Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: The Iron Dragon of the Long River
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Clang! Clang clang!
So Hye-yeon's sword blocked the bandits' attacks.
The Flowing Star Twelve Swords traced elegant arcs through the air, unleashing a barrage of sword light.
It was one of Sword Pavilion's signature techniques.
The chaining attacks, one flowing seamlessly into the next, pushed back the bandits.
Clang clang! Clang!
"You bitch, showing off your tricks!"
"Let's see that face!"
"Ugh! This wench?!"
Sword Pavilion's swordsmanship was exquisite. The bandits couldn't keep up with the swift changes and endless chain attacks.
Graceful like a butterfly's wings, yet the power behind the blade was like a beast's claws.
Slash slash slash!
"Gah!"
"Urk!"
Two bandits staggered and collapsed, deep gashes in their shoulders and thighs.
Profound inner energy beyond her years and refined swordsmanship overwhelmed the Dongpyeong Wharf bandits.
Even with twenty bandits surrounding her from all sides, So Hye-yeon's eyes remained calm.
She unleashed the sword arts learned from her sect without restraint.
Clang! Clang clang!
The Dongpyeong Wharf bandits kept retreating.
"This damn bitch!"
"Die!"
"Haaap!"
The bandits shouted battle cries and lunged forward, but So Hye-yeon's sword pushed them back like a raging river current.
"Urgh!"
"Hngh!"
"What the—"
Seeing the Yangtze Waterway Wharf bandits in panic, One-Eyed Dragon's eyes widened.
*Fuck. Where'd this girl come from?*
The deck rocked wildly in the canyon's fierce winds, yet So Hye-yeon didn't waver.
She should have stumbled at least once, but her sword tip showed no hesitation.
It meant she was a master who perfectly controlled her balance.
Even seasoned fighters struggled to move freely on a ship's deck, but this girl soared like a bird.
One-Eyed Dragon ground his teeth.
He had to deal with her quickly before their wharf leader arrived.
"You're not dying easy today."
He snatched up his harpoon with a savage glare.
Huuup!
Taking a deep breath, One-Eyed Dragon hurled the harpoon with his one good eye flashing.
It was his signature technique, Whale-Piercing Harpoon Throw.
Screeeeech!
The harpoon tore through the air, aiming straight for So Hye-yeon's torso.
So Hye-yeon, mid-Flowing Star Twelve Swords, startled and twisted her body to block the incoming projectile.
Boom!
The clash bent her sword nearly to breaking, and So Hye-yeon groaned.
"Urk!"
She staggered back, watching the harpoon ricochet away.
"You little bitch! I don't know where you learned to swing a sword, but do you know where you are, causing trouble?!"
One-Eyed Dragon was the action captain of Dongpyeong Wharf under the Yangtze Waterway Wharfs.
He had mastered the martial arts bestowed by the wharfs, especially excelling in shipboard combat.
Catching the rebounding harpoon, One-Eyed Dragon bellowed.
"I'll handle this bitch! You lot, grab those pretty boys hiding behind her!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Half the bandits pressing So Hye-yeon slipped away.
She tried to block them, but One-Eyed Dragon wouldn't allow it.
The seven-foot harpoon swept a massive arc, blocking her path.
"Where do you think you're going, bitch!"
So Hye-yeon's eyes sharpened.
She unleashed Flowing Star Twelve Swords at One-Eyed Dragon.
As if he'd been waiting, One-Eyed Dragon swung his harpoon in a huge arc to parry.
Whoooosh! Whoooosh! Screeeeech!
It was inner energy unlike any bandit's.
The heavy harpoon whipped like a staff, deflecting Flowing Star Twelve Swords, then thrust forward.
The harpoon stabbed through the air with flashing intent, clashing against So Hye-yeon's sword in a thunderous boom.
Craaaang!
"Hngh!"
One-Eyed Dragon twisted his wrist, and hooks sprang from the harpoon, raking down her blade.
