—Exploded.

Hearing the Six Harmonies Complete again, Hong Gu-ga’s face turned beet red. Whoever it was, they were deliberately sabotaging him.

"Who is it! Who dares interfere with the conversation between the Grand Hall Master and myself!"

Hong Gu-ga shouted, his voice booming with internal energy. Despite this, the person did not reveal themselves. Hong Gu-ga bit his lip and turned to Gal Yong.

"Grand Hall Master, believe me. I saw it with my own eyes from another ship before I moved to this one. The ship you're looking for is—"

—Exploded.

"Aaaargh!"

Hong Gu-ga’s temper reached its breaking point, and he roared, "Show yourself this instant! Where are you hiding, trying to drive a wedge between us!"

Unlike him, Grand Hall Master Gal Yong had a different thought. He focused his Qi Sense to find the source of the Six Harmonies Complete. However, he couldn't find a trace of anyone.

[Do you see him?]
[I don't see him either, brother.]

None of the brothers could track the speaker.

...He's an incredible master. Who could be hiding in the middle of this river and performing Six Harmonies Complete?

It couldn't be someone on their own ships. If so, there was only one possible source for the sound. Grand Hall Master Gal Yong glared at Hong Gu-ga with sharp eyes.

"You... what exactly did you bring with you?"

Hong Gu-ga spoke as if he were being wronged. "What are you talking about, Grand Hall Master? Can't you see? I have no idea who is performing this Six Harmonies Complete either!"

He was going crazy with frustration. To have this disaster happen just as the negotiation was about to proceed.

"If it's not from your ship, who else could be performing such a technique in the middle of the river?"

"No, I told you! I have no... Ah!"

"What is it?"

"I think I know! This escort ship also encountered the ship you're looking for. Unlike the other ships, we managed to escape safely, but it seems that mysterious person who attacked us is on this ship—"

Before Hong Gu-ga could finish, the voice echoed again.

—I wonder if you know that the beggar chief and the Martial Alliance have hidden warriors inside the transport crates to annihilate the Waterway Strongholds.

"!!!"

At the mocking voice, Hong Gu-ga’s expression froze. That was top-secret information of the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Martial Alliance. And now, it had been broadcasted to everyone via Six Harmonies Complete. Right in front of all the pirates of the Waterway Strongholds—the very targets of the planned suppression.

Damn it!

This was no longer a situation for excuses.

[Geol-gae! Jump!]

Hong Gu-ga urgently sent a Sound Transmission to his grandson. He then quickly pivoted, using Lightness Skill to leap over the deck and dive into the river.

It was at that exact moment.

Thud!

"Gah!"

Something sharp fell and embedded itself into the deck right in front of him, blocking his path.

W-what is this... wait?

It was a sword. But the problem was that it was no ordinary sword.

"The... the Blood Demon Sword!"

At Hong Gu-ga's exclamation, the entire ship fell into a stunned silence.