Chapter 128
Chapter 128
Contrary to her bold threats, the girl was trembling, seemingly taking a hostage for the first time.
I stared blankly at the blade against my neck.
So, this one was the Water Dragon King? Unexpected.
Still held captive, I called out to the Water Dragon King.
“Hey.”
“Sorry, Young Miss. I don’t want to hurt you. Let’s just stay like this for a moment.”
“That’s not it…”
“You seem like a Young Miss from a noble family. Sorry for startling you. If you stay still like this, you’ll be released without a scratch.”
The Water Dragon King whispered gently.
I’m not just a commoner. Did they mistake me for a powerless doctor because of Myeokri?
“What are you going to do by taking me hostage?”
“Escape.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to blend in with the crowd and slip away quietly? Why make such a fuss?”
“I need a hostage because there are people I need to take with me. Now be quiet. That Taoist is staring at you strangely because you’re not scared at all.”
“Jinseong disciple always has that expression.”
“I said be quiet.”
Annoyed, the Water Dragon King grabbed my hair.
I wondered if I should play along, but if Yeon-ryang saw me being held hostage, he might lose it.
It’s definitely not because I’m angry about having my hair pulled that I’m going to do something.
I twisted my earring, spraying Poison mist into the Water Dragon King’s face, and slammed my elbow into his lower abdomen.
“Cough! Cough!”
The Water Dragon King coughed and stepped back, assuming a defensive stance.
Whether it was from injury or just poor skill, his movements were sluggish.
“You’re a Martial Artist? I thought you were a doctor?”
Frowning, he swung his dagger wildly.
“I’m a doctor who is also a Martial Artist.”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
It’s true.
I twisted his trembling arm, causing him to drop the dagger, and quickly pinned him down. The Water Dragon King screamed and struggled.
“Let go!”
“No.”
“Let me go!”
“What kind of nerve do you have to take a hostage when you can barely use your body?”
I grumbled and pressed on the Water Dragon King’s pressure points. The Water Dragon King’s body stiffened, and he glared at me, panting.
Only then did Jin-sung, relieved, approach us.
He tilted his head, looking puzzled, and lowered himself to meet the Water Dragon King’s eye level.
“I heard the Water Dragon King was a man. Are you…?”
“I was until recently. My husband was the Water Dragon King.”
“Your husband? You’re married?”
“Yeah. But I stabbed him to death. So, I’m the Water Dragon King now.”
“…I, I see.”
She stabbed her husband to death. How fiery.
“Then who is on that ship over there? Someone was sitting on the second floor.”
“My decoy.”
The absurd statement momentarily stunned me.
I was confused whether this child was really the Water Dragon King or if she had hit her head while escaping.
“I understand what you’re saying, but I can’t believe you’re the Water Dragon King. Is there anyone who can prove it?”
“How can you ask for someone to prove it when you’ve killed all the people from Suyeoche?”
“…You’ve got a point.”
Jin-sung, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
“It would be best to go directly to the flagship. Beopgong Daesa said he would capture the Water Dragon King alive, so the decoy should still be alive. He will tell us the truth.”
“I can’t run across the water, disciple.”
“The Water Dragon King swam here, so we can swim too.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“….”
Despite my reluctant expression, Jin-sung continued without concern.
“I cannot touch a woman’s body, so Dang Sojeo, please carry the Water Dragon King on your back.”
“…So, what Jinseong disciple is saying is that I should carry a person on my back and swim to that ship.”
“Yes.”
Jin-sung’s expression, as he looked directly at me, was more serious than ever.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the burdensome gaze. I silently stared at the dark river water.
Hehehe.
…He.
Who brought this blockhead?
“Doctor Sojeo. You’re too slow. Speed it up.”
“Be quiet. Do you think swimming with someone on your back is easy?”
“I wouldn’t know, I’ve never tried it.”
The Water Dragon King, giggling and urging me on, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. Jin-sung, glancing back at me and matching my pace, was also full of composure.
I was the only one dying.
I’m out of breath. It would be better to carry Yeon-ryang and run.
As I grabbed a floating piece of wood to catch my breath, the Water Dragon King chuckled.
“Just release the pressure points. I’m a good swimmer.”
“You’ll run away if I release the pressure points.”
“No, I won’t go without my people.”
“Your people?”
“I told you, there are people I need to take with me.”
“I see. Still, I won’t release them. Stop talking, it’s hard enough. If you keep talking, I’ll press your mute point too.”
“…Tch.”
The Water Dragon King pouted and shut his mouth at my annoyance. But he soon started chattering again.
“But which Martial Sect / School are you from? Your pressure point technique is unique.”
“I said I’d press your mute point if you talk.”
“I’m really curious. It felt completely different from when my husband pressed them.”
“…Your husband pressed your pressure points?”
“He did it because I resisted so much.”
“Wait, wait a minute. How old are you? What did that bastard do to you?”
“Me? Seventeen. I got married at fourteen. My husband bought me for two Silver Ingot.”
My mind went blank at the Water Dragon King’s nonchalant reply. When he noticed my flustered expression, he chuckled.
“It’s okay. That’s why I killed him.”
“…I’m confused whether you have a good personality or are a little crazy.”
“You try living in Suyeoche for three years. You’ll become like me? We’re almost there. Taoist! Pull us up!”
The Water Dragon King giggled and shouted towards Jin-sung. Jin-sung was already on the ship.
