Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1030

As Cai Keqiang stepped out, Sanosuke asked in a slightly subdued voice.

‘Excuse my impertinence, but…’

‘Hmm?’

‘Can we really trust him?’

The leader rested his chin on his hand.

His expression was equally complex.

‘When you think about it, it’s because of him that our group is in this crisis. If he hadn’t promised support and encouraged the expedition to Korea, this wouldn’t have happened.’

‘Sanosuke.’

‘Yes, Leader.’

‘It was I who accepted that proposal.’

The leader shook his head.

‘Excuses are always available. If we try to assign blame like that, no one will ever take responsibility.’

‘…My thinking was short-sighted.’

‘However.’

Sanosuke’s head lifted again.

‘It’s also true that he’s using us.’

The leader’s head tilted slightly.

‘Cai Keqiang…’

‘I’ve heard countless rumors. The head of Hongwang [a powerful Chinese clan], the master of schemes.’

‘There’s no way such a man would come here to do the leader a favor. Everything he does here must be related to the interests of the Hongwang Clan.’

‘Then, why…’

‘I know. It’s not a good proposal for us. But our situation isn’t good enough to pick and choose.’

‘…I’m sorry. I was foolish.’

The leader shook his head.

‘There’s no need to be so gloomy.’

Sanosuke raised his head slightly.

‘Was he the only one? There have been countless people who tried to use me to get to this position. Those who disguised their intentions with kindness, those who threatened with force, those who laid out cunning calculations… Countless people have tried to use me. If I had been swayed by all those schemes, would I be in this position now?’

Sanosuke nodded heavily.

‘What are you doubting?’

The person in front of him was none other than the leader of Shin’nichikai [a Japanese Yakuza group].

Even if they had experienced a setback, what would change?

How many times had Shin’nichikai failed before reaching this position?

The leader, and Shin’nichikai, had become the ruler of Kansai [a region in Japan] by crawling up through even more painful defeats and failures.

This time is no different.

Bones become stronger when they break and heal. Likewise, Shin’nichikai will become stronger through this incident. Sanosuke cleared the doubt from his mind and filled it with faith.

‘And we must not forget.’

‘…What do you mean?’

‘The reason we are in this crisis is not because he played tricks, nor because everyone was incompetent. It’s simply because that Kang Jin-ho was stronger than we thought.’

Sanosuke pressed his lips together.

‘Kang Jin-ho.’

The moment he heard that name, he felt as if his whole body had been plunged into an ice cave.

‘We have already crossed a point of no return with the Korean Assembly. In the past, when Nanahoshigumi [another Yakuza group] clashed with them, it could be dismissed as the actions of one Gumi. But not now. Even if we try to erase it from our memories, they will not forget that we tried to attack them. If they gain power, they will surely seek revenge.’

How many years did Nakata Yuji say it would take for the Assembly to surpass Japan?

According to Nakata Yuji, it wouldn’t take more than three years.

But now, those words were meaningless.

That Nakata Yuji said that the expeditionary force alone would be enough to shake Korea.

But what was the result?

They sank without even reaching the peninsula.

While there was a strategic aspect to their defeat, the fact remains that they were intercepted by a small number of people.

That meant that the Assembly was much stronger than Nakata Yuji had predicted. So, that time frame should be shortened even further.

‘Then how much time do we have?’

While it wasn’t possible to calculate exactly, it was clear that time was running out.

‘You mean we have to deal with it before the time bomb explodes.’

He hadn’t thought that far.

After hearing the leader’s words, he clearly understood why they had to accept Cai Keqiang’s proposal.

If Kang Jin-ho were to gain power and push into Japan for revenge, Shin’nichikai, which had lost its former dominance, would have difficulty stopping him.

So, they had to kill the tiger cub before it became a real tiger.

‘There’s one thing you should never do in a deal.’

‘…May I ask what that is?’

‘You shouldn’t try to lower the other party’s gains.’

The leader said in a low voice.

‘It’s a very basic thing, but most people can’t follow it. People are sensitive to what the other party gains in a deal. Even if it doesn’t harm me, if I think the other party is gaining too much, I’ll hesitate to make the deal. That’s wrong. What’s important isn’t ‘what the other party gains,’ but ‘is this deal beneficial to me?”

He couldn’t understand it exactly, but he seemed to get the gist of it.

‘There are two important things. Can we resolve the internal issues, and can we eliminate the most threatening presence right now?’

The leader’s voice grew louder.

‘For that, we should join hands with the devil, not just Cai Keqiang. This isn’t the time to worry about our souls.’

Sanosuke nodded firmly.

The leader’s expression was returning to the way he knew it.

He didn’t know which choice was right, but it was enough that the leader had become resolute.

‘I will simply follow the leader. Please give me your orders.’

‘Gather everyone in my name.’

‘Yes!’

Sanosuke jumped up and rushed out.

Watching him, the leader fell into thought.

‘The important thing isn’t Cai Keqiang.’

