Chapter 183: The Green Forest Alliance Master

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FLUTTER FLUTTER, FLUTTER FLUTTER-

Ju Yu-gang’s expression hardened as he passed through the village entrance in one breath.

It was a small village of at most a dozen households, yet it was full of the smell of blood.

STOP.

Ju Yu-gang paused his movement for a moment and heightened his energy sense.

Houses sparsely positioned along the ridge.

He was searching for the source of the scream he had heard earlier.

Then he soon saw a dilapidated house standing apart far up the hillside.

‘…!’

No, to be precise, he had spotted a black figure that had jumped over its wall and was rapidly disappearing into the forest.

He immediately kicked off the ground.

BOOM!

He was rapidly compressing the distance, moving like the wind.

While moving at high speed like that, when over twenty corpses fallen here and there on the road passed through his vision, rage surged to the top of his head.

Regardless of whether they were elderly or children, each had lost their breath.

‘That bastard!’

The figure who had hidden in the forest must have committed these heaven-defying acts of murder.

CRACK- CRACKLE-!

As Ju Yu-gang was recklessly pushing through the dense brush, his eyes suddenly deepened.

‘Fast!’

He could sense the presence but nothing was entering his view.

The distance wasn’t closing.

In the end, Ju Yu-gang blasted the maximum amount of true energy through his yongcheon points.

KABOOM-!

A heap of dirt shot up as his figure pierced through the forest like an arrow leaving a bow.

The fierce sound of wind scratching at his ears.

Finally, he could see.

Faintly.

The back of the bastard.

An appearance dressed in black robes.

By rough estimate, the distance was about ten jang.

But then.

The distance was no longer closing.

The black-robed person’s lightfoot technique was that outstanding.

He had thought this was no ordinary person, seeing as he had committed murder in broad daylight like this, but he had skills even greater than that.

‘I won’t let you escape!’

Gritting his teeth, Ju Yu-gang once again operated maximum energy to increase his movement speed even more.

Just as he reduced the gap by half, the black-robed person twisted their upper body.

SHWEEEK- SHWEEEEK-!

Straight-line hidden weapons rushing in.

They were thick metal needles.

Ju Yu-gang swept his left arm wide without stopping his movement.

WOONG!

As a heavy gust of energy was released, over ten metal needles all flew to one side and thudded into an old tree.

In that time, the black-robed person had also increased his movement speed.

The distance was widening again.

‘That bastard!’

Ju Yu-gang’s eyes flashed and he stretched out his right hand – the sword hanging at his waist flew from its sheath as if taking flight and charged forth.

Just as the blade, advancing as fast as a bird with wings, was about to pierce the black-robed person’s back.

PAPENG-!

Pitch-black smoke spread thickly in the blink of an eye, completely concealing the opponent’s form.

That wasn’t the end.

PAPENG, PENG, PAPAPENG-!

Along with successive explosions, ink-black dark clouds covered the area ahead.

Shortly after, Ju Yu-gang leaped into that smoke-filled space while radiating formless gusts of energy with both hands.

HUUUNG!

With a heavy sound of wind, the black smoke scattered in all directions.

‘…!’

Ju Yu-gang’s eyes settled on a nearby tree.

The sword he had thrown earlier was embedded there.

Along with torn pieces of black robe.

PAK!

Soon the irritated Ju Yu-gang pulled out and gripped the sword, then operated supreme-level internal energy to heighten his energy sense.

But the black-robed person’s presence could not be detected.

He had ultimately lost him.

His expression darkened.

“Haah…”

His sigh was as heavy as his heavy heart.

If only he had come here a bit earlier – that regret swept over him greatly.

CLENCH.

Having sheathed his sword with a clank, he quietly picked up the jet-black cloth piece that had fallen to the floor.

Though it was evidence, it was just ordinary unbleached cotton with nothing special about it.

His furrowed brow spoke to his state of mind.

‘Just what is that bastard’s identity…’

Well, that killer probably didn’t know that he, dressed in plain clothes, was an official of Wuyang.

Anyway, one thing was certain: this was a martial artist possessing high-level lightfoot technique.

‘I’ll have to investigate the movements of this region’s martial world first.’

