Chapter 48: The Three Forbidden Grounds (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48: The Three Forbidden Grounds (4)
-It’s fascinating. Why does it listen to you?
I haven’t a clue.
The Human-Faced Purple-Eyed Snake.
According to the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments, it was a creature closer to a monster than a spiritual beast. This thing, which rightfully deserved to be called a monster, was following my lead. What was even more surprising was that it seemed to understand what I was saying.
-If that fellow we saw before had been this good at taking directions, we wouldn't have had to go through all that trouble.
Well, we did struggle back then, but I gained a significant serendipitous encounter from it, so I have no regrets. If anything, this feels like even greater luck.
“P-please, tell this monster to step back just a little bit.”
The man pleaded with me. Having seen two of his companions devoured by the Human-Faced Snake, he was utterly paralyzed with fear. When I glanced at the creature, its mouth twitched as it slunk backward.
It really was a clever fellow.
-Its face is horrifying, but it acts just like a puppy.
-Indeed.
-Khahat! As I thought, there’s never a dull moment when I’m stuck with you.
And here I thought he was just regretting not staying by Baek Ryeonha’s side. His quick change of heart made me click my tongue inwardly.
Once the Human-Faced Snake had retreated, I turned to the man, who had dropped his saber and was trembling violently.
“You can answer my questions now, right?”
“Y-yes! Ask me anything, please!”
This was convenient. It was far more effective than threatening someone with words or brute force.
“Earlier, you mentioned something about tree root bundles. Are you telling me people are monopolizing and trading supplies inside this place?”
I had been listening closely to their conversation outside. The man who had broken the dead man’s leg had acted incredibly subservient toward these people.
After a moment of hesitation, the man replied.
“That is correct.”
It was a ridiculous situation. Even in a place like this, trade and commerce existed.
-Humans are truly peculiar. You’d think they’d join forces to survive, but even in a wasteland like this, they’re still calculating their own interests.
In a way, it was quite bitter.
“So you’re saying someone is running a business with supplies. Is this man named Paewoong the one leading it?”
At my question, the man nodded.
After a thorough interrogation, I was able to grasp the situation within Bongnim Valley.
The prisoners trapped here were largely divided into two groups. First, those imprisoned by Peerless Fortress, and second, those imprisoned by Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak.
The majority were those sent by Peerless Fortress. Many of those captured by Sama Chak were villains who caused trouble as soon as they arrived, leading the residents to "deal" with them internally.
That was how they ended up here, and the power structure within the valley was as follows:
There were three main factions in Bongnim Valley.
The first was the original group centered around a man named Wolno, who had been trapped here the longest.
-Did he say there were eight of them?
Probably.
The second was Paewoong’s faction, which boasted the largest number of members. Paewoong was a villain dropped here by Sama Chak only a year and three months ago, but as a master of external martial arts, he had rapidly taken control of the area.
-He must be cunning.
I agreed with the Sodam Sword. Apparently, the first thing Paewoong did when seizing power was to target the cavern where the tree roots descended.
I heard that the northern cavern was the only place where tree roots grew down into the valley. While water was easy to come by due to the torrents flowing through, dry wood to start a fire was much harder to find.
-He identified exactly what was needed.
Exactly. He was a sharp one.
Regardless, Paewoong’s faction consisted of twenty-three people, making it the largest group.
-That’s almost half the population.
He had essentially seized hegemony.
The final group consisted of those who didn't belong to either side. They survived through self-sufficiency, hunting for food to offer Paewoong’s faction in exchange for tree root bundles—all to survive the coming winter.
-At this point, Paewoong is basically the boss here. Tsk, tsk.
He was the de facto ruler. I heard that Wolno’s group used to be larger, and the power balance had once been equal. However, when Wolno’s group tried to create an exit from Bongnim Valley, they accidentally caused a waterway to burst. That incident instantly shifted the balance of power. To make matters worse, Wolno had been bedridden with injuries ever since, and the tide had completely turned.
-Well, it doesn’t matter to you whether they fight among themselves or not.
True. I was only planning to stay here for a month before leaving.
-You’re a lucky human, too.
I couldn't deny that. In truth, this wasn't the situation Sama Chak had intended. He likely expected me to struggle and bleed as I fought these people barehanded just to survive.
But could he have ever guessed that I possessed an Upper Dantian or that a monster like the Human-Faced Snake would follow me? Even if the sleeping arrangements were uncomfortable, it looked like I’d be able to leave quite easily.
