Chapter 178

〈 Chapter 178 〉 Part 1, Chapter 9, Section 12

As Phoenix soared toward a new objective, Bonghyo and the ten resolute members of the Illusory Dragon Group were racing to Xinjiang where the Black Scorpion slept.

“Are you sure this is really okay? It might not be wise to provoke him unnecessarily…”

Sajae, leaping through the forest with his light-stepping technique, voiced his concerns. Though they had prioritized speed to reach Xinjiang, it was still a reckless move to confront the Black Scorpion at full strength.

“To nitpick, perhaps I’m committing patricide.”

The emperor absently fiddled with his carapace and gave a bitter laugh. Since he was born from the core of the Black Scorpion’s offspring, the Black Flame Scorpion, stabbing the Black Scorpion with his own tail’s poisonous stinger made him feel somewhat conflicted.

“If we’re being picky, then yes. Still, thanks to the emperor’s help, we did gain something worthwhile, didn’t we?”

Bonghyo held up a core that glimmered with a vivid yellow hue. The Earth Dragon’s core, obtained through the combined efforts of all the Illusory Dragon Group members, 500 Bright Flames, and the emperor himself, now belonged to their group.

“Sajae. You need to take this to Beijing.”

“Excuse me?”

“Go present it to our lord.”

“But if I leave, our forces will be…”

Phoenix had been left with the entire Bright Flame contingent to confuse her vision using the Earth Dragon’s corpse, while half had been sent to capture the Water Monkey. In truth, those going after the Black Scorpion numbered only ten, including Bonghyo.

“If he catches up to us, even I’ll become useless. Worse, I might become an enemy.”

The emperor reminded everyone that Phoenix held absolute control over him. However, Bonghyo seemed unfazed by this revelation.

“Xiao Lin could make things easier, but alas, our lord has granted her freedom.”

“So, Commander. Going after the Black Scorpion is too much-”

“In reality.”

Bonghyo covered his mouth and chuckled softly.

“By defeating the Earth Dragon, we’ve already achieved one hundred percent of this operation’s goals. The rest of the monsters are just bonus objectives.”

“Huh? Then why are we going to the Black Scorpion?”

“To divert attention. Specifically, for you, Sajae.”

Bonghyo tossed the core to Sajae, who caught it awkwardly and trembled.

“Handle it carefully. Hehe.”

“A, ah Commander! Even so, a mission this important…”

“It’s precisely because it’s you that I’m entrusting this to you, Sajae. There’s no one else I can give such an important mission to.”

“Commander…!”

Sajae sniffled, touched that he was finally being recognized, yet simultaneously terrified about whether he could actually complete the task. Above all, he feared the consequences should he fail.

“Don’t worry, Sajae.”

Bonghyo patted Sajae on the arm in reassurance.

“I know it’s a dangerous mission. That’s why there must be appropriate compensation. Do you remember the <Phantom> of the Blue Wind Sect, Sajae?”

“Of course I do.”

Sajae had met Phantom Cheon Gaeul twice. Once on the bridge over the Yalu River where she used tentacles to restrain Xiao Lin as an A-rank hero, and another time last night when she visited the Illusory Dragon Group’s secret base.

“And those monster women… They were quite something, weren’t they?”

“Ah, ahem!”

Sajae coughed and blushed furiously. Last night’s狂欢 festival among the ghosts remained an unforgettable memory, though one too embarrassing to discuss further.

“But, how does that relate to this mission?”

“I’ll petition our lord to use this S-rank core to create a lover specifically for you.”

“……! Commander! That’s out of the question!”

Sajae angrily protested against Bonghyo’s suggestion.

“This core was meant to create a monster under our lord’s command, wasn’t it?! How could you suggest using it for personal purposes?”

“Make her a fake hero-monster hybrid like we did with Yun Yuhwa.”

Bonghyo gestured toward the emperor.