Having hurriedly returned to the mountain village, he collected the surrounding corpses one by one while harboring questions.

It was because of traces of torture.

Several among the dead showed such signs.

‘Hmm, it doesn’t seem to be someone pursuing a sense of achievement or pleasure through these series of killings…’

Was there something they were looking for?

He didn’t know.

What the bastard’s purpose was.

Having finally finished the collection, Ju Yu-gang immediately returned to the government office and issued investigation orders regarding this mysterious massacre incident.

But then.

Guard martial artist Dam Maeng-gi, who had gone to inspect three or four other villages after receiving separate orders that morning, reported unexpected news with a grief-stricken expression as soon as he returned.

News that another mountain village to the east had also met with disaster.

BANG!

Ju Yu-gang struck the desk hard as flames exploded in his eyes.

“DAMN! What is… It wasn’t just one person!”

At that, Dam Maeng-gi asked in a solemn tone.

“Could it be the work of a group?”

Ju Yu-gang, whose fist was trembling, let out a cold voice.

“We can’t know yet. However, if this turns out to be Wickedness-Extreme Black Ground perpetrated by a martial world force… I will personally stand at the forefront.”

A voice suddenly came to mind.

-I am not unaware of your exceptional sense of justice and mission, but it would be troublesome if you got caught up in unnecessary matters and exposed your true identity.

Ju Yu-gang shook his head while thinking of the owner of that voice.

‘I apologize. I simply cannot hold back.’

He had intuited it.

That due to the successive village massacre incidents, he would once again become involved in martial world affairs.

‘Just wait. I will definitely find you. And when I do, I will not show mercy. Even if a situation arises where I must expose my identity…’

As he thought this, he habitually brushed his waist area.

There was something small that could be felt through his clothes.

That symbol of his secret identity and position was none other than a golden waist medallion bestowed by the current master of the imperial house and master of all under heaven – the Emperor ‘Sima Jinlong.’

* * *

Mount Apo, the base of Green Forest Alliance, one of Hubei’s prominent unorthodox forces.

Currently, several hundred alliance members had gathered inside the great mountain camp on the plateau below Zhuo Ta Peak, famous as the highest peak.

The reason was simple.

Because Cheol Ryu-heun’s group had visited this place.

The gazes of the Green Forest Alliance members, gathered in a large circular formation in the plaza-like space surrounded by tall wooden fence, were focused on the center.

Because of the three people and horse standing there.

Cheol Ryu-heun, Hae Su-yeon, Namgung Sang-rin, and Divine wind.

“Oh, so that’s the crazy horse we only heard about…”

“Crazy, for real. Look at those muscles.”

“Getting kicked by that would send you flying to that mountain peak over there.”

“Makes sense. It trampled and destroyed the eleventh stronghold of our Alliance along with its owner, didn’t it? How could it be ordinary strength?”

“Tsk, I’m jealous even though it’s a beast.”

“Wow… Who’s that beauty?”

“Don’t know. Anyway, she’s unbelievably pretty. I feel like I could finish just looking at her.”

“Finish and go where, you bastard?”

“Hmm, maybe she’s the lover or wife of that young master from the Namgung family?”

“Well, could be…”

“Suddenly I feel like joining White Peak Sword Sect.”

“What? You little bastard, I’m telling on you.”

“Pfft! Hey, you were probably thinking the same thing, so what…”

“Ah… I admit it.”

“By the way, does that Sect Leader Cheol guy have no emotions?”

“I know right… In all my life, this is the first time I’ve seen someone that expressionless.”

Amid such stirrings here and there.

“You’ve arrived.”

Bu Do-nam approached the Cheol Ryu-heun group standing in the center of the wide space and greeted them politely.

Following that, a figure who had followed him scratched his head and spoke.

“Um… Sect Leader Cheol, I’m sorry about what happened before.”

A man in his thirties with disheveled hair and a rough face – it was Flying Eagle Sword Dal Tak, the second-in-command of Green Wolf stronghold.

Cheol Ryu-heun answered with an indifferent wave of his hand and quietly gazed at Bu Do-nam’s face.

“You spread it well. The rumor.”

“Ah… Yes. Since you had already given us something, it was something that should naturally be done. The Alliance Master also readily approved.”

