Chapter 1333. Drinking Together, Face to Face (3)

“Y-yes, I am Choi Yeon-Ha.”

Choi Yeon-Ha replied, despite not having regained her wits yet. All she wanted was to have some supper and go home, but the situation barreled along out of her control to end up here somehow.

As she didn’t recognize the person before her eyes and didn’t know why he summoned her group here, all she could do was pay the utmost attention to the conversation and try to figure out the situation.

At least she had managed to figure out two things so far. One was that the middle-aged man before her eyes was someone of incredible status.

Did she reach that conclusion because he could afford to reserve this whole building? Or because other would-be patrons left without complaining once due to this man’s incredible power?

If not, was it because she could sense this innate strength from how the man carried himself?

The answer was none of the above.

Choi Yeon-Ha thought of the Crimson King as someone incredible because of his attitude toward Kang Jin-Ho. She hadn’t been fully conscious of it until now, but everyone interacting with Kang Jin-Ho had this politeness and a hint of reluctance, maybe even fear, in their actions. But their attitudes seemed so natural that she hadn’t consciously noticed them.

However, after witnessing the Crimson King’s attitude toward Kang Jin-Ho, what she thought of as “natural” began creaking noisily and morphed into something much more unnatural. Disharmonious. Only now did she realize that everyone else had been far too consciously polite toward Kang Jin-Ho.

The Crimson King was the only person Choi Yeon-Ha had encountered so far who treated Kang Jin-Ho as his equal.

That was the first thing she noticed. As for the second one...

Choi Yeon-Ha sneakily glanced to her side and sighed under her breath at Kang Jin-Ho’s relaxed figure. Being so unfazed while talking to the Crimson King proved how much of an extraordinary person Kang Jin-Ho really was.

Maybe it was time she stopped sweating over such things?

More layers of “realism” got added into the stories Kang Jin-Ho had previously told her about his side of the world.

The Crimson King grinned at Choi Yeon-Ha and said, “I heard what you said downstairs, Miss Choi.”

“

O-oh

, that? I,

uh

...”

Choi Yeon-Ha covered her mouth in surprise. How did the Crimson King hear her rant from so far away? Of course, being heard itself wasn’t the issue. No, the actual problem was the content of her rant. Didn’t she outright insult China, the Crimson King’s mother nation?

Her chaotic state of mind was worsened by the fact that Cai Kechang and Lee Hyeon-Su translated in real-time as soon as the Crimson King said something. It was as if a surround-sound system was blaring out translations right next to her ears.

“It seems I owe you an apology.”

That was when something shocking transpired.

The Crimson King subtly got up, then bowed ever so slightly at Choi Yeon-Ha!

Although his apology couldn’t be seen as the apex of all apologies, the impact from the visual alone was monumental. Lee Hyeon-Su was so shocked that he almost jumped out of his chair just then.

If his self-control had been lacking by a little bit, he might’ve found himself dangling on the chandeliers above the table right about now!

I had no idea that the Crimson King could bow his head like that!

It felt like Lee Hyeon-Su had witnessed something that shouldn’t exist in reality. As if the sky and the ground had flipped around, and the river started flowing backwards. Something as absurd as that!

His shock eventually reached the point where he was ready to freak out at any given moment.

The Crimson King settled down on the chair again, then gazed somberly at Choi Yeon-Ha. “Allow me to apologize for your unpleasant experience. Especially so with...

Mm

...”

The Crimson King shifted his gaze to Kang Jin-Ho next.

“The Demon King’s partner should not have experienced that unfortunate incident earlier. On behalf of the Chinese people, I apologize.”

No one in this world could casually say they would act on behalf of the people of China. After all, this country and its culture were not something one or two people could represent or speak on behalf of.

However, the Crimson King’s apology still went unchallenged by those in this hall. After all, he was one of the few qualified individuals who could claim to be the representative of China and its culture and people!

Choi Yeon-Ha stammered a little. “N-no, please don’t apologize for that, sir! It was those people’s fault, anyway.”

“

Mm...

I’m not sure if this will be enough of an apology, but here.”

The Crimson King stopped talking and glanced at his aide. That was when Cai Kechang gestured with his hand, prompting some kind of commotion to break out from below the staircase.

Not too long afterward, the source of the commotion revealed itself, and Choi Yeon-Ha’s jaw fell reflexively.

