Chapter 91
It was a somewhat unexpected situation.
However, from the perspective of the Returnee Association, especially Kim Ki-young as the chief of staff, this could be considered quite favorable.
'Lee Seong-jun... that guy is too dangerous.'
He was already an irritating existence with his absurd growth rate, and recently he had achieved the feat of breaking the record for the treasure gate of the Sandra Block Party alone.
'If he had continued to grow at this rate, he would have soon become an obstacle to our Returnee Alliance.'
Normally, they would have immediately mobilized the alliance's power to eliminate or persuade him.
'If it wasn't for Baek Mu-jin, that monster...!'
For reasons unknown, immediately after meeting Lee Seong-jun, Baek Mu-jin had declared as the vice leader of the Returnee Alliance that Lee Seong-jun was his.
He had also left a stern warning that there would be terrible consequences if anyone dared to interfere.
However, even Baek Mu-jin wouldn't be able to say much if Sosu Gate and Kang Yi-ryeong made a move.
"It's like getting to blow your nose without using your hands."
As a sardonic smile spread across Kim Ki-young's lips, the announcer's booming voice coming from the TV screen announced the start of the friendly match between Korea and China.
* * *
The first friendly match between Korea and China since the appearance of the comet named Lee Seong-jun.
It was enough to draw public attention.
Koreans, in particular, showed great interest.
Given Lee Seong-jun's overwhelming achievements so far, it was inevitable that a part of their hearts held hope.
Was there a chance, however small, that Korea, always considered a weak country, could cause an upset?
People who had paid no small amount for seats rushed to fill the stands, their eyes reddened with excitement for the Korea-China friendly match. Finally, the moment came when it was a full house.
The announcer, having finished the opening stage and introduction of the players, shouted in a resonant voice:
-We will now begin the long-awaited friendly match between Korea and China!
As the announcer's introduction with various descriptions ended, the closed doors opened and two hunters, Lee Seong-jun and Song Wei-long, stepped onto the arena.
Thud. Thud.
The two men, now face to face in the large 70m long and 50m wide arena, exchanged nods.
"I'm Lee Seong-jun."
"I'm Song Wei-long, an S+ rank hunter and the Black Wind Grand Master of Sosu Gate."
Just as Lee Seong-jun finished his brief greeting and turned to find his place, Song Wei-long of Sosu Gate spoke again.
"You have the excellent martial bone and spirit I've heard about. Indeed, you're a talent our leader would covet."
Genuine admiration shone in Song Wei-long's eyes as he spoke.
But it couldn't deceive the eyes of Lee Seong-jun, who had long reigned as a ruler.
'He's hiding some purpose.'
Song Wei-long's earlier praises were merely a foundation for revealing his true purpose.
He was using the kind of speech that Lee Seong-jun despised the most.
"Instead of beating around the bush, why don't you just state your business?"
"You have a fiery personality, I see. I like it! I'll get straight to the point then."
Despite Lee Seong-jun's cold tone, the smile on Song Wei-long's lips didn't disappear.
"Neither the Korean Hunter Association, White Tiger, nor Phoenix are capable of accommodating you, Lee Seong-jun. Isn't the very foundation of the martial arts you're currently using from our China? This means that our China, Sosu Gate, is where you should be."
Song Wei-long's eyes gleamed as he continued in a proud tone.
"Come to China. Our leader has promised to give you, Lee Seong-jun, the qualification to become a great citizen of China! A member of Sosu Gate! So..."
Lee Seong-jun had thought it was nonsense not worth listening to from the moment the recruitment offer was made, but he didn't interrupt Song Wei-long's words.
This was because all of Song Wei-long's words were becoming valuable information.
'To think that Sosu Gate's hidden agenda in this friendly match was recruitment...'
It could be considered an incomprehensible move, but he wasn't unable to accept the situation.
During his time in the Thousand Continent, he had encountered countless sects that exhibited behavior that defied common sense, steeped in ideas of chosen people.
Of course, he had never imagined seeing a sect with such ideologies in 21st century Earth.
'...This is absurd.'
As Lee Seong-jun inwardly suppressed a bitter laugh, Song Wei-long's words continued without pause.
"Hoho, you seem so surprised that you're at a loss for words. I completely understand your feelings. This is the first time our leader has made such a radical offer. It's all because you, Lee Seong-jun, are an outstanding martial artist. You should be proud."
Song Wei-long's face was full of confidence and certainty as he spoke, apparently thinking that the offer would naturally be accepted.
Of course, this was nothing more than Song Wei-long's vain delusion.
"I can see you have tremendous pride in China and Sosu Gate, but..."
Lee Seong-jun's eyes turned cold as his voice trailed off.
Naturally, a heavy pressure bore down on the arena.
"There's a saying in the martial world: the strong survive, the weak perish. I wonder if the Black Wind Grand Master, no, if Sosu Gate has the right to say such things to me."
As Song Wei-long narrowed his eyes, pressure also began to emanate from his body, pushing back against Lee Seong-jun's aura.
"I see you have a pride as high as your skills... Certainly, Lee Seong-jun's outstanding talent and skill deserve respect."
Song Wei-long's face, which had always shown a smile, was now as rigid as a stone statue.
