Chapter 107
Chapter 107
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: White Porpoise (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"The white flag has been raised."
Seeing the white flag fluttering atop the mast, Yuaak smirked and asked,
"What do you make of it?"
"I've heard it's a ship from the Nanjing Merchant Association. It's only natural they wouldn't think of opposing us. But I don't see it as a sign of surrender."
Gahyu's words drew rebuttals from all around.
"A surrender is a surrender. No need to overthink it."
"They might've realized they're outmatched and given up."
"Who in their right mind would pick a fight with the Yangtze River Alliance on the water?"
Most agreed the enemies were cowed by the Yangtze River Alliance's might, but a few voices diverged.
"Could be they want to talk."
"Talk?"
Yuaak turned to Chosu, the Poison Dragon Elder.
"They were after Hongik Hall from the start. They might demand we hand over their fleeing hall leader."
"Brother, isn't that going too far? Am I some object to be handed over?"
Yuhan, who'd been sulking after taking a barrage of curses from Yuaak, bristled.
Chosu didn't even glance his way as he asked,
"And if they do demand that?"
"What do you mean, 'if'? You already know the answer."
Yuaak spoke as if entertaining dialogue wasn't even on the table.
"Even if they back off?"
"Of course. If it were just Hongik Hall, maybe—but Biwoong Stronghold got smashed too. Negotiating in this situation would be a joke."
With Chosu offering no retort, Wihageom, who'd been waiting for an opening, quickly interjected.
"Then what about that ship?"
"The ship?"
"It's not just their men on board, right? Sure, there are unwritten rules, but sometimes you need to make an example."
"An example, huh. True, there are times it's necessary."
"Heh heh heh! The boys will love that."
Taking Yuaak's words as permission, Wihageom burst into laughter at the sight of ships maneuvering to encircle them. Collecting tolls peacefully wasn't bad, but plunder was the pirates' true calling.
The problem was their differing ideas of what constituted an "example."
"I'll order an immediate attack as we close in."
Yuaak clicked his tongue at Wihageom's excited tone.
"Ever thought about how much damage we'd take charging in blind?"
"Well..."
"And you're supposed to be an elder."
"Come on, what's there to think about? If we swarm from all sides in an instant, how long could those weaklings hold out? Sure, we'll take some losses, but that's the risk you brace for the moment you decide to attack."
"Simple minds have it easy."
Judging further talk pointless, Yuaak turned away.
"Buselgon."
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
A man with a lithe, feminine build hurried over and dropped to one knee at Yuaak's call.
"The White Porpoises need to make the first move."
"Leave it to me."
Buselgon saluted crisply and retreated, gesturing to his waiting subordinates who rushed to his side.
About twenty men, all with builds like his, clad in tight-fitting clothes made from processed snakeskin—specially designed for the White Porpoises who excelled in water.
From afar, Buselgon turned, bowed formally to Yuaak once more, then leaped from the ship. His men followed suit, plunging into the river simultaneously. Despite the deep waters and height from deck to surface, not a hint of hesitation marred their movements.
"I don't care about drowned rats. I want the throats of the living, Alliance Leader."
Deungcheol, expecting to lead the charge, wore a dissatisfied scowl. For him, who'd been fixated on revenge, the White Porpoises jumping first was unwelcome.
"Your vengeance matters, but as Yangtze River Alliance Leader, I must punish them with minimal losses."
"A promise is a promise, Alliance Leader!"
Deungcheol's voice rose, poised to charge at any moment.
"Forgot Hongik Hall Deputy Leader's warning? No one might win a head-on clash—even including me, pathetically enough."
A savage aura surged from Yuaak's entire body.
It was so overwhelming even revenge-obsessed Deungcheol staggered back.
'Gun-san Guanglong!'
Recalling bitter past memories, Deungcheol bit his lip.
"Let me take their throats with my own hands. I beg you, Alliance Leader."
Deungcheol bowed deeply to Yuaak.
Though respected as leader, Yuaak's eyes wavered at this unprecedented politeness from Deungcheol.
"Their deaths won't satisfy you?"
"Never."
Seeing Deungcheol's resolute gaze, Yuaak knew persuasion was futile.
"It'll take time for the ship to sink. Wait till it lists properly—that'll sow panic. Fear of water doesn't fade easily, swimming skill aside. If some can't swim, even better."
"My thanks, Alliance Leader. I'll await that moment gladly."
Deungcheol bowed lightly and withdrew. Yuaak sighed, shaking his head.
"Whew. Stubborn as ever."
"Nothing fiercer than a beast that's lost its young."
Chosu gazed at Deungcheol's retreating back with faint pity.
