Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: There Exists Pain Worse Than Death (1)
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The Green King Hall was the largest building within the Overlord Stronghold.
It was normally kept tightly shut, but it would open whenever there was a major decision to make regarding the fate of the Green Forest bandits.
Jo Yun-san, in his capacity as the lord of the Black Water Stronghold, had proposed opening the Green King Hall. And Hwang Kyung-mun readily accepted Jo Yun-san's suggestion.
At the long table aligned lengthwise, Hwang Kyung-mun sat at the head, flanked by Jo Yun-san, Kwak Sam, Oh Jong-sam, Yi Ga-heun, and the others.
This was a gathering of the lords of the most powerful strongholds among the Eighteen Green Forest Strongholds. Naturally, a tight security perimeter had been established around the Green King Hall.
Hwang Kyung-mun, seated in the seat of honor, gazed at Jo Yun-san.
Even under the scrutiny of the Green Forest's absolute ruler, Jo Yun-san showed no sign of intimidation. On the contrary, he stared straight back at Hwang Kyung-mun with eyes wide open.
"Lord Jo."
"Yes! Supreme Lord."
"Tell us why you wanted to open the Green King Hall today."
"It's because of the Demonic Cult."
"The Demonic Cult..."
"As you already know, the Demonic Cult's resurgence is a confirmed fact. Sects have already been wiped out by them."
"And?"
"I believe we in the Green Forest need to discuss countermeasures against the Demonic Cult. That's why we've come here."
Hwang Kyung-mun looked at the other stronghold lords after Jo Yun-san's explanation.
"Is that your thinking as well?"
"Yes."
The three men answered in unison.
Hwang Kyung-mun regarded them with an intrigued expression.
"To think of preparing defenses against a Demonic Cult invasion. Impressive."
"In any case, shouldn't the Green Forest survive?"
"True enough."
"Though they couldn't attend this meeting, seven other strongholds have agreed to stand with us."
"Impressive indeed. May we know which strongholds?"
"The Five Lakes Stronghold, Northern King Stronghold, Kunshan Stronghold, White Horse Stronghold, Rear Rock Stronghold, Red Dragon Stronghold, and Great Light Stronghold. Here's the alliance pledge with their seals."
Jo Yun-san produced a tightly rolled alliance pledge from his bosom. He carefully presented it to Hwang Kyung-mun.
When unrolled, it bore the names and personal seals of the stronghold lords Jo Yun-san had mentioned. It was undoubtedly authentic, beyond any doubt.
"All of them have resolved to prepare against the Demonic Cult invasion?"
"Yes. They've all pledged their full support to my proposal."
"You must have been quite busy."
The strongholds listed on the pledge were scattered across the Central Plains. The nearest one to the Black Water Stronghold was over five hundred li away, and the farthest was several thousand li distant.
They were places where even hearing news once a year was rare, let alone regular contact. Securing their support despite such geographical barriers was stark proof of Jo Yun-san's capabilities.
Hwang Kyung-mun's eyes narrowed. Jo Yun-san was smiling right before him.
'While I focused on his companions, he secured support from seven strongholds?'
That meant a total of ten strongholds were now aligned with Jo Yun-san. It was a monumental event, incomparable to merely traveling with three other lords.
Jo Yun-san spoke up with a beaming smile.
"I didn't expect so many lords to sign the pledge so readily. It must be proof of their deep concern for the Green Forest."
"I see. Well, if you've garnered support from seven strongholds, you must have some plan ready to counter the Demonic Cult."
"Of course."
"I'd like to hear it. What plan have you devised?"
"You won't be disappointed."
"Is that so?"
"Yes!"
Jo Yun-san replied confidently.
As the smile on his lips deepened, Hwang Kyung-mun's expression hardened.
"Very well, what is this plan?"
"It's for you, Supreme Lord, to step down from your position."
"You're going too far with the jokes."
"It's no joke. We've concluded that we cannot effectively resist the Demonic Cult under the current Supreme Lord system."
"And?"
"Please step down of your own accord."
Jo Yun-san spoke without hesitation.
In an instant, the air in the hall grew as cold as if ice water had been poured over it.
"Step down myself? Me, Hwang Kyung-mun?"
"Yes. For the sake of the Green Forest, and for your own honor. The Green Forest needs someone younger and more ambitious now."
"Someone like you?"
"I won't deny it."
Jo Yun-san revealed the ambition he had kept hidden until now. The accompanying lords nodded in agreement.
"The era of the Supreme Lord is over. The Green Forest needs new blood."
"Step down."
"If you won't do so willingly, we may have to force you. Please retire with honor and avoid any ugliness. This is sincere."
"Keuk!"
Hwang Kyung-mun laughed.
He had long known of Jo Yun-san's ambitions.
How could he not? Jo Yun-san had stood out even before becoming the lord of the Black Water Stronghold.
"How many years has it been since you threw in your lot with the Green Forest? Around twenty?"
"Yes."
"That's plenty of time to ripen ambitions."
"Had you not been Supreme Lord, I would have achieved it much sooner."
"You still resent me for that day?"
A chill began to flicker in Hwang Kyung-mun's eyes. In that moment, the air in the hall turned icy.
His internal energy was resonating with the external atmosphere—a feat achievable by only a handful in even the massive Nine Great Sects.
Kwak Sam and the others' expressions changed.
'The Supreme Lord's martial prowess is at this level?'
It had been decades since Hwang Kyung-mun ascended as the Green Forest's absolute ruler. His strength was renowned, but no one had imagined it had reached such heights.
Hwang Kyung-mun's power was an object of admiration.
It was because of him that the Green Forest avoided being trifled with and achieved its current prosperity.
