"HAHAHAHAHA!"

The Black Snake Alliance Chairman's laughter boomed across Zhurong Peak, shaking the otherwise tranquil atmosphere as he unleashed his qi with abandon.

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."

"Keuk..."

"Just how much inner qi does he have...!?"

Several martial artists turned pale and hastily covered their ears, their inner arts too weak to defend against his overwhelming aura. Even renowned unorthodox experts stared in astonishment at the blademaster.

"How long are you gonna laugh like a madman? You're making the atmosphere weird," the Soul Hunting Bow Phantom rebuked.

"...Haha. Oops. I got carried away." The Black Snake Alliance Chairman stopped laughing, though his eyes remained fixed on Maeng Ryonghwi, who was conversing with the Viridian Scholar within a qi sound barrier. "That guy's unbelievable..." he exclaimed in admiration.

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"Don't tell me you're planning to take him as a disciple? How many does this make now?" the Soul Hunting Bow Phantom groaned as she erected a sound-blocking barrier around them.

The Black Snake Alliance Chairman, also known as the Blade Demon, was a man obsessed with bladesmanship. He first made his name by traveling the world and challenging other bladesmen to test his skills, without discriminating between orthodox and unorthodox, masters and novices. He was so crazy about the blade that in his youth, he challenged anyone carrying the same type of weapon.

As his martial prowess grew with age, though, he stopped picking fights with just anyone. Instead, he developed another bizarre habit—taking any talented individual he found as a disciple, regardless of their background.

"A disciple, huh..." he muttered. Prior to an 'incident' ten years ago that caused him to enter seclusion training, he had taken eight disciples. One of them was even a prodigy from a renowned orthodox sect.

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

The Soul Hunting Bow Phantom groaned. "Even I, who doesn't know much about the blade, can see that he's extremely talented, but you already have too many disciples. For the sake of the Alliance, please reconsider," she said sincerely.

The Black Snake Alliance Chairman chuckled and shook his head. "I may be a greedy man, but I'm not that greedy."

"You're not that greedy?" The Soul Hunting Bow Phantom shot her friend a disbelieving look.

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 Black Snake Alliance Chairman smiled mysteriously and pointed at Maeng Ryonghwi. "That sir over there isn't someone I can take as a disciple," he explained seriously, no longer addressing a child, but an equal.

The Soul Hunting Bow Phantom stared at him in confusion. "What nonsense are you babbling now?"

A bladesman that the world's number one blademaster can't teach? Does that mean that young bandit is his equal in skill?

"Don't tell me...you think that kid is a martial artist on our level?" she asked incredulously. Although Maeng Ryonghwi was hiding considerable skill, making it difficult to gauge his strength, but the Black Snake Alliance Chairman seemed to have discovered something.

The Black Snake Alliance Chairman furrowed his brows. "Hmm, how should I say this? His overall martial prowess is one thing... but I get the feeling that if I tried to teach him the blade, he'd be the one pointing out my flaws."

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"What the fuck are you talking about!?"

"It's hard for me to explain, too. It's just a feeling. Also, that Maeng Ryonghwi kid is not a pure bladesman. He's also mastered some other kinds of martial arts," the Black Snake Alliance Chairman added.

Others might not notice, but as someone who had dedicated his life to the blade, he could tell that although Maeng Ryonghwi's bladesmanship was excellent, he didn't exactly give off the 'feeling' of a bladesman.

He sighed. "What a shame. With such talent, why learn so many miscellaneous martial arts instead of just focusing on the way of the blade...?"

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The Soul Hunting Bow Phantom scoffed. "That's just your opinion, you blade nerd."

"That's because the way of the blade is the greatest in the world."

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

"I knew you'd say that. Whether now or twenty years ago, you're a fool who knows nothing but the blade."

"Why don't you learn the blade from me too, Bow Phantom?"

"I'll gladly learn from you... If you learn the bow from me in return, that is."

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."

"Hmm, then I suppose this conversation will go on forever." The Black Snake Alliance Chairman chuckled at his old friend's joke, then stared at Maeng Ryonghwi. "...Anyway, I'll have to talk to him separately later."

He smiled meaningfully, already looking forward to that time.

Baek Suryong approached the Viridian Scholar as soon as he finished his battle and set up a sound-blocking barrier to prevent their conversation from being overheard. "I'm sorry, Junior Brother," he apologized.

The Viridian Scholar smiled. "You're sorry? For what?"

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!"

Baek Suryong scratched his cheek awkwardly. "I told you to restrain yourself, but then I went and killed them so spectacularly..."

"Hahaha!" The Viridian Scholar laughed and patted his Senior Brother on the back. "Not at all! That was quite refreshing to watch!"

