Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 447

“…Good heavens.”

“That Iron-Clad General…!”

The bandits of Daeho Fortress stared, mouths wide open.

One of the Green Forest Ten Heroes, the Iron-Clad General, defeated?

Of course, it could happen. The name Green Forest Ten Heroes was a symbol of strength in the Green Forest, but it wasn’t an absolute symbol.

But the Iron-Clad General losing because of pure strength was surprising.

Who was the Iron-Clad General?

In the Green Forest, there are many fortresses and many bandits. But when it came to strength, the Iron-Clad General was one of the strongest. And this man had been completely crushed by that small Taoist with sheer power.

They were confused and just stared at the Iron-Clad General, Beon Chung. Then, one by one, they started to move again. They rushed towards him in a flurry.

“Iron-Clad General!”

“B-Bring a stretcher, quickly! Quickly!”

He was lying there, mouth open and back bent in a strange way. It was clear he was badly hurt.

But Chung Myung said with an indifferent face, “There’s no need to worry so much. He just fainted. I adjusted it well so he wouldn’t get hurt too badly.”

“But his back…!”

“He just strained some muscles. It’s nothing serious, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“Ah… If that’s the case.”

The bandits nodded quickly, their eyes wide with admiration. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and dust, and the sounds of their excited chatter filled the courtyard. Chung Myung, who had fought him directly, would know best about the Iron-Clad General’s condition.

“You are amazing, Little Taoist.”

They looked at Chung Myung with admiration.

People who know martial arts understood something important. It is very hard to fight with strength but not hurt someone badly. And yet, he even showed such composure while facing that Iron-Clad General, Beon Chung.

“What do you mean? It’s nothing much.”

“No, no! It’s a truly amazing feat. Good heavens! Where did you get that amazing strength? Are you magic?”

“Hehe. It’s really nothing much.”

“People say real strength comes from the sky! Taoist, you must be a special person sent from heaven.”

Chung Myung tried not to smile too much as everyone praised and cheered for him.

“This is a new feeling.”

Of course, it wasn’t the first time he had received cheers, but the nature of this cheer felt a little different. Praise for pure strength, rather than martial arts, stimulated something in a man.

“Vajra Warrior! Vajra Warrior!”

“Hehe.”

“A man is strength! Strength!”

“Hehehehe.”

“Kuh! The strongest man in the world is here! The strongest man in the world!”

“Giggle….”

Maybe because they were bandits, they were making a lot of noise and excitement.

Yoon Jong looked confused as he watched the bandits crowd around Chung Myung.

“…Even though their friend was just hurt, they are acting like this….”

Yoon Jong frowned. *This is strange,* he thought. *In Mount Hua, we would be worried and helping our injured friend.*

Then, Im So-byeong smiled and said, “Remember what I said? In the Green Forest, the strongest survive.”

“Still….”

Im So-byeong unfolded his fan. “Don’t think of the Green Forest as an ordinary sect. Green Forest fortresses are all over the world. This means many bandits in the Green Forest never meet each other.”

“Ah….”

His eyes sank slightly with weight.

In fact, this was the biggest problem of the Green Forest.

The Green Forest was a massive force, but at the same time, it was a coalition of several fortresses. The authority of the Green Forest King was certain, but that was only the authority of the Green Forest King. Fortresses, whether strong or weak, had no binding power over each other.

The Beggars’ Sect is also spread out, but they have ranks to show who is in charge. The Green Forest is different. They only have ranks inside each fortress.

Because of this, fortresses often fought each other if they wanted the same land or had problems.

Even though the Green Forest King has his own fortress, he travels around a lot. He does this to solve fights between fortresses and keep them connected.

“The Green Forest doesn’t really think of others as allies. They are more like business partners. The concept that binds such a Green Forest together is the survival of the strongest. If a stronger person becomes our ally, wouldn’t it be easier to make a living?”

“I don’t really understand….”

Im So-byeong smiled slightly at Yoon Jong’s somewhat embarrassed face. “When good fighters from famous groups go out into the world, where do you think they go first?”

Baek Cheon cleared his throat loudly.

“Wait, Hwajung Sword also….”

“That….”

He became known as Hwajung Sword by beating bandits and bad people when he traveled the world with Chung Myung. He was trying to be a good fighter.

He thought it was something to be proud of, but now that he had a bandit leader (?) in front of him, his position became ambiguous.

“It’s okay. You don’t need to explain. It’s good.”

