Chapter 48
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The Black Dragon Ship
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Flap!
As the massive sail billowed taut with the wind, the Manjang Ship glided away from Wuhu Wharf under the oarsmen's guidance.
Soon after, the oarsmen shifted the sail's direction, and the Manjang Ship began cleaving through the Yangtze's waterways, heading westward.
A boat neither too small nor too large.
The Manjang Ship was a flat-bottomed vessel designed to carry heavy cargo, so while its speed was slow, it rocked little.
Thanks to that, people crowded the deck, sitting comfortably to enjoy the scenery, and some even set up drinking parties to chase away the boredom of the long voyage.
But could everyone afford to be so relaxed?
“……No.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve explained it to you how many times already?”
“…….”
Yu Hyun and Nangong Seong, seated at the stern, were in the midst of a heated argument.
“Uncle seems unaware because you’re not from the martial world, but this world has its own codes of conduct that must be upheld.”
“Codes my ass. It all boils down to protection money!”
“Of course, that’s part of it, undeniable.”
“…….”
“But when running an organization, do you think that’s the only thing to consider?”
At Nangong Seong’s words, Yu Hyun stuck out his lower lip a good three inches and crossed his arms tightly.
It was an attitude that screamed displeasure to anyone watching.
“Sigh, Uncle. Managing the world isn’t such an easy task.”
“…….”
“Think about it. Taking down the water bandits? Great, very commendable. But what about the fallout?”
“…….”
“See? You’ve got that clueless look on your face.”
“…….”
“That’s why experience matters. You’re still young and green, so you don’t think things through to the end. Messing with Yangtze water bandits is worlds apart from smashing a single Nine Dragons Stronghold.”
“…….”
He’d been listening quietly to see what nonsense would spill out next, but irritation was building.
Yu Hyun twitched one corner of his mouth and glared at Nangong Seong.
He got the gist, but why was this punk talking down to him like he was teaching a child?
Back then was one thing, but now he was undeniably the uncle.
Was this guy seriously trying to play teacher like the old days, when he was the original self etched in memory?
Even learning martial arts from him, no less.
“What if Uncle picks a fight because you hate their ways, and it escalates to war with the entire Yangtze River Bandit Alliance? Can you handle all those bandits single-handedly?”
“……Well.”
“See? You can’t. No way.”
“…….”
“And they’ve even got a monster over there that not even my grandfather can predict.”
“……Monster?”
“Yes. And that’s not all? What if Uncle goes berserk like a thunderbolt and sparks a full-blown war? If all the inns and taverns at every wharf go up in flames? The losses would be astronomical.”
“…….”
“So please, just stay put. Got it? Okay?”
“…….”
Yu Hyun’s features scrunched toward the center, as if someone had pinched them, while Nangong Seong shook his head repeatedly, extracting promises.
What? Thunderbolt hothead?
This punk was really letting it fly.
Thwack!
“Ow!”
Nangong Seong clutched his head like a child at Yu Hyun’s sudden flick.
“Why’d you hit me!”
“…….”
Because you pissed me off, you little shit.
That smug yapping, trying to school his uncle—it was too infuriating.
“Damn…… You really have the worst temper. Raised in a scholarly clan, yet always resorting to fists.”
“This’ll teach you! Where do you get off glaring like that? Did I teach you to act that way?”
As Yu Hyun raised his hand again at the sight of Nangong Seong muttering with a twisted scowl, the indignant youth shrank his neck like a turtle.
But what could he do?
Yu Hyun had lived as Hwiam’s wastrel, then been locked away by his masters to train in martial arts.
Even if he’d learned strategy and tactics from the world’s genius tactician, Heavenly Mechanism Diviner Zhuge Mulin, his worldly experience was sorely lacking.
Especially in managing an organization, where Nangong Seong’s time as acting young clan head left him outmatched, leaving him speechless.
“Anyway, I get it. Just sit back and watch, right?”
“……Yes.”
Rubbing the sore spot vigorously, Nangong Seong replied to Yu Hyun’s words.
“Damn it, no choice then.”
“…….”
If a native of Anhui said so.
It was unjust, but he wasn’t blind to the notion of necessary evil.
Sometimes, you had to leave them be if total eradication wasn’t feasible.
