As the Dragon Fangs boarded the ship, Geumdo pushed off from the harbor.

Behind Geumdo, Muhan quickly vanished into the distance.

Once the ship set sail, a modest feast began on deck—because the returning Dragon Fangs had brought back a mountain of food from Muhan, praised as the region’s finest.

They claimed it was out of kindness, meant to be shared with me, Hwa-eun, and Sister Seol while we waited on board.

Grilled duck, various flavorful dishes—plates piled high.

But what caught my attention the most wasn’t the food.

It was the intel the Dragon Fangs had collected from the Martial Alliance.

“···The warriors we sent beyond the border for reconnaissance kept disappearing. Eventually, we couldn’t send anyone else. They suspect it’s because of the Five Venoms Sect’s bugs.”

“So they’re using insects to sniff out intruders?”

“Exactly. We were also capturing Blood Cult agents trying to sneak into the Central Plains with help from the Beast Palace wolves. But about three months ago, that all stopped. No movements since then. It feels... unnervingly quiet.”

“So it’s become a kind of stalemate?”

According to my brother Gwiseong, the conflict between the Blood Cult, the Five Venoms Sect, and the martial world had reached a standstill.

You could argue nothing’s changed—but it’s not quite the same.

Before, even when things seemed calm, the intelligence war was intense. Both sides constantly sent scouts and spies.

There were frequent skirmishes along the border. But now, neither side can even send out scouts. They’re stuck—unable to gather intel, unable to act. Just staring at each other across an invisible line, unsure how long the standoff will last.

“Yeah, that’s one way to look at it. If things keep going like this, it might even go quiet for another twenty years...”

It sounded like my brother believed we might see another long hibernation from the Blood Cult—just like before.

But I had a different thought.

“That won’t happen, brother.”

“Why not?”

“My martial art. The more freedom of movement I gain, the weaker the Five Venoms Sect becomes. Even if it looks like a lull, they’re definitely scheming something behind the scenes.”

“Right. That makes sense.”

“I agree with that, Little Sir So.”

The more I open the gates of Five Poisons, the fewer venomous creatures the Five Venoms Sect can rely on. They must be panicking right now.

This lull might be nothing more than a façade.

If you ask me, it won’t be long before they make a big move.

“Yes. In fact, it might happen very soon. We should send a letter of warning to the Martial Alliance as soon as we dock at the next city.”

“Then once we arrive at Akyang, I’ll write a letter to my uncle immediately.”

Akyang—the city that guards the mouth of Dongting Lake. It was briefly ruled by Brother Bin-ak, who had a sham marriage to the princess.

We decided Ji-ryong would send the warning letter to Zhuge Hu, the commander of the Martial Alliance.

Then my brother turned to me and asked:

“By the way, So-ryong, nothing happened to you on the ship?”

It sounded like a casual question, but given everything that had happened, I knew exactly what he meant.

So I brought it up—the incident with the Alliance Lord.

“Nothing happened on the ship. But in town? That’s a different story.”

“Hm? What happened?”

“Hwa-eun and I went out for dinner at a nice restaurant... and the Alliance Lord was there.”

“What?! The Alliance Lord?!”

“Why would the Alliance Lord be in a restaurant?”

“Little Sir So, weren’t you supposed to avoid the Alliance Lord?”

Everyone stared at me like I had gone mad.

“It was a place that served his hometown’s food. I guess he was feeling nostalgic and stopped by.”

“Phew... You must’ve panicked?”

“Panicked? That’s putting it lightly.”

Everyone looked at me like, What kind of ridiculous situation is that?

I had specifically asked them not to notify the Martial Alliance of my arrival so I could avoid him, and yet—boom—he’s right there in the same restaurant.

“Is that good luck or bad luck?”

“Bad luck wrapped in good luck? Or good luck soaked in bad luck? I don’t even know.”

No one could decide whether I was the luckiest °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° man alive or the unluckiest.

“So what happened? Did he catch on that you’ve been slacking off in your martial arts?”

“Funny thing about that—he said he wanted to see a demonstration of my martial arts... and that got me out of trouble.”

It was a total fluke. Backed into a corner with no escape, I somehow ended up being praised.

Honestly, yeah—it was pure luck.

Who could’ve guessed that Cheongwol’s shell would be the missing piece that completed my Iron Fortress Technique?

“Then that’s truly a relief.”

