Chapter Sixty-Three: The Great Ship

Kou Li and his fellow disciples left the martial arts hall. With their pace, it took less than half an hour to reach the largest tidal port outside Yuezhou City, where two rows of burly men in tight-fitting clothes had been waiting for quite some time.

These men, tall and powerfully built, muscles rippling, faces adorned with scars, exuded a faint aura of menace that had frightened countless fishermen from daring to venture out to sea.

"The four distinguished disciples of the Burning Body Hall have arrived!"

The chief steward of the Water Dragon Gang, accompanied by a throng of leaders, approached with a smiling demeanor. "Is Master Lu leading today? Where is Master Lin?"

"Master has some personal matters to attend to, so he sent Yan Zong in his stead. I wonder if I am worthy of this honor," Luo Yanzong replied gently, hands clasped in respect.

"Who doesn't know the famed Sea Asura? Please, come!"

At the wharf, two sparrow boats were already prepared. These small vessels appeared ordinary at first glance, yet their cost was ten times higher, with slender hulls and sharply pointed ends, swift in maneuvering.

"Boss, the Water Dragon Gang seems quite familiar with you?"

"In the past, I sparred with their Mountain Tiger and Island Tiger—luckily, I managed to edge out a victory," Luo Yanzong replied casually.

"What? Why didn't I ever hear about this!" Yue Wuhuo exclaimed in surprise.

"Didn't I tell you? Perhaps I forgot."

Kou Li lifted his gaze briefly, then lowered it once more.

The vast sea stretched endlessly, clouds so thick they nearly blotted out the sun; the sea breeze brought a hint of coolness.

When the four boarded the small boat and made their way onto the gambling ship, they saw more than a dozen large vessels spread out before them. These ships had all been modified for combat, equipped with naval cannons, blunderbusses, giant crossbows, spears, and broadswords; the gang members onboard wore feathered armor, armed to the teeth, rivaling the military.

"Recently, we had the misfortune of letting a petty thief infiltrate our ranks. To prevent interference during today's match, we've made special preparations," the chief steward remarked with a backward glance and a smile.

Yue Wuhuo's eyes narrowed. If the Water Dragon Gang had ill intentions afterward, hundreds of crossbows and firelocks would rain down upon them—no matter how skilled their martial arts, they would not withstand it. He bristled with irritation, about to speak, but Luo Yanzong stopped him.

"Senior brother—"

"If the Water Dragon Gang wanted foul play, sinking the ship outright would be far simpler," Mo Yi interjected coldly.

With the ship scuttled in the vast sea, unless one could fly, survival would be impossible.

"Third brother is quite right. With Yue Xing as guarantor, the Water Dragon Gang, being the largest coastal syndicate, would not break such rules," Luo Yanzong replied calmly.

"Master Guo and Master Chen, we're grateful for your trouble this time."

Yue Xing sent two arbiters: Master Guo from the Chaoshan Boxing Hall, round-backed and broad-waisted, rosy-cheeked, looking more like a chef than a martial artist. Yet this very chef, when battling outsiders for fame, once snapped eight ox-bone daggers in a single breath, establishing the Eight-School Boxing's reputation.

The other, Master Chen, had a mature face and gloomy eyes, casting a look of suffering upon everyone.

Both were renowned experts who had trained their boxing to the level of four extremities. Yet, compared to the formidable presence of the Water Dragon Gang, they seemed somewhat lacking.

"Old Guo, what's going on?" Yue Wuhuo demanded, eyes bulging.

"Embarrassing, truly embarrassing," Master Guo replied awkwardly. "Originally, the boxing federation sent eight grandmasters as arbiters, but when the time came, six suddenly had urgent matters and couldn't make it."

"Couldn't make it? I wager they're scared of the Water Dragon Gang," Yue Wuhuo retorted sarcastically.

"Ah, Brother Yue, to be frank, the masters agreed, but on the eve of departure, the Water Dragon Gang sent a whole chest of silver and five land deeds to each of their families. You know, no matter how skilled a boxer, one must eat, drink, live, and care for one's family. The Water Dragon Gang's influence spans all of Lingnan—you understand."

"Then how come you two are here?" Mo Yi asked with a cold expression.

"Master Chen's father was slain by the Water Dragon Gang during a turf dispute," Master Guo paused, sighing in distress. "Honestly, I didn't want to come. You're not my apprentice; why risk myself for outsiders? But then I thought, if word gets out among our boxing brothers, wouldn't they mock us Yue elders for lacking backbone? Someone must stand up for the honor of Yue's martial families."

"Master Guo, thank you for your integrity," this time, Luo Yanzong offered sincere thanks.

