Chapter 1304. Devoting (4)

“Sir, we’re more or less done with the negotiations,” said Lee Hyeon-Su.

“Mm...” Kang Jin-Ho nodded while receiving Lee Hyeon-Su’s report.

“I thought MK receiving the support from the government instead of us at the Assembly made more sense, so I discussed it with Chief Lee Hyeon-Ju and finalized the list of demands. As soon as you give us the go-ahead, we will proceed right away.”

“Got it. Do it.”

“...But, sir. You should take a look at the report first.”

“I won’t understand even if I do that, though,” Kang Jin-Ho said with a casual shoulder shrug.

“Forgive me for saying this, but sir. Shouldn’t you personally go through all the important matters concerning the Assembly and give us your thoughts on them...?”

“I believe in you, Chief Lee.”

A vein bulged on Lee Hyeon-Su’s forehead. “Sir?! Please stop trying to dump everything on my shoulders! At least do the minimum necessary work by checking the contents! Please!”

“Hahaha. I agree with Chief Lee on this one, master.”

For some reason, Vator provided fire support for Lee Hyeon-Su, delighting the latter for a brief moment just then.

However, the shells fired by the big man suddenly swerved mid-air and landed on Lee Hyeon-Su instead!

“It’s because you keep entrusting him with zero supervision that he’s gotten too full of himself lately and tries to raise his voice at you. If we were in the great plains, a subordinate like him would’ve seen his spine snapped in half already.”

Lee Hyeon-Su clamped his mouth shut. Meanwhile, Wiggins frowned deeply.

“Snapping someone’s spine in half? Don’t you think that’s a bit too barbaric?”

“Then, how does the Round Table deal with situations like this?”

“We just throw the guilty party into our underground prison.”

“But maintaining a prison costs money.”

Wiggins shrugged. “Still, they are all martial artists and don’t starve to death even if we neglect to feed them. Of course, even the best quarantine measures couldn’t keep out rats from prison cells, which was kind of annoying, if you ask me.”

Lee Hyeon-Su clamped his mouth shut even more!

Didn’t Wiggins just imply that folks in the Round Table’s underground prison had to subsist on rats they captured in their cells?! Getting one’s spine snapped in half might be more humane than that!

Vator and Wiggins continued to exchange more banter.

“Us humans have this thing where, for some reason, we start taking things for granted once people treat us nicely. Even though logically, we should be kinder to people who are good to us and try more to be humble than before,” said Vator.

“Indeed. Unfortunately, humans are unable to live logically.”

“That’s right. And that’s why we need ‘education’, now don’t we? Don’t you agree, master?”

While listening to this exchange, Lee Hyeon-Su began sweating profusely.

However, Kang Jin-Ho’s bombshell landed on Vator instead.

“Speak for yourself, Vator.”

“Huh? W-what are you saying, master?”

“Being too full of oneself? Are you that self unaware?” Kang Jin-Ho loudly tutted, leaving Vator speechless. “Taking things for granted, you say? Not being humble, when one should be? Isn’t that like...”

Wiggins nodded weightily. “Now that you mention it, that sounds suspiciously like

naeronambul

, now doesn’t it?”[1]

Kang Jin-Ho began massaging his temples just then.

An Englishman shouldn’t just spout naeronambul out of nowhere like a Korean youth!

It felt like Wiggins had been living in Korea for at least three decades at this point. Yes, he was a certifiable genius boasting a high degree of language comprehension, but why did it feel like he spoke Korean better than Kang Jin-Ho these days?

Bang Jin-Hun scoffed derisively. “That’s not

naeronambul

, Mister Wiggins. The phrase you’re looking for is ‘hating on one of your kind’.”

Wiggins sagely nodded. “

Oh

, that makes more sense.”

“You two better shut up, or else...!”

When Vator growled subtly, Bang Jin-Hun and Wiggins looked away while pretending nothing had happened.

Kang Jin-Ho groaned deeply, then waved his hand. “Let’s continue with the meeting.”

“...Yes, sir,” Lee Hyeon-Su pouted slightly while resuming his briefing. “Although there are several minor demands, they can all be boiled down to a few core things. Firstly, we’ll receive support for our expansion into Japan. As for the legal issues, the relevant parties have told us they’ll look the other way.”

Kang Jin-Ho furrowed his brow. “Is that even doable?”

“Not long-term, no. But we believe it should be fine for around two years.”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled wryly.

This situation came about only because the Martial Assembly did whatever it wanted while ignoring South Korea’s positive laws. Even Kang Jin-Ho had to agree that the Assembly should take responsibility. But to hear that the government would willingly handle the legal issues!

