Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 710

‘My heart is going to burst.’

Ju Gang wiped the cold sweat from his brow as he stared at the door before him.

He had explained everything he had seen to those who were waiting. He had only conveyed the facts, cutting out any embellishment, but they all seemed disbelieving.

However, as similar testimonies came from various sources, they had no choice but to accept it.

Excitement.

Even though no one was moving or doing anything in particular, the inside of the cave was filled with a palpable heat. They were called by the derogatory name of ‘Demons.’ These people, who had never been able to call themselves Demons, now had their hearts set ablaze.

Ju Gang’s heart was also pounding with excitement.

The expectation that something would change, and

The hope that they might be able to change reality.

Everything was fine up to that point…

“The Demon Lord is looking for you. Come up immediately.”

If he hadn’t heard those words, he would have been reveling in the feeling of being able to fly away right now.

‘Why is he looking for me?’

He felt crushed by the pressure.

It was true that he had a connection with the Demon Lord, having served as his driver to this place, but from the Demon Lord’s perspective, Ju Gang was an insignificant being.

Even without considering the difference in status between the Demon Lord and a Demonic Cult member, Ju Gang would not have more presence than a fly to such a master.

Yet, he was specifically summoned?

‘Could it be that he intends to promote me?’

Ju Gang chuckled.

That was impossible.

He was going too far. Ju Gang knew that even if the Demon Lord had goodwill towards him, there was no way he would promote him.

Because he was useless.

At the very least, there had to be something to use him for before considering promotion. Even by Ju Gang’s own assessment, he didn’t have any particular strengths. Nor was he superior to others.

Just an ordinary Demonic Cult member.

Neither lacking nor particularly outstanding, he was the very definition of an average Demonic Cult member. That was Ju Gang’s position. Except for being a bit more sensitive than others, he was truly ordinary.

What could they possibly use Ju Gang for?

Being an ordinary Demon meant he was a failure as a martial artist. He might be stronger than ordinary people, but from the Demon Lord’s perspective, he wouldn’t even be worth distinguishing from an ordinary person.

‘Then why?’

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t find an answer. Of course, there was no way he could dare to guess the Demon Lord’s intentions. And even if he did guess, nothing would change.

Ju Gang took a deep breath.

He was trying to calm himself, but his heart wouldn’t settle down.

‘It was better when I first saw him.’ The Demon Lord hadn’t changed. What had changed was his perception of the Demon Lord. The reason a puppy isn’t afraid of a tiger is because it doesn’t know what a tiger is.

“Enter.”

“Yes.”

Ju Gang swallowed hard and opened the door and went inside. There were two people in the somewhat crudely decorated office. Elder Jang Min and the Demon Lord.

The Demon Lord, sitting on the sofa with a cigarette in his mouth, and Elder Jang Min, standing beside him, looked like characters from a noir film. They were that picturesque.

“I greet the Demon Lord.”

Without even having time to admire the scene, Ju Gang immediately bowed deeply. He put all the respect he could muster into it.

“Come here.”

Kang Jin-ho gestured for him to come closer. Ju Gang moved without even having time to think about Kang Jin-ho’s intentions.

Kang Jin-ho picked up a pack of cigarettes and offered it to Ju Gang.

“Cigarette?”

“Ah, no. How could I dare to here.”

“If you smoke, take one. I’m going to smoke too.”

“Ah…”

Ju Gang couldn’t help but hesitate. Of course, he should refuse, but not smoking a cigarette offered by the Demon Lord would also be disrespectful. Ju Gang raised his head and glanced at Jang Min, asking for help.

Jang Min nodded lightly.

Having received Jang Min’s permission, Ju Gang carefully accepted the cigarette that Kang Jin-ho offered.

“Sit down.”

“Ah, yes!”

As he sat on the sofa, Kang Jin-ho lit Ju Gang’s cigarette for him.

‘In all my life, this is the first time I’ve ever smoked a cigarette so respectfully.’

In China, it’s not considered rude to smoke in front of elders. Nevertheless, Ju Gang was trying to show the utmost respect he could muster.

To make a good impression?

No.

Ju Gang knew better than anyone that no matter how much respect he showed, the Demon Lord had no reason to pay him any mind. This respect was an emotion that welled up from within Ju Gang.

“I called you because there are a few things I need to confirm.”

“Ask away, Demon Lord. I will answer with all my heart and sincerity.”

Even as he answered, Ju Gang thought he was ridiculous.

The Ju Gang who had grumbled while going to fetch the Demon Lord just a while ago was gone, and only the figure of a Demonic Cult member devoted to the Demon Lord remained.

It was a laughable change of attitude, but it was also natural. No one could have known that the Demon Lord would be like this. They didn’t know that legends were not just legends.

“What do you think is the problem?”

“…Yes?”

Ju Gang raised his head slightly at Kang Jin-ho’s question.

“Is it too broad? Then let me ask again. What do you think is the first thing the Demonic Cult needs to do to regain its former glory?”

“Ah!”

Ju Gang pursed his lips.

The first thing?

It was an easy question that he could have answered without thinking in normal circumstances, but the Demon Lord’s question made him think twice.

