Chapter 617
Splash!
The dozen or so swift ships racing toward the shore were visible to anyone who wasn’t blind.
And for martial artists who had reached a certain realm, it went without saying.
“Water Dragon Stronghold…” Sama Pyo, having dashed over in an instant with his movement technique, muttered under his breath.
Narrowing his eyes at the banners fluttering on the ships, he then shifted his gaze to me.
“So this is why you told us to wait?”
“That’s right. Sichuan is full of treacherous terrain, but if we follow the Yangtze downstream, we’ll get there much faster than now. Still, the fact that our contact is the Yangtze Waterway Alliance is a bit concerning.”
His doubt wasn’t unfounded.
The Yangtze Waterway Alliance was, at its core, a band of pirates who made their living by plunder.
Moreover, its leader, the Sea King Paryun, was widely regarded as a sly and cunning man, regardless of his personal martial prowess.
‘He didn’t attend the Murim Alliance’s founding, for reasons unknown—illness, distance, who knows.’
All he did was send an envoy stating his intention to join and have it officially announced. The Green Forest Alliance had done the same.
Both factions leaned closer to the unorthodox than the orthodox, but in truth, it was more accurate to see them as powerful raiders who had carved out their own territories.
“They say Paryun is a man whose intentions are impossible to read. I’ve even heard rumors about him circulating in Henan.”
“The kind that say he’ll side with Dark Heaven when the time comes?”
“So you’ve heard.”
“What, you think my ears are just for decoration? And since we’re on the subject…”
I gave Sama Pyo a quiet look and continued.
“If the rumors are true, then the Yangtze Waterway Alliance and the Black Dragon Demon Sect are no different.”
“…You’re not wrong.” After a moment’s silence, Sama Pyo replied with a sour look.
“Not ‘not wrong.’ I ‘am’ right. In fact, if you really think about it, the Black Dragon Demon Sect might be worse. At least they don’t care whether they steal from orthodox or unorthodox sects—your lot, on the other hand, is unorthodox through and through.”
“…I get it. Enough. Just listening to you makes my head hurt.”
From nearby, Taesan, who had been prowling around Sama Pyo like a large guard dog, spoke up.
“Lord Taesan is also hungry. My head hurts.”
Just watching this was making my own head pound. I rubbed my temple and said,
“And one more thing—don’t worry about trusting these pirates. They’re reliable.”
“Reliable pirates? That’s like saying a martial artist who’s never trained.”
“It’s a long story, but we have a strong connection. That’s all you need to know.”
I didn’t know what kind of man Paryun was.
But even if the rumors were true, my opinion of the Boat Fire Child Musong wouldn’t change.
From what I’d seen, Musong was a man of honor who followed the right path.
It’s not as if disciples must always resemble their masters.
‘Just the fact that they came running as soon as we sent word from Sichuan says enough.’
As I was thinking that, the swift ships pulled up to the shore, and over a dozen men spilled out.
Splash!
True to their reputation as seasoned river pirates, their movements sent water spraying everywhere.
Through loose robes, they revealed bronzed muscles as they strode forward and cupped their fists.
“Great Hero Jin!”
“We came as soon as we got your message!”
These were Musong’s men—commanders or higher within the Water Dragon Stronghold.
I’d seen them multiple times a day during my last visit to Sichuan, but the most familiar face was missing.
“All familiar faces. But where’s Senior Musong?”
The fan-wielding leader immediately replied.
“Ah, sorry to say, but he left for the main camp two days ago.”
“The main camp… of the Yangtze Waterway Alliance?”
“Yes. The Lord’s orders were absolute—he couldn’t delay.”
“I see.”
In the Yangtze Waterway Alliance, the Sea King’s word was law. Musong, as his direct disciple, couldn’t refuse the summons.
I looked at the pirates with a mix of regret and gratitude.
“Still, you came quickly, even with him gone.”
The fan leader waved his hands in alarm.
“Oh, don’t say that. It’s just that our chief gave us strict orders about you, Great Hero Jin.”
“About me?”
“Yes. He said if a man owes a debt, he must repay it. Considering what happened with the late ‘One Blade of the Yangtze,’ Hero Hwang, if the Taewon Jin Clan or Great Hero Jin ever need help, we’re to give it to the best of our ability.”
“As expected, Senior Musong knows honor. A true chivalrous man.”
See? I gave Sama Pyo a satisfied grin—only for a big, burly pirate nearby to whisper to the fan leader in confusion.
“Uh, boss?”
“What?”
“Didn’t he also say, ‘If you don’t help him, he’ll probably wreck a perfectly good ship, so give him whatever he wants’?”
“You—! Jang Pil, you idiot!”
Silence fell instantly.
The stares of my proud Fire Dragon Pavilion members were burning holes in me.
From somewhere in the quiet, Ju Hwaran murmured just loud enough for me to hear,
“What ‘did’ you do for even pirates to say that…?”
Her words stabbed me right in the chest. I stared out at the endless Yangtze, my heart heavy.
I wanted to defend myself, but considering how I’d treated them like a call taxi, there wasn’t much I could say.
“You might be worse than unorthodox sects.”
Sama Pyo’s remark landed like a final blow, but I ignored it and looked sadly at the fan leader.
