Chapter Nine: Supreme Dominance over the World

Xu You fixed his gaze on Mountain Master. Since boarding the boat, Mountain Master’s usually affable expression had gradually turned icy. Xu You spoke coldly: “Mountain Master, I can see you’re a man of some stature. Though you’ve become a bandit, your speech and bearing are uncommon, marked by a boldness few can match. Yet I did not expect you’d willingly stoop so low as to insult a woman. Is it the way of river pirates that, beyond murder and robbery, you must also indulge in such bestial acts?”

Mountain Master was struck speechless. He was known for his quick tongue, second to none among the pirates of the Black Sea, but now, faced with Xu You’s few words, he found himself unable to retort. He was not a licentious man by nature; hearing this, he felt awkward and embarrassed. He leapt down from the stern and set Ding Kuer back on her feet, holding her with one hand and keeping his body at a slight distance.

Xu You’s tone grew colder still. “If you wish to escape unscathed, do not test my patience. Should you make a scene, it’s only a boatman’s daughter who will die—a matter of little consequence. But I assure you, your plan to slip from Kuaiji south to Shangyu and past Yuyao, following the Jiakou east into the Black Sea, will be ruined. When that happens, think of Moyun City, and think of Commander Liu’s methods. No matter how cunning you are, no matter how well you swim, you won’t escape death!”

Mountain Master trembled. “How do you know my plan?”

Xu You gave a slight, mocking smile. “Since you’re heading downstream, and you’re a pirate of the Black Sea, a swallow returning to its nest, you’re clearly seeking a way to the sea. Between Qiantang Estuary and the Hu Estuary, the naval forces are formidable—taking that route would be suicide. Your only real choice, and the safest, is via Jiakou.”

In later times, such geographical knowledge would be unremarkable, but in this era, astronomy and geography were secrets of statecraft, belonging to the realm of the occult. Few outsiders could hope to learn even a fraction. Mountain Master had chosen this small vessel, assuming it belonged to no noble family, and had hidden himself among its passengers. Yet first, he’d been awed by Zuo Wen’s martial skill; next, Xu You’s alternating gentle and harsh demeanor had left him at a loss. Now, this threat left him regretful—he should have quietly slipped ashore without a word, avoiding all this needless trouble.

Still, he would not admit defeat aloud. He snorted disdainfully and said, “So what if you guessed that? Anyone familiar with these waters would know the way. If you’re so clever, tell me how I followed your boat out of the Changhe crossing?”

Xu You’s gaze was piercing. He noticed a black, curved tube tucked into Mountain Master’s belt and suddenly recalled a passage from Song Yingxing’s ‘The Craft of Nature.’ He said, “That’s hardly difficult. You likely clung to the underside of the boat, holding your breath to avoid detection above, and when you needed air, you used that device at your belt to breathe at the water’s surface.”

In ‘The Craft of Nature,’ there is mention of a bent tin breathing tube, used by pearl divers before the invention of underwater breathing apparatus. Though tinware had existed for years, such equipment was not yet widespread, reserved for certain groups—such as the Black Sea pirates.

Mountain Master was unnerved by Xu You’s knowledge. He studied him for a long moment before asking, “Who are you, to even know about the Water Dragon Pipe?”

So that’s what it’s called—Water Dragon Pipe—a fine name!

Xu You took two steps forward. Mountain Master barked, “Stop!” Though Xu You’s steps were light, not the stride of a martial artist, the world was full of hidden talents, and this man seemed especially inscrutable—Mountain Master dared not let him too close.

But Xu You did not heed him, continuing forward. “I know far more than you’ve ever seen. For instance, if you delay here any longer, and are spotted by other travelers, it won’t be long before Moyun City’s men arrive. When that happens, you’ll be alone—how will you survive?”

The pressure Mountain Master felt was enormous—not the force of martial energy, but something deeper and more unsettling. He threw his head back with a forced laugh. “Go ahead, report me to the officials. By the time Liu the Old Dog sends his men, I’ll be long gone. I’m not boasting—wherever there’s water, not just Moyun City but even the Emperor’s personal guards in Jinling can only chase after me and drink my wash water!”

