Book 6 Chapter 22

Bilyeon's Sudden Hostage Situation

"If you don't care about this man's life, drop your weapons.

And if you, by any chance,

want him alive, bring me ransom.

These are very reasonable demands."

Mo Yonghui, Qingchen, Xiaolong, and Zhang Hong were all aghast, their faces drained of color. What in the world was happening before their eyes? A scene that their brilliant minds couldn't comprehend was unfolding shamelessly in broad daylight.

'What is that man doing right now?'

Naye Lin also couldn't understand the situation they were in. His actions always defied her predictions, which made her even more flustered.

Su Janghae, the leader of the Janggang Dragon, who was leading the caravan, looked so pale that it was pitiful to behold.

'The skill of someone who's done this before…'

This was the common thought that flashed through everyone's mind. There was no doubt.

A hostage situation!

What exactly is a hostage situation? Many people might not know this difficult concept, so let's touch upon it once. Then, the second question that comes to mind! How would we answer the profound and mysterious question of whether Bilyeon's current actions constitute a hostage situation?

According to the dictionary definition, a hostage situation is a riot that occurs when a person is held hostage by threatening them with a weapon or arms, demanding something. By that definition, Bilyeon's current actions could not be called a hostage situation. In the first place, it doesn't qualify as a hostage situation.

Why?

The person Bilyeon is holding hostage is by no means an innocent person legally. If the leader of Chixiong Village, one of the seventy-two villages of the Green Forest who makes a living as a bandit, were innocent, it would be stranger. At that point, it would be a good idea to check if the world had turned upside down.

Hostage situations, while not as common as robbery ambushes on mountain roads, do occur occasionally. However, the reason everyone is shaking their heads at this particular hostage situation is that the target has changed. The person whose life is hanging by the sharp edge of a blade is not the innocent people who were usually targeted or frequently cut by that blade, but the burly neck of a pig, who looked like a bandit leader at first glance. And it was Bilyeon who was holding his beloved Chixiong Sword to the neck of Makjeok, the former leader of Chixiong Village.

Bilyeon, playing with a single life with the edge of a sword, had a look of absolute ease. He behaved arrogantly, as if the eighty bandits surrounding them were not even in his sight.

'How did things get this way again…?'

Su Janghae felt as if the sky was falling down on him within a single day.

His initial plan for the caravan had never envisioned anything like this. Who could have imagined such a thing would happen?

No caravan would be foolish enough to engage in a fight with bandits from one of the seventy-two Green Forest villages during a transport. It was far more profitable to pay the agreed-upon fee for passage through their territory, known as "toll."

This is because it's impossible to win against such gangs without incurring any damage. Considering the cost of training guards, the compensation paid as condolence money, and the potential loss of credibility, paying the toll was a much better deal.

Therefore, no matter how large a caravan company, no one would be foolish enough to pick a fight with a large mountain stronghold out of sheer bravado.

This time as well, Su Janghae had prepared the agreed-upon payment in his pocket to pass through this route. He thought it would be useful this time, even though it was useless on the Yangtze River before.

The incident on the Yangtze River was enough.

"Heh heh heh! Wait a moment! Even if you're leaving, you should pay the toll first, shouldn't you?"

Even when Makjeok, the leader of Chixiong Village, appeared with a sinister laugh, shouting his business jargon, Su Janghae did not flinch.

Hadn't he passed through this road more than once or twice?

He expected it, and the guards were also relieved. They would pay the toll this time and pass through the road. Only the new guards were trembling with fear, while the experienced guards showed no reaction. In fact, since they knew each other through business, they felt more at ease even with bandits.

Only the members of the Cheonmu Academy's Cheongeom Squad, excluding Bilyeon's group and Mo Yonghui and Qingchen, were slightly taken aback.

However, as befitting chosen talents, formidable auras began to emanate from their bodies. It was a sign that they would fight with all their might if necessary.

"Gasp! Wh… what are those?"

Overwhelmed by the fierce aura that instantly filled the area, Makjeok, the leader of Chixiong Village, couldn't help but be terrified. This was not an aura that amateurs could emit. Based on his accumulated experience, his premonition was not good.

'No, how can each of these young children emit such a fearsome aura, even more so than Su Janghae, the leader of Namchang State? Am I dreaming, or am I seeing things due to my weakened spirit from last night's late-night activities?'

He rubbed his eyes a couple of times, but this feeling that permeated his skin, not his eyes, was definitely not a lie. He, too, was considered a master, having held the position of leader of one of the seventy-two villages of the Green Forest.

However, just as Makjeok, the leader of Chixiong Village, whom they had seen often, stepped forward and they were about to engage in a conversation with unspoken intentions behind their usual smiling faces and reach an agreement, the incident happened.

For a moment, they only felt a gust of wind pass by them.

"Thwack! Thwack! Cough!"

