Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Blood Battle on the Yangtze (4)
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'Hm.'
The expression of Weihae Sword twisted as he retreated after attacking Sima Geon, only to suffer a counterattack instead.
Pain surged from his side.
It wasn't enough to hinder his movements, but he could feel it was a fairly deep gash.
Sima Geon's sword qi surged toward him once more.
Weihae Sword's feet danced intricately as he urgently unleashed Tiger Cloud Step.
Thud! Thud!
Two streams of sword qi grazed past both his shoulders.
It was only thanks to his maximally executed Tiger Cloud Step and Yu Wol's timely check on Sima Geon upon seeing his peril that he escaped serious danger.
"Tahat!"
With a thunderous shout, a crescent-shaped brilliant gleam appeared directly in front of Sima Geon.
It was the ultimate technique of the Moon-Cleaving Blade Art: Falling Moon.
The shockwave from Dragon Fang and Heavenly Demon Sword clashing head-on swept in all directions, sending the boat rocking wildly as it failed to withstand the impact.
"Charge!"
The leaders of the Yangtze Waterway Alliance, who had held back from joining the fight to preserve their alliance chief's dignity, now attacked all at once without needing any cue. Even with Yu Wol and Weihae Sword joining the assault, the battle was proving far from easy—they had no room to worry about face now.
Sima Geon swung the Heavenly Demon Sword freely as he pushed the Three Ancestors United Heart Technique to its limit.
Inner energy rose from his dantian, circulated through the eight extraordinary meridians to amplify its power, converged into the Heavenly Demon Sword, and a dazzling radiance poured out from the blade, enveloping Sima Geon.
Sima Geon kicked off the deck and leaped into the air, causing the planks beneath his feet to cave in completely.
Mid-air, Sima Geon swung the now-glowing red Heavenly Demon Sword.
The ultimate technique of Thunderclap Explosive Blood Sword: Blazing Radiance.
Flames erupting from the Heavenly Demon Sword dominated every inch of surrounding space.
Kaboom!
A fierce explosion rang out, followed by raging flames sweeping everywhere.
"Kuaaaak!"
Elder Ilgwang, ever the most talkative one, clutched his throat and collapsed.
The Inner Hall Chief, who always fearlessly spoke his mind, dropped to his knees and breathed his last.
"Ch-Chief!"
Mukrin Division Leader Sa Ilgong staggered toward him.
Blood gushed from his chest like a waterfall, but without even trying to stem it, he took a few more steps before collapsing lifelessly before reaching Yuak.
Watching his comrades and subordinates fall so gruesomely, Yuak bit his lip until it bled.
Fierce killing intent blazed from his eyes.
Yuak's rage transmitted to the tightly gripped Dragon Fang, and as if reading its master's will, the blade let out a mystical cry.
At the same time, a brilliant gleam surged forth.
The flames charging at Yuak clashed mid-air with the blade aura erupting from Dragon Fang.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Continuous explosions thundered.
Each time the two shifted positions and collided, massive shockwaves battered the surroundings.
The sails snapped, the deck warped.
Shattered debris from the impact scattered across the deck.
The flames that had massacred the Yangtze Waterway Alliance's leaders now focused entirely on Yuak.
Perfectly sealing off all directions, the pouring flames forced Yuak to counter with the final technique of Moon-Cleaving Blade Art: Blood Moon. But already sustaining serious injuries from repeated clashes, blocking them proved difficult. Ultimately, he took a fatal blow from the ensuing ultimate technique of Thunderclap Explosive Blood Sword.
"Guh!"
A heavy groan escaped Yuak's lips.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Each backward step cratered the deck.
Leaning against the railing to barely hold on, Yuak was hastily shielded by Yu Wol and Weihae Sword blocking Sima Geon's path. Both had taken heavy damage from the previous attack, their conditions dire—especially Weihae Sword's injury, visibly severe.
The Heavenly Demon Sword moved fluidly toward them.
An oppressive pressure like it would tear them apart choked their breath.
