Chapter 185 :

<Rewriting the Sichuan Blood Incident (5)>

To Gu Jeongryong, the alliance structure known as the Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds was a peculiar thing.

Though bound together under the name of an alliance, none had the authority to interfere with the others.

Even if an existing stronghold changed hands, it was not expelled from the alliance.

That structure had remained unchanged for the hundred years since the Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds first formed.

Then why did these otherwise unrelated groups continue to maintain that name?

To fight as a mob whenever a crisis arose.

Given their profession, bandits frequently provoked others' anger and were constantly watched by martial artists and government troops.

Never knowing when they might face a punitive expedition, they had formed their own unique alliance to ensure a stable(?) income, gathering when necessary and scattering when it was not.

And now that alliance had been activated.

Because of the Martial Alliance or government troops?

No. Because of a single martial artist.

"Damn it…"

Gu Jeongryong chewed his lip.

"What should we do?"

"What do you mean, what should we do?! Halt the march and establish a defensive formation immediately! Move the wounded to the rear and spread the able-bodied men into two ranks!"

"Understood."

Gam Cheonak quickly ran off to gather Shenghu Hall.

The Green Forest strongholds invoking their right to unite meant that they considered this group a threat on par with the Martial Alliance or government troops.

'We are from the Martial Alliance, but… We have more wounded than anything else…'

If three Green Forest strongholds had joined forces, they had to prepare for more than a thousand enemies.

Hwaeom Stronghold, Red Blossom Stronghold, and Cheukbong Stronghold.

They were notorious for gathering some of Sichuan's worst scoundrels.

"Of all the people you could provoke, why did you have to provoke them?!"

Jin Sowoon answered Gu Jeongryong.

"Because they're the worst of the lot, aren't they?"

"…"

Indeed, they monopolized the trade routes to Tibet and charged exorbitant tolls.

He had even heard that they sometimes attacked entire small merchant guilds that attempted to open their own routes to Tibet.

He wanted to praise Jin Sowoon for using such men to stop the Blood Cult, but they might all die here because of it.

Just then, another voice cut in.

"What are you doing?"

The tone was sharp, but the voice lacked Gam Cheonak's clarity.

It was shriller, raspier, and thick with phlegm…

"Why are you establishing a defensive formation?"

When he turned, Elder Suheo and Elder Sangwon were glaring at him.

"These bandits dare obstruct the Martial Alliance's procession. And you propose defending against them? Have you lost your mind?"

"The mighty Shenghu Hall is trembling before mere bandits! I will certainly hold you accountable for this!"

Gu Jeongryong's face went blank.

His position as hall leader was suddenly at risk, yet his chest burned like fire, and his head felt ready to burst from the heat.

If they fought as the elders demanded, they would not necessarily suffer a one-sided defeat.

But what about their losses?

More than half were wounded, and fewer than two hundred could fight, even including Shenghu Hall.

Most of those who had barely survived the Sichuan Blood Incident might ultimately die here.

'Is that truly what they want?'

The anger he had accumulated over the past several days began creeping to the surface.

Even if he lost his position and was locked in the Golden Prison for insubordination, he felt he could not remain silent.

"Do you elders truly…"

Just as he was about to vent his outrage in a growl—

"Have these old bastards lost their minds?"

The sudden, belligerent voice cooled his head.

Looking toward its source, he saw Jin Sowoon approaching the two elders with the expression of a street thug.

"Y-you! What did you just say?!"

"Fuck, didn't you hear me? I asked if you've lost your minds!"

"What?!"

The two elders' faces flushed so red that it seemed impossible for anyone to be angrier.

Understandably so. They had spent their lives occupying the highest positions in the Martial Alliance.

Being cursed at by someone who had only just entered the academy, and who belonged to an insignificant sect like the Taeul Sect at that, must have been an entirely unfamiliar experience.

"What? The Martial Alliance's procession? Afraid of mere bandits?"

Thump. Thump.

Jin Sowoon did not stop there. He began bumping the two elders with his shoulders.

