Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1579

‘Amazing.’ Kang Jin-ho glanced back at Bang Jin-hoon’s office. What he had said to Bang Jin-hoon wasn’t a lie. Kang Jin-ho truly believed that Bang Jin-hoon had the potential to become much stronger. However, what surprised him now wasn’t Bang Jin-hoon’s martial prowess, but the martial art he had created. ‘To reach that level on his own, without anyone’s help…’ There are times when people show more talent in creating martial arts than in learning them. In the past, even figures like Shin Gi-ja in the Central Plains [a legendary figure in Chinese martial arts], despite not being particularly strong themselves, were known for creating unparalleled divine arts. When rumors spread that Shin Gi-ja’s martial arts had been released into the Jianghu [the martial world], countless people would rush to obtain them, often leading to bloody conflicts. ‘He has a talent for that.’ It was almost strange that he was only realizing it now. Come to think of it, it was the same when he created the martial art for the Assembly. Even with Kang Jin-ho’s help, creating a martial art was no easy feat. Moreover, if that martial art was a step forward, different from anything that had come before, it was even more remarkable. It was just that the level of the previous martial arts wasn’t high enough for him to notice. “It looks like something good will come out of this.” Kang Jin-ho smiled. In any case, it was a good thing for the Assembly’s martial arts level to improve. Kang Jin-ho also hoped that Bang Jin-hoon would regain his passion through this opportunity. His life as a martial artist would continue. Of course, that didn’t mean he intended to use Bang Jin-hoon’s completed martial art as it was. “Since the situation is urgent…” He would only modify it a little, just a little. And that little bit would bring about an interesting result. Kang Jin-ho cracked his neck from side to side and began to move. Now he had to go check on the other side. “Aaaaaaaargh!” “Die! Die, you bastard! Kaaaaaaargh!” “Aaaack! My arm! My aaaaaaarm!” Kang Jin-ho stared blankly ahead. Before his eyes, a scene of utter chaos unfolded. ‘What is this?’ Is this a battlefield? Hundreds of Demonic Cult members were split into two groups, attacking each other. Of course, they weren’t using real swords, but a wooden sword in the hands of a martial artist could still cause flesh to tear and bones to break with just a graze. Those wooden swords, filled with fierce energy, were being swung mercilessly at their opponents. ‘Aren’t they going to die like that?’ Even Kang Jin-ho, who had the motto of ‘train like it’s real combat, and make real combat even more real,’ was taken aback by the intensity of the training. He was worried if they would even be able to fight properly in real combat after this. “Eeeek! Hold on!” Thwack! The person who had been shouting upon seeing him was struck in the forehead by a flying wooden sword and collapsed like a rotten bundle of straw. ‘Sorry.’ I shouldn’t have come. Does it hurt a lot? “M-Master of the Demonic Path is here!” “The Master of the Demonic Path has arrived! You bastards, stop right now!” Those who had discovered Kang Jin-ho immediately prostrated themselves on the spot. “May the Master of the Demonic Path live for ten thousand years! May all demons submit!” “…Yes.” The sight of those who had been fighting fiercely just moments ago now lying prostrate on the ground was… well, not exactly spectacular, but… something. ‘It’s kind of awkward.’ It made him feel strangely awkward. At that moment, the elders who had been standing up rushed towards Kang Jin-ho. “Master of the Demonic Path!” “Why have you graced this humble place with your presence! Please punish us for not knowing of your arrival and not being prepared!” Did you learn that from Jang Min? They didn’t seem so formal in the past… Kang Jin-ho shook his head slightly and pointed behind him with his chin. “What kind of training is this?” “We were tempering ourselves in preparation for real combat. We thought that the battles we would face in the future would likely be large-scale, many-on-many fights.” That’s a good judgment. But why does that good judgment lead to such reckless training? “It doesn’t seem like it would be very meaningful if you end up injuring yourselves?” “We will stop immediately.” No, don’t do that… Why can’t we have a conversation, a conversation? “…Could you explain why you’re doing this kind of training?” “Yes, Master of the Demonic Path!” One of the elders immediately began to explain. “Elder Jang Min… no, Jang Min! That Elder Jang Min!” “…Just speak comfortably.” That honorific language is too much. “Yes! It’s Elder Jang Min’s idea. The Demonic Cult members are not yet at a level where they can face enemies alone. So, he said that even if some forces are lost due to injuries, we should create forces that are perfectly tempered and ready to be used.” The elder next to him continued. “All members of the cult exist only for the Master of the Demonic Path. If they are not helpful to the Master, they have no meaning.” Kang Jin-ho frowned. Loyalty is good, but excessive loyalty only clouds one’s judgment. The elders, who had been subtly observing Kang Jin-ho’s expression, suddenly brightened and looked behind them. “Well, Elder Jang Min.” “Hmm?” Kang Jin-ho turned his head. From the back, Jang Min came running at full speed and then slid to the ground, prostrating himself. “I greet the Master of the Demonic Path!” Did he put on knee pads? It looks like it’s smoking? Jang Min’s excessive politeness was more unsettling than the elders’ expressions of ‘that’s how it should be done, we’re still far behind’. “Get up.” “Yes, Master of the Demonic Path!” Jang Min immediately stood up and stood respectfully. “The training seems a bit excessive.” “Are you referring to this training?” Jang Min tilted his head slightly. But