The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 116

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Spear Heaven Martial Emperor Episode 116

Han Water Bandit Base stronghold.

Taebaek, nephew of the Yangtze Water Bandits’ Chief Leader, stood with his arms crossed, glaring at the river.

“Those bastards have departed now?”

“Yes. A messenger pigeon came, so it must be certain.”

“Hmph. Have we properly assessed their actual strength?”

“Roughly estimated at about five hundred warriors. It’s said that Seonghwa Sect’s forces are mixed with the Namgung Family Estate’s forces…”

“Five hundred men. That’s not such a large number.”

Taebaek uttered words that would shock others if they heard them.

Five hundred men was equivalent to an entire mid-level sect’s forces coming at once.

But the organization he belonged to was the Yangtze Water Bandits.

Though they were all scattered throughout various parts of the Yangtze River, when counting their total numbers, they possessed a bandit group with over ten thousand troops.

Just in the Jiangsu region alone, the number of water bandits they could mobilize exceeded two thousand.

So he could describe a force of about five hundred as not particularly large.

“You must not be careless. Don’t you know, Bandit Leader? That Namgung Hyeok has never been defeated even once.”

“I know. I’ve heard stories about that monster-like bastard until my ears are worn out. But that’s exactly why the Chief Leader sent me, isn’t it?”

Taebaek was the subordinate the Chief Leader trusted most.

There were even rumors that the Chief Leader, who had no sons, would later pass the Yangtze Water Bandits to him.

His individual abilities were also quite outstanding.

Not only had his martial prowess reached the Harmony Realm, but his mind was sharp enough that he had even repelled government troops and Martial Alliance subjugation forces.

“Besides, we have the Blood Heaven Cult’s masters with us. In a battle of experts, we won’t be pushed back.”

“Still, you must not be careless.”

“I said I know.”

Taebaek irritably waved his hand and pulled out a nearby map.

Various geographical features like rocks and small islands created by nearby water bandit bases were recorded there.

And the allied bases in the vicinity were marked as well.

“They’ll probably start from upstream and come down below.”

Taebaek thought for a moment.

Then where would be good to engage in battle? After they land? Or when they’re coming down by boat?

‘Obviously when they’re on boats.’

Fighting on land would be no different from repeating the mistakes of those who had previously been defeated by Namgung Hyeok. So they chose to fight on the river where they had even a slight advantage.

‘Then this place would be advantageous.’

He pointed to a spot on the map with his finger and gave various orders to his subordinates.

Soon his orders gradually went down and were transmitted to each water bandit base.

Over ten water bandit base ships began to move.

All to hunt Namgung Hyeok.

* * *

“Lord. The wind is refreshing.”

Namgung Hyeok had departed by boat from Nanjing and was passing through the Zhenjiang region.

Since they were going against the current, their speed wasn’t very fast, but they were steadily advancing.

At this rate, the fork in the road connecting to Hongze Lake in the north and the sea in the south would appear before long.

Of course, Namgung Hyeok had no intention of going that far.

He planned to change direction and start heading downstream before then.

“If you think of it as a boat trip, it seems quite charming.”

“Unfortunately, what we’re about to do is quite far removed from a boat trip.”

“Hehe. That’s true, but wouldn’t it be fun to enjoy it until then? It’s a rare opportunity.”

So Yeon said this while enjoying the wind blowing from the bow of the boat.

Namgung Hyeok didn’t particularly stop her.

Even when she seemed relaxed, she was someone who displayed more terrifying concentration than anyone when it came to actual combat.

As evidence of this.

“Hmm?”

She was also the first person to notice the anomaly carried through the air.

So Yeon twisted the corner of her mouth and spoke to Namgung Hyeok.

“Lord. It seems we have guests?”

“Everyone prepare for battle. Raise the flag to inform our allies on the other boats as well.”

Flutter!

After raising the battle flag, they carefully examined their surroundings.

Though it was hard to see clearly due to the fog, Namgung Hyeok, being a master, could soon understand what So Yeon had detected.

“It’s an ambush. Three ships ahead. Three ships behind. And two ships each approaching from both sides.”

As he said, the enemy fleet soon revealed itself through the fog.

Considering the subjugation force was divided among three boats, this was more than three times their numerical strength.

Moreover, the three ships in front were even equipped with red barbarian cannons.

Normally, these were precious cannons that mere water bandits couldn’t possess, but…

‘So the rumors about the Yangtze Water Bandits hoarding cannons were true.’

If this fact became known, the government troops would also be outraged and try to subjugate the water bandit bases.

Yet bringing those out meant they had the will to definitely kill Namgung Hyeok here.

“Ha.”

Even in this clearly disadvantageous situation, Namgung Hyeok burst into laughter and looked at So Yeon beside him.

“So Yeon. I’ll leave the first strike to you. Please make it as spectacular as possible.”

“Yes. I’ll go with full power.”

So Yeon grinned and climbed onto the bow, raising her bow.

Whiiiiing.

It seemed as if the wind surrounded her, creating a massive barrier.

“Ooh!”

The masters aboard the boat could sense tremendous waves of energy bursting out around her body.

Crack!

So Yeon, grinning, drew her bow.

Her target was the lead boat, specifically where the cannon was positioned.

The water bandits were in the middle of turning their boat sideways to operate the cannon.

The cannon attack would begin soon.

So Yeon didn’t miss this brief gap and shot her bow with all her might.

