Chapter 147
Liu Wuning, lost in his happy delusions, stood with his mouth agape, unable to hide his shock.
"Y-you, how are you here?"
The current location was none other than the city hall, specifically the central office.
This meant there were a considerable number of security personnel and CCTV cameras installed.
Yet there had been no commotion, no warning of a threat.
Although he asked out of sheer surprise, the situation itself wasn't incomprehensible.
The opponent was Lee Seong-jun.
He was the man who single-handedly defeated Lethar, the Emperor of the Dead and his army of corpses, which even the Northern Alliance couldn't handle.
Evading the security guards and CCTV cameras to enter the city hall wouldn't have been too difficult for him.
Despite clearly recognizing this fact, Liu Wuning's display of confusion was due to the fear rising in one corner of his mind.
This sudden visit, the fact that Lee Seong-jun had come in this manner, signified a major twist in the existing plans.
'...This situation won't benefit me at all.'
Although he wielded powerful authority, ranking third in China, if Lee Seong-jun were to attack him here, Liu Wuning, a mere ordinary person without special abilities, had no means to counter.
It could be seen as a critical moment of life and death.
However, Liu Wuning, who had faced numerous obstacles and crises throughout his political career, wasn't one to lose his composure over such an incident.
In fact, Liu Wuning was speaking his piece with a calm demeanor.
"I-I am extremely angry at your rude behavior of coming here without notice. But as a high-ranking official of a great nation with a broad mind and heart, I will specially show leniency, so get out of here at once!"
Despite the order to leave, Lee Seong-jun remained standing in his place, maintaining a cold expression.
However, Liu Wuning didn't really think Lee Seong-jun would retreat with just these words.
"It seems you still don't understand the situation. Threatening me is no different from threatening China itself. Do you not understand what this means?"
A cold killing intent flowed from Liu Wuning's eyes.
From the beginning, this was the final line he had been relying on.
'...Lee Seong-jun has things he must protect.'
As long as he has a country, family members, and acquaintances belonging to it, Lee Seong-jun absolutely cannot move recklessly.
"This could lead to war, surely you don't think you alone can protect the entire country of South Korea?"
Moreover, China was a nuclear-armed nation.
No matter how exceptional Lee Seong-jun's individual combat prowess might be, he couldn't handle modern tactical weapons alone.
Therefore, Liu Wuning's expression showed great confidence.
He was certain that Lee Seong-jun would have no choice but to back down.
No, he would kneel and beg forgiveness for his wrongdoing.
After all, those with much to protect tend to become weak.
Of course, this was nothing more than Liu Wuning's delusion.
"Go ahead and try."
Lee Seong-jun, showing a sardonic smile, lightly flicked his thumb and index finger.
A small condensed energy bullet flew and struck Liu Wuning's shoulder hard.
Crack-!
The sound of breaking bones was heard.
"Keuugh-!"
Liu Wuning barely suppressed the scream that was about to burst out, his eyes reddening.
"Have you lost your mind? Do you really want war?! Are you saying you want to lose everything you hold dear?!"
At this outcry, which was more like a desperate struggle, Lee Seong-jun flicked his fingers once more.
This time it was the left leg.
"Kuaaaargh-!"
As Liu Wuning, clutching his ankle that was bent in a grotesque shape, was about to collapse to the floor, a low voice flowed from Lee Seong-jun's mouth.
"War? How dare you speak of war in front of me, you who have lived a comfortable life on Earth."
Lee Seong-jun of the Thousand Continents had literally walked the path of Asura.
It meant he had gone through countless wars and battles beyond measure.
Therefore, he knew better than anyone the horrors of war.
"War is not something to be mentioned lightly by trash like you who are blinded by your own greed."
Instinctively sensing Lee Seong-jun's presence that subtly flowed beyond his eyes, Liu Wuning's mind turned blank with fear.
It was dangerous.
Lee Seong-jun was not just an ordinary returnee.
He was a person who had lived through a world that could be called hell without exaggeration, accumulating experiences.
He was a being without the concept of goodness that ordinary Earth people possessed.
It meant he could really kill him, Liu Wuning, right here and now.
'I, I must live.'
As the survival instinct that every human being inevitably possesses began to rise, a desperate emotion blossomed.
But sadly, there was no way to escape Lee Seong-jun's grasp.
"Are you... are you really going to kill me?"
It could be considered a meaningless question.
Even Liu Wuning, who asked the question, had thrown it out just to buy time.
However, Lee Seong-jun's answer that came back pushed Liu Wuning even deeper into the abyss of despair.
"I have no intention of forgiving those who try to touch my family."
At those cruel and cold words, Liu Wuning's body stiffened.
Thud. Thud.
As death in the form of Lee Seong-jun moved his steps, Liu Wuning frantically blurted out.
"D-don't come...! Don't come any closer!"
Liu Wuning was trying to escape by dragging his buttocks backward, but there was no way he could escape Lee Seong-jun's grasp.
Having reached Liu Wuning, Lee Seong-jun stretched out his hand and grabbed his nape.
"Keck... Keck!"
A sardonic smile flowed across Lee Seong-jun's lips as he gazed at Liu Wuning, who was flailing his arms and legs while suspended in the air.
