Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 921

The Namgung Clan, dressed in their blue and white uniforms, walked onto the large wooden ship. Ropes creaked as the vessel shifted at the busy pier. As the ship moved toward Mae Hwa Island, the watching merchants cheered, waving their hats and shouting with excitement.

“Namgung Clan! Go get ’em!” one cried.

“Those pirates thought they owned this place!” yelled another, shaking his fist. “Well, they were wrong!”

The pirates hadn’t harmed the merchants under the Black Dragon King’s orders. But the resentment from decades of suffering at their hands wouldn’t just disappear.

Seeing the pirates defeated was satisfying, but their excitement came from something different: the Namgung Clan had removed their fear of losing again and again.

In the past, the merchants hadn’t cared much about the smaller fighting groups. But these groups, now called the Unorthodox Faction Alliance, had surprisingly defeated the powerful Nine Great Sects and even moved into Gangbuk.

The merchants had feared that Gangbuk would fall into the hands of the Unorthodox Faction Alliance, and they would have to live under the pirates’ watchful eyes forever. But this one victory instantly removed that fear.

“That’s right! The Nine Great Sects wouldn’t just stand by!”

“Hey! You there, Nine Great Sects! The Namgung Clan is one of the Five Great Clans!”

“Ah! Isn’t it the same thing!”

The people’s hearts swelled as they watched the Namgung Clan’s ship head towards Mae Hwa Island. For three years, they had longed to see the righteous groups defeat the unorthodox factions and protect them.

Even though the Namgung Clan was known for the terrible Jangam Catastrophe in the past, the merchants had forgotten their anger now.

“But… is it okay to go all the way there? It’s still an island.”

“Don’t be silly! Do you think the Namgung Clan doesn’t know what they’re doing? They have a plan, that’s why they’re doing this!”

“Yes. I suppose so?”

The merchants’ eyes filled with hope as they watched the ship advance with dignity.

“Full speed ahead!”

Namgung Hwang shouted loudly from the deck.

“Don’t give the enemies time to prepare! We will quickly crush them while they are still like drowned rats!”

“Clan Leader!”

Namgung Myeong, who had been anxiously watching the surroundings with a worried expression, spoke urgently.

“The enemy is pirates! It can be dangerous even if we proceed cautiously! Please, slow down!”

Namgung Hwang glanced at Namgung Myeong with a displeased expression.

“Do you think we need to be so wary of those insignificant pirates?”

“If we underestimate them because they seem insignificant, we may make a mistake. Is it difficult to be cautious? Or is it more difficult to restore the Namgung Clan’s honor after a momentary lapse?”

Namgung Hwang glared at Namgung Myeong, seemingly filled with anger.

However, this time, Namgung Myeong did not back down easily. After staring at Namgung Myeong for a while, Namgung Hwang slowly nodded.

“Slow down! Proceed cautiously so that the ship is not damaged! Sky Vault Swordsmen, watch the water carefully! Some of you, jump into the water and prevent the pirates from approaching the ship!”

“Yes!”

The Sky Vault Swordsmen responded loudly to the order, and some of them jumped into the Jang River without hesitation.

“Thank you, Clan Leader!”

Namgung Myeong bowed deeply. Watching him, Namgung Hwang clicked his tongue briefly.

“Sky Vault Captain!”

“Yes, Clan Leader!”

Namgung Hwang nodded heavily, saying,

“Keep giving me your honest opinion.”

“⋯⋯.”

“And don’t bow so much. You’re giving me advice, not asking for forgiveness. The Sky Vault Captain is in a position to give direct advice to the Clan Leader. This is not something to be thankful for!”

“I understand, Clan Leader!”

Namgung Myeong’s face brightened.

This was why he had no choice but to follow Namgung Hwang. It was true that he was more radical than anyone else, but that didn’t make him a tyrant.

Namgung Hwang was a person who was open to listening to reason and logic at any time.

If there were shortcomings, he would fill them, and if Namgung Dowi filled them, that would be it. Wasn’t that what family and clan were all about?

“Clan Leader.”

At that moment, Namgung Dowi, who was surveying the front, spoke.

“There are cannons installed on the island. I’ve heard that Mae Hwa Island… is armed with White Lightning Cannons that were once used by the Lightning Clan.”

