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“Hmm.”

Namgung Myung nodded loudly. Namgung Dowi, who was accompanying him like a guard, scrutinized those on patrol with sharp eyes.

“No amount of caution is excessive. Put all your effort into not missing even the smallest detail.”

“Yes!”

Namgung Myung, who nodded lightly, moved to the next area, accompanied by Namgung Dowi.

“What do you think, Sogaju?”

“Yes, Uncle-nim.”

Namgung Dowi said, looking back at Plum Blossom Island with new eyes.

“I’m glad the island isn’t that big. At this size, even if the pirates attack, it shouldn’t be too difficult to defend.”

“That’s what I think.”

Azure Sky Sword Squad is not the only ones currently guarding Plum Blossom Island. Under the orders of Namgung Hwang, other armed forces guarding the Namgung Family also joined Plum Blossom Island one after another. At least eighty percent of Namgung Family’s power was gathered here in Plum Blossom Island.

With that amount of force, there should be no shortage to confront Eighteen Water Fortress of the Yangtze River.

“The island’s small size will actually work to our advantage.”

“Is it because it will be difficult to demonstrate the advantage of water fortress, which competes based on numbers rather than the quality of the martial artist?”

“Exactly.”

Namgung Myung smiled as if he was satisfied with the answer.

His nephew, who would later become Gaju of the Namgung Family, was truly worthy of being called talented. He is excellent at martial arts, and his eye for reading the battle situation is also good.

“You learn well from my brother.”

“Yes, Uncle-nim.”

“To become a great martial artist, effort and diligence are enough. But to lead a sect, that’s not sufficient. You need to be bolder and able to see further.”

“I always keep that in mind.”

“Good.”

Namgung Myung nodded quietly.

‘I should thank Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.’

In the past, Namgung Dowi often displayed arrogance, causing Namgung Myung’s worries. Although it was inevitable due to the Namgung Family’s unique temperament and the presence of his father, being confident and being arrogant can never be the same.

Fortunately, however, he realized his shortcomings after losing to Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword. Also, after experiencing the Yangtze River Disaster, he became a completely different person.

If his experience continues to build up like this, he may become a Gaju that surpasses that of Namgung Hwang.

‘It won’t be easy, though.’

Someone like Namgung Hwang isn’t just made through training. They need an inherent Domination Dao (??).

“Do you know why Gaju chose to occupy this place?”

“…Truthfully, I don’t, Uncle-nim.”

Namgung Dowi looked around with a somewhat uneasy expression. The black darkness enveloping the Yangtze River conveyed an unknown anxiety to him.

“It’s true that we have an irreconcilable enmity with the Eighteen Water Fortress of the Yangtze River. But I don’t quite understand why we have to confront them alone. Hasn’t the Namgung Family already made its intentions clear to the world?”

“You’re right.”

Namgung Myung acknowledged with a nod.

“If we occupy this Plum Blossom Island, we have no choice but to become nothing more than a protruding awl. If we keep making a fuss, we may face Evil Tyrant Alliance alone as well.”

“I think the same. No matter how hard I think about it, this does more harm than good.”

“Yes, that’s the right thinking. But that is the thinking of ordinary people (??(凡人) /Mortal) like us.”

“…Yes?”

Namgung Myung smiled brightly.

“Gaju must have thought of that too. Yet, he chose this perilous path for a reason.”

“May I ask why?”

“Because if we retreat from here, it would seem like we are merely following Shaolin’s commands.”

Namgung Dowi’s face hardened at the unexpected response.

“The Five Great Family. What a grand-sounding name, but people see us as just an extension of the Ten Great Sects and Shaolin.”

“Uncle-nim, that’s….”

“That’s the reality. When that water fortress took control of the Yangtze, did the mouth of the people mention us? Or did they talk about Shaolin and the Ten Great Sects?”

Namgung Dowi could not bear to answer. No, it wasn’t necessary to answer.

“That’s why Gaju took this risk. The Five Great Family are not in a very good position right now. This is because the Tang Family, which formed the main axis of the Five Great Family together with us, distanced itself from the Five Great Family.”

“…Yes.”

“At a time like this, what would happen if I were to show myself acting according to Shaolin’s will? Perhaps we will never escape and always stay under the name of the Ten Great Sects.”

Namgung Dowi nodded only then.

Come to think of it, it is a very good time.

The news that other Ten Great Sects and Five Great Family showed a lukewarm response to Shaolin’s call was heard as far away as this distant Yangtze. Now is the time when the influence of Shaolin and the Ten Great Sects is lower than ever. Then when else would they try something like this if not now?

“Gaju wants the Five Great Family and the Namgung family to make a name for themselves in this matter, not the Ten Great Sects and Shaolin. For that, he’s willing to take some risk.”

“But it won’t be just that.”

Namgung Myung, who was rushing his step, stopped at once and looked back at Namgung Dowi. Namgung Dowi said with a confident face.

“That is certainly one of the reasons, but my father is not the kind of person who would do something just for that reason. I believe that chivalrousness is alive in his heart.”

Namgung Myung smiled fondly.

