“A traitor?”

Lee Seong-Hwi growled menacingly, his expression hideously distorted. He sounded more like a wounded beast rather than a human being.

“Does it look like I’m selling out my own country?”

“You are not?" Cai Kechang smirked derisively even as Lee Seong-Hwi began emitting intense killing intent. He wouldn't be Cai Kechang if something as insignificant as Lee Seong-Hwi's killing intent was enough to scare him.

“I merely wish to kill that bastard. That’s all! I’m prepared to do anything for that goal.”

Cai Kechang smirked again. “Including selling out your own country, eh?”

“You…!” Lee Seong-Hwi bit his lip hard. Blood trickled down from the split skin.

“Most traitors think they are not selling out their people. They usually justify their actions by saying it's all for some noble goal or there's a more pragmatic reason behind their actions. And I wanted to know if you're one of those people,” Cai Kechang chuckled while rubbing his chin as if he got his answers.

“I didn’t sell out my country. That bastard did!” Lee Seong-Hwi muttered in absolute conviction. “Before his appearance, South Korea never had to worry about foreign threats. It’s all because he showed up and turned everything upside down that we’re in this situation!”

Cai Kechang chuckled. “Ho-oh? So, you’re a patriot? That you’re doing this for your country?”

Lee Seong-Hwi remained silent this time. Because he knew he couldn't answer to that provocation. How could he, when he knew only too well the reason for his silence?

Cai Kechang finished casually pouring salt into Lee Seong-Hwi's open wound, then guffawed loudly. "It's fine either way. We've always welcomed people like you, historically speaking. Move according to our plans and take over South Korea, and we might grant you positions similar to that of a king of the Joseon dynasty. That might not be such a bad idea, don't you think?”

“You mean, like Goryeo kings?”

“I thought there was no difference? First time I hear about such things.”

“You f*cking son of a b*tch…” Lee Seong-Hwi glared murderously at Cai Kechang.

Cai Kechang remained unperturbed, however. “You better glare elsewhere, boy. Don't you dare forget that I'm the only one who can make your dreams come true. Or do you think you can find someone else?”

Lee Seong-Hwi chewed his lips before eventually lowering his head.

Cai Kechang smirked faintly. “I love dogs. Obedient ones, obviously. And if these dogs are vicious at others but happily wag their tails at me? Now that's the kind of dog I love the most. If you wish to keep breathing, you better become an obedient little dog, boy. Don't you ever forget! Bare your fangs at me one more time… and I'll have all of your teeth pulled out one by one. Got that?”

Lee Seong-Hwi didn’t respond. However, he and Cai Kechang both knew that this silence was a sign of his acknowledgment.

“Now, get out of my sight. Deliver my message properly. We'll provide all the support, but in return, I shall inspect all of your plans and strategies before approving them. I can't trust the stupid island bastards to do a proper job, you see?”

Lee Seong-Hwi smirked at that. “You sure know how to talk, even though you’re the most untrustworthy one here.”

“Yes, I admit that I'm not the most trustworthy person in the world. However, you lot simply don't have any brains. So, it's better for everyone involved that I make the plans.”

Lee Seong-Hwi wordlessly turned around to leave. Cai Kechang briefly wondered if he should continue mocking the Korean demonic cultivator but decided not to. Today wouldn't be his one and only chance, after all!

‘What a stupid loser!’

Cai Kechang tutted silently. Although he did feel a hint of… 'camaraderie' with Lee Seong-Hwi for their shared hatred of Kang Jin-Ho, Cai Kechang's true feelings toward the Korean demonic cultivator could be summed up as disgust.

Anyone who understood the history and relationship between Japan and Korea would feel the same as Cai Kechang at what Lee Seong-Hwi was trying to do… Which was basically offering South Korea to Japan on a silver platter just for the sake of achieving his goal!

“This is why humans can be… so entertaining sometimes,” Cai Kechang tutted again.

'Hatred' could be such a bizarre emotion. It possessed the sickening power to utterly destroy a person's moral values and blur the lines they previously wouldn't have crossed.

If Lee Seong-Hwi hadn’t gotten entangled with Kang Jin-Ho, he would’ve become an excellent pillar for the Martial Assembly. Maybe, in a few decades, he could’ve become the next Assembly Master.

Someone like that threw himself into the grips of hatred after running into Kang Jin-Ho. And now, he was ready to sacrifice not just the Assembly but even his own country to Japan.

‘What a splendid… self-destruction that is.’

As a fellow human being, Cai Kechang detested Lee Seong-Hwi. However, corrupted men like that were undoubtedly much easier to manipulate and use.

“Yes, like that Kim Seok-Il, too…” Cai Kechang smirked odiously.

Individually, those pieces of garbage held no value. However, they were about to become the middlemen in Cai Kechang's efforts to reach out to the Japanese martial society.

The emotions the Chinese felt toward the Japanese were largely the same as what the Koreans felt. As such, people like Cai Kechang who boasted a high social status would be very cautious about directly contacting the Japanese. He had to be mindful of other people's gazes, after all!

