"It seems it wasn't anything else."

"Pardon?"

"You were watching me from the beginning, weren't you?"

"Ah, that's..."

Ojang hesitated at the question that had come out of nowhere, and Cheonyeong was convinced that his thoughts were correct.

"Did the chief order it?"

"That..."

"The chief ordered it."

"That's..."

Cheonyeong, who had gained confidence from his troubled appearance, asked.

"Why?"

"Pardon?"

"Why were you watching me? I don't think I've ever had a grudge with the water bandits."

"...I don't know."

"You don't know?"

As Cheonyeong's face frowned, Ojang's heart sank.

He had to speak well.

He had barely managed to create a smooth atmosphere and had grasped a lifeline.

In fact, not many of the Fish Dragons had been harmed by the man in front of him.

Even then, they were all injured, and the deaths had mostly occurred in the fight with the woman whose head had exploded.

If so, it would be better to tell the truth for now.

Because at least it meant that he had held back his hand even though he could have killed them.

"Actually, I don't know either. Although a fight suddenly broke out, I had no intention of fighting."

"You had no intention of fighting?"

"Yes. The higher-ups just told me to watch."

"Just... watch?"

"Yes. To watch the pleasure boat with three passengers from a distance, and to just check what was happening..."

"Who? The chief?"

"Yes."

"Hmm."

Cheonyeong fell into deep thought at Ojang's words.

Why would the chief do that?

Although he wanted to go and ask the chief, it was too dangerous.

From what he had heard from Ojang, these were the Gunsan Stronghold, one of the Eighteen Strongholds of the Yangtze River.

To be included among the eighteen of the many strongholds meant that they had that much power.

And the ones he had fought were those whose main mission was surveillance.

In other words, the main force remained in the main stronghold.

But he couldn't not check the reason, and he would have to receive compensation for the damage for interfering with him...

Dammit, did I catch the curiosity from the Beggars' Sect punks?

It felt like a knot was tied around his waist.

I'm dying of curiosity.

Is it right to visit a stronghold on the way to find Gongson Seung?

And he was worried that he might be bringing danger upon himself for no reason.

Many worries passed through his frowning face.

But!

What's life anyway?

Sometimes, letting things flow is one way to live.

And since it feels like a knot is tied anyway, what's the point of leaving it alone?

Yes, straight ahead.

Although you can tell by looking whether it's shit or soybean paste, you'll know for sure if you taste it.

And if worse comes to worst, can't he just run away?

Since he had regained most of his past assassin senses in the fight with Jasu.

Because I have a history of escaping the surveillance network of the Great Cheongcheon Alliance.

"Good! Then let's go meet the chief."

"Pardon? The chief?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Um... then are you saying you will go to the Gunsan Stronghold yourself, Great Hero?"

"Yeah."

Cheonyeong nodded his head boldly. Ojang looked at Cheonyeong with a bewildered expression.

Visit the Gunsan Stronghold? Alone?

Did he think that they, who were merely a surveillance force, were all of the Gunsan Stronghold?

Or was he being arrogant, drunk on a small victory, because he had bowed to him?

Either way, it was a crazy act that couldn't distinguish heaven and earth.

What kind of place was the Gunsan Stronghold?

It was one of the top strongholds in the Yangtze River.

Moreover, the Blue Wave Brigade that boarded the main ship were warriors with skills several levels higher than them, and especially the chief was a strong man called the Lord of the Xiang River.

Although he had a somewhat dazed side and looked shabby due to his flustered personality, his skills were real.

"What are you doing? Hurry up and guide me."

Ojang hides his twitching mouth at Cheonyeong's words.

Ojang's heart changes like the reeds on the bank of the Dongting Lake.

A young punk full of bravado. He's drunk on a small victory and is looking for a place to die himself.

Fine, let's go.

Although it was forbidden to bring an outsider to the stronghold, what did it matter?

He was a punk who might become a guest who would never return anyway.

Did you mention compensation?

I'll receive that.

The price of the lives of the brothers who died at the hands of that damn wench, the price of the black ship you blew up, and the price of making me take such a humiliating posture.

"Yes! Great Hero, I will serve you."

Ojang, hiding his sinister intentions, grabs the oar of the black ship with a flattering expression and shouts loudly.

