Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 282

“Can you take responsibility for that statement?” Do-Jun asked. There was gravity in his tone, but no trace of anger or fury.

At that moment, Yang Zhuoqi experienced a deep sense of cognitive dissonance.

China: the great nation. Black Dragon House: the prestigious guild. Whenever the Black Dragon House was involved, their opponents always backed down and fled.

And yet, he couldn’t stop himself from thinking, Those eyes... What on earth is he hiding...?

Do-Jun’s lips were clearly curved into a smile. Yet, his gaze was as sharp as a tiger’s, poised to strike the throat of its prey. It wasn’t hostility but amusement—like a predator toying with its prey, watching it struggle in vain to survive.

“So, you’re saying that the words of the Black Dragon House are equivalent to the laws of China...” Do-Jun probed again. “Hunter Yang Zhuoqi, you’ve come to our Hunter’s Bureau as a representative of the Black Dragon House. Then, does that mean your words reflect the official stance of China as a whole? Are you truly prepared to handle the responsibility for such a claim?”

The sensation of being cornered gripped Yang Zhuoqi. One wrong step, and he would fall off a cliff to his death.

“Are you threatening me...?” he snarled.

“Hunter Yang Zhuoqi. This is not a threat. This is my attempt at mercy. Korea is giving China one last chance.”

Yang Zhuoqi couldn’t help but laugh. The sheer arrogance of those words left him utterly dumbfounded.

He finally spoke, his words dripping with contempt. “I see. You did manage to defeat me once before. Is that why you’re so full of yourself? Buddy, don’t spout nonsense. At the end of the day, you’re nothing more than a government employee. Do you not realize that speaking as if you represent Korea is akin to digging your own grave?”

The world didn’t run on brute strength alone. The only reason he could claim to represent China was that the Leader of the Black Dragon House had appointed him as a diplomatic envoy. And yet, here stood a mere low-ranking civil servant of Seoul City Hall, pretending to speak for the entire nation of Korea.

The idea was laughable.

Just because he had some strength or gained a slight connection with the Hunter’s Bureau Chief after the S-rank command incident, didn’t mean he could jump from being a city hall employee to the president.

Unless, by some miracle, he was actually in a position to do so.

Yang Zhuoqi said, “If you were a guild master of one of Korea’s Four Great Guilds, that would be a different story. That would grant you the qualifications to represent Korea. But for a mere civil servant like you to dare speak of ‘mercy’ toward China?”

Do-Jun closed his eyes, then he asked, “You said 300 billion won?”

As if he had expected this all along, Do-Jun pulled out thirty checks, each worth 10 billion won, from his briefcase.

Dong-Hyun and the other members of the Mejai Guild looked visibly shocked. How on earth had Do-Jun come up with three hundred billion won? More importantly, why was he the one paying?

“Heh... Heheheh.” Yang Zhuoqi let out a sly laugh. He had been slightly wary, thinking there was more to this, but in the end, it turned out to be nothing but a bluff.

“So, you do know how to navigate the real world.” Thinking he had hit the jackpot, Yang Zhuoqi quickly took the money.

The truth was that he had single-handedly orchestrated the Celestial Qilin Elixir incident. While it was true that he had come to the Hunter’s Bureau as China’s diplomatic envoy, that didn’t mean his actions were sanctioned.

But where did this three hundred billion come from? Yang Zhuoqi thought briefly.

A low-ranking civil servant’s annual salary was only thirty million won. Even if he worked his entire life, he wouldn’t come close to earning three hundred billion.

Well, he is as strong as an S-rank Hunter... He brushed it off as no big deal.

***

After Yang Zhuoqi left, Dong-Hyun cautiously looked at Do-Jun. Words failed him. This situation was beyond something he could simply apologize for. Three hundred billion won was an amount even S-rank Hunters would hesitate to part with.

“I swear, I will spend my entire life paying you back,” he promised.

This disaster happened because, out of all people, they had run into the Black Dragon House. But more than relief at having survived the crisis, Dong-Hyun felt overwhelmed with guilt. The thought that he had caused Do-Jun a great loss was unbearable.

Worse yet, he had been completely powerless to do anything about it. His own weakness and inability to do anything but watch Do-Jun bear the burden and sacrifice his pride gnawed at him.

