Chapter 297
Chapter 297
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 297
Chapter Title: Descent of the Fleet
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The Yangtze River, which bisected the north and south of the Central Plains, had long been the hub of transportation and logistics.
Naturally, there were many who wished to cross it, and because of that, boats were always ready at every dock for passage.
And recently, this had become even more booming.
In the midst of such circumstances, those aboard a boat heading north whistled leisurely tunes.
In particular, the faces of the merchants and the sailors operating the vessel were blooming with smiles.
"With those river pirates not showing their faces, how great is this?"
"Who would've thought the strife in the martial world would be this helpful to us?"
Whenever they crossed the Yangtze, the greatest threat to them was none other than the river pirates.
Among them, the Yangtze River Pirates Syndicate, which dominated the waters, had been their most ruthless enemy.
But with the war between the Murim Alliance and the Evil-Black Alliance breaking out across the Yangtze, the pirates had vanished without a trace, fearing any potential damage.
Thanks to that, the sailors and merchants were savoring life.
"Thinking of the money those bastards plundered still makes my teeth chatter."
"Sigh, without those guys, my heart's at ease. Couldn't the war drag on a bit longer?"
As they chatted leisurely, satisfied with the current situation aboard the moving boat.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, they squinted at the massive shadows visible in the distance.
It wasn't just one.
A total of ten shadows.
In an instant, their expressions paled.
It was rare for so many ships to move in unison on the Yangtze.
"No way..."
"The river pirates are back..."
As they tensed up, the shadows soon took shape, and upon identifying the ships, they breathed a sigh of relief.
All ten ships bore flags emblazoned with the same characters fluttering in the wind.
[Under Heaven Merchant Guild]
The people on the boat patted their chests and smiled in relief.
"False alarm."
"Phew, got worked up for nothing."
But that relief was short-lived, as they grew puzzled while eyeing the ships ahead.
"But what's going on?"
"Yeah, exactly. Ten massive ships moving like that."
In the cold winter breeze, the ten ships of the Under Heaven Merchant Guild—flags billowing—were descending south at a fearsome speed. It was certainly not a common sight.
The merchants' boat veered sharply to avoid collision with the oncoming giants.
Splash!
The boat rocked lightly with the waves.
The ten ships passed by in succession, and they stole glances at them.
Both the passengers and the sailors couldn't help it.
Curiosity bubbled up about what cargo they might be transporting.
The moment they peered into the ships.
Whoosh!
Faced with an unexpected sight, they gulped and hastily turned their heads away.
'What the...!'
'What in the world is happening?'
It wasn't goods filling the ships.
It was people.
Moreover, warriors, each emanating a sharp, piercing aura.
A moment later, the ships passed.
As the ten vessels receded, the merchants exhaled held breaths and wiped their sweat.
"Why are so many warriors on Under Heaven Merchant Guild ships...? Could it be, as the rumors say, that they're joining forces with the Murim Alliance against the Great Grace Merchant Guild, which backs the Evil-Black Alliance?"
Murmuring the latest rumors from the merchant world, they began to speak again.
"You've certainly drawn eyes."
The Hyeopwi Division Leader glanced at the fourth boat they'd already passed and muttered softly.
"Merchants' word-of-mouth spreads faster than anything. The Immortal Heavenly Cult will know soon enough."
The Parma Division Leader nodded in response, adding quietly.
"That we've crossed the Yangtze."
His eyes narrowed as he finished speaking.
They had deliberately revealed themselves.
To let the world know... no, to serve as bait.
"We're almost there."
The Parma Division Leader gazed ahead and said.
The seemingly endless Yangtze was now revealing its end.
The docked boats at the pier came into view.
"Quite a crowd."
The Hyeopwi Division Leader said, eyes sharp.
In the distance, the pier bustled with people clustered together, boarding boats or moving goods.
Then, his gaze flashed.
His pupils erupted with a light like blue lightning, darting rapidly.
A faint beam traced its path.
