Chapter 1335. Drinking Together, Face to Face (5)

“I must correct you on several things first,” said the Crimson King. “First of all, we are not on dangerous enemy territory.”

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“If I was alone, then yes, my life could have been in danger. However, as long as you are here, this region will become the safest place for me instead.”

“...!

Ah

!”

The person who figured out the meaning behind the Crimson King’s words wasn’t Kang Jin-Ho, but Lee Hyeon-Su.

He gasped, “Because there are two of you.”

“That’s right.”

A warm grin floated up on the Crimson King’s face. Judging from his smile, it seemed he viewed Lee Hyeon-Su in a favorable light now.

“The Azure King has always been a cautious man. Maybe too cautious. Not only is the Azure King not the adventurous type, but he also avoids creating dangerous situations for himself. Someone like that would never reveal himself with a variable called the Demon King in the mix.”

“

Mm

...”

“He might have tried everything at his disposal to eliminate me had I been here alone. However, that man cannot ignore the possibility of you helping me in the time of crisis, no matter how insignificant the odds are. The Azure King is that kind of person.”

Kang Jin-Ho replied unhurriedly. “You speak as if you know this Azure King inside out.”

“We have been in conflict for over five decades. We tried to keep each other in check, sought out any weaknesses to exploit, and attacked relentlessly. Sometimes, I feel that my rivals are more familiar to me than my acquaintances.”

Kang Jin-Ho thought he knew what that felt like.

It was the same principle as hatred being the perfect counter example of affection. One’s obsession of the hated enemy could easily rival, and then some, one’s obsession of their loved ones, after all!

“This knowledge allowed me to waltz into Beijing unimpeded, oh the Demon King. And it has granted me another chance to enjoy all these fine dishes, too.”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled while listening to the Crimson King’s boasts. It seemed his opponent was far more affable than he previously thought.

“And the second point of correction is... You don’t have to suspect me of ulterior motives, oh the Demon King. My reason for coming this far is extremely simple, after all.”

“...”

The Crimson King suddenly began glaring at Kang Jin-Ho, his eyes burning brightly now.

“I merely wanted to confirm with my own two eyes. To confirm how much stronger my nemesis has become. The nemesis who made me feel the sense of defeat for the first time in my life! Has the Demon King become stronger through the foundation laid out by that battle like I have? Indeed, I... only wanted to make sure. Personally.”

Kang Jin-Ho smirked. “So? What do you think?”

“I am very satisfied,” said the Crimson King with a toothy smirk. “Merely looking at you is giving me goosebumps,

oh

the Demon King. My whole body shudders, and my heart races from excitement! So much so that I’d like nothing more than to risk my life and fight you right now.”

“That’s the same story for me,” Kang Jin-Ho quietly replied, his fangs baring into the open.

It was as if a massive tiger and a wolf starving for blood were growling menacingly at each other. A sudden battle of two men’s auras left everyone else around the table gasping in discomfort.

The Crimson King sat back while sighing deeply. “Unfortunately, our situation does not permit our confrontation. I’m sure you already know this, but I cannot fight you right now. Doing so is the same as throwing away the greater goal we’ve been working toward, after all.”

Losing in a fight against Kang Jin-Ho meant the end of everything. But winning against Kang Jin-Ho would still lead to the same outcome in the end, which was a problem.

The Crimson King was confident of winning. But winning against Kang Jin-Ho without getting hurt? That was impossible, even for someone as powerful as the Crimson King.

Once they learned of how grievously injured the Crimson King was, the other two Kings would seize this opportunity and descend on him like a pack of ravenous wild dogs. That was so obvious that even a blind person could see it.

Failing to control his blood rushing to his head would lead to all the hard work the Crimson King had done in the past century going down the drain. The weight of that possibility was crushing down on the Crimson King right this moment.

“I need liquor to wash away this bitter taste in my mouth,” said the Crimson King.

Kang Jin-Ho sat forward. “I’ll pour some for you.”

“Hahaha! The Demon King will pour some for me? It seems I’m about to receive the most valuable cup of liquor in this world.”

Lee Hyeon-Su stared weirdly at the two men’s interaction. He found it nearly impossible to comprehend this relationship with his logic.

Even though they growled at each other like vicious predators out for blood only a second ago, the mood instantly changed to the point where they were now acting like the closest of all close friends. Lee Hyeon-Su just couldn’t figure out the kinds of emotions involved in the exchange between these two men.

“Do you find us odd?” The Crimson King asked after noticing Lee Hyeon-Su’s confusion.

“If I’m being honest... Yes, sir.”

“There is nothing odd about us. The Demon King and I can exchange liquor just fine. Do you know why that is so?”

“No, sir. I don’t.”

“It’s because our relationship has already been clearly defined. The Demon King and I cannot co-exist or come to an understanding. Our conflict can only end when one of us dies first.”

