Alliance Leader Im Sobaek, seemingly tipsy, was arrested by Special Task Force members at dawn and dragged off somewhere.

I watched as the Alliance Leader was forcibly taken away. With the task force members clinging to him and dragging him off, even his stature as Alliance Leader seemed meaningless in that moment.

Honestly, since the Alliance Leader hadn’t slept, the Special Task Force probably hadn’t gotten any rest either.

I sent Sword Demon, the Drunk, and the Lecher inside to get some sleep, and stood watch alone in front of the inn.

It made sense for me to keep watch, since the other three had done more of the fighting at the dock. Sitting in front of the inn, drinking in my tattered clothes, I looked like just another beggar from Dongho.

Even as I tried to pull my torn garments closer, the cold wind kept seeping in. At this rate, I’d have to buy new clothes the moment morning came. At that moment, a peddler walking down the road spoke to me.

“Lord Munju.”

It was my first time hearing this man’s voice. I was surprised at how young it sounded, and just then, Deungnyang of the Muga arrived and said to me:

“Mind if I eat?”

I gestured at the table, and Deungnyang sat across from me, taking some dry rice from his bundle and eating it. As he ate, he said:

“Would you like some? I have more.”

“Sure, why not.”

Though I had already filled myself with side dishes and liquor, I ate again. Drinking with the Alliance Leader at night, sobering up with the Muga at dawn—it gave me a strange feeling.

Though really, when the hell does this guy even sleep?

“Don’t you sleep?”

“I napped a bit during the day while wandering.”

Deungnyang then told me what he’d discovered during his rounds.

“I have no idea where the ship came from. There were three large vessels at the dock. The hulls and storage were filled with highly flammable materials. They’re probably expecting you to board one of the ships, Lord Munju.”

I nodded.

“I figured as much. So did the Special Task Force Leader.”

“That’s the Alliance Leader, isn’t it? I saw him from afar—he’s quite the fighter.”

This guy must’ve been observing everything day and night. He’d become the eyes watching over Dongho.

Deungnyang said:

“The ships came, and the pirates arrived too. Fortunately, a few were left alive. We lost them this time, but given time, I might locate the Greatest Sword of Dongho first.”

“You’re operating alone?”

Deungnyang smiled.

“Not at all. We’ve got a cook, someone job-hunting in Dongho, and peddlers like me. We’re seeping into Dongho. As long as you endure, Lord Munju, it’ll bear fruit. By the way, that Scholar Chu survived, huh.”

I answered quietly.

“There were a few reasons, but in the end, even the Yin-Yang Sect had a hand in it. Honestly, he strikes me as the type to start a fight with them once he recovers. He’s the kind that holds a grudge.”

Deungnyang looked mildly surprised.

“Is that so? I didn’t expect the Yin-Yang Sect to act like that... though they are close to the Sects of the Outer Path. If anything, the Legalist Sect crossed the line by requesting their help.”

“I’ll take note.”

After eating quietly for a moment, Deungnyang spoke with an awkward expression.

“Forgive me for speaking out of turn. Somehow, being around you makes me talk more than usual.”

I nodded.

“It’s fine. I’ll keep quiet when it comes to the scholars.”

“Yes.”

Deungnyang packed up his meal and added:

“I don’t know if this will escalate or simmer down with a simple duel. But our Master said there's still a scholar faction out there with no ties to you who might offer support. Just so you know.”

“Who?”

Deungnyang looked at me.

“Probably a farmer. Though it may not be for the fight—he might be more concerned about the local farmers’ safety and public sentiment.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

With little expectation, I raised the last bottle of liquor and asked:

“Mind a drink?”

Deungnyang hesitated, then smiled.

“Why not?”

I poured him a drink. He drank like someone who had wandered the wilderness for days before finally finding water. Turned out, he really liked liquor.

“If things work out, let’s drink somewhere more comfortable next time.”

Deungnyang nodded.

“I’d like that.”

He packed up the remains of his meal, gave a slight bow, and set off again.

Just as dawn broke, I propped my feet up on the chair and dozed off. It had been chilly before sunrise, but once the sun came up, sleep came easily. Sometimes people stand watch while half-asleep. That was me.

Dozing under the warm morning sun, I heard the Drunk’s voice.

“Go inside and get some sleep.”

I looked at him, then turned my gaze to the sky. Black smoke was curling up and dispersing.

“I’ll go check it out.”

“They’re not burning bodies?”

Didn’t seem like it. It was too early in the morning to be burning corpses with laborers.

***

I reached the dock and saw ships engulfed in flames. Every ship the pirates had brought was burning. As I watched, I turned my gaze to a spot further away.

From one of the large ships, fire arrows launched into the air and set the other vessels at the dock ablaze.

Each time a ship caught fire, I heard the archers on deck laughing.

The distance from the end of the dock to the ships was quite far.

Some pirates who spotted me from afar waved cheerfully—then suddenly fired unlit arrows. Dozens of arrows arced through the air and fell around me.

Pa-pa-pa-pa-pak!

Judging by their range, they barely reached the dock—some even fell short.

I just stared blankly at the archers.

Listening closely, I could make out their voices from the ship.

“...Isn’t that the Haomun Lord?”

“Let’s see. He’s got a wooden sword at his waist?”

“Clothes are all ragged.”

“Just kill him for now.”

