CH 450

“Please don't look at me with those eyes, Mister Kang Jin-Ho. I'm not challenging you, you know? As I said before, I'm trying to survive here. I'm not stupid enough to think that you'll spare me after provoking you.” Choi Jin-Yeong coolly shrugged his shoulders. “Before that fateful day, I always thought of myself as a martial artist. But never did I think martial arts would have such a commanding grip over one's life and death. Yes, I've seen many people die. A quirk of being a part of this world and all that. But that is... Well, I'd say that's not in the domain of martial arts, but more in the criminal activity side of things.”

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“Mm...” Bang Jin-Hun slowly nodded. He thought he could understand Choi Jin-Yeong's sentiments a lot better now.

“And that's when I felt something...” Choi Jin-Yeong sneaked another glance in Kang Jin-Ho's direction. When their eyes met, Choi Jin-Yeong couldn't deal with the pressure and hurriedly turned his head away. After fake-coughing to clear his throat, Choi Jin-Yeong continued to explain himself. “What I felt was this sense of deprivation, so to speak. It's like my life is no longer mine. How I managed to keep my head that day wasn't anything special, really. I lived because Mister Kang Jin-Ho here couldn't be bothered to swing his sword one more time. Other survivors will probably feel the same way as me. We survived because Mister Kang Jin-Ho couldn't be bothered to finish us off. But... If he was serious that day, none of us would be here.”

Bang Jin-Hun's expression grew a little complicated as he studied Choi Jin-Yeong. 'For sure... The Yeongnam guys could've felt that way.'

Bang Jin-Hun was merely an observer watching from afar that day. He walked away from that ordeal with a sense of awe at Kang Jin-Ho's martial prowess... and an everlasting fear of his cruelty capable of sending deathly shivers down to one's soul. However, those exposed to Kang Jin-Ho's cruelty that day most likely were experiencing something else. Something else like... crippling despair born from their powerlessness.

“The notion of you being responsible for your own life... Gee whiz, those words never rang truer than on that day for me. I realized that I only managed to survive until now because lady luck was smiling at me all the time. And... I had a strong hunch that events will keep happening all around Mister Kang Jin-Ho deep into the future. Deadly events will naturally follow him around.” Choi Jin-Yeong chuckled lifelessly. “You said we gotta risk our lives, yes?”

“Mm, well...”

“The way I see it, that warning doesn't hold much water to us from the Yeongnam Branch. After learning that our heads can go flying off at any second, the value of our lives has seen a drastic reduction, you see? Actually, training under you and surviving through that ordeal will give us a higher chance of keeping our necks in the future. That's why we're applying, sirs. To get stronger, to survive our future. And, also…” Choi Jin-Yeong hesitated slightly before hurriedly finishing up the rest of his thoughts. “I know this sounds like a goddamn pipe dream, but I really want to stand in the same realm as Mister Kang Jin-Ho at least once in my life. And no, it's not because I want to feel superior while looking down at others who are weaker than me, but... But, I want to be able to see the world that only the truly strong have the right to see.”

Choi Jin-Yeong lowered his head as if he was finally finished. That was when Kang Jin-Ho expressed his honest impression of everything he heard. “You sure are a good talker, aren't you?”

“...”

“In short... You just want to become stronger.”

“Yes, of course. But that isn't all.”

“No,” Kang Jin-Ho shook his head. “That one reason alone is enough.”

“...!”

“You don't need other reasons. I wish to be stronger. I don't care even if I die in the pursuit of strength. That... is all the motivation you need. Everything else is an unnecessary add-on.”

Choi Jin-Yeong stared straight at Kang Jin-Ho. “Sir, I want to become stronger!”

“Good,” Kang Jin-Ho faintly smirked in satisfaction and nodded weightily. “And I shall grant you what you wish for.”

***

Vrooooom!

Kang Jin-Ho drove out of the Assembly's grounds.

'Hmm...'

Things didn't exactly turn out how he anticipated, but the overall situation wasn't so bad. The problem this time could be attributed to Kang Jin-Ho's failure to accurately figure out the differences between the modern-era martial artists and the ones who used to follow him in the past.

Back then, practically everything required one's desperation. Kang Jin-Ho's mistake was thinking the mindset of the past also applied to the current era while going ahead with his plan.

'Then again, that's still fine, isn't it?'

These unaware applicants would soon learn. Learn what Kang Jin-Ho's idea of training was like! If their heads were not equipped to understand it, then their bodies would surely realize the truth soon enough. The only saving grace for them this time was... that this was not Zhongyuan.

Back when Kang Jin-Ho was assembling the Demon Flames, he dropped all the hopefuls inside a deep ravine and only took in the survivors. Those who couldn't overcome their cruel, unforgiving environments or keep up with the competition where everyone preyed on everyone else... had no choice but to face the stark reality of losing their lives.