He was the sturdy bulwark protecting the Green Forest. Yet to those eyeing its hegemony, he was a wall of despair.
They called it the Green Forest for polite appearances, but at their core, they were bandits who lived by plunder.
They valued freedom over morals and discipline, seeing the seizure of others' wealth as a matter of course. But Hwang Kyung-mun had banned wanton pillaging and strictly controlled them.
Unsurprisingly, resentment built up. But with the giant Hwang Kyung-mun still standing strong, they had no choice but to endure.
Decades passed like that, and the internal discontent only grew. Especially the stronghold lords, who had to bear the grievances of their subordinate bandits.
It was then that Jo Yun-san approached them. With cunning words, he stoked their desires and frustrations.
That was why they sided with him. But now, confronted by Hwang Kyung-mun's terrifying presence, the confidence they had mustered seemed to vanish without a trace.
Yet one man, Jo Yun-san, still wore his smile unwaveringly.
"I'm grateful, actually. It gave me a goal."
"What?"
"That day's humiliation forged who I am today."
"Humiliation... So that's how you've seen it all this time?"
"You and your men took everything my subordinates and I bled and sweated for. It wasn't yours."
"I could overlook plundering goods. But selling children—mere infants still at the breast—as slaves? That I could not tolerate."
"So you took that child and raised her as your own daughter? Even knowing full well how she'd act once she learned her origins?"
Madness gleamed in Jo Yun-san's eyes.
Hwang Kyung-mun clicked his tongue as he looked at him.
"I can't listen to any more of this. Yun Chung."
"Yes! Supreme Lord."
Yun Chung, who had been waiting outside, entered.
Behind him appeared a group of warriors—the elites of the Overlord Stronghold. They lined up behind Hwang Kyung-mun.
Hwang Kyung-mun stroked his white beard and spoke.
"Escort them out politely. We'll have to hold those who signed the pledge accountable as well."
"Yes!"
Yun Chung bowed respectfully.
Hwang Kyung-mun turned to Jo Yun-san.
"Using the Demonic Cult as a pretext was unexpected on my part. No reason to oppose it. But you made a mistake. You've walked right into the tiger's maw yourselves."
"The Overlord Stronghold is indeed a tiger's maw. But we'll see who it's pointed at."
"What?"
Puuk!
In that instant, Hwang Kyung-mun felt excruciating pain in his lower back.
"Kuh!"
Hwang Kyung-mun staggered.
Turning around, he saw a dark red dagger plunged into his waist, leaving only the hilt exposed.
"What is this?"
Hwang Kyung-mun's eyes filled with disbelief.
The one who had stabbed him was none other than his trusted confidant, Yun Chung.
"I'm sorry, brother."
"You... why you?"
Hwang Kyung-mun's voice trembled involuntarily.
Yun Chung had been his comrade for decades. They had led the Overlord Stronghold together, and no one followed him more loyally. To think that man had stabbed him in the back—it was unbelievable.
Jo Yun-san answered in Yun Chung's place.
"It's because he has ambitions too."
"Ambitions?"
"Brother Yun Chung can't spend his life forever as the Supreme Lord's lackey. Thirty years as second-in-command naturally makes one dream of becoming first. We've already agreed to back him as the new Supreme Lord."
Kwak Sam and the others nodded at Jo Yun-san's words.
Hwang Kyung-mun asked Yun Chung.
"Is what he says true?"
"I'm sorry, brother."
"How could you?"
"You've lived harshly as the Green Forest's absolute ruler for thirty years. It's time you rested easy, brother."
"Heh heh!"
In the end, Hwang Kyung-mun let out a hollow laugh.
Yun Chung was the one he trusted most. He had believed that even if the whole world betrayed him, Yun Chung never would.
Yun Chung's betrayal struck a heavy blow to his heart. But Hwang Kyung-mun straightened his back.
"I let my guard down. To prepare so meticulously... Truly impressive."
"We're up against the lord of the Tyrant's Path. We had to be thorough."
"But if you think this trifling wound can take me down, you're gravely mistaken. Do you think I'd flinch at something like this?"
Hwang Kyung-mun yanked out the dagger from his waist.
Kriik!
The dark red dagger crumpled pathetically in his grip.
He tossed the scrap metal to the floor and circulated his energy. A mountain-like aura surged up, sweeping through the hall.
Everyone's faces paled. They hadn't expected him to unleash such momentum even after taking a wound like that.
Yet Jo Yun-san alone remained utterly composed.
"Did you think I'd try to take down the Supreme Lord with something so simple?"
"Then..."
"The dagger tip was coated with a few poisons."
"Poisons?"
"Qi-Scattering Poison and Lung Blood Acid. As you know, the former disrupts your energy, and the latter melts the lungs—extreme toxins. It won't kill you, but it'll neutralize you plenty."
"Impressive! You've prepared thoroughly."
"You're too kind."
Jo Yun-san raised his hand. The Overlord Stronghold elites who had been standing behind Yun Chung surrounded Hwang Kyung-mun.
"You've betrayed me too?"
"We're sorry."
"I don't know what Jo Yun-san offered you, but you'll regret it soon enough."
Hwang Kyung-mun ground his teeth.
His energy was already fraying thread by thread—proof that the Qi-Scattering Poison was working.
The blood trickling from his mouth meant the Lung Blood Acid was attacking his lungs.
'I need a quick resolution. The longer this drags, the worse it gets for me.'
"Oh, and don't expect any outside help. The Fist Demon will die miserably in the Penitence Cave, and Hye-ryeong won't survive either. With your death, the Green Forest will enter a new era."
Jo Yun-san grinned wickedly.
At that moment, the warriors encircling Hwang Kyung-mun charged all at once.
Chaang!
Thus began a brutal clash unprecedented in Green Forest history.