Chapter 106

Chapter 106
## Chapter 106: Pear Blossom (3)

Man Chu’s countenance grew grim as his eyes scanned the parchment.

“What news?”

Lightning inquired, his gaze fixed on the messenger bird that had just taken flight into the clouds.

“The Great Leader of the Yangtze Waterway Alliance is personally mobilizing his primary forces. Reports indicate Gunsan has been vacated entirely.”

Cheol Woo spoke up, his jaw working on a piece of tough jerked meat.

“Gunsan? That’s the main pirate nest, isn’t it?”

“Correct.”

“What’s the headcount on the opposition?”

“The report doesn’t give a precise census, but with more than five vessels currently in transit, we are looking at a minimum of two or three hundred combatants.”

Cheol Woo’s forehead creased slightly at the mention of such a substantial force.

“What in the world? Why are there so many of these river rats?”

“That tally only accounts for those departing from their central headquarters,” Man Chu clarified. “If they have called upon the various smaller water strongholds scattered throughout the region, the total number will be far greater.”

“Hah! A mountain of gnats is still just a nuisance,” Cheol Woo scoffed, showing his teeth.

“They are hunting us, I assume?”

Sima Geon asked.

“Most likely.”

“And the Hongik Hall? Where do those scoundrels stand?”

“It seems they have merged with the primary fleet.”

“Excellent. Do we have a fix on their current location?”

Man Chu reviewed the missive once more.

“There is a strong probability of a confrontation near the outskirts of Wuhan.”

“Wuhan…”

Sima Geon lapsed into a silent calculation. After a brief interval, Cheol Woo broke the silence.

“What’s weighing on your mind?”

“This vessel. And the civilians aboard.”

Sima Geon surveyed the deck as he spoke.

“We have braced ourselves for this conflict regardless, but I have no desire to involve these people. The pirates won’t limit their aggression to just us.”

“That’s a fair point. If they are mobilizing on this scale, they intend to leave no survivors.”

“Man Chu, what is the closest water stronghold to our current position?”

“A stronghold? Give me a moment.”

At Sima Geon’s request, Man Chu extracted a folded sheet of paper from his inner pocket. It was a rudimentary map acquired from the Gwanggu branch—a rough sketch of the Yangtze and its surrounding geography. While lacklustre in detail, it provided the vital landmarks.

“Before we reach Wuhan, there is a significant branch in the river that feeds into a large basin…”

Man Chu squinted at the faded ink, reading with difficulty.

“Wu Si Lake and Red Lotus Lake. There are at least two water strongholds situated there. Further in, more lakes interconnect, housing several more outposts if they’ve pushed that far.”

Lightning, peering over Man Chu’s shoulder, looked baffled.

“Why are there so many cursed lakes? And they’re massive. This geography is a headache.”

“The Jiangnan territory is defined by its complex network of waterways. This sector in particular.”

“Look at this labyrinth of streams. It’s no wonder these pirates thrive. The local law wouldn’t stand a chance in these channels.”

Sima Geon began to walk away while the others were preoccupied tracing the lake boundaries on the map.

“Where are you heading?”

“To speak with the captain.”

Responding to Cheol Woo’s query, Sima Geon made his way toward the man overseeing the rigging.

As Sima Geon drew near, the captain’s posture stiffened. It was a predictable reaction; the head of a mysterious traveling party—one that included women hiding behind veils—was an intimidating sight.

“What do you require?” the captain asked, his features set in stone.

“I need a word.”

“A word?”

“I would also like the presence of the representative from the Nanjing Merchant Guild.”

Upon hearing the guild mentioned, the captain paused before nodding to a deckhand. The sailor disappeared below, and shortly thereafter, Dam Po—the guild’s agent—arrived, accompanied by a burly protector.

“I was informed you requested my presence.”

Sima Geon offered a shallow bow and spoke without preamble.

“The Great Leader of the Yangtze Waterway Alliance is currently navigating toward us with his full strength.”

At that announcement, Dam Po, the captain, and the nearby sailors who were eavesdropping all lost the color in their faces.

“B-but why…?”

