Chapter v11c9

“I am the master of this mountain. If you want to descend peacefully, hand over that woman to be my wife!”

It was a crude and straightforward declaration. Lee Song turned his head away, feeling that his own sense of decency was being insulted. Some members of the delegation twitched their eyebrows at the mention of the Black Wolf Stronghold. It was a name that sounded very familiar. Im Sung Jin was so shocked that he almost dropped his staff. Bi Ryu Yeon also remembered hearing about this stronghold during one of the lectures on the distribution of power in the martial world.

“The Five Overlords of the Green Forest!”

Yeomdo muttered in a low voice, but everyone heard him.

“No wonder their presence feels different… They’re not just any ragtag bandits.”

Binggeom had heard of the reputation of the Five Overlords of the Green Forest for a long time. He had initially found it amusing to see the leader and deputy leader joking around, but it seemed they weren’t as ordinary as they looked.

The Five Overlords of the Green Forest referred to the five most powerful strongholds among the seventy-two strongholds of the Green Forest. They were a cut above the disorganized and wild bandit groups. They were the main force maintaining the reputation of the seventy-two strongholds.

“So, you must be Im Gae, the leader of the Black Wolf Stronghold.”

Namgung Sang looked at the burly bandit with a slightly altered assessment.

“Hahaha! You know this elder’s name! How commendable!”

Im Gae burst into laughter, thinking his fame had spread far and wide.

“Even if they don’t know who we are, they must have recognized us as martial artists to know that much.”

Binggeom began to understand their inexplicable confidence. However, it still seemed absurd.

“Do you still have the courage to stand against me after hearing this elder’s name?”

Im Gae puffed out his chest and boasted. Namgung Sang didn’t feel the need to respond.

“You can keep your money. Since today is a joyous day for my marriage, I’ll show you that much generosity!”

“Who is the bride?”

“Of course, that woman!”

He pointed at Na Yerin. Once again, everyone was taken aback. Lee Song’s earlier statement hadn’t been a joke.

“You’re not joking?”

Namgung Sang asked again.

“Who said it was a joke?”

“Then you must be insane.”

It was clear that Im Gae’s main objective today was to get married. His entire focus had been on Na Yerin since he appeared. Despite Namgung Sang’s comment about him being crazy, he didn’t seem to care and continued to gaze at Na Yerin with a look of ecstasy.

‘Indeed…’

Im Gae felt like he was losing his mind. His subordinate had been right. When the scout reported that a celestial fairy had descended to earth, he had smacked him on the head for talking nonsense. Now, he felt like rewarding that scout. He had never seen such a mesmerizing beauty in his life.

He had fallen in love at first sight. Her elegant demeanor seemed to draw his soul in. He felt like he was floating on clouds. Seeing his dazed expression, Lee Song waved his hand in front of the leader’s face, but Im Gae’s eyes remained fixed on Na Yerin. Her captivating beauty had an irresistible pull.

Na Yerin frowned at the unpleasant and lecherous gaze directed at her. Although she had experienced it before, it didn’t make it any less uncomfortable. Bi Ryu Yeon didn’t miss her expression.

“First, wipe your drool. It’s unsightly.”

Namgung Sang warned. But Im Gae, lost in his admiration for Na Yerin, and Lee Song, looking at his leader with pity, didn’t respond. Namgung Sang’s face twisted slightly in annoyance.

“We have a long journey ahead, so let’s finish this quickly. I challenge you. Let’s see if you have the skills to back up such absurd demands.”

With a clear sound, Namgung Sang drew his sword from its sheath.

“Huh? A brat like you wants to face me, Im Gae, the Black Wolf Axe? Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Snicker, snicker!”

Im Gae’s explosive laughter was echoed by his subordinates. They were so blinded by lust that they didn’t even bother to find out who their opponents were.

Swoosh!

Namgung Sang raised his hand.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

The speed was dazzling. The bandits, who had surrounded the delegation in two layers, were shocked to see figures suddenly appear in front of them.

‘What was that flash?’ they wondered briefly. But it was no trick. At Namgung Sang’s signal, the Jujakdan members had spread out to face the bandits at a speed too fast to follow with the naked eye.

“What, what is this?”

Im Gae stammered, pointing in confusion.

‘Damn it!’

Lee Song cursed inwardly. He had a bad feeling about this.

“I am Namgung Sang, the direct descendant of the Namgung family and a fourth-year student at Cheonmu Academy. I believe that qualifies me to face you.”

Lee Song felt a sense of impending doom.

‘We’re doomed!’

It seemed they had picked the wrong opponents. Despite his usual rational approach, he had made a mistake. But now that they had started, they couldn’t back down without losing face. They could only hope their opponents would show mercy, but given their outrageous demand, that seemed unlikely.

“Namgung family…”

Im Gae muttered. It was a background that couldn’t be taken lightly. It was a group they should never turn into enemies. It was wise to avoid building grudges. However, his pride wouldn’t let him back down. His Black Wolf Stronghold was still one of the Five Overlords of the Green Forest.

The name Namgung Sang kept ringing in his head. It was surprising enough that this scholarly-looking young man was a direct descendant of the Namgung family, but the name itself wasn’t unfamiliar.

