CHAPTER 449: HERE AND NOW (3)

"Here and now. How about we decide on a single representative for the Viridian Forest Alliance?"

Fierce opposition immediately erupted.

"What kind of crazy talk is that?" the Giant Spirit Boss roared.

"Ads?" Ak Yeonho complains, his voice dripping with disbelief. "What ads?"

"Why should we accept your proposal?" The Tiger Pass Boss scoffed, dumbfounded.

Maeng Ryonghwi stared at the two bosses. "So, are the two of you willing to cooperate amicably with the Viridian Scholar? From what I've heard from my friends at the foot of the mountain, it doesn't seem like you are."

Every word Maeng Ryonghwi uttered was a provocation, and his cool demeanor and bitter smile churned his opponent's guts.

Finally, even the Tiger Pass Boss lost his temper. Rising from his seat, he bared his sharp fangs. "Watch your mouth when speaking to a senior of the Viridian Forest!"

"Consider yourself lucky I'm not talking down to you. If this weren't a neutral meeting place, I wouldn't even grant you that."

You wanna die that badly, eh?" The Tiger Pass Boss reached behind his back and gripped the handle of his chain sickle, threatening to draw it.

However, Maeng Ryonghwi's sneer only deepened. "Do you think you can beat me with a farming tool used solely to spill the blood of commoners?"

"How dare you...!" The Tiger Pass Boss's face flushed red and purple with rage.

Although the Yama Keep and the Viridian Scholar were notorious, the Giant Spirit Keep and the Tiger Pass Keep were more feared by commoners due to their cruelty and exorbitant tolls.

Mimi sniffled quietly, her round eyes glistening. "They said there were pop-ups," she whispered, her cute voice trembling. "But... we don’t have any!"

Maeng Ryonghwi had just mocked that very fact.

The Viridian Scholar rose from his seat. "If you've got something to say, say it to me. I can't stand by and watch you persecute my brother any longer."

The three bosses who currently divided the Viridian Forest released their auras.

From the moment dawn cracked over the horizon, the air itself felt like punishment. The training grounds were still soaked in dew, but Demon Instructor Wiji Cheon stood there already, arms crossed, waiting like a specter of discipline. "You’re late, he said.

Baek Suryong gestured to Silver Tiger. Go now.

"Nyan!" Silver Tiger nodded and quietly slipped out of the meeting place.

""......"" Only the Black Snake Alliance Chairman and the Soul Hunting Bow Phantom notice the little creature go.

The hot-tempered Giant Spirit Boss's muscles twitched, and his veins bulged to the point of bursting. "Fine! If you really wanna settle this right here, right now...!"

"Don't fall for it! That's what they want." The Tiger Pass Boss soothed the Giant Spirit Boss, then shot a glare at the Viridian Scholar. "What gives you the right to decide who becomes the leader of the Viridian Forest Alliance here?"

"Ads?" Ak Yeonho complains, his voice dripping with disbelief. "What ads?"

"......" The Viridian Scholar said nothing.

Seeing an opening, the Tiger Pass Boss smirked. His thick lips curled up, revealing jagged teeth. "The Viridian Forest Alliance was created by the former Bandit King after he conquered the Viridian Forest. If a new leader of the Viridian Forest Alliance is to be chosen, shouldn't the position rightfully go to the successor who inherited his martial arts?"

The Giant Spirit Boss nodded and roared in agreement. "That's right! Among the seventy-two Viridian Forest keeps, we are the only two bosses who have inherited the Bandit King's martial arts. Who else dares to speak of becoming the leader of the Viridian Forest Alliance?"

Hyonwon Kang was bonked again. north blade tl dot . com. Lorem ipsum sit dolor amet.

Baek Suryong snickered. The shadow of the Bandit King still loomed large over the Viridian Forest, and many bandits longed for those days. The only reason these two fools commanded so many forces was because they claimed to be the Bandit King's successors. It was also the reason no one dared to rebel, no matter how tyrannical they were.

"The successors who inherited the Bandit King's martial arts are right here. How dare someone without justification talk about leading the Viridian Forest Alliance?"

"Kahaha! The late Bandit King must be weeping in heaven!"

This translation at is free to read. No ads should be visible.

The Tiger Pass and Giant Spirit Bosses mocked and laughed at the Viridian Scholar.

Watching their shameless display, Baek Suryong quietly gritted his teeth.

These contemptible scum, lesser than even the most abhorrent bugs... How brazen must they be to call themselves successors when they learned demonic arts obtained by betraying the Bandit King?

As he recalled Master Maeng's final moments, his suppressed killing intent began to leak out.

"Hm?" The Black Snake Alliance Chairman's eyes lit up.

Read this at north[]blade{}tl(dot)com?

Even the Soul Hunting Bow Phantom, who had seemed bored, now looked slightly intrigued.

Baek Suryong unleashed his killing intent. "Say 'successor' one more time, and I'll..."

