Chapter 161
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Six Meridians Divine Sword (2)
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Late at night.
"So, any decent ones among them?"
"Don't even ask. They're all leeches clinging to the riverbank from the start. No way there'd be anything worthwhile."
"Tch. The good stuff must've all been snatched up by the other guys already, huh?"
On the deck, the only sounds were the hushed chatter of the sentries standing watch.
Of course, strictly speaking, their duty was to keep an eye on the front for any hidden reefs or patrols from the authorities.
But no man cunning enough to faithfully carry out such a task would ever end up as a river pirate in the first place.
"So, where'd you sell those ones off to?"
"Anywhere short on hands, I guess. Sell 'em wherever, and it's all money in the end."
Their boat was loaded with the highest-value cargo imaginable.
Slaves.
Easy to harvest anywhere, they didn't spoil quickly, and depending on their condition, they fetched top prices when sold.
Of course, harvesting them came with its risks.
But times like these were actually the perfect season for it.
They could shove all the dirty work onto the Chief Bandit Leader who'd gone ahead, then just reap the sweet rewards.
And if they got lucky and snagged a pretty decent girl in the haul?
The men on board could enjoy some happy times for a while.
Being a river pirate wasn't such a bad life after all.
Lost in such idle thoughts, one of the men glanced toward the riverbank.
"──?"
That was his final memory.
"What, did you fall asleep or── Gahk!"
At his comrade's sudden silence,
another man looked up to check what was wrong, horror filling his eyes.
It was his friend, who had been chattering away fine just moments ago.
But now,
without any warning, without a single sound,
a gaping hole had appeared where his heart should be, blood pouring out in a grotesque scene.
To alert the others,
and to save his own skin, he drew in a deep breath to shout.
"Guh──"
But like his comrade, he had no chance to make a noise.
In his final moments, as he lowered his head to the sensation of an incredibly sharp blade piercing his heart,
nothing was visible to his eyes.
Or more precisely,
he could only see blood droplets trailing along an invisible sword blade, which soon melted away into the empty air as if it had never existed.
Of course, he wouldn't die feeling wronged.
"Guh──"
"──."
"Ugh."
"What hap──"
"I-It’s divine punishment...!"
"A sword of fire floating in the air!"
"What the hell did this bastard take, guk──"
This night,
none of the guilty on this boat would step off alive.
"Th-Thank you so much...!"
"How can we ever repay this kindness..."
"No need. I'm just glad you're all safe."
Just as the information broker had said,
the fleet held not only river pirates but also common folk mixed in.
Stuffed tightly into the cargo holds of the ships.
Of course, this world didn't yet have a Lincoln preaching slave emancipation, and even in the modern age, some places hadn't fully eradicated similar systems.
...But still, wasn't this a bit much?
That very anger had made his hands a touch more ruthless than usual.
"I wondered where you'd snuck off to in the dead of night. You must've had it rough."
Master Chicken Wing had noticed my absence and come running, patting my shoulder.
"Hmph. A true man always moves for justice. And who am I? None other than Justice's own Geum Sihyeon."
Upper-class man trait.
At times like this, no false humility—just bask in the praise.
Master Chicken Wing shot me a sour look.
But soon enough,
"Mother, let me help you."
"Oh dear, young lady... It's fine, I can walk."
"No. Hop on my back."
"Your clothes look so fine, a filthy peasant like me..."
She spotted an elderly civilian woman slowly disembarking from the captured ship, dashed over, and supported her with genuine humanity.
Her lips twitched up a bit at "young lady," but still.
After all,
Master Seo Dohee, whom I'd observed all this time, surely had some righteousness in her heart, so a bit of personal desire was fine.
"We're back, Senior Brother."
"Oh. Tough work in the middle of the night."
I'd followed Master Chicken Wing to the scene,
and as the youngest, I'd swept up clothes and relief supplies galore for Baek Liyeon, praising her efforts.
"Eat slowly. Especially those who haven't had a proper meal in ages—start with the porridge, nothing else."
Using a massive cauldron looted from the ship, fueled by planks torn from it, boiling rice taken from the ship into porridge.
I wrapped up the various relief measures.
Well...,
Honestly, it was mostly for show, a bit of hypocrisy.
But I couldn't just leave the people I'd seen suffering out in the cold.
"We'll help too."
"Me too, me!"
"I have to pitch in for something... after all you've done for us..."
Luckily, some of the healthier captives volunteered, easing the burden considerably.
I'd also contacted Unhak to request aid from nearby Beggars' Sect members.
By morning, the whole incident would be wrapped up.
And then,
"Burns nicely."
