Chapter 591. In Battle (1)

Chapter 591. In Battle (1)

“You're starting something amusing, then,” said Vator while studying Lee Hyeon-Su before his eyes in great interest. '...Indeed, this man was also present back then, wasn't he?'

Vator recalled Lee Hyeon-Su's presence during his fight to the death with Kang Jin-Ho.

'Isn't that odd?'

Obviously, Vator didn't know much about Kang Jin-Ho. No, he should be more objective than that. Vator practically knew nothing about Kang Jin-Ho.

However, Vator was still sure about this one thing. And that was the tendency of people like Kang Jin-Ho. A man like him wouldn't usually allow someone of Lee Hyeon-Su's character to hang around near him. Even if such a thing was allowed, an underling like that would not be treated well or used like a disposable tool.

According to how things unfolded so far, though... It seemed Kang Jin-Ho trusted Lee Hyeon-Su. By a lot, too. Even though martial artists obsessing over their cultivation realms would usually deride the scheming types as cowards only good for petty tricks!

'Is it because my master's generosity knows no bounds? Or this man's capabilities are superior enough to overcome my master's contempt?'

Most likely, it must be both. In that case, Lee Hyeon-Su should be shockingly competent. Vator only had to look at the current situation to know that.

Not any random idiot could deliver a message of such importance. So, for Kang Jin-Ho to send this man to Vator, it could only mean that this schemer was trustworthy.

“I agree with you, Sir Vator,” Wiggins muttered, the corners of his lips curling up. “And... I have to say, I'm a little surprised. I believed the Martial Assembly was under Mister Jin-Ho's complete control. To think there was still some internal opposition left!”

Lee Hyeon-Su sheepishly replied, “Gentlemen, there is no such thing as a completely under-control organization in this world. It only looks that way on the surface. That's all.”

Wiggins smirked. “Mhm, that's a good answer. Good enough to make me feel rather stupid.”

He shouldn't have forgotten that even the Round Table boasting thousands of years of history still produced a rebel like him. So, expecting to completely unify the Martial Assembly, boasting only a scant few decades of history, was unrealistic. Impossible, even.

Without a doubt, these dissenting voices must've been suppressed by Kang Jin-Ho's fierce charisma until now.

Wiggins rubbed his chin. “Hmm... Something about this still feels strange, doesn't it?”

“I agree,” said Vator with a deliberately slow nod. “With such pathetic strength, these South Korean martial artists cannot hope to resist my master. Cutting open their gut to commit suicide would be a lot less painful way to die. Unless some unknown external forces are involved, this... mutiny does not make sense.”

After saying that, Vator locked his glare on Lee Hyeon-Su. His eyes were filled with clear hostility.

“Now, answer me.”

“...I'm sorry?”

“Did you already know about this situation?”

Lee Hyeon-Su couldn't say anything. His mouth automatically clamped shut on its own.

Vator growled menacingly. “You better answer me straight for your own sake. Whether you keep your head or not will depend on your reply.”

Cold sweat flooded down Lee Hyeon-Su's forehead.

'Bloody hell...!'

Talking to Vator was not an easy thing to do. It wasn't as if Vator was trying hard to be intimidating. Even then, the one on the receiving end felt like crapping their pants!

The best description Lee Hyeon-Su could think of for Vator was a massive Siberian tiger kitted out in a smart business suit.

This type of intimidation was markedly different from the thick, choking killing intent oozing out of Kang Jin-Ho. From the get-go, Vator had no desire to rein in his primal savagery!

'Isn't this kinda ironic?'

In the competition of who was more antiquated, Kang Jin-Ho would definitely come out on top. However, he still tried hard to assimilate into the modern era. Meanwhile, Vator the Supposedly-Modern Man chose to further develop his wild, untamed side. And the result of his choice was crushing down on Lee Hyeon-Su.

“Now, answer me,” said Vator.

Lee Hyeon-Su gulped back nervously, then cautiously spoke up. “Yes, I was aware of it.”

