Hwangbo Cheongyeong’s expression hardened instantly upon hearing Bu Eunseol’s words.
“Disguised as river pirates? What do you mean?”
“They’re only flying the Gyoryung Band’s flag—they’re not actual Gyoryung Band pirates,” Bu Eunseol replied.
Having undertaken various missions for the Nine Deaths Squad, Bu Eunseol was well-versed in detailed knowledge and intelligence about river pirates operating across different regions.
“The Gyoryung Band is a no-name pirate crew that preys on merchant ships while avoiding the Twelve Yellow River Alliance. There’s no reason for them to come this far to raid a merchant vessel.”
“Hmph, maybe they’re just wandering around like beggars?” Hwangbo Cheongyeong chuckled, brimming with confidence. “Whoever they are, we’ll take them down.”
“If they’re bold enough to ambush a merchant ship of this scale, they’ve likely brought a large force,” Bu Eunseol said, gazing at the fog-covered sky. “If they sense any resistance, they’ll attack the ship immediately. If that happens, the civilians untrained in martial arts will bear the brunt of the damage.”
“Hmm.” As Hwangbo Cheongyeong fell silent, Bu Eunseol turned to Zhuge Seoun with a stern expression.
“There’s no time. Can you deploy it or not?”
The Heavenly Fate Maze Formation was a secret formation of the Zhuge Sect, a mystical formation and directional array that severed the connection between its interior and exterior. It required manipulating the ever-changing flow of energy over time, a feat impossible without a genius-level intellect.
“Understood,” Zhuge Seoun said, his frail frame rising as his eyes gleamed. “I’ll set it up immediately.”
* * *
As Zhuge Seoun finished his recollection, Bu Eunseol addressed the Hwangbo brothers.
“Subdue them.”
Boom!
In a single motion, he deployed his movement technique and leaped toward the Gyoryung Band’s ship on the port side.
“Argh!” Though the pirates appeared to be drawing flaming arrows, faint screams echoed from all directions.
Due to the effects of Zhuge Seoun’s formation, they couldn’t properly perceive the situation outside.
“Brother Bu, I’ll help too!” Hyeok Sojin shouted, using Soaring Energy Technique to break free of the formation and land where Bu Eunseol was.
“Huh?” Hovering in midair, Hyeok Sojin’s jaw dropped. One of the ships was already in ruins.
The mast was broken, and the pirates who had been drawing flaming arrows lay in pools of blood. Using the Thousand Hands Destruction Form, one of the seven forms of Fist Demon, Bu Eunseol had obliterated the ship and its pirates in one strike.
Whoosh.
Soaring into the air again, Bu Eunseol now leaped toward the ship on the starboard side.
“Time to stretch my legs!” Hyeok Sojin said with a relaxed smile, following Bu Eunseol’s shadow with his movement technique.
“…” Landing on the starboard ship, Hyeok Sojin’s expression turned peculiar.
‘What’s this now?’ Unlike the previous ship, this one was teeming with at least five hundred pirates, forming a formidable formation. Moreover, three masked figures stood at the rear, their eyes glinting ominously.
“Who are they? They don’t seem like pirates,” Hyeok Sojin said.
Without a word, Bu Eunseol glared at the masked figures standing tall at the stern. He had repeatedly clashed with mysterious masked figures—those who ambushed Dan So-ok in Yueyang and those manipulating the assassins from the shadows. Judging by their aura and presence, these were undoubtedly part of the same group.
“Deal with the pirates. I’ll handle them.”
Whoosh!
Deploying his movement technique, Bu Eunseol leaped toward the stern like a hawk targeting prey.
Crack crack crack!
As if anticipating his approach, dozens of powerful arrows rained down from the air.
Clang clang clang!
Bu Eunseol instantly drew his dark sword, deflecting the arrows filling the air.
Rumble!
A subtle thunderous sound accompanied an immense surge of energy—an overwhelming, domineering palm technique that couldn’t be blocked in midair.
Boom!
Landing on the deck, Bu Eunseol used the Fist Demon Manifestation Form to counter the palm force.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Amid the explosions, nearby pirates fired a barrage of flaming arrows.
“Brother Bu, let’s deal with them first!” Hyeok Sojin shouted, unable to stand by.
Standing side by side with Bu Eunseol, he unleashed the supreme techniques of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
Boom! Crash!
