The water monster kept swimming around, never coming close.
"Keep bleeding, draw it onto the boat," Luo Keji said, waving his hand.
Wen Yulin, well-prepared, grabbed another slave, pushed them down at the side of the boat, and slashed directly across their neck with a long knife.
In a moment, a large amount of fresh blood gushed towards the river surface.
The water monster abruptly turned direction, speeding straight across the water surface, lifting high waves that rolled towards both sides.
Seeing this scenario...
Everyone was highly tense, holding their breath.
Fang Zhixing gripped the Wind Listening Blade.
The next instant, accompanied by a loud bang!
The water monster leaped towards the sky, its gaping mouth swept over the side of the boat, biting onto the slave.
Almost at the same time, Luo Keji stomped his foot, shattering the deck, and his body surged up, leaping beside the water monster to deliver a whip kick.
The powerful whip kick landed on the back of the water monster’s head.
The water monster’s head suddenly sank, plunging down, and the bitten slave was also thrown out.
The water monster plunged headfirst, penetrating the deck, with its neck and above lying on the deck, and half of its tail hanging below the side.
The warship rocked violently a few times.
Everyone quickly steadied themselves, each brandishing a weapon, rushing forward to frenziedly chop at the water monster.
However, the water monster’s scale armor was exceptionally tough, resistant to axe and knife attacks, leaving only faint white marks.
Noticing this, Fang Zhixing glanced sideways at Luo Keji without a change in expression, then he used both hands to grip the Wind Listening Blade and swung it down to chop.
A gash tore open, and scalding blood gushed out like a fountain.
The water monster, in pain, wildly twisted its long serpentine body, sweeping across the deck.
A few young men were swept off, splashing into the water with a splash.
Others jumped up, landing on the mast or leaping to the bow of the ship.
Soon, the water monster lifted its head and immediately swam towards the water.
Clang, a sound rang out!
Luo Keji descended from above, drawing his sword from its sheath, like a meteor falling.
The water monster that had just lifted its head was heavily stomped on by Luo Keji’s feet.
At the same time, he thrust his sword down.
The razor-sharp tip of the sword, enveloped with terrifying power, pierced through the water monster’s neck.
He had initially aimed to pierce its forehead, but because of the water monster’s fierce struggle, the thrust was slightly off-target.
Nevertheless, the long sword penetrated the water monster’s neck, nailing it to the deck.
Seeing this, Fang Zhixing rushed close to the water monster and delivered another chop, right at the first cut’s location.
The water monster’s body finally burst open, splitting into two segments.
Actually, if Fang Zhixing had used his full strength, one slash could have dismembered the water monster.
But he was now suppressing his strength at the One Beast Realm, so naturally, he could not be too ostentatious.
"Well done!" Luo Keji turned back, praised, then he swung his wide palms wildly, slapping down on the head of the water monster.
"Heavenly Net Divine Palm!"
The terrifying palm power was fierce and unmatched, sending the scales on the water monster’s head flying in all directions.
The water monster continually spouted blood from its mouth.
The water monster ceased its thrashing, clearly not going to survive.
Luo Keji stood up, pulled out his sword, sheathed it, and laughed heartily, "The much-feared water monster, just like that."
Fang Zhixing followed up, "General, your divine might is unparalleled; a mere water monster is indeed no match for you."
Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly cheered, "General’s mighty power is unparalleled!"
Luo Keji grinned broadly: "Brothers, you’ve worked hard! Tonight, I will reward you handsomely."
He turned to Wen Yulin and instructed, "Hang the water monster’s corpse at the bow; send out a message, tell everyone, the water monster has been slain by me, Luo Keji."
Wen Yulin was also beaming with joy; killing the water monster was one of the essential tasks assigned by the prefectural governor.
The fearsome reputation of this water monster had troubled countless people.
He had thought this mission would be extremely difficult, given that so many had tried to kill the water monster and returned without success, yet Luo Keji had completed it so easily.
At dusk, the warship docked at a pier.
Luo Keji led Fang Zhixing and others ashore, entering a town where they ate, drank, and merrily enjoyed themselves.
The warship set sail again, heading towards "Lianpeng Lake."
Lianpeng Lake is the largest lake in Qinghe County, named for its outline resembling a lotus.
The headquarters of the Cao Gang is established in the middle of Lianpeng Lake.
The warship traveled on the Qingshui River for two days, turned into a tributary, sailed upstream for half a day, turned another bend, and then entered Lianpeng Lake.
Inside the command room, Luo Keji spread out a map of Lianpeng Lake.
"After the sudden death of the old gang leader of Cao Gang, it split into four factions.
The leaders of these four factions are actually the bloodline of the old gang leader.
They are the old gang leader’s younger brother ’Cui Zhanfeng,’ and his two sons ’Cui Renfu’ and ’Cui Rengang,’ and a daughter ’Cui Huanli.’
These four from the same family are fiercely competing for the position of gang leader, at odds like fire and water."
Luo Keji pointed at the four corners of Lianpeng Lake, analyzing, "These four factions each occupy one side, refusing to give in to each other. After several rounds of fighting, no one could overpower the others, and now they have fallen into a stalemate."
Someone couldn’t help asking, "Which one does the eldest son plan to support to become the new gang leader?"
Luo Keji smiled slightly, "I haven’t made a decision yet; I need to go there and talk to each of them first," he said.