Chapter 238
Chapter 238
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 238
Chapter Title: Green Forest Joins the Evil-Black Alliance
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The martial world was in great turmoil.
It was due to a single rumor spreading faster than ever before.
'Green Forest and the Great Grace Merchant Guild have joined the Evil-Black Alliance.'
Those immersed in the martial world dismissed the absurd claim as mere gossip.
Besides, the unorthodox factions had long scorned Green Forest as mere bandits.
But a few days later, when the Great Chief of Green Forest visited the Evil-Black Alliance alongside the head of the Great Grace Merchant Guild, the rumor was confirmed as truth.
"Heavens, Green Forest joining the Evil-Black Alliance? Unbelievable."
"It's to fill the vacancy left by White Ghost Castle, isn't it? And with the Great Grace Merchant Guild joining too, it seems the Evil-Black Alliance is feeling the pressure."
Recently, the Evil-Black Alliance had been rated as the weakest among the Three Great Powers of the Nine Provinces.
With one of the Six Demonic Gates, White Ghost Castle, destroyed, their forces were weakened.
But if Green Forest joined, the story changed.
Green Forest was enormous as a single faction, with few rivals.
They boasted numbers rivaling the Beggars' Sect.
And then there was the Great Chief of Green Forest, supported by the Green Forest Four Kings.
They were comparable even to the Five Great Demonic Sects.
It was perhaps inevitable.
Without this level of power, could they have survived as a mid-tier unorthodox faction in this era of the Three Great Powers of the Nine Provinces?
"The Evil-Black Alliance is going to get stronger."
Everyone who heard the rumor thought the same.
With Green Forest joining the Evil-Black Alliance, it was certain they would become more powerful than now—or even than when White Ghost Castle was around.
As everyone shook their heads at the strengthening Evil-Black Alliance, a shocking new rumor began spreading rapidly in Shanxi.
'The Great Chief of Green Forest single-handedly visited the Murim Alliance's Shanxi branch to rescue his subordinates.'
Those who heard it held their breath.
How could it be anything ordinary?
The new leader of Green Forest, freshly joined to the Evil-Black Alliance, boldly entering a Murim Alliance branch to extract his men?
No matter how few casualties there were, it wasn't something to brush off lightly.
It was trampling on the Murim Alliance's pride.
This could even spark a clash between the Murim Alliance and the Evil-Black Alliance.
Thus, most who heard viewed the Great Chief's actions as reckless.
"That was too much. Must be thrilled about joining the Evil-Black Alliance."
"But wasn't it to save his subordinates?"
"Would the Murim Alliance care about that? The key point is that the Great Chief personally stormed their branch. I also heard Green Forest struck first at the Universal Merchant Guild under Murim Alliance protection. In that situation, if the Murim Alliance backs down, they'll lose face."
The people of the martial world held their breath.
The more they chewed on it, the graver it seemed than it appeared on the surface.
The two colossal forces—the Murim Alliance and the Evil-Black Alliance—might clash head-on.
"...Then who took down the Hengshan Lair?"
Someone belatedly raised another question.
If the Great Chief had personally gone to the Murim Alliance branch to save his subordinates, he surely wouldn't let the ones who killed them off easily...
"Mount Hua Sect, they say."
"Ha ha, Mount Hua again? Impressive. I thought their destruction of White Ghost Castle was luck, but now Mount Hua's name is everywhere."
The gossips' eyes lit up at the news that Mount Hua Sect had crushed the Hengshan Lair.
There couldn't be a more intriguing tale.
Grab any martial artist and ask which sect is currently the most talked-about; they'd all say Mount Hua Sect.
Half the rumors shaking the current martial world were tied to Mount Hua.
And now they were involved in this major incident too—perfect gossip fodder.
As gossips and martial artists alike focused on Mount Hua Sect and Green Forest...
"Green Forest, huh..."
Hyeonsang closed his eyes briefly after reading the letter from the Murim Alliance.
It contained thanks for aiding the Universal Merchant Guild and a declaration naming Green Forest as enemies of the Murim Alliance.
'The martial world will plunge into chaos.'
A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
Declaring Green Forest enemies was a warning to the Evil-Black Alliance.
A warning to expel them.
But...
'Will they really do it?'
He had a negative feeling.