The Emperor’s Blade Guards were the imperial bodyguards—one of the elite corps of Chu, and indeed the entire realm. Xu You laughed lightly, ignoring the bravado. “If you’re set on leaving, once we land, you go east, we head south, and we’re strangers from then on. If you wish to stay aboard, release Kuer now and speak with us in the cabin. As I’ve said, as long as she remains unharmed, you’ll have no trouble from me.”

Mountain Master sneered. “Do I look like a fool? If I let this black-skinned girl go, you and that sword-wielding cook will gang up on me. I’m not afraid, but I’d have to jump into the river again—and twice in one night is enough. Any more, and when I return to the Black Sea, my brothers will laugh me to death!”

Xu You heard the wavering in his tone and barked, “And what good does holding her do you? She means nothing to me—her death would be meaningless. She and her father are needed to pilot this boat swiftly. I am in haste and wish no trouble; you want to escape and should avoid needless conflict. Release her; I’ll give you a cabin. When we reach Qiantang, you leave, and this incident will be forgotten.”

Mountain Master’s eyes darted. Suddenly, he pointed at Autumn Equinox. “I’ll let her go—but only if you trade that pretty girl behind you for her!”

Xu You’s face darkened, but Autumn Equinox showed no fear and called out, “Very well, I’ll trade places with Kuer!”

Mountain Master said nothing, simply stared at Xu You. The air on the boat grew taut as a violent wind swept by, whipping everyone’s robes. Just as Mountain Master thought Xu You would refuse, Xu You slowly nodded. “Agreed.”

Mountain Master was stunned. He looked at Ding Kuer, then at Autumn Equinox. He was an old hand on these rivers and could tell at a glance Kuer was truly a boatman’s daughter; otherwise, he’d have thought he’d captured someone important, seeing Xu You willing to exchange his own maid.

“Straightforward! Let her come closer—when she’s three feet away, I’ll let this black-skinned girl go!”

Xu You stepped aside, blocking Mountain Master’s view, and took Autumn Equinox by the hand, saying in a voice loud enough for Mountain Master to hear, “Don’t be afraid—he only wants reassurance and won’t truly harm you. Steady yourself, remember what I taught you to do in danger, and be bold—nothing will happen.”

Autumn Equinox seemed a bit nervous but nodded, took a deep breath, straightened her back, and walked resolutely toward Mountain Master. When she was three feet away, Mountain Master pushed Ding Kuer toward Xu You and in a flash lunged at Autumn Equinox, his eyes watching Zuo Wen out of the corner.

Xu You caught Ding Kuer but staggered back three or four steps, striking the cabin wall before stopping. A mouthful of blood welled up but he forced it down.

Once more, the dragon’s cry resounded!

The longsword cut through the air!

Mountain Master’s left hand seized Autumn Equinox’s shoulder. With his right, he flung out a net of a dozen silver-gray iron balls directly at Zuo Wen, laughing, “I knew you’d try to trick me, but I’m no fool—ah?”

From Autumn Equinox’s wide sleeve shot a red crescent arrow, aimed three inches below Mountain Master’s abdomen. The moment she moved, Mountain Master’s battle-honed instincts flared, but he underestimated her—a delicate girl, how dangerous could she be? His real target was Zuo Wen, diverting only a fraction of his inner energy to his waist, inflating his clothes to blunt the blow.

What he didn’t know was—

The Nine Strengths of the White Tiger—supreme in all the land!

Though Autumn Equinox had mastered only the second strength, her strike carried the silent might of a tiger’s roar shaking the forest. The arrow met the inflated fabric and, in an instant, pierced through without slowing!

Mountain Master was shocked. In a life-or-death moment, he acted without thinking, focusing every ounce of energy on his waist and twisting at a speed invisible to the eye. The crescent arrow grazed his skin, emerging from the other side—he had only just dodged death. He cried out, “What martial art is this?”

Before the words left his mouth, he felt a numbness in his back. With a look of utter unwillingness, he fell backward, the last thought in his mind that, having fallen to such a beautiful girl, perhaps when he returned to the Black Sea, the mockery he’d receive would be a little less harsh.

Perhaps.