Chapter 261

From midnight till dawn, the Chinese investigation team had continuously insisted that Phoenix was most likely lured over to the Kang Estate. However, whenever Park Chang-Cheon had insisted on the details, the Chinese candidates fell quiet, unable to support their claims with a speck of evidence.

Clearly, they had it out for Jae-Hyeok; Park Chang-Cheon could tell this, and surely so could Jae-Hyeok.

So why, then?

Why accompany the Chinese candidates into the Twilight Kingdom?

Park Chang-Cheon hadn’t been able to understand it. Until—

“Gasp!”

The portal flared, but when the light faded, only a figure stood before the gate.

It was none other than Jae-Hyeok!

Park Chang-Cheon hurried over.

“W-what happened to the others?”

“Dead.”

Kid, that much is obvious.

Park Chang-Cheon had already assumed as much the instant Jae-Hyeok had returned alone. What he really wanted to know was

what

had caused this disaster.

The Chinese have been clearing this gate for almost two weeks now. How could they all suddenly die?

Park Chang-Cheon briefly considered whether Jae-Hyeok was responsible before quickly erasing the thought.

This is six Chinese National Treasure candidates we’re talking about. How could Jae-Hyeok have anything to do with it?

Having watched Jae-Hyeok’s candidate exam, Park Chang-Cheon had gained an idea of his power level. Jae-Hyeok was indeed a talented candidate, but the idea of his killing six Chinese peers without a hitch was simply impossible.

Above all, Park Chang-Cheon trusted Jae-Hyeok. He had worked with Jae-Hyeok on several occasions and seen for himself how smart the boy was.

Surely, he wouldn’t have purposely schemed against the Chinese candidates. After all, Jae-Hyeok’s current position had made him look blatantly suspicious, practically inviting China to take issue with Korea and come after him.

Jae-Hyeok would not have sought this outcome intentionally.

Thinking of the current situation, Park Chang-Cheon inwardly lamented all the troubles that were bound to follow in the coming days.

Jae-Hyeok dipped his head.

“Also, I’m sorry for earlier.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“You got slapped because of me. It was even in front of Hae-Rin.”

“How is that your fault? Raise your head. I’m tougher than I look.”

As the one charged with escorting the investigation team, Park Chang-Cheon had failed to stop them from arriving at the Kang Estate without permission and starting an argument, so he also felt sorry for Jae-Hyeok.

“No. It’s my fault. I was the one with the highest status in that situation, but none of them took me seriously. Had they respected me, they wouldn't have dared to insult you.”

Jae-Hyeok thought of his father.

If he had a reputation like his father’s, then those players wouldn’t have dared to offend him, let alone lay hands on Park Chan-Cheon while in his presence.

I should become stronger a bit faster.

Jae-Hyeok redoubled his resolve to build up his reputation. That way, Park Chang-Cheon would never again have to endure insults before his own daughter.

“It absolutely is

not

your fault.”

Park Chang-Cheon could guess Jae-Hyeok’s thoughts, and he continued with a gentle expression, “You are doing well as it is. The future is long; you don’t need to rush.”

Following the Yaksha’s fall, China had been constantly finding new ways to pressure the Korean government and humiliate its players.

As the one charged with escorting and protecting national guests, Park Chang-Cheon had long grown accustomed to the insults and disrespect from the Chinese.

He was used to it.

He was just sorry that he’d shown such an ugly appearance in front of his daughter.

“The reason they acted so arrogantly isn’t because you are lacking, but...”

Park Chang-Cheon was gently patting Jae-Hyeok’s hand, only to fall silent.

Our country is weak.

Ultimately, Park Chang-Cheon couldn’t bring himself to speak these words.

“I’m sorry.”

Park Chang-Cheon sighed before dipping his head in return to Jae-Hyeok.

“It’s the fault of us adults. We’ve let our homeland down.”

Why should Jae-Hyeok, who was doing better than anyone else, end up apologizing? In the end, Korea's predicament was the fault of the older generation—including himself; everything had gone wrong from the time they'd turned away from the Yaksha and the Kang family.

“......”

Park Chang-Cheon’s back looked smaller than ever as realization and regret settled over him, causing the officials from the Association, military, and political spheres who were standing by to lower their heads.

Not one of them could meet Jae-Hyeok’s eyes.

“What exactly happened inside the gate?”

Of course, they couldn’t afford to be immersed in sentiment forever; three of China’s National Treasures were missing, while six of their candidates were dead. It was safe to say that this was Korea's biggest crisis since the opening of its borders.

As soon as China caught wind, it would definitely hold Korea accountable for this mess.

The more they thought about it, the faster the officials' thoughts raced.

There’s no way this child could’ve done anything to the Chinese National Treasure candidates alone.

He must’ve found a hidden quest.

We should try to negotiate in exchange for handing over the information to China.

But if we give China an inch, it'll surely seek a mile. How much will we have to sacrifice this time...

The problem was the slave spirit that was engraved deep in their bones.

The officials shared an implicit belief that appeasing China with endless concessions and apologies was the only path forward.

Jae-Hyeok quietly studied everyone's restless faces before speaking.

“We competed, and I won.”

“?”

The area fell silent.

Most of them were too stunned to respond. Some even pinched the backs of their hands to confirm if they were dreaming or not.

“When you say competed... you... Do you mean you fought? T-then, Young Master Kang, are you saying you killed them?”

