The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 262

“I delivered it.”

In the car on the way to the hotel, the secretary ended the call with the president and looked to Zhang Soso.

“The answer?”

“He wants us to give him two days to discuss it.”

Zhang Soso snorted.

“He’s posturing. He’ll accept in the end.”

Several treaties signed over the past eight years had left China with an economic stranglehold on Korea. The president had no choice but to bow to China’s demands.

Yaksha, your legacy is in its death throes now.

Years ago, the name “Yaksha” had been like a curse to the Chinese people. On several occasions, that man had blatantly undermined China’s power on the world stage, causing the Communist Party to miss the chance to conquer the Japanese archipelago, driving the Qilin into seclusion, and widening the gap between China and the United States.

Thankfully, that was all in the past.

The Yaksha was a drooling vegetable. His name was now a chief reminder of what happened to those who crossed China.

Hilariously, it was Korea’s domestic organizations that’d driven the final nail into the Yaksha’s legacy. They’d foolishly believed that tearing down the Kang family would serve their interests, and perhaps it did, but in the end, they’d relegated themselves to caged birds, with China acting as the true master.

Now that the Yaksha’s son had publicly admitted to killing Chinese National candidates, China had both the power and the justification to make exorbitant demands and finally secure Korea as a puppet nation.

It wouldn’t be long now.

After securing Korea, China could then move on the Japanese archipelago.

“However...” The secretary carefully began.

“Kang Jae-Hyeok might’ve used a trick, but it’s still amazing that he killed six National Treasure candidates alone.”

Zhang Soso nodded.

“He’s indeed strong. Even I didn’t have such skills at his age.”

The secretary’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

“It’s only a matter of time before I pass on my title to that child.”

This was what Qilin had said when he’d first brought back Zhang Soso. It was a story that was passed down like a legend in Black Dragon.

Her talent was one of the greatest in China’s thousand-year history.

However, now Zhang Soso herself was acknowledging Kang Jae-Hyeok as an even greater prodigy.

“He’s a little monster. There’s no question. But this is nothing new. Wasn’t the Yaksha the same? That time, we were slow to deal with the threat. This time, I’ll squash the threat in the cradle, so there’s nothing to worry about. ”

Despite Zhang Soso’s reassurances, the secretary was worried.

“What if Kang Jae-Hyeok’s role in Phoenix’s disappearance is greater than we know? What if he was the one who killed him—”

Zhang Soso laughed.

“National Treasure candidates are exactly that: candidates. The six we sent to Korea were indeed highly talented, but their true power ranged from A-class to S-class. A genuine National Treasure like Chen Dian is on a completely different level. No matter what tricks Jae-Hyeok used on our candidates, it certainly wouldn’t work on a National Treasure.”

Of course, Chen Dian was old—he might have the appearance of a boy, but his prime was over a long time ago. Still, with age came wisdom and battle experience. An old fox like him wouldn’t fall for petty schemes.

Above all, Chen Dian had Yuan Bo and Song Wei as guards. The combined might of three National Treasures was not a power the fading Kang family could contest—especially not quietly.

“What about White Night? She must’ve been watching carefully from the moment Phoenix entered the country.”

White Night Seol Su-Ah...

She was a player who could claim to be the strongest in Korea. Her ability to shape ice with mana was also notorious in China.

She even achieved one of the top results in the Ragnarok event held two years ago.

“White Night is no match for Phoenix.”

Zhang Soso reclined her seat..

“She may be strong, but she’s a poor match for Phoenix. It’s a matter of compatibility. Seol Su-Ah’s ultimate Skill, Absolute Zero, is said to produce umelting ice. But before the flames Chen Dian carries in his heart, her ice is nothing but a joke, easily melted.”

The car soon arrived in front of her hotel, one of the best in Korea, yet it was smaller and less flashy than hotels in local Chinese cities.

Yaksha, everything you’ve accomplished is fleeting. Watch from hell as everything collapses.

Zhang Soso’s expression distorted like a ghost as she made an eerie smile.

***

High-ranking officials and politicians stood in the Blue House’s office with expressions of disapproval.

Black Dragon Guild was the best guild in China and exerted heavy political and economic influence. Rather than an ordinary guild, Black Dragon could most accurately be described as an unofficial, government-funded player army.

In that sense, the power at Zhang Soso’s fingertips was more than all of Korea could bear.

She was not someone they could easily offend. And yet Kang Jae-Hyeok had done exactly that.

“The testimony claims that Young Master Kang attacked the Chinese investigation team, so we have no grounds to reject their demands. It’s only by handing him over according to Zhang Soso’s request that we can show our sincerity and begin to negotiate.”

The president leaned back in his chair, his thoughts elsewhere.

“But is it really possible that Kang Jae-Hyeok exterminated six Chinese candidates...”

Of all people present, the politicians in the room most hoped that Jae-Hyeok’s account of events was false. wanted all of this to be false. Should the public get wind of Jae-Hyeok’s talent, who knew how they might rise up to try and defend him?

