Chapter 57
Green Forest (2)
After traveling for about half an hour more, they arrived before Hwangnokchae, a stockade near a waterfall that cascaded down from above.
‘What a perfect location.’
Not only was it close to a water source, but it could only be reached by descending a narrow mountain path between peaks. It was, without a doubt, a naturally fortified stronghold.
As Namgung Hyuk walked, he carefully examined the area for possible escape routes.
“Who goes there!”
A voice called out from atop a wooden palisade, and soon several archers revealed themselves.
At that, one of the bandits accompanying them stammered nervously,
“T-These men are from the Murim Alliance! They’ve come to see the Master!”
“What?”
A murmur spread among the bandits, reaching even Namgung Hyuk’s ears.
As expected, they didn’t trust easily.
“Do you think they’ll open the gate for us?” Kim Ji-seok asked anxiously from beside him.
Namgung Hyuk recalled the information he had gathered beforehand about Hwangnokchae.
‘Roughly three hundred members… ranked eighth among the Green Forest branches. Especially notable is the Black Wolf Unit — their martial skill is said to be formidable.’
And the branch master, Jo Woo-chi, was known to be a high-level expert as well.
If they attacked all at once, Namgung Hyuk might be fine — but Kim Ji-seok and Dang San would likely be in danger.
“Trust me. There’s nothing to worry about,” Namgung Hyuk reassured him.
Even as he spoke, he was secretly spreading his Cheonroe-gi (Heavenly Thunder Qi) throughout the area, sensing the presences hidden within the stockade.
‘Two strong auras… far beyond the rest.’
He’d only been told that Jo Woo-chi was the sole master to be wary of.
So who was the other one?
Just then, the stockade gate creaked open.
Creak.
Men in green garments stepped out — their shoulders draped with the pelts of tigers, leopards, and bears. Their energy was so fierce that it was hard to believe they were mere bandits.
They must be the Black Wolf Unit.
Among them, the only man without a beard — looking more like a martial warrior than a mountain bandit — spoke first.
“Is it true you’re from the Murim Alliance?”
“It is.”
Namgung Hyuk stepped forward as he answered.
The man’s eyes swept over him from head to toe.
‘They sent a boy? Barely grown, and only three of them?’
Kang Ryang, the leader of the Black Wolf Unit, frowned.
Suspicious as it seemed, he had already received orders.
“If you try any tricks, we’ll attack immediately.”
“That’s fine by me.”
“……Then follow me.”
Namgung Hyuk nodded once and strode into the mountain fortress.
His bold demeanor stunned not only Kim Ji-seok but also the bandits watching nearby.
(Both of you — don’t make a move until I give the signal.)
Namgung Hyuk warned his companions through a soundless transmission.
Inside, he saw that the bandits and their families lived rather normal lives.
‘It’s almost like a small village.’
It was not at all the savage scene he had imagined — and somehow, that made it easier for him to approach them.
If they’d been ruthless marauders kidnapping innocents, he would’ve abandoned any thought of negotiation.
They were soon led before the main hall where the branch master resided.
Shrrrk.
Suddenly, a group of armed men stepped forward, blocking their way.
“Stand down!” Kang Ryang barked at them.
But the men refused to lower their weapons.
“You brought righteous sect dogs into our stronghold? Have you lost your mind, Kang Ryang?”
“Yul Mok-gi.”
Kang Ryang’s face hardened as he glared at the scarred man before him.
“This isn’t the Go-ung Branch you came from.”
“Hmph! Since when does a lower-ranked branch give orders to a higher one?”
Tension filled the air. Kang Ryang’s men reached for their blades, ready to draw.
Namgung Hyuk immediately grasped what was going on.
‘So the Go-ung Branch sent someone here ahead of us.’
Recently, Hwang Gae, the master of Go-ung Branch, had become the new leader of the entire Green Forest.
Consolidating his power by persuading or purging opposing branches was the natural next step — and it seemed they’d arrived right in the middle of that process.
Bang!
“Enough!”
The door to the hall burst open, and a towering man with massive muscles appeared.
“Master!” Kang Ryang called respectfully.
This must be Jo Woo-chi, the Black Wolf Blade, and leader of Hwangnokchae.
“Who dares to bicker at my doorstep? Want me to give you a taste of my blade?”
At his harsh words, Yul Mok-gi and his subordinates — so confident moments before — faltered.
Then, another man emerged from inside.
“Brother, don’t be so harsh. Your men just got a little overzealous.”
That must be the second strong aura he had sensed earlier.
Namgung Hyuk studied the narrow-eyed man silently.
“So, you’re the brat who came from the Murim Alliance?” the man said.
At being called a brat, Namgung Hyuk’s lips twitched slightly.
Such rudeness on first meeting — impressive.
“And you must be the chief bandit of this stockade,” he replied dryly.
“What? Chief bandit?”
“Well, that’s what a mountain bandit leader is, isn’t it?”
Kim Ji-seok fidgeted nervously behind him.
He was openly provoking them!
But instead of taking offense, Jo Woo-chi burst into hearty laughter.
