Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: The One Who Forgot the Past, The One Who Can't Forget (3)
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Hwang Kyung-moon looked down at Jo Yun-san.
"Long time no see, Chief Jo."
"I should have visited more often, but I apologize."
"With the distance being what it is, it's unavoidable."
"Instead, I'll make sure to serve you well while you're here."
"Much appreciated!"
"But may I ask what the occasion is for this feast? Is it for us, by any chance?"
"It just happened to work out that way. You've come a long way, so you're probably tired. Rest up and enjoy the feast tonight."
"Thank you."
Jo Yun-san bowed his head deeply. The other chiefs followed suit, bowing their heads.
Jo Yun-san turned around with a smile.
He seemed utterly at ease despite the countless gazes fixed on him.
Suddenly, his eyes caught sight of a certain young woman. In that instant, the smile playing on his lips deepened.
Without hesitation, he strode toward her.
"Long time no see, Hye-ryeong."
"Chief Jo."
Hwang Hye-ryeong bowed her head toward Jo Yun-san.
"You've grown into a fine young lady now. You're ready for marriage."
"You're as hale and hearty as ever, Chief."
"You think so?"
"Yes!"
"Thank you."
Jo Yun-san nodded.
His words were warm, but his eyes gleamed colder and sharper than ever.
"I heard you've been in Ak-yang lately. Is that right?"
"Yes."
"Then did you happen to see Geo-cheol while you were there?"
"Are you referring to Vice Chief Kwak?"
"That's right."
"I didn't see him."
"Really?"
"Really. Why are you asking me?"
"Geo-cheol went to Ak-yang and then all contact cut off."
"Why would Vice Chief Kwak go to Ak-yang?"
"He said he was going to meet an old acquaintance. Since you were there, I thought you might know something. Don't worry about it."
"Yes!"
Jo Yun-san swept his sharp gaze over Hwang Hye-ryeong as she answered.
*Does she really not know?*
Hwang Hye-ryeong wore an expression of complete ignorance.
Kwak Geo-cheol had informed the Murim Alliance of Hwang Hye-ryeong's existence on Jo Yun-san's orders.
As a result, Namgung Se-ga and Murim Alliance warriors had mobilized to capture her. But their plans had been foiled by a single Poison Tiger.
That much was fine. In life, even the most meticulously laid schemes often went to waste.
The problem was the mysterious disappearance of Kwak Geo-cheol, his loyal right-hand man and vice chief of Black Water Stronghold.
Kwak Geo-cheol was no mere subordinate. He was a devoted confidant who could read Jo Yun-san's deepest intentions, loyal enough to leap into a pit of fire without hesitation.
Above all, Kwak Geo-cheol had followed him for over twenty years. Their bond ran deeper than blood.
And then his trail had vanished completely, as if he'd dropped off the face of the earth.
That was when it had started. The inexplicable unease that Jo Yun-san had begun to feel.
Jo Yun-san's piercing stare at Hwang Hye-ryeong shifted to the side.
He saw Muk Il-gwang, and a chubby boy.
And then a young man he'd never seen before in his life.
Pitch-black leather robe, wolfishly tousled black hair, and through it, eyes black as the abyss.
Jo Yun-san furrowed his brow. The moment his eyes met the Poison Tiger's, he felt an inexplicable chill.
It was as if swarms of ants were crawling over his skin. He'd never felt anything like it before.
Without realizing it, Jo Yun-san asked,
"Who the hell are you?"
The man, the Poison Tiger, didn't answer.
Instead, he stared straight at Jo Yun-san. Jo Yun-san's face was reflected fully in his black eyes.
In that moment, a smile crept across the Poison Tiger's lips. As it spread slowly like wildfire, Jo Yun-san felt an inexplicable unease.
"You! Who are you?"
His voice rose sharply.
The Poison Tiger, who had been staring at Jo Yun-san, finally spoke.
"You don't remember, do you."
"What?"
"I remember you clear as day."
"Have we met before?"
The Poison Tiger didn't respond to Jo Yun-san's question. At that, Jwa Sin-chung, Jo Yun-san's loyal retainer standing beside him, bristled.
"The chief asked you a question. Answer him!"
Jwa Sin-chung stood seven feet tall and possessed innate divine strength, making him unmatched even within Black Water Stronghold.
As Jwa Sin-chung raised his voice, all eyes in the hall turned toward them. Hwang Hye-ryeong was the one who grew flustered.
Knowing the Poison Tiger's temperament well, she quickly stepped forward.
"This is Fist Demon Poison Tiger, the great hero."
"Fist Demon?"
Jwa Sin-chung's eyes widened in shock, his aggressive momentum crumbling.
He'd heard the rumors about the Fist Demon. In the current martial world, no warrior bore a worse reputation.
"You're really the Fist Demon?"
The Poison Tiger's gaze turned to Jwa Sin-chung.
"Huh!"
The moment he met those pitch-black eyes devoid of any emotion, Jwa Sin-chung involuntarily gasped.
He felt it with every fiber of his being—the paralysis of a frog before a snake.
He couldn't move. The fear that he'd be devoured the instant he did washed over him.
"If you butt in again, I'll make sure you never chew food with those teeth again."
"......"
Jwa Sin-chung clamped his mouth shut without thinking.
The Fist Demon was known in the martial world as a man who always kept his word. The fact that scarcely anyone who crossed him survived proved the rumors true.
