Sword God Reborn

Chapter 172 : Because I'm a pacifist.

What Cheon Mubaeck did after that was simple.

He struck the acupoints of the captured Green Forest members and sealed their internal energy.

In fact, although the art of striking acupoints itself was common in the martial world, not everyone could do it.

Because a profound knowledge of acupoints was essential.

Moreover, depending on how much force was applied to the acupoints, one could die instead of just having their acupoints struck. Considerable experience and sense were essential.

So it was a surprising thing that Cheon Mubaeck had sealed the internal energy of all the Green Forest members.

"......How can a mere leader of an Unorthodox Alliance sect."

Even Wang Jeonyu, who was watching, clicked his tongue.

Wasn't this a skill that seemed to be just a notch below his own?

'A guy like this is running just one small Unorthodox Alliance sect?'

It was natural for a question to arise and for suspicion to grow.

But he had no choice but to dismiss the suspicion soon.

'Although I don't like the Hao Faction guys, there's no way their information is wrong. Especially when it comes to information about the Unorthodox Alliance.'

Wasn't it something everyone knew that the Hao Faction and the Unorthodox Alliance were like cats and dogs?

Therefore, paradoxically, they could be trusted.

Because they knew each other more extensively and in more detail than anyone else, as they considered each other troublesome and enemies.

He had obtained information about the Black Heart Gang by paying a rather expensive price.

'Seeing that the vice-leader's name is Hwaung, that friend was the vice-leader in the first place. That's why he was able to command the kids under him so naturally.'

But the gang leader was the problem.

'The whole reality is as blurry as fog.'

There was no accurate information. Even the Hao Faction shook their heads, saying they had no information about the Black Heart Gang leader. Even when he had offered more money.

If the Hao Faction didn't know even when he offered more money, it meant that there was really no way to know.

'Hmm. He's a guy with something. It's hard to trust him completely, but...'

He didn't know why, but it was clear that he had a hostility towards the Great Dragon Gang leader.

And didn't their purposes align now?

Wang Jeonyu decided to go with Cheon Mubaeck for now.

Of course, he would never have dreamed of it. That the Hao Faction had deliberately given him manipulated information and had hidden the truth. That it was the order of the Hao Faction leader, Guk Jihum, and that Guk Jihum himself had followed Cheon Mubaeck's order disguised as a request.

Wang Jeonyu's strange gaze turned to Cheon Mubaeck, who was talking with his subordinates.

"Youngest."

Guk Jihum flinched at the voice calling him.

Somehow, Cheon Mubaeck's gaze was unusual.

Guk Jihum's mind went blank.

'Did he find out?'

He wondered if he had revealed too much of his strength.

'I should have controlled it moderately.'

At Neung-heo's words that he wouldn't be tormented, he had fought too enthusiastically without realizing it.

If it was Cheon Mubaeck, he might have noticed by looking at the moves he had brandished.

But he had thought he wouldn't have seen it because he was crossing the stepping stones...

Guk Jihum, who had hurriedly approached Cheon Mubaeck, hid his internal energy as much as possible.

"You're pretty good with a sword?"

"W-well... that's because I used to be a wanderer."

"Right. Then you take good care of the Green Forest prisoners."

"Me?"

Guk Jihum's eyes widened. Cheon Mubaeck suddenly held up three fingers.

"....?"

"You're number three in the hierarchy."

"What?"

"Take Subong and the kids under you and catch the kids well, and dig up all the related information, whether it's the Great Strength King or the Green Forest."

Guk Jihum's eyes flashed.

In an instant, he had a flash of thought that this was a good opportunity. The second-in-command of the Green Forest, the Salt Light Fortress Leader. And weren't they his direct subordinates?

If he just tormented them a little, he could get enough secret information from inside the Green Forest.

Wasn't it good information for the Hao Faction right away?

But Guk Jihum belatedly realized what this feeling of exhilaration that was welling up in his heart was. It was not the joy of facing a good opportunity.

The thrill of when he had slowly climbed up from the bottom of the Hao Faction in the past.

The feeling of when he had obtained a higher position.

Yes, it was the pleasure of being promoted.

'Me?'

The emotion that came to his mind for a moment was a sense of self-deprecation.

'For me, the Hao Faction leader, to become the third-in-command of a mere Unorthodox Alliance sect... to be happier about getting information about the Green Forest than that?'

Guk Jihum's face contorted strangely.

When a sadness and self-deprecation that he could not understand came rushing in like a tide.

Neung-heo, who was next to him, patted his shoulder.

"Oh, congratulations. From the youngest to number three. Work hard."

"..."

"Oh? You're not answering? You bastard. Are you already getting cocky and challenging me just because you're right under me? You bastard. You have to be humble in this business."

"...Yes."

...Didn't he say he wouldn't torment me?

* * *

Tianxiang Lake.

Although it was inferior compared to the famous scenic spots of the Central Plains, and its scale was small, it was a rather beautiful lake where one could enjoy the scenery.

