Save the Rich Friend (5)
Though it was called the Genius Pill, there was no way I could just let Seok Mu-sam go off on his own.
That said, as someone who had to monopolize all the fortuitous encounters, I couldn't stick to his side for every move he made. What I needed was a powerful martial artist I could trust as his bodyguard.
Conveniently, the perfect candidate had just shown up.
According to the original story, a bandit-born warrior who would originally rise to fame as the bodyguard of the Myeonggeum Young Master Seok Mu-il had already set up shop on Daehong Mountain.
Even more surprising was the deep backstory tied to this bandit's leader...
In any case, the plan was to snag him before Seok Mu-il could, and turn him into Seok Mu-sam's bodyguard.
With that in mind, we parted ways with the merchants and headed straight for Daehong Mountain.
"Where might you two young men be headed?"
"We're going to Daehong Mountain."
Along the main road, we ran into several travelers, and when we told them our destination, their reactions were priceless.
"What?"
"Hey now, don't joke around like that."
The seasoned bunch jumped in shock, fretting over us like we were their own.
When I insisted it was true, they warned:
"You look like the sons of wealthy merchants... They say there's a man of extraordinary strength on Daehong Mountain—even the proper bandits can't handle him."
"You two seem rich. If those guys catch you, you're done for."
They worried as if it were their own plight.
In truth, Daehong Mountain Stronghold wasn't an official bandit lair affiliated with the righteous outlaws.
An unofficial bandit crew holding down a massive mountain like Daehong? That meant they had an exceptional leader and forces that wouldn't bend to pressure from the proper greenwood folk.
"Haha, you think we're going to die?"
Our goal was precisely that stronghold, so I laughed and waved them off.
It was amusing how they treated us like we were already doomed as we set off.
Once the concerned travelers had gone, I muttered quietly:
"The ones who should be worried aren't me—it's the bandits."
I wasn't worried at all, of course. Even Seok Mu-sam showed no concern.
He'd already witnessed elite Black Net Veil assassins getting sliced like rice straw, so a bunch of mere bandits didn't faze him one bit.
"Cheon Myeong. Go easy on them."
If anything, he'd only cautioned me not to overdo it.
Despite everyone's warnings, we entered Daehong Mountain territory.
The paths were well-maintained, clear signs of careful management.
To lure the bandits out fast, Seok Mu-sam and I had donned especially pricey silk robes that day—and the bait worked perfectly.
Halfway up the mountain, I sensed eyes on us. Soon enough, the Daehong Mountain bandits appeared.
"Halt, you fresh-faced whelps!"
"Uhahaha! What a windfall!"
"Rich young masters like you, traveling alone without bodyguards?"
Over ten of them lined up, blocking our path forward and back.
One odd detail: Unlike typical bandits wielding a mishmash of weapons, these guys mostly carried short-bladed, long-shafted spears.
"Bandits of Daehong Mountain?"
Instead of panicking at their sudden arrival, I replied calmly.
"Heh heh, that's us."
"We're the heroes of Daehong Mountain."
"Don't be scared. Obey us, and we won't hurt you—we'll even show you a shortcut."
Just as I'd read in the original story.
Their leader had drilled one rule: Never kill civilians, soldiers or martial artists aside.
Unlike the previous exploitative chief, this one treated nearby villagers well, winning their hearts.
That was why, whenever the military mobilized, locals tipped them off, letting them slip away.
"We don't need a shortcut out."
I appreciated the no-kill offer and shortcut, but we'd pass.
"What?"
As we stood tall and unflinching, the underling bandits grew flustered.
"How about a shortcut to your stronghold instead?"
"...Why?"
The highest-ranking among them asked dumbly.
"Got business with your chief."
"Why the chief?"
"Hard to explain here."
My nonchalance irked them, and they started trying to intimidate us.
"Don't bluff!"
"Keep pushing, and you'll get hurt."
"Just shut up and do as we say..."
I'd hoped for a peaceful recruitment, but time was short until old man Seok's birthday banquet.
In the original, Seok Mu-il swept in with warriors and did just this.
I knew the formula, so it was time to apply it.
Tu Gye Pung Pa!
I lightly unleashed fist wind over the still-bewildered bandits' heads.
No real intent to harm, so basic Tu Gye Jin Kwon sufficed.
Kwang! Kwagagagang!
