Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1072

“I didn’t get the impression that they were cooperative.”

Lee Hyun-soo swallowed hard.

The conference room was the same as ever. Kang Jin-ho was still sitting at the head of the table, with the other executives seated around him.

However, it was clear that the atmosphere was different from usual. And the source of that change was all too obvious.

Kang Jin-ho, sitting at the head of the table, had his legs crossed and was leaning slightly back into the sofa.

It was a posture no different from usual.

But those around him could clearly tell. Kang Jin-ho’s aura had changed slightly.

‘That’s the same expression he had before.’

When Lee Hyun-soo first met Kang Jin-ho, he thought Kang Jin-ho was like a person wearing a mask.

His emotions were rarely visible on his face.

As Kang Jin-ho became the head of the Assembly and went through various incidents, he became quite human. He laughed, talked, and joked around much more than before.

‘It’s not exactly like it was before, though.’

It wasn’t like the emotionless look he had back then. However, he could feel that something was definitely different.

“It seems that they are trying to accommodate our requests as much as possible.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Lee Hyun-soo, his chin resting on his hand.

“So…”

“Yes.”

“What’s your opinion?”

Lee Hyun-soo swallowed hard.

“Right now, it doesn’t seem like we need any other measures. They’ve agreed to give us what we want.”

Kang Jin-ho didn’t press him, waiting for Lee Hyun-soo to continue.

“But what this incident has made clear is… there are too many variables.”

“Variables?”

“Yes.”

Lee Hyun-soo swallowed hard and continued his explanation.

“Just the minister changing his mind completely overturned the General Assembly’s plans. Actually…”

Lee Hyun-soo struggled to put his thoughts into words for the first time in a while.

What should he say?

That he had underestimated the power of politicians?

That didn’t fully express how he felt.

“It means the General Assembly’s power isn’t that great yet.”

“…Something like that.”

Kang Jin-ho’s words were closer to the truth. No matter how powerful they were, if the General Assembly had enough power, they wouldn’t have been so easily swayed.

Wiggins added.

“Power is a more terrifying force than you think.”

Wiggins’ face was also very serious.

“This kind of moment is inevitable. No matter how little the Murim [martial arts world] is affected by the law, as long as we live on this earth, we cannot be free from the system of the state.”

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Kang Jin-ho let out a groan.

“But it’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

Wiggins smiled brightly, as if trying to lighten the mood, and continued.

“Anyway, we got what we wanted. And they must have clearly recognized our presence. In the long term, we will also have to pay attention to them, but for now, things should go smoothly for a while, right?”

“In the long term.”

“Yes.”

“What do you think will happen in the long term?”

“All countries have gone through similar processes. Either they recognize the Murim world and go along with it, or they completely exclude it. Most chose the former, but there were definitely countries that chose the latter.”

Lee Hyun-soo tilted his head.

“But didn’t you say that most of the choices to exclude the Murim world led to bad results? Like foreign invasions…”

“That’s right. But there’s something we shouldn’t forget.”

“What is it…”

“Humans are not that rational.”

Wiggins said firmly.

“There’s no guarantee that they will always make choices that benefit each other. Even if the probability is high, we shouldn’t let our guard down. Entrusting everything to the other party’s choices and praying is the worst kind of incompetence.”

He couldn’t help but nod.

“Wiggins.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“What do we need to do?”

Wiggins hesitated slightly. The answer was already in his head, but it wasn’t as easy as he thought to say it.

‘My mouth is getting dry.’

Today, Kang Jin-ho’s every word felt heavier than usual.

“I think we need to prepare.”

“In more detail.”

“Right now, the General Assembly doesn’t have much influence. But if they change their minds, we don’t know what will happen. In the end, they won’t be able to completely exclude the General Assembly, but they might try to cut off our limbs.”

Wiggins glanced at Kang Jin-ho before continuing.

“In the long term, it’s important that those who are friendly to the General Assembly take power.”

“Are you saying we should push one side?”

“No, Lord. Betting on a 50% chance is just gambling. To play a game where we are sure to win, we need to create a situation where it doesn’t matter which side wins.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

It wasn’t that hard to understand.

“You’re saying we should support both sides at the same time.”

“Yes. It will be a big expense right now, but I think it’s something we must do for the future.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

“Chief Lee.”

“Yes, Head of the Assembly.”

“Set up a dedicated department.”

“Yes?”

Lee Hyun-soo looked at Kang Jin-ho with a bewildered expression.

“There aren’t any people in the General Assembly who can understand the political situation and act accordingly, right?”

“I’m ashamed to say it, but… that’s true.”

“Recruit them.”

Kang Jin-ho’s voice was firm.

“Money is meant to be spent. Recruit people who can move appropriately and set up a department. If we’re going to manage it, we need to do it properly. Support them so they can monitor the situation in real-time and act accordingly.”

Lee Hyun-soo bowed his head with a stiff expression.

“I will do as you say.”

He swallowed hard.

‘He’s really going to do it properly.’