“How could you be so reckless!?”

Among the unsettled crowd of bigwigs, the voices of three people stood out. They were all members of the National Assembly.

Eight years ago, they had followed the trend while secretly encouraging the downfall of the Kang family.

In the face of Jae-Hyeok's popularity, they'd been forced to change tack and support Jae-Hyeok. But in their hearts, Jae-Hyeok was a loose cannon. The sooner they got rid of him, the sooner they could sleep peacefully—no longer waking in the dead of night with their necks tingling.

Thus, they'd bided their time, waiting for the right chance to turn the tide.

That time was now.

Jae-Hyeok had already confessed to killing China's candidates. Once they handed him over, they would never have to see or worry about Jae-Hyeok again.

“People will soon arrive from China! Young Master Kang should apologize to them!”

“Don’t think about being stubborn. If you don’t admit your mistake, the entire country will be misunderstood and end up harmed.”

An excited, vicious light flickered in the politicians’ eyes, betraying their true thoughts.

Ha Yul, the leader of the Jeongdo Party, shouted.

“Calm down and watch your words! Young Master Kang hasn’t even given a detailed, definite explanation of what happened. Why are you pushing him like this?”

She tried her best to ignore what Jae-Hyeok had just said.

He couldn't have killed all the candidates by himself, right?

Jae-Hyeok was indeed a once-in-a-century genius for Korea, but China was bigger, older, and richer than Korea; how could its National Treasure candidates be any less lacking?

The idea that Jae-Hyeok had fought and killed all six of China's candidates was preposterous. Besides, even if he could, why would he? China's ire was, after all, no laughing matter; there had to be more to the story.

“He just said it clearly! They fought and he won! How is that any different from saying he killed them in a fight? Representative Ha, have you forgotten the world of players?”

Ha Yul’s turned desperate eyes on Jae-Hyeok, inwardly praying he would correct his words.

Jae-Hyeok smiled faintly.

“It's true. I killed them. They picked a fight, but in the end, they ended up running and begging.”

Following Jae-Hyeok's words, for a time silence loomed.

Ha Yul’s mood became complicated.

That Jae-Hyeok could dominate six Chinese candidates should've been cause for celebration, but at the same time, Ha Yul had no clue how she was going to deal with the impending backlash from China.

“N-nonesense! He's guilty, but he must've relied on tricks!”

The politicians pressuring Jae-Hyeok grew even more agitated and waved their hands.

Jae-Hyeok furrowed his brow.

“Do you have schizophrenia? You asked me if I hurt them. Now you're even trying to tell me how I did it? Were you there?”

“No, I...

Ugh

.”

Under Jae-Hyeok's eyes, the politicians quickly fell silent.

Just then, an explosion rattled the earth. A tremendous shockwave swept through the area, knocking over statues and uprooting trees.

The ordinary people were thrown on their backs, while the players bent their knees and shielded their faces.

Gravity seemed to grow ten times heavier.

“You don’t even intend to hide it?” An unfamiliar voice dominated the shocking scene.

The winds died down, and all eyes turned to the newly arrived figure.

“The son of the Yaksha... I didn’t want to believe it, but you really were involved in Phoenix's disappearance, weren't you?”

There stood a woman, dressed in a gorgeous traditional Chinese dress.

The politicians and military men on the scene all recognized her.

She was none other than Zhang Soso!

With the Qilin in seclusion, the wider public assumed Phoenix Chen Dian had taken charge of Black Dragon. But Jae-Hyeok knew better now. It was this woman, Zhang Soso, who was the true mind behind the Black Dragon Guild.

Jae-Hyeok ran his fingers through his hair.

“I didn’t expect you to come right away. So are you the next Qilin?”

“You are answering a question with a question. I hate your slippery type the most.”

The tense atmosphere became even stronger.

She's truly formidable.

Jae-Hyeok had realized Zhang Soso the moment he'd emerged from the gate.

One of the first things Jae-Hyeok had done after interrogating Chen Dian had been to look up Zhang Soso. So even with her aura suppressed, Jae-Hyeok had naturally noticed her approach.

And if her face wasn't enough to convince him of her identity. Her aura certainly was.

Given her aura, her senses must be extraordinary. Lies are meaningless; she can probably smell the blood on me.

“

Hmm

.”

Zhang Soso was about to kill Jae-Hyeok, but she suddenly withdrew her hand.

“This gives us perfect cause. Let’s make the stage bigger.”

She smiled and looked around at the crowd.

“Make no mistake. I will execute this sinner who used dirty tricks to harm China. But first, I need an audience. The more who see what I'm about to do, the fewer will dare to cross China in the future.”

Zhang Soso retracted her aura, and the people were freed from the crushing pressure. The non-players loosened their ties, panting and sweating.

By the time anyone realized it, she had already taken a step back and called out to her secretary.

“Tell the president of this country to prepare the grandest stage available. The more spectators, the better.”

There was no room for negotiation in her words. She dared to order around Korea's president as if he were some small-time restaurant owner.

But worse still?

No one spoke against her.

Zhang Soso was one of the most powerful people in China.

No matter how humiliating, what could they possibly do?

Let alone speak up, they might even disappear if they stepped on her shadow wrong.

“Your fate is yours to bear. And what a miserable one it will be.”

With that, Zhang Soso took one last look at Jae-Hyeok and left the scene.