“Let’s just set off.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you—come see me later. Bring that Jang Pil fellow, too.”
The fan leader, eyes wide with fear, called out in a hollow voice,
“Raise… raise the anchor!”
If his voice trembled like he was about to cry, it must’ve been my imagination.
—
The ship’s prow cut swiftly and powerfully through the current.
The spring wind was at our backs, and the pirates’ years of raiding had honed their rowing to unmatched skill.
Of course, even if Musong had reformed them into relatively decent men, their instincts remained.
“Five ships to the southeast!”
“Boss, they’re big merchant vessels!”
“Merchant ships? Then we plunder!”
Plunder? Now? These lunatics.
Before any of us could say more, the fan leader’s face twisted in anger.
“You fools! We have honored guests aboard! Have you no sense of courtesy?”
“S-sorry!”
For pirates, he was starting to sound like Judge Bao.
After sternly scolding them, the fan leader turned to us and bowed.
“My apologies for the disgraceful display.”
“Heh, it’s fine.”
I smiled amiably.
“I understand. It’s your trade, after all.”
“Thank you for understanding. We’ll just plunder quickly and be on our way.”
“…What?”
“It’ll take less than half an hour. We’ll just strip them and—”
“Bow.”
After a few rounds of forced bows from the pirates, the matter was dropped.
The swift ship sailed on with the wind at its back.
One day. Two. Three…
Time passed quickly, and the Fire Dragon Pavilion members each focused on their own tasks.
Ssshhk! Whoosh!
Sama Pyo and Song Ilseom immersed themselves in martial training after the first day.
“Taesan likes sashimi. But no fish. Give Taesan one.”
“You’ve got some nerve. I worked hard to catch these, and you want me to hand them over? Captain, can you tell this guy to quit bothering me?”
“Hand over all the fish you caught. And make sure they’re sliced for sashimi.”
“Taesan is impressed. Captain is a genius?”
Hyuk Mujin and Taesan spent most of their time fishing at the bow.
They often came up empty, and even when Hyuk Mujin caught something, it was taken by others—but he never complained.
I knew it wasn’t resignation.
Fishing wasn’t about catching fish for him.
‘That’s why he never says anything.’
For Hyuk Mujin, fishing was a way to clear his mind.
Even if the float bobbed, he wouldn’t reel in the line. At night, he’d shut himself in the cabin, training in martial arts or focusing on breathing exercises.
And so, day by day, as we drew closer to Yunnan, everyone prepared in their own way for whatever might come. I was no different.
‘Open quest window.’ Ding.
[Southern Barbarian Journey]
The Murim Alliance Leader, Ma Jong-hak, has assigned the Fire Dragon Pavilion its first mission.
You must head to the Southern Barbarian Region and be ready to respond to any situation.
What lies ahead for you and the Fire Dragon Pavilion is unknown.
Stay alert and act with flexibility.
Rank: Absolute Peak
Restriction: Jin Taekyung and Fire Dragon Pavilion members
Objective: Enter the Southern Barbarian Region (Incomplete)
Reward: Linked Quest ???
Failure: Title [Never Reached the Southern Barbarian Region]
This was the quest I’d received about fifteen days ago in Murim time—a month ago in modern time.
As I reviewed the quest again to check for anything I’d missed, a faint floral scent drifted on the breeze.
“Why are you staring so intently into the air?”
It was Ju Hwaran.
I closed the holographic window and looked up at the starry night sky.
“I was reading the heavens.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Really.”
“Impressive.”
She smiled faintly.
“So, what are the heavens telling you?”
“That the weather’s nice tonight.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Do you see the Big Dipper over there?”
Following my finger, she blinked.
“Uh… hmm.”
“What is it?”
“Sorry, but that’s not the Big Dipper.”
“…Can’t be. Did the stars change shape?”
“…What?”
What nonsense was that?
Even I realized it sounded ridiculous as soon as I said it. Scratching my chin in embarrassment, I heard her laugh.
“You have an amusing way of reading the heavens.”
“To be honest, I can’t actually read the heavens. I just go with the flow.”
“I know. But I still want to ask you something—not about the heavens, but about you.”
“If it’s something I can answer, I will.”
Lightly stepping onto the bow, Ju Hwaran gazed at the dark waters.
“What’s going to happen to us?”
With the Southern Barbarian Region so close, it was no surprise she was uneasy.
Thinking how best to reassure her, I said,
“I don’t know. Dark Heaven is likely plotting something, but there’s a chance nothing will happen. Still…”
The Southern Barbarian Region was remote, home to the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, the Miao tribe, and many other peoples.
If my foreboding was correct and Dark Heaven was moving there, countless dangers awaited us.
But…
“Nothing will happen. And no matter what, we’ll return home safely. I promise you that.”
Ju Hwaran didn’t answer. She simply looked at me for a long time.
“Lady Ju?”
“…I see.”
A faint smile touched her lips as she shook her head, her glossy hair rippling like the river.
“I’ll believe you, Captain.”
For some reason, I felt uneasy—wondering if I’d given the wrong answer.
Just then, the fan leader appeared with a torch, excitement on his face.
“Great Hero Jin, we’ve arrived.”