Paaaaaat!
Namgung Dowi’s sword mercilessly tore apart the bodies of the charging pirates. There wasn’t even the slightest hesitation. The clear venom at the edge of the sword was now showing Namgung Dowi’s resolve.
And at that moment, Namgung Hwang burst out from under him.
“Heuaaaap!”
Kwaaaaaaa!
A dazzling white surge of sword energy swept away the pirates rushing towards them in one fell swoop.
Befitting his title.
No, even that phrase seems insufficient to describe the momentum.
“Come on! You filthy pirates!”
A storm-like roar erupted. On this dark river, only Namgung Hwang’s eyes were strikingly clear. They burned fiercely as if ignited.
Swaeaeaek!
The harpoon flew fiercely.
Kagang!
Namgung Hwang sliced the incoming harpoons cleanly in two, but he didn’t have a moment to cut down the rogues who threw them. This is because another harpoon flew in before the sword was wielded again, and even before that harpoon reached Namgung Hwang, another was already on its way.
In the first place, a harpoon is a weapon for hunting, not war.
Harpoons, which are much thinner than spears, do not intertwine with each other. The hooks at the end, once embedded, can’t be removed without tearing the flesh.
It is a weapon that only has disadvantages when fighting between martial artists, but it is a weapon that exerts more power than any other weapon when hunting a minority as it is now.
The evident madness in the eyes of the pirates shone brightly even in the dark. More than a dozen harpoons flew towards Namgung Hwang and Namgung Dowi with all their might.
“Don’t underestimate us!”
Namgung Dowi leaped from the water, kicking it like a springboard, and showered the pirates with his sword energy.
Iron Sword Twelve Forms (철검십이식(鐵劍十二式)).
A fundamental technique of Namgung Family, different from the powerful Emperor Sword Form which requires immense internal strength. A concise swordsmanship was more effective in situations like this.
Because it is simple, it is quick, and because it is quick, it is powerful. The white sword energy sliced through the incoming harpoons, shattering them and embedding them into the bodies of the pirates.
“Aaaaak!”
“Keuaaaak!”
The pirates screamed and fell back. The blood they shed spread throughout the Yangtze River, but the settled darkness indifferently swallowed both their blood and bodies.
Paaaaaat!
However, even as their comrades were sliced in half and killed, the stream of incoming harpoons didn’t stop.
“Oooooh!”
This time, Namgung Hwang roared and swung his sword. The erupted sword energy exploded, creating giant waves in all directions. The pirates that had risen above the water were swept away by the waves of such tremendous force that they were thrown away.
But….
“Kill them!”
“They’re outnumbered! Kill them all!”
“The head of Emperor Sword is mine to take!”
Even if they kill and kill again, more pirates rush to them, and even if they push away again and again, more will come after.
No, it wasn’t just that. Even as their comrades died before their eyes, the pirates, like a pack of hungry sharks smelling blood, only grew more frenzied.
“Shooooooot!”
Paaaaaaaaaat!
At that moment, hundreds of arrows erupted from several ships that were slowly approaching. The rain of arrows, which seemed to cover the sky, changed direction at once and began pouring down upon Namgung Hwang and Namgung Dowi.
“These insane fools…!”
A roar exploded from Namgung Hwang.
Kagang! Kagagang!
The arrows loaded with internal strength penetrated at an incredible speed, but Namgung Hwang was not one to be defeated by such crude arrows. The ones who suffered from those arrows weren’t Namgung Hwang but the attackers who were rushing towards them.
“Keok!”
“Aaakh!”
The arrow pierced the back of the pirate’s head and protruded grotesquely from their faces. Those who mindlessly charged in failed to dodge the incoming arrows and were swiftly skewered by dozens of them, turning into porcupines.
“This…!”
Namgung Hwang’s eyes blazed with fury.
Even knowing clearly that his subordinate was there, they ordered the arrows. Even though they knew that no matter how many arrows they fired, it would hardly scratch Namgung Hwang!
Did he consider his men’s lives worth less than a mere scratch on Namgung Hwang?
“Black Dragon Kiiiing!”
“Shoot!”
Namgung Hwang roared with anger, but Black Dragon King, with a nonchalant expression, simply issued orders.
“It doesn’t matter if they don’t inflict wounds. As long as they drain his energy, that’s enough.”
Basically, the strength of all swordsmen comes from the lower body. In a place where there’s no footing, any sword, no matter how powerful, struggles to wield its full power. This means that to deploy a sword technique with the usual power, one has to expend much more internal strength than usual.
Especially if it is Namgung Hwang, who channels immense internal strength into each strike sword, he will soon get tired. Even more so when he was overworked in Plum Blossom Island for a while and thus couldn’t be well.
Once Namgung Hwang’s energy is sufficiently drained, Black Dragon King would personally step forward and cut off his head.
“You idiot.”
A sneer appeared on Black Dragon King’s lips.
He doesn’t know what Namgung Hwang was thinking, but from the moment he jumped into this river on his own feet, Namgung Hwang’s fate was sealed.
Pong! Pong! Pong!
An arrow filled with intense internal strength pierced the surface of the water and burrowed downwards.
Clearly, those arrows couldn’t inflict significant damage on Namgung Hwang. But that story is limited to Namgung Hwang.
While those above the water could see and defend against the arrows, the elders who were dealing with the pirates in the water were in a completely different position.
As they were focusing below to deal with the pirates, arrows, out of nowhere, rained down on them. The power of the arrows loaded with internal strength did not diminish even after piercing the surface of the water, and their fate was obvious as they had to face dozens of arrows shooting at them from behind.
