Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1044

Chai Ke-chang, having entered, scanned the faces of those filling the room.

‘They have such cowardly expressions.’ No, they probably are cowards.

Those who didn’t even know who Chai Ke-chang was were making faces like rabbits in front of a wolf, just because someone they didn’t know had appeared in this place.

Chai Ke-chang slightly licked his lips.

The more he thought about it, the more he found the Japanese to be a strange people.

How could the ancestors of these people, who were known to be the most cautious in the world, have started that reckless war?

Isn’t it ironic?

‘It won’t be different.’

Beneath the mask of utmost caution and composure, a burning desire was hidden. Chai Ke-chang’s job was to fan that desire.

“Who are you?”

Chai Ke-chang scratched his head.

“I am Chai Ke-chang. I serve the Hong King, who rules the world.”

“Chai Ke-chang?”

The leaders’ eyes widened.

They had never seen him in person, but there was no one who hadn’t heard of Chai Ke-chang’s name.

The second-in-command of the Hong King faction.

The Hong King’s right-hand man.

He was a man with many titles, as famous as he was.

“A distinguished guest has come to visit.”

A slightly sarcastic remark.

Chai Ke-chang gave a bitter smile. From the start, Japan and China were enemies. He didn’t expect a grand welcome, having walked alone into enemy territory.

“The second-in-command of the Hong King faction has come to testify about Kang Jin-ho…”

Yohei frowned and looked at the leader.

“Did you bring an enemy into the heart of our territory without consulting us?”

Before the leader could answer, Chai Ke-chang spoke first.

“I’ll correct two things.”

“…Two things?”

“First, I am not the second-in-command of the Hong King faction. It seems that ignorant fools are evaluating me as they please, but there are many people who serve the Hong King who are far beyond my comparison. So, don’t utter such foolish words again.”

“You bastard!”

“And second, I didn’t come here to testify about how strong Kang Jin-ho is. I came to kick your asses.”

At this point, it could only be seen as provocation.

Yohei gritted his teeth.

“I know that the Chinese lack manners, but you seem to be the worst of them.”

“You’re talking nonsense. The manners you Japanese are so fond of also came from China. It would be good if you knew what you were talking about.”

“You bastard!”

Yohei jumped up from his seat.

“Do you think you can act so arrogantly and still return alive?”

“And?”

Yohei’s hand gripped the Japanese sword at his waist.

“You seem to be overconfident in your abilities. I will cut off your head and make you pay the price for that overconfidence.”

“Stop talking nonsense and sit down.”

“Tsk!”

Chai Ke-chang chuckled and said.

“I’ll correct two more things. One, I’ve never been overconfident in my abilities. If you try to cut off my head, I’ll just hope that you cut it off in one swift motion so that the pain is minimal. And two, despite that, you won’t be able to lay a finger on me.”

“Do you think I can’t kill you?”

“Of course. The moment I die here, the Hong King’s wrath will turn towards the archipelago.”

The atmosphere rapidly turned cold at the mention of the Hong King’s name.

No one who hasn’t felt the Hong King’s power firsthand has the right to be a leader of a faction. Everyone understood how terrifying it was for the Hong King’s wrath to turn towards the archipelago.

The moment the Hong King faction focused its power on Japan, the other three kings wouldn’t leave the Hong King faction alone, but things in the world don’t always happen rationally.

What clouds reason is mostly anger, and Chai Ke-chang’s death would be enough to enrage the Hong King.

“So, take your hand off that sword that you won’t even draw, and sit down.”

“This…”

“Hey.”

Chai Ke-chang sighed and said.

“I came here to have a serious conversation. So, let’s stop this meaningless charade. You won’t scare me by doing that, and I won’t scare you by doing this. Right?”

Yohei stared at Chai Ke-chang for a moment, then sat down.

‘He’s a strange one.’

A conversation is ultimately a battle where each side reveals their cards.

But Chai Ke-chang didn’t seem to want to fight. He was acting like someone who had cut open their belly and taken out all their intestines. He wasn’t hiding his true feelings, nor was he putting any other meaning into his words.

But why?

That attitude of revealing everything was making Chai Ke-chang an even more enigmatic figure.

When he came to his senses, Chai Ke-chang was completely dominating the atmosphere here.

“You came to kick our asses?”

“That’s right.”

“Explain properly.”

“What I want to say is simple. You’re all going to die soon.”

Yohei gritted his teeth.

What was with that way of speaking?

“It might sound strange, but it’s true. I can see your lifespans. Let’s see, at most, about a year?”

“…Explain properly, properly!”

Chai Ke-chang glanced at Yohei and smiled bitterly.

“Hey, was it Yohei?”

“You bastard…”

“If you’re too stupid to understand properly, then shut up and listen to what I have to say. Don’t bark from behind your cage like a scared dog.”

Yohei’s face went blank.

His hands and feet were trembling.

Even before he had reached his current position, he had never heard such vulgar insults. And after reaching this position, it was even more unlikely that he would hear such words.

But a Chinese man who had walked alone into the heart of Japan was spewing vulgar insults that he had never experienced in his life.