“Hah! You’ve got guts for a young one.”
Kim Ji-seok stared at Namgung Hyuk in awe.
‘Did he say that on purpose to win his favor?’
Of course not. Namgung Hyuk had simply spoken out of irritation.
He regained his composure and introduced himself.
“I am Namgung Hyuk from the Murim Alliance.”
“Oh? A young master from a noble clan. Quite the journey you’ve made, deep into these mountains.”
It was clearly a jab — the bitterness of a man born into hardship, resenting one born into privilege.
Still, Namgung Hyuk replied calmly,
“It was indeed a hard journey. Setting up your base so deep in the mountains doesn’t make it easy for visitors, you know.”
Jo Woo-chi smirked.
“Well then, what business does the righteous Murim Alliance have with a humble bandit like me?”
“Before we discuss that, your companion over there is… distracting,” Namgung Hyuk said, glancing at the narrow-eyed man.
The man sneered. “Why? Got something to hide from me?”
“It’s not something I’d discuss in front of a stranger.”
“Hmph! I am Oh Gyeong, vice chief of the Go-ung Branch,” the man declared.
So that was his status.
Given Hwangnokchae’s rank, it wasn’t all that surprising.
Then Jo Woo-chi added, “And he’s my sworn brother.”
That made Namgung Hyuk’s brow twitch.
He hadn’t been told about this beforehand.
‘Well, turning back now isn’t an option.’
Even if the odds had worsened, the mission had only just begun.
Jo Woo-chi decided to treat Namgung Hyuk’s group as guests — and by evening, a grand banquet was held.
“Tonight, we have both a dear brother and unexpected guests! Raise your cups and welcome them!” Jo Woo-chi roared cheerfully, hoisting his drink.
The bandits cheered and drank heartily.
Namgung Hyuk joined in, lifting his cup.
Gulp, gulp.
The low-quality liquor burned his throat like fire.
Still, knowing Jo Woo-chi was watching, he drained the cup without flinching.
“How’s the taste? I brewed that one myself,” Jo Woo-chi said.
“…Not bad,” Namgung Hyuk replied.
“Ha ha! Glad to hear it.”
Jo Woo-chi laughed and poured him another cup.
Namgung Hyuk accepted and drank it again without hesitation.
“Then allow me to return the favor,” he said, pouring for Jo Woo-chi in turn.
The two men drank face-to-face — a bold sight, surrounded by bandits deep in the mountains.
‘What kind of nerve does he have?’ Kim Ji-seok thought, sweating nervously as he sat among them.
He glanced toward Dang San, hoping for some reassurance — but the man just kept his head down, silent and still.
Meanwhile, Oh Gyeong, sitting beside Jo Woo-chi, kept sending sharp glances toward Namgung Hyuk, though the young man ignored him completely.
‘He must have guessed my purpose for being here,’ Namgung Hyuk thought.
If Jo Woo-chi had already sided with the Go-ung Branch, he wouldn’t be this cautious.
That meant there was still an opening — a chance to persuade him.
‘No need to rush.’
Namgung Hyuk waited patiently.
As the night went on, many of the bandits fell drunk, even Kim Ji-seok dozing off.
Then, Jo Woo-chi finally set down his cup and spoke.
“Now then… let’s hear what you came for.”
He was sober — not a trace of drunkenness in his voice.
‘He didn’t even use internal energy to expel the alcohol. What a monstrous tolerance.’
Namgung Hyuk, on the other hand, had to circulate his inner qi just to stay clear-headed.
He began speaking through a silent transmission.
— I heard you opposed the Green Forest joining the Evil Cult Alliance (Sado-ryeon).
— Hmph, that’s right.
— The Murim Alliance also disapproves of Green Forest siding with them.
— I see… So you came to persuade me, then?
Namgung Hyuk nodded.
Jo Woo-chi’s gaze sharpened.
— You’re asking me to betray my brothers.
— You’re mistaken.
— How so?
— If war breaks out, Green Forest will merely be used by the Evil Cult. Isn’t that why you opposed joining them in the first place?
Jo Woo-chi’s expression stiffened.
He knew it was true.
Joining the Evil Cult was nothing but submission under Pae Cheon-seong’s control.
Namgung Hyuk pressed on.
— The Green Forest has lived well enough, taking small tolls and minding its own business. Why throw that away to become someone’s pawn in war?
— …Still, being a dog of the Murim Alliance isn’t any better.
He tried to sound firm, but his wavering eyes betrayed him.
It was natural — bandits would rather die than be seen as lapdogs of the righteous sects.
So Namgung Hyuk changed his approach.
— Who said anything about being a dog? Think of it as using the Murim Alliance instead.
“What?”
Jo Woo-chi actually spoke out loud this time, startled.
Namgung Hyuk continued calmly,
— Take this opportunity to become the new Chief of the entire Green Forest. If you stay neutral, neither side will dare to touch you.
The words left Jo Woo-chi speechless.
How could a boy half his age speak with such conviction?
He couldn’t know — that within Namgung Hyuk lived the life and wisdom of a man who had already fought and survived through far harsher years than his own.