And the Water Dragon King? Some monster like that existed?
No need to stir trouble needlessly.
He’d been lucky last time—nearly got himself killed fighting Nine Dragons Stronghold.
Couldn’t save the martial world and lose his shot at living rich and carefree.
But someday, he’d change it.
He was no longer Hwiam’s wastrel Jin Wi-gang—he was Yu Hyun, returned to save the entire martial world.
“Uncle?”
“What!”
Noting Yu Hyun’s persistently sour expression, Nangong Seong called out in a soft tone.
“Shall we have a drink?”
“Booze?”
“Yes.”
Yu Hyun, ever starving himself to avoid gaining weight, was constantly peckish.
But booze?
Recalling that bittersweet, sweet tang made his mouth water instantly.
Give a flick, then offer booze—this temperamental nephew-master was the same as ever.
No different from his master days.
“No one’s watching, right? If I look the other way, no one’ll know.”
“R-Really?”
“Yes, yes. Seventeen’s practically an adult.”
“R-Right?”
“Of course. I saw they’re selling liquor and snacks for passengers…….”
“Then maybe?”
“Let’s do it.”
“Yeah.”
Yu Hyun broke into a broad grin, and Nangong Seong beamed back.
Talented or not, he was just seventeen.
To Nangong Seong—or anyone—he was a green kid seeing the world for the first time.
“Here, Uncle. Cheers.”
“Yeah. You too.”
As the pair, soothed by a bottle into peaceful moods, drank happily back and forth, lost in the moment, the Manjang Ship had left Wuhu behind and reached the Dongling Estuary.
A massive island in the Anhui waterways.
There, at the village called Heart Harmony Village, the river split in two, and the Manjang Ship took the southern branch.
It was the moment the boat entered the channel along the island’s tip.
“Ship, a ship! Black Whale Stronghold!”
At the shout of a crewman scanning the bow, all eyes on board snapped to one spot.
From the northern merging channel, a black ship slowly emerged.
A swift vessel ridden by Yangtze river pirates—the Black Dragon Ship.
As was customary for ships encountering them on the Yangtze, the Manjang Ship sailed farther, well past the island, before furling its sails.
A gesture signaling no intent to flee.
Truth be told, even rowing with all their might, a flat-bottomed boat like the Manjang Ship had no hope of shaking a Black Dragon Ship.
As the Black Dragon Ship closed in rapidly, the shipmaster and crew prepared to receive the pirates, tension etching the faces of all aboard.
Everyone hoped for no trouble.
“Uncle, absolutely do not step in.”
“Jeez, I got it.”
Blending with the passengers far from the bow, Nangong Seong extracted one last promise, and Yu Hyun snapped irritably.
The Black Dragon Ship drew nearer.
Yu Hyun smirked at the flag flapping from its masthead.
A black whale.
Crazy bastards. River pirates using a whale as their emblem.
Big must mean better to these uneducated thugs.
Anyway, he’d promised not to interfere, so he’d just hang back and watch.
Thud……
Soon, the Black Dragon Ship slowed, sidling up alongside the Manjang Ship.
Splash.
As the hulls touched, the pirates lining the rail hurled grapples in unison, securing both vessels firmly, then laid down planks.
Typical pirate scum—their getups were a sight.
Strutting with chests bared like the ship itself was some badge of honor.
Come to think of it, they all looked so generic.
Mountain bandits draped in beast pelts, but river pirates? Every last one in that same getup?
“What’re you staring at? Didn’t I say stay out? Pour me a drink.”
“Y-Yes. Yes.”
Yu Hyun, who’d been eyeing them intently, lost interest and focused on the booze, letting Nangong Seong breathe a sigh of relief.
But the unease lingered.
Please, please, let nothing happen……
While Nangong Seong prayed inwardly, the shipmaster greeted the pirates.
“Oh dear, who might this be? Isn’t it Deputy Leader Gu Deok? It’s been too long—hope all’s well?”
Having greased the wheels beforehand, the shipmaster beamed at one of the pirates crossing over.
“Hey, Shipmaster, long time no see.”
Gu Deok waved off the greeting casually, then swaggered over and clapped the fawning shipmaster’s shoulder, hands rubbing obsequiously.
“You holding up?”
