#185. Rewriting the Sichuan Blood History (5)
To Gu Jeongryong, the alliance structure of the Green Forest Seventy-Two Strongholds seemed utterly bizarre.
They were bound together under the name of a federation, but none had the authority to interfere in each other's affairs. Even if a stronghold's leader changed, they wouldn't be ousted from the Seventy-Two Strongholds alliance. This structure hadn't changed in a hundred years since the alliance's formation.
So why did these unrelated groups continue to uphold the name of the Green Forest Seventy-Two Strongholds? It was for the sake of ganging up in a mob fight when crisis struck.
Due to their profession, bandits often provoked the wrath of martial artists and government troops, making them constant targets. To secure their precarious(?) livelihoods, they formed a unique federation that banded together when needed and scattered when not. And now, that federation had activated.
Because of the Murim Alliance or the government army? No. It was because of a single martial artist.
"Damn it...."
Gu Jeongryong muttered, biting his lip.
"What should we do?"
"What do you mean, what? Halt the march immediately and form a defensive formation! Send the wounded to the rear and disperse the able-bodied into double lines."
"Understood."
Gam Cheonak dashed off, rallying the Victory Tiger Hall members.
The activation of the Green Forest Strongholds' alliance meant they viewed them as dangerous as the Murim Alliance or government troops.
'We're from the Murim Alliance, sure... but we've got more patients here than soldiers....'
If three strongholds had allied, they had to assume over a thousand enemies. Hwaeom Stronghold, Red Flower Stronghold, Black Peak Stronghold—infamous in Sichuan for gathering the worst scoundrels.
"Of all people, why did you have to poke them!"
Jin Sowoon replied to Gu Jeongryong's outburst.
"Aren't those bastards the worst of the lot?"
"......"
To be fair, they monopolized the trade routes with the Western Depot, gouging tolls. Rumor had it they even raided merchant caravans whole when smaller ones tried to break through.
He'd used them to block the Blood Cult, so Jin Sowoon deserved praise—but now they were all about to die here because of it.
Then another voice cut in.
"What the hell are you doing?"
The tone was sharp, but not as crisp as Gam Cheonak's. More shrill, hoarse like phlegm in the throat....
"Why are you forming a defensive formation?"
Turning around, Suheo Elder and Sangwon Elder glared at Gu Jeongryong with bulging eyes.
"These are the bandit scum who dared block the Murim Alliance's procession. You think we should defend against them? Are you in your right mind?"
"The mighty Victory Tiger Hall trembling at a single bandit! I'll make sure this becomes an issue!"
Gu Jeongryong's face went blank. His hall lord position hung by a thread, yet rage boiled in his chest, his head ready to explode from the heat.
Even if they fought as the elders demanded, they wouldn't lose outright. But the casualties? Over half were wounded, and able fighters—including Victory Tiger Hall—numbered under two hundred.
Most who survived the Sichuan Blood Cult might end up as ghosts here.
'Is that really what you want?'
The anger built over the past days crept up. Even if it cost his position and landed him in prison for insubordination, he couldn't stomach backing down here.
"Elders, surely you don't really...."
As he growled out his frustration....
"You old fogeys lost your minds or what?"
"......"
The crude interruption cooled his head instantly. Looking toward the voice, Jin Sowoon approached the two elders with a thug's scowl.
"You—you! What did you just say?!"
"Fuck off, didn't you hear? I said you're crazy!"
"What!!!?"
The elders' faces flushed crimson, anger beyond belief. No wonder—they'd spent their lives in the Murim Alliance's top echelons. Being cursed at by a fresh academy entrant from the obscure Tae-eul Gate was utterly alien.
"What? The Murim Alliance's procession? Scared of one bandit?"
Thud, thud.
Jin Sowoon didn't stop, slapping their shoulders.
"Still haven't grasped the situation, huh?"
The absurd scene left the elders stunned, stumbling back a couple steps without response.
"If you're so eager to fight, go do it yourselves."
"......You insolent brat!"
The elders could no longer hold back, channeling their qi. Their robes billowed like in a storm, long beards and hair floating skyward.
A powder keg moment. Amid the surging killing intent, Jin Sowoon's voice still rang out.
"Ha, sacrificing lives over that damn face of yours, and still all about your precious reputation?"
"......"
His thunderous words made academy students forming defenses, Victory Tiger Hall members, and even moaning wounded all turn to stare.
