Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Nightmare (1)
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"Bangju-nim."
Lee Ja-gon, who had been bustling about loading goods onto the Black Dragon Ship, spotted the Bangju and his group rushing over and hurried toward them with quick steps.
"Is everything ready?"
Yu Han asked as he brushed past Lee Ja-gon.
"Yes. We just finished loading, and we're waiting for the goods from the southern warehouse. They should arrive soon."
"Ho, really?"
Yu Han's eyes sparkled at the news that the goods would arrive shortly, but Yu Wol quickly stepped forward.
"We don't have time for that."
"Pardon?"
"They're here. They'll come charging in any moment."
"A-already?"
Terror washed over Lee Ja-gon's face. His body trembled involuntarily.
It's real.
Seeing the unfamiliar look of fear on the usually calm and sly Lee Ja-gon, Yu Han discarded even the last shred of greed lingering in his heart.
"Get on board quickly."
At Yu Wol's urging, Yu Han quickened his pace.
"You too."
"Understood."
Lee Ja-gon followed without hesitation but suddenly halted.
"Why?"
"Should we set sail with the Heavenly Sword Ship right away too?"
About ten jang away from the Black Dragon Ship flew the flag emblazoned with twin swords—the Heavenly Sword Ship. Though much smaller than the Black Dragon Ship, it was still larger than an ordinary pleasure cruiser.
"The goods from the warehouse are meant to go on that ship."
Before Yu Wol could answer, Yu Han, who had gone ahead, turned back and poked his head in.
"Who's on the Heavenly Sword Ship?"
"The division leader and his subordinates are aboard. They're waiting after loading the valuables."
"Jang So-jong? That guy's got sharp instincts, as always. He kept his mouth shut even when everyone else was pushing to fight, and now look at him—quick on his feet."
Yu Han sneered mockingly, then asked with cold eyes.
"How much valuables are loaded on the Heavenly Sword Ship?"
"Not much."
"Is that so? Then tell them to load the incoming goods from the southern warehouse and set sail."
"It's dangerous, Bangju-nim. The enemies are almost here."
Yu Wol tried to dissuade him, but Yu Han shook his head firmly.
"Tell them to load it up."
Lee Ja-gon glanced subtly at Yu Wol. With a helpless nod from Yu Wol, he accepted the order.
"I'll relay that."
However, Lee Ja-gon didn't go himself but sent a subordinate to deliver the Bangju's command. Considering Jang So-jong's personality and his love for saving face, Lee Ja-gon should have gone personally, but there was no time to waste.
"Preparations for departure are complete, Bangju-nim."
"Good. Then set sail immediately."
At Yu Han's order, Lee Ja-gon shouted without delay.
"Set sail! Hurry up!"
"Kwaaak!"
"Uwaak!"
Screams erupted everywhere.
Sima Geon's advance was unstoppable.
No one could halt his steps, not even slow him down.
Each time the Heavenly Demon Ring, transformed into a sword, flashed, five or six lives vanished. He wasn't using flashy techniques or invincible divine arts—just simple swings.
"Wh-what in the world is this..."
Man Chu, trailing behind Sima Geon, rubbed his eyes repeatedly, wondering if the scene before him was an illusion.
"Ease up a bit. Weren't you going to let this guy gain some experience?"
Cheol Woo grumbled, frustrated at missing his chance to step forward because Thunderbolt had charged ahead first.
"Ah, no. I'm fine."
Man Chu hurriedly shook his head. In the face of Sima Geon's overwhelming prowess, he felt ashamed to reveal his own skills, which seemed like child's play by comparison.
"What do you mean fine..."
Cheol Woo, who had been roughly tousling Man Chu's hair, suddenly froze.
"Hey, Thunderbolt."
Cheol Woo called out to Thunderbolt, who was cleaning up after Sima Geon.
"Switch with me."
Without waiting for agreement, Cheol Woo gestured and leaped forward before Thunderbolt could move.
"Where are you go—damn it!"
Thunderbolt spat a curse as he turned to follow Cheol Woo's direction.
He had spotted a desperate group fleeing in a direction far from the battlefield where Sima Geon was massacring them unilaterally.
"Kuhahaha! Running like rats, where do you think you're going?"
Cheol Woo closed the distance in an instant and unleashed a punch.
Those at the rear swung their swords in panic, but it was futile. Their weapons shattered completely, and they were crushed mercilessly.
With just two punches, Cheol Woo sent twelve bandits to the afterlife. As a sharp sword thrust at him, he casually shifted his body.
Despite his massive frame, his fluid movement filled the attacker's—the middle-aged man's—face with shock.
"Impressive. Pretty decent skills, at least."
It was more mockery than praise.
The middle-aged man, Bandit Chief Gung Wi of the Red Hong Unit, couldn't utter a word. His mind was wholly focused on escaping the crisis bearing down on him. He also cursed his own foolishness for dismissing Yu Wol's words about fleeing to the Janggang River Alliance.
"So, what's with those people?"
Cheol Woo glanced at the group being dragged behind Gung Wi.
A chance.
Seizing the moment of Cheol Woo's distraction, Gung Wi sprang forward.
In a single leap, he closed five jang.
"Die!"
A murderous sword strike aimed at Cheol Woo's throat.