"Listen, surveillance fleet! We will take the Great Hero to the stronghold! Collect the injured and the dead and follow quickly!"

"Yes! Ship Master!"

The water bandits clean up the surroundings at Ojang's command.

Although there were only a few surveillance ships left because Cheonyeong had blown them all up and sunk them, what did it matter?

Those who were uncomfortable were put on the black ship, and the rest clung to the side of the boat and swam.

And the black ships line up and head into the darkness near Gunsan.

* * *

Dongting, Gunsan.

Located southwest of the famous Akyang, it was a place that stood tall in the middle of Dongting Lake.

Surrounded by blue water on all four sides, some called it a blue shell on a silver tray.

Gunsan was originally called Dongting Mountain, and it was also called Hosan because it was said that immortals lived there.

Although it was a small place, it had many scenic spots and historic sites, so many poets and artists did not hesitate to visit it.

Was it an essential route for those who stopped by Dongting Lake?

But not all places were accessible to people.

The south of Gunsan, which was made up of seventy-two large and small peaks. The six islands, which were gathered together as if they had broken off from the main island, were no different from a forbidden land.

Because the Gunsan Stronghold, which boasted the worst reputation in Dongting Lake, was there.

Chwa-a-ak!

The black ship cuts through the water and heads between the islands.

"Hoh? You're staying in a pretty good place."

"That's right. Originally, don't they say that a person is born from the earth, grows in the wind, and returns to the earth again? To the water bandits, water is the same as earth. Water is what binds us together and deepens our deep affection."

Cheonyeong smirked at Ojang's words.

A water bandit, using literary language.

Well, it's a good saying.

"There it is."

Ojang puts down the oar and points with his hand, and a fence made of woven wooden stakes can be seen in the secluded darkness.

"I am the surveillance ship master, Ojang! I am on my way back from completing my mission, so open the gate!"

As Ojang shouted, a light came on and lit up the surroundings, and the surroundings became bright.

"Heo!"

An exclamation came out on its own.

The Gunsan Stronghold, which had revealed its appearance under the light, was of a truly enormous scale.

The number of guards with their heads sticking out over the wooden fence, and the long wooden fence that seemed to have no end on the left and right, could be called a castle on the water.

The Gunsan Stronghold...

Even in the midst of that, Cheonyeong quickly looked for the weak parts of the wooden fence in preparation for any threat that might arise.

Because if worse comes to worst, he would have to run away.

Chwa-a-a-ak!

The gate opened, and the black ship finally crossed the wooden fence.

It was a boundary. Dividing those who lived in the light and those who lived in the shade...

"Wow!"

Cheonyeong's exclamation continued.

A huge ferry, and the large and small boats docked next to it. The sight of the floating houses gathered together beyond that was not an exaggeration to be called a city.

Not even the Yangtze River main stronghold, but a single stronghold was of this scale. It seems they don't consider the Yangtze River waterway stronghold a part of the Unorthodox Faction for no reason.

This is why everyone pays tolls to the water bandits and endures the damage, negotiating first. And the government forces don't even think of rashly subjugating them.

As Ojang docked the boat, Cheonyeong, who had put away his admiration, slowly gets on the ferry.

It's not good to show a surprised look.

Whether you're talking or fighting, when you're dealing with a strong opponent, you have to be strong.

"Who are you?"

A warrior with a good momentum who had come out to meet him on the ferry asks with a frown.

But, this punk's torch...

He could see without having to hold it so close, it was hot.

"He is the one the chief ordered to be watched. He said he has a few things to discuss, so I'm taking him to the chief."

"...I see."

The warrior looked Cheonyeong up and down at Ojang's words and stepped back.

"Follow me. I'll guide you to the chief."

Cheonyeong smirked at the sight of Ojang speaking boldly as he led the way.

Heh, look at this?

Come? I'll guide you?

Until he came to the stronghold, he had been so sweet, as if he would give him his liver and gallbladder... his attitude had changed so quickly.

He was even mixing in informal language.

Well, even a son of a bitch is said to have a 30% advantage in his own home...

But still.

How can he be so different before and after crossing the wooden fence?

I should just.

Cheonyeong smiled and clenched his fist, but then he relaxed his strength.

Well, what's the point of getting into a fight from the beginning?

