Chapter 137

The King of Power Faces Off Against the Water King 1

King Su, Lee Shin-pyo, dismissed all his subordinates the moment he heard Dan Woo-seong’s words, then held a private meeting with him. Seeing those who moved slowly, Lee Shin-pyo said,

“I said disappear completely.”

Dan Wooseong felt a disconnect between those in the Suwang’s quarters and Lee Sinpyo’s attire. He suspected Lee Sinpyo had infiltrated this place, killed the previous Suwang, and seized power using Green Forest tactics.

It was possible because both the Green Forest and the Su Royal Residence were part of the Black Path.

In any case, the fact that he had so brazenly seized the Suwangchai meant he possessed considerable skill. As the son of a man who had reigned as the king of the Green Forest faction, he must have learned from watching.

Lee Shin-pyo, left alone, looked at Dan Woo-seong and Baek Myo and asked.

“Come to think of it, that’s strange. Only a few know that I’m the son of the Green Forest King.”

Dan Woo-seong replied.

“I’ve seen the Green Forest King. You look like him.”

Lee Shin-pyo was at a loss for words at the simple reply.

‘I do look like him.’

Especially the insolent look in his eyes and the shape of his eyes were so similar that anyone could tell he was the Green Forest King’s son.

Lee Shin-pyo nodded and asked.

“Come to think of it, it’s absurd they claim to have killed them when I don’t even know who they are yet. I was planning to lead the entire Su-ro-chae and Green Forest myself to find them. I only expected them to be Mado. No Black Path scum would dare strike my father like that.”

Lee Shin-pyo, who had been burning with vengeance, suddenly felt his purpose vanish into thin air.

Dan Woo-sung looked around and asked.

“This place… did you take it over?”

Lee Shin-pyo grinned.

Ah, I killed quite a few. In the Green Forest way… I intended to take the commander here under my wing if he proved manly, but he fought back with every dirty trick in the book. I killed all the existing leaders and threw them into the river.

True to the Green Forest King’s legacy.

Lee Shin-pyo, still wary of Danwooseong, steered the conversation to gain psychological advantage.

Of course, none of it made any sense to Danwooseong.

Lee Shin-pyo asked.

“I think you need to explain a bit more.”

Dan Woo-sung replied, hands behind his back, as he looked around the castle grounds.

“They’re sorcerers known as the Sword Demon and the Heavenly Demon. It wasn’t just the Green Forest King who fell victim—the Murong Clan’s head and even the Namgoong Sect Master were taken down. They’d mastered demonic arts that absorbed internal energy. Their skill was exceptional. One of them was completely impervious to blades, so even the Green Forest King would’ve struggled against him. Does that explain it?”

Lee Shin-pyo blinked.

“The Heavenly Demon is the alias of the leader of the demonic sect…”

Dan Woo-sung shook his head.

“It’s not always the case. The problem is that the masters and factions of the men I killed still remain.”

Lee Shin-pyo’s eyes lit up.

“Where?”

“Manmagung.”

Lee Shin-pyo nodded with a smile.

“Manmagung… Good. That’s how it should be. That’s how we’ll tear these bastards to shreds.”

Danwooseong asked.

“What’s the situation with the Green Forest? I recall the Green Forest King’s brothers were all quite rough.”

Lee Shin-pyo retorted.

“How old are you, anyway? How do you even know about that?”

Dan Woo-seong set the white cat back down on the ground and said.

“I’m a disciple of the Kwonwang. I am also the Kwonwang of this era. Does that answer your question?”

Lee Shin-pyo nodded.

“Well, that clears things up. I never imagined the Kwonwang had a disciple.”

Dan Woo-sung cleared his throat.

“Brother?”

‘…I never had a younger brother as insolent as you.’

Lee Shin-pyo retorted as if asking what the problem was.

“He’s a man my father recognized. To me, he’s a big deal. Anyway, since he avenged my father, he’s done me a favor. But there’s one more thing. Before I treat him as a benefactor, there’s something I’m most curious about.”

Dan Wooseong said this while watching Baekmyo start to run around.

“What is it?”

Lee Shin-pyo continued.

“My father was stronger than the world knew. That’s why he earned the title of king. That such a father was defeated, and you avenged him… Does that mean you’re stronger than the Green Forest King? Hard to believe.”

Dan Wooseong looked at Lee Shinpyo.

‘What’s so hard to believe? I was stronger than your father even in my past life.’

He was truly a martial hero.

I wondered if the man who avenged my father was truly strong. Perhaps Lee Shin-pyo himself was quite strong, so he was genuinely curious and asked.

