“So what do you want us to do? Unfortunately, winter is the most dangerous season for us in the Green Forest, so we can’t move easily.”

Green Forest.

As the name implies, the Seventy-Two Fortresses of the Green Forest were based in a dense forest, so even the Martial Alliance and the government forces had repeatedly failed to completely subjugate the Green Forest.

But in winter, the story changes.

The withered trees and the leafless bushes cannot completely hide the bandits of the Green Forest.

The snow that piles up overnight is also a problem.

The footprints of the bandits, whose lightness skill level is relatively low, remain as they are, so they are pursued or tailed, and the location of the mountain fortress hidden deep in the mountains is revealed.

For that reason, the Green Forest either takes the winter as a period of hibernation or moves the mountain fortress to the south, where it snows relatively little.

“Of course, this time, because of the situation, we couldn’t hibernate.”

Normally, they would have spent the winter quietly with the food and goods they had diligently stockpiled for the past year.

But the problem was that the group of men in black who had appeared all over the Central Plains were plundering the residents or attacking the bandits to get food.

The bandits, who had changed from the position of plunderers to the position of victims, were flustered by the unprecedented attacks and often abandoned their mountain fortresses and ran away.

“In a winter like this, we can’t take advantage of the Green Forest. As you know, we can’t expect a cause or justification from bandits.”

As Kang Seopyeong had said, no matter how large the scale of the Seventy-Two Fortresses of the Green Forest was, their essence did not change.

Bandits are bandits.

To expect them to risk their lives and fight the group of men in black for the peace of the martial world was no different from expecting a wild dog to live by eating grass.

Now, Jin Sohyun shook his head and said.

“You don’t have to fight. What I need is a bait.”

“A bait?”

“I’m in a situation where I can’t fight even if I want to.”

Kang Seopyeong, who had heard Jin Sohyun’s situation, grabbed the neck of a wine bottle and laughed heartily.

“Hahaha!! I was wondering why the Central Plains was in an uproar because of a guy called the Flying Heaven Sword Ghost, but you were the Flying Heaven Sword Ghost.”

“Can you help me?”

“Help you… so what can the Green Forest get by helping you?”

“What do we get?”

“There has to be something coming in for something to go out. You’re the son of a merchant, so you know that much, don’t you?”

“If you put it that way, I’m the one who should be receiving.”

“…What?”

Not only Kang Seopyeong, but even Gil Simun, who had been silently listening to their conversation, frowned.

“Didn’t you ask for help?”

“We’re helping each other. As the general fortress master uncle said, the bandits of the Green Forest should be hibernating or going down south by now, right? But the reason you’ve gathered the fortress masters in one place without doing so is to fight against the heretic path, isn’t it?”

“Hahahaha!”

Kang Seopyeong, who had heard Jin Sohyun’s story, laughed so loudly that it seemed his eardrums would burst.

“Fight back? I told you. Don’t expect that much of a cause from bandits.”

A shadow was cast over Kang Seopyeong’s face.

The general fortress master of the Green Forest said with a much darker complexion.

“We only move for our own benefit. Whatever cause you have, that’s none of our business. And the reason the fortress masters are gathered in one place is not to fight against the heretic path.”

“It’s to choose which side to stand on.”

Although Jin Sohyun spoke calmly, the aura that was subtly emanating was by no means quiet.

No, it was quiet.

But the energy that was secretly extending from Jin Sohyun’s body like a shadow was so heavy that not only Kang Seopyeong but even Gil Simun’s body stiffened.

“So… have you come to a conclusion?”

Although the voice was soft, Jin Sohyun’s presence was already overwhelming the audience.

Kang Seopyeong and Gil Simun let out a heavy breath at Jin Sohyun’s aura, which was pressing down on them like Mount Tai.

“Phew—! I can’t even joke.”

Kang Seopyeong raised his two hands to shoulder height and showed a playful expression.

“Just because I’m a bandit doesn’t mean I’m as ignorant or foolish as those bastards outside. I know well that I shouldn’t trust the heretic path. But what I need is our survival. To help you means to stand on the side of the righteous path… there’s no way the heretic path or the Heretic Path's Alliance would leave us alone. Isn’t that right?”

