novelraw Chapter 65 : Chapter 65
Chapter 65 : Chapter 65
Chapter 65 The Yangtze Flows Endlessly (2)
“...What did you say?”
“I said get off this ship right now.”
“Eh? We haven't even sorted the luggage yet, Fortress Master.”
“Shut up and just jump into the water. You incompetent idiots!”
“Ah, why are you being like this again, Fortress Master? The condition of the goods is very good. It looks like it will be quite profitable.”
“If you don't want to depart from this world today, forget the goods and get off this ship right now, you frustrating fools...! This is an order.”
Ice Rakshasa slowly approached the young man called Yuk-ryong, who was shouting diligently.
Wrapping one arm around Yuk-ryong’s shoulders, Ice Rakshasa grinned and spoke.
“Wow, our Yuk-ryong. You've grown a lot in the meantime? Did you suck the marrow out of merchants to buy and eat some spiritual elixirs?”
“Sister (Noona)... Wait, leaving aside the Sado Alliance’s shuttle, why are you here...?”
“Why are you here then? This shouldn't be your jurisdiction.”
At Ice Rakshasa’s words, the young man’s expression became ambiguous.
“You know the business competition gets a bit intense during the Chief Green Forest Leader selection period. Right now, there is no such thing as jurisdiction. Anyway, I am truly sorry. Not knowing you were here, Sister, we committed a great rudeness. We will get off now. Please have a comfortable trip!”
The young man bowed his head deeply, turned around, and gestured to the burly men.
The burly men, frowning, looked as if they didn't understand the situation, but they seemed to have no intention of defying Yuk-ryong’s will, so they shrugged their shoulders once and slowly backed away.
Watching Yuk-ryong slowly moving away, Ice Rakshasa abruptly grabbed the back of his neck.
“Yuk-ryong, wait a moment. Did you say it's the Chief Green Forest Leader selection period right now? Doesn't that mean we might face this kind of situation again on our way?”
“No, Sister. I will talk to everyone. Don't worry and just continue on your way.”
“Aren't you under the Yangtze Fisherman ? Even if you talk, will the kids under the Iron Mountain Wave Dragon listen?”
“Uh, that is...”
At Ice Rakshasa’s words, Yuk-ryong scratched his head with an ambiguous expression.
The Yangtze Waterway Fortress, having entered the Chief Green Forest Leader selection period, was in a situation where two candidates, the Yangtze Fisherman and the Iron Mountain Wave Dragon, were burning up the final competition for the position of Chief Leader.
The Yangtze Waterway Fortress was ultimately a collective of countless scattered water bandits.
Unlike other sects, the nature of each surviving on their own was strong from the roots, and since they were famous for not distinguishing between fire and water during the Chief Leader selection period, as Ice Rakshasa said, the possibility of this merchant ship facing the Waterway Fortress's visit (?) again was by no means small.
Looking at the hesitating Yuk-ryong, Ice Rakshasa sighed deeply and tapped Yuk-ryong’s shoulder.
“What are you worrying about? You just need to escort us until we reach our destination.”
“No, Sister! We also have to run our business...”
“Then send the kids to do business and you alone get on here. Bring the Six Dragon Flag too.”
Frowning deeply and looking at Ice Rakshasa, the young man spoke to her once again.
“Sister, I told you it's the Chief Leader selection period? Wouldn't the probability of the Yangtze Fisherman becoming the Chief Leader increase if we fill even a little more of our quota!”
“That's none of my business. So who told you to get on this ship? Stop talking nonsense and bring the Six Dragon Flag quickly. Since we are moving to the Sado Alliance, escort this ship a bit.”
Watching Ice Rakshasa showing no signs of being persuaded, Yuk-ryong moved his mouth as if to say something, but eventually sighed deeply as if the ground would collapse.
“Even if you hear reprimands from the Yangtze Fisherman later, I can't take responsibility, Sister.”
“Why would I hear reprimands? You would be the one hearing them.”
Yuk-ryong, smacking his lips with a Tsk, sighed deeply once more and turned his body back.
“Haa... Jump into the river immediately, you bastards. Do you carry your eyes around as decorations? I told you to look at who is on board before robbing...!”
As if finding it fascinating that Yuk-ryong was floundering before a beautiful woman, the burly men quietly raised their little fingers and asked.
“Uh... Is that person over there perhaps Brother's old lover?”
Hearing that sound, Yuk-ryong froze with a clatter and carefully turned his head toward where Ice Rakshasa was. Making eye contact with Yuk-ryong, Ice Rakshasa sent a smile.
