Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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On the day of departure, I decided to board a warship instead of a merchant vessel. That was because, just like before, if pirates approached firing cannons or arrows, I could easily engage them, and the warships were faster to begin with. It was possible only because I had obtained permission from the head of the Seo Palace Escort Agency in advance.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ahn Hyun, the adjutant serving under the general."
The reason he treated me, who was young, neither like a child nor overly deferentially was probably related to the suspicious attitude General Jang Kyungik had shown me.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Baek Woong."
Ahn Hyun seemed to be the navy's adjutant in command of the Heavenly Troops under General Jang Kyungik. He was a stern-looking martial officer with a long sword sheathed at his side. Though he appeared average in height, commanding a naval guard ship over three cheon long made him a high-ranking officer. He looked at me with a peculiar gaze and said,
"I've heard you're a strange wanderer of the jianghu and think the pirates will attack this time."
"It might happen."
"Haha, you're quite the worrier. With three warships escorting us, what could go wrong? Merchant ships and warships are on a different level. Even the most ferocious Blood Blade Pirates in these waters wouldn't dare attack if they were sane."
Ahn Hyun's laughing words made sense. The three naval warships carried hundreds of soldiers alone. Pirates had eyes too—attacking under such escort would be madness.
Of course, if they didn't attack, that was fine by me. I didn't argue with Ahn Hyun and just smiled faintly in response.
"I trust you."
"Rest easy. We'll arrive in Gaegyeong, Goryeo, without incident."
I quietly rested in the cabin prepared for me on the warship. Before boarding, I'd already asked a blacksmith to sharpen my spear and sword on a whetstone. I looked calm, but my combat readiness was at its peak.
By common sense, no one would think pirates would dare attack with warships escorting. But I knew the Blood Blade Pirates were backed by the Sea God's kin. They might even attack a regular navy fleet to prove their strength. Knowing this, I stayed vigilant without relaxing.
About four days passed like that. Suddenly, a naval soldier rushed down from above, opened my door, and said,
"Sorry, come quickly. It's urgent."
"Is Adjutant Ahn Hyun calling for me?"
"Yes. Follow me."
I followed the soldier to the deck area. Ahn Hyun and several other officers were already there. Ahn Hyun, arms crossed and staring into the distance, noticed me and said,
"Oh, you're here? It really turned out just like you said."
"Pirates?"
"Yes. The Blood Blade bastards—eight ships, no less."
Eight ships!
Far larger than the group I'd encountered before. I asked just in case,
"They're really attacking a regular navy fleet?"
Ahn Hyun chuckled in disbelief.
"Looks like it. How much do they underestimate us..."
Looking toward the horizon, I saw Blood Blade pirate ships approaching from all directions. Our side had three merchant ships and three warships, so we were outnumbered. And considering the merchant ships had almost no combat strength, it was even worse.
"Won't we be at a disadvantage with fewer ships?"
"Heh. Just watch."
Ahn Hyun let out a sinister laugh.
"You'll see the difference in power between mere pirates and the navy."
With that, Ahn Hyun gave orders to the officers.
"Permission to open the ports for the Red Barbarian Cannons. Fire on the enemy ships immediately."
"Yes!!"
Clang!!
Moments later, the three warships turned to starboard, and iron maws slowly emerged from below the hulls. Wondering what they were, I watched as the pirates closed within seventy jang. Then a massive explosion roared.
The officers waved flags and shouted,
"Fire!"
Boom boom boom!!
With a thunderous sound, something burst forth. A Blood Blade ship suddenly gaped open with a huge hole, shattering in a shockwave. Pirates screamed as they were flung into the sea, some swimming toward us. Ahn Hyun confirmed it coldly and said,
"Fire arrows. Don't let a single one escape."
Swoosh swoosh swoosh
Thud thud
As the ship sank and pirates jumped into the water, steel arrows from the warships pierced human flesh. Pirates wailed for mercy, but none was given. Even those who could have been spared or left adrift were shown no quarter—unusually cruel.
'He's angry.'
Ahn Hyun seemed furious that the pirates had attacked relying on numbers. This happened everywhere at sea, but each Red Barbarian Cannon blast sank pirate ships effortlessly. Followed by steel arrows finishing the foes—it was overwhelming.
Boom
Boom
The sea battle had raged for barely one shichen, but the tide had turned decisively. The three warships and merchant ships were unscathed, while four pirate ships had sunk. The overwhelming advantage came from the cannons' range far exceeding arrows, and a single hit sinking a pirate ship.
Watching the massacre, I asked Ahn Hyun,
"What are Red Barbarian Cannons?"
"You jianghu folk might not know, but these are new weapons imported a few years ago. The navy actively adopted these from the Red-Haired Barbarians. Probably many deployed in the land armies too."
"Red-Haired Barbarians?"
"There's a western barbarian nation called Holland. That's what they call the blue-eyed, blond or red-haired barbarians from there."
"Hmm..."
I found it fascinating.
'That iron muzzle launches iron shot at tremendous speed. The impact alone sinks pirate ships.'
Focusing my qi-enhanced dynamic vision, I roughly grasped the cannon's principle. A chill ran down my spine. Each cannon's destructive power was immense. No human could withstand a direct hit.
Outmatched in range, speed, durability, and tactics, the Blood Blade Pirates had no chance. Realizing this, the remaining four ships hesitated, pulling back. Ahn Hyun pondered whether to pursue.
