CH 327

“Sir. Our men have sent word that they have arrived safely in South Korea.”

“Hmm...” The man leisurely nodded at the report by his shinobi underling. He didn't bother to look up while carefully caressing the gleaming azure surface of his katana with a piece of pure-white hemp cloth.

"Their first order of business is to establish a base of operations, sir. After this task is complete, they will move on to the task of punishing those who dare to betray our trust, namely Lee Jung-Geol and the Martial Assembly."

"Punishing Lee Jung-Geol, is it..." The man furrowed his brow slightly. "He shouldn't be our priority target, am I wrong?"

"No, you're correct, sir." The underling deeply bowed his head. "According to all the information we've collected so far... Three men wield the greatest influence within South Korea's martial world, sir."

“Details.”

"Yes, sir! The first is called the Yeongnam Group, led by Kim Seok-Il. That man currently holds the greatest level of influence in Korea. On the surface, at least."

The man narrowed his eyes a little. “Since you've bothered to add something unnecessary at the end there... The truth is anything but, I'm assuming?”

“Yes, sir. This analysis is correct when viewed from the basis of the group's overall strength. However, realistically speaking, it's safe to assume that Kim Seok-Il wields the least influence out of the three factions. And the one wielding greater influence than Kim Seok-Il is none other than Kang Jin-Ho."

The man stopped caressing the katana at the mention of Kang Jin-Ho's name. His brows quivered slightly. “The one who dared to hurt our children?”

“Yes, him.”

“And his influence even exceeds Kim Seok-Il's?”

The underling gravely nodded. “Kang Jin-Ho doesn't display any outward movements, but it seems he has basically finished taking over the Martial Assembly at this stage, sir! The Assembly was split into Lee Jung-Geol's camp and Bang Jin-Hun's until recently, and they have been waging a psychological war against each other, but... According to the latest intel, both Lee Jung-Geol and Bang Jin-Hun have submitted to Kang Jin-Ho, sir."

"Submitted, you say...?"

"Yes, sir. Although it hasn’t been announced publicly just yet, Kang Jin-Ho seems to have swallowed up Bang Jin-Hun's and Lee Jung-Geol's factions already, which account for ninety percent of the Martial Assembly."

The man put the hemp cloth and the katana down.

'And he did all that in a relatively short window, too.'

It wasn't as if the modern martial artists were noticeably weaker than the returners. Imagine if all the returners possessed frightening levels of martial prowess. They would've taken over the modern era by now.

In this man's view, humans were creatures that constantly evolved. He believed that modern humans boasted far better capabilities than their ancient counterparts. As such, it'd be the same story in regard to martial arts, too.

He couldn't tell how much 'proper' training the returners received in the past, but he believed the modern martial arts didn't fall behind the ways of the past. For instance, all the returners he had met so far showed clear limitations.

Kang Jin-Ho didn't acquire the Martial Assembly easily because he was a returner. No, it was more than likely due to his nature.

'If we let this go on, Kang Jin-Ho might end up uniting Korea under his banner soon.'

That would be the absolute worst outcome as far as this man was concerned. So bad, in fact, that he knew he couldn't just sit by and watch that happen.

“And finally, there is one more individual, sir. However, his influence is a little trickier to gauge.”

“Who is it?”

“The one that could be called the leader of the Korean returners, sir.”

“...Ah. You mean Geom Baek.” [1]

“Yes, sir.”

The man nodded slightly, his expression unwilling. 'Geom Baek, is it...!'

The Korean returners belonged to various organizations, but the one called Geom Baek did not. Despite the lack of allegiance, this individual was still rumored to wield the most influence on the Korean returners.

Such was the reputation preceding the individual that some even said the returners would've been united under one banner already if Geom Baek wanted it to happen.

"Unfortunately, sir... We've failed to ascertain if this Geom Baek individual is even real."

“Hmm...” The man leaned back while looking a little bored.

The underling's words picked up the pace. “To conclude, we can assume that our priority is to deal with this trio of individuals. However, this would not be called the best plan, sir!”

“And your reasoning is?”

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"All three boast sizable factions, sir. Going after any one of them will no doubt raise vociferous opposition from the others. They will believe we're invading Korea by any means possible."

"However, we can still use the pretext of punishing Lee Jung-Geol and the Martial Assembly for breaking his promise to us. Is that what you're saying?"

The underling bowed his head again. “Yes, sir. If we dress this battle up as between Nanahoshi-gumi and the Martial Assembly, and not between Japan and Korea, we should be able to minimize the interference by third parties.”

