Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: Ravaging Beijing (1)
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“That… what are you talking about? We haven’t been exploited by China yet.”
Gwanak First Sword Jo Sang-ik stared at Yeong-woo with a look that said even bullshit had its limits.
He had already sensed it.
This mad First Sword was just spouting nonsense with the intention of smashing China’s capital.
‘Why the hell is he doing this? Already thinking of targeting Beijing…?’
Compared to Yeong-woo, the moderate Jo Sang-ik couldn’t help but feel afraid.
Of course, having watched the Korean Peninsula’s Strongest poll from start to finish, he had anticipated that this demon would engage in aggressive national defense for the sake of public support.
But preparing for foreign invasion and suddenly attacking the enemy capital were entirely different matters.
“We’re hearing for the first time that Beijing is stealing our country’s assets. If anything, we’re the ones receiving money right now…”
Jo Sang-ik trailed off, quietly gazing at Yeong-woo.
In response, Yeong-woo continued shamelessly without so much as a fake cough.
“At this point, my combat power essentially is the nation’s power, right?”
“…You could say that.”
“And the funds used to enhance my combat power are called defense taxes and defense contributions.”
Yeong-woo subtly slipped in “defense tax” and “defense contribution.”
The defense tax was an official system-guaranteed levy, but the defense contribution was purely tribute extorted by Yeong-woo’s coercion.
Still, he couldn’t point that out here, so Jo Sang-ik reluctantly nodded.
“Yes… that’s not entirely wrong.”
“Right? So the money I could rightfully collect is essentially part of our nation’s power.”
“…?”
Sensing something off around this point, Jo Sang-ik looked back at Yeong-woo instead of responding, but the ‘First Sword’s’ sophistry was already in full swing.
“Shandong Province, which borders our country’s west, is practically an ally. I’m acquainted with their leader.”
“You must have met in a dungeon.”
As expected of the sharp Jo Sang-ik, he grasped Yeong-woo’s disjointed explanation perfectly.
“Yes. We’ve already formed an alliance and signed an agreement.”
“Agreement meaning…”
“They agreed to pay defense contributions to Shandong as well.”
“Ah…”
So he had gone to China and wreaked havoc there too.
Jo Sang-ik rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
Of course, he had to admit the man’s business acumen was impressive.
“But as you said, isn’t it Yeong-woo who’s exploiting China? Why do you think our money is flowing to them…”
“Shandong wants to give us money, but they don’t have any.”
“…?”
“They’re already being squeezed for 30 million a day by Beijing.”
“Ahh, so the money that should have been incorporated into our defense tax is flowing to Beijing instead—that’s the problem.”
“Exactly. You catch on quick.”
At Yeong-woo’s bright reply, Jo Sang-ik felt his mind reeling.
As expected of a new humanity who adapted to the post-Reset world at lightspeed—their thought processes were something else.
‘This guy’s premises are already in another world.’
But perhaps it was precisely this mindset that allowed him to unify the chaotic Korean Peninsula in just six days and achieve a 76.8% approval rating.
After all, the line between genius leaders and madmen was razor-thin.
“So… you plan to go to war with China this time?”
As Jo Sang-ik asked, a massive map was already forming in his mind.
War with China would require maintaining at least two fronts.
The western front toward Shandong that Yeong-woo mentioned, and the northern front stretching over North Korean territory.
Thus, unless Jeong Yeong-woo could be cloned, war with China was overwhelmingly disadvantageous for the Korean Peninsula side.
‘And there’s Japan too. With over twice our population, their average high-rankers are probably stronger or far more numerous.’
Factoring in Japan made it at least three fronts.
“Somehow, this time it feels a bit…”
Just as Jo Sang-ik finished his calculations and tried to dissuade Yeong-woo’s reckless challenge, an unexpected line emerged from the Korean Peninsula’s Strongest.
“Who said anything about fighting China?”
“Yes?”
“What exactly did I say earlier?”
“That Beijing is plundering our money, so we can’t let it slide…”
Recalling Yeong-woo’s earlier words, Jo Sang-ik realized what he had missed.
“Ah. Not the entire Chinese mainland.”
“Right. I said Beijing is taking the money, didn’t I?”
Yeong-woo continued exasperatedly.
“You don’t think Shandong is the only one paying that much tribute every day?”
“Hah, no way… Yeong-woo.”
Jo Sang-ik’s gaze completely changed.
Even knowing this man’s accomplishments, he had unwittingly underestimated him again.
Jeong Yeong-woo was extremely reckless, but not outright stupid.
“Of course, fighting all of China means no chance of victory. But just Beijing?”
Yeong-woo turned his head toward what was probably Beijing—Beijing proper.
“If we cut off Beijing’s money supply—their logistics—and use that for my combat power enhancement, don’t we have a solid shot?”
“If we can instill confidence that they won’t have to pay tribute to Beijing anymore, it’s entirely feasible.”
“Yes. Shandong’s already bet on me. No reason other cities won’t be persuadable.”
Of course, with Shandong, Jang Ja-ham of the Shandong First Fiend knew Yeong-woo’s prowess too well, making it smooth.
