The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 292

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Youngest Son of the Jin Family of Luoyang – Chapter 292

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The journey had proceeded smoothly.
Though the boat was worn and decrepit, drifting down the canal’s waterway for more than half a month had taught me one fundamental truth.
A boat’s fate—life or death—ultimately rests in the boatman’s hands.
Despite the creaking hull, there had been no violent tremors, no troublesome incidents.
The vessel glided fluidly southward, proving this choice a hundred times superior to the arduous labor of riding horses and rushing along roads.
My only concern was a single chattering sparrow whose incessant chirping grated on my nerves, though after some ten days, I had learned to manage it adequately.
With my ears finally at peace, my mind could rest easier.
I rose quietly from my seat and leaned against the boat’s rail, gazing outward.
In that moment, the landscape before me seized my attention.
Vast and beautiful, yet heavy dark clouds hung thick overhead.
A testament that the torrential rains from before had not yet ceased.
Moreover, the waterway had widened beyond measure, its far shore now indiscernible.
Beyond the earthen embankments lay verdant fields stretching endlessly, while pagodas and village rooftops scattered across the landscape shimmered like they swayed in the river wind.
Freed from the canal’s narrow, confined waters, even the sky opened wider, its colors becoming more vivid.
“Is this Jiangsu?”
“Eh? How did you know?”
“I can simply tell by looking.”
Unnoticed, the boat had passed through Shandong and entered Jiangsu’s territory.
The distant shouts of merchants, the bustling sail-boats and grain vessels moving along the waterway, and the ripples layering across the water’s surface all indicated this was no ordinary passage.
At this rate, we would soon arrive at Yangzhou and merge with the Yangtze River.
The fact that we had surpassed the halfway point of our journey to Hubei left a peculiar weight and anticipation mingled within my chest.
In that instant.
A red flag fluttered at a dock we were passing.
As I furrowed my brow at what appeared to be some kind of signal, the boatman who had also noticed it let out a harsh curse, his expression darkening ominously.
“Damn it all! They only show up when there’s money to be made, the bastards!”
The boatman’s raspy voice caused the people inside the boat to wear anxious expressions.
Was that the reason?
I heard Chaeseoha’s question as she approached me.
“What’s wrong? What does that red flag mean?”
“River pirates.”
“What?”
“It means river pirates have appeared on the Yangtze.”
“We could encounter them? Among all these boats, us?”
I nodded.
Many boats sought to exit the canal and merge with the Yangtze River.
There were merchant vessels and boats carrying the wealthy.
Compared to such ships, ours was considerably worn and shabby, so it wouldn’t be strange if we escaped the notice of river pirates, but since they wouldn’t target just a single boat, most vessels were likely to be plundered.
Without doubt, we would be affected as well.
The river pirates of the Yangtze were said to be even more vicious than bandits, so they wouldn’t overlook even small prey.
“Is there no way to avoid them?”
“That depends on the boatman’s skill.”
I glanced back at the boatman.
Whether displeased with the situation or not, he was grumbling while expertly steering the boat.
Just from the way his experienced eyes gleamed, it seemed he displayed a resolute determination to break through no matter what, but with so many passengers aboard, we couldn’t afford to increase our speed significantly.
The problem was that remembering how I’d always gotten caught up in such situations before, it seemed unlikely we’d escape easily this time either.
I let out a hollow laugh and gazed at the water’s surface.
Across the numerous boats before us, figures who appeared to be Imperial Guards were gradually revealing themselves, preparing for any possible pirate attacks.
Then what about us?
There were those watching with expressions of concern, but if there was anyone trustworthy among them besides us, it would be Cheongdam.
Cheongdam, who had appeared on deck at some point, narrowed his eyes.
Though he was said to be the youngest of the Five Masters, his momentum was certainly exceptional.
But would one person be enough?
I smiled faintly and looked back at the water’s surface.
The boat cut through the current as skillfully as the experienced boatman could manage, advancing steadily.
Had about two hours passed?
Finally, the boat emerged from the canal and cast itself into the embrace of the mighty Yangtze.
The river waters that spread before my eyes stretched endlessly, enough to be mistaken for the sea.
As sunlight shone down, the water’s surface sparkled like silver scales, and in the distance, sailboats were scattered like dots.
