Chapter 147

Chapter 147: There Exists Pain Greater Than Death (1)

The Green King Hall was the largest building within the Tyrant's Stronghold.

It was ordinarily kept sealed, but when a matter of great consequence to the fate of the forest had to be decided, its doors were opened.

Jo Yun-san had proposed convening the Green King Hall in his capacity as Chieftain of the Black Dragon Stronghold. And Hwang Gyeong-mun had accepted his proposal with alacrity.

Seated around the long table, with Hwang Gyeong-mun at the head, were Jo Yun-san, Gwak Sam, Oh Jong-sam, and Lee Ga-heun.

These were the Chieftains of the upper-tier strongholds among the Eighteen Forest Strongholds. Naturally, the area around the Green King Hall was under the most stringent guard.

Hwang Gyeong-mun sat in the grand chair and regarded Jo Yun-san.

Though the supreme ruler of the forest fixed him with his gaze, Jo Yun-san did not look the least bit intimidated. Rather, he stared back with eyes wide open.

"Chieftain Jo."

"Yes, Grand Chieftain."

"Tell me the reason for convening the Green King Hall today."

"It is because of the Demonic Cult."

"The Demonic Cult…"

"As you are already aware, the reappearance of the Demonic Cult is a certainty. There are even sects that have already been annihilated by them."

"And?"

"I believe the forest must also discuss measures to counter the Demonic Cult. That is why we are here."

At Jo Yun-san's explanation, Hwang Gyeong-mun turned to the other Chieftains.

"Do you all share this view?"

"We do."

The three answered in unison.

Hwang Gyeong-mun regarded them with an expression of interest.

"To think you would prepare against the Demonic Cult's invasion—that is admirable."

"In any case, must the forest not survive?"

"Indeed."

"Though they could not attend, seven other strongholds have agreed to stand with us."

"Impressive. May I know which strongholds?"

"The Five Tiger Stronghold, the Northern King Stronghold, the Kunlun Stronghold, the White Horse Stronghold, the Tiger Cliff Stronghold, the Red Dragon Stronghold, and the Great Light Stronghold. Here is the petition bearing their seals."

Jo Yun-san produced a rolled petition from within his robes. He carefully presented it to Hwang Gyeong-mun.

When the petition was unfurled, it bore the names and hand-seals of the Chieftains Jo Yun-san had mentioned. There was no doubt as to their authenticity.

"They have all pledged to prepare against the Demonic Cult's invasion?"

"They have. They all pledged their full support for my proposal."

"You must have been quite busy."

The strongholds named on the petition were scattered across the entire Central Plains. The nearest to the Black Dragon Stronghold lay over five hundred li away, while the most distant was several thousand li.

In normal times, they seldom exchanged visits, and even hearing news once a year was difficult. That he had secured their support despite such geographical barriers was compelling proof of Jo Yun-san's ability.

Hwang Gyeong-mun's eyes narrowed. Jo Yun-san was smiling before him.

'I was only concerned with those who came with him, and yet he secured backing from seven strongholds?'

That meant a total of ten strongholds had aligned with Jo Yun-san. It was a matter of far greater consequence than three Chieftains simply accompanying him.

Jo Yun-san smiled brightly and spoke.

"I myself did not expect so many Chieftains to willingly affix their seals. It is testament to how deeply they care for the forest."

"I see. Very well, if you have secured backing from seven strongholds, you must have also devised a plan to prepare against the Demonic Cult."

"Of course."

"I would like to hear it. What plan have you devised?"

"You will not be disappointed."

"Is that so?"

"Yes!"

Jo Yun-san answered with confidence.

As his smile deepened, Hwang Gyeong-mun's expression hardened.

"Very well. What is this plan?"

"That you, Grand Chieftain, step down from your position."

"You go too far with your jest."

"I am not jesting. We have concluded that under the current Grand Chieftain system, we can never effectively counter the Demonic Cult."

