Chapter 690. Exploring (5)

Chapter 690. Exploring (5)

'Seriously, I'll probably die before my time at this rate!'

When Zhang Dajing thought about it, he realized he didn't have lots of things to complain about his past life.

Back then, Zhang Dajing wasn't aware of this truth. After all, how could a man forced to live in a foreign country as a so-called spy find his life enjoyable? No, that wasn't quite right; rather than enjoyable, it'd be more correct to say he didn't find it fulfilling.

His role was an agent tasked with collecting information. However, there wasn't much for him to investigate in South Korea. The higher-ups didn't particularly want something from him either. Which was unsurprising, seeing how they viewed Korea as a convenient country to dump somewhat-useless agents. To them, there didn't seem to be a point in collecting information on Korean soil, but the country's close proximity to China meant it couldn't simply be overlooked.

All these factors combined to give Zhang Dajing an extremely-boring life in Korea. Most of the tasks he dealt with were basically going along with time-wasting nonsense cooked up by higher-ups who couldn't bear to see their subordinates lounging around doing nothing.

Back then, Zhang Dajing found that life boring. Unstimulating. He wished for assignments that could make him feel the burden of responsibility. He wanted something more thrilling to happen in his life!

But now, after reflecting on his life leading up to this moment...

'Yup, I've been a stupid bastard, haven't I?'

Zhang Dajing held his head. Why didn't he realize it back then? That he was living in a paradise?

What was that about wanting something more thrilling in his life?

'Thrilling, my ass!'

Slam, bang! Crash!

Indeed, the sight of all those Chinese martial artists crashing and slamming onto the floor looked oh-so-very thrilling, now didn't it! After finally finding himself in the middle of an extremely thrilling event, something he had been ardently wishing for all this time...

Zhang Dajing's honest impression was rather straightforward.

'I wanna go back to those daaaaaays!'

Why had he been so blind? He should've been content with what he had! The era had changed, after all!

If it was ten years ago, people might have still held on to romantic dreams of leading a heroic life, but not anymore. Not in this day and age. People of the current era only wanted a stable life free from trials and tribulations, and they worked hard to achieve that 'dream.'

Zhang Dajing used to find such people pathetic. But now? Ironically, it was he who hankered for that life more than anyone else!

Back when he was still the agent working for the Crimson King's faction, Zhang Dajing didn't have to face any dangers. He had no responsibilities to worry about. And he still got paid well every month!

Not only that, but he didn't have to worry about being forced to attend company dinners, too! Clocking out on time was a guaranteed perk of his job!

Where would anyone find a godly job like this in the world? Other than the minor demerit of zero pension, this job should even make government workers green with envy. Besides, Zhang Dajing could've easily saved up to deal with the pension problem since his salary was so much 'fatter' than what most government workers could hope to get.

If someone asked him what he thought was the world's greatest, most ideal job, Zhang Dajing would've unhesitantly replied, 'Working as an agent for the Crimson King's faction in South Korea... Before Vator's entrance to the scene!'

'And they say you don't know what you had until it's gone...!'

The corners of Zhang Dajing's eyes began stinging from the sweat of his heart. Humans were allegedly ungrateful creatures who didn't know how good they had it. That assertion seemed on point since Zhang Dajing had been so full of dissatisfaction and complaints despite having a godly job like that!

Why didn't he realize that not being in constant danger was a massive blessing? If he only knew back then what he knew now, his outlook on life would've been ten times brighter and happier!

No matter how swift regret was, it always came too late.

The result of Zhang Dajing throwing away a life in paradise and choosing to serve Vator and find some worth in himself was...

“Kkrrrrruk...”

Zhang Dajing watched as another martial artist landed not too far away from the table he was hiding under. That poor man's eyes rolled back as foams bubbled out of his mouth. And when those foams gradually turned crimson from all the blood, Zhang Dajing wiped the tears away from his eyes.

'Yup, I must've gone insane!'

Someone once said that life looked like a comedy from afar, but up close, it'd be a tragedy. The life Zhang Djaing yearned for seemed so cool and exciting from a distance, but now that he was a part of the so-called excitement... Things were a lot crazier than he had bargained for!

'Goddamn it! How could you attack someone with weapons when they are in the middle of a meal?! You stinking sons of b*tches!'

Bothering a dog in the middle of a meal was considered rude, so imagine what it'd be like with people!

'Sure, I'm willing to understand why! However!'

