There Was One Madman (5)
As the Namgung Family boarded the ship docked at the pier and set off toward Maehwado, the merchants who saw it practically leaped for joy and shouted themselves hoarse.
"Namgung Family!"
"You damned bandits! Thought this was your world, did you?"
By order of the Black Dragon King, the water bandits had not harmed the merchants here. But that did not mean the resentment built up over decades of suffering at their hands had simply vanished.
In truth, part of their exhilaration came from seeing the bandits get their due, but that was not the only reason they were so excited. More than that, the Namgung Family's arrival had driven away the fear born of repeated defeats.
In the past, the Sapa had been something most people barely paid attention to. Then they formed the Saperyeon, and in an instant they had shoved the righteous factions into a pit of defeat and even pushed into the northern reaches of the Central Plains.
The fear that the north might truly fall into their hands. The fear that they might have to spend the rest of their lives walking on eggshells before those bandits. It had all been swept away in a single victory.
"See? I told you! The Gupailbang wouldn't just sit there and take it!"
"Hey now, don't say Gupailbang! The Namgung Family is one of the Five Great Families!"
"Ah! Same thing, isn't it?"
Watching the Namgung Family's ships advance on Maehwado, the people's chests swelled. This was the sight they had longed for over the past three years: the righteous striking down the Sapa in a single blow and protecting them.
The Namgung Family had also been the sect responsible for the disgraceful Maehwa Massacre, but that old ill will no longer lingered in the hearts of those here.
"Still... is it really all right to go that far? It's an island, after all."
"What nonsense. Do you think the Namgung Family hasn't considered that? They're doing this because they have a plan!"
"I suppose so."
As they watched the imposing ships surge forward, hope filled the merchants' eyes.
"Advance at full speed!"
Standing on the deck, Namgung Hwang shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Don't give the enemy a moment to recover. Cripple them quickly while they're still like drowned rats!"
"Family Head!"
Then Namgung Myeong, who had been scanning the surroundings with a worried expression, said anxiously, "They're water bandits! Even a cautious advance could be dangerous! Please, slow the pace!"
Namgung Hwang shot him a displeased glance.
"Must I really be so wary of those insignificant bandits?"
"If we let our guard down because they seem insignificant, we may make a grave mistake. Is it harder to be cautious of them, or harder to restore the Namgung Family's honor after a single fleeting blunder?"
For a moment, it seemed Namgung Hwang's temper flared. He glared at Namgung Myeong.
But this time, Namgung Myeong did not back down so easily. After staring at him for a long moment, Namgung Hwang slowly nodded.
"Slow the speed! Move carefully so the ship takes no damage! Changgung-geomdae, keep watch over the water! Some of you, jump in and prevent the bandits from approaching the ship!"
"Yes!"
At the command, the Changgung Sword Squad answered in a thunderous roar. Then a few of them leaped without hesitation into the Yangtze River.
"Thank you, Family Head!"
Namgung Myeong bowed deeply. Seeing that, Namgung Hwang clicked his tongue.
"Leader of the Changgung Squad!"
"Yes, Family Head!"
And with a heavy nod, he said, "Do not stop your bitter advice."
"...!"
"And don't bow your head so readily. The leader of the Changgung Squad is in a position to speak his mind to the Family Head. There's no need to thank me for that!"
"Understood, Family Head!"
Namgung Myeong's face brightened at once.
That was why he had no choice but to follow Namgung Hwang. It was true that the man was more ferocious than anyone, but that did not make him a tyrant.
Namgung Hwang was a man whose ears were open to any words that made sense and accorded with reason.
Whatever was lacking, he would fill in; whatever Namgung Do-wi lacked, he would fill in. Was that not what a family was?
"Family Head."
Then Namgung Do-wi, watching the front, said, "Artillery has been installed on the island. From what I've heard, this place known as Maehwado... has been armed with the White Thunder Cannon once used by the Bihryeok Sect."
"The White Thunder Cannon, is it?"
Namgung Hwang snorted.
"It would be useful in a war between bandits. But there is no way some cannon can touch a ship I'm protecting."
