Chapter 618. Face to Face (3)

'Have they already started fighting?'

Lee Hyeon-Su hurriedly entered the mansion after temporarily handing over the command to someone else. And he was greeted by the scene of Kang Jin-Ho in a standoff against Lee Jung-Geol.

Lee Hyeon-Su had to nervously gulp his saliva. He was getting tense here. Even though there was no need, he still felt nervous for some reason.

Objectively speaking, Lee Jung-Geol was no match for Kang Jin-Ho. And it didn't seem like a variable or two might get in the way, either. Even then, Lee Hyeon-Su still couldn't stop getting nervous.

Was it because he feared Lee Jung-Geol might do something unexpected? No, it wasn't that. This 'duel' didn't hold much meaning as a fight between two martial artists, but it still symbolized something incredibly monumental.

After all, it was a fight between the previous representative of South Korea's martial society and his replacement, Lee Jung-Geol and Kang Jin-Ho!

As such, Lee Hyeon-Su couldn't relax and watch, even if the conclusion seemed obvious at this point.

'We... finally reached this point, huh.'

When Lee Hyeon-Su first decided to follow Kang Jin-Ho, he knew this moment would arrive sooner or later.

Lee Jung-Geol was a tiger. An apex predator of his territory. And a predator like him wouldn't suddenly become a herbivore just because he got older. Unfortunately, an aging tiger was destined to be ripped apart by its much-younger counterpart's deadly claws. That was the law of nature.

'Although, calling Kang Jin-Ho a much-younger tiger is a bit weird, isn't it?'

In terms of mental age, Kang Jin-Ho was probably much older than Lee Jung-Geol, even though his physical body was younger.

Lee Hyeon-Su sneakily scanned the surroundings. The atmosphere here was... heavy.

Everyone was watching on with nervousness and tension in their faces. Despite the number of people in here, no one dared to break the weighty silence permeating the air.

The first person to move was Lee Jung-Geol. His movement was dignified yet also explosive. It was easy to sense his desire to pour his all into his attacks.

So... powerful! That was the unmistakable impression Lee Hyeon-Su got from Lee Jung-Geol. Powerful and rapid! So much so that his advanced age seemed like a lie!

Excluding Kang Jin-Ho, Vator and Wiggins, no one in the Martial Assembly would be strong enough to fight Lee Jung-Geol. Even at his age, the old tiger had not lost one ounce of his sharpness and strength. However...

'That's not going to be enough...'

Those movements alone weren't going to cut it. No matter how quickly and powerfully Lee Jung-Geol attacked again and again, none of his blows could reach Kang Jin-Ho.

Kang Jin-Ho was dealing with Lee Jung-Geol's attacks with consummate ease. It was as if... he wanted the former Assembly Master to try absolutely everything in his arsenal so that there wouldn't be any regrets later. Despite the grave nature of this duel where a person's life was on the line, Lee Hyeon-Su couldn't help but think he was watching a guidance sparring.

That made him a little sad. Inevitably, everyone would be pushed away by the incoming tide called the next generation and relegated to obscurity. No one could escape this fate. And, even if someone managed to successfully hold on without relinquishing anything, they'd still be rendered helpless by the incontestable conclusion called death.

So, what should those being pushed back do? Should they accept this natural course of things? Or, be like Lee Jung-Geol and resist by summoning every ounce of their energy?

In the future, Lee Hyeon-Su would also be forced to face a similar situation. On that day, he'd have to acknowledge he was no longer the best. What should he do when that fateful day eventually comes knocking on his door?

Lee Hyeon-Su thought that maybe he'd find the answer to that question by watching this battle. So, he carefully and tensely watched on.

***

Nothing was working.

Claw techniques performed with every fiber of Lee Jung-Geol's being... were easily defended by Kang Jin-Ho.

However, Lee Jung-Geol didn't particularly feel aggrieved by it. He wasn't sure of causing any notable damage even if he managed to break through Kang Jin-Ho's defenses and land the greatest attack he could have managed in his entire life in his target's face.

This was like a little kid fighting against an adult.

'To think I'd feel like a little child at this age...'

What a strange experience this was. Memories that felt like they came from a lifetime ago faintly revived themselves in Lee Jung-Geol's head.

When he was still a youngster all those years ago, he'd spar with his master and... And the feelings he'd get back then were similar to what he felt now.

Lee Jung-Geol's master used to be as imposing and indomitable as Mt. Tai. No attacks seemed to land or work on him. Even after Lee Jung-Geol unleashed a series of crisp attacks, his master would land a simple knuckle sandwich on his head to knock him out and end the spar.

