Chapter 956: Branching Out (1)

This was a serious issue.

Other people might not see what was so bad about this issue, but not to a martial artist like Kang Jin-Ho. It qualified as a terribly serious problem!

‘Well, I know it’s not a heart demon.’

Kang Jin-Ho had carefully inspected himself and the situation itself. And he couldn't find any opening where a heart demon might have invaded him. Besides, it hadn't been that long since he overcame one. Since that was the case, falling into a heart demon's traps again so soon didn't make much sense.

A heart demon almost always accompanied an improvement in one's cultivation. However, Kang Jin-Ho hadn't experienced lightning-fast growth recently that could have triggered another heart demon. He might be improving every day, but this growth was well within the usual expected range.

So, this problem could not be a result of a heart demon. In that case, how was he supposed to explain this situation?

“Oppa, did something good happen to you?”

‘I mean, look!’

Kang Jin-Ho could only frown when his little sister, Kang Eun-Yeong, asked him with deadly precision.

“What makes you think that? What?” Kang Jin-Ho hurriedly asked back.

“It's like, you've been walking with a silly grin on your face the whole day, you know? As if you've won the lottery or something? But you ain't the type to be happy about having money, so…?”

“Nothing happened, though.”

“Then what’s up with that silly grin?”

“Whose grin? Mine?”

“...Are you trying to mess with me, oppa? Of course it's you! Do you see anyone else besides you and me here?”

Indeed, there was no one else in the living room other than the two Kang siblings.

“You’re being way too suspicious, you know that?” Kang Eun-Yeong muttered, her eyes narrowed to slits.

A hint of perspiration broke free on Kang Jin-Ho’s forehead just then.

‘This is inconceivable.’

Martial arts were all about moving one's body to defeat their opponents. And to perform this act as perfectly as possible, one must prioritize mastering the control of their body, to ensure that it did exactly as one wished.

On top of this, Kang Jin-Ho was an expert. Not just any expert, but one at the top of the martial arts game, no less!

A martial artist on Kang Jin-Ho's level… No, even those who were well, well below his level of strength should still be able to perfectly control their bodies. And a top-tier expert like Kang Jin-Ho could even will every strand of hair on his body to move. Р𝖆ΝȱᛒЁ𝙨

In short, it was normal for someone like him to completely control every facet of his body at will. So how…!

Smirk…!

“Ah?! There it is again! Look!” Kang Eun-Yeong urgently cried out.

“W-what are you talking about?!” Kang Jin-Ho yelled back in alarm.

“It’s you! You keep grinning like that! What’s going on here! Spit it out already!”

“...I’m telling you, nothing is going on.”

“Way. Too. Sus-pi-ci-ous! This guy, he's way too sus!”

Kang Jin-Ho sneakily avoided meeting his little sister’s probing glare. He realized there was no way he could escape suspicion as long as his lips curled up into a grin all on their own! So, he did the next best thing by going on a counteroffensive!

“Stop talking nonsense, and let's focus on you! Why are you always at home these days?”

“...Oppa?” Kang Eun-Yeong’s voice suddenly grew depressed.

“N-ng?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head at this noticeably abrupt change in his little sister's attitude. Such a pronounced shift in her mood was rare for Kang Eun-Yeong, even if her emotions could be all over the place at times.

“Oppa, should I change to another agency?”

“Mm? Why?”

“It kinda feels like they don’t care about me anymore.”

“...Huh?"

“I've been preparing to debut a new track, right? But things aren't working out so well right now. The agency can't seem to get the track together, and they haven't even renewed the contract with the choreography team from my last tour, too.”

"Hmm?” Kang Jin-Ho's head tilting intensified.

Something like that should be impossible. Why? Because Kang Eun-Yeong’s talent agency knew she was backed by one and only Chairman Hwang Jeong-Hu. That knowledge ensured she’d never get the cold shoulder treatment.

“Can you explain what’s going on?”

“I’m not sure myself, but the atmosphere in the agency is not great at all. Some talents haven’t renewed their contracts, some managers got the boot, and… They even sold the vans off, too. It’s like they are…”

“...That sounds like the agency is closing shop?”

“You think so, too? That’s what it all feels like, right?”

Kang Jin-Ho contemplatively rubbed his chin.

‘The agency is closing down?’

That was with the euphemism filter switched on. In truth, it’d be more like the agency was about to go out of business.

However, logic said it should not be possible for Kang Eun-Yeong’s agency to go out of business like this. After her previous agency closed doors… After Kang Jin-Ho figuratively tore that place down, he made sure his little sister’s next agency would be one of the best in the country.

So, for a top talent agency to go out of business so abruptly? How would that even happen? Still, something must be going on, judging from Kang Eun-Yeong's testimony.

“When did you notice these things happening with the agency?”

“It’s been a while,” Kang Eun-Yeong sheepishly replied.

“Really? Why didn’t you say something?”

“...Because you were busy, oppa. I can’t pile on and whine to make your life even more difficult, right?”

