Chapter 394: The Sky of Green Forest Falls (1)

"What is this?" ​

Muk Il-gwang, who remained unshaken by most things, frowned heavily as he looked at the horrific scene spread across the deck. ​

The deck was crimson as if red paint had been sprinkled over it. The red liquid slowly flowing along the grooves of the deck was clearly human blood. Pieces of flesh and bone scattered everywhere proved this fact. ​

At the horrific scene as if people had been ground up by a giant millstone, Muk Il-gwang felt nausea rising. ​

"What on earth?" ​

While Muk Il-gwang couldn't escape his confusion, Dam Ho walked to the center of the deck. ​

Standing in the center of the deck, he looked around in all directions. ​

Though the entire floor was dyed red, looking closely, spiral traces remained. The center was where Dam Ho was standing. ​

From this place, spiral energy had extended and wrapped around the people on the ship. Then ground them like a millstone. ​

A dark light flickered in Dam Ho's pupils. ​

'Gang Qi Technique.' ​

Generally, when entering martial arts, one cultivates internal energy along with external techniques. ​

Through continuous cultivation of internal energy, one eventually feels internal power and incorporates it into techniques – reaching this level means one has finally stepped into the true world of martial arts. ​

In terms of swordsmanship, this is the level where one can imbue energy into the sword – most martial artists active in the martial world remain at this level. ​

Going one step further, one can project energy through the sword – this is called sword energy. ​

Being able to harm people with sword energy, this is commonly called the level of "Sword Energy Harming People". ​

One step beyond this was Gang Qi. ​

Like brilliant light shining in the night sky, energy becomes materialized and emits light on its own. When Gang Qi is applied to a sword it becomes Sword Gang, when applied to a blade it becomes Blade Gang. ​

Gang Qi couldn't be created simply by having high internal power. Enlightenment had to accompany it. This wall was so high that most masters in the martial world despaired before the wall of Gang Qi. ​

Therefore, whether one could utilize Gang Qi inevitably became the measure for gauging absolute masters of the martial world. ​

How freely one could use Gang Qi techniques determined the hierarchy even among absolute masters. Even with the same Gang Qi techniques, power differed greatly depending on enlightenment and the types of martial arts learned. ​

The traces left on the floor were so subtle that it was hard to believe Gang Qi techniques had been used. If not for Dam Ho, discovering those traces would not have been easy. ​

This meant the Gang Qi techniques had been used with such delicacy, yet the destructive power had not diminished at all. ​

Having traveled the martial world and fought countless enemies until now, this was Dam Ho's first time seeing traces of a martial artist who handled Gang Qi so skillfully. ​

Like a masterful painter showing off his skill with a few brush strokes, the owner of the Gang Qi techniques was showing off his level with delicate Gang Qi manipulation and violent hand speed. ​

His arrogance, confidence, and cruel heart remained like echoes, stirring Dam Ho's chest. ​

While Dam Ho was gauging the villain from the traces left on the ship, Muk Il-gwang approached. ​

"These are martial artists from the Namgung Family." ​

"Namgung Family?" ​

"Yes!" ​

Muk Il-gwang showed a blood-stained bronze plaque. On the blood-stained bronze plaque, the two characters Namgung were clearly engraved. ​

"This is a bronze plaque that only direct members of the Namgung Family can possess." ​

"……" ​

"It seems these were the Namgung Family martial artists who had attacked the Demon Cult." ​

At Muk Il-gwang's words, Dam Ho's brow furrowed even deeper. ​

If these really were the Namgung Family martial artists tasked with attacking the Demon Cult and luring them to Overlord's Stronghold, their mission had essentially failed. There was still considerable distance remaining from here to Overlord's Stronghold. ​

Dam Ho looked around the deck once more. ​

Martial artists were accustomed to speaking through martial arts. The owner of the Gang Qi techniques was also speaking through the traces he left. ​