No matter that it was against river pirates, I couldn't leave the traces of mass slaughter intact.
So the ship piled high with corpses went up in clean flames.
This was primeval ancient Central Plains-style fire-gazing.
My eyes shining with the stars...,
The firelight burning in my heart...
"Hoo."
The faint heart demon that had crept into my mind vanished cleanly with the acrid smoke.
Things were sorting themselves out even without me now.
Reviewing my earlier realization.
Hm, not quite enlightenment—just recapping my thoughts.
In summary,
the Six Meridians Divine Sword was a total noob martial art.
The six meridians referred to the six channels like the Taiyin Lung Meridian and such, and divine sword meant swordplay like something bestowed by the gods.
I'd thought it was some kind of sword technique...,
Well, it was a sword technique...,
But precisely speaking, it was closer to finger arts.
Snap your fingers, and an invisible sword shoots out.
Flick your fingers vigorously, and you can infuse it with any swordsmanship you know.
Thus, the six meridians.
Master it by snapping and flicking your six fingers like playing piano in the air, and you can wield six formless invisible swords, each loaded with different techniques.
To put it in real-world terms,
it's like recreating the hand movements of the modern Central Plains' top ADC from that music video celebrating his victory, all ambition and cold rice be damned.
Does this even make sense?
This as... a martial art?
Even cheat martial arts from Mount Mode have their limits.
The one balancing factor was probably the internal energy consumption.
I was confident I'd fully integrated it into my own martial arts via Small No-Phase Art, but I could only handle one meridian—one sword—for now.
And even that one meridian sucked up the internal energy of this body—which could be called beginner peak absolute top-tier—like a whirlwind.
Probably..., when I could wield all six meridians, no one under heaven would surpass me in power.
Stick one more sword in your mouth, and it'd be Seven Star Style.
2.33 trillion? Straight past the Four Supremes into undisputed strongest tier.
"You did a real number on them."
Before I knew it, Master Chicken Wing had sidled up beside me, staring silently at the burning, sinking ship.
Looking at her profile,
roast chicken turned into steamed...
"Agh! Why?!"
"Your irreverent thoughts show on your face. Shameless punk."
Master Chicken Wing, having smacked my genius brain, turned away with a pout.
Hm.
Is my face that obvious...?
After acquiring the title 'Massacred the River Stronghold,'
the journey back to the academy was uneventful.
- We greet the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Little Heaven!
- Ow, screw off.
My mistake of contacting Luri led to some minor incident where demonic riffraff popped out of nowhere to prostrate and slander me.
Which soured things again with Junior Baek Liyeon, whom I'd thought I'd bonded with over life-and-death struggles.
Little Heaven after Husband now, huh.
Well, who could blame them for coveting the abilities of this super-genius, the bright future of the orthodox sects and future leader of the entire martial world? But fat chance.
"Then, we'll take our leave."
"Yes! You two did amazing—really! The Martial Alliance will send rewards! And of course, compensation for those you rescued, plus the reconstruction costs for Gunsan Island!"
"Our thanks for your consideration."
I reported to Lady Agriculture, now sporting the acting academy head hat, left Master Chicken Wing behind, and slipped out of the office with Baek Liyeon.
"Tough trip, right, Junior? How about a hot spring bath to wash away the fatigue?"
"Absolutely not. Don't talk to me, Little Heaven of the Demon Cult."
"Hing."
Heartless and petty jerk.
How could a guy be so narrow-minded?
Swallowing a sigh, I gazed wistfully at Baek Liyeon's retreating figure as she scampered off.
Someday, I'd get her drunk enough to drown in liquor and solidify our camaraderie for good, I vowed, following her out of the main hall.
[Luri: Souvenirs]
[Luri: Gifts]
[Luri: Manners.]
Casually ignoring the message from the root of all evil, vowing to hoist her up and make her pay properly when she appeared,
I walked, enjoying the unchanged, vibrant academy scenery.
Finally starting to feel like I'd returned to daily life.
It was supposed to be a preliminary scout trip because I wanted to slack off,
so why were the only memories left ones of hardship...?
From now on, I'd enjoy my youth properly, train diligently, circulate my energy, and live an upright life.
The moment that resolve formed,
"You're finally back, Geum Sihyeon...!"
A voice rang out—one having nothing to do with enjoying youth, and definitely not one I wanted to hear right now.
"What is it, you lech?"
Not hiding my irritation, I turned toward him.
"...?"
The usual smug, infuriating grin was gone; instead, Yeon Hongun groveled with a wrinkled, servile expression, whining like a dog desperate to poop.
"Geum Sihyeon. Please help me. I'll kneel if I have to...!"