The Relationship Between Water and Water Bandits - 6
Ferry a king across in a rowboat? That's a pretty rare experience. But one I neither need nor want to have. If my steering skills falter and the boat capsizes or smashes into a rock, I'd just end up exchanging awkward glances with Gu Gangwang.
"Han Un, you're paddling better than I expected."
Even as he chugged his booze, Gu Gangwang chuckled and tossed out what wasn't quite praise. Better my ass. My experience piloting boats was limited to those duck boats from my past life and a bit of rafting.
"You're too kind, Your Highness. It's my first time rowing, so I was worried it might be uncomfortable for you."
What I really wanted to say was, 'I'm a crown prince who was raised delicately— isn't this a bit much?' But I wrapped it up as nicely as I could, emphasizing it was my debut at the oars. If the guy had any conscience, he'd feel bad for dumping the paddles on me out of nowhere—
"Heh, no need to worry. You don't look like a beginner at all."
No sign of remorse whatsoever. Pitiful. Honestly, shouldn't this manual labor fall to Jo Wi-cheo instead of me? He's bigger, stronger at the super peak realm—perfect for heading into a water bandit lair with Gu Gangwang.
Being just a first-rate hack is my sin.
But Gu Gangwang chose me over Jo Wi-cheo. His excuse? The freshly minted super peak guy was still clumsy at concealing his energy, which might spook the bandits into hiding. So here we were: Gu Gangwang, who could completely mask his aura, and me, the non-threatening first-rate nobody.
Damn it all.
I bit my lip watching him melt an empty liquor bottle with his three flavors true fire. He'd assured me the bandits would slink out soon enough, so I held my tongue. But if they didn't show after this, it'd scar me deep. I might even fire off a tearful report to Grandpa and Ak I-yeon, trembling with shame and sorrow.
"Here they come."
Of course, the top water bandit expert's instincts didn't fail. Gu Gangwang, fresh bottle in hand, smirked and turned toward the waterfall.
"Greetings, benefactors! Welcome to the majestic Huanghe Great Waterfall, one of the world's great wonders!"
Soon after, a booming shout echoed from that direction. Louder than expected. The waterfall's spray and nearby trees shivered in response—a single water bandit packing that much power? Had to be high realm.
Super peak?
I rubbed my stinging ears, piecing it together. Shaking nature like that went beyond peak realm. Hard to believe, but that shouting bastard was likely super peak.
And he uses it to bandit on water.
Astonishing. Back when the Changgang Waterway Eighteen Bands ruled the Yangtze, maybe. But a super peak warrior play-acting as a river pirate in this day and age? Waste of talent didn't even cover it.
"In this era where Heaven's mandate stands firm and His Majesty's virtue blankets the realm, who in their right mind turns to banditry during such a golden age?"
Gu Gangwang's words from not long ago rang in my head. Water bandits these days weren't right in the head from the start. Straight truth from the bandit whisperer himself. Nothing more abnormal than super peak piracy.
"Han Un."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Got any silver on you?"
The presumed super peak bandit kept yammering, but Gu Gangwang calmly set down his bottle and asked me.
"A little."
"Good. We can cover their travel fare."
With that, he stood, stepped off the boat, and planted his foot in the current.
"What."
Then he started walking on water, and I felt the bandit freak out. Water-walking was a trick any skilled peak lightweight expert could pull. For a super peak suspect, it was everyday stuff done blindfolded. But Gu Gangwang had been hiding his power perfectly until now. A random civilian suddenly pulling off high-level feats?
"Damn it, a hidden master!"
Meaning: not some average joe, but a concealed expert. Lucky or unlucky, the bandit didn't deny reality upon spotting the water-walk—he accepted it. No greenhorn "It's sorcery!" meltdown. He chose swift retreat. Smart cookie. When a hidden master shows, best not to look back.
"Hm. Early thirties, give or take."
But the moment he revealed himself, his fate was sealed. Best choices don't always yield best outcomes. Pity. Brains won't save you if you're dumb enough to bandit and bite Gu Gangwang's hook.