“There’s no need to repay me,” Do-Jun said.

What did he just say? Before Dong-Hyun could voice his confusion, Do-Jun spoke again.

“I’ll see you next week, Hunter Han,” he said with a smile.

***

At the Hunter’s Bureau headquarters in Beijing, China, Bureau Chief Wang Yi and Black Dragon House Leader Zhang Min sat in a private meeting. They had gone through several rounds of negotiations with the Korean Hunter’s Bureau regarding the Black Dragon House’s entry into the Core, and after a positive development a few days earlier, they had sent Yang Zhuoqi as an envoy to finalize the schedule for their entry.

“Sir, so, the Koreans requested both you and our guild’s rankers to come to Korea to meet them in person?” Zhang Min asked.

Given the significance of entering the Core, such a request made sense. Strengthening diplomatic ties was essential. Since Korea had agreed to provide support, it was only natural for China to accept these conditions. However, if that was the case, they should have been clear about it from the start. That was simply proper etiquette.

“That’s right,” Wang Yi answered.

“This feels like we’re being treated like some underlings.”

“I understand what you mean, but we are the ones in need. Compared to the benefits we’ll gain, this is nothing.”

The artifacts within the Core held astronomical value. More importantly, the Status Window Snake was a means to strengthen China’s rankers dramatically. The nation as a whole stood to reap massive benefits.

The only reason China had not ventured into the Core earlier was due to the risks involved.

“This is a golden opportunity to receive Behemoth’s assistance. You know how much we’ve endured for the past year to make this happen,” Wang Yi reminded Zhang Min.

“Yes, sir...”

“Prepare to depart immediately.”

***

A week had passed. The top Hunters from Korea and China had gathered in the grand conference room at the Hunter’s Bureau. The atmosphere inside was heavy.

Wang Yi and Zhang Min could immediately sense that something was off.

What is this setup? They wondered as they walked into the conference room.

It had a long oval table with seats arranged to face each other, but the most prestigious spot at the head of the table stayed vacant.

Typically, in such meetings, leaders from both nations would sit side by side at the head of the table. However, here, there was only one seat at the top, with the Bureau Chiefs from each country seated in the secondary seats facing each other.

And who are they? Wang Yi wondered, noticing three figures sitting in the observers’ section.

It was natural for Korea’s S-rank Hunters from the four major guilds to be seated at the table. However, as far as he knew, none of those three were S-rank Hunters.

Wang Yi shot a quick glance at Yang Zhuoqi, who was sitting farther down. With his eyes, he silently asked what in the world was going on.

Yang Zhuoqi shook his head to signal he had no idea either. But internally, he was screaming, Why the hell are those bastards here...?

Yang Zhuoqi scowled as his eyes landed on the Hunters from Mejai Guild.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. At once, Young-Chul and the other S-rank Hunters rose to their feet, leaving the Chinese representatives and Mejai Guild members bewildered.

The door swung open, and a young man in a neatly tailored suit stepped in. Young-Chul and the S-rank Hunters bowed in unison. The young man walked past them and took the head seat.

What the hell is this?

The Chinese representatives tilted their heads, unable to comprehend the situation. Only four people—Yang Zhuoqi and the Mejai Guild members—were left utterly dumbfounded, their jaws nearly dropping to the floor.

Yang Zhuoqi’s lips trembled, and his face turned pale. W-what... the... actual... fuck...?

Do-Jun swept his gaze over the Chinese delegation and said, “Thank you for making such a long trip.”

Wang Yi’s mind raced.

This was a sudden appearance of an entirely unexpected figure. And judging by the way the Koreans were behaving, this was no ordinary person.

“Please, have a seat.” At Do-Jun’s gesture, the Korean representatives took their seats.

Do-Jun briefly glanced at the documents labeled Core Strategy Guide—China, then turned to the Chinese representatives.

“I am Lee Do-Jun, a supervisor of Seoul City Hall’s Fissure Management Division. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Wang Yi looked between Do-Jun and Young-Chul and said, “Chief Jung Young-Chul, I don’t understand this situation. Could you explain why a government official from Seoul City Hall is here?”