Cheon Mubaeck had intimidated the Salt Light Fortress Leader and had found out that the Great Strength King was staying at a brothel by Tianxiang Lake.

"Since the Great Strength King is enjoying a boat ride, let's aim for that time."

"A boat ride. Since he's a guy who only lives off the mountains, he must be crazy about boat rides."

Wang Jeonyu laughed heartily.

When Cheon Mubaeck had said let's attack the Great Strength King, he had agreed, but he was also worried.

The number of river pirates had decreased a lot, and weren't there many Green Forest members?

Moreover, the Green Forest could replenish their numbers at any time.

If he just searched the nearby mountains, a few Green Forest mountain fortresses would pop up.

But if they ambushed him while he was enjoying a boat ride, there would be no problem.

A mountain bandit cannot defeat a river pirate on a boat. Unless there was a huge difference in martial power.

Wang Jeonyu himself had secretly thought that he would be inferior to the Great Strength King, but on a boat, he thought he could be on par, no, he could win.

Lose?

That was something he didn't even expect.

'At least if this guy helps me with a joint attack from the side.'

A strong person who seemed to be just a notch below him.

If he just provided appropriate support, he could attack the Great Strength King.

Of course, he had no intention of killing the Great Strength King.

'There's no need to go to war with the Green Forest, and if our two forces are split and we fight, it will only be a good thing for the Great Dragon Gang leader.'

So he would propose cooperation.

Just as they had done by sending the Salt Light Fortress Leader.

He would first take the initiative and then cooperate in the desired flow. A relationship where the Yangtze River had a slight superiority over the Green Forest.

Wang Jeonyu's eyes shone.

"Then shall we go?"

"Let's go. To catch the Mountain King."

Although it was a night where the moon was hidden in the clouds and there was not a single ray of moonlight, Tianxiang Lake was as bright as day.

It was not a very wide lake.

For example, if one thought of Dongting Lake, it could not even be compared. If it were placed next to Dongting Lake, it would be nothing more than a pond.

Of course, that meant that Dongting Lake was that big, but Tianxiang Lake was not a famous scenic spot that was known throughout the Central Plains.

It was just that it was rumored to be a rather scenic spot in this neighborhood.

But that alone was enough.

The lanterns floating here and there added to the atmosphere, and the flowers blooming profusely around the lake spread a faint scent like a mist over the surface of the water.

It was not for nothing that it was named Tianxiang.

"They're playing quite boisterously."

Was it because it was a small lake?

Even a small sound could be heard loudly, but the voices of these Green Forest members were unusually resounding.

Several boats were floating, and among them, the largest boat stood out.

"It's damn big. I thought the saying 'nine-foot-tall man' was a lie, but I've never seen such a big person in my life."

A giant.

Literally.

"He should be called the Giant King, not the Great Strength King."

Cheon Mubaeck was also so impressed that his height was very tall. It would be quite a sight to see him next to Wang Jeonyu. At least, the height difference between the two seemed to be about two feet.

Neung-heo, who had identified the target, asked.

"We... aren't we going?"

Cheon Mubaeck did not answer and suddenly cast a fishing rod.

"How about grilled fish for dinner tonight?"

"...You're so carefree? Our river pirate friends are working hard and splashing around right now."

"Leave them alone."

"What?"

Neung-heo's expression contorted strangely. Although Cheon Mubaeck and Neung-heo were on a small boat, the rest of the river pirates were diving under the lake and slowly approaching the Great Strength King.

Their movements were so stealthy that Neung-heo could not feel the slightest presence.

Because they were really like fish in the water.

And the Great Strength King, who was busy playing, would not have noticed easily. Were they ordinary river pirates? Weren't they the elite among the river pirates who ruled the Yangtze River? The turtles who had lived with water their whole lives.

"So leave them alone."

"Aren't we fighting together?"

At that, Cheon Mubaeck's eyes widened.

"Why should I?"

"...Didn't you say we were going to catch the Great Strength King?"

Neung-heo was dumbfounded by that absurd reaction.

"Neung-heo, do you know what's the most fun thing in the world?"

"What is it?"

"Watching a fight."

"..."

"Let's have a drink. When will we see the king of the river pirates and the king of the mountain bandits fight?"

"..."

Neung-heo closed his mouth.

Somehow, he felt sorry for Wang Jeonyu, who was going to attack the Great Strength King, deceived by that guy's tongue.

"I can't see well. Let's get a little closer."

"Hehehe... yes, yes."

By the time the Great Strength King's boat was a little closer.

The river pirates who had been approaching stealthily began to act.

Kwaang! Kwang! Kwaang!

Suddenly, the boats that the Green Forest were on were split open and began to sink below the surface of the water.

"Ugh! Water's coming in!"

"Block the hole! The hole! Put a plank!"

As holes were pierced and the boats sank, the Green Forest were flustered. For people who were not close to water, when water suddenly rose above their waists, they would feel not just panic, but fear.

