Chapter 678. Welcoming (3)

'Regardless of what... It still doesn't suit my tastes.'

Vator was currently on the hotel's rooftop, looking down at the world below. The provincial capital's cityscape cloaked in the darkness of the night was quite attractive, but Vator was too preoccupied to care much about the pretty scenery around him.

Obviously, he had zero thoughts of being a hypocrite. Most martial artists were straight-up murderers. There was no getting away from that fact.

Unless you had only started on the journey of cultivation recently, most martial artists would inevitably veer into the path of murder after attaining some level of strength. In the end, martial arts were techniques designed to kill, after all!

Even so... Kang Jin-Ho was a little more 'unique' in that aspect compared to other martial artists.

'He's twisted.'

Evaluating one's own master this way could be seen as being disrespectful. However, the process of accurately understanding the master's tendencies and inclinations was necessary for the servant to fulfill his role.

Kang Jin-Ho was noticeably different from other people. Although Vator didn't know what kind of a life Kang Jin-Ho had led... No, knowing that wasn't really necessary.

Even if the environment was the same, different people would react differently. Some would mature the 'right' way despite the hardships surrounding them. Meanwhile, some people would fail to hide their malicious nature even after the most optimal environments were provided to them.

Regardless of the life Kang Jin-Ho had lived until now, he wouldn't have become like this unless something inside of him was already twisted from his birth.

Kang Jin-Ho was a natural-born villain. At the same time, he was also the leader of all demonic cultivators.

'And funnily enough... He attracts people toward him despite what he actually is.'

While staying in the Martial Assembly, Vator couldn't help but get confused by the paradoxical sight unfolding before his eyes. He saw everyone around Kang Jin-Ho not being wary or scared of him despite knowing how much of a terrifying villain he could be.

It was like looking at the spectacle of people believing they had completely tamed a powerful predator responsible for devouring countless lives. And even reaching out to pet it, too!

Living together in harmony with such a predator might be possible... As long as that monster wasn't starving, that was. However, what would happen when the inevitable hunger took over the beast? Where would his fangs be pointed next?

As a martial artist who spent his entire life walking the orthodox path, Vator could never fully trust Kang Jin-Ho, even if he was serving the latter. A man with a sound mind, body, and spirit wouldn't become as twisted as Kang Jin-Ho even after mastering demonic arts. The way Vator saw it, Kang Jin-Ho was a natural-born murderer. A natural-born devil!

The event happening downstairs was a good demonstration. The two men being interrogated by Kang Jin-Ho in the hotel suite... Would they be suffering the same kind of ordeal if Vator had been the one interrogating them instead? Most likely not.

Vator would have listened to their testimonies, then either chose to release them or grant them quick, merciful deaths. Unfortunately, they had to get entangled with Kang Jin-Ho instead. And now, they were paying dearly for their misfortune.

Of course, Vator agreed with Kang Jin-Ho. His master's assertions weren't wrong. Their world was too violent and unforgiving to talk about trust, cooperation and compassion. However, if humans gave up on such ideals because the world was harsh... Wouldn't they be no different from mere beasts in that case?

“...Sir Vator?”

Vator turned his head when he heard that voice. Zhang Dajing was staggering toward him with a pale face. Vator chuckled softly. “It seems you couldn't stay and watch anymore.”

“...”

“No need to feel ashamed, Zhang Dajing. Our talent isn't determined by how well we can sympathize with others' pain, after all. Actually, I'd say being able to sympathize with others' plight makes you an excellent martial artist instead.”

“...Sir, do you think Mister Kang believes in that notion?”

“No. I have no idea.”

Zhang Dajing sighed quietly under his breath.

Vator was reminded of how badly mismatched he and Kang Jin-Ho were. Vator pursued the noble spirit of martial artists, yet Kang Jin-Ho was unflinchingly self-centered and cruel.

'We are like oil and water, aren't we?'

Even so, the oil and water had been mixed together to coexist. Or, more correctly, one of them had forcibly suppressed the other so that they could coexist.

“Are you... okay, sir?” Zhang Dajing cautiously asked.

“Mm? About what?”

“You seem to be lost in thought, sir.”

Vator smirked deeply. “You're mistaken about something, Zhang Dajing.”

“Sir?”

Before answering, Vator scanned the cityscape below. Countless neon signs glistened and flickered in every direction.

