Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 542

The word ‘eliminate’ was not something to be said lightly.

It wasn’t just about resolving the issue with Kang Jin-ho; it was about eliminating him.

No one present could fail to notice the subtle difference in nuance.

“Well…”

A response didn’t come immediately.

Only a chilling sense of how to handle this situation filled the air.

‘You bunch of fools.’

They had been so eager for those words, yet now they were avoiding eye contact.

Lee Jung-gul had anticipated this reaction, which was why he had brought it up a bit early. He reveled in the chilling atmosphere he had created.

“Is that… possible?”

“It’s a matter of will.”

“Will alone isn’t…”

There were subtle attempts to back out. Lee Jung-gul chuckled to himself.

‘It’s already too late.’

The moment those words were spoken, everyone here had become accomplices. Accomplices could only survive by either pulling off a perfect crime or confessing.

However…

Lee Jung-gul spoke softly.

“Kang Jin-ho has no interest in you. No matter what you do, he won’t give you power like Bang Jin-hoon. In the end, you’re left with only two choices: wither away in the back room or reclaim your rights.”

The other words were just for show. What he really wanted to say was, ‘Kang Jin-ho has no interest in you.’ Even if they betrayed him and ran to Kang Jin-ho, they wouldn’t get anything out of it.

Everyone seemed to understand the meaning.

They were all seasoned veterans; there was no need to explain twice, which was a good thing.

“So, in the end, there’s only one choice we can make.”

Director Jo spoke up.

Director Jo looked around the room before fixing his gaze on Lee Jung-gul.

“If we don’t bring him down, nothing will change.”

“That’s right.”

“But, former… no, Chairman.” Director Jo changed his title, creating an irreversible atmosphere.

“That Kang Jin-ho is not someone to be trifled with. Frankly, I don’t want to face him. I think everyone here feels the same.”

Silence.

It was a silent agreement.

“However! The fact that you brought this up, Chairman, means you must have a plan.”

“Didn’t I say I have a method?”

“…May I ask what that method is?”

“No.”

Lee Jung-gul shook his head.

“A method only becomes a method when it’s spoken. And that method is only meaningful to allies.”

He meant that he couldn’t trust everyone in the room. Director Jo turned to look at everyone.

“I think so too.”

Those who met Director Jo’s gaze flinched.

The time for a choice had come.

Would they look away to refuse, or would they meet Director Jo’s gaze?

But Director Jo was even more blunt.

“We are colleagues, friends, and comrades who have fought on the battlefield together. But… we’ve grown old. It wouldn’t be strange if we wanted to live comfortably, looking out for our own well-being. In fact, wouldn’t that be the wise thing to do?”

“That’s right. We can’t be young forever.”

“So, I won’t resent those who do. However, we were comrades. Even if our paths diverge, let’s not stab our comrades in the back. That might be more painful than death.”

Everyone nodded.

Director Jo was cleverly crafting his words.

They were people who had fought fiercely against each other. Even before Bang Jin-hoon opposed Lee Jung-gul, they had been divided into factions and had even attempted assassinations.

He was creating an opposition and uniting them under the name of comrades.

It was a very clever trick, but no one noticed it now.

Even if they did, they knew that deviating from the current flow would not be good for them.

Director Jo reached for the wine jug. He opened the lid and pricked his fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall into the jug.

“Only those who are prepared to listen should stay. If you don’t want to listen, you can leave now. I, Jo Hwa-pyeong, promise that those who leave now will not suffer any disadvantages. If you have any complaints about them, tell me.”

Director Jo spoke with a growl.

After adding his blood, Director Jo passed the wine jug to the side. The person who received it stared at it for a moment before pricking their own fingertip and adding their blood.

Slowly, the wine jug made its way around until it finally reached Lee Jung-gul.

‘No one left.’

He had expected as much.

Humans are easily swayed by the atmosphere.

Even those who couldn’t leave because of the pressure would, after going through this ritual, remember that they had participated of their own will.

That was how self-justification worked.

Lee Jung-gul stared at the wine, now tinged with red.

‘I didn’t plan to go this far…’

Was he different from them?

People were easily swayed by the times. And they didn’t admit their mistakes. Even if they had made a mistake, they would soon think it was an unavoidable step for a bigger picture. They would say it was okay because the result would be good.

People who could accurately recognize their mistakes and reflect on them were rare.

Then, what about Lee Jung-gul?

Was he making a mistake now?

‘No.’

Lee Jung-gul pricked his fingertip and let his blood flow.

Drip, drip…

The sound of blood falling into the wine echoed clearly.

