Chapter 1038: Going To Work (3)

Once Cai Kechang exited the room, Sanosuke quietly raised his voice.

“Sir, please forgive me for stepping out of line once more, but…”

The Iemoto subtly cocked his brow. “Mm?”

“Can we even trust that man?”

“Hmm…”

The Iemoto slowly held his chin. His expression was complicated, to say the least.

“If we look at our situation critically, the crisis facing our gumi is because of that man, sir. If only he hadn't promised the Crimson King’s backing and enticed us to conquer South Korea… None of this would have happened.”

“Sanosuke…”

“Yes, sir?”

“The one who accepted that offer was me.”

“…!”

The Iemoto slowly shook his head. “Anyone can think of any number of excuses. However, keep shifting blame like that, and eventually… No one will take responsibility for this mess.”

“...My apologies, sir. My thoughts have been foolish.”

“However…!”

Sanosuke’s bowed head rose up immediately.

The Iemoto quietly growled. “It is also true that that man is trying to exploit us…”

While letting his sentence drift away, the Iemoto’s head subtly cocked to the side.

‘So, that’s Cai Kechang…?’

The Iemoto had heard plenty of stories of that man. The brains of the Crimson King’s operation, the master of cunning schemes…

Someone like that wouldn’t have come here to make the Iemoto’s life easier. Everything Cai Kechang did would’ve been for the benefit of the Crimson King’s faction.

Without a doubt!

Sanosuke frowned slightly. “In that case, why should we…”

“You don't have to say it, Sanosuke. I already know that man's offer won't benefit us in the end. However, our situation isn't quite good enough to reject what could be considered ultimately fruitless offers.”

“...My apologies, sir. It is all because of how lacking I am.”

The Iemoto slowly shook his head. “No need to feel so down, Sanosuke.”

Sanosuke raised his head a little to stare at the Iemoto.

“Cai Kechang and his faction haven't been the only ones, Sanosuke. Countless fools tried to use me as I ascended the hierarchy to reach my current position. Some pretended to be friends. Allies. Some tried to threaten and pressure me through force. And some resorted to crafty schemes… Yet, they all failed. I stand here as proof of their failures.”

Sanosuke weightily nodded in silence.

‘Why am I doubting the Iemoto?’

The man before Sanosuke’s eyes was none other than the leader of Shinichi-kai. One failure shouldn’t change anything. After all, this gumi suffered many defeats and failures during its rise to the top, didn’t it?

He experienced even more painful defeats and chastising failures in the past. Even then, the Iemoto continued to crawl his way to eventually become the boss of Shinichi-kai ruling over Kansai.

This event would simply be yet another chapter in the Iemoto’s life.

Breaking bones and healing them made them sturdier. Just like that, Shinichi-kai would also become stronger and sturdier through this event. Sanosuke told himself this and erased all doubt from his mind. The only thing filling his heart was faith.

“Also, you must not forget, Sanosuke.”

“...Sir?”

“The reason for our crisis isn’t that Chinese man’s scheme nor our overall incompetence. No, it’s because Kang Jin-Ho is far stronger than our previous estimation.”

Sanosuke clamped his mouth shut.

‘Kang Jin-Ho!’

The moment his brain recalled that name, it felt like Sanosuke's entire body was plunged into an icy cave. A creepy chill ran down his spine.

“Sanosuke… We have already crossed the point of no return with the Korean Martial Assembly. Back when Nanahoshi-gumi clashed with them, we could dismiss that incident as one gumi breaking rank and doing whatever they wanted. However, we can no longer do that. Even if we try to sweep everything under the carpet, the Koreans will never forget the fact that we tried to invade them. Once they amass sufficient strength… They will come for a payback!”

How many years did Nakata Yuji say the Martial Assembly would need to surpass Japan? Didn’t he say no more than three years?

That prediction had become meaningless now.

After all, he said the expedition's strength was enough to rock South Korea to its core. However, that expedition couldn't even set foot on Korean soil before sinking below the waves.

Although this defeat could be attributed to the cunning strategy of the Koreans, the uncomfortable truth remained. The entire expedition was destroyed by a small number of combatants.

