Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1018

Reunion (5)

Kang Jin-ho and his group, having returned to Korea, were transported to the General Assembly Hall in a prearranged vehicle.

Though they were eager to get home, they understood that everything in life has its process, and certain matters needed to be addressed first.

Once Kang Jin-ho had gathered the executives in the conference room, he pulled out a cigarette.

Click.

After lighting the cigarette and taking a deep inhale, Kang Jin-ho slowly exhaled the smoke.

The familiar sensation of the sofa against his back was a comforting reminder that he was back in Korea.

“You’ve worked hard, Chairman.”

“Yeah.”

Kang Jin-ho gave a slight nod in response to Lee Hyun-joo’s greeting.

“Were there any issues while I was away?”

“Nothing major. It wasn’t that long of a time.”

“That’s a relief.”

“And in the meantime, the preparations for the corporate restructuring are nearly complete.”

“Really?”

Kang Jin-ho narrowed his eyes, looking at Lee Hyun-joo. The process had been completed faster than he had anticipated. It was a testament to Lee Hyun-joo’s capabilities. Kang Jin-ho, while not an expert in this area, knew that it shouldn’t have been completed so quickly.

“Yes. We’ve finalized the allocation of the divisions to be incorporated and those to be kept separate. I’ve uploaded the report, so please review it.”

“…Wiggins.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Review it with Lee Hyun-soo.”

“Lord, shouldn’t you be the one to look at it…?”

“What would I understand by looking at it?”

Kang Jin-ho said indifferently.

“Let’s focus on our strengths and not waste efficiency.”

“If you say so, I’ll review it with Lee Hyun-soo first. But I’ll prepare a simplified report, so you must give the final approval, Lord.”

“Alright.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded, and Lee Hyun-joo added,

“And Chairman.”

“Huh?”

“We need to meet with the Minister regarding the incorporation.”

“Me?”

“It’s not strictly necessary for you to go, but it would be beneficial if you could attend.”

Lee Hyun-joo stated firmly.

“We need an extra-legal intervention. It’s a necessary meeting to confirm each other’s positions.”

“No. I don’t think that’s right.”

Wiggins interrupted Lee Hyun-joo.

“Yes?”

“The process of coordinating with the government is necessary. But it’s inappropriate for the Lord to attend that meeting. People should associate with those of their own standing.”

“But they want the Chairman to come in person.”

“Then they should ask the President to come out.”

“…Director?”

Lee Hyun-joo looked dumbfounded at Wiggins’ words.

Wiggins chuckled at her expression.

“Of course, I don’t mean the actual President. But for the Chairman to meet with a Minister is not a meeting of equals. Politics is like that. A person’s level is determined by who they associate with.”

“Ah…”

“If the Chairman attends that meeting, he will be perceived as someone who should be dealing with ministers from now on.”

“But realistically, there is no higher position. So, we should request a meeting with the Prime Minister, but that’s not easy either.”

“There’s no need. We can send someone of our level. There’s a suitable person, isn’t there?”

Wiggins’ and Lee Hyun-joo’s gazes turned to Lee Hyun-soo.

“…Me?”

“Suitable, very suitable. You’re the only chief of staff in the General Assembly, aren’t you?”

“I suppose so.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s face fell.

“There are directors…”

“Oh, you’re going to send the directors?”

Wiggins’ gaze swept over those present.

“Who?”

Lee Hyun-soo became speechless and looked at the directors.

Wiggins, Bator, and Jang Min were foreigners, so they couldn’t attend that meeting. While there was no law preventing foreigners from holding key positions in the General Assembly, it was preferable for a Korean to go if possible.

‘And even if they could, I shouldn’t send them.’

Bator and Jang Min were not suitable for a negotiation. It would be a blessing if they didn’t cause a scene. And Wiggins would never go to such a meeting.

Then the only one left was Bang Jin-hoon…

‘Can’t send him.’

Looks aren’t everything.

But it was undeniable that appearances played a significant role in how people were perceived. The moment Bang Jin-hoon went to the negotiation, the Minister would likely assume the General Assembly was just a gangster group with a new name.

Lee Hyun-soo tilted his head back.

“…I’ll go. Yes, I should go. Who else would go if not me?”

He felt like crying.

“Then you’ll have to work hard.”

“Please, Chief of Staff.”

“…Yes, it’s okay. I knew this would happen anyway. Just use me well and put me back in my place.”

Going to the negotiation wasn’t the difficult part. What mattered was not the negotiation itself, but the information that would be exchanged. To negotiate successfully, he needed to have a complete understanding of what was to be discussed.

That meant Lee Hyun-soo had to fully grasp Lee Hyun-joo’s work.

The workload was increasing exponentially.

As soon as he returned to Korea, new tasks were being piled on top of the existing ones.

At this rate, he would be building a pyramid out of documents.

“Then, let’s have Lee Hyun-soo handle that.”

Wiggins turned to Kang Jin-ho.

“Lord.”

“Yeah.”

“We’ve bought ourselves some time.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

“Now, it’s crucial how efficiently we use this time. We need to give work instructions to the directors.”