The situation ended in an instant. Bilyeon's incredibly fast fist flew towards Makjeok's bewildered face. With a "thwack," as Makjeok's head snapped back, Bilyeon had already twisted Makjeok's arm, struck his pressure points, and then pulled out his sword, holding it to his throat, threatening to cut off his head.

Indeed, Makjeok was an excellent bandit who did not neglect the management of his business tools, and as a result, his sword exuded a palpable sharpness.

If this were a normal business operation, this chilling sharpness would have been an infinite threat to the passersby, who could be called prey. However, with his own life hanging by a thread, Makjeok had no choice but to sweat.

Even a slight touch had already cut his skin, drawing blood.

"Wow! For a bandit, that's a wickedly sharp sword. With this kind of sharpness, it would sell for quite a lot!"

Bilyeon said with a pleased expression, having confirmed the sharpness of the Chixiong Sword. Bilyeon always related everything to money.

In any case, for these reasons, the guards of the Zhongyang Caravan and the burly, robust bandits of Chixiong Village found themselves in a peculiar standoff.

A peculiar relationship was formed, where neither side could move forward nor openly block the other. It was no wonder that Su Du, who was secretly following them, clutched his head in his hands.

"Grrr… How could something like this happen! Oh, heavens!"

Su Janghae, a man who hadn't shed a tear even when his father died, found himself struggling to suppress the urge to cry.

He had never felt this way before.

Makjeok, the leader of Chixiong Village, was a well-known figure in this forest operation, or among those called bandits in the Green Forest. He had lived his life without knowing much fear.

He never messed with dangerous-looking individuals. He had no desire to be hastily put in a coffin if he made a mistake. Therefore, his business partners were always those with less strength than him. As a result, he had no opportunity to feel fear.

However, Makjeok was currently experiencing the rare experience of being a hostage while being the leader of a mountain stronghold. But to call him a weak being trembling in fear as a hostage would not fit his burly, rough-looking face and massive physique. He was a hostage who didn't feel like a hostage at all.

Moreover, it was difficult to pity the existence of the leader of Chixiong Village, one of the seventy-two Green Forest villages, who had plundered thousands of innocent citizens (although they vehemently claimed it was business).

He was currently holding his breath at someone's mercy, only blinking in confusion at this absurd situation.

'Ugh! Oh my! What am I going to do about this!'

The endless worries of Fang Tian, the deputy leader, began the moment Makjeok, the leader of Chixiong Village, was taken hostage.

If this were just some mediocre, small-scale mountain stronghold, Fang Tian would have boldly declared the following from the moment the leader was captured:

"The leader has lost his life to the enemy's blade. Let's avenge the leader! From now on, I am the leader!"

From that moment on, Makjeok's life or death would not matter. He would have then vigorously raised the hand holding the sword to the sky. Such exaggerated actions were quite effective in inciting people.

Even if the leader begged for his life, he would pretend not to hear and treat him as if he didn't exist. He was about to die soon, so it was none of his concern.

But the problem was that this was Chixiong Village, one of the venerable seventy-two villages of the Green Forest. According to the rules of the Green Forest Alliance, private changes of leadership were not allowed. The overall leadership prohibited such things because it could lead to a lack of order. Furthermore, it was not easy to replace a leader who was considered a master among the seventy-two villages of the Green Forest.

Therefore, Fang Tian was wringing his hands, unable to do anything.

"Hey, guys!"

"Yes!"

"Let us all avenge our leader who gloriously sacrificed himself! And let the name of the Green Forest Alliance resound throughout the world. Will you follow me?"

"Report! Wow! Leader Bang! Long live! Long live! Long live!"

… How nice would it be if it went like this. But it was just a wish. Fang Tian's delusion did not last long. He couldn't bear to look away from Makjeok, who was looking at him with a pitiful expression.

"Leader, I am ashamed."

"Pretend you don't see it…"

Makjeok replied in a voice as small as a mosquito, his face red with shame.

"There are too many eyes watching for that."

In fact, both Leader Makjeok and Deputy Leader Fang Tian had burning red faces and felt embarrassed. How could someone of the leader's stature be taken hostage so disgracefully, unable to avoid a child's move… Even if they survived today, they would not escape punishment for tarnishing the honor of the Green Forest Alliance. However, until the punishment and expulsion, he was clearly their leader.

"Ugh!!"

The feeling was not good from the start.

When Chixiong Village suddenly appeared, the Vermilion Bird Squad showed no signs of alarm.

Was the might of Chixiong Village weak? Not at all.

Two hundred people! That was an excessive number for ordinary people. However, even this number of two hundred seemed insignificant and modest in front of the twenty-six members of Cheonmu Academy and one 염도.

Originally, these two hundred people were brought out for mobile ambush training, as the weather was good. Usually, around fifty people was an appropriate number.

Moreover, since they were not unfamiliar with the Zhongyang Caravan, this number was actually excessive. But the opponent's reaction was even more unexpected.

These people, who didn't even bat an eyelid in front of two hundred people brought out for training and business… They should have at least shown a surprised expression out of courtesy.

