Chapter 510
His parents, whose faces he could no longer remember, were once renowned lovers and infamous pirates in the area. Both his maternal and paternal families were filled with either pirates or fishermen.
A lineage deeply rooted in piracy.
Perhaps because of that, Mu Song always preferred being on a ship rather than on land.
Whenever he saw dense forests or open fields, it felt as if he had ingested deadly poison—his limbs would go numb, and his breathing would become labored. Yet, the sight of vast rivers and open seas revitalized him.
It wasn’t just that. While other pirate chiefs who had made a fortune indulged in lavish manors and entertained themselves in brothels, he spent his time refurbishing his ship and lying in a hammock made of fishing nets, gazing at the Yangtze River.
And every time he did, the same thought would cross his mind.
‘If only the entire world were made of water. Then I could live on a ship forever.’
But now, staring blankly at the Yangtze River, Mu Song muttered.
“Ah, damn it. This ship is slow as hell. I want to get off already…”
For a moment, an eerie silence settled.
The surrounding pirates of the Water Dragon Stronghold doubted their ears.
They exchanged glances, their eyes darting back and forth, before coming to a unanimous conclusion.
‘We must have misheard him!’
‘Yeah, that’s it. We all just collectively heard wrong.’
‘There’s no way our boss would say something like that.’
Every pirate in the Yangtze River Waterway League knew exactly what kind of person Mu Song was—from the most senior members to the newest recruits.
The embodiment of a passionate seafarer! A man who loved the Yangtze River even more than his own master, the Sea Serpent King!
Such a man, who cherished his fast ship as much as his own life, calling it slow and expressing a desire to be on land?
It was unthinkable.
“I should just quit this whole damn thing. This is unbearable.”
A tremor of invisible shock rippled across the deck.
The abrupt declaration of Mu Song’s retirement, coupled with the potential disbandment of the Water Dragon Stronghold, cast a heavy silence over the ship.
That silence was shattered when a pirate, dazed by the revelation, lost grip of a barrel on his shoulder.
Thud! Crack!
The barrel, filled to the brim with liquor, was heavy. It smashed upon impact, spilling its contents across the deck.
Mu Song, jolted from his thoughts, snapped his gaze toward the source of the disturbance.
“What the hell is this mess?”
Mu Song already had an intimidating face. The pirate who dropped the barrel turned pale, bowing deeply.
“I-I’m so sorry!”
“You little bastard. Do you even know how precious liquor is? Maybe I should string you up and—what was it? Ah, right. Dunk you in the Yangtze for a sip-and-dip punishment.”
“P-Please, anything but that…!”
“Be careful. I’m already in a foul mood, so don’t make it worse.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
“Enough. Clean this up and bring me another barrel.”
“Huh? But…”
“This bastard must have lost his mind. Are you questioning me? Move your ass already!”
“A-Absolutely, sir!”
As his subordinate hurriedly retreated, Mu Song let out a deep sigh.
‘Nothing is going right.’
It wasn’t just a complaint—it was a fact.
Even if everything had been going smoothly, it still wouldn’t have been enough. But instead, one bad thing kept piling on after another.
Forced to leave their base in Sichuan, they had unwillingly relocated to Hubei. Then, not long ago, they had to part ways with Huang Chong, who had been like family to Mu Song.
With a lingering sense of obligation to settle that debt, he had agreed to escort Jin Taekyung’s group to Henan.
And, of course, the worst-case scenario had unfolded.
‘I was planning to just pretend not to notice.’
An old martial artist, clearly rejuvenated by some mysterious means.
That beast, hiding behind the mask of a young physician, had realized that his secret had been exposed.
‘A monstrous old man… Who the hell is he?’
From Mu Song’s careful observations, only a select few in their traveling group seemed to be aware of this truth. At most, perhaps the Fire King and Jin Taekyung.
Judging by how Cheongpung fell eerily silent in front of Moon Kyung, that meant he likely knew as well.
