Chapter 496: It Begins (1)

'A check?'

Chae Dong-Hyeok blinked his eyes. n(0)vel(b)(j)(n)was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.

A check suddenly appearing like this wasn't really surprising in this kind of situation. Even if many types of gifts and rewards existed in the world, the number one preferred method to express gratitude would always be... money, after all!

Besides, the Chinese possessed perhaps the world's most practical yet modern gift-giving culture. They still preferred exchanging cold hard cash as 'presents.' So, it was no wonder that a check was pulled out after compensation was mentioned by the bare-chested giant.

No, what was weird about this situation wasn't the check itself but the amount written on it.

'How many... zeros are those?!'?Chae Dong-Hyeok confirmed that the amount written on the check exceeded his salary by a massive margin and stumbled back in shock. “N-no, wait. I can't accept this.”

“No, sir. I insist.” The black-suited Chinese man firmly refused Chae Dong-Hyeok's refusal. “Sir Vator commanded us to compensate you. Failing to hand this check to you is equivalent to failing to carry out his commands. We do not allow that.”

“E-even if that's the case...”

“Please, accept this.”

'...Hang on, this isn't bribery, is it?'

Chae Dong-Hyeok cautiously scanned his surroundings. Of course, someone completely unrelated to him wouldn't suddenly try to bribe him. Besides, Chae Dong-Hyeok was not in a high enough position worthy of receiving bribes, anyway. So, this was definitely not a bribe!

Still, he had never experienced getting his palm greased by such a copious amount of 'oil' before. As such, his natural response was to shrink back in nervousness. “I, I'm not sure if it's okay to receive this?”

“No, it'll be quite alright, sir.” The black-suited man smiled gently. “Actually, you refusing to accept it will only disappoint Sir Vator.”

Just who was this Vator that such a large amount of money would be handed down for something so trivial? Not even the honored state guest would be able to do this so casually...!

The wealthy in China were supposed to be in another dimension compared to their South Korean counterparts. Perhaps Vator wanted to prove that saying with his incredible generosity.

“Then, uh... I won't stand on ceremonies anymore. Please excuse me,” Chae Dong-Hyeok accepted the check with trembling hands. His usual bonus for working his butt off was only around three hundred thousand won or so. However, this check in his hand was worth several dozen times that amount! [1]

Suddenly, Chae Dong-Hyeok was overcome with joy at his luck and dissatisfaction at his own boss.

The black-suited man politely bowed. “Again, thank you for your kindness, sir.”

“N-no. I should be the one thanking you,” Chae Dong-Hyeok hurriedly replied.

“Farewell,” said the man before coolly turning around as if his business here was over. He quickly dashed in the direction of where his companions had disappeared to.

'Hmm... Isn't that where the exit for state guest vehicles is?'

Since that bare-chested man threw money around like nothing and rode in the first class, he couldn't have been some random nobody. And the fact that he headed toward that specific exit... Well, that sealed the deal for Chae Dong-Hyeok, so to speak.

'Just who was that man?'

Chae Dong-Hyeok dazedly stared at the back of the black-suited man in the distance.

That was when the security agent, who demonstrated what true courtesy looked like not too long ago, addressed Chae Dong-Hyeok in a somewhat-terse voice. “Sir, please hurry up and enter the checkpoint.”

“O-oh. Of course.” Chae Dong-Hyeok snapped back to reality and hurriedly headed toward the checkpoint.

He couldn't help but think that the agent was showing his discriminatory side today.

***

“Was the plane ride comfortable, sir?” One of the black-suited men asked Vator as the group headed toward the waiting vehicle.

“Mm... The airplane seat was too cramped for me,” said Vator.

“My apologies, sir. We should've prepared a private jet for you, but things progressed far too quickly, and..”

“No, I get it. It's nothing to fret about,” Vator muttered in disinterest while cocking his head left to right.

The usual sight by an airport's exclusive exit for state guests should be a row of pitch-black sedans and SUVs on standby. However, the vehicle ferrying Vator was a massive and luxurious van limousine. That was because a regular vehicle was simply not large enough to contain Vator's hulking physique.

Thankfully, though, the black-suited men somehow prepared a van that had been modified for this specific purpose just before Vator's arrival.

Vator climbed into the rear bench seat and leaned against the cushion while making a content expression.

“Sir. It must've been tiring traveling such a long distance.”

“Mm... What a mystifying era we're living in,” Vator quietly mused. Even if he ran at full tilt, the plane was still so much faster than him in reaching South Korea.