If the Evil-Black Alliance expelled Green Forest now, they'd have nowhere left to retreat.
'Nothing lasts forever...'
He sensed the end of the era of peace forged by the Three Great Powers of the Nine Provinces.
'No, it's more miraculous that peace lasted this long.'
His eyes, opening again, gazed at the clear blue sky.
Against the cloudless expanse, the face of his youngest martial brother flickered and vanished.
Since then, Mount Hua had known no peace.
Pure vengeance against White Ghost Castle had consumed them, and they had achieved it.
But in that moment, peace crumbled.
"Sect Leader Martial Brother."
Hyeonryeo, who had been quietly watching Hyeonsang from across, spoke softly.
"Shall we prepare?"
Hyeonsang nodded.
"Yes. Seeing they've sent this letter, they'll request our sect's support when they move against Green Forest."
"Understood. Then I'll prepare horses, provisions—everything so we can depart anytime."
"I'd appreciate that."
Hyeonsang nodded as he watched Hyeonryeo move to prepare.
"But do we have enough funds?"
"Plenty. Our Cheonhwi brought back more than enough."
Hyeonryeo beamed.
She recalled how Cheonhwi, returning from the mission, had come straight to her with a stack of bills.
At first, stunned by the enormous sum, she hesitated to accept.
But upon hearing it was seized from the Hengshan Lair, she took it without delay.
Seeing her smile, Hyeonsang spoke.
"Good. As for Green Forest... their opponent..."
"Aaaagh! M-Martial Uncle!"
"Kuaaagh!"
"...is quite strong."
"But this time, it's not just us—the Murim Alliance will move too."
Despite the massive wails from outside, the two continued their conversation.
"And the kids have grown."
Hyeonryeo's eyes sparkled as she said it.
In just a few years, the disciples' skills had improved by leaps and bounds.
Day by day, they were different.
"Still, I'm worried..."
"Guh, guk! S-Stop!"
"Enough already!"
"...and can't help it."
"Plus..."
"Aaaagh! P-Please stop!"
"...Cheonhwi is there..."
Hyeonryeo glanced out the window at the interrupting cries.
Numerous disciples clung to the steep cliff leading to a high peak, inching upward like turtles.
And atop the peak sat a young man, yawning as he spoke.
"Yawn. Hurry up."
It was Cheonhwi.
Sitting casually on the summit, he swung one leg while continuing downward.
"The first ten up get a break, remember?"
The Mount Hua disciples' faces twisted.
The words were easy, but in their current state, it was no small feat.
Iron weights chained to wrists and ankles.
And on their backs, massive fifty-catty iron swords.
Climbing like this was already impressive.
But Cheonhwi only pitied those yet to reach the top.
"Sigh, struggling with that little weight."
The climbing disciples bristled.
'Little?!'
'It's like carrying two people!'
Yet none voiced their grievance.
They knew what happened to those who did.
"Tsk, an incense stick's time already passed."
Cheonhwi stood.
"Back down, then."
"M-Martial Uncle?!"
"What do you mean?!"
Cheonhwi dusted his rear.
"I gave you one incense stick's time."
"B-But even so..."
Cheonhwi hefted his iron sword.
Lifting the fifty-catty blade like a twig, his form paled the disciples' faces further.
Then.
"Cheonhwi."
A soft voice called.
Hyeonsang watched from the Purple霞 Pavilion window.
Spotting the Sect Leader late, the disciples' eyes widened in bright smiles.
"Greetings, Sect Leader!"
They greeted as if begging for salvation; Hyeonsang smiled awkwardly.
"The disciples look exhausted. How about a short break?"
"Pardon? Struggling with this?"
Cheonhwi tilted his head.
"Everyone okay?"
"N-No problem."
"Ha, haha..."
The disciples forced awkward laughs.
They wanted to cry hardship but feared the consequences.
Cheonhwi grinned at them, then mouthed to Hyeonsang.
"They say they're fine..."
Hyeonsang glanced at the disciples.
Their forced smiles trembled at the corners.
'...Sect Leader.'
'Please help us.'
Pitying their desperate gazes, Hyeonsang mouthed back.
"Still, Cheonhwi. Training's important, but rest is needed in between."
The disciples' eyes bulged with hope.
But.
