Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: The Sundered Dragon Boat
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Peng Yeon-hwa stared blankly with dazed eyes at the dragon boat and speedboat of the Yangtze River Pirates shrinking into ever-smaller dots and vanishing from sight.
‘……Are they really just leaving us behind?’
Nangong Hyeok, who had been cackling toward the still wide-eyed pirates and Hebei Peng Clan warriors, munched on some jerky before heading into the cabin.
Peng Yeon-hwa whipped her head around in a panic.
“Um, Young Master Nangong Hyeok?”
Um?
……
Swoosh!
Nangong Hyeok strode quickly into the cabin and didn’t emerge for quite some time.
By now, the pirates’ dragon boat had dwindled to the size of a grain of millet, and between the sailboat and them, the Yellow River’s muddy waters churned wildly.
All around was nothing but yellow river surface.
‘How are they supposed to find their way back here?’
This wasn’t dry land like the mainland—one slip-up, and the rapids would sweep you off to turn up as a corpse a thousand li away.
Peng Yeon-hwa’s pupils trembled at Nangong Hyeok’s resolute attitude.
‘He even ditched the Little Sword Princess.’
Peng Yeon-hwa could never forget the look on So Hye-yeon’s face as the Hebei Peng Clan’s sailboat pulled away amid her desperate struggle against the pirates.
That tangled expression of emptiness, bafflement, and utter desolation...
The Yangtze River Pirates stood no chance against the Hebei Peng Clan’s Blood Execution Squad and Fierce Tiger Squad, but the betrayal etched on their faces filled Peng Yeon-hwa with profound guilt.
Especially So Hye-yeon’s drenched-kitten eyes—they stabbed right at her heart.
‘……It made me feel like the villain.’
Peng Yeon-hwa gazed with conflicted eyes at the cabin Nangong Hyeok had disappeared into.
Scraaaape.
At that moment, a scraping sound rumbled from the deck, and a brazier popped up right in front of Peng Yeon-hwa.
When had he dragged that thing out?
Peng Yeon-hwa turned her head to find Jin Cheomsang grinning as he offered her a teacup.
She took it without thinking.
“……Thank you.”
“It’s Tieguanyin from our main house. The flavor and aroma are top-notch.”
Hot steam wafted up with a faint, inviting scent.
“Nice fragrance.”
“Drink up and enjoy the show.”
“Ah, yes…… Show?”
Enjoy the show?
Nangong Hyeok’s nonchalance was one thing, but his attendant too?
No, it wasn’t just Jin Cheomsang.
A glance at the railing revealed a ridiculous scene.
The Thunder Dragon Squad, who’d been polishing their weapons, now stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the rail like baby birds awaiting food, necks craned out.
And chattering away in that pose—their banter was something else.
“Bro, we not fighting? Gotta sharpen my new axe sometime.”
“Why sharpen it on somebody else’s meat?”
“So I know if it bites right.”
“You psycho.”
Was that talk coming from elite warriors of a famed orthodox sect?
Testing fresh blades on human flesh?
Bewilderment clouded Peng Yeon-hwa’s face.
What kind of ordeals turned this whole mad circus into a casual stroll for them?
“They’re coming.”
“Huh? Pirates bailing mid-fight to chase us? Hot damn! Stole our ride too? Who’s the real bandits here?”
“Smartass. You swam over, didn’t ya?”
“The hell? Just training! Swimming’s faster anyway!”
“Bullshit with style.”
“Fuck, for real though?”
“What? Fuck? You dying today?”
“No, fu…… Hey, maknae! Who’s got the right of it? Bastard’s straight-up ignoring me!”
No trace of worry among the squabbling Thunder Dragon Squad.
If anything, they looked thrilled.
They cackled at the Blood Execution Squad and Fierce Tiger Squad, eyes bloodshot as they rowed the speedboat.
That laughter bore an uncanny resemblance to Nangong Hyeok’s.
Hebei Peng Clan warriors rowed with bloodcurdling frenzy against the Yellow River’s savage currents.
But their clumsy strokes kept lagging them behind, so they began hurling themselves into the water one after another.
Splash splash splash!
Their mission demanded they catch up to escort the sailboat at top speed—no choice.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
As the Hebei Peng Clan warriors struck out swimming, the Thunder Dragon Squad erupted.
“Yeehaw! They jumped—they’re swimming!”
“Kuhahaha! What’d I tell ya? That’s the fast way!”