That it wasn't over yet. ​

That this was merely the beginning. ​

His killing intent was still vividly transmitted through air waves. A master of this caliber wouldn't be satisfied with just killing some Namgung Family martial artists. ​

"We need to hurry." ​

"Yes!" ​

Muk Il-gwang answered with a stern expression. ​

Everyone aboard the horse transport ship was dead. Not only the Namgung Family martial artists, but also the sailors and dozens of horses had been ground up without maintaining proper form. ​

If he couldn't feel crisis even after seeing such tragedy, Muk Il-gwang wouldn't be a martial artist. ​

Muk Il-gwang hurriedly lowered a small boat from the back of the horse transport ship. He intended to cross the river by small boat as an urgent measure. ​

"Big brother?" ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong called Dam Ho. Her face was more pale with terror than ever. ​

Dam Ho silently embraced her. ​

***

"How green! Beautiful!" ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun muttered while looking at Mount Huang full of greenery and the sky stretching endlessly above it. ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun had spent his entire life at Overlord's Stronghold on Mount Huang. It was scenery he had seen thousands and tens of thousands of times repeatedly. Though it was scenery so familiar that nothing was new about it, today it felt particularly beautiful. ​

"Ha! They say when you get old, you become emotionally rich. I'm exactly like that." ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun shook his head to clear his thoughts. ​

Now wasn't the time to leisurely appreciate scenery. ​

A total alert order had been issued for Mount Huang. Green Forest bandits who had come as support from Overlord's Stronghold and nearby mountain strongholds were making the entire Mount Huang into a fortress and standing guard. ​

The one overseeing all of this was Yong Cheol-gyeong, the leader of Iron Bear Stronghold, one of the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds. ​

Yong Cheol-gyeong moved actively in place of Hwang Gyeong-mun. Deploying troops and creating defensive formations were also his responsibility. ​

"Sigh! I've gotten old too. I should probably step down from the position of Grand Leader and retire after this bloodbath passes." ​

It wasn't a problem of martial arts or physical strength. The problem was his heart that had aged together, unable to endure the cruel passage of time. ​

"I should take this opportunity to marry Il-gwang and Hye-ryeong and just look after them from behind." ​

He had long known that Muk Il-gwang had feelings for Hwang Hye-ryeong. Recently, Hwang Hye-ryeong's heart had also leaned greatly toward Muk Il-gwang, so there would be no problem in arranging their marriage. ​

It was when Hwang Gyeong-mun was having such happy thoughts. ​

WHOOSH! ​

Suddenly violent wind blew up from below the mountain. ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun felt his mind become alert as if cold water had been poured over him. ​

"What is this?" ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun was also a master who prided himself on reaching the absolute realm – he immediately sensed the killing intent contained in the wind. ​

BANG! ​

"It's an attack." ​

"AHHH!" ​

At that moment, explosions erupted from below Mount Huang and screams close to those of the Green Forest bandits echoed. ​

"Have they come?" ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun gripped his beloved weapon, the Tyrant Blade, tightly. ​

There was no trace of the appearance of being immersed in sentiment like an old man in the back room just moments ago. ​

Now he was the ruler of Green Forest standing at the pinnacle of Green Forest bandits. ​

"Grand Leader!" ​

Yong Cheol-gyeong came running to him. ​

"It's the enemy." ​

"They've finally come." ​

"Their movements are faster than expected." ​

A troubled expression appeared on Yong Cheol-gyeong's face. ​

He had estimated the Demon Cult's movement at ten days later at the earliest. He had expected they would need at least that much time to settle things with the Namgung Family before moving this way. ​

But Hwang Gyeong-mun was actually calm. ​

"There must have been variables. What's the enemy's strength?" ​

"We haven't been able to assess it yet." ​

"Well, what meaning would assessing their strength have at this point? We just need to fight with our best." ​

"The enemies will never be able to climb up here. Mount Huang is already no different from an iron fortress." ​

"Right!" ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun quietly nodded at Yong Cheol-gyeong's confident words. But contrary to his actions, tension was evident on his face. ​

