Chapter 39: Bandit King

It takes 10 days to travel from Mount Muak to Sichuan.

The period spent in Sichuan was another 10 days.

And it takes another 10 days to return from Sichuan to Mount Muak.

This 30-day arduous journey is finally coming to an end.

Because tomorrow, we will finally arrive at Mount Muak.

Since it was a journey to handle the belongings of the Shanxi Yoo Family, we carried a lot of luggage when we left. But that doesn’t mean we are returning empty-handed.

I was carrying a full load of Drunken Immortal Wine that the Leader of the Lower Filth Gate gave me as a gift.

Perhaps that’s why it felt even more exhausting on the way back than when we departed.

As the sun set and the day was coming to an end, I pointed to the inn where we would stay for the last night before reaching Mount Muak.

“Hey, youngest, let’s stay there tonight. This damn march is finally over.”

“Yes, Big Brother. Ah…! Since we’re returning to Mount Muak, should I start calling you Boss again?”

“No, just call me whatever you feel comfortable with.”

“Then… I’ll keep calling you Big Brother. Hehe.”

I couldn’t understand why he was so happy about something so trivial…

I found it hard to understand, but the youngest seemed genuinely happy and smiled brightly. I patted the youngest’s head and entered the inn.

“Hey, bring more drinks here-!”

“When are you going to take our order?”

The inn was bustling with people, and every table was occupied, with the female owner running around busily.

“Big Brother, there doesn’t seem to be any seats…”

“Yeah… Ah… I’m so tired…”

We couldn’t just break everything and take a seat…

Feeling a bit helpless, I looked around the place, but fortunately, the female owner noticed us and approached.

“Oh my, customers. Are there two of you? Are you just staying, or will you be dining as well?”

“Both staying and dining.”

“Ah… But what should we do? We have one room left, but as you can see, there’s no place to eat…”

“Other inns will be the same. Is there no way?”

“Ah… Then…”

The female owner looked around and pointed to a table.

“There are two empty seats over there. Would you mind sharing the table?”

Sharing a table.

If this were modern times, no matter how busy it was, we would never do it, but here, it was very common to sit with strangers when there were no seats.

I didn’t particularly mind, and my legs were tired, so I nodded right away.

“No problem. Lead the way.”

As I said that, the female owner asked for permission from the two people already seated and then guided us.

After ordering two bowls of noodles, we sat down, and the two men with decent impressions greeted us warmly.

“Please, have a seat. Your luggage looks heavy.”

“Huh… You seem like young folks, but with all that luggage, are you merchants?”

Since I couldn’t say we were mountain bandits, I just nodded vaguely.

“Yes… well… both of us sell liquor.”

The reason I introduced us as liquor merchants was simple. Our luggage was indeed filled with liquor.

“Where are you headed?”

“Roughly to Hunan Province.”

“Hunan Province?”

“You’re heading to Hunan Province? Huh…”

I gave a vague answer again, but as soon as they heard it, the men made uncomfortable expressions.

‘Hmm? Why…?’

Just then, the noodles arrived, and I slurped them down while asking.

“Why Hunan Province? Is something going on there? It’s a complete backwater, isn’t it?”

The reason I chose Hunan Province as our destination.

It was because it was a remote place where people didn’t pay much attention.

Being in the south, it was less developed than other regions, had a smaller population, and although there were a few small sects, there were no major sects.

But why did these men frown as soon as Hunan Province was mentioned?

Since it didn’t seem like a secret, the men continued their explanation.

“Young folks must be slow on the news. We are peddlers who travel the world with our bundles, and it’s already a well-known story among merchants. Hunan Province is undergoing a minor upheaval right now.”

“An upheaval? Are the sects fighting for power?”

“If it were a power struggle between sects, merchants wouldn’t be so worried. The ones fighting for power in Hunan Province right now are mountain bandits.”

“…Mountain bandits?”

As soon as I heard that, I felt uneasy but shook my head in denial.

‘No way, it can’t be about us.’

How many mountains are there in Hunan Province? According to what Crimson Beard told me before leaving Sichuan, there are quite a few mountain bandits in Hunan Province.

I relaxed and listened to what the men had to say.

“Recently, a mountain bandit appeared like a comet, and he was so strong that he started merging the surrounding bandits through gang fights.”

And as soon as I heard that, I was sure the bandit they were talking about wasn’t one of our people.

Before leaving, I told my subordinates to focus on martial arts training.

Especially, Crimson Beard and the other members of the Brotherhood of Mount Muak were very enthusiastic about martial arts training, so they wouldn’t have engaged in gang fights.

“…Oh, really? But a power struggle among bandits doesn’t seem like a big deal. Don’t they always fight among themselves?”

“Ah, if it were just the usual fights, we wouldn’t be talking about it. But this new guy is so greedy that he’s conquering bandits all over Hunan Province.”

“All over Hunan Province…?”

That’s quite… a large scale.

“A new rising star in the Unorthodox Sects has appeared. Many bandits have already joined him, and a huge force is being formed. Although he doesn’t have a nickname yet, we call him the ‘Bandit King’.”

“Bandit King…? Hahaha-!!”

What a grand and ridiculous title. Bandit King.

But it seems the impact of this new guy was bigger than I thought.

Usually, the title of king isn’t given lightly.

As I laughed at the title of Bandit King, the men spoke seriously.

