The entire crew tried to turn the ship. Still the gap was so small that a collision seemed certain. Han watched them going straight into it.
But that man simply stayed where he was and put out a hand. At one touch there was a blast that pushed the boat towards the shore and changed its path.
When the two of them landed on Han's ship, he understood that the boat had been stopped by pure power. He thought to himself, how strong is this man?
The Water Dragon King introduced himself. His servant looked down at everyone coldly from the stair. The Little Beggar Dragon bowed quickly and saluted. The young patriarch followed him. Han gave his respect as well.
Then the man beside the Water Dragon King suddenly moved, and Han sensed the danger instantly. The next moment the big man grabbed someone and lifted him into the air.
But the Water Dragon King did not notice that. What mattered to him was that for more than twenty years nobody had done it. A young boy, full of energy, had caught the movement of his enhanced subordinate.
Then it became clear that the one who had been picked up by the collar was gasping for breath.
Before things could get worse, Han spoke. He asked whether such an important man was in the business of threatening children. He should not let a stain fall on his own name.
The elder took the point and said he could not allow that to happen. He gave the word to his subordinate, and the man threw the beggar down onto the deck.
Then the elder let his aura out and asked whether it was time to hear Han's explanation.
He was worried, and frustrated. If he could buy a little more time, the Orthodox Alliance would arrive. Right now it was unbelievable that this monster was standing here. If he lost his temper they would be meeting Hades long before the plan was finished.
He explained that he had only been travelling by ship when pirates attacked and threatened ordinary people.
The elder asked another question, cutting straight across him. His aura was growing, and Han could feel that none of this was being accepted. His mind started working faster. One idea came to him. He told the man the name of his clan.
He said the elder might not know it, because he was not of Murim, but this was a family with a great name and influence in the government. His father had been an imperial advisor and was still an advisor to the Emperor in Nanjing, looking after the grandchildren.
He said all of it because his master had taught him to stay on top in a battle of words. If you have powerful connections, show them. If you do not, feel free to lie.
But the elder did not know that by family he meant his father. Han realised that his master's tricks do not always work.
The Water Dragon King said that a pirate is born a pirate and dies a pirate. Murim or government, he did not care who was killed.
That answer brought Han to the edge. He had to protect the young Namgung, and that fat pirate who had been beaten and tied up as well. But against two monsters like these, what could he do, when he could not even scratch them, and that was without counting the bodyguard?
Then another lesson from the Celestial Advisor came back to him. There are two rules of negotiation. Use it to frighten the enemy and shake him, or win him whatever it is he likes.
He said, listen carefully, do not jump to conclusions.
Trying to get out alive, he said that revealing his identity had not been a threat. What he actually wanted was to offer compensation — for the mess, and for the dozens of ships those men had drowned.
The pirate thought the idea did not sound bad at all. The elder became interested and asked whether he was talking about paying money.
Han pressed on. He asked how much would be needed.
At this the man grinned and began to laugh. Han only thought that perhaps the old man had lost his mind, or perhaps he had won the lottery.
It did not take long. The elder came closer and said that he liked it. Han stepped back in shock.
The old man told him to look towards the moon, and to see the people watching from above. All swordsmen of the Orthodox Murim Alliance. Then he asked whether he knew any of them, and why not one of them was moving.
Han was confused, because the answer seemed obvious.
The old man said that whether it is a matter of justice or of chivalry, in the end everyone is looking at what they will get out of it. So even if the orthodox sects do nothing, Han would still save everyone. Why was he willing to spend money on it?
Han hesitated, because the real reason was to stop the servant's minions, and this old man would never agree to save the world.
The old man studied him and guessed a little at his personality. He did not know how strong he might become. Yet against a man with nothing to lose there can be no reckless move. So the only choice left was to test him himself.
He called the boy over and said that some things cannot be settled with money.
Immediately the bodyguard drew his weapon, which shocked the Little Beggar Dragon. Han ran forward at once, shouting that the old man was crazy. But before he could stop it, the attack had already come. Then he understood that the strike was aimed at the Little Beggar Dragon.
He blocked it himself. The beggar froze in shock. Han shouted at him to run, and the Little Beggar Dragon took his chance and jumped off the ship.
Han was left alone. And his strength was still not enough. A heavy blow landed straight on his chest. He stood there on pure will, thinking that this had to be finished in a single strike.
The enemy was a martial master enhanced with energy. If the fight dragged on, defeat was certain. So he put everything into one attack. He used the purest energy he had. Spiritual energy is not the same thing as internal energy. It is stronger.
But the man only smiled. Han could not understand why. By then the old man had attacked him from behind, and he crashed to the ground.
He tried his best to stay conscious. But in the end he lost it, there between the two monsters. Before he fainted, one thought came to him: how could one of the great names of the unorthodox world fight as coldly as that? Calling the old man a scoundrel, his vision faded. The elder simply went on smiling.
The young patriarch called out to his uncle, and the Water Dragon King warned him not to make any foolish move. Sang felt himself being crushed just by meeting his eyes.
Still, his uncle had risked his life to save all of them. He could not stay frozen with fear like this. The young patriarch picked up his sword. He had to save his uncle.
The old man was impressed that the boy had that much courage, and he also noticed the enhanced sword energy around the blade. It was weak, and incomplete, but it was clearly enhanced sword energy.
The old man wondered where these people kept coming from. One had fought against him. The other had broken his energy confinement. Still, he knew that the boy was not well. His demonic nature had clouded his mind.
The old man gave a short laugh and asked whether he was a descendant of Changsun.
But the young patriarch ignored the question completely and came forward hard. As the kick came in, the old man said that he would not kill an adult before seeing what he was made of. The young patriarch was not impressed by the kick. It struck the deck straight on, and the force was so massive that waves rose all around the ship.
Some time later, out in the forest, the smell of good food reached Han, and he woke out of a deep sleep.