Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1269

Not a sound could be heard. The silence was heavy, pressing down on the room.

Only then did the gangsters realize who was sitting in front of them.

The devil of Yeongnam [a region in southeastern Korea].

There wasn’t a single person who had crossed him and remained unscathed. They either died or became crippled, one of the two. It was a well-known fact, a chilling legend whispered in hushed tones.

The reason things had escalated to this point, despite knowing this, was because Lee Hyun-soo had changed so much from his past self. They had become complacent, blinded by his new demeanor.

In the past, he had a ferocity and bloodlust that could stop a person’s heart with just a look, but now that had disappeared, replaced with a more easygoing demeanor. It was a mask, a deceptive facade that had lulled them into a false sense of security.

That was the price they paid for letting their guard down. They had mistaken his calm for weakness, a fatal error.

“Get lost. Before I kill you all.”

The remaining men looked at each other, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and disbelief. The casual threat hung in the air, a stark reminder of the man they were dealing with.

If they refused the order and stayed here, they could really die. No, most likely they would. Lee Hyun-soo was that kind of man. He wasn’t one for empty threats; his words were always backed by action.

But even if they went back and told their bosses, they would still die. Their failure would be met with swift and brutal punishment.

They would die either way. It was a lose-lose situation, a trap of their own making.

So what were they supposed to do? They were caught between a rock and a hard place, with no easy escape.

Then, Yoo Beom-young slowly got up and grabbed the sake bottle. He moved with deliberate care, his movements betraying his inner turmoil.

He carefully began to pour sake into the glass in front of Lee Hyun-soo. It was a gesture of appeasement, a desperate attempt to defuse the situation.

*Pouring sound*

Lee Hyun-soo quietly watched the glass fill, his gaze unwavering. He was like a predator observing its prey, calculating its next move.

“If people were humane, they wouldn’t live like this, would they?” Yoo Beom-young began, his voice trembling slightly. “Since they’re all gathered together, they’re clueless and thoughtless. Please be understanding, Chief.”

“Understanding?” Lee Hyun-soo’s voice was cold, devoid of any warmth or empathy. It was a chilling reminder of his true nature.

Even after hearing Lee Hyun-soo’s cold voice, Yoo Beom-young smiled, a forced, nervous smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He was trying to play the role of the peacemaker, but it was a dangerous game.

“And as you know, nothing gets resolved just because the bosses come. They’re old geezers who can’t understand a word you say. Even things that could be resolved become impossible when those guys come to hear the explanation.” He was trying to appeal to Lee Hyun-soo’s logic, hoping to find some common ground.

“I’ll apologize on their behalf. Please calm down. Hey, Park Jong-gu. What are you doing?” Yoo Beom-young’s voice was sharp, laced with a hint of desperation. He was trying to regain control of the situation.

Park Jong-gu, staggering, got up and knelt on the spot. He was a broken man, his bravado completely shattered.

“I’m sorry. I lost my mind for a moment…” His voice was barely a whisper, filled with shame and fear.

“Tsk.” Lee Hyun-soo clicked his tongue quietly, a sound that spoke volumes about his disdain. It was a small gesture, but it carried a weight of judgment.

They were living like this because they were not like humans. Yet, they were able to make a living because they had basic survival skills. Like Yoo Beom-young right now. They were survivors, adapting to the harsh realities of their world.

Park Jong-gu also bowed his head immediately without any emotion. He didn’t resist the strong. It was a response made possible by understanding how terrifying power could be. He had learned his lesson, albeit the hard way.

“Sit down.” Lee Hyun-soo’s voice was curt, but it was an order, not a suggestion.

“Yes!” Park Jong-gu got up and sat back down, his movements stiff and awkward. He was still reeling from the earlier blow.

“Give it here.” Lee Hyun-soo took the sake bottle from Yoo Beom-young and poured it into the empty glasses. It was a subtle shift in power, a demonstration of his control.

Those who were watching the situation carefully picked up their glasses as if they were honored to receive the sake from Lee Hyun-soo. They were eager to please him, desperate to avoid his wrath.

“Hey, guys.” Lee Hyun-soo’s tone was casual, but it held an undercurrent of menace.

“Yes, Chief.” They responded in unison, their voices filled with a mixture of respect and fear.

“I’m trying to become a new person too. You guys have to help me out. Do you understand what I’m saying?” He was testing them, gauging their loyalty and willingness to cooperate.

“Yes!” They answered quickly, eager to show their compliance.

As the situation seemed to ease, Yoo Beom-young was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. He had managed to avert a disaster, at least for now.

‘I almost died for real.’ He thought, his heart still pounding in his chest. He had come face-to-face with death, and the experience had shaken him to his core.

He felt like dragging Park Jong-gu out and tearing him apart. He was furious at Park Jong-gu’s recklessness, his inability to read the situation.

