Chapter 54
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Water Dragon King Arrives
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Creak, creeeak.
A man with a hefty build rowed the oar attached to the stern of the boat.
It was a small vessel.
Even with just an old man standing at the bow with his hands clasped behind his back and the rower, it felt packed to the brim.
Yet the boat approached leisurely, without so much as a tremor despite the towering waves.
Creak, creeeak.
A tiny boat without sails, unable to catch even the wind, had closed the distance to the Manjang boat in an instant.
About five feet long, perhaps?
The old man had a pitiful appearance, with a very short stature, unkempt hair and beard.
But the faces of everyone on the Manjang boat staring at him were frozen in utmost rigidity.
They didn't know his face, but the resounding shouts of the water bandits were enough to identify him.
The Chief of the Yangtze River Waterway Strongholds.
One of the overlords of the unorthodox sects, the Water Dragon King Gu Ja-jin.
"Damn it! We're gonna collide! Stop...!"
They had to stop.
In terms of size alone, the Manjang boat was several times larger than the ferry Gu Ja-jin rode. At this rate, it would simply plow right through.
But even with the sails furled, the momentum was already too great, and the boat pressed forward relentlessly.
In his urgency, Yu Hyun dashed toward Gu Deok, who was straining the oar to one side with all his might.
Screeeeech.
As Yu Hyun's strength added to Gu Deok's on the oar, the boat lurched violently, whipping into a sharp left turn.
They absolutely could not collide.
The opponent wasn't some mere water bandit; he was the ruler of the Yangtze.
The pride of the Yangtze, a giant representing the unorthodox sects, one of the monstrous leaders of the era. Any dispute with him wouldn't end as a mere personal brawl.
But the distance was too close. At this rate, a collision was inevitable... Huh?
As Yu Hyun threw his full body weight into twisting the oar, he caught sight of the ferry drawing alongside the Manjang boat's side.
The five-foot-old man.
Water Dragon King Gu Ja-jin casually unclasped one hand from behind his back and raised it with an air of complete leisure.
Ruuuuumble...
"......?"
What, what was that just now?
The moment Gu Ja-jin curled the corner of his mouth upward, an immense pressure slammed into Yu Hyun's eardrums.
And then... the boat stopped.
Right in the midst of its turn.
It was as if time itself had frozen within a certain space.
Yu Hyun gaped blankly, scarcely able to believe what his eyes beheld.
What... what in the world...
Thud.
With a small noise, the ferry bumped gently against the Manjang boat.
Tap!
In the blink of an eye, Gu Ja-jin—hands clasped behind his back once more—and the burly man who had gripped the ferry's oar leaped aboard with light steps off the gunwale.
Boom! Splash!
Time resumed its flow, the listing boat righted itself, and it began rocking violently side to side.
Rumble rumble rumble.
People who couldn't steady themselves and cargo tumbled together in a chaotic heap.
But Yu Hyun, bracing himself with the oar, kept his stunned gaze fixed on Gu Ja-jin.
Damn it, stopping this massive boat with nothing but aura alone... Just how strong is he?
He had heard tales.
The ruler of the Yangtze.
The man who had made his name as an overlord of the unorthodox sects even before the Righteous Six Saints came to represent the murim world.
He gave off a completely different vibe from the Sword King Nangong Chang-seon, an absolute being of the same era. Was it that just looking at him put one's hackles on end with tension?
Glancing over, Nangong Seong seemed much the same.
Nangong Seong couldn't even draw his sword, and Gai Du-sin kept licking his lips as if his mouth had gone dry.
"The Beggars' Sect's youngest disciple greets the ruler of the Yangtze."
"The son of the Nangong Clan greets the Water Dragon King."
As Gu Ja-jin's gaze, hands still behind his back, swept across the deck, Nangong Seong and Gai Du-sin hurriedly clasped their fists in salute and bowed their heads.
In this moment, there were no lines between enemy and ally for them.
Though fate compelled them to fight on the battlefield, the weight of the name Gu Ja-jin was far too great for the likes of them to bare their fangs.
No, they couldn't even if they wanted to.