But even Woo Cheong-jin, the Shandong Second Fiend who tried stabbing him despite Jang’s words, had been convinced in the end.
‘If I effectively demonstrate my power and offer to take less tribute than Beijing, they have no reason to refuse.’
In other words, Yeong-woo’s strategy: ally with every surrounding city except Beijing, isolate Im Du-pyeong, then settle it in a one-on-one showdown.
“Impressive. I failed to grasp the depth of your thinking, Yeong-woo.”
Jo Sang-ik bowed halfway sincerely in admiration, and Yeong-woo scanned the Seoul University sword users he had brought.
“Then let’s get to work.”
“What…”
“Take these ethnic Koreans here to Shandong. We’ll discuss the Beijing strike after repatriating them.”
As Yeong-woo summoned Negig, Jo Sang-ik tilted his head and asked.
“If you’re not heading to Beijing right away… where are you going now?”
Yeong-woo mounted Negig and replied.
“To cut the first supply line. Shandong’s probably getting squeezed right now.”
* * *
Westward.
Leaving Daelim-dong and blazing through Bucheon City, Yeong-woo entered Incheon City just past 3 p.m.
Kwaang! Kwaang!
With mutations and processing done, plenty of citizens were out on the streets, but at the sight of Yeong-woo on his pitch-black iron steed, they all drew blades, ready for battle.
‘Impressive.’
A reaction Yeong-woo couldn’t help but be satisfied with.
However, no standoff occurred between the belligerent Incheon citizens and Yeong-woo.
-Kkiiieeeek!
In his haste, Negig soared over the citizens blocking the road.
Hwaaaah!
As Negig carrying Yeong-woo leaped high, the Incheon citizens gripping their weapons surged after its trajectory en masse.
‘No one heard we allied with Seoul?’
Yeong-woo made a fed-up face watching the furious citizens recede behind.
Still, with that level of combativeness, even if Chinese swarmed the western border someday, there’d be no major worries.
Kwaang! Kwaang!
Soon, the salty sea air hit his nose, and ahead appeared the boundary between Yeongjong Island and Incheon Port.
The spot where ‘Pangea’s’ aftermath had formed a small mountain range.
And at the peak of that range.
“Huh? Bro…!”
Incheon Boss Kim Yong-gwan 04, recognizing Yeong-woo instantly and waving.
“Yong-gwan, why are you here?”
Slowing Negig abruptly, Yeong-woo looked at him, and the guy turned west.
“This is the most visible spot. Been waiting for the Chinese.”
He meant standing by to watch when Shandong would send money.
Which implied.
“So you haven’t gotten the money yet?”
“Yeah. What if they’re screwing us over?”
“Doubt it. Unless there was a coup inside Shandong.”
Yeong-woo said this while convinced even a coup was near zero probability.
He had solidly won over Jang Ja-ham and Woo Cheong-jin.
Showing composure with a sword in his heart—that was persuasion unbeatable.
‘Less likely Shandong changed minds… more like I arrived late.’
Current time: 3:29 p.m.
Mutation processing done on China’s side too, so Beijing’s collection squad had likely reached Shandong already.
In other words.
‘Those bastards already took the money. My money…!’
Imagining them gleefully returning after ripping 30 million karma from Shandong made his blood boil.
“Guess we head straight to Shandong. Need to track where the money went.”
As Yeong-woo adjusted Negig’s reins and spoke—
Peeeng!
A clear signal chimed, and system text appeared in Yeong-woo’s vision.
It was none other than.
[Quest Completed - “Rise to Fame”]
[Reward Issued]
|30,000,000 Karma
The quest for the Strongest selection condition that Doggo had given.
For some reason, the reward dropped right as he set off to chase Beijing’s collectors.
Swaaaaaang!
Soon, a welcome whoosh of air.
“Huh?”
Yong-gwan startled by the sharp presence and stepped aside as Yeong-woo snatched the pitch-black metal card slicing down from the sky.
Taat!
[30,000,000]
As expected, the card held 30 million karma, sharply boosting Yeong-woo’s cash on hand.
* Available Karma: 66,938,500
A whopping 60 million karma.
‘Was saving for gear later… but need to pump stats first.’
Circumstances demanded it.
Doggo’s side must have timed the reward deliberately.
Im Du-pyeong, who survived the Reset day blocking countless blows.
Those he assigned to collections surely weren’t average First Sword level.
‘Then gear costs from the collectors it is.’
Yeong-woo thought today would be plenty busy too when—
Swaat.
Space split before him, and Kubu appeared—his broker and accountant.
“Huh? Kubu, what’s up?”
So busy, Yeong-woo unwittingly sounded unwelcoming.
Kubu blinked twice largely, eyed the reins in Yeong-woo’s hand, and spoke.
―You seem busy, so I’ll get straight to the important part.
“Yes. Skip greetings today.”
Kubu blinked once more, glancing skyward.
Seuleuk.
Things from the sky were usually rewards—or disasters.
“Why… why?”
Feeling ominous, Yeong-woo pressed, and Kubu rolled his eyes to the point.
―The reward for the second dragonkin kill—the Heart of the Steel Dragon—is ready for receipt.
“Huh……!”
Uncle’s heart had arrived.