“You were? I see, I see. So you knew. Yet you still allowed this potential threat to my master to fester like this. Why? If you deliberately let this go on, your actions have harmed my master. If you had no idea, then you're incompetent. So, decide where you stand. I shall decide on your fate afterward.”

Lee Hyeon-Su had a hunch that this friendly spectacle would never have occurred if these two titans of the martial world had encountered each other under different circumstances. It seemed Kang Jin-Ho's existence had sufficiently mellowed them out to the point of being more cooperative than before.

“So, what is it that we need to do?” Vator glanced at Lee Hyeon-Su and asked.

“Before I explain, allow me to say something else first.”

“Very well.”

Lee Hyeon-Su sat up straight before bowing deeply. “You two gentlemen didn't join our Martial Assembly to carry out such actions. But the circumstances force me to ask you for this favor. Please accept my sincerest apologies.”

“You stinking rat-like bastard!” Vator roared while shooting up to his feet.

His demeanor was so threatening that even Wiggins flinched before standing up to stop the big man.

Unsurprisingly, Lee Hyeon-Su's complexion was drained of all colors.

'W-what is the bloody problem this time?!'

Vator's expression crumpled hideously. “You insolent fool! Who do you think you are, brazenly offering your apology like this!”

“I'm sorry?”

“The one giving us the order is not you but my master! Do you honestly think I'd entertain your request without my master's prior command? Yet you don't know your place and dare to apologize?!”

Lee Hyeon-Su's head faltered deeply. How could this be? He must be the only unlucky bastard in the entire universe who got chewed out for apologizing!

'Gimme a freaking break! Seriously!'

That was when Lee Hyeon-Su suddenly gained an understanding on how considerate Kang Jin-Ho had been toward him. And how lucky it was to have such an understanding boss, too!

'What the hell...? I guess Kim Seok-Il wasn't the weird one, then?'

Indeed, the weird boss was Kang Jin-Ho! If Lee Hyeon-Su had gone under Vator's wings instead, he would've become a bloodied lump of meat a loooong time ago!

Vator roared again. “Remember this!”

“Y-yes, sir.”

“All the authority you enjoy right now has come from my master! You must never forget that you're just an ass in a lion's skin! As such, you must ensure that your speeches and actions do not erode my master's dignity in public!”

“...Yes, sir. I'll engrave it to my heart,” Lee Hyeon-Su quietly replied as more cold sweat flooded down his spine.

“And do not forget your place! You are nothing more than a mere messenger delivering my master's command! Which messenger would dare to apologize on behalf of the one dispatching them?! You do not have the qualifications to decide on such matters!”

What a way to crush and humiliate someone with words! Unfortunately, Lee Hyeon-Su couldn't protest against someone like Vator.

After all, Vator resembled a terrifying Heavenly King guarding the entrance to an ancient Buddhist temple. There must be less than a handful of people in the entire world who could say what was on their mind to Vator in this state!

In other words, Lee Hyeon-Su had no choice but to accept this humiliation. After the storm passed over, he cautiously raised his head and addressed the duo. “I'd like to inform you of what should be done, sirs. What you need to do is...”

Vator and Wiggins listened closely, then nodded in unison.

“So... That's your plan?”

Lee Hyeon-Su nodded at Vator's question. “Yes, Sir Vator.”

“Since my master permitted this plan, I must consider it as his command. In that case, inform my master that we shall perfectly carry out our duties.”

“Yes, sir,” Lee Hyeon-Su cautiously replied, then confirmed Wiggins nodding back at him with a gentle smile on his face. Lee Hyeon-Su got up, then bowed deeply. “Then, please excuse me.”

“Hmph,” Vator grunted.

After Lee Hyeon-Su left the office, Wiggins turned to look at Vator. “Weren't you being too harsh on him?”

“No... I am not.” Vator furrowed his brow ever so slightly. “That brat takes my master's kindness for granted. His behavior is of sheer insolence.”

As he spoke, Vator's expression was still distorted slightly in anger.