Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1247

A thunderous boom that burrowed into his ears made Akinori shudder. It was too loud to be the sound of a human fist. It was abnormal for someone to unleash such an attack on a human, but it was equally abnormal for those who were hit by such an attack to keep charging back.

“You weaklings!”

Jang Min’s hair stood on end like a demon, spewing out crimson bloodlust. To anyone who didn’t know the situation, it was a scene that could easily be mistaken for an Oni [a type of demon in Japanese folklore]. And the appearances of those facing the Oni were not much better.

“You old geezer!”

“Dieeeeee!”

The young demonic cultivators, emitting black demonic energy, rushed at Jang Min. Most were sent flying faster than they could charge, becoming a mess, but they would get up as soon as they hit the ground and charge again.

The murderous intent and madness in their eyes made one question whether this was training or a real battle.

“Ugh…”

Lee Myung-hwan, who had been charging at Jang Min head-on, was sent flying with a loud crash and landed at Akinori’s feet.

“Ugh….”

Lee Myung-hwan, who had been slammed into the ground, twitched a few times before finally lying still, unable to get up.

“Huff, huff…”

The blood flowing from his mouth stained his face red. But Lee Myung-hwan’s eyes were even redder than the blood. Seeing those eyes, Akinori instinctively stepped back, feeling a chill run down his spine.

‘Are these the demonic cultivators of Korea?’

The more he saw, the more he was taken aback by the power of Korea, or rather, the General Assembly. He could understand Jang Min and Bator. They weren’t even Korean in the first place. He could understand that Kang Jin-ho had recruited suitable people.

But the demonic cultivators lying on the ground now were clearly Koreans. And they were very young Korean martial artists.

‘Are there any young martial artists in Japan who are as skilled as these?’

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t come up with an answer.

Perhaps they could find people who could match them in terms of skill. But that was only now. In just a year, the gap would widen even further.

Because there wouldn’t be a single martial artist in Japan who would train as desperately as these people, risking their lives.

But unlike Akinori’s thoughts, Jang Min didn’t seem satisfied at all.

“You trash.”

Jang Min said, grinding his teeth.

“You’re supposed to be guarding the Demon Lord, and this is all you’ve got? How dare you call yourselves the Demon Lord’s personal guard with such pathetic skills?”

Lee Myung-hwan trembled and rose to his feet.

The pain of his whole body feeling like it was about to shatter was overwhelming, but no one here was so comfortable that they could lie down after hearing such words. Not only Lee Myung-hwan, but the other demonic flames also struggled to their feet, spitting out blood foam from their mouths.

“The name ‘Demonic Flame’…”

Jang Min said, scanning the demonic flames, as if grinding his teeth.

“It’s a name that’s practically legendary in the cult. The legend of the Heavenly Demon Lord was always made with his personal guards. But you, who have only learned some mediocre demonic arts, dare to use the name Demonic Flame?”

Lee Myung-hwan glared at Jang Min with madness in his eyes. A hundredfold of hatred poured out towards Jang Min. But Jang Min didn’t even flinch while receiving those gazes.

“You are not qualified. But it was none other than that person who gave you that qualification. Then…”

Jang Min spat out the words.

“You have no choice but to earn that qualification. To not be ashamed of the name Demonic Flame, and to be worthy of being called the Demon Lord’s personal guard. Sharpen your minds, you trash! I will make you worthy of it!”

Kaaaaang!

Strong energy grew long from Jang Min’s hand.

“If you have the strength to stand, then come at me! You’re not thinking of trembling like little kids, are you?”

“Aaaaaaaah!”

Lee Myung-hwan screamed and charged at Jang Min.

The others also emitted demonic energy and charged at the same time. Jang Min smiled wryly as he watched their onslaught.

Thud.

“That’s enough for today.”

“Ugh…”

“You weaklings.”

Jang Min glanced at the fallen demonic flames, shook his head, and left the training ground. But the demonic flames lying on the ground didn’t even have the strength to lift their heads and watch his retreating figure.

“…Are you alive?”

“I’m dead.”

“Yeah, me too.”

Lee Myung-hwan felt the taste of dirt entering his mouth and breathed heavily.

‘Damn it.’

He knew Jang Min was strong.

Jang Min was a person who had firmly secured at least the third position within the General Assembly. The only person who could be compared to him was Bator, among the many martial artists of the General Assembly.

Even Wiggins and Bang Jin-hoon, who were considered distant masters from their perspective, were inferior to Jang Min.

Of course, he knew that.

But

‘I thought we could at least put up a fight now…’

He wouldn’t even think that if he were alone.

But weren’t all the demonic flames gathered here? He thought that a hundred demonic flames could now easily cut down any master, but that thought was completely shattered at this moment.

He could understand if the opponent was Kang Jin-ho.

Kang Jin-ho was a master of the highest level, beyond common sense, and also their teacher. Who else could know and deal with disciples better than their teacher?

But Jang Min was not.

Jang Min was a person who had no connection with the demonic flames other than the fact that he had learned demonic arts. Yet, they were all crushed because they couldn’t handle just one Jang Min.