Yet whether it was luck or not, behind closed doors, they had to admit that Jae-Hyeok’s skills were clearly far greater than they’d imagined.

The Minister of Defense said slowly, “He single-handedly disabled the defense systems of a high-level Korean military prison, even taking down General Cha Seung-Min in the process. Honestly, the military might dislike Second Young Master Kang, but we acknowledge his skills more than anyone else.”

“Minister, do you really think he killed six National Treasure candidates by himself? Surely not, right? Let’s not forget, these are Chinese candidates we’re talking about. China dominates mainland Asia for a reason.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Skills vary even among the candidates. Considering the experience and achievements that he gained from defeating General Cha Seung-Min, it is a real possibility.”

“Hah...”

At that, the officials traded uneasy looks.

Could it be that Jae-Hyeok’s talent really surpassed the Yaksha’s?

Ha Yul scanned the uncertain faces in the room and cautiously said to the president, “I agree with the Defense Minister. That’s why I insist on protecting him.”

Ha Yul’s wrinkles were deep, but her eyes shone sharply.

She had spent her whole life in the political world, but now she put her true feelings on the table without consideration for anything else. She was tired of scheming and plotting. If she couldn’t save Kang Jae-Hyeok here, then there was no point in considering the future.

“Kang Jae-Hyeok is the future of Korea. We, the elders of this era, must protect him. We must not repeat the same mistakes as when we turned away from the Yaksha.”

“......”

Most of the officials fell quite at Ha Yul’s words.

It was a quiet sign of approval.

Even the leader of the Minsaeng Party, Ha Yul’s political rival for over forty years, remained silent in tacit support.

All eyes fell on the president.

This wise and just president looked the same as usual.

Clear-eyed and loose-browed, he exuded a confident spirit as if there was nothing in the world that could cow his aspirations.

Maybe we don’t need to step forward?

The president must’ve intended to protect Kang Jae-Hyeok from the beginning.

Thinking so, the officials and politicians enjoyed a breath of relief before reminding themselves that they were far from out of the woods.

Although they would avoid the humiliation of sacrificing Korea’s National Treasure candidate to China, the backlash from China would send shockwaves throughout Korea.

Maybe there will be an armed conflict.

The military generals decided that they should start preparing for war.

At this moment, the president broke his silence. “I don’t disagree that Kang Jae-Hyeok is the future of Korea. And that is why...

“I’m going to trust him.”

“?”

“I will accept Black Dragon’s demands.”

It was different from everyone’s expectations.

“Mr. President, I urge you to reconsider!”

“Are you telling us to submit to China?”

Only a few people, including the Minister of National Defense and Ha Yul, stood up in shock and outrage.

The vast majority of people secretly breathed sighs of relief.

Indeed, they agreed that Jae-Hyeok should be protected. But what could they do in the face of a titan like China? Even if Jae-Hyeok were more prized, the safe thing to do was hand him over.

The president slapped his desk, returning silence to the room.

“This isn’t about submitting to China.”

One by one, he met everyone’s eyes.

“I’m showing my trust in Candidate Kang.”

What happened a few days ago was still vivid in his mind.

Jae-Hyeok had promised to devour China, demanding only one thing in return.

Faith.

I just need to believe in him... 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

“No matter what China wants, Candidate Kang can handle it. Of this, I have no doubt.”

“President, please!”

There was an immediate backlash, but the president had none of it.

“Enough! I’m willing to bet my honor and legacy on this. What I need from you, my loyal minister and politicians, is trust—not in me, but in Candidate Kang! All dismissed!”

***

Two days later.

“Breaking news! Kang Jae-Hyeok is set to face off against a high-ranking executive from Black Dragon Guild! The cause of this duel seems to be related to the recently missing Chinese investigation team...”

“This just in—our newest sources are claiming that Black Dragon’s Zhang Soso intends to kill Kang Jae-Hyeok. This is a battle to the death!”

“As of yet, the Korean government has remained silent. China clearly intends to make an example of Kang Jae-Hyeok, and... it seems our president intends to go along with it.”

“Fellow viewers, it’s a sad day to be Korean. Abandoning the Yaskha wasn’t enough, now our country has turned its back on his son...”

Korea was turned upside down.

Some people were furious, some were delighted, and some were depressed.

Many people shed tears.

They felt sorry after the recently revealed history of the Kang family and Jae-Hyeok’s situation.

The one who brought order to this situation was unexpectedly, Kang Jae-Hyeok himself.

“The president has not abandoned me. I asked him to believe in me, and that is exactly what he’s doing.”

Jae-Hyeok and a reporter sat across from each other in a live interview. As usual, he was dressed in the Kang family’s ceremonial robe. He wore golden epaulets on his shoulder, as if to symbolize the mountain of responsibility on his back.

Jae-Hyeok looked directly into the camera.

“Take heart. His faith will be repaid in full.”