Chapter 233
Chapter 233
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Whereabouts of the Seven Heavenly Apostles (4)
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"My master said that the pinnacle of romance is riding a flower boat."
"Sailing on the lake while admiring the beautiful scenery of Lake Dongting is quite famous."
"Especially if you ride the most splendid one, you'll draw envious gazes that make you feel superior, or so he said?"
"Do you want a splendid boat?"
"I'll launch an even more extravagant and stylish one than my master's and enjoy the romance. There's no way this young guy will be outdone by that toothless old master of mine?"
Heuk Gwang inwardly chuckled at the boastful display.
'You nouveau riche punk. Do you even know how expensive a hobby flower boats are?'
It wasn't just about launching a boat.
You had to hire rowers and prepare banquets, which cost a fortune.
'You short-sighted nouveau riche fool. I'll leave you penniless.'
With that thought, Heuk Gwang subtly suggested.
"You said you want the most splendid boat? I know just the place."
***
"Whoa! That's incredible!"
A massive cheer erupted the moment they arrived at the dock.
'It really is a sight to behold.'
Dozens of ornate pleasure boats were lined up in perfect order.
And among them were the large warships and battleships prepared for the upcoming subjugation of the Yangtze Waterway Stronghold.
'This is directly managed by the main faction. Not a place any riffraff can just waltz into.'
The fact that not just anyone could come here also meant only the priciest boats were available.
True enough, the country bumpkin was drooling at the sight of these next-level flower boats.
"Wow. This is truly impressive."
As he chattered on like a bumpkin for a while, a familiar face approached.
"Well, well. If it isn't Young Master Heuk."
It was the owner of the large ship manager who rented out the docked flower boats.
Of course, this man was practically an arm of the Thunder Tiger Sect.
"I'd like to rent a boat."
As Heuk Gwang quietly spoke, he subtly moved his lips.
[Anything as expensive and flashy as possible? It'd be perfect if you can bankrupt this guy.]
The ship owner's eyes sparkled at the transmission.
"Hoho. Such a refined young master. That splendid robe really catches the eye."
"Haha. Good eye. You can tell it's expensive. Doesn't it suit me well?"
Whirl.
Spinning around in his red robe, he looked like a fresh mushroom thrilled to try on new clothes.
"What kind of boat did you have in mind?"
"The biggest one possible."
"We can't rent out the warships. They don't belong to us."
"Tch. Boring. What else you got?"
"We have everything from large ships to medium ones. But considering your status, young master, I'd recommend a sand ship."
"Sand ship?"
"It's named that because it glides over sand like water. Incredibly fast and agile. The top choice among the wealthy."
"Then that's the one."
"This way, please."
After showing a few suitable boats, the owner finally stopped in front of one.
It was a boat entirely covered in gold leaf.
Beautiful patterns were embossed on the bow and stern, and the gleaming gold made it look like it was floating on coins.
The owner subtly pitched his voice.
"As it looks, it's said to attract wealth."
"Wealth? You mean money?"
"They say riding it brings fortune all year round, so it's called the Fortune Ship."
"But it's expensive..."
"Just earn more. What's there to worry about?"
After dangling that tantalizing bait, the bumpkin twitched his ears and replied immediately.
"You're right. I'll take this one."
"Boss, give me a good deal for my face."
As Heuk Gwang chimed in, the owner pretended to relent.
"For an acquaintance of Young Master Heuk, I can't charge full price. Understood. I'll make some concessions, humble as they are."
That sealed the deal.
***
In an instant, the fat wallet slimmed down.
But Heuk Gwang added more expenses.
"Bring in some musicians. Can't enjoy romance without fine tunes."
Not to mention demanding all sorts of items for the banquet.
"Load it up with delicacies from land and sea, and plenty of good liquor. Life's for enjoying, right?"
The wallet had thinned out in a flash, but the country boy was still engrossed in the boat.
"Heh heh heh. So this is my boat for today?"
He seemed oblivious to becoming a beggar himself, unable to tear his eyes away.
'Fleecing a greenhorn like this is child's play.'
***
Aboard the golden boat, as the bumpkin looked around and cackled.
"See that? Everyone's looking at us with envy."
"Definitely jealous stares all around."
"Sometimes the master gets it right. Enjoying envious looks is pure pleasure."
Clearly thrilled, he slapped his knee laughing, so Heuk Gwang shifted his attention.
"Come on over here. Can't enjoy the best boat on an empty stomach, right?"
Clap clap.
As he clapped, musicians poured onto the deck and set up in one corner.
"Musicians ready to play till their hands bleed, just for you."
"Great. Perfect. Music's essential for a cruise."
"And the chefs with all the delicacies too. Let's get properly drunk today."
Urging him with a sly tone, Heuk Gwang could barely suppress his leaking grin.
'This is your last ride. I'll play along a bit more.'
Splash!
The golden flower boat churned foam and sped forward.
***
But an unexpected situation arose.
While nimbly dodging other flower boats on Lake Dongting, a small accident occurred.
"Whoa!"
The rower slipped, the boat veered, and it crashed into another docked boat, rocking violently.
Thud!
At the heavy jolt, Heuk Gwang glared at the rower.
"S-sorry!"
"You idiot. Making a mistake like this..."
He wanted to punish the prostrating rower, but Heuk Gwang grew anxious.
With the Iron Chain Alliance requisitioning boats right now, anyone who could float a flower boat here had power and influence.
'If we piss off some bigwig, we're in trouble.'
Handling it quickly came first.
Sure enough, shouts erupted from the bumped boat.
"What the hell?!"
A warrior in a yellow robe appeared at the stern.
Heuk Gwang grimaced at the protruding sword hilt on his shoulder, but relaxed upon seeing the text on his chest.