The aura of Jin Sohyun, which had been overwhelming the surroundings, disappeared like a mirage as if it had never been there.

Gil Simun, who had finally been able to catch his breath, turned his back and panted.

“If we just leave those bastards alone, the power of the righteous path will only weaken. Then the balance will be broken, and no matter how hard I run with my feet on fire, I won’t be able to stop the heretic path from winning.”

“So?”

“I have nothing to give you. I’m not naive enough to give money to bandits or make promises I can’t keep.”

Kang Seopyeong looked at Jin Sohyun with a subtle expression.

In the meantime, Jin Sohyun said firmly.

“The only thing I can promise is… that I will make the righteous path win. At least as long as I’m alive.”

“Ha… that’s… a fight that won’t benefit us at all.”

Whether the righteous path wins or the heretic path wins.

There was no side that could benefit the Green Forest, which stood in the middle.

Because they were bandits, and there was no place for bandits to stand.

Nevertheless, Kang Seopyeong had to choose.

For Kang Seopyeong, who was in deep thought, Jin Sohyun did not rush him and patiently waited for his decision.

After a long time, Kang Seopyeong opened his mouth.

“I understand. I’ll play along with you just this once.”

“General Fortress Master!”

As Gil Simun was about to say something, Kang Seopyeong stretched out his hand and forcibly stopped his remark.

“Deputy General Fortress Master. Go outside right now and gather all the fortress masters.”

“General Fortress Master! This is…!”

“This is an order as the general fortress master. Gather them right now.”

“…I understand.”

As Gil Simun went outside, Kang Seopyeong raised a bottle and moistened his throat, and then held out a wine bottle that he had not yet opened to Jin Sohyun.

“Want a drink?”

“No. I don’t really like alcohol.”

“A man who refuses… what kind of guy do you think I am?”

At the sudden question, Jin Sohyun looked at Kang Seopyeong with a face that asked why he was asking such a random question.

At that, Kang Seopyeong opened the cork of a new wine and gulped it down.

Gulp— gulp—!

Kang Seopyeong, who had drunk all the strong wine in the bottle in one go, said with a very drunk face.

“Although I’m a bandit… and I’ve robbed many innocent merchants… I’m not a vicious villain who must die.”

“Why are you suddenly saying that?”

“What do you want to happen to a bandit like me?”

“To be honest… I want to tell you to find another job.”

“Is that so? Hehe… at least you don’t want me to die. Then that’s fine.”

Kang Seopyeong, who had finished speaking, looked back.

The murmuring of the fortress masters could be heard from outside.

“Is this enough?”

As Jin Sohyun was feeling puzzled, looking at Kang Seopyeong, who was still muttering words he didn’t understand.

The wine bottle thrown from Kang Seopyeong’s hand became a signal.

At the sudden killing intent, Jin Sohyun, who had moved instinctively, threw a fist strike at Kang Seopyeong, who had rushed at him.

Since he had raised his internal energy in a hurry, it was impossible to control his strength.

For that reason, Kang Seopyeong, who had been hit by Jin Sohyun’s fist strike, shattered a wall and flew, rolling on the floor.

“Cough— cough!!”

Kang Seopyeong, who was vomiting red blood on the snow-covered ground, said, sitting on the floor.

“I lost.”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

Jin Sohyun, who had rushed outside, discovered the fortress masters of the Seventy-Two Fortresses of the Green Forest who had surrounded him and Kang Seopyeong.

They all said in unison in front of the general fortress master, Kang Seopyeong, who was vomiting blood and had fallen on the floor.

“What do you mean… since you defeated me… you are now the general fortress master of the Green Forest.”

Before the flustered Jin Sohyun could say anything, Kang Seopyeong raised his voice and shouted.

“What are you all doing! You bastards! Without greeting the new general fortress master!!”

Starting with his shout, the fortress masters of the Green Forest shouted in unison.

“We greet the General Fortress Master!!”

The Seventy-Two Fortresses of the Green Forest.

A group of bandits created by the gathering of seventy-two mountain fortresses.

