The Heavenly Demon Wants a Quiet Life

Chapter 65: A Familiar Feeling

The number of pirates was considerable.

The expressions of those watching them stiffened.

“Doesn’t it seem… like something’s off about those guys?”

The one who spoke was Jeong Ilgon, the second son of the Jeong Family Patriarch. The Jeong Family had control over part of the Yangtze River’s logistics and often clashed with pirates.

“What do you mean by ‘off’?” Yeon Harin inquired.

Jeong Ilgon, his curiosity clearly stirred, responded without hesitation, “Their behavior is all wrong for pirates. They’re far too disciplined.”

“Orderly?”

Yeon Harin scrutinized the pirates once more.

Now that Jeong Ilgon had pointed it out, she saw what he meant.

The pirates gathered on the ship were all wielding the same weapons and standing at precise intervals.

Even their posture while standing still was identical.

Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine.

“Could they be… semi-reanimated corpses?”

She had already heard about the traits of semi-reanimated corpses and Half Dead Corpses before setting out, and it had been repeated to her twice.

“It seems likely.”

“If they’re all semi-reanimated corpses, this won’t be an easy fight.”

Several younger elites approached and shared their thoughts.

Before anyone realized it, a group had formed around Yeon Harin. Among them were Hubei Martial Alliance members, as well as experts from various clans accompanying the younger elites for protection.

“Remember semi-reanimated corpses’s weaknesses. If you fight recklessly, we’ll be the ones who tire out first.”

semi-reanimated corpses didn’t feel fatigue, so haphazard fighting would only exhaust their side. To win, they had to fight efficiently.

“But… their numbers are overwhelming.”

At someone’s comment, everyone nodded.

Pirates disguised as semi-reanimated corpses filled the decks of dozens of ships.

As the ships approached, they stopped at a certain distance.

Suddenly, someone appeared on the bow of the nearest ship.

This figure was entirely different in attire and atmosphere from the semi-reanimated corpses pirates.

It was a muscular giant with a massive blade slung over his shoulder.

“Hey! You brats over there!”

The expressions of the younger elites turned cold.

“Judging by your looks, it seems you know about my guys. Let’s keep this simple—surrender!”

The giant planted his massive blade into the bow with a loud thud.

“We’re not here to kill you. We just want to borrow you for a bit before returning you safe and sound.”

The giant treated the young elites like mere objects. His piercing gaze swept over the ship they were on.

“So, just surrender peacefully. Don’t make me chop off your limbs and make you cry, snot, and piss all over the place.”

As the giant tried to intimidate them, Yeon Harin quickly assessed those around her, looking for experienced and skilled individuals.

She approached an elderly man who stood out the most.

“Do you know the best way for us to escape to shore?”

The old man’s eyes glinted as he looked at her.

“In this situation, breaking through over there seems like the best option. Do you see those two ships? Go between them.”

“Won’t those two ships block the way?”

“That’s why someone must go over to those two ships and keep them from blocking the path.”

Yeon Harin nodded.

“I’ll go to the ship on the right.”

“I’ll take the left. But… Can you handle it alone?”

“I’ll do what I can. However, it would be much easier if someone came with me.”

“You’ll need to board another ship just before ours breaks through. It won’t be easy. Are you sure you’re up for this?”

“This isn’t about whether I can or can’t. Someone has to do it, and I’ll be the one to step up.”

Her resolute tone made the old man smile warmly as he glanced around.

“Who else will go?”

Now that Yeon Harin had volunteered, hesitating would be shameful.

Hands went up here and there, but the first to step forward was Jeong Ilgon.

“Since I’m familiar with fighting on ships, I think I’m the best fit for this. Lady Yeon, you should stay here. I can handle it alone.”

Jeong Ilgon’s confident remark made the old man chuckle.

“Very well. You’ll go too.”

The old man then pointed at a few more martial artists. These were the elite experts from Hubei Martial Alliance and the clans accompanying them.

“The other ships will also face fierce battles. Don’t push yourselves too hard. If it becomes impossible, retreat immediately.”

“We will.”

Jeong Ilgon responded and looked at Yeon Harin, who nodded back.

“Let’s do this.”

But Yeon Harin’s eyes were already burning with determination.

The old man watched her curiously.

“Let’s hurry. It seems those guys are losing patience.”

The pirates’ ships began moving in unison.

