Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1248

“Hmm.”

Jang Min slightly raised his right hand. The area below his wrist was stained red.

A wound.

It was clearly a wound.

Despite the injury to his body, Jang Min’s gaze held a subtle smile as he looked at it.

‘Well done.’

It wasn’t the elders who had wounded him. It was the demonic flames that had rushed at him with enraged faces. It was only a graze, but the fact that they had left a mark on Jang Min’s body with such meager skills was remarkable.

Frankly, Jang Min didn’t acknowledge the demonic flames.

No, it was a little different.

To be precise, he was displeased with those who had received the Demon Lord’s recognition without following the proper path.

The demonic cultivators of China had lived as members of the Demonic Cult, never abandoning their identity despite being persecuted by the righteous martial artists. But the demonic cultivators here were simply receiving high-level demonic arts and enjoying the benefits of being demonic cultivators just because they had met Kang Jin-ho.

There had been some tests, but that was hardly enough to satisfy Jang Min.

In that sense, this expedition to Japan was also a good opportunity for Jang Min. He intended to clearly show those who didn’t know what demonic arts were, or what the value of the Demonic Cult was, what the Demonic Cult was like and what demonic arts were.

‘And I need to make them realize what it means to serve the Demon Lord up close.’

Sometimes, people tend to take what is given to them for granted.

Those born in Korea or China take the food they receive for granted. But would those born in the poorest countries in Africa feel the same way?

It’s the same thing.

The position that the demonic flames were enjoying was a position that countless members of the Demonic Cult were desperately longing for at this very moment. To become the Demon Lord’s personal guard was the greatest honor for the members of the Demonic Cult.

It meant that it was not a position that someone without awareness could carelessly enjoy.

That was the meaning behind the training he had started, but as he faced the demonic flames, his thoughts changed slightly.

The demonic flames’ venom and killing intent were not something that Jang Min could take lightly.

‘So, these are the guys the Demon Lord chose.’

To have brought these mediocre guys this far in just one year, Jang Min was once again filled with respect for the Demon Lord.

He was curious.

How far would they grow?

If they could overcome the training given by the Demon Lord and the competition with the Demonic Cult members rising from below… how much stronger would they become?

‘Maybe…’

It might not be impossible to recreate the legend of the demonic flames that once filled the world with terror. Although, the fact that recreating that legend wasn’t the mark of a true Demonic Cult member was a bit annoying.

‘I need to change too.’

Jang Min quietly closed his eyes.

Jang Min knew.

The Demon Lord could no longer be the Demon Lord of the Demonic Cult alone. He was no longer satisfied with being a simple ruler of the Central Plains [a historical region in China] like in the past. He now intended to have more under his command and to rule over more.

The Demon Lord had already placed not only the Demonic Cult but also the General Assembly of Korea and the Round Table of Europe under his feet. And now, he was even beginning to dominate the martial world of Japan.

With the situation changing like this, it was arrogant and greedy to hope that the Demon Lord’s interest would remain solely with the Demonic Cult.

Jang Min could remain an elder of the Demonic Cult, but the Demon Lord could no longer be just the leader of the Demonic Cult. He had to acknowledge and accept that fact.

‘However!’

There was one thing he could not give up.

He didn’t know what forces the Demon Lord would acquire in the future, or who he would use, but no matter what the situation, the most powerful and loyal place under the Demon Lord would be the Demonic Cult.

That was a value that Jang Min could never give up. It was a position that he could never hand over to the Koreans who didn’t appreciate the Demon Lord’s grace, or to the Europeans who only submitted to the Demon Lord’s power.

The myth of the Demon Lord that would be newly written in this era. It would be none other than the Demonic Cult that would achieve that myth.

Crack.

Jang Min slowly clenched his fist.

Demonic energy surged, beginning to heal the wound. If you only considered the speed of healing, righteous arts could not dare to follow demonic arts. However…

Of course, there were many costs to pay. Jang Min loved the Demonic Cult more than anyone, but he didn’t blindly trust demonic arts. It was an incredibly sharp sword. A sword so sharp that it could harm its owner if they let their guard down even a little. That was demonic arts.

Even Jang Min, who had trained in demonic arts for over a hundred years, always found demonic arts to be a martial art that caused tension.

But Jang Min wasn’t the only one who knew that problem.

“I think I’ll be able to give you something else soon. It will be helpful to you too.”

Jang Min slightly closed his eyes.

The Demon Lord, who had already become as strong as to evoke the legendary power of the past, was not satisfied with that. Even at this moment, he was researching demonic arts and martial arts, striving to move forward.

New demonic arts that could be passed on to Jang Min.

‘Heh, is it possible to get stronger at this age?’

The excitement didn’t subside.

Even though he was old enough to be in a coffin, the fact that he could get stronger was more than enough to excite Jang Min.

Stronger demonic arts, yet more stable demonic arts.

That was a dreamlike story. Many demonic cultivators had tried, but failed again and again. It was the final goal that demonic arts had to achieve, and it was like a mirage that could never be reached.

But Jang Min didn’t have even a shred of doubt.

‘If the Demon Lord can’t do it, who in the world can?’

And he was not the type to say something unless he was sure of it.

Crack.

Jang Min clenched his fist so hard that it made a cracking sound, his eyes turning red.

It was at that moment.

Knock knock.

