Chapter 113

Chapter 113
## Chapter 113: The Challenge Letter (1)

“Listen, we should just call it a day.”

Thunderclap sucked in ragged breaths as he yelled across the deck.

“What kind of crap are you spewing?!”

Jang Jin, who had led his crew to intercept the merchant vessel, had failed to secure any plunder and had seen most of his followers slaughtered. He glared with venomous eyes, his belligerence still burning despite his gore-streaked clothes—a testament to his status as the leader of the rising Water Moon Stronghold within the Yangtze Water Alliance.

“If your ears aren’t clogged with blood, use them. The clashing has stopped. This is the end.”

It was only then that Jang Jin noticed the silence. He shifted his gaze warily. Just as Thunderclap had indicated, the carnage had reached its conclusion.

“Once our division leader and his deputy get back here, the few of you left won’t stand a chance. Use your legs while you still have them and vanish.”

Thunderclap gestured for them to leave with a bored flick of his wrist, as if the prospect of trading more blows was simply too exhausting.

Jang Jin hesitated, assessing the battlefield. His eyes stretched wide as he witnessed two figures ascending the alliance leader’s vessel using ropes.

Their unscathed return signaled a grim reality.

*Did the alliance leader actually fall?*

Jang Jin was paralyzed by disbelief.

To a man like him, the alliance leader was a figure of divine power. And the advisors flanking him? Every single elder was a master of renown.

That those titans could be defeated was a concept Jang Jin, who spent his life chasing their shadows, simply could not process.

“L-Leader.”

Juk Geum stumbled forward, his hand pressed against his ribs where Manchu’s Crushing Fist had pulverized the bone. He had also heard Thunderclap’s ultimatum and recognized it as their sole window for survival.

“We have to retreat.”

Juk Geum tugged desperately at Jang Jin’s sleeve.

Still gripped by indecision, Jang Jin was jolted back to reality as Cheol Woo’s massive shadow fell across the merchant ship. One of Jang Jin’s subordinates, foolishly attempting a desperate charge, was swatted aside by the giant, tumbling across the wood and slamming into the far railing.

Jang Jin felt a flicker of relief that the man crushed by Cheol Woo wasn’t part of his personal remaining circle. To preserve what little was left of his strength, they had to go now.

“R-R-Retreat!”

“Get back! Everyone back to the boats!”

Juk Geum screamed the orders at the bandits who had been fruitlessly harassing the women.

The Water Moon bandits, who had gained nothing but scars for their efforts, fled toward the edges of the ship. The women attempted to block their path, but Jin Rim stepped in—sensing the tide of the battle had settled—and permitted them to depart without further bloodshed.

“Don’t expect any gratitude.”

As he prepared to jump, Jang Jin spat one final bit of bravado at Thunderclap.

“Shut up and move, you moron.”

With a blunt dismissal, Thunderclap shattered Jang Jin’s remaining dignity and collapsed onto the planks.

The downpour had finally ceased, and golden rays of light began to pierce the heavy overcast.

As he shut his eyes to enjoy the sudden warmth, a massive silhouette suddenly cut off the sun.

“What are you acting so pathetic for?”

“I’m just drained.”

“Are you hurt that badly? Don’t tell me you’re planning to die on us.”

Cheol Woo teased him with a look of mock sympathy that was painfully transparent.

“Don’t you think you’re being a bit heartless?”

“About what?”

Thunderclap bolted upright, waving his arms at the surrounding wreckage.

“Do you have any idea how many of those bastards were crawling all over us? This guy and I held the line… sure, the women chipped in, but the numbers were insane.”

Thunderclap gestured toward Manchu, who was currently sprawled out on his back nearby, either from sheer exhaustion or the pain of his wounds.

“That was the arrangement from the beginning.”

“I expected that from the deputy, but I didn’t think the division leader would just dive in like that. And having that woman trailing after him, stirring up a hornet’s nest… we almost saw the afterlife a dozen times.”

Thunderclap’s voice rose as he pointed at Neung So Hwa, who was the last to return to the ship. His tone lost some of its edge when he mentioned her, a shift that Cheol Woo missed entirely.

“Are the injuries severe?”

Sima Geon asked with a gentle, composed smile, showing patience for Thunderclap’s venting.

“A few nicks and bruises, nothing fatal. They were just common bandits, after all.”

“Bandits? Weren’t you just crying about being on death’s door?”

Cheol Woo barked with a look of pure incredulity.

“It was a figure of speech! But I did take some hits. That guy over there is in much worse shape. He doesn’t have the deputy’s brick-wall physique…”

As he complained, Thunderclap’s eyes snagged on the jagged tears in Cheol Woo’s side.

“You’re bleeding? The deputy? Against those river rats?”

Thunderclap stared, his voice wavering between genuine concern and a desire to poke fun.

“Oh, this little thing.”

Cheol Woo rubbed the wound awkwardly and pointed toward one of the pirate vessels.

“You see that boat?”

The ship he was indicating was little more than a floating pile of splinters, unrecognizable as a seaworthy craft.

“The deputy did that? I’m shocked it hasn’t sunk yet.”

“What, do you think I’m some kind of freak? How could I demolish a hull that size by myself?”

“Then how did it happen?”

“Those maniacs started setting off firecrackers.”

“…Come again?”

Thunderclap blinked, his brain failing to connect the words.

“I don’t know. I cleared out a few of them, and then they pulled out these iron spheres, screaming about taking me with them. I never guessed they were packed with gunpowder.”

Thunderclap had no way of knowing that those “few” were actually the elite leadership of the entire pirate fleet.

“Pirates carrying explosives?”

“Who knows? Regardless, that’s what finished the ship. And that’s when I got these scratches.”

