Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Part 4. What is Emptied is Naturally Filled (2)
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Huangshan was one of the most renowned mountains in the Central Plains.
Even combining the Five Great Peaks—Tai Shan, Hua Shan, Heng Shan, Heng Shan, and Song Shan—couldn't match its splendor, or so the saying went. Huangshan's scenery was utterly overwhelming.
For more than half the year, clouds draped its peaks, earning it the name Cloud Mountain. It felt as though immortals might descend at any moment to stroll atop those clouds, lending an air of profound mystery.
Perilous enough to rank among the world's most treacherous summits, and beautiful enough to top all the countless mountains of the realm—that was Huangshan. Nestled there was the Overlord Stronghold, headquarters of the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds.
Whoever claimed the inner sanctum of Huangshan reigned supreme over the Green Forest.
That was the unwritten law of the bandits, passed down through the ages.
The current master of the Overlord Stronghold was the Overlord, Hwang Kyung-moon.
The most flawless warrior ever produced by the Green Forest. The sovereign standing at the pinnacle of tens of thousands of outlaws. That was Hwang Kyung-moon.
Hwang Kyung-moon possessed a sturdy frame towering over seven feet. Even in his sixties, his muscles were as firm as a youth's, exuding the imposing aura befitting a ruler of the Green Forest.
His residence sat at the stronghold's highest point. Throwing open the windows offered a full view of Huangshan's sea of clouds.
"Hah! What a sight."
Hwang Kyung-moon let out a sigh of admiration at the endless ocean of clouds stretching before him.
It was a view he'd seen every day since becoming lord of the Overlord Stronghold, yet the sea of clouds always felt fresh.
Especially at sunset, when it dyed crimson—a spectacle he cherished most.
After gazing at it for a long while, Hwang Kyung-moon suddenly shook his head.
"I wonder how that wild girl's doing."
His only daughter, who had slipped down the mountain without permission.
He'd assigned Muk Il-gwang as her guard, so there wasn't much to worry about, but a father's concern couldn't be helped.
"She should wrap up her sightseeing and come home soon. That girl has no fear... Tsk!"
He held the life and death of tens of thousands of Green Forest bandits in his grasp, feared under the terrifying moniker of Overlord, but in the end, he was only human, flesh and blood. Even he couldn't escape the pull of family ties.
Thinking of Hwang Hye-ryeong brought a smile to his face unbidden. She, his daughter born in his later years, was the reason he lived.
"If only a good match would appear for her soon."
He muttered to himself.
"Brother."
The voice of his trusted retainer, Yun Chung, came from outside.
"Come in."
In an instant, Hwang Kyung-moon regained his dignified air as absolute sovereign.
Yun Chung opened the door and entered.
He had served alongside Hwang Kyung-moon for thirty years. Though not quite on his master's level, he was a seasoned warrior hardened in the Green Forest.
He was both a fine aide and an excellent check on power. Thanks to him, Hwang Kyung-moon could lead the Green Forest with balance.
Seeing Yun Chung, Hwang Kyung-moon smiled.
"What's the matter, Chung?"
Officially, they were stronghold lord and deputy, but privately, they were sworn brothers who trusted each other without reservation.
"Five stronghold lords, including Black Water Stronghold, request an audience, Brother."
"Black Water... That guy's leading them, then?"
"Yes! Jo Yun-san."
"Hmm! So he's finally making his move?"
Hwang Kyung-moon furrowed his brow.
Black Water Stronghold was a major force ranking high among the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds. Their movements demanded close attention.
He had long known Jo Yun-san's ambitions were vast. And he acknowledged the man's abilities.
Jo Yun-san had clawed his way from the very bottom to become lord of Black Water Stronghold. His tenacity and talent were undeniable.
"How far along are they?"
"They should arrive in three or four days."
"What's their pretext?"
"The Demonic Cult."
" Apt. He's chosen his justification well."
"It's about finding ways to counter the Demonic Cult. No grounds to refuse."
"Sharp fellow, isn't he?"
"Waste of talent, really."
"Indeed!"
Hwang Kyung-moon nodded firmly.
His eyes gleamed sharply. A heavy, sovereign pressure emanated from his entire being.
"Jo Yun-san... If only he weren't such a rebel, I'd have named him successor long ago."
"What should we do?"
"He's proposing ways to oppose the Demonic Cult. What can we do? Let them in."
"Understood. I'll make all preparations."
"Just in case, summon the Dragon Squadron too."
"Yes! No need to worry."
Yun Chung bowed and withdrew.
Left alone, Hwang Kyung-moon turned back to the sea of clouds.
The sun was setting.
The whole world was turning red.
"Beautiful. Anything that burns itself out in the end is beautiful."
***
Crackle! Crackle!
Around the blazing campfire sat Tan Ho, Bang Jin-bo, Hwang Hye-ryeong, and Muk Il-gwang.
Satisfaction lit the faces of Hwang Hye-ryeong and Muk Il-gwang.
