Chapter 84: Subjugating the Green Forest (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 84: Subjugating the Green Forest (2)
Once Seo-jun’s participation in the Green Forest subjugation was confirmed, Namgung Su-ah rushed to find him that very night.
"Seo-jun, I heard the news. Isn't this far too dangerous?"
"I wouldn't exactly call it dangerous."
"Still... should I come with you?"
Seo-jun's eyes darted around the room before he shook his head.
"I think that would be too dangerous."
"See? You just admitted it."
"Wait, was that a trap?!"
As Seo-jun jumped in surprise, Namgung Su-ah let out a heavy sigh.
"I suppose if I followed you, I'd only be a burden. I'll just stay here and cheer you on."
"It's not that you're a burden, but..."
Namgung Su-ah was of the direct Namgung lineage. Beyond that, her martial prowess was formidable. She was certainly at a level where she could hold her own on a battlefield.
But that was exactly why she couldn't go.
For a direct descendant of the Namgung Clan to step onto a battlefield without a proper escort, being at the Peak Realm simply wasn't enough. If an enemy faction decided to target her, she would need to be at least at the Super Peak Realm to put up any meaningful resistance.
Namgung Su-ah wore a complicated expression at Seo-jun’s words. She slowly closed the distance and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Hehe, alright. I’ll be waiting for you, so come back safely."
"Yeah. And if Chun-bong shows up while I’m gone, give her a warm welcome."
"I will."
Nodding, Namgung Su-ah lingered to chat with Seo-jun for a bit longer before leaving his room.
As soon as she stepped out, she pressed her lips together so tightly they turned white.
Once again, I can’t do anything.
It had been the same when she lost her mother, and it was the same now as Seo-jun left for a dangerous battlefield. Despite being older than him, all she could do was wait for Geum Mae to emerge.
I have to get stronger.
To protect what mattered with her own hands, she had to.
Returning to her room, Namgung Su-ah grabbed her greatsword and headed straight for the training grounds. It was late at night, but she knew her anxiety would keep her from sleeping anyway. She was better off training.
She swung her sword until dawn broke, eventually collapsing onto the hard dirt of the training grounds to stare up at the brightening sky.
If only I could learn the Emperor Sword Form…
Would she become stronger?
Traditionally, the Emperor Sword Form was a martial art reserved exclusively for the Family Head and his successor, the Young Clan Head. But she wouldn't know if she was allowed unless she asked.
After agonizing over it for a long while, she washed up and set out.
Her destination was the Family Head’s palace.
Even if he denied her the Emperor Sword Form, she believed her father could show her a path to becoming stronger.
*
Seo-jun left the Namgung Clan and headed for Shandong.
Naturally, he wasn't traveling alone. The Heavenly Wind Unit accompanied him.
The Heavenly Wind Unit was an elite squad where every single member—save for one scout—was a martial artist at the Peak Realm. Surprisingly, Hwan Bae-ho was among them.
In fact, Hwan Bae-ho was that single scout.
"Well, look at this familiar face."
When Seo-jun waved in greeting, Hwan Bae-ho bowed with disciplined precision.
"It is an honor to serve you again, Young Master!"
They had occasionally exchanged greetings when passing by each other after the Monster Wave, but seeing him here felt incredibly reassuring.
The group hurried toward Shandong, discussing the operation as they moved. More specifically, Hwan Bae-ho, who was on friendly terms with Seo-jun, explained the details of the mission.
"Currently, the Green Forest’s movement speed isn't very fast. Part of it is because they’re raiding small-to-medium sects along the way… but it’s mostly because of the nearby mountain strongholds."
"Mountain strongholds?"
"Yes. Since those bandits also operate under the banner of the 'Green Forest,' a massive subjugation campaign will surely follow this incident. The Chief of the Green Forest is sending word to them and dismantling those strongholds."
Dismantling them instead of absorbing them? As Seo-jun tilted his head in confusion, Hwan Bae-ho continued his explanation.
"There aren't many true masters in the Green Forest anyway. It seems the Chief decided that rather than absorbing them just to bloat their numbers, it’s more effective to have the disbanded bandits scatter and cause chaos in the surrounding regions."
"Aha..."
