Chapter 75: Yangtze River Waterway Eighteen Strongholds (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 75: Yangtze River Waterway Eighteen Strongholds (4)
First Venerable Blood Breaking Sword Emperor Dan Wi-gang had once told me:
[The Waterway Eighteen Strongholds and the Green Forest are different from other sects. They are the closest to the true essence of the Evil Faction. They move strictly according to their own interests and the logic of power.]
He was right.
Their tendencies were on a completely different trajectory from the usual martial world sects.
They weren't a group that gathered to hone their martial arts; they were a group that learned martial arts to achieve their goals.
And that goal, to put it simply, was robbery.
They were a group that made a living by forcibly taking things from others. In essence, this meant they were far removed from the kind of people you could negotiate with through words alone.
[Then how do I bring them under the Cult’s banner?]
By giving them riches?
That was a far cry from bringing them under one's command.
What about persuading them to join forces to face the Martial Alliance, which they had managed to withstand until now?
I doubted that would work either.
To this question, Dan Wi-gang had offered a simple conclusion.
[Sometimes, the simplest answer is the best.]
[And what is that simple answer?]
[Overwhelming power.]
I was about to find out if that method would actually work.
The pirates of the Waterway Stronghold were staring at me as if I were a monster. Perhaps because I had struck the ship with such force that it shook, not a single one of them could open their mouths. Their faces were filled with wariness.
"Ha!"
Of course, not everyone was like that.
Gal Yong, the eldest of the Yangtze River Four Guests and the leader of the Waterway Stronghold, finally spoke.
"Submission? Did you just tell us to submit?"
"I did," I replied curtly.
When I was with the Orthodox Faction, I treated others with courtesy. But now, I had decided to strictly follow the laws of the Evil Faction—as the arrogant and overbearing Blood Cult Leader.
Gal Yong stared at me and let out a long, sharp sigh.
Thwip-thwip-thwip-thwip!
At that moment, grappling hooks flew in from all directions, snagging the escort ship as it tried to drift with the current. They were certainly experienced pirates.
Swish-swish-swish!
Leaping over the ropes, numerous pirates swarmed onto the deck. Among them were several Peak Realm masters, likely the Stronghold Leaders or Vice-Leaders. Sensing that something unusual was happening on the escort ship, the full force of the Waterway Stronghold was converging here.
With such a large crowd behind him, Gal Yong didn't seem intimidated. Or perhaps it was his pride as a leader.
Gal Yong, the Chief Stronghold Leader, spoke to me with a swagger.
"Now, now. It seems our Great Blood Cult Leader ate something wrong late at night. Where do you think you are, talking about submission? Did you mistake this place for dry land?"
I could see the defiance in his eyes.
As the number of pirates grew, the escort guards and sailors huddled into a corner, trembling with fear. He intended to use his numerical advantage.
I let out a smirk and said, "Now that the Beggar's Sect's Chamber Leader is dead, the Martial Alliance will surely extend its reach toward the Waterway Stronghold. Do you really want to make an enemy of the Cult on top of dealing with them?"
Gal Yong’s eyes narrowed at my words. Then, as if he found it absurd, he raised his voice.
"The Alliance made the first move. Did we go onto land to kill that guy?"
Thud!
Gal Yong kicked the head of Chamber Leader Hong Gu-ga, which lay on the floor. Even in death, Hong Gu-ga’s fate was restless.
"He died on the Yangtze River; that's a good enough pretext. It's perfect for mobilizing the strength of the various sects."
"So what, you want us to crawl under you, Blood Cult Leader? If we were afraid of things like that, we would have disbanded when the Great Orthodox-Evil War ended."
"Hasn't it been proven that your geographical advantage doesn't always work anymore?"
"Proven?"
I scanned the three brothers and said, "One of you is missing. Is he the owner of that ship, after all?"
I was referring to the missing member of the Yangtze River Four Guests.
At my words, Gal Yong’s expression hardened, and he shouted at me, "You saw them, didn't you? Spit it out! Where are they?"
As I expected.
The fact that the Waterway Stronghold's ships, which should have been spread across the Yangtze, had gathered here meant they were extremely wary of their enemies. Mentioning this seemed like a good strategy.
"There is a mysterious force behind the scenes trying to manipulate both the Orthodox and Evil factions into clashing. It seems you've been victimized by them as well."
"Who says we were victimized!"
The largest of the three brothers, a man named Gal Yung, roared. His face was flushed with rage.
"We will avenge our brother's death with blood!"
At Gal Yung’s cry, the pirates on the ship shouted in unison.
"Avenge with blood!!!"
"Waaaaaaaah!!!"
Like a spreading wave, thunderous cheers erupted from each ship. The fighting spirit of nearly four thousand pirates seethed, looking as if it would swallow the entire Yangtze River. Even if they were just pirates, it seemed the Yangtze River Four Guests hadn't lived empty lives, seeing how their subordinates followed them.
Chief Stronghold Leader Gal Yong shouted at me, "Tell me where they are!"
"That sounds like an order."
At my remark, Gal Yong gave a predatory smile.