"You still don't seem to understand the situation."

Stunned by the sheer absurdity of it, the elders failed to react and staggered back a couple of steps.

"If you want to fucking fight so badly, go fight them yourselves."

"…Y-you insolent brat!"

Unable to endure any more, Suheo and Sangwon began raising their internal energy.

Stormlike waves of energy billowed their martial uniforms as though they might burst, while their long hair and beards floated upward.

Violence could erupt at any moment.

Yet even as killing intent surged, Jin Sowoon's voice continued ringing out.

"Ha! You've already sacrificed so many innocent lives for your precious dignity, and you still think saving face matters that much?"

"…"

His voice thundered like a lightning strike.

Everyone turned toward Jin Sowoon and the two elders, from the academy students and Shenghu Hall members arranging the defensive formation to the wounded groaning in pain.

"If your dignity matters so much, go out and fight by yourselves."

"…"

Jin Sowoon's cold anger froze the surrounding air in an instant.

"Go on. Use that Martial Alliance pride of yours to fight a thousand men."

Without raising his internal energy, or even drawing his sword, Jin Sowoon tapped their shoulders.

"…"

The two elders, who had raised their energy so fiercely, could not bring themselves to strike.

Jin Sowoon looked at them as though they were insects, then turned toward the people behind him.

"Kunlun Sect! Zhongnan Sect! Come out!"

Then he shouted at the top of his voice.

"Your elders want to fight those Green Forest strongholds, so go fight and throw your lives away for them!"

"…"

Everyone's eyes turned toward Kunlun and Zhongnan.

Their sect elders were being humiliated by a mere academy student, yet no one readily stepped forward.

The elders ground their teeth at their motionless disciples.

"…Grrr."

"Th-those brats!"

Watching them, the others' gazes began to change.

Their eyes held unmistakable contempt and disgust.

Anger that demanded to know what purpose could justify grinding people's lives away.

Jin Sowoon turned his gaze back to the two elders.

"What? Now that even your disciples won't step forward, can't you do it yourselves? Is the Martial Alliance's pride and dignity worth so little compared with your own lives?"

Elders Suheo and Sangwon could only tremble, not daring to speak.

Too many innocent people had already suffered, and the Righteous Path Association had failed to resolve any of it.

Under these circumstances, only disciples from their own sects would be likely to follow their orders.

But even those disciples' loyalty had begun to crack.

Sowoon's eyes flickered with quiet anger.

"With so little resolve of your own, you intended to throw away your disciples' lives that easily?"

Jin Sowoon thundered at the elders cloaked in hollow dignity and righteousness.

Hoping desperately that their false veneer would be torn apart.

Hoping that, unlike in his previous life, the weak would not perish as innocent sacrifices.

"If you're not going to step forward yourself, shut your mouth and stay out of the way!"

Elder Suheo was so furious that blood began trickling from his mouth.

Finally unable to contain his anger, he started raising his hand.

Then Gu Jeongryong stepped in.

"That is enough. In an emergency, command of the troops falls under the authority of the Martial Alliance's martial pavilions. You elders do not hold command authority."

The elders' eyes darted about at Gu Jeongryong's words.

"Jin Sowoon… You'll pay for this."

"Do not think this ends here."

Leaving behind words fit for villains, the two abruptly turned away.

Gu Jeongryong sighed in relief.

That was just enough.

If things went any further, there was no telling what retaliation Jin Sowoon might face.

He was deeply grateful that Jin Sowoon had stepped forward in his place.

Thanks to that, the elders had been unable to lay a finger on him, because he had a clear justification.

A justification that Jin Sowoon, in his present position, was uniquely able to claim.

"Thank you. You helped us through a difficult moment."

"…"

Jin Sowoon was still staring at the backs of the elders' heads, apparently not yet appeased.

Concerned, Gu Jeongryong spoke.

"Do not entertain any other ideas. Whatever else they may be, those men reached the Council of Elders with the backing of their sects."

Only then did Jin Sowoon's expression relax.