Fertile plains stretched endlessly along the riverbank, and ancient fortress towers rose like silhouettes atop the hills.
“Wow….”
Chu Hyeongi caught his breath.
“This isn’t a river at all. It puts Dongting Lake to shame!”
“That’s why people call the Yangtze the lifeblood of the continent.”
I replied briefly, narrowing my eyes.
The revealed landscape of the Yangtze stirred the human heart, and the water’s surface glimmering in sunlight held a beauty that captivated the eye.
Yet, unlike its beautiful scenery, it was a more dangerous place than any other.
Did I not know this?
The boats that had been cutting through the current as if each going their own way began to move as if they had been waiting the moment they entered the Yangtze.
They began clustering together, maintaining a certain distance from one another.
Unite and live; scatter and die.
As if thinking exactly that, their intention to gather together, cooperate, and pressure the pirates was unmistakable.
Though we couldn’t fail to notice this, our boat separated and fell behind.
Was that the reason?
Someone aboard shouted.
“Shouldn’t we also join up with them?”
“You’re talking nonsense, you fool! Those merchant ships and official vessels can be ransomed for a bit of silver and released, so they won’t be touched carelessly. But this boat? The moment we’re caught, we’ll be stripped bare!”
“Still, even so… surely that way is safer…”
“If you want to go that badly, follow them. I’m not going.”
The boatman refused to follow the huddled masses and changed course. As the group grew distant, anxiety among the passengers reached its peak.
To anyone’s eyes, that way appeared safer.
Was that the reason?
Chu Hyeongi and Namgung Yeon turned to look at me.
“What are your thoughts on this, Young Master?”
“This is the right choice. We lack the means to follow them in this old vessel, and besides, we huddled together in the first place because separating would cost us far more.”
“And if we went together?”
“With more people, their attention would scatter, and negotiating all at once would lower the ransom they’d demand. But not this boat. We don’t have the capacity to keep up, nor the strength to defend ourselves.”
The boatman’s choice was sound.
The river pirates’ gaze would surely fix upon that procession.
It would yield the greatest profit.
I believed his decision to slip away in that gap came from years of experience navigating the Yangtze.
But truly, would this choice prove right once more?
Boom—boom—boom!
Then, a drum’s thunderous sound erupted from somewhere.
Simultaneously, a massive vessel appeared, and the river pirates’ other boats formed a formation around it, blocking the path of the huddled group.
No matter how skilled a boatman might be, caught in such a formation, escape would be impossible.
Was it because of such circumstances?
Sighs of relief burst forth from all around.
The river pirates’ attention had turned elsewhere and not come toward us.
At that moment, everyone judged the boatman’s choice to be appropriate.
“You damned old fool! You won’t escape today!”
“Catch him! I said catch him!”
Small boats suddenly appeared from somewhere, and three vessels began chasing us at a frenzied pace.
“Hey, you bastards! Give it a rest! Don’t you ever tire!”
“Is this crazy old man serious?! Running away every time like this, he’s lost all sense!”
“Hehehehe! I’ve been a boatman for how many years now? You green little punks think you can catch me!”
The rapidly approaching river pirates gnashed their teeth.
From that alone, it was clear this boatman and they had been playing this chase game for quite some time.
Was the boatman the victor?
Before I knew it, I was smiling faintly, while the river pirates closed the distance faster and began pressing the boatman harder.
At that moment.
Sway!
The boatman suddenly turned the rudder sharply, creating a massive wake.
As the approaching pirate vessel swayed as if about to capsize, they lost their balance and wavered, and in an instant, the distance widened.
Remarkable and impressive skill.
Yet the river pirates only gritted their teeth harder and drove their boats forward.
Soon, someone appeared at the stern and looked toward us. The moment the distance began to close again, he hurled a grappling hook.
Thwack—!
As the hook bit into the boat, they seized it and pulled, closing the gap.
“Damn it—! Someone with a sword, cut that thing! Hurry!”
The boatman shouted roughly, and the first to move was none other than Cheongdam.
With fierce, economical movements, he closed the distance and smoothly extended his blade, severing the hook cleanly.
Swish—!
“Cursed—!”
The moment it snapped, the boat surged forward with greater speed, and the frustrated pursuers grew more frenzied in their chase.