"Old Guo, I'll bring you next time we drink," Yue Wuhuo said heartily, patting him on the shoulder.

Just as they were delayed, a crowd approached from afar, with Young Lord Wolf at the forefront, dressed in scholarly robes, appearing quite refined.

"Master Kou, at last you’ve arrived," he greeted warmly. "I told you, we would meet again."

Kou Li was about to reply when a waxy-faced middle-aged man suddenly stepped out from the opposing crowd. His eyes opened wide, fierce as a wrathful deity, and the four from the Burning Body Hall felt their spirits struck as if by a heavy hammer, a mountain weighing down upon them.

"You are Kou Li!"

Luo Yanzong’s expression turned stern. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, blocking the man’s gaze.

"And you are—?"

"Tongbei Boxing, Huo Jundong."

"The Twin Huo Masters of Tongbei—so it’s the grandmaster of Jin Xing! I’ve long admired your reputation," Luo Yanzong’s brows tightened. Huo Jundong and Huo Shanyi, the Twin Huo Masters, were the fiercest fighters of Jin Xing’s current generation, top four grandmasters. Why was he here?

"Luo Yanzong, I’ve heard of you too. They say you’re the most promising among our generation of boxers. Too bad your hall has become a den of filth and corruption."

"Master Huo, those words are unfounded!"

"Whether they are or not, you’ll soon find out," Huo Jundong replied flatly, then walked away.

As he left, the oppressive mountain-like aura vanished. To integrate one’s emotions into martial arts is to touch the path; but to sway others’ emotions with every gesture is strength beyond measure.

A thought for good brings spring flowers and autumn moon; a thought for evil brings darkness and chaos.

Since boarding the ship, Kou Li had been silent and detached, eyes on his nose, nose on his heart, not caring for the world. Now, he finally looked up, his gaze peculiarly gentle, "It seems Young Lord Wolf has prepared quite a feast for me."

"Ha ha ha, please!"

Just then, one of the Water Dragon Gang’s warships suddenly signaled with flags, and the lookout called loudly, "Young master, a Fu ship is approaching, its flag bears a large Xu character!"

"Xu," Young Lord Wolf’s gaze flickered. "Let it come."

"With such a grand display, surely you won’t mind a few more guests?" Xu Kaishan shouted from the bow toward Young Lord Wolf.

Young Lord Wolf glanced only briefly, then turned his gaze to Young Lord Huang on the deck. Beside him stood several younger boxers of extraordinary bearing; among them was Guo Feng, whom they had met at Yue Xing.

The two mighty ships drew closer, stopping only a few yards apart. Each side grew increasingly wary, as the opposing vessel’s armed force rivaled that of the gambling ship.

Young Lord Wolf’s face twitched, and after a moment, he squeezed out a smile. "Young Lord Huang, if you wished to watch the match, a simple notice would suffice. Why go to such trouble?"

Young Lord Huang smiled lightly, a hint of charm appearing as he glanced at Kou Li. "The affairs of the martial world are unpredictable. Last time, I trusted the Water Dragon Gang’s abilities. One must suffer a sting to gain wisdom."

Young Lord Wolf’s expression did not change; instead, he laughed heartily. "Well said! Lower the drawbridge, let our friends come aboard. Xu Kaishan, keep your ship close—this time, we’re heading for the open sea."

Kou Li suddenly laughed, recalling a joke: "Is this international waters? In international waters, murder isn’t a crime!"

The current scene certainly seemed just as dangerous.

Inside the gambling ship was the famed luxury of the southeastern sea casinos: gold and jade, artificial mountains and flowing water, rare antiques and curios, and young women dressed like palace maids, their snowy, spotless bosoms half-exposed, springtime beauty everywhere.

"Damn, even the best brothels in Yuezhou aren’t as lavish," Yue Wuhuo muttered.

"Hey, the top courtesans of the city all served here before they were combed and claimed. What do you think?" A languid man at the pai gow table, arms around two alluring young women, replied.

Facing him sat a dazed-looking giant, his bare, muscular torso tattooed with a meat-devouring wolf.

"The Winged Wolf and Mighty Wolf among the Four Wolves and Eight Tigers!" Master Guo whispered.

"I’m afraid there’s more than just those two," Luo Yanzong smiled, sensing more than two distinct auras.

"Master Kou, the arena is ready. Please follow me," a gang leader said quietly.

"Wait. Since everyone is here, some matters must be clarified before the match," Huo Jundong and his companions stood up, anger and murderous intent surging in his voice. "My third junior sister, Yan Feiniang—was it you who killed her?"