Chapter 459

A flower soaked in water does not lose its inherent beauty.

Hong Ran was no exception. Though visibly weary from her ordeal, she resembled a water chrysanthemum, her fragility adding to her grace.

“It is an honor to meet my benefactor.”

In that moment, I finally understood the meaning of the phrase “a voice like jade beads rolling across a silver plate.”

Her bare face was dazzlingly pale, her long lashes framing eyes that sparkled like stars.

“Ah…”
“How could someone be so beautiful…”

Gasps of admiration escaped from various onlookers, but under my gaze, they quickly shut their mouths and dispersed.

Perhaps they were ashamed of their behavior amidst the tragedy of hundreds who had perished in the waters.

On the other hand, it also spoke to the overwhelming nature of Hong Ran’s beauty—so captivating it momentarily eclipsed the surrounding sorrow.

‘In a different situation, I wouldn’t have been any different from them.’

Steeling myself, I finally spoke.

“It’s fortunate you’ve regained consciousness. How are you feeling?”

Hong Ran lowered her head slightly before responding.

“Though I am nowhere near my benefactor’s level, I, too, have trained in martial arts. I do not seem to have significant issues moving.”

Based on my observations, her martial arts proficiency was just enough to qualify as a first-class martial artist.

Though lacking the polish of a seasoned expert, her trained body and cultivated energy made her far more resilient than an ordinary civilian.

‘It’s truly fortunate.’

The fact that Hong Ran was a martial artist had been a stroke of luck for both her and the other survivor.

Turning to the officer still present, I asked, “Where is Joo Won-gong?”

Joo Won-gong—an affluent offshoot of the royal family who had taken a pleasure boat on Dongting Lake, even amidst the current turmoil. He was the other survivor.

“If you’re referring to Master Joo, he has been escorted to a secure location under tight guard. According to the physician, he has passed the critical stage, but they cannot guarantee when he will regain consciousness.”

The officer speaking was the same one who had been directing the rescue efforts upon our arrival. Tasked with safeguarding Dongting Lake as part of Hubei Province’s key defensive areas, he spoke with a formal, rigid demeanor.

“When we informed the governor, he was furious. Though the assassination attempt failed, even an attempt on a royal’s life is a heinous crime. The fleet and all available forces have been mobilized to ensure these treacherous rebels are brought to justice…”

“Their target wasn’t to assassinate Joo Won-gong.”

“What?”

I met the officer’s startled gaze and continued.

“Dark Heaven. Have you heard of them?”

“Dark Heaven… isn’t that the band of outlaws causing chaos in the martial world lately?”

“Outlaws?”

A chuckle escaped me at his choice of words.

Although the name “Dark Heaven” had become known even among commoners following the Shaolin massacre, the officer clearly had no understanding of the group’s true power or terror.

Beside me, Gong Gi-bang let out a derisive snort and interjected.

“Officer, are you aware that these so-called outlaws killed the abbot of Shaolin, the revered Law King Gyeongdo?”

“T-that’s…”

“Not just him. Poison King Tang Sajok of the Sichuan Tang Clan and the Heavenly Sage Monk of the Emei Sect also fell to them. Three supreme masters who shook the martial world, along with over two thousand martial artists, were slaughtered. And you call them outlaws?”

“I’ve heard such rumors, but the extent…”

“Are you saying Dark Heaven orchestrated this attack?”

“Unbelievable.”

Gong Gi-bang scoffed. “Unbelievable is putting it mildly. Even a stray dog would laugh at your ignorance.”

“That’s enough,” I said, raising a hand to stop him. Turning to the now-embarrassed officer, I added, “The point is, Joo Won-gong wasn’t their target.”

“What makes you think that?”

“If Dark Heaven wanted him dead, he’d already be a corpse.”

“…?”

“If they truly desired his death, they wouldn’t have waited until he boarded a pleasure boat on Dongting Lake. They could’ve struck him in broad daylight, and no one could have stopped them. Waiting until he was on the lake, attacking other ships, and not even confirming whether he lived or died? It doesn’t add up.”

To Dark Heaven, Joo Won-gong’s life was as insignificant as a trinket. They could take or leave it at their convenience.

Furthermore, there was no compelling reason for them to target a disgraced royal exiled to the provinces. If they wanted chaos, the emperor or Prince Sangsan would have been far more suitable targets.

“Their goal wasn’t to assassinate a royal. Joo Won-gong was merely one of the fish caught in their net.”

“Then what was their true purpose…?”

“You’ll know when we catch the culprit.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’m talking about the ones who carried out this attack. While it’s a given that Dark Heaven is behind it, I mean the specific individuals who executed the plan.”

The officer’s face turned pale as the realization dawned. He stammered, “D-do you know who they are?”