He shot the island a sharp glare and continued, "The only ones we need to watch are the Black Dragon King and the Black Dragon Clan. If they're not on Maehwado, those bandits can't stop the Namgung Family. No— even if they are, it makes no difference!"
What Namgung Hwang wanted was not merely to retake the northern reaches of the Central Plains.
What he truly wanted was to seize Maehwado in its entirety and turn it into a knife pressed against the enemy's throat. To force them to taste the very same feeling he had felt when he heard Maehwado had fallen into the hands of the bandits.
There's just a little over a month left until the three-year deadline.
When that time was up, the Namgung Family would advance south without looking back. To cut down every last one of those vile members of the Saperyeon.
"Status?"
"The bandits are not moving."
"No one seems to be approaching from beneath the river either."
"Hmph. So they're not complete idiots after all."
Namgung Hwang's lips twisted into a grin.
Water arts?
There was no doubt that the water bandits' techniques would be formidable underwater. But even so, they could never bridge a true gap in skill completely.
If two men of equal ability fought underwater, and one knew water arts while the other did not, the outcome would be obvious. But there was no way the Changgung Sword Squad and those clumsy bandits were of equal skill.
That had already been proven three years ago.
At the thought of those words, Namgung Hwang's face hardened sharply.
"Leader of the Changgung Squad!"
"Yes, Family Head!"
"Keep a close eye on the surroundings! The bandits may be setting up from a distance, intending to surround us after we land on the island!"
"I will confirm it!"
"After we land on Maehwado, some of you will remain on the ship and wait! If anything happens, we'll need a quick retreat!"
"Yes!"
The bitter wound of three years ago had taught Namgung Hwang the meaning of caution. But that also meant the wound Jang Il-so had inflicted on him was still burning vividly within him.
Black Dragon King! Jang Il-so!
Gritting his teeth, Namgung Hwang ground them hard enough to make a sound.
He could not escape the pain that scraped against his bones from moment to moment. It would not end until he cut off the Black Dragon King's head and ground Jang Il-so to dust.
"Crush them at once!"
"Yes!"
And then, the moment the ship drew near Maehwado—
"Fiiiiire!"
BOOOOOOM!
The White Thunder Cannons opened fire at the vessel carrying them. Cannonballs with power beyond anything a normal artillery piece could produce came hurtling in, as though intent on smashing the ship apart in a single blow.
"Cheap tricks!"
Namgung Hwang sprang to the prow at once and swung his sword like a streak of light. The white sword aura that burst forth struck the incoming cannonball and twisted its trajectory.
BOOOOOOM!
A massive pillar of water shot up from the surface where the cannonball fell. The spray that scattered outward looked almost like white fireworks.
"There is nothing to fear! Advance!"
"Charge!"
At the sight, the Changgung Sword Squad, their spirits soaring, let out a roar.
BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM!
The White Thunder Cannons continued to spit fire, but the cannonballs could not evade Namgung Hwang's sword. After batting away every shot, the corners of his eyes twitched.
"Ooooooh!"
His sword then erupted with sword aura.
The blade aura cut through the violently churning surface and drove straight into the cannon emplacements on the riverbank of Maehwado.
BOOOOOOM!
The White Thunder Cannons, along with the water bandits crowded around them to fire, were flattened into a single bloody mess and hurled away at once.
"Changgung Sword Squad! We land now!"
"Family Head! We're still at a distance!"
"You have to press the advantage when you've got it! And for safety, Leader of the Changgung Squad, stay on the ship and secure our retreat!"
"Yes!"
"Do-wi!"
"Yes!"
"Lead the Changgung Sword Squad and follow behind me! We strike without hesitation!"
"Yes!"
Namgung Hwang kicked off from the prow and jumped into the water.
Whoosh!
And the instant his feet touched the surface, he drove off it and surged forward.
Lightfooting Across the Water.
It was an astonishingly nimble and refined form of movement, utterly at odds with his massive build and domineering sword. It was so fast and sure-footed that one could almost suspect he was running across solid ground instead of the river.
The water bandits went pale at the sight of Namgung Hwang sprinting over the water and threw themselves into confusion.
It was a scene that showed, in the most extreme way possible, how much impact a single absolute expert could have on a battlefield.
