Chapter 56
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: The Water Dragon King's Proposal
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Incense smoke rose, filling the room.
Numerous physicians had gathered, their faces grave as they debated the spot for one final needle.
Before them lay a young man, plain-featured with a well-trained body, stretched out naked.
“Phew….”
The elderly physician who inserted the last needle let out a long sigh, wiping the sweat soaking his brow.
“Did it work?”
“Yes, it’s done. What happens next depends on the boy.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
The young beggar, Ge Du-shin, expressed his gratitude to the elderly physician.
The physician was Seon Woo-jin, the Medical Monarch overseeing the Righteous Alliance’s pharmacy hall, and the one lying there naked, bristling with needles, was none other than Nangong Seong.
“Hard work? Hardly… I didn’t do much. Looks like that water ghost decided to show some mercy for once.”
“Pardon? Mercy?”
At Ge Du-shin’s puzzled question, Seon Woo-jin nodded.
Mercy?
How could mercy apply to someone lying there on the brink of death?
Ge Du-shin tilted his head in confusion, prompting Seon Woo-jin to click his tongue in mild rebuke.
“Tsk. And you call yourself the sect leader’s disciple, acting this dense.”
“Pardon?”
“If not for the Water Dragon King, this kid would’ve fallen into qi deviation and been a vegetable by now.”
“…Then?”
“Then nothing. I don’t know what the Water Dragon King thought of the boy, but not only did he forcibly suppress the demonic qi—he even cleared his meridians completely.”
“Pardon?”
Even after hearing that much, Ge Du-shin couldn’t make sense of it.
Why would the Water Dragon King?
“No telling, but he won’t adapt properly for a while after waking. He might’ve unknowingly transcended his realm.”
“…”
“Take good care of him. I need to send word to the Nangong Clan right away. Gotta calm the Sword King’s rage—he must’ve heard by now.”
“Pardon? Yes, sir.”
Ge Du-shin watched Seon Woo-jin hurry out after his earnest instructions, then turned his gaze to the recumbent Nangong Seong.
Two days earlier, the tense standoff on the waterways near Evil Province.
He’d lost consciousness to Zhongshan’s hand at the time, so he hadn’t seen the full scene.
But according to those on the boat and the Righteous Alliance warriors and Beggars’ Sect disciples waiting in the gorge, Nangong Seong had collapsed, vomiting blood at Water Dragon King Gu Ja-chin’s single step.
One step.
He’d merely lifted one foot and lightly rolled it forward, yet the energy on Nangong Seong’s sword shattered into pieces.
Then the Water Dragon King had threatened the Righteous Alliance warriors and Beggars’ Sect disciples atop the gorge.
Get lost…
And with that, he’d shouldered Yu Hyun and retreated with his aquatic bandits.
Of course, he hadn’t forgotten the warning.
His leniency ended here. If they tried to rescue Yu Hyun or if any Righteous Alliance warriors appeared where he was, it’d mean all-out war.
The Righteous Alliance warriors had promptly returned to headquarters with Ge Du-shin, Nangong Seong, and the others from the boat.
Everyone from the Manjang Lake vessel was sent to their original destinations, while Nangong Seong was rushed straight to the infirmary.
Except for one man.
The middle-aged fellow, identified from the testimonies of those on board as the root cause of the fight, had been thrown into the Righteous Alliance’s prison.
They were interrogating him, but nothing had come to light yet.
Thus, the Righteous Alliance entered a near-wartime state, dispatching messenger birds at once to inform the Nangong Clan of Nangong Seong’s condition.
Soon after, word returned that the Sword King, upon hearing the news, had personally led the Azure Heaven Troops toward Wuhan.
The atmosphere inside and around the Righteous Alliance was thick with tension.
The emergency alert remained in effect. Starting with the Blue Dragon Unit, each warrior squad had the Water Dragon King’s position surrounded.
They kept their distance, of course—no one approached him.
