Chapter 185 - The Sea King's Glorious Entrance
As Dongbang Ri had said, the Yellow River Lily forces unleashed a barrage of hidden weapons from just under two shichen away, keeping their maximum distance. No one had been hit by the projectiles yet. But the repeated defenses were inevitably draining their internal energy. The attack range was so vast that sword barriers alone couldn't deflect everything, making Body Protecting Aura essential—and that was the main culprit behind the energy drain.
Even amid the chaos, their speedboat surged swiftly upstream against the river current. It was all thanks to the relentless southwestern wind. But the distance to the enemy speedboats pursuing them from behind was steadily closing.
Seobaek shouted, “Let's switch!”
A Geomga expert took Seobaek's place at the stern. Seobaek lowered his bow and nocked an arrow to the string.
Twang!
Whiiish!
“Gahk!”
“Urk!”
Two enemies plunged into the water. Seobaek fired arrows left and right without discrimination. The foes had dismissed them at first, but after two tumbled overboard, the rest deployed their Body Protecting Auras and swung their swords to swat the incoming shafts.
Thud!
“Kaaak!”
“Grak!”
The arrows exploded, showering fragments that sent more men splashing into the river. Thanks to this, the attackers harassing them from both flanks fell back, giving everyone a brief respite from their energy consumption.
“Damn it.”
Frustration escaped Seobaek's lips. He was down to just a few arrows left.
That was when it happened.
“Something's in the water!” Jo Yeong cried out urgently.
He drew his sword and slashed down toward the river. Splush! The blade sank wrist-deep, but nothing transmitted back through the tip.
Thump! Thump!
“What the—?!”
Impacts reverberated from below the hull. It wasn't enough to rock the boat violently, but the unseen activity underwater filled everyone with unease they couldn't hide.
Even the cool-headed Cheol-u couldn't conceal his agitation in that moment. They might handle threats on the surface, but underwater was another story. Neither he nor anyone else on board had any skill in aquatic combat.
No choice. We'll have to fight on land.
Cheol-u resolved to head for shore and called out softly to Bukgung Pae. “We need to turn toward the left riverbank.”
“Understood.”
Bukgung Pae, thinking the same, bellowed at the Geomga expert handling the rudder. “Head for the left bank!”
“Yes!”
“Prepare for battle!”
The Geomga experts placed hands on their sword hilts, faces set in grim determination. Meanwhile, the underwater impacts continued.
Thump! Thump!
They'd advanced about ten zhang when—
Crack!
A grinding sound rang out, and the boat lurched sharply. It quickly began listing to one side.
“They've punched a hole in the hull!”
Cheol-u gauged the distance to the bank: roughly thirty zhang. Too far for most Geomga experts—Bukgung Pae and a few others aside—to leap in one bound.
“Jo Yeong!”
“Yes?”
“Use palm force to boost our speed!”
“Got it!”
Cheol-u and Jo Yeong rushed to the stern and unleashed blasts of palm force at the water behind them.
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
The boat accelerated dramatically, closing the gap to the bank to about fifteen zhang in an instant. Everyone braced to leap ashore. But dozens of Yellow River Lily elites were already waiting there.
Cheol-u ceased his palm strikes and drew his sword. Shing. Jo Yeong, Seobaek, and Dongbang Ri followed suit.
Bukgung Pae approached them. “My apologies. This is all because of us...”
“Giving up already?”
“...”
“Then don't spout such weak nonsense.”
For a moment, Bukgung Pae saw Yeon-hoo in Cheol-u—like the young lord rebuking him. Cheol-u turned to Dongbang Ri. “Be careful.”
“One request?”
“Speak.”
“I don't want you holding back because of me, Lord Cheol-u. Fight as you always do—ruthlessly, without mercy. Pretend I'm not here.”
“...”
Reading the fierce resolve in her eyes, Cheol-u forced a faint smile. “Understood.”
That was when it happened.
Whoosh!
A fierce whoosh cut through the air above their heads. Something enormous streaked past toward the downstream side.
Boom!
One of the Yellow River Lily speedboats—within twenty zhang—erupted in flames with a thunderous blast.
“Gaaak!”
“Uwaaak!”
Those engulfed screamed in agony as they tumbled into the river.
Whoosh! Boom! Boom!
The same fate befell another boat.
“What the hell?”