"If reputation matters that much, go fight yourselves."
"......"
Jin Sowoon's icy rage froze the air in an instant.
"Using the Murim Alliance's prestige—why don't you take on a thousand for once."
Without drawing qi or sword, he patted their shoulders again.
"......"
"......"
The elders, qi blazing, couldn't swing a fist. Jin Sowoon eyed them like bugs, then turned back.
"Kunlun Sect! Zhongnan Sect! Front and center!"
He bellowed.
"Your elders wanna fight those Green Forest strongholds so bad—go get yourselves killed like weeds for 'em!"
"......"
Gazes shifted to Kunlun and Zhongnan disciples. Their elders humiliated by one academy punk, yet none stepped up.
The elders ground their teeth at their frozen juniors.
"......Grind."
"Those—those bastards!"
The crowd's looks toward the elders shifted. Clear contempt and disgust. Rage questioning what they sacrificed lives for.
Jin Sowoon's gaze returned to the elders.
"Your own disciples won't step up—can't handle it alone? Is the Alliance's prestige and your face worth more than your lives?"
Suheo and Sangwon trembled, mouths shut. Innocent casualties were already too high, and the Righteous Alliance had achieved nothing. Only their sect disciples might obey now—but even their loyalty had cracked.
Sowoon's eyes flickered with quiet fury.
"Is that the resolve you had—throwing away your disciples' lives so lightly?"
He roared at the elders, cloaked in false honor and justice.
Hoping that facade tore apart. Like his past life, praying the weak wouldn't die innocent deaths.
"If you're not stepping up yourselves, shut your traps and fuck off!"
"......"
"......"
Suheo Elder's mouth bled from biting so hard. Unable to contain it, he raised a hand—
Gu Jeongryong intervened.
"Enough, Elders. In emergencies, command falls to the Murim Alliance's Martial Pavilion. You lack authority, no?"
The elders' eyes darted.
"Jin Sowoon... we'll see."
"Don't think this ends here."
Spitting villainous lines, they turned and stormed off.
Gu Jeongryong sighed in relief. Perfect timing. Any further, and Jin Sowoon might face retaliation. Grateful he'd stepped in for him. The elders couldn't touch Sowoon with his ironclad justification—unique to him now.
"Thanks. You got us over the hump."
"......"
Jin Sowoon still glared at the elders' backs, anger unsated.
Gu Jeongryong said worriedly.
"Don't even think about it. No matter what, those are elders who rose to the Elder Council on their sects' power."
Jin Sowoon finally relaxed.
"I'm not planning anything right now. Someone's gotta take responsibility for this mess anyway."
"Responsibility?"
"The ones who led this expedition, right? No way we're letting it slide."
"......"
Letting it slide? Against Elder Council elders? As Gu Jeongryong pondered the impossibility, Gam Cheonak returned.
"Hall Lord, the vice-stronghold lords are here."
"Just the vice lords?"
"Yes. They want to meet our representative."
"......"
What could armed, battle-ready foes want to discuss? In no shape for combat, Gu Jeongryong nodded.
"Fine. And Jin Sowoon—you come too."
"Me?"
"......Can't think of anyone else right now. Let's go."
# Jin Sowoon instructed Moyong Jaehwa and his group, then followed Gu Jeongryong.
Between the Green Forest alliance and the academy group stood men with faces like they'd "bandit" tattooed on them.
'This won't be easy.'
Gu Jeongryong's first impression. He didn't underestimate them—their prowess matched his own. If vice lords were this strong, how mighty were the stronghold lords?
'One wrong move, and this becomes our grave.'
Gu Jeongryong steeled himself and spoke.
"Pleased to meet the stronghold lords. I'm Gu Jeongryong, Lord of the Victory Tiger Hall in the Murim Alliance's Azure Dragon Pavilion."
He emphasized his titles, but the vice lords' reactions didn't shift.
"Hwaeom Stronghold, Red Flower Stronghold, Black Peak Stronghold. You're from the academy and Alliance, right?"
The Green Forest braves reconfirmed despite knowing.
"A group of Blood Cult demons appeared in Sichuan; we're on mission. No intent to harm your strongholds."
Gu Jeongryong played innocent. But the vice lords' faces stayed hard.
"But you've already caused damage."
They knew everything?
"One of yours dragged our strongholds into battle on purpose, inflicting massive losses."
