Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Clash with the Western Dragon Chief
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KABOOM!
A grand qi wave erupted from the palm strike. It was vast enough to blanket the entire front of the merchant ship and then some. Dozens of hidden projectiles clashed against the qi wave, lost all momentum, and plummeted into the river surface.
In contrast, the energy of Yuk Jin-yang's technique remained fierce. It surged forward relentlessly, sweeping everything in its path. The waves churned violently, as if caught in a typhoon.
Normally, this was an ultimate technique that demanded deliberate expenditure. But now, he felt not even a shred of fatigue.
It was exhilarating. He had finally reached the realm he had so desperately longed for in his previous life. A smile crept onto his face unbidden.
"Not bad for a young pup!"
Suddenly, the Western Dragon Gang Leader bellowed and rose to his feet.
He thrust out his right arm, countering Yuk Jin-yang's Ten Thousand Rivers Single Source Art with an identical palm strike. Lightning-like qi shot from his palm, intercepting the incoming wave just as it reached the gunwale.
BOOM!
The two ultimate techniques collided. Neither yielded easily, locked in a tense stalemate. The backlash was immense. A massive ripple spread out, and the river water surged upward like a dragon rearing its head.
The Western Dragon Gang Leader laughed triumphantly and raised his arm high, flaunting his prowess. The morale of his subordinates standing nearby soared in response.
"The Chief blocked it!"
"Chief, truly magnificent! Crushing that brat's arrogance in a single exchange!"
"Give the order, and I'll step in to test that punk myself."
The Western Dragon Gang Leader ignored his men's rambling chatter. With calm, settled eyes, he stared straight at Yuk Jin-yang.
"Impressive skills. Where are you from?"
"Kaifeng."
"Kaifeng? Hah, so you're from the alliance. I figured we'd cross paths eventually, but this is sooner than expected. Still, you must think little of me to send a mere bloodsucker like you."
He sneered dismissively even as he mentioned the Five Harmony Alliance. It was the attitude of someone utterly unafraid of the alliance. Overconfidence for a mere river pirate.
Did he have powerful backing? Or was he simply overestimating his own strength?
At the same time, he seemed to be under a grave misapprehension. He acted as if their group had come specifically to capture him.
Hum.
The Cyanblade in his hand let out a clear sword cry. A faint vibration accompanied it, as if urging him to draw and swing it.
Now?
Moonlight settled onto the Cyanblade. It mingled with the blade's inherent sharpness, coalescing into a deep blue glow along the edge.
Yuk Jin-yang relaxed his grip and adjusted the sword's angle with his thumb. He positioned the edge facing forward, then immediately slashed upward.
WHOOSH!
Sword qi raced forth like a razor wind, slicing through the river fiercely.
"Insolent whelp!"
The Western Dragon Gang Leader countered with another palm strike.
The two energies clashed as before, but the result was starkly different. The Gang Leader was pushed back a step. The unneutralized remnants scattered in all directions, churning the waters.
"The ship! The ship's capsizing!"
"Aaaagh!"
"Ch-Chief! Save us!"
The rampaging qi wave roiled the river into a frenzy. Massive waves crashed upward like a tsunami, battering the Western Dragon Gang's fleet.
Several pirate ships finally lost balance and tilted precariously. One had its mast snapped by the sword qi's aftershock. Ships began tumbling into the river one after another.
Ignoring his men's cries, the Western Dragon Gang Leader took another step back. His gaze remained fixed on Yuk Jin-yang. Curiosity and battle lust flickered in his eyes.
"An entertaining fellow."
He twisted his lips into a smirk.
"But pitiful. To meet me of all people and end up as a river ghost. Blame your unlucky fate."
"Says the one who should know better."
Yuk Jin-yang replied indifferently as he landed on the bow. The Cyanblade's blue glow had intensified. The sword's spiritual energy was resonating with his killing intent.
Chaos reigned around them.
Shouts and screams filled the air. Arms flailed above the water's surface, while eerie bubbles rose from those already drowned. It was as if water ghosts were drifting about.
Most who fell into the river were swept away by the currents. Only a few managed to climb onto other ships, gasping for breath.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Not military vessels, yet war drums echoed across the fleet. The surviving pirate ships moved in unison, reforming their formation. They closed in on the group's merchant ship from both flanks.
Finally, one drew close enough to ram. Pirates on deck hurled grappling hooks on ropes. The hooks flew like a flock of birds, latching firmly onto the gunwales.
Some were knocked away, but in the end, pirate ships hung off both sides of the merchant vessel. The pirates dashed along the taut ropes like the wind, using lightness skills.
Won Young slung his iron club over his shoulder and spoke.
"Time to split up, I suppose. Who wants the boss?"
"I'll take him."
"Think you can handle it? Those guys look like plank-level warriors at least. If their underlings join in, it could turn into a wheel fight."
"Yes."
"Fair enough. You've opened your middle dantian now, after all. Just watch out for aquatic techniques."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Won Young spun gracefully in place like a falling leaf. His sweeping iron club sent the pirates just boarding the deck tumbling overboard in a heap.