Lee Shin-pyo and Lee Jin-eon.

Though the two young men with the same surname were of similar age,

The difference in experience between the Water King and the Power King was overwhelming.

And Danwoo-seong was not the sort of man to let such an opportunity slip away.

The opponent was a descendant of the Green Forest King, possessing the strength to unite both the Green Forest and the Waterway Clan. If subjugated or forced to submit, it was highly likely that another massive force would fall under Danwooseong’s command, following the Jiyamyeong. Of course, Danwooseong anticipated that King Su’s campaign against the Green Forest was currently underway. After all, he had likely been forced out by the Green Forest King’s sworn brothers and driven to Surochae.

This was not a world where the Green Forest King’s son would smoothly inherit power simply because his father had died. The Green Forest was, quite literally, a wilderness.

Dan Wooseong smiled.

“You want to see my skills?”

Dan Woo-sung played with Baekmyo for a moment before standing up and looking at Lee Shin-pyo.

Lee Shin-pyo replied.

“There’s no emotion involved. It’s just a matter of verification.”

“Demonstrating my skill isn’t difficult, but things shouldn’t go your way like that.”

“What do you mean?”

Dan Woo-sung explained.

“I have the Eight Dragon Sect and the Wild Grass Sect under me. You’re probably thinking of seizing control of both the Green Forest and the Water Road Sect to form something like the Green Forest Water Road Alliance, right?”

Lee Shin-pyo nodded.

“That’s right. Only then can I surpass the achievements of my father, who was called the Green Forest King.”

“If I win, all of King Su’s forces will come under King Kwon’s command. If King Su wins, he must hand over the entire Palryong Gate and Jipyameng factions he controls. Only then will it be worth testing each other’s strength.”

Lee Shin-pyo felt tense, like someone sitting at a gambling table about to reveal their final card.

Already, money was piled high like a mountain on the table, and across from him, Dan Woo-sung watched with the same expression he’d had from the start.

Lee Shin-pyo grinned and looked at Dan Woo-sung.

“Win it all or lose it all… After all, this is the Green Forest King’s way—my father’s way.”

Lee Shin-pyo stood up and said.

“But what do I do about this? I’ve never lost in a one-on-one fight.”

When Dan Woo-sung burst out laughing, Lee Shin-pyo rolled his tongue around his mouth and said.

“Laugh?”

Dan Woo-sung spoke to Lee Shin-pyo with genuine sincerity.

“I hope you’re strong.”

Because then I’d have the heart to take you under my wing.

Lee Shin-pyo dusted off his buttocks and moved inside, saying.

“Wait. I’ll be out soon. It’s not proper to throw punches at the King of Kwon.”

As Lee Sin-pyo entered, the sworn brothers who had followed him since his days in the Green Forest welcomed him.

“Young King, you say the author is a disciple of the King of Power? Then he must be quite formidable.”

The Green Forest brothers often called Lee Sin-pyo not King Su but Little King.

Li Xinbiao retorted.

“I told you lot to stop eavesdropping. Anyway, this match is gonna be huge.”

“It’s always a big deal.”

Lee Sin-pyo shook his head.

“This time it’s real. They say that man has the Jipyamyeong under him. Just looking at his expression and eyes, he doesn’t seem like a liar.”

“Then what kind of weapon will he use?”

“What would be advantageous for a martial artist…”

“Wouldn’t everything be disadvantageous for the Kwon King?”

“Have you ever seen me lose?”

“I didn’t see it. I did see them running away, though…”

“That was a tactical retreat. We were outnumbered. I’m still undefeated.”

“True enough.”

Lee Sin-pyo was the son of the Green Forest King, but he had many masters. Since all of the Green Forest King’s sworn brothers had taught him, he had no choice but to master a wide variety of weapons. However, those same sworn brothers, who were also his masters, had all challenged the Green Forest King’s position while leading their own factions. Therefore, Lee Sin-pyo had come here intending to seize control of the Surochae faction first.

Inside was a display case containing all eighteen types of weapons. There, Lee Sin-pyo removed his thick coat and strapped two swords to his waist. He then sheathed a pair of daggers on his back, and also tucked daggers into his trousers, waistband, and sides.

Lee Sin-pyo muttered to himself.

“What else could be more advantageous…”

The Green Forest brothers watched him and sighed.

“Just go with everything strapped on. You’ll just end up tossing it all aside during the fight anyway.”

“It’s amazing he can move carrying all that. Truly, he is the Green Forest Prince.”

Someone muttered this under their breath.

“Why is it that every time I get scared, the number of weapons I carry seems to increase?”