"I don't intend to do anything immediately. Someone will have to take responsibility for this incident, after all."

"Responsibility?"

"They were the ones who led this event. They're absolutely not getting away with it."

"…"

Not getting away with it?

Was that even possible against members of the Council of Elders?

As Gu Jeongryong pondered that fundamental question, Gam Cheonak approached again.

"Hall Leader, their deputy stronghold chiefs have come over."

"Only the deputies?"

"Yes. They say they want to meet our representative."

"…"

What would men who had gripped their weapons and prepared for battle with murderous intent want to discuss?

Since they were in no position to fight immediately, Gu Jeongryong nodded.

"Very well. And Jin Sowoon, you're coming with me."

"Me?"

"…Right now, I can't think of anyone else to bring. Come along."

After giving Moyong Jaehwa and his companions some instructions, Jin Sowoon followed Gu Jeongryong.

Between the allied Green Forest strongholds and the Martial Academy group stood several fierce-looking men who might as well have had "bandit" written across their faces.

'This won't be easy.'

That was Gu Jeongryong's first impression.

Though he was not entirely free of disdain for bandits, their martial attainments were not much lower than his own.

If their deputy chiefs were at this level, he could hardly imagine how powerful the stronghold chiefs themselves might be.

'One wrong move, and this place could become our grave.'

Gu Jeongryong gathered his wits and spoke.

"It is a pleasure to meet the masters of these mountains. I am Gu Jeongryong, leader of Shenghu Hall under the Martial Alliance's Blue Dragon Pavilion."

He deliberately emphasized the Blue Dragon Pavilion and his position as Shenghu Hall leader, but the deputy chiefs' expressions did not change.

"We represent Hwaeom Stronghold, Red Blossom Stronghold, and Cheukbong Stronghold. We hear you are from the Martial Academy and the Martial Alliance. Is that correct?"

The Green Forest bandits asked for confirmation despite clearly knowing already.

"A heretical group has appeared in Sichuan, and we are carrying out a mission. We have no intention of harming your strongholds."

Gu Jeongryong feigned ignorance.

But the deputy chiefs' expressions showed no sign of softening.

"Yet you already have."

So they knew everything after all?

"One of your people deliberately dragged our strongholds into a battle and inflicted tremendous losses."

Gu Jeongryong answered quickly.

"I doubt it was intentional. We were carrying out an urgent operation. If you suffered losses, we will compensate you adequately."

Hwaeom Stronghold's deputy chief bared his teeth.

"You would do well not to deny it. We have absolutely no intention of letting this pass."

One of the deputy chiefs glared at Gu Jeongryong as though he wanted to kill him.

"Who was it? Who did this? Or was this not an individual's doing, but the Martial Alliance's intention?"

Gu Jeongryong swallowed hard.

He was cornered.

If he said it was the Martial Alliance's intention, they would kill everyone here.

If he said Jin Sowoon had acted alone, they would never forgive him.

"If you deny it, we will kill every last one of you to console our fallen comrades."

"…"

Should they fight or not?

As he wrestled with that decision—

Pop.

A signal flare suddenly burst in the eastern sky.

Seeing it, Jin Sowoon stepped forward and spoke.

"It was me."

"Jin Sowoon!"

"…"

Gu Jeongryong and Gam Cheonak tried to stop him in alarm, but the words were already out.

The deputy chiefs glared at Jin Sowoon as though ready to strike him dead.

"Witnesses say there were two of you."

"Ah! The other was Nam Hwaseong, a disciple of the Samwon Sect. He was only following my orders, so if you want someone to take responsibility, ask me."

"Hah…?"

The face of Hwaeom Stronghold's deputy chief twitched.

"So you want to die?"

"Mm, not really. But there's a small problem. I do intend to take responsibility, just a little later."

"What?"

Just then, a commotion arose among the strongholds' forces.

There was muttering, cursing, and the sound of something being struck.

Then, with a bang, bandits were sent flying into the air.

"W-what?!"

