Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1294

“China?”

“…Yes. Business trip.”

“Hmm.”

Baek Hyeon-jeong looked at Kang Jin-ho with obvious displeasure.

“Are you really going because of a business trip?”

“Yes.”

Baek Hyeon-jeong glared at Kang Jin-ho with suspicious eyes.

She had a hunch.

Her son was hiding his emotions with a blank face, but she was his mother, after all.

‘Something’s fishy.’

As Baek Hyeon-jeong showed signs of unease, Kang Jin-ho slightly turned his head.

“When you do business…”

“Busi-ness?”

Baek Hyeon-jeong scoffed.

“So now you’re going global?”

“It’s not exactly like that.”

Baek Hyeon-jeong sighed.

‘It’s my fault for having such a capable son.’

Other people’s sons would be in college, working part-time jobs, or whining for allowance from their parents, but her son was going on a business trip to China.

And not because the company told him to, but because he was the president.

Usually, in such cases, the parent would be the chairman, but unfortunately, her son was the ultimate self-made man, a phoenix that had risen from the gutter.

“Oppa, are you going to China?”

“Yeah.”

Kang Eun-yeong began to provide backup.

“When?”

“Next week…”

“Next week?”

Kang Eun-yeong’s eyes narrowed.

“I heard that Director Lee is also going to China next week. Are you going together? Are you really going for work?”

“I told you, it’s for work…”

“Then what kind of work are you doing?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, there must be a purpose. What kind of business are you doing, who are you meeting?”

Kang Jin-ho closed his mouth.

‘I didn’t prepare that far… I need to come up with an excuse quickly…’

“Director Lee? Are you talking about Choi Yeon-ha?”

It was too late.

Cold sweat began to run down Kang Jin-ho’s spine.

“Hey, Jin-ho. Are you going to China with Choi Yeon-ha?”

“…It’s just a coincidence in timing. We’re not going together. I have other things to do.”

“Then what are those things?”

Assassination.

‘I can’t say that.’

He couldn’t, and shouldn’t.

‘Why does the timing have to overlap like this?’

It was quite unfair.

He had thought about preparing measures to protect Choi Yeon-ha, who was going to China. But that didn’t mean Kang Jin-ho would go to China himself.

But things had twisted strangely, and the situation had turned out like this. Even Kang Jin-ho didn’t think he would believe his own excuses.

“No, Jin-ho.”

“Your mother isn’t that narrow-minded. As you know, I’m quite open-minded.”

Really?

He had so much to say, but it wasn’t the right time. Right now, he just had to play dead and bow his head.

“Jin-ho, I’m not upset that you’re going to China. And I’m not upset that you’re going to China with Choi Yeon-ha. I’m just worried that… you! It’s unlikely, but I’m worried that you might lie to me while going to China with Choi Yeon-ha when there’s nothing else going on.”

“Right?”

“Of course.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded with a hundred percent confident face.

No, it was the truth.

But it seemed there were people who absolutely couldn’t believe it.

“But why can’t you tell us what you’re going to China for?”

Crack.

A vein popped out on Kang Jin-ho’s forehead.

Looking at Kang Eun-yeong, who was playfully shaking her shoulders, he felt a surge of ‘murderous intent’ that he hadn’t felt in a long time.

‘I need to catch her once.’

He knew that a younger sister was a being that would spring back up no matter how much you pressed her down, but he had forgotten to press her down again.

“Okay, Jin-ho. If you say it’s not, then I’ll believe you. But…”

That’s when it happened.

Kang Yu-hwan burst out of the door, annoyed.

“Hey, if you say you believe him, then just end it there! Why do you keep adding more words! Is Jin-ho a kindergartener?”

“No, you…”

“How old is he now! He’s been to the military and runs a business, why are you trying to treat him like a preschooler! That’s why he keeps going out!”

I didn’t go out though?

I always slept at home, even if I died?

No, it’s nice that you’re taking my side, but why are you making up false facts…

“When did I ever treat him like a preschooler!”

“He’s old enough to do that! What if he goes to China to have fun, or goes with his girlfriend, as you say?”

“Then he should just say it as it is.”

“It’s because you make that displeased face that he can’t say it as it is!”

That’s not it?

That’s not it at all?

No, Father. Why are you pushing the situation like that? What does that make me?

“Jin-ho! Is that true?”

“Ah, no!”

“He would never say yes to that. You need to fix that!”

“Haa…”

Baek Hyeon-jeong looked at Kang Yu-hwan as if she was dumbfounded, then sighed deeply. Kang Eun-yeong pretended not to be involved in this at all.

“Okay.”

Baek Hyeon-jeong backed down slightly.

‘What is this?’

He hadn’t done anything, but he somehow felt like he had committed a crime.

A vein popped out on Kang Jin-ho’s forehead.

No, why are they making a problem out of something that could have been resolved smoothly…

“Jin-ho.”

“Yes?”

Kang Yu-hwan smiled contentedly and patted Kang Jin-ho’s shoulder.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Don’t feel pressured and go. If your son is going to pursue his ambitions, you should support him.”

His expression was overly burdensome. And the lines were very artificial.

‘This…’

At that moment, Kang Yu-hwan winked slightly at Kang Jin-ho. Then he whispered quietly.

“Tell Choi Yeon-ha good things about me.”

Ah… that’s it.

“And tell her that it was a mistake last time.”

A vein popped out on Kang Jin-ho’s forehead.

No, how can you solve it like this! What does that make me?

You should take sides while considering the situation! Or at least think about a solution!

Kang Jin-ho glanced at Baek Hyeon-jeong.