At that moment, Namgung Sang-rin wore an awkward smile.

“Brother, we meet again like this.”

“Ha. Right. I didn’t know until I came here. That you were a Guest Retainer of White Peak Sword Sect…”

Bu Do-nam smiled back and recalled the conversation he had previously had with him.

-So brother, where do you plan to go now? Do you have a destination?

-For now I’m thinking of looking around here and there, but if I later decide on a place to stay long-term, I’ll contact you separately. Please don’t worry too much.

-Alright. If it’s you, brother, you’ll manage just fine. Haha.

‘I’m relieved. If it were someone else that’s one thing, but if brother chose such a path… It must mean Sect Leader Cheol’s character is extraordinary.’

Bu Do-nam knew Namgung Sang-rin better than anyone.

Therefore, he believed he had absolutely not become a Guest Retainer of White Peak Sword Sect through a hasty judgment.

Soon Cheol Ryu-heun asked.

“Where’s the Alliance Master?”

At that, Bu Do-nam quickly changed his expression and responded.

“I’ve already sent someone, so he should arrive soon.”

Sure enough.

-What are you all chattering about?

Suddenly a resonant thunderous voice rang out.

It was Green Forest Alliance Master Gung Roe.

At that booming sound, the atmosphere in the area soon settled into quiet.

“Brother, let’s catch up on our conversation later.”

After speaking quietly, Bu Do-nam took his place among his group along with Dal Tak.

STEP, STEP, STEP, STEP…

A figure in his mid-fifties approaching directly in front of Cheol Ryu-heun’s group.

It was the appearance of Green Forest Martial Buddha Gung Roe.

Namgung Sang-rin and Hae Su-yeon shouted the same thing inwardly.

‘He’s too big!’

They were startled by his enormous build, enough to make one wonder if he was a bear.

It wasn’t just his size that was impressive.

His bushy curly hair, looking like black thread bunched together, along with his beard sticking out prickly like a hedgehog’s quills were unusual too.

Moreover, the purple Buddhist robes wrapping his large body made him look like an evil monk, and his intensely formed facial features gave the feeling of being drawn with a thick brush.

As the distance between them shortened.

PAK-!

Gung Roe suddenly kicked off the ground and rushed forward rapidly.

Simultaneously, a connected offensive.

HUUUNG-!

A long sword that had been drawn at some point fell vertically down.

The Buddha figure delicately engraved on the blade proclaimed the dignity of the alias Green Forest Martial Buddha.

In an instant.

JJEOJEOJEONG-!

Following the metallic sound, a transparent wave of energy spread in all directions.

Cheol Ryu-heun had blocked the opponent’s heavy sword strike with the Gan Jiang in the blink of an eye.

CREEAK, CREEEEAK…

Sound leaking from where sword met sword.

Cheol Ryu-heun casually tossed out a voice.

“Did you get playful?”

At that moment, Gung Roe withdrew his sword and stepped back a few paces, laughing.

“Hahaha! Not bad, Sect Leader Cheol. To see through that it was a feint.”

“There’s no way the sword strike of a master ranked among the Six Extremes of Hubei would have only that much power.”

Cheol Ryu-heun sheathed the Gan Jiang he held and pointed with his chin at a building not far off.

“We should move and talk briefly.”

“Oh, just the two of us?”

“There’s no particular need for subordinates.”

“Good! No need for us to drag things out. Though it’s our first meeting, I like your personality.”

After nodding, Gung Roe gave the order for everyone to wait, then disappeared into the building with Cheol Ryu-heun.

About half a shichen (hour) later.

Suddenly, Gung Roe’s resounding shout burst out from the building.

“AH! I-I greet the Ancestral Master!”

At that, the personnel in the area all gazed at the building with puzzlement.

‘Ancestral Master? What ancestral master…?’

Namgung Sang-rin and Hae Su-yeon felt the same.

Immediately after, Gung Roe came out, slamming the door open with a BANG, and shouted with a face that couldn’t hide his excitement.

“Everyone listen! From today, members of this Alliance must serve Sect Master Cheol like an ancestor! If anyone dares to violate this, I will beat them until they shit blood! Understand?!”