'One of ours from the main faction.'
Thank heavens.
'If it's main faction, cleanup will be easy.'
As he prepared a suitable apology to back off, a rude voice cut in from the side.
"What? Some shitty boat rams ours?"
"Shitty boat? Who the hell are you?"
"Isn't it manners to give your name before asking others'?"
"I'm Yi Gang of the Thunder Tiger Sect. I've given mine, so reveal yours. I'll teach you a lesson."
"Don't know. No name. Fuck."
The self-proclaimed Yi Gang gaped in shock.
And the bumpkin piled on.
"Not only do you bump our boat, but your manners suck too."
No sooner had he spoken than a thud rang out, and his robe fluttered.
"Stop!"
Heuk Gwang hurriedly intervened as the bumpkin launched himself with ferocious momentum.
Smack!
He barely blocked the downward sword scabbard strike on Yi Gang.
"Urk!"
The force pushed him back horizontally, staggering.
'Just like master said. Incredible power in that sword.'
But scarier than the swordsmanship was the asshole personality.
"Outta the way!"
Like a predator that wouldn't let go, the bumpkin flipped in midair and hammered down vertically with the scabbard repeatedly.
Thud! Thud thud!
Heuk Gwang, blocking horizontally, finally dropped one knee to the deck.
"Urk!"
Crack! Thump thump!
He finally smashed the opponent's forehead, kicked his chest, grabbed the collar, and hurled him inside the boat.
"Gah!"
Crash!
Yi Gang tumbled across the deck with a groan, sliding into the banquet hall and turning it into chaos.
'This is bad. Who's the owner of that boat? If we're not careful...'
His heart skipped a beat.
"That nobody..."
Cutting off the bumpkin dusting his hands, a heavy bass voice rang out.
"Heuk Gwang."
'No way.'
Heuk Gwang's pupils trembled as he turned toward the voice, his legs going weak.
Beyond the wrecked banquet table inside the boat, four young men and women stared over—each exuding refinement and beauty, clearly from noble houses.
The voice belonged to the man at the center seat, with caterpillar eyebrows.
"Y-Young Master."
The Thunder Tiger Sect's eldest young master, Nak Jeong-dae, clenched his square jaw to suppress his rage, slammed down his chopsticks, and glared furiously.
***
The Thunder Tiger Sect's eldest young master couldn't hide his fury.
He'd been holding successive banquets to win over the woman he fancied.
Then some thunderbolt idiot shows up and wrecks everything.
"Heuk Gwang. Explain."
"Y-Young Master."
"I said explain."
"It's... a long story."
"Doesn't matter."
As Heuk Gwang knelt on one knee and opened his mouth.
"Hey, who the hell are you to hassle my friend?"
The interloper spoke up.
"Who am I?"
Someone on Lake Dongting who doesn't know me?
Stunned speechless, laughter burst from both sides.
"Haha. Someone who doesn't know the Tiger Sword of Thunder Tiger Sect."
"Indeed. Unthinkable."
A girl seated nearby giggled too.
"Brother Nak, don't be disappointed. He seems like a bumpkin."
"......"
Only the pale-faced woman silently watched.
Glancing at her, the man replied.
"I'm Nak Jeong-dae, eldest young master of the Thunder Tiger Sect. Who are you?"
"Cross Freak Sword."
"Cross Freak Sword, huh. So you're the thunderbolt idiot they've been talking about lately?"
"Your side? Hey, I'm not an object to be 'that side' or 'this side'."
"Fine. What should I call you then? Little brother?"
"You really wanna go there?"
His temper flared at the term, spewing profanity, making Nak Jeong-dae twitch his brow.
'Why's this lunatic pissed again?'
He, the eldest young master, had graciously called him little brother.
"If I'm your little brother, that means your dad has two sons. You just insulted my parents, right?"
"......"
No.
Little brother was just a respectful address for juniors.
"Plenty suspect my parentage, but hearing it to my face pisses me off."
"...Pfft."
He instantly realized this guy was impossible to reason with.
"Can't talk to you. First, fix that wild boar temper that charges without thinking."
"What?"
"Throw him in the water. A cold dunk might cool him off."
"Yes, young master."
One warrior stepped forward from the rock-solid guards behind.
The slender man shook his wrists, and two short harpoons popped from his sleeves.
"Warrior Gwak. Borrow the power of the Lake Dongting Human."
"If the young master wishes, I'll soften him up nice and deliver."
Gwak Pyeong gripped a harpoon in each hand and advanced.
"Cross Freak Sword? Your nickname doesn't do your freakishness justice."
"What's that?"
"Gwak Pyeong, Lake Dongting Human. The one personally dunking you."
"You? Dunk me?"
"Filthy-mouthed brat."
The moment Gwak Pyeong's form blurred.
Swoosh!
Leaping two boat lengths in one bound, he hurled himself at the Cross Freak Sword.
"Like there's anything I can't do!"
The two harpoons in his hands trailed afterimages, piercing toward him.
***
'He took the bait.'
Chu Un-hwi smirked at Gwak Pyeong lunging at him.
'The Murim Alliance way is too outdated.'
How long would it take to disguise as a worker and reach the Iron Chain Alliance's Four Kings? It didn't suit him.
'Better to catch their eye directly and get promoted.'
Nak Jeong-dae, eldest young master of the Thunder Tiger Sect.
And all the youths here were scions of major factions around Lake Dongting.
No better stepping stone to stand out and get heavy favoritism.
Only worry was whether they'd accept him.
'I'll make them unable to resist.'
For that, first.
Swoosh!
He had to smash this clueless fool stabbing with harpoons right in his face.
'Overwhelmingly.'
The moment his sword tip quivered, a brilliant cross sword beam exploded forth.