“Where have I heard it? Namgung Sang? Namgung Sang? Namgung… Sang! Sang!”

Im Gae’s eyes widened in realization.

“Could it be the Nemesis of the Green Forest, the damned Jujakdan?”

“That’s right! Although I doubt we’d taste very good.”

Namgung Sang admitted without hesitation. He had no reason to hide it. However, he had never heard of them being called the Nemesis of the Green Forest. It seemed they had gained unexpected fame.

“This can’t be.”

Suddenly, a heavy silence fell over the bandits. The air around them was filled with fear.

“Why are they so afraid of the seniors? And how did they recognize Namgung Senior’s name and know about the Jujakdan?”

Hyo Ryong’s question to Im Sung Jin was natural.

“Well… It’s probably because of their illustrious past. And it means the Green Forest hasn’t forgotten what happened two years ago.”

Two years ago!

The Jujakdan had just returned to Cheonmu Academy after their special summer training at Mount Emei.

Clang!

Before Im Sung Jin and Hyo Ryong could finish their conversation, the clear sound of a sword rang out as Namgung Sang leaped towards Im Gae. A white flash descended from the sky with the force to split Im Gae in two.

Clang!

The sound of sword and axe clashing echoed through the entire mountain. Namgung Sang’s powerful sword strike, which seemed capable of splitting the earth, was blocked by Im Gae’s axe.

Namgung Sang’s white sword light seemed ready to cleave Im Gae in half, but it was stopped by the dark, sturdy wall of Im Gae’s Black Wolf Axe.

“This… this can’t be!”

Namgung Sang, who had been pushed back five steps by the impact, felt his confidence crumble. His sword strike, a proud technique of the Namgung family, had been easily blocked by the axe of a mountain bandit whose origins were unknown. It was hard to believe.

He had underestimated the bandits, thinking that no matter how strong the Five Overlords of the Green Forest were, they were still just bandits. Namgung Sang had never needed a second strike against bandits before. But today, he had no choice but to break that record.

He stared in disbelief at his sword and the axe that had blocked it. Im Gae, with his towering frame and immense strength, was equally surprised.

‘That brat! He looks so scholarly, yet he’s this skilled… Is this the power of the Namgung family?’

He had almost been split in two from head to groin. His skull had nearly been cracked open like a watermelon. He had instinctively raised his axe to block the descending sword strike, but instead of breaking the lighter sword, his axe had been damaged. The blade of his axe now had large, jagged teeth marks.

“Indeed, the Five Overlords of the Green Forest are different!”

Namgung Sang exclaimed in admiration. He realized he had made a mistake by underestimating them.

“You too!”

The leaders of the Five Overlords of the Green Forest had all received martial arts training directly from the Green Forest King, Mad Wind Demon Wolf Im Deok Seong. Treating them like ordinary bandits was a grave mistake. It seemed impossible to subdue Im Gae with simple techniques. Each swing of his axe cut through the air with a ‘whoosh,’ and every strike carried immense power.

“That’s the Black Wolf Twelve Axes, derived from the Green Forest King’s Mad Wind Demon Wolf Sword Technique. It feels as fierce as a wolf hunting its prey.”

Jang Hong exclaimed in awe at the ferocity of the technique.

“Engaging him head-on would just ruin our swords.”

Hyo Ryong shook his head. It was foolish to confront such brute strength directly. In this case, it was better to attack indirectly.

“Black Wolf Twin Fang Strike!”

Frustrated by Namgung Sang’s evasive maneuvers, Im Gae swung his axe horizontally and vertically, charging at him. Two streaks of light shot towards Namgung Sang from both sides.

“White Light Whirlwind!”

Defense was the priority. Namgung Sang raised his sword to deflect the axe, redirecting its immense force. His feet dug into the ground, creating a large arc. Even deflecting the blow was no easy task.

‘But!’

Bi Ryu Yeon’s eyes gleamed as he watched.

‘The larger and heavier the weapon, the greater the vulnerability when the attack fails.’

In this regard, Im Gae was too reckless and lacked caution.

“Black Wolf Claw, Splitting the Mountain!”

Im Gae’s axe descended like a log-splitting strike, the final move of his technique. An axe’s most fearsome attack was a straight downward chop, using its weight and force to overpower the opponent. But Namgung Sang, facing the descending strike aimed at his head, remained unafraid. He twisted his body slightly, his movements fluid from days of combined physical and lightness skill training.

Boom!

The sound of the axe striking the ground with the intent to split it in two reverberated through the mountain. But no matter how powerful the technique, it was useless if it didn’t hit. Im Gae’s plan to split Namgung Sang’s sword and then his body had failed. His strategy had been flawed. Namgung Sang had already read his movements. Im Gae had tried to overpower technique with brute strength, but Namgung Sang’s speed and skill surpassed his own.

Im Gae had to use all his strength to control his descending axe, leaving his head, torso, and arms completely exposed. It was the perfect opportunity. Namgung Sang had never been trained to miss such an opportunity. He thrust his sword into the exposed gap. There was no need for complex techniques at this moment.

He simply had to cut.

With a swift and precise strike, Namgung Sang’s sword found its mark.