Jang Geol and Gu Gil also cheered Baek Suryong's victory as if it were their own.

"Hyung-nim! That was the best way to seize the initiative!"

"After acting so high and mighty, those bastards deserved to be humiliatingly cut down in a single blow!"

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 bandits from the Giant Spirit and Tiger Pass Keeps had clearly revealed their killing intent and launched a joint attack first. Their comrades had no grounds for complaint.

The Viridian Scholar glanced at the martial artists all around them. "By the way, Senior Brother..."

"Hmm? What is it?" Baek Suryong tilted his head, puzzled.

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"Everyone here is watching you, Senior Brother. You're a rising master of the Yama Keep and an incredibly skilled bladesman. As of today, the name Maeng Ryonghwi will resound throughout the Viridian Forest."

Baek Suryong nodded. "I suppose so."

Not only was the Black Snake Alliance Chairman staring at him intently, the unorthodox leaders and nearly two hundred Viridian Forest bandits were focused on him as well. He had unintentionally drawn a lot of attention.

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"...Would you consider becoming the Viridian Forest Alliance Leader now, Senior Brother?"

Baek Suryong's jaw dropped. "What the fuck are you talking about all of a sudden?"

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Jang Geol and Gu Gil's eyes widened in shock. When they saw the Viridian Scholar's stern expression, however, they didn't dare interrupt.

The Viridian Scholar continued earnestly, "You are the true successor to the Bandit King, Senior Brother. No one is more qualified to be the Viridian Forest Alliance Leader than you."

This wasn't a sudden decision. He had contemplated it during the entire journey to Mount Heng and even just moments ago.

"If you wish to become the Viridian Forest Alliance Leader, I'll do everything in my power to make you the new Bandit King."

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His eyes sparkled with sincerity. He genuinely believed Baek Suryong was a better fit for the position than himself. He didn't necessarily have to be the protagonist. Together, they could create the ideal Viridian Forest their master had always envisioned.

However, his Senior Brother had no intention of honoring his request.

Baek Suryong's lips pursed stubbornly, and his gaze was resolute. "...I may have inherited the Bandit King's martial arts, but I'm not qualified to inherit his dream. That's a task for you, Junior Brother, who has dedicated decades of your life to the Viridian Forest."

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

"But I can just assist you, Senior Brother..."

"......" Baek Suryong reached out and gripped the Viridian Scholar's shoulders. "If you say something so pathetic one more time, I'll beat you to a pulp right here, right now, even if it shames the future Viridian Forest Alliance Leader. You claim to have inherited the spirit of the Bandit King, yet that's all you've got?"

The nearby martial artists watched the sudden, insubordinate act in surprise, but due to the sound-blocking barrier, they couldn't hear the conversation.

"Ju Pyo," Baek Suryong said sternly. "Fulfill your dream with your own damn hands."

The Viridian Scholar stiffened for a moment, but finally sighed and nodded. "...I understand. I won't press the matter any further."

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In truth, he felt bad for Baek Suryong, as if he were usurping the rightful position of a direct disciple and not just learning the Bandit King's martial arts. However, hearing his senior brother's explanation again convinced him.

"Since I have Senior Brother's permission, I suppose I must be today's protagonist."

"Yeah, go knock them all down... But first, slap me across the face."

"...Do I really have to?"

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"How else are you gonna explain your way out of this situation?"

"I understand."

SLAP!

The Viridian Scholar slapped Maeng Ryonghwi so hard that he tumbled to the ground, then dispelled the sound barrier. Exuding a frosty aura, he unleashed a Lion's Roar, "If you ever disobey me and harm a brother of the Viridian Forest again, I'll cut off your arm!"

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Maeng Ryonghwi bowed his head respectfully. "...I'm sorry."

The martial artists who witnessed the event were initially stunned, but quickly nodded in awe at the Viridian Scholar's ability to quell the insubordination with such ease.

Only a few masters, including the Black Snake Alliance Chairman, the Soul Hunting Bow Phantom, and the Phantom King, noticed Maeng Ryonghwi's fleeting smile as he bowed.

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The Viridian Scholar strode forward confidently, drawing everyone's gaze.

"So you finally show yourself."

"You ended it with just a slap? If it were me, I would've smashed his head in."

The Tiger Pass Boss and the Giant Spirit Boss were already waiting for him in the clearing. Vivid bloodstains remained on the ground where the corpses had been removed.

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.

Although the Viridian Scholar had said that brothers of the Viridian Forest should avoid bloodshed if possible, now that blood had been spilled, the two bosses had no intention of letting it go.

I'll kill him here.

I can't give him time to surrender.