So Hye-yeon grimaced and charged at him instead, shaking her sword.
Clang clang clang clang!
Sparks flew wildly in the air.
"Hup! This bitch!"
"Ha!"
The two tangled fiercely, trading blows.
Geum Cheomsang, watching the scene, cautiously asked Namgung Hyeok.
"Shouldn't we help?"
Namgung Hyeok scowled.
"Me?"
"If possible..."
"Why? They're doing fine on their own. Let 'em fight. Hey, they're fighting well. Real well! Too well for me to jump in. Just tell 'em to smash everything."
"Y-Young Master...?"
"If money solves it, why bother with swords and chaos."
Namgung Hyeok shook his head.
"Anyway, let them handle it. Sigh."
"...Y-Young Master. Th-they're coming!"
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the heads-up. Guess I'll go beat some asses."
Namgung Hyeok mocked Geum Cheomsang with a chuckle.
No one on the ship was as relaxed as Namgung Hyeok.
He was the picture of carefree ease.
Namgung Hyeok waved dismissively.
Geon Cheon-hwi, who'd been awaiting his signal, drew his blade in a flash and dashed toward the bandits approaching the civilians with his swift footwork.
Gliding across the deck, Geon Cheon-hwi severed a bandit's nape in an instant.
Slash!
The bandit's eyes bulged at Geon Cheon-hwi's sudden strike.
"Guh, ack! F-Fellow murong...!"
Seeing their comrade crumple, the Dongpyeong Wharf bandits cried out in shock.
"These bastards!"
"These fuckers aren't from the same line!"
"Wh-what?!"
Geon Cheon-hwi plunged into the panicking bandits.
As the Dongpyeong Wharf bandits tried to counter, Tak Hyeokdong charged like a wild boar.
Tak Hyeokdong swung his axe, eyes bulging with rage.
"You fuckers, I'm different from you!!"
Whoooosh!
The furious axe cleaved into the bandits' bodies.
"Arrrgh!"
"What the hell are these guys?!"
"Kill them, kill!"
"You dog bastards!"
The bandits screamed and bellowed, clashing with the Thunder Dragon Squad.
The ambushing Thunder Dragon Squad pressed the Dongpyeong Wharf bandits, who desperately resisted.
A fierce battle erupted on the deck.
* * *
Clang! Slash!
Namgung Ryong's sword coiled around the bandits' hooks, harpoons, and sabers, yanking them away in a flash.
"Huh!"
"Urk!"
Before the now-unarmed bandits could react,
Namgung Ryong swept his sword again, sending their weapons flying back at them.
The arrow-like projectiles pierced their chests.
Thud thud thud.
"Gaaah!"
"Urk!"
Bandits tumbled across the deck.
Those hiding behind Namgung Ryong gasped in awe at his divine skill.
"Wow!"
"Amazing!"
"Whoa!"
Namgung Ryong held his sword upright, scanning ahead.
The bandits dared not approach, instead veering toward the Thunder Dragon Squad.
As Namgung Ryong surveyed the surroundings, his eyes flashed.
Flash!
Dropping his sword back like a crane taking flight, Namgung Ryong leaped seven paces to land before So Hye-yeon.
Flash!
Clang! Boom!
A heavy impact and immense force suddenly struck the harpoon tip aiming for So Hye-yeon's heart.
"Urgh!"
One-Eyed Dragon recoiled in horror.
His hands were torn, blood pouring.
Namgung Ryong's sword force still made the harpoon tremble.
One-Eyed Dragon glared wide-eyed at Namgung Ryong, who charged without a word.
"You bastard!"
One-Eyed Dragon gritted his teeth and thrust his harpoon.
The air churned as power surged into the tip.
A thousand catties of force shot toward Namgung Ryong through the harpoon.
Namgung Ryong's sword drew a circle.
Heavenly Vault Unbound Swordsmanship trapped and pinned the incoming harpoon.
