Chapter 374: Cleaning Up (4)

“There he comes.”

“Indeed.”

Jo Gyu-Min and Bang Jin-Hun watched as Kang Jin-Ho leisurely walked out of the building.

“Hey, would you look at that? He even changed his clothes?” Bang Jin-Hun blinked his eyes.

“Don't tell me you wanted Mister Jin-Ho to come back outside looking like a butcher, now did you?”

Bang Jin-Hun recalled what Kang Jin-Ho looked like before entering the building, then urgently shook his head. “Please don't remind me, okay? My heart is weaker than you think, you know!”

“Say what?” It was now Jo Gyu-Min's turn to blink his eyes.

“I used to think I was good for nothing other than a sturdy body. After running into Mister Jin-Ho, though... I finally learned I wasn't as ballsy as I thought, and my heart can get rather easily frightened, you know!”

“...Oh. I can't argue against that.” Jo Gyu-Min gripped a corner of his chest tightly after realizing that he, too, should be seen as an 'easily scared' according to Bang Jin-Hun's logic.

One more event like tonight's, and Jo Gyu-Min was 100% certain he'd collapse from a heart attack!

“In any case…” Jo Gyu-Min sighed deeply. “Does this mean our situation is more or less taken care of?”

“...Taken care of, you say?” Bang Jin-Hun looked behind him at the destroyed training field, then at the Yeongnam Group martial artists herded to a corner. He couldn't help but frown a little.

'How am I supposed to... take care of this?'

He never once thought the war would conclude this way. Actually, that was a lie. He never thought about the aftermath in the first place. Who would think about such a thing while heading out to war, anyway?

“Well, I guess we should ask Mister Jin-Ho for his opinion first,” said Bang Jin-Hun while shrugging his shoulders.

“You're right.” Jo Gyu-Min nodded.

They both knew that Kang Jin-Ho had the final say in how this situation should be dealt with.

Jo Gyu-Min groaned weakly while staring at Kang Jin-Ho walking to him. “He looks rather refreshed, doesn't he?”

“Really?” Bang Jin-Hun slightly tilted his head.

“Yes. It's like Mister Jin-Ho got to vent his stress properly this time. And that is creepy, don't you agree? Seriously creepy, in fact.”

“Ha, ha... Ha…” Bang Jin-Hun could only chuckle awkwardly.

There was nothing wrong with people resorting to different ways of getting rid of stress. Even then, he had to acknowledge that Kang Jin-Ho's preferred method was... quite problematic.

Kang Jin-Ho waved lightly at the duo. “Were you waiting for me?”

“Ah, yes. Well, uh…”

Please don't act like nothing's happened here!

Bang Jin-Hun nearly lost all hope in humanity after seeing this young man nonchalantly greet him. How could he not, after recalling what Kang Jin-Ho had done not too long ago!

Kang Jin-Ho scanned the surroundings before looking at Bang Jin-Hun again. “Looks like everything is more or less taken care of. Is there something else you want me to do?”

“I'm sorry?” Bang Jin-Hun dazedly stared at Kang Jin-Ho.

'Why are you asking me that?'

We've been standing here waiting... for you, you know!

“Cough. No, not exactly. We don't have anything else to do here.”

“In that case, let's go home, shall we?”

“Huh?”

“Let's go home. You said there isn't anything else for me to do here.”

“I, uh, I did say that, but…” Bang Jin-Hun frowned, thinking he was getting sucked into Kang Jin-Ho's pace. “Okay, but what should we do about them?”

When Bang Jin-Hun pointed at the Yeongnam Group members kneeling on the corner of the field, Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head in confusion. “What do you mean by what we should do?”

Why are you asking me that again?!

Bang Jin-Hun suddenly wanted to break down and cry.

Kang Jin-Ho innocently asked as if he was genuinely surprised by the notion. “Wait, were you thinking of imprisoning all of them somewhere?”

“...Mister Jin-Ho, I'm pretty sure there isn't a prison sturdy enough to securely hold all these people.”

Even if there was one, would that prison be big enough to contain this many people at once?

Kang Jin-Ho shrugged his shoulders. “In that case, what are you worried about? We can just let them be and go home.”

“W-wait a minute. Hold on…”

Bang Jin-Hun was about to say something, but Jo Gyu-Min grabbed his arm and pulled it back. “Stop, Mister Jin-Hun.”

Jo Gyu-Min pulled Bang Jin-Hun away to the back and whispered quietly. “Calm down first, Mister Jin-Hun.”

“...I don't get what he's trying to say, Mister Gyu-Min. What's gotten into Mister Jin-Ho?”

“It looks to me like a difference in philosophy.”

“Philosophy? What?”

“Should I have called it perception instead? In any case, Assembly Master Bang Jin-Hun, please listen. You see this event as a war between the Martial Assembly and the Yeongnam Group, yes?”

“Yes, I do.”

Jo Gyu-Min nodded sagely. “However, it seems to me Mister Jin-Ho doesn't see it that way. The Yeongnam Group dared to attack him, so he came here to punish them. That's about it.”