Lee Shin-pyo glared at the man.

“You little bastard, I’ll rip your mouth off.”

“Young Master, why are you so sensitive?”

Lee Shin-pyo addressed his brothers.

“Don’t watch. Wait here. This is a fight between captains.”

The Green Forest brothers replied.

“We’ll be back.”

“Just don’t get killed.”

“Isn’t the King of Power the one who once stood shoulder to shoulder in fame with our Green Forest King, our master?”

Lee Sin-pyo snorted derisively.

“He’s merely a disciple. About my age, too.”

The Green Forest brothers exchanged awkward glances among themselves.

“Then we won. After all, our captain is the strongest among his peers.”

“Exactly. Jin Soh-eon is only at a level where he can be faced once he’s revived.”

“What about Baek Moo-jin?”

“Let’s leave it at that.”

Lee Sin-pyo turned back toward Danwooseong, listening to the lackluster cheers of the Green Forest brothers. On his way out, he drew a spear and carried it with him.

To an observer, he looked like a man waging war alone, armed with so many weapons.

As Lee Shin-pyo went out to fight, the Green Forest brothers moved silently, tiptoeing until they all gathered near the spears, watching the outside.

They couldn’t miss watching the fight.

But when Lee Shin-pyo emerged wrapped head to toe in armor like a hedgehog, Dan Woo-sung burst out laughing upon seeing him.

The Green Forest brothers watching whispered.

“Brother… that guy’s laughing?”

“Ah, but if he laughs, it puts the king at a disadvantage. Because the one who laughs is the top-tier expert.”

The saying that the one who laughs is the top-tier master was an old Green Forest adage.

“Let’s watch.”

First, Lee Shin-pyo swung his spear and charged at Dan Woo-sung. The Green Forest King’s son was indeed formidable.

Each time he thrust his sword, an intangible force surged forth like a whirlwind, crashing into the castle walls and erupting in a deafening roar. Yet the fact that it struck the walls meant it posed no threat to Danwooseong.

Danwooseong was observing Lee Sinpyo’s skill.

The spear was swift.

It charged, aiming for Danwooseong’s head and neck, swinging the spear to create illusions where the spear tip split into multiple points.

At one point, Lee Shin-pyo leapt into the air, flinging his spear toward Danwooseong standing on the ground as if catching a fish. He then descended vertically, gripping two daggers at his waist in both hands.

Thud!

The spear plunged fiercely downward, embedding itself in the floor…

Lee Shin-pyo charged forward, wielding two swords to attack and defend simultaneously. It wasn’t a famous technique. The sword art of the Green Forest Sect, honed by slashing countless enemies, unfolded perfectly from Lee Shin-pyo’s hands.

Yet, while Dan Woo-sung executed his Five-Element Blocking Technique, Lee Shin-pyo’s swords failed to even graze his collar.

Dan Woosung’s skill was simply too high, so there was no sense of a well-matched duel, but Lee Shin-pyo, true to his status as the son of the Green Forest King, fought well in his own right.

Seeing Dan Woosung only evade, Lee Shinpyo seethed inwardly.

“Why won’t you attack!”

At that moment, Lee Shin-pyo instantly closed the distance, then swung both swords horizontally at once, trapping Dan Woo-sung within their arc.

Dan Woo-sung grabbed the broadswords with both hands and unleashed a torrent of energy.

In a split-second decision, Lee Shin-pyo released both swords, simultaneously unsheathing the twin blades strapped to his back. He leaped backward, then unleashed a torrent of sword energy aimed at Dan Woo-sung’s throat.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

A slanted cross-shaped blade energy surged toward Danwooseong.

Dan Wooseong swung his hand at the charging sword energy as if swatting a fly.

Thwack!

With a truly hollow sound, the sword energy vanished…

Lee Shin-pyo stood there for a moment, gripping his twin swords, his face flushed bright red.

‘How can he be this strong… Why?’

The man before him was far stronger than his father, the Green Forest King. Even during fierce sparring sessions with his father, he had never felt such a vast gap.

As Lee Shin-pyo stood frozen, unable to muster the courage to attack…

Dan Woo-sung crossed his arms and spoke.

“The spear is best. Discard all those useless weapons and charge again with a spear. Even the Green Forest King probably used a spear. What good are multiple weapons? This isn’t child’s play.”

Lee Sin-pyo tossed aside his twin swords with a hardened expression, then glared at Dan Woo-seong as he headed toward the spear stuck in the ground.

Come to think of it, Father was the man who became the Green Forest King with just a single, shabby spear.

Lee Shin-pyo remained silent, as if struck dumb.