Chapter 154: China getting its skull smashed.

“No, actually, it was only our brother who fought. He faced off against Cheonma, who had been invited by the Emperor. That Cheonma was incredibly strong.”

Explained the Namgung siblings in detail about what happened back then.

They mentioned how Cheonma was far stronger than expected, and even the Emperor, enjoying the spectacle, didn’t bother to stop the fight.

As a result, it turned into a bloody battle, escalating dangerously until things got out of control.

“Yes.”

“Because of that Cheonma’s attack, the entire tournament collapsed, and as a consequence, we…”

“Returned here, is that it?”

“Yes, that’s how it happened.”

So basically, all the returnees seem to have been sent back by some kind of force.

Seems the Chinese ones are no exception.

Or maybe it was all just a coincidence?

“So, you were all born into the Namgung clan again?”

“Yes. All four of us siblings were reborn into the Namgung family. And when we returned, even this house came along with us.”

Listening to her, I couldn’t help but think these siblings really were bound by fate.

Usually, returnees don’t come back with their siblings.

Look at Yujeong and Park Si-woo — Si-woo reincarnated alone into another world and became Karina.

“I see.”

“It was hard to adjust at first, but having lived in the martial world, we managed to grasp the situation to some extent.”

“China has changed far more than we expected. So many people died, several major cities fell, and regions that lost control turned into lawless zones where monsters and humans now coexist. The Central Plains became utterly devastated.”

“That makes sense.”

From the perspective of these Namgung people, coming from the martial world, it must have felt pretty grim.

While they were off training in martial arts, their original world suffered a cataclysm.

In China’s case, the aftermath left barely any places untouched by lawlessness.

“In this world, changed by the great upheaval, we decided to do what we could. So, we set out to clear dungeons.”

Yeonghui finished the story.

Right.

So that’s how it is.

Sure, that’s fine and all, but honestly?

It’s kind of boring.

Basically, they just fought some super-strong boss character to claim the top spot, but in the end, everything collapsed.

I listened, but man, it wasn’t entertaining at all.

No wonder even orcs beat them.

“We think we can shelter the refugees north of the Great Wall.”

“Would that be alright?”

“Yes.”

The Namgung family’s massive estate was like an alternate dimension.

So, it’s not impossible.

Besides, it seems there are other people training down below, not just the Namgung clan members.

“Then, I’ll leave it in your care. All of them are believers in Kanora Church, after all.”

“Kanora Church? As I thought…”

“You probably sensed it already. Yes, we are with Kanora Church.”

“Kanora Church, hmm. I suspected as much.”

If these were trickier types, I might be cautious, but seeing how righteous the Namgung family is, I figured they’d accept Kanora Church without much trouble.

And as proof, they weren’t treating us with hostility.

On the contrary, they recognized our strength and seemed careful not to disrespect us.

“Our Kanora Church has bestowed the Goddess’s grace upon the Chinese people suffering under the monster threat.”

“Hmm. Forgive me if this is rude, but may I ask something?”

Namgung Hyeonsu’s words made me feel like bashing him over the head — but this time, Cheonma grabbed my hand.

Right, right.

I can’t go around cracking skulls so carelessly.

“We are absolutely not a cult.”

I declared firmly, locking eyes with Namgung Cheolsu.

With a fierce gaze, I made it clear — absolutely not.

Cheolsu, perhaps moved by my conviction, nodded.

“Indeed. People as powerful as you wouldn’t be spreading something as petty as a cult. Righteous folks like you wouldn’t stoop to that.”

“And besides, you’re all so beautiful, brother.”

“I want to learn that glowing sword technique from the sword lady.”

Seems the siblings had their own reasons for accepting Kanora Church.

Well, if anything, they probably find real cultists — like the Demon Sect — far worse.

Compared to that, Kanora Church must seem harmless enough.

Good.

That works for me.

Which means… now that the groundwork is set, it’s time to slowly spread Kanora Church here.

Would they welcome us staying longer?

Their younger brother is already smitten with our appearance, and the girl seems quite taken with Cheonma’s impressive… pillar.

“So, are you leaving now?”

This time it was Namgung Hyeonsu who brought it up.

Since they tossed the bait, why not go along?

“I’m truly sorry, but may we stay a while longer?”

“Hmm. We have no objections. Don’t worry about it. In fact, everyone has been curious about outsiders. Stay as long as you wish.”

Finally.

It’s happening.

It’s time to spread the Kanora faith into the martial world.

***

Meanwhile, at the Beijing Presidential Palace.

The place was in chaos after a provocation from Southern China.

The attack, launched by Southern Chinese hunters, had killed four Northern Chinese hunters.

