Chapter 63
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: A Contest with the Fighting King (2)
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The Green Forest was a massive group of bandits who followed the man known as the Green Forest Fighting King.
In the process of gaining recognition, the Green Forest Fighting King carved a bloody path through the martial world, the likes of which had never been seen.
Before he was called the Fighting King, he, much like the Thousand-Faced Seductress, was branded a public enemy of the martial world.
However, rather than flee, he chose to face them head-on.
After three days and nights of repelling every challenger, the Fighting King went to the Shaolin Temple.
"Divine Monk! Let's have a go!"
Covered in blood and wielding two axes, he was the very incarnation of a fighting king.
Not even Shaolin's One Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation could subdue him.
In the end, the Divine Monk himself had to step forward.
After a grueling duel, the Divine Monk defeated the Fighting King, but instead of imprisoning him in the Cave of Repentance, he let him go.
"Kekeke. What an interesting fellow. Go on, do as you please. Shaolin will vouch for you."
With the backing of Shaolin, he was given wings.
And so, at the foot of Mount Song, the Green Forest Fighting King made a declaration to all.
That even in banditry, there is a Way.
"For that reason, we shall take only a reasonable amount."
The martial world was in an uproar.
How could they formally recognize a mere group of bandits?
But the Green Forest Fighting King was resolute.
"Bandits who do not wear a green bandana are not of the Green Forest, and I care not if you strike them down. But if you touch those who wear the green bandana, the members of the Green Forest across the land will not stand idly by."
It was tantamount to a threat.
However, under the Fighting King's command,
the Green Forest actually began subjugating bandits who were not affiliated with them.
"Even banditry must be done with just cause."
This, ironically, had the effect of stabilizing public order.
As a result, the martial world lost its justification for suppressing the Green Forest.
Because, paradoxically, the Green Forest had accomplished the bandit subjugation that they themselves had neglected.
"Who was it that neglected the bandits until now?"
The Fighting King's actions were truly unconventional, and in time, the Green Forest came to be recognized as a part of the martial world.
In other words, no one could demand the Green Forest Fighting King withdraw his men, as Cheon Muryang had just done.
“So you're saying,”
“...”
“you want the Green Forest to withdraw?”
“That is correct.”
“And if I say I cannot?”
“Then I will have no choice but to raise my sword again.”
“It seems breaking my axe has made you fearless.”
*Crack, craaack!*
The ground beneath the Fighting King's feet cracked.
The sheer force of his full power made the absence of his axes unnoticeable.
“I am asserting the rightful authority of the Cheon Family.”
*Pfft.*
The Fighting King scoffed.
“You so-called prestigious righteous sects are all the same, always crying about your rights.”
The Fighting King did not believe.
Not in the words "prestigious righteous sect."
“Who was it that neglected them all this time?”
Before the Green Forest existed, who was it that turned a blind eye to the bandits and pirates sprouting up like mushrooms after a rain?
“I neither acknowledge nor believe in your rights.”
A profound distrust emanated from him.
Beneath it, a terrible, deep-seated resentment could be felt.
“The only thing I believe in is my own strength.”
The Fighting King had lost his axes.
But as if to prove he was worthy of his title even with just his two fists, an endless fighting spirit surged forth.
“It was a good talk, but negotiations are over.”
The Fighting King was purely enraged.
Yet, for some reason, Cheon Muryang understood that pure rage.
Perhaps that was why.
Standing before the Fighting King's fury, which seemed capable of shattering Mount Tai in a single blow, Cheon Muryang was surprisingly composed.
‘He's right. The prestigious righteous sects could have easily subjugated the bandits, yet they didn't.’
Every word the Fighting King spoke starkly exposed the paradox the righteous martial world had embraced.
“I see. Your words are also correct.”
“What?”
“Until now, the clans known as the prestigious righteous sects have indeed neglected the bandits, just as you say.”
“...”
“This is likely because numerous interests are at stake.”
Whether bandits or pirates.
They must not have acted because it was more profitable not to.
“But let me be clear, that way of thinking is rotten.”
It was wrong.
For any reason, they should not have done so.
Not if they were to be called prestigious righteous sects.
Why are they called the righteous sects?
Even in an age where chivalry has vanished, if they turn their backs on the very foundation of what makes them righteous, what truly separates them from the unorthodox factions?
“It was truly an arrogant way of thinking.”
Perhaps the Green Forest was a disaster born from that arrogance.
“However, all of this is the fault of those who had power but failed to wield it.”
“...”
“It is not the fault of those who live day to day.”
But the Fighting King was also wrong.
There are those who have committed the wrong.
How can you hold others accountable for their misdeeds?
“Therefore, the cause of the Green Forest is only half-right.”
It was right and wrong.
That was why Cheon Muryang stood confidently before the Fighting King's pure rage.
“What do you wish to accomplish through the Green Forest?”
“...”
“Do you want to point out the contradictions of the so-called righteous sects? Or do you want to suck the lifeblood from those innocent people?”
*Thump!*
The Fighting King was a man of unshakable conviction.
But Cheon Muryang's words were a shock powerful enough to shake even that conviction.
“...”
The Fighting King suddenly remembered.
‘Where have I heard this before?’
Ten years ago.
On the day he became known as the Fighting King.
The Divine Monk he faced at Shaolin had certainly said so to him.
"Go on, do as you please. Shaolin will vouch for you. But remember this. See if your anger is still directed at the same place ten years from now."
The Fighting King's anger remained.
It had not faded even after ten years.
‘But where is my anger directed now?’