However, this was South Korea in the 21st century. And such barbaric methods couldn't be utilized anymore. As such... Kang Jin-Ho needed to acknowledge even those who can't quite cut it and drop out midway.

'About half will drop out in three days.'

Kang Jin-Ho was curious about how many of the massive crowd filling up the auditorium to the brim would still remain at the end of the training. It looked like he'd have to... organize preliminaries, which wasn't in his original plan, but that would be rather interesting in its own right.

Just as Kang Jin-Ho's thoughts reached that far, his phone began buzzing noisily.

“Hello?”

When Kang Jin-Ho answered the call, a hushed voice came out of the speaker.

–Are you busy?

“Mm...”

–That sounds like you're not particularly busy right now but don't wanna hang out with me. How correct am I?

Was she a ghost or something? Maybe a psychic?

Kang Jin-Ho reflexively glanced behind him. Why did it feel like the caller, the one and only Choi Yeon-Ha, was sitting right beside him right now?

After confirming that he was alone in the car, Kang Jin-Ho groaned softly and replied to Choi Yeon-Ha. “You're wrong, Miss Yeon-Ha.”

–I'll choose to believe your lies this time. I need to see you sometime today, so... Make time for me.

“Sorry?”

–I want to see you, so make time for me. Okay?

“...Ah. You mean now.”

–Yes. Now.

“Got it. Where would you like to meet?”

Kang Jin-Ho input the destination on the GPS according to Choi Yeon-Ha's instructions, then narrowed his eyes. “I should arrive there in less than thirty minutes.”

–Sounds like you're somewhere close?

“Something like that. I'll see you then.”

–Okay. See you soon.

The call ended there, and the corners of Kang Jin-Ho's lips curled up faintly.

Vroooooom!

Kang Jin-Ho's red supercar sped up and flew down the road. His Lamborghini continued to shoot through South Korea's national highway for some time... before it suddenly jerked ungainly while slowing down to a much slower speed.

'I don't want another speeding ticket, so...'

Kang Jin-Ho craned his neck and scanned the surroundings for the presence of traffic cops, then slowed the car until reaching the national speed limit. He groaned while glancing at the GPS screen again.

'I don't think I can make it within thirty minutes...'

Things might get a bit troublesome for him soon.

***

In a cafe somewhere…

Choi Yeon-Ha unhappily chewed Kang Jin-Ho out. “Didn't you say thirty minutes?”

“The situation was a bit...”

“You said you were close by!”

“I'm sorry.”

Choi Yeon-Ha glared at Kang Jin-Ho, her eyes eerily resembling an ax murderer's. As for Kang Jin-Ho, all he could do was ruefully lick his lips, unable to think of any sound excuses. He shouldn't have been so confident about his ETA, so why did he have to go and run his mouth about 'arriving in thirty minutes' and cause this situation?

Choi Yeon-Ha continued to grill Kang Jin-Ho. “Don't you know that those who break promises are the worst?”

“I'm sorry.”

“Hng!” Choi Yeon-Ha briefly scanned Kang Jin-Ho from top to bottom and harrumphed softly. “Well, I'm also at fault here, anyway. It was me who called you out of the blue, after all.”

Kang Jin-Ho blinked his eyes in stupefaction. “...Eh?”

“...Is something wrong?” Choi Yeon-Ha narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

“I was just wondering if you were the type to apologize over something like this.”

“Mister Jin-Ho, have you ever been hit by a woman before?”

Kang Jin-Ho sheepishly looked away. “...My mother.”

“...Oh.” Choi Yeon-Ha sagely nodded as if she could understand everything. “We can never win, right?”

“Yes. Never.”

Choi Yeon-Ha burst into refreshed laughter before shooting up to her feet. She walked to the other side of the table and pulled out a chair for Kang Jin-Ho. “Here. A courtesy for a pitiful man.”

“...Am I supposed to say thank you in this case?”

“Of course.” Choi Yeon-Ha proudly nodded.

“Then, thank you, ma'am.” Kang Jin-Ho settled on the chair.

Choi Yeon-Ha returned to her seat, and the duo ordered their drinks. Once the waiter walked away from their table with their orders in hand, Kang Jin-Ho leaned forward and asked, “What did you call me for?”

Choi Yeon-Ha tilted her head while cocking an eyebrow. “Do I need a reason all the time if I want to see you?”

“No, not necessarily. It's just that you called me out of the blue.”

“Besides, I've already given you my reason, haven't I?”

“Huh?”

Choi Yeon-Ha stared straight at Kang Jin-Ho. “I called you because I wanted to see you.”

“...” Kang Jin-Ho stared back in stupefaction.