Baek Cheon turned his head with an awkward look, and Im So-byeong shrugged his shoulders.

“And this fortress is small. It’s not even really part of the Green Forest.”

“Ah, I see.”

“But even big fortresses, much bigger than this one, are still in danger. Many people want to become famous by beating fortresses, like Hwajung Sword did.”

Jo Gul nodded his head vigorously.

“If a group is big, it can also mean that each person in it is weak.”

“Exactly.”

Im So-byeong looked at Jo Gul as if he was pleased.

“The Green Forest Seventy-Two Fortresses sound scary, but some people think they can still attack one fortress. Think about it. What can you do if a really strong fighter attacks a fortress and causes trouble? You can’t tell the government, and no one will come to help.”

Yoon Jong nodded.

“That’s why Green Forest bandits respect strong people who can protect them. It’s not just because bandits are simple. They know strong people can help them stay alive.”

“Hmm.”

Yoon Jong nodded. Now that he heard it, he understood why there was such an enthusiastic reaction.

Im So-byeong looked at Chung Myung with fresh eyes and smiled. “So, you see, Taoist is very special.”

“Yes?”

“Look how easily he talked to the Green Forest bandits, even though they were unsure about him at first. He joked and showed he wasn’t an enemy. If he had just walked away silently after the fight, would this have happened? No. He knows what to do.”

“Uh….”

“Taoists are not usually friendly with bandits. But he talked to them easily and changed the mood with just a few words. He’s really something.”

The disciples of Mount Hua, who were subtly watching Im So-byeong’s expression, exchanged glances.

‘He’s always been like that….’

‘I think there’s a serious misunderstanding going on?’

Chung Myung was the kind of guy who would be overjoyed if he was praised, even during that bloody Nine Sects Tournament. Bandits or whatever, he’s always like that if you just praise him!

“Anyway… Then did it work out well?”

“Yes. That’s right. Very….”

Im So-byeong trailed off slightly before continuing firmly. “It worked out excessively well.”

His eyes shone subtly.

‘To think he would just overpower them with strength.’

“They respect strong people, but it’s not just any strength. They respect strength that seems almost magical. They respect strong people to survive, but they especially like strength that seems like it comes from the gods. That’s just what the Green Forest likes.”

Chung Myung won them over completely.

Soon, all the fortresses will hear about this. Im So-byeong will make sure of it.

“Hooray!”

“Long live the Divine Dragon of Mount Hua!” shouted a few men. Im So-byeong had asked them to cheer to get the party going. (The Divine Dragon of Mount Hua is a title of respect.)

But looking around now, he saw it wasn’t needed. Chung Myung himself had already made the atmosphere wild and exciting.

Im So-byeong nodded, a wide smile on his face. He was happy with how things were going. He stood up, raising his voice.

“Alright, let’s drink! We always drink after a big job to wash away bad luck! Bring the wine! Hurry! Cough! Ehehe! Cough!”

“…Are you bleeding?” someone asked, surprised.

“Ah, it’s nothing. Don’t worry, not catching… Cough! Ugh… I think I’m dying. Cough! Cough!”

Baek Cheon and the others slowly moved away from Im So-byeong, who was coughing hard. They looked at Chung Myung, who was surrounded by the bandits.

Yoon Jong spoke quietly.

“…I don’t know if it’s just me who thinks this.”

“I was just thinking the same thing,”

“Even the Junior Uncle? Wow, me too!”

Baek Cheon mumbled, looking at Chung Myung with tired eyes.

“…I don’t even know who the bandit is and who the Taoist is anymore.”

“He fits in so well, it’s like he has always lived here.”

“I know.”

They all sighed together. But then, everything changed. Suddenly, the air filled with shouts and laughter as the feast began.

A huge bonfire blazed in the center, sending sparks dancing into the night sky. The crackling fire filled the air with the smell of burning wood.

A whole pig, skin sizzling and brown, turned slowly over the fire, dripping fat and filling the air with a mouth-watering smell. Large barrels of rough mountain liquor were opened.

The bandits gathered in groups, drinking and laughing.

Hong Dae-kwang’s eyes widened slightly. ‘This is too similar,’ he thought. ‘It’s exactly like…’

Is it just my imagination?

Ah, no, it’s not my imagination…

No matter how much he knew, how would he know how bandits held feasts?

Hong Dae-kwang thought, ‘Saying Mount Hua’s feasts are like bandits’ feasts is just an expression, right?’

