Chapter 717. Choosing (2)

Chapter 717. Choosing (2)

Kang Jin-Ho blinked his eyes. “You want them to swim?”

Lee Hyeon-Su's reply came from the phone's speaker.

-Yes, Assembly Master.

“You mean something like butterfly stroke? That kind of swimming?”

-I have to say, it's heartwarming to know that I'm not crazy. You reacted the same way as I did, you see?

“But why...?”

-Please wait, sir. I know what you want to say. I 100% understand your sentiments on this one. However, before you lose your temper, please listen to my briefing first.

“...Fine. Tell me, then.”

After listening to Lee Hyeon-Su's long and detailed briefing, Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded in acceptance. This suggestion didn't sound so outrageous, after all.

'This is why not thinking outside the box can be so dangerous...'

Despite knowing that martial artists were different from the regular powerless people, Kang Jin-Ho and Lee Hyeon-Su still viewed problems from the perspective of an average human being. Obviously, they had a good grasp of how strong a martial artist could be. However, for some reason, they kept forgetting about martial artists also boasting overwhelmingly superior stamina and endurance than regular humans.

'When you think about it, this task shouldn't be difficult.'

Twenty kilometers... Even if demonic cultivators were weaker than average martial artists, swimming for ten hours shouldn't be too difficult. Covering twenty kilometers in ten hours meant around two kilometers per hour, and swimming that kind of distance seemed more than doable.

“What about hypothermia? What will you do about that?”

-I wasn't sure what might happen, so I had a few of our guys take a 'bath' in the ocean near Incheon harbor, sir.

“...You did?”

-Yes, sir. I've chosen the ones cultivating in demonic arts in consideration of demonic qi's unique properties. If there aren't any notable issues after spending a full day in the ocean, let's proceed with this plan.

Kang Jin-Ho's hand holding the phone trembled subtly. Should he praise Lee Hyeon-Su for being thorough? Or should he hurl a few choice words to question Lee Hyeon-Su's sanity? Kang Jin-Ho couldn't make up his mind. Sure, being cautious and preparing for all contingencies were admirable traits. However, how could he irresponsibly start an experiment without telling Kang Jin-Ho?

'Still... It's the most efficient way, isn't it?'

Indeed, this method should give them the necessary confirmation.

Kang Jin-Ho had been thinking about pointing out this 'quirk' of Lee Hyeon-Su one of these days. However, that wouldn't be today. It felt like the correct thing was to turn a blind eye. Of course, Kang Jin-Ho didn't forget to offer a silent prayer or two for the well-being of the poor Assembly-affiliated martial artists taking a salty bath in the ocean.

“Okay, that's that. What about a ship?”

-We'll search for one, sir. Unfortunately, there has been a spate of shipping-related incidents lately. I'm sure you've heard about them, too. Because of them, renting a big ship has become a lot trickier. And there aren't too many ships in Korea that are big enough to accommodate all those people.

“Is that right?”

-Unfortunately, yes. Even if we get the largest available, the best we can hope for is renting a 130,000-ton cruise ship. A ship of that size can carry up to three thousand people. The initial estimate was for ten thousand, but doesn't that number include the family members of the demonic cultivators?

“Yeah, it does.”

-In that case, a 130,000-ton ship should have no problem ferrying the cultivators. It's not like they are going on a voyage around the world, after all. But the problem with this plan is actually renting a cruise ship of that size. Also, cruise ships that big are usually well-known, so secretly renting one will not be a walk in the park.

“It's fine. Rent it from an overseas company, then.”

-I'm sorry?

Lee Hyeon-Su sounded confused on the line, so Kang Jin-Ho said something else. “It doesn't have to be a cruise ship, either. Load a cargo ship with empty containers. If we fill each container with around twenty people, a hundred containers will equal two thousand. In that case, why bother renting a cruise ship and attracting attention like that? Just get a cargo ship.”

-B-but, aren't they people...?

“Think of them as cargo.”

-Sir, has anyone told you before that sometimes you don't treat martial artists as your fellow human beings?

I don't want to hear that from you, though...

Kang Jin-Ho shook his head before continuing on. “I don't care either way. Anyways, a cargo ship is easier to rent, right?”

-Yes, sir. It should be much easier. I'll finish all the preparations within a week.

“Got it. Call me if something happens.”