Kang Jin-ho straightened his back. Then, with a calm gaze, he looked at everyone.

“As you all feel…”

Kang Jin-ho paused slightly and began to speak in a serious tone.

“You’re all still too weak.”

The directors’ faces hardened.

A sensitive issue had been raised by Kang Jin-ho.

But this was something everyone who had experienced the battle at the Round Table agreed with.

The General Assembly’s power was still not on par with the Round Table. The only reason they had managed to secure an alliance that was close to a unilateral surrender from the Round Table was because of Kang Jin-ho himself.

“We might be able to handle the Round Table. But the enemies we have to face now are incomparable to the Round Table. If we stay like this, we won’t even be able to put up a fight.”

Kang Jin-ho’s gaze turned to Wiggins.

“Saying we bought time is just a consolation. What’s important is not how much time we bought, but whether we can achieve our goals within that time. If we can’t, it’s just extending the time before our heads fall off.”

“…You’re right.”

“Step up your training.”

Kang Jin-ho’s voice became firm.

“You need to step up. Push yourselves harder. So you can become stronger.”

“Yes!”

“Bator.”

“Speak, Master.”

“It’s good that you’ve made the children strong in a short time.”

Bator’s disciples, including Gong Young-gil, had certainly proven their abilities in this battle.

“But it’s not enough. You know that, right?”

“Of course, Master. I have no intention of being satisfied with that level. So, I was thinking…”

“Yeah.”

“I will teach the children demonic arts. The demonic arts I requested before.”

“I permit it.”

Bator smiled with satisfaction.

“But that’s not all, is it? First, you need to become stronger. To be blunt, you can’t even handle an Elder Knight properly.”

Bator’s eyebrows twitched.

“I will win.”

“Are you sure?”

Even the great Bator couldn’t answer.

He was confident that he wouldn’t lose. But if they were to fight, he couldn’t guarantee that he would win every single time. The outcome could vary depending on luck and condition.

“Don’t be satisfied with teaching. You need to become stronger first. First, make your martial arts completely your own.”

“…Master, I understand what you mean. But to do that, I need your help.”

“I’ll spar with you anytime.”

Bator grinned, showing his teeth.

“Then it’ll be worth a try.”

Kang Jin-ho’s gaze turned to Bang Jin-hoon.

“Director Bang, it’s the same for you.”

“Yes, Chairman. I was thinking the same thing.”

“I know you have the burden of teaching more children than Bator. But that’s the area you need to handle.”

“Of course.”

Kang Jin-ho didn’t press Bang Jin-hoon any further. Bang Jin-hoon always did his job accurately. Bang Jin-hoon was the one who created the General Assembly’s martial arts and found a way to pass them on, even without Kang Jin-ho’s specific instructions.

There was no need to push someone who was already performing well.

“And Jang Min.”

“Demon Lord!”

“Are you ready?”

“It’s perfect. There are still some issues with the living conditions, but our children are also martial artists. They can endure that level of discomfort.”

“Tighten it up more.”

“Yes!”

“For the Demonic Cult to reclaim its name, its followers must be strong. A Demonic Cult that tries to get by with the names of one or two people is worse than nothing.”

“I will dedicate my life and everything I have to recreate the glory of the Demonic Cult.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

What the Demonic Cult needed was an environment and time to learn proper martial arts. Given demonic arts and time, they would become stronger.

“Lastly… Wiggins.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“You are weak.”

“…I admit it.”

Wiggins nodded obediently.

When he first joined the General Assembly, he could boast that he was the strongest force in the General Assembly. But now, he had to admit that his ranking had fallen.

Bator had become twice as strong, and Jang Min was competing with him. And even Bang Jin-hoon was creating new martial arts and catching up to Wiggins at a rapid pace.

Only Wiggins was stagnant.

“It’s good to focus on the Assembly. But what is your essence?”

“I am a martial artist.”

“You know it. Martial artists must be strong. Strength is relative.”

Wiggins nodded heavily.

If time passed like this, he would eventually fall out of the top power of the General Assembly. Not only Bang Jin-hoon, but also young guys like Lee Myung-hwan were catching up at an alarming rate.

“I will provide a way to make you stronger.”

Wiggins’ eyes widened.

“…Lord.”

“But don’t stop trying to find your own way.”

“Of course, Lord!”

Wiggins looked at Kang Jin-ho with trembling eyes.

It wasn’t because of what Kang Jin-ho had said. It was because he could clearly sense that Kang Jin-ho was leading them with a clear goal right now.

Kang Jin-ho, who was usually a bit vague, was clearly accelerating at this moment.

‘What he saw and experienced at the Round Table must have stimulated the Lord.’

If this interpretation was correct, what they gained from this expedition might be more significant than they thought. The Round Table could be a perfect negative example for Kang Jin-ho.

“I know you’re all working hard. But working hard can’t be an excuse. We, and the General Assembly, will become stronger. To the point where no one will dare to covet us. Keep that in mind and run.”

“Yes! Chairman!”

The General Assembly was once again accelerating.