"Ughhhhh…"
"S-spar… me…"
"No… just kill me…"
The members of the Tang family and the bandits of The Green Forest lie face down on the ground, gasping for breath.
Where else could one see the green-clad retainers of the Tang family and the similarly grass-colored elite The Green Forest warriors all together, dying like this?
Chung Myung smiled contentedly.
"This is the true scene of sect harmony."
Namgung Do-Wei silently squeezed his eyes shut at those words.
No matter how many times he saw it, he was always amazed at how this was even possible.
The Sichuan Tang family are a prestigious family known throughout the murim world. Naturally, their training is extremely harsh.
The Green Forest is the same. Those present here are the carefully selected elite among the many Green Forest. Even those unfamiliar with the martial world could guess how fiercely the Green Forest King has trained them.
Yet, after only a few hours of rolling under Chung Myung's command, these survivors of harsh training are sprawled around, beaten to the point of barely clinging to life.
That man seems to have spent his whole life studying how to torment those with the nature of 'warriors.'
Perhaps due to some experience(?), Namgung Do-Wei, who avoided joining them in collapse, looked at the fallen with eyes full of pity.
Both he and the Namgung Family, when first faced with this sight, had curses spill out like a machine gun.
But unlike the helpless Namgung Do-Wei, there were those who laughed at this pitiful scene.
"They're all dead."
"Hey, they're not quite dead yet."
"They shouldn't be panting this much already."
Shouldn't they all be called as demons?
Namgung Do-Wei glanced narrowly at the Five Swords, who were chuckling. Seeing those Taoist demons laughing as if others' misfortune was their happiness, he thought of the Grand Elder… Huh? Monk? …Why is the monk laughing there too…?
Namgung Do-Wei abruptly cut off his thoughts and tightly shut his eyes.
This place is a den of corruption that knows no distinction between Taoism and Buddhism.
The only relief was that even in this den of corruption, there was one true Taoist who embraced the Way.
Someone, cautious among the demons, quietly spoke.
"Um… sasuk. They're struggling so hard after intense training, but to openly enjoy this like this is a bit…"
Tears welled up in Namgung Do-Wei's eyes.
'Taoist Yoon Jong!'
Indeed, the Taoist vessel of Mount Hua! Even in this demon-infested Mount Hua, there was hope.
Baek Cheon, hearing Yoon Jong's words, spoke with a strange expression.
"Yoon Jong."
"Yes, sasuk."
"You're definitely not wrong. I think so too."
"…Then why…"
"But try to see it from another perspective. Until now, they were the ones watching us train, weren't they?"
"…"
"Thinking about how much fun they must have had watching us do the same, I can't help but laugh."
"…"
"Remember how they looked at us when we trained."
"No, that was…"
Yoon Jong, lost in thought for a moment, turned his gaze to the sprawled figures and murmured.
"Life… is ultimately about what you get back."
"That's right. You've realized it."
It was the moment the Taoist vessel of Mount Hua fell.
Namgung Do-Wei silently screamed, 'Don't realize those things,' but Yoon Jong and Baek Cheon had no way of knowing his feelings.
"Looks like the Green Forest King is dead?"
"Oh dear, he was a frail man."
"He's really going to the grave this time?"
"Nah, he won't die from that. The worst part of the training he orders is that you feel like dying but don't actually die. If you died, it would be easier."
"Right. He still has a long way to go."
"Get healthy already."
At the demons' chuckling, Im So-Byeong lifted his head and glared at the Five Swords. His bloodshot eyes leaked a poisonous glare.
"These… bastards worse than the Evil Sect…"
"Hehehehehe."
"Heeheeheeheehee!"
Namgung Do-Wei, watching the horrific scene, finally looked away.
'Where is the Heavenly Friends Alliance headed?'
It felt like they had gone too far to turn back.
And then.
"No!"
Chung Myung slammed the bench with a face full of dissatisfaction and stood up.
"What, did everyone just eat porridge? How much did you roll around to already be stuck to the floor writhing?"
"…"
"…"
"And yet you still held your heads high as Tang family or Green Forest? With this skill? This stamina? Oh my fate. I was fighting in front of these!"
Those who had sent poisonous glares to the Five Swords immediately lowered their eyes prettily when Chung Myung stepped forward. Just listing those who rashly challenged him and got hurt would be enough to cross the Yangtze River easily.
So for now, it's best to think you're dead and avoid eye contact.
"Tsk tsk tsk."
Chung Myung clicked his tongue as if displeased watching that sight.
"You really want to face the Demonic Cult bastards with this skill? If you don't pee yourself and run away, consider yourself lucky."
Those who tried to raise their heads to protest out of frustration saw Chung Myung's face and bowed their heads deeply again.
'Just close your eyes tight.'
'That man is not the Mount Hua's Divine Dragon we knew, but the Mount Hua's Sword Saint.'
'Now even the family lord has to concede a point.'
His personality hasn't changed, but the status difference between the Mount Hua's Divine Dragon they knew and the current Mount Hua's Sword Saint is like heaven and earth.
Even without considering that he is a disciple of Mount Hua and has ties with the Tang family lord, one must just close their eyes and listen to the lecture from someone with such skill.