"I'll be off then. Stay safe—no getting hit."
"If any slip past Your Highness and come my way, I'll humbly receive them."
"Heh, fair point."
With a chuckle, Gu Gangwang leaped lightly and vanished. Dozens of screams soon shook the falls. Needless to say.
Over quick.
I grabbed his discarded bottle amid the fading cries. Bandits used the waterfall as a base to evade capture till now, but with a Hwa-gyeong master descending in person? If they hadn't hidden tight, showing up meant one-shot wipeout—
Aaaaagh!
...?
What the hell.
Fresh screams jolted me. Not Gu Gangwang's, obviously. But screams restarting meant no instant sweep—they were getting picked off one by one.
They shook Gu Gangwang? Even briefly?
Miraculous. Even momentarily, dodging a Hwa-gyeong pursuit? And this guy had decades of battle experience—a veteran among veterans. A fresh Hwa-gyeong might claim distraction by the breakthrough high, but not this old monster. He never let his guard down against foes.
'Even a mutt rules half its yard.'
Actually, scaling waterfalls meant they owned nine-tenths here. Sipping Gu Gangwang's leftover booze while waiting, things began dropping from the falls one by one.
"What the fu—"
I cursed aloud spotting the "things." Bandits. Faces swollen, limbs twisted unnaturally, floating down the current toward me.
This guy was too lazy to carry them—chucked 'em in the river instead.
Conveyor sushi?
It even crossed my mind. Gliding along the "rail" like sushi on a belt. Or maybe bamboo noodles.
"Han Un! Goods arriving okay?!"
"...Yes! About twenty so far!"
I bellowed back with qi, staring blankly at the drifting thugs.
"Coming along nicely! Ten more to go!"
I quietly pulled the silver pouch from my bosom. Three taels should cover fares.
I hauled up the limp sect leader by his collar. With this one caught, we'd nabbed the whole crew alive.
Took longer thanks to his super peak status.
The bastard bolted for real, dragging the chase out. Even turned the waterfall—an obstacle for most—into his ladder, climbing without pause. Never seen the like; I even paused chasing to gawk.
Defying nature's flow. Not even Hwa-gyeong makes it easy.
Strange bunch.
Anyway, dragging the leader, I leaped from the falls. Bandits floated downstream on the current toward the boat. Truly oddballs. They ditched their boat the second they spotted me, scattering every which way to evade. Pirates abandon ships only when sinking.
And they all scaled the falls.
Not just this leader in my grip—the whole lot pulled that stunt. Dozens climbing in unison? Impressive sight.
Worth the trip.
Satisfied. I'd hoped since Han Un's letter, but not for freaks this extreme. Super peak sect leader turned pirate. Peak-level disciples who all waterfall-climbed. Operating in Gwiju, not the Yangtze. Treating boats like disposables. Water bandits draw crazies, but these were next-level lunatics. First since I executed Jin Paeryeong.
"Urghhh..."
"Huh, already awake?"
The collared leader groaned and opened his eyes. Intriguing. I'd dialed back the strike to avoid killing, but not so weak he'd snap to quick.
"Sleep a bit more—"
"M-Milord! Please wait just a moment!"
As I moved to knock him out, he blurted desperately. Rude to interrupt a king, but I let it slide. A little mercy for the clown who'd shown such a spectacle.
"What our humble band has gathered over the years...!"
"No need."
Predictable, so I chopped his neck to knock him out. Ending with a blackout instead of decapitation? Mercy enough. Hope he appreciates it.
Gathered treasures, huh.
But curiosity piqued post-knockout. Not for riches—could lifelong bandit loot match a king's vaults? Fill a warehouse maybe. Still, these weirdos? Their stash had to be abnormal too. Gut feeling, no evidence needed.
To avoid hassle when the knocked-out bandits woke, I preemptively deployed Silence Hell. Tricky technique usually, but dead simple on the unconscious. Staring blankly while babysitting and awaiting Gu Gangwang, I wondered,
Why isn't he back?
Where'd the guy vanish to? Did he run into the bandit king on the way?