Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: Black Crocodile Waterway Stronghold
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'What a guy I really don't like.'
Han Ibi thought.
It was about the Huashan Sect's Bang Gwang-sil, who was chattering away up front.
He seemed a bit excited about the fact that the Little Five Dragons had been invited to his sect.
"The beautiful scenery of Mount Hua is incomparable..."
With nothing else to do, the other trainees were listening intently to his words.
But for some reason, Han Ibi had no desire to hear it.
He turned his head to gaze at the expansive scenery.
It was quite a beautiful sight, if you ignored the murky, yellowish-brown muddy water.
That's right.
The Little Five Dragons and their leader, Maeng Gap-son, were currently crossing the Yellow River toward Shaanxi Province on a mid-sized boat.
It wasn't luxurious, but it was solidly built and cozy enough—perfect for enjoying the journey.
This was a kind of reward for the trainees who had endured so much hardship up to now.
The gentle current periodically rocked the boat with a soft sway.
It felt just like a cradle, and before he knew it, Han Ibi found himself nodding off.
Just as his consciousness began to fade...
The sudden murmur of the trainees pierced his ears, snapping Han Ibi's eyes wide open.
Yang Je of the Wudang Sect spoke up.
"What... what is that?"
Maeng Gap-son, who had also been dozing leisurely, jumped to his feet and fixed his gaze on what Yang Je was pointing at.
That's right.
A massive black ship.
At its top fluttered a flag emblazoned with the character for "crocodile" (鰐).
Maeng Gap-son groaned.
"Damn it. Those bastards are at it again. Looks like the info leaked. We warned them so sternly, but the Murim Alliance's discipline is a joke these days. Time to retrain them."
Yang Je asked,
"What do you mean by that?"
Maeng Gap-son waved him off irritably.
"It's nothing."
Tang Baek-mun of the Sichuan Tang Clan asked,
"Who are they?"
Maeng Gap-son replied curtly,
"If you're curious, go ask them yourself. A Little Dragon like you should handle something this minor."
Tang Baek-mun scratched his head awkwardly.
At that moment, one of the boatmen operating their vessel called out urgently.
"We can't go any further, sir. What should we do?"
Tang Baek-mun glanced back and forth between the dozing Maeng Gap-son and the boatman, then said,
"F-For now, stop the boat."
"Yes, sir."
It was then.
Figures appeared on the deck of the black ship, which loomed much higher than their own vessel.
Among them, a man with skin charred black on his face and arms bared his white teeth in a grin.
"Where are you all rushing off to in such a hurry?"
Tang Baek-mun said,
"Wh-Who are you?"
The sunburned man pointed to the flag flapping atop the mast.
"Come on, it's written right here in huge letters. Are your eyes just for show?"
Stunned by the man's rough speech, Tang Baek-mun was at a loss for words.
The other Little Dragons, limited by their inexperience and youth, could only wear bewildered expressions.
That's when Han Ibi spoke up.
"Just slapping a single 'crocodile' character on there—how are we supposed to know? We're just out for a pleasure cruise. Got business with us?"
The man chuckled unexpectedly.
"Just out for fun? This isn't exactly tourist territory."
Han Ibi replied,
"Mind your own business and move that big hunk of junk out of the way. We're in a hurry to have our fun."
The sunburned man grinned again.
"Oh ho. Is that so? But what's with this motley crew? Monks, Taoists... quite the odd bunch."
"What do you care if we're with monks or peddlers? Looks like..."
Han Ibi glanced alternately at the black ship and the men, then continued.
"...you're river pirates or something. Want money?"
The man and his crew burst into laughter.
"Well, we'd gladly take it if you offered, but you don't look flush enough for that."
Han Ibi said,
"Good eye. See you next time, then. Pick your marks more carefully from now on."
The sunburned man's face hardened.
"Looks like we've got a wet-behind-the-ears pup with a rude mouth on him."
Han Ibi snorted.
"Hmph. You leeches preying on powerless merchants, and now you're growling like you deserve respect?"
The man roared with laughter.
"Good. Good. I like your guts."
Then he bellowed loudly,
"Do the rising heroes of the Murim Alliance have the courage to rest awhile on the Black Crocodile Ship?"
Surprisingly, his voice carried profound inner energy, resounding thunderously in everyone's ears.
Tang Baek-mun whispered to Maeng Gap-son,
"Senior Maeng, what should we do?"
Maeng Gap-son cracked open one eye and clicked his tongue.
"That's for you lot to decide. Why drag innocent me into it? Handle it yourselves."
At that instant, Han Ibi shouted back,
"Seeing you know who we are and still invite us, we graciously accept and will drop by briefly!"
Han Ibi had channeled the Zhongli Pure Heart Method to its tenth stage, his voice echoing across the serene Yellow River surface.
At the same time, he kicked off from their deck, stepping onto the black ship's hull while deploying the Zhongli Swift Leopard Step.
This mimicked the lightness skill Maeng Gap-son had used climbing the cave wall.
Watching from the corner of his eye, one of Maeng Gap-son's eyebrows twitched upward.
"Whoa. Look at that."
