Chapter 67
Two weeks later.
Jipgyeonghyeon is a small village in Hunan Province.
The largest inn in Jipgyeonghyeon.
There, Hoodlums with nothing to do gathered early today to drink as well.
“Elder brother, did you hear the news?”
“What news?”
“They say the Murim Alliance has completely withdrawn from Hunan Province.”
“What are you talking about? The Murim Alliance never had any interest in Hunan to begin with.”
“No, they said they won’t get involved at all anymore. They’re completely removing Hunan Province from the Murim Alliance’s Territory!”
“What? Why?”
At his Subordinate’s surprising words, Duyoung, who was called elder brother, widened his eyes and asked. The Subordinate then recounted the news he had heard to Duyoung.
“You know how those Green Forest guys living up in the mountains had a big clash with the Murim Alliance recently, right?”
“Is there anyone in this neighborhood who doesn’t know that?”
At first, some guy calling himself the Bandit King appeared and unified the Bandits, making everyone wonder what was going on. Then, the Green Forest guys carried out a massive project to pioneer the Mountain Path, which caused Merchants to start flocking in.
Up to that point… they could just think of it as some interesting guys settling in the mountains, but whatever those guys did wrong, an Extermination Squad from the Murim Alliance soon arrived.
But the surprising thing was…
‘Those Bandit bastards fought the Extermination Squad and won. No matter how you think about it, it was a bizarre event.’
…Surprisingly, the Green Forest guys had defeated the Murim Alliance’s Extermination Squad.
That incident spread instantly through the quiet Hunan Province and became a topic of conversation for a long time, leaving no one unaware of it.
“Because of that, the Murim Alliance apparently sent a Representative this time to talk with the Green Forest. And there, the Murim Alliance acknowledged the Green Forest’s Territory in Hunan and withdrew.”
“…No, does that make any sense?”
That arrogant Murim Alliance gave the Territory of an entire City to the mere Green Forest?
Duyoung simply couldn’t believe this fact.
“Bullshit, you punk. Where did you hear such baseless rumors to come scare people for nothing? Would you believe that if you were me?”
“No, elder brother. I heard it too, you know?”
“I heard it too. From what I heard, the Merchants flocked over and protested to the Murim Alliance Representative. The Merchants suffered a lot of damage from this incident, after all.”
“No…, what the… So you’re saying it’s true? How can such a thing happen in this world?”
As he saw his Subordinates speaking as one, it seemed it was indeed the truth.
Duyoung downed his drink, thinking that truly bizarre things happened in the world.
At that moment, the quickest-witted guy among the Subordinates giggled and opened his mouth.
“But, elder brother, whatever the case, isn’t this a good thing for us?”
“What’s so good about it?”
“Even though the Murim Alliance said they had no interest in Hunan Province…, it’s true that we’ve been living while walking on eggshells around them, isn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
In truth, the guys drinking right now weren’t simply hoodlums.
Their true identity was none other than the Martial Artists of Jipgyeonghyeon’s Underworld Faction, the Black Tiger Gang.
Honestly, the Black Tiger Gang was nothing more than a Gang of Gangsters, to the point where calling it a Faction was a bit embarrassing, but it was still the only Faction in Jipgyeonghyeon.
Having learned Martial Arts and developed their External Cultivation, even if only superficially, they managed to survive by sucking the blood of the Common People without causing any major accidents.
“But now that the Murim Alliance has decided to completely turn a blind eye to Hunan Province, couldn’t we just rob without any hesitation now?”
“Ah…”
“It means our Black Tiger Gang will truly become the masters of Jipgyeonghyeon!”
“Ahahahaha-! That’s right-!”
At his Subordinate’s words, Duyoung laughed heartily in a good mood and shouted loudly.
“We’ve been keeping to the line until now, but from now on, even if we collect double or triple the protection money from the Common People, the Murim Alliance won’t step in! I wonder if the Sect Leader knows this fact? Just in case he doesn’t, let’s hurry and go tell him!”
“…More importantly, elder brother. Before we tell the Sect Leader, wouldn’t you like to have some expensive liquor? For free, of course. Hehe…”
Seeing his Subordinate’s despicable gaze and understanding the meaning, Duyoung nodded with an equally despicable smile.
“Of course, hehe. Hey! Attendant-!”
“…Yes, yes!”
“You’ve been listening to everything we’ve been saying, right?”
At Duyoung’s question, the Attendant nodded with a tearful face.
“…Yes, I heard everything.”
“Then you must also know that we are the only ones protecting you now, right?”
“…”
Squeeze.
The Attendant squeezed his eyes shut in frustration.
‘Protect my ass.’
Ever since the Black Tiger Gang entered Jipgyeonghyeon, all they had done was sit around in the Inn like this, interfering with business or getting free drinks.