Trying to take advantage of a situation should be done while considering the circumstances and the opponent. Trying to take advantage in front of Lee Hyun-soo was like having ten lives and still not surviving. It was a fool’s errand, a suicide mission.

If they had remembered Lee Hyun-soo of Yeongnam at all, they would never have acted like this. They had forgotten the terror he inspired, the legend that preceded him.

‘How can people change just because the world has changed?’ He mused, his thoughts tinged with a hint of cynicism. The world had changed, but some things remained the same.

It was a bit strange for him to say these words, but now was a good time for gangsters. The power dynamics had shifted, creating new opportunities for those willing to seize them.

In the past, when the General Assembly [a powerful organization] was controlled by Lee Jung-geol, and Yeongnam was run by Kim Seok-il, they lived without being able to breathe. They were constantly under the thumb of these powerful figures.

Those who didn’t know about the existence of the martial world could do whatever they wanted, but those who were under the influence of the martial world had no choice but to lie low. They were forced to live in the shadows, their ambitions stifled.

But now that the long reigns of Lee Jung-geol and Kim Seok-il were over, they could finally breathe a little. The new head of the General Assembly, Kang Jin-ho, had shown little to no interest in them. He was a different kind of leader, one who didn’t micromanage their affairs.

And the General Assembly’s external stance had also become very moderate. They were no longer as aggressive or controlling as they once were.

Thanks to that, they were sitting on chairs even when facing Lee Hyun-soo. In the past, the place where they were sitting would have been the floor, not chairs. They would have been trembling without even being able to lift their heads. The change was significant, a testament to the shifting power dynamics.

‘People should know how to behave when they’re treated well. That crazy bastard is getting cocky just because he’s being treated well.’ He thought, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He was resentful of Park Jong-gu’s arrogance, his inability to appreciate the new order.

His insides were boiling, but Yoo Beom-young hid his true feelings and smiled. He was a master of deception, adept at concealing his true emotions.

“Take care of your own interests when you’re among yourselves. If you keep acting like this, I’ll take care of my own interests properly.” Lee Hyun-soo’s words were a veiled threat, a warning not to push his patience.

“No, Chief. I was short-sighted.” Park Jong-gu quickly apologized, his voice filled with remorse.

“You guys figure out the method. But…” Lee Hyun-soo’s face hardened, his eyes narrowing. The casual tone was gone, replaced by a cold, calculating gaze.

“This is a case that the Assembly Head is interested in. If you handle it poorly…” He didn’t need to finish the sentence; the implication was clear. Failure was not an option.

Lee Hyun-soo stared at the four men without saying a word. The silence was heavy, filled with unspoken threats. It was a masterclass in intimidation.

That look was enough. There was no need to say it. With just that look, the four men simultaneously decided that they had to handle this matter perfectly, no matter what it took. They were all in agreement, united by their fear of Lee Hyun-soo and the Assembly Head.

“Drink.” Lee Hyun-soo’s voice was curt, a command rather than an invitation.

“Yes!” The men turned their heads and gulped down the alcohol, then carefully placed their glasses down. They were eager to please him, desperate to avoid his displeasure.

“In principle, I know that we shouldn’t be giving orders to your side.” Lee Hyun-soo’s tone was measured, but it was clear that he was in charge.

“No, it’s okay.” Yoo Beom-young quickly interjected, eager to show his understanding.

“However, you have to understand this. Otherwise, we’ll have to intervene directly with those guys. You don’t want that, do you?” He was laying down the ground rules, making it clear that their cooperation was essential.

“Of course not!” Park Jong-gu answered loudly, his voice filled with a mixture of fear and eagerness to please. He was trying too hard, his desperation evident.

At the same time, Yoo Beom-young covered his face with both hands, his frustration palpable. He was exasperated by Park Jong-gu’s lack of tact.

‘Please think before you answer.’ He thought, his mind racing. He was trying to manage the situation, to prevent Park Jong-gu from making things worse.

“…Right, you wouldn’t want that. But if you don’t step up this time, we’ll have to intervene directly. You know what kind of results a broken principle can lead to, right?” Lee Hyun-soo’s words were a warning, a reminder of the consequences of failure.

Before Park Jong-gu could answer, Yoo Beom-young quickly opened his mouth, his voice calm and measured. He was trying to regain control of the conversation.

“You don’t have to worry about that. We also don’t want drugs coming into Korea. If we didn’t suspect that the Chilseong Clan [a rival gang] was involved with the General Assembly, we would have taken care of it ourselves first.” He was trying to reassure Lee Hyun-soo, to show that they were on the same side.

“Okay.” Lee Hyun-soo’s response was short, but it was enough to indicate his acceptance.

