Chapter 300: The Absolute Masters At Mount Tai (2)

Hak Gi-ryong, the Mountain Scholar, served as the chief strategist of the Green Forest Alliance.

The Green Forest Alliance was a coalition of the Thirty-Six Forts of Green Forest, which could simply be described as a bandit collective.

What intelligence could one expect from a group of bandits?

Though they praised one another as the “Heroes of Green Forest” and “Tigers of the Mountains,” their essence was no different from a hairy gang of criminals who robbed passing travelers.

Naturally, the Green Forest Alliance was merely a coalition of those criminal groups, and its leader, Gal Sa-hyeok, was just the strongest among those bandits.

Originally, a position like chief strategist, which existed in the Unorthodox Union or the Murim Alliance, was unheard of in the Green Forest Alliance.

What strategy would bandits even need?

However, the scale of the Green Forest Alliance had grown too large, and its leader, Gal Sa-hyeok, had risen to the ranks of the Ten Grandmasters.

Despite his ignorance, Gal Sa-hyeok’s ambitions were boundless, and he fancied himself as another Liu Bei. He decided to establish the position of chief strategist, claiming he needed a Zhuge Liang to advise him.

At first, he astonishingly contacted the Jegal Noble Clan, one of the Seven Great Clans, asking them to send a bright individual.

Naturally, the Jegal Clan was outraged and insisted on annihilating the Green Forest bandit scum, causing Gal Sa-hyeok to reluctantly withdraw the suggestion.

Soon after, Gal Sa-hyeok came up with another idea.

He declared he would recruit a reclusive sage who had withdrawn from the world out of disgust for its chaos.

But how many such sages could truly exist in the world?

Even if one existed, there was no way they would be found just because someone went looking for them.

Unsurprisingly, the bandits dispatched by Gal Sa-hyeok grew desperate under his orders.

Afraid of returning empty-handed and facing punishment, they began lowering their standards and resorted to capturing just about anyone they could find.

Thinking they had some education, the bandits would haul such people into the mountains, and Hak Gi-ryong was one of them.

Originally, Hak Gi-ryong was a rural scholar.

After passing the local civil service exam, he traveled to Beijing, but with nothing to his name, he lost his turn in line and failed to secure a proper government post.

For three years, he endured, waiting for communication from the court, but his days grew increasingly impoverished.

Sitting in a crumbling hut and reading texts might have made him appear like a reclusive sage.

Kidnapped by suddenly invading bandits, he awoke in the Green Forest Alliance’s main headquarters.

For some reason, he won Gal Sa-hyeok’s favor and, through one thing and another, became the Chief Strategist of the Green Forest Alliance.

He even earned the nickname Mountain Scholar.

At one point, Hak Gi-ryong himself harbored lofty ambitions.

Since the court had abandoned a talented man like him, he resolved to conquer the martial world alongside the bandits, despite its stench.

However, as time passed, he realized it was a dreamlike delusion.

The Green Forest Overlord Gal Sa-hyeok was strong but ignorant, and in this world, there were martial artists far stronger and wiser than him.

“Now, go call my son to come in.”

“…Yes.”

They had reached the foot of Mount Tai.

Gal Sa-hyeok ordered his chief strategist, Hak Gi-ryong, to step out of the carriage and summon his son.

His eldest son, a bandit named Gal Dong-tak, was someone Gal Sa-hyeok trusted even more deeply than Hak Gi-ryong.

Soon, the bandits brought Gal Dong-tak over.

“Father, I’m hereee.”

Gal Dong-tak was an exceedingly obese young man.

True to the name “Dong-tak,” his belly bulged prominently, with even his navel sticking out.

With a dull-looking face, he carried a wooden barrel covered with cloth.

“Please proceed, Young Alliance Leader.”

Hak Gi-ryong frowned as he spat out those words.

Young Alliance Leader? It wasn’t Young Clan Head, nor was it Young Sect Leader.

Where in the world could a title like “Young Alliance Leader” even exist?

But Gal Sa-hyeok insisted on calling his son the Young Alliance Leader, and no one dared to challenge that designation.

Gal Dong-tak heaved his massive body into the carriage.

As Gal Dong-tak passed by, a sickly sweet scent of mulberries and a pungent smell of grease lingered.

What the father and son would do inside was obvious.

Gal Sa-hyeok was about to undergo a rejuvenation ritual.

And that so-called “rejuvenation ritual” was nothing short of utterly ridiculous.

Inside the carriage.

“Apply it thoroughly!”

Mulberries, calamus water, and various crushed herbs were mashed together and slathered all over his head.

Gal Sa-hyeok, lifting his head after mulberry juice got into his eyes, shouted angrily.

“Don’t eat it, you brat!”

“Yes, yes!”

Seeing his son chewing on the mulberries, Gal Sa-hyeok let out a deep sigh.