Hesitating for a moment, Jin-sung reached out and pulled us onto the deck.
I collapsed onto the floor, panting.
“Doctor Sojeo! Release the pressure points!”
“Wait! Let me catch my breath!”
Jin-sung, checking on me, apologized cautiously.
“…I didn’t know it would be this difficult for you. I’m sorry.”
“I’m going crazy. Don’t apologize, it’s even more humiliating.”
If he’s apologizing so seriously, I must look terrible.
As I lay sprawled out, removing the strands of hair stuck to my face, I saw Yeon-ryang standing on the second-floor pavilion with a bored expression.
“Brother!”
His eyes widened at my shout, and he looked down from the pavilion. Yeon-ryang, making eye contact with me, panicked and jumped down from the railing.
“Why did you come all the way here instead of waiting on the ship?”
“I wanted to.”
“You’re wet again. You’ll catch a cold.”
Yeon-ryang lifted me up and sat me down, wiping the water off my face with his sleeve. I obediently accepted Yeon-ryang’s touch and asked.
“Brother. Did you catch the Water Dragon King?”
Yeon-ryang frowned.
“Yeah. The monk is interrogating him… Don’t go up there. He’s rough, it’s better not to watch.”
“There’s something I need to confirm, can’t you tell him to stop? This Sojeo says she’s the Water Dragon King.”
“…The Water Dragon King? This Young Miss?”
“Yeah. I’m the Water Dragon King.”
Yeon-ryang frowned at her confident attitude. He scratched his head and shouted towards the second floor.
“Monk! Come down here for a second!”
“Why? I’m busy!”
“Just come down!”
“What is it? Why are all these kids here? I’m not a babysitter.”
Beopgong grumbled and strode down the stairs. The fierce Qi / Energy Flow made my skin tingle. There were red bloodstains on the back of his hand.
…It seems like he wasn’t interrogating, but torturing.
Beopgong frowned when he saw us, then slowly reduced his Qi / Energy Flow.
“Who’s this kid again?”
“The Water Dragon King.”
“What?”
“I’m the Water Dragon King. The guy up there is my decoy. But Doctor Sojeo. When are you going to release my pressure points?”
“You don’t seem to realize you’ve been captured.”
“I’ve been lying on the floor by myself since earlier. Just release them now.”
“Monk. Is it okay to release her pressure points?”
Beopgong clutched his head with a look that said, ‘What is going on?’
“…Wait, wait a minute. Am I the only one who doesn’t understand this situation? What’s going on? Explain it to me slowly and clearly. Disciple of the Sword Saint. You explain.”
Jin-sung nodded at Beopgong’s call and slowly opened his mouth.
“Well…”
After many twists and turns, the Water Dragon King met with his subordinate with a somber expression.
“Chi-yong.”
“Sob, Master… I failed to uphold my loyalty… I should have died in your place… You saved my life…”
Whatever had happened in the meantime, the Water Dragon King’s decoy was covered in blood.
The Water Dragon King remained composed even at the sight of the burly man with a ruined face, streaming with tears.
“Don’t cry, Chi-yong. You did enough.”
The Water Dragon King gently wiped away his subordinate’s tears and turned to us. He looked at Beopgong and asked calmly.
“Are you the boss? Are you going to kill me?”
“Why would I kill you?”
“I’m a bandit.”
“Why are you a bandit? You’re a kid who was sold to bandits.”
The Water Dragon King tilted his head at Beopgong’s answer.
“Then you’re not going to kill me?”
“Kid who was sold. I’m a monk. Monks don’t kill people. I can make you suffer so much you’ll want to die, though.”
At that, the man called Chi-yong turned pale and hiccuped. Something unspoken must have happened between the two.
“…I’ll endure the torture. But please grant me one request. There are about twenty children and women doing odd jobs in the underground hold. They’ve done nothing wrong, so please release them.”
Beopgong, staring at the Water Dragon King who spoke clearly, scoffed.
“What? I don’t just grab anyone and torture them. Why would I torture you?”
“You tortured Chi-yong.”
“That’s because I thought he was the Water Dragon King.”
“But I’m that Water Dragon King. I’m the one who fed my husband poisoned alcohol and stabbed him to death, the one who handed his head to Chi-yong and made him the leader, the one who ordered the attack on the merchant ship today. And you’re still going to let me go?”
“How many times do I have to say it? I’m not going to kill you. I’m not going to torture you either. Why would I kill a kid with no Inner Energy / Internal Qi? Do you think I’m like you Unorthodox / Evil Faction bastards?”
Annoyed, Beopgong sighed deeply as if he was going crazy.
“I might kill the real Water Dragon King who ran wild, but you’re a kid who doesn’t even have the strength to wield a real sword? You look like you couldn’t even beat our kid, let alone kill someone. I don’t want to get involved with you. I hate troublesome things.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I’m serious. It’s too much of a hassle to care.”
He pressed his temples and continued, making eye contact with the Water Dragon King.
“I don’t know what your usual strength is, but all four of the ships you brought out today were smashed to pieces by my hands, and the armed forces were annihilated. All that’s left is this one ship, but there’s no one to row or steer. Can I even call you bandits now?”
“…No.”
“Then you’re not bandits anymore. Take this opportunity to scrape together whatever valuables are left on the ship and run away. Settle down in a quiet village or something.”
The Water Dragon King’s eyes widened.
Beopgong’s words meant that he would release them without any charges.