Two men were being dragged up on the staircase. And those two had faces Choi Yeon-Ha recognized all too well.

Oh, my god?!

After all, they were none other than Wu Chao and Zhao Xu!

The two men who caused trouble to Choi Yeon-Ha earlier in the day were being dragged up here by their arms while covered in blood from head to toe.

“...”

Choi Yeon-Ha forgot to close her slack jaw. She always had been meticulous about maintaining her composure in front of other people, but at this moment at least, she didn’t have the mental leeway to worry about such a thing.

The well-built men dragged Wu Chao and Zhao Xu before the table and threw them down on the floor.

“

Urghhh

...”

“

Euh

...”

The two men barely managed to lift their heads up. That was when they discovered Choi Yeon-Ha’s figure and hurriedly crawled toward where she was. Despite all their injuries, their actions were still swift and unhesitant.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry! Please don’t kill me!”

“I, I wronged you terribly, Miss Choi! I was not thinking straight! If, if you let us go, I swear I’ll live an honest life from now on! Please... I, I have a wife and son...”

“I,

uh

...?” Choi Yeon-Ha stammered in stupefaction before shifting her gaze away from the two men to look at Kang Jin-Ho instead.

He sighed softly. “Don’t you think this isn’t something we should see before a meal?”

“

Mm...

! I didn’t consider that. An oversight on my part,” said the Crimson King with a casual shrug, then addressed Choi Yeon-Ha next. “I shall leave their fate up to you. What is your wish?”

What was her wish? What was she supposed to say here?

Choi Yeon-Ha turned her head again and looked at Wu Chao’s face, which had swollen so much from all the beatings he had received that he didn’t look like a person anymore. So grievous were his injuries that she thought it was a minor miracle for him to be still alive.

“I... I’m so... sorry...”

Choi Yeon-Ha shuddered grandly before turning around to face the Crimson King. “Haven’t you done enough already?”

“Is that what you believe?”

“I... I don’t see a need to go this far.”

The Crimson King slowly nodded. “I won’t deny that my emotions got the better of me this time. Showing you something unsightly is the same as dishonoring the Demon King. I’ll be honest with you. I couldn’t maintain my usual composure when I learned of what happened to you.”

It felt like Lee Hyeon-Su was getting a peek at various facets to the man called the Crimson King with every word spoken.

Saying that one lost their composure or got too agitated was akin to an admission of one’s incompleteness. As such, honestly revealing such shortcomings to other people would always be difficult for a prideful martial artist.

The Crimson King is confident. He’s sure of his capabilities. He must have this unshakable faith in himself if he’s this willing to reveal his shortcomings!

Lee Hyeon-Su’s evaluation of the Crimson King was... So arrogant! But the Crimson King had the power to make others accept his arrogance!

“I’m grateful for your generosity and kindness, Miss Choi. Take these two away. Have them removed from their posts and make sure they can never do this again.”

The well-built men grabbed Wu Chao and Zhao Xu’s shoulders and began dragging them away.

“Thank you! Thank you so much! Thank you!”

“Thank you...

Sob

!”

Choi Yeon-Ha sighed softly while watching the two men get dragged down the staircase. She wanted to rip those two apart into tiny pieces until not too long ago. However, having seen them in such a wretched state... Rather than feeling refreshed, she was more flustered than anything else.

The Crimson King briefly shook his head. “Allow me to apologize one more time, oh the Demon King’s partner. As a token of my apology, I shall allow you to achieve all of your goals in our great nation.”

“I’m... sorry?”

“All the interference and restrictions put on you will come undone. Also, I’ll speak to my people so that all the potential business partners you’ve contacted in the last few days will sign contracts with you.”

“I’m sorry???”

Maybe because what she heard was so outlandish, Choi Yeon-Ha’s brain failed to process the incoming flurry of information. She sat there in pure stupefaction before sobering up. While making a pale face, she asked the Crimson King.

“I-is that even possible?”

“Yes. It’s not difficult for me,” the Crimson King replied unhurriedly. “However, do remember this one thing, oh the Demon King’s partner. China is like a microcosm of human life. Every facet of humanity exists here. Saints and villains call this place their home. Greed and selflessness co-exist. I wish for you not to form a preconceived notion about our great nation when you’ve only witnessed its one side. Doing so will be a lamentable loss for us, indeed.”