The moment he saw Baek Hyeon-jeong’s expression, which seemed to be wearing a mask, Kang Jin-ho gave up on everything.

Ah, this is stirring up trouble.

Not that I stirred it up.

“Mother.”

“Why?”

This needed a solution.

“To be clear, I’m not going to China for that reason this time.”

Kang Jin-ho said with an extremely serious face.

“There’s a reason why I have to go. It’s important.”

Baek Hyeon-jeong’s expression softened slightly. She was quite nagging, but her faith in Kang Jin-ho was also firm. If Kang Jin-ho said it this seriously, it was definitely not a lie.

“Who knows about that?”

There was someone who was throwing a wet blanket on it.

“Eun-yeong.”

“Yes, Mom?”

“If you want to get a meal, shut your mouth.”

“Yes.”

Kang Eun-yeong instantly became docile.

Knowing when to step in and when not to was the way to ensure a pleasant dining life.

“Okay, Jin-ho. If you say so, then I…”

“And about that matter.”

“Huh?”

Baek Hyeon-jeong tilted her head.

That matter?

“She said she wanted to greet you when she comes back from China this time.”

“Greet? Who?”

“That… Choi Yeon-ha.”

Kang Jin-ho saw it.

The sight of Baek Hyeon-jeong’s body stiffening and her eyes trembling like an aspen.

It was a very brief moment, but Kang Jin-ho’s sensitive senses did not miss it.

“Choi Yeon-ha?”

“…Yes.”

“Choi Yeon-ha? Why?”

Why?

“Well, since we’ve been seeing each other for a while now, I think it’s polite to greet you.”

“Y-yes, that’s right. It’s not like there’s a problem if she doesn’t greet us, but if she comes to greet us, I’d think she’s a very thoughtful person. Thoughtful. Yes, but…”

Baek Hyeon-jeong’s voice trembled slightly.

“No, not necessarily…”

She couldn’t organize her thoughts. It seemed like she wanted to say something, but couldn’t think of the words.

Kang Jin-ho was able to realize it then.

Kang Jin-ho wasn’t very quick-witted, but this was too obvious.

‘She’s feeling burdened.’

Ah, of course, she would.

Even though it was a situation where she was being introduced to her son’s girlfriend, and there wasn’t really anything to be burdened about… Choi Yeon-ha was originally that kind of person.

She was nice to look at from afar, but not good for the heart when you were close to her… something like that.

“Of course… we’re grateful. We’re really grateful. It’s not like these days, but if she comes, we should be grateful. But… why, why did that story suddenly come up?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Kang Jin-ho glanced at Kang Yu-hwan.

Flustered.

Kang Yu-hwan, who had received Kang Jin-ho’s gaze, covered his mouth with his hand and coughed loudly.

“Ahem. Why are you asking about that? If she comes to greet us, she comes.”

“You be quiet.”

“No, well, it’s because we’ve been together for a long time…”

Baek Hyeon-jeong, who seemed to have noticed something, stared at Kang Yu-hwan quietly before opening her mouth.

“Honey.”

“Yes?”

“What is our family motto?”

“Answer me.”

“H-honesty.”

“That’s right, honesty. Now, tell Jin-ho how he should answer.”

Cold sweat beaded on Kang Yu-hwan’s forehead.

Be honest?

In this situation?

It was an extreme dilemma.

Should he take the benefit, or should he be honest and give up the benefit?

Normally, he would say the latter, but if he chose the latter…

Kang Yu-hwan closed his eyes tightly.

He was a father. Even if his future was set to be rolling in a field of dirt, there was only one thing he could say as a father.

“T-tell the truth.”

“Really?”

“Of course! Isn’t our family motto honesty! I’ve always lived honestly!”

“Yes. Then.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded and opened his mouth.

“Before, at the company…”

Kang Jin-ho told the story of what had happened between Kang Yu-hwan and Choi Yeon-ha.

Of course, he had sugarcoated it a bit. He was still his father, after all.

But even though he tried his best to sugarcoat it, it didn’t seem to sound good to Baek Hyeon-jeong’s ears.

Well, that couldn’t be helped.

Kang Yu-hwan, who had been looking back and forth between Baek Hyeon-jeong and Kang Jin-ho, opened his mouth with a satisfied face.

“You didn’t have to be that honest…”

He was a guy who was unnecessarily detailed and only told the truth! As a father, he couldn’t be more proud.

“Honey.”

“…Yes?”

“Follow me into the room.”

“No, honey. It seems like there’s a misunderstanding…”

Baek Hyeon-jeong’s eyes slowly widened.

‘It’s a horror movie.’

Was this a new technique?

“Should we do it here?”

“Let’s go to the room.”

Kang Yu-hwan got up from his seat weakly, like a calf being dragged to the slaughterhouse. Then he followed Baek Hyeon-jeong into the room.

Thud.

The door closed.

Kang Jin-ho and Kang Eun-yeong listened with great interest to the sounds coming from the room.

“What? Treat him like a kindergartener? What? Say that again!”

“H-honey, that’s not it…”

“I can’t live! I can’t live! How embarrassing! You said that while my son’s girlfriend was listening? Then you shouldn’t have been caught! Do you have any sense?”

“No, honey. Let’s put that aside!”

Kang Jin-ho and Kang Eun-yeong shook their heads at the same time.

“Dad needs to be punished.”

Kang Jin-ho was sad that he couldn’t defend his father here.

In any case, thanks to Kang Yu-hwan’s valiant sacrifice, he was able to get permission to go to China relatively easily.

‘Is it a good thing or a bad thing…’

Kang Jin-ho closed his eyes and shook his head, the sound of Kang Yu-hwan’s screams faintly echoing in his ears.