The Green Forest's Long-Cherished Wish
In the world of Murim, the Black Path held an exceedingly small share of influence. It was simply too insignificant compared to the Orthodox Path, the Evil Path, and the Demonic Path.
There was only one thing the Black Path excelled at, and that was sheer numbers.
Bandits, thieves, pirates, sea raiders, and horse bandits!
Collectively known as the Five Scourges, these groups boasted over a million followers in total. Unfortunately, they had never managed to unite under a single banner, each walking their own path of survival.
There were many reasons for this division, but the greatest was that no one capable of uniting the entire Black Path had ever emerged.
They had once attempted to establish the Black Path Alliance to protect their own interests within the Murim world, but they lacked both a supreme expert to support the alliance and a representative martial master to lead it.
And so they continued down their separate paths—fighting, stealing, and killing one another—never able to truly unite as one.
Green Forest!
This was the term used for the mountain bandits among the Five Scourges. They made their homes in the countless mountains scattered across the Central Plains.
Green Forest Twenty-Four Forts!
Among all the bandit groups that claimed mountains as their territory, these twenty-four largest and most powerful strongholds had banded together to form an alliance that led the mountain bandits of the Central Plains.
White Cloud Mountain in Jiangxi Province was not particularly steep. With its gentle slopes, it was one of the famous mountains of the Central Plains that even ordinary people could climb with relative ease. It was here that White Cloud Fortress had established itself.
White Cloud Fortress was the representative stronghold of the Green Forest Twenty-Four Forts, and it was also the seat of Muk-hwi, the Green Forest Fighting King, who served as the supreme chief of the entire alliance.
Deep within a secluded valley on the mountainside of White Cloud Mountain, a strange aura lingered.
Before the entrance to that valley, twenty-four men stood with tense expressions, staring into its depths.
“Do you think he will succeed?”
“With Hwi’s talent, he will undoubtedly slay the beast and bring back its inner core.”
The supreme chief, the Green Forest Fighting King, remained silent, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
The Green Forest Fighting King was himself a renowned expert in the Murim world. While he had not yet entered the ranks of the Hundred Great Masters of Murim, he was considered the next in line should one of them fall. That was how formidable a warrior he was.
Yet even a warrior of his caliber held little influence when viewed against the entirety of Murim. As a result, the Green Forest was constantly looked down upon and ignored.
Rumble rumble rumble!
A massive sound erupted from White Cloud Mountain, shaking the earth. Everyone present watched the valley entrance with eyes full of anticipation.
“Kiiiiaaaaaaaa!”
Soon after, a cry that was clearly not human echoed through the air—the roar of some monstrous beast.
Then everything fell silent once more. The men exchanged glances, their expressions filled with hope.
“Did he get it?”
At the Green Forest Fighting King’s words, their faces brightened. About the time it took to burn an incense stick later—
A young man emerged from the valley, carrying an enormous centipede across his shoulders.
The centipede was none other than the Thousand-Year Five-Poison Centipede.
“Oh……”
The faces of those waiting were filled with pure joy at the sight.
It was only natural. Deep within this valley lay the Green Forest Treasury, a secret warehouse where the Green Forest had stored their most precious martial arts manuals and spiritual medicines over the centuries.
The treasury was protected by countless mechanical traps. Without knowledge of the mechanisms or the Green Forest Secret Key required to disarm them, anyone who entered would meet a gruesome death.
But the cruel spirit beast known as the Thousand-Year Five-Poison Centipede had been drawn by the scent of the spiritual herbs stored within. It had taken up residence inside the treasury, turning the Green Forest’s greatest treasure into an impregnable fortress.
The elaborate array of traps that should have protected the vault had instead become an ironclad defense for the beast.
For hundreds of years, the Green Forest had fought to reclaim their treasury, but the creature’s overwhelming power had slaughtered their experts like fallen leaves in the autumn wind.
Thus the Green Forest had grown weak. In recent years, they had even been lumped together with the other bandits as one of the Five Scourges, suffering endless humiliation.
In short, a single Thousand-Year Five-Poison Centipede had shattered the Green Forest’s thousand-year grand ambition.