"You should have known your place before you challenged me."
At that moment, killing intent surged from Lee Seong-jun's body as he spoke.
"Kueork..."
Liu Wuning's face turned pale as his mind was consumed by terror.
However, he hadn't completely lost his reason.
Of course, it wasn't because Liu Wuning had endured with strong willpower.
It was simply because Lee Seong-jun had controlled himself.
If Lee Seong-jun had truly intended to emit his killing intent, he could have shattered Liu Wuning's mind the moment they faced each other.
'...There's no need to make things unnecessarily complicated when it can be resolved easily.'
Eliminating Liu Wuning right in front of him was an all too easy task.
However, if he were to kill Liu Wuning here, it would turn all of China into an enemy.
It meant he would have to wage war against China.
'I could do it if I wanted to, but...'
He had already experienced numerous wars and victories in the Thousand Continents.
Even if he were to wage war against China, considered a superpower, he would certainly be able to grasp victory.
However, he didn't want to kill ordinary Chinese citizens with his own hands, nor upright hunters like those of the Northern Alliance.
Of course, he had no intention of leaving Liu Wuning unchecked, as he was highly likely to become a future problem.
Lee Seong-jun, who had been gazing at Liu Wuning with cold eyes, moved his lips.
"Bihyeong."
Bihyeong, who held the position of the Heart Destruction Demon Lord among the Eight Great Demon Lords, was the Blood Church's greatest sorcerer who had mastered various spells.
And among them, there were also spells that could shatter the soul of the target and turn them into the sorcerer's puppet.
It meant he could cleanly dispose of Liu Wuning without leaving any aftermath.
"Take care of it."
The moment Lee Seong-jun's order fell, Bihyeong, who had been nodding as if he had been waiting, stretched out his hand and emitted darkness.
And so, Liu Wuning's consciousness sank into deep darkness.
* * *
"W-what is this...?"
Beijing City Hall, in the office of Liu Wuning, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee.
The members of the Flying Dragon City who had rushed over with Wi Ji-gang at Lee Seong-jun's sudden summons couldn't hide their surprise, their eyes wide open.
No, it wasn't just the members of the Flying Dragon City.
Wi Ji-gang also wore an expression of shock.
'He's already resolved the situation?'
It was unbelievable even though he was seeing it with his own eyes.
And for good reason, as Liu Wuning, looking completely dazed, was kneeling before Lee Seong-jun.
'What on earth happened?'
Having witnessed Lee Seong-jun's power and majesty earlier, he didn't think he would lose to someone like Liu Wuning.
But he didn't expect him to win so easily.
'Although he's been harboring ridiculous greed... Liu Wuning is still one of China's high-ranking officials, ranked as high as third in the hierarchy.'
Given that he was a person with powerful authority and a silver tongue that could manipulate people, Wi Ji-gang had expected a considerable verbal and psychological battle.
Yet Lee Seong-jun had completely crushed Liu Wuning in less than an hour since leaving the hotel.
'He's not just someone exceptional in martial arts.'
It was shocking and overwhelming.
The ability Lee Seong-jun had just shown was that of a true absolute ruler, worthy of being called an emperor, possessing everything.
'And I thought I had grasped his abilities to some extent...'
It was far too arrogant a thought.
Lee Seong-jun's abilities were beyond what he, Wi Ji-gang, could comprehend with his current capabilities.
A wry smile appeared on Wi Ji-gang's lips at the gap that could only be described as immeasurable, but this was just the tip of the iceberg.
"I've ordered him to return everything you've lost... but if you want, I can let you take control of the entire North."
Of course, it wasn't showing kindness without reason.
Beijing and other northern Chinese cities were reliable allies and strategic strongholds for South Korea.
In fact, the fortresses managed by the northern cities were constantly monitoring the movements of monsters and keeping them in check to prevent them from pouring out.
If the North were to fall, it could lead to troublesome situations.
Therefore, from the perspective of Korea and Lee Seong-jun, having a capable and responsible ruler in charge of the North could alleviate considerable worries.
"What will you do?"
A pure question, Lee Seong-jun's words carried no hint of bluff or lie.
Even Liu Wuning, who could be considered the decision-maker, was keeping quiet like a mouse.
It meant they could take over the entire North just by answering.
It meant they could become one of the most powerful figures in China, enjoying enormous wealth and glory.
However, Wi Ji-gang couldn't easily open his mouth.
"..."
He had almost failed to properly repay Lee Seong-jun, who could be considered his benefactor.
And now he was about to use his benefactor's power to enjoy wealth and glory?
It was too shameful to even face him.
'...I don't want to become a person who is ashamed of myself.'
Wi Ji-gang, who had nodded once, carefully opened his mouth.
"If it's alright... may I make a different request?"
"Do you have something else you want?"
"Yes."
"Let's hear it then."
The moment Lee Seong-jun's permission fell, Wi Ji-gang, raising firm resolve in his eyes, immediately opened his mouth.
"I, Wi Ji-gang, master of the Flying Dragon City, would like to request the opportunity to serve Lee Seong-jun as my lord."