Still, they hadn’t made life completely impossible, so he had somehow managed to endure it until now, but…
‘To think the Murim Alliance is pulling out of Hunan…’
…If so, it was obvious that Jipgyeonghyeon would truly become a Den for those Underworld Hoodlums.
Duyoung shouted confidently at the devastated Attendant.
“If you know, then bring us some liquor! Make it a First-grade Baijiu!”
“…First-grade Baijiu. Yes, understood. But Great Hero. By any chance…, the money is…”
“What? You dare try to take money from the Hero of Jipgyeonghyeon?”
Duyoung growled like that and placed the Saber from his waist onto the table. Seeing that, the Attendant was terrified and had no choice but to bow his head.
“N-No! I will bring it right away!”
“Yeah, you better! Ahaha-!”
Even as he bowed, the Attendant held back tears.
‘These rotten bastards. How did they even know we had First-grade Baijiu?’
The First-grade Baijiu was something he had carefully set aside to open when a precious guest arrived. Thinking about handing it all over to those guys made his stomach churn.
Furthermore…
“Haha…, today is…”
“Guess it’s not the day. Let’s leave.”
Because those guys were being so boisterous and even threateningly placing a blade on the table, many guests began to leave.
Looking at the Inn that had emptied out in no time, the Attendant felt devastated as he brought out the First-grade Baijiu and offered it to Duyoung.
‘Today’s business is ruined… Ah, still, there is one person left.’
Seeing that at least one person remained in a corner seat, the Attendant walked over to him.
“Customer…, I’m sorry…, the Inn is too noisy today.”
“I am fine.”
“Still, you must have been very uncomfortable, so I won’t charge you for the food you ate today. Please, eat comfortably and leave when you’re ready…”
“Hold on.”
He bowed and was about to step away, but the customer grabbed the Attendant’s wrist.
And then he began to ask.
He pointed at the loudly chattering Black Tiger Gang group and asked.
“Are those guys the ones called the Black Tiger Gang?”
“Ah…, yes, that’s correct.”
“I see.”
Hearing the Attendant’s answer, the customer pulled a book from his chest, crossed something out, and stood up, facing the guys.
Looking closely now, the Attendant saw a Saber hanging from the customer’s waist. Seeing that, the terrified Attendant rushed over to him and whispered.
“C-Customer! What are you trying to do? T-Those guys are famous scumbags in this neighborhood! If you step in for nothing and something terrible happens…”
“It’s fine.”
The customer grinned at the Attendant.
His expression was full of confidence, and when one looked at him now, he also had a face as fierce-looking as an Underworld Hoodlum.
“I came from the Green Forest.”
Leaving only those words behind, the customer walked toward the Black Tiger Gang.
* * *
The very day I finished negotiations with the Murim Alliance, I immediately went back up to our Mountain Stronghold.
“Leader!”
“Grand Leader-!”
“Elder brother-!!”
Because I had stayed only in Hunan City for the past few days due to the negotiations with the Murim Alliance, the guys gave me a huge welcome, seeing me for the first time in a while.
I gave them a rough greeting and immediately ordered.
“There’s no time. Save the welcome for later, and for now, all Executives, gather.”
“Executives…? Who are those…”
“Dongryong, Bang Sam-i, Bongchun-i, and the Youngest, Jeokyeom, and lastly…, Eungchil-i: The ones I just named are the Executives. Everyone, gather.”
From the Deputy Leader Dongryong to Jeokyeom’s oldest Subordinate, Eungchil-i, there were a total of six people.
If the scale of the Green Forest grows larger later, there could be more, but for now, this number is just right. I gathered them all in my room and continued speaking.
“The talks with the Murim Alliance ended well. Now those bastards won’t be throwing the first punch.”
Whether they had heard this fact in advance from the Youngest, the Executive guys nodded as if they already knew.
“Yes, we know. Then shouldn’t we throw a banquet or something now? Why did you suddenly call us…”
“It’s still far too early to throw a banquet. I plan to turn Hunan Province into our Green Forest’s Master bedroom, a place no one can easily mess with.”
In a few years, when the Demonic Cult invades the Central Plains, the world will truly become a living Hell.
Originally, I didn’t plan to go this far, but since Hunan has fallen into my hands, I intend to make good use of it.
Namely, the Hunan Province Shelterization.
No matter what kind of crazy shit happens outside, I plan to create a Safe Zone so we can live well on our own.
“To do that, we need to crack down internally and build up our strength. That’s why I called you. First, Bongchun.”
“Yes, Leader.”
I, Dongryong, Bang Sam-i, Bongchun-i, and the Youngest.
Bongchun-i, the fourth of our Founding Members.
Actually, all the Founding Members had their own various stories of how they became my Subordinates.
First, Dongryong was a dying guy I saved and made my Subordinate; Bang Sam-i, whom I don’t remember; and the Youngest sought us out on her own.
And Bongchun-i…
‘What are you looking at, you punk?’
…was an Underworld Hoodlum who picked a fight with me at an Inn.
