Vol 2. Chapter 16: Great Nations and Small Countries (4)

Blood flowed down from the lips of Lee Sung-yeop, the King of Korea. He was staring at Zhou Hongyi, who looked down at him, with bloodshot eyes. He tried to be as careful as he could be, and also displayed courtesy. Both the Zhu Family and the Lee Family occupied the position as one of the Seven Great Households. However, that was the position that the Great Wizard laid down, and both Families were definitely not equal in standing. While the Zhu Family was recognized by others, and referred to as the Zhu Royal Family or Zhu Imperial Household, the Lee Family was comparatively unable to protect the name of the Royal Family.

Therefore, Sung-yeop came forth personally to meet Zhou Hongyi and his group. He momentarily frowned as all kinds of ability users of the Lee Family gathered in a disorderly fashion in front of the Royal Court, that was before the Geunjeongjeon Hall. This was where the civil and military officials of the past used to line up orderly at their respective rank stones. Nonetheless, he soon nodded as if he was forced to accept it and welcomed Zhou Hongyi. He tried to show his best sincerity as the King of a country.

However, it seems like Zhou Hongyi wants more than that.

That's right. I think his initial goal was directed towards a sort of humiliation.

Are those military occupation forces? It's somehow annoying that he is behaving this way without even fighting a war… Should I at least shoot an arrow or something?

'Don't do anything useless. I don't want to draw attention.'

Through the Magic Armament Udjat, I played back the video and talked with the two control personas.

Booooom!!! 'Ah, that's the part I didn't see earlier.'

Sung-yeop was seen letting out a groan; he could not even move properly as he faced Zhou Hongyi, who walked with footsteps imbued with mighty neigong. It was an uncouth violence that could not be described as a mere diplomatic discourtesy, but Zhou Hongyi did not even cast him a glance. Zhou Hongyi just kept walking, and passed the King

of Korea. Then, the man sat down in a seat. Everyone from the Lee Family was in turmoil as they witnessed that.

"Th-That! That arrogant...!!"

"He's totally...acting as he pleases."

"Oh my God."

All Zhou Hongyi did was sit down, but all the ability users of the Lee Family, even those who initially welcomed him with delighted expressions, hardened their expressions.

"You... No, you bastard! What do you think you're doing right now?!" Subjected to the concentrated marks, and perhaps because his blood and energy circulation was disrupted, Sung-yeop bled around his mouth. Then, his face was eventually filled with anger, and not astonishment. It was an unsurprising reaction, since Zhou Hongyi had just sat upon the seat where he personally should have sat. The man was on the Royal Throne.

Ohhh! I'm pleased with this one. Yeah. He should do at least that much to stir up a war! If he puts up with it here, then that's not a king but a real loser! Come on, it's a fight! It's a war! An exciting war is about to happen!

'What are you rooting for...'

As I clicked my tongue, feeling baffled, the video caught up with reality. It was a natural flow because the video speed had been accelerated by 1.5 times. Then, in the video that was shown through the glasses, Zhou Hongyi received something from one of those who seemed to be his subordinate. It was a glass of americano…

'Wow, he really broke the imagery.'

I mean, that was the case no matter how I look at it -- why an americano when he was wearing that outfit? I was thoroughly baffled.

Regardless of my reactions, Zhou Hongyi took a sip of the americano and placed it down on the table. He then said, "It seems everyone is here."

The Lee Family senior members who followed into the Geunjeongjeon Hall on impulse, and the Lee Family ability users who were outside the wide-open door of Geunjeongjeon Hall, all glared up at Zhou Hongyi. Their eyes displayed their frustration and anger. If it was an ordinary person, they might have felt pressured by the huge difference in numbers. However, Zhou Hongyi's attitude was perfectly audacious—totally disregarding the inhospitable treatment and glaring gazes. He seemed to not even care if a rebellion happened. The Lee Family members started to make a fuss over his unbelievable behavior.

"Your Majesty the Emperor..."

"Ahh really, I'm sick and tired of the fucking Emperor... But, no matter how shitty the Emperor is, this slightly crosses the line."

"You Chinese bastards..."

"You're completely disregarding the Lee Family. Is this what it is?"

Killing intent started to flow out of the people of the Lee family, who slowly approached. It was a truly chaotic atmosphere. However, Zhou Hongyi continued, as if he was disinterested in his surroundings, "The reason I'm here is to personally bring you good news. It's better news for the Lee Family than for our royal family."

"Whooo...What's the news?" Containing his anger despite the trembling of his fingertips, Sung-yeop restrained the people of the Lee Family who were in chaos and stepped forward.