Yet was it because the boatman’s skill was truly exceptional?
Once the distance opened, they could scarcely close it again, and despair etched itself across the pursuers’ faces.
Though they displayed desperate determination to capture us this time, it was clear to anyone that our escape was merely a matter of time.
Then, a massive vessel from the Surogae suddenly appeared, blocking our path ahead.
I narrowed my eyes, studying the ship.
A man stood at the stern.
His robust frame bore a massive broadsword across his shoulders, and his gaze burned with fierce intensity as he looked toward us.
Soon, a voice rang out.
“Boatman—! How have you been all this time—!”
The resonant voice carried formidable inner force.
The moment it pierced through both ears, it was strong enough to cause considerable discomfort.
The boatman and the ordinary folk covered their ears and collapsed, while the others furrowed their brows and steadied their trembling bodies.
As I unconsciously deepened my frown, the cloud-laden sky began to shed its rain, and the wind grew fiercer, churning the water into waves.
Yet my gaze did not leave the figure standing on the deck, more so than the rapidly changing weather.
Taking in his face, I drew out his name.
“Ro Gangpyo.”
“…Who are you?”
“The master of the Surogae.”
The moment Chaeseoha beside me opened her mouth in shock.
Ro Gangpyo, grasping the broadsword slung across his shoulder, fixed his gaze upon the boatman and wore an intensely dark smile, then began to unleash fierce blade energy.
“Hahaha—! My apologies, Boatman! Since you keep dragging the Surogae’s name through the mud, how could I simply stand idle?”
“…!”
“Now let us finally end this tiresome feud!”
As those words echoed forth, he gripped his blade.
Simultaneously, fierce rain and wind alike surged violently.
Boom—!
Then, as thunder roared and the blade swept through the air, a fierce and colossal force came hurtling toward us.
A power so devastating it seemed ready to shatter the boat in an instant.
Cheongdam, alarmed, tried to raise his momentum, but what approached was far too overwhelming for his current level to withstand.
Crack—
I took a subtle step forward and leaped up in one fluid motion.
“Young Master?!”
*Shing—*
Ignoring Chu Hyeongi’s cry that followed, I grasped the sword and drew it slowly, a faint smile playing at the corners of my lips.
“…!”
The moment Ro Gangpyo’s eyes widened in shock came into view.
Condensed energy gathered in the blade and shot forth.
Like a violent maelstrom.
*Craaaaaaash—!*
That fierce vortex consumed Ro Gangpyo’s sword energy in an instant, making it its own, and the amplified force crashed down like a tidal wave engulfing the vessel.
*Boom, boom, boom, boom—!*
Simultaneously, the impact struck the massive ship like a warship, tearing through timber and shredding sails. Splintered wood and flags scattered high into the sky, raining debris across the river.
As the fierce wind and rain became a typhoon, creating a whirlpool, the enormous hull began to shatter and sink into the water.
The sailors cried out in chaos and desperation as they plunged into the river, some being pulled under while others struggled with all their might to escape.
They knew it was the only way to survive.
I descended leisurely, watching it all unfold.
“Young Master?!”
“What is it?”
“…The ship is breaking apart!”
“You can see that for yourself. And since I did it, how could I not know?”
I heard the flustered voice of Chu Hyeongi, but I dismissed it casually. I had unleashed that power intending to destroy their ship, so of course it was sinking—what else would happen?
Yet something felt wrong.
My feet were cold.
Moreover, not just their side but ours was in considerable chaos as well.
I turned my head without thinking and saw our ship, unable to withstand the gale and violent currents, beginning to splinter and sink in multiple places.
“I told you I can’t swim—!”
Hearing Chaeseoha’s cry, I tried to rush toward her, but Chu Hyeongi’s hand, already sinking and flailing, grabbed my clothes.
The desperate grip halted my steps, preventing me from moving forward.
The moment my wide eyes fixed on Chaeseoha, Chwiayeok’s figure emerged from the darkness, swiftly seizing her and leaping into the water.
*Crack—!*
At the same time, the ship split completely in two and sank, and people began to be swept away in all directions by the raging currents.
I stared at it all with a hollow expression and closed my eyes.
“This is…”
With that hollow murmur, I felt the fierce currents sweep across my body.
This old ship seemed far too ancient indeed.

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