You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 97
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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97
“…I think an explanation is needed?”
Zhang Qingye, who was on the transport aircraft, glared at me with an expression that said he couldn’t understand.
Well, that’s understandable.
I had practically kidnapped them and put them on the transport aircraft.
While heading to the Martial Arts School to bring Zhang Qingye and Rui, I made a decision.
Since a major commotion had already occurred, I didn’t have much time left.
That wasn’t all.
Come to think of it, during the week I was at the Martial Arts School, I hadn’t made a scouting offer to the two of them.
Well, back then there was no variable like Liu Jian.
I had plenty of time to persuade them, and I was confident I could do it.
While pondering what to do, what I came up with was reversing the process.
A “just do it first” strategy.
Instead of persuading them and then putting them on the transport aircraft,
let’s put them on the transport aircraft first and then persuade them.
Whatever the order, the result would be the same anyway, wouldn’t it?
‘I can’t leave Rui in a place like that and return to Korea.’
Though I didn’t show it, Rui was too young to bear hatred without reason.
This was a situation Zhang Qingye agreed with to some extent as well.
Having decided that, I urgently pounded on the door of the Martial Arts School.
Then, without any explanation whatsoever, as quick as lightning, I put the two of them on the transport aircraft saying there was no time.
It was true that I didn’t have time.
The fortunate thing was that Zhang Qingye seemed to have prepared for travel in advance, or had separately prepared the luggage needed for emergencies.
Seeing that luggage, I could be almost certain.
Zhang Qingye wanted to leave this place.
Having his only disciple receive hatred from all the Chinese People because of him was something unbearable for a master.
He just couldn’t bear the biggest risk when it came to justification and taking action.
And most of that risk was Rui.
All of this wasn’t just speculation.
The dry conversations I had exchanged with Zhang Qingye during the week-plus I spent with him.
The secret funds overseas, the situation he was in, the situation Rui was in, and so on.
I had just analyzed those few elements.
Of course, with Night Vision.
It was a conclusion drawn based on those results.
Originally, I didn’t know that analysis meant to persuade him would be used this way.
“You wanted to leave anyway.”
“That’s…”
Zhang Qingye’s expression was filled with bewilderment.
Oh my, old man.
When it’s so obvious on your face, even I would notice it, not just Night Vision.
“Going out recklessly like this is dangerous. Besides, Liu Jian is nearby too. It’s enough to draw attention…”
“Don’t worry. I caused a really major incident.”
That’s right. While smashing Liu Chen, the entire area around the Wasteland got smashed too.
At my words, Zhang Qingye’s pupils vibrated rapidly.
“Could that mushroom cloud be…?”
Good eyesight. Seeing a mushroom cloud from that distance.
Instead of answering, I smiled.
“I agree with your words to some extent too. But most importantly, what matters is Rui’s opinion.”
I admit it. Originally, the plan was to escape after sufficient explanation and understanding.
But since Zhang Qingye agreed anyway, isn’t it natural for Rui to follow along?
“Rui, want to go live in Korea with uncle? Together with your master.”
At my words, Rui, who had been looking out the window, approached with sparkling eyes.
“Benefactor, is it really okay?”
Then he looked back and forth between me and Zhang Qingye as if seeking his Master’s permission.
“You saw, right?”
“Master is coming along too, right?”
“…Of course.”
“Then, that’s good.”
After answering, he returned to the window.
“Haa…”
Zhang Qingye plopped down heavily on a nearby pile of luggage with a thoughtful expression.
“What the…”
Zhang Qingye jumped up in surprise at the wriggling sensation.
It was nothing serious.
He had just sat on Liu Chen.
“What do you mean what? It’s the reason I came to China.”
I walked over casually and struck Liu Chen’s head with my fist.
“Don’t think about hiding in a corner. There’s a seat next to Rui. Sit there.”
Then I smiled and extended my hand to Zhang Qingye, who was looking at me with a bewildered expression.
“Well then, please take care of us. Chief Learning Officer.”
CLO, Chief Learning Officer.
It was the new position Zhang Qingye would take on at Asin.
***
A few days after returning to Korea,
Zhang Qingye and Rui sat across from me in neat attire.
And in the middle, Kim Jin-woo was distributing contract documents.
It was now a familiar scene.
“Check it thoroughly. I deliberately prepared only English contracts.”
Zhang Qingye calmly read through both his and Rui’s contracts one by one.
The reason for recruiting Zhang Qingye wasn’t out of sympathy.
Recruiting him would be a great benefit to Asin.
First, Zhang Qingye is an S-rank Hunter.
One of only nine in the entire world.
That title alone made Zhang Qingye the top priority for recruitment at the national level.
Moreover, his abilities had been proven.
If not for Carmen, Zhang Qingye’s strategy in the Tokyo raid would have succeeded.
The manticore’s corpse that Zhang Qingye had torn apart proved that.
