Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1059

“The accounting is finished. All that’s left is the registration process.”

“Okay.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded, looking at Lee Hyun-joo.

The directors had all left, leaving only Lee Hyun-joo and Lee Hyun-soo behind.

“That was faster than I expected.”

“We couldn’t have done it all ourselves. Fortunately, we were able to get help from many accountants who have had ties since the previous Guild Leader’s time.”

“Hmm?”

Kang Jin-ho slightly frowned, and Lee Hyun-joo smiled.

“They’re people who already know how the General Assembly works anyway.”

Kang Jin-ho quietly nodded.

‘It’s ridiculous.’

The Murim world [martial arts world] is based on the principle of not being known to the outside world. This was an agreement not only in Korea but worldwide. No Murim group reveals their identity to the outside.

It’s too obvious what would happen if the existence of Murim people were revealed to the outside world.

But when you actually run the General Assembly, you realize that those who need to know already know about this identity.

‘It would be harder to find someone who doesn’t know.’

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

Well.

Where in the world is there a secret?

With so many people living in the world, it would be stranger if it were perfectly hidden.

“So, all that’s left is the corporate registration?”

“Due to some issues, Chief Lee will be meeting with government officials tomorrow.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho slightly turned his head towards Lee Hyun-soo.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“Yes?”

“It doesn’t seem easy.”

“Of course, it’s not easy. But it’s something that needs to be done. So, I will definitely make it a success.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled lightly.

“Should I go with you?”

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

Kang Jin-ho tilted his head slightly at the answer that came out without even a 0.1-second hesitation.

“But I’m the Guild Leader, wouldn’t my presence add some weight…”

“It’s okay if it’s light.”

Kang Jin-ho glared at Lee Hyun-soo with a strange look. Then, Lee Hyun-soo sighed and said,

“Guild Leader, I didn’t want to say this, but…”

“Huh?”

“If it’s a negotiation, it’s better if you’re not there.”

Just as he was about to ask what he meant, Lee Hyun-soo spoke first.

“In the first place, you don’t know much about negotiations, do you?”

“Huh?”

“Negotiation is about giving what you can give and taking what you can take. But I’ve never seen you give anything up.”

Lee Hyun-soo shook his head.

“And politicians are the type who look down on people. They look down on you.”

“I guess so.”

Lee Hyun-soo frowned.

“It’s not ‘I guess so.’ If you go there and someone looks down on you and throws things at you, what do you think you’ll do?”

“Well…”

I have to endure it.

Because it’s important.

I have to endure it.

Lee Hyun-soo stared at Kang Jin-ho and chuckled.

“It would be a miracle if you didn’t grab them by the collar and slam them against the wall. And then you’d turn around and say, ‘Let’s go back.'”

The scene played out in his head.

He wanted to deny it, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Even Lee Hyun-joo was nodding with her arms crossed.

“So, I’ll go this time. I won’t deny that your ‘negotiations’ are very effective at times. But this isn’t the time for that kind of negotiation.”

“Okay.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded with a slightly deflated look.

Well, meeting those ‘high-ranking people’ wasn’t something Kang Jin-ho particularly liked either.

‘It was the same in the past.’

Even when the Demonic Cult had completely taken over the Central Plains [ancient China] and had the world at their feet, the imperial court didn’t properly grasp the situation and rebuked the Demonic Cult. It took countless lives for them to understand the reality.

‘Besides…’

It wasn’t the emperor who made the situation worse. Those who had the emperor’s authority were the ones who caused more trouble.

It wouldn’t be much different now.

“Then, let’s leave that to Chief Lee.”

“Yes. Don’t worry.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled lightly.

There was no one more suitable than Lee Hyun-soo for this kind of task. Everyone in the General Assembly would agree.

“Is there anything I need to help with?”

“Just give me the authority.”

“Authority?”

“Yes. If you just certify that I represent your opinion in that meeting, I will achieve a perfect result.”

“Isn’t that always the case?”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled.

“Then that’s enough.”

Kang Jin-ho turned his head and looked at Lee Hyun-joo.

“So, is this settled?”

“Yes. And there’s one more thing you need to do.”

“What?”

“You need to name the new corporation.”

“…Name?”

“Yes.”

Just as Kang Jin-ho was about to nod his head vigorously.

“Wait a minute, Chief Lee.”

“Yes?”

“I think we need to think about that a bit?”

Lee Hyun-soo stopped Lee Hyun-joo.

“Is that something to think about?”

“…Usually, it wouldn’t be, but when it comes to the Guild Leader, there’s always something to think about. It’s better to think carefully. The Guild Leader’s bicycle is named ‘Goldie,’ and his car is named ‘Bumble.'”

Lee Hyun-joo looked at Kang Jin-ho with eyes full of shock and fear. Kang Jin-ho coughed involuntarily.

“The name should just be something that rolls off the tongue…”

“Yes. I’ll think of a good name.”

Kang Jin-ho felt a little sad.

“It’s better to focus on what we’re good at.”

“…I guess so.”

Lee Hyun-soo shrugged and continued.

“But Guild Leader.”