Kang Jin-Ho furrowed his brow. “Listen, Kang Eun-Yeong.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Some things in this world are more important than others. And to me, it’s my family. Even if I’m busy, I will still prioritize my family’s affairs.”

“...Got it.”

“Leave it to me. Let me look into it, okay?”

“Sorry, oppa. Thanks.”

“By the way, mm…”

“Ng?”

Kang Jin-Ho’s suspicious gaze drifted lower toward his sister’s tummy. Something fleshy was bulging a bit around her T-shirt’s navel area. To an idol, that bump looked a bit… unhelpful?

He narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure they are treating you badly for no reason? And not as in you did something worthy of being treated that way?”

“I can lose this whenever I want, I’ll have you know! Yeah, that’s right! I can make this bump go away like, in the blink of an eye!”

“Huh. You said the same thing for several months now, though?”

“Shut up, you!”

“...Anyways. See you later,” Kang Jin-Ho shook his head before escaping from the Kang residence. During his brief journey to reach the garage, he could hear his little sister’s heated voice hurling all sorts of insults and curses in his direction.

Kang Jin-Ho groaned deeply while climbing into his Zoom-Zoom. He called Choi Yeon-Ha after turning on the ignition.

-Jagi~!

“...Didn't we agree not to call each other that, Miss Yeon-Ha?”

-We did, but your responses have been too priceless to stop. Sorry.

Was it normal to openly say that? When he thought about it a little, Choi Yeon-Ha was like an amalgamation of all the sins Kang Jin-Ho was guilty of. It was as if all of his past sins had come back in the form of Choi Yeon-Ha to haunt him!

-What’s gotten into you, though? Calling me first and all. Why? Wanna go on another date? I still haven’t washed up yet, though!

“My bad, but I’m on my way to work, actually.”

-Eiii, that's too bad. So, why did you call me? The one and only Mister Kang Jin-Ho wouldn't call me the first thing in the morning for no reason. And even if we have finally resolved the uncertainty in our relationship…! People aren't supposed to change so quickly like this, you know?

“...I had something to ask you. That was why.”

-Yup, I knew it! How could you be so predictable…!

Choi Yeon-Ha’s voice grew a little icy just then. Kang Jin-Ho sensed that subtle change in her voice and sat up straight in the seat.

In times like this… The best remedy was to get to the main topic as quickly as possible. Or he’d be subjected to an endless barrage of nagging on his way to the Assembly!

“Actually, I’m calling you because Eun-Yeong’s agency seems to be in trouble.”

-You mean, Miss Se-Ah?”

“Yes.”

-Miss Se-Ah’s agency is Code, isn’t it?

Was that the name of the place? Since Kang Jin-Ho almost barely recognized it, it must be. “Yes, I guess so.”

-Hmm. Code, is it? Code…?

Choi Yeon-Ha mumbled quietly as if she was thinking to herself before addressing Kang Jin-Ho again.

-Right. I remember something. Before I left Korea, there were some concerning rumors surrounding Code, you see?”

“Rumors?”

-Yup. Rumors. But this industry has a ton of baseless rumors floating around, you know? Half are flat-out lies, but even the truths can be a bit too exaggerated, so we learn to take most rumors with a grain of salt. And you can find one or two unsavory rumors about every agency in the industry, too.

“Oh, I see…”

-I'm sorry. It's only been a few days since I got home, so I don't know what the situation with Code is like now. What did Miss Se-Ah tell you?

Kang Jin-Ho explained what his sister told him to Choi Yeon-Ha. Once the retelling was over, Choi Yeon-Ha groaned loudly.

-The agency even sold the vans?

“Apparently so.”

-That means they are running out of funds. Unfortunately, one of the most noticeable signs of an agency circling the drain is selling off assets like vehicles and buildings. Such things are absolutely necessary to get your talents to work, so what they are doing is basically pulling out their foundation for a quick buck.

“Mm…!” Kang Jin-Ho frowned. It sounded like the situation was worse than it seemed. “Can you find out what’s going on?”

-It won’t be hard, but I’m not a detective or anything, you know? Rather than entrusting me with this, how about utilizing a different avenue? Didn’t you say Chief Jo is one of the directors of Code?

That was true in the past. However, after Kang Eun-Yeong became an established star, Jo Gyu-Min decided to return to Jaegyeong and quit his “job” in Code.

Kang Jin-Ho shook his head. “I didn't want to ask him because he already has a lot on his plate.”

-Even if it's not him, I think it'll be better to go through other channels, Mister Jin-Ho. But I'll still look into it on my end.

“Thank you.” Kang Jin-Ho smiled and got ready to end the call. But then…

-Is that all?

“Sorry?”

-I’m asking you, is that all?

Kang Jin-Ho flinched grandly. What did he miss this time? What should he do now? “U-uhm, was there something else you’d like to talk about?”

-Hnnnnng…?

A clearly audible snort came from the phone’s speaker. Kang Jin-Ho developed a habit lately where the sound of that snort would automatically make him flinch and shrink back.

He wasn’t even Pavlov’s dog, so what happened to his poor instincts!