Judging no escape in their defensive stance, Yu Wol swung his sword with all his might.
Weihae Sword made the same call, his sword moving as well.
Sima Geon effortlessly parried both attacks and launched a counter.
Boom!
Yu Wol staggered, unable to withstand the clash's aftermath.
The sword in his hand vanished without a trace, and the arm gripping it hung limp, broken.
Weihae Sword flew and crashed at Yuak's feet, completely immobilized.
"Urk!"
Yu Wol collapsed, center lost, spewing dark red blood.
Sima Geon advanced toward Yu Wol without hesitation.
At that moment, sensing something amiss, Sima Geon turned his head.
His coldly gleaming eyes caught Yu Han sneaking away with his son.
Unable to directly connect to the adjacent boat, he was heading to the merchant vessel first to transfer to another pirate ship.
"Filth."
Sima Geon unhesitatingly hurled the Heavenly Demon Sword.
"Haa! Haa!"
Ragged breaths poured from the initial assailant's mouth.
He tried to steady his breathing, but his opponent wouldn't allow it.
His body felt as heavy as wet cotton, and his inner energy had bottomed out long ago.
Nor could he expect aid—the three elders and White Whale Unit elites who had rushed to help were already cold corpses.
Ssssh!
Facing the sharply incoming sword qi with a shrill whoosh, the initial assailant instinctively swung his arm.
Boom!
Pushed back hard, his body shook violently.
The full force of the impact twisted through him like his bones were being wrenched apart.
"Kuhuk!"
A pained scream burst from the initial assailant's lips.
Neung Sohwa's sword had sliced across both his thighs.
His belated counterstrike missed even her robe hem. Worse, the reckless swing threw off his balance, forcing him to one knee.
Neung Sohwa's sword seized the opening.
Facing the blade flying straight at him, the initial assailant laughed hollowly.
His proud poison claws, stronger than steel, were neutralized; his inner energy, once vast as the Yangtze, depleted; deep gashes on his left side and both thighs stole even his mobility.
"I steeled myself, but you're too strong."
From first spotting Neung Sohwa boarding from the merchant ship, the initial assailant had guessed her identity. Her aura resembled that woman from long ago who inflicted unforgettable agony. The three plum blossoms on her veil and sleeves confirmed it.
Knowing it futile, he fought with all he had.
To erase that painful, cowardly past—and for the Yangtze Waterway Alliance he'd devoted his life to building.
'It's over.'
No regrets, having given his all. Just regret that, even with comrades' aid, he'd inflicted only a few scratches.
'Still, I wanted to take an arm or leg at least.'
Letting out a chuckle, the initial assailant glared at the blade nearing his face.
Then darkness fell.
"Dodge!"
Startled by the sudden whoosh, Yu Han shoved Yu Mok, who was about to climb the railing to the ropes.
The Heavenly Demon Sword lightly grazed the tumbling pair on the deck before curving gracefully back to its master.
Sima Geon stood before Yu Han without interference.
Most leaders opposing him had fallen, even Yuak critically wounded—no one left to block. But all remaining pirates turned their backs on Yu Han for his cowardly flight amid the chaos.
"Die!"
Yu Han thrust his sword at Sima Geon. But before his arm extended fully, the sword-wielding arm flew into the air.
"Kuaaaak!"
Yu Han screamed, falling on his rear. Terrified, Yu Mok leaped into the river without a thought.
An unimaginable turn.
Even Sima Geon, watching up close, couldn't react in time.
All were speechless at Yu Mok abandoning his wounded father, but Yu Han, groaning in pain, laughed with relief that his son lived.
"Hah, a real man needs that much ruthlessness to make it big."
Enraged by his enemy's smug grin, Sima Geon turned away.
"Cheol Woo!"
His booming call was answered instantly by Cheol Woo, drenched in blood, making a flashy entrance.
"Not done yet—what's up?"
Scanning like a beast hunting prey, Cheol Woo's approach instilled fear in all.