While Dam Po appeared on the verge of a breakdown, the captain—a man seasoned by the dangers of the Yangtze—retained some of his wits.

“Is this retaliation for the Biwoong Stronghold?”

“No. Their objective isn’t the cargo or the ship—it’s our group.”

Sima Geon looked back at his friends, who were still huddled over the tactical map.

The news that the supreme head of the Yangtze Waterway Alliance was personally pursuing Sima Geon’s party sent a new wave of terror through the crew. They had gathered from the incident at Biwoong Stronghold that these passengers were formidable, but they hadn’t realized they were important enough to stir the Great Leader from his seat.

“Might I inquire as to the cause of this?” the captain asked with extreme care.

Sima Geon replied with an air of indifference.

“We had a minor disagreement with Hongik Hall. It was a matter of poking the brush and waking the vipers.”

The captain recoiled at the name of Hongik Hall. The reports that Hongik Hall had been dismantled by unknown warriors had already surged through the Yangtze like a tidal wave.

‘That wasn’t just a minor poke!’

Suppressing the urge to argue, the captain stared at Sima Geon’s relaxed demeanor in disbelief. The Alliance Leader was coming for blood—how could this man be so unbothered?

“Is that the reason for this gathering?” Dam Po asked, his voice dripping with the bitterness of a man who felt his death warrant had been signed.

“Partially.”

Sima Geon gave a faint smile and looked to the captain.

“What is the nearest harbor?”

The captain considered the question before shaking his head.

“There are no legitimate ports in this vicinity. We would have to reach the outskirts of Wuhan for a proper dock.”

“That delay might prove fatal.”

The risk of colliding with the Yangtze Waterway Alliance fleet before reaching a port was far too high.

“Are you familiar with Wu Si Lake?”

“Certainly. Roughly thirty li ahead, a channel veers off to the left.”

“Disembark us there.”

“There is no pier at that location.”

“Navigate as close to the bank as the draft allows. We will manage the transition to dry land ourselves.”

“I agree! That is a sound plan!”

Terrified the captain might refuse, Dam Po chimed in loudly.

“Well, Captain?”

“It is possible,” the captain conceded.

It wasn’t a complex maneuver—simply bringing the hull near the shoreline was child’s play for him.

“Once we have departed, should you encounter the Yangtze Waterway Alliance, inform them that we have gone to raid the outposts at Wu Si Lake. Or, even better, turn the vessel around and hide for a time. They are hunting us; they won’t waste time on you. Considering the Biwoong incident, I suggest the latter.”

The captain looked toward Dam Po for a decision.

Dam Po looked deeply conflicted. They had already faced financial ruin from the delays at Gwanggu; he couldn’t afford another setback.

“Deliberate on it. We still have some distance to cover. To the Wu Si Lake tributary, Captain. Use every bit of speed you can muster—for the safety of everyone aboard.”

“I understand. We shall set the sails for maximum speed.”

The captain signaled his crew to begin the maneuver. Sima Geon looked at the indecisive Dam Po one last time before walking toward the rear of the ship.

As he approached the stern, the women who had been observing the river became defensive.

“What is it now…?”

Jin Lim, ready to bark a retort, caught Sima Geon’s eyes and checked her temper. Sima Geon paid her no mind and directed a smile toward Neung Sohwa.

“I assume you’ve gathered the essentials of the situation.”

He had sensed her attention during his negotiation with the captain and knew she had been listening.

“I have.”

“And your intentions?”

Neung Sohwa’s brow arched at his inquiry.

“What intentions? This conflict is not our concern.”

“You truly believe that?”

“What are you implying?”

Her voice sharpened with a defensive edge.

“They are pursuing us, yes. However, intelligence regarding the fall of Biwoong Stronghold has surely reached them. If you were in their position, would you ignore those who crippled your subordinates, or would you demand blood?”

“That is…”

Neung Sohwa found herself without a ready answer.

“Why not disembark with us? If they decide to turn the vessel back, you could remain, but that is a gamble.”

“You are suggesting we are forced to leave if the ship continues its course.”

“It would be the most prudent path.”

“Is such a thing truly necessary?”

