Chapter 87
"Instead of just sitting here, I should go to Korea myself. I'll leave as soon as the sun rises tomorrow morning, so make thorough preparations."
Despite the sudden announcement, Xiao Zhan wasn't particularly surprised.
As the advisor of the Barehand Sect who had been assisting Kang Yi-ryeong more closely than anyone else, he hadn't had high expectations to begin with.
The situation was all too familiar, and having experienced it countless times, he knew how to handle it skillfully.
"As much as I'd like to follow your orders right away, Master, unfortunately the situation isn't favorable."
"What's the problem?"
Despite Kang Yi-ryeong's furrowed brow, there was no great agitation in Xiao Zhan's expression as he spoke.
After all, how could Kang Yi-ryeong, known as the Great Rakshasa, accept an opinion without any resistance?
Xiao Zhan slowly spoke the words he had prepared in his mind beforehand.
"As you know, Master, our Barehand Sect's strength ranks among the top even within China."
"I'm getting annoyed, just get to the point."
"True greatness tends to create feelings of awe and fear. It's highly likely that the small country in the East will feel threatened by your majesty, Master, and won't grant permission for entry."
This was understandable, as in the current era on Earth, a hunter's strength directly equated to national power.
In other words, hunters who had reached SSS rank like Kang Yi-ryeong were no exaggeration to call weapons of war.
Moreover, Kang Yi-ryeong was trying to bring along the executives of the Barehand Sect as well.
Even if they were allies, they wouldn't easily permit entry, and China, the homeland of the Barehand Sect, hadn't always been on good terms with Korea for a long time.
No matter how much the Barehand Sect and Kang Yi-ryeong tried to push their way through, it was impossible for them to be granted entry.
Of course, what mattered to Kang Yi-ryeong wasn't diplomatic relations.
"So, are you telling me to give up on Lee Sung-joon?"
To reveal his true thoughts, he wanted to tell her to give up.
However, there was no way she would simply listen to that.
No, considering Kang Yi-ryeong's temperament that he had experienced so far, if she heard the words "give up," she would surely become even more agitated and excited.
'...No matter what I or any of the executives say, she's going to try to enter Korea and meet Lee Sung-joon.'
The Barehand Sect and Kang Yi-ryeong's trip to Korea was already decided.
The outcome couldn't be changed anyway.
'Then...'
Reducing even slightly troublesome problems was the wisest decision that could be made at present.
"How could that be? I merely wanted to suggest a method that Korea couldn't refuse for your entry."
"It seems you have a good idea?"
Seeing Kang Yi-ryeong's eyes sparkle, Xiao Zhan suppressed the smile trying to escape his lips as the situation unfolded as expected, and carefully proposed his opinion.
"You should enter as an honored guest of Korea."
"Honored guest?"
"There's an upcoming friendly exchange between China and Korea. If you go as a diplomatic envoy representing hunters, Korea won't be able to refuse entry for you and our Barehand Sect."
Of course, he didn't think that going as a diplomatic envoy would prevent Kang Yi-ryeong, who had lost her reason, from causing problems.
'But if we go as diplomatic envoys, we can handle any problems that arise.'
Moreover, Kang Yi-ryeong was an SSS-rank hunter belonging to China.
Although she had a somewhat twisted personality, she was one of the strongest in China.
'So... to preserve national power and gain diplomatic benefits, the Chinese government will try to smooth over any incidents.'
This meant they could receive help from the powerful Chinese government.
In other words, even if Kang Yi-ryeong caused somewhat violent incidents in Korea, they could sufficiently smooth things over.
"As it happens, since Hunter Lee Sung-joon belongs to the association... if you request a friendly match with the Korean Hunters Association as a diplomatic envoy, you should be able to have a match with Hunter Lee Sung-joon."
Xiao Zhan's voice was filled with deep confidence as he spoke of his plan, which could be called perfect.
"It means you'll have an official opportunity to put Hunter Lee Sung-joon in his place and tame him, Master."
"Haha! As expected of Xiao Zhan! Good! Did you say diplomatic envoy? Let's enter Korea using that method."
The moment Kang Yi-ryeong, the final decision-maker, gave her approval, Xiao Zhan spoke as if he had been waiting.
"However... there's one problem with this plan."
"What is it?"
"Since it's related to diplomacy, the government won't easily grant the qualification."
Having made similar deals with the Chinese government several times in the past, a solution naturally flowed from Kang Yi-ryeong's lips.
"You want us to handle some troublesome gates, right?"
"Yes, if you conquer about five of them, the Public Security side will gladly accept our Barehand Sect going as diplomatic envoys."
"Tsk... how annoying."
Kang Yi-ryeong's brow furrowed.
It was an understandable reaction.
Handling five troublesome gates meant having to go through countless irritating elements like harsh climates and numerous traps.
It couldn't be considered pleasant at all.
But if she thought about it as a means to get her hands on Lee Sung-joon, it was something she could sufficiently endure.
After pondering for a while, Kang Yi-ryeong nodded.