Even if this was China, completely ignoring eyewitnesses was impossible for martial artists. In the past, they could've swept everything under the carpet by threatening and pressuring the media and the Public Security Bureau. Unfortunately, the same tactic was less effective these days. Even if the media could be suppressed, there was social media to worry about.

In this day and age, when even a random tramp roughing it in the streets carried a smartphone, avoiding cameras was an exercise in futility. That was why the Chinese martial society was pushing for stricter, nay, make that 'blanket', censorship of all social media sites. Of course, the poor politicians got caught in the crosshairs of the public's disgruntlement, but that wasn't the martial society's problem.

In any case! Completely shutting out all potential witnesses was a prerequisite when you wanted to wreck someone real good. Kang Jin-Ho and Vator weren't some random local hoodlums, after all; for obvious reasons, they couldn't be dragged to some deserted back alley to be taken care of.

In that sense, this diner must've looked like a perfect location for an ambush as it was a lone building found on the rural outskirts.

So far, so very understandable. Zhang Dajing could understand that much. However...

'But... What made them feel confident enough to attack us?'

Should that be seen as remarkable or small-minded? Zhang Dajing couldn't make up his mind.

Vator pointed at the table. “Let's finish our meal, then.”

“...I'm sorry?” Zhang Dajing blinked his eyes in confusion.

“We should finish our meal before setting off.”

Finish their meal? Here?

Zhang Dajing carefully glanced around.

“Urgh... Krrrrk...”

Martial artists, with their arms and legs bent at weird angles, were whimpering in pain on the floor. More than half of them were bleeding profusely from their ripped and torn injuries, too.

Zhang Dajing couldn't tear his eyes away from all the pool of blood gradually creeping toward their table. But now, what did they want to do? Finish their meal?

How insane must you be to even think about finishing your damn food in this place?!

“Mm? What's the matter?” Vator cocked an eyebrow.

“...It's nothing, sir.”

Zhang Dajing's heart hurled heavy criticism at his traveling companions, but his mouth remained modest as ever.

'Oh. I think someone pissed himself...'

Among the stench of acrid blood, Zhang Dajing could pick up the faint whiff of ammonia. He wanted to cry right about now but held himself back admirably well and cautiously picked up his chopsticks.

He needed to eat to survive, after all! Yes, eat and keep surviving!

However, why was his vision getting blurrier ever since a few seconds ago? Zhang Dajing sneakily wiped the corners of his eyes away with his sleeves.

“By the way, master?” Vator asked Kang Jin-Ho after dumping a plate full of well-roasted chicken in his mouth. “I don't think defeating groups of small fries like them every time they show up will get us anywhere.”

“Yes, I agree,” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded.

“This is only a waste of our time. By now, you should have figured out where you want to go, so where are we going?”

“Hmm...” Kang Jin-Ho took his phone out of his pocket and stared at its screen. “That man is still not answering, you see...”

“...You should get in contact with this person as soon as possible. Blindly driving around means we will be forced to retread our steps sooner rather than later. Humans need to know how to plan ahead, after all.”

“Hmm...” Kang Jin-Ho nodded in acknowledgment. Then, he scrolled through the list of contacts on his phone before tapping on the green call icon.

“By the way, who are you trying to contact, master?”

“It's a little hard to explain. Should I say he's a wrinkly old man?”

“...Huh? An old man?”

Zhang Dajing listened to the two men converse while listlessly munching on Dougan, a type of firm tofu.

'Damn it, I guess I won't need any seasoning at this point...'

The stench of blood was so strong that Zhang Dajing thought he was chewing on tofu cooked in blood sauce. No wonder he couldn't suppress his shuddering at the sight of these two men busy stuffing their faces while nonchalantly chatting away in the middle of all this carnage!

'I... We gotta leave this place as soon as possible!'

At the very least, they needed to leave China. Only then would Zhang Dajing maintain his...

Rrrrrng!

That was when the call finally connected. Kang Jin-Ho quickly pulled the phone away from his ear, put it on speaker, then left the device on the table.

Vator tilted his head. “Why are you...”

Even before he could finish his question, a loud voice suddenly exploded from the phone's speaker to interrupt him.

-MY LIEGEEEEE!!!

Even through the phone's speaker, the urgency of the owner of that voice could clearly be heard. So was his impressively virile internal energy reserve.

Vator's expression grew unreadable, while Kang Jin-Ho could only groan softly under his breath. As for Zhang Dajing...

'These two are already enough! They are enough, I say! So why! Uwaaaaah?!'

After instinctively realizing that yet another eccentric character had entered the scene, Zhang Dajing cried out in despair... In his mind, of course.