To that question, he could not readily say it was no different from ten years ago.
“Such a wicked tongue.”
He wanted to dismiss it as mere trickery.
“But I cannot refute your words.”
He could not refute them.
For the first time, the Fighting King suppressed the fighting spirit he had not yielded even before the Divine Monk.
His expression was somewhat hollow.
“I will come find you later.”
“...”
“Until then, the Green Forest will not exist where the flag of the Cheon Family is seen.”
The nearby inspectors were the ones surprised by the Fighting King's declaration.
“Fighting King!”
“Do as I say.”
“...!”
They too.
The moment they saw the Fighting King's eyes, they could say nothing.
How could they have the right?
“As you command.”
“Good.”
The Fighting King tossed the handle of his broken axe to Cheon Muryang.
“Catch.”
“...?”
“If any upstarts cause trouble, show them that.”
Before Cheon Muryang could reply, the Fighting King smirked and walked past him.
“No matter when or where, I will surely find you. I hope you'll show me a more interesting sword then.”
“That is what I hope for as well.”
“I shall look forward to it.”
The Fighting King also came face to face with the Wandering King.
*Halt!*
The Fighting King paused for a moment, but soon continued on his way without a word.
As if to say today was not the day.
“...”
Passing by the Wandering King, the Fighting King left the nameless mountain fortress.
Following the Fighting King, the inspectors also vanished in a single, orderly wave.
All that remained were the unconscious bandit leader and his remnants, and the axe handle in Cheon Muryang's hand.
“To think that stubborn, relentless bastard would retreat so easily. I suppose the sun will rise in the west tomorrow.”
“It's not that big of a deal.”
“Hmph. This kid.”
The Wandering King still couldn't believe the situation.
Just what kind of man was the Fighting King?
He was a man who had never bent his convictions, even against the entire martial world.
‘To make a man who would rather die than bend retreat so easily.’
The Wandering King didn't show it, but he couldn't help but acknowledge Cheon Muryang once again.
‘Do you even know what you've just accomplished?’
The one who had achieved such a great feat, something even the Divine Monk could not, was none other than Cheon Muryang.
No one would acknowledge or even know of it, but it could be called a tremendous achievement.
‘You've earned the recognition of none other than the Fighting King.’
But seeing that expression as if it were nothing, the Wandering King felt a surge of frustration.
“You should be grateful it ended this way!”
“It ended well, so isn't that enough?”
“Ended?”
The Wandering King scoffed.
That axe handle the Fighting King left behind.
Its meaning was significant.
“It seems you don't yet realize this is not the end, but the beginning. Kehkehkeh.”
And so, the Wandering King laughed.
Because he had heard a rumor.
“Why are you laughing?”
“You'd do well to keep that axe handle safe.”
“...?”
“The Fighting Ogre, raised by the Fighting King himself, will come looking for you.”
Fighting Ogre.
Cheon Muryang had heard of him.
*Pfft.*
Cheon Muryang tucked the axe handle left by the Fighting King into his robes and said,
“Ah, if that's the case, they're welcome anytime.”
This axe handle might be a token to inform the Fighting Ogre of his target.
“Now, hurry up and finish things here.”
“Ah.”
Cheon Muryang walked slowly toward the unconscious bandit leader.
He searched his clothes and found one of the gold bars the merchant had offered.
“No need to beat them.”
Weren't they just expelled from the Green Forest?
Their lives were already over.
The fate of those without the Green Forest's protection would be quite miserable.
So, Cheon Muryang decided not to intervene further.
“Consider yourselves lucky.”
“...”
“By the way, where is Namgung Seo-hui?”
“Leave her be.”
“What do you mean?”
“We'll find out what answer that child comes to in Anhui.”
“...”
Cheon Muryang understood.
It seemed the Wandering King had given her some advice.
“I see.”
“So, don't worry about her. She's a child who already possesses her own sword.”
“I know.”
Namgung Seo-hui would find her answer.
Whatever that answer was, Cheon Muryang decided to simply accept it.
‘She can't become a person of the Cheon Family anyway.’
From a cold, calculating perspective, it was more advantageous for the Cheon Family if she were to fall apart.
‘But I can't wish for the misfortune of someone who walks the same path of the sword.’
Cheon Muryang decided to set aside his worries for her.
They would surely meet again soon.
“Well then, let's get on our way.”
“Yes, Young Lord.”
“Ah, but first, we should stop by a nearby village and send a message.”
In any case, this incident was a boon for the Cheon Family, so it needed to be widely announced.
“Let's go.”
“Yes!”
Cheon Muryang's party set off for Anhui once again.
* * *
A short time later.
A rumor began to circulate throughout Zhejiang.
“Well, I'll be. I haven't been here in a while, and there isn't a single Green Forest bandit in sight.”
“Kekeke. My good man, how do you expect to adapt to this fast-paced world when you're so behind on the news?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why, they say... the Great Young Lord Cheon Muryang of the Cheon Family negotiated directly with the Green Forest's Fighting King and made it so they can no longer operate in this Zhejiang region.”
“Wha-what? Is that true?”
“It is!”
“Oho! So that's what happened.”
As others gathered around, the merchant, excited, began to praise Cheon Muryang endlessly.
“Hahaha. I, myself, have even had the honor of meeting him in person.”
“Ooh. Is that so.”
“To put it in a word, he's a Jade Qilin. Flawless in every way.”
“And where is this Jade Qilin now?”
“Well now.”
The merchant grinned.
“He's probably attending the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, I'd imagine?”