Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 2113

Lee Hyun-soo’s palms were drenched with sweat.

Thinking about it, it wasn’t such a big deal.

Kang Jin-ho had overcome countless hardships until now.

He fought and won against the General Assembly, and he won against the Yeongnam Association. The Yamakawa Kai in Japan and the Round Table were not easy opponents either.

And what need was there to even mention how difficult the Three Kings of China were? Looking back, Kang Jin-ho had defeated all the strong figures in the Murim [martial arts world] and stood where he was now.

Compared to those brutal fights, the current situation, where he just had to stand and speak, didn’t seem like a big deal, nor did it seem like there was any reason to be nervous.

But that was just the situation on the surface.

‘I guess that’s just like the Guild Leader.’

That grueling fight had just ended, and Kang Jin-ho was already preparing for a new one. Perhaps against an even greater enemy, one that couldn’t even be compared to the ones he had faced until now.

“After sufficient discussions with the heads of each nation, we will form a transnational organization. Through this, we will support the Murim people who have been living in the shadows to live normal lives, and we will strive to minimize the side effects that come with it.”

Kang Jin-ho began to explain the details one after another.

Even the parts that made one wonder if he really needed to mention them. Most of it was based on the draft that Lee Hyun-soo had established, but there were also independent parts that Lee Hyun-soo hadn’t thought of.

It was proof that Kang Jin-ho had also given this situation a lot of thought.

“And…”

Kang Jin-ho, who had been staring at the speech in his hand, raised his head and looked directly at the camera.

After staring at the camera silently for a moment, a small sigh escaped from Kang Jin-ho’s lips.

“Beyond all of this, there is something I would like to say as a Murim individual.”

The reporters’ eyes lit up.

They knew from long experience that the real news was about to come out.

“I believe many of you are worried about the sudden appearance of the Murim people. I fully understand your concerns about whether they will disrupt your lives, or whether you will have to live a different life than before.”

Kang Jin-ho’s voice became more and more stable.

Even Lee Hyun-soo, who had been worried, was drawn into his voice without thinking.

“But there is one thing I would like you to understand.”

Kang Jin-ho closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and spoke in a clear voice.

“You are not the only ones who are feeling fear in this rapidly changing situation. We, whom you call Murim people, are also worried and afraid of this situation.”

The reporters held their breath.

It was because they were starting to hear something completely different from what they had expected.

“As much as you are concerned about the Murim people with great power, or even more so, the Murim people are afraid of the power that the nations and armies possess. If we could have ignored all of that and acted as we pleased, we would not have tried to live in the shadows for this long period.”

Bang Jin-hoon turned to Lee Hyun-soo with a surprised look.

It was as if he was asking, ‘Is this really right?’ But Lee Hyun-soo just nodded heavily.

As if to tell him to trust Kang Jin-ho.

“Having power does not mean having authority. Having power does not mean having the qualifications. It is ironic, but the Murim people have been marginalized in society because of the power they possess.”

This part was not included in the speech that Kang Jin-ho had written.

That was why it was unrefined, and that was why it contained his sincerity.

“Please understand that those who are feeling the greatest fear right now are those who are leaving the shadows where they have been hiding for a long time and heading into the world with confidence. I know that it is a difficult story for you to accept easily. But at this moment, I hope you will remember that we are the ones who desire a peaceful union of the two societies more than anyone else.”

It was a calm, yet earnest voice.

“Guild Leader.”

Lee Myung-hwan, who was watching the video in the General Assembly’s auditorium, wiped his eyes.

“Are you crying?”

“Shut up, you punk!”

He didn’t know why he felt this way.

Lee Myung-hwan also knew well. That what Kang Jin-ho was saying wasn’t wrong. Perhaps most of the members of the General Assembly were thinking the same thing as Kang Jin-ho.

The Murim people were a group of people who were immersed in martial arts their entire lives.

But… just because they looked at one thing their entire lives didn’t mean that the intensity of their efforts was the same throughout their lives.

In their teens and twenties, when they were full of vigor, they could live by martial arts alone. But when they turned thirty, forty… when the heat in their heads began to fade, they would realize.

That they had nothing left but the name of Murim.

Perhaps that was why the General Assembly of the past had resorted to crime to make money. Because they had to fill that emptiness somehow. Because the fact that the reward for a lifetime of dedication was a life where they couldn’t even sell a business card and poverty was too miserable.

But this was still a distant story for Lee Myung-hwan.

Because he was still someone who could live by martial arts alone. That was why he couldn’t greatly empathize with what Kang Jin-ho was saying.

Nevertheless, the reason why his eyes were stinging was because he understood the feelings behind Kang Jin-ho’s words.

A person who didn’t need to give up anything for himself was lowering his head, a head that didn’t need to be lowered, for the sake of those who followed him.

That fact was what made Lee Myung-hwan, who had been watching Kang Jin-ho from the side, feel choked up.

Lee Myung-hwan turned around without realizing it.