“Look down there. As you can see, many people continue on with their lives in this city. And every one of them carries thoughts independent of others around them. Despite such differences, people still continue to coexist.”

“Yes, that is true.”

“Martial artists boast strong ego. We firmly believe the path we walk is always right. And we try to follow through with our beliefs at all times. That is why we must always deal with frictions and conflicts. Even so, martial artists still need to learn how to coexist with others. We must accept the fact that our paths aren't always the correct one.”

“Does that mean... you accept Mister Kang's path, sir?”

“I wouldn't dare accept or disparage my master's path. There is no need for it. After all, my master is proving the legitimacy of his path with his own strength. Me not acknowledging his path doesn't mean it has been disparaged or denied from existence.”

“...”

“However...” Vator slowly turned his head to stare at Zhang Dajing. “Judging from how you've decided to ask me this question, should I assume something inside you has been shaken up by... uncertainty?”

Zhang Dajing faltered and hesitated before sighing deeply. “I'm not sure, sir. I... I personally think a martial artist should have some chivalric spirit in them. And sometimes, we should know when to pursue romantic ideals, too.”

“If you put it that way, yes, you do have a point.” Vator grinned deeply.

Zhang Dajing bravely stepped up in front of Kang Jin-Ho to save Vator's life. He was prepared to risk his life to repay seemingly-insignificant signs of goodwill even if Vator hadn't done anything for him.

Words of a man like Zhang Dajing would always carry weight in Vator's book.

“However, whenever I listen to Mister Kang, I... I begin questioning if I've lived my life the right way, sir. Maybe I should be a little more selfish sometimes. And I keep thinking that I'm stuck and unable to walk my path properly because this idea of chivalry has been holding me back. If only he was a little bit... Less cruel and evil, I... I might have been swayed by his ideals by now.”

“I see.” Vator shrugged his shoulders. “So? What seems to be the problem?”

“Sir?”

“You're confused because you think my master's path is wrong. And you can't fathom why you keep wanting to tread that same wrong path. Am I right?”

“...”

“Zhang Dajing, as your senior who has lived a little longer than you... Let me tell you one of the truths about this world. No path in life is truly wrong.”

Zhang Dajing's eyes powerfully quaked as he listened.

“What's right and wrong can only be decided when you have a goal. A purpose. You're confused and lost because you haven't decided on your purpose.”

“Ah...!”

“If your goal is to become stronger than anyone, then yes, following in my master's footsteps might be the right way for you. However, if you wish to stick to your code of chivalry, then my master's ways will go directly against you. As you can see, what's right or wrong is subjective. If you wish to walk on a correct path, you must first know what your destination is before taking the first step.”

Zhang Dajing contemplatively nodded. “You're right, sir.”

“If you're still unsure, keep watching. Consider yourself a lucky brat. In most cases, someone of your standing would have never enjoyed an opportunity to observe a remarkable expert from a close vantage point. Yet, you do. So don't waste it.”

Zhang Dajing chuckled slyly. “Are you talking about yourself, Sir Vator?”

“Hah. You silly brat,” Vator chuckled wryly while turning around. The truth was... He was telling that to himself as well.

'Serving my master while still striving to become the best...! I must not lose sight of both of these goals.'

As an enslaved man, Vator would serve Kang Jin-Ho. No questions asked. However, Vator was still a martial artist. And he had zero plans to get left behind by Kang Jin-Ho.

'It seems I need to pull my socks up a bit more.'

After reaffirming his resolve, Vator headed to the stairwell. “Let's return, Zhang Dajing. This situation won't go away just because we turn a blind eye to it.”

“Of course, sir.” Zhang Dajing nodded and followed Vator downstairs, although his expression still remained a little tense.

Once Vator stepped inside the suite, though... He had to frown deeply at the turbid, ominous air stagnating within.

Kang Jin-Ho was seated on a chair, while two men were kneeling before him. The eyes of those men were... soulless.

Vator sighed after checking out the status of those men. After today, these men would never be able to continue on as martial artists. Even if Kang Jin-Ho decided to let them go, these two would never dare get into a fight for the rest of their lives.

After all, their spirits had been utterly, mercilessly shattered and trampled on. That was an even worse punishment than death for a martial artist.

Vator glanced at Kang Jin-Ho. “Are you finished with them?”

“More or less,” Kang Jin-Ho disinterestedly nodded.

“I see. However, you don't seem all that satisfied.”

Kang Jin-Ho shrugged his shoulders. “They only told me the usual stuff, after all.”