Everyone's eyes widened as they whipped their heads toward the upstream direction.
* * *
The self-proclaimed Sea King, Namgon, sneered at the Yellow River Lily speedboats wreathed in flames.
“Hah! I was already pissed off enough at that bastard's spawn, and now you've walked right into it, you dogs.”
Whoever that bastard's spawn was remained Namgon's secret alone, but his face brimmed with confidence as he eyed the enemy.
“Keep firing!”
“Yes!”
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
Enormous arrows—fit for hunting whales—sliced through the air repeatedly. At their tips dangled clusters of black spheres, fuses sparking like tails.
Boom! Boom!
Two more struck true on a Yellow River Lily boat, while the others missed and splashed into the water. Fury blazed in Namgon's eyes.
“Can't you aim straight?!”
“The wind's too strong—we can't help the accuracy!”
“You idiots! No river gale matches an ocean storm! Focus and shoot right, or I'll smash your thick skulls!”
“Yes!”
Namgon swigged from his underwater gourd. Gulp gulp!
“We'll show that son of a bitch exactly who we are.”
Whoever that son of a bitch was, Namgon drew his sword, pointed forward, and roared.
“Sink those bastards too!”
His blade indicated Cheol-u's speedboat. That was when his eyes bulged wide. He'd spotted Seobaek racing across the water at incredible speed.
“Why's that guy here...?”
Splash!
Boom!
Seobaek landed before Namgon. He grinned.
“Never thought I'd be this glad to see you.”
“...”
Namgon blinked owlishly, glancing between Seobaek and the Yellow River Lily boats.
“Details later—that boat over there has our people, so don't attack it.”
“R-Right...”
Smack!
Seobaek clapped his shoulder. “Thanks, Sea King. I'll buy you a round later—big time. Fight spectacularly.”
At “Sea King,” Namgon's expression transformed. Aside from his subordinates, few had ever called him that.
Flames ignited in his eyes. His lips split into a feral grin, revealing fangs.
Snikt.
“We don't even count freshwater fish as proper catches. Trash like these river rats? A mere snack. Don't worry.”
“Then I'm counting on you.”
Whoosh!
Seobaek leaped back onto the river, skimming toward the speedboat like a swallow in flight. The boat had turned its prow upstream to assess the situation, but with a hole letting water pour in, its speed was sluggish. Still, they'd avoided the worst—Seobaek skimmed the surface, sighing in relief. A moment later, and they'd have had to abandon ship for the enemy-infested shore.
'The pirates are racking up points.'
Whoosh!
He watched the massive arrows hurtle overhead.
'Hit true!'
Boom! Boom!
As wished, they struck perfectly. Soaring flames reddened Seobaek's face and pupils. In them reflected Dongbang Ri leaping from the boat.
Snikt.
'That was pretty cool back there, Lady Dongbang.'
That was when a water spout erupted right before her. Seobaek's eyes widened at the dark shadow lurking within.
Thud!
“Gak!”
His widened pupils captured the horror: upper and lower body severed, tumbling apart. Dongbang Ri, having blocked the ambush, stood unharmed. Seobaek patted his chest again and flashed her a thumbs-up.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and help!”
“...!”
* * *
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Ga Hoe's brow furrowed deeply at the sudden explosions. He'd seen one of their pursuing speedboats—the one likely seized by the enemy—engulfed in flames.
Kaboom!
“Gak!”
“Urk!”
His men, cloaked in fire, leaping into the water fueled his rage. His gaze naturally shifted upstream.
Someone shouted, “It's the Northern Murim banner!”
“What?”
Ga Hoe couldn't believe it. He'd never heard of the Northern Murim having a navy. But his aide yelled again.
“No doubt—Northern Murim banner!”
“Permission to engage, Strategist!”
Ga Hoe's brow twisted further. This was no longer just about chasing Bukgung Pae. If those boats truly belonged to the Northern Murim navy, engaging them could ignite a full war.
'We can't make enemies of the North on top of clashing with Geomga.'
One of Ga Hoe's strengths was his cool-headedness. He could ignore immediate losses for the bigger picture. And he never dithered on decisions—like now.
“Retreat!”
“Strategist! Our forces have taken heavy losses! Retreat now—?!”
The vehemently protesting aide fell silent forever. Ga Hoe's sword had pierced his heart.
Thud!
“What do you know, you fool?”