Chapter 131: Green Forest (1)
Chapter 131: Green Forest (1)
Boom!
Sect Leader Yeon Seong of the Great Dragon Gate stood up and smashed the table.
The rosewood table dented.
Yeon Seong, who showed his anger like this, shouted at the other sect leaders gathered around: “They left a seal with the Cult of the Heavenly Demon and returned home. What a disgrace!”
As he shouted, several others agreed.
“Truly people without pride.”
“No matter how scared they are of the Cult of the Heavenly Demon, how can you make such a choice?”
“Shameful!”
Yeon Seong was satisfied to see that others agreed with him. However, the situation was serious and he spoke with sternest, not revealing his satisfaction.
“A seal flying upon the flag of the Cult of the Heavenly Demon. Qaidam Basin was guarded by useless men.”
“Shouldn’t our Qinghai Alliance make a decision unlike theirs?” someone said in response.
The Qinghai Alliance.
It was a coalition of sects centered around Qinghai Lake.
It was not a coalition that originally existed, but rather an informal organization formed under the name ‘Qinghai Alliance’ when there was a big problem in Qinghai.
More specifically, it was because the Cult of the Heavenly Demon was advancing beyond the Qaidam Basin.
The Qinghai Provincial Orthodox Alliance, which Woon-seong faced at Qaidam Basin, was only about half of the Martial Alliance forces in Qinghai.
The other half were the sect belonging to the Qinghai Alliance.
So it was fair to say that the Qinghai Alliance had to be destroyed for Qinghai to be completely under the Cult of the Heavenly Demon’s rule.
Woon-seong also knew that, which was why the army was marching towards Qinghai Lake, where the Qinghai Alliance was located.
The Qinghai Alliance’s willingness to fight was firm.
“It is said that the Martial Alliance dispatched part of the New Dragon Battalion. Although it will take some time, which is why we couldn’t help in the Battle of Qaidam Basin, they should be able to join us in a few days.”
“Oh, the New Dragon Battalion.”
The New Dragon Unit Battalion was an object of admiration.
The group of dragons which brought about the dawning of a new day.
If there was the Charred Dragon Unit in the Demonic Cult, the Martial Alliance famously had the New Dragon Battalion.
It was originally the name of a teaching institution run by the Martial Alliance, but the title of New Dragons had eventually been handed down to the unit.
The sect leaders gathered suddenly felt much better.
Still, there were those unconvinced.
“What the hell are the Kunlun doing… Even if you’re not part of the Martial Alliance, isn’t that too harsh? I can’t believe the Cult of the Heavenly Demon came down and they just locked their doors.”
“Hmph, he’s scared.”
The man was ridiculed.
Of course, they would not be speaking like this if the Taoists were present.
But even the emperor can be insulted when he is absent.
After some time tearing into the Kunlun Sect, they began discussing the Demonic Cult again.
The results of the discussion were simple.
If they sailed into the middle of Qinghai Lake on boats, no matter how many demonic practitioners there were, the Cult of the Heavenly Demon would not be able to follow them.
“Wouldn’t it be more advantageous for us to have an aquatic battle?”
They were all sects near Qinghai Lake. Most of them had even fought once or twice in Qinghai Lake.
It would be advantageous for them because of experience.
“That’s right.”
“Then let’s do it. ”
That was the end of the discussion.
The funny thing was that they had taken more than an hour to scold and slander the Kunlun Sect, but they didn’t even take half an hour to come up with a battle plan.
***
“There are complaints in the Martial Alliance about why we are not blocking the Cult of the Heavenly Demon’s progress.”
He was an elder of the Mount Hua Sect and the Martial Alliance, Elder Peng.
As he said, there was dissatisfaction about whether or not it was too late to stop the Cult of the Heavenly Demon’s advancement.
Of course, Jwa Do-gyul also had eyes and ears, so he received reports. He knew roughly what was going on.
So he lowered his head, making a pained expression.
“It’s all my fault. I borrowed some of the New Dragon Battalion, but sent them to support Qinghai yesterday.”
At his words, Elder Peng made an expression that read as ‘of course’. He then said, “Well, I was simply worried. Do not take my words as having another meaning.”
“It’s all right. I am glad that there are people who care about me and the Martial Alliance like Elder Peng. I hope that you will continue to work hard for the welfare and peace of Murim.”
The words ‘peace and welfare of Murim’ made the man smile.
Seeing that, Jwa Do-gyul chuckled to himself. The Orthodox people are skilled, but their brains and eyes are dull. They’re so easy to use.
If I act a little, they are so easily deceived.
Not knowing what Jwa Do-gyul was thinking, Elder Peng thought for a moment. He then titled his head and asked, “You said the New Dragon Battalion left yesterday, right Lord?”
“Of course.”
“Isn’t that a little late, then? It seems the Demonic Cult’s movements are faster than expected. If the Qinghai Alliance doesn’t hold up properly, the battle in Qinghai Province might end before the New Dragon Battalion even arrives.”
