The Supreme Who Rules the Boundless Sky - Chapter 80

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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 80

 

 

He couldn’t understand it.

When talking about the water route bandits of the Yangtze River, it meant the Yangtze River water route bandits.

But Namgung Hyeok had no grudges whatsoever with them.

Yet they were targeting him?

‘Could this be related to other forces?’

If that were the case, it would make sense.

If those bastards were allied with forces like Sado Region, Black Dragon Society, or Blood Heaven Sect, they would have sufficient reason to target him.

However, it was still too early to be certain.

There was also the possibility that it could be due to some unexpectedly formed grudge that couldn’t be ignored.

But.

“Understood. We’ll do as you say.”

Given the situation, there was no need to use the water route.

There was no reason to create troublesome situations in advance.

Besides, although the path was more treacherous, the route that didn’t pass through Poyang Lake was actually shorter.

“However, we’ll still need to cross the river once along the way. We’ll have to take a boat, albeit briefly.”

“I’m aware of that. To reach Southern Anhui, we have to cross the river anyway.”

“Well, that won’t even take half a day, so it shouldn’t matter. Is there anything else to discuss?”

“No, Lord.”

“Then that’s settled. We’ll probably depart sometime tomorrow, so rest until then.”

Namgung Hyeok showed Baek Yeonhu to a place to rest and departed for his own room.

And the next day.

Namgung Hyeok’s party set out for Jade Mountain where the Fire Sword faction was located.

 

* * *

 

Yangtze River Water Route Bandits.

This was a gathering of water bandits so numerous and scattered that even the government couldn’t subjugate them.

And Heon Won was the bandit leader of one such water route bandit group.

He opened the message tube that had arrived via messenger pigeon and took out the letter inside to read it.

“Hmm.”

“Elder Brother. What does it say?”

Heon Wi, who was Heon Won’s younger brother and served as vice bandit chief, asked.

Heon Won spoke to him in a calm voice.

“It says Flame Dragon Namgung Hyeok has left his family estate and begun heading south. Destination unknown. But there’s a high possibility it’s Gangseoseong.”

“Hmm. Then he’ll pass through Huaining and go through Anqing. If he crosses the river there, it won’t be long before he reaches Gangseoseong.”

“Probably so. So we should wait in Anqing.”

They had the objective of capturing Flame Dragon Namgung Hyeok.

They didn’t know the reason themselves.

They were simply trying to catch him because the main base of the Yangtze River Water Route Bandits had placed a hefty bounty on his head.

The amount of that bounty was no less than one hundred taels of gold.

With this much money, they could quit being water bandits and buy a manor somewhere with attached farmland to live comfortably without any problems.

“How are the subordinates doing?”

“They’re all getting restless. They haven’t been able to do any banditry for quite a while now.”

“It can’t be helped. They have to endure until Namgung Hyeok comes. If rumors spread that we’re here, everything will fall apart.”

“What should we do?”

“Give them some money to go drink. But tell them that anyone who causes trouble will be killed by me personally.”

“Understood. And regarding reinforcements…”

“We paid money to call the Anhui War Ghost and Heartless Demon Sword. The main base is also sending experts, so they should arrive in a few days.”

“It seems like excessive force just to capture one young master.”

“We mustn’t be careless. You’ve heard about the humiliation that bastard inflicted on Sado Region and Black Dragon Society, haven’t you?”

“That’s true, but… still, didn’t we spend too much money on preparations?”

Heon Wi had a somewhat dissatisfied expression.

It seemed he found the money spent on hiring experts regrettable.

Heon Won consoled his younger brother.

“If we can catch that bastard Namgung Hyeok, we’ll be able to recover all of this. No, would it just be recovery? We can earn several times that amount.”

“…”

“If you really find it regrettable, just think of it as an investment. To make money, don’t we always have to take risks? That’s what this is.”

“Sigh. Understood.”

“Good. Then let me know as soon as more information about that bastard comes in.”