The twelve ships carrying the young elites also began to move in perfect formation.

The muscular giant commanding the semi-reanimated corpses immediately noticed this and shouted in alarm.

“Stop them! Don’t let them escape! Block the path!”

At that moment, Yeon Harin leapt into the air and landed lightly on her targeted ship.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Slash! Slash! Slash!

As soon as she landed, she swung her sword, cutting down numerous semi-reanimated corpses around her.

Some of her strikes were blocked, but most found their mark. However, the semi-reanimated corpses didn’t falter from mere wounds.

As the semi-reanimated corpses lunged at her, Jeong Ilgon charged in, wielding a pair of short swords with ferocity.

Clang! Clang! Slice! Slice!

Some of his attacks connected, but the semi-reanimated corpses, unaffected by blood loss, remained relentless.

There was no time to be stunned. The semi-reanimated corpses swarmed and attacked with wild abandon.

Soon, Hubei Martial Alliance members joined the fray.

The battle turned fierce.

Among them, Yeon Harin’s performance stood out the most.

She fought with such intensity that those nearby couldn’t help but be astonished by the mismatch between her appearance and fighting style.

Unleashing a surge of energy, she lunged toward the ship’s helm, where real pirates manned the wheel.

The pirates, startled by her sudden approach, swung their blades in panic.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Slash! Slash! Slash!

The pirates fell effortlessly. Yeon Harin turned the wheel, causing the ship to veer off course.

Through the widened gap between the ships, the vessel carrying the young elites sailed forward.

Having completed her task, Yeon Harin rushed back to assist her comrades fighting the semi-reanimated corpses.

It was time to retreat.

But plans never went smoothly.

“You pests!”

A massive figure descended from above.

Crash!

The deck shattered as wood fragments flew everywhere.

It was the muscular giant from earlier.

He swung his massive blade with terrifying speed.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The expressions of the martial artists blocking him twisted in pain as his strikes sent shockwaves through their defenses.

“Let’s go!”

At someone’s shout, Hubei Martial Alliance members held off the giant while Jeong Ilgon leapt onto a passing ship.

Only a few ships remained. They had to hurry.

“Move quickly!”

At the Hubei Martial Alliance member’s urging, Yeon Harin moved. But the giant, ignoring his injuries, charged straight at her.

Whew!

A fierce slash from the giant came flying at Yeon Harin.

Yeon Harin calmly deflected it with a slight movement.

Boom!

Despite her deflection, the impact was tremendous, forcing Yeon Harin to stagger backward.

There was no time to waste anymore. If they delayed any longer, they wouldn’t be able to board the departing boat.

Yeon Harin shouted,
“Leave me and cross over first!”

She yelled as she swung her sword ferociously at the giant.

Clang, clang, clang!

The giant blocked her strikes and grinned sinisterly.
“Let the others go, but not you. I need at least one trophy. Up close, you’re truly a treasure. Heh heh heh.”

Despite his lecherous laughter, Yeon Harin didn’t flinch. She calmly swung her sword again and shouted,
“Go now!”

However, the warriors of the Hubei Martial Alliance couldn’t do as she asked. How could they abandon a single woman, especially one of their skilled comrades, and retreat alone?

With determined expressions, the Hubei Martial Alliance warriors gritted their teeth and wielded their swords.

Soon, all the boats had passed by.

Meanwhile, the other enemy boats began to close in.

Nevertheless, the Hubei Martial Alliance warriors had survived. They could rush back to the Hubei Martial Alliance headquarters and call for reinforcements to turn the tide somehow.

The giant sneered,
“What’s with that look? You don’t seriously think they’ll all escape, do you?”

As he laughed again, figures dressed in black swarmed the riverbank toward the boat. They were all semi-reanimated corpses.

Even in the face of this, Yeon Harin showed no sign of faltering or despair.

She readjusted her grip on her sword and glared at the giant.

The sight made the giant’s body shudder with excitement.
“You’re amazing! Too good to waste as a trophy!”

He laughed as he spun his massive saber. A wild and ferocious energy erupted from his body.

••

Byeok Taesan was being guided by the Owner of the Golden Jade Pavilion.

Originally, the Owner of the White Flower House had intended to guide him, but Byeok Taesan specifically chose the Owner of the Golden Jade Pavilion, leaving no room for argument.