“Now, let’s drink this…”

Before he could finish, Director Jo jumped up from his seat. He quickly emptied his wine glass and approached Lee Jung-gul.

Director Jo knelt respectfully before him and held out his glass.

“May I have a drink?”

“…I could have gone to you.”

“That won’t do, Chairman.”

Director Jo smiled gently, yet eerily.

“Everything must be systematic, wouldn’t you agree? How about it? Will you pour me a drink?”

It was a question of whether he could bear this heavy burden.

Lee Jung-gul brushed off Director Jo’s provocation with a light smile.

“It’s been a while since I poured you a drink.”

“Thank you.”

Pour, pour.

The glass filled with wine. Once it was full, Director Jo took the wine jug and poured wine into Lee Jung-gul’s glass.

Then, the two of them silently drank the wine in their glasses.

“I look forward to working with you again.”

“I should be the one saying that.”

As Director Jo stepped back, people began to approach Lee Jung-gul one by one. After everyone had taken their turn, the look in their eyes had changed.

‘Good eyes.’

Lee Jung-gul smiled.

There was a reason why the organization never gave up on various events, despite the numerous issues and problems. If people didn’t feel a sense of belonging, it was meaningless, but events held in a place where they felt a sense of belonging had the effect of inspiring people.

Just like now.

“Now, everyone should think that we are all in the same boat. If the boat sinks, we all die together.”

“We’ve lived long enough. If we can die laughing, that’s a good death. I never dared to hope for such a good death. I’m just grateful for this opportunity.”

“That’s right.”

Lee Jung-gul nodded emphatically.

“Then, let’s drop the formalities. I’ll speak as if we are all one. I’ve been watching Kang Jin-ho all this time. The reason I submitted to Kang Jin-ho was because he was strong. That’s why I thought I should watch him closely. To see how I could catch him.”

“I’ve been hiding my true intentions even from my granddaughter, waiting for the right time. Now it’s time to see the results. I hope you all listen to me.”

Seeing the slightly bloodshot eyes, Lee Jung-gul smiled inwardly.

‘Now, die for me.’

A seasoned fox could never be tamed.

“You’ve done well.”

“It’s nothing, Chairman. It was my duty.”

“Still, you’ve done well. I won’t forget it.”

“Thank you.”

Director Jo bowed his head as if he were overwhelmed. The confident figure he had shown before Lee Jung-gul was nowhere to be seen; his bowed head did not seem to rise.

“I stirred up the wind just right.”

“It wasn’t just acting. I was also frustrated with this situation. And then you called me, Chairman, how could I not be happy?”

“If I can be with good people, I would not hesitate to travel a thousand miles. I’m glad you’re with me.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

They might have been thinking different things inside, but their outward appearance was that of a lord and his vassal.

“But…”

Director Jo looked at the empty room.

They had concluded that they would have another meeting later, and everyone had gone home.

“Why have another meeting?”

“Do you know what to do when a fish gets caught in a net?”

“…You have to pull it out, right?”

“If you pull it out right away, the fish will escape. When a fish gets caught in a net, you have to leave it alone first. Then, as it struggles to get out, it will eventually get completely tangled in the net.”

“Ah!”

“This time is the net. I explained it, but I didn’t say anything. Even if they decide to betray us, they have nothing to tell. So, we need to create distance. Then we have to wait until the next meeting. The longer that time is, the harder it will be for them to avoid the suspicion that they were trying to betray us. If they have nothing to gain from the other side, they will have no choice but to stick with us.”

“…Indeed.”

Director Jo looked at Lee Jung-gul with admiration.

This man had led the General Assembly for decades.

Even if a tiger was locked in a cage, would it become a dog?

“In the end, once they feel certain that they are ‘on this side,’ they will have no choice but to stick with us, no matter what I do. Then, that will be the time to hunt the dragon.”

“Is that possible?”

A hint of unease lingered in Director Jo’s eyes.

“There’s nothing to worry about. I’m not stupid either. Kang Jin-ho may be cunning, but I’m not one to be trifled with either. I’m doing this with confidence.”

“I believe you.”

“And…”

Lee Jung-gul smiled wryly.

“Your words earlier were impressive. That you have to cut out the infected area when poison penetrates?”

“Yes.”

“But there’s another way.”

Director Jo looked at Lee Jung-gul with a questioning gaze.

Another way?

“Fight poison with poison. To get rid of poison, you have to swallow a stronger poison. Even if it kills you.”

Seeing the chilling expression on Lee Jung-gul’s face, Director Jo bowed his head even lower.

Kang Jin-ho.

He was strong.