"Hmm. Annoying..."
"What's wrong?"
"If they scatter, cannon accuracy drops. Fixed broadsides are ideal. Moving rashly risks them breaking through."
I thought to myself,
'Perfectionist.'
He spoke as if deeply troubled, but it was just hesitation for total victory. Victory was assured; he wanted minimal losses and surrender. Of course, it was the mark of a fine commander, so I inwardly acknowledged Ahn Hyun's skill.
I said,
"Are you planning to wait until they retreat?"
"Of course not. Just observing a bit."
He probably planned to strike when they faltered. Looking at Ahn Hyun's predatory, aggressive face, I said,
"If that's the case, give me a chance to shift the situation."
"What do you mean?"
"Lend me a small boat, and I'll bring back their leader's head."
Ahn Hyun's eyes gleamed.
"I know you're a peak expert of the martial world, Baek Woong. But the general ordered me to treat you with utmost care—no exposing you to danger. Stay put, and we'll finish them."
"That's the problem. Letting their leader escape into the sea could be dangerous."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll take responsibility for all lives. I'll write a blood oath, so permit me to go."
I took paper, bit my thumb to draw blood, and began writing a blood oath. Ahn Hyun was startled.
"No..."
Soon, the oath stating no grudges even in death was complete.
"Please hold off a full assault until I return."
Handing it to Ahn Hyun, he said reluctantly,
"Fine. I'll give you one small boat and three soldiers. But this is on you."
"Don't worry."
Splash—
Soon, I boarded a small boat with three soldiers and set out to sea. The veterans remained calm even in what seemed a suicide mission, rowing swiftly toward the pirates. I pointed.
"That ship with the pitch-black anchor."
"Got it."
As we neared thirty jang from the pirate flagship, arrows flew. I swept them aside with my spear, watching closely, then suddenly leaped into the sea.
Splash
My foot struck the surface once, spraying water. In one bound, I covered thirty jang, landing atop the pirate flagship. The pirates aboard all stared at me.
Before, I'd have slaughtered without question. But now, radiating killing intent, I shouted lowly,
"Anyone who doesn't want to die, drop your weapons and kneel."
Swoosh
Weapons flew from everywhere, dismissing it as nonsense. Archers and pirates charged with swords and spears. I eyed each attacker and moved to slaughter them instantly.
Slash slash slash
Blood sprayed skyward. As my spear swept the air, human bodies shattered and flew. In moments, twelve pirates became lost souls. The rest hesitated, backing away.
"Waaah."
A door opened, and elite pirates with sabers poured out from within—just like before, around thirty strong.
Clang
I parried their attacks casually, advancing to the bow. Some brushed by my qi-infused spear shockwaves screamed and flew into the sea. Despite dozens attacking, they couldn't touch me, panicking.
"Huff..."
"What kind of kid has such skill?"
Tap
Judging I'd shown enough, I stood at the bow and said to them,
"Normally, I'd kill you all. But I'll give you a chance."
The pirates surrounding me with blood sabers weren't rabble—they had decent martial arts. Feeling the gap with me, murmurs arose. The frontmost pirate said,
"What chance?"
Sharply eyeing the inner door, I said,
"I know your leader isn't human, but kin of the Sea God. We've come to subjugate them."
Murmurs...
Clear unrest spread among the elite pirates. Not surprise at unheard news—I realized they all knew their leaders were fishfolk.
A vice-leader type stepped forward.
"The navy really knows?"
"Yes. Why else escort a mere caravan with three ships?"
"......"
"And ten more experts like me came along. You have no chance."
A lie with bluff, but they bought it. Half their fleet sunk, it was believable. He eyed me cautiously and said,
"We never meant to attack the navy. We wanted to let you pass, but the leader insisted."
"So?"
"Guarantee our lives, and we'll surrender now."
I grinned.
"Of course. Pirates get executed without trial, but I'll vouch for you. Drop your swords now."
"Then..."
As he spoke,
Splat!
Thud
"Grraaagh..."
He collapsed slowly. A thrown saber pierced his heart from behind—death inevitable. From the flagship's interior, three Blood Blade pirate leaders emerged, fully cloaked.
One boomed in a thick voice,
"What are you fools bewitched by? Kill him now."
The surrounding pirates hesitated. Death either way, they wavered. I said to the leaders,
"Hey. Why attack the navy? Think you could beat warships with elite troops and Red Barbarian Cannons? What a delusion."
One leader replied,
"Who the hell are you? White Lotus Cult?"
"Who knows. More curious why you'd abandon human form to serve the Sea God."
My taunt startled them—they knew I'd seen their true forms. Thinking I knew much, they shouted in unison,
"Who are you? How do you know that!"
"Haha. Better to know you'll die for sure like this. Total annihilation. Better save your own skins first, no?"
My subtle words weren't for the leaders.
"......"
Rustle
Meeting my gaze, the Blood Blade elites exchanged looks, slowly encircling the leaders. Nearly thirty subordinates betrayed at once. The leaders yelled in shock,
"You mad bastards! Who do you point swords at?"
A blood saber pirate stepped forward, sword aimed, and shouted,
"You're the mad ones! Turning into unknown fish monsters is one thing, but attacking a navy ship?! Fuck you freaks, I'll slit your throats."
============================ Author's Note ============================
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