Then, Genie, who remained still, spoke as that scene unfolded,

That's

quite the self-control. It's not as if he's slow-witted either.

'That's right.'

I nodded. It's correct to say that Sung-yeop, the Patriarch of the Lee Family, noticed Zhou Hongyi's uncouth violence was blatantly trampling on the pride of the Lee Family. I wondered if Zhou Hongyi committed this tremendous disrespect simply because he was full of vigor and recklessness, but…

'That's not it. To simply regard that as vigor… His eyes are too calm.'

I guessed Zhou Hongyi was picking a fight. It was a blatant provocation that was not something that could be overlooked, as it was beyond the level of touching a nerve.

Zhou Hongyi did not just provoke the Lee Family with remarks or actions that would be a diplomatic discourtesy. Rather, it was a bold provocation that was at the level where they could hear the words

'Are you going to put up with it even after I've said this much? Are you not going to throw yourself at me even when I'm doing this?'

ringing in their ears. Judging from Sung-yeop's bewilderment and the members' reaction, it wasn't like this in the past. But for God knows what reason, Zhou Hongyi was showing such an unprecedented move here!

'I see. Is it the Rule Breaker?'

I wondered. According to the information collected by Genie, Zhou Hongyi was said to be one of the top five excellent talents throughout the whole of China. As Chief District Prosecutor, he visited many countries, and also produced 'results' befitting that. In other words, he was not just some random greenhorn. So, there would have been a good reason for someone like him to act this way.

"It hasn't been a day yet." Sung-yeop's gaze calmed down. "It hasn't even been a day since the Great Wizard, the Guardian of the World, died!! That great being was so determined and resolute, so what is with this act you're displaying?!"

'What is he talking about?'

He's talking about the foresight of the Great Wizard.

Genie released the information she had collected with a calm tone. The protector of mankind and the only transcendent on Earth-34, the Great Wizard Zenon ho Kyprios, foresaw the destruction of mankind. Thus, he had been looking for every possible means to stop that from happening.

'No, what do you mean by the destruction of mankind...'

As I frowned at the sentence with an unpleasant feeling, Genie replied,

The destruction of mankind, basically, was classified as confidential because of the extremely dangerous nuance. However, most of the high-rank ability users and the high-ranking figures of the parallel world knew that the Great Wizard was preparing something as he delayed his own death. That's probably what the Patriarch of the Lee Family is referring to when he mentioned the Guardian.

'A crisis is expected to be ahead, but despite that, he sows discord between humans or something like that?'

I could see Sung-yeop desperately restraining himself even though he had bloodshot eyes. Although I did not have such a good impression of the Patriarch of the Lee Family, I still thought it was a pretty decent attitude as the leader of a group.

However,

'pretty decent'

was not enough. Regarding the crazy opponent that stood in front of Sung-yeop, and the nation that was behind him,

'pretty decent'

was not good enough to deal with the situation at hand…

"Isn't that why you're asking to join forces? If we work together, we would be able to overcome the terrifying adversity, after all."

"...What?" The Patriarch of Lee Family, Sung-yeop, as well as the ability users of the Lee Family, looked puzzled. They seemingly just heard words that suggested their lack of understanding.

Booom!

However, regardless of the expressions of the Lee Family, Zhou Hongyi loudly stomped on the floor and shouted, "Congratulations, everyone!!"

"Ugh...!"

"What kind of neigong is this..."

At the loud howl that was great enough to cause my ears to ring, even though I had been watching from afar, the others who were making a commotion stared at Zhou Hongyi. Zhou Hongyi continued to talk with an arrogant smile all over his face, "From this moment henceforth, I declare that the Lee Family has become a member of the China Alliance Federation!!"

Swooooosh

!!!!

In an instant, a heavy wave burst forth, centering around Zhou Hongyi. It wasn't just a simple resonance of neigong, but a wave caused by some sort of external power! It was that moment...

Mission Generated!

The occupation has begun!

Battle Type: All-out War, Limited War[1], Captain's War

The overwhelming difference in power will result in a penalty taking effect.

Battle Type – Large-scale War decided!

Number of Wins – Zhu Family: 0/1, Lee Family: 0/3]

"Ohhhh~" As soon as I saw the text, I couldn't help but let out an impressed voice. "These guys are really fucked-up bullies, huh?"

Following that, screams of grief worse than mine went off everywhere.

"No, wait, this crazy fuc-...? What the hell? Occupation?"

"I can't believe the Mission System had this sort of function..."

"Besides, what the hell is wrong with these conditions?! Isn't this too unfair?!"