Their foe was the Water Dragon King, and at his summons, the eighteen river forts of the Yangtze had brought their war vessels, the Black Dragon Ships, to stand ready on the western and eastern waterways of Wuhan.
“Damn it, what the hell is going on? And why the hell did he take that Yu Hyun guy?”
No matter how hard he racked his brains, Ge Du-shin found the situation utterly baffling.
* * *
“…”
Yu Hyun, waking after a long while, blinked at the well-roasted quail leg thrust toward him.
The one holding the skewered meat was the hulking Zhongshan, whose massive build stood out.
But why’s he grinning at me like that?
Flustered by the absurd situation right upon opening his eyes, Yu Hyun blinked at Zhongshan.
“Zhongshan caught it and roasted it himself. Pretty meaty for a quail—fill your belly first.”
“…”
Yeah, I can see it’s a quail.
But why give it to me? And grinning like an idiot, no less.
Aren’t we enemies?
“Tsk tsk. What’re you staring at with those dog eyes? You want Zhongshan’s arm to stay sore holding it?”
“…”
Now that he mentioned it, Zhongshan’s face did seem subtly twisted in discomfort…
“Heh, picky bastard, but Zhongshan’s taken a weird liking to you for some reason. He’s never grilled meat for his own boss in his life…”
The grumbling voice belonged to none other than Gu Ja-chin.
“Maggot, fire’s dying.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Maggot, my cup’s empty.”
“Coming right up!”
“…”
At Gu Ja-chin’s words, seated on a tree stump, Gu Deok hustled to add wood to the campfire and refill his boss’s cup.
“That guy. He ain’t gonna eat you. You must be starving—once you’ve got your wits back, get up and chow down or have some booze.”
“…”
Yu Hyun stared blankly at Gu Ja-chin, then cautiously took the skewer. Zhongshan flashed his teeth in a broad grin.
Come to think of it, this guy’s never spoken once…
“Zhongshan’s a mute.”
“…”
A mute?
At Gu Ja-chin’s words, Zhongshan pulled aside the cloth around his neck to bare his skin, grinning fiercely.
A long scar crossing his throat.
Though fully healed, leaving only the trace, the pain of that moment seemed to radiate from it.
“How could anyone inflict such a wound…?”
“Hmph. Hypocrites obsessed with merits did that to a five-year-old kid.”
“…”
Merits and hypocrisy.
He didn’t explain the details, but Yu Hyun could guess.
Young warriors, cloaking themselves in justice, occasionally hunted bandits and brigands. For those newly entering the jianghu, it was the surest, easiest path to fame.
But at five years old?
Had he really been targeted for extermination at that tender age?
“Sometimes tigers appear where there were none. Those with power decide what’s a tiger, and it becomes one.”
“…”
Just to gain fame, they’d slapped the tiger label on the innocent and hunted them down?
Yu Hyun scowled deeply. Zhongshan chuckled low and patted his shoulder.
No words of comfort or forgiveness, but the warmth in that touch spoke volumes.
It’s fine. Nothing for you to worry about.
“Here, have a drink. It’s strong—will warm you right up.”
“…Yes.”
Easing the sudden tightness in his chest, Yu Hyun accepted the cup with a heavy expression.
“What happened to the others?”
Gu Ja-chin smirked at the direct gaze.
“Don’t worry. I let ’em live and sent them back to the Righteous Alliance.”
“You let them live?”
“Yeah. The Nangong kid’s a bit banged up, but he’ll wake up stronger than before.”
“…What do you mean? Banged up but stronger?”
“Exactly what I said. He was so enraged his mind got eroded by demonic influence—I fixed it for him.”
“…”
“No worries, kid. I’ve got a deep grudge with my nephew Chang-seon, but I won’t crush his sprout.”
At Gu Ja-chin’s words, Yu Hyun relaxed his eyes slightly.
He didn’t know why he’d been kidnapped, but if his nephew was safe, that was a relief.
For now, this giant called the Water Dragon King didn’t seem the type for empty talk, so he’d trust him…
Only after confirming everyone’s safety did hunger hit Yu Hyun hard. He tore into the quail in his hand.