Generation after generation, they had continued their desperate struggle against the beast. Today, they had finally slain the monster that had tormented them for so long. Their joy was beyond words.
“Hwi!”
The name of the young man who had slain the Thousand-Year Five-Poison Centipede was Muk-hwi. It was a rather crude name, but the Green Forest Fighting King had personally given it to him with the hope that he would bring about the revival of the Black Path.
Thud……
Muk-hwi carefully set down the massive corpse of the centipede and bowed deeply to the Green Forest Fighting King.
“Your disciple, Muk-hwi, has fulfilled Master’s will.”
The Green Forest Fighting King stared silently at the dead Thousand-Year Five-Poison Centipede for a long time.
“Supreme Chief.”
When one of the other fortress leaders called to him, he seemed to remember what needed to be done and spoke to Muk-hwi.
“You have worked hard. Truly magnificent.”
“If not for Master’s teachings, I could never have defeated this creature.”
“What about its inner core?”
“It is still inside the beast’s body.”
Hearing this, the Green Forest Fighting King turned to address the leaders of the various fortresses.
“It is only right that the inner core of the Thousand-Year Five-Poison Centipede be consumed by Hwi, who slew it. Wouldn’t you all agree?”
“Of course. It is only proper that Hwi should take it.”
None of the fortress leaders raised any objection.
“I express my gratitude to all the fortress leaders who have yielded the inner core to Hwi. In return, in my capacity as Supreme Chief, I grant each of you the right to enter the Green Forest Treasury and take two martial arts manuals of your choice along with one of the remaining spiritual medicines. Go inside and claim what you desire.”
The moment the Green Forest Fighting King finished speaking, the fortress leaders hurried into the valley toward the Green Forest Treasury.
“You should hurry and extract the inner core and consume it. I will stand guard for you.”
“There are still many manuals and spiritual medicines left inside.”
“I know. But how could any of them compare to the inner core of a Thousand-Year Five-Poison Centipede? And did you find the manual I asked you to look for?”
“I found it.”
“Then all is well. With the martial arts of our ancestor, the Green Forest Great Emperor, and the inner core of the Thousand-Year Five-Poison Centipede that has absorbed spiritual medicine for a millennium, you will become the greatest martial artist under the heavens.”
Even the most virtuous person harbors a guest called greed in one corner of their heart. Knowing this well, the Green Forest Fighting King had given the fortress leaders access to the manuals and medicines in the treasury to prevent any possible accidents or disputes, buying time in the process.
“Thank you, Master.”
“I have found a house.”
The person who came to see Cheonhwa was none other than Nam Sa-ik, who had come from the Wulin Alliance. He was the leader of the New Wind Squad, one of the personal organizations within the Alliance.
The New Wind Squad consisted of people who had received help from Cheonhwa’s mother, Hwarin. Every member was a high-level martial artist, yet very few people had ever seen them actually use their martial skills.
“Is that so? Please wait a moment.”
Cheonhwa went to his room, retrieved a bundle he had stored inside a cabinet, and brought it out.
“Use this to pay for the house. Use whatever money is left over frugally. If it’s not enough, just let me know.”
“Understood. But… are you really not going to look at the house yourself?”
“It’s probably quite chaotic right now. I’ll go once things have settled down.”
“Very well. Also, I have named the manor Sinfungjang.”
“Sinfungjang?”
“Since we are members of the New Wind Squad, I thought the name was appropriate.”
“New Wind… I like the sound of it. Let’s go with that.”
Cheonhwa was satisfied with the name Sinfungjang. It had a nice ring to it.
“By the way, is there anything specific you would like us to do?”
“There’s so much to do that I can’t decide what should take priority. That’s the problem.”
Cheonhwa had neither much experience nor a deep understanding of the Haedong Merchant Group’s internal affairs. Every time one idea came to mind, another would follow, leaving him with a headache.
“Understood. Then we will act proactively for the time being.”
“Please do so for now. My ultimate goal is for the Haedong Merchant Group to surpass the Ten Brightness Association and become the greatest merchant group in the Central Plains. And I intend to make the next leader, Cheon-sang, into the Merchant King—the king of all merchants.”
