Return of the Mount Hua

There’s a crazy bastard after all. (5)

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As Namgung Clan boarded the ships docked at the pier and headed towards Maehwado, the merchants who witnessed the sight burst into cheers, leaping with joy.

“Namgung Clan!”

“Damn pirate bastards! Thought the world belonged to you, didn’t you?!”

On the Black Dragon King’s orders, the pirates hadn’t harmed the merchants here. But that didn’t mean decades of resentment and suffering under their tyranny could be so easily washed away.

In truth, while it felt immensely satisfying to see the pirates finally suffer, there was a deeper reason for the merchants’ excitement. More than anything, it was because the fear that had built up from repeated defeats had been lifted, thanks to Namgung Clan.

In the past, no one had paid much attention to the Evil Sects. But then they formed Saparyeon, drove Gupailbang into one defeat after another, and even pushed their way north of the Yangtze.

People had begun to fear that Gangbuk would truly fall into their hands. That they might live the rest of their lives under the watchful eyes of those pirate scum. But with this one overwhelming victory, that terror was swept away.

“Of course! There’s no way Gupailbang would sit still!”

“You fool! What Gupailbang? Namgung Clan is one of the Five Great Families!”

“Oh, aren’t they basically the same thing?”

The hearts of those watching Namgung Clan’s ships charging towards Maehwado swelled with hope. A Just Sect mercilessly slaying the Evil one – that was the sight they had longed to see throughout these past three years.

Yes, Namgung Clan had once played a role in the disgraceful Yangtze River Disaster, but at least for those present now, any resentment over that was no longer in their hearts.

“But… is it really okay to go that far? It’s still an island, after all.”

“Don’t be stupid! You think Namgung Clan didn’t already consider that? They must have a plan!”

“Yeah… you’re right, huh?”

As they watched the ships advance with imposing grandeur, hope lit up in the merchants’ eyes.

“Full speed ahead!”

Namgung Hwang, standing on the deck, shouted in a booming voice.

“Don’t give the enemy time to regroup. Crush them swiftly, while they’re still floundering like rats in the water!”

“My Lord!”

Just then, Namgung Myeong, who had been scanning the surroundings with a face full of concern, spoke urgently.

“Our enemies are pirates! Even if we proceed cautiously, it’s dangerous! Please slow down!”

Namgung Hwang gave Namgung Myeong a dissatisfied glance.

“You mean to say we must be that wary of such lowly pirate scum?”

“If you let your guard down just because they seem lowly, you may make a fatal mistake. Is it so hard to be cautious of them? Or is it harder to restore Namgung Clan’s honor should it fall in a single moment of carelessness?”

For a moment, Namgung Hwang’s eyes blazed with fury as he stared at Namgung Myeong.

But this time, Namgung Myeong didn’t back down. After a long moment of tension, Namgung Hwang slowly nodded.

“Reduce speed! Advance carefully so the ships don’t take damage! Azure Sky Sword Unit, watch the water’s surface! Have some of you jump in and prevent the pirates from approaching the ship!”

“Yes!”

The Azure Sky Sword Unit responded loudly to the order, and several of them immediately leapt into the Yangtze without hesitation.

“Thank you, My Lord!”

Namgung Myeong bowed deeply. Watching him, Namgung Hwang clicked his tongue shortly.

“Unit Leader [Daeju]*!”

“Yes, My Lord!”

And with a solemn nod, Namgung Hwang spoke.

“Do not stop speaking bitter truths.”

“…”

“And do not bow your head so easily. As a Unit Leader of the Azure Sky Sword Unit, you are in a position to speak frankly to the Lord. That is not something to be thankful for!”

“I understand, My Lord!”

Namgung Myeong’s face brightened.

It was precisely this that made it impossible for him not to follow Namgung Hwang. He was, undeniably, a man of a fiery temper – but that didn’t make him a tyrant.

Namgung Hwang was someone who would always listen, as long as what was said made sense and was grounded in reason.

If anything was lacking, he would fill the gap himself – or Namgung Dowi would. That’s what a clan, what a family, was for.

“My Lord.”

At that moment, Namgung Dowi, watching the front, spoke up.

“There are cannons installed on the island. From what I’ve heard, that place – called Maehwado – is armed with the White Thunder Cannons that were once used by the Explosive Thunder Gate [벽력문(霹靂門)].”

“Thunder Cannons, is it?”

Namgung Hwang let out a snort.

“They might be useful in a skirmish between pirates. But no cannon can touch a ship under my protection!”