The goal is the chief.

Ask a few things and get compensation...

If it can be solved with a conversation, a conversation is good. Let's save the fists until things go wrong.

As they say, nothing is as important as a first impression.

Even in the meantime, Cheonyeong was looking around and scouting for an escape route.

Because there was no harm in being fully prepared.

"Now, this is the main stronghold. I will inform the chief, so please wait outside for a moment."

"Alright."

While Ojang went inside, Cheonyeong looked around with a calm gaze.

It's quite stinging. The gazes of the surroundings.

As if there was some spectacle, they were all gathered and staring at him.

A bare-chested water bandit, a water bandit holding a bottle of alcohol, a water bandit with a sword and a menacing gaze.

They were all water bandits.

And then.

"...Quite something."

Cheonyeong looks at the blue-clothed warriors who are on standby near the main stronghold.

Their momentum is good.

Although they look ordinary, their contained energy is considerable. Each and every one of them must have extraordinary skills.

Perhaps they are the main force of the Gunsan Stronghold. Doesn't their attire say that they are different from the other water bandits?

About, thirty people?

Hmm, it won't be easy if a fight breaks out.

At the very least, they seem to be at the level of Yongcheon, no, Chunil.

"Come in. The chief has given his permission."

Cheonyeong moved his steps into the main stronghold at the words of Ojang, who had come out after a long time.

Since time had been delayed, he must have reported every little detail about him.

Inside, there was a spacious area with only one large chair, and at the end of the people lined up on the left and right, a large, bearded man was sitting in that chair. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Perhaps he was the Gunsan chief.

In other words, the punk who would give him money.

As Cheonyeong was staring blankly, the Gunsan chief, Nam Gwangro, said with a strange gaze.

"Heh, this is quite... a punk with a strong head for his age."

"..."

"To visit our Gunsan Stronghold alone, and not even be intimidated."

"Should I be intimidated?"

"What?"

"I'm not the type to be afraid of anything."

As he shrugged his shoulders, the warriors around Nam Gwangro glared fiercely at Cheonyeong.

They were angry because he was being rude to their leader.

Perhaps, if Nam Gwangro had not raised his hand to stop them, they might have drawn their rough swords and swung them at once.

"Keuk keuk, why are you all so angry? Calm down."

Nam Gwangro, who had calmed his subordinates, looks at Cheonyeong intently.

A straight back.

A gaze that showed no fear.

"Heh heh, what a punk."

"Don't just admire me, give me a chair. Even if you're a water bandit, this is how you treat a guest. Tsk tsk."

As Cheonyeong shook his head, Nam Gwangro gestured with his chin to Seong Ilgwang, who was nearby, to give him a chair.

It was because he had become curious about the uninvited guest who had come in the middle of the night.

The request of Baekta, who would be torn to shreds.

Thanks to that, he had just come back from sweating buckets, moving his hidden funds to another place in a hurry.

According to Ojang, who had just arrived, the man's skills were considerable.

He said that the man and the two on the pleasure boat were assassins, and that in the process of catching one of the assassins who had run away, he had gotten involved with the Fish Dragons and had fought, and in the process, had destroyed most of the Gunsan Stronghold's surveillance fleet.

And then to come to the main base of the Gunsan Stronghold to demand compensation for interfering with him.

"...Don't just stare at me like that, give me some tea. I hear the Gunsan silver needle is one of the best."

"You're an impatient fellow. Even if you're an uninvited guest, shouldn't you reveal your identity before asking or discussing anything?"

"Ah, I thought I had forgotten something. I skipped that process."

Cheonyeong smiled brightly at Nam Gwangro's words and got up from his chair.

He could tell a lot from the short conversation just now.

He doesn't know him.

Also, when he had observed Ojang's reaction earlier, he didn't even know that Jasu was an assassin.

And yet he had ordered surveillance.

If so, it meant that the water bandit gang had also received a commission from someone...

Who could it be?

Cheonyeong looked straight into Nam Gwangro's eyes and said.

"I am Tang Cheonyeong, the family head of the Sicheon Tang Family's estate."

Although it had started with water bandits, it was the moment the name of the Tang Family's estate was first known to a force outside of Sicheon, excluding the Beggars' Sect.

(End of Chapter)