The wind blowing up from below the mountain, the killing intent contained within it – Yong Cheol-gyeong hadn't sensed it yet. Because the gap in level between him and Hwang Gyeong-mun was that great. ​

"Please wait here, Grand Leader. This Yong Cheol-gyeong will immediately run down the mountain and smash those Demon Cult bastards." ​

"Do that." ​

"Then!" ​

Yong Cheol-gyeong saluted Hwang Gyeong-mun with cupped fists then ran down the mountain. Overlord's Stronghold elites followed behind him. ​

"Let's show the Demon Cult bastards the power of Green Forest." ​

"WAAAH!" ​

The morale of the martial artists running down the mountain pierced the sky. ​

"Whew!" ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun sighed while watching their backs and closed his eyes. ​

The wind blowing up from below the mountain became stronger. The wind carried chillingly intense killing intent and swept past Hwang Gyeong-mun's skin. ​

"Are you coming?" ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun muttered indifferently and drew his beloved weapon, the Tyrant Blade. ​

HUMM! ​

The heavy blade with the same name as his title had been emitting an intense cry since some point. ​

It was the blade's cry, blade resonance. ​

It had been a very long time since the Tyrant Blade emitted such blade resonance. ​

'Are you nervous too? No, am I the one who's nervous?' ​

Fine tremors were occurring on his shoulders. ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Then the trembling disappeared and his tense muscles throughout his body relaxed. ​

Like an absolute master, he instantly regained his optimal state. ​

That's when it happened. ​

SWOOSH! ​

Suddenly a violent wind blew toward him. ​

At that moment Hwang Gyeong-mun saw it. ​

Something black hidden within the violent wind. ​

The large thing reminiscent of a bird's wing flew toward Hwang Gyeong-mun like rain. ​

"Not a chance." ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun let out a roar and swung the Tyrant Blade. ​

CLANG! ​

The wing that struck the Tyrant Blade was knocked far away. But it drew a mysterious trajectory in the air and flew toward Hwang Gyeong-mun again. ​

WHIRR! ​

A chilling sound echoed as if tens of thousands of bees were flapping their wings in unison. ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun drew up his power. Then red light formed on the Tyrant Blade. It was Blade Gang. ​

"HYAAT!" ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun swung the Blade Gang toward the wing. ​

CLANG! ​

With a metallic sound, the wing was knocked away once more. The wing that was knocked back about ten zhang finally stopped. ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun's expression after stopping the wing wasn't very bright. ​

He looked at the Tyrant Blade in his hand. ​

HUMM! ​

The blade resonance had become stronger than before. ​

Because he had infused such strong internal power. Yet he had only stopped the wing without destroying it. ​

That's when it happened. ​

RUSTLE! ​

The wing folded and the being inside revealed itself. ​

Unlike the black wing, he was pure white. ​

His hair was also white, and his skin was as pale as someone who had never seen the sun in his lifetime. Even his pupils were white. ​

What he had thought was a black wing was actually a large cloak. ​

The moment he confirmed his true form, Hwang Gyeong-mun felt an unidentifiable eerie emotion. ​

He opened his mouth. ​

"They say you're the absolute ruler of Green Forest – not bad!" ​

"Attacking without even a greeting? Typical of Demon Cult members, no manners." ​

"If you can't even block that level of attack, you're not qualified to receive my greeting." ​

"Arrogant." ​

"Because I have the qualifications for it." ​

His lips curved in an arc, smiling. ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun pointed the Tyrant Blade at him and shouted. ​

"If you're also a man of honor, reveal your identity." ​

"Heh! Still acting tough as the absolute ruler of Green Forest. Good! You should have that much spirit. My name is Jin Do-hwi." ​

"Jin Do-hwi?" ​

"Black Wing Death King Jin Do-hwi of the Black and White Lions who protect the Cult Leader – that's me." ​

"Black Wing Death King Jin Do-hwi." ​

Hwang Gyeong-mun's eyes sank deeply. ​

If his opponent really was one of the Black and White Lions who assisted the Demon Cult Leader at close range, he was a big shot among big shots. ​