"Even if you are a master who has broken through the wall, do you really think you can handle thousands of men alone?"
Clang! Clang!
At his words, the pirates who had boarded the escort ship drew their weapons and surrounded me. Gal Yong pointed his sharp nails at me and shouted.
"Blood Cult Leader. Just tell us where they are. There's no point in us fighting here, is there?"
He made the offer as if he were being generous. It was likely because he realized that even with a numerical advantage, a fight would result in heavy losses.
I smirked and said to him, "Try to make me open my mouth yourself."
"Blood Cult Leader. Kind considerations are offered only once—"
Swish!
Before he could finish, the Blood Demon Sword, which had been floating around me, lunged toward him. A startled Gal Yong crossed his arms and blocked the Blood Demon Sword with his claws.
Claaaaang!
"Are you really going to do this!"
"I think it's best to establish the hierarchy once and for all."
"What?"
Ignoring his question, I stomped my foot firmly.
Boom!
The sound of the stomp created a vibration that echoed in all directions. He stared at me as if asking what on earth I had done.
In that instant, the majority of the pirates surrounding me rolled their eyes back and collapsed onto the deck.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The same happened to the escort guards and sailors. The number of fallen men reached nearly two hundred. The only ones left standing on the ship were the three brothers of the Yangtze River Four Guests and about twenty Peak Realm masters who appeared to be Stronghold Leaders or Vice-Leaders.
Gal Yong looked around with a bewildered expression.
"What in the world is this..."
It was a suggestion through the Illusion Eye, delivered via sound. The more I used it, the more familiar it became. It seemed most people up to the First-Rate level would fall for it. Although it consumed some Innate True Qi, it wasn't a significant problem. If I grew stronger, I might even be able to affect Peak Realm masters.
"Numbers mean nothing to me."
I took a step toward him. The expressions on the faces of the Stronghold Leaders were a sight to behold. I couldn't blame them. Two hundred men had lost consciousness from a single stomp. It was only natural for fear to take root.
"What kind of evil art is this?"
Gal Ho, one of the three brothers, shouted at me. He seemed confused as to why they had collapsed without any physical contact.
"You don't need to know."
With those words, I continued walking toward Gal Yong.
"Attack!" Gal Yong shouted urgently.
The Stronghold Leaders and Vice-Leaders, who had been dazed by the situation, hesitated for a moment before launching themselves at me. I thought they would be paralyzed by fear, but they still followed their leader's orders. I wanted to take this force intact if possible, but it seemed a demonstration was necessary.
Two of them, seemingly skilled in combined attacks, unleashed their saber techniques at me simultaneously. I lightly caught their blades between my index and middle fingers.
Snap!
"The... the saber..."
"He caught it with his fingers..."
Crack!
While they were frozen in shock, I surged my internal power into my fingers and snapped their sabers. Then, I threw a punch at both of them at the same time.
Thud! Thud!
"Gah!"
"Ugh!"
The two men were sent flying as if they had been hit by cannonballs. One luckily got caught on the deck railing, while the other fell into the river.
"How can this be..."
"Stronghold Leader Kang and Stronghold Leader O were taken down with just one punch?"
The leaders who were about to rush me couldn't hide their consternation. I had only used three stars of internal power; perhaps the impact was a bit much. Even I was surprised by how much my capabilities had changed compared to before.
"What are you doing! Keep attacking!"
At Gal Yong’s shout, the hesitating men launched a coordinated assault. Their weapons created countless trajectories, trying to cut me down by any means necessary.
However...
Hmm. Have I been facing only too-powerful enemies lately?
Even Peak Realm masters seemed no different from First-Rate masters to me now. Every single one of their movements looked slow. I could see why people made such a fuss about producing or recruiting masters who had broken through the wall. The level was entirely different.
Swish-swish-swish!
"Damn it!"
"How can he dodge a combined attack while standing still!"
"Blast it, just get hit already!"
They swung their swords and sabers indiscriminately, but I stood my ground, dodging everything by moving only my upper body. Some tried to target my lower body. Before they could even reach me, I struck their pressure points or kicked them in the throat or abdomen.
Thud! Thud!
"Gah!"
With just a single move each, they all fainted on the spot. Six men already lay unconscious before me.
Then, Gal Yong’s shout rang out.
"Stop!"
At that command, the pirates who were attacking me retreated in an orderly fashion.
"Chief Stronghold Leader!"
"You guys are no match for him."
Had he finally realized that?
Gal Yong gestured with his eyes toward the Blood Demon Sword, which was floating and aiming at him.
"How are you doing that?"
"Doing what?"
"I've never heard of a master beyond the wall who can use Sword Control Art while performing other actions."
"You speak as if you've faced those who have broken through the wall before."
"Do you think I haven't?"
Hmm.
It wasn't a bluff. He seemed more experienced than I thought. Come to think of it, First Venerable Dan Wi-gang had said that ten years ago, he had fought the combined attack of the Yangtze River Four Guests to a draw. If a man who had broken through the wall still burned with a desire for a rematch without being certain of victory, their combined attack must be extraordinary.