However, with Lee Seong-Hwi and Kim Seok-Il, Cai Kechang could indirectly manipulate the Japanese into action. In other words, he could potentially sink several sharp fangs into Kang Jin-Ho's throat without breaking the ceasefire agreement!

...As long as everything went according to plan, that was.

‘Although, the odds aren't in our favor with this bet.'

Cai Kechang didn't have high hopes for this particular gamble.

If Lady Luck was clearing her throat and getting ready to sing for Cai Kechang, he should acquire everything he wanted. But the heavens were never that kind or straightforward. Especially in matters concerning Kang Jin-Ho!

Cai Kechang learned his lesson. He'd never underestimate Kang Jin-Ho again. Not only in his martial prowess but even Kang Jin-Ho's capabilities as a tactician and a leader were nothing to scoff at. Didn't he oh-so nonchalantly jump on Cai Kechang's blindside, then successfully escape from the Crimson King's grasp from the middle of China?

Looking back at what happened, it was clear to Cai Kechang that Kang Jin-Ho had obtained everything he wanted. Such a result could only be achievable by having the boldness and determination, smart tactics that targeted the blindspots, and the strength to push everything through!

‘Someone like that probably has some ideas of what I’m trying to do.’

Kang Jin-Ho should know that Cai Kechang would target him through various schemes and tactics. And he should be wrapping up the preparations for his countermeasures against those schemes and tactics right about now.

However, just like how not all of Cai Kechang's machinations would come to fruition, it was impossible for Kang Jin-Ho to prepare for all the incoming attacks. Even if none of the attacks caused lasting damage, they would still be deemed successful as long as Kang Jin-Ho was hindered in some capacity. Cai Kechang's side wouldn't lose anything either way, after all!

‘I’m sure your brain is burning up right now, Kang Jin-Ho! Keep racking your brain like that!’

The more Kang Jin-Ho worried about the methods of incoming attacks, the less time he'd have for everything else. Exactly what it'd be like for a man sinking deeper and deeper into a quagmire!

An unreadable smirk formed on Cai Kechang’s face.

“Smart people are cursed to fall into the traps of their own making. Now... Have fun flailing around inside your own quagmire, Kang Jin-Ho!”

***

“Oppa, are you an idiot?”

Kang Jin-Ho suddenly sobered up. “...Huh?”

“An idiot?”

“...I guess.”

A little kid around five years of age was waving her little arm in front of Kang Jin-Ho's face. And he dazedly stared back at the child.

“You are an idiot,” said the kid assertively.

“...Yeah.”

“Idiot, idiot.”

The child began poking and prodding at Kang Jin-Ho's face. All Kang Jin-Ho could do was sag like a depressed Golden Retriever under the merciless torment of a little kid while mindlessly fidgeting with his toes.

“Ji-Eun, no!” Jo Mi-Hye quickly walked up and picked up the little kid. “You mustn’t be mean to pitiful people, okay? That’s not nice.”

The little girl, Ji-Eun, tilted her head. “Is oppa pitiful?”

Jo Mi-Hye nodded. “Yeah. At least for today, that is. Look! Look how pitiful he looks. Doesn’t he look pitiful?”

“Ng.”

“So, let’s go play over there, okay?”

“Ng!”

Kang Jin-Ho dazedly stared at this spectacle. However, that only earned him a sharp glare

from Jo Mi-Hye carrying Ji-Eun instead.

She tutted softly at Kang Jin-Ho. “Oppa!”

“...Yeah?”

“Please snap out of it and get a hold of yourself. What's gotten into you, anyway? What are you doing?”

Kang Jin-Ho blinked his eyes and pointed at the orphanage’s TV. “I’m watching that, though?”

“...Seriously? You're beyond help, oppa.” Jo Mi-Hye slowly shook her head, then carried Ji-Eun into one of the rooms.

Kang Jin-Ho dazedly stared at the two girls disappearing behind the door, then shifted his attention back to the TV.

Crunch…

A potato chip entered Kang Jin-Ho’s mouth before being crushed. He emptied out a packet of chips until not even a single crumb remained, then opened another packet without missing a beat.

By then, Jo Mi-Hye had returned to the orphanage's living room without the little girl in her arms. She watched Kang Jin-Ho's dazed actions before locking her glare on Han Jin-Seong next.

‘That idiot…!’

As if he had found a heaven-sent opportunity, Han Jin-Seong sneaked next to Kang Jin-Ho and lazily lay down on the floor, then reached out toward the packet of chips Kang Jin-Ho had opened just now.

Kang Jin-Ho wordlessly pulled the snack away as if to indicate he wasn't in a sharing mood, but Han Jin-Seong persistently attacked and eventually succeeded in digging his hand inside the open packet of chips.

Jo Mi-Hye groaned softly.

‘Yup, this place is done for.’

