Conquest of the Green Forest Stronghold
"Kuhahaha! To dare step into Lord Ma Gal's territory without a shred of fear!"
"What rotten luck! But don't worry too much! Just do as you're told, and we'll even escort you out safe and sound!"
"Keekeke! First, empty your pockets! Hand over that sword at your waist and the box on your back—everything!"
Among the massive factions that made up the unorthodox sects, the Green Forest was known for having the largest force. They were the reason Central Plains folk avoided mountain paths like the plague, the terror that left countless martial artists stripped down to their underwear, sobbing all the way home. And as always, they blocked the road to do their dirty work.
"Man, for such pretty girls to walk right into our laps—whoa, Lord Ma Gal's gonna love this! Kekeke!"
"You said it! Offer 'em up, and we'll finally get our big break!"
The Green Forest bandits lit up with joy at the sight of Jin Seoryeong and Yeon Wol, convinced their path to promotion had just opened wide. The boss of their 29th mountain stronghold, Ma Gal, had a massive weakness for beautiful women, and these two were easily in the top three stunners the bandits had ever laid eyes on.
"Heh heh heh, our Lord Ma Gal's real sweet to beauties, so no need to be scared."
"Alright then. How about we head up to our stronghold together?"
"Hey, you there, mister! You can piss off or whatever!"
The bandits were single-minded: deliver Yeon Wol and Jin Seoryeong to Ma Gal. To them, Baek Jincheon was just a pretty-faced guy with zero use for their ambitions. Right now, the only things that mattered were the two women with looks that could tempt even birds from the sky.
That's why Baek Jincheon got the green light to go. Getting caught by Green Forest bandits and walking away with just your stuff taken—without a scratch—was incredibly lucky.
"Eh, that's not gonna work for me."
But Baek Jincheon casually kicked away the fortune that had rolled right to him.
"What the—? This bastard crazy? Think a little sword at your hip makes you hot shit? You look like some bookworm who's never thrown a punch— who the hell do you think you are...!"
"Nah, it's not that. If you're taking them, take all three of us. Leaving me out feels kinda rude."
He just felt miffed at the idea of them taking Yeon Wol and Jin Seoryeong while ditching him.
"...What a weirdo. Hey, scholar boy. Don't think we've never seen your type—we've been at this a long time. We see right through you. Planning to play nice, follow along, then bolt at the first chance, right? But we're not amateurs. We've been through every mountain trick in the book—hell, we've lived 'em!"
"Really? No plans to escape or anything. I just want you to take us to your stronghold for real."
"What?"
Baek Jincheon strolled toward the bandits without a care. The black-haired man in pristine white robes, white sword at his side. His gait was as unassuming as a plant's sway—no killing intent, no hostility. Dazed by it, the bandits did nothing until he was right up close.
"That's the only way I can uproot you all."
Now fully in their midst, Baek Jincheon voiced his true intent.
"This punk's asking for it!"
Only then did the bandits swing their weapons at the white-robed, black-haired man before them.
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"Th-thish ish our Yeonhwa Shhanthrong, good shir..."
With broken teeth and a swollen face, the bandit bowed politely, introducing their stronghold to Baek Jincheon.
"Whoa."
Baek Jincheon couldn't help but gasp in admiration at the massive structure perched on the forested mountainside—like a martial inn plucked straight from a tale, towering and grand.
"It's huge. How's a stronghold this big never been wiped out? Are the Green Forest that tough?"
"Heh heh... Thangk you for the kind wordsh, shir."
Grateful for Baek Jincheon's genuine awe, the bandit bowed his head. He knew defiance meant ending up like his comrades—shoved headfirst into the dirt along the path. He desperately watched Baek Jincheon and the two women.
"Inshide, there'sh hot shpringth too! Perfect for washing up after work!"
He paid extra mind to Jin Seoryeong and Yeon Wol. Just ten minutes ago, he'd seen their prowess with his own eyes.
'Thought the guy talking big about uprooting us was the real deal when he walked up... bullshit, he's nothing. The real threats are those two. Especially the black-haired one—she's a monster. One wrong move, and my head's gone...!'