“Do the same as we did with Unjang. It could be fun. Create a culture where S-rank and above transform into their true forms. If discovered, just say it’s due to special abilities. Look, even Yu Huangsook became a bunny-human, didn’t he?”

“Commander, are you thinking this way because you’re worried about Xiao Lin?”

“Hehe. Perhaps.”

Bonghyo wore an enigmatic smile. He had calculated numerous advantages in keeping Phoenix in the dark.

“Commander, what if…”

Sajae swallowed hard before asking,

“What if Lady Phoenix becomes enraged and tries to kill us all? What if she even assaults our lord?”

“That’s why I’m here. Don’t worry.”

Bonghyo grinned wickedly.

“I have my ace in the hole. So please, go without concern. I trust you, Sajae.”

“…Understood.”

In the end, Sajae accepted the mission reluctantly. The glass sphere he held in both hands weighed less than a plum but felt heavier than a thousand kilograms.

“Why me, of all people?”

“…Because your story never ends.”

Bonghyo pointed north toward Beijing with a serious expression. Mountains stretched endlessly in that direction.

“You’re our best climber, aren’t you?”

“…Yes?”

“You need to live up to your reputation, Sajae. Hehe. We’ll leave you to it. We have a Black Scorpion to catch!”

With that, Bonghyo, the Black Scorpion, and the other Illusory Dragon members departed, leaving Sajae alone in the forest holding the core.

“Still…”

How far was it to Beijing? Even estimating conservatively, it had to be over six hundred kilometers.

“…”

Sajae transformed into ethereal form to conserve energy. As a ghost, flying would be effortless-

Thud. Roll.

“Kyaaa?!”

As soon as Sajae turned ethereal, the core slipped from his grasp and rolled across the ground. Quickly reverting to physical form, he grabbed the core and squeezed his eyes shut.

“Argh…! Commander really!”

Why did he choose me out of all the members? No matter how I think about it, this feels less like an important mission and more like punishment disguised as responsibility.

“Because I got caught slacking off like an idiot? Or because I joked around with Xiao Lin and mocked the commander? Ugh! I really don’t know!!”

If they truly trusted my abilities, I’d politely decline any similar missions in the future. With tears in his eyes, Sajae set off eastward.

Eastward, ever eastward.

“So why did you assign this mission specifically to him?”

“Excuse me? His alias isn’t ‘Sajae’? Ah, Your Majesty may not be aware. The owner of this alias is someone named Denga, whose method of defeating enemies involves…”

Sajae would never have imagined it was because of his alias.

***

<At that moment, Central Party Headquarters in Beijing.>

The Black Flame Dragon roared. The Earth Dragon sank into Dongting Lake.

Who would have thought that someone could sink an S-rank monster like the Earth Dragon with just a single flap of their wings?

The Black Flame Dragon accomplished exactly that. With a single invisible blast aimed at Dongting Lake, it crushed the Earth Dragon’s shell and sent its body sinking beneath the waves.

‘What about the core?’

This question barely formed in minds before the Black Flame Dragon turned its head northeast and spread its wings, immediately engaging in battle with the awakened Water Monkey.

Unlike with the Earth Dragon, the dragon struggled considerably, prolonging the fight and confusing observers.

‘??? Why can’t it handle this one easily? What is it? What exactly is it?’

“Here it goes wild again. Phew. Good thing we can’t see the spirits in the video feed.”

Seok Harang observed the traces and movement patterns of Phoenix controlling the Black Flame Dragon. Wherever the dragon went, S-rank monsters like the Earth Dragon were instantly killed upon contact.

“Whether it was the initial strike or just the finishing blow… There’s no way to tell.”

Camera equipment couldn’t capture the movements of ethereal beings. With the sun shining brightly, Phoenix could remain hidden. Consequently, only the corporeal monsters were subject to speculation while the actions of the ghosts remained unknown.

“Ah, this is getting boring. Maybe I should just head back to Korea.”

Since the negotiations had effectively stalled, Seok Harang saw no reason to stay and returned to the waiting room, citing poor condition as an excuse.