“These men are small fries. Obviously, they wouldn't know anything important. That shouldn't be surprising.”

Kang Jin-Ho silently nodded to express his agreement.

“What will you do now, master?”

“Initially, I was thinking of searching for them myself, but it's no longer necessary.”

Vator tilted his head. “Mm?”

“Their people are coming here. To capture me, apparently.”

“...Like moths to a flame, I see.”

“Hmm...” The corners of Kang Jin-Ho's lips curled up.

Vator suddenly felt this sense of incongruity at Kang Jin-Ho's expression.

'He's different from when fighting against me.'

Back when Vator baited Kang Jin-Ho out for a fight to the death, the latter didn't bother to hide his choking bloodlust and rage. Kang Jin-Ho was the type to unleash maximum hatred and resentment toward anyone daring to attack him or throw his life into chaos.

So, how was Vator supposed to describe that smirk?

'...Isn't it like he's having a lot of fun?'

Vator grew genuinely interested just then. He already had a fairly-good hunch as to why Kang Jin-Ho seemed so different.

Kang Jin-Ho no longer had to worry about things he 'needed to protect'; things like the Martial Assembly, his family, friends and even acquaintances. With his worries no longer a factor, he didn't need to get furious at those daring to attack him. He only needed to teach them a lesson on what it meant to go against him, after all!

“Hmm. Master?” Vator rubbed his chin while voicing his concern. “I get that traveling to China has taken a load off your shoulders. However, it seems to me you haven't considered all the dangers facing you precisely because we're in China.”

“All the dangers, you say?”

“That's right, dangers. I hope you haven't forgotten that we're in China. We're on their home turf. Only small fries are coming for you right now, but once you deal with them, the real deals will show up next. Underground organizations in China are stuck in a tangled spider's web. The more you deal with the waves of small fries, the sooner the Crimson King will hear about your existence.”

“So what?”

“Shouldn't you think about avoiding confrontations? Of course, I know you're not scared of the Crimson King's faction. However, almost nothing is as foolish as fighting a large number of enemies in their backyard with only a small group.”

“Hmm...” Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes and stared at Vator for a while before breaking his silence. “Let me ask you something, Vator.”

Vator tilted his head slightly.

Kang Jin-Ho asked, “Does the prospect of death frighten you?”

“...Are you trying to insult me?”

“I am frightened by it.”

“...”

Kang Jin-Ho casually shrugged his shoulders. “To quietly wash my neck and offer it on the chopping block... I've acquired far too many things I don't want to lose. Since that's the case, how about I go crazy at least once? In this place, obviously.”

“...! Master, could it be that you were...?” Vator muttered, his eyes powerfully quaking. Could it be that Kang Jin-Ho's real reason for coming to China was this?

“I've left behind all burdens and shackles tying me down, so... How about we cut loose and go wild for once?”

“...Truly insane, master. Truly insane.” Vator began guffawing helplessly.

He always suspected that Kang Jin-Ho's reason for coming to China couldn't be as silly as rendezvousing with a woman. But to think it was actually this insane! “Are you trying to buy more time? Time for the Martial Assembly to grow stronger?”

“That would be too greedy of me, so no. For now, I'll be happy if I get to divert their attention for a while. And in the middle of all that...” Kang Jin-Ho muttered as a sly smirk floated up on his lips. “...If I get to acquire something else, that will be even better.”

Vator helplessly shook his head. He had no choice but to give it up to this man. He secretly suspected Kang Jin-Ho to be a thoughtless man acting on impulses, but that was not true. It was more like Kang Jin-Ho wasn't of sane mind, making it harder to catch up to his antics.

“If that's what you wish, I shall abide by it. However, if I'm being honest, I too... Have been itching for some action lately. Not only that, but...”

Crack! Pop!

Vator tightly clenched his fists. “I, too, have a bit of history to resolve in this place.”

The sharp gazes of Vator and Kang Jin-Ho collided mid-air. They smirked deeply in silence. And one man was swimming in deep despair at this development.

'What the f*ck?! So, why am I even...!'

Didn't Vator say Zhang Dajing should watch and learn? At this rate, watching and learning might get him a one-way ticket across River Styx instead!

Realizing that he was stuck between two giant whales, the shrimp... No, the man named Zhang Dajing could only shield his face in despair.

He didn't know that an opportunity to observe monsters from a vantage point came at a great cost.