The man frowned and replied in unhappiness. “I did order you to be meticulous and cautious, but I'm not pleased with this course of action. Is it really necessary to go this far while trying to enter Korea?”

"Sir. what we're about to do is a historical event, after all."

"Seizing a weakling nation isn't such an event to raise a fuss about. Without China's interference, Korea would've become the Great Japan Empire's colony a long time ago, anyway."

"Yes, you're indeed correct, sir. However, going through this cumbersome process isn't just to suppress the third parties in Korea. Enemies tend to hide within our borders, after all. Sir, the others will surely not stay still when the news of our gumi going ahead with seizing Korea reaches their ears."

“Hmm...” The man nodded.

His underling had a point. Their clan might be at the forefront right now, but... Once the conquest of Korea began in earnest, other clans would no doubt rush toward the peninsula as well. Well, having larger territories was always better, now wasn't it?

“Very well. I'll leave it up to you.”

“Yes, sir!”

"However, remember this, Guroda. If you fail, you will not get to witness the beauty of the rising sun ever again."

“This servant will engrave it to his heart!”

“Good. You're dismissed.”

The underling, Guroda, cautiously raised himself off the floor at the permission of his master and exited the room.

The man placed his now-cold teacup over the gentle flames, then silently stared at the empty air.

'Kang Jin-Ho, is it...?'

Why did this ominous foreboding continue to invade his thoughts? The man tried his best to shake off all the gloomy thoughts clouding his mind.

***

“Kim Seok-Il came to see you?!” Bang Jin-Hun freaked out and jumped up from his seat.

“Yes, he did,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“That stupid motherf*cker did what now?! What the hell, why did he do that?”

Kang Jin-Ho shrugged his shoulders. “He wanted a ceasefire.”

“Heol. That's insane. Wait, maybe he's got dementia?” Bang Jin-Hun scratched his head, unable to figure out why Kim Seok-Il would ask for a ceasefire.

Such a thing was only possible when the two sides involved had managed to resolve some of their grudges first... Or when both sides faced mutual destruction.

However, the Martial Assembly or the Yeongnam Group hadn't resolved the deep-seated grudges against each other just yet. Both sides were still growling away, ready to rip each other's throats out at a moment's notice.

As proof, didn't Bang Jin-Hun almost lose his life from the Yeongnam Group's sudden assault not too long ago? But now, Kim Seok-Il asked for a ceasefire?

“So? What did you do, Mister Jin-Ho? Did you kill him?” Bang Jin-Hun curiously asked.

Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow. "Huh. It sounds like you didn't even consider the possibility of me accepting the ceasefire."

"Because we all know that's not possible. Let me ask you, then. Did you say yes?"

“Of course not.”

“See? There you go.” Bang Jin-Hun lightly tutted away.

Just what kind of person was Kang Jin-Ho, anyway? There was no way he would accept a ceasefire. Kim Seok-Il was greatly mistaken if he thought he could make the ceasefire happen.

'Yup, it's not even remotely possible.'

If Kang Jin-Ho thought he had been attacked, he would never stop until the grudges were resolved. That was just who he was. Raising a white flag of surrender would have a higher chance of the aggressors keeping their lives.

'...You know what? I don't think he'll let them off the hook anyway.'

Bang Jin-Hun nervously swallowed back, then asked another question. "So what did you do? Did you tear Kim Seok-Il apart in half?"

“No. I let him leave.”

“...You did? Really? Without doing anything?”

“Yes.” Kang Jin-Ho nodded.

"Getting rid of him would've lessened the blood-shedding later on..." Bang Jin-Hun muttered in disappointment.

However, Kang Jin-Ho didn't bother to explain why he let Kim Seok-Il leave. Whether Bang Jin-Hun understood and accepted it or not wouldn't change anything at this stage anyway.

“Oh, well. If that's what happened, not much I can do about it now.” Bang Jin-Hun smacked his lips ruefully but didn't go as far as denouncing Kang Jin-Ho's decision to let Kim Seok-Il go. “Well, why did that sly old bastard ask for a ceasefire?”

“What happened was...”

Bang Jin-Hun listened to Kang Jin-Ho's explanation, and his expression progressively became grave. He groaned while massaging his face. “The Japanese, huh...”

The burden he felt at this moment was considerable since he knew the Japanese were here for the Martial Assembly. Actually, it'd be Kang Jin-Ho clashing against the Japanese, but wasn't Bang Jin-Hun riding on the same boat as Kang Jin-Ho?