The grilled carp and fresh porridge Bang Jin-bo had prepared were pure bliss. The fish melted delicately in the mouth, while the porridge brought deep satiety.
Their depleted vital energies had recovered substantially as well.
"Impressive, little brother. I feel much better thanks to you."
"No big deal."
Bang Jin-bo rubbed his nose with a finger, a pleased smile on his face.
Truth be told, he'd gone fishing for carp specifically to restore their vital energies.
Carp had long been prized as a tonic, and he'd added his father Bang Woo-gwang's secret recipe.
"Heh heh!"
The praise felt good. But even better was seeing their vital energies rebound.
'Food as tonic—that's the path I must walk.'
Bang Jin-bo clenched his fist.
Young as he was, he had set his goal and was steadily forging his own way.
Tan Ho respected Bang Jin-bo's quiet determination to carve his path. The boy had earned it.
Tan Ho silently watched the flickering campfire. The flames cast stark shadows across his face.
That was when it happened.
"Oppa..."
Hwang Hye-ryeong called to Tan Ho.
He looked up at her. She asked cautiously.
"Can I ask you just one thing?"
"Speak."
"Why are you helping us? Could I know the reason?"
"......"
"No matter how I think about it, there's no reason for you to help us. And the danger's too great."
Regret colored her voice.
Tan Ho stared straight at her.
His gaze remained impassive. It should have been intimidating, yet she didn't look away.
"Then why do you call me oppa?"
"Because... you don't feel like a stranger..."
"I feel the same."
"Yes!"
Hwang Hye-ryeong bowed her head in response.
It wasn't a particularly warm answer, but somehow, she understood. Strangely...
"Night's late. We have a long road tomorrow. Sleep."
"Yes!"
She murmured softly.
Her belly full, sleep was already overtaking her. She drifted off the moment she lay down.
Tan Ho watched her quietly.
Bang Jin-bo tilted his head. He sensed something different in Tan Ho's demeanor, instinctively. But what exactly, he couldn't pinpoint.
Tan Ho turned to Muk Il-gwang. The man straightened rigidly. Just meeting Tan Ho's eyes put him on edge.
"Tell me."
"T-Tell you what, sir?"
"Everything."
"Yes?"
"All of it! Everything you know."
At Tan Ho's low voice, Muk Il-gwang felt every hair on his body stand on end.
It was as if a massive beast, steeped in killing intent and malice, its breath ragged, crouched right before him.
The foul, fishy stench of fresh blood after devouring the living seemed mingled in Tan Ho's breath. It chilled him to the bone, freezing him in place.
"The current state of the Green Forest is..."
Muk Il-gwang spilled whatever he knew in a frantic rush.
No order, no coherence. Such was the pressure bearing down on him.
Never had he imagined feeling this crushed by anyone.
He respected Hwang Kyung-moon, ruler of the Green Forest, but even from him, he'd never felt this intensity.
Whose martial arts were superior was unclear, but in sheer soul-gripping presence, Tan Ho dominated.
He wore human skin, yet one wondered if he truly was human.
Unaware of his own words, Muk Il-gwang kept babbling. Tan Ho listened, arms crossed.
The ramblings lacked logic or sequence, but he sifted out the useful bits.
After a long while, Muk Il-gwang finally stopped. Sweat soaked him through.
Tan Ho spoke.
"Rest now."
"Yes! Thank you, Brother!"
Muk Il-gwang shouted before he knew it.
"......"
"C-Can I call you... Brother?"
His voice shrank to a mosquito's buzz by the end.
Tan Ho stared at him. A cold trickle of sweat ran down Muk Il-gwang's back.
He'd been born with a fierce face. His mother had fainted at first sight of him as a newborn.
As he grew, it turned even more intimidating—no one dared meet his eyes.
Yet before Tan Ho, he was as meek as a whipped dog with ten tails tucked. Anyone who knew him would gape.
Tan Ho stood.
"Call me what you will."
Taking it as permission, Muk Il-gwang's face lit up.
"Thank you, Brother."
He rose and bowed. Bang Jin-bo stifled a chuckle at the pure sincerity.
Tan Ho walked toward the river, to wash his face against the heat.
He dunked his head in the water.
The cold shocked him alert.
Sitting by the bank, he gazed at the darkened surface. No lights anywhere—just pitch-black water. His eyes deepened to match.
'Jo Yun-san... Not just some bandit, after all?'
A smile tugged at his lips.
Jo Yun-san was one ambitious man.
He'd never been content as a mere outlaw.
The plundering and slaughter as a bandit were mere steps along the way.
His true aim: become lord of the Green Forest, pinnacle of tens of thousands.
And he was steadily advancing toward it.
From nothing, he'd seized Black Water Stronghold and bent many bandit dens to his influence.
If he were a stranger, his relentless drive might even earn respect.
'Yes! That's more like it.'
Tan Ho laughed.
In the pitch darkness, his teeth gleamed especially white.