-A month will be a piece of cake.
Since I had also secured the small pond where the fish came in, my water and food problems were solved. There was only one thing left to settle. If I could just get enough tree root bundles to last a month, everything would be perfect.
“Hey.”
“Y-yes?!”
“Lead me to where your leader is.”
“U-understood.”
I just needed to deal with Paewoong. As I prepared to leave, the Human-Faced Snake approached and rubbed its massive head against me as if acting cute. I stroked its head and spoke.
“Stay here and guard this place.”
Its purple eyes rolled around as if it were disappointed. At first, I found it grotesque, but the more I looked at it, the more it felt like a spiritual beast.
-Spiritual beast, my foot. It’s just creepy.
The Sodam Sword clicked his tongue. Well, if it’s a creature I can use, I can afford to see it in a different light.
-You certainly have a strong stomach.
“I’ll be back soon.”
It would be useful to take it with me, but its massive body wouldn't fit through the path ahead.
I followed the man through the labyrinthine cave tunnels. Since their base was where the tree roots descended, it was likely to the north. Eventually, I began to hear the boisterous sounds of a crowd. That area was brighter than the other tunnels.
“We’re here,” the man said cautiously.
“Lead the way.”
The man obeyed without a word. Having already witnessed my martial prowess, he realized that resisting was futile, regardless of whether the Human-Faced Snake was there or not.
As we entered the cavern, a space larger than any I had seen so far revealed itself. Tree roots filled half the ceiling like thick wisteria vines, trailing down the opposite wall of the cavern.
In front of that wall sat a muscular, one-eyed, middle-aged man. He was perched on a stone chair fashioned like a throne, his posture arrogant.
“Is that him?”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
As expected, that man was Paewoong. The men sitting on the ground stood up in unison. They looked at us with confusion.
“What’s this? Gapchan. Where are the fish, and who is this guy?”
“Didn't you say the newbie was eaten by that monster snake?”
“T-that is…”
So this guy’s name was Gapchan. I hadn't bothered to ask because I wasn't particularly curious. The man called Gapchan looked like he was sitting on needles. With his leader and comrades in front of him and me behind him, he was clearly at a loss.
“What happened to the weapon you took?”
As they continued to press Gapchan, I stepped forward and spoke.
“Are you Paewoong, the leader here?”
“This brat… you’re a newbie, and you dare act like you own the place?!”
At my words, the men simultaneously drew their weapons. Not all of them had proper gear. About half held sabers or swords, but the rest held crude axes and spears made of sharpened stone, much like the first group I had encountered.
Gapchan spoke up, breaking out in a cold sweat.
“I… I would advise against fighting him.”
“What?”
“This gentleman… he can control that monster snake.”
“What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”
The men aimed their weapons at me and shouted.
“Hey, newbie. If you want to live, put down those swords and that dagger. Otherwise, we’ll tear you apart right here.”
“He can’t hear you! Get him!”
They looked ready to pounce at any moment. I gave them a thin smile. Then, I drew the Blood Demon Sword from my waist.
“Ooh. That’s a genuine treasure sword, Lord Paewoong.”
The men’s eyes burned with greed at the sight of the Blood Demon Sword, with its intricate patterns and magnificent aura. To the naked eye, it looked no different from any other legendary blade.
Ignoring them, I shouted to Paewoong, who remained arrogantly seated on his stone throne.
“Let’s make a deal.”
“What are you talking about? This brat dares…!”
One of the men tried to swing his saber at me. In response, I lunged, placing the tip of the Blood Demon Sword against his throat with lightning speed.
“Gasp!”
“I have no business talking to underlings.”
The men were stunned and bewildered by that single move. It was a speed that was impossible to achieve without the use of internal energy.
“H-how can he use internal energy?”
“Wasn't he captured and brought here?”
The men began to murmur and back away from me. As expected, demonstrating skill was the most effective method.
“Khahahahahaha!”
Just then, the man called Paewoong leaned back and laughed heartily. He stood up from his seat and approached me.
“Step one.”
I wondered what he meant, but then the men standing behind the wall raised torches to the tree roots that were tangled like vines against the cavern wall.
“!?”
This was completely unexpected. Six men held torches at different points; if they set those roots ablaze, this cavern would become a sea of fire. If that happened, all the descending tree roots would be lost.
-He’s a crafty one.
He was smarter than I thought. He knew how to utilize the leverage he had.
Paewoong smirked and spoke.
“If you move even an inch, I’ll burn all the roots. We’ll all die together.”
