Chapter 1, the cold rain connects the river

This is precisely the power of decades of mastery in the mystical arts, combined with a profound familiarity with the nature of water, making it impossible to resort to any shortcuts. As the small boat began to move, a low murmur of applause arose from behind Su Ye.

To achieve victory with fewer resources against a larger force, it is best to capture the leader first. As long as she captures the convoy's escort officer, victory will be within reach

They often meet with her and are still captivated by her appearance, forgetting how formidable her martial arts skills are

The speed of the boat suddenly increased, appearing extremely light and agile. When she paddled, there was almost no sound, and after being masked by the sound of the rain, no one could hear it. This entirely pitch-black little boat glided like a ghost on the water, racing towards its destination.

The two sides quickly closed the distance, and within a short time, Su Ye was already able to see the busy crew on the ship and the soldiers patrolling around. The hull and sails bore special markings, indicating that this was a tribute ship used for official cargo transport, rather than an ordinary civilian vessel. This fleet consisted of four ships, all fully loaded with goods, preparing to unload at the northern river crossing before continuing northward by land

The cold rain shows no sign of letting up. The green mountains and steep peaks on both banks resemble layers of ghostly shadows, ready to pounce upon the river surface at any moment. Su Ye remains unhurried, his hands moving steadily, and then smiles as he says: "It is almost here"

The eldest among the five, an old man, parted the cabin curtain, his gaze flashing like lightning, and respectfully said: "Master of the Lake, they are approaching Kunlong Gorge soon"

Su Ye thought of this and could not help but cast a sideways glance at them, saying lightly: "The Yuan Dynasty has been established for fifty years, and it has already become complacent in both civil and military affairs. The Yuan soldiers only know how to oppress the common people and do not understand how to fight bravely. Even if I were to go alone, I might not be able to deal with the ship guards. If I were to be replaced by Zhang Zhenren of Wudang, you would no longer be saying 'How will this end?' in the east and 'There will be endless troubles in the west,' right?"

Apart from her, there were five others in the cabin, all of whom possessed unusual traits and were not ordinary commoners. She was the youngest and, being a woman, surprisingly held the position of leader, which indeed seemed strange. However, these individuals had already been subdued by her, holding only fear and admiration for her, and would never go against her wishes. Even the most unruly among them, under the threat of the 'Three Corpses Brain God Pill,' had to obediently follow orders

Xiahou Qing, hearing her tone grow increasingly severe, interjected on her behalf, saying: "Before the White-Browed Eagle King of the Ming Cult went to the Bright Summit, he was already a renowned hero in Jiangnan. He dared to assassinate a treacherous official on his way to take office all by himself on the Yangtze River. The Lake Master’s martial arts will only surpass that of the Eagle King, and his influence will only be greater than that of the Eagle King. What is there for the brothers to worry about?"

Su Ye had her eyes set on the reefs of Kunlong Gorge, knowing that ordinary boatmen would be cautious upon reaching this area, slowing down their speed, which would be advantageous for her faction to encircle. Before taking action, she had already gathered information that the official responsible for escorting the tribute resided on the second ship, which was also the most heavily guarded.

The heavy rain poured down, bringing waves of chill. In the world, the calls of the monkeys on both banks had ceased, and no birds could be seen in the vast sky, as if only this endless downpour remained. After everyone left the cabin, there was no need to bother avoiding the rain, as they would inevitably be soaked through sooner or later

Every time she arrives in a new world, she must start from scratch, recruiting unfamiliar subordinates and employing various methods to win their trust and loyalty. If her life were to be likened to a game, then these worlds would be the game instances. By now, she has completed numerous instances, making her a seasoned player.

Su Ye gazed at Nie Peng, observing his hesitant responses, and then turned his gaze back to the river, silently sighing within.

Su Ye's gaze was exceptionally clear, piercing through the ship's window and casting its sight into the distance. With her current level of internal energy cultivation, the mere dark clouds and heavy rain posed no impact whatsoever. She had a complete view of the river's scenery, also observing the dark shadows of the rocks beneath the water, the small boat closely following behind her vessel, and the brightly lit large ship several miles ahead.