The power was tremendous—each palm strike felled dozens of pirates.
Boom! Crash!
Explosions resounded one after another.
Though their martial arts were exceptional, the sheer number of pirates was overwhelming.
Moreover, their martial prowess far surpassed that of the pirates on the port-side ship.
“These guys! They’re dressed as pirates but are practically martial artists!” Hyeok Sojin exclaimed, his eyes blazing with purple light as he battled the endless waves of pirates.
The ultimate technique of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, Divine Rift Demon Energy, was unleashed.
“Argh!” As he deployed Divine Rift Demon Energy, a dozen pirates charging at him were flung back as if struck by a storm. Meanwhile, Bu Eunseol had taken down over a third of the pirates.
Shhh.
The blue aura enveloping the merchant ship began to fade, gradually returning to the natural hue of the night sky. As the ship moved, the Heavenly Fate Maze Formation was slowly unraveling. The passengers on the merchant ship looked around, bewildered.
‘Tch.’ Bu Eunseol frowned deeply. While dealing with the pirates, he noticed the three masked figures at the stern had vanished.
‘They fled on a fast boat.’ Even while fighting the pirates, Bu Eunseol hadn’t lost track of the masked figures’ movements. They seemed to be deliberating intensely upon witnessing his and Hyeok Sojin’s prowess.
‘Their target wasn’t the merchant ship—it was Zhuge Seoun’s group.’ It was a plausible deduction. But why they retreated was unclear—perhaps they recognized Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin’s identities or were caught off guard by their unexpected strength.
‘What’s certain is that even the pirates were expendable pawns.’ The fact that they fled without hesitation despite the slaughter of their pirate crew left no room for doubt.
‘No need to rush.’ Clenching his fist, Bu Eunseol narrowed his eyes. As long as those masked figures roamed the martial world, they would cross paths again.
Rustle.
A sound like transparent paper fluttering in the wind accompanied the complete dissipation of the blue aura around the merchant ship.
The formation had fully unraveled.
‘Worthy of the Zhuge Sect’s heir.’ Glancing at the fading formation, Bu Eunseol nodded.
It was a directional array set up in an instant. For it to last this long on a moving ship was nothing short of genius.
“Hmph, what are you staring at?!” Meanwhile, the Hwangbo brothers, Zhuge siblings, and several martial artists were dealing with Maeng Jungak and the pirates on the merchant ship.
“You bastards!” Maeng Jungak roared, enraged as the formation dissolved, extending his hand. “Fire the arrows now!”
Whoosh!
The surviving pirates on the ship drew their flaming arrows toward the merchant ship.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Clack.
Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin simultaneously returned to the merchant ship.
Supreme Heavenly Flow, Second Form: Return to Origin.
Heaven and Earth Severing Sect’s Ultimate Technique: Divine Rift Demon Energy.
The two supreme techniques from the Ten Demonic Sects successors formed a massive barrier, instantly deflecting the chaotic barrage of arrows.
“Wow…!” The passengers gasped in awe.
The martial arts displayed by Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin were mystical, and the sight of them deflecting flaming arrows resembled a dazzling fireworks display.
“Argh!” A piercing scream rang out from the merchant ship.
The Hwangbo brothers had finally taken down Maeng Jungak.
“Drop your weapons!” Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin shouted in unison, their expressions stern.
The remaining pirates on the ship, terrified, raised their hands in surrender, abandoning resistance.
* * *
The merchant ship safely reached the dock.
For a time, the martial artists who saved people from the Gyoryung Band’s clutches were the talk of Yuzhou. The passengers praised Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin, who destroyed both ships, the Hwangbo brothers who defeated Maeng Jungak, and the Zhuge siblings who fought dozens of pirates.
“Thank you, thank you!” The ship’s captain showered the Zhuge siblings and Hwangbo brothers with gold and gifts.
In truth, the real credit for saving the ship belonged to Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin, who destroyed the ships and blocked the flaming arrows. But as soon as they reached the dock, they vanished with their movement techniques, leaving the gratitude to the Zhuge siblings and Hwangbo brothers.
Disembarking, the Zhuge siblings and Hwangbo brothers had no choice but to visit a nearby pawnshop. Having received so much money and gifts, they needed to dispose of some of it.
“Do your business,” Zhuge Seoun said at the pawnshop’s entrance. “I’ll take Seorin to the relay station to arrange a carriage.”