“I... understand what you mean, sir.”

“Thank you for your understanding,” the Crimson King weightily nodded.

That was when Kang Jin-Ho broke his silence and spoke up. “Stating that everything exists here is no different from avoiding dealing with the problem.”

His icy criticism didn’t match the mood at all. However, the Crimson King didn’t seem displeased about it. In fact, he began nodding away as if he was glad to hear it.

“You’ve hit the nail on the head, Demon King. That is why I continue to push myself forward. So that I can one day reform this chaotic land and lead it to a brighter future. Unfortunately, I still lack the requisite strength for it. And my faction is not influential enough. All I can do for now is to patiently endure and grow my strength.”

“

Hmm...

”

Kang Jin-Ho grunted while leaning against his chair.

Lee Hyeon-Su sensed vague displeasure and equally vague satisfaction from Kang Jin-Ho’s attitude.

“The high-ranking executive of the Party responsible for creating this situation will suffer the same fate as those two. As such, I urge you to forgive us and let this go.”

Lee Hyeon-Su gasped in shock and inadvertently butted in. “I-is that even possible?!”

“Know your place!” Cai Kechang shot back.

However, Lee Hyeon-Su couldn’t hold himself back this time and continued to speak.

“O-of course, I’m not doubting your power, sir. I know you can achieve anything if you get serious about it. However, from what I know, the Three Kings maintain a delicate power balance in China. With the situation like that, removing a high-ranking official through your will alone? Wouldn’t that be...?”

“If you wish to acquire something, you must be prepared to give up something else. That is the law of our world,” said the Crimson King. “Yes, I can make it happen. But there will be a price to pay.”

“When you say there’s a price to pay...”

A subtle grin floated up on the Crimson King’s face. Chatting with this man named Lee Hyeon-Su had reminded him of Cai Kechang. This reminder proved pleasing enough that he even felt the urge to explain what didn’t need to be explained.

“If someone under my wings loses his position, another individual not from my faction will most likely replace him. However, if I wish to remove someone who’s not one of mine, now that will require a price far heftier than that. That’s how the world operates, is it not?”

“

A-ah

, yes, sir...”

“I merely have decided that this matter is worth taking on this level of loss. How can I speak of a larger conflict when I can’t even resolve a minor matter?”

That was when a chill ran down Lee Hyeon-Su’s spine. He was... scared.

If Kang Jin-Ho was like a lone star shining brightly in the inky-black night sky, the Crimson King was like a gigantic sun burning up the entire sky.

It felt like Lee Hyeon-Su was getting sucked in—without even realizing it, no less—by the Crimson King’s unyielding will and unshakable faith in himself.

Cai Kechang cautiously entered the conversation. “I shall personally assist you with handling the matters related to you, Miss Choi. You’ll receive a phone call tomorrow, so please tell me what you need.”

“

Ah

, I see... Thank you very much.”

Choi Yeon-Ha bowed deeply without even realizing she did. She still couldn’t figure out what was what, but one thing was certain at this point. Something monumental was unfolding in this place right now!

Where am I? What is this place?

It didn’t feel like she was in reality. On this vast land called China, only this circular table in the middle of some high-end restaurant had escaped the weighty fetters of reality to swim freely in the air of fantasy.

So, this... is the world Mister Jin-Ho exists in?

She couldn’t help but think that she just got a brief peek at a world she normally didn’t have the access to.

“Now then...”

The Crimson King lightly clapped, then fixed his gaze on Kang Jin-Ho.

“Before we start our discussion... Well...”

He chuckled, then glanced at the staircase.

“I’m sure you must be peckish after all this waiting, so let us enjoy our feast first. I’ve ordered the head chef to give us his best dishes, so I guarantee you that you will have a great time tonight.”

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes. “You shouldn’t be so confident about that. I have a very high standard when it comes to food, after all.”

Choi Yeon-Ha and Lee Hyeon-Su chimed in almost simultaneously.

“Nope, not true.”

“

Eiii

, you and your jokes, sir.”

“...”

Kang Jin-Ho’s jaw fell slightly in stupefaction at all the friendly fire coming his way.

The Crimson King jovially chuckled. “It seems you don’t have allies here,

oh

the Demon King.”

Now that cut Kang Jin-Ho deep. Right down to his soul, in fact!