135. Joking Around Would Be a Problem.
“You sure you’ll be okay? If they drag you off like this, you could end up dead.”
“I gave you my word, didn’t I? That I’d dig up every last bit of dirt on those bastards. Take me in and ask them to lift the siege. If they agree right away, great. But if they refuse and attack...”
“It’ll be war.”
“It’ll be disadvantageous for us in every way.”
“You might die before it even gets that bad. You’re walking right into the heart of enemy territory. We might not be able to save you.”
“You watch yourself. I’ve got my own preparations. Now let’s hurry up and confirm Jang Jung-shin’s scheme.”
Cheon Deok-su shoved Kang Moo-hyuk’s back, pushing him out of the village.
Emerging from the narrow alley, they came upon a fairly wide stream. Filthy sewage from the prison village—lacking proper treatment facilities—flowed through it.
A stone bridge connected the path to the village entrance with the opposite side. Across it, people were lined up on both sides. Jang Jung-shin stood in the middle.
Exchanging a subtle glance with Kang Moo-hyuk, Cheon Deok-su crossed the bridge. He grabbed Kang Moo-hyuk by the scruff of the neck and marched him forward.
Jang Jung-shin spoke through an interpreter he’d brought along.
“You’ve kept your promise without fail.”
“A promise? Not an order?”
“Getting emotional just tires us out. Let’s call it a polite request. But where’s Hyeon Jeong-geon?”
“That fucker resisted too much, so we turned him into ground meat. If you want him on the table, come pick him up.”
“I’ll put him on the table myself. After I check.”
“We’ve handed over Kang Moo-hyuk too, so we’re done here. Lift the siege and fuck off.”
“Naturally. First, hand over Kang Moo-hyuk.”
Jang Jung-shin approached personally to take custody of Kang Moo-hyuk.
Cheon Deok-su felt a flicker of panic, wondering if this was really it. What if Jang Jung-shin took Kang Moo-hyuk and actually lifted the siege? Should he be happy or pissed?
As Jang Jung-shin took possession amid his hesitation, Cheon Deok-su blurted out, trying to stall.
“But what’re you gonna do with that guy once you drag him off...”
“A hostage.”
With that reply, a blade shot from Jang Jung-shin’s sleeve. He shoved Kang Moo-hyuk aside and thrust upward with all his might at Cheon Deok-su’s heart.
“Hup!”
Caught off guard by the immediate treachery, Cheon Deok-su reacted too slowly.
In that frozen instant where he couldn’t move...
“Told you to be careful.”
Kang Moo-hyuk’s kick flew out just before he fell, striking Jang Jung-shin’s wrist.
“What?!”
Stunned by the attack, Jang Jung-shin froze for a moment. It was completely unexpected. No—impossible.
Wasn’t he just a regular guy?
The sharp pain in his wrist felt unreal.
Seizing the opening in his confusion, Cheon Deok-su swung a fist at his temple. Jang Jung-shin raised his arm to block.
He avoided a direct hit, but the tank’s punch sent him staggering back, rolling across the ground.
Anticipating a counter, he sprang up into a stance. His hunters finally reacted, drawing weapons.
Jang Jung-shin held back his rushing subordinates, pointing a trembling finger at Kang Moo-hyuk.
“H-how?!”
Ignoring Jang Jung-shin, Kang Moo-hyuk turned to Cheon Deok-su.
“See? He was gunning for you, right? Even now?”
“Y-you... who the hell are you?”
Cheon Deok-su echoed the same shock.
“That curious, huh? Simple answer.”
Tssst!
“I’m Kang Moo-hyuk—no, wait. And—ahem, kuhum!”
The voice shifted, gradually morphing into Hyeon Jeong-geon’s.
Everyone present, Cheon Deok-su included, stared in horror.
“You won’t be putting me on the dinner table, you chink fuck.”
“Hyeon Jeong-geon... you had this trick up your sleeve?”
Jang Jung-shin glared, grinding his teeth.
“Huh? Hyeon Jeong-geon? Oh, right. Yeah, I’m Hyeon Jeong-geon. How’s it feel getting owned?”
“Kill them all!”
“No, I said tell me how it feels. Why—urk!”
Kwaaang!
At Jang Jung-shin’s command, the Chinese hunters unleashed their skills.
“Hey, run— what the?! You’re already gone?! You bastard!”
The one who’d been Kang Moo-hyuk yelled furiously at Cheon Deok-su, who was way ahead, then gave chase. As he caught up with quick feet, Cheon Deok-su shouted back.
“Who the hell are you? Not Hyeon Jeong-geon?”
“Mr. Jo. Don’t blame me—Guild Leader Kang ordered it. Said it was a small favor. I don’t even trust that guy... uaah! You dumbasses! Don’t lob skills like that! Wanna kill me?!”
Kwang!
“Later. See you later. Eek! Almost got hit. I remember your face, asshole!”
The stone bridge crumbled in seconds, leaving not a single pillar. Fortunately, Cheon Deok-su and Mr. Jo crossed just before it collapsed.
But for the hunters, one bridge missing was no issue. They leaped across the stream with superhuman prowess.
“Simpletons, huh? Moving exactly as Guild Leader Kang predicted, right?”
