Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 444

The only sound in the dimly lit room was the loud gulping of water. “Glug. Glug. Glug.”

Then, a satisfied shout echoed, “Kaaaah!”

Im So-byeong, who they knew as Yuk So-byeong, but now called Im So-byeong, lowered the gourd from his lips and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He had drunk a lot of water, and the disciples watched, surprised by how much, as if it was the finest wine.

‘He drinks water like Chung Myung drinks alcohol,’ one of them thought. ‘How can anyone drink water so eagerly?’

“Aigo, I am sorry,” Im So-byeong said, grinning. His voice was casual, completely different from the serious tone he had used just moments before. “I was trying to do something I don’t usually do. This is…”

The disciples of Mount Hua exchanged confused glances. This sudden change in personality was even stranger than the coughing.

“Then… you are… No, you are…”

What should they call him?

But Im So-byeong answered quickly, not giving Baek Cheon time to worry.

“Yes. I am the Green Forest King. My name is Im So-byeong.”

“Then, that coughing from earlier was all… ?”

“Ah, that coughing was real. I’m just naturally weak.”

“…”

At that moment, Jang Han, who had first acted as the Green Forest King, rushed in and handed Im So-byeong herbal medicine.

“It’s time for your medicine.”

“You should have brought it before I drank water! You blockhead!”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Tsk.”

Im So-byeong looked annoyed as he took the medicine bowl. He gulped it down quickly. Then, he almost threw the empty bowl back and glared.

“Ugh, seriously. How many times do I have to tell you to put more licorice root in it!”

“…They say that if you put too much licorice root in it, the medicinal effect will decrease.”

“Damn it. I’ll die from the bitter taste before I die from the disease while looking for the medicinal effect.”

Im So-byeong waved his hand as if he didn’t want to talk any more and dismissed Jang Han.

“Move aside. We have guests.”

“Yes.”

Jang Han stepped back respectfully and stood there.

The disciples of Mount Hua stared blankly at the scene, trying to understand what was happening.

‘What on earth is going on?’

So, it wasn’t the strong, palace lord-like person, but the scholar who looked like he could collapse and die at any moment, who was the Green Forest King?

As if guessing their thoughts, Im So-byeong grinned.

“Surprised, aren’t you?”

“Ah… well…”

“I’m sorry about that. It’s all for a living.”

Jo Gul, unable to contain his curiosity, asked carefully.

“But… why this kind of work…?”

“Good question. That’s a very good question.”

Fwoosh!

Im So-byeong spread his fan wide and covered half of his face.

“What kind of person did you expect the Green Forest King to be before you came here?”

“Well…”

The disciples of Mount Hua each pictured the Green Forest King they had imagined.

A huge physique.

A hearty voice.

A rough beard and tiger skin…

“Oh…”

“That’s it! That’s it!”

Im So-byeong shouted in an excited voice, as if saying, ‘See?’

“People expect the Green Forest King to be a certain way! But what if they meet a shriveled anchovy-like guy who says he’s the Green Forest King?”

“Oh… I think they would find it a bit strange.”

“They’d look down on me! They’d look down on me!”

Im So-byeong couldn’t stand the frustration and thumped his chest.

“It’s not like they’re picking the Green Forest King based on size! Just because I’m a little small and skinny, they look down on me!”

Ah…

The disciples of Mount Hua nodded blankly, as if they understood.

“It’s not like all bandits are big and wear tiger skins!”

At that moment, Chung Myung, who had been quietly listening to Im So-byeong’s words, chuckled.

“But that’s because bandits usually grow thick beards and wear animal skins.”

Im So-byeong quickly waved his tattered fan as if trying to cool down.

“What can I do if business won’t work otherwise? I keep telling them to dress a little cleaner, but they won’t listen… Ugh! Changing this one by one… Achoo! Hey! Damn pollen. Cough! Cough! Khahaha!”

He coughed as if he would spit out a lung at any moment. He covered his mouth and coughed, and when he couldn’t take it anymore, he grabbed a gourd and roughly drank water.

“Ahem.”

Only then did he calm down and continue speaking casually.

“Anyway, that’s why I had no choice but to put up a suitable Green Forest King instead.”