Those sitting behind him were also holding their breath. As if they wouldn’t miss a single word that Kang Jin-ho was saying.

‘Yes, I have to listen.’

It wasn’t too late to express his feelings later. First, he had to listen.

To what the person representing them was saying, and what kind of life they would now live.

[Just because we are strong, it doesn’t mean we are not human. We are just ordinary people who eat, get sick, and lose sleep over worries, just like you.]

“No…”

Han Jin-sung said, looking at the screen with an annoyed tone.

“Why is hyung [older brother/close male friend] saying those things?”

Jo Mi-hye, who was watching TV next to him, sighed deeply.

“…Why else? It’s because people are looking at them badly.”

“What are they looking at badly?”

“Those Murim people or whatever. You know, even at school, they’re saying things like they should all be isolated.”

To be honest, that was mild.

There were also people who made discriminatory remarks that they couldn’t even bring themselves to say. No, perhaps it was because it was a school, where people who hadn’t yet been tainted by society and couldn’t refine their language, that such words came out.

“Those people who don’t even know what kind of person hyung is!”

Han Jin-sung bit his lip as if he was annoyed.

They knew.

What kind of person Kang Jin-ho was. No, perhaps there was no one who knew him better than they did.

It wasn’t just because Kang Jin-ho had done a lot for them.

Anyone who had watched Kang Jin-ho would know. That there was no pretense in all of his actions.

“Don’t be so upset.”

Jo Mi-hye sighed.

She would usually have scolded him for being immature, but right now, she didn’t want to say anything harsh to Han Jin-sung. Because she understood better than anyone why Han Jin-sung was saying those things.

“Eventually, everyone will know that Jin-ho oppa [older brother/close male friend] is definitely not a bad person.”

“Is the world that easy?”

There was an uncharacteristic cynicism in Han Jin-sung’s voice.

But that was perhaps a natural thing.

Even though he laughed and acted carefree, Han Jin-sung was from an orphanage. He was not someone who didn’t know how discriminatory and cold the world was.

Even if they hadn’t done anything wrong, people would draw a line just because they were different. They would assume that they were lacking without even checking, and they would keep their distance with incomprehensible prejudices.

Han Jin-sung, who had become accustomed to those cold gazes, felt even more sorry for Kang Jin-ho now.

Just like Han Jin-sung had to carry the fact that he was from an orphanage for the rest of his life, these Murim people would also have to endure harsh discrimination while carrying that fact for the rest of their lives.

But at least the children of the Seongsim Orphanage had Kang Jin-ho and Park Yu-min. But who could help Kang Jin-ho now?

There was no one to shield Kang Jin-ho from those cold gazes. That was why it was even more heartbreaking.

‘Hyung…’

It was when Han Jin-sung let out a deep sigh.

“But everyone understood, didn’t they?”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t you remember? When Jin-ho oppa first came to the orphanage, everyone was so scared that they didn’t even go near him.”

Come to think of it, that was true.

It wasn’t that there wasn’t still some of that now, but back then, Kang Jin-ho was really someone who was difficult to approach.

“But in the end, everyone came to like Jin-ho oppa, right?”

Han Jin-sung nodded.

Because they felt it, that this person didn’t hate them.

Children who had grown up being treated coldly were quicker than anyone else at reading such things. Because they were people who couldn’t even reject the fake warmth they felt from those who treated them kindly in a perfunctory way.

“So… people will know. That Jin-ho oppa is a good person.”

“What if they don’t know until the end?”

“Then we have to let them know.”

“…Huh?”

“Why? Are you just going to watch?”

Han Jin-sung turned his head and looked at Kang Jin-ho on TV again.

Han Jin-sung had never seen Kang Jin-ho with that kind of face. His stiff face seemed to be telling them how nervous he was right now.

“He was acting tough…”

Han Jin-sung, who had been staring at that face, chuckled and opened his mouth.

“…Buy some snacks.”

“Huh?”

“That guy, he’s definitely going to sneak in tonight and lie down on the floor. He always does.”

“…I guess so.”

Jo Mi-hye smiled faintly.

Kang Jin-ho was always like that. Whenever something happened that he couldn’t handle himself, or when he was having a hard time, he would come to the orphanage and act like he had given up on everything in the world before going back.

They didn’t know why he did that, but… Jo Mi-hye was always grateful for that fact. It meant that Kang Jin-ho felt comfortable here, and that they had something to give to Kang Jin-ho.

“I will.”

“…And buy some cola too. If you keep it out, the kids will eat it all, so keep it separate so they can’t eat it.”

“I know. I’m not stupid…” Jo Mi-hye, who chuckled, turned her head and looked at the TV.

‘Oppa.’

Jo Mi-hye, who was staring intently at Kang Jin-ho, who was continuing to speak with a stiff face, unconsciously put her hands together.

May what Kang Jin-ho desires be fulfilled.

Because that much of a reward would never be too much for that person.