Chapter 631. Arriving (1)

Chapter 631. Arriving (1)

'What am I looking at here?'

Zhang Dajing tilted his head while scanning the airplane before his eyes.

'Isn't this a cargo plane?'

A plane meant to exclusively transport cargo...? Obviously, Zhang Dajing had heard about the existence of such airplanes before. However, as a man with no relation to cargo-transporting professions, he never had a reason to ride in one, never mind go near it.

'At least on the outside, it looks like any other passenger plane...'

Zhang Dajing was suddenly reminded of Kang Jin-Ho's reach and power. Even in China, things like this happened very rarely. The Three Kings exercised incredible influence over China's political and financial worlds, but even they couldn't casually pull something like this off.

Part of the reason was that the three of them were busy keeping each other in check. However, the real reason was more like the influence of each faction in China being comparatively much smaller than what Kang Jin-Ho could exercise in Korea.

'Well, I gotta admit, that is something else, alright.'

Zhang Dajing had witnessed and experienced both the Crimson King and Kang Jin-Ho. So, he could compare the two and confidently say Kang Jin-Ho wasn't 'better' or 'more amazing' than the Crimson King. From Zhang Dajing's perspective, the Martial Assembly of South Korea still hadn't surpassed the level of an amateur organization in some rural Chinese outskirts. Comparing it to the Crimson King's faction, which ruled one-third of the vast continent, was an act only idiots would do.

However, Kang Jin-Ho had managed to conquer South Korea in only a few months. Not even the Crimson King could've pulled off such a feat without breaking some proverbial eggs in the process.

Of course, the Crimson King wouldn't encounter much trouble conquering South Korea's martial society through his might alone. However, that process would've been marred by excessive bloodshed and death, leading to a pronounced reduction in what the Crimson King could lord over.

On the other hand, Kang Jin-Ho acquired South Korea as 'peacefully' as possible. So peaceful, in fact, that it could've been called an overall bloodless victory. Thanks to that, no one seemed to be thinking about opposing him openly, at least not at this point in time.

Indeed, the elimination of mutinous elders and directors not too long ago had been enough to completely unify everyone under his banner. In that regard, Kang Jin-Ho was a self-made man who overcame his unfavorable environment to reach his goal. Despite being an enemy, someone like that was worthy of Zhang Dajing's respect, but...

Zhang Dajing glanced at Kang Jin-Ho before frowning deeply at how dazed the latter looked while standing there.

'Come on, man! Can't you be more dignified or something?!'

Simply looking at Kang Jin-Ho lugging a backpack on his shoulder while making a half-dazed face was enough to sap all enthusiasm out of Zhang Dajing.

There was no freaking way that's how a martial artist about to enter the enemy's territory should look and behave! No, Kang Jin-Ho currently resembled an exhausted, worn-down traveler who had visited every corner of the world and only had China left on his itinerary!

Besides, he was going to another country, so why the heck was he still in his bloody tracksuit?! A passerby might think Kang Jin-Ho was a pro backpacker going on another adventure!

This was so awkward.

Zhang Dajing was getting swept up in the emotion of barely-containable awkwardness. Vator used to be a good partner to converse with but was happily grinning away for some unfathomable reason. Talking to him about this deeply troublesome situation was not going to happen any time soon. Meanwhile, Zhang Dajing was just leery about talking to Kang Jin-Ho, full stop.

'I mean, come on. Think about it!'

Zhang Dajing was technically a new employee. Not an employee who got hired because he had all the right connections, no, but someone with a shaky employment contract who only got hired because the company was looking for an interpreter for the incoming non-executive director.

He might boast a bit of work experience from his previous job on his resume, but that wouldn't be enough to say he had a viable career back then.

Whether it was a fortunate thing or not... Zhang Dajing had always been preternaturally quick at knowing his place. His combat ability was worse than a random uncle found wandering in the Martial Assembly's corridors. Hell, a rookie Assembly martial artist, disparaged by his seniors for being a weakling and had to clean toilets with a brush as punishment, could've still beaten Zhang Dajing up with one arm tied to their back!

The only reason Zhang Dajing could hold his head up and waltz around confidently was solely because Vator greatly cared about him. But something like that was...

'...Completely meaningless to Kang Jin-Ho!'

Against Kang Jin-Ho, something like Vator caring about Zhang Dajing would be no better than a lone candle against stormy winds. Even a casual sneeze from Kang Jin-Ho could easily snuff it out!

To make matters worse, Kang Jin-Ho was the most indecipherable man out of everyone Zhang Dajing had met until now. Should he say... That man switched between the demon king and an utter moron at a mere moment's notice?

Let's say Zhang Dajing confronted Kang Jin-Ho about this situation. He wouldn't be shocked if the latter holed up in some remote corner of the plane and munched on snacks to vent his stress or lost his temper and threw Zhang Dajing outside the moving plane.