"Quite a big shot has come to visit." ​

"Originally I had no intention of coming here. I was planning to watch the fight with the Namgung Family from afar." ​

"Then why?" ​

"Because of those Namgung Family trash. I was curious about the reason they so desperately tried to lure us here. But now I understand." ​

As he said, Jin Do-hwi had merely planned to watch the fight between the Demon Cult and Namgung Family from afar. His mission was to assist the Cult Leader, not to participate directly in battle. ​

That was until the separate unit formed by the Namgung Family to lure the Demon Cult's martial artists attacked. The ones the separate unit attacked happened to be the martial artists Jin Do-hwi was leading. ​

Jin Do-hwi gladly fell for their provocation and luring. He ground up all those who dared attack and lure him. Yet his thirst wasn't quenched. ​

That was the reason he had climbed up here. ​

Jin Do-hwi's smile deepened. ​

"I hope you're strong enough to quench my thirst. I like tasting the blood of the strong." ​

"You won't be disappointed. I, Tyrant Blade Hwang Gyeong-mun, am a martial artist who has staked his life on a single blade for a lifetime." ​

Thick tendons rose on the back of Hwang Gyeong-mun's hand gripping the Tyrant Blade. And blood-colored heat haze shimmered. ​

"HYAAAAT!" ​

The old tiger roared and charged forward. ​

Jin Ja-gang had become an asura and was rampaging.

Even when the martial artists tried to reform their lines, Jin Ja-gang didn’t let them do so. He clung tenaciously like a leech and burrowed into the gaps between martial artists.

The martial artists’ skills were extremely high. But permission hadn’t yet come from Tang Qing to kill Jin Ja-gang. Neutralizing Jin Ja-gang, who had already reached the ranks of masters, by only injuring his limbs was an extremely difficult task.

Therefore, the number of martial artists continued to decrease.

But Tang Qing, who should have been giving commands, issued no orders and was only lost in his own thoughts.

No, to be precise, he was watching the situation properly. But he was deliberately not giving orders. If he killed Jin Ja-gang, he wouldn’t know what scheme was being played. Perhaps even this was part of Jin Ja-gang’s calculations, but he couldn’t help it. That guy was such a vicious type that even capturing and torturing him wouldn’t make him talk.

But since he still wasn’t presenting any breakthrough plan and was just fighting with his body, Tang Qing was dying of curiosity.

“Strange…”

Tang Qing muttered.

“Strange. Something’s definitely strange. Something’s off.”

No matter how positively he thought about it, looking at Jin Ja-gang’s actions, it seemed like he had rushed in to die.

Except for the first move, there didn’t seem to be any hidden tricks.

“Knowing full well I’d be prepared, why did he come alone?”

But it wasn’t as if Jin Ja-gang planned to kill everyone here including Tang Qing by himself.

Having just exchanged moves, Jin Ja-gang was certainly strong. Strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with renowned masters of the martial world. Adding the worst poison called Asura Blood, he could kill masters beyond his skill level.

In five years at the earliest, ten years at the latest, Jin Ja-gang would become one of the martial world’s notable figures.

But that was all for the future.

“Why does he look like someone desperate to die right now? Why? Someone with such a bright future, why?”

Tang Qing narrowed his eyes and observed his dying subordinates.

Each time Jin Ja-gang swung his hand, thud thud, blood spurted and flesh flew about. A martial artist from behind struck Jin Ja-gang’s head with a spear shaft, and Jin Ja-gang scattered blood while throwing Soul Seizing Thread backward to sever his opponent’s neck.

Nearly sixty casualties had already occurred. All the work of Jin Ja-gang alone.

But Tang Qing didn’t care about the death count. Things have priorities, and values have importance. The deaths of subordinates were just numbers, but not grasping Jin Ja-gang’s intentions made Tang Qing directly uncomfortable. Made him anxious. That was more important to Tang Qing.