That was when Choi Yeon-Ha started giggling at his expense. “It's so much fun teasing you, you know that? Don't you have anyone teasing you lately? There must be a few, I'd wager!”

Kang Jin-Ho had to work extra hard to wipe out the image of a certain burly martial artist's face with too much body hair from his mind, then hurriedly shook his head. “No one's like that around me.”

“Mister Jin-Ho. You used to be so good at hiding your expression in the past, but it feels like you're slipping up more often lately. In the past, you were like... wearing a steel mask? That's the impression I got. Like so.” Choi Yeon-Ha raised her hand and covered her face like a mask. “Unfriendly manners, zero expressions, and the only words leaving your mouth is 'I don't want to do it.' Wow, now that I've looked back, you were one heck of a boring character, weren't you?”

“...Cough.” Kang Jin-Ho fake-coughed to clear his throat.

Why did it feel like he was always getting sucked into her pace whenever they were together, like right now? For some reason, things never went as he intended. However, even if that was the case...

He didn't quite dislike this feeling of not being in control. If he hated this feeling, everything would be over by not meeting with Choi Yeon-Ha anymore, but...

'What a weird feeling this is.'

Kang Jin-Ho suddenly remembered that he used to feel something similar in the past. No, that feeling was a little different from this one. Back then, that feeling was more like warmth and comfort. And this time, it was more like...

“Why are you making such a serious face, Mister Jin-Ho?” Choi Yeon-Ha curiously asked.

“...It's nothing to worry about.”

Choi Yeon-Ha grabbed the table to pull herself forward and got very close to Kang Jin-Ho. “Mister Jin-Ho?”

“...Yes?”

“Have you ever thought about how often you say 'It's nothing' while talking to me?”

“...”

Choi Yeon-Ha's expression grew a little unreadable. “I get that you don't want other people to know what's in your mind. However, trying to be more understanding whenever the person before your eyes is thinking about something else can get a little too deflating, you know?”

Kang Jin-Ho's expression crumbled a little. “Looks like I owe you an apology.”

He knew Choi Yeon-Ha had a plucky side to her personality, but that side seemed especially pronounced today for some reason.

“Nah, it's fine,” said Choi Yeon-Ha with a shake of her head.

“What do you mean?”

“I still like that side of you, you see?”

Kang Jin-Ho grew dazed again. Choi Yeon-Ha lowered her head slightly to dodge Kang Jin-Ho's gaze. She sat back on her chair, then sucked in a deep breath. “Mister Jin-Ho?”

“Yes?”

“Actually, I do have something to tell you.”

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes a little and waited for Choi Yeon-Ha to continue.

Choi Yeon-Ha hesitated slightly before biting her lower lip. “Actually, I...”

“Yes?”

She hesitated over and over again before finally spitting out what was in her mind. “I'm heading to China soon.”

“I'm sorry?”

Kang Jin-Ho and Choi Yeon-Ha could only stare at each other, unable to say anything else. A weighty silence descended between the two.

***

“Is this really South Korea?” Saito Genryu muttered after stepping through the airport's exit, his brows deeply furrowing. “The last time I was here... Must be over three decades ago. Compared to back then, calling this place a completely different country seems apt, doesn't it?”

“Sir. Even if that's true, it's still nothing more than a piffling peninsula.”

“How foolish of you,” Saito Genryu tutted in displeasure. “Do not belittle this nation. And certainly do not underestimate it. The warrior's way is to congratulate the growth of your opponents.”

“...My apologies, sir. My thoughts were childish.”

Saito Genryu looked away, his eyes gradually withdrawing, contemplative.

'This land will soon become ours, anyway!'

The die had been cast already. Discarding their territory back home and moving to the new land was not a decision anyone could make lightly. Not just Saito Genryu's, but even the fate of Nanahoshi-gumi depended on this gamble.

As such, Saito Genryu simply had to ensure this decision was the best one his gumi could have made. And, for that purpose...!

'Kang Jin-Ho...!'

Saito Genryu's glare suddenly sharpened. This land belonged to the Martial Assembly. In other words, this land was Kang Jin-Ho's.

In team sports, there was something called the home field advantage. Dealing with Kang Jin-Ho in his backyard would never be easy. That was why Saito Genryu made thorough preparations before coming here.

He glanced at his underling. “Are all the arrangements in place?”

“Yes, sir. All preparations have been made according to your instructions.”

“Very good.” Saito Genryu shifted his gaze away and scanned his surroundings once more, his expression solemn. “This land shall soon become our Nanahoshi-gumi's new home. As such, we must cut off the head of its original owner. We shall take Kang Jin-Ho's head and conquer the Korean peninsula!”

A dawn of new war was ascending over the horizon.