Simultaneously, everyone in front of him trembled and lowered their heads.
Go Hong was known as the Crazy Blade, not because of his temper but because of his rational nature. However, when he became angry, everything changed. His anger drove him to act like a mad cow, hence the nickname, the Crazy Blade.
Dong Woong failed?
I-it appears so!
Go Hong stared at the messenger in silence.
Blood drained from the face of Lee Jong-Byeong, who was bowing down.
So, even though he led the entire troop, he failed? How much damage was inflicted on the other side? What happened to that rat, Im So-Byeong?
T-that
As Lee Jong-Byeong hesitated, Go Hong leaped up from his seat.
If you cant speak now, Ill open your mouth!
Eek! Eek! Yes! Yes! Ill report it. The enemy, the Mount Hua sect, apparently suffered no damage.
None?
Go Hong tilted his head to the side as if he couldnt believe what he was hearing.
So, he led an entire troop, and they were defeated, but the opponents suffered no damage?
I apologize but
Hehehe.
Go Hong laughed as if the answer was absurd.
Am I dreaming?
Are the bandits we sent weaker than we thought? Or is the Mount Hua sect much stronger than we anticipated?
Lee Jong-Byeong quickly bowed down and responded.
T-The Mount Hua sect is not to be underestimated. They have already proven their strength by defeating the armed forces of the Ten Thousand People clan
Kwaang!
Before he could finish speaking, a loud explosion sound and dust filled the room.
Drip.
Cold sweat trickled down Lee Jong-Byeongs face. When he slowly turned his head, the spear that should have been behind the chair was right next to him.
He would have been reduced to a cleanly cut piece if it had flown just an inch to the side.
So?
L-leader
Are you suggesting that I, who should be in the position of the Green Forest King, should be wary of those brats? A sect that isnt even in the Nine Great Sects?
Lee Jong-Byeong remained silent.
Although Mount Hua wasnt one of the nine sects, it was still a sect that couldnt be ignored. However, telling that truth to Go Hong at that moment was akin to asking for his own execution.
H-How dare they compare themselves to our leader! Thats completely unjust!
Lee Jong-Byeong lowered his posture to the extreme, but Go Hong remained tense.
What nonsense!
Go Hong abruptly stood up and shouted as if his face would burst.
Prepare everyone! I will go there myself!
P-Please calm down, leader!
Calm down? Do I appear capable of that after being treated this way? What will the other leaders think?
It was true that other bandit groups had joined forces here to oust Green Forest. However, it hadnt been decided who among them would take over the position of Green Forest.
If they discussed it and lost their strength and power to fight, then Im So-Byeong would continue.
But now, his men had been disgraced. It was clear that everyone would consider him unfit for the position of the king.
So you need to be even more composed! If we confront Mount Hua like this, wont our power be unnecessarily diminished? If that happens, the others will seize the greater prize.
the prizeno, what do we gain?
Who would be pleased if our strength diminished? Weve already suffered enough damage, but our force will be annihilated if we expend more strength to deal with others! Those people will seize that moment and attack like wolves! Please rectify this!
Go Hongs face twisted.
I would go and personally defeat Mount Hua, so why should I bear the losses?
At this point, Lee Jong-Byeongs face contorted horribly.
I am too flustered to even speak.
If he had just a little bit of intelligence to complement his strength, he would have already become the Green Forest King.
Im So-Byeong and the Mount Hua sect will surely target this place!
Are you suggesting that I should just wait patiently for that to happen? Me?
Leader! Please consider this. Arent there already other camps on their way here?
Hmm?
So as they pass through, of course, their strength will be depleted. All we have to do is prey on the weakened ones.
You fool! What if another bandit group captures the Green Forest King while we play it safe? Isnt that like watching a chicken on a roof?
Dogs dont climb roofs, but we can, right?
Uh?
If they capture Im So-Byeong, we can attack them and take Im So-Byeong from them. Isnt that the law of the Green Forest?
Go Hong also finally showed a hint of concern.
And so
Yes! Leader. When the other bandits fight against them, their strength weakens, and we can wipe them all out! Then, no one will be able to object to you taking the position of the Green Forest King.
Thats the way! Hehehe. As expected.
Even though he received praise, Lee Jong-Byeong just sighed.
Still, Hae Yeon was a monk, so he was glad that he didnt have to hide.
Hyun Sang secretly asked Chung Myung.
Chung Myung.
Uh?
But do you have to go this far?
We will soon find out.
Chung Myung looked towards the door. Just then, Yu Yiseol entered through the open door.
It seems like everyone is here.
Chung Myung nodded crisply and addressed everyone.
Alright, everyone, straighten your shoulders, and lets head out.
Uh?
Well find out now. How will we be perceived in the future? Even the sahyungs should get used to this.
However, those who hadnt grasped the situation yet whispered with puzzled expressions.
What is he up to?
Let it be. Its not like he enjoys repeating himself.
Chung Myung clicked his tongue as if wondering what they knew. Then, he slowly walked towards the door.
Alright then, lets go!
Soon, the door swung open, allowing light to pour in and revealing the scene outside. Baek Cheon, who was leading the group, was taken aback.
Woahhhhh!
What?
People were crowding the street that stretched outside the door. They were packed so densely that it felt as if they could be crushed at any moment, yet they continued to cheer and shout loudly.
They are the heroes of Mount Hua!
The Mount Hua sect is going to subdue the bandits!
Woahhh!
Amidst the deafening roar, Chung Myung asked calmly.
What is it?
Uh?
Lets go.
I understand.
Baek Cheon exhaled softly and began to move his feet. The disciples of Mount Hua followed behind him, all of them appearing shocked.
Of course, it wasnt as if they hadnt anticipated this.
Since they had already thwarted the bandits once, they knew that the people would certainly cheer for them. However, they hadnt expected this kind of gathering.
The disciples of Mount Hua stepped onto the main street and headed towards the gate, walking along the road lined with people on both sides.
Please destroy the bandits!
Dont get hurt!
Long live the Mount Hua sect!
Every step they took was met with cheers, support, and concern for their well-being. The disciples of Mount Hua whispered with flustered expressions.
I-is this how it usually is?
I dont know. How could I know? This is my first time experiencing this.
Do all other sects receive such cheers?
Tsk.
At that moment, Chung Myung looked back at the whispering people and frowned.
I-I am sorry
Shoulders!
Uh?
Shoulders wide!
The disciples of Mount Hua all straightened their shoulders without realizing it.
They are applauding the sahyungs for what they did. Straighten those shoulders and accept it all with confidence. You will experience this countless times in the future.
After hearing Chung Myungs words, their shoulders widened and gained more strength.
There was an awkward yet confident expression. Chung Myung burst into laughter at that.
Of course, they are flustered.
In the past, Mount Hua faced such things every day. As soon as the word got out that Mount Hua came to Xian, people flocked to them like clouds.
However, it would have been extremely unfamiliar and awkward for these kids.
But they need to get used to this.
This was one of the many things Mount Hua lost.
The reputation, the fame, the strength.
Chung Myung planned to bring it all back to Mount Hua.
First, we go for the bandits.
And his eyes turned to Mount Hyeong in the distance.
Its not enough to just get those things back.
Make the reputation of Mount Hua resound through the entire Central Plains! More than before!
Right, sect leader sahyung?
-Its been a while since you said the right thing.
What are you talking about? I always say the right thing.