Having said that, he walked up to me, stopping about ten paces away. Seeing as he maintained that distance, he clearly didn't want to be within range of my sword.
He questioned me.
“You. How are you able to use internal energy?”
“That’s none of your business.”
At my reply, Paewoong shook his head and curled his lip into a smile.
“No, it’s a very important matter. If you can use internal energy, you might be able to remove the needles embedded in my body.”
Ah…
Come to think of it, he said this man was also captured by Sama Chak. Like me, he must have needles embedded in his pressure points.
Paewoong spoke to me with an expression full of anticipation.
“What you want are the tree roots, right?”
“You’re well-informed.”
“There’s only one reason anyone comes here.”
“Then, shall we make a deal?”
“Fine. I want something too. The condition is that you remove the needles from my body. If you do, I’ll give you whatever you want.”
Remove the needles, huh? But what should I do about this?
“I’m sorry, but that’s impossible.”
“What?”
“If that were possible, I would have removed the needles from my own body first.”
At my words, Paewoong’s eyes narrowed.
“You… were you captured by the Moon Evil Sword?”
I didn't deny it. In a way, it was the truth. I spoke to the man, whose eyes were now filled with disappointment.
“I’m sorry I can’t fulfill your request. My condition is simple. Bring a generous amount of tree root bundles—enough to last a month—to the cave with the pond.”
Paewoong looked at me as if I were speaking nonsense.
“Then what will you give in return?”
“I heard that fish are worth more than tree roots here.”
Paewoong frowned.
“Is it true that you can really control that monster snake?”
“Would you like to see for yourself?”
At my question, Paewoong looked at Gapchan.
“I-it’s true! I saw it with my own eyes. Byeonjeong was eaten by that monster snake too.”
At those words, Paewoong stroked his chin. He seemed to be contemplating, staring at me intensely before speaking.
“Ten fish for one bundle.”
“That’s excessive.”
“Look at our numbers. There are over twenty grown men here. Do you think one or two fish will be enough?”
“Even though fish come through the hole, there were only eight or nine of them.”
That was the reason I said it was excessive. If I agreed to that, and the fish didn't come in on time, I wouldn't even have enough for myself.
“That’s not my concern. Ten fish for one bundle of roots. Otherwise, there’s no deal.”
Paewoong took a hard line.
“That’s different from what I heard.”
“What is?”
“I heard from that man that you used to trade one bundle of roots for just five rats.”
At my words, Paewoong grinned.
“Value is always subject to change. The harder something is to get, the higher the price. But you can get fish whenever you want now, can’t you?”
“If I don’t release the fish, they’ll be very hard to get.”
“Then eat your fish raw. It’s not like you’ll die if you can’t eat cooked fish. But the tree roots are different. How will you survive the winter? How will you endure the cold?”
He knew exactly what advantages he held. That was why he had fought so hard to occupy this place. Paewoong laughed smugly, as if he had already won.
“Now that you understand, bring ten fish. Then I’ll give you the tree root bundles you desire so much.”
“I assume you’re the one who set all these rules.”
At my remark, Paewoong spread his arms wide.
“Inside Bongnim Valley, I am king. If you want to live even a little bit comfortably, you’d better follow my orders.”
“I see. So the one who controls the tree roots is the king.”
“Khahahahat! Now that you get it, hurry up and—”
“Can I check if your subordinates have the courage to die for their king’s wishes?”
“What?”
Thwack!
“Gurgle!”
The Blood Demon Sword buried itself in Paewoong’s forehead. The man, his head pierced through, made a choking sound before collapsing heavily to the floor.
Did he really think he could dodge a sword from ten paces? All I had to do was throw it.
“!!!”
The men in the cavern were dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events. They clearly hadn't expected me to kill their leader in a single stroke.
I shouted to the men standing by the cavern wall with torches.
“Go ahead, burn them.”
“Urgh!”
At my command, the men with torches stood frozen, looking at each other, not knowing what to do.
“I suppose you don’t want to die together after all.”
The men couldn't offer a single word in response. These were people who had survived by eating insects and rats just to cling to their wretched lives. Would they really throw away their only source of fuel over a power struggle?
Schwing!
I pulled the sword from Paewoong’s forehead and spoke with a thin smile.
“Since the king died by my hand, am I the king now? If anyone disagrees, feel free to step forward.”
As I tapped the blood-stained blade of the Blood Demon Sword against my palm, the men kept their mouths tightly shut.