Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Unintended Encounter (1)
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The captain couldn't help but tense up at Makgi's sudden intrusion. He rarely stepped forward himself. Under normal circumstances, he should have been back at the stronghold or aboard another vessel.
Unscheduled events were a burden to the captain.
But he couldn't afford to hesitate.
"Great Hero Makgi, here's the toll fee. May we be on our way now?"
"On your way? Where to? If you don't want to end up as fish food, get out here now!"
"...?"
The captain, who had handed over the toll, tilted his head in confusion. Makgi's behavior was an unexpected variable. He couldn't fathom why the man was acting this way. But he quickly realized it meant someone unknown to him was hiding aboard the ship.
"Great Hero Makgi, we have a guest from the Huangbo Clan on board."
"So what? You wanna try me? Shut your trap and stay put if you don't wanna die! Thousand-Faced Fox! You dare steal the sacred treasure of the Soho Stronghold and run? Come out, or I'll tear you to shreds!"
Makgi's booming roar echoed through the ship, a testament to his peak-level internal energy. Those with weaker resolve groaned under the pressure.
Krrm!
Not only the captain, who had hoped to defuse the situation by name-dropping the Huangbo Clan, but even Huangbo Jangseong couldn't hide his surprise. The pirate's power exceeded expectations. It explained why the Nangong Clan hadn't crushed the Soho Stronghold.
'At least peak realm.'
Huangbo Jangseong gauged the man's full strength in case things went south. Makgi wasn't a pushover, but defeat wasn't on his mind. The issue was their numerical disadvantage. The confined space of the ship worked against them too. The pirates would target the vessel itself if pushed.
'What the hell did the Thousand-Faced Fox steal?'
Thousand-Faced Fox Na-rung.
He was a renowned thief in the jianghu, famous for stealing anything he set his mind to. Moreover, he was a master of disguise. He could transform so perfectly that even the target couldn't tell the difference. He altered not just appearances, but speech patterns and mannerisms as well.
Pfft!
In the midst of this life-or-death standoff, Mujin stifled a laugh. It was obvious nonsense to anyone listening.
"What sacred treasure does a bunch of river pirates even have? You think you're the head of some ancient sect or something?"
Plunderers like them shouldn't even have their own possessions, let alone sacred treasures. Logically, it made no sense, yet everyone was taking it seriously.
But now that Makgi had singled out the Thousand-Faced Fox, he wouldn't back down until they found him. This was throwing a wrench into their schedule, which was annoying.
"Don't just stand there—search for him!"
"Yes, Channim!"
Thirty pirates began rummaging through the crew and passengers. Escape was impossible anyway. Even a nimble thief couldn't slip away easily in a confined ship. They might have deliberately waited for him to board. Crowds played to Na-rung's advantage.
It was then.
"Master Huangbo Jangseong, you'll need to step in."
At the cabin entrance stood a man holding a blade to Huangbo Jinun's throat, ready to slit it at the slightest provocation. He looked utterly ordinary.
Instead, the captain and crew were stunned.
"Old Star!"
"What are you doing?"
As the crew recognized him, the man called Old Star sneered. The plan had been to disguise himself as a crew member named Old Star to cross the Soho. He couldn't understand how the Soho Stronghold had found out.
Huangbo Jangseong glared at him.
"You're the Thousand-Faced Fox!"
"My deepest apologies for the inconvenience. But to survive, what choice did I have? Besides, I didn't steal any sacred treasure from the Soho Stronghold. Let's be real—do a bunch of river pirates even have something like that? Do they think they're some prestigious orthodox clan?"
Hmm.
He had a point.
Makgi had shouted so confidently that everyone had overlooked it. Mujin, the only one who had seen through the bullshit from the start, puffed up proudly at his son and Cheol-ho.
"See? Your old man nailed it!"
Taejin and Cheol-ho shot him a look that said this wasn't the time. A fight could break out any second, and people would get hurt. Especially Huangbo Jinun—his head was as good as gone.
Hmm.
Mujin asked Cheon-gyeong.
'That guy important?'
-No memory of him.
'Then he can die.'
-Fair assessment.
'Phew, good.'
-Protect Huangbo Seryeong.
'Obviously.'