“It’s exactly the same?”

No, Mount Hua seemed even more extreme. At least these bandits didn’t take off their shirts and drink straight from the jar.

Ah, some things were exactly the same, as if copied.

“Kahaha! I never thought I would drink with a monk! Hey Monk! Bottoms up! Drink with us!”

“Amitabha. It seems you are not used to strong wine. We don’t drink this from cups,” Hye-yeon said playfully. (Amitabha is a Buddhist expression.)

“Oh? Look at this monk?”

“Take away the cups. Let’s drink properly.”

Hong Dae-kwang looked at Hye-yeon drinking straight from the bottle.

‘Abbot,’ he thought.

Why did you send that person to Mount Hua?

What are you trying to see?

Hye-yeon was now part of Mount Hua. (Shaolin is a famous Buddhist temple.)

Hong Dae-kwang sighed. Hye-yeon, wearing the yellow robe of Shaolin and drinking without stopping, looked like a monk who had broken his vows and run away.

And…

“You’re going down!”

Plop!

“Keeeugh.”

Another person joined the group rolling on the floor.

Jo Gul slammed the liquor bottle down and clicked his tongue, looking at the fallen person. With half-open eyes, he said.

“Hey. Is there no one who can drink well? What kind of bandit den is this?”

“Mo, move! I! I’ll take you on!”

“Good, good. Now! Let’s drink!”

Hong Dae-kwang closed his eyes.

Jo Gul was beating up the bandits with liquor.

He didn’t seem like a good drinker in Mount Hua. Where Chung Myung isn’t around, Jo Gul looks impressive.

“……”

What should I say?

This was clearly the Great Tiger Camp, but the disciples of Mount Hua were leading the drinking party. It was as if Mount Hua had set up a bandit den and was hosting guests.

“Anyway, they’re really unique guys.”

Hong Dae-kwang stuck out his tongue and looked to one side.

The most unique one was still Chung Myung.

“Have a drink.”

Im So-byeong brushed his hat and smiled. He held out a bottle of liquor to Chung Myung.

“Hmm.”

Chung Myung smiled and took the liquor. As Chung Myung drank, Im So-byeong said.

“Thanks to you, things worked out well.”

“Hey. Not thanks to me. It’s thanks to the Green Forest… No, it’s thanks to Strategist Byeong.”

“What could I have done?”

“Then I’ll say you used your head.”

“Hmm.”

Im So-byeong smiled, pleased by the flattery.

“Haha. When you think about it, my judgment wasn’t bad.”

“Of course, of course.”

“And the Taoist is also very clever.”

“Hehe. I have that side of me.”

Yoo Iseol and Yoon Jong, who were guarding him, looked embarrassed. Yoon Jong whispered to Yoo Iseol, “Are they really not ashamed?” and Yoo Iseol just shook her head, looking away.

‘They’re going to go all the way to the sky,’ they thought.

Even if no one praised them, they seemed ready to rise to the end of the world if they were together.

“Hahaha. I never thought the day would come when I would drink with a Taoist.”

“Me neither. I never thought I would have a feast with a Green Forest person.”

Im So-byeong smiled and poured more liquor into Chung Myung’s empty glass.

“If we have the same purpose, what does our background matter?”

“That’s right, that’s right. Purpose is important. And…”

At that moment, Chung Myung’s eyes flashed coldly.

It was a quick chill, but Im So-byeong noticed it.

“At least we can be comrades. As long as the Myriad Man House exists.”

Im So-byeong’s mouth twisted.

“An enemy of an enemy.”

Chung Myung nodded and emptied his glass. More liquor was poured again.

The glass was filled, and Chung Myung poured the same amount into Im So-byeong’s glass.

The two raised their glasses.

They smiled as if they liked each other. Yoon Jong and Yoo Iseol worried they were getting too close.

But they were both thinking different things.

‘Bandit bastard!’

‘Taoist punk is obvious!’

The two smiled and looked at each other.

“For friendship!”

“For comrades!”

Cheers!

The two glasses hit each other.

“Hahaha. I never thought I would meet someone so like-minded.”

“Me neither. I’m surprised too.”

Smiling, the two thought.

‘Since you walked in on your own two feet, I’ll use you well.’

‘I’ll suck you dry. You messed with the wrong person!’

It was the moment when the two most cunning people in the world were sure they had tricked each other. Chung Myung smiled, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Im So-byeong. Im So-byeong laughed loudly, but his hand tightened around his drink.