[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world":3,"chapter-level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-256":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Level 4 Human in a Ruined World",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1848436,2454,"Chapter 256","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-256",256,"\u003Cp>[Translator – Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader – Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 256: Beijing’s Great Evil (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shandong’s First Evil: Zhang Jaham.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shandong’s Second Evil: Wu Qingjin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together, they were known as the Shandong Twin Evils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two individuals were exceptionally tyrannical and combative, living up to their notorious title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They never avoided a fight, regardless of the challenger, and if there were stakes involved, they wouldn’t hesitate to challenge even the strongest opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there were exceptions for these notorious figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were opponents they wouldn’t even dare to challenge because the mere thought of fighting them didn’t arise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One such person was the enigmatic Im Dupyeong of Beijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the other was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is it? Where did the tribute money go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charging fiercely from afar on a black iron horse was the great evil of the Korean Peninsula, Jeong Yeongwoo07.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『Strongest Sword』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this? A new title already?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jaham and Wu Qingjin, who had come out to greet Yeongwoo following the territorial rule, widened their eyes in surprise at the new title beneath the mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Common sense dictates that all titles, regardless of the affiliated country, should include a regional name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, no matter how they looked at it, this strange being’s title had none of that…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great warrior!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jaham quickly dismissed his random thoughts and ran towards Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had that monster said first?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―My money! Where is my money going now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, this guy was here to find his money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he seemed to know that the money had already left Shandong province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, he must be quite furious right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What brings you all the way here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jaham asked, sweating nervously as he tried to host Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Qingjin added, trying to soothe the Korean evil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We were just about to prepare the money to send to you, great warrior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an attempt to prevent the dreadful Strongest Sword from drawing his sword in Shandong province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had quickly learned that if they had enough money, they could divert this monster’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Yeongwoo was too busy scanning somewhere beyond Yantai with anxious eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t ask three times. Which direction did my money go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Yeongwoo’s voice was filled with considerable irritation and killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant that the Twin Evils holding him back right now was a huge nuisance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding the situation quickly, Zhang Jaham pointed northwest and then due north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Normally, it would have gone to Tianjin, but today it might have headed towards Dalian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianjin acted as the port city of Beijing, and Dalian was a port city in Liaoning province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Dalian could only be reached by crossing the sea from Yantai, but with the Pangaea incident, the land had connected, making Dalian the closest city to Yantai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, the changing geography could have altered the money collection routes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Zhang Jaham’s explanation, Yeongwoo quickly deliberated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Normally, Tianjin would be the returning route. But thanks to Pangaea, we can walk to Dalian, which was previously across the sea.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Twin Evils, the Politburo Standing Committee members assigned to each collection team were immensely skilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[PR\u002FN: The Politburo Standing Committee members are the center of political power in China. Organizationally below them are the Politburo, and then the Central Committee.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So much so that the Twin Evils couldn’t withstand even three moves from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then they would have enough strength to handle the situation… There’s no reason not to visit a suddenly appeared collection point, right? If it were me, I would definitely check it out.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heart of a villain is best understood by another villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he hated to admit it, Yeongwoo had a common ground with those Standing Committee members: they were all collectors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only difference was the amount they collected: 30 million, 20 million respectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think they went to Dalian. I’ll go meet them, get my money, and also cut off some heads.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo really turned his horse towards the north, Zhang Jaham and Wu Qingjin quickly moved to his side and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there anything we can help you with?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo thought for a moment and then looked around the vast land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make a simple map of the cities that pay tribute to Beijing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a request to create a kind of business map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Yeongwoo needed to do from now on was visit the cities paying tribute to Beijing and convince them to pay tribute to him instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he needed to know the exact collection areas of Beijing to plan his route efficiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… understood. We will make the map as detailed as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Please take care of it. See you later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo waved his left arm to indicate he was leaving, the two Shandong evils clasped their fists and saluted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving behind the excessively polite Shandong Twin Evils, Yeongwoo sped towards Dalian, which was no longer a port city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh, swoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wait, but aren’t all Politburo Standing Committee members quite old?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Yeongwoo wasn’t well-versed in Chinese politics, he at least knew that there were no young people among China’s top leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, if the Politburo Standing Committee members serving Im Dupyeong were the same old members, that would also be a strange thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course, it’s not that there are no middle-aged masters, but considering the chaos on the first day of the reset… it’s definitely disadvantageous.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more Yeongwoo learned about Beijing, the more mysterious it seemed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And while he was thinking this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>swoosh, swoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wide green fields and low mountains appeared to the left of the galloping Negwig, followed by houses and low-rise buildings gradually coming into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this the outskirts of Dalian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Yeongwoo had a few Chinese titles, he still seemed to be judged as an outsider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike in the Korean Peninsula, the regional status interface wasn’t supported here in mainland China.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It seems that the affiliation is fixed according to the initial profile.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it could also be because he was considered an intruder due to the territorial mark of China.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I still don’t know much about this world.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a familiar situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, with the world’s languages unified, the true ‘global village’ era had dawned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo called out to a man who had poked his head out from a house nearby and then started running away like a squirrel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tatat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the man did not respond to the call to stop, so Yeongwoo ultimately…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just want to ask for directions!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chasing the man on Negwig like a Mongolian cavalryman pursuing a fugitive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And within seconds,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He succeeded in catching the fleeing man trying to hide between buildings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo grabbed the man’s nape with one hand and lifted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chinese man, who had come outside and then got caught by a monstrous cavalryman, turned pale and screamed as if he were about to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene strangely reminded Yeongwoo of the insects he used to catch and play with as a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a grasshopper caught in his hand, foaming white or laying eggs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight of the man writhing in midair with his legs hanging reminded him of those insects he had caught long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What… what is this feeling?