Novel Return of Mount Hua Sect Chapter 756

“Pi- Pirates! Eighteen Water Fortress!”

“For God’s sake! Why now?!”

As the passengers became flustered and the incoming pirate ship approached, a hollow look crossed the face of the Yuryong Sect disciple, Deung Gyeom, who was watching the scene.

“…They’re really coming.”

It was, in a way, an inevitable outcome.

The pirates of the Yangtze had been targeting Special Delivery, and it hadn’t been long since the order to hide their identities and exercise utmost caution when traveling the Yangtze was given.

In such circumstances, having spread rumors about a Special Consignment courier on board, it would be more surprising if the pirates didn’t show up.

So, things had gone according to plan. It is, but…….

‘Why does it feel so wronged?’

Come to think of it, this could have been a situation where only Deung Gyeom was in danger.

‘I’m going crazy. Really.’

No matter how many of Mount Hua’s disciples were with him, his heart pounded and his face broke into a cold sweat thinking that all the enemies on that big ship were coming after him.

As Deung Gyeom bit his dry lips, the fast ship continued to rapidly close the distance.

The bewildered passengers rushed to the captain.

“Sho- Shouldn’t we evade them?”

“It’s impossible. That ship is at least twice as fast as ours.”

“Sti- Still…….”

“As long as we don’t resist, there should be no major problems. Everyone gathers in one place. Tell the people in the cabins to come out too. If you hide and get caught, you’ll get in trouble!”

“U- Understood.”

The passengers gathered on one side of the ship.

Yoon Jong, who had been observing the crowd, asked Baek Cheon.

“What shall we do, Sasuk?”

“Hmm.”

Baek Cheon, who had been contemplating for a while, ordered calmly.

“For now, let’s stand with them. We need to see how they come at us. Hide your swords behind your back.”

“Yes.”

Mount Hua’s disciples also stood on one side of the ship with passengers. Thanks to their clothes, they did not stand out much.

And not long after.

Chwaaaak!

Chains with hooks flew in droves from the fast ship that cut through the current at high speed.

Kogok! Kogok!

The sound of the hooks catching on the railing was terrifying.

Kkeugeuguk! Kkeugeuguk!

The chain was pulled tight and the ship tilted slightly.

‘This is…’

Yoon Jong gulped down dry saliva.

He didn’t know from a distance, but from a close distance, the ship was bigger than he thought. It seemed to be at least twice the size of their own ship.

‘Are you saying that all the people in there are pirates?’

As if to answer Yoon Jong’s question, a group donned in blue-colored clothing moved along the taut chain.

Tak! Tadak!

The men who landed nimbly on the deck quickly surrounded the passengers and sailors gathered in one corner.

Kuung!

Soon, one particularly burly man who looked more like a bandit than a pirate lightly hopped onto the deck.

“Hmph!”

Jang Han, who breathed heavily, looked left and right with his eyes wide open.

Jo-Gol whispered softly at the sight.

“He seems to be the boss, right, Sahyung?”

“Shh.”

Yoon Jong signaled him to keep quiet and calmly assess the pirates.

‘Each of these pirates seems to be more formidable than the average mountain bandit.’

There were more bandits, but the pirates seemed to be more skilled.

“You bastaaaaaard!”

At that moment, Jang Han let out a tremendously loud roar.

His voice was so loud that they raised their hands and instinctively covered their ears.

“Who gives you permission to go back and forth between the rivers!”

The captain, who was at the forefront of the roar, shuddered and lay flat on the spot.
“This small person couldn’t get permission from the heroes of Yangtze in advance. I beg for your generous forgiveness.”

“Hm!”

The smile on Jang Han’s face was bright as if he liked the attitude.

“How dare you cross the river without asking permission from the master! This is a matter punishable by death!”

The captain further lowered his head, as if he would bury it into the ground.

“But there is no need to worry. Our Water Fortress, Great Whale Fortress (대경채(大鯨砦)), is famous for being generous among the masters of the Yangtze River!”

“Thank you! We are grateful!”

Jo-Gol, who had been patient at the time, tilted his head again and whispered to Yoon Jong.

“…Sahyung.”

“Huh?”

“Do whales live in the Yangtze River?”

“There’s no way. Whales live in the sea.”

“But why is it Great Whale Fortress? There should be no whales in the river water.”

“…I wonder?”

Then Baek Cheon kept his gaze forward and spoke.
“Dolphins were said to live there.”

“…Dolphins? But it’s still weird. Why is it called Great Whale Fortress? I could understand if it was Little Whale Fortress.”

“Little Whale Fortress is no good. It sounded like stir-fried vegetables.”

“Aahh.”

As the murmuring continues, Jang Han eventually frowned.

“Who’s wagging their tongue!”

Jo-Gol and Baek Cheon quickly closed their mouths.

Then the captain quickly spoke up.

“We will prepare the tribute to be paid to the master of the Yangtze River right away. So if you could wait a little longer…….”

“No need!”

“…Yes?”

“Haha. I don’t need such a small change today!”

Jang Han looked left and right with his big eyes.

“I heard that Special Delivery of Eunha Courier Service is aboard?”

“….”

“Who is it! Step forward immediately!”

A loud voice rang violently once again. Anyone faint of heart would’ve been struck with fear and collapsed just from hearing it.

Originally frightened from the beginning, Deung Gyeom had no choice but to glance at Baek Cheon’s group with a pale face.

‘Please do something about this!’

But Baek Cheon, whether he knew Deung Gyeom’s thoughts or not, did not even look his way.

Deung Gyeom’s face twisted further. Had he known the situation would become this dangerous, he would not have cooperated even if a sword came into his throat.

“Hm?”

Since no one came forward, Jang Han’s thick cheeks were twitching.

