Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Clash with Heavenly Water Stronghold
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The boat departing the port soon escaped the waters of Dan River Port and set its course northward along the waterway.
The destination of the Ilhae Merchant Group was Zhengju in Henan City.
The cargo loaded heavily onto the boat was incredibly diverse, but mostly rice. Having heard that the grain harvest around Zhengju was poor, leading to famine, the Ilhae Merchant Group had poured out a fortune to stockpile rice.
However, with rice already being transported from various places, if they didn't make it in time, the price would plummet in an instant, selling at a loss for sure.
"Gazua!"
A bold shout echoed from the bow.
It was Jinmu.
He stood proudly at the bow like a general commanding the battlefield.
Good.
Not a bad stance.
However.
"I thought you were a dignified Taoist."
The one fuming was Merchant Leader Kang Yu, and it was because of Jingung.
The man who had said he'd come along if needed hadn't even shown his face.
Ruling over Dan River Port was the infamous Heavenly Water Stronghold.
Especially their stronghold leader, Du Nak-tong, a bandit chief whom even the Zhuge Family had failed to subdue several times.
The official bounty on him alone was a whopping five hundred nyang.
Yet in this situation where such a nefarious expert might strike at any moment, they only had an inexperienced, green First Generation Disciple.
"Haa."
A sigh escaped naturally.
"Rowers, man the oars! Charge like the wind! I am the Sea God! Uhahaha!"
Seeing Jinmu so excited and shouting at the top of his lungs made Kang Yu's energy drain away.
Oars my ass—it was a sailboat.
Moreover, not a warship but a merchant vessel; there were no rowers to speak of.
This wasn't child's play; it was serious merchant business.
Kang Yu felt like bursting into tears. He wanted to beat his chest by the riverbank and wail.
Problems had erupted the moment they allied with Wudang.
It was surely the Zhuge branch, resentful of their attachment to Wudang, that had mobilized the Yi Seong Merchant Group.
The waterway permit he'd painstakingly obtained through an acquaintance in the government.
If they'd followed the patrol boats safely, there would've been no issue.
But because the Yi Seong Merchant Group threw their weight around, they were delayed, and even the government was turning a blind eye despite it being a waterway permit matter.
They must have bribed the Yi Seong Merchant Group for sure.
'Damn it. My mistake, my mistake.'
Kang Yu stared vacantly at the bow, sighs pouring endlessly from his mouth.
Jinmu, commanding the Second Generation Disciples at the bow, looked just like...
'A street punk boss.'
It was enough to drive him mad.
"Cheongsang."
"Yes, Martial Uncle."
When Jinmu called while lying at the bow, Cheongsang hurried over and replied respectfully.
"Where are we now?"
"At the entrance to West Gorge."
"West Gorge, huh."
It meant they had fully escaped Dan River Port's waters.
And that signified...
'Heh heh heh. The bandits' business is about to start soon.'
He knew the name of the bandits ruling Dan River Port like it was common knowledge.
Their names had come up repeatedly in the crew's murmurs on the boat.
Heavenly Water Stronghold.
Also known as the waters of heaven.
No need to rack his brains for the meaning.
Literal, as the name implied.
Such a simple name, yet how poetic and brilliant?
Just hearing it lifted his spirits—a cherished name of the nefarious world. He didn't care that their leader was Du Nak-tong.
Anyway, these elite nefarious folk cruising the heavenly waterways were just enemies now.
Past ties?
Loyalty?
No need to uphold that.
Right now, he wasn't the Lord of Evil Hegemony Heaven—he was Jinmu.
A First Generation Disciple ready to make Wudang's name resound across the world against vile nefarious attacks.
Plus, Jingung would kneel and beg before him and his master.
'Heh heh, catching and thrashing a guy who's proudly inscribed his name among the nefarious, not some alley thug in Dan River Port.'
Merit for the Grand Disciple Tournament!
His recognition within the sect would rise—not just a bit, but massively.
Come on, then.