“What are you talking about?” Bang Jin-Hun's eyes grew wider.

“Well, Mister Jin-Ho's finished with what he came here to do, so he doesn't see the need to keep caring about this place.”

“Heol...!”

Since Kang Jin-Ho got to vent his anger, he no longer cared about the mess afterward? Was that it?

Bang Jin-Hun rapidly blinked his eyes in disbelief. “Even though this is a great opportunity to take over the Yeongnam Group?!”

“No, hang on. I'm pretty sure we all agree that taking over the Yeongnam Group is a great idea. However, Mister Jin-Ho doesn't believe that's his job.”

“Huh. You don't mind if I crack open his skull and see what's in his brain?”

“Well, if you have the strength, you’re welcome to try,” Jo Gyu-Min shrugged his shoulders.

Of course, Bang Jin-Hun didn't have the strength. All he could do was dejectedly lower his head.

'What kind of crime did I commit in my past life that I have to clean up after a madman like Kang Jin-Ho in this life...!'

Bang Jin-Hun sighed deeply, shook his head, then addressed Kang Jin-Ho. “Are you seriously saying we should just leave these guys alone and go home?”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head again. “Is there a need to take them with us?”

“Mister Jin-Ho, this is a heaven-sent opportunity to take over the Yeongnam Group and consolidate our Assembly.”

“Sure. However, do you believe you can handle the consolidated Assembly?”

“Eh...? Uhm... Hmm.” Bang Jin-Hun's thoughts quickly became complicated.

His original idea was to wage one hell of war before completely subduing the Yeongnam Group and accepting the survivors into the Martial Assembly's fold. However, the current situation was just a wee bit different from that scenario, wasn't it?

'Will I even be able to control them?'

The Yeongnam Group martial artists surrendered obediently after witnessing Kang Jin-Ho's rampage. However, that meant the survivors outnumbered the Martial Assembly members. And it wasn't as simple as a higher headcount, either. Objectively speaking, they were also more skilled than the Assembly's martial artists.

'Damn. Too many of them have survived...'

Bang Jin-Hun heard that back in the past when wars were fought with conscripted soldiers on the frontlines, only one-tenth of the troops needed to be decimated before the remnants would scatter and run for the hills. And this situation reminded him of that.

Just from the looks alone, it'd be hard to explain to a passerby why the Yeongnam Group martial artists were the defeated side.

'Blooming hell. Couldn't these punks show some backbone and keep fighting until at least one-tenth of their forces were killed off?'

Bang Jin-Hun smacked his lips several times before sneakily glancing at Kang Jin-Ho.

Knowing Kang Jin-Ho's personality, it was pretty obvious he'd forget all about the Yeongnam Group after leaving this place.

That would be bad news for Bang Jin-Hun, though. Without Kang Jin-Ho's help, absorbing these punks into the ranks of the Assembly without running into serious problems would be next to impossible.

Forcibly trying to integrate them into the Assembly would be like swallowing poison. It'd ultimately do more harm than good.

“Urgh…” Bang Jin-Hun eventually threw his hands in the air after giving up. He couldn't see any other way.

'Yup, absorbing them will only give us indigestion.'

Even if it looked tasty, an indigestible treat shouldn't be eaten. That was the wise thing to do.

“Still, Mister Jin-Ho. We can't just leave them here, you know?”

Kang Jin-Ho shrugged his shoulders. “Lee Hyeon-Su is still around. I'm sure he'll deal with the situation somehow.”

“Lee Hyeon-Su? Wait, you met that snake?”

“Yes. Inside the building.”

Bang Jin-Hun's expression hardened. “Mister Jin-Ho, that Lee Hyeon-Su is one treacherous bastard. He should not be trusted to…”

“I never said I trust him.”

“...Eh?”

“I just think he'll act according to what he believes is for the best. At least, if he has a functioning brain, that is.”

“...Ehh?” Bang Jin-Hun was momentarily at a loss for words. “Wait, wait! Hang on a minute! Isn't that way too sloppy to…”

Before he could complete his sentence, Bang Jin-Hun clamped his mouth shut.

When he thought about it, there wasn't much difference between Kang Jin-Ho's relationship with Bang Jin-Hun and the one he recently established with Lee Hyeon-Su. Kang Jin-Ho didn't try to restrict Bang Jin-Hun nor expect something from the latter.

However, Bang Jin-Hun was already acting like a loyal subordinate of Kang Jin-Ho for some reason.

'...I'm sure Lee Hyeon-Su's situation won't be any different from mine.'

Bang Jin-Hun thought about why he was sticking to Kang Jin-Ho, then promptly stopped caring about the Yeongnam Group. “Okay. So, are you planning to go back now?”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded. “Yes.”

“...I-in that case, have a safe trip.”

“Thank you.” Kang Jin-Ho unhesitantly turned around and headed to the destroyed front gate.

Bang Jin-Hun could only look on with a weird expression on his face.

'He's... really leaving, huh?'