Kang Jin-ho.

It was only Kang Jin-ho.

Considering Kang Jin-ho’s tendencies and personality, based on what he had been told, it wouldn’t be strange if he attacked Japan tomorrow.

Even if it was impossible for practical reasons, he would be grinding his teeth and waiting for the time to take revenge.

‘This is a fight with no turning back.’

Whether he dies or Kang Jin-ho dies, they had to see it through to the end.

The leader stood up from his seat with a stiff face.

米 米 米

Cai Keqiang headed to his lodgings with a subtle smile.

His impression of the leader he had seen directly was…

‘He’s like a raccoon.’

He chuckled at the thought, finding it too apt a comparison.

He had taken the lead in the conversation, but that wasn’t because Cai Keqiang was capable. The leader had deliberately stepped back, waiting for Cai Keqiang to speak first.

If Cai Keqiang had been a different type, he would have acted differently. He adapted to his opponent, trying to extract the maximum benefit.

‘With that kind of maneuvering, he was able to take Kansai.’

Cai Keqiang, who led the massive Hongwang faction, didn’t disregard the leader. If he had been born and raised alone in Japan, he might have been eaten by that leader.

If he had taken Kansai because of his ability, that was impressive, and if he had taken Kansai despite lacking ability, that was even more impressive. In the end, the world is judged by results. Ability is just one of the elements needed to produce results.

Cai Keqiang knew.

No matter how much he schemed, he was just a desk jockey. He was the type who could demonstrate his abilities when working under someone who wielded power directly.

That’s why he tended to respect those who had risen to the position of leader themselves.

If he could manipulate that leader well, he could fire an incredibly sharp arrow at Kang Jin-ho.

‘Anyway, the first button is fastened.’

While he pretended to be relaxed, Cai Keqiang was also desperate.

For him, Kang Jin-ho was no longer an opponent he could deal with leisurely. He was close to an absolute enemy that he had to grab by the ankles and drag down.

Recently, Kang Jin-ho’s existence was more burdensome than even the three kings.

‘So, this time, I must inflict damage.’

He had to admit it.

Kang Jin-ho was not an opponent who could be dealt with through schemes. It was nearly impossible to snipe him by manipulating a few strong individuals, and it was also impossible to corner him with the situation.

Then there was only one method left.

To push him with a force that he couldn’t help but take damage from.

No matter how strong Kang Jin-ho was, he couldn’t withstand ten hands.

Even if he could, the process would inevitably involve damage.

Cai Keqiang had finally realized.

Kang Jin-ho was an absolute master.

Like the Hongwang, schemes, strategies, and numbers were meaningless against an absolute master.

Then what should he aim for?

‘Not Kang Jin-ho, but Kang Jin-ho’s foundation.’

The current Kang Jin-ho was more burdensome because he was with the Assembly. Kang Jin-ho himself was getting stronger, but it was more burdensome that the Assembly and the Demonic Cult, which were with him, were growing stronger and forming a power.

If he could destroy that power, Kang Jin-ho’s presence would be significantly reduced.

‘I should have realized it sooner.’

The answer was already as good as out.

In the past, when Kang Jin-ho faced the Hongwang in China, Kang Jin-ho blocked the Hongwang to allow the Demonic Cult members to escape.

At the time, he had ridiculed Kang Jin-ho for being foolish, but looking back, that was where the key to attacking Kang Jin-ho was.

‘He’s almost invincible against attacks directed at him.’

When he made absurd choices and brought harm upon himself, it wasn’t when he was being targeted. It was when those around him were in danger.

Just because those people were in danger, Kang Jin-ho risked his life.

Then.

The entire Assembly.

If the entire Assembly was targeted on the battlefield of Korea, would Kang Jin-ho be able to avoid exposing a weakness?

Cai Keqiang quietly licked his lips.

‘Just once is enough, Kang Jin-ho. Just once.’

Even if he exposed just one weakness, Cai Keqiang would never miss that opportunity. The blade he had prepared would be thrust into his heart.

‘I’ll prepare an interesting game for you. Let’s play, Kang Jin-ho. This time, it won’t be easy.’

There was nothing more enjoyable than playing in a game where there was nothing to lose.

He would use Japan as a chess piece to start a fight. If he won, it would be a great triumph, and even if he failed, he had nothing to lose.

So, how could he not be happy?

‘Hehehehe.’

Cai Keqiang chuckled lightly and covered his face with his hand.

‘I need to calm down.’

It wasn’t time to be happy yet.

First, he needed to deal with the things that were currently blocking him.

‘Perhaps by now, you’re all expecting me to do something. You’re not that stupid.’

Cai Keqiang unconsciously turned his head and looked west.

‘Think. And think again. I’ll surpass your expectations.’

Cai Keqiang quickened his pace towards his lodgings with a subtle smile.

However, even the great Cai Keqiang had no idea what Kang Jin-ho was doing in Korea right now.