Chapter 276
The Blue House handled the work quickly. In no time, the president was standing behind a podium draped in the Korean flag, his face projected on television screens nationwide.
“I’m pleased to announce Young Master Kang as Korea’s newest—and youngest—National Treasure.”
"Waaahhhhhhhh!"
“Kang Jae-Hyeok! Kang Jae-Hyeok! Kang Jae-Hyeok!”
As the government and public sentiment were unified on this matter, there were no protests.
“Groan.”
Of course, some people—those who’d capitalized on the Kang family’s fall eight years ago—cursed the Kang family under their breath. But they dared not raise their voices.
For all their greed, even they knew what futility looked like; Kang Jae-Hyeok had only just entered the realm of transcendence, yet already he stood above famous seniors like Qilin, who’d undergone several tribulations. At this point, their best and only hope was to fade away unnoticed like a fart in the wind...
“He is the Republic of Korea’s fourth active National Treasure and the 51st National Treasure in our history, Thunder God Kang Jae-Hyeok.”
Jae-Hyeok climbed the stage, and the president pinned a gleaming gilded insignia to his collar. Its shape was that of a three-legged golden crow, the universal emblem of a Korean National Treasure. In the past, his father had flaunted his own insignia to his sons with great pride.
In fact, Jae-Hyeok had secretly resented it at times. Whenever he saw his father’s insignia, he couldn’t help but recall the lines across his father's forehead and the crows-feet etching the corners of his eyes. Of course, one particular scene also jumped to the fore of his mind.
“I’m going. Son, it might be a long journey. But I trust you’ll handle it. No son of mine is weak... And if you ever find yourself alone and full of doubt... remember to stand on your own two feet and do as you’ve done. As a Kang, we can die, but never our will.” Those were his father’s final words before he departed for the gate meeting.