abcnovels
Chapter 227
Chapter 227
Chapter 227
Jeong Wonuk was so dumbfounded that saliva dripped from his mouth.
“What did he do to make you respond like that?” Jeong Wonuk asked softly. He felt that spending millions of dollars wouldn’t be a waste as long as he could find out the secret to appeasing Han Seha, who had a terrible personality.
“I also want to know...”
“It’s his personality.”
Han Seha’s answer puzzled both Choi Yeonseung and Jeong Wonuk.
“Per...
“...Sonality?”
‘Do I have a good personality?’
-I don’t know if you necessarily have a good personality, but from a moral standpoint, you are one of the best among the hunters and constellations.
-Is that true?
Choi Yeonseung was surprised by the unexpected evaluation. Up to this moment, he had heard many people call him things like ‘nuts’, ‘crazy about training’ and ‘insane bastard who only knows training’. He didn’t remember hearing people say that he has a good personality.
-Successor, rather than your personality being particularly good, the moral sense of hunters and constellations has declined tremendously. Don’t you think your moral compass is quite high compared to them?
-...That’s plausible.
Choi Yeonseung was convinced. Personality was like a flower. It needed petals to be more valuable. Even the ordinary Choi Yeonseung was bound to feel like he had an outstanding personality when compared to other hunters and constellations!
“Haven’t you saved hunters from other clans, or citizens from other cities? Only people with great personalities do such great things without expecting anything in return.”
“Can you stop?”
“Yep.”
Han Seha immediately shut her mouth at Choi Yeonseung’s words.
“In any case, back to the story of Chen Xiezhi. Chen Xiezhi was a legendary hunter back in our time.”
“Legendary? Isn’t he a Chinese hunter?” Han Seha questioned it.
Among the Chinese hunters who had a high rank, very few of them weren’t bastards. Because of that, Han Seha tried to come up with a formula that stated that the ratings of Chinese hunters and their personalities are inversely proportional. However, the South Korean government stopped her from actually publishing it.
“The Chinese used to be… less bad. It’s not like they didn’t cause problems, but they were a bit less ferocious. Most importantly, it wasn’t that long after the gates opened and the cooperation between all of humanity was very strong.”
“Even then, the Chinese government deceived others.”
“That’s right, but it wasn’t as bad as it is now.”
“That’s true...”
“It was Chen Xiezhi who represented that era. He had a good character, and if he were a martial artist, he would be my idol instead of Li Yuyuan.”
Chen Xiezhi was an old man of the first generation and a hunter with both skills and a good personality. After Chen Xiezhi disappeared, it was rumored that the Chinese government assassinated him because they were afraid he would state his opinions publicly...
“That’s why I’m going to make a firm request to the Chinese government.”
“?!”
Jeong Wonuk was surprised by Choi Yeonseung’s words.
“Would they listen...?”
“They are the ones in a tragic situation. If their S-grade hunter can’t come forward, they should at least reveal the reason. Aren’t you curious?”
Come to think of it, the Chinese government wasn’t the only one in a bad situation. It was also the foreign companies (including Hwang Gyeongryong). Well, Choi Yeonseung was alright…
“Sounds like a good plan.”
“Good? Why are you so reticent with your words? Shouldn’t you at least start with ‘great’?”
Jeong Wonuk made up his mind to ask for a separate plane for each A-grade hunter next time.
***
The Suzhou Overseas Business Zone was a new city in China. Dozens of companies came here to set up factories, accommodations, convenience facilities, and educational facilities for employees. Thus, it wasn’t much different from overseas cities.
The atmosphere in the special zone was terrible due to an official letter from the Chinese government.
“Hunter Choi Yeonseung!”
A factory manager of Dragon Industry saw Choi Yeonseung and rushed over with a happy expression.
There were over a dozen hunters belonging to the company here, but it was hard to believe that they could hold their own against an S-grade hunter.
“Did you get any instructions from above?”
“They told me to obey your orders.”
“...I-I see.”
Of course, it was better for them to listen to him, but given how they phrased it, he felt more burdened. There weren’t merely a few dozens of people, but thousands, or even tens of thousands of people.
‘I don’t mind fighting, but I’m worried that there will be quite a bit of damage.’
In the Abyss, he could fight like crazy without holding back. As long as he killed a monster, nobody would complain even if he also destroyed the core of a planet in the process. However, if he fought like that on Earth, hundreds of thousands of people would die.
“There are many companies in that place, so you will receive a lot of support.”
Before he could finish speaking, a voice called out to Choi Yeonseung from behind. It was Germany’s A-grade hunter, Ben Nacht.
“Why is that Gestapo-looking bastard acting all friendly and stuff?” Han Seha wondered while looking at him with apprehension.
They always had to be careful when getting involved with A-grade hunters from other countries. People always assumed that there was a scheme behind every word and every action. Hunters with no hidden motives like Han Seha and Kwon Yeongseung were rare. Usually, hunters engaged in politics and were ambitious, just like Jeong Wonuk.
“I saved him last time during the Abyss Gate raid.”
“I should’ve been there!”
“If you had been there, I would’ve been too worried and wouldn’t have been able to concentrate. I could fight comfortably because I had Kwon Yeongseung with me.”
Kwon Yeongseung listened to them from the side and paused.
...He suddenly felt… bad?
Unable to hear their conversation, Ben Nacht came over and took Choi Yeonseung’s hand, shaking it up and down roughly.
“It’s nice to meet you, Hunter Choi Yeonseung! I didn’t think I would meet you here like this. Have the Korean A-grade hunters come as well?”
He had a harsh voice, similar to that of a soldier, but there was a faint sense of familiarity. A-grade hunters were also people. They wouldn’t hate someone who saved their lives without asking for anything in return.