“No, fuck me. Their brains made of muscle too?”
“Kyahaha, takes me back. Yellow River’s a brutal bitch. Us crawling out alive? Pure miracle.”
“Kuh! Shit’s got that spectator thrill. Beats scrapping.”
“Yep, swing those arms just like that—now you’re flying!”
Everyone tossed in quips amid the laughter.
Peng Yeon-hwa’s pupils wandered lost, quaking like in an earthquake.
Her gaze shifted to Jin Cheomsang, sipping tea idly beside her.
“……Is it always like this?”
Peng Yeon-hwa let out a shaky breath as she asked Jin Cheomsang.
Jin Cheomsang looked up from his tea.
“You’ll get used to it.”
“……Pardon?”
“They weren’t always this way…… or maybe they were? Point is, you’ll see plenty more. Lots more.”
Jin Cheomsang muttered in a world-weary tone.
‘……I figured they weren’t normal, but their whole worldview’s alien.’
She could kind of see it now.
Where this mindset had taken root.
Everything from one to ten screamed “not ordinary”—Peng Yeon-hwa snapped to her senses.
She bolted to the coiled iron chain on one side of the sailboat.
“Out of the way!”
The Thunder Dragon Squad turned at her shout, eyes popping wide.
“……Wha, what’s that for?”
“Don’t whirl that thing around!”
“Huhk? Miss?”
They gawked at Peng Yeon-hwa spinning a chain weighing hundreds of catties overhead.
What kinda freak strength did Peng blood carry?
Whiiiiiir!
Krrrrrack!
Peng Yeon-hwa hurled the chain—it shot straight out twenty-odd zhang before slamming into the water, kicking up spray.
Sploosh!
She gripped the end and yelled.
“Grab on!”
Eyes spun in the heads of the Blood Execution Squad and Fierce Tiger Squad thrashing on the surface.
“Glugluglug! Gluglug!”
“Pwah! Grab it!!”
“Ptoo!”
As Hebei Peng Clan warriors scrambled desperately for the chain, one leaped from the water like a carp breaking the surface—So Hye-yeon.
Taptaptaptap!
She bounded across the taut chain like a water swallow, flashy footwork carrying her onto the sailboat’s deck in a blink.
Shwaaaaa!
Her soaked hair whipped back, showering water.
“Puhahaa! Haaa!”
So Hye-yeon spat out water, scanning her surroundings with a lost look.
The Thunder Dragon Squad stared slack-jawed at So Hye-yeon flopping on deck like a stranded silk carp.
Lips turned blue, face drained white.
‘Disguise peeled off.’
‘Tell her?’
‘Nah.’
‘Damn, she’s cute.’
They traded glances and backed off a step.
“Someone help!”
Peng Yeon-hwa shoved the chain forward; Tak Hyuk-dong snatched it on reflex.
“Huhk!”
It wasn’t mere weight—the insane tension yanked at his burly frame. Tak Hyuk-dong gaped at Peng Yeon-hwa in horror.
Remembering her clutching it without flinching, he could only reel.
Ignoring him, Peng Yeon-hwa hurried over to prop up So Hye-yeon.
“You alright?”
So Hye-yeon gnawed her blue lips and rose.
“I’m fine.”
Her voice quivered pitifully, but flames blazed in her large eyes.
‘Is this the Nangong Clan way?’
Lions shoved cubs off cliffs, they said—no wonder Nangong warriors were unstoppable.
‘……Right. This must be Young Master Nangong Hyeok’s method.’
She recalled the journey north: Thunder Dragon Squad dumped into the Yellow River, then drilled mercilessly without respite by Nangong Hyeok—though what exactly, she didn’t know.
At first, she’d thought it mere torment, but no.
This might be the secret sauce.
That hellish full-throttle swim through bone-numbing Yellow River waters had awakened every muscle in her body.
The problem, though...
‘I’m not Nangong Clan!’
Grrrrrind!
So Hye-yeon ground her teeth, her bloodshot glare hitting the Thunder Dragon Squad—they slyly averted their eyes.
They knew that fury better than anyone.
Peng Yeon-hwa wore a troubled look.
An odd tension and hush settled over the deck.
“Hey, quit gawking and help!!”
Tak Hyuk-dong bellowed; the Thunder Dragon Squad scrambled over to haul the chain.
Hebei Peng Clan warriors came up dangling like hooked fish, sprawling limp across the deck.
