Chapter v11c17: Father and Son

**Father and Son**

– Father and Son Feud

The father and son were enemies.

At that moment, the human wall parted, creating a path. A figure slowly walked through the opening. The Green Forest bandits on either side bowed their heads in respect.

“All that exists on this mountain belongs to us!”

Their thunderous chant echoed through the air.

‘Is this a performance? What a ridiculous slogan.’

The approaching man had a rough face, thick eyebrows like caterpillars, a bristly beard, and scars of various sizes, testaments to his many battles. There was no need to ask—this imposing figure was Im Deok Seong, the leader of the Mad Wolf Stronghold and the Overlord of the Green Forest’s Seventy-Two Strongholds, the Mad Wind Demon Wolf himself.

‘Father…’

Im Seong-jin’s face hardened. A father trying to kill his son… what a paradoxical situation! There must be some misunderstanding.

‘Must I intervene?’

Im Seong-jin finally made up his mind. He had to prevent bloodshed, even if it meant facing the reality he had been trying so hard to avoid.

Eighteen members of the Storm Wolf Thirty-Six Sabers had formed a perimeter around the delegation. They were known for their ruthlessness and their insatiable lust for women. Bi Ryu-yeon could practically read their minds, their lust evident on their faces: ‘I’ll kill for her…’ ‘She’s incredible…’ ‘I’m going crazy…’

Bi Ryu-yeon was particularly bothered by the eighteen lustful gazes directed at Na Yerin.

One of them was staring intently at Na Yerin. His intentions were clear, judging by the drool dripping from his mouth and the glazed look in his eyes.

“Hey!”

Bi Ryu-yeon called out to them, though it wasn’t clear who he was addressing. It was all of them.

Slap!

The sound of a slap resonated through the forest. But Bi Ryu-yeon was still sitting calmly where he was.

“Huh? Huh? Huh?”

“W-What was that?”

The eighteen Storm Wolf Sabers were too stunned to comprehend what had happened. They were all clutching their left cheeks, despite hearing only one slap.

“What’s the matter?”

Bi Ryu-yeon, perched casually on top of the escort wagon, flashed a smile. His figure blurred for a moment.

Lightning Saber Secret Movement Technique

Phoenix Dance, Secret Technique

Mirror of Illusions

Slap!

This time, they all turned their heads to the right, five red fingerprints clearly visible on their right cheeks. Yet, no one understood what had happened.

‘How… how did he do that? What just happened? Is he a ghost?’

That was the thought that simultaneously crossed their eighteen minds. It was truly baffling. They had been on high alert, but they hadn’t even seen Bi Ryu-yeon move. What had he done to them? How?

Bi Ryu-yeon continued to smile from his perch atop the escort wagon. They knew ‘something’ had happened, but they couldn’t grasp it. Na Yerin, standing next to him, was equally confused. For a split second, she had seen eighteen Bi Ryu-yeons.

‘Could it be…?’

It must have been an optical illusion. Such movement was impossible for a human being.

“That was a warning. Next time, I’ll pluck those two white marbles from your faces. So… don’t ever look at someone else’s property with those filthy eyes again!”

A chilling warning.

It was a threat they couldn’t help but believe. The eighteen Storm Wolf Sabers were still bewildered, but a chill ran down their spines as if they had been pierced by an icy blade.

At that moment, a young man from the Cheonmu Academy delegation stepped forward and approached Yeomdo.

“Elder, leave this to me.”

“To you?”

The look in Im Seong-jin’s eyes was a stark contrast to his usual playful gaze. His eyes were burning with a resolute determination.

“Well, this is a surprise. But a man’s eyes don’t lie. Are you confident you can handle this?”

“I am. This is something I must handle myself. Please trust me.”

Yeomdo, after a moment of thought, nodded his consent.

“I’m willing to put my faith in you. But I must ask again—are you sure? He’s not an easy opponent.”

“I am positive.”

Im Seong-jin’s voice was firm. Yeomdo agreed; he wasn’t worried, believing he could intervene if the situation turned dangerous.

‘And that look in his eyes!’

It was filled with an unshakeable resolution, a look that Yeomdo liked.

“Fine! You can handle this. It’ll be a valuable learning experience. Give it your best.”

“Thank you. I won’t disappoint you. I will uphold the honor of Cheonmu Academy.”

Im Seong-jin stepped forward, covering half of his face with a white cloth. He believed that only he could untangle this mess, the web of past and present. He walked towards the Green Forest King, one step at a time.

“Who are you?” Im Deok Seong barked, his gaze sharp and challenging. He disliked the sight of the young man covering his face with a cloth.

