episode_0066

To Cheongun, the villains who deserved to die were those that couldn’t be pinpointed by a single characteristic. If he had to state a commonality, it was that they were the kind of people he wanted to kill no matter how much trouble it caused him. Killing such individuals made him feel refreshed and cleansed the world, so there was no reason not to kill them. Of course, Cheongun didn’t kill them merely because they annoyed him. If they didn’t pick a fight first, Cheongun, who wasn’t the Central Plains’ greatest hero, had no need to go around killing them one by one.

“Then why did you kill him?” “Because he picked a fight.” Cheongun answered Hwaryeon’s question bluntly.

In his noob days before transmigration, Cheongun had been killed by Gang Hocheon of Unbong Mountain Fortress countless times across many playthroughs. Therefore, in every subsequent playthrough, Cheongun had, without fail, wiped out the Unbong Mountain Fortress thugs. In truth, wasn’t that fellow a villain whose usual conduct was nothing short of trash? Thus, to Cheongun, that fellow was trash who deserved to die.

At that moment, Hwaryeon pointed with a fingertip. A single, bandit-like fellow remained there. “Then why did you spare him?” “Because he’s young.”

Cheongun thought so. The longer a human lived, the more rigid their thoughts became, and their ego inflated. If they squandered their youth that way, they would eventually refuse to admit their mistakes, not reflect, and blindly believe only their own narrow views. Especially those who had lived their entire lives as trash. Such individuals were beyond redemption. No, it was possible, but it would take too long. On the other hand, young ones still had flexible minds, offering a chance for rehabilitation. Above all, while the others brazenly demanded tolls with swords drawn, only this one moved reluctantly, glancing around as if unwilling. Besides, Cheongun still had something to ask him.

Cheongun opened his mouth. “So, what you said earlier, was it true?” “Huh?” Cheongun asked the fellow, who was presumed to be Gang Hocheon’s subordinate. The fellow, who looked menacing enough to wring a person’s neck with his bare hands, asked innocently in a voice like a nightingale’s. He truly was a fellow one wanted to punch.

“I’m talking about the Green Forest Competition. Didn’t you say it was in a few days?” When Cheongun asked, the fellow eagerly nodded his head. “Of-of course it’s true! What audacity would I have to lie to the Great Hero?” “That’s true.” Cheongun nodded. If it were a lie, he’d just follow the Fortress Master who had just died.

“But…” As Cheongun spoke, the fellow’s gaze fixed on him. “If it’s a competition, is there a prize money?” “Of course. There is.” “How much?” “Well… it’s hard to say exactly because it changes every year. However, it’s 50% of the total tribute that the seventy-two mountain fortresses pay to the Green Forest Headquarters every year, so wouldn’t it be quite a lot?”

Fifty percent of the total tribute. Suddenly, he became fully alert. In the Central Plains, the profession of a bandit, if you disregard its notoriety, was quite a high-income occupation in terms of actual earnings. But what? They give 50% of the total tribute paid annually by seventy-two mountain fortresses? Is this real? Is this true?

“Where is the Green Forest Competition held?” “If you go to the center of the Daeru Mountain Range, there’s a peak called Geumbul Mountain. The competition is held there every year.”

Rin Soye, who had been listening silently, quietly nodded her head. “It’s on our way, then.” Jeok Hwaryeon chimed in. “If we leave right away, we won’t be late, will we?” “It’s roughly a three or four-day journey, so even walking, we won’t be late.”

Both Rin Soye and Jeok Hwaryeon, all of them, raised their voices. They were all executives of a faction. Jeok Hwaryeon was in charge of the Black Forest Gate, and Rin Soye oversaw the Hao Sect. The characteristics of these two factions were, firstly, that they were part of the unorthodox path, and secondly, that their power was growing larger day by day due to their insane Sect Leader. Naturally, the larger the scale, the higher the expenses. Therefore, such a thought suddenly occurred to them. The Green Forest Competition. And the prize money was 50% of the total tribute. Just how much was that? At a time when they were already short on money, was there any reason to give up such easy money? Moreover, wasn’t the money hidden by bandits ownerless? For some reason, their intentions aligned. It was clear they had been thoroughly infected by Cheongun’s constantly proclaimed materialism.

Cheongun nodded and said, “You. What’s your name?” The fellow, who had been blinking blankly, replied, “My name is Jin Gabok.” “Gabok-ah. Lead the way.” “Huh? Lead the way? Where to?” Cheongun clicked his tongue. “Damn it. You idiot. Where else? Didn’t you say the Green Forest Competition is being held? Lead the way there.”

Jin Gabok looked at Cheongun. “No, what are you going to do there?” “That’s none of your business. Just lead the way.” Cheongun spoke with a truly serious expression. On the other hand, Jin Gabok looked at Cheongun as if he were a madman. “It’s, well, it’s the Green Forest Competition, as the name implies, Great Hero.” “Who doesn’t know that?” “It’s not a competition just anyone can participate in. It’s a competition where only Green Forest members, specifically the Fortress Master of a mountain fortress, can participate.” “I know. Gabok-ah. You idiot.” “No, then why are you going to a competition you can’t even participate in?” “Why can’t I participate?”

Jin Gabok replied with a disgruntled tone. “Well, you’re not a Green Forest member, Great Hero.” At that, Cheongun said with a fond voice, “I killed the Fortress Master of Unbong Mountain Fortress.” “Huh?” “From now on, I am the Fortress Master of Unbong Mountain Fortress.” “…” A madman. Jin Gabok gave up trying to understand him.