A single gesture from Gu Ja-jin, and both would meet their ends in an instant.
But Gu Ja-jin's expression as he received their greetings held neither displeasure nor warmth.
With an inscrutable face, he quietly surveyed the deck until his gaze halted at one spot.
"Hmm? Deok?"
"......"
"What's this? You won't even greet your uncle after so long?"
The moment an actual expression appeared on Gu Ja-jin's face for the first time.
Whoosh!
"......!"
Yu Hyun's eyes widened as he whipped his head around.
Thud!
At the same instant, Gu Deok slammed harshly into the deck, pinned down by the burly man's massive frame on his nape.
It happened in a flash.
The moment Gu Ja-jin's words ended, the man who had boarded with him appeared at his side.
"...Ch-Chief... Grand Chief, mercy."
"......"
Gu Deok pleaded in a strangled voice, his throat crushed, but the burly man showed no intention of relenting.
Just as it seemed a bit more pressure would snap Gu Deok's neck.
"Jung San, that's enough. Distant blood relation or not, he's still my kin..."
"......"
Only after Gu Ja-jin's low words did the man release Gu Deok's neck and step back.
"Gah, hack..."
Gu Deok coughed out his blocked breath raggedly, then immediately dropped to his knees and kowtowed toward Gu Ja-jin.
"The Deputy Chief of the Black Mirror Stronghold, Gu Deok, greets the Grand Chief."
"......"
But Gu Ja-jin's gaze as he received the greeting wasn't on Gu Deok.
It was on Yu Hyun standing beside him.
When his bodyguard Jung San had moved just now, Yu Hyun had sensed the position first and turned his head.
It wasn't sight. He had felt it.
Something hard to comprehend easily.
Jung San might look young, but Yu Hyun had trained him personally, and he had long since entered the realm of mature strength.
Loyalty, Mystery, Swift, Intent, Strength.
The ignorant divided martial realms that way, but it was wrong.
Loyalty, Mystery, Swift, Intent, and Strength were entirely different categories.
Different worlds, one might say?
Well, those who hadn't ascended probably couldn't even fathom what the world of Strength entailed... In any case, Jung San was a master of that caliber.
Moreover, befitting his role as bodyguard, he excelled at concealing and gathering his aura—yet a mere fledgling, barely in his early twenties, had detected his movement?
Even stranger was that no aura emanated from the fledgling at all.
As if he hadn't cultivated internal energy...
"Hoo."
In that moment, curiosity sparked in Gu Ja-jin toward Yu Hyun.
That chronic affliction of old men who had lived long enough.
"Ow."
"Yes?"
At Gu Ja-jin's call, as he approached with lips twisted oddly, Yu Hyun withdrew his gaze from Jung San and responded.
"Care to explain?"
"......?"
"Why you've caused this mess with our Yangtze."
"......"
Yu Hyun clamped his mouth shut and stared piercingly at Gu Ja-jin.
What game is this old man playing?
If he had to ask anyone, it should be Gu Deok—why me?
"Haha, well, how could you ask me that...?"
"......"
Deciding first to gauge the situation, Yu Hyun armed himself with a sly smile in an instant and scratched his head.
"Who else is here but you?"
"......Yes?"
"To my eyes, you're the only one who can explain what caused this mess."
"Ah, well... you see."
Feeling an oddly sticky vibe, Yu Hyun made a troubled face and forced an awkward smile.
"Elder! Allow me to explain that."
"......"
As Gu Ja-jin seemed to press Yu Hyun, Gai Du-sin—who had been listening tensely till now—hurried forward and politely interjected.
Gu Ja-jin glanced sidelong at him, then turned back to Yu Hyun with a smile.
It was perfect dismissal, but Gai Du-sin persisted without backing down.
He didn't know who this youth Gu Ja-jin was addressing, but how could he not recognize Nangong Seong?
He hadn't fully grasped the situation yet, but with Nangong Seong involved, this mess absolutely had to be smoothed over by the Justice Alliance.
So he had to step in.
As the representative dispatched under the Grand Commander's orders.
"Your Excellency may not know, but I am the Beggars' Sect Leader's youngest disciple..."