‘I can’t figure out who is the head and who is the feet here.’

Even though the world had been operating this way since the beginning of time, Kang Jin-Ho still didn’t feel that good about it.

“The second topic is about resolving the dormitory problem. Apparently, MK received the permit to build a dormitory within a green belt zone nearby.”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head when Lee Hyeon-Su mentioned the dormitory.

“Mm? Didn’t MK say it’ll handle that problem on its own? Do the Assembly have to...”

“Once the restrictions on land development eases on the area earmarked for our dormitory, the land prices there will jump by at least twenty times.”

“...”

“We shouldn’t incur any losses by collecting rent, sir. In fact, we could make financial gain by doing so. And managing our people will be easier this way, as well.”

Wiggins raised his hand.

Lee Hyeon-Su glanced at him. “Yes, sir?”

“Forgive me for interrupting you in the middle, but I’d like a clarification on something. Do every individual working for MK wish to stay in the dorms?”

“Yes. They are even competing for a spot, saying they want a room as soon as the dormitory is finished.”

“Huh. Don’t the Easterners care about their privacy?”

“Of course we do. It’s just that the idea of privacy will always come second best to money. If you try to find a one-room place in Gangnam to stay, you’ll soon realize that money can buy as much privacy as you want.”

“Are you trying to boast about your wrinkles to a larva? Do you have any idea how expensive a home in London is?”

“...It’s not larva, but

beondegi

, sir.”[2]

“

Ah

, that’s right. Beondegi.”

This was why an Englishman shouldn’t insist on spouting Korean idioms!

Bang Jin-Hun raised his hand next.

Lee Hyeon-Su turned his attention to him. “Yes, sir?”

“I don’t get something here, so can you explain to me how that’s possible? A green belt is supposed to be some plot of land off-limits to development, right? In that case, why is the government allowing us to build a dorm there? That will draw a lot of attention, no?”

“Not at all,” Lee Hyeon-Su shook his head. “We’ll select the land during the negotiations. Once we pick our spot and buy it, the relevant parties will lift the restrictions. Several other areas will also get selected in this process to disguise our activities. That’s when we’ll construct our dormitory.”

“That’s gonna take way too long, though?”

“There are ways to shorten the time, of course. It’s to prepare ahead of time under the pretext of building our dormitory elsewhere. We source our materials, prefabricate what we can, and wait a bit until the restrictions are lifted. Then, we move in and start the construction properly. If some people have a problem with that, we can always say our original plan was to build our dormitory somewhere else.”

Bang Jin-Hun frowned. “That... is kinda underhanded, isn’t it?”

“Well, that’s how life is, sir,” Lee Hyeon-Su chuckled softly. “There are other minor matters as well, but those are related more to MK than the Assembly, so I recommend listening to President Hwang Min-Su’s briefing.”

“

Mm

...” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded.

“Then, may I proceed?”

“Yeah. Do it.”

“Thank you, sir!” Lee Hyeon-Su smiled in happiness.

The excitement and the high from knowing your preparations had paid off were still difficult to substitute with something else, even now.

“Oh, and also...” Lee Hyeon-Su stopped smiling after remembering another topic. “It’s regarding the upcoming trip to China, sir...”

Everyone’s demeanor changed when China was brought up. The atmosphere in the office instantly grew heavier.

“Since we’re in an alliance with the Crimson King’s faction, I don’t think they will give us too many problems. Even if it’s an alliance in name only, well...

Mm

...”

Lee Hyeon-Su roughly scratched his head. How was he supposed to explain this? Even though those bastards sneakily attacked from a blind spot, they wouldn’t openly attack like that? Even though they could not be trusted at all, they also had this trustworthy side?

Nope, that makes no sense.

Lee Hyeon-Su usually had little to no problem verbalizing his feelings, but today’s matter proved a lot trickier than he bargained for.

Kang Jin-Ho noticed Lee Hyeon-Su’s troubles and spoke up first. “So, you think they won’t act like petty bastards. Is that it?”

“Yes, sir. I believe so.”

“Hmm... How amusing.” Wiggins smirked while studying his disciple. “So, what you’re saying is that we’re about to send my lord to China because of a rather childish reason called your gut feelings?”

“...”

Lee Hyeon-Su subtly bit his lip. Wiggins was right, though. When summarized, that was what Lee Hyeon-Su said amounted to.

“Amusing, indeed. Very amusing. Then, what will you do if your thoughts are proven wrong? I hope you understand that chopping off your head responsible for thinking up such things wouldn’t be enough to pay for your mistake.”