"And?"

"I ask that you step down voluntarily."

Jo Yun-san spoke without hesitation.

In an instant, the air in the hall turned as cold as if doused with water.

"Step down voluntarily? I, Hwang Gyeong-mun?"

"For the sake of the forest, for the sake of your honor, Grand Chieftain. The forest needs a younger, more progressive leader."

"Someone like you?"

"I will not deny it."

Jo Yun-san finally revealed the ambition he had concealed all this time. And the Chieftains who had come with him voiced their support.

"The era of the Grand Chieftain is over. The forest needs new leadership."

"Step down."

"If you do not step down voluntarily, we may be forced to make you. I sincerely hope you will retire with your dignity intact and avoid an ugly end. I mean this in earnest."

"Hah!"

Hwang Gyeong-mun laughed.

He had known of Jo Yun-san's ambition for a long time.

It was impossible not to. Before becoming Chieftain of the Black Dragon Stronghold, Jo Yun-san had already shown his colors.

"You entered the forest about twenty years ago, is that right?"

"That is correct."

"That is ample time for ambition to mature."

"Had it not been for you, Grand Chieftain, it would have been realized much sooner."

"Are you still resentful over that day?"

A chill began to swirl in Hwang Gyeong-mun's eyes. The temperature in the hall dropped in an instant.

The phenomenon of internal energy resonating with the external air—a feat that only a select few in the entire world, even among the Nine Great Sects, could achieve.

Gwak Sam's expression changed.

'The Grand Chieftain's martial arts are at this level?'

Hwang Gyeong-mun had been the supreme ruler of the forest for decades. His strength was well known. But that he had reached such heights was beyond imagination.

Hwang Gyeong-mun's strength was the object of reverence.

Because he existed, the forest was not looked down upon, and it had achieved its current prosperity.

He was the great wall that protected the forest. But for those who coveted its supremacy, he was also a wall of despair.

Though they spoke of it as the forest, they were fundamentally bandits who made their living through plunder.

They valued freedom over morality and discipline, and considered taking others' wealth a matter of course. But Hwang Gyeong-mun had forbidden plunder without cause and controlled them with an iron hand.

Naturally, discontent had built up. But as long as the giant Hwang Gyeong-mun stood, they had to endure.

Decades had passed, and the internal discontent had only grown. The Chieftains, in particular, had to bear the complaints of the warriors under their command.

It was then that Jo Yun-san had come to them. With his clever rhetoric, he had inflamed their desires and grievances.

That was why they supported Jo Yun-san. But now, faced with Hwang Gyeong-mun's overwhelming presence, the confidence they had so carefully stoked seemed to vanish without a trace.

But one man—Jo Yun-san alone—still wore his smile.

"On the contrary, I am grateful. Because of you, I found my purpose."

"What did you say?"

"The humiliation of that day created the man I am today."

"Humiliation… Is that how you saw it?"

"You seized everything my men and I had bled and toiled to obtain. It did not belong to you."

"I could turn a blind eye to theft. But selling children—infants who had just been weaned—into slavery, I could not tolerate."

"So you took that child and raised her as your own daughter? Knowing full well what she would do when she learned of her origins?"

A mad gleam flickered in Jo Yun-san's eyes.

Hwang Gyeong-mun clicked his tongue.

"I can listen to no more. Yun Chung!"

"Yes, Grand Chieftain!"

Yun Chung, who had been waiting outside, entered.

Behind him, a contingent of warriors was visible—the elites of the Tyrant's Stronghold. They lined up behind Hwang Gyeong-mun.

Hwang Gyeong-mun stroked his white beard.

"Treat them with courtesy. Those Chieftains who signed the petition must also be held accountable."

"Yes!"

Yun Chung answered respectfully.

Hwang Gyeong-mun turned to Jo Yun-san.

"Using the Demonic Cult as a pretext was unexpected, even for me. I had no reason to object. But you have made a mistake. You have walked into the tiger's jaws yourselves."