“Why go yourself?” Hwangbo Cheongyeong asked, puzzled. “The servers could arrange a carriage.”
“I’ve been cooped up on the ship. I want to stretch my legs. I’ll be back soon.”
“You’re not…” Hwangbo Cheongyeong narrowed his eyes, sensing Zhuge Seoun’s intent. “Looking for those two, are you?”
“Caught me,” Zhuge Seoun said with a sheepish smile.
Hwangbo Cheongyeong sighed. “You think they could replace the Heavenly Will Scholar?”
“Who knows.”
“What’s so great about beating a bunch of pirates?” Hwangbo Cheongyeong scoffed. “He made a big deal about them not being ordinary pirates, but when we fought them, they were just that—ordinary pirates.”
The Zhuge siblings and Hwangbo brothers had only dealt with Maeng Jungak and the pirates on the merchant ship. They were unaware that the pirates on the masked figures’ ship were all martial artists.
“But the way they deflected those flaming arrows was a peak-level technique,” Zhuge Seoun said.
“Sure, but we don’t even know which sect they’re from,” Hwangbo Cheongyeong countered.
“They prioritized protecting civilians. Even without asking, they’re clearly righteous figures walking the path of chivalry.”
“Hmm.” Hwangbo Cheongyeong let out a low groan.
Zhuge Seoun continued in a low voice, “We failed to recruit the Heavenly Will Scholar. To handle this matter, we need someone to fill that gap.”
As Hwangbo Cheongyeong opened his mouth to argue, his younger brother, Hwangbo Jegyeong, nodded.
“If Brother Zhuge says so, let him try talking to them, Brother.” Though called the elder, Hwangbo Cheongyeong often deferred to the sharper-minded Hwangbo Jegyeong for decisions.
“They’re young talents, after all,” Hwangbo Cheongyeong conceded with a nod.
Zhuge Seoun nodded back. “Alright.”
Leaving the pawnshop, the Zhuge siblings headed straight to the relay station. There, two men were arranging a carriage—Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin.
‘As expected,’ Zhuge Seoun thought, nodding inwardly. He had predicted they’d head to secure a carriage right after disembarking.
“Young Heroes Bu and Hyeok,” Zhuge Seoun and Zhuge Seorin greeted, clasping their hands. Bu Eunseol returned the gesture.
“Here for a carriage?”
“Yes,” Hyeok Sojin replied, handing a receipt to the clerk. “Brother Bu, I’ve paid. Let’s go.”
“Alright,” Bu Eunseol nodded, clasping his hands to the Zhuge siblings. “Until we meet again.”
“Wait a moment!” Zhuge Seoun hurriedly stepped in front of him.
Bu Eunseol raised an eyebrow. “Something to say?”
“You two defeated the pirates. You deserve the gratitude, so how can we let you leave like this?”
“No need to dwell on it,” Bu Eunseol said curtly. “I just dealt with them because they were annoying.”
Zhuge Seoun’s eyes sparkled as he watched Bu Eunseol turn away nonchalantly.
“You said you were traveling, but it seems to me you’re walking the martial path.”
Bu Eunseol paused, then said in a low voice, “I’m not headed anywhere specific.”
“I see,” Zhuge Seoun replied, his voice soft. “I have something to discuss with you both. Could you spare a moment? It won’t be a waste of your time.”
For the eldest son of the renowned Zhuge Sect, his demeanor was remarkably polite and courteous.
Bu Eunseol considered briefly before nodding. “Fine.” Turning to Hyeok Sojin, who was already in the carriage, he said, “No rush. Let’s hear them out.”
Shake shake.
Hyeok Sojin, sitting in the carriage, shook his head with an expression of utter annoyance. From his perspective, traveling with members of an orthodox clan was not only dull but offered little benefit.
“…” But when Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed with a stern light, Hyeok Sojin relented.
“Alright,” he said, pouting like a duck but reflexively standing up.
Every decision Bu Eunseol had made so far had been a catalyst for Hyeok Sojin’s growth. This time would likely bring danger and trials as well. But as long as he traveled with Bu Eunseol, every ordeal would be an opportunity to advance his martial arts to the next level.
‘This too… must be the martial path.’
Unknowingly, Hyeok Sojin had become someone who faithfully followed Bu Eunseol’s lead.
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