‘Damn it. If I had known, I would’ve boarded another ship instead.’
Currently, two fast ships from the Water Dragon Stronghold were heading to Henan. Because of their numbers, Jeok Cheon-Gang had insisted they split the passengers between the two vessels. And Mu Song didn’t have the courage to go against the Fire King’s decision.
Thinking of the folding fan-wielding man lounging comfortably on the other ship made his stomach churn.
‘That ship must feel like paradise compared to this one.’
At least over there, the passengers were reasonable people.
The stench of Gong Gi-bang’s medicine could be endured with a little breath-holding, and watching Cheongpung’s bizarre pet snake perform tricks was at least entertaining.
Meanwhile, on this ship?
‘The Blazing Fire Dragon, Jin Taekyung. The Fire King, Jeok Cheon-Gang. And a hidden old monster.’
It was nothing short of a gathering of absolute monsters.
At least Jin Taekyung, despite being a junior in name only, still addressed Mu Song with some degree of respect. And Jeok Cheon-Gang, having seen him often, treated him like a person.
But the last one?
The moment Mu Song recalled Moon Kyung’s piercing gaze, he involuntarily shuddered.
One of the senior pirates, who had been observing their leader’s strange behavior, cautiously approached and asked,
“Boss, are you alright?”
“Do I look alright?”
“Not at all.”
“Then why the hell are you asking? You already know the answer.”
“Sheesh, can’t even show a little concern without getting snapped at. Anyway… What exactly did that old monster say to you to make you look so pale—mmpf?!”
With lightning speed, Mu Song clamped a hand over his subordinate’s mouth, his eyes darting around anxiously.
Only after confirming twice, no—three times, that no one else had heard, did he finally let his anger rise.
“You crazy bastard! Do you have a death wish?”
“Mmph! Phew—!”
After barely escaping Mu Song’s grip, the pirate stammered,
“S-Sorry, boss! It just slipped out!”
“I’ve told you, and the others, countless times. Never. Speak. Of. Him. Again. Understood?”
“Y-Yes, boss.”
This senior pirate was one of the few who had directly witnessed Moon Kyung’s true nature.
As he anxiously shifted his gaze, Mu Song let out a long sigh before speaking again.
“More importantly, have you made sure everyone understands the orders I gave earlier?”
The senior pirate nodded.
“Of course, boss. Just as you said, no one’s allowed near the stern. I made that clear to everyone.”
“No one got suspicious?”
With so many pirates aboard, there were always a few idiots who lacked awareness.
“There was one… Chun-sam. Even after I told him it was your order, he asked three times. Nearly gave me a heart attack.”
Mu Song grit his teeth.
“I knew it’d be that bastard. Where is he now?”
“We dunked him in the Yangtze for a bit and pulled him back out. He’s locked up below deck. Doubt he’ll be asking any more questions.”
“Good. From now on, keep an eye on everyone, even when I’m not around. One mistake and we could all end up at the bottom of the Yangtze along with this ship.”
Mu Song’s expression darkened.
As if dealing with the monstrous Fire King, Jeok Cheon-Gang, wasn’t enough, now there was also an unidentified old master who had undergone some kind of rejuvenation. He almost missed the days when he was ignorant of that fact.
Seeing their usually unshakable leader looking troubled, the senior pirate hesitated before speaking in a nervous tone.
“Boss… are we ever going back to Sichuan? It’s already been nearly two months since we left. If we stay out here any longer, we might never return.”
“Don’t jinx it. They say even if you enter a tiger’s den, you’ll survive if you stay calm.”
“Yeah, but that’s a tiger. No matter how calm we are, I don’t think it’ll work against an immortal grandmaster…”
The logic was sound.
Mu Song had no response. He fell silent just as a voice called out from behind him.
“I brought the barrel of liquor. Where should I put it?”
In this situation, there was only one person who would be talking about alcohol.
Irritated, Mu Song snapped before even turning around.