-Yes, sir. Take care of yourself.

“Really? You still sound like you haven't changed your mind about demonic cultivators being pathetic and weak?”

“I, I'll try my best to be more open-minded.”

“Urgh... What's the point of saying all this, anyway...?” Kang Jin-Ho massaged his forehead while leaning back. There was a dull pain knocking inside his skull. It seemed his temperature had risen up a bit.

'Why is everyone around me like this?'

Sure, people who assisted him back in ancient times were also a bit unhinged, but they still knew when to be serious. However, the folks around Kang Jin-Ho these days all seemed to have misplaced far too many screws in their heads!

'I miss Yu-Min...'

Kang Jin-Ho suddenly got a reminder of how fortunate he was. The first person he befriended after returning to the modern era was Park Yu-Min, after all! He couldn't even imagine how things would have turned out if he never met the cushion called Park Yu-Min and joined the martial world right after his return.

Kang Jin-Ho glared at both men. “I know you're dissatisfied with each other.”

“N-no, that's not true, my liege.”

“Master, it's not what you think, but...”

“Even so!” Kang Jin-Ho subtly gritted his teeth. “If you keep whining without worrying about the consequences just because you're not happy about something... Aren't you too ashamed to call yourselves adults?”

“...My sincerest apologies, my liege.”

“Mm... Yes, I went overboard just now, master.”

Kang Jin-Ho roughly scratched his head. Chang Min was a 180-year-old old man... No, an old monster. And Vator was also over fifty years old. In that case, why were they behaving like middle schoolers causing trouble for a transfer student?

“What's the problem with you two, anyway?” Kang Jin-Ho sharply glared at the two.

Chang Min replied by silently lowering his head. However, Vator didn't back down and instead raised his voice. “Master?”

Kang Jin-Ho turned his attention to the big man. “Mm?”

“If I back off now, it'll make things more tolerable for you. However, doing that won't help anyone out in the long term, so I must say this to you now.”

“Ng?”

Vator puffed his chest out as if he had done nothing wrong. All he did was stand straighter, yet such a simple gesture still came across as threatening.

“Master, men are animals.”

“...?” Kang Jin-Ho stared at Vator dumbfoundedly. What on Earth was he saying now?

“Oh, it seems you've misinterpreted my intentions. Let me clarify myself, then. All men possess this primal instinct. And animals living in a large pack requires a hierarchy.”

“Mm...!” Kang Jin-Ho nodded after finally figuring out where Vator was going with this.

“With only a few people, such a thing might not be necessary. However, establishing a hierarchy is a must when the number of people grows past a certain threshold. Whether I like it or not, I must work together with this old man or oppose his opinions and suggestions.” Vator paused there briefly and glanced at Chang Min. “The reason why wolves of the great plains can maintain such large packs is straightforward. Fifty animals mean a hierarchy for all fifty creatures. The same idea will still apply if a pack had a hundred wolves.”

Kang Jin-Ho grew stupefied. “Oh, so... you want to fight to determine the hierarchy?”

“Yes. That is the way of men. The way of the martial artists! I'm sure you've witnessed this plenty of times before.”

“...I don't know much about that, though.”

Kang Jin-Ho simply beat up anyone daring to get on his nerves or didn't know their place and tried to order him around. After a while, no one was left standing above him in the pecking order, and Kang Jin-Ho naturally became the cult leader.

What was even worse was that no one challenged him for the cult leader position. Because Azure Demon utterly crushed anyone daring to challenge Kang Jin-Ho back then!

“The Mongol isn't wrong, my liege!” Chang Min raised his head, his eyes gleaming dangerously. “Establishing a clear chain of command is a must, my liege. Allow me to teach this wet-behind-ears brat how noble and divine the demon cult can be!”

Kang Jin-Ho nearly fell out of his chair. “W-wait a sec...!”

Vator cut him off. “Master, We won't make any progress if you try to make the demon cult the center of your activities. There's a need to make these men remember their position in the organization.”

“Wha...”

“My liege!”

“Master!”

Kang Jin-Ho gave up just then. His energy-less hand pulled out a packet of cigarettes from his pocket. After mouthing a cigarette, he tried to use his lighter but couldn't gather much strength in his hand.

“...Fine. Do whatever you feel like.”

Yup. I totally give up. I don't care anymore.