“You shouldn’t underestimate him. In the past month, he’s been expanding his power like a madman, so merchants believe he’s a master from outside.”

“Hey, why would a master play the role of a bandit in the mountains? And even if this Bandit King grows, so what? The Murim Alliance will take care of it eventually.”

“When do you think those slowpokes from the Murim Alliance will come?”

As in any martial arts world, the Murim Alliance here is also corrupt internally.

Of course, that doesn’t mean they don’t do any work. They consistently update the Murim Public Enemy list and are quite active externally.

Bandit King… That fool doesn’t know that in the world of bandits, it’s important not to make a name for yourself.

If you keep doing things that draw attention, the Murim Alliance will designate you as a Murim Public Enemy or send an expeditionary force.

‘Whoever he is, he’s a fool. But it’s not my problem. I just need to be careful not to get caught in the crossfire.’

If the Murim Alliance sends an expeditionary force, they might also target our Green Forest Hideout.

I decided to tell my subordinates to be extra cautious for a while when I return and continued eating my noodles.

But then…

“His name is quite intimidating too. Bandit King Dongryong.”

“…Pfft, what did you say?”

…I spat out my noodles as soon as I heard the name they mentioned.

Uh-oh. I think I misheard something just now…?

I misheard, right…?

“Uncle, what the hell did you just say? What’s the Bandit King’s name?”

“W-Why are you suddenly speaking so harshly…”

“Shut up and tell me!!”

Unable to contain my excitement, I almost grabbed the man’s collar and asked, and he answered with a frightened expression.

And after hearing his answer…

“…Bandit King Dongryong. His name was definitely Dongryong.”

“……”

…I almost fainted on the spot.

I laughed at the news of a flashy bandit in Hunan Province. But that bandit turned out to be my subordinate.

Hahaha.

Haha, damn it.

**

Chirp chirp-.

“Hmm… Good morning.”

Dongryong, who woke up to the sound of birds, took a light walk around the mountain hideout to feel the morning energy.

The fresh air entering his lungs made his body feel light and pleasant.

Recently, Dongryong had been living the happiest days of his life.

The timid and insecure Dongryong of the past was no more. Now, he was a respectable martial artist who could be considered quite strong in the martial world.

As Dongryong stretched and thought about it, someone approached him.

“Deputy Leader Dongryong. You’re already up.”

“Ah, Crimson Beard.”

It was Crimson Beard.

After the Boss left, the actual leaders of the Green Forest Gang were Dongryong and Crimson Beard. Since Dongryong also served as Crimson Beard’s martial arts teacher, they quickly became very close.

“I woke up early today.”

“Is something going on?”

“Hmm… Maybe it’s because the Boss is about to arrive.”

The Boss would arrive soon. That fact made Dongryong’s heart race.

“Hehe, the Boss will be pleased to see my achievements, right?”

“Of course. The things Deputy Leader Dongryong has accomplished in just a month are unbelievable.”

“Thanks for saying that.”

As the two continued their warm conversation…

Flinch.

“This is…!”

Feeling a familiar sensation, Dongryong turned to the side…

“Isn’t that the Boss?”

“Yes, I see the Boss and the youngest.”

…In the distance, they saw the Boss and the youngest walking towards them.

“Boss-!!”

Dongryong waved his hand excitedly, and the Boss, seemingly happy, gestured and started running towards them.

…Not just running, but almost flying as if using Lightness Arts.

Touched by the Boss’s eagerness to see him, Dongryong also walked forward to greet him, and the distance between them quickly closed.

And the moment the Boss reached right in front of him…

“Haha-!! Boss! I’m glad to see…”

Wham-!!

“Ugh-!!”

Thud-.

Dongryong was knocked down by the Boss’s punch. But that wasn’t the end.

“B-Boss, why are you suddenly…! Aaaah-!!”

“I’m angry, so let’s start with some beating.”

“Aaah-!! Why, why are you doing this, Boss-!!”

Whack-! Whack-!!

After a brief(?) beating, Muyeon took a deep breath and asked.

“…Dongryong.”

“…Y-Yes, Boss.”

“…I might be mistaken, so let me ask.”

“Anything…”

The Boss’s punches had a way of making people tell the truth. It was a pain that even Deputy Leader Dongryong, who had served him the longest, couldn’t get used to.

Dongryong nodded repeatedly, waiting for Muyeon’s words.

“Is it possible… no, really… no way… …are you the Bandit King?”

“…Some people call me that…”

And that answer was enough.

Smack-!!

“Aaah-!!”

As soon as he heard that, Muyeon, as if he had been holding back, burst out in anger and swung his fist.

“You bastard-!! Didn’t I tell you to focus on martial arts training? Damn it, what? Bandit King? Bandit King? You became the Bandit King in 30 days while I was away? If you’re going to do that, just surrender to the Murim Alliance, surrender! You bastard-!!”

“Aaah-!! Why, why are you doing this, Boss-! I expanded our power while you were away, isn’t that commendable… Aaaah-!!”

“Commendable, very commendable. Even that rubber guy couldn’t become the Pirate King in 20 years, but you became the Bandit King in 30 days? Very commendable, you bastard-!!”

“B-Boss, what are you talking about… Aaaah-!! At least listen to my explanation-!! Aaaah-!!”

The sound of beating and Dongryong’s screams continued for a long time.