The ability users of the Lee Family, who had all gathered together, exclaimed in astonishment. However, not all of them reacted that way. Only a third of them were making a fuss. The rest of them thought that,

'What's this? What's going on?'

Also, seeing that they were flustered, it seems that not everyone could see the Mission System.

"Crazy bastards! I can't take this anymore!"

"These sons of bitches!"

"They dare to pull this shit at Geunjeongjeon Hall?!"

The ability users of the Lee Family who could no longer put up with it stepped forward. This was because of the unusual nature of the situation, even if the Zhu Family and China's national power were beyond comparison to Korea. However, at that moment...

The Battle Type has been decided to be the Captain's War, so multiple combatant participation is not possible!

A text appeared as if to serve as a warning. The expression of the ability users of the Lee Family, who confirmed the texts. turned deadly pale.

"The Captain's War...I see! The Captain's War!!"

"No, don't tell me this is...?!"

"Crazy!"

They finally knew the basis as to why Zhou Hongyi was not worried about his safety, even though they were few in numbers. It wasn't because Zhou Hongyi could overwhelm all the fighters of the Lee Family with the status of a Sword Master, or because he was particularly bold. Rather, it was because the people of the Lee Family were not able to harm him physically!

"Chief District Prosecutor! What the hell is this?! What do you mean an occupation?!"

The air seemed to be swelling up. The Lee Family ability users who were making a fuss directed their gaze towards Zhou Hongyi and his group at once. It was an energy that even a man with nerves of steel would not be able to endure, but Zhou Hongyi replied without raising a single eyebrow, "It's nothing difficult. It means that the Lee Family, and the Republic of Korea, became a member of the China Alliance Federation."

"The China Alliance Federation?"

"The world's strongest coalition of armed forces, centered around our Zhu Imperial Household. Currently, only the Zhu Imperial Household and three of the Great Military Factions are members, but we will amass more power in the future. The Lee Family can be proud of it. You're the first of the other Seven Great Households to join hands with the Zhu Imperial Household. His Majesty the Emperor said to elevate the status of the Lee Family to the Lee Imperial Household within the China Alliance Federation, and that he recognizes it as a vassal kingdom."

"Imperial Household? He allows it? Chief District Prosecutor, right now, what do you think you are..."

"King Lee." Zhou Hongyi cut Sung-yeop off. As if to say that it had already been decided, he changed the title that was used to address Sung-yeop, "If you're the leader of a group, wake up and face reality. This is an honor."

A heavy pressure was spread around. Sword Saint Zhou Hongyi was a mighty warrior who could be regarded as the top ten, even when based on the standards of the whole world. Also, just based on his individual energy alone, he wasn't an existence that Sung-yeop could dare to offend.

Thankfully, this was the main headquarters of the Lee Family, so Sung-yeop could pressure Zhou Hongyi with the difference in numbers, but... If it was a 1-on-1 enforced under the pretext of

The Captain's War

, then it would be useless.

"King, you might be flattering yourself, thinking that the Republic of Korea is a great country. In fact, to us, we only think of the Republic of Korea as a small country that is below North Korea. The term

'great'

is nothing short of a joke." After saying so, Zhou Hongyi laughed. "To be honest, wouldn't it be an honor for a small country like the Republic of Korea to be absorbed into our great nation?"

"..."

"..."

Silence swept past the Geunjeongjeon Hall. There was a raging storm of shock, confusion, humiliation, and anger. Then, at that moment, a clear voice echoed throughout Geunjeongjeon Hall, "I declare."

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

In an instant, the people crowding the entrance to Geunjeongjeon Hall were pushed out, revealing a new group. The person at the very front of the group was a familiar face. She was a woman with a cold impression and a handsome height, wearing a broad-bodied white garment[2] and a violet dress embroidered with a white tiger and blue dragon. Then, she looked up at Zhou Hongyi with a cold look, which was unlike her elegant appearance.

'Wow, she's appearing in this manner in such a place.'

I stared at the Student Council President, who was standing upright. She was a beautiful woman exuding a mature charm that was hard to associate with a female high school student. However, she wasn't of concern to me. What I was concerned about was the boy standing behind her.

'Hyung.'

I stared. That's right. My one and only brother. It was Yeong-min.

1. Limited War is a war in which the weapons used, the nations or territory involved, or the objectives pursued are restricted in some way, in particular one in which the use of nuclear weapons is avoided.

2. In Korean, ???, jeogori which is a basic upper garment of the hanbok, a traditional Korean garment, which has been worn by both men and women.