Staring at Cheol Woo—who had walked away from a literal explosion relatively unharmed—Thunderclap found himself speechless. He had witnessed the man’s strength since their time in Black Dragon Valley, but the man was an absolute freak of nature.

While Cheol Woo and Thunderclap continued their bickering, Sima Geon walked over to Manchu.

“Can you stand?”

“I’m alright.”

Manchu managed a weak grin, though his face was pale with fatigue.

Sima Geon reached down and hauled him to his feet.

“You went through a lot today.”

Sima Geon could see the intensity of the struggle written in the bruises on Manchu’s body.

“I fought as hard as I could. But the sheer volume of them was overwhelming.”

“So, how did the fight feel to you?”

Manchu’s tired eyes suddenly sparkled.

“I feel more certain of my path now.”

Sima Geon beamed at Manchu’s confident answer.

“That is the most important thing. Well done.”

He put an arm around the weary Manchu and guided him back toward the others.

“By the way, division leader.”

“What is it?”

Thunderclap looked over at the cluster of women surrounding Neung So Hwa and dropped his voice to a whisper.

“I picked up on something interesting earlier.”

“What are you talking about?”

Cheol Woo asked, his curiosity piqued.

“That lady.”

Thunderclap tilted his head toward Neung So Hwa.

“Right before she sent that old man with the axe flying, I heard her mention something about a ‘Sword Empress’.”

“Sword Empress? What the hell is that?”

Cheol Woo cocked his head to the side.

While Sima Geon and Cheol Woo remained relatively unfazed, Manchu’s reaction was instantaneous and violent.

“W-What did you just say?!”

Manchu lunged forward and grabbed Thunderclap by the lapels.

Caught off guard by the sudden aggression, Thunderclap could only stammer.

“S-Sword Empress.”

“Are you absolutely certain?”

“I’m pretty sure. No—actually, I’m positive. She said her teacher is the Sword Empress.”

“That can’t be right!”

Manchu’s jaw hit his chest, his hands sliding off Thunderclap’s clothes.

“Who is this Sword Empress? Someone you’ve met?”

“I’ve never seen her, but her name is a legend known to every soul in the martial world.”

“Well, the name certainly sounds impressive. I take it she’s a big deal?”

In response to Cheol Woo’s question, Manchu gave a succinct definition.

“The ultimate power under heaven.”

“I see.”

The playful glint in Cheol Woo’s eyes vanished.

He turned his gaze toward Neung So Hwa. He briefly acknowledged Jin Rim, who was watching them, but his focus remained on Neung So Hwa.

“The ultimate power, huh.”

“Yes. If she truly was taught by the Sword Empress, then for all intents and purposes, she is the one holding that title now.”

Manchu’s voice was hushed and filled with a new level of reverence when discussing Neung So Hwa.

“The Sword Empress almost never interferes in worldly affairs. The fact that she has emerged means she has likely commenced her challenge journey.”

“A challenge journey?”

“When a new Sword Empress inherits the mantle, she must engage in twenty duels to validate her claim. People refer to it as the Sword Empress’s Path, and it is viewed with great holy awe. Typically, she seeks out the masters recorded in the Annals of the Powerless, but sometimes she picks unexpected targets. Though, those targets always prove to be hidden masters of the highest caliber.”

“It must be considered a great privilege to be challenged by her.”

Manchu nodded fervently at Sima Geon’s observation.

“Precisely. That is why many masters wait in silence, hoping to receive one of her challenge letters. To be acknowledged by her is to receive the highest respect the martial world can offer.”

“Well, look at us, sailing with a living legend. What a massive honor.”

Cheol Woo made the comment with a loud, sarcastic edge, making sure Neung So Hwa could hear him. She paid him no mind, though the women around her looked ready to argue—though they ultimately held their tongues.

Cheol Woo scowled, looking for a way to push her buttons further, but the other passengers were finally emerging from the safety of their cabins now that the danger had passed. Sima Geon gave him a look of restraint, preventing any further drama.

“Oh, heavens!”

Dam Po, who had been cowering in his cabin to stay alive, let out a mournful wail as he looked at the state of the ship.

The deck was carpeted in bandit corpses, and the wood was splintered everywhere. Repairs would be a nightmare, and the masts had been sheared off in a way that defied logic.

“Captain!”

At Dam Po’s frantic call, the captain walked over, his face flushed from the adrenaline and the effort of ordering his crew to dump bodies overboard. He had stayed at the wheel and managed to survive the chaos.

“Is this vessel still capable of movement?”

“We can try to get her going, but it’s going to be a struggle.”

“Dammit, there’s no way we’re making our deadline now.”

The captain wanted to point out that they had missed the deadline the moment the pirates showed up, but he stayed quiet seeing Dam Po’s distraught state.

“Can we fix it?”

“We’d need a proper shipyard in Wuhan, but honestly, with this much damage, I’m not even sure she’ll make it that far.”

“Arg! What are we supposed to do?!”

Dam Po gripped his hair, looking like he was about to burst into tears, and slumped against the railing. Cheol Woo, annoyed by the display, whistled to get his attention.

“Quit the sobbing and get over here.”

Nobody in their right mind would ignore that voice. Dam Po scrambled over instantly.

“The ship is stuck?”

“Y-Yes, sir.”

His tone was remarkably humble while standing in a pool of blood.

“Tsk. You’re surrounded by boats and you’re worried about moving?”

“Excuse me?”

Seeing Dam Po’s confusion, Cheol Woo looked at the captain.

“Make those bandits tow us. Two of their ships should be enough to pull this tub.”

“That would technically work, but do you think they’ll agree to it?”

“You worry too much.”

Cheol Woo gave a dark chuckle.

“If they value their lives, they’ll do exactly what we tell them.”

His certainty was quickly proven to be fact.