“Hmm?”

“Am I really going on the training trip?”

Kang Jin-ho tilted his head. He didn’t understand what he meant.

“Well… Japan’s movements are unusual, so I was wondering if it’s okay to leave at a time like this.”

“It’s fine.”

“But…”

Kang Jin-ho waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s not like anything would change even if Chief Lee were here.”

“That’s true, but… is it a historical trauma? When those guys invade, I feel like we should be fully prepared…”

“Huh?”

Kang Jin-ho tilted his head as if he didn’t understand, and Lee Hyun-soo smiled bitterly.

‘It’s a bit strange to bring up the Joseon Dynasty [Korean kingdom from 1392-1897] here, but…’

Whether Joseon was careless during the Imjin War [Japanese invasions of Korea in the 1590s], or whether they did their best but were overwhelmed, there’s still debate, but one thing is certain: either way, they were ultimately ravaged by Japan.

Since the circumstances of Japan’s attempt to invade Korea are being discovered in advance, and the situation of having to deal with the invasion is flowing similarly to the past, it’s inevitable that he would be concerned.

‘If the same thing happens again, I’ll bite my tongue and die.’

“Aren’t we already preparing enough?”

“That’s true, but by nature, I don’t like being away from the center and just cheering from the sidelines.”

“Then do it.”

“Yes?”

“Go on the training trip and prepare. Is there anything difficult about that?”

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes trembled.

‘He’s like an evil boss!’

Isn’t that what many small and medium-sized business owners in Korea say?

“I have a personal life too…”

“Then don’t worry about it.”

“But I can’t help but worry…”

“…Lee Hyun-soo.”

“Yes?”

Kang Jin-ho asked with a disgruntled look.

“What do you want me to do?”

“It’s a problem either way.”

“I understand your point. But I’m already so used to working that I can’t relax when I try to let go of it.”

“…That’s sad.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

“Since the training trip isn’t just for fun, let’s take a step back this time.”

“But…”

Kang Jin-ho stared at Lee Hyun-soo and opened his mouth.

“If it were clear when those guys were going to invade, I wouldn’t send you. But at this stage, no one knows how fast their plans will progress, right?”

“That’s right.”

“But if everyone is tied up there, preparing for those guys who might invade at any time, then it’s going according to their plan. I know you’re worried, but right now, it’s right to continue with what we were doing.”

It felt like his head was clearing up a bit.

Kang Jin-ho was right. No matter how much you prepare, it’s never enough. But if you only focus on preparing, development will be delayed. Balance is important in everything.

However, what should I say…

‘It depends on the situation.’

Japan invading is no ordinary matter. It’s a huge deal that a superpower like Japan is invading Korea, but regardless of whether they are a superpower or not, the fact that Japan is invading Korea itself is something that triggers the trauma of Koreans.

“If another country were to invade, I wouldn’t react so sensitively. But it’s Japan.”

“No.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

“It’s not Japan that’s invading. It’s the Hongwang Clan. This war isn’t between Japan and us. It’s a war with the Hongwang Clan.”

Kang Jin-ho slightly frowned.

“Lee Hyun-soo.”

“Yes, Guild Leader.”

“You’re not acting like yourself. If it were the usual you, you would have focused on Chaikechang [a powerful Chinese merchant group] behind Japan, not Japan itself.”

Lee Hyun-soo, caught off guard, closed his mouth.

‘Was I too hasty?’

The more he thought about it, the more he realized that Kang Jin-ho was right. He was so caught up in the fact that Japan was invading that he completely forgot about the existence of Chaikechang behind them.

“There’s only one best way to prepare for an invasion.”

“…May I ask what that is?”

“To develop. To become stronger.”

Kang Jin-ho shrugged and continued.

“Preparing and getting ready is just a one-time thing. A true strongman has no enemies. If you’re worried about another country’s invasion, you shouldn’t be thinking about how to prepare, but how to become stronger. We’re not just dealing with Japan.”

Lee Hyun-soo nodded.

The words that they weren’t just dealing with Japan resonated the most. The ultimate enemy of the General Assembly isn’t Japan, but the Hongwang Clan. If they lose sight of the development period because they are distracted by Japan, they won’t be able to stop the Hongwang Clan that will come later.

Lee Hyun-soo looked at Kang Jin-ho with a renewed gaze.

‘He really hits the nail on the head at times like this.’

Kang Jin-ho is usually so unresponsive that he seems dull, but at really important times, he knows how to grasp the core so clearly that Lee Hyun-soo feels like nothing. It’s with an absurd level of coldness.

“Don’t try to do anything half-heartedly. It’s not us who are in a hurry, it’s them. So, let’s finish what we were doing first.”

“I will keep that in mind, Guild Leader.”

Lee Hyun-soo, who had clearly understood Kang Jin-ho’s words, clapped his hands. Then, the door opened, and people carrying piles of documents rushed in.

“…Huh?”

Kang Jin-ho blinked, and Lee Hyun-soo smiled.

“Then, let’s finish what we were doing. First, let’s start with the handover of my duties.”

It was the moment he realized something was wrong.