“Hmm……”
Upon hearing Cheonhwa’s ambitions, Nam Sa-ik’s expression grew slightly serious.
It was easy to say they would become the greatest merchant group under the heavens and create a Merchant King who would lead the Ten Brightness Association. In reality, it meant waging war over control of the entire world.
“Why? Does it seem too difficult?”
“To be honest, it will be extremely difficult.”
“Extremely difficult? But still possible? Is that what you mean?”
Nam Sa-ik looked momentarily stunned by Cheonhwa’s words.
It was the first time he had ever heard someone reinterpret the phrase “impossible” in such a way.
“Haha, is that how it sounds?”
“Did I misunderstand?”
“No, not at all. It will be incredibly difficult, but it is not impossible.”
Nam Sa-ik had a feeling that working with Cheonhwa would lead to some very interesting events.
“Good. For now, I am working on ruining the Jiangsu Merchant Group.”
“The Jiangsu Merchant Group?”
“If you can’t even become the top merchant group in a single province, how can you dream of becoming the greatest under the heavens? The Haedong Merchant Group must step on the Jiangsu Merchant Group to rise higher, don’t you think?”
“That is true.”
“That’s why I plan to use the information I obtained through the Haomun to completely destroy the illegal businesses the Jiangsu Merchant Group has been running in the shadows. I was told they generate enormous funds from those operations.”
Cheonhwa openly shared his current plans. He believed that if the New Wind Squad knew what he was thinking, they would be able to act independently without overlapping with his own moves.
“Understood. We will begin by establishing a merchant group of our own.”
“I’ll leave that to you. Then I’ll see you later. It’s time for me to teach the children martial arts.”
“Understood. I will come to report once a month.”
“After I finish teaching the children, I suppose I should go earn some more money.”
Cheonhwa had converted the money he won at the gambling house into promissory notes and deposited them at the Jiangsu Money House, steadily accumulating a considerable fortune.
Late at night, Cheonhwa once again headed to the gambling house as usual. The owner, O Dal, was growing increasingly anxious every time the boy appeared.
Even Park Dang, the best gambler in the establishment, was no match for Cheonhwa.
Park Dang alone had already lost a staggering one hundred thousand taels to him.
O Dal had even sent men disguised as bandits to steal the money back, but they had vanished without a trace and had yet to reappear.
“All the money earned from the gamblers is being handed over to that brat.”
Cheonhwa’s face was lit up with a bright smile as he played dice.
The dealer shook the cup vigorously before slamming it onto the table.
“This is more fun than playing with dominoes. I’ll bet fifty taels on seven this time.”
“I’ll put five taels on seven too.”
“Me too……”
The other gamblers followed Cheonhwa’s chosen number.
It was a game where players bet on the sum of two dice. The payout was excellent.
If you guessed correctly, you received five times your bet. Of course, getting it right wasn’t easy, but even those who didn’t know much about gambling enjoyed dice games because landing just one correct guess out of five would let them break even.
When the dealer carefully lifted the cup, the dice showed three and four.
“Whoa, seven!”
The people who had bet on seven cheered. Thanks to Cheonhwa, they had guessed correctly, so today they were winning more than they were losing.
“Two hundred and fifty taels. Could you please leave now?”
The dealer made a polite request, but Cheonhwa paid it no mind.
“Just a few more rounds. Hurry up and shake the dice.”
The dealer’s face twisted, but he had no choice.
“That little brat?”
O Dal, who was watching Cheonhwa from a short distance away, answered the question from the unfamiliar man beside him.
“Yes. That kid is driving me insane.”
The man speaking with O Dal was Hong Man, known as the greatest gambler in Jiangsu Province. He had come to recover the money he had lost to Cheonhwa.
Gamblers were ranked in tiers. The best gambler in the Central Plains was called the God of Gambling, while those famous in gambling houses across the land were known as Gambling Kings.
Those known within a single province were called Gambling Saints, and those famous in major cities were referred to as Gambling Masters.