Cheon Deok-su raised his hand overhead. Walls of shacks behind them shattered as a group burst out, armed with bows, crossbows, and javelins—ranged weapons.
“Show ’em hell!”
Dozens of mana-charged projectiles intercepted the Chinese hunters mid-leap.
Unable to dodge in midair, several took hits and plummeted into the water. Some suffered fatal wounds and floated away. Those who avoided vitals surfaced sputtering filth, only to face the next volley.
“Kuhk!”
“Kak!”
“You bastard... ugh!”
“Told you I’d remember your face? Take another!”
Mr. Jo gleefully hurled a dagger for revenge.
“Hyeon Jeong-geon!”
Furious, Jang Jung-shin roared and leaped across in one bound. Arrows tried turning him into a pincushion, but failed. All attacks bounced off or missed the mana cloaking his body.
Landing on the far side, he drew his sword from his back, targeting Mr. Jo.
Chain sword?
Mr. Jo dodged the serpentine blade whipping like a snake. Even he, who prided himself on S-rank evasion, couldn’t ignore the weapon’s eerie angles.
“You just gonna watch?”
“Was raring to go anyway!”
“These bantzu bastards don’t even know we’ve been holding back. You dogs dare bare your teeth?!”
“The one calling others dogs is the real dog. You dog.”
“Uaaah, Hyeon Jeong-geon!”
“What? Hey, why you flipping out at me? You crazy?”
Jang Jung-shin ignored Cheon Deok-su, fixating solely on Mr. Jo.
Mr. Jo didn’t know, but the translation artifact from Kang Moo-hyuk spewed insults too vile for even Chinese mouths. Keep poking, and Jang Jung-shin’s eyes rolled halfway back.
Thanks to Mr. Jo drawing fire, Cheon Deok-su caught his breath and assessed the battle.
The initial defense line blocking the stream crossing was slowly buckling.
Tankers with shields waded methodically through the filth, followed by melee dealers hiding behind them.
Ranged dealers across the way finally counterattacked. Outnumbered, casualties mounted on their side.
Tch! Jang Jung-shin’s rampage delayed me. Smart commander over there. Stream defense ends here.
Cheon Deok-su signaled immediately.
“Everyone, fall back! Fall back!”
“Guess I will too.”
“Where?! Cough up your neck first, Hyeon Jeong-geon!”
“Persistent prick. Eat this!”
A smoke bomb on the ground obscured vision, letting Jang Jung-shin lose his target. Slipping into the shanties, Mr. Jo sighed in relief.
“Phew, good thing we sold out ‘Hyeon’.”
Jang Jung-shin, amped by Mr. Jo’s masterful dodges, raged but didn’t pursue the retreating prison village hunters.
His head stayed cool despite the fury.
Calming with deep breaths, he checked the rest crossing the stream.
A hunter who’d been interpreting approached.
“Sorry. Gave orders via telepathy. I directed the others too.”
“No, good work, Won Ha-o. Excellent call. Me tying up those two minimized our losses.”
“Pursue?”
“No rush. They’re prepared—must’ve sniffed our plan. Probably traps inside too.”
“That Kang Moo-hyuk’s doing?”
“Heard he’s sharp. Cheon Deok-su or Ryeon Jeong-mun lack that cunning. Impressive.”
Jang Jung-shin recalled what he knew of Kang Moo-hyuk.
Titan-era ops circulated as rumors among Korean guild insiders. Some raids extreme, but enough to gauge his brilliance.
Relocating old Taeseong—now Iron Will—to North Pocheon? A masterstroke worthy of strategist Zhang Liang reborn.
No. Overpraising a non-hunter civilian from a small nation. Still, pulling in Ryeon Jeong-mun and Cheon Deok-su deserves credit.
Initially planning to use or kill Kang Moo-hyuk, Jang Jung-shin reconsidered. Capture alive, recruit. Smart non-hunters were disposable pawns.
As he organized thoughts, Won Ha-o asked again.
“Maintain siege and commit the Dandong assault force?”
“Can’t save face that way. They’re from higher-ups to ease things, but borrowing them to mop up Sinuiju trash? Tell ’em cleanup after we’re done, pat on the back.”
“Then ready assault teams with Gaeryeo Alliance hunters only.”
“Pick three elite teams. Strike from three prongs.”
“Yes! Right away.”
The moment Mr. Jo transformed into Kang Moo-hyuk and got dragged to Jang Jung-shin...
The real Hyeon Jeong-geon infiltrated Sinuiju’s outskirts inward. He circled high buildings, scouting.
“Gotta be around here. Hidden real good. But in Sinuiju with no skyscrapers, it’s obvious.”
No luck after circling, he frowned.
“Damn, Guild Leader Kang always dumps the tedious shit on me. Would’ve bailed if boring. Looks fun, though—can’t pass it up. Tsk.”
His eyes lit up spotting a glint atop a building.
“There. Time’s short. Back to the day job?”
A chill ran down his spine.
“What? Goosebumps again? Body weak lately? Why so much killing intent?”
After asking Mr. Jo to impersonate him—a “small favor”—Kang Moo-hyuk called someone on the satellite phone.
“Kang Moo-hyuk speaking. Busy?”
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