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chapter 82
A famous high-end restaurant in Beijing.
Peng Jinghao sat at the round table, quietly closing his eyes.
He was organizing his thoughts.
The two attendants standing behind him shifted their dry lips nervously.
“…….”
“…….”
In recent days, Peng Jinghao’s demeanor had been very different from usual.
Gone was the warm, personable side that greeted lower-ranking personnel by name and face.
Now, he remained in deep silence, his eyes cold and sharp.
Even now, it was the same.
The two attendants felt their anxiety spike, wondering if they had made some mistake.
Moreover, this meeting was extremely important within the Committee.
Even a small misstep could have disastrous consequences…
Clack—
Just then, the sliding door opened, and the guest they had been waiting for appeared.
“Sorry for being late. It just so happened to coincide with rush hour.”
With sharp features and a sleek appearance, the man exuded a cold aura, as if carved from ice.
Xu Changyou.
The one who had given birth to Pingxin and had recently paused external activities to become a top-ranked figure had now returned to the world, responding to Peng Jinghao’s summons.
However, despite his apology, Xu Changyou’s tone and demeanor were arrogant.
Peng Jinghao finally opened his eyes.
“Sit. We have much to discuss.”
But Xu Changyou did not sit immediately, instead checking his wristwatch.
“I cannot stay long. I made time while immersed in Icefall training.”
His words were as cold as ice.
“Don’t forget it was I who found that Icefall for you. This is nothing. Sit.”
“Very well.”
Xu Changyou let out a slight, amused smile and sat across from him.
The awaited dishes began to arrive one by one.
Xu Changyou watched as the teacup was filled, crossing his legs as he spoke.
“I hear you’ve been working hard.”
“Focused entirely on training, I suppose.”
“Still, one must keep an ear to outside news.”
“…….”
“My greatest dislike is having my position suddenly taken away, overnight. Or stolen.”
His words carried sharp weight, recalling the time in Korea when he had been stripped of his leadership of Qinglei.
“So, what is your plan now? Not only Korea but overseas branches have been decimated. It must hurt deeply.”
A slight twitch at Xu Changyou’s mouth made the lines around Peng Jinghao’s eyes deepen.
The foundations built on the Korean Peninsula over the past ten years were wiped out in an instant.
Whiteburn launched a second assault, raiding 21 secret safehouses and facilities worldwide.
A massive offensive, indifferent even in wartime.
Though the Committee tried to counter, all 21 sites were completely destroyed.
It was shocking not only how Whiteburn knew the exact locations but that they could carry out such coordinated attacks without being detected, demonstrating incredible capability.
Even when the Committee struck back at key overseas Whiteburn facilities, the attempt failed.
In the end, the operation ended in total failure for the Committee.
Naturally, Peng Jinghao, who had orchestrated all this, saw his own position quickly jeopardized.
“So I told you repeatedly, didn’t I? You must be careful of this Major General.”
Xu Changyou picked up a piece of Peking duck skin prepared on a plate and spoke.
“And even the Mountain God intervened? Haha. It must not have been easy.”
“Yes. My misjudgment was severe.”
“Then only one location remains.”
Just one piece on his chopsticks.
Xu Changyou set them down as if he had finished eating, raising his teacup.
The aroma of tea was rich.
Peng Jinghao had not touched his chopsticks at all.
“Right. Ulleungdo.”
“Are you confident about that location?”
Ulleungdo was the final point in the Korean Peninsula operation.
Even if everything else failed, this one had to succeed.
If the Dungeon Break occurred and the Peninsula fell into the Committee’s hands, while also reclaiming the Red Demon’s forces…
‘Then the bridge to the Pacific will open again. And the secrets of the myth can be uncovered. The overseas facilities can be compensated for.’
This was why Peng Jinghao had called Xu Changyou.
“I, rather, want to ask you a question in return.”
Xu Changyou tilted his head.
“I am supposed to answer?”
“Do you think Pingxin can truly do it?”
Xu Changyou let out a derisive chuckle.
“I did help create Pingxin, but didn’t the Chairman retain operational rights?”
“Yet the leader remains you.”
“Even so, I have already stepped away…”
“Jet has returned.”
“…….”
Xu Changyou’s words caught in his throat.
Jet.
Jang Hyun.
A long-standing fuse in Xu Changyou.
In an instant, every trace of emotion vanished from his face, leaving only icy coldness.
Peng Jinghao continued.
“He is behind all these incidents. Moving Major General Lee Goon-san, rousing the Mountain God. He killed Wei Gangning and Jeong Guhan and even took Gingoah.”
“…….”
“I don’t know how he overcame the curse, but it seems he has almost fully recovered his strength.”
Xu Changyou’s eyes gleamed.
“Intelligence reports just came in that he moved toward Ulleungdo. And Lee Goon-san even gathered Qinglei’s former troops.”
“……!”