“No one’s coming forward?”

He revealed his yellow teeth and laughed heartily.

“I heard that the Special Delivery couriers of Eunha Courier Service are light on their feet and quick as the wind, looks like their guts are also light and fluttery. Are you scared?”

Geugeugeuk.

Soon after, he drew his sword from its sheath at his waist. The poorly maintained dao made a dull sound as it scraped against the scabbard, but that sound made listeners’ hairs stand on end.

“Right. If they won’t come out, we’ll have to find them. Kill one by one until they show up! What are you doing! Drag them out one at a time!”

“Yes!”

One of the pirates surrounding the passengers tried to drag the frontmost passenger.

“Hiiiik! I- It’s not me!”

Screams of fear burst from everywhere. Unable to bear it any longer, Deung Gyeom was about to step forward with his eyes tightly shut when…

Pook!

“Aaargh!”

The pirate who had been dragging a middle-aged man from the front screamed and rolled backward.

“What is it!”

“Who the hell is it!”

The pirates fiercely held up their weapons, aiming at the passengers.

“I’m just passing through.”

And a moment later, Baek Cheon walked out politely from amongst the passengers. The disciples of Mount Hua followed him with imposing steps.

“…What’s this?”

Jang Han’s face was contorted disapprovingly.

“What a girly-looking fellow!”

“….”

“Are you trying to joke around with me!”

He didn’t get angry any more because it was the same thing that everyone he met said. Baek Cheon sighed and opened his mouth at the swear words that lacked originality.

“I am…”

“You seem like a young master unfamiliar with the ways of the world. This is above the water. It means that whatever status you are, whatever background you have, it’s not a place you can solve with that snout.”

“That’s not it, I am…”

“Or you seem to believe in that fair face, but unfortunately I am not interested in men. Ah, no, wait. Looking at your face, it does seem like you might fetch a good price?”

“Aigoo, Captain! Not just a good price. We could sell him for a lump sum.”

“Euhehehe. I think he’s better than most girls!”

Ppudeudeuk!

In the end, Baek Cheon’s usually calm jaw clenched, and a grinding sound slipped out of his teeth. When Mount Hua’s disciples heard the sound, they closed their eyes tightly.

‘They messed this up.’

‘No, why did they have to bring that up?’

‘Did they lose all their common sense?’

One of the clueless pirates approached Baek Cheon, brandished a short sword in his hand, and threatened him.

“Come on, let’s not waste time with words. Come here, pretty boy.”

“…-t snout.”

“What? I can’t hear you.”

“…Shut that snout. Unless you want to die.”

“What?”

Ppaaaak!

The pirate’s head snapped back violently as if it would break off.

And then slowly, very slowly, he began to topple backward.

“Huh?”

“…What?”

Flop.

The fallen pirate had foam in his mouth. He had been hit in the jaw while off guard and lost consciousness instantly.

Passengers and pirates alike gaped at this absurd scene.

“Sigh.”

Baek Cheon, having calmed his anger with a deep breath, spoke to Jang Han, who seemed to be the leader.

“We are from Mount Hua Sect of Shaanxi.”

“Mount Hua Sect, you say?”

The mention of Mount Hua Sect made the pirates’ eyes widen.

“I want to ask you something.”

Baek Cheon’s sharp gaze fixed on Jang Han.

“Are you the ones who previously attacked the Special Delivery of Eunha Courier Service?”

Jang Han’s face turned red and blue at the inquisitive tone.

“These puppy-like fellows dare to question whom… If we are, what are you going to do about it!”

At the coarse shout, Baek Cheon attached his scabbard to his waist and held the handle lightly. A chilly momentum emanated from him as he stretched out his shoulders. It was hard to believe that he had only been seen as a fair young master a moment ago.

One by one, the pirates flinched involuntarily and retreated.

“In that case…”

Seururuk.

Baek Cheon slowly unsheathed the Plum Blossom Sword.

“You must pay the price for harming a friend of Mount Hua.”

At the same time, Mount Hua’s disciples, who were guarding his back, drew their swords in unison.

“Huh….”

Jang Han burst out laughing at the sight.

“Mount Hua Sect?”

“….”

“All I see are monks, merchants, and some average fellows. You’re claiming to be from Mount Hua Sect?”

“Because otherwise, you would not have come.”

The faces of the pirates hardened in an instant.

The fame of Mount Hua Sect was well-known to them too. A few years ago, they might not have cared, but now the name of Mount Hua was esteemed enough to be undeniable, even for them, who were part of the Yangtze River pirates.

“Captain…”

Faced with the questioning call, Jang Han contorted his face.

“…Kill them all!”

“Captain! There are only a few of them here, but if Mount Hua Sect finds out, things will get out of hand.”

“Mount Hua Sect? So what! We are the kings of this Yangtze River! Chop up those insolent bastards and throw them as fish food! Today is the day their reputation falls to the ground!”
“Yes!”

Once the command was given, there was no turning back.

The pirates gripped their sharp weapons and surrounded Mount Hua’s disciples. Mount Hua disciples then stood around Baek Cheon as if to guard the passengers in the back.

Baek Cheon said in a calm voice.

“We will subdue them first.”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

The two groups confronted each other tightly.

And then!

“Kill them all!”

With a mighty war cry, the pirates remaining on the fast ship all jumped over at once. At the same time, the pirates surrounding Mount Hua’s disciples began to charge with a roar.

“Defeat them in one go!”
“Yes, Sahyung!”

“Yes, Sasuk!”

“Let’s go!”

Mount Hua’s disciples took a step forward and swung their swords.

The harsh river wind whipped up the hem of Baek Cheon’s long robe.

In a single rush forward, his sword pierced straight through the chest of a pirate dressed in blue-colored clothing.