He was more dumbfounded than angry.

‘What the hell is this guy?’

“Good. You’ve shut up.”

Chai Ke-chang shrugged.

“You seem to think that diplomacy is just a game of deceiving each other. Like idiots. Diplomacy is a calculation where those who have aligned interests can join hands even while knowing each other’s goals. So, don’t think that I came here to deceive you. You can verify the truth of what I’m saying anyway. So…”

Chai Ke-chang growled.

“Shut up and listen first. If you still don’t understand after listening to everything, then you can speak.”

“It seems you understand. I’ll continue. You don’t know Kang Jin-ho. While you were calculating how to stab Shin’nichikai in the back, that guy had already taken over Europe.”

“What?”

“Your information is slow. Check it out. You’ll find out that Kang Jin-ho has been to Europe. According to what I’ve confirmed, he has formed an alliance with the Round Table.”

It was so shocking that they couldn’t help but believe it.

Yohei turned his head to check the reactions. There were a few who were nodding.

‘It’s true.’

Unlike the Hong King faction or the General Assembly, Kansai was a coalition, so information wasn’t evenly distributed. There were many cases where information known by one faction wasn’t passed on to other factions.

“Now, Kang Jin-ho has eliminated external threats. So, what will he do next?”

Chai Ke-chang raised a finger and drew it across his neck.

“He’ll try to kill those who showed their teeth.”

Yohei’s tongue licked his dry lips.

It was a sign that he was nervous.

“I don’t need to explain it in detail. If you’re the kind of people who can’t even think of that, you wouldn’t even be able to sit in this place.”

That was true.

Even after hearing just a few words, he could picture what was going to happen in his head.

“One year, you have one year left. No, it might be less than that. Kang Jin-ho has always exceeded my calculations. If I’m being a bit conservative, maybe about half a year?”

Chai Ke-chang smiled bitterly.

“If you don’t make a move within half a year, you’ll all die. Kang Jin-ho doesn’t leave those who oppose him alive. He’s not someone you can negotiate with.”

Chai Ke-chang, having perfectly heightened the tension, revealed his true intentions.

“But you can make a move now. It won’t be easy, but you can try to fight. The Hong King faction also promises to help with all its power.”

Yohei stared at Chai Ke-chang for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“How can we believe that?”

“Hmm?”

“Who can guarantee that you’re not planning to swallow both of us after Japan and Korea weaken each other?”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

Chai Ke-chang chuckled.

“You seem to be greatly overestimating yourselves, but you’re not worth it. We could have swallowed you anytime we wanted. Do you think the reason we didn’t was because we were burdened by you? No way. This small island nation might seem very impressive from your perspective, but from China’s perspective, it’s just a tiny piece of land. It’s not even worth eating.”

“This…”

“But if you still don’t believe me, I’ll promise you in the name of the Hong King. If you take care of Korea, we will not antagonize you as long as the Hong King’s name resounds in the world.”

The moment he heard those words, Yohei was dumbfounded.

‘Why go this far?’

He was saying it so casually, but this was a non-aggression pact. And not a temporary one, but a declaration of permanent non-aggression.

“I have one more question.”

“As much as you want.”

“Why are you going this far?”

Chai Ke-chang sighed.

“Listen carefully. I’ll tell you my true feelings as they are.”

“I’m afraid of Kang Jin-ho.”

Chai Ke-chang’s face was utterly serious.

So much so that no one could open their mouths.

“More than you can imagine. I’m so afraid that I wake up in a cold sweat from nightmares. That guy is a demon. And even at this moment, he’s growing stronger, ready to devour everything.”

“…Aren’t you part of the Hong King faction?”

“Do I have to explain why I’m having nightmares about that guy even though I’m part of the Hong King faction?”

“If it’s not now, it will be even harder to kill Kang Jin-ho. I’ll do anything if it means killing him. What do you want? I’ll give you anything. I’ll do whatever I can. If only you kill Kang Jin-ho!”

Yohei could tell.

This was his true intention.

From the beginning, Chai Ke-chang had no intention of hiding anything.

“I came here for diplomacy. And I’ve shown you everything. So now, you have to decide. Will you wait for him to come, or will you seize this last chance to kill him?”

Chai Ke-chang took out a cigarette from his pocket, put it in his mouth, and lit it.

“Decide.”

After the storm of conversation had passed, a cold silence swept through the room.

No one could open their mouths, and they were just looking at each other.

Yohei quietly raised his head and looked at the leader. The leader nodded at him without a word. In the end, the gazes of the other leaders also turned to Yohei.

He swallowed hard.

After much deliberation, Yohei bit his lip and opened his mouth.

“Damn it.”

He felt like he was being manipulated from beginning to end.

But…

Rather than falling off a cliff to avoid being manipulated, it was better to cling to the cliff even if it meant being manipulated.

“Then.”

Yohei looked at Chai Ke-chang and spat out the words.

“What do we have to do from now on?”

Chai Ke-chang grinned and spat the cigarette he had in his mouth onto the floor.

“Let’s talk together.”

A deeply satisfied smile lingered on his lips.