Jwa Do-gyul waved a hand. “Haha, aren’t they masters of Murim, too? They should be able to hold out long enough for the New Dragon Battalion to arrive.”
It was not unreasonable, so Elder Peng nodded. “If so, that is a relief…”
Jwa Do-gyul’s eyes shone.
Hehe, we have to get rid of Qinghai anyway. Only then will Murim be angered, only then will the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult properly confront each other.
The Qinghai Alliance.
They had been thrown away.
* * *
The Demonic Cult’s march was unstoppable.
Even though only half of the factions had surrendered, they had increased their territory.
At least, when they crossed the territory those sects ruled, there was no one to stop the advancement of the Cult.
In addition, unlike those of Murim, the common folk were mostly welcome to the advancement of the Cult.
Compared to those who did things like steal and cheat under the name of their sects, the Demonic Cult was mild.
Combat and war were not the only outcome of fighting with the Martial Alliance, as the Cult made efforts to protect the civilians.
Firstly, the Cult fully waived one year of protection fees for the territories it occupied.
This policy was only possible thanks to the prolonged accumulation of goods and the vast increase in time spent in Zhongyuan in preparation for the war.
It was natural for cheerfulness to spread among the masses.
Moreover, security was more stable.
Under the observation of the Cult, neither the Martial Alliance nor the evil sects were able to stand tall.
Under these circumstances, the Cult continued to advance. Eventually, the flag of the Cult flew over half of Qinghai.
It was only then that a group of people appeared, blocking the advancement of the Cult.
This happened one evening as the Cult was marching.
A group stood in the army’s way, blocking a section of the mountain pass.
The Cult paused its march.
There were about 500 people gathered. Even if they were insane, this was not a number that could halt the Cult’s progress.
But they didn’t seem to want to fight. Although they stood in the way, there was no outright hostility.
“Let us meet the Cult Leader.”
The demonic soldiers had their eyes wide, observing those who stood in their way.
Their outfits were varied.
Many different types of weapons and shabby attire; there was hardly any uniformity.
At the very least, the only similarities seemed to be poorly washed faces and sparsely grown beards.
In addition, some of them were covered in animal hide.
One of the Great Demons, who was watching them muttered with a tilt of his head, “The Green Forest Stronghold?”
As he said, the ones who stood there were the Green Forest Stronghold.
“Why does the Green Forest Stronghold wish to see the Cult Leader?” one of the demons asked.
The one who looked like the head came forward and said, “Why should I tell you?”
The demonic practitioners were a little stunned.
“You think the Leader will see you just because you asked to see him?!” one of the demons shouted.
The aura of the vanguard immediately became unpleasant.
The bandits in the back were trembling.
However, the one at the front was the exception. He looked at the demonic with a more dignified look.
“If you let me see the Cult Leader, I will tell you why we have blocked the Cult’s path. And if he decides we should be punished, then we will be punished.”
“This one will fucking see you!”
As the Demonic General in the lead became angry, there was a shout from behind: “What’s going on?”
It was the voice of Gwan Tae-ryang, who had been part of the vanguard too.
At the Lieutenant’s appearance, who was both a captain of a Twelve Supporting Unit and of higher status, the vanguard bowed their heads.
“All of a sudden these people of the Green Forest Stronghold want to meet the Leader…”
“Green Forest?”
Green Forest Stronghold.
To put it nicely, people who lived in the Green Mountains. But that was just talking big; they were basically bandits.
Perhaps there was more to them than that, but their reputation as bandits was great.
When they asked to see the Cult of the Heavenly Demon’s god, it was natural for the believers to be put off.
Gwan Tae-ryang knit his brows as he looked at the Green Forest Stronghold.
Hmm.
At that moment, Gwan Tae-ryang released some of his qi into the area.
He focused on the man standing at the forefront.
That man seemed to have a subtle aura.
That meant the man’s abilities were likely first-rate.
Maybe peak.
Since the man’s abilities are at least first-rate, maybe even peak…
Feeling that the man was not some ordinary bandit, Gwan Tae-ryang asked, “Why did you ask to see the Leader?”
Just as Gwan Tae-ryang had been astonished by the man’s skill, the man had also been astounded by Gwan Tae-ryang. He warily responded, “I will tell the Leader why when I meet him.”
Confused and mildly irritated by his words, Gwan Tae-ryang pulled a blade from his waist.
Shink-
He pointed his blade at the man as he said, “This Cult follows only the strong. If you want to see the Leader, you will have to prove your worth.”
At that, the man in the lead’s face hardened. But he soon made a firm decision, walking before Gwan Tae-ryang and grabbing the heavy sword on his back.
Kung-
The tip of the sword was heavily dug into the earth.
Gwan Tae-ryang assessed the skills of the man wielding the heavy sword.
“If you endure ten of my moves, I will report your request to the Leader in the name of the Charred Dragon Unit, one of the Twelve Supporting Units.”
“Don’t forget your words. ”
The man grabbed the heavy sword with both hands.
A haze seemed to rise around the man’s shoulder.
There was no room for hesitation.
The two of them flew at the same time.
Pavat-!