The martial artists of the past prided themselves on being faster than horses. They fervently believed that walking on air was like the symbol of their superiority.

However, the world changed much faster than the martial artists could catch up. And now, everyone could fly in this day and age. Even the common folk could travel much faster than a high-level martial arts expert in this era.

'Our foothold is narrowing, that's what it is...'

This change wasn't something to be happy about for Vator, who was proud about being the inheritor of the spirit of the verdant plains. Despite his feelings on this matter, though, Vator still had to admit to the truth. Failing to adapt to the changing world meant one would be weeded out by nature itself, after all!

“We'll head to the hotel first, sir. Please rest and recover from the travel fatigue before we proceed.”

“Mm. Before that, I wish to ask you about something first..”

.

“Yes, sir?”

Vator crossed his arms in front of his chest. “What kind of a man is Kang Jin-Ho in your view? Is he strong enough for me to personally come here?”

“...Unfortunately, it's difficult for us to give you an accurate breakdown.”

“Difficult, you say?”

“Yes, sir,” The black-suited man replied in a slightly-trembling voice. “We are not strong enough to possess an ability to objectively estimate an expert's realm. All we can do is subjectively compare.”

“That makes sense,” Vator slowly nodded.

“However, we don't have anyone to use as a yardstick in our current situation. In simpler terms, it's similar to a leading goal scorer in the second-tier league moving up to the premier league, sir. No one can accurately estimate how good he'll be in the new environment.”

Vator narrowed his eyes. “Mm? Second-tier league? Premier league?”

“...That's soccer terminology, sir.”

“Oh. Soccer, is it?” Vator slowly nodded.

That was when the black-suited man realized his mistake. Almost every Chinese had at least a passing interest in soccer, but Vator wasn't Chinese. To a Mongolian like him, soccer was probably another Western spectator sport other people enjoyed.

Vator tutted softly. “I get the gist of it. You have no way of figuring out Kang Jin-Ho's strength.”

“Yes, sir.”

Thankfully, though, it seemed the intent had still gotten through.

“In that case, leave out the estimation and tell me what your instincts tell you.”

“Sir?”

“What do you think? Is Kang Jin-Ho worthy of all this caution?”

The black-suited man pondered his answers for a bit, then cautiously raised his voice. “No matter how incredible his martial arts are, I believe Kang Jin-Ho is nowhere near your realm, Sir Vator. I'm certain about this.”

Vator slowly nodded. “Mm, I see...”

“However...”

Vator's brow arched up slightly. That 'however' seemed to contain so much weight.

The black-suited man grew even more cautious. “If it was someone else other than you, Sir Vator... We wouldn't be this relaxed, sir.”

“To that extent?”

“It hasn't been all that long since we've started monitoring Kang Jin-Ho, sir. The time he took to transform from just another name we heard in passing to the top martial artist representing South Korea was only about six months. We all figured he'd crumble in the middle of his journey, but he constantly shattered Sir Cai Kechang's predictions and eventually caused this situation. In other words, Sir Vator... Kang Jin-Ho is a much scarier individual than we all thought.”

“I see, I see...” Vator smirked deeply. “He's a strong warrior, then. A strong warrior...! In that case, it was worth making this trip, then! If Kang Jin-Ho is as strong as you all think, I shall be able to go home with good memories of this country. That alone will be enough for me.”

“Sir. We sincerely hope that you get your wish.”

Vator chuckled before glancing at his conversation partner. “However, I heard there's still a major problem? Since Korea is different from China, I hear it's not easy to duel someone without attracting attention in this country?”

“Unfortunately, you are correct, sir. As so many people call this cramped land their home, blocking potential witnesses will prove to be a difficult challenge. Worse still, our influence means little in this country, so limiting any potential interference will not be easy.”

“How about contacting the Crimson King, then? I'm sure utilizing his reach will help in this regard.”

“That is also not tenable, unfortunately. Although South Korea is China's neighbor, China's influence in this country is minimal.”

“Hmm..” Vator rubbed his chin. His mood should've been soured by the fact that things hadn't gone according to plan. However, he actually felt a little better about this place instead. 'Indeed, this country is not bad.'

Not to forget, Vator wasn't Chinese. Unfortunately, his mother nation was trapped in the dual influences of China and Russia.

Vator was proud of how his country, his people, had once conquered almost all of the known world, so the current incarnation of China was like a thorn in his side.

Vator glanced at the black-suited man. “I see. In that case, how will I proceed?”