then, his expression hardened, and he bowed his head sharply. “I will adjust the intensity.” “…Instead of just doing everything you’re told, explain why you’re doing this kind of training.” “Yes, Master of the Demonic Path! The reason is simple.” “What is it?” “To survive.” Kang Jin-ho’s eyes lit up. It was definitely different from what the elders had been saying earlier. And this was more relatable. “Explain in detail.” “Master of the Demonic Path, who knows better than the cult members how strong the Three Kings of the Central Plains are?” “…No one.” The Assembly’s martial artists had only briefly encountered the Three Kings. But these people had lived in the Chinese martial world and experienced them firsthand. Their perception would be different. “They are strong. And they are cruel. What’s even more frightening is their exclusivity. They do not allow anything other than the name of China. The only reason the cult has survived until now is because the cult was also included under the name of China.” “…” “But that’s no longer the case. Now that the cult has left China and established itself in Korea, raising the Assembly’s banner together, they will try to completely destroy the cult.” “So that’s why?” “Getting injured is not a good thing. But if we can’t win, we will all die. Isn’t it better to get injured than to die?” Kang Jin-ho nodded quietly. ‘He’s not wrong.’ It didn’t seem like they were just doing this training without thinking. “Do the cult members have any complaints?” “They are not people who don’t know how difficult it is to survive. The pain of the present is a cheap price to pay for the future.” Kang Jin-ho looked at Jang Min with a new perspective. He said that, but how many people would push themselves so hard in the present to prepare for the future? It couldn’t have been easy to make so many people understand the situation and follow without complaint. It was only possible because of Jang Min’s leadership. “However, if the Master of the Demonic Path does not like it, we will change the training method.” “No.” Kang Jin-ho shook his head. “It’s not a matter of liking or disliking it. I’ll leave the training method entirely to you. You probably know better than I do.” Even though Kang Jin-ho was the leader of the Demonic Cult, he couldn’t know them better than Jang Min, who had dedicated his entire life to the cult. Jang Min would know best how to extract the optimal efficiency from them. “However, I hope there won’t be too many injuries.” “We are treating them with the cult’s special secret techniques. Do not worry, Master of the Demonic Path. They will not be able to rest even if they want to.” That’s not what I meant… Well, it should be fine? Kang Jin-ho glanced at the cult members. He could see the desperation in their eyes. Kang Jin-ho smiled lightly at them and then turned his head slightly. “Ah…” A sigh was heard from somewhere. “Then, continue.” “Yes, Master of the Demonic Path!” Kang Jin-ho, walking away with his hands behind his back, felt a strange sense of déjà vu. ‘I think something like this happened in the military…’ During a training session where an absurd forced march was repeated, the division commander came to inspect the training grounds. Kang Jin-ho’s military colleagues thought that this inhumane training would be stopped when the division commander arrived, but the division commander, upon seeing the soldiers who looked like drenched rats, just chuckled as if he didn’t know anything and left after giving them some Choco Pies [a popular Korean snack]. ‘He wasn’t ignorant.’ He knew, but he just ignored it. Kang Jin-ho, who was in the position of being ignored back then, had now become the one who was ignoring. Kang Jin-ho suppressed the slightly rising discomfort and whistled, looking up at the sky. “Is it going to rain?” The very clear sky stung Kang Jin-ho’s eyes. “Guild Master!” A familiar voice reached Kang Jin-ho’s ears. “Were you here?” “Why?” Kang Jin-ho tilted his head slightly, looking at Lee Hyun-soo who was running towards him. Why would Lee Hyun-soo be looking for him at this time? “All the Japanese martial artists have arrived. Shouldn’t you see them?” “Hmm?” Kang Jin-ho made a strange expression. Come to think of it, they were supposed to arrive today. But… “Is it necessary?” “Of course, you don’t have to see them. However, I thought it was the right time for everyone to gather, so I thought I should ask if you had any thoughts…” “No, well, it’s not really…” Suddenly, Kang Jin-ho stopped talking. “Hmm, you said they just arrived?” “Yes.” “Then they probably need some mental preparation?” “…Yes?” Kang Jin-ho pointed his chin towards the back. “Tell them to gather over there.” “That will wake them up.” Lee Hyun-soo, looking at the chaotic scene unfolding behind Kang Jin-ho, nodded quietly. “It will definitely wake them up in many ways.” “Right?” “However, I wonder if it’s okay to show them something like that from the start. It’s like it’s not suitable for teenagers.” “That’s how they grow up.” Kang Jin-ho shrugged and started walking. ‘Now, everyone is moving on their own without me having to step in.’ It’s ideal. In the past, they would only repeat meaningless training and wouldn’t think for themselves. But now, they are finding ways to become stronger on their own without Kang Jin-ho having to tell them what to do. They were also finding the optimal methods considering the current situation. The Assembly had definitely changed. And it would continue to change in the future. So, what should Kang Jin-ho do? “Is the training schedule with the American side set?” “Yes, Guild Master.” “Cancel all other schedules except that one.” “…Yes? Why?” “We need to move forward.” “…I understand for now.” Kang Jin-ho closed his eyes slightly. Everyone was moving forward, and he couldn’t be left behind. Now, he himself needed to look back. So that he could crush those Three Kings.