"An attack?!"

"So you want a fight?!"

The three deputy chiefs immediately tightened their grips on their weapons, ready to charge.

"No. For now, you'll need to deal with that man first."

At that moment, the Green Forest bandits parted to either side, and a force numbering in the hundreds began walking through.

They were dressed little differently from the allied Green Forest bandits already present.

For an instant, Gu Jeongryong wondered whether more of their comrades had arrived.

But the newcomers pushing through the bandits exuded an unmistakably different presence.

Especially the two at the very front.

A huge man riding a black horse, and a beautiful woman riding a white horse.

Ignoring the murderous intent radiating from the three deputy chiefs, the pair calmly passed them and approached Gu Jeongryong.

The black horse was no ordinary-sized animal, yet the man atop it was so enormous that his body resembled Mount Tai.

Moving with complete composure, the giant looked beside Gu Jeongryong and spoke.

"Little Brother, it's quite difficult to see your face."

Jin Sowoon smiled.

"Your little brother has been busy with all sorts of matters, so I had to make a difficult request of you, Big Brother."

A lovely voice joined their conversation.

"Young Master Jin, can you not see me?"

Jin Sowoon cupped his fist in greeting and smiled broadly.

"Sister-in-law, have you been well? I was worried I might be making you travel such a long way."

"Of course I've been well. And thanks to you, I get to travel all the way to Sichuan. I'm enjoying it."

The woman answered with a smile as radiant as a flower.

Even the deputy stronghold chiefs were momentarily entranced and could not step forward.

The three exchanged greetings, apparently already acquainted.

Then the giant turned his head slightly toward Gu Jeongryong.

"Little Brother, is this man your superior?"

"Yes, forgive the late introduction. This is Great Hero Gu Jeongryong, leader of Shenghu Hall under the Blue Dragon Pavilion."

The giant nimbly moved his enormous body and dismounted.

Then he strode toward Gu Jeongryong.

With every step, Gu Jeongryong felt as though a faint tremor passed through the ground.

"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Bang Duchil!"

"Bang Duchil… The Green Dragon King?"

"You know me?"

He had heard the rumors.

Strange things were happening in Zhejiang.

People had appeared who were bringing the Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds, previously nothing more than a loose alliance, under their control one by one.

At the center of it were two dragons who had wiped out Twin Curtain Stronghold, notorious for its crimes on Mount Tianmu, and taken its place.

One of them was Green Dragon Bang Duchil.

'Unlike the other one, who remains shrouded in mystery, they said he was active outside…'

Gu Jeongryong had thought it arrogant for a mere bandit to reveal his identity so openly.

But meeting him in person left an entirely different impression.

No, now he understood why the man could openly reveal himself.

'H-he's overwhelming…!'

It was not merely his outward physique.

The energy he possessed was as vast and overwhelming as Mount Tai.

He truly exuded the commanding presence of an emperor.

Gu Jeongryong found himself bowing his head involuntarily.

"I-I've heard a great deal about you."

They said he would one day unite the Green Forest Alliance. That rumor had been no exaggeration.

"Have you? Ahahahaha!"

Each pat on Gu Jeongryong's shoulder made his bones thud.

His laughter was so loud that the surroundings seemed to shake.

As Gu Jeongryong struggled to ignore the pain in his shoulder, a word he had overlooked suddenly flashed through his mind.

"But just now, you called him 'Little Brother'…"

He asked again to confirm that he had heard correctly.

Little Brother. He had definitely said Little Brother…

Watching Gu Jeongryong's confused expression, Bang Duchil slowly shifted his gaze toward Jin Sowoon.

For some reason, Jin Sowoon was frowning and shaking his head ever so slightly.

Just as their contrasting reactions threatened to deepen Gu Jeongryong's confusion—

"Ah! I am Jin Sowoon's sworn elder brother."

Bang Duchil roared with hearty laughter.

"We are sworn brothers who have pledged to die on the same day, at the same hour."

Gu Jeongryong's brow furrowed deeply.