“White Lightning Cannons, you say.”

Namgung Hwang scoffed.

“It might be helpful in a war between pirates. But there’s no way a cannon could reach the ship I’m guarding!”

He glared sharply at the island and continued.

“The only things we need to be wary of are the Black Dragon King and the Black Dragon Gang. If they are not on Mae Hwa Island, then those pirates cannot stop the Namgung Clan. No, even if they are there, it’s the same!”

What Namgung Hwang wanted was not to recover Gangbuk.

What he truly wanted was to take Mae Hwa Island completely and create a situation where he could hold a dagger to the enemy’s throat. He wanted them to feel the same emotions he had felt when he heard the news that Mae Hwa Island had been occupied by pirates.

‘Only a little over a month left until the three-year deadline.’

If that deadline passed, the Namgung Clan would advance into Gangnam without looking back, to completely eradicate that treacherous Unorthodox Faction Alliance.

“What’s the situation?”

“The pirates are not moving.”

“It is said that there is no one approaching from under the river either.”

“Hmph. Well, they’re not complete fools, it seems!”

Namgung Hwang twisted his lips and smiled.

Underwater attacks?

It was clear that the underwater combat techniques the pirates had learned would be effective in the water. But even so, they could not completely overcome the difference in skill.

If those with the same skill, one who had mastered underwater combat and one who had not, were to compete in the water, the result would be obvious. But there was no way the Sky Vault Swordsmen and those clumsy pirates could have the same skill.

That fact had already been proven three years ago.

The expression on Namgung Hwang’s face hardened rapidly as he thought of the words ‘three years ago’ in his head.

“Sky Vault Captain!”

“Yes, Clan Leader!”

“Be sure to watch the surroundings carefully! The pirates may be lying in wait in the distance and surround us after we land on the island!”

“I will check!”

“After landing on Mae Hwa Island, some will remain on the ship and wait! In case there is a problem, we can get out immediately!”

“Yes!”

The bitter wound of three years ago had taught Namgung Hwang the word ‘caution.’ But that, in other words, meant that the wound Jang Il-so had inflicted on Namgung Hwang was still giving him vivid pain.

‘Black Dragon King! Jang Il-so!’

Grrrr.

Namgung Hwang gritted his teeth.

He could not escape this pain that scraped his bones from time to time. It would not be resolved unless he beheaded that Black Dragon King and ground Jang Il-so to dust.

“We will crush them in one fell swoop!”

“Yes!”

Soon, the ship was within sight of Mae Hwa Island.

“Fire!”

**BANG!** The White Thunder Cannon roared, spitting fire at their ship. The cannonballs were not like normal ones – they were incredibly strong and looked like they could smash the ship to pieces right away.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Namgung Hwang shouted. He jumped to the front of the ship in a blink and swung his sword. It flashed like bright white lightning. This white energy from his sword hit the cannonballs, changing their direction.

**WHOOSH!** The cannonballs missed, crashing into the water. A huge tower of water shot up, and white foam spread out like beautiful fireworks.

“Don’t be afraid! Keep going forward!” Namgung Hwang yelled. “CHUNG!” the Azure Sky Swordsmen shouted back. They were filled with new courage, seeing how easily their leader stopped the cannons. They felt they could win anything with him leading them.

**BANG! BANG!** The White Thunder Cannon kept firing, but Namgung Hwang’s sword was too fast. He blocked every single cannonball. His eyes became sharp. Then, **WHOOSH!** Even stronger white energy burst from his sword.

It cut through the rough water and flew straight towards the cannons on the island bank. **CRASH!** The White Thunder Cannon exploded. The pirates around it were thrown into the air and badly hurt.

“Azure Sky Swordsmen, we’re landing now!” Namgung Hwang ordered.

“But Patriarch,” one swordsman replied, “we’re still far from the island!”

“We have to attack quickly while they are weak!” Namgung Hwang said firmly. “Azure Sky Commander, stay on the ship. Be ready to help us escape if needed!”

“Yes, Patriarch!”

“Do-wi!” Namgung Hwang called out.

“Yes!”

“Lead the swordsmen and come with me! We will defeat them all at once!”

“Yes!” Do-wi answered eagerly.