"Like a water strider."
Some of the black ship's men exclaimed in admiration.
Anyway, with Han Ibi boldly leaping aboard like that, the men clustered at the stern parted naturally.
Such reckless bravado.
They looked quite flustered.
Han Ibi calmly addressed the sunburned man.
"I'm here."
The man was no ordinary fellow either.
"Welcome aboard."
Han Ibi glanced back at their mid-sized boat and said,
"The others aren't reckless punks like me—they're proper folk. If you're inviting them, hurry up and drop a rope ladder."
The man laughed heartily.
"Hey, you lot! What are you waiting for? The young hero has spoken—lower it now!"
His burly subordinates quickly lowered a rope ladder.
With things turning out like this, the remaining Little Dragons had no choice but to climb up hesitantly one by one.
With Han Ibi already strutting aboard so boldly, hesitation now would make them a laughingstock.
The last one, Yang Je of Wudang, paused midway up the rope and looked back.
"Aren't you coming, Senior Maeng?"
Maeng Gap-son opened his squinted eye wide.
"Why would I? He clearly invited the Murim Alliance's 'rising heroes' earlier."
"Still..."
Meanwhile, introductions were underway on the black ship's deck.
Han Ibi said to the sunburned man,
"You invited us, so shouldn't you introduce yourselves?"
The man laughed.
"Hahaha. Fair enough. We're the Black Crocodile Waterway Stronghold, operating on the Yellow River."
Han Ibi nodded.
"As I thought—river pirates."
The men's faces behind the man turned fierce.
Ignoring them, the man said,
"I'm Son Il-gwang, stronghold chief of the Black Crocodile Waterway Stronghold."
Han Ibi replied,
"I'm Jong Ri-mae of the Qingcheng Sect. Nice to meet you, though a bit late."
Murmurs rose from Son Il-gwang's subordinates behind him.
A familiar reaction.
The Qingcheng Sect's standing in the martial world had fallen that low.
They were shocked that a Qingcheng disciple was among the Murim Alliance's top young prospects.
Son Il-gwang said,
"Come, let's head inside."
With that, they were led into the glossy black cabin interior.
People look different up close.
The cabin featured a reception room fit for guests, where Son Il-gwang now sat in the host's seat.
Some of his men stood against the walls, arms crossed, watching them.
The Little Dragons, save for Han Ibi, all looked a bit dazed.
Son Il-gwang smiled.
"Sorry for testing you like that. No ulterior motives—just wanted to befriend you."
Han Ibi smiled back.
"Stronghold Chief, you've got real guts. Blocking the path even knowing we're from the Murim Alliance."
Son Il-gwang laughed heartily.
"That's not quite right. We invited you because you're with the Alliance."
He added in a lower voice,
"Besides, we've long maintained close ties with Alliance figures. Hey! Prepare the drinks!"
"Yes, sir!"
No sooner had he spoken than food and liquor arrived from outside the cabin.
Rare delicacies from land and sea, seldom seen.
The rich aroma of fine baijiu filled the room densely.
And moreover...
The group's eyes widened.
Bang Gwang-sil muttered,
"N-No way..."
Small wonder—the women serving the food were stunningly beautiful.
Hye Jeong of Shaolin fidgeted and chanted,
"Namo Amitabha..."
Son Il-gwang said,
"Monk, we've prepared separate vegetarian food and tea—no need to worry."
Thus, delectable dishes were laid out one by one.
The Little Dragons, fed only plain fare during training, found their mouths watering uncontrollably.
However...
Yang Je of Wudang said,
"We appreciate the hospitality, but what makes you think we can trust..."
But he couldn't finish.
Han Ibi was already stuffing his mouth full.
"Nom nom nom. What are you all staring at? Let's eat up—the hosts went to the trouble."
The trainees looked flustered.
Bang Gwang-sil opened his mouth.
"But..."
Han Ibi said loudly,
"Nom nom. Why hesitate? Worried about poison? Come on, who'd dare poison in front of the Sichuan Tang Clan? Right, Tang junior?"
Son Il-gwang laughed heartily.
"Excellent. True spirit of the Alliance's young heroes. We're glad to host you properly."
For a while, only Han Ibi's munching echoed in the cabin.
But the famished Little Dragons soon joined in competitively.
Under Son Il-gwang's lead, glasses clinked busily.
To these long-abstinent youths, the premium baijiu was pure nectar.
As they grew pleasantly tipsy...
Han Ibi patted his belly.
"Thanks, Stronghold Chief. Truly superb."
Son Il-gwang smiled.
"You're too kind."
"So, out with it."
"Out with what?"
"The real reason. I've not lived long, but I've never seen a free lunch in this world."
Son Il-gwang laughed heartily.
"Nothing like that. We just wanted to build ties with the Alliance's young heroes."
"River route turf war?"
Son Il-gwang's face lit up with amusement at the question.
It was then.
A man came rushing in breathless from outside the cabin.
He scurried to Son Il-gwang and whispered in his ear.
Son Il-gwang's smile vanished instantly.
He shot to his feet.
At the same time, a message rang in Han Ibi's ear.