Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1199

“I’m sorry, Lord. I failed to arrive on time, putting you in danger. I deserve to die for this…”

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

Bator’s face twisted as he looked at Lee Myung-hwan.

“It’s good to see you, but don’t stand there in just your underwear, looking so serious. It’s unsettling.”

Lee Myung-hwan covered his lower body, looking dejected.

The problem was that Lee Myung-hwan’s build was the closest to Kang Jin-ho’s. Or maybe this was a punishment.

If it was a punishment, it was too harsh.

“Ugh, I can’t stand the sight of him.”

“Isn’t it a bit much that someone like him is a team leader?”

“Pathetic, so pathetic.”

Lee Myung-hwan gritted his teeth.

“You bastards, don’t just stand there! Someone go to the dorm and bring me a pair of pants!”

“Why should I?”

“What a joke. Does he think he’s some kind of commander?”

“Let’s do our own work, Lee Myung-hwan, kid.”

Steam rose from Lee Myung-hwan’s head.

Lee Hyun-soo shook his head, placed a hand on Lee Myung-hwan’s shoulder, and spoke.

“Someone go get him some clothes.”

“…Isn’t he the one who should go?”

Someone slightly protested, but Lee Hyun-soo quickly shut down the objection.

“If you’re planning to keep the Lord in those dirty pants that this bastard was wearing, then stay put.”

“I’ll go right now.”

“I’ll go, I’ll go!”

“Eeeek! Creepy!”

Those at the back rushed off without a second thought. Lee Hyun-soo patted Lee Myung-hwan’s shoulder a couple of times, watching them go.

“All good?”

“It is, but…”

What is this sadness?

“Lee Hyun-soo.”

“Yes, Lord!”

At Kang Jin-ho’s call, Lee Hyun-soo took his hand off and rushed over.

“Cigarette.”

“…Ah, yes.”

Lee Hyun-soo fumbled to take out a cigarette and lighter and handed them to Kang Jin-ho. Kang Jin-ho took a cigarette without a word and lit it with the lighter.

“Hoo…”

Kang Jin-ho sat down on a chair that someone had thoughtfully brought.

‘I’m out of it.’

He could still feel the intense pain all over his body. But this pain wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

The pain and lethargy that came after a battle were familiar yet never quite got used to. If he said that this sensation actually made him feel alive, they would call him crazy.

Kang Jin-ho exhaled smoke and opened his mouth.

“Why are you all here?”

Wiggins answered with a stiff face.

“We have annihilated the enemy forces that landed in Gunsan. There were almost no casualties on our side.”

“Oh.”

“Director Bang Jin-hoon was injured, but his life is not in danger. Director Bang is currently in Gunsan, taking care of the aftermath.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

It seemed they had achieved a greater victory than expected.

“That’s a relief.”

At that moment, Jang Min spoke with a somber face.

“Demon Lord.”

“Hmm?”

“This time, you did something too dangerous.”

His face was different than usual.

Normally, Jang Min never hardened his face in front of Kang Jin-ho. He was someone who believed that even a small expression or gesture could be disrespectful.

His loyalty to Kang Jin-ho was more like a religious faith than loyalty to a person. He showed the utmost reverence he could express. It was to the point where one could feel that these aspects, when formalized, became religious rituals.

Such a Jang Min was now speaking to Kang Jin-ho with a hardened face and a low voice.

“If things had gone wrong, it would have been irreversible. Demon Lord, you are not just a common warrior. Ten thousand Demonic Cult members follow only you. Please, do not take away the sun from us.”

Kang Jin-ho quietly nodded.

There were many excuses he could make, but looking at Jang Min’s face, no excuses came out. Certainly, Kang Jin-ho had been in danger this time.

“I am reflecting.”

Lee Hyun-soo sighed as he watched the scene.

“I think so too. I hope this never happens again, Lord.”

Kang Jin-ho’s gaze turned to Lee Hyun-soo.

“It’s not a situation where we can say, ‘It was dangerous, but we won.’ Both Shinichi-kai [a Yakuza group] and our reinforcements had the same thought, which is dangerous. The problem is that the fact that you are alone here can be a danger.”

“…Huh?”

Kang Jin-ho tilted his head.

“Your pattern of behavior is being read. Everyone now knows that you never run away when facing an enemy. Especially considering the guy who ordered this operation…”

Kang Jin-ho nodded slightly.

That was true.

Knowing how the enemy would move in advance was a great advantage. Conversely, having your actions read by the enemy could lead to tremendous danger.

“Please run away next time.”

“Facing them is not the only form of courage. Running away is also courage. What king stands at the forefront wielding a sword? If they get hit by a stray arrow, the country will fall. Please be aware of your position.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded with a powerless expression.

“Master, I agree. What you did this time was crazy.”

“It wasn’t something you should do with a sound mind. What is this?”

It felt like his ears were bleeding.

Even his mother’s nagging, which Kang Jin-ho considered the worst, was nothing compared to this. As the directors surrounded him and nagged, he felt the life force he had barely held onto slipping away.

“Lord.”

Wiggins said in a low voice.

“Speak.”

“Are you alright?”

Kang Jin-ho slightly swung his shoulder. It was stiff, but it didn’t hinder his movement. His broken ankle was a problem, but if he set it right, it would heal without much issue.