The position of the Green Forest is obvious. The Green Forest King himself is rolling here with others.
Chung Myung glanced over everyone disdainfully and said.
"From tomorrow, we'll do exactly twice as much as today, so prepare yourself. Anyone who will roll around without spirit like today should just escape tonight. It's easier for me than getting my hands bloody."
"…Um, excuse me."
At that moment, Tang Pae, the young master of the Tang family, raised his hand with an intrigued expression.
"C-can we escape? Is there any retaliation or…?
"Why would I retaliate against the Tang family or Green Forest? Of course not."
"R-really…"
Tang Pae's face brightened, though it quickly darkened after Chung Myung's next words.
"But you have to handle the Tang family lord's wrath yourself."
"..."
Imagining Tang Gunak running at him with twin blades and a blank face, Tang Pae lowered his arm helplessly.
That is hell in its own right. Or perhaps compared to that, this place might be heaven.
"Anyway."
Chung Myung clicked his tongue shortly as if displeased.
'No wonder only Mount Hua suffered.'
The old Mount Hua only focused on increasing and efficiently using its own power, neglecting those who support from the rear.
Thus, Chung Myung flashed here and there, slicing Demonic Cult bastards everywhere, building a heroic record, but…
'No, thinking about it, I was the only one rolling to death.'
Heh heh heh. You know it quickly.
"This guy?"
Chung Myung glared and looked up at the sky.
Lately, his respect for the heavens was gradually eroding. Thinking back, this guy was just shouting day and night, 'Chung Myung! A Demonic Cult bastard appeared here! Go handle it!'
Even Hyun Jong sweats trying to stop Chung Myung from rushing out when his eyes go wild, fearing he might get hurt.
"…They say there's no one to trust in this world."
"Yes?"
"Ahem. Enough!"
Chung Myung waved his hand sharply and glared.
"The Nine Great Sects bastards are red-eyed thinking only about how to screw us in future, and the Evil Sect bastards only think about stabbing knives into our backs, and you want to face both at the same time with this kind of skill?"
Im So-Byeong suddenly raised his head.
"No, when did I say I'd face them both at the same time, I said…"
Thwack!
At that moment, a flying shoe hit Im So-Byeong's face.
Thud.
Im So-Byeong stiffened and collapsed flat on the ground.
"You're speaking to your elders, be respectful!"
Yoon Jong, watching the situation, whispered softly.
"Sasuk, isn't that guy the youngest here?"
"Let's just think of him as the older brother from now. It's easier for all of us that way."
"…"
Chung Myung clicked his tongue watching Im So-Byeong convulsing straight on the ground.
"That guy is the Green Forest King? Ugh."
"…"
"Anyway, training continues tomorrow. From tomorrow, come out thinking you're all dead."
"…"
"By any means, I will make you all useful. Even for my own survival."
Chung Myung, eyes gleaming, turned sharply and walked away.
Baek Cheon shook his head after confirming the man had gone far away.
"He's full of poison."
"Looks like he's serious about this."
"At this point, it's really a bit pitiful."
Jo Gul glanced at Chung Myung's staggering back, holding a bottle of liquor in one hand, and said.
"But why is that guy suddenly like that?"
"Huh?"
"Well… since we train alongside them, it's easier and better than usual…"
Hearing that, the Tang family members and Green Forest glared at Jo Gul with wide eyes.
Easy? This? Really?
"Considering that guy's temper, I thought as soon as he caught his breath he'd go crazy saying we did nothing in Hangzhou… but strangely, that arrow seems to be pointing the other way."
"What else could it be?"
Baek Cheon shrugged.
"Whether it's the Evil Sect or the Demonic Cult, they're opponents too difficult for Mount Hua alone now, right?"
"That's true."
Honestly, even Mount Hua's disciples must admit this. No matter how much skill they have, the numbers are just too different. No matter how strong Mount Hua becomes, in sheer numbers, it's just a small sect.
Even if every disciple of Mount Hua had the strength of a hundred men, the numbers of the Demonic Cult and Evil Sect would exceed Mount Hua by a hundredfold. So there's no answer.
"So to oppose them, you have no choice but to cultivate other sects. Like Mount Hua."
"…Like where?"
"Like Mount Hua."
"…"
Baek Cheon shrugged and said.
"So what Chung Myung ultimately aims for is the Transformation of the entire Heavenly Friends Alliance. Beyond that, it can be called the Transformation of all Central Plains."
"The… Mount Hua's form of Transformation of all Central Plains?"
Everyone trembled with shocked faces.
"That's the only way to stand against those Demonic Cult bastards and the Heavenly Demon, isn't it?"
"Y-yeah, that's true but…"
"That sounds truly terrifying."
"That's hell itself."
"At that point, shouldn't we compare which is more terrible, that or the Demonic Cult's plan to annihilate all Central Plains?"
"…Guys. You are Mount Hua disciples."
"I know, but…"
Jo Gul shook his head.
"If that happens, Jang Ilso will be truly terrified."
"No."
"Yes?"
Baek Cheon chuckled.
"Isn't there someone who would find that situation even more terrifying than Jang Ilso?"
"Who… Ah!"
At that moment, all of Five Swords's gazes turned to one person, precisely to a shiny head.
The shiny head instantly turned bright red.