But there was a problem here.
"Can you still face one now?"
"What?"
"One of the four is missing, so that proud combined attack of yours must have a gap."
At my words, Gal Yong and his brothers wore strange expressions. What did that mean?
Gal Yong snorted and said, "Our combined attack is performed in a group of three. Save your worries, Blood Cult Leader."
Three as one. That meant there was no issue with their combined attack.
The three brothers of the Yangtze River Four Guests took their starting stances. They looked ready to pounce at any second.
Gal Yong shouted at me, "Blood Cult Leader. Let's settle this by the laws of the martial world."
"The laws?"
"In the martial world, the word of the strong is law. If you can overcome our combined attack, we will consider having the Yangtze River Waterway Eighteen Strongholds join forces with the Blood Cult."
"Consider, you say."
"In exchange, if you lose, hand over the information about those people and leave."
He wasn't making unreasonable demands. However, I needed to correct one thing.
"It seems you're under a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?"
"We aren't joining forces. I'm telling you to submit to me."
Gal Yong’s face contorted fiercely at my words.
"You certainly take us lightly."
"Chief Stronghold Leader. You said it yourself. In the martial world, the strong are the law."
"Hah!"
He let out a scoff, as if he found it ridiculous. Then he said to me, "Fine. I accept. If you win, we will go under the Blood Cult. However, the terms aren't balanced as they are. If we win, you will not only give us the information but the Blood Cult must also come under the banner of our Yangtze River Waterway Eighteen Strongholds."
He was being bold. It seemed his pride was wounded by the word "submit." That's why he could throw out the demand for the Blood Cult to serve them. Well, one needs this much guts to lead. It was better than unconditional bowing.
"So be it."
"You're quite bold yourself. Ho! Yung!"
"Understood!"
"Let's show him what we've got!"
At his call, the two younger brothers took their stances. Gal Ho swung his hook-shaped saber around, and Gal Yung swung a large, spiked iron mace over his head.
I pointed to the ship next to us.
"Let's move."
"Move?"
"You wouldn't want all these unconscious fools to die, would you?"
The men who had fainted from the suggestion still hadn't woken up. The effect was definitely stronger than before. When I first learned the Illusion Eye, they would wake up after a count of ten or from a slight shock, but now they were all in a deep slumber. If I fought these guys here, this ship would soon become a wreck.
"Fine."
Gal Yong nodded after looking at his men and crossed over to the adjacent ship using a rope. There were almost no pirates on the neighboring ship. Knowing that most of them had moved to the escort ship, I had suggested moving here.
The three brothers of the Yangtze River Four Guests took their stances. I said to them, "You don't mind losing a ship or two, right?"
"What?"
Before he could even finish his question, I opened my Upper Dantian and activated the Blood Demon Transformation. That wasn't all. In this state, I also unleashed the True Blood Golden Body.
Ssssssssss!
The brothers' expressions froze as steam erupted from my entire body. It was likely because I had revealed my aura without hiding it. I had been curious to see how much martial prowess I could exert by using both Blood Demon Transformation and True Blood Golden Body while in the state of having broken through the wall.
I was told to show overwhelming power.
I reached out and called the Blood Demon Sword, and it flew into my hand. The blade of the Blood Demon Sword turned blood-red and emitted a crimson light.
Let's test this out... Blood Heaven Great Achievement Sword - First Form: Sequential Cleave!
I unleashed the sword technique with the full power of ten stars. The moment I raised the sword and brought it down toward the three brothers, a sharp crimson killing intent sliced through the air like a surging wave.
"Damn it!"
"Dodge!"
Terrified, the three brothers scattered to the left and right.
BOOOOOM!
The crimson killing intent tore through the upper deck between them. The power didn't stop there. The intent not only sliced the deck but also split a portion of the river water as if tearing through cloth.
"This is insane..."
Chief Stronghold Leader Gal Yong was speechless at the sight. The pirates watching from the surrounding ships were so shocked they couldn't close their mouths. Then, the ship began to tilt.
Creeeeeak! Rumble!
"Whoa!"
The split upper deck gaped open by about half a yard and tilted to both sides. Since about half of it was still attached, it stopped there, but if I had put my mind to it, I could have sliced the entire ship in half. Even I didn't realize I would be this powerful when going all out.
Seeing his two younger brothers' fighting spirit wither at such incredible power, Chief Stronghold Leader Gal Yong urged them on.
"Don't be intimidated! We'll have the advantage if we engage in close-quarters combined combat!"
He tried his best to boost their morale. Did his wish reach them? They gripped their unique weapons tightly and prepared to launch themselves at me with determination in their eyes.
"A combined attack, is it?"
Swish!
At that moment, the Blood Demon Sword in my hand flew out and blocked the path of the second brother, Gal Ho.
"What?"
That wasn't the end. Something else flew through the air and blocked the path of the third brother, Gal Yung.
It was the Evil Connection Sword.
"!!!"
"It's three against three now, so you can't say I'm being unfair, right?"
At my words, the eldest brother, Gal Yong, muttered with a look of utter despair.
"...Holy fuck."