“Ugh… Damn it.”

Lee Myung-hwan trembled with humiliation.

He thought he had become a bit stronger now. But this damn path of martial arts, just when you think you’ve become a little stronger, a bigger wall appears, and when you think you’ve become a little stronger, an even bigger wall appears.

“…That old man is disgustingly strong.”

“I know, right.”

Disappointment in themselves and respect for Jang Min grew rapidly.

A martial artist is naturally drawn to a martial artist stronger than themselves.

They couldn’t help but imagine how much grueling training it must have taken to build up that much power.

“Even so, is the difference really this big?”

“The Assembly Leader said so, didn’t he? That demonic arts have the property of devouring other demonic arts, so a stronger demonic cultivator can relatively easily deal with a weaker one.”

“That’s also relative. Is it even possible that a hundred people can’t even land a single attack properly?”

“It just means the Elder is that strong.”

“Damn it.”

Lee Myung-hwan staggered to his feet.

He understood it in his head, but it was hard to accept.

‘It hasn’t even been a few days since we wiped out the Japanese bastards…’

They had faced the guys that Kang Jin-ho had almost finished off, the guys who were too scared to use their full strength… but it was also true that they had crushed those guys.

The confidence that had been slowly building up was collapsing helplessly.

“When will we get stronger?”

“Hey, you crazy bastard.”

“…Why?”

“We’ve only been training properly for a year. If you have any conscience, you shouldn’t say that.”

Lee Myung-hwan nodded silently. That was right. There was no way that Jang Min, who had been training in demonic arts for over a hundred years, could be compared to the chicks who had just started learning demonic arts.

“And it’s not like we’re the only ones suffering.”

KWA-AAAAANG!

A roar that was incomparable to the previous one erupted from the side of the training ground. Lee Myung-hwan looked at that side with a pale face. Even though there was a distance, the demonic energy and bloodlust that soared into the sky were clearly visible.

“…Are those the Elders?”

“Looks like it.”

“They’re strong, aren’t they?”

It seemed that they were facing the Elders right after dealing with the demonic flames.

And at first glance, the Elders’ training was much rougher and more intense than what the demonic flames were experiencing.

“…Let them at least whine a little.”

The Demonic Cultists were not of any concern. The young Demonic Cultists were no match for the demonic flames. No, the demonic flames didn’t even need to step up; any decent martial artist from the General Assembly could play with the Demonic Cultists.

But the Elders were different.

Even if you gathered a bunch of nobodies, if the number was about the size of the Demonic Cult, there would always be some who stood out. The Elders were the cream of the crop among those people. They were the ones who had endured the long history of oppression with their whole bodies and protected the Demonic Cult until the very end.

Their strength was not at a level that the demonic flames could dare to challenge. Yet, even the Elders, who were much stronger than the demonic flames, were undergoing bone-grinding training at this moment.

“How can they do that?”

“What?”

“No, I mean, the Elders are still very strong, right? And they’re old now. But how can they keep training like that?”

“It’s the other way around, you idiot.”

“Huh?”

“It’s because they’re people who have been training until that age that they’ve become so strong and reached that position.”

“Ah…”

“You, who have only been rolling around for a year and are already complaining about being tired, can’t reach that level.”

“Who said I was tired?”

Lee Myung-hwan flared up.

“Or clean up. We have to start night training after dinner.”

“…It’s been a few days since we came to Japan, and we haven’t been able to go outside except for the training ground.”

“Don’t worry. If the Elders are right, the time will soon come when we’ll have to run like crazy.”

“I guess so.”

Lee Myung-hwan wiped the blood from his mouth and his eyes shone.

It wasn’t that he hated training. However, the reason they came to Japan was not to do this kind of training. Lee Myung-hwan was hungry for real combat.

“But… will these bastards resist?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The guys who obediently do as they’re told don’t usually go around wielding swords.”

“That’s right.”

Lee Myung-hwan stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.

“You seem to like it too much? Do you have an independence fighter in your family?”

“…It doesn’t have to be the Japanese. I just want to fight someone.”

“The Elder is fighting you.”

“No, I want someone easier.”

“You have a rotten personality.”

Lee Myung-hwan smiled bitterly and got up.

“Let’s go eat.”

“Okay.”

Akinori swallowed hard as he watched the demonic flames trudging towards the dining hall.

‘They’re already recovering?’

It was only ten minutes ago that they were so beaten by Jang Min that they couldn’t even move a finger. But now they were walking around as if nothing had happened. It was an unbelievable recovery and terrifying toughness.

‘If it weren’t for the Assembly Leader, could Shinichi Kai really have conquered Korea?’

He used to be sure of it, but recently he had doubts. What was certain was that Korea’s power, even without Kang Jin-ho, was now equal to or greater than that of Japan.

‘And if they can continue to grow their power smoothly like this?’

They might really be able to change the balance of power in East Asia. Even the Three Kings of China, whom he thought were incomparable, might…

‘It’s too early to think about that.’

Akinori shook his head and left the empty training ground.