That made sense. It was an efficient way to force the pursuit teams to split their numbers.
"Of course, the local sects will handle that part. We just need to keep chasing the Chief."
"Oh, right. I heard the Hwangbo Clan is coming this time too?"
"Yes, that’s correct. The Hwangbo Clan is also scheduled to dispatch one martial unit and one Super Peak master."
The Hwangbo Clan. They were members of the Six Great Clans. Seo-jun knew they primarily specialized in fist techniques, and he was quite curious to see what a Super Peak master from their side would look like.
After traveling rapidly for about two weeks, the group arrived near the Yellow River in northeastern Shandong.
Having grown quite close to the members of the Heavenly Wind Unit along the way, Seo-jun strolled casually toward the rendezvous point.
And indeed, a group of martial artists was already waiting there.
Seo-jun, standing at the front, approached and gave a polite fist-and-palm salute.
"I am Lee Seo-jun of the Great Namgung Clan."
Since he couldn't bring shame to the clan in a place like this, he maintained a proper degree of etiquette.
"Lee? Was there a master named Lee in the Namgung Clan?"
But why wasn't this bastard showing any etiquette in return?
A heavily muscular man stared blankly at Seo-jun. A man who appeared to be his subordinate quickly approached and whispered to him.
"Ah, so he’s the Flower of Namgung’s lover? What? Is he even the real deal?"
Despite his subordinate’s attempt at whispering, the muscular man spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. The subordinate waved his hands in embarrassment.
"He’s a master who’s been making a name for himself in Anhui lately."
"Sounds suspicious. Isn't this brat a spy? Making a name for himself out of nowhere?"
"C-Captain..."
The man patted his flustered subordinate’s shoulder and jerked his chin at Seo-jun.
"I’m Hwangbo Jun. You, what family are you from? I’ve never heard the name Seo-jun among any prominent families that use the Lee surname."
"...I don’t really have a family to speak of."
"What? Some nobody from the gutters crawled his way into the Namgung Clan?"
At Hwangbo Jun’s words, the faces of the Heavenly Wind Unit hardened instantly. Sensing their chilling aura, Hwangbo Jun clicked his tongue.
"Hey, I’m not insulting the Namgung Clan. It’s just that this guy is incredibly suspicious."
Unable to listen to this bullshit any longer, Seo-jun furrowed his brows.
"Oh, for fuck’s sake!"
"...What?"
Seo-jun raised his middle finger directly at Hwangbo Jun.
"Shut your trap, you prick! Huh? I’m trying to be polite here, and instead of returning the gesture, you’re just standing there spouting bullshit."
"You little... are you looking for a fight?"
"What does it look like? Hey! Do you know who my father-in-law is?!"
"Isn't it the Azure Heaven Sword Venerable?"
"That’s right."
As Seo-jun scratched his head, Hwangbo Jun snorted.
"If we’re going by that logic, my grandfather is the Head of the Hwangbo Clan. It seems you want to act all high and mighty because you managed to snag a girl, but don’t think the Namgung name will protect you forever."
"Good grief..."
Seo-jun pressed a hand to his forehead and looked back at the Heavenly Wind Unit.
"I’m allowed to beat the shit out of this guy, right?"
"Of course, Young Master. This is a direct insult to the Namgung Clan. No one will be able to say a word against it."
"Good. You, step out, you bastard. You’re dead meat."
As Seo-jun stepped forward, flaring his momentum, Hwangbo Jun twitched an eyebrow and stepped forward to meet him.
"Your momentum is decent."
"Yeah, so what? Go watch TV."
"TV?"
Ignorant savage. He doesn't even know the ultimate comeback of elementary schoolers, 'Eojjeol-TV.'
Wuuuung—
Red Yang energy gathered at the tip of Seo-jun’s index finger, while blue Yin energy gathered at the tip of his middle finger.
The moment Hwangbo Jun smirked and reached out with a massive hand, Seo-jun crossed his fingers, creating a small Reverse Taiji.
"So what? Murasaki."
Swaaaaak—
It was the Heaven-Defying Sun-Moon Art. Startled, Hwangbo Jun twisted his body and swung a fist infused with Astral Qi.
Wuuung!