“Ah. That’s that person?”

“Yes. He’s one of my men.”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Jang Han, who was standing behind Im So-byeong like a guardian deity.

‘He certainly looks more like the Green Forest King.’

‘What we expect to see can be scary.’

At that moment, Im So-byeong snapped his fan shut and looked at Chung Myung with interest.

“But… how did you know that I am the Green Forest King?”

“Well, there are several reasons…”

Chung Myung shrugged.

“A strong person doesn’t need to bow down to a weaker person.”

“…”

In an instant, Im So-byeong’s eyes sharpened.

‘He saw through my martial prowess…’

There was no way he could have kept up this act if he couldn’t hide his strength.

Besides, he had learned martial arts from the beginning that didn’t reveal his prowess. Even for a master, it wouldn’t be easy to recognize his martial prowess…

‘Are you saying that young Taoist saw through it?’

The corners of his mouth twisted upward.

“It seems you saw right through me from the beginning. Haha. How embarrassing.”

But unlike his words, he didn’t seem embarrassed at all.

“You said there were several reasons, but may I hear another reason?”

“It’s nothing special. The Green Forest King can’t just be someone who is big and strong. But that person doesn’t seem very smart.”

“…”

Im So-byeong scanned Chung Myung with strange eyes.

“Hwasan Divine Dragon… Hwasan Divine Dragon. People praise Chung Myung’s high martial prowess and potential, but now that I see it, you are a true Taoist. You aren’t fooled by what you see on the outside, you see what is real. That must be the way of those who follow the Tao.”

Baek Cheon’s eyes widened.

Something was being misunderstood here.

“Good.”

Fwoosh!

Im So-byeong spread his fan and his eyes sparkled.

“I don’t know how long it’s been since I met someone who saw through my identity. Since I’ve met such a special guest, I should treat you well. What do you want?”

Chung Myung grinned as if he was finally excited.

“You’re easy to talk to. It’s nothing special, just a few things I want to do together.”

“Like what?”

“Before that.”

Chung Myung shrugged.

“Do you have a map that shows exactly where the mountain fortresses are?”

“…Did you just say a map?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Im So-byeong leaned back in his chair with a slightly troubled look. Then, the fake Green Forest King behind him shouted.

“You bastard! Do you know what you’re saying! If you give out the location of all the mountain fortresses and it gets into the hands of the government, what will happen…”

“Bring the map.”

“…Yes?”

“I said bring the map.”

“No, Green Forest King! That’s…”

“Hey!”

Im So-byeong glared, looking mean, and the fake Green Forest King got scared and nodded a lot.

“I’ll get it right away! Just wait!”

He was big, but he moved very fast. He ran out quickly. Im So-byeong smiled a little, looking tired.

“Please understand. He’s very strong, but sometimes he’s a bit… well, not too bright.”

“Is it annoying to have him around?”

“Yes, sometimes. But what can I do? Everyone is useful in their own way. He may look like that, but he helps a lot.”

“That’s true. I have one myself, and he’s a pain.”

Chung Myung looked behind him.

“What? Why are you looking at me!”

Baek Cheon got angry, but Chung Myung shook his head.

“We just have to deal with it.”

“I agree.”

Baek Cheon felt annoyed, but he couldn’t do anything about it. The bird on Chung Myung’s shoulder looked amused, which made him even more irritated.

“Here it is! I brought it.”

The giant came back in and spread the map out in front of them.

“Hmm, just like I thought.”

Chung Myung looked at the map, smiling.

“The mountain fortresses are only in important places.”

“Of course. Mountain fortresses only matter if people travel through the mountains. But if people know there’s a fortress, they’ll take other routes, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Im So-byeong smiled.

“That’s why the location is important. The best mountain fortresses are in places where people will pay to pass through, even if there are bandits, instead of going around.”

Chung Myung nodded, looking happy.

“So, all the important places in the Central Plains have Green Forest fortresses?”

“Exactly! You understand quickly.”

This meant that when the Ghost Clan moved things, they would go through areas with Green Forest fortresses.

“Let’s change the deal.”

“Deal?”

“Not just the right to pass through, but also to use the fortresses as places to stay.”