Heon Wi nodded and went outside.

Left alone, Heon Won looked at a map with detailed records of the nearby geography and fell into thought.

‘Flame Dragon, huh.’

Could he possibly escape from his grasp after such thorough preparations?

Probably not.

Heon Won smiled a sinister smile while indulging in pleasant fantasies. All that remained was to take his severed head and claim the bounty.

 

* * *

 

Namgung Hyeok’s party arrived in Anqing.

This was to rent a boat here as planned and cross the river to Southern Anhui.

If there had been a way to go by land, they would have taken that route, but…

‘Without crossing the river briefly, we’d have to take a long detour.’

They inquired about boats and secured passage to cross to the other side.

Fortunately, they were able to secretly obtain a boat without revealing their identities. They loaded their horses and luggage onto the boat and were able to take a brief rest for about half a day.

But while they were on the boat.

“Wh-what is that!”

“Water bandits!”

Clang clang clang!

Urgent bell sounds rang out.

Three large bandit ships appeared in the distance.

The boat’s crew panicked.

There had been no rumors of water bandits appearing in this area recently.

Moreover, judging by their insignia, they were undoubtedly from the notorious Yangtze River Water Route Bandits. Why had such people appeared in this unremarkable city?

“Hmm.”

Namgung Hyeok let out a light sigh as if he understood the reason.

“Those bastards were waiting for us.”

“I was relieved thinking that taking a boat would only take about half a day…”

“Hyeok. What will you do?”

Namgung Jihak asked, ignoring Baek Yeonhu’s disappointed muttering.

Namgung Hyeok answered as if it were obvious.

“We have to deal with them. It seems they chased us here and were waiting, so we’ll have to resolve this ourselves.”

“Right. Let’s do that.”

They showed no tension at all despite the appearance of a considerable number of water bandits.

Soon.

Whoosh, thunk!

Iron harpoon-like objects flew from the bandit ships positioned in three directions and embedded themselves.

The harpoons that emerged were firmly fixed, connecting the enemy ships to the merchant ship they were riding.

“Attack!”

At the same time, the Water Bandits came rushing across the connected ropes.

It seemed they had learned martial arts to prepare for such situations, as they ran across the ropes without a single waver.

At this rate, it would only be a matter of time before they boarded the merchant ship.

Right then.

“Shoot them down.”

Namgung Hyeok gave So Yeon an order.

“As you command.”

Twang!

So Yeon pulled back the bowstring of her bow with great force, then released it.

Whoosh!

Arrows flew toward the enemies simultaneously.

“Urgh!”

“B-be careful!”

“The enemy is shooting arrows!”

Several Water Bandits who had been crossing on the ropes fell into the river and lost their lives.

So Yeon paid no mind and continuously pulled her bowstring, drowning the enemies.

“Stop that woman!”

“Move quickly!”

Whirl! Thud!

As if responding, several more grappling hooks were embedded.

The Water Bandits tried to cross toward the merchant ship with even more fierce momentum.

“Cut them off.”

But their movement wasn’t easy.

Following Namgung Hyeok’s cold command, the merchant ship side also deployed appropriate countermeasures.

It was an order to cut the grappling hooks fixed to the merchant ship.

Originally, removing iron harpoons and grappling hooks would have required much effort, but…

Slice!

“Wh-what!?”

“We’re falling!”

“Aaaaaaah!”

Unfortunately, the group had more than one or two masters who could cut through solid iron.

Ho Young, Jeon Wook, Baek Yeonhu, and Namgung Jihak dropped all the Water Bandits who had been trying to board the ship.

The merchant ship’s crew looked shocked at the sight, then burst into cheers.

“H-how could they do such…”

“They’re masters! Haha! We’re saved!”

They couldn’t hide their joy.

When they saw the Water Bandits, they thought they were surely dead, but their passengers’ martial power exceeded their imagination.

However, Namgung Hyeok didn’t let his guard down.

He spoke to the merchant ship’s captain.