Indeed, that was how all sparring sessions ended back then. However, as time went on, the master began having more and more trouble defending against his disciple, and eventually... Lee Jung-Geol won against his master.

On that day, there was a faint trace of bitterness, perhaps loneliness, hidden in his master's smile.

'To think I'd one day understand why my master felt that way...'

Someone once said that the wish of the old generation was to see the next generation surpass them. However, was that true? No, it was not.

The older generation didn't want to see anyone overtake them. They always wanted to be ahead of everybody. However, the day someone overtakes them would inevitably come. Just like now for Lee Jung-Geol.

Lee Jung-Geol watched Kang Jin-Ho while firing a powerful punch. This punch, containing his heart and soul... was easily deflected by Kang Jin-Ho's hand.

'I wonder... Was my life worth something?'

Lee Jung-Geol suddenly started thinking about that. He heard countless times that humans left their names behind after death. However, leaving one's name behind was meant for those who were still alive so they could be remembered, now wasn't it? In that case, what did he want them to remember him for?

What was Lee Jung-Geol leaving behind when he spent his entire life focused on acquiring power? When he didn't even spare a moment's glance at his own offspring?

Lee Jung-Geol stopped attacking and retreated. Kang Jin-Ho didn't bother to close the gap and stayed back. This battle was already over, anyway.

Lee Jung-Geol knew the conclusion even before starting this duel. He actually felt grateful to Kang Jin-Ho for humoring him in this so-called final fight, which was nothing more than an old, bitter man venting his anger.

“You mind if I ask you something, Kang Jin-Ho?”

“No. Go ahead.”

“...What will happen to the Assembly?” Lee Jung-Geol quietly asked, remorse filling his expression. “Now that I know this is the end, I can't stop thinking about what will happen to this organization. It seems I've always thought of the Assembly as my child. Hah... I'm not even thinking about my dead kid or my granddaughter but the Assembly's future... Now that worries me. So, give me a firm answer, Kang Jin-Ho. What will happen to the Assembly?”

Kang Jin-Ho stared at Lee Jung-Geol for some time, then unhurriedly replied, “I've already experienced failure with an organization I used to belong to.”

Lee Jung-Geol squeezed his eyes shut when he heard that revelation.

“I do not plan to repeat my previous failure. So, you don't need to worry. The Assembly... will become even stronger than you can imagine.”

“Is that so...” Lee Jung-Geol sighed softly. For some inexplicable reason, he... He felt relieved to hear that.

Although they were enemies, Lee Jung-Geol felt he could trust Kang Jin-Ho. Maybe he had been so oppressive all these years because he subconsciously believed no one in his circle of acquaintances was truly dependable or trustworthy.

'How nice it would’ve been if I had met this man sooner in my life...'

A gentle smile floated on Lee Jung-Geol's lips. And now, he really had no lingering regrets left. “Listen, Kang Jin-Ho.”

“I'm listening.”

“Become the next Assembly Master, okay?”

“...”

Lee Jung-Geol offered his heartfelt advice to Kang Jin-Ho. “Maintaining a here-nor-there position like now is not good for everyone. And yes, it's also not good for the current Assembly Master, Bang Jin-Hun. So, you should seriously consider accepting your position and becoming the next Assembly Master. Only then would everyone in the Assembly be finally at peace.”

Kang Jin-Ho emotionlessly replied, “I will think about it.”

“Also, let me ask you another favor. I hope you won't discriminate against all those who used to be under me. Those folks have no choice but to follow me whenever I order them to do something, you see. Please, do this thing for me.”

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Kang Jin-Ho wordlessly nodded as he was already planning to do just that. He'd not have chosen this cumbersome process in the first place if he never wanted to accept them back into the fold.

“Oh, and... I have one last request. I know why you're trying to do what you're doing. Yes, we undoubtedly need to get stronger. Whether it's China or Japan, there are external forces always looking to swallow Korea up at the first opportunity they can find. So we need to grow stronger as soon as possible. I know you're the type to fight until you achieve your goal regardless of the hurdles facing your way. However, please don't sever the inheritance of Korea's traditional martial arts in the process.”

“Mm. I give you my word.”

“Good. Then, that's enough for me.” Lee Jung-Geol nodded in gratification. Letting go of everything put his mind at ease like this, so why had he been struggling so ungainly while trying to hold on?

'Indeed, simply looking away would've given me the necessary enlightenment...'

Death was terrifying. So much so that Lee Jung-Geol could feel his legs trembling. However, he didn't back down. One of his resolute beliefs was how a man died was as important as how he lived his life. And so... it was now time to close the curtains on his life.

“Now, come!” Lee Jung-Geol spread his arms wide open.

