Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 789

“Stand straight. The Clan Lord is here, you bastards.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s stern tone made everyone straighten their posture.

‘This is driving me crazy, really.’

Honestly, to be completely honest… Lee Hyun-soo was a pushover.

Among those present, there wasn’t a single person who would need more than two punches to take down Lee Hyun-soo. It wasn’t that they were strong; it was that Lee Hyun-soo was weak.

Even before, Lee Hyun-soo was one of the weakest in the entire clan. But as the overall level of the clan rapidly increased, he became relatively weaker.

Really, just one punch, just one hit would do it…

‘But still, he’s scary.’

Honestly, he was a bit intimidated.

It wasn’t the backing of Kang Jin-ho that they feared. Although everyone said that, Lee Myung-hwan knew that their true feelings were different. Even if Kang Jin-ho didn’t have the slightest interest in Lee Hyun-soo, no one would dare to mess with him.

Might wasn’t everything.

Lee Hyun-soo was weak, but regardless of his martial prowess, he was the kind of person who made others cower.

The proof was that everyone was shrinking their shoulders right now.

Once the atmosphere settled, Kang Jin-ho spoke again.

“It’s not easy. It’s difficult.”

It was inevitable.

Raising the level always comes with difficulties. Perhaps this martial art was too advanced for them at this stage.

Kang Jin-ho could raise the level of the martial art and change its direction, but he didn’t know how to make it relatively easier to learn. He had never properly taught anyone, nor had he ever thought about teaching.

He just threw it out there and only took those who could learn it. That was Kang Jin-ho’s way.

There was no way that would change now.

“But it’s not impossible. After all, it’s a martial art created by humans, so there’s no way humans can’t learn it. I’ll make sure of it. Absolutely!”

It was a statement that should have been inspiring.

But somehow…

There was a strange unease.

“Clan Lord, that sounds like a threat.”

“Oh, really?”

Ah, it was a threat.

It was fortunate that Kang Jin-ho’s interpreter was nearby. Lee Hyun-soo was translating Kang Jin-ho’s difficult language into something they could understand.

So, what he meant was that it was difficult and challenging to learn, but they had to do it. Otherwise, they would be beaten to a pulp.

…Maybe it would be better without an interpreter.

“It’s not exactly a threat.”

It sounds like it though?

It sounds exactly like it?

Lee Myung-hwan’s hand rose as if possessed.

“Huh?”

The thought that he shouldn’t ask was dominating his mind, but his body wouldn’t listen.

“What happens if we can’t keep up?”

Kang Jin-ho looked like he was pondering.

“Can’t keep up?”

“No. I plan to make you keep up.”

That’s a threat!

One hundred percent a threat!

Lee Myung-hwan screamed internally, but there was no way Kang Jin-ho could hear him.

“Anyway, you will learn this. And this time, you don’t have time to learn it leisurely.”

“Yes?”

“The people here will become instructors for the Demonic Cult in the future. You must teach the Demonic Blood Flame Art that you learn to the demons.”

“Huh?”

Lee Myung-hwan’s eyes widened.

“Us?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, no, Clan Lord. We’re not at that level yet…”

“It’s fine.”

Kang Jin-ho said with a grin.

“Their level is even more of a mess.”

The key word here was ‘more’.

So, it meant that they were a mess, but the other side was even more of a mess, so these messes could teach the bigger messes.

They were being treated like hopeless cases, but they didn’t feel any resentment. After all, from Kang Jin-ho’s perspective, they were just limbs with bodies, not really people.

Just as Kang Jin-ho seemed to be searching for words, Lee Hyun-soo stepped in to resolve the situation.

“The Demonic Blood Flame Art will now become the main demonic art of the clan. Not only you, but all those who learn demonic arts will learn the basics and then the Demonic Blood Flame Art. Being the first to learn this demonic art is very meaningful. Be grateful to the Clan Lord.”

It sounded like something that would touch the heart, but…

‘This is a bit strange?’

Lee Myung-hwan tilted his head and raised his hand.

“Me!”

“That bastard, why does he have so many questions?”

Lee Hyun-soo interrupted, but Lee Myung-hwan was persistent.

“Are we the first to learn this demonic art?”

“Yes.”

“I heard you created it, but has no one ever learned the base demonic art either?”

“That’s not true, but it’s changed so much that it’s meaningless. You can say it’s the first.”

“Th-then, there shouldn’t be any problems, right?”

Lee Hyun-soo’s face twisted.

“Hey, this bastard, where did you…”

“Wait.”

Kang Jin-ho stopped Lee Hyun-soo. Then, with an awkward expression, he opened his mouth.

“I don’t know.”

“…Yes?”

“How would I know if I haven’t tried it?”

Anxiety began to creep into Lee Myung-hwan’s eyes.

“I think there shouldn’t be any problems, but since it’s the first time I’m teaching this martial art, I don’t know what might happen. There might be fatal problems that I haven’t thought of.”

Lee Myung-hwan had been taught since childhood that people should always be honest. But at this moment, Lee Myung-hwan realized that being honest wasn’t always a good thing.

No, just say there won’t be any problems! We’re going to learn it anyway!

“…Do we really have to learn it?”

In the end, someone opened Pandora’s box that shouldn’t have been opened. The moment they heard those words, everyone saw Kang Jin-ho’s brow furrow.

