Chapter 14. Will you see blood? Or will you offer treasure?

King In-gil’s face darkened as he saw the arrow quivering in the tree.

It seemed that there were a few more people hiding in the forest.

‘This is going to be more dangerous than the road itself.’

He cleared his mind of any underestimation of the opponent and spoke calmly.

“Now I see, it’s Senior Feng. It seems that the Oubong Mountain Band has made a name for itself in the Green Forest?”

“That’s right. But are you just going to stand there all day talking? Show your sincerity right now! Otherwise, I’ll kill you all!”

The bandits, as if they had rehearsed, all drew their weapons at once.

The moment the bandits brandished their weapons, the atmosphere turned ominous.

Yeon Jeg-ha, who was on his first mountain trip, was at the very back.

Practice and real combat are different.

The moment he followed Tae Go-myeong and drew his saber, his heart pounded and he even felt dizzy. Reciting the verses of the Guchunyeoiljinkyeong, the blurry scene before his eyes gradually became clear.

As the situation became tense, Feng Yun-dai’s leader, King In-gil, raised one hand.

“Senior Feng, please wait a moment. I’ll ask the headman.”

After speaking, he took a step back and stood beside Im Oh-gun.

“Headman, it doesn’t seem like we can just pass. They’re asking for a toll. What do you think we should do?”

“What do you think, Leader? Do we have a chance of winning?”

“Not all the enemies are visible… Honestly, I don’t know how many casualties we might suffer.”

Im Oh-gun’s expression darkened at these words.

If we lose our guards here, this business trip will be over.

“Sigh! Then let’s try to reach a compromise.”

In the end, Im Oh-gun bowed his head.

After that, things progressed smoothly.

The bandits of Oubong Mountain took thirty taels of silver from King In-gil and quietly retreated.

King In-gil let out a long sigh in secret.

Regardless of the advantages and disadvantages, it’s better to avoid fighting.

Although the matter was resolved well, he felt a bit guilty about spending money for Im Oh-gun.

But what was this?

Even after paying the toll to the bandits, Im Oh-gun looked delighted.

Curious, King In-gil asked cautiously.

“Is it okay to pay the unexpected toll?”

“I thought they would ask for several hundred taels. But thirty taels… It’s nothing if we collect it from the merchants.”

“That’s true, but…”

Paying a toll to a bandit group not listed in the ledger must have hurt his pride.

Sure enough,

“This time we came unprepared and had to bow our heads… But next time, this won’t happen. The headquarters in Namyang won’t just sit by and watch.”

“Will we fight the Oubong Mountain Band?”

“For now, let’s watch the situation in the Green Forest. When the time comes, we might give them a taste.”

King In-gil felt heavy-hearted.

If a fight breaks out with the Oubong Mountain Band, Feng Yun-dai will have to lead the charge.

‘To see blood in this beautiful mountain…’

He hoped that day would never come, but it seemed that Im Oh-gun’s prediction would come true.

***

The Oubong Mountain Band was in a festive mood.

They had hit the jackpot on their first mountain trip with the new members.

The average annual income of the Oubong Mountain Band is about a hundred taels of silver. Today, in just one mountain trip, they earned thirty percent of that, so it was understandable.

A drinking party started in broad daylight.

Feng Yan-chao, in a good mood, talked non-stop.

“Did you see that? That King In-gil groveling. Hey! When that guy was smiling at first, I thought, ‘Will we see blood?’ But damn! The atmosphere changed completely with just one arrow. Wait, who shot the arrow? No one told them to.”

The bandits’ gazes turned to Cheon Gi-deok and Han Chae-yeon.

Han Chae-yeon, looking embarrassed, said,

“I got nervous and made a mistake. I pulled the bowstring too early, and it lost its power… But at least it didn’t hit his face….”

Han Chae-yeon shivered at the thought.

Feng Yan-chao burst out laughing.

“Hahaha! Little one! Still, thanks to that, we got thirty taels of silver. Well done. Well done.”

“Hehe!”

Han Chae-yeon laughed awkwardly.

Then Tae Go-myeong gave a gentle warning.

“Don’t laugh, girl. This time it worked out well, but there’s no guarantee it will next time. Never shoot an arrow until the swords are drawn. Understand?”

“Yes, yes.”

Feng Yan-chao then turned his gaze to Yeon Jeg-ha.

“Jeg-ha, how was your first mountain trip? Was it manageable?”

“Yes.”

The sixth in command, Jang So-bong, interjected.

“Big brother, this kid didn’t flinch and did a good job. Let’s take him along from now on. He needs to gain experience before the Green Forest Tournament, right?”

“Right, I thought the same. From now on, Jeg-ha, don’t miss any mountain trips.”

“Yes!”

Yeon Jeg-ha was moved by his brothers’ consideration. He had never received such attention and encouragement before. Naturally, his response was filled with determination.

***

A few days after Yeon Jeg-ha’s first mountain trip,

The bandit chief, Feng Yan-chao, who had been loafing around for days, called the bandits together early in the morning.

“The merchants of Mansu Trading House are said to have stopped in Hachang Village. They are likely to pass through Oubong Mountain today… We need to prepare to welcome our guests.”

Hachang Village is near Oubong Mountain, and the local thugs often sold information about the trading houses.

The deputy chief, Tae Go-myeong, asked with a worried look.

“Chief, isn’t Mansu Trading House in Shuzhou County?”

“Yes.”

“Those guards are known for their skill and brutality… Will it be okay?”

“What if it’s not? We are the Green Forest.”

Feng Yan-chao, who had tasted success with the Namyang Trading House, was not backing down.