Although they were classified as neutral, not belonging anywhere, there was one thing.

They were similar to the heretic path.

And that was that it was a world where the strong preyed on the weak.

Becoming the general fortress master of the Green Forest was very simple.

By defeating the general fortress master and defeating or killing him, one proved that one’s strength was the best in the Green Forest, and that person would become the new general fortress master of the Green Forest.

And now.

It was the moment when a new general fortress master of the Green Forest was born.

***

“Repeal it right now! Right now!!”

Even though Jin Sohyun grabbed him by the collar and shook him, Kang Seopyeong just looked at the distant place as if he had no intention of doing so.

“What on earth is this!?”

“What’s the problem?”

“Everything! I’m the eldest son of the Jin Clan estate! How can the son of a merchant be the general fortress master of the Green Forest?”

“I’m sorry, but if you need the power of the Green Forest as you said, this is the only way. As I said, the Green Forest won’t move just because you put up a cause. But one thing… from the moment you become a member of the Green Forest, you must absolutely follow the orders of the general fortress master, who is the master of the forest.”

“So… you mean I have to become the general fortress master to use the Green Forest?”

“Haha! As expected of Jin Seomok’s son, you’re smart.”

“Ugh…!”

Jin Sohyun was angry and frustrated.

In the first place, Jin Sohyun was too lazy to lead an organization or a group.

For Jin Sohyun, who found everything a hassle except for sleeping, the position of the Green Forest General Fortress Master was too heavy and troublesome.

And the tasks that poured in as soon as he sat on the position of the general fortress master.

‘Why do bandits have so many things to do!?’

Compared to the heads of ordinary martial families or sects, they were tasks that could not even be called tasks, but not for Jin Sohyun.

And Gil Simun, as if he had already prepared for this, had brought a register with the information of the seventy-two mountain fortresses and the names of the fortress masters, and he had also brought all the accumulated tasks at once.

‘Are they trying to kill me like this!?’

Since they couldn’t win by fighting, were they trying to assassinate me like this?

If that was the purpose, Kang Seopyeong had half succeeded.

Jin Sohyun looked back and forth between Kang Seopyeong and Gil Simun with his eyes wide open.

Nevertheless, the two did not move.

Rather, they were enjoying it like a child enjoying a fun game.

“How is it? Even if it’s the work of bandits, it’s not easy, right?”

“Before I throw all you damn bandits into the authorities, put it back right now!”

“Hahahaha! Calm down and listen. You will only act as the general fortress master until you need the power of the Green Forest. After that, you can quit at any time. But remember. To use the power of the Green Forest, you also have to become a member of the Green Forest.”

“Ugh…!”

Jin Sohyun, who was groaning like a puppy that had to poop, threw away the tasks, saying his head was dizzy, and ran away, and Gil Simun tried to chase him.

At that, Kang Seopyeong stopped Gil Simun.

“Just leave him be. Why would a lazybones like him want to become the master of the Green Forest.”

“Why did you make such a decision? There must have been other ways.”

“It’s for the future. Even if it was only for a while, if it becomes known that Jin Sohyun was the general fortress master of the Green Forest, they won’t be able to look down on us easily even after the war is over. And that fellow is not the type to coldly turn his back on his own people.”

Gil Simun already knew Kang Seopyeong’s inner thoughts.

What he was really curious about was not that.

“Do you really think the righteous path will win this war?”

“It doesn’t matter who wins. What’s more important is whether Jin Sohyun is alive or dead.”

“Is he that strong?”

“A fellow with the talent of a heavenly martial body… has gone through a terrible pandemonium to the point where the smell of blood is all over his body.”

Kang Seopyeong smelled the strong smell of blood that could not be washed away from Jin Sohyun, whom he had met after a long time.

How many pandemoniums had he gone through?

Even Kang Seopyeong, who had been the general fortress master of the Green Forest, could not even guess the blood that had been shed by Jin Sohyun.

“Soon, everyone will know. That this war, unlike the past Righteous-Demon War, is not a fight between the righteous and heretic paths…”

This war is not a fight between the righteous and heretic paths.

It’s a fight between Jin Sohyun and the heretic path.