“Did I… miss something. Did I…”

Watching Jin Ja-gang fight made his poisoned right foot throb.

“Did I… did I miss something, or is that guy really crazy?”

Either way would be very unpleasant for Tang Qing.

Tang Qing irritably stamped his feet.

Suddenly, Tang Qing realized what he had missed.

“Could it be… the meaning of the joint petition wasn’t what I thought?”

As Jin Ja-gang said, the joint petition itself wasn’t rebellion. It was authorization conducted through normal procedures.

The joint petition meant the three Poison Sect Cliques had transferred their authority to Jin Ja-gang, but nowhere was it written that they would oust King of Hell. The talk about ousting King of Hell was only what Jin Ja-gang spoke at this place, and might not have been the three Poison Sect Cliques’ intention.

Could the three Poison Sect Cliques have signed the joint petition to rebel against him knowing they would die?

Then why did Jin Ja-gang bring out the joint petition?

To show Tang Qing that he had the support of the three Poison Sect Cliques?

“Ahhh.”

Thinking this way, some parts made sense.

“Crazy bastard.”

Soon Tang Qing shouted.

Retreat!

A sound like thunder and lightning burst forth.

Despite the sudden order, the martial artists stopped attacking Jin Ja-gang and immediately withdrew. But Jin Ja-gang had Soul Seizing Thread wrapped around one martial artist’s neck until the very end.

The martial artist with Soul Seizing Thread around his neck struggled. Since everyone had withdrawn from around Jin Ja-gang, Tang Qing could see Jin Ja-gang clearly. Jin Ja-gang also looked at Tang Qing.

Then, as if to show off, he pulled the Soul Seizing Thread.

The Soul Seizing Thread wrapped around the martial artist’s neck slipped out smoothly.

Thud.

The martial artist’s head rolled to the ground and was buried among numerous severed bodies.

Jin Ja-gang had suffered tremendous wounds all over his body. There were even wounds with finger-sized holes where he’d been pierced through.

But with such a blood-soaked body, he looked at Tang Qing and smiled. Jin Ja-gang’s mouth opened wide, revealing blood-stained white teeth.

“Am I very late?”

Tang Qing’s eyes flashed.

“This bastard…”

Jin Ja-gang didn’t even answer. His smile only deepened.

Tang Qing said.

“Truly insufferably cunning.”

“Did it seem that way?”

“You disguised it as plotting rebellion but didn’t actually carry it out! Rather, you made me break the rules by bringing troops to suppress rebels!”

Tang Qing pressed.

“Right or wrong, speak! Am I mistaken!”

“Wasn’t that already discussed earlier?”

“Yes. And you threw yourself as bait. You made evidence on your own body that I brought troops to attack you. So I couldn’t make excuses.”

Jin Ja-gang’s smile faded.

Now conversely, a smile began to appear at Tang Qing’s lips.

“Did you want my recognition that badly? So you kept pressuring me by talking about rules?”

Without waiting for Jin Ja-gang’s answer, Tang Qing said.

“Good! I acknowledge you! The method of making me King of Hell unable to keep the rules was good too. I highly evaluate how you proved yourself by bringing the three Poison Sect Cliques under your command. But!”

Tang Qing made a bizarre expression, smiling while frowning.

“Your plan has a big flaw. If I kill you, the plan you worked so hard to prepare becomes nothing in the end. In other words, it’s a completely useless plan unless I acknowledge and spare you.”

Tang Qing giggled.

“Of course it was worth risking your life to be stubborn. You made my liver turn cold.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Qing expressionlessly.

Tang Qing continued speaking.

“Refusing offered authority and struggling to seize it… yes, that’s perhaps your way of proving your worth. I respect that.”

Jin Ja-gang scratched his cheek. Blood trickled from the wounds on his cheek.

“Should I be grateful?”

Tang Qing smiled and shook his head.