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An indescribable strange emotion lingered somewhere inside the back of his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo stared blankly at the man who was desperately but powerlessly struggling, then regained his senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah…! If you answer this one question, I’ll let you go immediately. Is this Dalian? Which direction should I go to get to the center of Dalian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, whose face was smeared with tears and snot, pointed northeast while struggling in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dalian! Da-Dalian…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As promised, Yeongwoo gently placed the man back on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eek!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man made a strange noise and ran madly between the buildings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today would probably be the most terrifying day of the man’s life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Looks like I gained some bad karma.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man soon disappeared from Yeongwoo’s sight completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, without any more guidance, Yeongwoo resumed his journey in the direction the man had pointed—northeast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh, swoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The cat isn’t reacting yet… Is it still quite far? Or.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might have chosen the wrong destination from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to his expectations, the collection team might have chosen to quickly return to Tianjin after their stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If that’s really the case, it’s a bit disappointing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could be his second fruitless trip of the day, following his journey to Busan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo continued northeast, finally,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator – Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader – Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-growl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “fearful cat” in his pocket started to shiver and let out a low growl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still didn’t know what the target was, but at least it meant that there was a fairly strong presence nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the direction was,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Northeast. Dalian city center.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-growl!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fearful cat Yeongwoo pulled out was indeed looking northeast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This indicated that there was a high probability that Beijing’s collection team was in Dalian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Perfect. Showing strength by taking down this so-called Standing Committee member will be ideal. Seeing a collector killed right in front of them, the representatives in Dalian would have no choice but to align with me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo knew from experience that the most effective persuasion in this world was a display of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when persuading in a foreign country with completely different history and culture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In the first meeting, fists speak louder than words.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Yeongwoo was having such fearsome thoughts, the fearful cat’s ears folded even flatter, and its head slowly tilted more to the east.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant that the target was quite close now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wait for me, Dalian! I’m coming…!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo gripped the reins tightly, Negwig, understanding his intent, increased its speed even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at almost the same moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw Dalian citizens moving busily in the opposite direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were relocating to avoid something inside the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh… is the named one in Dalian rebelling?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, hadn’t Shandong Province also started paying tribute only after a skirmish with a Politburo Standing Committee member?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense that Dalian, which had been surviving independently until now, wouldn’t easily pay the 30 million karma tribute every day, even if it was to Beijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Today, right here, I’ll cut off one of Im Dupyeong’s limbs!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the battlefield seemed to be getting closer, Yeongwoo moved the “White Fire” he was wearing to his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment, he saw people gathering in the city square ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were far more people than he had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of highly skilled warriors surrounded the square, and in the center of the square,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha, the Politburo? How can you still use the name Politburo when the Party no longer exists?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You insolent wench! How dare you deny the existence of the Party!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp, biting words were exchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Dalian…? Is that the pronunciation of Dalian?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo looked at the middle-aged woman standing defiantly in front of a middle-aged man who appeared to be part of Beijing’s collection team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『Dalian Sword Guild』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dalian Sword Guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed Dalian had only one named one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would this mean their martial prowess was greater than regions with multiple named ones?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll have to see about that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo thought this and moved straight toward the square, the Dalian Sword Guild leader shifted her gaze to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had sensed the territorial mark he was carrying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Sword Guild leader squinted at the strange shape of the intruder, the middle-aged man facing her belatedly turned to look at Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was then that Yeongwoo realized,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s this? He doesn’t have a title?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man, who was surely one of the Politburo Standing Committee members, had no title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was possible he was hiding his title like Yeongwoo, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He doesn’t seem to see my mark at all? That means he’s not a named one.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Territorial marks could only be seen by regional powerhouses, the named ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, no matter how strong he was, an unnamed master wouldn’t be able to see Yeongwoo’s position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How did someone without a title overpower the Shandong guys in three moves?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo, puzzled, closed the distance to the square to about 100 meters, the collector’s face twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Strongest Sword…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was mulling over the unfamiliar title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Yeongwoo’s eyes caught sight of the bags of money piled up behind the middle-aged man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My money! You bastard, leave my money and your head behind!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man’s expression turned vicious at the phrase “my money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare some nobody….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he reflexively started to curse, he saw the “Strongest Sword” suddenly drawing his bow, and his eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coins wouldn’t be destroyed even by a laser bombardment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Yeongwoo shot his arrows at the middle-aged man without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whiz!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a distance of less than 50 meters, it was virtually impossible to dodge Yeongwoo’s stealth arrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even I couldn’t dodge at this range. Let’s see how tough a Standing Committee member is!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo watched the multiple arrows cutting through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, soon enough,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violet explosion of supernatural energy occurred right in front of the middle-aged man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was hit without any chance to evade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Got him!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Certain that all his arrows had hit, Yeongwoo leapt off Negwig to decapitate his opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiss…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to his expectations, a powerful presence remained where the supernatural explosion had occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man was still standing there, unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Danger!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively sensing an impending counterattack, Yeongwoo tried to draw his sword quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But having just leapt off his horse, his feet hadn’t yet touched the ground, and his opponent’s attack exploited this brief moment of vulnerability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kiyaaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man’s right arm, wrapped in a violet glow, extended with a sound like crashing waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…What?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An overwhelming amount of supernatural energy emanated from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo recognized it instantly upon seeing the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You, you bastard, you’re an alien lackey…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as he spoke these words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man’s monstrous arm pierced through Yeongwoo’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator – Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader – Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2359,"2026-06-09T07:03:45.853Z",1,"novelbin.me","ec8aec9c7e0bee95be4bb0d80fa463b9187b19fe90aee7dfdc91d47547029172","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-67","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-66",688,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flevel-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-cover.jpg"]