"I'm not doubting the man's skill, but if Yuwol's right, it's too risky."
"Alone, maybe."
Yuaak caught Chosu's mutter.
"You going?"
"Bad blood or not, we've built some ties. Of course I'll help."
"Count me out. Ever since that bastard, rain makes this shoulder ache like hell."
Wihageom rubbed his left shoulder.
"Was gonna stop you anyway."
"Huh?"
Yuaak chuckled, slapping Chosu's shoulder.
"Can't both be gone—who'd mind the fort?"
"You're going yourself, Alliance Leader?"
Wihageom's eyes widened.
"No deeper bond than mine with that man. And at our age, I can't send him off first."
"That's the only reason?"
Chosu narrowed his eyes.
"What else?"
"Sima Geon, right? You want a proper fight with him. Admit it."
Yuaak neither confirmed nor denied, merely smiling enigmatically as he watched the White Porpoises vanish beneath the waves.
"Why'd they stop?"
Cheol Woo tilted his head as the encircling ships halted, poised to strike.
"The white flag?"
Mancheu ventured. Noejeon shook his head.
"Nah. If they bought it, someone should've boarded to accept surrender. Suspicious. But one thing's clear."
"What?"
"They're keeping distance 'cause they know how Hongik Hall got wrecked."
"Oh, yeah."
Mancheu recalled Sima Geon's feat: escaping with Cheol Woo's aid only for the pirate ship to be obliterated in one strike.
Sudden commotion erupted on deck.
No activity from flanking ships meant trouble ahead.
Quick-witted Mancheu slipped forward to check, then returned.
"What? Why the fuss?"
Noejeon asked.
"People jumped from their ship."
"Into the river?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"No idea."
"Crazy bastards? White flag up, so if few, take a skiff. Swim this far?"
Cheol Woo scoffed. Mancheu shook his head.
"They vanished underwater."
"What nonsense?"
Unable to contain curiosity, Cheol Woo and Noejeon pushed through to the front.
True to Mancheu's word, no sign of the pirates on the river.
"Ha! Look at these punks."
With his Black Dragon Valley training and Divine Demon Division ops, Cheol Woo grasped their intent instantly.
Noejeon pointed at the mast's white flag.
"Total bullshit."
"Yeah. No surrender acceptance planned."
Unlike the confident Cheol Woo, crew and merchants buzzed with theories.
Eyeing them pitifully, Cheol Woo nudged Noejeon's arm.
"Hey."
From the call alone, Noejeon scowled preemptively.
"I'm beat. Injury's not fully healed—shoulder especially..."
"Go willingly? Or dragged?"
Noejeon sighed bitterly at the threat.
"Fine, I'll go."
"Hurry. They're good swimmers—almost here."
Cheol Woo pierced their rapid approach from the depths.
"Got it!"
As Noejeon grumbled, stripping reluctantly, salvation came.
"Not you, Noejeon. Looks like you, Cheol Woo."
Sima Geon's words flipped their positions.
"Joke... right?"
Cheol Woo asked, denial etched on his face.
"As rulers of the Yangtze, they've likely trained elite divers. Numbers and skill high. Not doubting Noejeon, but better safe. Amateur moves could be fatal."
Even called amateur, Noejeon grinned broadly.
"..."
Cheol Woo fell silent; Sima Geon waited patiently.
"Argh! Damn it."
Cheol Woo irritably twisted, shedding clothes roughly.
Exclamations rose at his upper body: rock-hard muscles, bronze skin tattooed with scars.
"Screwed."
Cheol Woo exploded in frustration and dove in.
"What's he doing now?"
Jinrim stared pityingly at Cheol Woo's sudden plunge, unaware the White Porpoises approached below. Unbeknownst to her, her cheeks flushed faintly.
"He had reason to jump."
Neung Sohwa, eyeing the Yangtze River Alliance ships coldly, stepped forward. Jinrim shut her mouth at her gaze.
Reaching Sima Geon, Neung Sohwa asked quietly,
"May I ask what's happening?"
"That flag means nothing."
Sima Geon indicated the limply flapping white banner.
"An attack, then."
"Already begun."
Sima Geon pointed to the waters where Cheol Woo had entered.
"Divers approaching."
"Targeting the ship first?"
"Likely. Sink it, gain advantage."
Neung Sohwa sensed odd detachment in his tone. Despite the horde closing in and grim odds, no tremor. Confidence unshaken by any peril.
"But don't worry. Their plan fails."
"Seems so."
Guessing Cheol Woo's strength, Neung Sohwa agreed.
"It's started."
Sensing vibrations from the river, Sima Geon murmured softly.