After a long silence, Kang Jin-ho asked again.

“Is it martial arts, after all?”

“No, it is not.”

Ju Gang denied Kang Jin-ho’s words as soon as he finished speaking.

“It’s not?”

“Yes, Demon Lord. It is not martial arts. What the cult needs now is a place of rest.”

“A place of rest?”

Kang Jin-ho frowned. The meaning of those words didn’t immediately register.

“Yes. Even if we were given powerful demonic arts, we would not be able to properly master them.”

“Continue.”

“Yes.”

Ju Gang swallowed hard and continued.

“Demonic arts inevitably involve the release of demonic energy when practiced. If the cult members were to release demonic energy here and there, it wouldn’t be long before they discovered that we are mastering powerful demonic arts.”

“That’s true.”

“If the timing is right and everyone is strong before they find out, we might be able to resist, but if they find out before that, it will only hasten the cult’s demise. They don’t want us to become strong. If the cult shows any signs of becoming powerful again, they will try to destroy it by any means necessary.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded quietly.

It was a valid point.

“And even if that problem is solved, it’s the same. Demon Lord, we are poor. We have to earn money to live. We can’t focus solely on martial arts.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho scratched his cheek.

All the world’s problems ultimately come down to the issue of making a living. Just because they were Demons didn’t mean they didn’t need money. In fact, as martial artists, they clearly needed more money.

However, unlike the martial artists in Korea, the Demons in China were among the lowest of the low. They didn’t even have the minimum leeway to focus on learning martial arts.

“Food and shelter, huh? We’ve gone back to the fundamental problems.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Kang Jin-ho raised his head and looked at Jang Min.

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t think that far.”

“It’s not your fault either.”

Kang Jin-ho leaned back on the sofa. He had thought that he could just teach them demonic arts and be done with it, but it was turning out to be more complicated than he had thought. The issue of their level that Bator had mentioned was something that Kang Jin-ho could somehow resolve. However, the problem they were talking about now was beyond Kang Jin-ho’s ability to solve.

‘This is a headache.’

This was why Kang Jin-ho needed Cheongma [Blue Demon].

If Cheongma were here right now, he would probably say this:

– Would it help if the Cult Leader worries about it? I’ll take care of everything, so don’t worry about it and just focus on martial arts.

Having returned to the modern world and being involved in practical matters, he realized how great Cheongma was. Cheongma handled all the work that Jang Min was doing now and what Lee Hyun-soo was doing at the general assembly.

No, it wasn’t just that level. Cheongma was responsible for the overall management of the Demons, the cult’s finances, teaching martial arts to the Demons, increasing loyalty, and even purging the rebels.

Cheongma was able to do all of this because he was also a master martial artist. If ordinary martial artists had taken on Cheongma’s work, they would have died from overwork in less than a month.

‘If only Cheongma had come to this era, the Demonic Cult would have prospered.’

Kang Jin-ho was keenly aware of his own shortcomings.

“A place of rest, huh…”

It made sense.

There was a limit to learning martial arts while hiding underground. In the past, they could have improved their level through such hellish training, but not now. Such training was not suitable for those who had become accustomed to modern civilization.

Even Kang Jin-ho would feel suffocated if he had to go without his cell phone for just three days, so how much more would they feel?

Moreover, even if they could do that, there was still a problem.

Where could they find a place for so many people to train? And without being seen by others.

It was impossible on the land controlled by the Three Kings.

‘Wait a minute.’

Kang Jin-ho took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.

‘It’s impossible on the land of the Three Kings…’

‘Then, they could just go to another land.’

“We need to go to Korea.”

“D, Demon Lord?”

“That’s the best way. In Korea, we can escape the influence of the Three Kings.”

“B, but we have lived in China for generations.”

“That’s ridiculous. We have always been outsiders. Since when was the Demonic Cult a Chinese religion?”

“That’s true, but…”

Jang Min looked somewhat uncomfortable. However, he didn’t object. Even he thought that there was no better way.

Kang Jin-ho picked up his cell phone as if there was nothing more to say. Then, he made a call.

[This is Lee Hyun-soo.]

“I need you to do something for me.”

[I’m always working. Tell me what it is. I’ll handle it perfectly.]

“I need to bring some people from China, so arrange the means.”

[It’s not difficult. How many people?]

“About five to ten thousand?”

[…Yes?]

“Five to ten thousand.”

[……]

There was a long silence.

Kang Jin-ho continued as if he didn’t need to hear an answer.

“Since there are so many, it will probably take some time. Figure out a way as soon as possible and contact me.”

[W, wait a minute, Cult Leader! Cult Leader? Ten thousand people? Did you just say ten thousand people? Cult Leader?]

Kang Jin-ho took the phone away from his ear.

[Cult Leader! C~ Cult Leader! Ten thousand people! What are you talking about! This is…]

Click.

Kang Jin-ho hung up the phone and turned to look at Jang Min.

“It’s settled.”

Sweat broke out on Jang Min’s back.

It felt like he could hear the curses of someone shouting from thousands of miles away in a foreign land.