“You fool, you’re the son of the Green Forest Overlord, a hero of this world. You must never disgrace me in front of those stiff-necked people.”

Gal Dong-tak was born with exceptional physical strength.

Although he had grown up entirely within the walls of the Green Forest Alliance, Gal Sa-hyeok believed his son would outshine even the most prominent successors of the unorthodox factions.

“Just keep your mouth shut and behave, just behave.”

“Yes, Father…”

“Hurry and apply the oil to my back!”

Gal Dong-tak hastily smeared oil onto his father’s body.

The oil was a mixture of snail extract and various secret ingredients. Whether it was effective or just a placebo, Gal Sa-hyeok felt his wrinkled skin tightening.

“This father will use the enlightenment he gained this time to utterly crush their pride.”

A glint of determination flashed in Gal Sa-hyeok’s eyes.

The rejuvenation ritual might have been a ridiculous charade, but the realization he recently achieved was genuine.

He planned to elevate his standing among the Ten Grandmasters. For the Green Forest Alliance, and for his son’s future.

Gal Sa-hyeok needed to show that the tiger of the mountains was still as ferocious as ever.

“Dong-tak.”

“…”

His clumsy son flinched and lifted his head at the sound of his name.

Yet, in Gal Sa-hyeok’s eyes, there was an unmistakable affection as he looked at his son.

“You were born with heaven-gifted strength. One day, you will surpass me.”

“…”

“But I worry that fools who don’t know any better might look down on you. Keep your eyes sharp and always maintain a stern expression.”

“…”

“You’re not going to answer?”

When Gal Sa-hyeok glared at him, Gal Dong-tak hesitated before opening his mouth.

Plop. Plop.

A few mulberries rolled out of his stuffed cheeks.

Gal Sa-hyeok stared at his son for a moment and then…

Bang!

A loud sound, like a rock being struck, erupted from inside the carriage.

“Oww…”

A conspicuous bump swelled on Gal Dong-tak’s hedgehog-like hair.

It was fortunate that Gal Dong-tak escaped with just a bump, even after being struck by Gal Sa-hyeok’s fist, which could shatter rocks. However, his face was filled with utter grievance.

Seeing him on the verge of shedding tears, Hak Gi-ryong quickly intervened.

“Young Alliance Leader, fix your expression. The martial artists are watching.”

“Yes, sir.”

The noisy group finally arrived at Mount Tai.

Although the meeting place was said to be Mount Tai, it wasn’t as if the leaders of the factions would gather in a barren field.

There was a Taoist Hall on Mount Tai.

It was the domain of a small sect called the Mount Tai Sect. Though old and worn, the buildings were large relative to the sect’s influence.

This was because they had taken over the legacy of the now-defunct Quanzhen Sect.

That place, the Mount Tai Sect, was the venue for the meeting.

Normally, few people visited the Mount Tai Sect, but its mountain gate was now guarded by warriors.

“They are Murim Alliance warriors,” Hak Gi-ryong cautiously warned.

The meeting was jointly hosted by the Murim Alliance and the Unorthodox Union.

Among them, the Murim Alliance warriors were responsible for security.

“State your identity!” shouted a warrior who appeared to be the guard captain.

Handling such situations was Hak Gi-ryong’s domain. That was why he was riding a horse instead of sitting in the carriage.

“The greatest hero of the mountains and the supreme leader of the Green Forest Bandits, the Green Forest Overlord, Sir Gal Sa-hyeok, and his loyal followers!” Hak Gi-ryong spoke loudly and with considerable confidence.

The term “one hundred thousand Green Forest Bandit Path” was highly exaggerated. If there were truly a hundred thousand bandits, it would be nothing short of a chaotic era. Nevertheless, Hak Gi-ryong finished his prepared speech.

“So, you’re the Green Forest Overlord, Sir Gal Sa-hyeok.”

If the guards had been martial artists of the Unorthodox Union, they would have allowed entry immediately after seeing the grand procession.

However, as luck would have it, the guards were from the Murim Alliance.

They adhered to a stricter protocol.

“Given the significance of this world-shaking meeting, we must ask you to open your carriage and verify your identity.”

The tone was polite but firm.

Hak Gi-ryong’s expression stiffened—not because of the Murim Alliance’s formalities, but because he anticipated Gal Sa-hyeok’s reaction.

Creak.

A small window in the carriage opened.

The window was just big enough for a face to appear, but instead of a face, a hand the size of a person’s head emerged.

Gal Sa-hyeok extended his large arm and hand, gesturing for the guard to approach.

“…”

The Murim Alliance martial artist hesitated for a moment before stepping toward the carriage.

Standing before the carriage, the guard clasped his hands and spoke.

“Given the protocol, we would greatly appreciate your understanding if you would…”

Crash!

The closed window shattered as the hand reappeared.

The Murim Alliance martial artist tried to dodge, but the hand was swift and, more importantly, immensely strong.