Kang Jin-Ho wordlessly stared at the former Assembly Master's face, then slowly raised his right fist. Inky-black demonic qi began forming around that fist. However, Kang Jin-Ho suddenly stopped himself.

“Know that death is the end,” said Kang Jin-Ho. Of course, unless one reincarnated or returned to the past like Kang Jin-Ho, that was.

Ironically enough, Kang Jin-Ho had no idea what awaited a dead man in the afterlife. Despite dying a couple of times already, Kang Jin-Ho was someone who had never died, after all!

“However, those remaining behind will continue to live on. As long as the Assembly exists, you... will also exist.”

Lee Jung-Geol's nervous expression gradually broke into a gentle smile. He looked more at peace than before. “You're a lot nicer than you look, Kang Jin-Ho.”

“Well, then.”

Just as Kang Jin-Ho was about to move, Lee Jung-Geol quietly whispered something. Kang Jin-Ho briefly nodded, then unhesitantly charged at Lee Jung-Geol. For the briefest of brief moments, their eyes met. And then...

Boom!

Kang Jin-Ho's right fist accurately 'touched' Lee Jung-Geol's chest. A loud sound of a leather drum being struck resounded in the room, and Lee Jung-Geol's body shook almost imperceptibly.

Kang Jin-Ho withdrew his fist and stepped back, allowing Lee Jung-Geol to look at his chest. There wasn't even a dent in his clothes. Everything down there... was spotless.

'I guess my corpse will be in one piece, then...'

Lee Jung-Geol sensed confused and dazed gazes landing on him next. The crowd must be wondering if Kang Jin-Ho had spared him. Even though they knew this returner was not that kind of a man.

Besides, the dull but insistent pain coming from his chest told him everything he needed to know. And that was how short his remaining time was. A human with their heart destroyed couldn't live even if they tried, anyway.

Lee Jung-Geol looked up at Kang Jin-Ho. “...I'll leave it to you, then.”

“Yes. Don't worry.”

Lee Jung-Geol wordlessly nodded, then his figure slowly collapsed to the floor.

Tumble...!

A bone-chilling sound too eerie to have been produced by a human body falling on the floor entered everyone's hearing. For a brief moment there, no one could say anything while staring at the unmoving figure of Lee Jung-Geol.

“A-Assembly Master!”

“Oh, no! Sir!”

The elders, who had been clenching their teeth while observing this scene, hurriedly rushed toward the fallen Lee Jung-Geol. However, his pale face proved that he was no longer in the world of the living.

“Euh...! No...”

Quiet sobbing came from these grown men. And then, they shot glares of resentment.

Kang Jin-Ho was intimately familiar with this scene. However, he'd never get used to it no matter what.

“...Take care of this place for me. I'm leaving,” said Kang Jin-Ho, then turned around to head toward the exit.

“Wait, you bastard! Kill us, too!”

“No, Assembly Master! Sir! No...!”

Kang Jin-Ho ignored all the voices coming from the living room behind him and left the mansion in unhurried steps. Lee Hyeon-Su followed him outside, then bowed his head deeply. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Kang Jin-Ho briefly nodded back in silence.

“Will you head back to the Assembly, Mister Jin-Ho?”

“No. I don't feel like going back there. I'll... go home.”

“Understood. Then, I'll deal with the aftermaths.”

“Okay, thanks.” Kang Jin-Ho nodded one more time, then slowly exited the mansion grounds. While walking, he noticed the dawn was breaking.

'Been a long time since I felt this way...'

Even though he removed someone who needed to be removed, Kang Jin-Ho didn't feel so good. However, there was no other choice. What he wanted to do and what he needed to do were not always the same, after all.

When he stepped outside the mansion grounds, martial artists cleaning up the mess noticed Kang Jin-Ho and hurriedly bowed their heads to him, their undivided attention focused solely on him.

“Become the next Assembly Master, okay?”

Maybe, that was the only thing left to do. Staying one step away from the Assembly and dodging the responsibilities was meaningless now. Even if Kang Jin-Ho denied it and didn't want to occupy the Assembly Master position, what was the point if everyone already saw him as their boss?

Kang Jin-Ho silently walked past the martial artists watching him respectfully and entered the path leading down the mountain. As his steps took him lower, his eyes slowly closed tightly.

“...I'll leave it to you, then.”

When those words reared their heads again in his mind, Kang Jin-Ho opened his eyes and looked behind. He could see the mansion in the distance, which seemed a little... grayer than before.

If there really was an afterlife... Would Lee Jung-Geol's soul remain loitering in that mansion? Or, had he already left the plain of living?

“...You don't have anything to worry about,” Kang Jin-Ho quietly whispered.

That was his way of laying down the funeral flowers for Lee Jung-Geol.