“You are stating the obvious. Of course, that would be the first.”

“If we don’t do what we shouldn’t do and steadily do what we must, won’t fame naturally follow? That… like Mount Hua.”

Namgung Myung nodded.

“Yes, it should be so.”

Mount Hua.

Just a few years ago, it was a name almost forgotten. However, the reputation of Mount Hua has surpassed that of Namgung Family, who are called the heads of the Five Great Family.

With courage, not strength, Mount Hua achieved what the Namgung Family so desperately wanted.

“They’re great people.”

“Yes, they are. But we can do it too.”

Namgung Myung tapped Namgung Dowi on the shoulder. This youthful spirit heats up even his blood, which is sometimes cooling.

“Yes. We can do it…”

Namgung Myung, who was trying to hurry his steps again with a smile, suddenly shot his gaze towards the river. Seeing that rather serious expression, Namgung Dowi also hardened his complexion and turned his gaze to follow him.

However, all he could see on Plum Blossom Island was just a gentle wave.

“…Uncle-nim?”

“Hmm!”

Namgung Myung’s sword was drawn like a flash of light. A swift white sword energy plunged into the water, stirring the surface as it dived underneath.

Paaaaaat!

There was a splash of water. And….

Where the ripples settled, something large floated.

Confirming what it was, Namgung Myung’s face relaxed.

“…Is it a carp?”

“It looks as big as a person. It’s quite possible that Uncle-nim is mistaken.”

“Yes, it does.”

Namgung Myung shook his head as the carp’s blood spread red across the Yangtze River’s brightly lit surface.

“I wasted our time. We have to check the remaining guards and review our readiness. We won’t even have enough time to sleep. Let’s go.”

“Yes, Uncle-nim.”

Namgung Myung, who walked forward leading Namgung Dowi, looked back at the water.

‘It’s ominous.’

The water of unknown depth kept getting on his nerves.

“We won’t be staying here long.”

He shook his head and hastened his steps.

At that moment.

In the darkness of the Yangtze River, things resembling fish heads or small balls surfaced one by one.

If one had sharp enough vision to see through the darkness, one would realize these were people’s heads covered in specially crafted garments.

“Daeju.”

“What about the enemy’s ships?”

“There are five ships in all. All five are docked at the southern pier.”

“Five….”

The man called Daeju nodded with a firm face.

“Any injuries?”

“Nothing serious. But… Namgung Family is formidable. To think they’d notice us just with that.”

One of the team leaders glanced down at his shoulder with a stern look on his face. His skin was torn apart and bleeding. If he hadn’t the momentary wit to cut down the carp passing by, wouldn’t the work have been in vain?

“The opponent is the Namgung Family. You must not let down your guard at all.”

“Yes, Daeju.”

“End it quickly.”

“Yes!”

He gave a few instructions with his hand and those who nodded in understanding dived deep again. After confirming that everyone had started diving, the Daeju caught the sight of Plum Blossom Island with his eyes and began to follow them down to the bottom of the water.

Deep and deep.

They dived endlessly into a dark river with little visibility, going down to the river bottom and moving along while touching the bottom. No matter how good your senses are, you will not be able to detect the presence of those moving along the bottom of the Yangtze River.

Because countless fish that appear larger than them are passing by above their heads.

But that doesn’t mean they can just relax.

As they approached the island, the water shallowed, increasing the risk of detection. These are the moments when they should never relax.

As they crawled down the river, they looked up in unison.

Usually, docks are built where the river and land meet, where the water is deepest and has the steepest slope.

What caught their eyes when they looked up was the underside of a large ship. Without knowing anything, they exposed the vulnerable as it was.

‘They’re not that foolish.’

Several swordsmen of the Namgung Family were swimming around, escorting the ship. This means that they understand how important this ship is.

But darkness is denser underwater than above. No matter how vigilant they were, it would be impossible to detect them in these depths.

Daeju scoffed at the swordsmen who were completely unaware of their presence beneath their feet.

‘Namgung Family?’

Of course, they’re a formidable and dangerous opponent.

Unless this place is in the middle of the Yangtze River.

They should have understood what it meant to have an island in the middle of the Yangtze River.

‘Now it’s time to pay the price.’

The Daeju signaled toward the boat above.

Then his men nodded and began to surface swiftly. The air bubbles created by their rapid movements rose together to the surface like firecrackers.

The harpoons held in their hands were each filled with bright blue energy.

Kwaaaaa!

Soon, the pointed tips of the harpoons stretched out in unison, and numerous sharp harpoons cut through the water.

Kwaaaaang!

Then, with a massive explosion, they all simultaneously struck the bottom of the ship.

The thick wooden base of the ship twisted and broke, allowing black water to rapidly flood inside in an instant.

“Wha- What!”

“An attack! Damn it! It’s a night raid!”

The Namgung Family’s swordsmen, witnessing the ship tilting after the explosion, cried out in panic with pale faces.

“Stop it! We must protect the ship!”

Screams, shouts, and chaos colored the night at Plum Blossom Island.

The fuse that had been extinguished for a long time was finally lit again.