You nefarious rabble.
I'll deliciously devour you for my merits and reputation.
"Kuhahaha!"
Jinmu threw his head back, arm on his waist, bursting into mad laughter.
"Senior Brother."
Seeing Jinmu like that, Cheongu whispered lowly to Cheongsang.
"Yeah?"
"Does Martial Uncle have some good news or something?"
"Who knows? He's always been inscrutable."
"Even so, with everyone so worried, that attitude is a bit..."
As Cheongu glanced around nervously, Cheongsang smiled faintly and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Cheongu, is Martial Uncle an ordinary person? He must have something in mind."
"Yes."
Unlike the excited Jinmu, Cheongsang and Cheongu were tense.
They'd heard the nefarious bandits' cruelty was tongue-wagging.
Moreover, Du Nak-tong of the Waist-Cutting Blade, a famed killer.
They said he was called that because he severed opponents' waists upon encounter.
How terrifying a name was that?
But.
Grip.
Cheongsang gripped his sword hilt firmly.
'The realm I realized with Martial Uncle's help.'
This was his first battle, first real combat, first time using sword qi.
Also.
'Bandits and brigands. Useless scum bringing harm without benefit.'
Killing intent blazed in Cheongsang's eyes.
He had lost his family to brigands in childhood.
How deeply that grudge had burned, aching his heart?
That's why he'd trained harder than anyone in Wudang.
This was revenge.
So his slain family and villagers wouldn't wander the underworld.
Sword qi would dance for them, enemies' screams a dirge consoling them.
As Cheongsang calmed his pounding heart and exuded killing intent fiercely.
The Ilhae Merchant Group's boat was rounding a river bend against a cliff.
Jinmu, sharply scanning surroundings, called Cheongsang with a sinister smile.
"Cheongsang!"
"Yes! Martial Uncle!"
He flinched.
Jinmu was startled by Cheongsang's booming reply.
Why was this kid so bloodthirsty?
The sight of Cheongsang that Jinmu saw.
His eyes were slightly rolled back.
Was it four whites eyes, showing whites in four places?
They said four whites eyes belonged to killers.
Anyway, his pupils gleamed with intent to kill something right then.
Oh right, his family.
But why vent on water bandits? He got slapped by brigands.
Whatever, didn't matter.
No reason to refuse if he'd fight hard.
"Stay vigilant around us!"
"Pardon? Enemies?"
"No, just looks like prime terrain for them to appear."
"Understood!"
No further questions.
Cheongsang trusted Jinmu's words completely, as always.
Especially after recently attaining present qi under his guidance, it bordered on fanatic loyalty.
Jinmu soon lost interest in Cheongsang and turned his gaze back to the cliffs.
Where West Gorge truly began.
Obviously there.
Path ahead obscured by cliffs—perfect spot to hide a boat.
Bandit scum always appeared like that. Like providing a thrilling surprise to their boring routine.
Then they'd shout.
"Halt!"
Indeed.
As the boat rounded the bend past the cliff, the expected bellow resounded.
Hearing that gravelly nefarious voice after so long filled Jinmu with delight.
You've come, my merits.
"To think you'd try passing here without permission from I, Du Nak-tong, leader of Heavenly Water Stronghold."
As a burly man with equipment beard, upper body nearly exposed, appeared, the merchants shuddered in fear and backed away.
"D-Du Nak-tong."
Kang Yu's expression was near despair especially.
He'd prayed Du Nak-tong himself wouldn't come.
Aaah, if it were just his underlings below, there'd be a sliver of hope.
The Heavenly Water boats that appeared numbered three, main ship blocking center, small ships closing from left and right to prevent maneuvers.
Moreover, excluding the main, each small ship had over ten armed men at a glance.
Clang!
Hooks thrown from both small ships to anchor.
Creeeak.
As flanking bandits pulled hard, the small ships rapidly closed in.
Meanwhile, Jinmu at the bow watched in street boss pose, Second Generation Disciples below frozen in tension.