“...”

“Getting angry, hurling insults around, and suppressing your opponents are all expressions of your subconscious desire to change the relationship. However, the Demon King and I don’t have to do that. Once the time is right, and if the situation permits it, we’ll simply try to kill each other. That is all. Knowing this, why should we misbehave in each other’s company, too?”

What do you mean, why? Because I can’t figure it out, sir!

Lee Hyeon-Su couldn’t help but think that the Crimson King’s mindset was completely incomprehensible. But what spooked him even more was the sight of Kang Jin-Ho busy nodding away, as if he totally agreed with the Crimson King!

As it turned out, Lee Hyeon-Su’s boss was even more incomprehensible!

“Do men have to fight it out like this all the time? Is this in their nature?” Choi Yeon-Ha asked.

The Crimson King smiled gently. It seemed Choi Yeon-Ha took the word “kill” as a metaphor for something much more benign.

“No, it’s not because we’re men, Miss Choi. It’s the difference in our philosophy that separates us. For me to exist as myself, I cannot permit the Demon King to exist under the same sky as me. And it’s the same for the Demon King, too.”

“Hmm...”

Kang Jin-Ho grunted while leaning against his chair.

The truth was that he didn’t have something as clearly defined driving him forward in this relationship, like the Crimson King had alluded to just now. But one thing was for certain. He was

bothered

by the Crimson King’s existence.

He also wanted to confirm something. Could his Crimson Destiny stab into the heart of this transcendental being, too? Merely thinking about it led to every cell in his body screaming in anticipation.

“My honest desire this time is to share a drink with the Demon King face to face, at least once,” said the Crimson King. “I’m sure you all find my desire incomprehensible. But to me, being able to find that one true nemesis I must give my all to win is a blessing in itself. As I’ve said earlier, sometimes... An opponent like him will feel closer to me than my closest people.”

The Crimson King turned his head and stared at Kang Jin-Ho.

“What say you,

oh

the Demon King? Do you feel the same way?”

“How old-fashioned,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“...”

“It’s cliched. Boring. But I agree with you.”

“

Fufufu

.

Fufufufu

!”

The Crimson King picked up a bottle of expensive liquor.

“Will you give me the honor of pouring this liquor for you?”

“Of course.”

Kang Jin-Ho willingly accepted the booze poured by the Crimson King.

He meant it when he said this mindset was old-fashioned and cliched.

The occasional old-fashioned manner of speech leaving the Crimson King’s mouth, plus his mindset, reminded Kang Jin-Ho of the orthodox faction bastards in ancient Zhongyuan. Although they were stuck-up geezers that frustrated Kang Jin-Ho to no end, some of them still deserved acknowledgment from him.

The Crimson King was such a person.

Without a doubt, the martial path he walked on differed so much from Kang Jin-Ho’s. Such was the difference that the two men could never walk the same path. Ironically enough, though, that was precisely why he had no issue with acknowledging the Crimson King.

Gulp!

Kang Jin-Ho drank the liquor poured into his glass in one shot, then took the bottle to fill up the Crimson King’s waiting glass. The Crimson King followed suit and unhesitantly gulped the liquor down in one shot.

He then said, “Next time we meet, I should recommend something else other than liquor.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. “Don’t you worry. I’ll utterly destroy you when the time comes.”

“

Hahahaha

! I’m glad to hear that.”

Choi Yeon-Ha also smiled brightly, although she was busy amending her impression of the Crimson King in her mind at that moment.

Yup, this guy is just as insane!

It seemed she should give up on the fool’s errand of finding anyone remotely sane within Kang Jin-Ho’s circle of acquaintances.

“Also...” The Crimson King spoke gravely. “I must warn you about something,

oh

the Demon King. Be careful with the Azure King.”

“...”

“You have a duty to be more mindful of your status. East Asia has already been redefined as the land ruled by the Four Kings, not three. Without a doubt, the Azure King and the Dark King are watching you with the same intensity as I have. And scheming ways to stop you.”

“

Mm

...!”

“The Azure King plays by different rules than I. While meticulous and cautious to a fault, he could also be shockingly cruel and villainous. Once he decides to kill you, he will stop at nothing to get his way.”

Kang Jin-Ho’s expression hardened slightly. That warning of “stopping at nothing” implied so many things.

“I will not permit you to die so helplessly at the hand of another before we have our life or death battle,

oh

the Demon King. I must be the one to put you down. That is the only way to complete the story of your life.”

“...You sure believe in yourself, don’t you?”

“Indeed. Such confidence is well deserved, don’t you think?

Hahahaha

!”

When the Crimson King guffawed heroically, Kang Jin-Ho couldn’t help but chuckle helplessly.