“…Places to stay?”

Im So-byeong looked surprised.

“You want to use all seventy-two fortresses as inns?”

“Yes.”

“…No, what the…”

Im So-byeong stopped talking, looking confused. Chung Myung clicked his tongue.

“Our delivery guys are fast, but they’re not strong fighters.”

“…So?”

“The most dangerous time for them is when they’re resting or sleeping. They can run fast, but if someone attacks them while they’re resting, they can’t defend themselves.”

“Hmm.”

“At first, no one might bother them, but soon people will try to steal from them. Thugs and bandits might attack.”

“Couldn’t the head disciple find those guys and punish them?”

“It’s easier to be careful from the start than to deal with problems later. I don’t have time to chase after them every time something happens.”

“…You’re right.”

So, the idea was to use the Green Forest as an inn.

‘That’s actually a good idea.’

Even though mountain fortresses have a bad reputation, they’re very safe. Even strong fighters would be careful about fighting the Green Forest in the mountains.

So, the safest place to stay in the mountains is a mountain fortress.

“Besides, if I give the order, your people won’t steal from us, right?”

“That’s the main point.”

“Hoo hoo hoo.”

The Green Forest fortresses are all over the land. If the delivery guys are fast, they can run for three or four days and rest at a fortress without any trouble.

“Haha!”

Im So-byeong laughed and jumped up, grabbing Chung Myung’s hand tightly, his eyes shining. Baek Cheon and the others stepped back a little.

“I thought all Taoists were boring old men, but you’re telling interesting stories. I like you.”

“Hehe. That’s not true.”

“Yes, yes! I used to have prejudices, and now I’m ashamed. I’m a gentleman!”

The Mount Hua disciples looked at each other.

‘A gentleman?’

‘He says so.’

‘What kind of bandit is this?’

‘If a bandit is a gentleman, is a pirate a Dragon King?’

They wanted to say something, but they didn’t want to interrupt the conversation between the Taoist-like man and the bandit-like man.

“So, we just need to protect them and give them a place to stay?”

“And sometimes they might bring trouble, but you can handle that.”

“And you’ll pay us well?”

“Enough to make us both happy.”

“Good! You’re surprisingly reasonable for a martial artist. Haha… Cough! Cough!”

The Mount Hua disciples watched Im So-byeong cough, looking tired. Hye-yeon was horrified by the deal between the Taoist and the bandit and started chanting Buddhist prayers.

“Ahem! Ahem!”

Im So-byeong cleared his throat and smiled.

“But, Head Disciple, I think you have another reason for this deal?”

“We’ll talk about that later.”

“Testing the waters?”

“Aren’t we both?”

“That’s true.”

“He he he.”

Im So-byeong and Chung Myung smiled slyly.

‘What are they planning?’

‘They’re getting along well.’

Im So-byeong stopped laughing and turned around. He went back to his chair, leaned back, and looked relaxed.

“Good, very good. It’s been a while since I’ve met someone I can talk to. We just need to make money, so it’s not a bad idea. But…”

He smiled even more.

“The Green Forest is all about making money, but we also respect strength. Might makes right.”

“Hmm?”

“What do you say?”

Im So-byeong’s voice was different, like he was a different person.

“Do you think you’re good enough to work with the Green Forest? And are you brave enough to prove it?”

He seemed evil.

‘What?’

‘Gasp!’

The Mount Hua disciples stepped back, scared.

The powerful aura was too much for them.

But then…

“Tsk.”

Chung Myung waved his hand. The evil aura disappeared, and it became easier to breathe.

Chung Myung looked at the Green Forest King and said.

“What did you say the Green Forest’s law is?”

“The strong are respected.”

“That’s interesting.”

Chung Myung smiled.

“Mount Hua feels the same way.”

“No, you’re crazy!”

“Mount Hua is a Taoist sect! Why are you talking about strength!”

“Ah, shut up!”

Chung Myung told Im So-byeong.

“If we need to prove it, we will. But be careful. I don’t know how to hold back.”

Baek Cheon smiled, listening to Chung Myung.

‘He’s going to beat him up.’

‘Our Chung Myung is so great. He can even talk like that now.’

‘…Amazing.’