“We must leave this place immediately.”

“What? But the bandits are already…”

“You’ve been sailing ships longer than I have, so you should know. If they can’t cross with grappling hooks, they’ll either swim to board the ship or use a ramming prow.”

“…!”

The captain’s face turned pale at Namgung Hyeok’s words.

Come to think of it, he wasn’t wrong.

First, the Water Bandits had basically learned Water Arts and could swim freely underwater…

‘If they ram our ship, they might use that opportunity to board!’

If that happened, not only would the ship be damaged, but the time they had gained would become useless.

The captain shouted urgently.

“What are you doing! We must leave this place quickly! Hurry… Urgh!”

Crash!

That was the moment.

The other side had already finished making their decision and was ramming the front of their ship into the merchant vessel.

The merchant ship shook violently in an instant.

“Now’s our chance!”

And taking advantage of that shaking, a considerable number of Water Bandits boarded.

Namgung Hyeok saw them and drew Blue Heaven.

Shing.

The sword revealed itself with a sharp sound.

Whoosh!

Sacred Fire began blazing at the same time.

Baek Yeonhu made an admiring expression at the sight.

But regardless, Namgung Hyeok only charged forward.

Soon.

Slash!

Blood fountains sprayed in all directions.

Everyone looked at Namgung Hyeok with shocked expressions.

His figure weaving through the Water Bandits was like a demon.

“Damn it, stop him!”

“Anhui War Ghost! Heartless Demon Sword! What are you doing! If you took money, do your job!”

In response, those who could be called masters emerged from the opposing side.

They were the Anhui War Ghost and Heartless Demon Sword hired by the Water Bandits.

They immediately moved to target Namgung Hyeok’s neck.

However.

“How dare you target our leader first when we’re here?”

“…!”

Clang!

They had no choice but to hesitate as they blocked the rushing attacks.

Ho Young and Jeon Wook were blocking the two men.

Ho Young chuckled and rested his Demon-Slaying Blade on his shoulder.

“A guy who’s never even experienced war has the alias War Ghost? That’s not even funny.”

“Exactly. It’s bothersome, so let’s finish this quickly.”

“Right.”

Ho Young and Jeon Wook each began revealing their true skills.

Light flashed from Ho Young’s Demon-Slaying Blade, and Jeon Wook’s sword left only faint afterimages as it pressed the enemy.

“No way!?”

“Urgh!”

The Anhui War Ghost and Heartless Demon Sword blocked their attacks in terror. But their exchange didn’t last even five moves.

Slash!

Both had their necks severed and collapsed, spurting blood fountains.

“The enemy masters are dead!”

“Waaaaaaah!”

The merchant ship’s guard warriors who saw this had their morale greatly boosted and let out battle cries.

Conversely, the Water Bandits’ side stared with disbelieving eyes.

Though they still outnumbered them by more than three to one, they were being eliminated as soon as they boarded the merchant ship and falling into the river.

“Th-they’re monsters.”

“We might die if we go.”

Now even when the ships were close, they hesitated and couldn’t board.

“What are you doing! Go and kill them now!”

Heon Won, the commander of the water bandits, glared at them and urged them forward.

But no matter how much he shouted, the water bandits only hesitated. Knowing they would just die a dog’s death if they went, their feet wouldn’t move easily.

Just as this brief standoff continued.

Thud, thwack!

Someone came running and leaped from the merchant ship toward the bandit ship.

Heon Won’s eyes widened as he looked at that figure. The person who had boarded the bandit ship with a single rider single horse was none other than Namgung Hyeok.

He pointed his flaming sword at the water bandits and asked.

“Who’s the leader here?”

The water bandits reflexively turned to look at Heon Won.

Heon Won instinctively broke out in cold sweat. He was flustered by a situation completely different from what he had expected.

Namgung Hyeok saw this and smiled with murderous intent.

“So it’s you.”

“…!”

The corners of Heon Won’s eyes trembled with fear.

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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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