He and the Crimson King genuinely were not compatible. While Cai Kechang and Lee Hyeon-Su didn’t want to acknowledge the other as they were too similar to each other, the Crimson King and Kang Jin-Ho couldn’t acknowledge the other because they were far too different.

Nemesis, was it? That term perfectly described the Crimson King’s existence.

As Kang Jin-Ho didn’t have anyone worthy to be called a nemesis in his past life, the Crimson King’s existence was extra special to him.

Would other Kings make Kang Jin-Ho feel this way, though? It seemed unlikely.

This wasn’t the issue of their strength. Even if the other two Kings were stronger than the Crimson King, Kang Jin-Ho still wouldn’t feel this emotion from them. The difference was in the set of values, inclinations, and the goals they worked toward. The incompatibility of the two men only made such things easier to notice.

“This has been a fruitful encounter, indeed,” said the Crimson King as he leisurely stood up. “Stay and enjoy the rest of the feast. The correct etiquette is for the host to stay until the end and entertain his guests, but I must be honest with you. If I stay here any longer, I don’t think I can hold myself back. Before I do something regrettable, I shall take my leave first.”

Kang Jin-Ho smirked. “Sounds like you have a problem with your lack of self control.”

“I have no rebuttal when the criticism is coming from you,” the Crimson King chuckled. “This is a bizarre feeling. Oh the Demon King... I despise you the most in this world. On the other hand, you also make my heart flutter like a young maiden during the Spring Festival.”

Kang Jin-Ho frowned deeply. “I’d much prefer if you abstain from using weird metaphors like that.”

“

Oh...

My apologies. It’s a difficult habit of mine to break.”

The Crimson King awkwardly grinned, but his expression suddenly changed to something much more somber.

“Next time we meet, I shall take your head off as my trophy. Until then, become stronger. Devour as much as you can, and thirst after even greater heights. Become strong so that no one can accuse you of being unqualified to be my nemesis!”

Kang Jin-Ho’s expression grew withdrawn just then.

“When you’re offering a piece of advice...”

“...?”

“Do it after remembering who you are talking to.”

Kang Jin-Ho’s icy gaze burrowed deeply into the Crimson King’s eyes.

The Crimson King grinned in satisfaction. “Indeed, it seems I was worried about nothing. You are right, you don’t need to hear that from me. And that is good enough for me.”

The Crimson King turned around and glanced at his subordinate.

“Cai Kechang.”

“Yes, my liege.”

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Cai Kechang picked up a massive box from the floor and placed it on the table.

“This is a present from my liege, sir.”

“...”

“Then, please enjoy your stay in our country.”

Cai Kechang bowed deeply at Kang Jin-Ho, but then, his attitude did a complete switch when he stared at Lee Hyeon-Su next.

“As for you. Keep your eyes peeled for the Azure King’s antics.”

“...”

“If the Demon King is harmed by the Azure King’s schemes, that won’t be on him, but on you. It will be entirely your fault. My liege is looking forward to his fight against the Demon King more than anything else in this world. Do something stupid to ruin that, and I swear to you, I will rip you apart in a thousand different ways.”

Lee Hyeon-Su tutted. “Then stop running your pie hole and give us some useful info.”

“You insolent brat,” Cai Kechang growled, his glare locked on Lee Hyeon-Su. He then spun on his heels and walked away.

The Crimson King and Cai Kechang leisurely walked down the stairs and soon disappeared from sight. Once enough time had passed for them to have left the building, Lee Hyeon-Su and Choi Yeon-Ha let out loud sighs of relief.

She shook her head. “What was that all about? Why was that so nerve-racking?”

Lee Hyeon-Su wiped the sweat away from his brow and muttered, “I’m soaked all the way down to my underwear, you know.”

“Why are you even telling us that?! That’s disgusting!”

“...My bad, ma’am.”

Lee Hyeon-Su wiped more sweat away while frowning.

The atmosphere seemed fairly relaxed on the surface, but under the surface? It was a war of nerves fought on a knife-edge. Even the one and only Lee Hyeon-Su wouldn’t have been able to endure the tension and ended up doing something deeply regrettable... If it weren’t for Kang Jin-Ho’s relaxed attitude throughout the proceedings.

Lee Hyeon-Su sneakily glanced at Kang Jin-Ho and noticed that his boss was wordlessly staring at the empty chair the Crimson King used to occupy a few minutes ago. What was he thinking about so intently?

“Assembly Master?”

“Mm...?” Kang Jin-Ho sobered up, then turned to stare at Lee Hyeon-Su. Before the latter could say something, though, he spoke first, his brows furrowing deeply. “I was wondering about something, but...”

“Sir?”

“They must’ve paid for all this before leaving, right?”

“...!”

“...!”

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at the feast on the table.

“I mean, this must be pretty expensive, so...”

“...”

“...”

That was how this nerve-racking encounter ended in a bit of a letdown.