“Actually... I have a favor to ask of you in that regard, Sir Vator.”

“A favor?”

“Yes, sir. I might come across as very insolent and disrespectful. However, we're not making this request for our own benefit, Sir Vator. No, we sincerely wish for your plan to be successful, so this favor is for...”

“Your preamble is going nowhere,” Vator furrowed his brow. He wasn't sure how big of a favor this was. However, he also didn't want to sit through an over-the-top speech because of it.

It seemed these men had no idea. Upholding one's prestige and preserving 'face' even at the cost of their life was a Chinese way of doing things. The people of the plains conquered the world precisely because they didn't obsess over preserving one's dignity and pursued only practical interests.

“Hurry and come out with it. I am Vator! If it's beneficial, I am prepared to do anything.”

“In that case, please forgive us for this insolence...” The black-suited man muttered as cold sweat began trickling down his forehead.

Vator noticed all the sweat traveling below the sunglasses and clenched his fists a little. Just what was this favor that these men were acting like this...?

“Sir Vator!” The black-suited man yelled while bowing deeply. “Please! Can you put some shirt on!”

“...”

That... was a difficult favor, indeed.

***

“Son? Did something nice happen to you last night?” Baek Hyeon-Jeong asked with a smile after spotting her son humming quietly away.

She hadn't seen Kang Jin-Ho in such a good mood for so long. As he could be so expressionless and emotionally challenged, Baek Hyeon-Jeong often wondered if Kang Jin-Ho's facial muscles had a problem. But now, her son was actually smiling.

Kang Jin-Ho briefly shook his head. “It's nothing major, mother.”

“You say that, but even I can tell you're happy about something, son.”

“No, really. It's not...”

That was when Kang Eun-Yeong suddenly butted in, her puffed-up cheeks stuffed with pure crankiness. “Mom! He was on the phone with someone last night!”

“With someone? Who?” Baek Hyeon-Jeong's voice suddenly became sharper.

Kang Eun-Yeong tutted. “Who knows? I only know he was on the phone with someone. However! Who else would he care so much about to the point of chatting on the phone late at night, mom? It has to be that lady friend of his in the distant land!”

“Hnnnnng?” Baek Hyeon-Jeong cocked an eyebrow and stared at her son, her eyes silently asking a million questions.

Cold sweat quickly broke loose on Kang Jin-Ho's forehead at his mother's probing gaze. He did chat with Choi Yeon-Ha on the phone, so he couldn't lie and say that didn't happen. However, trying to explain to his family members that his relationship with her wasn't like that seemed like an unnecessary overkill, too!

When her son couldn't say anything and just sweat like a guilty man, Baek Hyeon-Jeong began smirking meaningfully. “Don't worry, son. I'm not going to ask you for gory details on your romantic life, so come and have some breakfast instead.”

“Of course we won't ask you!” Kang Yu-Hwan declared that while emerging from the bathroom. He stared at his son with a face full of expectations. “Leaving you alone to your devices is the best option for everyone. And that's the sure-fire ticket to finally craddling my grandchild, too!”

“...Father, it's not like that.”

“Yes, son. Sure, it's not. I understand all too well.”

How could a person's words and expressions differ so much?

Kang Jin-Ho couldn't find the right timing to resolve all the misunderstandings piling up on top of one another. While groaning loudly, he trudged toward the dining table and sat on his chair while grimacing at the sight waiting for him.

It seemed his mother was also in a good mood this morning as the table's legs were buckling slightly from the weight of all the food.

The family dug in and chatted away about this and that. While passing food around, Baek Hyeon-Jeong glanced at Kang Jin-Ho and asked him a question.

“Are you also going somewhere today after breakfast, son?”

“Yes, Mother. I have a business to attend to.”

“Mm? It seems you've been busy lately?”

“Yes, just a little.”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong nodded. “I don't know what you're immersing yourself in these days, but it's still nice to hear that you're busy with something, son. I know that my son being successful with whatever he does is important. However, as your mother, I'd still love to hear about what you've been so successful at, Jin-Ho.”

Even an idiot could tell that Baek Hyeon-Jeong wanted to know what had been keeping Kang Jin-Ho busy lately.

Kang Jin-Ho took a deep breath before addressing his family, his eyes gleaming sharply. “Actually, there's something I'd like to discuss with everyone in regard to that subject.”

The Kang family focused their attention on him next.

1. 300,000 Won is only around $226 US at the time of TLing. Wow, that's pitiful... ??