There was no significant sound. The Heaven-Defying Sun-Moon Art absorbed all the impact before soaring high into the sky. Hwangbo Jun, his fist wounded, hurriedly retreated.
"Yeah, you’re a total scrub, aren't you?"
"You brat...!"
Infuriated, Hwangbo Jun flared his momentum. Terrified by the killing intent mixed into his aura, Hwangbo Jun’s subordinates rushed in to stop him.
"Captain! You can’t! The operation hasn't even started yet!"
"Move! I’m going to crush that brat’s skull!"
"You can’t, because you’re a loser."
As Seo-jun sneered, the subordinate begged in a panic.
"P-Please, you mustn't! If we lose the Chief of the Green Forest here, the Hebei Peng Clan could be in danger!"
"Hmm, true."
Seo-jun nodded and pointed a finger at Hwangbo Jun.
"I’ll let it slide this once. Watch yourself. Unless you want to die."
"Kuaaaah...! Let go! I’m going to kill him!"
"C-Captain...! You can’t...!"
It was a complete mess right from the start.
*
In the end, the Hwangbo Clan and the Namgung Clan set off while maintaining a considerable distance from each other.
"Seriously, what is wrong with that guy?"
At Seo-jun’s question, Hwan Bae-ho furrowed his brows.
"That’s just how those Hwangbo Clan bastards are. They’re ignorant and hot-headed, so they always let their mouths run before they think."
"Oh..."
It seemed the recent incident had birthed a deep hatred for the Hwangbo Clan in Hwan Bae-ho’s heart.
Another member of the Heavenly Wind Unit spoke up, fuming.
"Young Master, how about we just bury them here? We’re more than enough to handle the Green Forest on our own."
"He’s right. Those savages who fight with their bare fists won't be much help anyway."
Wait, is it just me? Or did they always hate each other?
Seeing everyone else so fired up actually made Seo-jun’s anger cool down. He chuckled and waved a hand.
"Forget it. I’m sure they’ll be of some help."
It wasn't just empty words. Judging by his reaction and response to the Heaven-Defying Sun-Moon Art, Hwangbo Jun’s actual skill was considerable. The fact that he escaped with only minor injuries after facing that technique meant he could shrug off most of Seo-jun’s standard attacks.
Of course, he wouldn't be able to ignore the non-standard ones, but then again, it would be weird if anyone could just shrug those off.
"I am curious to see how well he fights, though."
He’d probably find out soon enough.
*
A few days into their journey, they finally caught up with the Green Forest.
Hwan Bae-ho checked a message received via carrier pigeon; apparently, the Green Forest was encamped on the mountain right in front of them.
Hwan Bae-ho relayed the news to Seo-jun with a suspicious expression.
"Is that so? Is everyone in good condition?"
"Yes!"
The Heavenly Wind Unit replied with disciplined unity.
Hwan Bae-ho approached Seo-jun and whispered.
"Young Master, I think it would be best to be cautious."
"Why? Is something strange?"
"The Chief must know that the Righteous Faction would send people to deal with him. Yet, seeing how relaxed they are, don’t you think he must have something up his sleeve?"
It was a valid point.
After relaying Hwan Bae-ho’s words to the Heavenly Wind Unit, Seo-jun went to meet with Hwangbo Jun.
"Tsk. There’s no need for us to move together. We’ll split into two groups to search, and if someone finds them, send a signal."
Seo-jun nodded, casually raising his middle finger at Hwangbo Jun’s words.
"We’ll head up this way, so you guys go over there."
"We’re going this way. You guys take the long way around."
"Wait, this bastard?"
Do I have to show him just how petty I can get?
After a moment of thought, Seo-jun let out a sigh.
"Fine. Whatever. You take the close path. Looking at the state of your brain, you’d probably get lost if you had to go the long way."
"You...!"
"Good luck."
Arguing with Hwangbo Jun made Seo-jun feel like his mental state was regressing back to his elementary school days. This was all because Chun-bong wasn't here. If Chun-bong had been around, he would have acted more like an adult.
Wait, would I?
Tilting his head, Seo-jun led the Heavenly Wind Unit forward.
"Let’s go."
"Yes, sir!"