The South claimed it was merely the work of hunters and that the military hadn’t been involved, saying adults shouldn’t interfere in a kids’ fight — expressing only “regret.”

But Zhang Guohe of the North was boiling with anger.

Wham!

Zhang threw down the newspaper reporting the hunter skirmish on the Yangtze River and raised his voice.

“It was good that we stopped the Kanora cult from approaching the Great Wall. But what the hell is wrong with those southern bastards that they’d pull this kind of crap!”

“They say the US provided Hunter equipment.”

Yeah, figures.

Those guys are always like that. Now that the Chinese nation is fractured, they must’ve seen their chance.

No doubt they sent the gear south through Korea or Japan.

Seriously, there are no bigger assholes than them.

“Fucking bourgeois bastards. Think we’re easy prey just because we don’t have nukes?”

Of all times, with not just the major cities but everything in ruins, China is a shadow of its former self.

“More than that, this could trigger riots.”

“What the hell kind of nonsense is that?”

“Half our forces are going to be pulled south. What do you think will happen to the cities that are still lawless and not yet rebuilt?”

He’s right.

Right now, the provinces are barely holding on by sheer force.

China’s still deep in crisis.

And if they strip away even the Hunters maintaining order, what’s left?

Doom.

With South China ready to push in any moment, and the Kanora cult lurking behind… what are we supposed to do?

“We’re screwed. So what about that Namgung Clan? Could we ask for their help? If they refuse, we could force them—”

“They don’t have the numbers, and pressuring them would only make them another enemy.”

“Damn it. As if Han Sang-jae over in Korea wasn’t already giving me enough headaches. And now this.”

Zhang Guohe couldn’t shake the suspicion that Han Sang-jae was behind the Kanora cult business.

Not long ago, the guy was openly talking about unification in front of foreign press.

Maybe he’s trying to use the cult to unify religions too.

Either way, neither our neighbors nor the south are helping.

“Comrade Premier, how about this method?”

“You have an idea?”

“Yes, comrade. What if we just invite those Kanora cult people from the Wall inside?”

“You blockhead!”

Slap!

Zhang Guohe couldn’t hold back and smacked his aide so hard his glasses flew off.

He almost hit him again, but stopped at the man’s desperate look.

“Just hear me out, comrade. This war—it was the south who started it, wasn’t it? And the Kanora cult claims to love peace.”

“Go on.”

“We send them south as peace mediators. The south can’t exactly refuse them outright.”

Send the cult south?

That’s… actually a tempting idea.

“But if they corrupt the south, unifying China will be impossible.”

“Comrade, look at China’s state now. Even with our current split, we’re barely managing. If we push for unification now, we might just destroy ourselves. For now, we have to survive first, right?”

“Grrr…”

Survive first…

Why did that feel so bitter to hear?

“But comrade! What if those Kanora people taint our own folks?”

If starving, desperate people get exposed to a new ideology… then old beliefs would crumble.

And once the people fall, the cities and the whole nation might follow into darkness.

“We send them south under the guise of an escort. That way we can keep an eye on them.”

“Haah… Is that really our only option?”

“It’s the only way to concentrate on the south right now.”

The only way, huh?

How the hell did China end up like this?

We used to pride ourselves as the strongest in Asia when it came to Hunters.

Do these idiots not even realize they’re leaving their back wide open?

Wait—no, no, no… Could the escort troops themselves end up getting corrupted?

Yes, thinking about how fast corruption spreads, there’s no guarantee even the military would be safe.

And we can’t afford to assign elite Hunters to this job either.

So there’s really only one option: if we’re going to let the cult in, we have to push them south.

“What if we ask the Namgung Clan instead? They might not want to fight the south outright, but for righteousness’ sake, they might step up.”

“I’ll get in touch with them.”

Yeah, that’s probably the best move.

***

Just as Zhang Guohe was getting anxious over the thought of his nation falling into darkness, new reports came in.

—Southern China’s Hunters attack Northern China’s Hunters in Yangtze Dungeon So the south has made its move.

Apparently, the provocation started on the Yangtze.

Korean sites were already buzzing with news.

—Southern Chinese Hunters attack Northern Dungeon, 4 dead

—Korean President and Pope Han Sang-jae condemns South China

—North China thanks Korea but says Han Sang-jae is also crazy.

Hmm.

Feels like something’s about to explode any minute.

Really, the world would be better off without war.

But damn, there are just too many skulls to crack.

“Wow. War in this day and age? That’s wild.”

“Probably just a skirmish. Stuff like this has happened before.”

Here’s the fun part though:

—Han Sang-jae says North China is crazy too.

Dude’s roasting both sides equally.

“Our mighty Pope is trash-talking both countries, huh?”

Han Sang-jae really is something else.

Our president.

King.

Legend.

Hail!