Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1061

“It seems you’re in a bit of a hurry, considering the proposal hasn’t even been presented yet.”

Though he phrased it gently, the response he received was curt.

“That’s for me to decide, not you.”

Lee Hyun-soo sighed inwardly.

‘Dealing with old-fashioned types is such a pain.’

Having been working solely at the Assembly recently, it seemed he’d lost his immunity to this kind of person. His chest felt heavy, as if a stone had been placed on it.

However, regardless of his feelings, Lee Hyun-soo was quite accustomed to dealing with this type. It was inevitable, as most martial artists were not that different from Seok Dong-soo.

They were fundamentally authoritarian and believed that it was natural to disregard those they deemed inferior.

Kim Seok-il was a perfect example of this type, without having to look far.

‘No, that’s not right.’

Compared to Kim Seok-il, the person in front of him was practically a novice. It was hard to find a snake as cunning as him, even if you tried.

Seok Dong-soo was probably feeling quite humiliated right now.

Being forced into a negotiation with an unwanted party was already a blow to his pride, and to make matters worse, the person who came to negotiate wasn’t even the Assembly Head, but a young man who looked like a kid. How annoying must that be?

He understood.

But understanding didn’t mean he could give up the initiative.

“Minister.”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled gently.

“We have a lot to discuss. Having a drink to wet our throats before continuing the conversation won’t take up too much of your time.”

Seok Dong-soo’s brow furrowed slightly.

He could sense anger in that furrow.

It was understandable that he would be annoyed by a young punk talking back.

‘He’s definitely not the kind of person people say he is…’

Of course, he wouldn’t be.

Lee Hyun-soo never trusted politicians.

Of course, compared to seasoned elected officials, appointed officials still had some human qualities, but even so, they were just snakes without venom. A snake is still a snake.

The world might see Seok Dong-soo as a man of character, but evaluations are just evaluations. The chances of a person who has achieved enough to become a minister being a good person are slimmer than a camel passing through the eye of a needle.

In the end, this man was just a survivor in the jungle that was South Korea, someone who had to constantly step on others to climb to the top.

Just as Seok Dong-soo was about to say something, a knock came on the door.

“Come in!”

As soon as the irritable response was given, the door swung open, and a new table was brought in. The previous table was cleared away, and a new table laden with a feast was placed before them, as if the legs might break.

“Then, I hope you have a pleasant time.”

After the manager left, Lee Hyun-soo picked up the sake pitcher.

“Would you grant me the honor of pouring you a drink, Minister?”

“Hmm.”

Seok Dong-soo looked displeased, but he couldn’t completely hide the subtle upturn of his lips.

Lee Hyun-soo smiled inwardly as he poured the sake.

He was used to this type.

Why do dictators become dictators?

Why can’t powerful people get rid of sycophants around them?

Is it because they’re stupid?

Of course not.

In the first place, stupid people can’t become powerful or dictators. They are more outstanding than anyone else. Even such outstanding people can’t exclude sycophants who constantly flatter them.

The reason is simple.

The increase in sycophants is proof that their power has grown stronger.

Power cannot be measured. Unlike money or violence, which can be measured numerically, power comes from relationships. Power can only be felt by how much others treat you with deference and fear.

Flattery is nothing more than a medium that allows the powerful to feel the strength of their power. Therefore, those intoxicated with power can never decisively cut off those who flatter them. They need someone to make them feel their power.

Historically, many powerful people have failed to remove sycophants from their surroundings.

Think about it.

How easy would it be for those with immense power to suppress their desires and exclude the indicators of their power?

It’s human nature to want to brag even if you’ve only made a little money, or to tell everyone in the neighborhood if you get a perfect score on a test.

But to act as if you don’t have power when you have power that is incomparably sweeter than those things, how cruel is that?

That’s why those who wield power can never get rid of those who flatter them. They may warn them and pretend not to, but in the end, they will always try to keep those who flatter them close.

‘He’s probably thinking that.’

Even if it’s the Assembly or whatever, in the end, you’re nothing special in front of me.

He could clearly see what Seok Dong-soo was thinking. It was better to let him enjoy that feeling for now.

As Seok Dong-soo’s glass was filled, Seok Dong-soo filled Lee Hyun-soo’s glass as well.

“Let’s have a drink.”

“Yes.”

As soon as they emptied their glasses, Lee Hyun-soo immediately refilled Seok Dong-soo’s glass.

Then, he quietly opened his mouth.

“I apologize for having you come all the way out here. It’s a bit difficult to do this in Seoul…”

“It’s fine. I permitted it.”

“Yes, Minister.”

“More importantly…”

Seok Dong-soo tapped his glass lightly and opened his mouth.

“You came out here representing that Assembly?”

“Yes.”

“Are there no people in the Assembly?”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled.

If he was asked, it was only right to answer truthfully.

“In that regard, I am sorry. I am aware that it is not appropriate for me to be negotiating with you, Minister. However, I hope you understand that there are unavoidable circumstances.”

“Circumstances?”