The archers perched along the ship’s edges started giggling and aimed their bows again. Another volley of arrows arced toward me, some aimed precisely enough that I had to move a few steps.

Then came a shout from the ship.

“It’s definitely the Haomun Lord!”

And then, a string of curses followed.

“Hey, you bastard Haomun dog! Swim your ass over here. I’ll take you on!”

Their insults became more creative—asking after my parents, cursing my nonexistent master, telling me to eat poison and die, even declaring they’d cut off my head and offer it to the Number One of the Evil Path.

I was getting a hearty dose of abuse this fine morning.

“Son of a bitch... you people really don’t know fear.”

Since the distance was hard to judge over water, I picked up a stone and skipped it across the river’s surface like I used to as a kid. The stone skipped, then smacked the center of the ship with a loud thunk.

The startled archers peeked down at the deck, checked for damage, then resumed their cursing.

“I’ll feed you to the fish.”

“You’ll become a Dongho water ghost.”

“I’ll slice you up into jerky and eat you as a snack.”

I figured another stone ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) toss would spook them again, so I waved at the distant ship.

As I turned my back, cheers and laughter erupted from the big ship.

Just then, I heard the sound of something slicing through the air and dodged to the left—a flying arrow embedded itself in the ground.

Thunk!

I moved roughly fifty steps, then turned and dashed toward the river using light footwork at full speed. From the end of the dock, I leapt high into the air.

As I flew, the pirates became clearer in my vision.

Once I hit the peak and began to descend, I could hear their laughter again. Even after such a massive leap, I had only closed about half the distance.

In midair, I twisted my body, brought both hands to my dantian, pressed my palms together with fingers slightly apart, and channeled chi through my arms. Using Jeunjong’s technique, I lightened my body and changed direction.

From mid-fall, I shot back into the air like an explosion—and landed directly on the large ship. I stood at the bow and stared down the stunned pirates.

Around thirty of them looked up at me as I sat casually on the railing and said:

“Why so quiet? Keep running your mouths.”

The tattered edges of my clothing flapped wildly in the river breeze like some lunatic’s banner. From the central cabin of the ship, a man in his thirties—clearly the leader—emerged and asked his subordinates:

“What’s going on?”

After a brief silence, one of the pirates reported:

“The Haomun Lord is here.”

As our eyes met, I let out a quiet burp. The leader glared at me and barked:

“What are you staring at? Kill him!”

Despite the command, none of the pirates moved. There was nowhere to run on water, and they’d seen me fly here.

One of them exaggeratedly reported:

“He flew here from the dock.”

Only then did the leader measure the distance and fall silent.

I said to the nearest man:

“Lemme see your bow.”

“...”

“Before I kill you. Hand it over.”

The pirate hesitated, then handed it to me. I said:

“And the quiver too, you little shit.”

I took the bamboo quiver and set it down at my feet. The pirate scurried back to his crew.

Then I drew an arrow and shot the guy who’d handed me the bow.

Thwip!

The arrow struck his shoulder and he screamed.

“Told you to hurry. Tsk.”

Some began to draw their swords, but stopped when I silently stared them down.

“Are you all insane...? You wanna fight me?”

The leader, still watching me, tried to rally them.

“You mean to tell me thirty-two men can’t kill one? We’ll have to fight either way.”

I nocked another arrow and imbued it with internal energy. I’d never infused chi into an arrow before, so I had no idea what would happen.

I loosed it.

Fwoooom!

The arrow tore through the air like lightning, struck the leader in the chest, and blasted his entire body through the central cabin. With a loud crash, the wood shattered. He didn’t even scream. He didn’t come out again.

So... I’ve discovered a new talent.

“I am Divine Archer Yi Zaha. Ever heard of me?”

“...”

“Didn’t think so. But I’m him.”

Since the pirates weren’t talkative, I spoke to myself.

“Wow, first time shooting arrows and I’m this good? I must’ve been born for the bow. A fool who knows only archery, that’s me. Anyway, which of you asked about my parents earlier? How dare you? My creators, the ones who birthed the Divine Archer? Speak up. No answer, huh?”

No answer. So I fired again.

This time, the arrow buried itself in someone’s forehead with a thwuck. He collapsed backward and fell into the river.

Looking at the quiver, I said:

“Let’s do this. I’ve got fifteen arrows left. I don’t know where that bastard Number One of the Evil Path is, but anyone here want to guide me to the island you came from?”

“...”

“If you stay quiet, I’ll just keep killing until one coward survives. One always does.”

I drew another arrow.

“If we guide you, will you spare us?”

I shot the one who asked right in the face, like we were bartering. He let out a short scream and died. No loss.

As I pulled another arrow, I said:

“There’s bound to be a coward. You guys aren’t righteous warriors, your consciences aren’t clean, and you don’t earn an honest living. One of you will break.”

Just then, one tried to jump into the water. I stood and watched. With a splash, he sank. I infused chi into an arrow and shot it.

Fwoop.

The arrow vanished silently into the water.

Moments later, a corpse with an arrow through its neck floated up.

“Wow, a hit. Wasn’t even aiming.”

As I stared down the pirates, I picked off another—one with particularly malicious features.

Rage and killing intent swirled among the remaining men.

Watching this, I killed another.

When public sentiment erupts into fury, rebellion follows. So I set the bow down and gripped my wooden sword.

And before drawing it, I spoke to the now-enraged pirates:

“You no longer need to guide me.”