"Caught the Hongik Hall Chief?"
"Right there."
Sima Geon nodded at Yu Han; Cheol Woo moved immediately.
"This old geezer?"
Not waiting for confirmation, he stomped the leg.
"Kuaaaak!"
Yu Han's left leg didn't just break—it was pulverized, eliciting a wretched scream.
"Feels pain, huh? Hey, old man—know how many died because of you lot? No? Don't?"
Cheol Woo crushed the right leg too.
As Yu Han screamed again, Sima Geon gazed coldly at the writhing man.
"His son fled."
"You let him? Where? Nowhere to run here—all connected."
"Into the river. To save himself alone."
"Alone? Ditching his dad?"
Cheol Woo's eyes widened.
"Yeah."
"Bastard."
"So catch him."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"..."
Glancing at the merchant ship for Noejin—fighting fiercely with Manchu and the women to guard the cabin—Cheol Woo sighed.
"Which way?"
"That way. Rat-faced; you'll spot him."
Cheol Woo launched toward the indicated direction, face twisted in maximum annoyance.
Soon, he dragged the limp Yu Mok back aboard.
"Total rat-face."
Cheol Woo tossed the half-conscious Yu Mok at Yu Han.
"M-Mok!"
Yu Han, who had desperately hoped his son escaped, crawled wailing to embrace him.
"Pathetic vermin, not even worth the name."
Irritated, Cheol Woo eyed Sima Geon for disposal orders.
"Promised them revenge."
Yu Han groveled flat.
"The boy’s innocent. I didn’t know. All that bastard’s doing."
He pointed at the gravely wounded, seated Yu Wol.
Yu Wol stared blankly at Yu Han with empty eyes, then hung his head limply.
"Could be."
The space-slicing Heavenly Demon Sword pierced Yu Wol's heart and returned.
"Eek!"
Yu Mok, regaining senses just in time to see, trembled in terror.
"That your excuse?"
As Sima Geon finished, Cheol Woo planted his foot on Yu Mok's head.
"N-No!"
Yu Han wailed, Yu Mok flailed in horror, but Cheol Woo didn't flinch.
"Lucky. I'd peel your flesh and grind your bones for each life you took, but I won't stoop to your level—showing mercy."
Cheol Woo pressed; Yu Mok's head burst effortlessly.
Watching his child's skull shatter before him, Yu Han snapped mentally.
"This old coot?"
"Leave him. Let him taste losing family like the others."
"Fine. Finish proper."
Approaching Yu Han, Cheol Woo stomped the already mangled legs again, fearing any recovery chance. As Yu Han screamed and wailed, he sealed his pressure points and ended it.
The pirates shuddered at Cheol Woo's brutality but held their breath—knowing they could share Yu Han's fate.
"Revenge done. Anything more?"
Sima Geon scanned them, last gaze on Yuak, who had lost consciousness and couldn't reply.
"May we withdraw?"
Chueo Hall Chief Ga Hyu asked cautiously.
"One condition."
"Name it."
"Don't touch that ship over this."
"We promise."
"Hongik Hall remnants remain."
Ga Hyu's downcast eyes flashed killing intent.
"We'll handle them."
Understanding their resolve from his bloodthirsty tone, Sima Geon nodded slowly.
"Promises exist to be kept."
"We'll remember."
Sima Geon turned away without lingering.
"I'm done here."
Neung Sohwa stepped lightly before Ga Hyu.
Having witnessed her fell the initial assailant and elders, Ga Hyu flinched involuntarily.
"Black Bone Stronghold gave false tokens on purpose. Used me to hit Biwoong Stronghold."
"Who said..."
"The one-armed old man with the axe."
"Ah!"
Ga Hyu recalled Deung Cheol, first to board the merchant ship.
"Hearing I was used soured my mood."
"We'll deal with them too."
"I trust you. Promises are for keeping."
Neung Sohwa mimicked Sima Geon with a smile.
Ga Hyu found her smile scarier than Yama King's warning.