And at its end, where his gaze locked, were figures radiating murderous intent.
"About a hundred hidden, watching us."
Having spotted those leaking sharp killing intent around the pier, he spoke.
"What now?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Soon, the Parma Division Leader grabbed the purple robe beside him and draped it over his shoulders.
On the back of the robe, the yellow characters "Parma (把魔)" stood out clearly.
Grasping demons.
Wearing the robe inscribed with the origin of the Parma Division, he stepped to the bow.
A cold wind brushed his skin.
But with impassive eyes fixed on the pier, he circulated his inner energy.
"We just need to draw all attention."
As he spoke, an aura rose from his body.
The Hyeopwi Division Leader smiled at him—purple robe flapping, hazy aura emanating—then stood beside him.
"This'll be quite the ordeal."
Muttering that, he too circulated his inner energy.
His deep blue robe billowed fiercely, like the Yangtze waves below.
The characters "Hyeopwi (俠委)" on its back shimmered prominently.
As the two finished preparing.
Splash.
The ships halted at the pier.
"Under Heaven Merchant Guild?"
"What cargo needs ten ships like this?"
"Some massive deal?"
All eyes turned to the newly arrived vessels.
Even for the Under Heaven Merchant Guild, operating ten ships signaled something enormous.
As everyone watched the ships.
Thud—thud—
Footsteps echoed.
People disembarked soon after, and the onlookers froze upon seeing them.
Awesome presences poured continuously from the ships.
Even laymen ignorant of martial arts gulped under the overwhelming pressure, glancing warily.
"......"
Silence descended on the pier.
No one spoke.
No, no one could.
The once-noisy pier plunged into deep quiet.
Thud, thud.
The only sounds were the footsteps of the disembarking warriors.
Once they fully landed, the pier's occupants instinctively stepped back, clearing a path.
A wide-open road in an instant.
The Parma and Hyeopwi Division Leaders, first off the boat, led the way, followed by the Parma Division, Hyeopwi Division, and Extermination Division.
The majestic procession drew all eyes.
Merchants, sailors, common folk—even the hidden Evil-Black Alliance warriors—stood speechless, mouths shut, merely gazing.
And amid this spectacle.
Whoosh—
Several presences from the ships vanished without a trace in an instant.
Utterly stealthy and silent.
*** Chaotic times had arrived.
In these turbulent days, as news of the Emei Cathedral spread far and wide, another rumor rapidly circulated.
The southward march of the Hyeopwi and Parma Divisions.
Having made no effort to hide their movements, their advance was already public knowledge—and incredibly swift.
"They've already crossed Junui Pass? At this rate, they'll arrive today or tomorrow."
"Heavens, what speed..."
"Payback for Emei Cathedral—they must've picked up the pace."
"Probably. Making such a bold show of it."
"But Immortal Heavenly Cult versus Parma and Hyeopwi Divisions... hard to call the winner."
"Still, it's the Immortal Heavenly Cult. Without some supreme expert, Parma and Hyeopwi alone can't do it, right?"
"The world is unpredictable. Look at Emei Cathedral recently. Who predicted Mount Emei would win?"
"True enough."
Spring Breeze Inn.
The inn in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, buzzed with talk of the rampant rumors.
It was only natural.
For the Immortal Heavenly Cult's headquarters lay right in Guiyang's center.
They all voiced worries.
Uncertain of what damage the clash of these powers might bring.
Amid the inn's clamor, five at the most secluded table ate quietly, ears perked to the surrounding chatter.
They were Cheonhwi and his group, split from the Murim Alliance forces to confront the Immortal Heavenly Cult Leader separately.
"Rumors have spread this far, yet the Immortal Heavenly Cult hasn't stirred."
Heavenly Power Divine Disciple Yukwon muttered, listening to distant conversations.
His appearance had changed much since first meeting Cheonhwi.
Shedding his pristine uniform for shabby yellow robes, his neatly trimmed beard now scraggly.