He narrowed his gaze and glared sharply towards the island as he continued.

“The only ones we need to watch out for are the Black Dragon King and the Black Dragon Stronghold. If they’re not on Maehwado, these mere pirates won’t be able to stop Namgung Clan. No – even if they’re there, it’ll be the same!”

Namgung Hwang’s goal was not something as trivial as reclaiming the occupied territory in Gangbuk.

What he truly desired was to seize complete control of Maehwado – to turn it into a blade pointed straight at the enemy’s throat. Just as he had once felt when he heard the news that the island had been taken by pirates, now it was their turn to feel the same fear and dread.

‘Only a little over a month remains of the three-year treaty.’

Once that deadline passed, Namgung Clan would march into Gangnam without looking back – to exterminate the treacherous Sapaeryon.

“What’s the situation?”

“The pirates aren’t making any moves.”

“There’s no sign of anyone approaching from further downriver either.”

“Hmph. So they’re not complete fools, then.”

Namgung Hwang twisted the corner of his lips into a grin.

Water Techniques [수공]?

Sure, the pirates had trained in those. In water, they held the advantage. But no technique could completely overcome the gap in actual skill.

If two people of equal ability fought in the water, and only one of them had mastered water techniques, the outcome would be obvious. But there was no way the Azure Sky Sword Unit and those clumsy pirates were of equal level.

That had already been proven three years ago.

As the memory of three years ago surfaced in Namgung Hwang’s mind, his face suddenly hardened.

“Unit Leader!”

“Yes, My Lord!”

“Keep a sharp watch on the surroundings! It’s possible the pirates are lying in wait from a distance and plan to surround us once we land on the island!”

“I’ll verify at once!”

“After we land on Maehwado, leave some men aboard the ship to remain on standby! If anything happens, we need to be able to retreat immediately!”

“Yes!”

The bitter wound from three years ago had taught Namgung Hwang the meaning of caution. But in other words, it also meant that the scar left by Jang Ilso still haunted him with vivid, searing pain.

‘Black Dragon King! Jang Ilso!’

Grrrrk.

Namgung Hwang ground his teeth.

He hadn’t escaped the pain that constantly scraped at his bones. It would never fade unless he severed the Black Dragon King’s neck and ground Jang Ilso into dust.

“We crush them in a single blow!”

“Yes!”

At last, just as the ships drew within striking distance of Maehwado.

“Fire!”

Kwaaaang!

The Thunder Canons fired towards their vessel. Shells of devastating force – far beyond any ordinary cannon – came hurtling through the air, as if determined to obliterate the ship in one strike.

“Tricks and petty games!”

Namgung Hwang leapt to the prow in an instant and swung his sword like lightning. A streak of white sword energy slashed through the air, twisting the incoming shell’s path.

Boooom!

A massive column of water exploded from the river where the shell fell, white foam bursting out like a firework display.

“There’s nothing to fear! Advance!”

“Charge!”

Aggravated by the sight, the Azure Sky Sword Unit erupted into a battle cry.

Kwaaaand! Kwaaaang!

The Thunder Cannons continued to fire in rapid succession, but none of the shells could escape Namgung Hwang’s sword. Deflecting every incoming round, his eyes twisted slightly with overwhelming emotions.

“Oooooooooh!”

And then, his sword released a surge of sword force [검강**].

The sword force sliced through the violently churning river and crashed directly into the cannon emplacements set up along Maehwado’s riverbank.

Booooom!

Not only the Thunder Cannons, but also the pirates gathered to fire them were blown away in an instant, turned into bloodied wrecks.

“Azure Sky Sword Unit! We land now!”

“My Lord! There’s still some distance!”

“We press forward while the momentum is ours! Unit Leader, stay on the ship and secure the retreat path just in case!”

“Yes!”

“Dowi!”

“Yes!”

“Lead the Sword Unit and follow me! We’ll break through in one strike!”

“Yes, My Lord!”

Namgung Hwang kicked off from the prow and leapt towards the water.

Fwooosh!

And the moment his feet touched the surface, he darted forward, skimming across the water.

Deungpyeong-dosu [등평도수(登萍渡水)] – Crossing water by treading on floating duckweed.

For someone with such a large frame and a domineering sword style, his lightness and speed were astonishing. It made one doubt whether he was running over water or solid ground.

At the sight of Namgung Hwang dashing across the water, the pirates turned pale and scattered in panic.

It was a vivid, dramatic display of just how much influence a single absolute master could wield on a battlefield.

And then. 

