Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 319 - 155: Bandit Leader

Gu Chengyu waited for quite a while, but he found that the river bandits who jumped into the water later seemed to have disappeared and still hadn’t shown up. Their swimming skills were surprisingly good, able to hold their breath underwater for so long.

Gu Chengyu didn’t dare to relax at all; his instincts told him that the first wave and the later ones that jumped into the water were not on the same level.

Suddenly, Gu Chengyu noticed a ripple appear on the water’s surface in the most concealed part under the boat, though there was no sound of water. Normally, nobody could see clearly with lantern and torchlight, but they didn’t know Gu Chengyu could see at night!

Gu Chengyu quietly pulled his bow and aimed at the ripple, shooting an arrow. With a "whoosh," the arrow shot into the water. There was no sound in the water, but Gu Chengyu saw a patch of red appear on the river surface, with a whirlpool slowly sinking down.

This group of river bandits wanted to catch him off guard, perhaps hoping to subdue him in one go. However, Gu Chengyu thought that this might be their usual trick.

But this tactic gave Gu Chengyu some time; if they attacked the boat all at once, he might not have been able to handle it all. Now, he could kill as many as came.

After killing three more, the river bandits seemed to sense something was wrong and immediately scattered, each climbing up the rail to try to board.

Gu Chengyu picked up his sword and charged, ready to accompany them no matter what tactics they used.

By now, many had already died in the battle. Many river bandits had died, and two of those who volunteered on the boat were dead too. Ming Mo and the others tried their best to protect, but there were too few of them and they sometimes couldn’t cover everyone.

Gu Chengyu occasionally glanced at Sun Xian and the others, seeing they were not in mortal danger, and with Ming Yan nearby, he didn’t rush over to assist.

Hui An had come out of the cabin but didn’t go far, standing at the stern. He picked up a knife and hacked at anyone who climbed up.

The number of river bandits had significantly decreased; only a few managed to board the boat. However, among them, Gu Chengyu still hadn’t found the leader, the one-eyed man.

Just as Gu Chengyu was growing impatient, he saw the one-eyed man quickly climbing up from the right side of the boat. He swiftly dealt with a sailor next to him, with a few more river bandits climbing up quickly behind him.

Gu Chengyu frowned; this group really had no qualms about killing. Hearing the noise, he turned and saw that these people might know some Qinggong, though their skills weren’t advanced. Ordinary passengers wouldn’t be able to stop them, and they likely chose the right side because they observed fewer people there.

After all, they initially sought Gu Chengyu, but he was so fierce that he killed several of their companions in the water. The ones who were in the first wave were just sent to probe, while his true subordinates were the eight who jumped in later.

These people had followed him for many years and were all skilled. Unexpectedly, three were lost as soon as they went into the water, leaving five now. Half-blind Wang understood he hit a snag and was really going to pay dearly—with so many brothers dead and a ship lost.

This young man was truly hateful! He wanted to kill him first.

Half-blind Wang pulled out a short knife and charged at Gu Chengyu. Gu Chengyu quickly gathered his strength to block, swiftly brandishing his sword.

After exchanging blows for a round, Gu Chengyu realized this man was very strong. Though he looked burly, he was incredibly agile. He leaped up and down, making Gu Chengyu dizzy.

Damn it, do you think you’re a monkey? Jumping around like that? Initially, Gu Chengyu thought he’d met a worthy opponent and wanted to practice his skills. But now, he felt bad about this person and decided to finish it quickly. At the same time, he wondered if he had some hidden move in mind.

The leader’s moves were illusory and unpredictable. Fortunately, Gu Chengyu moved quickly; otherwise, he would have fallen for it. Later, Gu Chengyu figured out his pattern and planned to deal with him first.

However, Gu Chengyu thought it couldn’t be just these two moves; although most wouldn’t tell real from fake, it couldn’t be that simple.

Blind Wang was about to cough up blood. What the hell is this? Is he using me for sword practice? How can these sword moves be wielded so fast? He had already been slashed several times, and the blood was quickly soaking his clothes red.

Just as Gu Chengyu was about to gather his energy for one final strike to end the fight, he noticed the leader’s face showing a strange smile, becoming extremely cautious.

From the corner of his eye, he saw something dark thrown towards him. Gu Chengyu instinctively dodged to the side, and then it embedded in the boat planks behind him.

Gu Chengyu immediately realized it was a hidden weapon.

Next came a series of hidden weapons. Gu Chengyu didn’t dodge and quickly wielded his sword, swinging it so fast that it created a dense barrier around him, deflecting the hidden weapons before they could come close.

Blind Wang saw this and thought, it’s over! Today, I’m definitely going to fall here. Not caring about anyone else, he turned to flee. As long as the mountains are there, why worry about no wood to burn.

Seeing him trying to escape, Gu Chengyu used Qinggong to leap forward. Blind Wang quickly turned to block, but Gu Chengyu slashed with all his might, splitting the bandit’s knife into two and embedding the sword into the leader’s shoulder, cutting it in half.

Gu Chengyu saw the leader was beyond saving and quickly prepared to assist Ming Mo and the others. The other four had boarded, with Ming Mo and the others engaging two of them, one tangled with that man, and another hidden; Gu Chengyu wouldn’t assume he was dead.

He glanced at the cabins on the boat. With the fierce battle here, could he have gone into one of the cabins? Gu Chengyu immediately rushed to the cabins. If this river bandit had taken a hostage, it would be troublesome, as they couldn’t disregard hostages’ lives.

Ma San, seeing the leader killed by the young man, was scared witless. Unable to defeat even the leader, he had no wish to face death. He sought a hiding spot, but every cabin was locked, and the ship seemed crowded, with many rooms lit by candles. He could only try doors one by one, hoping to find an empty room to hide.

Yao Mengxian hid in her cabin, listening to the sounds outside, knowing the fight continued. With no one breaking the door for so long, it seemed that the ship was holding the upper hand. Yet, the river bandits might think the remaining people were timid or just women and children, posing no threat, planning to deal with those inside only after finishing the fight.

Yao Mengxian was tired of standing, her hand gripping the hairpin growing numb. She relaxed her hand a bit. But just as she did, someone began to push the door forcefully, and it couldn’t be Uncle Li.

She wanted to signal to the others in the room to keep quiet, but Qing Dai, too tense, let out a small gasp.