“Now that we have permission, we’ll handle it cleanly. Don’t worry.” Yoo Beom-young’s voice was confident, but it was a facade. He was still terrified of the consequences of failure.

“While you’re taking care of the Chilseong Clan, deal with the small fry who are in charge of the supply line appropriately. But since those guys were just being used, don’t be too harsh on them.” Lee Hyun-soo was showing a hint of mercy, a rare glimpse of his humanity.

“Yes. Don’t worry.” Yoo Beom-young nodded, his mind already racing with plans.

Lee Hyun-soo nodded and got up from his seat. He was done with the meeting, his presence no longer needed.

“Are you leaving already?” Yoo Beom-young asked, his voice tinged with a hint of surprise.

“If I’m here, will you guys be able to eat? Hey, you. What’s your name?” Lee Hyun-soo’s tone was dismissive, as if he couldn’t be bothered to remember their names.

“It’s Yoo Beom-young, Chief.” Yoo Beom-young replied quickly, eager to be recognized.

“You’ll handle it as the representative, and give me progress reports.” Lee Hyun-soo was delegating responsibility, placing the burden on Yoo Beom-young’s shoulders.

“Yes. Leave it to me.” Yoo Beom-young’s voice was confident, but his heart was pounding in his chest.

Lee Hyun-soo looked at the four men in the room and opened his mouth, his gaze piercing and intense.

“I know you guys put in the effort when we were cleaning up the businesses last time. I appreciate that. If you handle this matter well, I’ll find a suitable reward for you in the near future.” He was offering a carrot, a promise of future benefits.

“No, Chief.” They responded in unison, their voices filled with gratitude.

“It’s okay.” Lee Hyun-soo waved his hand dismissively, as if their gratitude was unnecessary.

“And after this matter, unless it’s a special case like this, the Assembly won’t get involved. So handle this one properly. Got it?” He was making it clear that this was a one-time opportunity, a chance to prove their worth.

“Yes!” They answered in unison, their voices filled with determination.

Lee Hyun-soo nodded and went outside. He had said what he needed to say, and now it was up to them to deliver.

*Click*

As the door closed, the four men simultaneously took out cigarettes and put them in their mouths. The tension in the room was palpable, and they needed a release.

Soon, the room was filled with acrid cigarette smoke. It was a familiar smell, a reminder of their shared experiences.

“…Damn it, I can’t take this anymore.” One of the men muttered, his voice filled with frustration.

They were men who lived with some power, but they felt like a sergeant meeting a division commander. They were used to being in charge, but they were now under the thumb of someone far more powerful.

But what could they do? They were powerless against the might of the General Assembly.

If the General Assembly wanted to, it could dissolve their organization in three hours. For them, who lived by violence, the General Assembly was an existence they couldn’t even dare to approach. It was a force of nature, an unstoppable juggernaut.

They knew it was inevitable, but their insides were still burning. They were resentful of their situation, their lack of control.

“Hey, Yoo Beom-young.” Park Jong-gu’s voice was laced with suspicion.

“What are you going to do? Are you going to take it all for yourself, you bastard?” He was accusing Yoo Beom-young of treachery, of planning to betray them.

“Yeah.” Yoo Beom-young’s response was casual, but it was a calculated move.

“What, this bastard!” Park Jong-gu’s voice was filled with anger and disbelief.

Yoo Beom-young chuckled, a low, menacing sound. He was enjoying their discomfort, their fear of being betrayed.

“Then what? Are you going to manage it? Passing through our territory in taxis every now and then?” He was mocking Park Jong-gu’s incompetence, his lack of understanding of the situation.

“Still, there’s a code of conduct, you bastard.” Park Jong-gu’s voice was filled with indignation, but it was a hollow threat.

“I’ll support you. I’ll give you the businesses near your territories.” Yoo Beom-young was offering a compromise, a way to appease Park Jong-gu’s anger.

Park Jong-gu frowned, his suspicion still lingering.

“How much?” He asked, his voice filled with greed.

“That depends on how much we get from the other side. If we eat it and there’s nothing, we’ll be the only ones who lose. I’ll calculate everything down to the last penny and divide it properly, so don’t make a fuss and just wait.” Yoo Beom-young was trying to reassure him, to show that he was being fair.

“Hmm.” Park Jong-gu nodded, his suspicion slightly abated.

Even though he was annoying, Yoo Beom-young was somewhat trustworthy. If he said it like that, there wouldn’t be any backstabbing. He was a man of his word, at least when it came to business.

“Then how much support do we need?” Park Jong-gu asked, his tone now more cooperative.

“Everything.” Yoo Beom-young’s response was blunt, leaving no room for interpretation.

“What?” Park Jong-gu’s voice was filled with surprise.

“Gather all the guys you can. The fact that they’re even blocking the police means they want us to make a big move. If even one guy gets away, we’re dead. Don’t you know that?” Yoo Beom-young was emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, the need for a coordinated effort.

