Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Duel Voucher (2)
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Late at night, the battered merchant ship finally approached Wuhang with the aid of two pirate vessels.
"The harbor!"
A cheer erupted from someone's mouth.
The crew rushed to the deck, their faces a whirlwind of emotions as they gazed at the harbor lights drawing ever closer. It had been a day of crossing between life and death, hell and heaven.
"First thing when we hit the harbor: a bath. This blood stench just won't go away."
Lightning wrinkled his nose, sniffing at various parts of his body.
"Tell me about it. I can't get used to it."
Manchu made the same gesture, his face twisted in disgust.
They'd spilled plenty of blood back at Benevolent Justice Hall, but the shipboard battle had been on another level—fiercer, bloodier, like they'd bathed in it.
"Just hop in the river like I did, and problem solved."
Cheol Woo spun around in front of them. To catch the drifting logs after abandoning his father and leaping into the river, he'd plunged into the Yangtze fully clothed.
"You reek."
Manchu grumbled bluntly.
Caught off guard by Manchu's jab, Cheol Woo hesitated on how to respond. Lightning burst into laughter at the sight.
"Tsk tsk, our pure-hearted Manchu meets the wrong crowd and turns into this."
Cheol Woo shot out a hand like lightning, grabbing Lightning by the nape. He then yanked his cheeks and clicked his tongue.
Watching Lightning wriggle in Cheol Woo's iron grip, Manchu finally realized what he'd done. His face paled as he backed away. But Cheol Woo's icy glare halted him, forcing him to wait his turn meekly.
Just then, salvation arrived for the slumping Manchu.
"Isn't that a messenger pigeon?"
At Sima Geon's words, everyone's heads turned to the left skyward.
"Huh? Looks like one from the Beggar's Sect. Why send a pigeon at this hour?"
Manchu feigned a grave expression and subtly shifted position.
The pigeon circled gracefully overhead before alighting on Manchu's arm. Manchu, thrilled at escaping Cheol Woo's wrath, froze upon spotting the black tube tied to its leg.
"What's up?"
Sima Geon asked quietly, noting Manchu's changed expression.
"Looks like urgent news."
"Don't make me laugh. Everything's wrapped up—what urgent news? Think I'll let you off? Dream on, punk."
Cheol Woo, oblivious to the gravity, assumed Manchu was play-acting to slip away.
But Manchu's face stayed serious as he untied the black tube.
"The Beggar's Sect uses different colored tubes based on urgency. Black is for the gravest matters."
"I-is that so?"
Cheol Woo chuckled awkwardly, feeling a pang of guilt at Manchu's earnestness.
Inside the tube was a tightly rolled letter.
Manchu unrolled and scanned it swiftly.
His expression shifted with every line.
"What is it?"
Cheol Woo couldn't hold back.
"S-Sword Ghost is in critical condition."
"What nonsense!"
Cheol Woo bellowed, snatching for the letter—but it was already in Sima Geon's hands.
Sima Geon's face mirrored Manchu's as he read quickly.
The moment Sima Geon looked up, Cheol Woo pressed.
"Chief, is it true about Sword Ghost?"
"Yeah. He's in bad shape."
"It's only been days since we left Ha Hu Clan. We knew he couldn't fully recover like before after that injury, but critical this soon? Doesn't make sense."
Cheol Woo shook his head in disbelief.
"Not sure exactly, but I can guess."
"What?"
"He must've overdone it. He once mentioned gaining new insights after losing his martial arts. Said he wanted to solidify them in his later years for his descendants. Probably pushed too hard."
"Damn it! What limelight's an old man chasing?"
Cheol Woo exploded.
"It's not for his own glory—it's for the descendants."
Sima Geon sighed with regret, crumpling the letter slowly.
"And it seems he achieved something. It's not just a notice of his condition."
"Then?"
"Before passing, he wants to show us what he's completed."
"Hmph, the old man's seeking Chief's approval. Anyway, we gotta go, right?"
"We do."
"What about the bandits? They're the root of all this. Feels wrong to leave now after coming this far."
Cheol Woo said regretfully. But it was just venting—he knew they had to return. Short as their time was, the bond with Ha Hu Valley ran deep.
"Not leaving them be. They schemed; they'll pay. Just delaying a bit."
"Heh heh! A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years. The longer you stew, the sweeter."
Everyone snickered and looked away at Cheol Woo's quip about gentlemen's revenge.
"We need to head back ASAP. What's the best route?"
Sima Geon asked Manchu, who replied without hesitation.
"By water, obviously. Yangtze from Wuhang to Nanjing, then canals to Hangzhou, then overland to Golden Flower."