“Mister Jin-Ho, things might get pretty serious at this rate.”

"I know. But we were bound to face this problem sooner or later."

"Yes, I agree. It's just that... the timing is pretty awkward, you see? I can finally see why that old raccoon decided to ask for a ceasefire now." Bang Jin-Hun groaned loudly.

Kim Seok-Il would have had no reason to come speak to Kang Jin-Ho personally without an urgent situation threatening them. Then again, the Japanese were indeed uncomfortable and difficult opposition to deal with that necessitated Kim Seok-Il to drop everything and suggest a temporary ceasefire in the hostilities.

'Those stinking imperialist Jap bastards...!'

Bang Jin-Hun was a Korean, so he couldn't help but feel a bit leery toward the Japanese. Actually, him being a part of the Korean martial world made it worse. The leeriness toward Japan within the Korean martial world was so much stronger than in the surface world, after all.

The country of the Republic of Korea had developed to the point where Japan couldn't sneer at it anymore. However, the Korean martial world still had a long way to catch up to its surface counterpart.

“Mister Jin-Ho, if I'm being honest, I am slightly worried about this.”

“Really?” Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes.

“I hate to admit this, but... That raccoon isn't exactly wrong. Our sides colliding now can give the Japanese an opportunity they've been craving all along.”

Korea managed to stay free from Japan's influence until now because the Japanese were wary about the prospect of clashing against the Chinese. Extending their reach to the Korean peninsula would've definitely set something off between the two major nations, after all! Also, it hadn't been long since Japan's internal strife had settled down.

If the Japanese got serious about invading Korea, fighting back against their assaults and surviving would be difficult. That would be the conclusion after objectively analyzing the combat capabilities of both sides. So, what would happen if Koreans continued to bicker among themselves and weakened their own fighting potential?

'It'll be hopeless, then.'

Kim Seok-Il wouldn't have suggested a ceasefire to Kang Jin-Ho out of his loyalty to the country. Or even for the sake of the greater good. At least from Bang Jin-Hun's view, the leader of the Yeongnam Group wasn't that kind of a person.

No, that damn raccoon had to have calculated that if his organization fought the war with the Assembly and suffered losses, Japan would swoop in and take everything away from him. Even if it hadn't been Japan but someone else potentially benefiting from the war, Kim Seok-Il would have still asked for a ceasefire.

Didn't Kim Seok-Il hate the idea of his wealth and power slipping through his fingers more than death itself?

Bang Jin-Hun shook his head and stared pensively at Kang Jin-Ho. “So, what are you planning to do now?”

“I haven't thought about it.” Kang Jin-Ho shrugged his shoulders.

“...Hang on, Mister Jin-Ho.”

"I don't even need to think about it, actually." Kang Jin-Ho chuckled softly. "Hit back as much as received. That's all I need to remember. Kim Seok-Il targeted my family, and I'm going to make him pay for that. That's all."

"But the Japanese are waiting to hit us from behind, aren't they?"

"Hmm. If the Japanese wish to foolishly do something, then... It'll be their turn next.”

Bang Jin-Hun shuddered faintly just then.

'This guy, he's dead serious!'

Indeed, Kang Jin-Ho wasn't bluffing. At the very least, this seemed to be Kang Jin-Ho's thoughts regarding this situation. If someone was designated as his enemy, Kang Jin-Ho would make them pay no matter what. In case new enemies emerged, he'd simply obliterate them next.

What a super-simple mindset, an automated mechanical response, this was. However, Bang Jin-Hun couldn't keep thinking that it was as simple as it sounded.

A man with little to no power had to observe the situation and plan accordingly first while worrying about self-preservation. However, that was not the case for the ones with strength. If they had to fight, they would simply do that. If they had to wreck something, all they had to do was do exactly that!

They saw no point in racking their brains worrying about this and that. And Kang Jin-Ho was undoubtedly someone with strength.

“Whoever it is, I'll fight them if they dare to bare their fangs at me.” Kang Jin-Ho smirked without concern.

Bang Jin-Hun's shuddering intensified just then.

'Boy, am I glad that I'm not at odds with this guy!'

Bang Jin-Hun inwardly prayed for Kim Seok-Il, who was unfortunate enough to get on Kang Jin-Ho's bad books and would have to suffer the consequences of that pretty soon.

1. Geom Baek literally means ‘Sword White’. I know that sounds weird, but that’s what the author went with. ☜