Gamblers who didn’t even make it into these ranks were merely considered “somewhat skilled.” Considering that even Park Dang, the best gambler in this establishment, hadn’t earned a title, one could easily imagine just how skilled Hong Man was.
“Understood. So I just need to take all that brat’s money, right?”
“Exactly. That kid has already taken over five hundred thousand taels from this place alone.”
“Leave it to me.”
Hong Man walked over to the dice table and switched places with Park Dang.
“Would it be alright if I roll the dice?”
“Yes, please do. Roll them well.”
Cheonhwa smiled brightly and watched as Hong Man placed the dice in the cup and began shaking it.
His technique was completely different from Park Dang’s right from the start.
Normally, the two dice should rattle and clash inside the cup, but no sound came from the cup Hong Man was shaking.
Cheonhwa’s expression changed slightly.
Clack!
When Hong Man set the cup down on the table, everyone looked at Cheonhwa. They planned to bet on whatever number he chose.
“This is tricky. Still, I have to bet. Fifty taels on two.”
When Cheonhwa bet on two, the others followed suit.
Hong Man asked the crowd around him, “Does anyone else wish to bet?”
After confirming there were no more bets, he lifted the cup.
The sum of the two dice was five.
“Ah, I was wrong.”
Cheonhwa made a disappointed face and urged Hong Man on.
“Hurry and roll again. I’ll get it right this time.”
“As you wish.”
Hong Man confidently retrieved the dice, shook them, and set the cup down again. Cheonhwa chose a number and placed his bet.
When Cheonhwa kept failing to guess correctly, the people who had followed his bets began grumbling that they were losing money because of him.
“Who told you to follow my bets? You placed your own money and now you’re blaming me?”
“That’s just how people’s minds work. Shall we continue?”
“Of course we continue. Hurry up and roll.”
He truly looked like someone addicted to gambling.
“Damn it.”
The game continued, and Cheonhwa gradually began losing the money he had won.
“Why can’t I guess even once?”
Cheonhwa tilted his head in confusion. From a short distance away, O Dal’s face finally broke into a smile.
“Park Dang, you should learn from him too.”
“I will do my best.”
The more Cheonhwa lost, the more it felt like ten years of pent-up frustration were melting away from O Dal’s chest.
“I should have brought him in earlier.”
“Ugh, switch me back to that other guy.”
When Cheonhwa grumbled, Hong Man smiled and asked,
“How about it? Shall we stop here?”
“No. We have to keep going. Roll the dice.”
Cheonhwa spoke irritably. Hong Man, seemingly toying with him, placed the dice in the cup and shook it once more.
Clack!
When he set the cup down on the table, a strange tension filled the air.
Cheonhwa thought for a long time before seemingly making up his mind. He pushed all the money in front of him forward.
“Everything on twelve. Twelve! I’m betting it all on twelve!”
Cheonhwa spoke with absolute certainty as he wagered a massive ten thousand taels.
Hong Man laughed brightly at the boy’s audacity and asked if anyone else wanted to bet. A few people placed money on the numbers they had in mind.
When no one else wanted to bet, Hong Man placed one hand on the table and gripped the cup with the other.
Cheonhwa pressed his face almost against the table, ready to see the numbers the moment the cup was lifted.
Hong Man slowly raised the cup. The dice were revealed—both showing six.
At that moment, Hong Man stared at the dice with a look of utter shock.
“Yes!”
Cheonhwa let out a triumphant cheer. From afar, O Dal’s face crumpled as if he had just tasted feces.
“This isn’t right……”
Hong Man looked completely bewildered as to why the numbers had changed.
The sum of the dice inside the cup had originally been twelve. But the moment Cheonhwa chose twelve, Hong Man had channeled his internal energy through the table to manipulate the dice and change the result.
By betting ten thousand taels, Cheonhwa would receive five times that amount—fifty thousand taels.
“I’ll bet fifty thousand taels this time. Let’s do it one more time.”
“I’m sorry, customer. I’m not feeling well. Let’s stop here for today.”
Hong Man was the first to declare he was done and quickly left the table.
“Ah, I was just starting to get the hang of it. What a shame. Let’s play together again next time.”
“As you wish.”