At first, the bastard picked a fight, so I beat the shit out of him, but after beating him, I saw he had guts, so I made him my Subordinate.
Of course…, maybe I beat him too much back then, because he turned into a polite and excessively taciturn guy. But…
Well, anyway.
I have an order perfectly suited for Bongchun-i, a former Underworld Hoodlum.
“Bongchun, starting tomorrow, go down and grind all the Underworld bastards to dust.”
“…Yes?”
“Haomun will provide the information. Based on that, roam around Hunan, kill the ones who need killing, take in the ones who can be taken in, and unite them into one. I’m giving you the crucial mission of unifying the Demonic Path under our Green Forest.”
Because Hunan Province is out of the Murim Alliance’s sight and lacks any notable Great Sects, there are many petty Underworld Gangs.
If we Unify those guys and bring them under our command, not only will our combat power be reinforced, but we can also bring peace and security to Hunan Province.
“Um…, elder brother, but I’m not confident…”
Since Bongchun-i was also from the Underworld, I thought he would show strength in this. However, he bowed his head as if he lacked confidence.
I patted Bongchun-i’s shoulder and continued speaking.
“Bongchun. The way I see it, you are the Right Person for the Job. And why are you so scared? You can do it too. Hey, Dongryong has the alias Bandit King, so you should have something like that too. Hmm…, yeah, Black Evil King, something like that sounds cool.”
“No, I’m the Bandit King, so why does only Bongchun-i get a cool one like the Black Evil King…”
“Dongryong, shut up.”
“Yes.”
Hearing my words, Bongchun-i seemed to have gained some confidence and nodded.
“…Yes, I’ll give it a try.”
“Right, good thinking. And…”
I told Bongchun-i what I was thinking at that moment.
And then…
“…Only half?”
“Yeah, you have to leave some seeds behind so you can farm and harvest next time too.”
“Leader, you seem to be a truly Merciful person.”
…Bongchun-i said that and nodded.
I patted Bongchun-i’s head once and continued.
“I’ve always been that way. Anyway, if you understand, go get ready to leave.”
“Yes, understood. Leader.”
And as soon as the sun rose, Bongchun-i immediately descended the mountain.
* * *
“Ughhhhh…”
“P-Please, forgive us just this once…”
“…”
Bongchun-i looked at the Black Tiger Gang collapsed in front of him and sank into subtle emotions.
‘It’s easy…, too easy.’
In the past, he too was nothing more than a mere Underworld Hoodlum.
However, everything changed after he met the Leader.
Forming a dantian to build Internal Energy, Sparring and Training with the Leader to temper his External Cultivation, and learning only a simple Saber Art…
Now…, he was confident he could win even if a hundred of his past selves swarmed him.
In the short span of two weeks, he roamed Hunan Province and smashed over two hundred Underworld Hoodlums.
“Black Tiger Gang, huh…, where is your Sect Leader?”
“I-I’ll tell you everything, so please just spare my life…”
“All right.”
At the guy’s plea, Bongchun-i let go of his collar and stared at him indifferently.
Finding that sight cool, the Attendant approached, making a fuss.
“Great Hero! Thank you. These guys… were hoodlums who always harassed our Inn…”
“There won’t be any of that anymore. From now on, our Green Forest will protect all the Common People of Hunan Province.”
“Ah…”
The Attendant couldn’t help but be moved by Bongchun’s words. He hated his past self for thinking that the Green Forest was just the same kind of bastard.
Receiving the Attendant’s gaze, Bongchun asked.
“These guys must have collected protection money from every shop here in Jipgyeonghyeon. How much did you pay them?”
“It varies by shop, but our Inn pays 5 Standard Silver Taels every month.”
“Hah, 5 Standard Silver Taels? These guys are total trash.”
“Right. Total trash…”
“We will only take 3.”
“…Yes?”
…Eh?
While the Attendant was flustered, Bongchun-i continued.
“Our Leader specifically ordered us to cut the protection money the Underworld usually collected in half. He is a truly Merciful person. Isn’t that right?”
“Ah…, yes… That’s true.”
There was something the Attendant was mistaken about. The Green Forest was, in the end, nothing more than the Underworld living in the mountains.
“Your expression doesn’t look good? Should we just take all 5?”
“N-No, Great Hero! You’re only taking half the protection money? Ahaha-! As expected, the Green Forest is the best-!”
Seeing the Attendant laughing with his face twitching as if in a spasm, Bongchun-i smiled, poured a glass of the First-grade Baijiu that the Black Tiger Gang guys had left unfinished, and drank it.
Then he spoke to the collapsed guys.
“Alright, if you’re done resting, let’s get moving. You guys still have some wealth, right? I’ll have to gather it all up and send it to the Mountain Stronghold.”
Before he knew it, Bongchun-i had come to find joy in smashing Underworld guys. Bongchun-i poured and drank another glass of liquor, then stood up with a joyful heart.