“Since everything worked out, I guess that does mean you’re lucky.”

“Following So-ryong around feels like being dragged into some wild adventure every time. Nothing’s ever normal, is it?”

As we were talking about the Alliance Lord, the conversation shifted.

Everyone became curious about the supposed durability I gained from Cheongwol’s shell.

“Wait, So-ryong, did you really say earlier that you’ve taken on Cheongwol’s shell?”

“Yes, brother Gwiseong.”

“But you look normal now?”

“Ah, it only activates when I use the Iron Fortress Technique.”

“Would you show us? I know it’s a bit improper to ask someone to show their martial arts, but... I can’t help it. I feel bad asking you again, like last time.”

My brother truly seemed apologetic.

The Dragon Fangs also gave small nods, silently echoing his request—and his guilt.

Even among close comrades, asking to see someone’s martial art was considered a serious breach of etiquette.

But whatever. I just nodded.

It wasn’t a secret technique with set forms or stances.

It was an external art—no real danger of anything being stolen. And these guys were like family by now.

“Alright. It’s no trouble.”

I rolled up my sleeve, summoned my internal energy, and activated the Iron Fortress Technique.

My skin hardened visibly.

My brother came closer and felt my forearm—his face lit up with amazement.

“It’s real. It’s solid. I’d say it’s probably even blade-resistant. Even our Peng Clan’s external arts don’t fall short by much, but this...”

“Right? That’s about what I’ve noticed too.”

“Let me try.”

“Me too! Me too!”

The Dragon Fangs rushed in to poke and prod at my arm, curious as kids.

Then—

–Krrrhhhh.

A sudden growl echoed behind us.

It was Cheongwol—and she sounded annoyed.

A massive claw gently shoved between us, forcing everyone back.

The table on deck slid away, and people toppled over, shrieking.

“Aaack!”

“Kyaaa!”

No one was hurt—just startled or knocked over by her unexpected move.

“Cheongwol! What’s wrong?!”

I shouted in surprise.

She gently gripped me with her claw, lifted me onto her back, and said:

–Krrrh! 『We need to talk.』

“Talk?”

–Krrrhhr. 『Yes. Why are you letting just anyone touch that shell? That shell came from me. No one else is allowed to touch it.』

“No one?”

Déjà vu hit hard. This felt... familiar.

Without thinking, I asked the same question I did yesterday.

“Not even Hwa-eun and Sister Seol?”

“...”

And just like yesterday... silence.

And a hard stare.

‘Why won’t you answer and just keep glaring at me like that...?’

***

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, we finally caught sight of Akyang. But as we drew closer, something felt... off.

“Why does the whole city feel like a funeral? It’s way too quiet.”

“It’s oddly silent, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, Sir So-ryong.”

The place should’ve been lively by now—we resolved the Lovebug crisis, after all. It was supposed to be bustling. Instead, it felt like the town had regressed back to the grim mood of before. No—maybe it was even quieter than that.

Akyang, being the gateway city to Dongting Lake, usually teemed with fishing boats and traders. Plenty of noise. Plenty of life. But even though it had been a while since we helped resolve the infestation, the atmosphere was unnervingly subdued.

The few people we did see in the distance wandered around listlessly.

While I was trying to make sense of it, Do Sagong suddenly shouted and pointed toward the waterway leading into Dongting Lake.

“Hm? Sir So-ryong, something’s odd over there. The boats are lined up in a row like they’re blocking the entrance. It doesn’t look accidental either.”

“I’ll take a closer look.”

I activated my enhanced sight, and sure enough—boats were positioned in a perfect line.

Focusing harder, I noticed the ropes. They were tied between vessels, creating a makeshift barrier.

Not just a traffic jam—these ships were deliberately chained together to block the lake’s entrance.

“The boats are all tied together. They’re completely blocking the entrance.”

“What?!”

Just as Do Sagong and I exchanged puzzled glances, torches began waving from the harbor in Akyang.

People signaling us with wide, sweeping gestures.

“Looks like they want us to bring the ship closer.”

“Let’s try it. Geumdo, move us in that direction.”

—Vrrmm.

Our destination lay further inward, but with the entrance blocked, we had no choice but to approach the harbor.

And sure enough, the harbor was packed.

With no docking space available, Geumdo hovered uncertainly, looking for a place to anchor. At that moment, officials leapt across the roped boats and shouted toward us.