…Huh? This is good?
What?
Startled by the rich meaty flavor filling his mouth, Yu Hyun looked up to see Zhongshan winking and giving a thumbs-up.
Sheesh, he was sharp as a tiger in a fight…
And that was it?
Gu Ja-chin, who’d overwhelmed everyone with his chilling presence, now looked like any old village geezer.
How could a person change like that?
“How old are you?”
“…Seventeen.”
“Huh, not even twenty yet and already that skilled?”
“…”
“Asked the kids—they said your Yu Clan Manor’s pretty famous, just like you claimed. Rich, with some real power too.”
“…”
“Got a separate master who taught you?”
“…?”
As they passed the cup back and forth, Yu Hyun’s head tilted slightly at the question.
Why ask that?
Just casual curiosity? Or…
“What’s with the look?”
“Nothing.”
“If you don’t mind, tell me. Who taught you?”
Yu Hyun hesitated briefly, then let it go.
No sign of malice, and the warmth and kindness in his eyes resembled his father’s expression.
Sure, what harm in sharing that much?
As long as he didn’t reveal secrets.
“…My brother-in-law.”
“Brother-in-law?”
“Yes. Surname’s Dam.”
“The Dam Clan? From Hubei Province?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. One of the Dam Clan taught you?”
“…”
Gu Ja-chin mulled over Yu Hyun’s words for a moment, then grinned widely and shook his head.
“Kid, you think I can’t see through you?”
“Pardon?”
“No need to answer if you don’t want—just don’t lie about it.”
“Pardon?”
“Even if it’s military territory, how could I not know the Dam Clan’s arts?”
“…”
“The Dam Clan’s techniques are bold and domineering. They overpower strength with strength—that’s their way. Nothing soft or concise like yours.”
“…”
“And that last move you used on Zhongshan—it had an energy totally unlike ordinary internal arts. Something more primal, I guess?”
Yu Hyun, busily chewing meat, furrowed his brow deeply.
“What? Am I wrong?”
“…”
At the amused query, Yu Hyun fixed him with a cold stare.
Even the Sword King hadn’t recognized it…
“Heh heh. Quite the glare from a young pup.”
“…What exactly do you want to know?”
Even at Yu Hyun’s sharp question, Gu Ja-chin’s expression remained calm.
“Of course I’m curious. I’ve never seen anyone wield qi—no, something purer… anyway, that bizarre energy like you do. So I’m asking. Who’s your master that taught you that? Don’t want some random fool popping up later causing headaches.”
“What do you—”
Yu Hyun’s question drew a smirk from Gu Ja-chin as he rose, propping his knee, and looked down at him.
“Anyway, if you learned it from your brother-in-law, that means no enemies in the jianghu teaching you, right?”
“That’s… yes.”
Well, in this era, they were all just kids anyway—might as well say none.
“Good. That settles it.”
“Pardon?”
As Yu Hyun eyed him with greater confusion, Gu Ja-chin grinned slyly, extended his fingers straight, and pointed at Yu Hyun.
“You—become my disciple starting now.”
“Dis… Pardon?”
Yu Hyun’s face twisted oddly. He’d been tense, bracing for the worst.
Of all the nonsense—what the hell?
“Y-You’re not telling me to become a bandit or something, are you?”
“Why not?”
“…”
“Didn’t you say it yourself? You’d pay the price for starting this mess.”
“N-No, that’s not…”
“I told you clear: money ain’t the most important thing in the world.”
“…”
“Become my disciple. Then we’ll call it all even.”
“…”
No, even if jianghu etiquette’s gone to the dogs, you still gotta do the proper rites first.
Clap clap clap clap.
He glanced back to see the massive Zhongshan clapping gleefully with an innocent grin.
And why’s that oaf so damn chipper?
Hey, I’m supposed to be the hero who saves the jianghu someday, you know?
You think it makes sense for me to become a river pirate’s disciple?
Especially with my dad being a prominent government official…