In an instant, the hand grabbed the martial artist by the collar.

Gal Sa-hyeok pulled him in with a firm grip.

Crunch!

The Murim Alliance martial artist found himself smashing the carriage door with his face and upper body.

Naturally, his face was scraped and torn, bleeding profusely.

Yet, he couldn’t scream or cry out, for Gal Sa-hyeok’s face, like that of an old tiger, was mere inches away from his own.

“You wanted to see my face? Ha-ha-ha-ha!”

The voice was low, booming, and growled like a predator.

Still gripping the martial artist’s collar, Gal Sa-hyeok stepped down from the wrecked carriage door.

“Fine! You’ve seen it. But there’s always a price to pay!”

That thunderous voice wasn’t amplified by martial energy but purely by the strength of his lungs.

It was truly as imposing as a tiger, yet Hak Gi-ryong sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead.

The reason for Gal Sa-hyeok’s behavior was obvious.

Bandits place great importance on intimidation.

When they appear before their targets, they aim to assert dominance by displaying cruelty and strength.

However, their opponents this time weren’t timid merchants but elite martial artists of the Murim Alliance.

Clang-clang-clang—

“What are you doing?!”

“Put him down!”

The martial artists immediately drew their weapons and pointed them.

Naturally, Gal Sa-hyeok ignored them and burst into hearty laughter.

“Is this how you treat a guest who comes when called? Bring out your leader! Otherwise, I’ll rip out this insolent one’s tongue!”

A tense standoff ensued.

Naturally, the situation needed resolution. Even Gal Sa-hyeok had no intention of fighting the Murim Alliance outright.

Yet, he couldn’t suddenly back down either, so it fell to Hak Gi-ryong to de-escalate.

“Perhaps there’s been a misunderstanding…”

Just as Hak Gi-ryong suppressed his irritation to mediate, a cold voice cut through.

“Release him.”

“Sir, please let him go, and… huh?”

The one who appeared was a middle-aged man.

He wore a long crimson robe, and his appearance sharply contrasted with Gal Sa-hyeok.

He was a middle-aged man with sharp jawlines, cold eyes, and pale skin that suited him remarkably well.

He suddenly appeared with one hand resting on the sword at his waist.

“And who are you?” asked Gal Sa-hyeok, towering a head taller than the middle-aged man and looking down at him.

The man represented the type Gal Sa-hyeok disliked most.

Those pretentious, handsome swordsmen acting all lofty.

Most of them wouldn’t dare maintain that arrogance in Gal Sa-hyeok’s presence, but this time was different.

“A guest should behave like one. I cannot tolerate harm to the martial artists of the Alliance.”

“Oh, really?”

Had Gal Sa-hyeok been completely reckless, he would have unleashed his violent temper then and there.

But the seasoned beast recognized the presence of an overwhelming aura from the man before him.

“…And who might you be?”

“I am Baek Ryu-san. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Leader of the Green Forest Alliance.”

“Ah, so you’re the new Murim Alliance Leader.”

“Not yet.”

The man who appeared unexpectedly was far more influential than anyone in the group had imagined.

He was Iron Blood Merciless Baek Ryu-san, the figure designated as the next leader of the Murim Alliance.

Gal Sa-hyeok had never met Baek Ryu-san before.

He hadn’t expected someone of the Vice Alliance Leader’s rank to personally appear, so he missed the timing to retreat.

“Release him. This is your final warning.”

“Heh-heh…”

Gal Sa-hyeok was confident he could defeat the Vice Leader standing before him.

However, engaging in a fight with the Murim Alliance right upon arriving at the meeting place was out of the question.

As he pondered how to retreat gracefully while maintaining his dignity, an elderly voice bellowed angrily.

“You bandit scum! What kind of ruckus are you causing here now?!”

“What in the world…?!”

Turning around, Gal Sa-hyeok flinched in surprise.

Standing there were the renowned Divine Monk Mu Myung and the delegation from Shaolin.

“Even after all this time, your temper hasn’t changed!”

“So the monk has come as well…?”

“Why wouldn’t I come after sending the invitation myself?”

“…Ahem.”

Gal Sa-hyeok, being acquainted with the Divine Monk, promptly released the Murim Alliance martial artist.

“It seems there was some misunderstanding on both sides. May I proceed inside first?”

“…Go ahead.”

Baek Ryu-san silently nodded as well.

The reason he had come here was, from the beginning, to meet the Divine Monk and his son, Yi-gang.

Gal Sa-hyeok brazenly made his way inside.

Of course, he also gave his strategist a sharp look as if blaming him for not informing him earlier.

Left behind were Baek Ryu-san and the Divine Monk’s group.

After a brief exchange of bows and gestures of respect, Baek Ryu-san finally spoke.

“Yi-gang.”

“Father.”

It was a long-awaited reunion between father and son.

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