Kwadeudeudeuk!
As if the name Elder of Namgung was not just decoration, they was able to momentarily deflect the arrows, but it was impossible to block them all. Sharp tips burrowed into their backs and sides.
Kwadeuk!
“Third Elder!”
A scream-like shout bursts from the mouth of Namgung Hwang.
Jolted by the arrows lodged in his body, the Third Elder involuntarily submerged deeper into the water.
Namgung Hwang gritted his teeth.
There is no time to take care of themselves. The moment they fall out of the battle line, Namgung Hwang will have to deal not only with harpoons flying from above the water but also from under the water.
Knowing this, the Third Elders chose to fight against the pirates without caring for their own lives.
Namgung Hwang looked around.
It seemed endless.
It was hard to distinguish whether what he was seeing was the river or the pirates filling it.
Namgung Hwang gritted his teeth.
“Dowi!”
“Yes!”
“Get behind me!”
Namgung Dowi looked at Namgung Hwang for a moment. His lips parted as if he was about to say something. But then he bit his lips until they bled and swallowed his words.
The moment he kicked off the water’s surface and moved behind Namgung Hwang, a rough breath escaped Namgung Hwang’s lips.
“Dowi!”
“Yes, Gaju-nim!”
Even in the midst of chaos, Namgung Hwang glanced back at Namgung Dowi. The mouth of Namgung Hwang, who was looking at him with eyes hard to guess what he was thinking, opened slightly.
“Don’t fall off… your father’s back.”
“… … .”
That was all he had to say. Namgung Hwang gripped his sword once more.
If they were to be caught up here, the consequences are obvious. But what they needed to do was not just to withstand but to move forward.
At any cost!
“Elders, protect Dowi!”
Whether his voice reached those below through the water was uncertain. However, they would fully understand Namgung Hwang’s intentions without being told anything.
Kwaaaaaaaaang!
Blinding light.
A brilliant light along with Namgung Hwang’s sword energy swept the area ahead, seemingly turning the night sky momentarily back into day.
The powerful sword energy literally split the Yangtze River in an instant. The pirates in the path of the energy didn’t even have time to scream before they were pulverized.
“Move!”
As the pushed-aside waters surged back in, the river churned like a stormy sea. Namgung Hwang kicked through the water, moving in a straight line.
“Die!”
“You monster!”
The pirates flipped their eyes, charging towards Namgung Hwang.
Another strike!
Kwaaaaaaa!
The sword energy released by Namgung Hwang swept away the charging rogues along with the river water.
Duguen! Duguen!
It felt as though his Dantian was being pricked with a large needle. He wasn’t in perfect condition when he plunged into the river. And as he continued to release sword energy without looking back, it was natural for his internal strength to deplete.
However, Namgung Hwang didn’t think about what came after.
The back does not exist. There was only the front.
“Ooooooooo!”
Namgung Hwang’s sword moved once more. The white sword energy that bloomed and flickered brilliantly seemed to pave the path they were to take on the surface of the river.
“Come!”
Kwaaaaaaa!
The sword energy hit the bottom of the pirate’s ship, tearing it open as if a giant hand had ripped it apart.
“Come!”
Namgung Hwang bowed his neck and roared.
He had no strength left in his body. His Dantian now felt as if it was being sliced with a knife.
Nevertheless, his heart was calmer than before he had jumped into the water.
Another burst of sword energy was released.
‘Now… I understand.’
He had often pondered. About the half-assed sword technique called the Emperor Sword Technique.
Extreme attacks. This strange sword uses an absurdly large amount of internal strength to produce immense destructive power, but is extremely weak when it comes to defending the back.
Therefore, although Namgung always produced the best swordsmen in Kangho, they were always unable to overcome the final hurdle. The title of the greatest swordsman in the world was never theirs.
Why did his ancestors choose such a sword technique as the defining technique of Namgung Family?
But…
‘Now I know.’
There’s no need to guard the back.
Because behind him now is his son.
Emperor Sword Technique. The sword of emperor.
This sword is not for showing off. It’s not even for defeating enemies.
It’s to protect those who follow, watching your back.
That’s the image of emperor the Namgung aspires to.
‘No…. It should be said that it is the path of Gaju.’
His sword speaks.
It says to protect his son, even if he has to squeeze out every last bit of strength.
The corners of Namgung Hwang’s mouth rose, revealing his pure white teeth. Though the surging waves continuously struck his face, and the brackish river water rushed into his throat, his eyes were clearer than ever.
“Dowi!”
“Yes!”
“Watch closely!”
This was the path he was taking. And it is a path his son will have to take one day.
Kwaaaaaaaa!
The terrifying sword energy he unleashed swept away and struck down the pirates that rushed at him relentlessly.
Kwadeuk!
But now, a harpoon, sneaking through the incomplete sword energy, pierced his side.
Namgung Hwang did not look away.
Paaaaaat!
In one fell swoop, he immediately sliced through the neck of the one who had stabbed him and then continued to decapitate the frightened pirates in succession.
Kwadeuk! Kwadeuk!
Harpoons launched from underwater lodged in his leg, and arrows poured down, piercing his shoulder.
Nevertheless, Namgung Hwang only stared ahead.
‘Open the way.’
Even if everything must be burnt to ashes.
The path Namgung will take.
The path his son… must take.
![Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]](https://cpunovel.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/arcane-sniper.jpg "Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]")