Deep-rooted trees snapped like reeds, turning the area into a logging site—a controlled display.
We needed to keep the mountains green for the long haul.
"..."
The bandits were dumbfounded, jaws on the floor at the miracle from a single fist.
"Come on, let's make this easy."
* * *
"Ch-Chief!"
The vanguard bandits were smart. Rather than resist, they opted to bring us to their leader.
Not betrayal—they trusted their chief to handle it.
"What in the world happened?"
Minutes earlier, my fist wind had shattered several trees, so Daehong Mountain's chief, the Paeryeokchang Chu Cheol-ho, rushed out in alarm to greet us at the stronghold entrance.
"It's like this, Chief..."
The vanguard spilled the whole story.
Two easy marks showed up, perfect for a shakedown—until one unleashed fist wind, devastating the mountainside.
Chu Cheol-ho and his top brass paled.
"Could it be... a peak realm master of the Entry to Divinity!"
Chu Cheol-ho gaped at me in shock.
I looked like a downy-cheeked youth, yet my skills far surpassed his—unbelievable.
"Strictly speaking, a super-peak master on the cusp of Entry to Divinity."
"Unbelievable."
Shock faded quickly. Kwak!
He gripped his massive spear tight.
Daehong Stronghold was unique: From grunts to chief, all wielded long spears.
Another quirk: Opposite the stronghold lay a vast ranch—not for cows, but warhorses.
"If you can't believe it, I'll make you."
Some folks only learn when their heads crack open.
Chu Cheol-ho was that type.
Chik! I signaled him to come at me.
I knew why he stepped up.
A rare peak master risen from bandit chief.
Confident in his raw talent.
Plus, with subordinates watching, pride demanded he test the short and long of it.
"Insolent pup!"
Raging at the youth lording over him, Chu Cheol-ho raised his huge spear and showed his skill.
Heukcheol Goryeokchang!
Paaat!
True to his massive frame, Chu Cheol-ho was born with monstrous strength—akin to the Huangbo Clan or Hebei Peng Clan.
Great technique, unsatisfied with natural power, honed inner arts to excellence. But flaws glared in my eyes.
Lacks flexibility—too rigid.
Not just physical: His spearwork was textbook solid at best, predictable and dull at worst.
His grand sweeps screamed general more than martial artist.
Deop!
I didn't counter the obvious attack. Instead, hands infused with fist wind seized his spear.
"Heop!"
Chu Cheol-ho panicked at the impossible scene.
First time bare hands grabbed his weapon, no doubt.
"Haaap!"
Seasoned fighter, he didn't cling. Dropped it, swinging his hulking frame.
Buuung!
Thick forearms bulging with veins aimed to choke my neck.
Tougher than a punch—ducking back exposes the throat. Sharp instinct.
Not bad.
This level outclassed cookie-cutter escort guards in skill and adaptability.
Plenty reliable for Seok Mu-sam.
Ban Bo!
I slipped back lightly, then seized his forearm in turn.
Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong!
Time to dust off the ultimate external art.
Why now? Simple.
He prides on strength—shatter that completely.
Only utter defeat in your forte teaches there's always someone stronger.
That was the lesson.
"Arm-wrestle? Fine! Euhaaap!"
As I gripped his arm in a power lock, Paeryeokchang Chu Cheol-ho adjusted eagerly.
Absolute confidence in raw strength contests—even against superiors.
Roaring, muscles and veins writhed, face blood-red, unleashing full power.
Kwaduduk!
Muscles swelled audibly.
Sorry to say...
Feels like arm-wrestling a kid.
No strain on my end. His face turned from red to purple, veins fit to burst.
Eventually...
Kwaak!
I squeezed hard. The twice-my-size Paeryeokchang let out an unbefitting groan.
"Kuaaaak!"
Victory mine; he teetered on physical submission.
Now for the mental break.
"Paeryeokchang Chu Cheol-ho—or should I say, General Ho Jin-cheol of the Black Iron Defeat Spear, who faced the Dongbei barbarians?"
The true identity of Paeryeokchang Chu Cheol-ho: A border general defending against barbarians. His "bandits" were routed imperial troops—stragglers.
Hence the uniform long spears favored by soldiers, and the ranch for warhorses.
Defeated far in the Dongbei, fleeing judgment, they hid in distant Sichuan, seized a stronghold, and became bandits to avoid dire punishment.