Flying Stream Heaven-Breaking Bow.

Heaven Breaking.

Kwaaaaaaaang!

With a tremendous explosion, the side of the bandit ship that had been moving busily was blown away.

The mouths of those watching this scene fell open in unison.

* * *

“Wh-what is that!”

Taebaek, aboard the flagship, was shocked to see one of their allied ships explode.

They weren’t armed with cannons like themselves, and had simply shot an arrow. Yet a third of the intact ship had been blown away.

“Kyaaaaaaah!”

“We’re falling!”

As a result, all the water bandits there lost their balance and fell into the river.

In an instant, one ship had been neutralized.

Taebaek ground his teeth in frustration.

What was more precious than the water bandits dying from the current attack was that one of the cannons they had seized from the government forces was completely neutralized.

This was no different from his plan to first break their morale with bombardment and then ram ships into them to subdue them being completely ruined.

“Fire! Shoot them before they can do anything else!”

Therefore, Taebaek urgently gave orders to the remaining two ships.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

With ear-numbing loud sounds, the cannons were fired.

The fired cannonballs crashed into the enemy ships, destroying the vessels.

The Seonghwa Sect’s ships suffered damage with creaking sounds.

However, even if damaged, they didn’t completely collapse. It was natural.

What they were riding were massive ships specially provided by the Jiangsu Salt Guild.

Instead of speed, they were built extremely sturdy, so they weren’t ships that would be destroyed by taking one or two cannon hits.

Whoooooosh!

Then once again, an arrow that tore through the air was fired.

The arrow shot this way hit the cannon precisely and shattered it from the inside.

Anger flashed across Taebaek’s face.

“That bitch…!”

He had long known that there was a skilled archer among the enemies.

They too had roughly grasped the Seonghwa Sect’s strength through several battles.

But for a mere archer to be able to shoot arrows with this level of destructive power?

Honestly, even seeing it, he couldn’t believe it.

This was almost enough power to bring down castle walls.

“Huu.”

Meanwhile, So Yeon concentrated her mind and prepared the last shot.

Using Heaven Breaking, the ultimate technique of the Flying Stream Heaven-Breaking Bow, was quite burdensome even for her.

Normally, shooting one arrow would consume almost all her stamina, and shooting two would exhaust her completely.

But she gritted her teeth and prepared the third strike.

Her clothes were completely soaked with sweat pouring down like rain, but So Yeon didn’t lose her concentration until the end.

Soon.

Whoooooosh!

The third strike unfolded, clearly weaker than the first and second but still possessing terrifying power.

Boom!

It couldn’t tear apart an entire ship like the first attack, but it certainly destroyed the targeted cannon.

Namgung Hyeok caught her as she collapsed after giving her all.

“You did well, So Yeon.”

“Hehe… Honestly, I feel like I could faint right now. Lord, I can leave the rest to you, right?”

“Yes. Rest well. You three. Prepare for any unexpected situations by waiting inside and protecting So Yeon.”

“Yes.”

Three allied experts nodded and moved inside the ship so So Yeon could rest.

Namgung Hyeok made eye contact with Jeon Wook and nodded.

He raised the Azure Heaven Sword high, then pointed at the flagship hit by So Yeon’s arrow and shouted.

“Move the ship! Ignore the others and strike the enemy leader!”

His voice contained internal energy and echoed loudly.

It was even loud enough to be heard by the water bandits’ flagship in the distance.

Taebaek heard that voice and snorted.

“You want to strike me? What an arrogant bastard! Send the attack signal! Drive them from all sides!”

Even if they had lost their cannons, they still had ten remaining warships.

Soon the water bandits’ ships approached the Seonghwa Sect and Namgung Family alliance.

Simultaneously, grappling hooks flew from all directions.

And as if escorting those hooks, fire spears and arrows came flying.

Namgung Hyeok formed a sword screen to block all attacks from one direction and shouted.

“Kill those climbing over on the grappling hooks first! Uncle! Please take command in my place from now on.”

“Take command? What are you planning to do…”

“I’m going to break the enemy’s momentum.”

“What do you mean!”

But it was before Namgung Jihak could say anything to stop him.

“Jeon Wook. Lee Cheolgun. Follow me. We’re sweeping away the enemy ships.”

Without even listening to the two men’s answers, he jumped onto a nearby grappling hook and started running.

Clatter clatter clatter!

“Th-this crazy bastard!”

“Stop him!”

The water bandits who were shocked at the sight blocked his path and threw fire spears, but it was useless.

Namgung Hyeok thrust the Azure Heaven Sword and broke through the path.

Soon.

Thud!

“…!”

Namgung Hyeok infiltrated one of the enemy ships.

“What are you doing! Surround and kill him!”

Taebaek, who had been watching from the flagship, shouted loudly.

The water bandits on the ship Namgung Hyeok had boarded responded.

They each scattered killing intent and rushed toward Namgung Hyeok.

Whoosh!

But the flames wrapping around the Azure Heaven Sword suddenly blazed up greatly and gathered into one point.

Namgung Hyeok widened his eyes and swung his sword with all his might toward the water bandits rushing at him.

Sacred Fire Ultimate Sword.

Explosive Flame Annihilation.

Boooooom!

The explosively bursting flame slash swept away all the water bandits charging from all directions.

Taebaek’s mouth fell wide open as he watched from afar.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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