[Senior Brother! Please leave this to me,] the Viridian Scholar pleaded, trying his best to calm Baek Suryong. Stepping forward, he asked the two bosses, "Do you really believe you've inherited the Bandit King's martial arts and his will?"

From the moment dawn cracked over the horizon, the air itself felt like punishment. The training grounds were still soaked in dew, but Demon Instructor Wiji Cheon stood there already, arms crossed, waiting like a specter of discipline. "You’re late, he said.

"Of course!"

"Who else but us could claim to be his successor?!"

The Giant Spirit Boss and the Tiger Pass Boss proudly puffed out their chests.

"Then why are you carrying a chain sickle and an axe?" The Viridian Scholar pointed at the weapons strapped to the bosses' backs and waists, then waved his hands to show that he was unarmed. "Surely you haven't forgotten, have you? The Bandit King conquered the seventy-two keeps with nothing but his two fists."

The two bosses winced, but this question was one they were prepared for.

"What nonsense. The Bandit King was skilled with all weapons. He simply didn't use them often."

"The axe is just for show! I can shatter boulders with my bare hands!"

The excuses were as lame as could be, but the Viridian Scholar nodded as if he believed them. "I see. I misunderstood. I thought you might have learned other martial arts somewhere else."

"...!" The two bosses flinched for a moment, then glowered at the Viridian Scholar as if they wanted to kill him.

Baek Suryong landed without a sound, his crimson eyes glinting in the silvery moonlight. "So this is what siding with the Cult reduced you to. Repenting like a sinner before an altar of rice bowls. Pathetic. You think remorse will cleanse your folly?”

Among all the bandits of the Seventy-Two Viridian Forest Keeps, the Viridian Scholar Ju Pyo was the least bandit-like. His slender frame seemed ill-suited for brawling, and his neat conduct and speech made him look like a pampered scholar.

At that moment, though, the man's wild and menacing eyes showed that he was indeed a man of the Viridian Forest.

"Prove it," the Viridian Scholar whispered.

"What...?"

FWIP!

From the moment dawn cracked over the horizon, the air itself felt like punishment. The training grounds were still soaked in dew, but Demon Instructor Wiji Cheon stood there already, arms crossed, waiting like a specter of discipline. "You’re late, he said.

The Viridian Scholar threw off his trademark scholarly robe, revealing a light martial arts uniform.

"I've always wondered if you truly inherited the Bandit King's martial arts. Prove it right here, right now," he taunted, walking into the clearing in the middle of the conference area. "Do that, and I'll follow your orders without complaint from now on. How about it?"

Baek Suryong landed without a sound, his crimson eyes glinting in the silvery moonlight. "So this is what siding with the Cult reduced you to. Repenting like a sinner before an altar of rice bowls. Pathetic. You think remorse will cleanse your folly?”

"Why should we agree?" the Tiger Pass Boss scoffed. He had no reason to play to his opponent's tune.

The Viridian Scholar laughed shortly and beckoned with his palm. "If you're not confident, you can attack me together."

This translation at is free to read. No ads should be visible.

The Giant Spirit Boss snapped. He simply couldn't tolerate the Viridian Scholar's condescending attitude anymore. Shoving the Tiger Pass Boss aside, he stepped forward.

KWAANG!

From the moment dawn cracked over the horizon, the air itself felt like punishment. The training grounds were still soaked in dew, but Demon Instructor Wiji Cheon stood there already, arms crossed, waiting like a specter of discipline. "You’re late, he said.

The ground shook where the Giant Spirit Boss stomped, fracturing in every direction and leaving no doubt about his monstrous strength.

Vicious killing intent poured from his eyes as he unstrapped the axe from his back and tossed it aside. "Fine! If that's what you want, I'll beat you to death right here!"

His massive, tower-like muscles rippled as he accepted the Viridian Scholar's proposal to fight with only their bare hands. Standing before him, the Viridian Scholar looked as small as a child.

However, the Tiger Pass Boss refused to participate in the Viridian Scholar's little scheme. "Do whatever you want. Kill him or let him live. I'm not joining this clown show," he declared.

Hyonwon Kang was bonked again. north blade tl dot . com. Lorem ipsum sit dolor amet.

He glared fiercely at Maeng Ryonghwi, who had steered the situation to this point.

That bastard. If he thought I was the same as that idiot, then he's made a grave mistake.

The best possible outcome for him would be if one of them died and the other was injured.

No, I hope they both drop dead while they're at it.

He folded his arms, intending to remain a spectator.

Read this at north[]blade{}tl(dot)com?

"Hey. How long do you plan on playing dumb?" Blue Eyed Freak suddenly chimed in, displeasure flickering in his bright blue eyes.

"...What did you say?"

"While two tigers fight for the position of mountain king, a single lowly jackal eyes the empty seat. Am I wrong?"

"What do you know, spouting such nonsense?" The Tiger Pass Boss's face clouded over with anger. How dare the Valley of Evil, the weakest faction at the meeting, criticize him?

