Chapter 303: Raider Attack

Boom!!
Twelve large freight ships, like a massive dragon, sailed through the vast river under strong winds, their imposing presence offering a unique sense of adventure and excitement.
Sitting cross-legged on the second-floor deck of the lead ship, Kai Xin enjoyed the refreshing river breeze while practicing the “Star Breathing Technique” to sharpen his vision and hearing, keeping a close watch on the surroundings.
Since a few minutes ago…
Kai Xin had noticed small boats passing by from time to time, with the crew members on those boats shouting more and more frequently. Though the boat owners hurriedly steered away in panic, it still alerted Kai Xin.
The boat owners were all strong young men or middle-aged men; upon closer inspection, a faint cold glow could be seen beneath their boats.
Boom!!
Finally…
Another small boat, seemingly affected by hidden currents, suddenly lost control and crashed into the side of the ship beneath Kai Xin.
“Is this just an ordinary escort mission?”
Ignoring the shouts of the crew at the bow and the cries of desperation from the boat owners, Kai Xin simply snorted, drew out the “Silver Wolf Imperial Sword,” and stepped to the side of the ship.
At the side of the ship, several crew members brandished knives and swords at the boat owner, shouting angrily, “Get lost! Leave now!” “Are you seeking death??” The man pleaded desperately, his face filled with fear, “Brother, I really didn’t mean to… Please spare me! I have an elderly family to support…”
“What’s going on?”
From above, Kai Xin had a clear view of everything below. As Xu Hong raised his voice loudly, a man in a brocade robe rushed to the side of the ship, his brows furrowed. “No ships are allowed to approach during protection—don’t you understand?!”
“Replying to Master Xu, that boat seems to have encountered hidden currents…”
One of the crew members quickly explained, with others nodding in agreement.
“…”
Hearing this, Xu Hong slightly relaxed his vigilance and waved impatiently, “Then get them to leave quickly!”
“Yes, Master Xu!”
“Come on, everyone, help push the boat away.”
A few crew members gathered tools and weapons to cut free the small boat tangled in the freight ship’s ropes.
Xu Hong sighed in frustration, shook his head, and prepared to leave.
Just then, something unexpected happened!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Around the small boat, the water suddenly split from below! Amidst continuous explosions, bare-chested pirates armed with knives and swords burst forth from the water!
“Thud, thud!”

One after another, the pirates kicked swiftly with their legs in midair, descending onto the deck and sides of the freight ship like large birds, moving with remarkable agility and ease. In an instant, several of the ship’s guards were caught off guard and knocked over by the pirates, who then kicked them into the river.
“Enemy attack!!”
Chaos erupted on the freight ship as over twenty guards drew their weapons.
But…
The number of pirates was clearly much larger. More bare-chested bandits broke the surface, splashing water as they landed on the ship with fierce determination. In just a moment, nearly half of the guards on the freight ship were killed.
“Haha!”
On the small boat, the burly man abandoned his submissive demeanor, let out a loud laugh, and leaped onto the ship. He shouted at Xu Hong and the remaining guards, “Capture Xu Hong alive!”
The group of pirates responded loudly, rushing toward Xu Hong and the others who were defending the bow of the ship, their faces grim.
“You wretched scoundrel! It’s you!”
Xu Hong was shocked and shouted angrily through the crowd, “How bold! You dare touch the salt ship of the Murong family!”
The burly man on the small boat turned out to be the leader of these pirates. Smiling, he shook his head and said, “Lord Xu, that’s not right. I, Water Scab, fear neither heaven nor earth. Who can I not touch in this area? Before, I dismissed you, but now, hehe, even if it’s the Miss Murong herself delivering them, I, Water Scab, can move freely!”
Before he could finish speaking, a clear voice rang out above Water Scab’s head: “Is that so?”
His expression changed.
Dozens of pirates looked up and saw a young man in blue clothes, holding a striking sword, standing atop the second deck, staring coldly down at Water Scab.
“Do I really need Miss Murong to deal with a lowly scoundrel like you?”
“Who is that?”
Seeing that there was only one person, Water Scab quickly regained his composure.
A few pirates silently leaped onto the second deck and quickly surrounded the man in blue.
Kai Xin smiled coldly…
“Cough!!”
A loud sword clang echoed across the river.
Thud! Thud…
Four pirates, like kites with cut strings, flew through the air with blood spraying everywhere as they tumbled off the ship onto the sides. Thick clumps of blood spread across the river surface.
Although the bare-chested pirates were fierce fighters, their defense was weak. They couldn’t even withstand a single strike from the Seven-Star Sword Technique, which was near master level.
“Kill them!”
Water Scab’s expression changed as he stepped back and gave an order.
“Where to run?”

Kai Xin saw through Water Scab’s intentions at a glance. With a loud shout, he charged onto the deck with a wave of sword energy. The dozen or so water ghosts who tried to approach him were all torn to pieces, their screams echoing as they fell to the ground.

“Leave him for me!”

Kai Xin’s target wasn’t these ordinary water ghosts but their leader, Water Scab.

“Attack!”

Water Scab was indeed an experienced rogue who thrived on rivers, cunning to the extreme. He pretended to flee, waiting until Kai Xin rushed at him before turning and unleashing a lightning-fast strike.

“Trivial tricks!”

Kai Xin snorted coldly. A golden light surged from his body, and with a clang, a pitch-black ink nail landed on the deck.

Water Scab prided himself on his masterful use of hidden weapons. Seeing that his deadly ink nail couldn’t even penetrate Kai Xin’s defense, he immediately realized the situation was dire and considered retreating.

“Stop him!”

With a loud cry, Water Scab himself leaped nimbly back into the river.

“Still trying to run?”

As soon as he left the deck, Kai Xin had already used his Illusion Demon technique to chase after him. With his left hand forming a claw, he grabbed Water Scab’s ankle and pulled hard.

Bang!!!

Water Scab, like a dead fish, let out a scream as he was flung back onto the deck by Kai Xin. Before he could get up, several blades with icy edges were pressed against his neck. His face turned pale, and he dared not move anymore.

Seeing their leader captured, the other water ghosts also panicked and dived into the water to escape.

“Damn it!”

With all his companions fleeing, Water Scab became even more desperate.

Looking at the Murong family man approaching, he wore a pained expression, like a movie actor: “Big brother… please don’t kill me. I was just following orders…”

“I know.”

Kai Xin remained expressionless as he walked forward until he stood over Water Scab. Looking down at him, he said, “You have two choices: either tell me who’s behind this… or die!”