Kang Jin-Ho groaned. “Wiggins?”

“Yes, my lord?”

“Who’s teaching you Korean?”

“...?”

“It’s because you sound kind of weird.”

“It’s self-taught, actually.”

Kang Jin-Ho shook his head. This was why being close with geniuses could be so exhausting.

“Don’t blame Lee Hyeon-Su. I’m the one who decided to do this, after all,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“But, my lord...!” Wiggins furrowed his brow. “Allow me to go in your stead. It’s too dangerous for you to enter China.”

“Then, I suggest you dye your hair black first. And don’t forget to change your skin color, too.”

“...”

Bang Jin-Hun began cackling loudly. “

Hahaha

!

Oh

, while you’re at it, shave your nose down a bit too, Mister Wiggins!”

“

Kuh-hum

!” Wiggins fake-coughed.

Bang Jin-Hun raised his hand next, only for Kang Jin-Ho to stop him from talking altogether. “Can you speak Chinese?”

“...”

“As for you, Vator. Don’t even start.”

“

Urgh

...”

Kang Jin-Ho sighed. “If you aren’t happy about it, look more like a normal person, okay? Besides, it’s not like I’m looking forward to the trip. I know how dangerous it’ll get. But this trip must happen. Even if it’s dangerous.”

The executives of the Martial Assembly all nodded in understanding.

Lee Hyeon-Su spoke up first. “Your destination this time, Beijing, isn’t within the Crimson King’s sphere of influence. It’s the Azure King’s territory, after all. Even so... Any number of variables could turn the Azure King’s faction into our enemy as well.”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “Are you saying the Azure King isn’t our enemy yet?”

“Yes. The Azure King is apparently good at weighing the benefits and losses. Their faction won’t waste their forces trying to provoke us, as long as they understand the basic principle of the enemy of your enemy being your friend.”

“That’s all conjecture,” said Wiggins, while frowning. “Life never unfolds the way you plan it. Who knows what variables await us in Beijing?”

“I understand, sir.”

“That’s why we must utilize everything we have at our disposal and offer every type of support we can think of. Even if it seems excessive.”

Lee Hyeon-Su nodded away. He knew better than anyone why Wiggins was saying all these things.

The Martial Assembly would crumble instantly without Kang Jin-Ho. It was the same concept as having a ton of pawns and knights in a game of chess wouldn’t matter if one’s king got taken down.

However, it seemed Kang Jin-Ho didn’t agree with this notion.

“Don’t complicate things.”

“...Pardon?”

“I’m going alone.”

“Wait a minute, Assembly Master!”

“My lord, no!”

“Absolutely not allowed, master!”

Kang Jin-Ho spat out a groan. “Looks like your memories have gotten poor recently. Don’t you all remember my near-death experience the last time we were in China?”

Vator clapped. “

Kuh-uh~!

To think you’d have no problem talking about that humiliating history! As expected, you are a man among men! I’m impressed.”

Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow. “Go outside and plant your head on the floor. Now.”

“...” Vator wordlessly got up and exited the office. Others glanced at the big man while smirking at his misfortune.

Kang Jin-Ho resumed his explanation. “The reason for that close brush with death is simple enough. I had a lot of baggage to look out for.”

Everyone in the room nodded in silence. If it hadn’t been for the demon cult extraction, Kang Jin-Ho could have escaped from there without too much trouble. But he had to buy enough time for the cult believers to escape first, which had put him in great peril.

“Whatever happens, it’ll be easier for me to act alone. I’m not downplaying the dangers, okay?” Kang Jin-Ho tutted. “No, I’m going alone because things might get dangerous over there. Do you understand?”

Lee Hyeon-Su sighed. “Yes, I get your logic, sir. But it’s still hard to accept it. Going alone is absolutely not acceptable. At least take a few Demon Flames from Japan and go with them, please.”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “But they’ll be totally useless in China, though? You want me to take a group of people who don’t know anything about the area?”

“Oh, that...” Lee Hyeon-Su casually shrugged. “There’s no need to worry in that regard, sir. I’ll hand-pick the best people available.”

“

Ng

?”

Kang Jin-Ho could only stare at Lee Hyeon-Su as a meaningful grin bloomed on the latter’s face.

1. ”Naeronambul” is a Korean slang term for double standards. It’s an abbreviation for “Romance if I do it, immoral behavior if others do it.” ☜

2. Beondegi (literally pupa) is a Korean insect-based street food made with silkworm pupae. “Boasting about wrinkles to a Beondegi” is a Korean idiom with the similar meaning to “Teaching fish how to swim”. ☜