****

Cheongun’s appearance as he walked along the mountain path was unique in many ways. It was only natural. His attire was shabby from several days of arduous trekking, and carrying a fishing rod on his shoulder made him even more noticeable. Of course, unlike his worn clothes, his eyes were sharper than ever. This was because he had spent the entire day, excluding walking and sleeping, pondering how to claim the Green Forest Competition’s prize money.

Jin Gabok, trudging along ahead, glanced back and muttered, “Great Hero, can’t we just turn back now?” “Silence, Gabok-ah.” Jin Gabok pleaded, half-imploring. “The Green Forest King himself will be there to watch the Green Forest Competition! What are you going to do if you get caught? How will you deal with the consequences?” “I am the Fortress Master of Unbong Mountain Fortress.” “…” A madman, truly a complete madman! Does he just think everything will be fine if he kills first and then deals with it?

Cheongun, as if reading Jin Gabok’s mind, replied, “Everything will be fine.” “…” From Cheongun’s perspective, it was true. But from Jin Gabok’s perspective, it was infuriating. He couldn’t get involved with a crazy lunatic in a place like this and be purged.

“Then, after I finish leading the way, can I return to the mountain fortress?” Then Jeok Hwaryeon chimed in. “Are you kidding? You fool.” Again, Cheongun followed. “Gabok-ah. Damn it, you idiot. Is that even a question?” At that, Rin Soye chimed in once more. “Tut-tut. Foolish one. It’s because you’re so foolish that you go around being a bandit.” “…” Now, it seemed there wasn’t just one madman. Even his companions were all abnormal. Hearing the word “foolish” repeated as if in a hallucination, Jin Gabok choked up for a moment.

“Even if my martial arts are weak, I’m not foolish…” “””Silence.””” Damn it, damn it, damn it! Jin Gabok drew upon all his strength to raise his patience.

Cheongun, who had been humming as he walked, asked, “Those bandit-looking fellows passing by. Are they Green Forest members too?” “…I’m too foolish a fellow to know.” At that, Cheongun made a wistful expression and raised his fist. “Summer…” “Yes, that’s right! The destination is getting closer, so now we’re starting to see others.” Jin Gabok quickly cut off Cheongun’s nonsense. He preempted him before he could utter more nonsense about summer.

Cheongun turned his head with a look of disappointment and observed the passing fellows. They were menacing-looking individuals who clearly advertised ‘I am a bandit’ to anyone who saw them. With their piercing eyes and the massive broadswords slung over their shoulders, it was obvious they were bandits participating in the Green Forest Competition. Their group consisted of roughly five people. Seeing them arrive in groups of five, as if by prior arrangement, suggested there might be a specific rule.

“Is there a reason for five people?” “Because that’s the rule?” Cheongun asked again. “Then us?” “Uh, there are four of us, right?” “Gabok-ah. You’re not just foolish, you’re also clueless. What do you think will happen if everyone else comes in groups of five, but we’re only four?” “Uh, well… I don’t know? Maybe we can’t participate?” Cheongun clapped his hands in admiration. “Amazing, Gabok-ah. You idiot. Your foolishness is always new.”

Soon after, Jeok Hwaryeon echoed Cheongun’s words. “Hey, you fool. There’s a limit to how foolish you can be. What are we supposed to do if you only realize that now?” Rin Soye, nodding her head, also chimed in. “Foolish one. You are one of the most foolish people this woman has ever seen.” “…If you would just stop calling me foolish,” Cheongun, Jeok Hwaryeon, and Rin Soye shouted in unison. “””Silence.””” “Oh, come on.”

It was indeed a problem. Five people per team were required to participate in the Green Forest Competition. This was information even Cheongun hadn’t known. This was because the Green Forest route itself didn’t exist in the original story. Cheongun clicked his tongue and opened his mouth. “We’ll have to find one more person.” Hwaryeon tilted her head and asked, “Where do we find that one person?” “I don’t know either. We just have to find someone, somehow.” “Then how about we just go after those fellows passing by?”

At that, Jin Gabok shook his head. “Excuse me, but if you mess with fellow Green Forest members before the competition, you’ll be disqualified.” Rin Soye snorted. “Wouldn’t it be better to just kill everyone, Green Forest Competition or not?” “There’s no justification for that.” “Then how about threatening the Green Forest King?” “That’s somewhat reasonable.”

Jin Gabok was dumbfounded. These guys, weren’t they supposed to be from the Righteous Alliance? How could martial artists belonging to the Righteous Alliance behave in such a ruffian-like manner? They were, truly, individuals more suited to being bandits than anyone else.

It was then. “…Oh?” Jeok Hwaryeon, who had been looking somewhere, let out an exclamation. At her gasp, everyone’s gaze turned in unison. There was a low hill there, and a figure was ascending it. It was a man whose scalp was particularly gleaming, and as they squinted, he slowly became clearer. Jin Gabok also gasped as soon as he saw the man’s figure. He held a gourd bottle filled with potent spirits in one hand and 108 prayer beads in the other. A bald monk guzzling potent spirits in broad daylight. As the information gatherer of a mountain fortress, Jin Gabok couldn’t possibly not know his identity. “One of the Three Crazies…” Another one of the Three Crazies. It was Bang Jongdae.