Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1172

It was a bizarre feeling. There are many emotions a person can feel when looking at another person’s body. It could be admiration, or it could be ridicule. Sometimes, a body might evoke sympathy, while other times, it might inspire envy. However, the feeling emanating from the body before him was on a completely different level from the emotions he had felt towards other bodies. ‘It’s like standing in front of a bomb that could go off at any moment.’ Kazuhiro groaned inwardly. He was a master of Muhak. The difference between Muhak and martial arts is very simple. Martial arts train the human body to create power, but Muhak transcends the human body, venturing into places that the body cannot reach. No matter how well-trained a body is, it cannot threaten those who have mastered Muhak. Kazuhiro had always thought so. At least until just now. But Batoru was different. His body left even Kazuhiro, who had immense pride in his own Muhak, speechless. The phrase ‘a body imbued with divinity’ suited him perfectly. There was no other way to describe Batoru. A groan from beside him snapped Kazuhiro back to reality. ‘What a mistake.’ This was not the time to be admiring the opponent’s physique. Batoru was a cadre of the General Assembly. His appearance here meant that something had gone wrong with their plan. “Kokubo.” “Yes? Ah, yes! Chief!” “Get into formation.” Shigeru nodded with a heavy expression. He wasn’t stupid enough not to realize that something unusual had happened. As Kokubo Shigeru subtly moved back, Kazuhiro clenched and unclenched his fists, stepping forward. “Well, it seems we have a VIP guest.” “Ah, just a moment.” “Do you speak Korean?” “Chinese? English?” When Kazuhiro didn’t answer, Batoru’s face contorted in anger. “You bastards invade Korea without even learning Korean? All that talk about Japanese politeness is a load of crap.” A man quietly stepped out from behind Batoru’s massive frame, interjecting. “Didn’t you also not know Korean when you first invaded Korea, Batoru-nim?” “But I had an interpreter with me.” “…That’s a strangely convincing answer.” Kazuhiro’s face hardened as he looked at the newcomer. He couldn’t sense any energy. He could feel a faint martial artist’s aura, but it didn’t have the intense presence that Batoru had. And that fact weighed heavily on Kazuhiro. It completely shattered the assumption that Batoru might have come here alone. “Please, speak comfortably. I’ll translate.” The man smiled and spoke fluent Japanese. Kazuhiro stared at the man for a moment before speaking. “What’s your name?” “Oh, to be concerned about a mere translator… You’re very kind. I’m Lee Hyun-soo. I’m the chief of staff for the General Assembly.” “Lee Hyun-soo.” It was a name he had never heard before. Of course, it wasn’t that information about Lee Hyun-soo hadn’t circulated in Japan. Chai Ke-chang had already passed on information to Shin’nichikai [a powerful Japanese organization], warning them to be wary of Lee Hyun-soo. However, there was no way Shin’nichikai would have passed that information on to the Yamashiro-gumi [a Yakuza group]. Thanks to that, Lee Hyun-soo was unintentionally being treated like a nobody translator. “Are we in a position where we need to talk?” “Oh, is there any need to be so stiff? You’re guests from afar, so we should greet you. Korea is the land of courtesy, and we’re never harsh to our guests.” Kazuhiro bit his lip slightly. “Did you know we were coming here?” “You were kind enough to let us know. I didn’t think it was real, but what can we do when the Coast Guard says another suspicious fleet is approaching?” Kazuhiro clenched his fist without realizing it. They told you? Who? Lee Hyun-soo shrugged, seeing Kazuhiro’s hardened face. “Don’t look at me like that. What can we do? We know we’re being used, but sometimes you have to go even when you know it. You should have built up some goodwill and friendships beforehand.” Lee Hyun-soo smiled wryly. Who dies first in a war? The vanguard? The supply line? Absolutely not! ‘Those who are at odds with the leadership are the first to die.’ The Kanto and Kansai regions of Japan had been in conflict for a long time. Perhaps, from Kansai’s perspective, the Kanto martial arts faction was a more hateful enemy than Korea. In such a situation, to grab the hand that was offered without any safety measures was a blunder that couldn’t be described as merely naive. And in war, the naive are used and then die. “I knew the Kansai guys were treacherous, but I didn’t think they’d pull such a stunt even after forming an alliance with another country.” “It’s common. Especially in that country, it must be even more common, right?” Japan, which fought against the United States, had the navy and army at odds, fighting each other. It wouldn’t be strange if something that happened in the past happened again. Kazuhiro reached out and grabbed the hilt of his sword. ‘Those Shin’nichikai bastards…’ He had thought they would pull something. He wasn’t that stupid. But he never imagined that their trick would happen the moment they landed. This wasn’t Shin’nichikai’s style. “Who contacted you?” “I don’t know if you’d know him. It’s Chai Ke-chang.” “…A Chinese bastard.” “Remember that name. I’ll send you to the same place soon, so remember