"I'll start handling them as soon as the sun rises, so contact the Chairman right away."
"Yes, I'll obey your orders, Master."
After bowing once towards Kang Yi-ryeong, Xiao Zhan turned his back and left the place with the brightest smile ever on his face.
* * *
He had acquired a high-end penthouse worth tens of billions of won and cash assets worth hundreds of billions of won.
He had amassed enormous wealth that would be classified as upper class even by the standards of 2085, when the hunter profession existed.
It was so incredible that it was hard to believe it had been achieved in just three months, but Lee Sung-joon's goal wasn't simply to accumulate wealth.
Living a happy life with his family in a stable environment.
This could be said to be the ultimate goal that he, Lee Sung-joon, desired.
Therefore, Lee Sung-joon advised his younger sister, Lee Seo-yun, to quit her job.
Of course, when he first suggested it, she refused, saying she couldn't pass on her burden to him, just like before. But all the family members wanted her to quit her job and start studying again.
This was because Seo-yun had an extraordinary mind, having consistently maintained first place in her school during her student days.
There was no need to waste such competent abilities, was there?
However, it wasn't just because her abilities were too valuable that they encouraged her to study.
Seo-yun had originally been very interested in academics; she had only given up reluctantly due to poor family circumstances.
But now, there was no longer any need to work as if being forced by financial problems.
As Seo-yun herself was aware of this fact, it didn't take long before she had to nod her head in agreement to her family's persuasion.
Slowly but surely, as each family member found their place and a stable home began to form, he could tangibly feel that he was getting closer to the happy life he had desired since the Cheon Continent.
But that didn't mean he planned to let his guard down completely.
Indeed, protecting what you've built is just as difficult as building it.
This was valuable knowledge gained through his experiences as a Blood Demon on the Cheon Continent.
In fact, there had been more battles fought to maintain his position as Blood Demon than to attain it.
Of course, what was important now wasn't the story of the past Cheon Continent.
To fully protect the happiness that was finally taking root, he needed to reign as the Emperor, the ruler, as quickly as possible.
There was no time to be leisurely.
He needed to prepare for the future.
With this in mind, Lee Sung-joon immediately requested a gate to use as a hunting ground from Cho Kang-hyun.
The next day.
Just as Lee Sung-joon was stepping out of the apartment's common entrance after checking the gate information sent by Cho Kang-hyun,
A familiar face was watching him while hiding behind a pillar.
Despite the sudden, unannounced visit, the emotion on Lee Sung-joon's face wasn't displeasure but curiosity.
This was because the man currently hiding behind the pillar was a very unexpected figure.
'Jin Ja-un?'
With his long hair tied back and the unusual white uniform, it was undoubtedly Jin Ja-un whom he had seen recently.
However, the atmosphere was quite different from when they first met.
"Magnificent... As I felt before, you truly have enviable martial bones and spirit."
The confident and spirited appearance was nowhere to be seen; he was just muttering to himself with bright eyes and excited breath.
'What's going on?'
Although questions were blooming in his mind, there was no need to ponder alone.
In an instant, Lee Sung-joon took a step forward, closing the distance with Jin Ja-un.
"What are you doing here?"
Surprised by Lee Sung-joon's sudden approach, Jin Ja-un's face showed bewilderment for a moment before returning to the solemn expression he had when they first met, and his lips moved.
"Ahem... Ahem, I was waiting for you. If you have time, I'd like to have a brief conversation."
If it were someone else, he would have sent them away without even listening.
But the Storm Dragon Lord, Jin Ja-un, was a man who could be called truly good-natured.
Although his earlier behavior was somewhat disconcerting, he wasn't the type to pick unnecessary fights or engage in fraud.
'And he's not the type to suddenly visit like this without any reason.'
From Lee Sung-joon's perspective, he couldn't help but be curious about what Jin Ja-un had to say.
"By all means. Shall we go to a nearby café?"
"That's alright. It's not a long conversation, so I'll speak here."
Taking a firm attitude, Jin Ja-un immediately began what could be called the main point.
"Have you... heard anything about the recent friendly exchange between Korea and China?"
"No, this is the first I'm hearing of it."
Jin Ja-un's pupils shook briefly at Lee Sung-joon's calm expression as he shook his head.
But the surprise didn't last long.
"What, was it just a rumor... No, it's possible the news hasn't reached you yet."
After muttering to himself like rambling, Jin Ja-un quickly shook his head, then fixed his gaze on Lee Sung-joon and opened his mouth again.
"It might be just a groundless fear, but... if the Barehand Sect comes as China's diplomatic envoy, representing hunters, it would be better not to participate in the friendly match."
Lee Sung-joon wore a thoughtful expression for a moment.
It was clear that Jin Ja-un had a personality that could be considered good-natured.
However, he had no intention of trusting Jin Ja-un's words without any basis.
"Can I know the reason?"
"Because the friendly match itself is likely to be a dirty ploy by the Barehand Sect."
"A ploy?"
Jin Ja-un opened his mouth once more as he looked at Lee Sung-joon, who was expressing doubt with furrowed brows.