Chapter 109: Green Forest Purge (2)
Green Forest Exterminator, thats what they call him.
A peddler who had come all the way from Hubei Province to Kaifeng brought up the story.
Lately, the inspections had become unusually strict, causing long lines to form at the gates of Kaifeng City.
In times like these, there was nothing better to pass the time than gathering together and sharing rumors.
They say hes already smashed thirty bandit strongholds.
I heard it was fifty.
Rumors spread faster and became more sensational the more provocative they were.
Are there even orthodox martial artists these days who undertake Green Forest subjugation? Everyone just nods to each other and passes by.
Thats why the bandit strongholds have been increasing lately. Its a free-for-all. Anyway, the Murim Alliance just struts around with their chins up, doing nothing
Shh, what if someone hears you?
The peddler clammed up at that comment.
Speaking ill of the Murim Alliance in Kaifeng could lead to serious trouble.
Anyway its fortunate that such martial artists still exist.
But, I have my reservations. To be called an Exterminator, after all. Would such a dreadful nickname attach for no reason? He must be unusually cruel.
Right. And its not just one person, but three. Three brothers, they say. Three brothers.
The peddlers wore hesitant expressions. While subjugating bandits in the Green Forest was a good deed, a cruel martial artist was just as dangerous.
Maybe theyre intoxicated with killing, attacking those bandits without consequence? Like a murderer.
A murderer That might be possible
Just then, someone placed a hand on their shoulders.
Turning around, the peddler was startled to see a tall young man looking down at him.
Wh-what is it!
Hes not a murderer.
What are you talking about suddenly
The young swordsman with a youthful face but a large build was none other than Jun Myung, the Green Forest Exterminator himself.
His face, once a bit naive, bore many scars from real combat experience.
And also.
Someone approached next to the peddler.
This time, it was a young swordswoman. It was Yu Su-rin.
Hes not our brother either.
That Um, are you by any chance
If you hear more about this Green Forest Exterminator, explain it properly. We usually dont kill, but let them live.
Son Hee-il, their great senior brother, appeared and said so.
The peddlers nodded their heads in a fluster, visibly tense.
In the past, it might have been different, but now an inexplicable sense of intimidation was felt from these third-generation disciples.
The arrangement by the Azure Forests esteemed elders for them to gain real combat experience had worked remarkably well.
As the peddlers quietly slipped away, the group let out a groan.
To have our first nickname be Green Forest Exterminator. How did the rumor spread so quickly when weve just arrived?
And why brothers of all things Im a woman.
Only Jun Myung had a slightly different take.
To be honest, its kind of cool Among the current disciples, none have gained a nickname so quickly. The word Green Forest might be so-so, but Exterminator is quite
What kind of taste is that! Yu Su-rin scolded Jun Myung.
Just then, Jin Ri-yeon approached them. She was the one who had given them the opportunity to earn their nicknames.
I was wondering what you were doing, and here you are.
Unlike the third-generation disciples, Jin Ri-yeons condition was no different from when they first left the Azure Forest.
There was no blood on her clothes, and her tied-up hair was neat.
It was a level of self-management worthy of emulation.
The inspections seem unusually strict. We should head back soon.
Yes.
Indeed, the line to pass through the city gate showed no sign of shortening.
Even considering that Kaifeng was the provincial capital of Henan, this was excessive.
Could there have been some incident?
Maybe its because we eradicated too many bandits
That cant be it. Hmm
It was impossible to know it was Jin Ri-yeon.
The group had been standing in line at the city gate for quite a while.
They had arrived when the sun was high in the sky, but now the slow sunset had begun.
It was about the time when the sky was completely dyed red.
Curses erupted from the front of the line.
What do you mean? Weve been waiting here for so long.
What are we supposed to do now!
It was a point where only a few people remained in front of them in the line.
The officers and the peddlers at the front began to quarrel heatedly.
The group looked forward anxiously.
Whats going on?
Ill go and find out.
Upon hearing Jin Ri-yeons muttering, the merchant group leader left to assess the situation.
When he returned, his expression had hardened even more.
Theres a problem. We cant enter the city anymore today.
What?
It was a disconcerting piece of news. The merchant group leader sighed deeply before explaining.
Its an order from the mayor. For the time being, the city gates are to be closed after sunset.
What could have happened
They wouldnt tell me much when I asked. Tsk.
If they couldnt enter the city now, they would have no choice but to spend the night outside.
Just this morning, the third-generation disciples had been involved in a skirmish at a bandit stronghold, covered in blood and dirt.
Finally, Son Hee-il burst out in frustration.
Damn it! What kind of nonsensical situation is this!
It wasnt an extreme curse, nor was it directed at anyone in particular.
However, coincidentally, someone overheard it.
Jin Ri-yeon, who had once met the Three Virtues Sword Hero, was deeply troubled by the news of his death.
Thats a serious matter indeed.
Please verify this with the Murim Alliance.