-Nah, it’s okay. Do your best with your work today, okay! In the meantime, I’ll try to find out what’s what.

“I-I see. Thank you. See you later, then.”

Kang Jin-Ho finally ended the call and hurriedly wiped the strands of cold sweat caking his forehead.

Choi Yeon-Ha had no idea. She seemed to know that Kang Jin-Ho was not someone ordinary. But that knowledge didn’t extend to how extraordinary Kang Jin-Ho really was. After all, that was a concept no normal people could even begin to fathom.

That was why she had no idea that Kang Jin-Ho clearly heard her muttering to herself, “Modifying him will take longer than I thought?” just as the line went dead!

‘Modifying what now?’

What an ominous-sounding statement of intent that was!

Kang Jin-Ho worked hard to suppress the sounds of alarm ringing in his head while depressing the accelerator. Winding the windows down a little allowed the cool breezes to gush inside Zoom-Zoom.

***

“Good morning,” Kang Jin-Ho greeted while waving his hand.

“Good morning, sir!”

“G-good… kek…! Good morning, Assembly Master!”

“Oh, goodness me! Congratulations, Assembly Master!”

“…?” Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow as he entered the Assembly HQ. Something about the way people greeted him seemed a little weird.

The eyes staring at him were curling into strange arches. Those arches pointing the other way would've denoted their hostility toward him, but… Weren't they looking at him with considerable gentleness?

Even so…

‘What’s this? This uneasiness?’

Greeting each other with smiles was a good thing. Humans exchanged amicable emotions this way, didn't they? But the smiles of these people ever so slightly rubbed Kang Jin-Ho the wrong way!

Rather than a straightforward expression of their goodwill, their smiles seemed more like…

“Good morning, Assembly Master! Good to see you again!”

“It’s a wonderful morning, isn’t it, sir!”

“M-mm, yes. Good morning.” Kang Jin-Ho frowned slightly. Was he being a little too tense here?

While tilting his head this way and that, Kang Jin-Ho continued to walk forward. However, when he glanced around, he spotted some people whispering to each other in a remote corner.

“…!”

That confirmed his suspicions. Something really was happening here!

Kang Jin-Ho took the shortest route to the Assembly Master’s office. If someone dared to try something, the office should be…

Once he reached the top floor, though, Kang Jin-Ho had to stop moving for a moment. He could clearly see the half-open doorway to his office!

There was no way that door would be left open when Kang Jin-Ho wasn’t even in his office. That could only mean someone was already in there.

Kang Jin-Ho raised his perception and noticed the presence of several people inside his office.

“…!”

As hints of dread began washing over him, Kang Jin-Ho cautiously approached his office and stepped inside. That was when he discovered Lee Hyeon-Su, Bang Jin-Hun, and Vator waiting for them.

“Good morning, sir.”

‘Maybe I… was wrong?’

Judging from how serious everyone looked while waiting for his arrival, this situation didn’t seem related to the thing Kang Jin-Ho had been dreading about.

Even if it was, the potential culprit of this catastrophe, Wiggins, was not in the office.

‘It might be a false alarm, after all…?'

Lee Hyeon-Su spoke first. “My apologies for bothering you so early in the morning, sir. An urgent business came up, you see?”

“No, it’s fine,” Kang Jin-Ho briefly waved his hand at Lee Hyeon-Su before taking the seat of honor. “Okay, what’s this urgent business?”

“Sir, the business that brings us all together this morning is… to establish a new position within the Assembly.”

“...Mm?”

“Well, sir. Since the Assembly has become a wonderfully modernized workplace, we figured we’d need to confirm how we’d address the Madam…”

“...Who?”

“Madam, sir.”

“Ma… Ma what?” Kang Jin-Ho flinched before shooting up to his feet. What “Madam” was Lee Hyeon-Su talking about here?

“Sir?” Lee Hyeon-Su tilted his head. “But Mister Wiggins told us that the Assembly Master now is accompanied by a Madam, so we need to find a suitable position within the Assembly and set up a protection detail…”

“Kuh-huph!” Vator couldn’t hold it anymore and toppled over while clutching at his tummy. Even Bang Jin-Hun hurriedly covered up his smiling face while looking away.

Kang Jin-Ho carefully chewed out a name. “...Wiggins!”

Lee Hyeon-Su tilted his head some more. “Sorry?”

“Where is Wiggins!”

“He’s gone off to the Incheon airport, sir. He said something about seeing the Master of the Round Table off would be good manners.”

Grit!

Kang Jin-Ho reflexively gritted his teeth. Just as he swore he’d find and tear Wiggins a new one even if he had to rush straight toward the port city of Incheon…!

“Myyyyyy liiiiiiiiiieeeeeege!”

A thunderous roar came from outside the office windows. And the owner of that roar was, unsurprisingly, Chang Min!

Kang Jin-Ho slowly double-facepalmed while sensing the roar getting closer and closer.

‘You… You are dead meat, Wiggins!’

I’ll definitely turn you into one!

I swear it!