"The Tyrant's Stronghold is certainly the tiger's jaws. But we shall see whose jaws are truly open."

"What did you say?"

Thud!

In that instant, Hwang Gyeong-mun felt an excruciating pain in his lower back.

"Urgh!"

Hwang Gyeong-mun's body buckled.

He turned to find a dark red dagger embedded in his lower back, its hilt protruding.

"What—?"

Hwang Gyeong-mun's eyes could not believe what they saw.

The one who had driven in the dagger was none other than his trusted confidant, Yun Chung.

"I'm sorry, Brother."

"You—you—why?"

Hwang Gyeong-mun's voice trembled.

Yun Chung was a companion of decades. They had built the Tyrant's Stronghold together, and Yun Chung had followed him more faithfully than anyone. That he would stab him in the back—Hwang Gyeong-mun could not believe it.

Jo Yun-san answered in Yun Chung's stead.

"Because he too is a man of ambition."

"Ambition?"

"Brother Yun Chung cannot remain the Grand Chieftain's lackey forever. After thirty years as the second-in-command, it is only natural to dream of becoming the first. We have already agreed to support Brother Yun Chung as the new Grand Chieftain."

At Jo Yun-san's words, Gwak Sam and the others nodded.

Hwang Gyeong-mun turned to Yun Chung.

"Is what he says true?"

"I'm sorry, Brother."

"How could you—"

"You have borne the burden of supreme ruler for thirty long years. It is time you rested. Brother."

"Heh heh…"

In the end, a hollow laugh escaped Hwang Gyeong-mun.

Yun Chung was the one he had trusted most. He had believed that even if everyone else betrayed him, Yun Chung never would.

Yun Chung's betrayal dealt a devastating blow to his spirit. But Hwang Gyeong-mun straightened his back.

"I let my guard down. To prepare so meticulously—I am impressed."

"We face the Tyrant Saber of the world. Thorough preparation is only natural."

"But do not think for a moment that a wound like this can finish me. Do you think I would so much as flinch at such a scratch?"

Hwang Gyeong-mun pulled the dagger from his back.

Grrrk!

The dark red dagger crumpled in his fist like tin.

He tossed the ruined weapon aside and drew upon his internal energy. A mountainous aura erupted, sweeping through the hall.

Everyone's expression changed. They had not expected him to release such power after being wounded.

But only Jo Yun-san remained composed.

"Did you truly think I could bring down the Grand Chieftain with so little?"

"Then—"

"I applied several poisons to the blade."

"Poisons?"

"The Spirit-Scattering Poison and the Lung Blood Acid. As you know, the Spirit-Scattering Poison disrupts one's internal energy, while the Lung Blood Acid dissolves the lungs. Though it may not kill the Grand Chieftain, it is more than sufficient to incapacitate you."

"Impressive. You have prepared thoroughly."

"You flatter me."

Jo Yun-san raised his hand. At that signal, the elites of the Tyrant's Stronghold who had been standing behind Yun Chung surrounded Hwang Gyeong-mun.

"You too have betrayed me?"

"I'm sorry."

"I do not know what Jo Yun-san has offered you, but you will regret this soon enough."

Hwang Gyeong-mun gritted his teeth.

Already, his internal energy was fracturing strand by strand. The Spirit-Scattering Poison Jo Yun-san had prepared was working as intended.

The blood at the corner of his mouth meant the Lung Blood Acid was attacking his lungs.

'I must end this quickly. The longer this drags on, the worse my position becomes.'

"Oh, and do not expect any help from outside. The Fist Demon will die miserably in the Penitence Cave, and Hye-ryeong will not survive either. With your death, the forest will enter a new era."

Jo Yun-san grinned.

In that instant, the warriors surrounding Hwang Gyeong-mun charged.

Kwa-chang!

A battle unprecedented in the history of the forest had begun.