“I don’t want to die like a dog like this, so you guys send all the guys you can. I’m going to tear those Chilseong bastards apart this time.” His voice was filled with a mixture of anger and determination.

Everyone nodded, their faces grim. They were all in agreement, united by their desire for revenge.

In the past, when they were in Yeongnam, which was centered around Gyeongsang Province, Lee Hyun-soo often called them together. They were used to his leadership, his ability to rally them to action.

But this was the first time he had gathered them all since Lee Hyun-soo moved to the General Assembly. That meant that Lee Hyun-soo and the General Assembly considered this matter important. It was a sign that they needed to take this seriously.

There could be no negligence. They couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.

“And I’m saying this just in case, but if any of you are doing drugs, quit it now.” Yoo Beom-young’s voice was stern, his gaze sweeping across the room.

“Would anyone do that unless they were crazy?” A chuckle was heard, a sign of their disbelief.

But only one person couldn’t laugh. Park Jong-gu’s expression became strange, his face paling slightly.

Yoo Beom-young grabbed his head as he saw Park Jong-gu’s expression become strange. He knew what that meant, and he was filled with a mixture of anger and despair.

‘Ah, I really want to kill him. I just want to close my eyes and kill him.’ He thought, his mind racing with violent thoughts. He was furious at Park Jong-gu’s stupidity, his recklessness.

Even though he knew it was impossible, Yoo Beom-young desperately wished for it. He wanted to erase Park Jong-gu from existence, to eliminate the threat he posed to their organization.

“Hey, you bastard! Do you want the whole organization to collapse? You, you were still doing drugs even after seeing how that man was acting?” Yoo Beom-young’s voice was filled with rage, his patience finally snapping.

“N-no. What nonsense are you talking about! That’s not it… It’s just that I have some contacts. The Chinese bastards just… No, I haven’t received anything yet!” Park Jong-gu’s voice was filled with panic, his lies transparent.

“Get rid of those Chinese bastards and get your hands off it right now, you idiot. Unless you want to see a bloodbath!” Yoo Beom-young’s voice was a threat, a promise of violence if Park Jong-gu didn’t comply.

“I got it!” Park Jong-gu’s voice was filled with fear, his bravado completely gone.

The room quickly became noisy, filled with shouts and curses. The tension was high, and the men were on edge.

The four men, who had been cursing at each other, finally calmed down and sighed. They were exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

“Let’s just get through this smoothly. I don’t want to go back to the Lee Jung-geol era at all. If they get angry and start managing us like before, I’ll probably die of stress within three years.” One of the men muttered, his voice filled with dread.

“Same here, you bastard.” Another man agreed, his voice filled with resignation.

The more they thought about it, the more hatred they felt for the Chilseong Clan. They were the source of their problems, the reason for their current predicament.

Why did they have to get involved with drugs and make people like this? They were ruining their lives, their businesses, and their peace of mind.

Even though they knew that the General Assembly had approached them first, this would never have happened if the Chilseong Clan hadn’t responded. They were the ones who had escalated the situation, who had brought the wrath of the General Assembly upon them.

“Anyway, I’ll prepare as quickly as possible, so you guys get your men ready and on standby. If we need cooperation, help us out.” Yoo Beom-young’s voice was calm and collected, his leadership skills shining through.

“Okay.” The others agreed, their voices filled with a mixture of determination and apprehension.

Yoo Beom-young took a deep drag of his cigarette, his mind racing with plans.

‘Damn it, what do you guys know?’ He thought, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. They were oblivious to the true danger they were in, the gravity of the situation.

They probably thought that the General Assembly was just giving them a task as usual. They didn’t understand the significance of this particular mission.

Yoo Beom-young understood that this was not a simple matter, but he didn’t have the confidence to make them understand. He was alone in his knowledge, burdened by the weight of his understanding.

‘Lee Hyun-soo stepped in directly. And he mentioned the Assembly Head. That means… this is the first order that has come directly from the Assembly Head level since the reorganization of the General Assembly.’ He realized, his heart sinking with dread.

What if they failed to handle it properly? The consequences would be catastrophic, not just for them, but for their entire organization.

Yoo Beom-young shuddered. He didn’t even want to imagine it. The thought of failing was unbearable, a nightmare he couldn’t escape.

Just seeing how that devilish Lee Hyun-soo was being used like a dog, there was no doubt about the current Assembly Head’s abilities. He was a force to be reckoned with, a man of immense power and influence.

He would rather bite his tongue and die than be on the wrong side of such a person. He knew that his survival depended on his ability to execute this mission flawlessly.

‘I will handle this without any mistakes.’ Yoo Beom-young vowed again and again, his determination unwavering. He would not fail, not this time. His life, and the lives of his men, depended on it.