Yet, they showed a calm demeanor, as if they were out for a stroll. It was natural for Makjeok and his group to be dumbfounded.

Moreover, these guys were unruly and couldn't communicate.

"Aren't you afraid of our seventy-two villages of the Green Forest? If you release the leader now, we'll pretend it never happened."

Bilyeon, still holding the blade to Fang Tian's neck, did not respond. Fang Tian had chosen the wrong person to talk to.

"Gongsang! Shall we have some real combat after a long time? It's been a while since we fought bandits before. Your body must be stiff, so it's good to get your senses back before you forget. This might be a good opportunity."

Bilyeon's words made Fang Tian bristle. This was too dismissive of them.

"Don't you think you're being too arrogant? Aren't you afraid of the shadow of the Green Forest Alliance?"

"Gongsang? Are you scared?"

Bilyeon asked, tapping Makjeok's carotid artery with his sword.

"Haha! Surely not. We even repelled Hogol and Yonggol Villages. To talk about fear with just this many people…"

At Namgung Sang's laughter-filled words, Fang Tian's eyes widened like saucers.

"N-no way, are you the Cheonmu Vermilion Bird Squad who annihilated Yonggol Village?"

Fang Tian's question was trembling with fear. His tongue seemed to have stiffened.

"Annihilation of Yonggol Village? What's that?"

Then, Namgung Sang, who was next to him, said as if he remembered.

"Ah, that's right. The ones who attacked our caravan on our way back to Cheonmu Academy were Hogol Village and Yonggol Village. Rumor has it they were after the celadon pottery, which was astronomically priced, among the goods. I remember going through a lot of trouble because of them."

Namgung Sang's words were akin to an admission.

"Wow! You guys have become quite famous. Even the mountain bandits recognize you."

Bilyeon said with a surprised expression.

"Indeed."

Something had gone wrong. Makjeok and Fang Tian intuitively felt it.

They should have realized from the beginning. These were not caravan people who would recklessly do something so audacious, something that anyone involved in the caravan industry would never do.

The Cheonmu Vermilion Bird Squad, who had driven two Green Forest mountain strongholds into a state of annihilation with only sixteen people, were the very ones. After that incident, an order was issued to never touch Cheonmu Academy.

After that day, Hogol and Yonggol Villages closed their doors and had to be reorganized by people sent from the Green Forest headquarters. According to custom, the name of the annihilated mountain stronghold was changed because it was considered ominous. In particular, while Hogol Village only had its leader replaced, Yonggol Village had very few survivors, requiring a complete reconstruction.

It was a major incident where one mountain stronghold belonging to the Green Forest Alliance completely disappeared from the face of the earth.

So, it was natural for Fang Tian and Makjeok to be terrified. Chixiong Village had a slightly lower power than Yonggol Village, which had focused all its efforts on the attack and lost its power.

Fang Tian's jaw dropped.

'Damn it! Where in the world is that reconnaissance bastard from!'

Suddenly, Fang Tian felt like crying. They had touched one of the places they absolutely should not have. Cheonmu Academy, which possessed a large number of skilled individuals, where each person was comparable to a master of the highest level, was a place that even they found difficult to provoke.

He desperately wanted to catch the scout who had returned and twist his neck, but the situation being what it was, he couldn't realize his desire immediately.

However, he just glared at him with a glint in his eyes.

'Just you wait until I get back!'

With Fang Tian's eyes radiating killing intent, the scout bandit Gu, a subordinate, cowered like a frog hit by a rock.

"We've become famous without even knowing it ourselves."

Namgung Sang said with a surprised expression, as if it were amazing. Today was the first time he realized they were so well-known in the bandit industry. Fang Tian's face became even more ashen at Namgung Sang's words. It was a confirmation of his question.

'N-no way, the infamous Vermilion Bird Squad? This damned…' Oh, heroes of Liangshan Marsh, look down upon us!'

The reputation of the Vermilion Bird Squad in this industry was not just famous. They were classified as top-tier individuals that one should definitely avoid dealing with.

And yet, they had to encounter them here! Today seemed to be a day of extremely bad luck.

He felt like turning around and running away immediately.

"Xiaolong! Go get that guy."

Bilyeon, sensing something suspicious, pointed at Fang Tian and said. Xiaolong immediately complied with his request.

"Fweee!"

It was a swift movement, like an arrow flying. It was beyond the level that a mere deputy leader of a mountain stronghold could defend against.

Fang Tian was dragged by Xiaolong, looking no different from Makjeok. Now the number of hostages had increased from one to two.

The bandits of Chixiong Village could only stand by and watch as their deputy leader was dragged away after being hit twice in the abdomen and once in the face. Xiaolong's skill was too far above their level to be blocked by their abilities.

Mo Yonghui and Qingchen's eyes gleamed as they watched Xiaolong's swift and clean technique. They had felt from the moment they first saw him that he was no ordinary person, but they honestly hadn't expected this level of skill.