Book 6 Chapter 19

The First Line of Water-Lightning Flight

Originally, water combat was a martial art developed

to allow humans to swim faster than fish underwater,

and to be able to move.

In short, from the perspective of fish, it was an arrogant and heaven-defying challenge by humans that went against the laws of nature, and from the human perspective, it was a splendid achievement that surpassed their limits through human effort and research and development.

Holding one's breath for a long time like a fish, minimizing water resistance! Water combat was also a very difficult martial art to learn.

Originally, the basic tactic in naval warfare, unless it was for plunder or supply, was to drill holes in the enemy's hull or sides and sink them, as this was the best way to minimize one's own damage. Once the ship sank, the water would take care of the rest.

Especially since most martial artists are weak against water combat, it was even easier to deal with them. That ease was incomparable to exterminating Nanjing's pests.

That's why Bilyun treated the ambushers like idiots.

The sense of alienation from falling into a completely different world was a foreign feeling. He had already felt a threat to his life once. However, he couldn't just dwell on such emotions. If he did, he wouldn't know when someone else's sword would adorn his neck as a decorative item.

Yoon Junho quickly regained his composure and recalled the teachings he had learned in water combat class.

'First, do not go against the flow of water and do not fear water. Think of water as your friend.'

Cheonmu Academy also had water combat as a special elective course, and it was a mandatory class for everyone.

The voice of Master Musa, who had passionately lectured during class, echoed in his ears.

'You must manage your psychological changes well in the face of rapid environmental changes. Underwater, it's about conciseness and speed, not change. Eliminate all changes and attack the enemy in a straight line.'

Now he could not expect help from Namgung Sang. Another ambusher was approaching him again. Yoon Junho, not being accustomed to water combat, was already feeling suffocated. As his breathing became difficult, his mind also became anxious.

The weapons used by the ambushers were all simple but sharp and highly lethal. They were all made to be suitable for underwater use.

Weapons used underwater are made as simple as possible, with all decorations removed to minimize water resistance. This is because colorful, tattered decorations offer no guarantee of protecting one's life underwater.

"Yee-ah!"

Yoon Junho, instinctively, unfolded Plum Blossom Sword Technique's simplest and fastest move, Plum Blossom Piercing the Rainbow (매화관홍), towards the ambusher flying towards him.

"Phuuuk!"

The first move of Plum Blossom Piercing the Rainbow unfolded so smoothly that even Yoon Junho was surprised. The hypersensitivity that usually appeared after performing Plum Blossom Sword Technique was also absent.

'N-no way! That's right. There's no smell in water!'

At the moment he realized this simple truth, a thrill ran through Yoon Junho's body. It felt like a path had opened up before his eyes, which had seemed hopeless.

"Ooph!"

However, the joy of realization was short-lived. Yoon Junho, whose breath was reaching its limit, had to surface again.

After taking a breath and descending again, Yoon Junho's eyes began to shine for the first time. Now, he had to prove it with his body.

"Shouldn't you be helping?"

Seeing Bilyun so calm even in the midst of this chaos, Na Yerim asked. Her tone was clearly accusatory. However, Bilyun found her angry face beautiful. No, he preferred her now, showing fragments of emotion, more than her usual cold, statue-like demeanor.

"Who am I supposed to help?"

Her beautiful eyebrows trembled slightly.

"Of course, I'm referring to the Vermilion Bird Squad, who must be struggling underwater right now."

This meant that all of them had dived in, but Bilyun was here, living a leisurely life.

"That seems like a rather unnecessary worry. They will do fine on their own even if I don't help."

"You're very confident?"

"Are you worried, young lady?"

"Of course, I am. They, who are weak in water combat, have dived into the enemy's territory. Isn't it strange not to be worried?"

Na Yerim's words were the result of obvious, universal, and general logical thinking. Disciples of the orthodox sects, with a few exceptions, were generally weak in water combat. After all, water combat was treated as a secondary or miscellaneous art in the orthodox sects.

"Young Lady Na, you seem to be thinking too negatively. How hurt their pride would be. Don't waste your mental energy on unnecessary worries, and how about we go fishing instead?"

Bilyun, who had thrown the Vermilion Bird Squad members into the water hundreds of times, seemed to have no worries or doubts about their water combat abilities.

"You've been persistent since a while ago."

Bilyun just smiled. It was the third time he had brought up fishing.

"I tend to be. Then I guess I'll have to go alone. The water is clear and the weather is bright, so I think I'll go fishing… Lalala! With weather like this today, it wouldn't be surprising if people were caught instead of fish."

With a light step, as if playing a game, Bilyun approached the railing, his hand raised playfully and then extended towards the water's surface.

Go!

"Phak!"

In an instant, three flashes of light shot out from his sleeve and disappeared beneath the water's surface. The flashes left only small, tiny ripples on the water.

Flying Thunder Sword Qi's Ultimate Technique

Chapter of Water-Lightning Flight Feathers

Thunder strike (뇌격), Torpedo (어뢰).

"Cough!"

The first flash accurately pierced the Adam's apple of the ambusher at the very front.

Spirit Silk Heart Knot (영사심결)

Clairvoyance (투시)

See!

As Bilyun reached out towards the shimmering water surface and stared silently, his fingers twitched slightly.

'What is he doing?'

Na Yerim wondered about Bilyun's inscrutable actions. Even with her eyes, it was impossible to grasp the reality of the technique Bilyun was currently unfolding. She could only speculate.

'Could it be… Flying Daggers (비도)?'

Flying daggers?

There are separate weapons for use underwater, so why flying daggers! This too was a heaven-defying act that excessively violated the laws of nature.

Since ancient times, flying daggers have been considered one of the weapons that absolutely cannot be used underwater. If it were a throwing knife, perhaps, but flying daggers! Na Yerim was astonished.

As if one sacrifice was not enough, the flash (trajectory) of the water-lightning flight bent at a sharp angle and flew towards its next prey.

'Wh-what is this? Uwaaahk!'

'Number nine! Number seven!!'

As he watched this sudden turn of events, despair flickered in the eyes of Dark Dragon Yiho. It was infuriating enough that his subordinates were being effortlessly defeated by the Vermilion Bird Squad, who had recklessly dived into their territory, the water, but his subordinates were suddenly dying under mysterious circumstances. A mysterious killing intent was now flying towards him.

'Is it a ghost?'

It was no wonder he mistook it for a ghost. However, this ghost felt no need to answer his questions.

'Kraak!'

He could only scream inwardly.

In the last moment of his life, Dark Dragon Yiho seemed to see a flash of brilliance. He had to end his life without ever revealing the ghost's identity.

The three flashes, which traversed the dark water without a trace, moved freely as if they had a will of their own even underwater, accurately taking nine lives. It happened in an instant.

Complete!

The fishing was over.

As the number of Dark Assailants, which had been twenty-five, suddenly decreased to sixteen, the Vermilion Bird Squad's movements became smoother. Their swords, freed from their numerical disadvantage, flew unhesitatingly towards the ambushers.

The moment the number of ambushers became equal to that of the Vermilion Bird Squad, the outcome was already decided.

The bodies of the ambushers sank into the silent and deep darkness. They would never rise again.

Until the air filled their bodies two days later.

They might float up in about two days due to bloating, unless they became lunch for a school of fish swimming in the Yangtze River.

My advice is that it would be better for your appetite not to see it.