“Yeah, since South Korea could be severely impacted.”
“Ah, I see. It’s such a terrible location. How on earth did South Korea end up in that place?”
Han Seha felt somewhat disheartened. Koreans could reprimand the country all they wanted, but it was sort of unpleasant when foreigners spoke badly about South Korea.
If Choi Yeonseung hadn’t grabbed Han Seha’s wrist and signaled her to keep quiet, she would’ve asked, ‘Well, since you’ve lost two world wars, I’d say your country’s location is just as bad.’
“I didn’t expect Germany to send A-grade hunters...”
“Given the size of the factory here, it was only natural for them to send an A-grade hunter. The moment the dragon flies away, the world’s stock prices will plummet. I think there will be a few more A-grade hunters coming, not just me.”
His words encouraged the people around him. Ten A-grade hunters could overthrow a few countries by themselves. This was enough to give them some hope against an S-grade monster.
“And...”
Ben Nacht looked around, lowered his voice and whispered, “Hunter Chen Xiezhi is coming.”
“...What?! Really?”
Choi Yeonseung was surprised to hear that. He honestly thought that Chen Xiezhi was half dead.
“It’s off the record, but I think that many countries have put a lot of pressure on China.”
It was to be expected. No matter how important money was, A-grade hunters were exceptional national assets. No government would just send their A-grade hunters without making some demands.
-The Chinese government should at least be transparent! If you don’t send in your S-grade hunter, Chen Xiezhi, we won’t send our hunters to help you.
-No Chen Xiezhi, no support.
Given how bad the situation was, the Chinese government couldn’t hold out against the monster if all the other countries withdrew their support.
In the end, the Chinese caved in.
‘I’m curious!’
Choi Yeonseung suddenly felt a surge of curiosity. Why had nobody seen or heard of Chen Xiezhi in all these years?
-Gasp...! Did Chen Xiezhi also get chosen by a constellation to train?
-...Successor, the only one who would do such a crazy thing is the goddess of balance, so calm down.
-Aren’t you exaggerating?
However, the goddess of sloth was right. It was absolutely impossible to do anything like that!
‘Then did he train on Earth by himself? What’s going on here? Did the Chinese assassinate him and bring him back to life as an undead? Or maybe they implanted a chip in his brain...’
“Hunter Chen Xiezhi has arrived.”
“!”
The moment the news came out, the hunters started to gather quickly. Many had already been waiting for him to show up.
Chen Xiezhi was the most experienced hunter from the first generation and had gained every type of achievement. Who would miss a chance to see him?
“Make way! Make way!”
“You can’t come any closer!”
The Chinese hunters escorting Chen Xiezhi’s vehicle struggled to block access. Most of them were C-grade hunters at best. Trying to stop a crowd of B-grade or A-grade hunters would’ve been utter hell.
“If you keep doing this, I will arrest all of you!” said one of the Chinese hunters angrily.
Hunters were normally in a privileged position, and in China, their power was even greater. Thus, they were bound to feel uncomfortable and angry when foreign hunters ignored their requests and just rushed over wildly. However, they made a mistake by having such a hostile attitude.
“You bastard, how dare you threaten me? Do you want to die?”
“Open the door before I rip your head off and use it as a garden ornament over there!”
“You look like you’re not even D-grade... Do you think we can’t kill you just because we’re in China? What do you think the Chinese government can say to us if we kill you? Open the door!”
The faces of the Chinese hunters turned blue because of the unexpected verbal abuse. There were hunters from all over the world, and each of them had strong personalities. Above all, they had the upper hand in this situation, so they would show no hesitation.
“Everyone, calm down!”
“What are you... No. Hunter Choi Yeonseung? Thank you for what you did in Paris.”
“I also want to see the face of Hunter Chen Xiezhi, so please step back. What are you going to do if I go back before you even open the door?”
A few hunters stepped up to organize the traffic, so there was barely room to open the door. Everyone was silently anticipating the appearance of the S-grade hunter.
What would Chen Xiezhi look like?
“......!”
Choi Yeonseung’s eyes widened.
‘It seems that he looks almost the same…?’
Chen Xiezhi looked like a monk or a daoist. His hair and his beard were completely white, and every step he took felt natural. It was as if the years had slipped away from him. He was an old man 30 years ago and he was still the same now.
“Hunter Chen Xiezhi! You are Hunter Chen Xiezhi, right?”
“It seems right! Look at that magic power!”
“He really is still alive...! I thought the Chinese government had assassinated him!”
The hunters whispered with shocked expressions.
One of the hunters stepped forward and shouted.
“Hunter Chen Xiezhi! Do you remember me? You saved me when I was a child!”
“You...”
Chen Xiezhi stared deeply at the hunter. The hunter nodded tearfully.
“Yes! My name is Dawan!”
“...Who are you?”
“......”
The hunter who came to talk to him was flustered, as were the nearby hunters, but they soon accepted it.
“It was a long time ago and there must’ve been more than one or two people saved by Hunter Chen Xiezhi.”
“No wonder he doesn’t remember.”
“......?”
However, Choi Yeonseung cocked his head. Something was wrong with Chen Xiezhi’s reaction.
“Yes, my name is Dawan.”
“I see... Who are you?”
“Huh...?”
“Who am I?”
“......”
“Where is this?”
A somber atmosphere started to spread through the area. There was also a hint of fear within the group of hunters. The Chinese were in tears and were sending messages somewhere.
-Didn’t you say that he’s regained his sanity?
-Well, it comes back occasionally, so we never know when he gets weird...
-You should’ve said it earlier!
Everyone picked up on why Chen Xiezhi hadn’t made an official appearance in a while.
He must’ve lost his memory due to old age...!