The excitement from departure was nowhere to be seen.
Wudang couldn't be trusted after all. Kang Yu had to protect the caravan himself.
Kang Yu pulled out a small box prepared for such emergencies, refusing to give up hope.
There was a custom with guarding bandits and brigands.
Called toll fee.
If he spoke well, he might pay some and pass.
"Kang Yu of the Ilhae Merchant Group from Dan River Port greets the river's hero."
"......"
"Our business is urgent, so we moved the boat without permission."
As Kang Yu stepped forward and opened the box, Du Nak-tong smiled pleasedly.
"Ha ha. A merchant who knows customs. Stop the boat and wait first. I'll come over and..."
Du Nak-tong chuckled heartily at the silver glinting even from afar in sunlight.
That instant.
"Customs my ass. What bullshit."
"......!"
A sudden lofty(?) jeer erupted.
"......"
Silence fell instantly.
Merchants turned to Jinmu in horror, bandits dug ears doubting what they heard.
"J-Jinmu Taoist?"
Kang Yu stared at Jinmu, arms crossed, glaring defiantly at Du Nak-tong.
This crazy Taoist bastard!
Provoking openly in such danger.
"W-Wait a moment, Jinmu Taoist."
Jinmu brushed off Kang Yu's desperate sleeve grab, lifting his chin to look down on Du Nak-tong.
Pay toll and pass?
He could, sure.
But then what of bandit-subduing merit? Reputation?
Absolutely not.
Had to fight and smash them.
"Hey! Merit!"
"......Hey?"
Not knowing what merit meant, Du Nak-tong clearly saw Jinmu's finger pointing at him.
"In the name of Wudang's sword, I shall not forgive you."
Cr-, if shouted under moonlight, it'd be poetic chant level.
Thinking it cool, Jinmu savored his own words.
'Ah, damn. We're screwed.'
Kang Yu despaired, slumping down.
"What the hell's he saying?"
Du Nak-tong was briefly dumbfounded by the unprecedented situation.
"Looks like a madman."
"Yeah. Forget tolls and crap—just cut their waists all."
As bandits sneered and gripped weapons.
"Cheongsang left flank, Cheongu right. Front is mine!"
At Jinmu's shout, Cheongsang and Cheongu spread like wings left and right without hesitation.
And.
Confirming the small ships close enough to leap, a chilling smile rose on Jinmu's lips.
"Smash them all!"
Bam!
Cheongsang and Cheongu leaped toward the approaching small ships left and right.
Following, Second Generation Disciples split in two and pursued.
The small ships were too close to block their boarding.
"What the...?"
Du Nak-tong couldn't comprehend.
Sudden attack?
From Taoists, no less.
Such bullshit in his thirty years as bandit—first time.
But still.
A few Taoists attacking over ten bandits... Huh?
"Hah!"
Moreover, Cheongsang attacking left unleashed bloody prowess.
Plain, unflashy, brutally practical swordsmanship.
"Krahk!"
"Ugh! My arm!"
Every sword swing brought underlings' screams, twisting Du Nak-tong's face.
Hand techniques so ruthless unlike a Taoist?
"Kuhahak! Die, you wicked water bandit scum!"
And that figure reveling in blood—what was it?
Covered in bandits' blood, severing limbs like a demon from hell.
"That damned Taoist!"
Left flank bandits were routed before boarding the merchant ship.
Couldn't tell who were nefarious and who righteous—so brutal.
Kwaaang!
As he ground teeth at Cheongsang, a massive impact turned his head right.
A Taoist with suffocatingly fat build.
"Hah!"
Fists and feet wildly battered bandits.
No—smashed.
Mercilessly, like venting deep grudge.
"You bastards!"
He wanted to rush and waist-cut them, but too far from main ship.
"What are you doing! Row! Hurry, ram their ship with the main..."
As Du Nak-tong yelled frustratedly at underlings.
Flutter!
Taoist robes flapping like flags at the bow caught his eye.
'Wha-how?'