The motion was stripped of all superfluity.
From Man Chu's perspective, who arrived late, Gung Wi's attack—entrusting everything to his sword—was extraordinary for a mere bandit.
"Danger—!"
Man Chu's shout didn't finish.
Cheol Woo snatching the deadly, razor-sharp blade barehanded defied common sense.
Even Man Chu, watching from afar, was stunned; Gung Wi's shock was beyond words.
His eyes bulged as he twisted and pulled desperately, but the sword gripped in Cheol Woo's hand remained utterly still.
"That all?"
Grinning, Cheol Woo struck Gung Wi's body.
Bam!
"Krak!"
The moment Cheol Woo's fist connected, Gung Wi raised both arms to guard his chest and let out a guttural scream. His body flew three jang before crashing into the ground.
Even after launching himself in the direction of the blow to mitigate the force, his condition was dire.
Not only his arms, but his chest ribs were shattered. Broken bones crushed his heart and lungs, blood surging up. He had avoided instant death, but survival was impossible.
"You... you..."
Gung Wi glared at Cheol Woo with venomous eyes, his lips moving faintly.
"What're you mumbling?"
As Cheol Woo turned, Man Chu rushed to Gung Wi's side.
When Man Chu lifted his head, having listened closely, Gung Wi was already dead.
"He said his master won't forgive you, hyung-nim."
"Master? Even a bandit has a master?"
"The Yangtze Flying Tiger, apparently."
"Flying Tiger? Bullshit! Why would a tiger be in the Yangtze? It'd make sense if it was holed up in the mountains. Anyway, tell him to come. I'll send that master of yours to join you."
Cheol Woo scoffed lightly and asked Man Chu.
"Those people—they look like the ones captured here, right?"
"Yes. Seems like it. Their clothes, and those leg irons... those bastards!"
Man Chu spat curses upon seeing the iron chains dangling from the clustered, murmuring captives' legs.
"Quit yapping and move."
Thunderbolt grabbed Man Chu and pulled him along. Their target: the bandits who had been herding the prisoners before abandoning them and fleeing.
"What? Wait?"
Jang So-jong, who had been awaiting only the order to depart after sensing Sima Geon's group attacking, flew into a rage. Ok Cheong, sent by Lee Ja-gon, flinched and stepped back.
"What's the reason? Why wait?"
Jang So-jong suppressed his anger and asked.
"Load the goods from the southern warehouse and then set sail."
"Bullshit! How does he know when they'll arrive?"
"He said soon."
"Who?"
"The chief steward said so."
"Lee Ja-gon! That son of a bitch trying to screw me over?"
Convinced Lee Ja-gon had egged on the Bangju, Jang So-jong erupted.
Ok Cheong wanted to clarify it was the Bangju's direct order, not Lee Ja-gon's, but swallowed it. Speaking up now wouldn't calm the furious Jang So-jong and might turn his wrath on him instead.
After raging for a while, Jang So-jong couldn't bring himself to order the anchor raised. Whether Lee Ja-gon instigated it or not, it was the Bangju's command.
After waiting anxiously for about half a gak, some bandits came tumbling down the cliff stairs.
"What the hell are those?"
Jang So-jong demanded, but no one answered.
The men from the cliff boarded the Heavenly Sword Ship with ashen faces.
"D-Division Leader."
Ok Cheong, recognizing them, ran over.
"Where are the goods? More importantly, why isn't Bandit Chief Gung coming? He said he'd join us."
"Th-the chief was taken down by them."
"All our comrades lost their lives."
"M-monsters."
Terror filled the faces of the bandits speaking over each other.
Jang So-jong's decision was swift.
"Raise anchor! Set sail. Hurry!"
No sooner had the order been given than the fully prepared bandits moved in unison. They too felt the urgency in their bones.
The anchor rose, sails unfurled.
From below deck came ceaseless shouts urging the rowers and cracks of whips.
As the Heavenly Sword Ship began to move, the Black Dragon Ship—fifty-some jang away, watching intently—resumed motion as well.
Moments after the Heavenly Sword Ship raised anchor and departed, Sima Geon's group, having razed Hong Ik Bang, descended the stairs.
Sima Geon, who had slain most of the bandits, showed no disruption in his breathing or a single wound. The same went for Cheol Woo.
Only Man Chu, experiencing his first kill in the fierce battle, hadn't calmed down yet. Traces of injuries marked his body here and there.
"Who would've thought they'd cut and run like this. Well, scum like bandits have no pride anyway."
Cheol Woo laughed hollowly at the ships floating on Lake Poyang.
"My mistake. I should have anticipated their flight and not been so complacent."
Sima Geon said quietly. His eyes were indifferent, but the aura emanating from him was murderous.
"Since they were already preparing to flee, it seems the higher-ups never intended to fight from the start. If we'd been even a little slower, we'd have found an empty lair. We wouldn't have rescued those captives either."
Sima Geon nodded, recalling the people he had seen before descending the stairs, as Thunderbolt spoke.
"But, Captain, are we just letting them go?"
"What're you talking about?"
"Can't catch the one in the back, but that closer one—we might snag it if we're quick."
Cheol Woo grinned and nudged the nearby logs with his foot.
Sima Geon gauged the distance to the receding ship and nodded.
"Let's do it."