Chapter 664. Tightening (4)

Chapter 664. Tightening (4)

“What do you mean? Did you hear another weird rumor about us?” Yi Myeong-Hwan cocked an eyebrow and asked.

Gong Yeong-Gil's expression while looking at his friend was awkward, to say the least. “Well, uh... I know it's all nonsense, but...”

“Stop beating around the bush and get to the point, will ya? What's up?”

“Well, the rumors about you guys haven't been nice, you see...?”

“What kinda rumors?”

Gong Yeong-Gil frowned as if he was in a dilemma. He tried to gauge Yi Myeong-Hwan's mood first, then sighed softly. “Well, uh... What I'm about to say is just a rumor, okay? It's not what I think. Don't get those two mixed up, okay?”

“Just say it, will ya? Why are you cosplaying as a timid mouse with that huge body of yours?”

“It's just that, you know... The rumor going around is just really absurd, you see? People are busy saying that demonic arts made you all go mad, and you guys go around murdering people at night.”

“Eh?” Yi Myeon-Hwan's eyes opened super-wide at this absurd claim. “We... go around murdering people at night?”

“Yeah.”

“What the hell?” Yi Myeong-Hwan yelled in anger. “What bullsh*t is that? It's not like we have a reason to loiter near suburbs, now do we?”

“Yeah, that's right. I think everyone also knows that. But, uh... The rumors are still doing the rounds, so I wondered if something really was going on with you guys. That's all.”

“Gimme a f*cking break...” Yi Myeong-Hwan grunted in irritation.

There wasn't much he could do about rumors being manufactured like this. Humans loved to gossip, after all. And when the massive topic comparatively lacked meat on its bones, people would go out of their way to add lots of spice before spreading it around for all to enjoy!

Even so, shouldn't they have added the spice in moderation?

Gong Yeong-Gil casually shrugged his shoulders. “They are probably envious of you.”

“Envious?”

“Yup. I mean, imagine how many folks are green with envy at you guys learning directly from the Assembly Master. But then, you guys went ahead and created that much chaos, so they must be dying of jealousy by now. That's how it is, so don't get too worked up about it, dude.”

“...Tsk.” Yi Myeong-Hwan's expression remained crumpled despite Gong Yeong-Gil's words of solace. “Hah... I guess there are waaay too many jealous idiots who don't approve of us.”

“Who knows? I don't have the spare energy to worry about crap like that, anyway. Trying to stick to the schedule alone is already killing me, you know?”

“Schedule?”

Gong Yeong-Gil groaned loudly, then nodded away. “Yup. Sir Vator set up a training schedule for us while he's not here, you see? He said some stuff about not allowing us to slack off or something. I gotta tell you, though. Dude! This schedule is bullsh*t! It's obviously designed to kill people!”

“...Huh. I guess Sir Vator can be surprisingly detailed, too.” Yi Myeong-Hwan muttered quietly while sneakily scanning his friend from head to toe. 'Well... He seems to have changed a bit.'

Something about Gong Yeong-Gil felt weightier than before. Not only in his personality or appearance, no, but even the aura he emitted seemed to have gotten heavier and more substantial.

The best description would be... Gong Yeong-Gil had gotten stronger. Which made sense when Yi Myeong-Hwan thought about it. Vator was also a powerful expert the likes of which the Assembly had never witnessed before. Receiving the guidance of such an expert would obviously improve one's strength.

Yi Myeong-Hwan suddenly realized that Assembly's talent pool had been filled up somewhat now.

Gong Yeong-Gil scratched the back of his head. “In any case... Dude, don't pay attention to every little crap you hear, okay? Those idiots can't be bothered to put in real effort to become stronger, so they resort to gossiping and stuff. Since that's all they are good for.”

“...But the problem is with their numbers, now isn't it? There are too many of them.”

“Nah, dude. They might have the numbers advantage, but what can they realistically do to you?”

“Hmm...” Yi Myeong-Hwan slowly nodded away.

There was not much he could do to change this situation. Even if he or other Demon Flames actively stepped up and explained, Yi Myeong-Hwan couldn't foresee things improving at all. After all, the idiots spreading the rumors around only wanted to screw the Demon Flames over. No one with a functioning brain would believe the nonsense about the Demon Flames murdering people at night.

If people wanted to insult you, they would find a way to insult you no matter what. There was no stopping that.

“Okay, got it. Thanks for telling me,” said Yi Myeong-Hwan.

“When you say what they want...”