They exchanged glances filled with vicious killing intent. Naturally, they had an unspoken agreement to kill the Viridian Scholar before turning on each other.

The air around them began to simmer. Dust and dirt swirled up from qi waves far stronger than the ones their subordinates had displayed.

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"No need to delay. Begin!" the Black Snake Alliance Chairman announced.

"GRAAAAAAAR!" the Giant Spirit Boss roared as he charged. His body bulged, and monstrous strength erupted from his inhuman muscles, seemingly capable of shattering steel with a single blow.

A rain of fists appeared before the Viridian Scholar.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

The air exploded before his fists even fully extended, the aftershock alone enough to knock a person backward.

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.

"It's the Savage Tiger Rampage!"

"He's using the Bandit King's martial arts!"

The bandits of the Giant Spirit Keep roared with excitement, thrilled to witness the legendary martial arts of the Viridian Forest.

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!"

"Quite impressive..."

"Is that the martial arts of the Bandit King I've only heard about...?"

Even the unorthodox leaders nodded lightly, their interest piqued by the Giant Spirit Boss's destructive display.

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.

Only Baek Suryong's face was a mask of cold, hard contempt.

How dare they call that shoddy fistwork the Savage Tiger Rampage!?

Although throwing punches fast enough to create afterimages created an illusion similar to the Savage Tiger Rampage, the resemblance was only skin deep. The martial principles within the Giant Spirit Boss's technique were insignificant by comparison.

He's just throwing a lot of punches quickly. The power distribution and impact points are a mess. It's just flashy fistwork, a clumsy imitation.

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.

"Die!" The Tiger Pass Boss circled around to the Viridian Scholar's back, baring his fangs and letting his long arms hang low. "Ju Pyo, this place will be your grave."

He bent his fingers like the claws of a wild beast, gathering wave of energy dense enough to be compared to enhanced qi at each knuckle.

SCREEEEEEECH!

As he lowered his stance until his fingertips touched the ground, furrows appeared in the dirt as if scratched by a rake.

"It's the Bloody Claws of the Savage Tiger!"

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

"The Tiger Pass Boss is the true successor to the Bandit King!"

Another great roar erupted, this time from the bandits of the Tiger Pass Keep. They cheered for their boss with veins popping on their necks, excited to witness the Bandit King's martial arts.

"......" Despite the imminent threat, the Viridian Scholar remained calm. He showed no agitation as fierce attacks closed in from his front and back, simply widened his stance to lower his center of gravity and drew a gentle circle with his arms.

To the audience, he looked like a scholar surrounded by wild beasts, his life as precarious as a candle in the wind.

"BOOOOO!"

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He was immediately met with jeers. The bandits of the Viridian Forest showed no mercy to the weak.

"Could that be...?"

"Interesting."

The only ones who noticed something more in the Viridian Scholar's movements were the unorthodox leaders, whose eyes sparkled with anticipation.

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WHOOSH!

The Viridian Scholar moved like a thunderbolt. In a single breath, he closed the distance to the Giant Spirit Boss, his fists creating numerous afterimages.

TAK TAK TAK TAK!

He casually parried each of the Giant Spirit Boss's fists, then, in a perfect counter, brought his own fists down on the Giant Spirit Boss.

"What? How do you know the Savage Tiger Rampage?!" the Giant Spirit Boss shouted, wide-eyed, even as numerous fists slammed into his body and sent him flying backward.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM! SLASH!

Just then, the Tiger Pass Boss raked his claws across the Viridian Scholar's back, but his attack only left a shallow wound.

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 immediately turned and bent his fingers, countering the Bloody Claws of the Savage Tiger with the same technique—only much more polished.

The Tiger Pass Boss stared in horror at the Viridian Scholar's claw technique. "The Bloody Claws of the Savage Tiger too...!"

"This is the real Bloody Claws of the Savage Tiger, you fool," the Viridian Scholar replied coolly, seizing the upper hand and breaking the Tiger Pass Boss's wrist.

"Kuaaah!" the Tiger Pass Boss screamed in pain.

CRACK!

The Viridian Scholar struck his opponent's chest with his palm, fracturing his ribs and sending him tumbling on top of the fallen Giant Spirit Boss. The two rolled around on the ground in an unsightly mess, desperately trying to get up but only getting in each other's way.

"Ugh! This bastard...!"

"How do you know the Bandit King's martial arts?!"

The two humiliated bosses glowered at the Viridian Scholar. The bandits who had been cheering for them had long since fallen silent.

The Viridian Scholar regarded them with genuine disappointment and beckoned with his palm. "You dared to call yourselves successors to the Bandit King with such pathetic skills? Come, try again. I'll show you the true essence of the Bandit King's martial arts."