In truth, the Owner of the Golden Jade Pavilion was better suited for the task since she had handled most affairs in Yichang and knew the routes to the pirates better than the Owner of the White Flower House.

She had also operated in Yichang for a long time.

Without saying a word, she pressed on swiftly along the riverbank.

Byeok Taesan followed closely behind her, with Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon trailing further back.

Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon had insisted on accompanying him from the start, fearing that he might send them back to continue their training. They argued that with the sheer number of pirates, it made sense for them to handle the minor threats.

Byeok Taesan, seeing through their intentions, allowed it with a nod, knowing they would be useful for cleaning up the weaker foes.

The two were surprised by the speed at which they were moving.

The Owner of the Golden Jade Pavilion wasn’t holding back, fully utilizing her movement technique. Despite the decline in Hao Clan’s overall strength, she was still a branch leader, and when she unleashed her full speed, even Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon had to focus to keep up.

If they let their guard down, she would leave them behind in no time.

Meanwhile, Byeok Taesan kept pace effortlessly, much to their astonishment.

While they had seen his capabilities before—defeating the powerful Needle Master in a single strike and effortlessly handling an opponent controlling semi-reanimated corpses—this was different. Movement skills required inner energy, and by all accounts, Byeok Taesan had none.

Yet here he was, defying all logic and staying ahead.

While the two pondered this, Byeok Taesan quickened his pace, closing in beside the Owner of the Golden Jade Pavilion.

“Hey.”

Startled, she glanced at him.
“Yes? D-Did you call me?”

“Do you know who I am?”

“You’re the second young master of the Golden Wall Merchants, aren’t you?”

She answered as if she had been waiting for the question.

“Not that.”

She looked forward again.
“I don’t know.”

“You’re guessing something, though, aren’t you?”

Her face turned pale, and she shook her head quickly.
“No, I’m not. Honestly, I have no idea.”

Just as Byeok Taesan was about to press further, a forest came into view.

The Owner of the Golden Jade Pavilion hurriedly said,
“There’s a hideout in that forest.”

Byeok Taesan smirked.
“We’ll talk again later. Slowly, and in great detail.”

The Owner of the Golden Jade Pavilion looked like she was about to cry.
“There’s really nothing to say.”

“Who decides that, you or me?”

With that, Byeok Taesan surged ahead.

They entered the forest, and soon enough, a hideout appeared.

A small tributary extended into the woods, where a hideout had been constructed. Half of it floated on the river, while the other half rested on land.

“It looks deserted,” Byeok Taesan commented, causing the Owner of the Golden Jade Pavilion to flinch.
“That’s impossible. Just yesterday, it was teeming with pirates…”

“Then where do you think all those pirates went?”

Her face turned ashen.
“The rearguard is in danger!”

“Lead the way.”

She hesitated briefly before glancing at the tributary and saying,
“There are no boats, so they must have left down that river.”

Byeok Taesan nodded.
“That makes sense. Then we just follow the river?”

“We should hurry.”

Calculating the timing of the rearguard’s departure, she concluded that they might not be far ahead.

Byeok Taesan started running along the riverbank, with the Owner of the Golden Jade Pavilion, Cheon Kyungwan, and Yoo Seoyeon following.

Yoo Seoyeon’s face turned pale.
“We should have gone with them…”

Cheon Kyungwan patted her shoulder. When she turned to him, he said heavily,
“Focus.”

Snapping out of it, she nodded and fixed her eyes on Byeok Taesan’s back. But her urgency didn’t fade. Reflecting her anxious state of mind, her speed increased. While Cheon Kyungwan kept pace, the Owner of the Golden Jade Pavilion began to lag behind.

Despite their increased speed, the distance between them and Byeok Taesan only grew wider until he was little more than a speck on the horizon.

Their astonishment showed no sign of diminishing.

Byeok Taesan reached the confluence of a smaller river.

In the distance, he spotted a cluster of boats.

The boats were filled with semi-reanimated corpses.

“Finally found them.”

Among the semi-reanimated corpses were pirates, and amidst them, a muscular giant swung his massive saber.

Fighting fiercely against the giant was none other than Yeon Harin.

As Byeok Taesan focused, their battle became vividly clear, as if unfolding right before his eyes.

Watching them, Byeok Taesan tilted his head slightly.

“Something… feels familiar.”