“Were you trying to enter Dongting Lake?!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Entry to the lake has been prohibited since this morning. I don’t know the details, but if you’re headed to one of the villages inside, you’ll have to travel by land!”

“Prohibited since this morning?!”

“That’s right!”

“What in the world is going on?!”

“If the authorities said it’s closed, then it’s closed! What’s with all the questions?! I’m hoarse from yelling!”

“S-Sorry, sir!”

I was about to press for more information but got shut down hard.

Do Sagong quickly bowed in apology and reversed the ship, barely managing to dock at the rocky edge at the far end of the port.

There was just no space left—every spot taken by other ships.

“We need to figure out what’s going on.”

“Understood, Sir So-ryong.”

Once the ship was secured, I gathered the Dragon Fangs.

Our goal: to find out why the lake route had been blocked.

“Please investigate the waterway closure.”

“Got it. Let’s split up into three or four groups.”

The Dragon Fangs divided into two teams. Hwa-eun, Sister Seol, Jaheo, and I formed one group.

We disembarked and moved quickly toward the city market.

“Let’s scatter and gather info. We’ll regroup afterward.”

“Got it.”

“Sounds good.”

“Which way should we go?”

As the Dragon Fangs split off into the inner city and toward the administrative office, we were still deciding when a commotion nearby caught our attention.

“Damn it all!”

“Calm down, will you?”

“What, are we just gonna starve to death out here?”

“Hmm... Let’s check that out.”

Voices full of resentment carried through the air.

We followed the sound and arrived at a back alley of the market—an area cluttered with makeshift tables.

Fishermen and boatmen were gathered at street stalls, quietly drinking.

The harbor had looked empty, but clearly, all the boatmen had gathered here.

“Looks like we should ask them.”

Jaheo smiled slightly, relieved.

Then, from one of the nearby tables, we heard muffled voices.

[Shouldn’t we be holding a ritual by now? We’ve got to appease the Dragon King’s wrath.]

[Last time, when black bugs swarmed the area, the former governor held a ceremony and even swallowed them alive. But what’s this new guy doing—nothing?]

[To offer a proper ritual to the Dragon King, we’d need to take a boat out, but no one wants to risk dying.]

“Ugh, screw this...”

They were trying to keep their voices low—but we’re martial artists. Our hearing is sharper than ordinary folk.

We quickly claimed a nearby table and huddled close to whisper.

[Did they just say “Dragon King”? What are they talking about?]

[Isn’t the Dragon King a sea deity?]

[The Dragon King’s supposed to be a sea dragon, right? Like you, Ryong?]

[Exactly. We need to listen more carefully.]

[I’ll go talk to them.]

[You, Master Jaheo?]

We all looked at Jaheo with concern, but he simply nodded and rose from his seat.

He approached the group and, pressing his palms together, gave a gentle smile.

“Amitabha. I’m Jaheo of Shaolin. May I ask you a few questions?”

“Oh, a Shaolin monk? What brings you here?”

“I’ve just arrived in Akyang and noticed how strangely quiet it is—and the waterway into Dongting Lake is blocked. I overheard mention of the Dragon King’s wrath. What exactly has happened?”

Normally, people in the Central Plains don’t take kindly to eavesdroppers. But Shaolin carries weight—its reputation opens doors.

The boatmen glanced around, then invited Jaheo into their circle and began to explain.

“If you’re a Shaolin monk, we’ll gladly tell you. Please, sit.”

“Thank you.”

“No thanks needed. Where to start... Ah, right. A few months ago, small whirlpools began appearing in Dongting Lake. At first, we just steered around them. Sometimes a boat might get overturned, but that was rare. Lately, though, it’s gotten worse. Boats keep capsizing the moment they leave the harbor.”

“Good heavens, is that so?”

“Yes, Master. Just yesterday, a whole line of small ferries flipped over. And a large fishing vessel—big enough for ten—nearly sank with two men aboard.”

“We think the Dragon King must be angry. But the new governor? He’s just blocked boat traffic without offering any real solution. That’s why we’re all so frustrated.”

Ah. So that’s it—the whirlpools in Dongting Lake we were planning to investigate.

It finally made sense.

And then... I caught a scent.

You’re asking what kind?

The scent of a spirit beast.

“I smell something.”

“The food’s been wafting this way for a while now, Ryong.”

“No, not food, Sister Seol. I mean a spirit beast. That scent—it’s familiar.”