Chapter 150

Chaoshiung, the commander of the 125th Black Wind Unit, had fallen.

The news quickly reached both sides.

It reached the Republic of Korea Attack Unit advancing north, and the vanguard holding out in Sinuiju and Rason.

And even the remnants of the 125th Black Wind Unit, scattered across the battlefield.

“What… the commander has fallen?”

Among them, the most shocked were the Hunters belonging to the 125th Black Wind Unit.

The 125th Black Wind Unit was China’s most formidable military force, hand-picked from the mainland.

Leading this fierce and powerful attack unit was Chaoshiung himself.

As a Magic User, a Hunter possessing immense power, unrivaled even within China.

Yet he had fallen.

The news plunged them into utter shock.

Moreover, even more serious news was delivered.

“It’s a disaster! The South Korean military is advancing north!”

With Commander Chaoshiung’s fall, Deputy Commander Lin Yuan naturally took his place.

Deputy Commander Lin Yuan was a female Hunter, characterized by her strong, imposing presence, accentuated by an eyepatch over one eye.

However, she had a long career serving in China’s special forces.

She had perfectly executed every mission assigned to her, a fact highly commended by the Chinese government, leading to her appointment as Deputy Commander of the 125th Black Wind Unit despite being a woman.

Lin Yuan frowned, looking at her adjutant.

The 125th Black Wind Unit had always been an invincible attack unit.

Until now, she had believed that.

That was only possible because Commander Chaoshiung was there.

But he had fallen.

Without him, the 125th Black Wind Unit held no meaning.

Furthermore, as if it were all orchestrated, the South Korean military was relentlessly pushing north.

‘Damn it!’

Only then did Lin Yuan realize they had fallen into a perfect trap.

She didn’t know how the North Korean and South Korean forces had joined hands, but regardless, the operation had succeeded.

A powerful attack unit had appeared from somewhere, striking the perfectly established defensive lines of Rason and Sinuiju.

And as if on cue, the South Korean military was relentlessly pushing forward.

There was no way out.

“Prepare… for retreat.”

She gritted her teeth.

Lin Yuan’s remaining eye blazed with a toxic aura.

Slam!

Unable to contain the rage boiling within her, she slammed her fist down on the table. The table shattered into pieces, but she didn’t even notice.

“Damn it!”

The legendary 125th Black Wind Unit was now forced into a humiliating retreat.

The 125th Black Wind Unit, which the Chinese government had placed its utmost trust in.

The 125th Black Wind Unit, meant to spearhead China’s occupation of the Korean Peninsula.

What a disgrace!

“What in the world! What went wrong?”

The South Korean military’s strength, as they had assessed it, was not supposed to be this formidable.

That was why the 125th Black Wind Unit had moved alone.

The calculation was that they could sweep through a chaotic North Korea and still contend with South Korea’s forces.

The strategy of having the 125th Black Wind Unit act as the vanguard, confronting the South Korean military while other Black Wind Units flanked South Korea and crushed it in a pincer attack, had completely fallen apart.

“Deputy Commander, the order for a full retreat has been issued to all units.”

“The Commander… by whom was he defeated?”

“Pardon? Ah… that is…”

Lin Yuan’s words startled the adjutant for a moment before he spoke.

“It’s said to be a man named Kang Yuseong.”

Lin Yuan’s expression twisted into a savage scowl.

“Kang Yuseong…!”

She knew the name.

The leader of the expeditionary force that brought down Japan, and the one appointed as the commander of South Korea’s Integrated Security Command for that achievement.

And the creator of the potions that were a global sensation.

She ground her teeth.

Lin Yuan, recalling that name, gnashed her teeth.

“I will certainly!”

Lin Yuan declared, emitting a vengeful glow from her eyes.

“I will absolutely repay this humiliation! Kang Yuseong!”

Lin Yuan shuddered with rage and whirled around.

Since a retreat had been decided, there was no reason to delay further.

Now was the time to return and sharpen the blade of revenge.

The 125th Black Wind Unit, torn to shreds and in a miserable state, began its retreat.

But the Republic of Korea Attack Unit, having sunk its teeth into their necks, wouldn’t let them go easily.

They pursued them relentlessly, dealing even more fatal blows, until the Black Wind Unit was forced to scatter and return to their homeland in utter humiliation.

“Woooooah!”

Finally, the Republic of Korea Attack Unit, having temporarily repelled the Chinese invasion, waved their hands and let out a cheer filled with emotion.

Today, they had accomplished something incredible.

They had overthrown North Korea by force and repelled the Chinese invasion.

Though the war had not officially begun, this achievement alone was enough for them to rejoice.

However, it was not over yet.

Just as light raindrops precede a storm.

It was clear, without needing to be said, how China, whose pride had been deeply wounded by this incident, would react.

Everything was just beginning.

***

“You’ve worked hard, Commander Kang Yuseong.”

Upon receiving the news that North Korea had fallen to the Attack Unit, the President immediately summoned Kang Yuseong.

However, this was no time for commendations alone.