Gu Jeongryong replied swiftly.
"No intent there—we were rushing an operation. We'll compensate any damages fully."
Hwaeom's vice lord bared teeth.
"Better not try denying it. We're not letting this go."
One vice lord glared murderously at Gu Jeongryong.
"Who? Who did it? Or is this the Murim Alliance's scheme, not one man's doing?"
"......"
Gu Jeongryong swallowed hard. Checkmate. Alliance plot? They'd slaughter everyone. Jin Sowoon's solo act? They'd never forgive him.
"Deny it, and we'll kill you all to honor our comrades' souls."
"......"
Fight or not? In that dilemma—
Bang.
A signal flare burst in the eastern sky. Jin Sowoon stepped forward.
"I'll take it."
"Jin Sowoon!"
"......"
Gu Jeongryong and Gam Cheonak gaped, trying to stop him—but the words were out. Vice lords eyed him like prey.
"Witnesses say two men."
"Ah! Nam Hwaseong from Samwon Sect. He just followed orders, so blame me if you must."
"Hah...?"
Hwaeom's vice lord's face twitched.
"You wanna die?"
"Nah, not that. But there's a slight issue. I'll take responsibility—just a bit later."
"What?"
Then commotion from the strongholds. Murmurs, curses, clinking sounds. Then—bang! Bandits leaped skyward in unison.
"Wh-what!"
"Ambush?!"
"You wanna go?!"
The three vice lords gripped weapons, ready to charge.
"No. First, you all need to deal with that guy."
"What?"
The bandits parted like waves, revealing a hundred-plus figures. Dressed like the Green Forest alliance—Gu Jeongryong thought reinforcements at first.
But the newcomers exuded a different aura. Especially the two leaders: a giant on a black steed and a beauty on a white horse.
They ignored the vice lords' killing intent, casually passing to approach Gu Jeongryong's side.
The black horse was no ordinary beast, and atop it, the man's frame rivaled a mountain.
The giant dismounted nimbly, eyeing Gu Jeongryong's side.
"Little bro, hard to catch your face these days."
Jin Sowoon grinned.
"This little bro's been swamped, so I had to ask big bro for a tough favor."
A melodic voice interjected.
"Jin young master, can't you see me?"
Jin Sowoon cupped fists, beaming.
"Sister-in-law. Hope you've been well? Worried dragging you all the way here."
"Of course we have. And thanks to you, a nice trip to Sichuan."
Her flower-like smile left even the vice lords dazed, unable to act. Familiar faces exchanging greetings.
The giant glanced at Gu Jeongryong.
"Little bro, that your boss?"
"Yes, late intro. Great hero Gu Jeongryong, Lord of Victory Tiger Hall in Azure Dragon Pavilion."
The giant moved lithely despite his size, striding to Gu Jeongryong. Each step vibrated the ground faintly.
"Pleased to meet ya. Name's Bang Du-chil!"
"Bang Du-chil... the Green Dragon King?"
"You know me?"
Gu Jeongryong had heard rumors. Strange happenings in Zhejiang. A pair conquering the loose Green Forest Seventy-Two Strongholds one by one. They'd wiped out Ssangmak Stronghold on Cheonmok Mountain in one go, claiming it. One was the Green Dragon, Bang Du-chil.
'Unlike the fog-shrouded one, he's active outside....'
He'd thought it arrogant for a mere bandit to flaunt his identity. But meeting him? Worlds apart. Now he understood why.
'Overwhelming...!'
Not just his visible bulk. The mountain-like, domineering aura he emanated. A true emperor's presence.
Gu Jeongryong unwittingly bowed.
"I've... heard the tales."
Said to unify the Green Forest Alliance—no exaggeration.
"Really? Ahahahaha!"
Shoulder slaps thudded like drums. His laugh shook the world.
Ignoring the pain, Gu Jeongryong recalled a missed word.
"But... did you just say 'little bro'?"
Did I hear right? Little bro, definitely....
Bang Du-chil eyed his confusion, gaze sliding to Jin Sowoon—who frowned slightly, shaking his head minutely.
Contrasting reactions deepened Gu Jeongryong's bewilderment—
"Ah! I'm Jin Sowoon's sworn brother."
Bang Du-chil roared with laughter.
"Pardon?"
"We swore to die the same day, brothers for life."
Gu Jeongryong's brow furrowed deeply.