“Everything about you is good except that impudent tongue. It stimulates listeners and keeps making them feel bad. But I’ll endure it just for today. Come, tell me. What do you really want? Having seized the successor position supported by the three Poison Sect Cliques, what do you want to obtain from me?”

Jin Ja-gang listened to Tang Qing’s words with his head tilted, then picked up a broken spear from the ground. He wiped the blood-stained spear shaft clean with his clothes, then gripped the spear tightly and raised his internal energy.

Then he pulled back his shoulder and threw it at Tang Qing with all his might.

It was visibly not a simple threat but his full effort. The spear shaft he’d been gripping was crushed!

Martial artists grabbed spears and blocked in front of Tang Qing.

Crash!

The broken spear brutally pierced through the martial artists. It only stopped after piercing through three people. The spear point that penetrated a martial artist’s back protruded and reached right to Tang Qing’s nose.

Tang Qing’s expression froze while still smiling.

“What?”

Other martial artists blocked in front of Tang Qing and cleared away the dead.

Jin Ja-gang stared at Tang Qing and said.

“What do you take people’s words for? I said I have no interest in positions inherited from enemies.”

“…What?”

Tang Qing’s pupils shook.

If not that, then what exactly brought Jin Ja-gang to this place?

Tang Qing fell into confusion once again. Thick veins bulged on his forehead.

“Don’t test… my patience. After doing such nonsensical things, was it really to oust me?”

“I’ve said it several times. I clearly acted according to procedures and presented an agenda following proper procedures. Where is there anything to misunderstand?”

“You’re telling me to believe that?”

“You even doubt the rules and procedures you set yourself.”

Tang Qing’s pupils moved left and right even faster. He tried to find flaws in Jin Ja-gang’s words and actions.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Let’s say your words are true. Then where are the others? The ones who entered Sichuan!”

A faint smile appeared at Jin Ja-gang’s lips.

“Are you curious? Where they are?”

“Speak quickly!”

Jin Ja-gang unexpectedly answered immediately without delay.

“Tang Family Main House.”

“What?”

Tang Qing asked incredulously.

“Those guys attacked our family? You can’t seriously believe that after monks destroyed some outer walls, our family would suffer just because I’m not there?”

Jin Ja-gang answered as if it were an obvious question.

“Then why would they go there?”

“When even the monks couldn’t see the inner courtyard, do you think those guys could set even one foot in the inner courtyard?”

Jin Ja-gang answered casually.

“They’re probably in the inner courtyard by now.”

He was openly saying he had stalled for time.

The martial artists were also flustered. It was absurd, but they wondered if it could really be true.

Sparks flew from Tang Qing’s eyes. Tang Qing ground his teeth until they might break.

Crack!

“I showed mercy and tried to endure somehow because I pitied the fellow, but he dares… dares to mock me?”

But Jin Ja-gang’s snicker made Tang Qing’s anger rise even more steeply.

And simultaneously brought greater suspicion.

What if, as Jin Ja-gang said, he had fallen for a scheme and come outside while the Tang Family Main House was really being attacked?

No, wait.

He couldn’t believe everything Jin Ja-gang said.

If they were really attacking the Tang Family Main House, he wouldn’t have revealed it so readily. If he were Jin Ja-gang, he wouldn’t have told.

Maybe they weren’t targeting the Tang Family Main House but somewhere else…?

Then where would that be?

The question returned to the beginning again.

Doubt brought more doubt, and other suspicions followed.

Tang Qing was now about to explode.

The series of events that had occurred were difficult for Tang Qing to understand what results they were aimed at.

Grind, his teeth kept gnashing. The feeling of being played by Jin Ja-gang was never pleasant.

He wanted to get Jin Ja-gang in his hands, not be mocked by Jin Ja-gang.

Tang Qing’s patience was gradually reaching its limit.

“Fine!”

Tang Qing glared at Jin Ja-gang with a reddened face and said.

“Let’s go see. We’ll know when we see.”

Killing intent streamed from Tang Qing’s eyes.

“But we can’t go nicely.”

Tang Qing leaped up.