Jo Yun-san's eyes narrowed.
"You really are the Fist Demon."
The Poison Tiger didn't open his mouth. But this time, no one called it rude.
*If that's really the Fist Demon, he's a massive figure.*
*Why would someone like that be here?*
Such doubts flickered through people's minds, but no one dared step forward to ask.
Jo Yun-san's eyes flashed sharply.
"So you really are the Fist Demon. What, does the Fist Demon think there's something to gain in this backwater mountain hollow?"
"Is Overlord Stronghold a backwater mountain hollow?"
"......"
Jo Yun-san couldn't respond. Acknowledging the Poison Tiger's words would be tantamount to insulting Overlord Stronghold and Hwang Kyung-moon in front of everyone.
Instead, he changed the subject.
"You've got a way with words."
"My fists are even better."
"Are you picking a fight with me right now?"
"You started it."
"You bastard!"
"I didn't notice before, but you're pretty damn stupid."
In that instant, an enormous wave of killing intent erupted from Jo Yun-san's entire body.
"Urk!"
"Hngh!"
The nearby warriors recoiled, overwhelmed by the killing intent. But the Poison Tiger, bathed in it, showed no change in expression.
"You want to die? This is the heart of bandit territory. Your empty reputation means nothing here."
"Want to test it? See if that's true."
"You?"
The Poison Tiger rose to his feet. Jo Yun-san flinched and took a step back.
Humiliation flashed across Jo Yun-san's face.
He, who dreamed of becoming the supreme bandit chief, had retreated from mere presence. His pride stung.
The Poison Tiger's eyes on Jo Yun-san betrayed no trace of emotion.
It had been over twenty years since facing his sworn enemy. He'd thought rage would consume him on sight, driving him mad. Surprisingly, his mind remained ice-cold, reason intact as if doused in freezing water.
It was the moment Jo Yun-san's anger was about to explode.
"He's my guest. He saved my daughter from danger. Treat him with respect."
Hwang Kyung-moon's stern voice rang out.
Faced with the absolute ruler of the bandit world, Jo Yun-san had no choice but to swallow his rage. But he didn't forget to threaten the Poison Tiger.
"You'd better watch yourself. If you catch my eye again, I won't let it slide."
"You should take in as much of the scenery as you can."
"What?"
"See a lot while you're alive, so you won't have regrets when you're dead."
"You really are..."
"Chief Jo."
Had Hwang Kyung-moon's voice not intervened again, Jo Yun-san might have lunged at the Poison Tiger without regard for consequences.
Even the cool-headed Jo Yun-san was utterly shaken by the Poison Tiger's provocations. It was a first for him, leaving him deeply unsettled.
*This bastard!*
He glared at the Poison Tiger for a long while before turning away.
*I won't let this go. How dare you provoke me, relying on your flimsy fame.*
His shoulders twitched spasmodically.
The Poison Tiger stared fixedly at Jo Yun-san's retreating back.
"Big brother."
"Brother!"
Hwang Hye-ryeong and Bang Jin-bo called out to the Poison Tiger simultaneously. Only then did he withdraw his gaze from Jo Yun-san.
"Big brother, because of me..."
Hwang Hye-ryeong wore an apologetic expression.
She'd mistaken it for him stepping in because of her.
"It's fine."
The Poison Tiger reached out with a large hand and gently patted her head—an impolite gesture for a grown woman. Yet strangely, she felt no repulsion.
It was the complete opposite of the chills she got whenever she saw Jo Yun-san.
She'd only seen Black Water Stronghold's Jo Yun-san a handful of times in person. But whenever she encountered him, she instinctively recoiled.
She hated everything about Jo Yun-san.
He often said incomprehensible things. Things from her childhood that she herself couldn't remember.
Perhaps that's why she felt even more repulsed by him.
*Big brother.*
Conversely, looking at the Poison Tiger filled her chest with an inexplicable sense of relief.
It was then.
"Hehe! So the hero of the world was here all along."
A sultry voice laced with seduction rang in the Poison Tiger's ears.
Turning his head, he saw a voluptuous woman swaying her hips as she approached.
Yi Ga-heun, chief of Blue River Stronghold.
She was a remarkable woman who had claimed leadership of one of the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds with her feminine wiles.
Countless bandits had lost their lives after being lured by her seductive appearance.
How else could her moniker be Snake-Scorpion Witch?
The Snake-Scorpion Witch Yi Ga-heun sat naturally in the seat beside the Poison Tiger.
"I'm Yi Ga-heun. Pleased to meet you, Hero Poison Tiger."
"......"
"You're more stoic than I expected. No need to be so guarded. I like you, after all."
Yi Ga-heun scooted her hips right up against the Poison Tiger.
The air around them heated up in an instant.
A seductive smile played on Yi Ga-heun's face.
She felt an immense attraction to the Poison Tiger.
In the martial world, might made right. In her eyes, the Poison Tiger was the epitome of strength.
*Hehe! If I could wrap this man in my skirts, ruling the entire bandit world might not be a pipe dream.*
She was a woman of great ambition.
For now, she cooperated with Jo Yun-san, but if the Poison Tiger proved more appealing, she was ready to switch sides at a moment's notice.
"Hero Poison Tiger."
"You in heat?"
"What?"
"Your cunt stench is overpowering."
In that instant, not only Yi Ga-heun but everyone nearby paled deathly white.