His words cut off there.
"Guh!"
No one had seen Jung San move, but he had already seized Gai Du-sin's throat, his blade pressed against Nangong Seong's neck.
Both had been subdued without even reacting.
As Jung San's fingers dug deep into his throat, leaving marks, Gai Du-sin let out a gurgle and lost consciousness. Meanwhile, the razor-sharp blade had nicked Nangong Seong's neck.
"E-Elder!"
"......?"
Yu Hyun called out urgently.
These were men destined to become the Righteous Six Saints and battle the demonic horde. Losing them now would be a colossal disaster.
"How can one of such high renown threaten mere whelps? I worry it will tarnish your dignity."
"......"
Gu Ja-jin stared silently at Yu Hyun, who had suddenly poured out words like a clear stream, then raised a hand to halt Jung San.
"Hmm, true, dignity mustn't be sullied. Indeed. Well then, care to explain?"
"......"
Yu Hyun forced a grin while inwardly cursing up a storm.
Damn it, of all the royal turds to step in...
They were almost to Wuhuan, and this monster had to pop up.
Even with dozens of men, Yu Hyun couldn't stand against the Water Dragon King, let alone his bodyguard.
He had to bow his head low and find another way.
Provoking him carelessly might summon him straight to King Yama to recite his life's sins alongside his pedigree.
"The truth is, we were sailing to Wuhuan when... water bandits appeared and terrorized the common folk..."
"Terrorized them?"
"Yes."
"Hmm. So you acted on righteous indignation to save the people?"
"Yes. You could say that."
"......"
Gu Ja-jin crossed his arms, giving Yu Hyun a strange look at his answer.
Suspicion plain as day.
Then, as his eyes slid toward Gu Deok, it was clear he meant to hear both sides.
He seemed silent now since unasked, but the moment Gu Ja-jin inquired, Gu Deok would eagerly spill whatever favored Yu Hyun—no doubt.
Had to block that.
As the saying goes, crabs side with crawfish, green sticks to green.
Especially after smashing the Black Mirror main ship and all the trailing small fry...
"Gu..."
"Elder!"
"......?"
The instant Gu Ja-jin started to call Gu Deok, Yu Hyun swiftly cut him off.
Then, mustering every ounce of wisdom, even from his soul, he crafted his next words.
What now?
He'd blurted it out, but what to say next?
What words would work... Ah!
"Elder, I am the son of the Yu Clan Manor in Anpyeong County, Henan Province."
"Yu Clan Manor?"
"Yes. Though you probably haven't heard of it. Our Yu Clan Manor has no ties to the murim world. But we wield considerable influence with the authorities. My father once served as Imperial Tutor, and at present, at His Majesty's request—who holds my father dear as the tongue in his mouth—he is in Ying Tian Prefecture tending to the Grand Crown Prince."
"......"
"And that's not all? With such wide connections, Dali Temple Censors drop by now and then, as do generals from the Imperial Guard and my father's old classmates. I am Yu Hyun, the only son, doted on endlessly by my father in such a household."
"......"
Gu Ja-jin's complexion shifted as Yu Hyun suddenly rattled off his background in excruciating detail.
That was deliberate.
How could he defeat the Water Dragon King with his own skills?
One gesture, and he'd be done for.
But his master, the Heavenly Mechanism Diviner, had taught: to pressure with words, reveal a solid backing the foe can't ignore.
If none existed, weave lies intricate enough to convince.
And a solid backing did exist.
Behind him stood a vengeful ghost who could unleash the imperial troops water bandits feared most.
So he shut his eyes and went for it.
Don't touch me—my backer has the imperial army on speed dial.
Harm a single hair, and Daddy will hear every word...
Yu Hyun watched Gu Ja-jin's face with bated breath.
Slightly furrowed brow, wavering eyes.
Clearly deliberating.
Good, that did it...
"So what?"
"Yes?"
"I asked for an explanation of the situation, and you spout nonsense? Who cares whose son you are? What do I care about that? Do I need to know such things?"
"......"
Not even a dent.
In technical terms... damn, we're screwed.