Sima Geon let out a soft laugh at her haughty tone.

“I can estimate the depth of your skill. The Yangtze Waterway Alliance likely doesn’t concern you. But have you considered what will happen to this ship and its crew if a battle breaks out on these decks?”

“…”

“Do you think we are avoiding them out of cowardice? Our original goal was the Alliance anyway. Well, more specifically, we are hunting the head of Hongik Hall, and if he has sought refuge with the Alliance… regardless, the point is we wish to avoid collateral damage.”

Neung Sohwa remained silent for a moment, her pride wrestling with the logic. Finally, she turned to Jin Lim.

“Gather our belongings.”

“Understood.”

Jin Lim, who had been listening intently, responded immediately.

“A sensible decision.”

“Do not mistake this for fear of the Yangtze Waterway Alliance. I simply have no desire to be a hindrance, as you so eloquently put it.”

As Neung Sohwa turned away with a cold air, the movement of her veil revealed her crimson lips for a fleeting second. However, what caught Sima Geon’s eye was the needlework on her veil and sleeve.

Three pear blossoms—the symbol felt familiar, a memory hovering on the edge of his consciousness, yet he couldn’t quite grasp it. He chose not to dwell on it.

“Hah! Regardless of the reason, I appreciate you making the right call.”

“Keep your gratitude. I did not do it for your benefit. Now, if you are finished—”

Neung Sohwa’s sentence died in her throat. Sima Geon whirled around, noticing the sudden tremor in her eyes.

“Chief!”

Cheol Woo’s roar echoed across the deck simultaneously.

Far up the river, small shapes were growing larger. No explanation was required. Cheol Woo tossed his flask aside and sprinted toward them.

“Chief, those look like the Yangtze Waterway Alliance scum. Hey, why is the Beggar Clan’s scouting so pathetic? Weren’t we supposed to cross paths near Wuhan? Is this Wuhan?”

Man Chu turned a shade of red, unable to defend the discrepancy.

“Quiet down. The boy isn’t to blame—don’t take it out on him. The Beggar Clan has been a vital ally.”

“Still, this is a massive oversight. The crew said we were half a day from Wuhan. This isn’t even close.”

“It simply means they are moving with greater urgency than anticipated. Drop it. It’s irrelevant now.”

Sima Geon cut off Cheol Woo’s grumbling and moved toward the frantic captain.

“Can you make landfall before they intercept us?”

“N-no, it’s impossible.”

“Even if you push the crew to their limits?”

The captain shook his head with a look of despair.

“I see. Then hear me: focus entirely on getting as close to the bank as possible. Order everyone into the lower cabins—crew and passengers alike.”

“You… you intend to fight? We will simply yield to them!”

Dam Po, having rushed over, stammered with a face drained of blood.

“Yield if you wish. But do not presume to give us orders.”

Though Sima Geon was smiling, Dam Po felt a cold shiver run down his spine.

“I doubt they will be in a merciful mood, however.”

“They will listen! We have never caused them trouble!”

In his state of panic, Dam Po was desperate to sever any perceived link between the guild and Sima Geon’s group. Cheol Woo looked at the merchant with disgust.

“You’re a strange one. You’re terrified of them, but you don’t think we’re a threat?”

Recalling the sight of Cheol Woo pulverizing the pirates at Biwoong, Dam Po began to shake.

“Th-that isn’t what I—”

“Enough. Do as you please. We are moving to the back. Everyone, let’s go.”

Sima Geon took Cheol Woo by the arm before his temper flared, beckoning Lightning and Man Chu toward the stern.

“Forgive the intrusion,” Sima Geon said, acknowledging Neung Sohwa’s space.

Cheol Woo let out a sharp breath. “Anyone would think she owns the whole boat.”

“Watch your tongue!” Jin Lim snapped.

Cheol Woo ignored her, scratching his ear as if bothered by a minor insect.

“Hah! I tried to avoid a scene, but it looks like we’ll be causing a disturbance after all.”

“What is your strategy?”

Sima Geon leaned back against the wooden railing, watching the approaching fleet. He replied to Neung Sohwa with a calm voice.

“We’ll see how the wind blows.”