The remaining four individuals were all subordinate leaders, each overseeing different factions on both sides of the Yangtze River. Although they did not speak, their gazes were intense, fixed on her, eager to discern the thoughts of this mysterious leader.

Under the illumination of the lights, Su Ye's appearance is graceful and beautiful, her features resembling a painting. The corners of her lips are slightly upturned, naturally forming a charming smile. Her two dark eyebrows resemble spring mountains, elegantly arching close to her temples. Beneath her brows, her eyes are clear and bright like autumn waters, exuding a steadfast and pure gaze. When she looks at someone, her pitch-black pupils shine with brilliance, seemingly indifferent yet as if she is always attentively listening.

However, in the face of such heavy rain, the small boat where Su Ye was located remained as usual. Inside the cabin, a small light flickered on the table, emitting a faint glow, as if it were afraid of being discovered

Taking the people before her as an example, although they cannot be compared to her true confidants, they have lived off the waterways for generations, are skilled in their craft, and can be considered adept in their work. They are under her command, and she gains experience in dominating the martial world from them. After she leaves this world, she will apply the experience and wealth to a true life.

The lake master, the rain is getting heavier and heavier

Su Ye casually replied, reaching out to prop up the wooden window, glancing at the endlessly flowing river outside.

Tonight there is rain but no wind, clouds but no lightning, making it an excellent opportunity for the water bandits to strike. They are well accustomed to such activities, yet due to the unusual status of their target, they surprisingly become as nervous as juniors.

Su Ye carefully selected among countless options, only to choose a name that fell into a forbidden zone, leading to her subordinates' rampant gossip. At this moment, she recalled their earnest advice and couldn't help but smile, saying: "Very good"

The clouds over the river are low and dark, with no stars, no moon, and neither thunder nor lightning. On the surface of the river, the mist is constantly surging, making visibility frighteningly low even in broad daylight. At this moment, it is midnight, and it is even more impossible to see one's hand in front of one's face, leaving one feeling as if blind.

These individuals possess strong external skills and robust physiques, specifically responsible for managing the ship's helm and tracking the government tribute vessels. Su Ye smiled at them, walked towards the bow of the ship, picked up two long and wide iron oars, and softly said: "Watch."

When the helmsman encounters heavy rain, he must often take the initiative to slow down the boat to avoid colliding with other vessels. At the same time, he lights the lanterns and instructs the boatman to continuously call out loudly, so that boats coming from the opposite direction or from behind can hear and determine their position, allowing them to evade in a timely manner. These methods are effective for people, but utterly useless against the submerged rocks at the bottom of the river. When faced with swift currents and dangerous shoals, they can only leave their fate to chance and rely on experience to avoid hidden reefs

At the bow and stern of the small boat, two helmsmen stood. Upon seeing her emerge, they promptly saluted and said: "Lake Master"

This is not the first time she has engaged in such activities, nor is it the second or third time. In all the worlds she has experienced, in the special world where her true self exists, whenever conditions permit, she establishes her own personal power, dominates the Yangtze River waterways, and then earns titles such as "Lake Master" and "Leader"

She is unafraid of the whirlpools near the large ship, nor does she fear being discovered, as she deftly maneuvers the oars with the lightest and most natural of movements. The small boat is like a toy in a child's hands, responding to her every whim. In an instant, it effortlessly navigates around the two boats behind, heading straight for the third to last one.

The west wind brings night rain, shrouding the Yangtze River in mist. The rain falls in torrents, splashing into the river and producing a rustling sound. The intensity of the rain increases, and the sound becomes more urgent, almost indistinguishable in its sequence. The rain lines merge into a vast, white curtain of rain, enveloping the world in a state of chaos

Even if she succeeds, it would merely be one among countless similar incidents, not worthy of being called extraordinary

After speaking, she slowly turned her head, allowing the light to illuminate her face. In that instant, the cabin seemed to be lit up by her beauty

Is that so

She wore a peach-colored dress, seemingly unbothered by the fact that it was nighttime. The colors and patterns of her clothing were well-matched, evoking an indescribable sense of comfort. Her wrists and delicate hands were exposed at the cuffs, as white and translucent as jade. These hands should be holding a flower branch, wielding a silk fan, or grasping a fine brush to lightly sketch on a long scroll; yet even if they were to hold a sword or dagger, they would still look equally beautiful.