Next, by recruiting him, Asin would become the only guild worldwide with two S-rank Hunters.
S-rank Hunters have pride as great as their power.
Such S-rank Hunters joining one guild?
There cannot be two suns in the solar system.
Asin had accomplished that impossible feat.
There were guild benefits, but there were also national benefits.
With Zhang Qingye joining Asin, Korea surpassed China to become a nation with three S-rank Hunters, same as the United States.
‘Considering Noh Hyun-seong, maybe around 2.5?’
Of course, the Hunter Association and government might have quite a headache over diplomatic issues.
That problem is for the Association President to worry about, not me.
In fact, regardless of any diplomatic problems except war, the value of an S-rank Hunter is greater.
Besides, what if China complains?
They’re the ones who forced their own S-rank Hunter into retirement,
and they’re the ones who treated their retired S-rank Hunter worse than a beggar.
I wouldn’t say anything if that was all.
They made him earn the hatred of all Chinese people, so it’s their own doing.
If the Chinese Government says anything—
we could just hold a press conference about Zhang Qingye’s naturalization to Korea.
Zhang Qingye didn’t leave anything in his hometown that could be a weakness.
Of course, just because we got him for free doesn’t mean we offered disappointing treatment or employment conditions.
Contracts need to be clear, after all.
In Rui’s case, he was offered contract terms with the same content as Lee Seo,
and Zhang Qingye was offered the same contract as mine with the position of CLO.
10 billion won for a 2-year contract.
It’s an absurdly small amount for an S-rank Hunter’s contract fee, but it can’t be helped.
Since I contracted with Jin-woo under those conditions.
If they’re really dissatisfied, they should be stronger than me.
Jin-woo is saving hundreds of billions thanks to me…
And I also added foreigner preferential treatment to the contract.
Both of them had already obtained Korean citizenship or were in the process of obtaining it.
Rui’s case was smooth since he had no birth records in China to begin with,
but Zhang Qingye’s procedures are being handled directly by the Association and government.
Rui registered under Yu-shin, which is the Korean pronunciation of Liu Xian.
Since he had no surname, the guild members voted and Kim Yu-shin, though common but unique, won first place,
but I unilaterally decided on Jang Yu-shin.
Rui would prefer that one more anyway.
There were no complaints about my decision.
If there were complaints, I fairly set the condition of victory in a life-or-death duel… no, sparring match.
Zhang Qingye lifted his head and looked at me.
“Did you read through it carefully? Korea follows all these details, so if there’s anything you want, speak up now.”
“I’d like half of my contract fee added to Rui’s contract.”
“Why? Isn’t it money you’ll spend together anyway?”
They call themselves master and disciple, but aren’t they practically like father and son?
But that question was cleanly resolved with Zhang Qingye’s single answer.
“In Korea, there’s something called inheritance tax…”
“Okay.”
It seems he studied all sorts of things while coming to Korea.
“Anything else?”
“No.”
“Jin-woo. Let’s stamp it right away.”
“Please sign here and here.”
Following my words, Kim Jin-woo continued the explanation in fluent Chinese.
Zhang Qingye, who had been working on the contract for a while, looked at Jin-woo with curiosity.
“Guild Master, contracting with S-rank Hunters isn’t common, but you don’t seem very surprised.”
“Hahaha… It is surprising. It is surprising, but…”
Kim Jin-woo laughed awkwardly and trailed off.
“Being with Elder Brother, I’ve contracted with all sorts of people. I guess I’ve gotten used to it.”
Well, the guild members I brought in were indeed extraordinary.
At the first interview, A-rank Hunter Park Ju-yong applied.
After that, I brought goblins from somewhere,
and suddenly saying I needed an information organization, I brought the entire Four Devas that had only been passed down as urban legends.
Recently, I was holed up in the Magic Tower Library studying magic,
and brought back Lee Seo, a mage with the unique magic of space-time magic.
Adding one more S-rank to this lineup wasn’t really that surprising.
Once both people’s contracts were completed, I stood up from my seat.
“Alright, if we’re done, let’s go eat.”
Shouldn’t I let these two experience why meals are included in Asin’s welfare benefits?
***
The progress afterward was smooth.
Rui was adapting well to life in Korea and became sworn siblings with Yoon Yi-seo.
I don’t know the process, but if Lee Seo says so, then it must be true.
Zhang Qingye’s citizenship issue was also resolved well.
Naturally, there was backlash from the Chinese government, but Zhang Qingye’s press conference silenced them on the surface.
I don’t know what kind of pressure might come later, but the Association President will prepare well for that too.
I sat in lotus position with a peaceful mind for the first time in a while.
If Zhang Qingye’s martial arts training continues well, Ashin will achieve new developments.
Just as I was about to slowly close my eyes, the office door burst open and Zhang Qingye entered.
“There’s a problem.”
***
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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