Huangbo Seryeong was a future master of tactics like Xin Shan, a promising star far above some no-name thug. No need to worry unless she strayed out of sight. But he had no choice—he'd protect her.
'Sly fox.'
Huangbo Jinun, blade to his throat, had a dazed look in his eyes. Probably drugged. Makes sense—a thief like the Thousand-Faced Fox couldn't overpower Jinun cleanly with raw force. He'd used some knockout drug to weaken and subdue him.
'What did you expect, gobbling up anything handed to you? This life's done—head to the next.'
Dying young in screams was commonplace in the jianghu; it didn't even count as an accident.
Just because you were born late doesn't mean you leave late.
"Release Jinun, Na-rung, and I'll hunt you to the ends of hell and kill you."
"My nephew's head rolls first. Save my life, and nothing happens. I'm a thief, but I keep my word."
Twitch!
Huangbo Jangseong's brow furrowed sharply. He wanted to kill Na-rung, but Jinun's life hung by a thread. Annoying as the thief was, family came first.
"Crimson Dragon Squad, engage."
"Yes."
Not what Huangbo Jangseong wanted, but he had to block Makgi. Nephew's life first. Still, he hoped to end it without full combat.
Crack!
Makgi grew irritated as events deviated from his script. He hadn't expected the sly bastard to play it this way.
'Block this one, take out the others?'
Makgi pulled back his men and pondered. The Huangbo Clan was tricky, but only six strong. Eliminate them, erase traces, claim the prize.
Huangbo Jangseong, sensing this, revealed his identity.
"I am Huangbo Jangseong. If you truly wish to make an enemy of the main house, I won't stop you."
Damn it!
The Hundred Battle Fist!
Makgi's dilemma deepened.
The Hundred Battle Fist was Shandong's top expert, a fist art master. No easy win, and subduing without losses was impossible. His escorts radiated sharp auras too.
'Should've brought smarter guys?'
The Huangbo Clan was based in Shandong as one of the Five Great Clans. They had pull on the Soho, but they were still a threat. They hadn't touched Nangong shipments for that reason. Full retaliation would be dangerous.
Yet hesitation was obvious.
Greed.
In the tense atmosphere, Mujin protected Taejin and Cheol-ho while adjusting distance to Seryeong. Even if chaos erupted, her safety was assured.
"They won't actually fight, right?"
"Unless that pirate's an idiot, he won't push it."
Numerical superiority?
Not enough to make eternal enemies of the Huangbo Clan. Better to make excuses and withdraw.
Shameful for a warrior?
Ridiculous.
Where's honor for pirates? Their status made this convenient. A prestigious clan or sect would've forced a duel.
Tigers die for their pelts, warriors for honor. Reasons abound.
Cheol-ho interjected.
"If things go wrong, kill 'em all and sink the ship—no traces..."
"Idiot. You think the Huangbo Clan doesn't track their direct kin? They know he's on the Soho—how's that not pointing straight at the Soho Stronghold?"
Under Mujin's persuasive scolding, Cheol-ho pouted, glancing sideways. Taejin had done the same cutely earlier.
"...Don't pout like that—you'll die!"
He nearly struck.
For real.
Young-looking, but Cheol-ho was pushing fifty. He'd lowballed it due to the guy's soft heart. And now the pout?
Wanna really piiiss off and kill him!
Thoughts derailed, but protocol demanded retreat. They didn't even know the treasure yet. Better to wait for another chance.
Makgi wasn't mindless slaughter either. Sensing the odd vibe, he planned to pull back. Greed tempted, but survival first.
But then.
"You think we'll just let go of the Divine Transformation Demonic Essence Armor?!"
Someone shouted from afar.
Panic erupted. Why mention that here? The name carried massive weight.
Divine Transformation Demonic Essence Armor.
One of the Seven Great Armors of the martial world, top-ranked. Armor of Cheonmuja, one of the Five Heavenly Venerables five centuries ago.
Wearing it preserved stamina and internal energy indefinitely. Maintained peak condition. Impenetrable save by qi blades, with unmatched durability.
Above all, it held Cheonmuja's Heavenly Martial essence. Insights from the pinnacle of martial prowess among the Five Heavenly Venerables.
No true warrior could ignore its value.