And then—
BOOOOOOM!
Namgung Hwang leaped once more from the surface and landed on Maehwado as if he were a cannonball striking the ground. The bandits could not even flee; they stood frozen, staring dumbly at the supreme expert before them.
"Ah... ahhh..."
Holding his sword low, Namgung Hwang gazed down at the bandits with cold disdain. His eyes held a killing intent that seemed ready to tear them apart at once, yet he did not move.
Perhaps it merely gave the bandits time to prepare. But there was no denying the effect of Namgung Hwang's behavior.
The fact that the bandits were growing dazed and losing the will to resist was proof enough.
"I declare this without reservation."
Namgung Hwang's booming voice spread across Maehwado.
"From this moment on, no one who sets foot on this island and tries to hold their ground will survive. This is the last mercy I grant to those of you who are nothing more than men taking orders. Get off this island. Now!"
Swish.
At that moment, the Changgung Sword Squad, who had jumped from the ship behind Namgung Hwang, landed on Maehwado led by Namgung Do-wi. As they cut through the surf and formed up behind Namgung Hwang, their presence was overwhelming.
"Namgung Do-wi!"
"Yes, Family Head!"
"The warning is over! Slay the enemy! Leave no one on this island except those who bear the Namgung name!"
"Charge!"
Namgung Do-wi, the Single-Sword, took the lead and rushed forward. The instant the Changgung Sword Squad, swords drawn, followed after him, the last shred of the bandits' reason broke apart.
"U-uaaagh!"
"This is suicide!"
"I-into the water!"
They did not even think to resist. Turning their backs, they began to run.
"Stop! You damn bastards! Stop this instant! How can the heroes of the Water Bandit Sect show their backs before an enemy? You worthless worms! Stop right now!"
Yeo Dal, the old ghost of the nine houses, roared until veins stood out in his neck, but his voice seemed not to reach the bandits' ears at all.
That was only natural. However much he might be a guardian of the Yangtze River Water Bandits, compared to the Emperor Sword Namgung Hwang, he was no more than a firefly before the sun.
There could be no bandit who would trust him and stand against Namgung Hwang. Unless their minds had already gone, this was not a path anyone could choose.
"W-what... what is this..."
Yeo Dal's eyes trembled as though an earthquake were shaking them.
If they lost this place too, the Black Dragon King would surely tear him to pieces. But if he held out here, then it would not be the Black Dragon King who killed him, but Namgung Hwang.
He was trapped in a choice between a quick death and a slightly slower one. It was only natural that he could not move easily.
"Namgung Hwang! Namgung Hwaaaang! Do you know what you're doing?"
Having failed to choose anything at all, Yeo Dal hurled his fury at Namgung Hwang.
"The Black Dragon King will be enraged! He will be furious beyond measure. Do you understand what that means? Your actions will paint this Yangtze River red with blood—"
At that moment, Namgung Hwang crossed the distance in one breath and brought his sword down over Yeo Dal's head.
BOOOOOOM!
Yeo Dal was sent flying, spewing blood.
Under normal circumstances, even if his opponent had been Namgung Hwang, he would not have been flattened by a single blow like this. But his fighting spirit had already been shattered; he could not even defend himself properly, let alone fight back.
"The Black Dragon King's rage?"
Namgung Hwang ground out the words as he approached the writhing Yeo Dal.
"You should have thought about enduring my rage first! I've been furious from three years ago until now."
"Kheh... you idiot..."
Bloodshot veins burst in Yeo Dal's eyes.
"The Tyrant Lord will surely take your head. You've done something you should never have—"
Slash!
In the end, Yeo Dal's head rolled to the ground.
"Go on. Keep talking. If you can still talk."
After severing Yeo Dal's neck in one stroke, Namgung Hwang raised his head without the slightest hesitation and looked over Maehwado.
"Hmph!"
The Black Dragon King's rage? That was exactly what he wanted.
"It doesn't matter who they are. Those Sapa bastards will tremble just at the name of the Namgung Family!"
On that day, the Changgung Namgung Family drove out the Water Bandit Sect and completely occupied Maehwado.