Young-Chul briefly explained, “It would take too long to explain everything, but to put it simply, Supervisor Lee Do-Jun is the actual final decision-maker. I only follow his directives.”

“What?”

Shock and utter disbelief. Wang Yi and the Hunters of the Black Dragon House gaped in astonishment. What the fuck is he talking about?!

Sweat trickled down Yang Zhuoqi’s face, while Dong-Hyun widened his eyes in shock. And in that instant, memories from the past few days flashed through his mind, especially Young-Chul’s words from some time ago.

“You’ll be joining Seoul City Hall as a contract Hunter. I can’t explain the details, but just follow the instructions of Supervisor Lee Do-Jun. And let me be clear—whatever you do, don’t get on his bad side.”

Do-Jun’s voice cut through the silence. “Then, let’s begin the meeting regarding the Core advancement of the Chinese Hunter’s Bureau.”

With just that one sentence, the chaotic atmosphere fell silent. The Chinese delegation turned its attention to the documents. Yang Zhuoqi did the same, but the words on the pages barely registered.

Do-Jun lifted his gaze and looked directly at Yang Zhuoqi. “Hunter Yang Zhuoqi.”

“Y-yes?”

“You look pale. Are you feeling unwell?”

“N-no, it’s just...”

A tense current passed between the two men.

Wang Yi and Zhang Min immediately sensed that something was amiss between the two men. Then, they realized why Korea had insisted on the presence of not just the Bureau Chief but also the Black Dragon Clan’s high-ranking members. Clearly, there was a history between Do-Jun and Yang Zhuoqi.

Shit! Yang Zhuoqi cursed inwardly as he recalled Do-Jun’s words from a week ago.

“This isn’t a threat. It’s my attempt at mercy.”

“This is Korea giving China one last chance.”

Do-Jun spoke again. “Judging by your reaction, it seems the others aren’t aware of the situation?”

“W-what do you mean?” Wang Yi cautiously asked.

And in that moment, Yang Zhuoqi suddenly shot up from his seat. He rushed toward Do-Jun and fell to his knees, bowing his head to the floor.

“P-please! Just this once! Please spare me!”

The Hunters of the Black Dragon House stared in utter confusion. No one could make sense of what was happening.

Do-Jun’s eyes turned cold, and he muttered, “I asked you, didn’t I?”

He rose from his seat, grabbed Yang Zhuoqi’s head, and forced him to look up.

“I asked if you could handle the responsibility.”

“Please! Just this once, spare me, and I’ll do anything!”

“Oh? Weren’t you the one throwing your weight around before? Why the sudden change of heart?”

Yang Zhuoqi’s breathing grew ragged.

“That’s what you get for messing with our City Hall Hunters.”

Even a kindergartener could tell that the atmosphere was turning grim.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Wang Yi spoke up. “Pardon me, Supervisor Lee, but may I ask what exactly happened?”

Do-Jun turned to Yang Zhuoqi. “Tell him yourself.”

“Y-yes... yes, sir...”

Yang Zhuoqi adjusted his posture and knelt before Wang Yi.

“T-the truth is... l-last month, in Wudaokou... I-I made contact with the Hunters from Seoul City Hall over there... The Celestial Qilin Pill... which our Black Dragon House had claimed... from a Great Fissure...”

“Hunter Yang Zhuoqi,” Do-Jun said, stepping closer. Then, he stomped on Yang Zhuoqi’s right hand, which was pressed against the ground. An audible crunch came from the bottom of Do-Jun’s foot.

The bones in Yang Zhuoqi’s fingers shattered, leaving his hand limp and mangled. He clutched his wrist, screaming in agony.

“Tell it straight,” Do-Jun commanded.

At that moment, Black Dragon House leader Zhang Min tried to intervene, only for Do-Jun’s cold voice to ring through the hall. “If you get up from that seat, you die.”

There was no emotion in his tone, but it carried undeniable weight.

Zhang Min realized it instantly—if he moved to help Yang Zhuoqi, he would die.

“Now, say it again,” Do-Jun said to Yang Zhuoqi.