“If I intervene, it would be overstepping my bounds…”

Though restless, Seok Harang waited patiently. Watching Phoenix eliminate S-rank monsters made her want to demonstrate her own power by doing the same.

“Anyway, when is that negotiation expert arriving?”

Knock knock knock.

Hearing the knock, Seok Harang quickly sat up straight from her reclined position on the sofa and cleared her throat.

“Come in.”

“Excuse me. There’s someone claiming to be a negotiation expert related to Ms. Qinghua…”

The association staff member appeared visibly troubled. Only Qinghua could verify this person’s identity, but unfortunately, Qinghua herself was absent.

“In that case, please send them in.”

“Uh? But… Are you sure it’s alright with a man?”

“Pfft. There’s only one man in the world who could possibly beat me, so I’ll be fine.”

Seok Harang created a shard of ice on her raised index finger, conveying her willingness to stab if necessary. This reassured the staff member.

“Then I’ll bring him in momentarily.”

After the staff member left, Seok Harang tapped her knee impatiently, wondering who would arrive. A man, huh? The only possibilities from the Blue Wind Sect were the bald guy, the sunglasses-wearing former congressman Ryu Cheonseong, and some foreigner whose name she couldn’t recall…

Thud thud.

Heavy footsteps approached, and a towering figure entered. Dressed impeccably in a suit, he looked like the stereotypical salaryman who would barge into your house selling insurance.

“Who are you?”

Seok Harang didn’t recognize this man. Was there a villain in the Blue Wind Sect she didn’t know about? While she pondered this, the man extended his hand for a handshake. A strong aroma of Arabica coffee wafted from him.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Ha Yujun.”

“A, ah. Nice to meet you too…”

As Seok Harang shook hands with Ha Yujun, she sensed something off. The familiar magical energy combined with an unsettling lack of vitality reminded her of shaking hands with Eun Jaemin during a government-sponsored event in Busan years ago.

“Eh…?”

“Do you really know this person?”

Seeing Seok Harang’s confused expression, the association staff member prepared to restrain the man.

“No, no! I just didn’t expect him to come. Long time no see, Mr. Yujun.”

“Indeed. It’s been a while since we met in Busan. Here we meet again.”

Ha Yujun pulled out a business card from his wallet and presented it respectfully. The dazzling card bore the title “Director Ha Yujun.”

“…”

“Hehe. To keep pace with the global era, our constantly evolving company, the Yu-Sung Group, recently reorganized its core business…”

“Ah, got it. Since Director Seok Harang vouches for you, you must be trustworthy. However…”

The staff member kept his distance from Ha Yujun, who maintained his bowed posture while offering the card. Rather than engaging further, the staff member hastily retreated.

“Sir, the negotiation will begin in thirty minutes. Though Ms. Qinghua entrusted you with full authority, without her direct confirmation…”

“I’ll take responsibility.”

Seok Harang cut off the staff member.

“We need to talk privately first. Could you wait outside for a bit?”

“Ah, yes.”

The staff member quickly exited and closed the door. Seok Harang erected a magical barrier and collapsed onto the couch.

“…Wow, sis, what is this?”

[It’s my first puppet. What do you think? Pretty convincing, right?]

From Ha Yujun’s mouth came a woman’s voice, one very familiar to Seok Harang – the genuine negotiation expert Phoenix trusted completely with all financial dealings.

“I should’ve realized when I smelled the coffee.”

[Even SS-rank should be able to detect magical energy alone.]

Ha Yujun, <Puppet Master> Yun Yuhwa’s first puppet, shrugged nonchalantly. Compared to Eun Jaemin or the Black Market boss, this puppet’s realism was incomparable.

[Hehe, so how did the negotiation go? I think I need to personally deal with whoever blew up that plane to vent my frustration.]

Ha Yujun.

Reversed, it reads Hwa Yuja.

Yuhwa.

Phoenix’s most trusted top negotiation expert took over the negotiation baton.

Core