Chapter 148
Of course, it wasn't a choice made in the heat of the moment.
The reason Wi Ji-gang had remained in China was because of the title of "Number One" in China and his reverence for martial arts.
In fact, in the past, China was known to have such strong power in martial arts that it was called number one.
However, the current world was facing changes.
Of course, it remains unchanged that China is still one of the world's strongest superpowers.
And this aspect was becoming China's poison.
'From the beginning, Chairman Xi Jinping is a person with great ambition and greed, but not suitable as a ruler to lead the country.'
In reality, isn't he failing to properly face the reality unfolding before him, intoxicated by arrogance?
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that China's future was set for a miserable end.
In contrast, the future of Korea and Lee Seong-jun could be described as not just bright, but brilliant.
'Despite returning to Earth less than a year ago, he has already gained power comparable to the Guardians, who are called the world's protectors.'
He even showed the leisure to annihilate the army of corpses during the battle with Lethar.
It's highly likely that he still possesses even more power and abilities.
'Even the phrase "Heaven-defying talent" seems insufficient to describe Lee Seong-jun.'
The power and talent of Lee Seong-jun that Wi Ji-gang had witnessed firsthand was so overwhelming and intense that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the "Incarnation of Martial Arts."
It meant he would reign as the true supreme being who could devour the world, not just as a guardian like the Guardians.
He was to become the world's trend and new order.
This current choice was not only atonement for incompetence but also a choice for his own bright future.
"Although I am greatly lacking, if you give me the opportunity, I will certainly prove my loyalty and my own worth!"
"An interesting proposal."
Having Wi Ji-gang, who was at the ranker level, under his command was quite appealing.
However, he couldn't accept it right away.
It was because it somewhat twisted the plan he had originally thought out.
As mentioned earlier, the reason for entrusting governance to the Flying Dragon City and Wi Ji-gang was to check and prevent monsters that were eyeing Korea's territory.
'Although Wi Ji-gang is a ranker-level strong person... in the end, there are limits to what he can do alone.'
If he could do everything alone in the first place, he wouldn't have created a guild called Infinity.
However, there was no need to reject Wi Ji-gang's proposal outright.
'If one person isn't enough, we can just bring everyone.'
Having finished his thought, Lee Seong-jun shifted his gaze to the executives of the Flying Dragon City.
"The city lord has sworn loyalty... but it seems you haven't made your choice yet."
"..."
From the perspective of the Flying Dragon City executives, this was a somewhat sudden situation, so they couldn't answer right away.
They just continued to ponder, each with their own expression.
This was because not all executives were like Wi Ji-gang, who purely revered strong power, or martial arts.
It meant that they were bound under the name of Flying Dragon City because each had different desires.
Nevertheless, the executives quickly organized their thoughts.
To be precise, they were able to organize quickly because there were no options to choose from.
The executives of the Flying Dragon City were already abandoned by China.
If they remained alone in China without Wi Ji-gang, all that awaited the executives of the Flying Dragon City was the miserable end of those who had been abandoned.
Thud.
The executives of the Flying Dragon City, who had knelt on one knee, raised their voices towards Lee Seong-jun.
"We will follow Lee Seong-jun, no, our new lord!"
"We will dedicate our lives to serve loyally!"
It was the moment when all the main executives of the Flying Dragon City bowed their heads.
Finally, Wi Ji-gang, who had knelt down, shouted as if making a declaration.
"We will be the sword and shield solely for our lord, and become the sky that serves the high sun! Please give us a chance!"
There was no reason to refuse.
If he could take the entire Flying Dragon City under his command, there would be no need to rely on China or the North.
They would be able to check or block monsters with Korea's power alone.
It meant they could see an effect beyond what was originally planned.
Lee Seong-jun, who had a satisfied smile on his lips, looked at the kneeling executives of the Flying Dragon City and moved his lips.
* * *
The Chinese government officially issued a statement about the invasion of the corpse army and Lethar.
The statement began by saying that China expresses infinite gratitude to Korea's hero, Lee Seong-jun.
In addition, the Chinese government expressed its intention to promise eternal support for Korea and always show respect as an allied nation.
And finally, they expressed their respect for Korea, which produced talents like Lee Seong-jun.
Everyone found it difficult to accept this behavior, which was completely different from China's usual conduct.
Some even said it was nonsense and a false statement.
However, China's statement became an obvious reality when Liu Wuning, who was said to be ranked third, appeared at an official event and made the announcement.
It was only natural that the world's attention would once again focus on Lee Seong-jun.
└ This is crazy. Lee Seong-jun is really on a different level.
└ Lee Seong-jun seems to already be at the ranker level.
└ It's ridiculous to compare him to just a ranker, he should at least be at the Guardians level.
└ Honestly, I don't think he can compare to the Guardians level, but he might be one of the top among rankers?
└ Considering that Yoon Min-soo also made it to the ranker list this time, Korea can no longer be seen as a weak country.