“Hrk... The City Hall Hunters... consumed the Celestial Qilin Elixir... and I, acting alone... falsely claimed that the Great Fissure had already been secured by the Black Dragon House... Then... I used that as leverage to demand either 300 billion won from them... or five years of servitude under the Black Dragon House...”

Do-Jun looked at Wang Yi. “I heard that in China, the Black Dragon House’s word is law. That’s why you’ve been using brute force to seize control of Fissures.”

“I cannot deny that,” Wang Yi admitted and ground his teeth.

This was a disaster. If it continued, the plan to gain access to the Core would fall apart.

So, he made a decision.

“We will address that issue. However, I ask for leniency, as this was solely the independent action of Hunter Yang Zhuoqi.”

There was no other choice but to ruthlessly leave Yang Zhuoqi behind. If he didn’t sever this branch, there was no way out.

Do-Jun pulled out his smartphone, and with a single press, a recorded voice started playing.

—Yes. You see, they are contracted with Seoul City Hall.

—You’d better stay out of this. I’m not here as Yang Zhuoqi the individual—I’m here representing the Black Dragon House.

—Korean civil officials really are hopelessly stuck up. Listen up: things don’t work according to the law as neatly as you think they do.

Wang Yi’s face contorted with rage. His glare burned into Yang Zhuoqi as if he intended to kill him on the spot. Yang Zhuoqi turned pale and stumbled backward.

Wang Yi stood up and bowed deeply to Do-Jun.

“Please, just this once, grant us forgiveness. We now fully understand the severity of Yang Zhuoqi’s offense. We will not ask for this to be forgotten. We will take responsibility and compensate the City Hall Hunters accordingly.”

Three hundred billion won. It was just 300 billion won. If it meant securing access to the Core, 300 billion was nothing.

“Understood,” Do-Jun replied.

Wang Yi’s expression eased slightly. “Then, if we were to return the 300 billion...”

“Three quadrillion.”

“Pardon...?”

“If you pay three quadrillion won, we’ll consider this incident resolved. Additionally, we will positively review China’s request to enter the Core.”

Wang Yi’s face hardened once more.

Three quadrillion? Was this some kind of joke?

Three quadrillion won was equivalent to China’s entire annual national budget. That was a thousand times 300 billion.

“T-that’s impossible. There’s no way we can gather three quadrillion—” Wang Yi couldn’t finish his sentence.

Do-Jun interjected, “Understood. Then forget about entering the Core.”

Korea had nothing to lose.

“Ah, one more thing,” Do-Jun continued. “If China attempts to enter the Core without Korea’s permission, we will proceed to eliminate all of your Hunters immediately.”

“What?”

“The Core has been secured by Korea. Do you have a problem with that?”

“But according to Korean law, Fissures are not bound by nationality and anyone can...” Wang Yi trailed off, realizing that bringing up the law now was meaningless.

Instead, he asked something else. “Could you... reduce the amount slightly? Three quadrillion is too much.”

“Fine.”

“Really?”

Do-Jun pointed across the room at the Mejai Hunters, who had been silently watching with blank expressions.

“If you kneel and apologize to them, I’ll reduce the amount by one trillion won per person. Including you, Chief Wang, that would be an 8-trillion-won reduction.”

Wang Yi slumped back into his chair, groaning in defeat.

***

⌜Next news. In yesterday’s meeting at the Hunter’s Bureau, China’s request to enter the Core has been indefinitely postponed. Chief Jung Young-Chul of the Hunter’s Bureau stated that support would not be possible until Korea’s Core operations are fully stabilized...⌟

Cheol-Soo clicked his tongue as he watched the news. “Well, that worked out. I didn’t like the idea of those bastards coming in anyway.”

“Chief, the Mejai Hunters have arrived.” Hyuk-Soo gestured toward the office’s automatic doors.

Cheol-Soo dashed out to greet them. “Ah, welcome back! You must be tired after your work trip.”

Since Mejai had apologized to the Fissure Management Division and resumed operations after their contract dispute last week, he had taken a particular interest in them.

“It was nothing. Thank you for always looking out for us, Chief Kang.” Dong-Hyun chuckled.

Then, he approached Do-Jun, who was busy at his desk.

He bowed. “We’re back, Supervisor.”

Do-Jun smiled and said, “Thank you for your hard work.”