“Hmph. You managed your kids really well. At this point, even if I kill them all, you have nothing to say, right?”
“S-Sister! Wait a moment!”
When Ice Rakshasa finished speaking and relaxed her head, Yuk-ryong freaked out and threw himself toward the back.
“Seriously, because of these idiots! Phew.”
Yuk-ryong quickly approached the burly men, lifted them up, and began throwing them into the river.
─ Splash.
─ Splash.
“Uhhhhh. Brother!”
The burly men, thrown into the river without being able to offer any resistance, floated in the water and looked at Yuk-ryong with bewildered eyes.
Yuk-ryong, having thrown even the last remaining burly man on the ship, soon threw himself into the river as well.
Running quickly to his ship stepping on planks scattered here and there, Yuk-ryong snatched the flag hanging on the stern as if tearing it off, then climbed back onto the merchant ship like lightning.
“Whew. Let's go, Sister. Since it has come to this, I will escort you as quickly as possible.”
“I let you off once today because I'm in a good mood, got it?”
“Oh my, of course. Is there any question? I will cherish it deep in my heart.”
Ice Rakshasa smiled and patted Yuk-ryong’s shoulder.
“Now, to the Hunan Province dock. Make it fast and comfortable, please.”
“Your wish is my command, Sister. Just stay seated. I will take you there faster than anyone.”
Quickly tying his flag to the stern of the merchant ship, Yuk-ryong chased away the helmsman of the merchant ship and stood in that spot.
“Sister, hold on tight. We are departing!”
With the young man’s shout that somehow felt tear-soaked, the merchant ship began to run on the Yangtze River.
****
“Wow. That person handles the ship incredibly well.”
Jaun said to Ice Rakshasa, looking back at the quickly passing scenery.
Ice Rakshasa, who was sitting at the front of the merchant ship speeding across the Yangtze, turned her head toward Jaun.
“These guys hold their breath underwater for a long time and steer ships well... Anyway, they are good at everything done in the water.”
Certainly, since Yuk-ryong took the helm, it felt like the speed of the merchant ship had increased almost more than twofold.
The merchants, who had been watching the situation while sitting in fear, also regained their smiles as things seemed to turn out not bad, and some brave merchants even quietly approached Ice Rakshasa to express their gratitude.
As the merchant ship ran for quite a while, other ships began to approach from ahead.
Thanks to that, the speed of the merchant ship decreased slightly, and Ice Rakshasa turned her head to check the front.
“Look at this. If we hadn't brought him, we would have had another troublesome situation.”
Watching the ships blocking the path the merchant ship was to pass from not far away, Ice Rakshasa chuckled.
“They seem to be other water bandits?”
At Jaun’s question, Ice Rakshasa nodded.
“That's right. Young Hero Jaun. During the Chief Leader selection period, the Yangtze turns a bit like a lawless zone. If I knew it would be like this, I would have called the Sado Alliance shuttle, but I hadn't thought that far.”
“It was something difficult for you to predict as well, my lady. It couldn't be helped.”
“Still, since we grabbed Yuk-ryong, there won't be any big problems. Even if he looks a bit clumsy, he has some influence because he is the direct disciple of the Yangtze Fisherman, the second-in-command of the Yangtze Waterway Fortress.”
As soon as Ice Rakshasa finished speaking, the ships that were blocking the merchant ship and approaching quickly turned their prows and cleared the way as soon as they confirmed the Six Dragon Flag.
The merchant ship, which had been speeding on the Yangtze in that manner for a long time, suddenly reduced its speed drastically this time.
It was a sudden braking to the extent that the people on the ship couldn't keep their balance.
Ice Rakshasa, quickly grabbing Ban Cheol-hwi who was standing next to the railing and almost fell into the river, glared at Yuk-ryong with sharp eyes.
“Hey, can't you do it properly? Should I make you come to your senses?”
At Ice Rakshasa’s sharp gaze, Yuk-ryong wiped the sweat beading on his forehead and answered.
“That, Sister. The Ironclad Ship from the Iron Mountain Wave Dragon’s side is in front. I'm not sure if that ship will move out of the way or not. I think passing quickly would be impossible... I'll get closer first and try to soothe them with words.”
“Ironclad Ship? Wait, we aren't fighting the Eastern Sea bastards, so why drag that out?”
Ice Rakshasa stood on the prow and examined the direction where the Ironclad Ship was stopped.
“It's a show of force, well. It's a warning not to act rashly in their territory regardless of the selection period or whatever.”
As the merchant ship slowed down, the Ironclad Ship began to slowly approach this way.