it well and take your revenge.” Kazuhiro bared his teeth. “I think I can handle revenge myself? You don’t need to help me. It seems like you also have a grudge against that Chai Ke-chang guy, but I’ll leave the waiting to you.” “Oh, I’m not in a position to take revenge directly, so it’s fine.” Lee Hyun-soo curled up the corners of his mouth. Seeing that blatant mockery, Kazuhiro gritted his teeth. “You seem to be getting carried away, but we’re different from the people you’ve faced so far. Just because dogs surround a tiger doesn’t make it a trap. From my perspective, it seems like I don’t have to go looking for you anymore?” “Ah, I agree.” Lee Hyun-soo nodded readily. “But I doubt this gentleman will agree.” As Lee Hyun-soo translated, Batoru snorted. “Are you islander bastards slow to grasp reality?” Batoru lightly raised his hand. ‘What is it?’ Kazuhiro scanned his surroundings with tense eyes. But nothing changed. Then what… “Are you using a radio?” Lee Hyun-soo looked at Batoru with a sulky expression. Batoru whispered with a slightly flushed face. “You should know! Do I have to say it out loud!” “If you suddenly do it without saying anything, how am I supposed to react? And wasn’t that for the others to see? It’s not visible here.” “…Just call them.” “Yes.” Lee Hyun-soo picked up the radio and pressed the button. “Surround them. Surround them as of now.” Kazuhiro’s face contorted at the bizarre situation that was unimaginable in Japan. But there was no time to blame that playful appearance. TZ T三 TZ 1三 TZ -1~I~I―I~T. The ground trembled. It was even more noticeable in the dark and quiet night. A large number of people were approaching this place. In an instant, martial artists emitting a tingling aura filled the alleys and the rooftops of the warehouses. Kazuhiro bit his lip, looking at those who had surrounded them from all sides. ‘They’ve really set the stage.’ If such a large force was gathering, the information must have been passed on a long time ago. Shin’nichikai and Chai Ke-chang had properly trapped them. “Ha, haha…” A hollow laugh escaped his lips. Looking at him, Bang Jin-hoon, who was leading the elite forces surrounding them, tilted his head. “That bastard’s laughing? He doesn’t seem to understand the situation yet.” “He’ll understand soon enough.” “Director Wiggins, aren’t you embarrassed standing on the warehouse roof like that?” “…Leave him be.” Srrrring. At that moment, Kazuhiro slowly drew his sword. Then, he threw the scabbard to the ground. As Kazuhiro drew his sword, those who were lined up also drew their swords in unison. Then, following Kazuhiro, they threw their scabbards to the ground. “These bastards, littering in another country…” Lee Hyun-soo sighed and stopped Bang Jin-hoon’s words. “That’s their unique determination. They won’t put their swords back in their scabbards. So, it means they’re going to die here.” “Who said we’d let them live?” Bang Jin-hoon’s eyes blazed with fire. He was already at his boiling point, but seeing the Japanese bastards in front of him made him feel twice as hot. “Those bastards, acting like they’re the main characters in a movie. Those damn bastards.” “…Calm down.” “How can I calm down? Those bastards invaded us, and now they’re acting all desperate. Those bastards are always playing the victim. Seriously.” Bang Jin-hoon was breathing heavily, as if he would charge at any moment. Although he couldn’t say it like Bang Jin-hoon, Lee Hyun-soo felt similarly. Seeing them acting all dramatic after invading another country for their own gain made him want to laugh. “I guess you don’t plan on surrendering?” Kazuhiro chuckled. “Japanese warriors do not surrender.” “I saw your emperor sign the surrender document with my own two eyes, what are you talking about?” “Tsk!” Lee Hyun-soo, having provoked them once, subtly stepped back. From here on out, it was Batoru’s territory. Batoru took a step forward. Just by taking one step, the pressure felt twice as strong. “These bastards.” Batoru’s eyes slowly turned red. “You should be grateful that you’re dying here. If you had been caught by your master, not even your corpses would have been left intact.” Batoru clenched both fists. His upper body swelled, and his clothes tore. As his upper body was revealed, his bulging muscles seemed to writhe as if they were alive. “So…” Crack. The sound of bones echoed through the night air. No orders were needed. Since they were already in formation, there was only one thing left to do. Charge and kill the enemy. They were surrounded on three sides, and the sea behind them was a dead end. All that remained was to kill and be killed. “I’ll kill every last one of them!” Batoru roared and charged forward. At the same time, Batoru’s faction, including Gong Young-gil, filled the space behind Batoru and charged. “They’re coming!” Kazuhiro shouted at the top of his lungs. “Forget about running away! There’s only one way to survive! Kill them all! There’s nothing to fear! We’re not weak enough to be defeated by mere Joseon [an old name for Korea] bastards! Stain the sea with their blood! Long live the Emperor!” “Long live the Emperor!” A massive roar erupted, and the Japanese warriors who had drawn their swords charged forward with Kazuhiro. In the deep, deep dawn. The first volleys of war began to erupt in the deepest darkness.