"Nanjing to Hangzhou seems detour-heavy. Cutting cross-country midway might be faster."
At Lightning's suggestion, Manchu glanced at Sima Geon.
"Mount Huang blocks the way. A forced march like before might shave time, but not much."
"Heh heh! So, take the scenic route for comfort. That march was rough. Training martial arts while climbing mountains."
"N-no, it's not like that."
Manchu stammered excuses, but no one bought it.
"What do we do?"
After pondering Cheol Woo's question, Sima Geon sided with Manchu.
The routes weren't drastically different time-wise, but the brutal fights from Benevolent Justice Hall to Yangtze Waterway Alliance had worn everyone down. Especially injured Lightning and Manchu—no more forced marches.
"That guy can probably get us a ship quick."
Cheol Woo pointed to Dam Po bustling on deck.
"Good idea. Through Nanjing Merchant Association, a ship to Nanjing's easy."
"Go talk. Get the earliest departure."
"Yes."
Manchu started toward Dam Po but froze. Neung So Hwa stood before him, unannounced.
"What? Blocking the way?"
Cheol Woo barked gruffly.
Neung So Hwa silently moved to stand before Sima Geon.
"Heading to Ha Hu Clan?"
"Eavesdropping isn't polite."
"Not intentional. The sudden pigeon piqued my interest."
Sima Geon, uninterested in arguing, nodded.
"Yes. To Ha Hu Clan."
"Mind if I join?"
The abrupt request startled Sima Geon, and even arms-crossed Cheol Woo and Lightning.
"May I ask why?"
"I need to meet Sword Ghost senior."
Sima Geon recalled Manchu's mention of Sword Queen's movements.
"Sword Queen, right?"
Neung So Hwa's eyes widened at the unexpected guess.
"How did you know?"
"One of us has sharp ears."
Her gaze naturally shifted to Lightning.
"I see. Wasn't hiding it."
"We haven't exactly chatted much."
Neung So Hwa blushed faintly at Sima Geon's retort. The veil hid it—small mercy.
"Here for the duel voucher?"
"That was the plan. But..."
She trailed off, having heard of Sword Ghost's condition.
"As you heard, he's unwell. Even with the voucher, a duel might be impossible."
"Doesn't matter. Sword Ghost senior shares ties with my master. As junior, it's proper to pay respects. Plus, I'm curious about his recent insights."
'Heh, so Sword Queen it is.'
Sima Geon admired her youthful ambition and nodded readily.
"Very well. Since we're traveling together, introductions. I'm Sima Geon."
Cheol Woo, catching Sima Geon's glance, grumbled.
"Cheol Woo."
"Lightning here."
"Beggar's Sect disciple Manchu. Honored to meet Sword Queen."
Manchu bowed eagerly, face flushed.
"Pleased to meet you. Neung So Hwa of Sword Pavilion."
Neung So Hwa smiled brightly through her veil.
Her unveiled beauty—even made Cheol Woo flinch.
The news of Yangtze Waterway Alliance's fall spread like wildfire.
Army Mountain Light Dragon Yu Ak reduced to a cripple, core leaders wiped out—shockwaves rippled. But that a tiny group, not some massive faction, did it amplified the impact.
Yet what plunged people into greater shock and frenzy was Sword Queen's emergence.
Suddenly, Yangtze Waterway Alliance's demise made sense: they'd clashed with Sword Queen.
Those in the know about Sima Geon's crew scoffed at the rumors—but they were few.
Sword Queen, reappearing after forty years.
Murim buzzed with her legendary return.
But one place stood in stark contrast.
"Seventy percent of Yangtze Waterway Alliance's leadership dead. Lord Yu Ak critically wounded, beyond recovery. Benevolent Justice Hall, including Lord Yu Han, annihilated."
Haomen Lord Eun Se Chung spoke; Jeok In Sul cautiously replied.
"Sword Queen's doing? Out of nowhere—she was thunderbolt to them."
"Agreed. Reminds me of the past: fools provoked her unknowing, massacred."
Protector Ju Hang chimed in.
"Tsk tsk, did you even read the report? Sword Queen helped, yes—but crippling Army Mountain Light Dragon and sweeping leadership? Sima Geon and his crew."
Mong Yang's sharp gaze made Jeok In Sul and Ju Hang bow.
"Not all forces assembled, yet lord and elites led by headquarters' best—still crushed. Means their skills surpass what we knew. Lord, your decision to stay out was visionary wisdom."
Jo Hoe praised lavishly, elevating Eun Se Chung's judgment.
"My judgment alone? Thanks to everyone's counsel."
Eun Se Chung humbly smiled, eyes on his rival faction led by Elder Pyeon Gwang. His face relaxed, but gaze icy.