“By the way, I'm not acquainted with the kids on the Iron Mountain Wave Dragon’s side. Do you know who it is?”
At Ice Rakshasa’s question, Yuk-ryong, who was focusing his energy on his eyes, bit his lip slightly and answered.
“It might become a bit troublesome, Sister. Looking at the flag, it's that Red Faced Ghost bastard, but since the Iron Mountain Wave Dragon cherishes him like his own child, he lacks some common sense.”
“If he lacks common sense, he needs to be beaten first.”
“Sister... Even if that guy lacks common sense, since the Iron Mountain Wave Dragon thinks of him like an adopted son, you have to think about the aftermath. It might become needlessly troublesome, so I'll try to sort it out well this time.”
The merchant ship slowed down and stopped on the spot, and the Ironclad Ship also approached to a distance where the people standing could be seen.
“Red Faced Ghost! An important guest is on board. Back off for now. I'll explain the circumstances later.”
“Keu keuk. Yuk-ryong. Think a bit before you speak. Nowadays, do you entertain important guests by putting them on a worn-out merchant ship?”
“I said there are circumstances? You will definitely regret it if you don't move now.”
Yuk-ryong glanced at Ice Rakshasa.
There was a thought wondering if it was okay to mention that Ice Rakshasa, the Law Enforcer, was on board, and on the other hand, there was a desire to let that hateful Red Faced Ghost bastard experience Ice Rakshasa’s cold wind once.
Noticing such thoughts of Yuk-ryong, Ice Rakshasa chuckled.
“Oh my. Our Yuk-ryong really grew up a lot? Now you even know how to use your brain.”
“Th-that, it's not that, Sister. I wondered if I could speak freely... Hehe.”
When Yuk-ryong scratched his head, the Red Faced Ghost, who was watching from afar, tilted his head.
“Our Yuk-ryong doesn't have such a mild personality. Who is on board for him to be acting so low?”
“You might faint if you knew, so move while I'm asking nicely. I'm telling you, you'll regret it.”
The Red Faced Ghost, resting his chin on his hand and lost in thought for a moment, focused his energy on his eyes and examined the merchant ship closely.
And his eyes widened roundly upon confirming the figure of Ice Rakshasa looking at him with cold eyes from atop the merchant ship.
“Hey Yuk-ryong. Who is that peerless beauty over there again. Hehe. Were you trying to have fun all by yourself? Is that why you asked me to move quickly because you were in a hurry?”
At the Red Faced Ghost’s words, Yuk-ryong sighed deeply.
“Anyway, is digging one's own grave the trend these days? Do it in moderation. I told you, you'll regret it?”
“Hehe. If I could exchange even a word with such a beauty, what's the big deal about dying. Tell her to wait a moment as I'll go over there.”
The Red Faced Ghost struggled down from the Ironclad Ship and transferred to a small boat.
Watching that, Ice Rakshasa tilted her head.
“Did he not learn Water Arts?”
“Since the kids on the Iron Mountain Wave Dragon’s side are a faction that values strength so much, they said they have no intention of learning things like Water Arts?”
“Crazy bastards. Operating on the Yangtze without learning Water Arts? Are they demonstrating to be killed?”
Ice Rakshasa, who walked slowly toward the prow, stood on the railing.
The Red Faced Ghost, who was struggling to row with his subordinates in the small boat, let go of the oars upon seeing Ice Rakshasa.
As the moderate river breeze made Ice Rakshasa’s clothes cling to her body, a broad smile spread across the face of the Red Faced Ghost watching her.
“Uheoheoheo. Yuk-ryong, you bastard! Even if it is the Chief Leader selection period, were you trying to abandon a comrade and have fun alone!”
The Red Faced Ghost, becoming impatient, picked up the oars he had let go of, raised his energy, and struck the river water hard.
─ Kwaaang!
As the Red Faced Ghost’s massive energy touched the river, the small boat floated slightly in the air and shot toward the merchant ship in an instant.
“Uheoheo! Hello there! I am the Red Faced Ghost, a manly man of the Yangtze Waterway Fortress...”
─ Kwadeudeudeuk.
Before the Red Faced Ghost’s introduction could finish, the chill extending from Ice Rakshasa’s hand covered the small boat the Red Faced Ghost was riding, starting from the river water.
A white sheet of ice formed over the river, and the three people riding in the small boat were trapped in the ice as they were, stopping their movement.
“Ah, now that he's closer, I can see his unlucky mug even better.”
Yuk-ryong stared blankly at Ice Rakshasa, who was dusting off her hands.