In other words, the Assembly's forces were far stronger than Nakata Yuji's estimation! That meant the previous estimate of three years should be shortened accordingly, too!

‘Then… Just how much time do we have left?’

Sanosuke couldn’t estimate the correct time frame, but not having enough time seemed dead-certain at this point.

‘So, the Iemoto wishes to deal with the ticking bomb before it can explode…’

Sanosuke hadn’t thought that far ahead. It became clear to him why the Iemoto would accept Cai Kechang’s offer again.

What if Kang Jin-Ho grew his forces to the point of waging a war of retribution? Shinichi-kai, with its authority eroded compared to the past, would find it too difficult to push back the Koreans.

So, the only correct option was to kill the cub before it had the chance to become a full-on adult tiger!

The Iemoto narrowed his eyes as he stared into the distance. “Sanosuke… Do you know what you must never do in a trade?”

“...No, sir. May I ask what that is?”

“Never try to minimize the benefits of the other party.” The Iemoto muttered in a calm, collected tone. “It might sound obvious to you, but most people fail to adhere to this principle. Humans are naturally sensitive toward what others get out of a trade. Even if this trade won't disadvantage you, you will still grow reluctant at the thought of the other side benefiting more from it than you.

“That is what you should be mindful about. You must remember that what you need to focus on in a trade is what you will get out of it, not how others might benefit from it.”

Sanosuke didn't fully comprehend what the Iemoto was trying to explain. However, he thought he could grasp the fundamental concept of it.

“The crucial points you must remember are two things. One, can we quell the internal unrest with this? And will we eliminate the most dangerous individual threatening our very existence?”

The Iemoto’s voice grew more heated.

“To achieve those goals… We must join forces with the devil if we have to! And that’s Cai Kechang this time. Now isn’t the right time to worry about saving our souls!”

Sanosuke firmly nodded in agreement. He could see that the Iemoto's aura had returned to his previous self, the one everybody was familiar with.

Sanosuke didn’t know the answer to the complicated question of what was right and wrong. However, as long as the Iemoto had returned to his determined self, he didn’t care.

“Sir! I am merely a servant who awaits your orders!”

“Good. Then... Gather everyone in my name.”

“Yes, sir!” Sanosuke shot up to his feet and rushed outside.

The Iemoto contemplatively watched this sight.

‘Indeed, what we must focus on is not Cai Kechang, but…’

...Kang Jin-Ho!

The Iemoto's focus was locked on only Kang Jin-Ho. According to the report on Kang Jin-Ho's personality and inclinations, it wouldn't be strange to see that man invade Japan tomorrow. Even if reasons rooted in reality precluded him from doing so, that man should be chomping at the bits for the right time to hit the Japanese back.

‘And so, there’s no more room to retreat in this war!’

Either Kang Jin-Ho died or the Iemoto was killed… That was the only way to end the war.

The Iemoto slowly got up, his expression stiff.

***

Cai Kechang smirked strangely inside the car taking him to his hotel.

His first impression of the Iemoto after a face-to-face was…

‘...A sly raccoon?’

Cai Kechang couldn’t help but smirk at how fitting that description was.

He might have controlled the flow of conversation, but that wasn't because of his gift of gab. The Iemoto had subtly stepped back and allowed Cai Kechang to speak freely. That was all.

If Cai Kechang came out differently, the Iemoto would’ve changed his tactic to suit the occasion.

That man subtly transformed himself to extract the maximum-possible benefits for himself.

‘When he’s crafty like that, it’s no wonder he managed to devour Kansai.’

Cai Kechang might be in charge of a massive faction under the Crimson King, but that didn't mean he looked down on the Iemoto. If he had been born and raised in Japan, it was more than likely that he'd have gotten devoured by that man.

If the Iemoto had swallowed up Kansai through his exceptional skills, that would make him a formidable man. However, if he pulled that feat off despite his meager skills… That would make him even more formidable.

After all, results meant everything in this world. And one’s skills were simply another factor in creating the desired result.

Cai Kechang obviously knew that, no matter how hard he racked his brain to cook up various schemes, he was just another paper-pusher at the end of the day. Only by working under someone who wielded great power could he demonstrate his true worth.

That was why he preferred to show maximum respect to those occupying the seat of power.