How could this event end in such an unconvincing manner? Anyone else finding themselves in the same situation would try to look imposing and peerless in front of all those kneeling Yeongnam Group martial artists. Or, they would've tried all sorts of schemes to turn these surrendered warriors into their loyal subordinates. That was the normal thing to do, wasn't it?

“B-by the way... Mister Jin-Ho, hold on!”

“Yes?”

Bang Jin-Hun finally thought of a good reason to stop Kang Jin-Ho and confidently cried out, “Do you think a vague solution like this will work? If this had been what you'd call a 'regular' situation, we could've spent our time sorting out the Yeongnam Group properly, but that's not the case, isn't it? No one knows when the Japanese will come after us, after all!”

Kang Jin-Ho smirked back at Bang Jin-Hun. “No, that should be fine.”

“Fine? What do you mean?”

“Well, I believe things will become calmer for the time being. Otherwise, there's no point in letting?

them

go, you see?”

“Letting... them go? Who?” Bang Jin-Hun tilted his head, silently asking for more clarification. However, Kang Jin-Ho chose to say nothing else, simply fixing his gaze on a distant spot in the forest. Bang Jin-Hun narrowed his eyes and stared in the same direction.

'Could it be...?'

Could someone be hiding in that spot? Even though Bang Jin-Hun couldn't sense anyone?

***

'What a monstrous bastard...!'

Sakatsuki hurriedly hid behind a tree. It was an instinctive response that didn't have much utility or effectiveness, but he still did it, anyway.

A tree was a terrible cover to evade the eyes of a monster capable of noticing someone monitoring him from such a long distance away. Even if that was the case, Sakatsuki still felt his racing heart calm down a little after escaping from the direct line of sight.

'I... I need to report this right away!'

Sakatsuki felt an onset of migraine while wondering how he should explain this situation to the higher-ups. Of course, that didn't mean he wasn't planning to make the report.

Failing to alert the higher-ups to the presence of such a frightening monster living on the peninsula would lead to heavy losses to their side. And Sakatsuki wanted to avoid that at all costs.

'I still can't believe what I saw!'

To think that Joseon—commonly seen as the wasteland of martial arts—had managed to produce a martial artist like that! What an incredible shock to the system this was. What was even more shocking was that Kang Jin-Ho had basically unified the entire South Korean martial world tonight.

Of course, a few sects and other fringe groups like the returners would probably reject Kang Jin-Ho's influence over them, but that didn't diminish the accomplishment of unifying two of the biggest factions in the country in a single night.

Considering that in China—and also in Japan—several factions were still in open conflict against each other, the strength of the unified South Korean martial world could easily exceed one's imagination.

'We need to stop them!'

Sakatsuki confirmed Kang Jin-Ho in the distance was heading toward the destroyed front gate, then began running in the opposite direction.

'We need to be quick!'

Sakatsuki's thoughts were completely the opposite of what Kang Jin-Ho had anticipated. While Kang Jin-Ho expected the Japanese to become even more cautious after witnessing his power, Sakatsuki was planning to contact his clan—gumi—and demand they make a move as soon as possible.

Sakatsuki viewed this situation as far more urgent and dangerous than Kang Jin-Ho's own evaluation. He believed that if Yeongnam Group and the Martial Assembly surrounding Kang Jin-Ho were given enough time to stabilize, consolidate and unify, it'd become even more challenging to attack Kang Jin-Ho.

'Only by truthfully reporting today's incident will the higher-ups realize how dangerous this situation is!'

And then, the higher-ups would surely be forced into rethinking their entire strategy. It was possible that the hostile factions in Japan might even decide to join forces and invade Korea together to take over this juicy piece of land and divide it equally! If that happened, even Kang Jin-Ho might...!

“Kururuk…”

“What the hell?!” Sakatsuki hurriedly stopped and looked around his vicinity. Didn't he hear a weird noise just now?

After scanning the area without much success, Sakatsuki shook his head.

'Maybe I misheard it?'

He didn't pick up any human presence near him, so...

“Kururuk...!”

Sakatsuki finally got his confirmation that he hadn't misheard anything. An animalistic growling was ringing clearly in his hearing, after all!

Someone... or something, was targeting him! However, Sakatsuki couldn't move an inch from the spot. That was because that low growling was coming from right behind him!

Crack, crunch, creak...!

Sakatsuki faintly trembled at the unidentifiable noises registering in his hearing. Just what was making such weird, creepy noises?!

'What could it be...!'

That was when his ears heard a voice that couldn't possibly have come from a human's mouth.

“Kang Jin-Ho is mine. Mine!”

Sakatsuki's eyes shot open wide, but he couldn't say anything. In fact, all he could do right now was stare at someone's hand tearing through his chest from behind to emerge in front of him!

A hand covered in dark blood... His own blood!

“Kekekekekeke...! Kang Jin-Ho... Kang Jin-Ho! Kang Jin-Ho... Kang Jin-Ho...!”

As his consciousness faded, the last thing Sakatsuki heard was a ghostly cackling of an unknown man.