"However, you've gone too far. To mention not just me, but the entirety of Sosu Gate... It seems I need to make you aware of reality, if only for the sake of smooth dialogue."
As he finished speaking, Song Wei-long drew the sword at his waist.
However, he didn't rashly attack.
'It's frustrating, but... the difference in skill is obvious.'
Lee Seong-jun was a formidable master capable of subduing Yang Jun-hyuk, an S+ rank villain, in one strike.
It would be no exaggeration to say there was no chance of winning in a direct confrontation.
'...First, I'll wear down his stamina as much as possible, then look for an opening.'
Just as Song Wei-long formulated this plan in his mind, the horn signaling the start of the match blared from the screen installed in the arena.
Taaang-!
Song Wei-long quickly spread his qi sense and pulled the sword he was holding close to his body, preparing to defend.
'Which way will he come from?'
Song Wei-long's narrowed eyes watched every movement and breath of Lee Seong-jun.
He wouldn't easily allow any attack.
He would endure and endure until the end, forcing Lee Seong-jun to acknowledge the might of China and Sosu Gate.
'Then, he'll realize his own ignorance.'
It was at this moment, as Song Wei-long maintained his resolute mindset, that it happened.
Whoosh-!
Just as he heard what sounded like the wind, a fierce air pressure swept in.
Simultaneously, Lee Seong-jun's form closed the distance in an instant.
"Wha-!"
Song Wei-long's body staggered greatly as he let out a startled sound. His defense had crumbled.
Naturally, Lee Seong-jun wouldn't miss this opening.
"As expected."
Lee Seong-jun, who had approached within arm's reach of Song Wei-long in an instant, flashed a relaxed smile.
"You're not qualified."
"Not yet...!"
Song Wei-long, his face contorted, hurriedly tried to raise sword energy in the blade he was holding up.
But it was far too late a reaction.
Because Lee Seong-jun's fist, cutting through the air, was already imbued with fist energy.
'Already...? How on earth?'
There wasn't even time to ponder the question.
Clang-!
As the raised sword shattered pathetically, Lee Seong-jun's fist exploded against Song Wei-long's abdomen.
"Guhk-!"
Song Wei-long let out a short scream and flew through the air, spitting blood.
In that moment, Lee Seong-jun's form, which had struck the ground, leapt up, grabbed the nape of the falling Song Wei-long's neck, and slammed him into the floor.
Kwaboom-!
With a thunderous noise, Song Wei-long's massive form was roughly planted into the floor of the vast arena.
"Nngh..."
Song Wei-long's body convulsed, his eyes rolled back in his head, and then he lost consciousness and collapsed.
This meant the first match had ended with Lee Seong-jun's overwhelming victory.
* * *
In Sosu Gate's waiting room.
Kang Yi-ryeong's face, as she stared at the TV broadcasting the match on the wall, was distorted like an evil spirit.
"These worm-like bastards."
She had known that Lee Seong-jun's martial prowess was quite impressive, so the defeat of the executives who had gone out first was already an expected situation.
But as they were selected elites, she had thought they would be able to achieve some results.
Yet they were suffering one-sided defeats, unable to even withstand 5 exchanges.
At best, Ryu Ja-seo, the Arhat Grand Master who had gone out as the fourth fighter, was holding out for the 10th exchange, but even this situation was precarious.
It was already humiliating enough to face consecutive defeats against Korea, a weak country, but this friendly match was even being broadcast live worldwide.
"How dare they tarnish the name of Sosu Gate that I've built up..."
Just as Kang Yi-ryeong furrowed her brow, emanating an aura as if she would tear apart the executives before her eyes, Xiao Zhan cautiously spoke up.
"It's only right for you to express your anger, Leader, but... in a way, this could be seen as an opportunity."
"What? An opportunity?"
Kang Yi-ryeong snorted derisively, her killing intent shooting towards Xiao Zhan.
Although his breath caught in his throat from the pressure crushing his entire body, Xiao Zhan showed no sign of panic.
Rather, he spoke in a calmer voice than ever before.
"...Yes, this is an opportunity. Isn't your current goal to subdue Lee Seong-jun, Leader?"
There was no answer from Kang Yi-ryeong.
But the fact that the killing intent crushing his entire body had somewhat eased was answer enough, so Xiao Zhan boldly moved his lips.
"His arrogance matches his outstanding skills. As you know, Leader, to tame such a rough individual, one must achieve an overwhelmingly decisive victory. Of course, with your skills, you could easily achieve victory, but it would be wise to be fully prepared for such an important matter."
Xiao Zhan, with a faint smile on his lips, spoke again.
"And as it happens, haven't you gained the opportunity to grasp Lee Seong-jun's martial arts and combat style through the previous executives' matches?"
Although they hadn't engaged in intense battles with many exchanges,
it wasn't without gain.
They had been able to obtain quite useful information, not only about the characteristics of his martial arts but also his combat style and habits.
While this might not be of great significance to someone like himself, Xiao Zhan, with relatively lower martial prowess, for a master like Leader Kang Yi-ryeong, this information could be used quite effectively.
"It's fair to say that we now have a way to certainly subdue him, making this an unparalleled opportunity."