It was the same for the Green Forest, who had been mountain bandits in the mountains their whole lives.

But since they had all learned some martial arts, there was no one who fell into the water and flailed.

But, until the river pirates' attack began.

Seogeok! Puk!

The ankles of the mountain bandits who were barely holding on to the railings or planks of the sinking boats were cut off.

The hooks that shot out from the water cut them as if they were harvesting crops.

"Kkeuaak!"

"Brothers of the Yangtze River! Kill them all!"

Some shook the boats and threw the Green Forest who were holding on into the lake.

If water suddenly entered one's eyes, nose, and mouth, it was difficult to come to one's senses. On the other hand, the river pirates were a group whose movements were not restricted at all in the water.

The Green Forest who had fallen into the water died with holes all over their bodies.

"You bastards!"

A pandemonium that occurred in an instant.

The Great Strength King, who had grasped the situation, came out, roaring like a lion.

Kwaaaang!

A sword qi like a thunderbolt was emitted from his greatsword.

The sword qi split the surface of the water, and literally tore apart the river pirates who were in between.

"Which bastard dares to ambush me!"

"It's me. You bastard."

Wang Jeonyu, who had pierced the deck of the boat from under the Great Strength King, shot up and swung his sword.

Kagagagang!

Wang Jeonyu and the Great Strength King were fiercely entangled. The river pirates boarded the boat one by one. The boat that the Great Strength King was on was filled with his closest aides, all executives, so a murderous fight broke out.

At some point, Cheon Mubaeck's boat got closer to them.

"You're having a hard time on a moonlit night. Everyone, do your best. If you die here, your corpses will swell up and you'll look like a mess, so everyone, be careful."

Wang Jeonyu, who was fighting fiercely with the Great Strength King, glared and shouted.

"You... what are you doing! You dog... bastard!"

Paak!

At that moment, the Great Strength King's sword cut Wang Jeonyu's thigh.

Cheon Mubaeck let out a sigh as if he were truly sorry.

"Oh my. That must hurt a little. It's cut quite deep, isn't it?"

At that, the river pirates who had been busy fighting shouted, trembling with a sense of betrayal.

"You bastard! You said we were fighting together!"

"Ah, I'll just finish this."

The river pirates' mouths were agape. Even the great Wang Jeonyu trembled with anger at Cheon Mubaeck's words and actions.

But the Green Forest, including the Great Strength King, did not look favorably on Cheon Mubaeck.

"Is that bastard your fish friend?"

In any case, they were fighting and bleeding, but he was drinking peacefully next to them.

And when Cheon Mubaeck's harsh words poured out, the Great Strength King's face turned red.

"What kind of dog or cow is calling me a bastard? Hey. Whether you're the Great Strength King, the Giant King, or the Dog King. You look more like a dog. Call all the neighborhood people passing by. Even a blind man will say you look like a dog."

"...!"

The Great Strength King's mouth was also agape. He was so dumbfounded that the sword that had been stretching out for a moment stopped. Wang Jeonyu, who did not miss that moment, struck his instep with his greatsword.

Kwaduk!

"Ugh! That bastard! I'll kill you for sure after I kill these turtle bastards!"

"You're fighting well~ you're fighting well~"

Both sides were at a loss for words at the sight of Cheon Mubaeck, who was clapping his hands and cheering without a care in the world.

But the fight that had once started did not end, and rather, they vented their anger that had risen to the top of their heads on their opponents.

And so, a murderous fight continued for a long time. At some point, both Wang Jeonyu and the Great Strength King were covered in blood and staggering. It was a fierce fight.

"I've seen enough of the fight."

Cheon Mubaeck muttered so and suddenly shot up into the air.

Kuung!

The small boat that Cheon Mubaeck had been on shook greatly as if it would collapse at any moment. Cheon Mubaeck, with an enormous jumping power, fell onto the boat where the bloody battle was taking place in one go.

Kagagagagang!

"...!"

"...!"

Cheon Mubaeck's pure white blade cut between Wang Jeonyu and the Great Strength King.

At the enormous shockwave, both Wang Jeonyu and the Great Strength King were startled and took two steps back.

Cheon Mubaeck landed gracefully in between.

"Now. Fighting is not a good thing."

"...What?"

"Well, is it right for members of the same Unorthodox Alliance to fight? I have come to stop the fight as a mediator."

"What kind of dog-like..."

But neither the Great Strength King nor Wang Jeonyu could aim their swords, even if they were dumbfounded. They were both exhausted and had shed too much blood. And the momentum flowing from Cheon Mubaeck, who had cut between them in one go, was not to be trifled with.

Cheon Mubaeck smiled.

"Because I'm a pacifist."

Dumbfounded gazes poured out.

"When I see a fight, I have to stop it to be satisfied."

Of course.

Neung-heo, who was watching from afar, laughed hollowly.

"He made them fight, and now he's stopping them..."

(End of Chapter)