“You useless bastard, do you think—!”
“You just called me a useless bastard, didn’t you?”
“…Huh?”
A single moment that stretched like an eternity.
Mu Song saw the senior pirate behind him freeze, his jaw dropping in horror.
At that instant, he realized he was completely screwed.
And another thought struck him—
‘Ah… the spare barrels were stored at the stern.’
No wonder that idiot hesitated earlier when told to bring another one.
Mu Song felt dizzy. He hadn’t even been afraid when he was caught in the vortex of the Thousand-Year Venomous Horned Serpent, but right now, he could drown in his own cold sweat.
“Mu Song.”
With a forced smile, Mu Song slowly turned around.
The one person he never wanted to see in his dreams was standing right there.
“O-oh… Moon Kyung. W-what brings you here?”
“Nothing much,” Moon Kyung replied, smiling like a boy his age should.
“I was just admiring the Yangtze at the stern when your man showed up. Said you told him to bring a barrel of liquor.”
“I… I said that?”
“Didn’t you?”
“I mean, well, I don’t exactly remember—”
Just then, the pirate carrying the barrel stepped forward and called out,
“Boss! I brought the liquor as you ordered!”
Mu Song wanted to rip the fool’s mouth off but suppressed the urge.
“Ah, yes… I did give that order. Must’ve been a mistake.”
“A mistake. I see.”
Mu Song could feel Moon Kyung’s gaze scanning every inch of his body.
For some reason, it felt like the gaze of someone appraising a corpse. It had to be his imagination.
It had to be.
Thankfully, his desperate prayer must have reached the heavens, because Moon Kyung soon withdrew his gaze and spoke.
“Master Jeok was quite angry. He said if this happens again, you should prepare yourself.”
Of course, Jeok Cheon-Gang hadn’t actually raged or said anything like that.
But Mu Song wasn’t stupid enough to miss the meaning behind Moon Kyung’s words.
“Understood. Tell Master Jeok I’ll be more careful. But… uh…”
“Yes?”
“If I absolutely must go to the stern… for ship maintenance, food supplies, or something?”
Moon Kyung considered it for a moment before answering.
“Master Jeok already gave his instructions. In such cases, you are to go alone to handle it yourself. As for meals, you’ll deliver them personally.”
“…Alone?”
“Is that a problem?”
Mu Song’s expression stiffened before he forced a smile.
“No, not at all. It’s been my lifelong dream. I’m overjoyed.”
“I see. Well, I’ll take my leave. See you at dinner.”
As Moon Kyung turned to head back toward the stern, he suddenly paused and glanced back.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
“Now what?”
“Two portions of food will be enough. For the entire trip to Henan.”
“…Huh?”
“Master Jin won’t be eating much for the time being. Keep that in mind.”
It would take ten more days to reach Henan. No matter how little appetite someone had, going ten days without food was impossible.
Curiosity overcame Mu Song’s better judgment, and he cautiously asked,
“Uh… Did something happen to Junior Jin?”
Moon Kyung’s lips curved into a dimpled smile.
For a brief moment, even Mu Song, who considered him a monster, saw the innocent face of a boy.
“Oh, he’s just a little busy. Very, very busy.”
—
Sometimes, he felt like a human smartphone.
Just like when a phone’s battery drops below 15% and a warning pops up, a system window appeared in front of his eyes.
Beep!
[Most of your internal energy has been depleted.]
[Use Qi Circulation to restore your energy. If your internal reserves are completely exhausted, you may enter a weakened state.]
Yet for some reason, despite knowing that running out of energy here would mean sinking straight into the vast Yangtze, Jin Taekyung wasn’t panicking.
Instead, confusion overshadowed his sense of crisis.
And the reason was clear—
Something was approaching.
Swish.
A massive silhouette moving in secret.
A fin slicing through the water’s surface.
Something oddly familiar.
‘Wait a damn minute.’
Why the hell is there a shark in the Yangtze?!