“I can’t fight right now, but I don’t think there will be any aftereffects.”

“That’s a relief. But, Lord…”

Just as he thought another round of nagging was about to start, Wiggins said something different.

“Was this something you planned, Lord?”

Everyone’s gaze focused on Wiggins.

“What are you talking about?”

“The fact that you were alone at the headquarters is not something they could have known. No one except the directors knew you were here. Everyone only knew that you were moving separately, not that you were at the headquarters. Isn’t that right?”

The faces of Bator and the others turned slightly serious.

That was true.

“The directors did not leak the information. Of course, they wouldn’t. There’s no reason for them to betray us. If so, there is only one person who knew. It’s you, Lord.”

Kang Jin-ho slightly raised both hands.

It was a sign of surrender.

“That’s right.”

“…Lord.”

Wiggins quietly turned his body and looked behind him.

A scene of carnage.

A sight that could only be described as carnage unfolded before his eyes.

Kang Jin-ho had created this carnage alone.

In terms of results, it was an unbelievable achievement. The entire elite of the headquarters had to mobilize to deal with the Yamashiro-gumi [another Yakuza group], but Kang Jin-ho had crushed the Shinichi-kai alone.

The Shinichi-kai, which was stronger than the Yamashiro-gumi.

But even while seeing that tremendous achievement, Wiggins could not revere Kang Jin-ho.

“I won’t say anything more. You must have had your reasons, Lord. But… Lord, please consult with us next time, no matter what operation you plan. If this is not followed, I can no longer be your subordinate.”

It was a strong statement.

In a way, it was close to being rude. But even Jang Min, who was obsessively mindful of his manners towards Kang Jin-ho, did not challenge Wiggins’ statement.

Kang Jin-ho sighed and nodded.

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Please, I beg you. Absolutely.”

“…I said I understand.”

Kang Jin-ho silently puffed on his cigarette, looking at the directors who were still looking at him with distrustful eyes.

‘I got scolded.’

In the Demonic Cult of the past, this would never have happened.

In the past, in the Demonic Cult, what mattered more was what Kang Jin-ho accomplished. In the past, the Demonic Cult members were absolutely loyal to Kang Jin-ho, but that was because he was strong, not because they followed him as a person.

It was impossible to be scolded even after achieving an overwhelming victory. Even the Azure Demon sighed when Kang Jin-ho didn’t listen to him, but when the results were overwhelming, he would shut his mouth.

But what about now?

Even after accomplishing something that one person could not do, he didn’t hear a single word of praise or respect, only a barrage of scolding.

And yet…

What should he say?

Strangely, he felt good.

“Huff! Huff! Huff!”

At that moment, those who had gone to get clothes came running back, panting, and handed the clothes to Lee Myung-hwan. Lee Myung-hwan took the clothes and rushed to Kang Jin-ho.

“Here you go, Lord.”

“Ugh.”

Kang Jin-ho took the clothes and put them on. He roughly changed his pants and handed the pants he had been wearing to Lee Myung-hwan.

“Here.”

“…Thank you.”

Lee Myung-hwan quickly put on the pants. Some clicked their tongues at the sight.

“Lee Myung-hwan.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“You were late.”

“I’m sorry. I tried to come as fast as I could…”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Lee Myung-hwan with a blank expression and nodded. He was late, but not too late. Thanks to him, he had overcome the crisis.

“Wiggins, Lee Hyun-soo.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Reassess the situation and clean up the surroundings.”

“Yes!”

“And…”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Wiggins.

“How did it go?”

“It’s in progress. They should have already arrived by now.”

Wiggins slightly curled up the corners of his mouth.

‘We were just getting hit.’

The results were overwhelming. It could be said that the outcome of the war was already half decided. They had completely annihilated the enemy’s first and second forces without much damage.

Especially the second force, which was composed of Shinichi-kai, was their most trusted and believed force. Having crushed such a force, the victory had completely shifted to their side.

But was it a situation to laugh about? No, it wasn’t.

In terms of military strength, they had gained an advantage, but since the start of the war, they had only been swayed. They had only been reacting to the enemy’s strategies, rushing to respond.

They were only able to hold out because of the difference in the forces they could invest. If the enemy had been just a little stronger, they might have been overwhelmingly crushed.

So, from Wiggins’ perspective, he couldn’t possibly feel good. They had won the war, but they had lost in strategy. At least for now.

Wiggins’ face slightly contorted.

‘Cai Keqiang.’

He knew all too well why this situation had occurred.

This was not the work of the Japanese. It was because Cai Keqiang had helped the Japanese that this had happened.

But that fact did not comfort Wiggins. Rather, it was making him even more angry.

“We got hit hard…”

Kang Jin-ho slightly curled up the corners of his mouth.

“Now it’s time to return the favor.”

“Of course, Lord.”

They had moved in a direction that the headquarters could not have imagined, causing them to panic.

If so, they could just return the favor in the same way. No, they were already returning the favor.

“I was a little surprised. I didn’t expect them to use the same strategy as us.”

Wiggins gave a slightly sinister smile as he faced Kang Jin-ho.

The two looked at each other.

Lee Hyun-soo shrugged his shoulders as he watched the scene.

‘It seems like we’re the villains…’

If you only looked at their appearance, it was undeniable.