Déjà vu washed over them as the warriors flopped about.
Shwaaaaa! Shwaaaa!
Cleaving the Yellow River’s currents, the Yangtze River Pirates’ dragon boat and speedboat closed in fast.
True to masters of these waters, their rowing was no joke.
The speedboat and dragon boat rapidly overtook the sailboat’s stern.
Gliding across the waves like on ice—the speed was blistering.
Geon Cheon-hwi whistled low, hand on his waist saber.
“Battle stations.”
Tak Hyuk-dong flung the chain aside, spat over the rail, and yanked out his axe.
“Kuhahaha! Axe-sharpening time!”
He bared his teeth in a booming laugh.
Soon the pirate vessels hugged the sailboat’s tail.
Pyo Sang-hu, face twisted like a wrathful demon, roared.
“You mangy curs! Thought you could fuck with the Yangtze River Pirates and walk away!! Peng Clan or not, none of you leave alive! I’ll slaughter you all for fish bait!!”
His thunderous bellow leaped the waves to reach the sailboat.
Pyo Sang-hu kept hollering.
“Nangong Clan, you Peng shits! You’re dead meat today!!”
The voice was monstrous enough to crease brows across the deck.
A pirate’s life ain’t for amateurs, it declared.
“That prick shoulda stayed put. Chasing us for shits and giggles...”
“Kuhm! What pipes! I’ll lop his head first.”
“Poke the lungs! Seals the yapping!”
Geon Cheon-hwi, Tak Hyuk-dong, and Jang Woong glowered at the oncoming pirates.
Thud. Thud.
Nangong Hyeok stepped out onto the deck from the cabin.
All eyes turned to him naturally.
The Thunder Dragon Squad fell silent at Nangong Hyeok’s irritated scowl, back of his head scratched raw.
Peng Yeon-hwa and So Hye-yeon goggled at his face.
“Who’s this mutt yapping nonstop? Fuck!”
“……Young master, we were just about to handle it.”
“Yeah, when?”
Nangong Hyeok scowled harder and snatched up the discarded iron chain from the deck.
“Fuuuuck, such a pain!”
He sucked in a deep breath.
That instant.
Zzzzzzzzap!
The chain blazed with blinding lightning, crackling wildly.
Everyone gaped at the electrified chain.
‘Insane—not even a sword, and...’
‘Absurd.’
‘Sword aura on a chain? Unreal.’
Nangong Hyeok shot a glance at Pyo Sang-hu’s dragon boat, then smashed the chain down with all his might.
Zzzzzzap!
A bolt of lightning plunged toward the Yellow River’s raging torrent.
“What the...?”
Pyo Sang-hu’s jaw dropped at the massive lightning pillar shooting skyward.
But why was it swelling, plummeting faster?
Wait—plummeting?
“E-eh?! D-dodge!!”
Pyo Sang-hu shrieked and hurled himself left.
That moment.
KABOOOM!
A deafening blast—the dragon boat cleaved in two like a split apple.
Onlookers clamped jaws shut in shock, eyes saucered.
Sword aura on a dozens-zhang chain was freakish enough—now bisecting a house-sized vessel!
What kinda nonsense was this!
Even grizzled pirate vets of decades gawked, souls flown.
Peng Yeon-hwa and So Hye-yeon swallowed hard.
‘I couldn’t pull that off…… that monster.’
‘Just how far does Young Master Nangong Hyeok’s skill go?’
The Hebei Peng Clan warriors reeled too—their eyes bulged like they’d roll free.
‘Where the hell’d this freak spawn?’
‘Splits the damn boat just like that?’
‘Holy shit…… Nangong Clan’s hiding a monster!’
Amid the stunned stares, Nangong Hyeok shook out his hands.
“Finally some peace.”
Then he ducked back into the cabin like nothing happened.
Speechless, the crowd stared after him.
Geon Cheon-hwi, Tak Hyuk-dong, and Jang Woong traded looks.
‘Hit ’em where it hurts. Human……?’
‘……F-fuck. Ain’t breaking bones no more—it’s lights out.’
‘Never had human scruples anyway. Pushed him to kill…… aa, bastard’s toast now.’
Awed anew by Nangong Hyeok’s divine prowess, the Thunder Dragon Squad could only tut.
Silence blanketed the Yellow River once more as the Hebei Peng Clan sailboat sliced swiftly onward.