"Urp!"
One-Eyed Dragon was stunned. The harpoon felt sucked into the sword.
*Wh-what?*
The thousand-catty harpoon halted limply against Namgung Ryong's blade, then his sword thrust back with that same force.
One-Eyed Dragon twisted and swung to shake it off, but couldn't.
Namgung Ryong raked the harpoon's side and stabbed with a single stroke.
One-Eyed Dragon panicked and tried to drop the weapon and flee, but sword energy flared from Namgung Ryong's tip.
Boom!
The energy shattered his heart in an instant.
One-Eyed Dragon's lips quivered.
"S-Sword aura...! Gah!"
With a choked groan, he collapsed.
"Ah!"
So Hye-yeon exclaimed from behind.
Her gaze fixed on Namgung Ryong as he shook off his sword.
His prowess was truly remarkable.
Defeating One-Eyed Dragon in under ten exchanges was impressive, but that final move would challenge her even on flat ground.
Sword Pavilion's footwork-heavy style being disadvantaged at sea was no excuse.
While So Hye-yeon's attention locked on Namgung Ryong,
The deck bandits were nearly cleared.
Relief washed over faces.
"Ah! We're alive, alive!"
"Hahaha! Namgung Clan took down the bandits!"
"As expected!"
Cheers erupted.
With Namgung Clan warriors handling the life-threatening bandits, fear vanished.
Even the crew marveled at their skills.
But only for a moment.
"Now we'll exit the canyon..."
"Th-that, that..."
"Huh!"
The crew's eyes bulged.
Beyond the mist, a massive shadow loomed.
Splash!
A huge dragon head burst through the spray.
A massive warship, three times their ship's size, revealed its might.
The crew screamed in terror.
"Dragon Ship!"
"Eeeek! It's the Dragon Ship!"
"Nooooo!"
"Ugh, we're done for!"
Those who knew "Dragon Ship" wailed and sobbed; some crew leaped into the water.
Namgung Hyeok gaped at the Dragon Ship slicing through the currents.
It was enormous.
And fast.
Climbing against the flow faster than their own ship.
Namgung Hyeok's eyes sparkled.
"Y-Young Master! Eek!"
Geum Cheomsang gaped beside him.
The distant Dragon Ship was suddenly upon them.
Then.
The Dragon Ship rammed their vessel with ferocious speed.
Boom! Crunch crunch!
Splash!
"Aaah!"
"Kyaaah!"
"Eeeek!"
As the dragon head slammed the bow, the ship rocked wildly.
People screamed, clinging to pillars and rails.
Roooar!
Waves surged, water pillars erupted, flooding the deck.
The dragon head seemed to bite the ship.
Creak! Boom!
A huge plank dropped from the warship, slamming the deck.
At the heavy thud, eyes turned to the Dragon Ship.
Step. Step. Step.
A burly middle-aged man in dragon-scale armor descended slowly.
Overwhelming pressure dominated the area.
Deck folk held their breath, staring.
As he stepped aboard, hooks latched from both sides, and Dongpyeong Wharf bandits leaped up, encircling everyone.
Eyes widened in terror; suffocating silence fell.
Then Dongpyeong Wharf Leader Cheon Jingung scanned the scene.
His gaze settled on Namgung Ryong, slayer of One-Eyed Dragon.
"Namgung Clan brat!"
His voice sent chills up spines.
"Does the Namgung Clan find me, Long River Iron Dragon Cheon Jingung, a joke? Daring to disrupt our event."
"Long River Iron Dragon" stunned them again.
The Yangtze Waterway Wharfs' top eighteen branches were the Eighteen Yangtze Waterway Wharfs.
He was one of them, albeit the lowest.
Facing him, souls fled bodies.
Namgung Ryong lowered his sword.
"I would have spared you for the clan head's sake if you'd begged forgiveness."
Cheon Jingung's eyes hardened.
"Brat, blame no one for dying by my hand today."