He had told the Prime Minister that they wouldn’t move unless they were provoked. But what Kang Jin-ho was saying now was clearly different from what he had told the Prime Minister.

“I’ll say it again…”

As if knowing Lee Hyun-soo’s thoughts, Kang Jin-ho spoke again.

“I have no intention of messing with them.”

Everyone’s eyes focused on Kang Jin-ho.

“I have no intention of being presumptuous. I have no intention of controlling them. I have neither the will nor the ability to do so. I’m just trying to find a way to survive. Make sure you understand the direction. We’re not trying to do something, we’re trying not to get hit.”

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

Kang Jin-ho leaned back into the sofa.

‘It’s a difficult problem.’

If there was one premise, things would be a little easier.

A country whose government is influenced by external forces cannot develop. This was a historically proven fact. The government should always make the best choices it can. Sometimes it might be wrong, but the world develops by repeating the process of being right and wrong.

The moment a certain tendency arises in that choice, development is hindered and the water begins to stagnate.

He had no intention of hindering the development of the country for the sake of the General Assembly’s development. Although his sense of belonging was a little vague, Kang Jin-ho was clearly Korean.

Others might not understand, but Kang Jin-ho was maintaining the principle of not hitting unless he was hit.

“Chief Lee.”

“Yes, Head of the Assembly.”

Lee Hyun-joo looked at Kang Jin-ho with a slightly nervous expression.

“Since you’ve all taken care of the troublesome matters, finalize the incorporation.”

“Yes, Head of the Assembly. I will finish it within this month.”

“The remaining directors.”

“Yes, Head of the Assembly.”

“Change the direction.”

Kang Jin-ho looked around at everyone and said.

“It doesn’t matter if there are dropouts. Push them harder.”

“…He, Head of the Assembly.”

Bang Jin-hoon looked at Kang Jin-ho with a bewildered expression.

“Master.”

As always, the first person to speak was Bator.

“I understand what you mean. But the children are learning demonic arts right now. You know better than anyone what it means to drop out while learning demonic arts, don’t you?”

If you overdo it while learning orthodox martial arts, you can suffer from Qi deviation [a condition where internal energy flow is disrupted]. But if you go in the wrong direction while learning demonic arts, it won’t end with Qi deviation.

Your mind could be completely destroyed.

In the past, there was a risk of becoming a madman like the heretics Kang Jin-ho had faced.

“We’ve increased the stability, so they can endure it.”

“But…”

“We can’t take everyone with us.”

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes were lowered and unwavering.

“We’re not all gathered here playing house. The threat is real, and we’re still lacking in power. So we have no choice but to move forward, even if it means accepting some side effects.”

Bator nodded with a stiff expression.

He was right.

‘We’ve been too soft.’

When he first trusted Kang Jin-ho and joined the General Assembly, this wasn’t what he had expected. They had developed faster than he had thought, but he wanted something more intense.

‘Have I also melted into complacency?’

Looking back, it was undeniable.

The old Bator would never have laughed and joked with these people. He would never have worried about the people who were learning martial arts getting hurt or dying.

That’s what martial arts were like.

Those who were not fierce were eliminated.

“The same goes for you guys.”

Kang Jin-ho’s face twisted slightly.

“Just because you’ve become directors and are in a position to teach others doesn’t mean you should neglect your own training.”

“I’m doing my best…”

Bang Jin-hoon stopped talking.

The moment he reflexively tried to answer, Kang Jin-ho’s gaze fell on him. The words he was about to say disappeared the moment he saw those cold eyes.

Those eyes were asking.

Are you really doing your best?

‘Probably not.’

If it had been a while ago, he would have been able to say yes. But since creating a new martial art, Bang Jin-hoon hadn’t been throwing himself into it with the same intensity as when he was creating it.

He thought it was more beneficial to teach the children than to train himself.

But now, Kang Jin-ho was saying that while tightening the reins on teaching the children, they should also accelerate their own training.

“I will try my best.”

It might be a little harsh. But if Kang Jin-ho wanted it, they had to do it. That was the way of the General Assembly.

“I know it’s not easy.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at everyone and opened his mouth.

“But sometimes, there are times when you have to do the impossible.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Oh, Great Demon Lord, I will do my best to show you a form that is not shameful.”

Those who didn’t answer also had shining eyes.

Kang Jin-ho looked at them and nodded.

“Everyone, go out. Lee Hyun-soo, stay.”

As soon as Kang Jin-ho finished speaking, everyone except Lee Hyun-soo got up from their seats and went outside.

“Do you have something else to say?”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Lee Hyun-soo and smiled lightly.

And seeing that, Lee Hyun-soo clenched his fist tightly.

It had been a long time.

Kang Jin-ho’s smile, which made people’s spines tingle just by looking at it.

Just by seeing that smile, Lee Hyun-soo could tell that what Kang Jin-ho was about to say was not trivial.

“There’s something I need you to do.”

Lee Hyun-soo felt the air in the room rapidly grow cold and nodded heavily.