"Hot springs, huh? That does sound tempting. I was wondering why bother kicking the hornet's nest, but springs change everything."
"Heh, heh heh! That'sh right! Let me eshcort you in—"
Jin Seoryeong eyed the stronghold gate, mentioning the springs, and the bandit jumped at the chance to score points.
But his words cut short.
"Don't need your guide anymore. Scram."
Bam!
With a casual flick like brushing off a bug, Jin Seoryeong's slap sent him flying, spinning through the air before crashing into the ground, out cold.
"Seoryeong, isn't that a bit harsh? He guided us all the way here."
"Right! She's so cruel! Master, watch out! A violent woman like that will beat her weaker husband to vent frustrations after marriage!"
"What nonsense, Baek Jincheon? That's a Green Forest bandit. Unorthodox scum. They're trembling 'cause we're strong—if we were weak, they'd be laughing. You saw it. Giggling about offering us to their boss."
"Fair point."
Jin Seoryeong brushed off Yeon Wol's meddling and stood tall. Baek Jincheon nodded in agreement.
"M-Master, if you agree that easily, what does that make me?!"
"But it's true, though. Bandits are bad."
"Well, yeah, but..."
As Yeon Wol bantered with Baek Jincheon, Jin Seoryeong drew her sword from its sheath.
"Open the gate. Wanna finish quick, wash up. Mountains are humid—it's annoying."
"Mm. Alright, disciple. Step back a bit."
"Pardon? Oh, sure."
Baek Jincheon nodded at Jin Seoryeong's words and led Yeon Wol away. Yeon Wol had no clue why, but she followed obediently.
Once they were far enough, Jin Seoryeong gripped her drawn sword with both hands and slashed down from above.
"Hup."
Whoosh—
A simple, basic motion: holding her breath, slicing straight down. But the result was anything but simple.
KABOOOM—!!!!!
A cannon-like slash powered by her sea-deep inner energy. Specialized not for cutting, but for smashing—Jin Seoryeong's single stroke obliterated the stronghold's reinforced gate of thick logs and steel plating in one go.
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!
The moment the gate exploded, urgent bells rang out from the stronghold—clearly the enemy invasion alarm. Armed bandits would soon pour out to deal with the intruders.
A stronghold vast as a fortress meant its numbers and skill were no joke. Facing a corner of the unorthodox Green Forest in this dire moment, Jin Seoryeong—having declared war by blasting the gate—turned her back to the wide-open entrance and grinned with pure delight.
"Ahahaha! Baek Jincheon! Let's go! Been a while—wanna dance a sword duet?"
Thrilled at fighting alongside Baek Jincheon again, like old times. The entire stronghold as enemies? Didn't faze her. With him, it didn't matter who they faced.
She reached out to him.
"Yeon Wol, you go."
"Me?"
"Want me to?"
"N-No! I'll go!"
Baek Jincheon passed the task to his disciple instead.
"Why you? Baek Jincheon! Do it with me!"
"Master needs rest! He must be tired from handling those bandits!"
"Tired my ass! He didn't do shit! Just walked up to the bandits yapping about uprooting 'em! We did all the fighting!"
"But it was cool! Made my heart race!"
"...Y-Yeah. It was cool."
"Those guys over there... no, those bitches are the enemy! Huh? What—only three of 'em? M-Masters! Gotta be masters! Fetch the stronghold lord!!!"
As Jin Seoryeong griped about Yeon Wol going instead, the bells drew armed bandits swarming out.
"Haa..."
Jin Seoryeong sighed at their disciplined, soldier-like muster and turned to Yeon Wol.
"Hey, don't get in my way."
"Says you? Don't you get in my way! Showing off cool moves to Master is my job!"
"Fire!!!"
While they bickered, the bandits on the palisades loosed their bowstrings with all their might.
"Tch. Focus."
"I am."
Arrows rained down straight from above like a storm. The two dropped their spat, shifting to combat stance.
Green Forest Stronghold Conquest Battle—begin.