“Yes. It’s because those who had the age and status to come here no longer exist in the Assembly.”

“Don’t exist? Why?”

Lee Hyun-soo answered casually, as if it were nothing.

“They’re all dead.”

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.

Lee Hyun-soo shrugged and replied.

“It’s a common occurrence here. Unlike the outside world, where power struggles end in demotion, that’s how things are here. If this meeting had taken place a little earlier, we might have had someone with experience and status to represent us, but unfortunately, there is no one left now. I’m sorry.”

Seok Dong-soo didn’t notice that Lee Hyun-soo’s tone had changed slightly. And he also didn’t realize that an expression of ‘bewilderment’ was appearing on his face.

“Ahem, is that so?”

“Yes. I don’t think it’s polite to say this in front of you, but I thought it was better than not answering your question. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“…There’s nothing rude about it.”

Seok Dong-soo’s tone softened slightly.

‘Good, keep worrying.’

Lee Hyun-soo glanced at Seok Dong-soo with a slight smile.

He was probably worrying now. How far his power extended to the Assembly, and whether his power could guarantee his ‘safety’ against the Assembly.

He must have heard enough about what kind of place the Assembly was.

It was then.

Seok Dong-soo’s phone started ringing. Seok Dong-soo frowned, checked his phone, and then got up from his seat.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Yes, Minister.”

Seok Dong-soo left with his aide.

Lee Hyun-soo quietly waited for Seok Dong-soo to return.

Only after a time that made him feel a little impatient did Seok Dong-soo return.

“Ahem.”

Seok Dong-soo cleared his throat awkwardly and sat down, immediately opening his mouth.

“So, you want to incorporate the Assembly?”

“That’s correct.”

Lee Hyun-soo answered politely. Taking the initiative was important, but in the end, this was a negotiation. Oppressing the other party wasn’t always the best way.

“Is there really a need for that?”

Seok Dong-soo picked up the sake pitcher and filled Lee Hyun-soo’s glass.

“Aren’t you already living well? If you come out into the open by incorporating, you’ll have a lot of annoying things to deal with.”

He meant that if they didn’t incorporate, they wouldn’t have to worry, but if they came out into the world by incorporating, they wouldn’t be given the same conveniences as they were now.

“Isn’t it a good thing to come out into the open?”

“It is a good thing. Yes, it’s a good thing.”

Seok Dong-soo smiled.

“Listen here.”

“Yes.”

“Since we’re here, let’s put aside the pretense and talk. I prefer things to be quick and clean.”

“I prefer that as well.”

“Actually, we don’t really have a reason to oppose it. According to the data you sent, you guys have an enormous amount of money. I was shocked.”

“It’s just a small amount.”

“If that’s small for you, then everyone except the top five conglomerates should just die.”

“Haha.”

Lee Hyun-soo brushed off Seok Dong-soo’s words with a low laugh.

Too much humility is often counterproductive. In such cases, it’s better not to answer.

“If people like you come out into the open, it means you’ll be paying taxes from now on. If we can secure that much tax revenue, we should welcome you with open arms.”

“Haha, thank you.”

“But you see.”

“…Yes?”

Seok Dong-soo smiled subtly.

“It’s not that simple. The businesses you’ve presented all have shady origins. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s true to some extent. That’s why we came to see you, Minister.”

Lee Hyun-soo bowed his head slightly.

“We’ve lived in the shadows, but now we want to aim for the light. We haven’t lived honorably until now, so we want to be honorable, even if it’s just now.”

“With one foot still in the shadows?”

“…What do you mean?”

“The Korean Martial Arts Assembly, it’s a very interesting place. The stench is so strong that it’s hard to breathe.”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled without answering.

“Well, fine. Let’s call it the darkness of the times. I’ve heard that the martial arts world isn’t just in Korea. But it sounds a bit ridiculous.”

“What part are you referring to?”

“The part where you try to play with people.”

Seok Dong-soo narrowed his eyes.

“Listening to what you’re saying, it seems like you want to continue doing the things you’ve been doing while evading the law, and just launder the money you have and bring it out into the open…”

“There’s a bit of a misunderstanding…”

“That’s a very common tactic. It’s what gangsters do when they try to launder money. They do all sorts of things behind the scenes, but on the surface, they set up a legitimate business and act like ‘I’m the chairman, I’m the president.’ Do you know what I mean?”

Lee Hyun-soo didn’t answer.

Hostility was fine. The problem was that he could sense a certain arrogance in Seok Dong-soo’s voice.

“You want me to condone that?”

Seok Dong-soo’s voice was getting louder.

‘This is getting a bit troublesome.’

Dealing with a seasoned, cunning politician could be easier.

Seasoned politicians don’t care about what they can do. They only care about how much profit they can make from the situation they’re involved in.

They might take more than you expected, but the outcome doesn’t change.

The ones who change the outcome are idealists.

They betray their own interests for the sake of their beliefs.

‘For a minister to be saying such naive things…’

This was a bit different from his calculations. No, it was very different from his calculations.