“I am here to talk.”

Im Deok Seong couldn’t recognize his son, who was covering his face with a cloth. But something felt familiar, causing him to feel unsettled.

“What? When did he get a sore throat?” Yeomdo asked NoHak, puzzled.

“I don’t know. Maybe he suddenly came down with a cold, or maybe he’s tired of looking at his own ugly face?” NoHak chuckled, known for his carefree remarks.

Smack!

Yeomdo punished him without hesitation.

“We are innocent. The annihilation of the Black Wolf Stronghold has nothing to do with us.”

Im Seong-jin declared, facing his father head-on.

“Why should I believe you? I don’t trust you righteous sect bastards,” Im Deok Seong sneered.

“Then where is the proof that we’re responsible?” Im Seong-jin retorted sharply.

“We have a witness. A survivor from the Black Wolf Stronghold.”

‘A witness?’ This was beyond belief. How could there be a witness for something they didn’t do?

“Where’s this witness? Let’s hear them out. We must clear this misunderstanding.”

Im Seong-jin’s request was reasonable, but Im Deok Seong’s answer basically told him to stop joking.

“That’s impossible!” He rejected Im Seong-jin’s proposal outright.

“Why not? Your refusal is unacceptable.” Im Seong-jin’s voice rose in anger.

“Because he’s dead.”

Im Seong-jin cursed the dead man under his breath.

‘Damn it!’. With that, the last remaining clue was gone. That man could have been the final key to solving the mystery of the Black Wolf Stronghold’s annihilation. It seemed he had no choice but to resort to desperate measures.

“We have no reason to commit such a horrific deed. We’re innocent. I guarantee it. Please let us go.”

Im Deok Seong scoffed at his plea. “Who are you to guarantee anything? Do you really think you have the right?”

“I do!” Im Seong-jin responded without hesitation.

Im Deok Seong was taken aback by Im Seong-jin’s firm tone. He glared at him and asked, “And the reason?”

“Because it’s the truth.”

Im Deok Seong felt a surge of anger. This insignificant, righteous brat dared mock him!

“You fool! How dare you tempt fate…!” But his angry words were cut short.

Im Seong-jin snatched the cloth off his face, revealing his identity.

“You… you are!”

Im Deok Seong’s eyes widened in shock as he recognized his own son. What was his son doing among the righteous sect members?

“Young… Young Master!”

Mo Gyeong, the Storm Wolf Ghost Saber, was equally stunned. Why was Im Seong-jin, who had been missing for years, here with them?

Im Deok Seong’s face hardened.

“Well, well, well… if it isn’t my prodigal son who ran away four years ago?”

He spoke with a sneer, but his eyes were swirling with mixed emotions—surprise, anger, confusion, and longing. Murmurs erupted from both the delegation and the Green Forest bandits. Im Seong-jin’s appearance was unexpected for everyone.

“I trust you’ve been well, Father.”

Im Seong-jin bowed stiffly, his greeting formal and distant

“Well? I’m not sure what ‘well’ means, but I haven’t been. Your little beating from four years ago still hasn’t healed. It aches whenever it rains.”

“That’s because you were caught off guard. It’s not my fault, Father. What’s with all the drama over a slight bump? Don’t embarrass me in front of your men.”

“Hahaha. My dear son, you’re amusing! Do you want to die today? How dare you talk back to your father!”

Im Deok Seong’s forehead throbbed with anger, furious at his son’s defiant response.

“Is that the guy who went to solve the problem?” Yeomdo asked in disbelief, looking at the two men.

Namgung Sang shook his head, unsure how to respond. It seemed clear that Im Seong-jin was escalating the situation, adding fuel to the fire.

Yeomdo glared at the Green Forest King and growled, “There’s no way those guys suddenly got wiped out after being perfectly fine a few days ago. I’d wager my life on it! This is just an excuse for that bandit king to pick a fight.”

“They’re dead.”

“What?”

Startled by the unexpected answer, Yeomdo’s gaze snapped towards the speaker. It was Eun Seol Ran.

“I didn’t know who they were when I was crossing Mount Gungung, but now I realize those were the Black Wolf Stronghold bandits. He’s right. They’re all dead.”

“What?!”

Yeomdo and Binggeom gasped in unison.

“I saw it with my own eyes. It was horrible… but it was the work of professionals. Someone who kills without a second thought. Such clean wounds couldn’t be made without years of experience. And those wounds… most of them were saber cuts, not sword cuts.”

Yeomdo and Binggeom’s faces darkened as they listened. It made sense for the Green Forest King to be enraged.

“This is going to be a headache!”

It seemed today wasn’t a good day.