“I have someone in mind, but the testimony of someone who saw them directly would be more accurate.”

I turned to Hong Ran.

With Joo Won-gong unconscious and fighting for his life, she was the only key to unraveling this mystery.

“Did you see anything?”

It was a simple question, but it carried enough weight.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Hong Ran’s crimson lips parted softly.

“Yes.”

A ripple of shock and tension spread instantly through the group. I clenched my fist tightly.

‘Finally.’

From the Merchant Guild incident to this very moment, the elusive culprits—those responsible for these heinous acts—were finally starting to show themselves.

This was the first real lead, and I couldn’t afford to let it slip away. I had to grab hold of it, trace it back to its source, and expose everything.

Recalling the countless lives lost, I asked again, “Tell us exactly what you saw.”

“…It all happened so suddenly,” she began, her smooth brow furrowing slightly as she recollected the events.

“It started when two of the nearby military vessels protecting the area sank almost instantaneously, throwing the entire scene into chaos.”

I listened intently as she described the situation.

Though Joo Won-gong was a branch member of the royal family, the presence of two military ships for his protection was a given. Yet, they were overwhelmed in an instant by a sudden ambush. The pleasure boats, filled with revelers, were thrown into disarray.

“No one could stop it. There was no visible attacker, but the ships tipped over with a deafening noise, and a streak of energy swept through the area. It was over in moments.”

“Energy…”

“Yes. That single strike wiped out the supreme martial artists guarding Master Joo and the warriors of the Cheong Hyup Sect.”

The scene Hong Ran described played vividly in my mind.

Energy attacks, unmatched in destructive power. Even those who had never seen such a thing would instantly understand its devastating nature upon witnessing it.

Hong Ran had seen it, and there was no doubt in her voice. For the warriors protecting Joo Won-gong, it must have been an unstoppable blow.

Her voice trembled as the memories came rushing back.

“But at the last moment, the guards risked their lives to push Master Joo away, and I embraced him and threw myself into the river.”

Hong Ran’s quick thinking had saved both her life and Joo Won-gong’s.

Those paralyzed by fear were slaughtered within moments, and those who survived the initial chaos succumbed to the cold waters and their injuries soon after.

And amidst the dark waters of Dongting Lake, Hong Ran saw something moving swiftly away.

“It was a person. Just one.”

The tail of the serpent was beginning to show.

“Are you certain?” I pressed.

“How could I lie to my benefactor? It was brief, but I saw them clearly with my own eyes.”

Hong Ran was not only the sole witness but also a martial artist of considerable skill. If she was certain, her testimony held significant weight.

‘It’s them.’

As a figure came to mind, the officer—listening in a daze—suddenly blurted out, “Are you all out of your minds? This isn’t land; it’s Dongting Lake! It’s vast and deep, like an ocean!”

“Who here doesn’t know that?” Gong Gi-bang muttered with a sigh. Hyeok Mu-jin clicked his tongue in exasperation.

“So?”

“So? This is absurd! I’ve heard tales of martial artists’ incredible abilities, but this stretches the limits of reason! How could anyone swim across this vast lake, let alone sink dozens of ships, including military vessels…”

“They could—if it’s the person I suspect,” a calm voice interrupted.

All eyes turned to Hong Ran as she spoke.

“He breathes like a fish, swims faster than one, and wields water-based martial arts capable of sinking dozens of ships single-handedly. I don’t know how impressive the river pirates you’ve encountered are, but here on Dongting Lake, not even the Sea King could defeat him.”

Her gaze shifted toward the shimmering waters beyond the camp.

Dongting Lake, renowned for its beauty and history. And within its vast expanse lived a man who had guarded it all his life.

Not just a fisherman, but a former supreme martial artist—a master of water-based martial arts who could rival even the Sea King.

I softly murmured his title.

“Dongting Fisherman.”

Hao Mun’s intelligence was accurate. Dongting Fisherman hadn’t left Hubei.

Feigning death, he had hidden himself in plain sight, using the vast expanse of Dongting Lake as his sanctuary, evading all suspicion.

At last, I had found Dark Heaven’s trail through this elusive figure.

‘Finally, I’ve come this far. You damned old man.’

The sacrifices had already been far too great. I couldn’t afford any more delays. I needed to capture Dongting Fisherman and uncover every detail of Dark Heaven’s plans.

That was the only way to prevent an even greater tragedy.

Then, Hong Ran’s words lit a spark of hope.

“Benefactor, are you aware that Dongting Fisherman has hidden sanctuaries scattered across the lake?”

“You’re saying…”

“I don’t know their exact locations, but I have an idea of a few possible places. Once you’re ready, I can guide you there.”

I clenched my fists and immediately rose to my feet.

“Take me there. Now.”