Knowing this, the President had convened a military council.

Because he knew that the real challenge was just beginning.

“It’s thanks to the excellent work of the Attack Unit members.”

“To repel China like that was truly close to a miracle. I am deeply impressed, Commander.”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was also the Deputy Commander of the Integrated Security Command, nodded, his face showing genuine admiration.

Following the defeat of Japan, they had now absorbed North Korea and repelled a massive Chinese army.

A series of miraculous events, previously unimaginable, had unfolded.

Everyone knew that Kang Yuseong and his Attack Unit were at the heart of it all.

The continuous reports of victory brought bright smiles to the faces of everyone attending the military council.

“However, it is also true that even more terrifying events are about to unfold.”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, his smile fading.

Like a true soldier, he had a sharp grasp of the situation.

“How the Chinese military, having taken such a blow, will react is a foregone conclusion. With major powers like the United States and Russia expressing significant concern about this incident, we cannot expect their support.”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was right.

Although South Korea still maintained friendly relations with the United States, they could not expect the kind of all-out support they received in the past.

No, the United States might even wish for South Korea and China to clash and cripple each other. Anyone would.

Now that they had proven they were no longer a nation barely surviving under America’s umbrella, they would likely pray for South Korea to suffer a devastating blow fighting China.

And they would also be making the shrewd calculation that China wouldn’t emerge unscathed from a conflict with South Korea. So, while they expressed concern now, in their hearts, they might even want to incite the war further.

“As always, they will be waiting for our downfall.”

When Kang Yuseong spoke, the room nodded in agreement.

Kang Yuseong gave a wry smile.

“We demonstrably brought down Japan and took over North Korea. Moreover, we dealt a fatal blow to China’s pride. And then.”

He paused for a moment, sweeping his gaze across the people.

The President, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other senior officials watched him intently.

“I intend to take control of the Chinese mainland.”

“Mmm…”

While the true meaning was already implicit in the term ‘Northern Expedition,’ a murmur of weighty contemplation still spread through the room, as if they were feeling the full gravity of his words once more.

A small nation striking a large one.

And that is not right.

Such words were always spoken by subordinates to the kings or rulers who advocated for a Northern Expedition throughout Korean history.

“There’s no law saying that because we are small, we shouldn’t strike a large nation. Just because China is strong doesn’t mean we have to shy away from their threats or cower under their oppression. Because… now we have the power.”

Things were different now.

The era of deciding conflicts with conventional weapons was over.

This was a new era, where the power of Hunters dictated everything.

And in the midst of this intense chaos, South Korea had steadily built up its strength, centered around Kang Yuseong.

And now, Kang Yuseong was saying it.

He would strike China.

“Whew, well now… hearing the Commander’s words makes my heart pound, yet at the same time, I can’t help but feel a flicker of worry… sigh, I must be getting old.”

One of the senior officials wiped the sweat from his brow and spoke, and several other senior officials nodded.

It was, in effect, a Northern Expedition that had only ever existed in their imaginations.

Now that it was right before their eyes, it felt unreal.

Kang Yuseong looked at him and smiled.

“The times have changed. It’s an era where new power ushers in a new age… and we are living in the midst of it. We will now begin a grand counter-offensive. Retreat is not an option. The Chinese mainland is too vast; it will take a long time just to keep advancing, and then advancing again.”

Kang Yuseong paused for a moment before continuing.

“I will forge the path. You all, please take care of what follows. Troublesome matters like diplomacy and politics… I will trust you all with those.”

At his words, the President nodded with a faint smile.

“Let’s do it. Since things have come to this, let us also succeed in this Northern Expedition. Since the North Korean military is also sending quite favorable signals, isn’t this truly a golden opportunity?”

The people nodded silently.

“Come on, let’s not overthink it and just go all out! We’ve already caused a stir, and there’s no way to put the genie back in the bottle, is there? General Kim Seok-jin, am I wrong? General Yoon Jin-gwan! Speak up!”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff looked at the Chief of Staff of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and they nodded firmly.

“We will serve to the best of our abilities.”

“Our Air Force, too, eagerly awaits the day we can drop bombs on Beijing.”

It was a heavy one-two punch.

Their words were akin to the military’s implicit agreement.

“Our Guild Alliance will also support Commander Kang Yuseong’s decision.”

And the Guild Masters of the Immortal Guild and the Myth Guild also stepped forward to support him.

Kang Yuseong felt a strange sensation looking at them.

A Monarch.

That’s right.

He had been a Monarch in the past.

In this very position.

But back then, he was powerless, and their nation was too weak.

Thus, he was a monarch only in name, a figurehead with his limbs severed.

But now, it was different.

‘Now… I will return what was given to me!’

Now, he had the power to return what was given.

Of course, it would be difficult.

It was as plain as day how the Chinese military, consumed by fury, would retaliate.

But to hide out of fear of them would be foolish.

Confront them.

That was Kang Yuseong’s resolve.

In that historic moment, Kang Yuseong spoke again.

“Let’s go. To the continent.”

A thrill ran through the room.