Namgung Hwang jumped off the ship towards the water. **SPLASH!** But instead of sinking, he seemed to run on top of the water! It was amazing to watch, like magic. For someone so big and strong with such a heavy sword, he moved as lightly as a feather. It was hard to believe he was running on water and not solid land.

The pirates watched Namgung Hwang running on water and their faces went white with fear. They knew right then how powerful he was – one man could change everything. **THUMP!** Namgung Hwang jumped again and landed on Plum Blossom Island like a crashing rock. The pirates couldn’t run. They just stood still, eyes wide, looking at the terrifying man in front of them.

“Uhhh… Ohhh…” the pirates mumbled, terrified. Namgung Hwang stood there, his sword relaxed in his hand, looking at them coldly. His eyes were full of anger, like he wanted to destroy them all. But he didn’t move. Maybe he was giving them a chance. Whatever it was, it worked. The pirates were completely scared and didn’t want to fight anymore.

Then, Namgung Hwang spoke, his voice loud and echoing across Plum Blossom Island. “Listen carefully!” he boomed. “From now on, anyone on this island who stays will die. This is your last chance to be spared. You are just following orders, so leave now! Get off this island!”

**WHOOSH!** Just then, the Azure Sky Swordsmen jumped from the ship, landing on Plum Blossom Island behind Namgung Hwang. Namgung Do-wi was at the front. They looked amazing, all lined up behind their leader as they came onto the beach.

“Namgung Do-wi!” Namgung Hwang commanded.

“Yes, Patriarch!”

“The warning is finished! Kill them all! Let no pirate live on this island!”

“CHUNG!” Namgung Do-wi shouted and ran forward with his sword raised. The Azure Sky Swordsmen all pulled out their swords at the same time and followed him. Seeing this, the last bit of courage the pirates had disappeared completely.

“No! Aaaah!” “We’re going to die like dogs!” “Run to the water!” The pirates didn’t even try to fight back. They turned and ran, showing their backs to the enemy.

“Stop! You cowards!” Yeo-dal screamed, his face red with anger. “Stop running! Where is your courage? Are you going to run away like turtles? Stop now!” Yeo-dal shouted so loudly his throat hurt, but the pirates didn’t hear him. Or maybe they did, but they didn’t care.

It was no surprise the pirates ran. Yeo-dal might be important as a guardian of this river, but next to Namgung Hwang, he was nothing – like a tiny candle flame next to the sun. No pirate would be crazy enough to trust him and fight Namgung Hwang.

“N-no… N-no…” Yeo-dal’s eyes shook with fear. If they lost this island, the Black Dragon King would kill him for sure. But if he stayed and fought now, Namgung Hwang would definitely kill him even faster. He was trapped. Either way, he would die, just one way was quicker than the other. He felt frozen, unable to do anything.

“Namgung Hwang! Namgung Hwaaaang! What do you think you’re doing?!” Yeo-dal shouted, letting out all his fear as anger. “The Black Dragon King will be so angry! He will be furious! Do you know what will happen? You will bring blood to this whole river!”

Suddenly, Namgung Hwang was right in front of him. His sword flashed down above Yeo-dal’s head. **CRASH!** Blood burst out as Yeo-dal was thrown backwards. If Yeo-dal was himself, he might have been able to block even Namgung Hwang’s attack. But he was already defeated inside. He couldn’t even try to defend himself.

“Black Dragon King’s fury?” Namgung Hwang growled, his teeth clenched. He walked towards Yeo-dal, who was shaking on the ground. “You should have worried about *my* anger first! I have been angry for three years!”

“Ugh… you idiot…” Yeo-dal choked, his eyes red with blood. “The Overlord will get you… You shouldn’t have done this…”

**THWACK!** And then, Yeo-dal’s head fell to the ground.

“Keep talking if you can,” Namgung Hwang said coldly. He had cut off Yeo-dal’s head with one fast move. He looked around Plum Blossom Island, feeling nothing. “Hmph!” Black Dragon King’s anger? He actually wanted that.

“It doesn’t matter who they are. Just the name ‘Namgung Clan’ will make even the worst villains shake with fear!” That day, the Namgung family, the Azure Sky Clan, took over Plum Blossom Island and kicked out the River Pirates for good.