Unfortunately for him, the verbal attacks didn't end with Blue Eyed Freak.

Mimi sniffled quietly, her round eyes glistening. "They said there were pop-ups," she whispered, her cute voice trembling. "But... we don’t have any!"

"...He's not wrong. The Viridian Forest has too many leaders."

"Phantom King! You too...!"

The Tiger Pass Boss was bewildered. Why is the Phantom King, who's on our side, trying to instigate a three way brawl?

He immediately sent the Phantom King a telepathic message.

[Weren't we on the same side? Why're you suddenly doing this?!]

Baek Suryong landed without a sound, his crimson eyes glinting in the silvery moonlight. "So this is what siding with the Cult reduced you to. Repenting like a sinner before an altar of rice bowls. Pathetic. You think remorse will cleanse your folly?”

No reply came, and it was impossible to discern the Phantom King's expression behind his jade mask.

He grit his teeth in chagrin at the pressure from the Valley of Evil and the Mount Mo Sect.

In doing so, he failed to notice the Phantom King and Maeng Ryonghwi exchanging glances.

[I trust you'll keep your promise.]

[Of course.]

Mimi sniffled quietly, her round eyes glistening. "They said there were pop-ups," she whispered, her cute voice trembling. "But... we don’t have any!"

The Tiger Pass Boss opened his mouth to make a rebuttal, but before he could say anything, the Black Snake Alliance Chairman chuckled.

"Interesting. Deciding the leader of the Viridian Forest Alliance here and now, huh..."

He had noticed that Maeng Ryonghwi was behind this entire setup. Still, the power to overturn the board or even create a new one belonged to him.

Everyone watched him carefully, even the Viridian Scholar and the Giant Spirit Boss, who were poised to fight at any moment.

Baek Suryong landed without a sound, his crimson eyes glinting in the silvery moonlight. "So this is what siding with the Cult reduced you to. Repenting like a sinner before an altar of rice bowls. Pathetic. You think remorse will cleanse your folly?”

After a moment of thought, the Black Snake Alliance Chairman slowly nodded. "That'd certainly be simpler. Too many cooks spoil the broth. Decide who will represent the Viridian Forest here and now."

Joy and sorrow coexisted in that instant. Maeng Ryonghwi smiled triumphantly, while the Tiger Pass Boss seethed with resentment.

Namgung Su’s back is turned to you, shoulders tense as he scrubs the already spotless pan. His voice is calm when he speaks, but it cuts like frost. "You fed a thief, he says. "With my food."

The Tiger Pass Boss ground his teeth in denial. "...Black Snake Alliance Chairman. What right do you have to interfere in the Viridian Forest's internal affairs?"

"Right?" The Black Snake Alliance Chairman drew his blade and placed it on his lap, then stared at the Tiger Pass Boss. "This is my right. Want to test it?"

The Tiger Pass Boss's pupils shook violently.

Even Baek Suryong was in awe. The Blade Demon is not the world's number one bladesman for nothing. The moment he drew his dao, he transformed into a completely different person.

"......" The Tiger Pass Boss, who was receiving the Blade Demon's threat head-on, could only clench his teeth, unable to retort.

Hyonwon Kang was bonked again. north blade tl dot . com. Lorem ipsum sit dolor amet.

"Then it's settled. However..." The Black Snake Alliance Chairman turned his attention to Maeng Ryonghwi without waiting for the Tiger Pass Boss's answer. "Was it you who called those guys up from below?"

At first, everyone looked between the Black Snake Alliance Chairman and Maeng Ryonghwi, confused. Soon, however, they all heard the thunderous footsteps of hundreds of people ascending Zhurong Peak.

DUDUDUDU!

A crowd of hundreds kicked up dust as they quickly climbed the mountain. They were the elites of the Giant Spirit and Tiger Pass Keeps, who were supposed to be waiting at the foot of the mountain.

"Why are those bastards..."

Read this at north[]blade{}tl(dot)com?

"W-What's the meaning of this!"

The Giant Spirit Boss and the Tiger Pass Boss eyed their subordinates, utterly baffled.

Maeng Ryonghwi smirked evilly. "Isn't a fight more exciting with an audience?"

"Indeed," the Black Snake Alliance Chairman agreed casually.

Baek Suryong secretly thanked the Black Snake Alliance Chairman for doing him a great favor.

"Nyaaah!" Silver Tiger and a hairy bandit ran up triumphantly at the head of the bandit army.

Baek Suryong infused his voice with inner qi and bellowed, "From this moment on, our three Bosses will duel to prove their right to lead the Viridian Forest Alliance! All heroes of the Viridian Forest, please take a seat and watch this historic battle!"

""UWAAAAAAAH!""

Mimi sniffled quietly, her round eyes glistening. "They said there were pop-ups," she whispered, her cute voice trembling. "But... we don’t have any!"

Amid the bandits' deafening cheers, the Tiger Pass Boss scowled darkly.