As long as he could position the chess piece called the Iemoto cleverly… He’d get to fire an unimaginably sharp and deadly arrow in Kang Jin-Ho’s direction!

“Well, at least the first piece of the puzzle is in its place,” Cai Kechang muttered relaxedly. However, in reality? He was also desperate.

Kang Jin-Ho was no longer an opponent he could take his time with. Indeed, that man had become something of an absolute enemy Cai Kechang must do whatever in his power to drag down… Or else!

Recently, he couldn't help but feel that Kang Jin-Ho's existence weighed far heavier in his mind than the other Two Kings and their factions.

‘That is why… I must hurt him properly this time!’

It was about time Cai Kechang acknowledged the truth.

Crafty schemes and tricks could not deal with Kang Jin-Ho. Assassinating him by dispatching a small number of top experts was already nearly impossible at this stage. However, driving him to a corner was just as impossible, too.

That left only one other option. And that was to assault the target with a force Cai Kechang didn’t mind sacrificing!

No matter how heaven-defyingly strong Kang Jin-Ho was, could he win against ten different schemes working against him? Even if he could, he should still suffer some losses by doing so.

Cai Kechang belatedly realized something. And that was… Kang Jin-Ho was an absolute peak expert!

Just like with the Crimson King, absolute experts could overcome cunning strategies, tactics, schemes, and even the numbers game.

In that case, what should Cai Kechang aim for?

‘Obviously not Kang Jin-Ho… But Kang Jin-Ho’s foothold!’

Kang Jin-Ho made such a troublesome enemy because the Korean Martial Assembly was by his side. That man was getting stronger, yes, but the fact that the Assembly and the demon cult were also getting stronger alongside him made this situation so much harder to contend with.

If Cai Kechang could destroy Kang Jin-Ho’s faction… That should diminish Kang Jin-Ho’s presence by some margin.

‘I should’ve realized this sooner!’

The solution had already presented itself, but Cai Kechang had failed to notice it until recently.

Back when Kang Jin-Ho confronted the Crimson King in China, he chose to stay and fight to ensure the demon cult's successful escape.

Cai Kechang ridiculed Kang Jin-Ho's actions as idiotic back then. Now that he had time to think about it some more? That was where the key to defeating Kang Jin-Ho for good could be found.

‘That bastard is near invincible against attacks aimed at him.’

Kang Jin-Ho chose to take inconceivable actions and willingly took on bodily harm not when someone attacked him. No, it was when people close to him were in danger!

As an example, Kang Jin-Ho willingly risked his life just to save such a trifling number of demonic cultivators.

In that case… What about the entirety of the Korean Martial Assembly?

What if the whole Assembly was put in danger on the battlefield called Korea? Wouldn't Kang Jin-Ho expose an opening eventually?

Cai Kechang quietly licked his lips.

‘All I need is one opening, Kang Jin-Ho. Just one!’

Cai Kechang swore to not miss any tiny opening left exposed by Kang Jin-Ho. The sharp blade he had prepared would surely stab deeply into Kang Jin-Ho's heart!

‘I shall prepare an entertaining stage for you, Kang Jin-Ho. So, let’s play, shall we? However, I promise you this… Things won’t be easy like the last time!’

Nothing was more entertaining than going wild in a gamble where he had nothing to lose.

Cai Kechang would use the chess pieces called Japan and its warriors to wage war. Winning the war would give him great pleasure. However, failure wouldn’t mean anything of note to him, either.

With the situation like this, how could he not be entertained by it?

“Kekekeke…!” Cai Kechang cackled softly before covering his face.

‘No, calm down!’

It was still too early to rejoice. For now… He should focus on dealing with certain things hindering his path first.

“...I'm sure you must be expecting me to do something by now,” Cai Kechang smirked. “After all, you aren't that stupid, now are you?”

Cai Kechang reflexively turned his head to look to the West.

“Go on. Think. Think as much as you want. Because I’m going to exceed all of your expectations!”

A subtle smirk formed on Cai Kechang's face as he hastened his steps toward the hotel's entrance.

Ironically, though…

Even the one and only Cai Kechang had no idea what kind of shenanigans Kang Jin-Ho was getting into in South Korea at that very moment!