At the sound of someone knocking on the door, Jang Min slowly withdrew the demonic energy he had gathered.

“Come in.”

Creak.

A slightly old door opened, and a person walked in, bowing their head deeply.

“Did you call for me, Elder?”

Lee Myung-hwan.

Jang Min silently stared at Lee Myung-hwan, who had opened the door and entered.

It felt new.

The banner of the Demonic Cult that he had carried would now be passed on to these children. Those who had come from China would also do their best, but it was undeniable that these guys would be the ones to lead the cult in the future.

Lee Myung-hwan glanced at Jang Min’s expression, then bowed his head deeply.

Jang Min’s aura was pressing down on Lee Myung-hwan.

“Lee Myung-hwan.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“I have a question.”

“Yes. Please ask.”

“What is the Demon Lord to you?”

Lee Myung-hwan couldn’t answer right away. It wasn’t an unexpected question, but when he tried to answer, he couldn’t organize his thoughts.

“Are you talking about the Cult Leader?”

“Yes.”

“I…”

Lee Myung-hwan was lost in thought for a long time. Jang Min didn’t rush him and quietly waited for his answer.

After a somewhat long time, Lee Myung-hwan opened his mouth with a slightly dry voice.

“I don’t know.”

It wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear.

But Jang Min didn’t show any disappointment and waited for Lee Myung-hwan’s next words.

“I don’t know how we should think of the Cult Leader. It’s because I don’t know what the Cult Leader wants from us.”

“Is that so?”

“However…”

Lee Myung-hwan bit his lip and opened his mouth.

“I don’t think that’s very important.”

“Not important?”

“Yes. We are just the Cult Leader’s limbs. The important thing is to follow the Cult Leader until our last breath. I think excessive thoughts and excessive meanings are beyond the level of limbs.”

“Huh.”

Jang Min let out a hollow laugh.

It wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear. It definitely wasn’t.

“That’s an irresponsible and foolish answer.”

“I’m sorry.”

But that answer satisfied Jang Min in a different way.

“Nevertheless, it’s a satisfying answer. That’s right. What’s important to us is to simply follow his will.”

“Lee Myung-hwan.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“I am old.”

“You are still in good health.” He was more than healthy.

But Jang Min shook his head as if he thought differently.

“How much strength is left in my body, how much longer I can last, is not of great importance to me. What is certain is that it is difficult for me to try new things anymore.”

“Isn’t it true that new things are not always right?”

“You know how to say some pretty good things. But that’s wrong. Because the Demon Lord wants new things.”

“His will must become our will. But I have now reached my limit. And unfortunately, not only the other elders but also the young demonic cultivators lack the capacity.”

Lee Myung-hwan remained silent, listening to Jang Min’s words.

He sensed that Jang Min had not called him simply to give a few orders.

“I don’t want to admit it, but in the current situation, you are the only ones who can carry on my will, lead the Demonic Cult, and assist the Demon Lord.”

“…Elder.”

“Don’t have any arrogant misunderstandings. Of course, I didn’t acknowledge you. You are too weak to assist the Demon Lord, and you know too little. You are even more inadequate to lead the Demonic Cult. So…”

Jang Min’s eyes shone brightly.

“Before it’s too late, I will teach you and make you into beings who are not lacking in assisting the Demon Lord. Not just simple strength, but so that you can be reborn as true demonic cultivators!”

Lee Myung-hwan bowed his head deeply.

Normally, he would have to kneel, but their knees would not bend to anyone other than Kang Jin-ho.

“Thank you, Elder.”

“It won’t be easy. Can you endure it?”

“Of course.”

Lee Myung-hwan raised his head and looked at Jang Min.

It was something he couldn’t help but think about at times.

The demonic flames had mastered demonic arts. And they were also outside the command system of the General Assembly. So, did the demonic flames belong to the General Assembly or the Demonic Cult?

Jang Min was now giving him the answer.

“However, we are only supposed to follow the Cult Leader’s orders. For us to lead the cult…”

“You foolish fools.”

Jang Min spat out the words.

“The cult is not simply a place where those who have mastered demonic arts gather. It is a place where those who carry on the Demon Lord’s will, are loyal to the Demon Lord, and have dedicated themselves to him gather. Do you lack even one of these conditions?”

“No, we do not.”

“Then there is no reason why you cannot lead the Demonic Cult.”

Lee Myung-hwan bowed his head deeply once again.

“I don’t know if we can lead the cult. But I know for sure that we are lacking as we are now. We want to become stronger. Please lead us, Elder.”

“Hmm.”

Jang Min nodded as if satisfied.

“Good. In the end, demonic cultivators can only grow in real combat. Be prepared. I will make you see blood until you are sick of it. And when we return to Korea, we must surprise the Demon Lord.”

Lee Myung-hwan slightly curled up the corners of his lips.

Surprise Kang Jin-ho?

If possible, there would be no greater pleasure.

“We are prepared.”

“Good. Then get ready. You’ll be busy starting tomorrow.”

“Yes. Then.”

As Lee Myung-hwan carefully left the room, Jang Min clenched and unclenched his injured hand.

‘Tch.’

It was still true that he didn’t like it.

But his personal preferences should not affect the affairs of the cult.

‘If I don’t like it, I just have to make them like it.’

All for the glory of the Demon Lord.