Boooom!

Namgung Hwang once again kicked off the water and landed on the ground of Maehwado with the force of a falling cannonball. The pirates stood frozen, unable to even flee, staring blankly at the overwhelming force now before them.

“Ah… Aah…”

With his sword lowered at his side, Namgung Hwang stared down the pirates with an imposing air. His gaze brimmed with murderous intent, as though he might rip them apart at any moment – but he didn’t move.

Perhaps, in a tactical sense, he was only giving them a chance to regroup. But Namgung Hwang’s actions had an undeniable effect:

The pirates were losing the will to fight, crushed under sheer terror.

“I declare this clearly.”

Namgung Hwang’s powerful voice resounded across the island.

“From this moment on, anyone who dares remain on this island will not leave it alive. This is the last mercy I will grant to the likes of you – mere dogs following orders. Leave this island at once!”

Shhhhhh.

At that moment, the Azure Sky Sword Unit – having followed Namgung Hwang from the ships – set foot on the island behind him, with Namgung Dowi at the lead. Cutting through the waves rolling at the riverbank, they formed ranks behind Namgung Hwang with overwhelming presence.

“Namgung Dowi!”

“Yes, My Lord!”

“The warning is over! Slaughter the enemy! Leave no one standing on this island who does not bear the name of Namgung!”

“Charge!”

The Mountain-Cutting Sword, Namgung Dowi, charged at the front. The moment the Azure Sky Sword Unit, swords drawn in unison, surged after him, the last shred of reason holding the pirates together snapped.

“U-Uaaaaargh!”

“This is a dog’s death!”

“J-Jump into the river!”

They didn’t even think of resisting. Instead, they turned their backs and fled in a blind panic.

“Stop! You dog-like bastards! I said stop this instant! What kind of so-called heroes of Surochae show their backs to the enemy?! You’re worse than turtles! Stop, now!”

Yeo Dal screamed, his voice raw with fury and blood rising in his throat. But it was as if the pirates didn’t hear him at all.

And perhaps, that was only natural. No matter how revered he was as the Guardian the Yangtze River Stronghold, in the face of the Emperor’s Sword Namgung Hwang, he was no more than a firefly before the sun.

There wasn’t a single pirate willing to place their life on the line in the name of Yeo Dal to stand against Namgung Hwang. One would have to be mad to make such a choice.

“Th-This… this…!”

Yeo Dal’s eyes trembled as if rocked by an earthquake.

If he lost this place too, the Black Dragon King would surely rip him to shreds. But if he stayed and held out here, then it wouldn’t be the Black Dragon King – it would be Namgung Hwang who tore him apart.

It was a choice between a swift death and a slightly slower one. That he couldn’t move easily was only natural.

“Namgung Hwang! Namgung Hwaaaaang! Do you even understand what you’re doing right now?!”

Unable to choose either path, Yeo Dal poured all his fury onto Namgung Hwang.

“The Black Dragon King will be enraged! He will be furious! Do you even understand what that means? Your actions will soak the Yangtze in bloo…!”

In that instant, Namgung Hwang closed the distance in a flash and brought his sword down upon Yeo Dal’s head.

Kwaaaang!

Yeo Dal was sent flying, blood spraying from his body.

Under normal circumstances, even against Namgung Hwang, he wouldn’t have gone down in a single blow. But with his fighting spirit already shattered, he couldn’t even muster a proper defense – let alone resistance.

“The Black Dragon King’s wrath?”

Namgung Hwang approached the writhing Yeo Dal, grinding his teeth.

“You should’ve thought about facing my wrath first! I’ve been seething with rage every single day since three years ago!”

“Khh… you fool…”

Blood vessels burst in Yeo Dal’s eyes.

“Paegun will take your head. You’ve made a mistake that can’t be und…”

Sshk!

Yeo Dal’s head rolled to the ground.

“Go on, keep talking – if you still can.”

Without the slightest hesitation, Namgung Hwang severed Yeo Dal’s neck, then raised his head to survey all of Maehwado.

“Hmph!”

The Black Dragon King’s wrath? That was exactly what he wanted.

“I don’t care who the enemy is. From now on, the mere name of Namgung Clan will make those wretched Sapas tremble!”

That day, the Namgung Clan of Azure Sky drove out Surochae and completely took over Maehwado.

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*Unit leader [Daeju – 대주(臺主); 臺 – unit]. All the terms can be found in the glossary! 

**The difference between geomgi and geomgang [sword energy and sword force] can be found in the glossary.

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