The Seongsim Orphanage's true 'owner' and the Current Number One among the orphans of this establishment were lounging around in the living room to watch TV and stuff their faces with snacks like old friends. Just how did this situation come to be?

Actually, that was easy enough to answer. It all began when Kang Jin-Ho suddenly barged into the orphanage with two heavy-looking bags of snacks. Obviously, the children celebrated the arrival of all the delicious snacks, but Kang Jin-Ho only gave them one bag and held the other

very closely

to his chest.

Of course, Jo Mi-Hye was not a girl who’d sit by and do nothing about such a sight!

“Oppa, you don’t have to carry that heavy bag. Give it to me, let me carry it for you.”

Anyone who spent their precious money to buy gifts deserved an appropriate welcome. That’s what Jo Mi-Hye thought, but Kang Jin-Ho’s response easily exceeded her expectations by a wide margin.

“This is for me, though?”

“…”

And so, the situation eventually reached this state.

Usually, the first order of business for Kang Jin-Ho upon arriving at the orphanage was to use his hawk-like eyes to inspect every room and storage to see if anything was broken or if the children needed something urgent from him. However, what about today?

Today, he showed up with a pair of dead fish eyes as if something had happened to him earlier. He trudged to the living room and took over the spot in front of the TV before completely lying down there. And he… hadn't moved an inch since.

‘Did Jin-Ho oppa break up with his girlfriend or something?’

Jo Mi-Hye couldn’t help but feel that Kang Jin-Ho looked lost and dazed. His usual sparks of sharpness and intelligence were nowhere to be found. Something like that couldn’t happen unless…

Jo Mi-Hye sneakily extended her foot and poked Han Jin-Seong by his side. The boy turned his head to glance at her. “What?”

“…”

If a person didn't have any outstanding abilities, they should at least have something called 'tact.' However, Han Jin-Seong didn't have any abilities and lacked tact in Jo Mi-Hye's eyes. In other words, he was useless trash!

Jo Mi-Hye silently used her chin to point at Kang Jin-Ho. That prompted Han Jin-Seong to nod weightily as if he understood.

The boy then turned his head toward Kang Jin-Ho. “Hyung?”

Kang Jin-Ho absentmindedly replied, “...Yeah?”

“Mi-Hye is calling for you?”

“Yeah?” Kang Jin-Ho shifted his attention to Jo Mi-Hye instead. “What’s up?”

“…”

Should she just kill him? Jo Mi-Hye was almost overcome by the urge to mercilessly stomp on Han Jin-Seong's back just now.

‘No, endure it, Jo Mi-Hye! Be the bigger person and endure it!’

Didn’t the old saying go, good things come to all those who wait? Or was it patience was a virtue? Jo Mi-Hye couldn’t remember but still groaned deeply. It was her own fault for thinking she could do something constructive through Han Jin-Seong.

After shaking her head, Jo Mi-Hye stared solemnly at Kang Jin-Ho. “Oppa?”

“Mm?”

“Did something happen to you?”

“Why do you ask?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head in confusion.

“It’s like your soul has abandoned you, you know?”

“Oh, that…” Kang Jin-Ho nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. “I came here to take a break. That’s why.”

“You… came here to take a break?”

“Yeah,” Kang Jin-Ho chuckled softly. “Someone told me I’ve been working too hard lately, so I should get a good rest.”

“Okay…?”

“He told me to go to the most relaxing place I could think of and take a few days off, and… When I thought about it, this place fitted the bill the best.”

“…”

“So, yeah. I’m here to get some rest.”

Jo Mi-Hye’s eyes powerfully quaked at this revelation.

Han Jin-Seong suddenly decided now was a good time to butt in. “Heol…! Hyung, are you really saying you came here for a vacation?”

“Yeah,” Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded.

“Holy cow. I never thought I'd see a person coming to an orphanage for vacation.”

Kang Jin-Ho and Han Jin-Seong began cackling and cracking jokes with each other. Jo Mi-Hye silently watched that scene before slowly shaking her head.

‘Yup, it’s all wrong.’

She had been suspecting something was not quite right with Kang Jin-Ho for a while now, but his symptoms had actually gotten worse! He was probably the only person in the entire country who'd think about enjoying his vacation in an orphanage!

“Hyung! Let’s play some soccer tomorrow!”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded. “Sure, why not.”

“What about basketball? Can we play that, too?”

“Sure, that’s fine as well. By the way…”

“Yeah? What is it? Did you think of something else we can do?” Han Jin-Seong grinned in anticipation.

However, Kang Jin-Ho’s flat voice soon brought the hopelessly-celebrating boy back to earth. “Aren’t you a high school senior? Why aren’t you studying right now?”

Han Jin-Seong silently got up, then dragged his unwilling feet toward the study room.

A satisfied grin floated up on Jo Mi-Hye’s face as she watched this spectacle unfold.

‘Huh. Maybe this might not be such a bad idea?’

This was the moment when Kang Jin-Ho’s bizarre vacation had officially begun.