└ The Asian dragon has ascended once again.
└ Now neighboring countries will have to pay attention to Korea.
└ Korea is really a country of miracles, I didn't expect it to revive like this again.
└ Long live the Republic of Korea, long live!
In Korea, a celebration of joy beyond chaos broke out.
In fact, some of those who heard the news even waved the Korean flag outside their house windows.
Even politicians, who were busy checking each other's forces, showed respect by uniting on matters related to Lee Seong-jun.
Moreover, it wasn't just Korea that showed such an intense reaction.
In China's North, there was full of praise for Lee Seong-jun.
This was because Lee Seong-jun was the hero who saved the North.
He was a person who could be called a lifesaver without exaggeration.
How could someone who had received the grace of life underestimate Lee Seong-jun's achievements?
For a short time, it seemed as if the two countries were achieving harmony.
Of course, this harmony didn't last long.
└ But honestly, didn't he just arrive late and steal the final blow?
└ It doesn't make sense that he alone could annihilate an army in the first place.
└ I also think he just arrived late and got it for free.
└ I think he might have deliberately hidden and waited for the opportunity to come.
└ Are the three above Chinese?
└ Yes, Chinese comment brigade.
It was when suspicions were constantly arising from the internet, the gateway of communication for people around the world.
The Chinese media began to highly praise the strong sense of mission and spirit shown by the Northern Alliance and hunters as if they had been waiting for this moment.
Also, Xi Jinping, the President of China, directly shouted the phrase not to forget that they were the main players in the victory.
Of course, at first glance, it was also a story not to forget the hard work and sacrifice of their country's hunters.
However, there was a clear intention to belittle the existence of Lee Seong-jun in its inner meaning.
It was impossible for the sharp-eyed public not to notice this part.
From the perspective of Koreans, it was inevitable to feel angry.
While some were cursing, saying it was typical of China, or bursting with emotion saying they were ungrateful, Wi Ji-gang, the lord of the Flying Dragon City who had led the Allied Forces, held a press conference himself.
Naturally, all spotlights were poured on them as they were the figures called commanders in this war against the corpse army.
In front of the pouring camera flashes.
The lord of the Flying Dragon City, who grabbed the microphone with a confident appearance, spoke in a tone full of certainty.
[I assure you, if it weren't for Lee Seong-jun, the North would have become a land of the dead.]
The Chinese government media, who were turning their cameras, quickly controlled the press.
However, it wasn't just Chinese media present at the scene.
As it was a major announcement venue, there were also many foreign reporters present.
Thanks to this, Wi Ji-gang's statements could quickly spread to the world via broadcasts.
[Lee Seong-jun is a hero of the North and a benefactor who saved us. Before being Chinese, as a person, we must never forget our gratitude. Please stop trying to belittle his achievements with nonsensical speculations.]
As it was an interview with Wi Ji-gang, who could be called the person directly involved, the suspicions that had arisen on the internet quickly ended.
At his upright statements, people around the world sent applause to Wi Ji-gang.
└ I didn't trust Wi Ji-gang! But thanks for helping!
└ It's really satisfying!
└ I heard he's going to naturalize as a Korean this time, Lee Seong-jun's activities must have been really amazing.
└ The hunter cam video worn by the Allied Forces is uploaded on YouTube, go watch it, it's totally scary.
└ You should watch it wearing a harness.
Naturally, Lee Seong-jun's name struck not just Asia, but the world.
* * *
Meanwhile, a large man sitting on a sofa in a 5-star hotel located in New York was looking at the TV and letting out a hollow laugh.
"Amazing... Did he completely burn away the soul body itself?"
On the screen, a YouTube video of the war between the corpse army and the Allied Forces, especially the battle between Lethar and Lee Seong-jun, was playing.
"Did he actually cut the grain of space... This was more than I expected."
The man, who had been muttering to himself several times, soon burst into admiration.
It was the moment when a red stream of energy shot like a bolt of lightning, and Lethar's body completely lost its form and disappeared with a black crack.
"Excellent! So excellent! It was worth the long wait!"
As the man's hearty laughter echoed, a woman with white skin and gorgeous blonde hair reaching below her waist shook her head and spoke.
"Baek Mu-jin, how long are you going to keep staring at your smartphone?"
Although her tone was so sarcastic that anyone could tell she was scolding him, Baek Mu-jin didn't mind much.
It was a natural reaction.
Victoria was not only an investigator with power and authority that was among the best in the World Returnee Alliance, but also a strong person that even he, Baek Mu-jin, couldn't guarantee victory against.
Moreover, she was currently the manager and colleague assigned to Baek Mu-jin by the World Returnee Alliance.
It meant she was a person qualified to nag.
Of course, that didn't mean he intended to follow Victoria's words literally.
"As expected, my judgment wasn't wrong! I'll be able to have a very enjoyable fight!"
Baek Mu-jin, still fixing his gaze on the TV, was raising his voice and couldn't hide his excitement.