When Tae Go-myeong hesitated, Feng Yan-chao continued.

“If we let them go this time, the rumor will spread that we pick and choose our customers. The thugs in Hachang Village might look down on us. In this line of work, once you’re marked, you have to live in fear until you die.”

“…I understand.”

Tae Go-myeong did not oppose further, as Feng Yan-chao’s words were not wrong.

Once the decision was made, Tae Go-myeong shouted loudly to his subordinates.

“Did you hear the chief? Get your equipment and gather again. Let’s make a good haul today.”

“Yes!”

The bandits of Oubong Mountain scattered to their respective huts.

Yeon Jeg-ha, who had recently been given a saber, also went to the courtyard with it.

When the bandits gathered, Feng Yan-chao said to Cheon Gi-deok and Han Chae-yeon.

“Like last time, you two hide and prepare to shoot. Don’t make a mistake this time.”

Han Chae-yeon answered firmly, “Yes!” and a smile appeared on Feng Yan-chao’s face.

***

When the sun was high in the sky, more than forty people entered Oubong Mountain.

The merchants and guards of the Mansu Trading House, with seven carriages, were a large caravan.

The headman, Guo Rensheng, sitting in the lead carriage, glanced at the peak of Oubong Mountain and said,

“I had a restless night… Will everything be fine?”

Beside him, the middle-aged man, Jian Dianjian Jiang Wude, laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! If it’s the bandits of Oubong Mountain, don’t worry. Even the Haeryong Band in Tapha wouldn’t dare to challenge the White Wave Team of the Mansu Trading House.”

A faint smile appeared on Guo Rensheng’s face.

The Haeryong Band is a water bandit group that operates in the tributaries of the Sha River. The fact that even such Green Forest bandits would be cautious of the Mansu Trading House’s guards was true.

“Haha. With Jian Dianjian Jiang Daxia by my side, I feel secure.”

“Yes, don’t worry. If the bandits show up, I’ll cut off their limbs. Did you hear that? If you see any bandits, capture them immediately!”

The White Wave Team guards responded loudly, “Yes!”

Only then did Guo Rensheng relax and enjoy the scenery.

Indeed, during the past five years of traveling between Jingzhou and Oubong Mountain, there had never been an incident.

About an hour later,

Guo Rensheng, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his collar, tilted his head.

“Huh?”

A tree trunk, cut at the base, was blocking the road.

The carriages began to stop one by one.

The guards cautiously checked the surroundings and approached the log.

Just then,

Whoosh. Thud.

An arrow flew and embedded itself in the center of the log.

The green flag attached to the arrow shaft fluttered violently.

Instantly, the experienced Jiang Wude raised his right hand.

Twelve guards quickly lined up on either side of the carriages.

The merchants, realizing the situation, hurriedly gathered around the carriages.

Jiang Wude, ready, shouted loudly,

“I am Jiang Wude, the guard of the Mansu Trading House! I did not know that the heroes of the Green Forest were here at Oubong Mountain! Please reveal your names, and I will show you the appropriate respect!”

A moment later, eight bandits slowly emerged from both sides of the forest.

The bandit chief, Feng Yan-chao, with a slightly stiff face, said,

“This is the territory of the Oubong Mountain Band, which is brotherhood with the Daebie Mountain Band. If you want to pass, you must offer treasure!”

Intimidated by Jiang Wude’s confident demeanor, Feng Yan-chao mentioned the Daebie Mountain Band first.

On the other hand, Jiang Wude’s lips curled up slightly as he recognized the bandits.

They had been trying to expand their influence in the Green Forest, and it seemed they had even recruited bandits.

“Ah! The Oubong Mountain Band. I am known as Jian Dianjian in the Jianghu. What is your name?”

“I am Feng Yan-chao, the chief of the Oubong Mountain Band.”

“Feng Yan-chao? A very unique name.”

Jiang Wude smiled and looked at Feng Yan-chao.

Realizing he was being mocked, Feng Yan-chao, with a red and green face, shot back,

“Will you see blood? Or will you offer treasure?”

Jiang Wude’s smile vanished, and he spoke coldly,

“How dare you, a mere bandit, impersonate the Green Forest and threaten us! If you want to live, kneel and bow your head now!”

Jiang Wude accused them of impersonation, fearing retaliation from the Green Forest. If the Green Forest complained later, he could simply say he didn’t know.

Feng Yan-chao, looking flustered, glanced at the deputy chief, Tae Go-myeong.

Tae Go-myeong, biting his lip nervously, shook his head.

If they bowed and begged for their lives here, the Green Forest would not let them off.

Sweat trickled down Feng Yan-chao’s face.

Now, they had no choice but to fight, regardless of the outcome.

The enemy was thirteen.

However, if they could take out Jiang Wude, they might have a chance.

Fortunately, Jiang Wude was close to Cheon Gi-deok and Han Chae-yeon. If the two, who were hiding, had any sense, they would aim at Jiang Wude first.

With this thought, the dark scene before his eyes brightened a bit.

Finally, Feng Yan-chao, drawing his sword, shouted,

“Fire!”

Whoosh. Whoosh.

As if they had been waiting, two arrows flew from the forest.

Did their hearts connect?

Both arrows were aimed at Jiang Wude.

However, things did not go as Feng Yan-chao planned.

Jiang Wude’s nickname is Jian Dianjian.

Thud. Thud.

Two sword beams flashed in front of Jiang Wude, and the arrows were cut.

Feng Yan-chao’s mouth gaped open in shock at the overwhelming martial prowess.

To cut flying arrows?

He had never seen such fast and accurate swordsmanship in his life.