“Tell me, Mister Lee. What do you think these people's desires are?”

Lee Hyeon-Su furrowed his brow slightly. “Is it... equal treatment?”

“Of course not. That's a rather thoughtless reply. It's even managed to disappoint me a little, Mister Lee.”

“...My apologies.”

“Think about why martial artists learning under me or Sir Vator have stopped antagonizing my lord's pupils. What the majority of these youngsters require is... hope.”

Lee Hyeon-Su attentively listened to Wiggins. Although he could be a fair and reasonable administrator, he didn't quite cut the mustard as a full-fledged martial artist. And that prevented him from fully deciphering the mindset of the younger-generation martial artists. As such, advice from Wiggins, who was both a top administrator and a martial artist, could prove valuable to Lee Hyeon-Su.

“What do they desire the most? It's for their strength to improve. However, that can't be achieved overnight. So, shouldn't they be given the hope of 'I'll also get as strong as them with enough effort!' Mister Lee, this thing called hope can be a rather effective painkiller. It can help you forget about the bitterness of life and reality.”

“But Mister Wiggins? I thought it's not a good idea to rely too heavily on painkillers?”

“That's a naive notion. If the end result is the same, isn't it better to eliminate any unnecessary pain?”

“...”

“If that aspect worries you, then don't just give them hope. Give them a chance to produce the result they want. Yes, offer them a method that will produce the result they crave for... As long as they put in the required effort. Then, those who wish for hope will get what they want. And those who wanted results... Well, they will get theirs, too. Wouldn't that be a win-win for everyone?”

“I see. Then, that method is...?”

Wiggins smirked strangely. “Figuring that out is your job, Mister Lee.”

“...Urgh.” Lee Hyeon-Su sighed deeply.

He had a distinct feeling that Wiggins had already thought of the method before bringing this topic up. However, this Englishman had a penchant for withholding crucial bits of info until the end. It was as if he wanted to train his disciple, Lee Hyeon-Su, by always pushing him to think about the solution without anyone's help.

What a nice way to educate someone, then. Unfortunately, Lee Hyeon-Su was too old to be educated this way and still feel glad about it.

“Besides, there isn't much point in discussing this topic among ourselves,” said Wiggins.

“Pardon?”

Wiggins put the teacup down and leaned against the couch. “I'm guessing here, but my lord probably has already considered what to do about this situation. He strongly feels responsible, you see? If he wasn't the Assembly Master, he wouldn't have cared. But now he is, he will surely think of a way. Maybe, this trip to China is a part of his plan, too.”

“...That sounds a bit far-fetched, Mister Wiggins.”

“Fufufu. It seems you still don't know much about my lord, then. My lord's sense of responsibility can be a little too excessive at times. He's the type to complete a task he's in charge of, regardless of what it takes. The moment he decided to accept the Assembly Master position... I can guarantee you that my lord's attention is now solely focused on ensuring the continued wealth and prosperity of the Martial Assembly.”

“...?” Lee Hyeon-Su couldn't help but tilt his head. What did that have to do with Kang Jin-Ho going on a vacation to China? “Well, if that is true, I can relax a little, but...”

Wiggins cackled loudly. “Why would he even bother to go to China if not for that reason? It's not like he has a woman stashed in that place or something, anyway.”

“Well...”

Wiggins stiffened a little after noticing Lee Hyeon-Su's strange expression. “Mm? Does my lord have a woman waiting for him there?”

“...”

“...Seriously?” Wiggins grimaced. And when Lee Hyeon-Su wordlessly stared into the distance outside the window, the Englishman coughed to clear his throat and glanced in the Westerly direction, where China should be. “Well, that is... Mm... How should I put it...”

Wiggins grimaced even more as if the bitter aftertaste didn't want to leave him alone. However, his expression suddenly brightened.

“No, that can't be it. We shouldn't doubt my lord. Besides, what does it matter if there's a woman involved? It's not like my lord went to China to do sundry chores for his woman, now is it? So, we don't need to worry about this. There must be a deeper meaning behind his actions.”

“...” Lee Hyeon-Su decided to not say anything. 'Yup, I better keep my mouth shut.'

Lee Hyeon-Su was constantly being kept in the loop on Kang Jin-Ho's activities through Zhang Dajing. And for the sake of the Assembly's peace and Kang Jin-Ho's honor... He decided to bury this secret deep in his heart.

A good subordinate was supposed to know when to hide his boss's embarrassing conduct, after all!