Across from him, Yu Baek had drawn his sword and was fending off boarders from the opposite side.
In the midst of the melee, Yuk Jin-yang fixed his gaze ahead.
Up close, it was a truly opulent ship. The pavilion atop it was gilded in gold, draped with silk canopies embroidered with flowers. It looked like something stolen from a noble or wealthy merchant for play.
"Planning to take me on alone? How laughable!"
The Western Dragon Gang Leader laughed heartily as he drew two hawk-beaked swords from his waist. The blades were adorned with red tassels and jewels—far too lavish for a pirate.
He kept talking.
"But you're not worth my personal attention."
One hawk-beaked sword pointed at Yuk Jin-yang. Killing intent gleamed at its tip.
"Who will take that punk's head for me?"
In lieu of an answer, a figure leaped into the air. An extraordinary aura extended languidly. He stepped onto the water without hesitation, skimming across the surface like solid ground to board the merchant ship.
It was the realm called Treading Lilies Across Water. Undoubtedly a formidable expert. Rather than waste words, Yuk Jin-yang swung his sword.
An iron slab—or iron mace—blocked the Cyanblade's path. The metal endured the slash with a dull clang.
His opponent retreated leisurely and let out an admiring exclamation.
"Striking my iron mace without chipping it—quite the famed sword. I'm tempted!"
A cheerful voice rang clearly in his ears. The cloth mask tore away in the sword wind, revealing a youthful face. Unexpectedly, it was a fresh-faced young man. He grinned slyly and prattled on.
"I'll take that sword and offer it to our Chief."
"Try it. If you can."
With that curt reply, Yuk Jin-yang executed Moon Stream Subtle Steps. Qi rippled outward from where he planted his foot. Pale moonlight filtering through the clouds shimmered along the blade. The light flowing in wave patterns was a chilling blue.
His upward slash amid the footwork cleaved through the night breeze, pressing his foe back.
Clang!
The opponent parried with the iron slab. Metal clashed fiercely, but the Cyanblade remained unscathed. Instead, a dent formed in the foe's weapon.
Yuk Jin-yang didn't stop at one strike, flowing seamlessly into the next.
The relentless barrage of thrusts and slashes completely ensnared his opponent. He could feel the man's movements growing frantic.
Not only could he not keep up with the Moon Maiden Sword Art's speed, but the sword force itself was overwhelming him.
"Kuh!"
A grunt laced with honest strain. The man swung his iron slab desperately to shake him off. But as the Cyanblade's blue flash struck again, his eyes widened in shock, panic etching his face.
That was the last sight he beheld in life. The Cyanblade's bolt lanced out like lightning, grazing his neck.
Slice.
The head flew cleanly, rolling across the merchant ship's deck. Blood spurted late, and the body crumpled limply to the deck.
Lowly in rank, yet widely acknowledged for his skill? The enemies were thrown into disarray.
"Y-Yung-seo fell that easily?!"
"This guy's not someone we can handle..."
"Chief! Give the order, quick!"
Amid the clamor, the Western Dragon Gang Leader's reaction remained unclear. He merely glared with eyes full of rage.
He neither bellowed for vengeance nor charged blindly with protective aura. With a calm, sunken gaze, he observed them—like a predator eyeing prey.
A cherished subordinate? Then I'll use that to my advantage.
Yuk Jin-yang picked up the fallen iron mace. The Gang Leader's expression flickered briefly, as if the weapon held some significance.
"I won't keep the weapon. Take it."
Whoosh!
The iron mace hurtled forth with full force, grazing the Gang Leader's cheek by a hair's breadth before embedding in the pirate ship's mast. The massive timber shook from the impact.
The atmosphere froze into stunned silence. Only the Western Dragon Gang Leader burned with open fighting spirit. His pirates looked half-traumatized.
By now, his companions had dispatched their foes and gathered beside Yuk Jin-yang. Yu Baek nodded toward the pirate flagship and spoke.
"What's with those guys' vibe? Seems like too much shock for just one beheading."
"Who knows. Maybe the one Re-cheon took down was the Chief's little brother or something."
Won Young's words drew a reaction.
"That's right."
The words came out laced with suppressed fury.
The Western Dragon Gang Leader—Jang Chun's—eyes gleamed with murderous intent. The bloodshot glare pierced the darkness vividly.
He wrenched the iron slab from the mast. After staring at it wordlessly for a long moment, he continued.
"Jang Yung-seo. My sworn brother."
"A pirate playing at brotherhood? Pathetic."
Yuk Jin-yang mocked without restraint. The Western Dragon Gang Leader's face twisted in demonic fury at the insult. He ground his teeth. Veins bulged on the backs of his sword-gripping hands.
"Ram them close. No—crash into their ship and smash it to pieces!"
The low growl leaking through clenched teeth carried more weight and sincerity than any threat. His pirates, mustering their resolve, maneuvered the flagship with expert helm work amid shouts.
A massive shadow loomed over the group's merchant ship.