"This is the rest."
Cheonhwi said matter-of-factly.
"Real training starts after going down."
Sect Leader and disciples gaped.
No one imagined this ordeal was "rest."
Yet Cheonhwi continued as if obvious.
"But really. Can't even handle simple rest and worry the Sect Leader..."
He shook his head.
"Maybe I should ramp up the intensity so rest never worries him again?"
Hyeonsang looked troubled.
His concern had backfired into harsher training.
Flustered, he spoke.
"If resting, might as well rest properly."
"Nah, proper rest? How'll they grow? Time's pressing."
Cheonhwi waved it off.
"Their skills are still lacking. Without me, they'd have come back corpses from that mission."
"......"
"I can't clean up forever. They need skill to save their own necks."
"Ahem. You're right."
Hyeonsang coughed and nodded.
Cheonhwi was spot on.
No matter how grueling, it would pay off in the future.
"Then carry on."
The disciples' eyes widened in shock.
'Sect Leader!'
'Why agree?!'
Ignoring their stares, Hyeonsang closed the window.
'Sorry. But this training will help you later.'
Cheonhwi grinned at the disciples staring blankly at the closed window.
"Now, real training."
As their faces drained of color...
"Down everyone!"
Cheonhwi's sword split into dozens, striking them.
Pak! Pak! Pak!
"Kuaaagh!"
"Guk!"
"M-Martial Uncle!"
Disciples tumbled down amid wails echoing across Mount Hua.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The grand hall lit by night-luminescent pearls.
Pillars and walls were stark white, oppressively austere.
At the center, on silk mat.
The Great Chief of Green Forest, Im Yangbaek, sat cross-legged, eyes closed.
His form was peculiar.
Bare from the waist up, his scarred torso glistened with sweat.
Then thick steam rose.
The sweat on his body evaporated, mist enshrouding him completely.
Moments later, the fog cleared.
Swipe—
His eyelids lifted.
Deep black pupils fixed on one of the Green Forest Four Kings, the White-Clothed Ghost Face Jang Ho-un.
Im Yangbaek spoke.
"How's the situation?"
"Green Forest's name echoes across the land. Especially your visit to the Shanxi branch—gossips can't stop talking."
"Good."
Im Yangbaek's lips twisted slowly.
A fine debut.
Seeing his satisfaction, Jang Ho-un steadied his breath and added.
"And we obtained info: the Murim Alliance will declare Green Forest enemies."
"As expected."
Im Yangbaek snorted.
"Right on prediction."
Jang Ho-un cautiously asked.
"...Is that alright?"
Swallowing, he continued.
"Evil-Black Alliance factions are survivors acting independently. If they cut ties because Green Forest became Murim Alliance's enemy..."
"Won't happen."
Im Yangbaek asserted.
"From the moment Evil-Black reached out first, the world knows they're weak without Green Forest. Excluding us? That's suicide."
Jang Ho-un nodded, then ventured.
"But Great Chief, why personally go to the Murim Alliance branch?"
"Haha, think I acted rashly like the rumors say?"
"N-No!"
Startled, Jang Ho-un knelt and slammed his forehead to the floor.
"My folly—I failed to grasp your deep intent."
Im Yangbaek softly addressed him, blood trickling from his split brow.
"Why do you think I joined Evil-Black?"
"...To elevate Green Forest's name, long scorned as bandits?"
"That too. But I aim higher."
"Higher...?"
Im Yangbaek's eyes chilled.
"Evil-Black Alliance Leader. I'll seize that seat."
"...!"
"First, Green Forest's status must surpass the Five Great Demonic Sects."
Im Yangbaek calmly asked the stunned Jang Ho-un.
"Got intel on Mount Hua Sect?"
Jang Ho-un hurriedly pulled a thick tome from his bosom.
"Here."
"Hm, hefty."
Im Yangbaek read; suffocating silence fell.
Finishing, a cold smile played on the Great Chief's lips.
"Summon the remaining Green Forest Four Kings."
"Going yourself?"
"Better to do it decisively than half-heartedly."
Im Yangbaek chuckled.
"Heh heh heh. Mount Hua, who toppled White Ghost Castle..."
Pausing, his eyes gleamed murderously.
"Perfect to announce the birth of a new Green Forest to the world."