Not just him.
All had transformed.
Observer of Heaven One Spear Ki Junghak wore a white hero's turban; Mountain River Shadowless Eun Seolseol donned archer's garb over her uniform.
Go Youngnak dressed as a scholar, while Cheonhwi wore pitch-black robes topped with a bamboo hat.
"They might be lying low."
Ki Junghak ventured.
"Or preparing to defend the city."
Eun Seolseol added.
"Tch, what a hassle."
Go Youngnak grumbled.
He brimmed with frustration.
The Immortal Heavenly Cult loomed right before them, yet they could do nothing.
He turned to the one beside him.
"How far is the main force?"
"If on schedule, they'll arrive exactly at dawn tomorrow."
"Dawn, huh."
Go Youngnak half-closed his eyes.
"Then we'll overnight here."
'Tch,' he clicked his tongue, shaking his head—then revealed bewilderment.
"Mm, nom nom. Been a while since proper food."
Cheonhwi was eating five-spice pork.
And savoring it thoroughly.
Noticing alone? All stared at Cheonhwi in stunned disbelief.
Disguised or not, he was still a Daoist.
Meat, though...?
"This is delicious... Hm?"
Cheonhwi swallowed the meat in his mouth under their stares and looked up.
"Why stare like that?"
His brazen tone flustered the onlookers instead, until Yukwon cautiously asked.
"You... can eat meat?"
"We're hiding identities now."
Cheonhwi said nonchalantly.
"Who'd think I'm a Mount Hua Sect Daoist seeing me eat like this?"
Yukwon nodded in agreement—then hesitated, mouth twitching.
"Fair, but you're still a Daoist. Breaking precepts..."
"Sad to break precepts, but it's for the Alliance. Nom nom."
It sounded sacrificial at first, but Cheonhwi relentlessly shoved meat into his mouth, smiling.
"Hide properly so enemies don't notice, right?"
As they fell silent like honey-mutes, Cheonhwi swallowed and spoke again.
"Gulp. So act natural, everyone. No shock."
"How's that natural...?"
As Go Youngnak began.
Whoosh!
Cheonhwi suddenly jabbed his chopsticks at him precisely.
"What're you doing?"
Go Youngnak paused at the rude gesture, frowning.
"That just now—that table over there glanced this way, ears perked. Act natural, natural. Unless you plan to kill everyone here."
Cheonhwi said coolly.
This was Guiyang.
The Immortal Heavenly Cult's turf.
Their eyes and ears everywhere.
Any slip, and suspicion would cling.
"Or heading to the Immortal Heavenly Cult right now?"
Cheonhwi's eyes darkened.
A playful question from others.
But Yukwon felt it.
The sincerity.
"...No, not now."
Yukwon said hastily.
"Wait till tomorrow, as planned, when they clash."
"Hm, really? A shame. Wanted to end it quick."
Cheonhwi replied genuinely disappointed, then chewed more meat, downed bamboo leaf liquor.
"Ahh, good meal."
After, he grabbed the long cloth draped over the table, stood abruptly.
"No more to discuss, so I'll head up first."
Without waiting for replies, Cheonhwi ascended to the inn's second floor, leaving the watchers with complex expressions.
"Was the Plum Blossom Divine Knight like that?"
"Incredible confidence."
"Quite unique."
"...Impossible to read."
Each muttered about Cheonhwi, shook heads, and resumed eating.
Meanwhile, reaching his second-floor room, Cheonhwi unwrapped the cloth, drawing two swords.
He deftly belted them on.
"This feels right."
Grinning at the weight on his side, Cheonhwi gazed out the window.
Sunset hues softly spread.
A beautiful scene.
But Cheonhwi ignored the scenery, eyes on the distant structure.
A towering edifice piercing the sky.
The Immortal Heavenly Cult headquarters.
Suddenly, Cheonhwi's lips parted, revealing white teeth in a chilling smile.
"A midplains cult like our Divine Cult... Can't wait to see."