In Xu Changyou’s widened eyes, Peng Jinghao smiled coldly.
“Lee Goon-san seems intent on using Jet to resurrect Qinglei, subduing Pingxin in the process.”
“…….”
“Well then, can you still say this has nothing to do with you?”
Xu Changyou pressed his lips tightly together.
Peng Jinghao’s smirk twisted further.
“Jet, who took your place, has returned.”
“…….”
A deep silence fell.
Xu Changyou stared at Peng Jinghao with icy eyes.
Meanwhile, Peng Jinghao merely smiled quietly.
No longer the friendly smile of old.
This was the smile of a cold strategist moving pieces on the global board.
And…
“……Your provocation is childish. Truly.”
Xu Changyou composed himself, crossed his arms, and scoffed lightly.
“Normally, even Chairman Peng himself could freeze blood at such words,”
Suddenly, a fierce blizzard swept through, covering the interior in ice.
[A severe blizzard rages!]
Crackle!!
On the icy floor, Xu Changyou’s eyes blazed.
“The problem is that your provocation worked too well. This time, I’ll let it slide.”
His reflection on the smooth ice grinned wickedly, like a demon.
“What do you require?”
“Didn’t I say? Can Pingxin possibly defeat Jet and Qinglei?”
“I don’t know what clear standard defines ‘winning’… but we just need to make it happen, don’t we?”
Peng Jinghao read the hellfire of anger burning beneath Xu Changyou’s icy gaze.
He could feel the resolve to capture Lee Hyun at all costs.
‘That should do.’
Peng Jinghao’s sharpness faded from his eyes, replaced with a friendly demeanor.
“Ha ha ha. That feels refreshing. I’ll trust you and leave first. It’s harder to stay out long with age. Alas.”
“Take care.”
With the help of the two attendants, Peng Jinghao patted Xu Changyou’s shoulder and left.
Alone now, Xu Changyou coldly glared at the now-cold food, twisting his mouth.
“Jang Hyun… you’ve returned, haven’t you? I don’t know how you escaped the freezing loop…”
Crack! Crunch!
The ice covering the room shattered into dozens, even hundreds, of pieces.
“You must expect that I’ll come find you soon.”
His face reflected in the transparent shards.
“Soon, we’ll meet and settle things, friend.”
Thud, thud, thud—
A military helicopter passed overhead.
The pilots exchanged glances, no words needed.
‘Is that… him?’
‘Y-Yes, I think so…’
Their old-model suits from four years ago were similar but slightly different, with a blue lightning insignia on the left shoulder marking a legendary unit.
All eyes were drawn to the central figure.
Though a black mask hid his lower face, his sharp presence, subtle waves of power, and piercing eyes were unmistakable.
The face they had seen countless times in videos at the Awakening Officer Academy and unit training.
To enemies, it brought fear; to allies, victory. A legend among legends.
Seeing him in person was thrilling—they wanted to cheer.
‘This is the person our commander praised every day without rest…! This is him!’
‘I want to shake his hand.’
‘Should I ask for an autograph…? Damn it, I should’ve brought something!’
But none dared approach.
He continued with eyes closed, seemingly deep in thought.
Perhaps a ritual before a mission, as elite operatives often performed.
They knew better than to disturb him.
Buzz.
“Are those also from the Academy?” Go Jinwoo asked via helmet comms.
“Yes! They are.”
“Yes. 21st class.”
“I’m 22nd class.”
“Ah… rookies,” he murmured.
Kim Minjung turned to him with disbelief.
“What do you think of seeing Jet in person?”
“Uh… amazing!”
“‘Amazing…’?”
Go Jinwoo’s expression shifted—this was not the expected response.
Suppressing a laugh, Minjung looked away.
The junior soldier nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes! He was reflecting on the operation details just now, focusing his mind…”
Suddenly, Lee Hyun opened his eyes sharply.
“Arrived.”
All turned to the window.
Beyond the blue sea, Ulleungdo appeared—over the operation site.
Buzz.
“Reached the operation area. Repeating: reached the operation area. Will begin drop now.”
The aircraft dove steeply with the pilots’ guidance.
‘How did he know!?’
‘Did he sense our chi…?’
‘As expected of Jet…!!’
The soldiers’ admiration reached near-worship.
When the helicopter leveled out,
“Altitude 30 meters! Door open!”
Clack—
The door opened.
The gale brought the scent of gunpowder.
Still too high for a proper assault—but Lee Hyun was unbothered.
Below, between high mountains and wide forests, the dungeon gate was visible.
“…Qinglei.”
His former comrades were there—at the place he had barely escaped from.
“Deploy! Go! Go! Go!!”
Amid the deafening engine roar, red lights went out, and the team began their descent, Lee Hyun at the lead.
Rumble!!
[Legendary Victory: ‘Day Goblin Dance Formation’ appears!]
The blue island battle slammed into the ground.