Ah, weve arrived. Thank you for guiding us here.
Officer Jang had gone out of his way to escort Jin Ri-yeon and the third-generation disciples to the headquarters of the Murim Alliance.
Then, welcome to Kaifeng.
He left with a smile on his face.
The third-generation disciples also smiled and bid him farewell.
Now, we can finally explore the Murim Alliance! Jun Myung said excitedly.
However, it seemed their luck had run out for the day.
The guard at the main gate of the Murim Alliance, even after seeing the invitation from the Dragon-Phoenix Conference, did not allow them entry.
After asking them to wait a moment, the guard soon returned with a middle-aged man.
He was the secretary responsible for reception duties at the Murim Alliance.
Ah, isnt this Miss Jin Ri-yeon?
Yes, thats correct.
Despite recognizing Jin Ri-yeon, he looked troubled.
Currently, theres an urgent matter inside the Alliance, so weve locked the doors.
Is it because of that fiend?
Oh, youve heard.
Jin Ri-yeon and the third-generation disciples had actually arrived earlier than the scheduled Dragon-Phoenix Conference event.
We need to resolve that issue before the Dragon-Phoenix Conference begins. We havent yet prepared accommodations for the guests.
For the Murim Alliance, it would be better to resolve the fiend problem before all the next-generation successors from across the Central Plains arrived.
Even to appease the enraged governor of Henan Province.
Could you stay at an inn until then? Of course, the Alliance will cover your expenses.
The third-generation disciples let out a sigh of relief.
It was a fortunate turn of events. How often would these people, who had lived all their lives in the mountains, get to experience a city like Kaifeng?
They would now get to enjoy delicious food in a lavish inn. Even more, the Murim Alliance would cover their expenses.
Understood. Then, until when
We will inform you.
The secretary kindly recommended a few inns known for their delicious food.
Ive confirmed the invitation, so Ill record the visit of the Azure Forest disciples. Then, please relax and enjoy exploring Kaifeng.
Yes, thank you.
Just dont go outside the city gates unless necessary. That face plunderer seems to be moving stealthily around Kaifeng. Another martial artist who came for the Dragon-Phoenix Conference was attacked a few days ago Please be careful.
Jin Ri-yeon and her group turned to leave, accompanied by the secretarys farewells.
The third-generation disciples faces lit up with excitement as they asked about the food in Kaifeng.
Suddenly, Jin Ri-yeon spoke with concern, I wonder if Yi-gang is alright?
Yi-gang and Dam Hyun had left later than the third-generation disciples.
Having just heard such news from the Murim Alliances secretary, she was worried about her youngest junior brother.
Maybe you dont need to worry so much?
However, Yu Su-rin and the other third-generation disciples didnt seem worried at all.
Even if that fiend is a martial master, with Senior Yi-gang and Senior Dam Hyun there
Right, right.
To Jin Ri-yeon, Yi-gang might seem like a young junior brother. But to them, he was a formidable master.
Their perceptions of Yi-gang were vastly different.
Jin Ri-yeon pondered for a moment before nodding.
At least they wont get caught.
She too knew that Dam Hyun and Yi-gang were far from ordinary.
Yu Su-rin clicked her tongue and said, Who in their right mind would skin peoples faces?
Her face showed no concern for Yi-gang.
Meanwhile, in Yanling County of Henan Province.
Not too far from Kaifeng, Yi-gang and Dam Hyun had arrived in this relatively developed city.
On a night with terrible weather and heavy rain, a large three-story inn was lit up with lanterns, illuminating the dark night.
As the third-generation disciples guessed, Yi-gang and Dam Hyun had a very comfortable journey.
Yi-gang, being quite wealthy, had rented a luxury horse-drawn carriage for a comfortable trip.
They had always stayed in inns rather than camping out and tried local specialty dishes each day.
The same happened in Yanling County. Yi-gang and Dam Hyun stayed in an inn, each able to afford a single room with their ample travel funds.
And now, Dam Hyun was in someone elses room.
The thunder was deafening.
Boom
Lightning flashed, illuminating Dam Hyuns face.
His pale face looked downwards.
Curiously, the window was open amidst the heavy rain, causing droplets to splatter everywhere.
Yet, Dam Hyun stood frozen, making no attempt to avoid the rain.
Crack!
Another bolt of lightning struck nearby.
The close strike briefly lit up the entire room.
Dam Hyun and the person lying at his feet.
And the missing skin of that persons face, with the grotesquely exposed eyeballs and nostrils.
At that moment, the door behind Dam Hyun creaked open.
The one who peeked in was Yi-gang.
Senior Brother, why are you in someone elses room
Yi-gang hesitated, then looked down.
There lay a corpse with its face skinned.
He glanced back and forth several times between the corpse and Dam Hyuns face.
What the hell!
It wasnt me!
Dam Hyun quickly raised his hands.
His demeanor was earnest and desperate.
It really wasnt me!