‘Eek!’

‘Which bastard! Which bastard was it!’

‘I’ll kill him! I’ll definitely kill him!’

Kang Jin-ho seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding.

“Those who don’t want to learn it don’t have to. Thinking about it, it’s a bit problematic to make everyone learn it when there’s a risk.”

“No, Clan Lord. What do you mean?”

“It’s the truth.”

Lee Hyun-soo glared at everyone with vicious eyes. The venom in his eyes was so terrifying that the demonic flames, who usually made the clan’s warriors cower, all lowered their heads like a thousand tails.

“You trash.”

Was this the kind of fury a sister-in-law would have when she saw her mother-in-law being disrespected in front of her?

The demonic flames were experiencing a taste of their future, pointless in-law lives.

“Those who don’t want to learn it don’t have to. Ah, but you must return the manual.”

“…Put it in the box when you leave, definitely.”

At that moment, Lee Hyun-soo’s intention to identify the faces of those who returned the manual and torment them to death was clear.

“Lee Hyun-soo.”

“Yes, Clan Lord.”

“Don’t go too far.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Lee Hyun-soo stepped back slightly.

Then, Kang Jin-ho spoke again.

“It’s not a joke, if you don’t want to learn it, you don’t have to.”

“Clan Lord.”

This time, Lee Myung-hwan raised his hand without hesitation. Until now, he had asked questions out of curiosity, but now he had to ask the questions that needed to be asked.

“Speak.”

“How much is the risk?”

“You could become a cripple.”

“You could die, and the most likely side effect is that you’ll go crazy and rampage. You’ll lose your reason.”

Lee Myung-hwan’s face stiffened slightly.

But the questions didn’t end there.

“Even so…”

Lee Myung-hwan took a deep breath and continued.

“Even so, the fact that you’re giving us this demonic art means that it’s worth learning despite all the risks.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

“It can reduce ten years of work to five years. Depending on how you do it, it could be even less.”

Lee Myung-hwan nodded.

“That’s enough. Clan Lord, I will learn it.”

Kang Jin-ho stared intently at Lee Myung-hwan.

“When I first learned demonic arts from you, I made a vow. I vowed to become stronger, even if it meant risking my life. I vowed to become stronger, even if it meant learning demonic arts. But now, to say I won’t learn it because it’s a bit dangerous is just pathetic.”

Lee Myung-hwan glanced around.

Everyone had the same look in their eyes.

“I’d rather die than say I won’t learn it because I’m afraid of dying. Well, that’s just me. I don’t know what the others are thinking.”

“Hey, you bastard. If you say it like that, what does that make those who give up?”

“That bastard… he’s got a knack for getting under people’s skin. He’s the most annoying.”

Oh?

Me?

Not Lee Hyun-soo?

Lee Myung-hwan realized then that the most annoying person he felt was different from the most annoying person others thought.

‘What did I do?’

How unfair is this?

“Any, anyway, I will learn it.”

“I don’t intend to force you.”

Someone raised their hand.

“Then, can I ask one more question?”

“Hmm?”

“How much of a difference is there between learning it and not learning it? About a year from now?”

“…Wouldn’t it be to the point where ten people can’t handle one?”

“Hey, that’s too much. How can we give this up?”

The atmosphere was divided.

Some were resigned, while others were excited about being able to learn such a powerful demonic art. As the hall began to buzz, Lee Hyun-soo stepped in to resolve the situation.

“Shut up, you bastards.”

“It’s not something to be happy about just because you’re getting stronger. Until now, you just had to learn the martial arts given by the Clan Lord and do what you were told. But now that you’re given more power, the things you have to do will also increase.”

“We’re obviously thinking about that.”

“…Thinking?”

Lee Hyun-soo curled up the corner of his mouth.

“Really?”

“…No, Deputy Chief. We don’t seem to know anything.”

“If you tell us, we will do our best to follow.”

Lee Hyun-soo clicked his tongue and stepped back.

It was time to wrap up this situation.

Kang Jin-ho opened his mouth.

“It might be a bit dangerous. No, it might be very dangerous. But I will minimize that risk.”

Everyone looked at Kang Jin-ho.

“But if you endure that hardship, you will gain the power I promised. A power that will make you confident anywhere in the world.”

That was enough.

From the beginning, those gathered here were people who had abandoned morals, values, and everything else, and only pursued power. They admired Kang Jin-ho’s strength and wanted to become like him.

They were given a way to become stronger, what more could they need?

“Can you learn the manual in two days?”

“Clan Lord, these bastards’ heads aren’t in great condition.”

“Three days?”

“At least that much.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

“Then let’s do it in three days. Once you’ve memorized it, I’ll teach you, so prepare yourselves.”

“Yes!”

Lee Myung-hwan shouted with a slightly flushed face.

“Then, will you teach us directly like before, Clan Lord?”

“Huh?”

Kang Jin-ho tilted his head.

“Didn’t I say it before? Bator is here, so why would I need to do it?”

“Ah, I should mention this too. Bator will probably be in charge of your overall training and management from now on. I was going to do it, but Bator told me I couldn’t and to step aside. I don’t know why. Tsk.”

Only Kang Jin-ho didn’t know.

The others knew very well.

Too well…

Lee Myung-hwan wiped the moisture from his eyes.

The good times were over.

Now, it was truly hell.