To throw someone outside, Kang Jin-Ho would have to break a window or two. Then, Vator might say the plane would crash. And Kang Jin-Ho would nonchalantly retort with, 'So what? It's not like we're gonna die, anyway.'

After all, Kang Jin-Ho was fully capable of surviving a plane crash and swimming the wide expanse of the Yellow Sea to reach the Chinese shore!

“Although a little cramped, this arrangement is fairly acceptable,” said Vator while nodding his head again. He seemed pleased that these people had gone to the trouble of installing these seats in a cargo plane.

'Huh, even my seat is a first-class item?'

Zhang Dajing cocked an eyebrow. Even if he was relegated to a mat at the back of the plane while the other two were seated on these luxurious seats, Zhang Dajing would've had no problem whatsoever. Whether it was fame or strength, he couldn't even hold a candle to either Vator or Kang Jin-Ho, after all!

Still, he should be grateful for receiving the same sort of treatment as the rest of his tour group. Or, should he really...?

Zhang Dajing sighed deeply at the sight of the chairs. It was nice to see these first-class chairs, but for some reason, they were arranged side-by-side. Since Kang Jin-Ho and Vator took the seats by the windows, Zhang Dajing had no choice but to sit in the middle.

On his left was Vator, while Kang Jin-Ho was to his right! With this line-up, Zhang Dajing could confidently say he was being protected by an azure dragon from the left and a white tiger from the right! [1]

Of course, he didn't mean that in a positive sense! With these two by his side, Zhang Dajing would have felt utterly confident in moments requiring him to act all pompous and the like. However, would he even get a chance to act all haughty and mighty during this plane ride? Of course not! The presence of these two would only be a burden in this situation!

“Sir, allow me to take your luggage,” said the flight attendant.

“Oh, uh, sure thing...” Zhang Dajing watched the flight attendant smartly deal with their luggage as cold sweat broke out on his forehead. 'Hang on. Is this really okay?'

Weren't they trying to illegally enter another country here? Indeed, they were hiding in a cargo plane to enter China, so was it okay to have a flight attendant like this?

“Logically speaking, I guess not...” Zhang Dajing quietly muttered.

“I'm sorry, sir?” The flight attendant innocently asked back.

“N-no, it's nothing.”

Unlike Zhang Dajing, who was obviously flustered and out of his depth, the flight attendant looked shockingly composed as if she had experienced this sort of thing plenty of times before.

'But that can't be right!'

Yes, there were plenty of lawbreakers in the world, but how many of them actually broke laws in this manner?! Zhang Dajing was getting mighty tempted to applaud the professional attitude of the flight attendant.

“We'd like to ask you to please fasten your seatbelts as we will be taking off shortly. The safety protocols during the flight are...”

Zhang Dajing hurriedly intervened. “You can skip that one, thanks.”

“Of course, sir. Then, well...” The flight attendant smiled brightly and bowed courteously. “I'll speak to you again once we are in the air, sir.”

Zhang Dajing grimaced a little. It'd still be fine even if she didn't come back. No, really!

Vator grinned while turning his head to look at Zhang Dajing. “So, how do you feel, Zhang Dajing? Since you're finally going back home?”

“May I be honest with you, sir?”

“...Mm, no. Don't. I have a feeling that it's going to be too emotional and somewhat embarrassing to listen to. In any case, I want you to enjoy this moment.”

“...”

Zhang Dajing felt like a cow being dragged into an abattoir, yet Vator wanted him to enjoy this feeling?! Maybe this big man was shockingly poor at empathy? Whatever the truth was, all Zhang Dajing could do now was sigh deeply, then fasten his seatbelt.

As a martial artist, he wouldn't get injured by the plane rocking about. However, he should still respect the flight attendant's wishes.

The pilot made the usual pre-flight announcement over the plane's loudspeaker, then the plane slowly began taxing on the runway. Zhang Dajing turned his head to stare outside the window and prayed inwardly.

'Please... Please, let us avoid any mishaps on the other side. Please!'

Although he wasn't a religious man, this moment still required the power of the divine for him to endure. So, he ardently prayed and prayed some more to an unknown deity who might hear him out.

Unfortunately, no god was benevolent enough to bless a man who had never offered a devout prayer until today.

“Hmm, hmm. I'm getting all excited about our trip to China. It's been such a long time, after all! Fufufu! I have a hunch that things will get mighty interesting for us!” Vator unhesitantly spat out those flag-raising words.

Zhang Dajing squeezed his eyes shut.

Yeah, let's just go to sleep. At least I can avoid getting stressed that way...!

1. “??? ???”: This line is a reference to a feng shui term indicating a great location for a structure to be built. ?