Grind!
Makgi gnashed his teeth.
He'd planned to retreat and catch the Fox before he escaped the Soho. But now the Huangbo Clan knew—retreat impossible.
"Kill them all!"
No choice—must seize the map marking the armor's location.
"Block the pirates."
Huangbo Jangseong grasped the gravity and moved with the Crimson Dragon Squad.
Makgi unleashed Wild Blood Steps, pouring everything into subduing Huangbo Jangseong.
Battle unfolded in thickening fog.
In the chaotic fray, Mujin ordered Taejin and Cheol-ho to isolate crew and passengers from harm.
They started the fight; innocents suffer. To civilians, warriors weren't good or evil—just evil.
If no spare capacity, fine. But minimize damage where possible.
He didn't chase perfection. Lives weren't toys, but surprises happen.
Booom!
Makgi and Huangbo Jangseong clashed.
Axe and fist met with sonic booms, shaking the ship. Peak energy escalated. True masters transcended human limits.
'Hundred Battle Fist, my ass—damn it!'
'Stronger than expected.'
Huangbo Jangseong's face darkened at Makgi's power. He'd gone all-out for a quick win, but Makgi's domineering steps countered. Exchanges revealed it wouldn't end simply.
Fortunately, Crimson Dragon Squad performed well.
They thinned numbers before reinforcements from two approaching boats boarded. Seasoned pirates, but inferior. Once merged, bloodbath inevitable.
The duel intensified.
Huangbo Jangseong gained angle with footwork, unleashing Cross Cannon of Hegemony. Fierce qi like blades in his reinforced fists. He pierced defenses in an instant, creating distance. Battle-honed strikes flowed seamlessly.
Booooom!
Whooosh!
Like hammering heavy iron? The roar assaulted eardrums. Sharp impact sliced through after sonic boom. Huangbo Jangseong, now distant, looked grim.
"Slippery rat!"
Makgi's face twisted viciously. Instinctive Wild Blood twist saved him—lumbar nearly shattered.
'Not just power—those reflexes...'
Huangbo Jangseong underestimated Makgi's arts no more. Skill alone didn't decide fights, but tier gaps mattered. Quick win foiled; raw power and reflexes blocked crises, countering viciously.
'One slip, and I'm done.'
Huangbo Jangseong treated Makgi as a lifelong rival. No room for lapse.
'Why aren't these bastards boarding? Damn it!'
Makgi sensed the shift in Huangbo Jangseong's killing intent. Dodging crises, but wounds accumulated. Called no backups to monopolize treasure—now backfiring.
'Just board, and it's over!'
As if on cue.
Pirates swarmed aboard. Ships flanked both sides, no escape.
"Annoying tactics."
"Bear with it a bit. It'll end soon."
An elder in white robes stood arms crossed on deck, staring into foggy distance. Extraordinary aura befitting a hegemon.
They had plans.
Soho Stronghold would seize the ship, kill witnesses. Treasure exposure risky. They'd scheme, but even that was intended.
"Makgi can't suppress Hundred Battle Fist easily."
"Black Shadow'll handle it."
Inferior to Thousand-Faced Fox's disguises, but Black Shadow was adept. Scent trackers scattered post-job; pursuit futile. Wipe evidence at HQ, armor theirs.
That instant.
Huh?
Sudden unease spread like ink on rice paper.
"...Who goes there?!"
Before response, terrifying artillery shot straight. Unimaginable speed. Tyrannical force dominated space.
Shiiiing!
Dodge—crisis screamed.
Move!
Splat!
Exploded.
Turning barely, his companion Paegyeom's upper body vanished—legs alone remained.
"No way... Guhuk!"
Jo-un froze at the surreal sight.
The intruder had flown aboard, grabbed his throat in a blink. Paegyeom dead instantly, him subdued. Struggling for life, but rampaging dominance infiltrated, controlling flesh. Unprecedented aura. Never imagined such tyranny.
Who...?
Shiver!
Reality denied. Jo-un and Paegyeom, infamous fifty years ago as White Blood Twin Evils, ranked among jianghu's top hundred.
One-on-one or duo—they could kill anyone. Yet instantly crushed, death imminent.
'...Where'd this monster come from?!'