“Of course. What trouble could I have?”
The shipmaster bowed vigorously and shot a glance at a crewman behind.
“Here’s the toll.”
“…….”
The crewman hurried forward, opening a small chest to reveal silvery ingots gleaming inside.
“Whoa, this much?”
“We’ve added a little extra to repay Deputy Leader’s past protection.”
“Hah, love that attitude. You know the drill without me saying. So, where to?”
“Sichuan.”
“No wonder the toll’s hefty—clear to the Yangtze’s end.”
“Yes, Deputy Leader.”
“Got it.”
Gu Deok nodded in satisfaction, then jerked his chin. A pirate snatched the chest, handing over a wooden plaque and small flag in return.
Meager recompense for the chest of silver, but to rivermen, their value was beyond measure.
A token ensuring no pirate hassle for a month?
Even self-proclaimed outlaws of the Yangtze had lines they didn’t cross.
The river wasn’t short—pay toll every encounter?
The plaque signaled toll already paid, no charge elsewhere; the flag for distant spotting.
Thus, the Manjang Ship was safe for now.
With the deal done and amicable vibes, passengers and Nangong Seong finally relaxed.
Toll swapped for token—pirates would leave as if nothing happened.
……So why weren’t they going?
Puzzled by the lingering pirates, Nangong Seong watched as Gu Deok scanned the deck and strode inward.
“Uh, Deputy Leader? Something to say……?”
“Toll’s settled, but got another matter.”
“Yes?”
“Got a commission to find someone.”
“A person?”
“Heh, why so tense? Relax. If they’re not here, we’ll just leave.”
“…….”
Gu Deok patted his shoulder as he passed, a flicker of anxiety in the shipmaster’s eyes.
“That everyone on board?”
“Yes? Oh, yes…….”
He answered in a shrinking voice to the sharp gaze sweeping the deck.
“No one hiding anywhere?”
“H-Hiding?”
“Come on, I know you. You sneak felons aboard sometimes…….”
“Th-That’s…….”
“No worries. If it’s not our guy, I’ll pretend I saw nothing. Just bring ’em if they’re here. No need to sour things, right?”
“…….”
Winking like old pals, Gu Deok left the shipmaster torn.
Confess to the cargo hold passenger?
The answer came quick.
No real dilemma—he’d already pocketed eight taels upfront.
Residual gold tugged, but why risk pirate wrath for that guy?
Survival first.
“There is one…….”
“Knew it. Where?”
“In the cargo hold.”
“Good.”
Gu Deok nodded and summoned a subordinate.
“Mu Chi! Check the hold with the shipmaster.”
“Yes!”
As the pirate Mu Chi headed off with the shipmaster, Gu Deok glowered at the passengers by the rail.
“Gonna search for someone now. He’s a criminal on the run, so cooperate quietly and nothing happens! Line up single file! Got it?”
At Gu Deok’s bellow, all shuffled into line hesitantly.
“Check ’em!”
“Yes, Deputy Leader!”
The ordered pirates advanced on the passengers, eyes fierce.
From the rear, Nangong Seong anxiously eyed Yu Hyun, sprawled drinking.
Still fine so far.
No harm to folks, and he seemed uninterested in the pirates……
“Hey! You two! Why ain’t you in line! What? Boozing? Damn kids can’t tell shit from soy paste?”
A pirate checking the line yelled at the pair off to the side, not lined up, and Nangong Seong’s eyes bulged.
This lunatic was provoking him now?
Had to intervene first.
Barely got that promise—letting pirates rile Yu Hyun spelled trouble.
Before Yu Hyun could move, Nangong Seong shot up and hurried toward the pirate.
“Actually, I’m the sort of person who…….”
As he subtly flashed his Nangong Clan badge from his waist, hoping they’d pass,
“Arghhh!”
“……?”
A massive scream erupted from the cargo hold below.
A scream?
Why?
As all eyes turned to the hold, Nangong Seong’s head whipped toward Yu Hyun.
“…….”
Twisted face, eyes brimming with ire.
And that twitching body, nonstop!
Instantly gauging Yu Hyun’s boiling point, Nangong Seong seized his wrist and shook his head.
No, Uncle. Don’t.
Don’t glare like that.
Don’t show interest, don’t step up.