She is very aware that her age is too young and her prestige is not as high as that of the older martial arts seniors. If the leader of Wudang or the leader of the Ming Sect were to come in person, leading this group of subordinates to commit the crime, they would definitely have no doubts at all

This year marks the fourth year of the Great Yuan's Tai Ding era, with forty years remaining until the turmoil at the end of the Yuan dynasty. However, the hearts of the people have never truly submitted to the Yuan emperor. The situation in the north is relatively stable, while the south frequently experiences uprisings. The heroes of the rivers and lakes are particularly disdainful of the Mongols; whenever an opportunity arises, they seize government silver and assassinate treacherous officials, causing great distress to the court

The person who just spoke was standing right beside her. He was in his forties, with a robust and strong build, exuding a shrewdness that hinted at his astuteness. He was her capable assistant, the deputy leader of the "Twelve Linked Docks," known as "Er Hu Master," Xiahou Qing

The Twelve Linked Rings is the leader of the underworld in Jiangnan, commanding numerous water-based gangs, with influence spread across the southern waterways. Therefore, few would guess that its head honcho is so young and beautiful

Su Ye leisurely said: "What happens in the future is a matter for the future. Right now, I do not wish to do anything, only to see what treasures are carried on those four ships and claim them as my own. You, the Sea Sand faction, are notorious for oppressing the poor for years, and now that you are to confront the officials and soldiers, have you gone weak at the knees?"

Xiahou Qing smiled and said: "Unless there is a sudden thunderstorm or strong winds, it will be beneficial to us without harm. You are all experts in this matter, so there is no need to hesitate. The Twelve Linked Forts strictly prohibit plundering the wealth of the people and bullying the weak. If we do not target the officials of the court or the greedy and oppressive wealthy, how can we support the thousands of brothers in our gang?"

The long iron oar is designed so that she can extend it into the water from any position. Upon trying it, she felt the turbulent undercurrents below, which concealed the underlying patterns of the river's flow, revealing that it was not truly chaotic. Thus, she deftly maneuvered the iron oar.

The rules of the Twelve Linked Halls are strict, and any member who violates these rules will face severe punishment. However, Su Ye is usually gentle and magnanimous, often joking with the members and herself. The twelve hall masters have come to understand her temperament and know where her limits lie. At this moment, the leader of the Wushan Gang, seeing her more often in a playful mood than angry, remarked with a smile: "Perhaps, but the lake master is not Zhang Zhenren!"

Her tone was gentle and calm, filled with a sense of reassurance. "No matter how heavy the rain falls, farmers must tend to their fields, craftsmen must make a living, students must prepare for exams, and county officials must open their offices. Those boats... will still carry a full load of gold and silver tributes across the river. So, why should we care about this rain?"

Led by Xiahou Qing, the people in the cabin took out their masked black scarves and hats, thoroughly concealing their appearances. Su Ye followed suit, casually picking up a black cloak and putting it on, leaving only her pair of eyes exposed. She adjusted her hat and said calmly, "Let us proceed as agreed."

Her beauty surpassed that of Han Xiaoying, but her paddling strength was equivalent to that of ten Si Shui Yu Yin. Si Shui Yu Yin could use an iron paddle to leverage their strength and row upstream against the waterfall. Here, there was no waterfall, and it could only be reflected in the speed of the boat. As soon as the double paddles moved, the small boat carrying nearly ten strong men seemed weightless, almost bouncing off the water's surface, shooting forward like a sharp arrow.

Suddenly, Nie Peng, the leader of the Sea Sand Sect, said: "Lake Master, we are not the kind of people who back down in the face of danger. But do you really intend to kill officials and rebel, and then become a female emperor in the future?"