Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1364

“Are you trying to say that I’ve changed?”

“You know it.”

“I’ve changed?”

Kim Myung-chan couldn’t hide his anger.

No insult could shake him. But having his integrity questioned was something he couldn’t tolerate.

Since taking public office, no, even before that, he had never pursued personal gain. His life had been dedicated solely to the nation’s progress and justice.

And now, this youngster, who was probably half his age, was denying his entire life.

“Just because you say whatever comes to mind doesn’t make it true.”

Lee Jong-wook stared at Kim Myung-chan and chuckled softly.

“Prime Minister, you’re often the last to know.”

Kim Myung-chan glared at Lee Jong-wook silently.

“Then tell me. Why have I changed?”

“Because of justice.”

“…What did you say?”

“I said it’s because of justice.”

He was confused.

He couldn’t quite understand what Lee Jong-wook was saying.

“Are you saying that striving for justice corrupts people?”

“Something like that.”

“Is that wrong?”

“Absolutely not.”

Lee Jong-wook smirked.

“There’s nothing wrong with striving for justice. It’s a good thing. The problem is that good intentions don’t always lead to good outcomes. You believe you’re acting justly right now, Prime Minister. At least, you believe it wholeheartedly.”

“People change when they go beyond thinking they’re pursuing justice and start believing they are righteous.”

Kim Myung-chan stared blankly at Lee Jong-wook.

“What does that mean?”

“Justice is a concept that doesn’t allow for disagreement. The word ‘justice’ tramples and crushes all other concepts. To someone who believes they’re on the most righteous path, other people’s opinions are just obstacles. Just like you, Prime Minister.”

“Look here… Lee.”

Kim Myung-chan chuckled.

“I don’t know what you think of me, but your thoughts can’t all be right. I’m just…”

“You said I betrayed you.”

Lee Jong-wook cut Kim Myung-chan off.

Kim Myung-chan’s eyebrows twitched.

“I did.”

“Who did I betray?”

“Well…”

“I’m not your man, Prime Minister. I basically follow your orders, but I don’t have to blindly obey you. My loyalty is to the nation, not to you.”

Kim Myung-chan closed his mouth.

“Did I betray the nation?”

“You…”

Lee Jong-wook shook his head.

“No. I have never betrayed the nation. Even if I had, the betrayal you’re talking about wouldn’t mean that.”

Kim Myung-chan’s mouth opened and closed several times.

He could make excuses. He could twist the words. There were countless ways to dismiss it as a misunderstanding.

But no excuse could deceive Kim Myung-chan himself.

“You are not the nation, Prime Minister.”

“And I have a duty to act differently from you if I judge that your actions are against the nation’s interests.”

“Is that helping Kang Jin-ho?”

“At least, that’s what I thought. I needed to make him aware that not the entire government is against him. That way, if things go to the worst, there will be a justification for applying the brakes.”

Lee Jong-wook took a deep drag of his cigarette.

“I don’t know if he’ll listen…” Kim Myung-chan’s face flushed.

“So, you’re saying we should just leave them alone?”

A vehement voice.

It was an excited voice of Kim Myung-chan that Lee Jong-wook had never heard before.

“Are you saying we should acknowledge and embrace those who disregard the law and raise private soldiers within the nation? Their power is already a significant threat to the country! How can you say we should just stand by and watch them?”

Kim Myung-chan gritted his teeth.

“Their power is a threat to the nation! And we can’t even control them through normal means! Then we have no choice but to suppress them using extralegal force! Otherwise, the ordinary citizens will bear all the damage! Are you saying that I’m wrong?”

Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.

Lee Jong-wook clapped.

Then he smiled contentedly. His face was clearly mocking.

“You’re absolutely right.”

“That’s the very logic that the dictators you fought against so hard in the past used.”

“You…”

Kim Myung-chan’s shoulders trembled.

“Isn’t it funny? You fought to dismantle that logic in the past. To abolish unjust laws and to bring down the power that was wielded above the law. But now that you’ve risen to that position, you’re just changing the direction and reciting that same logic. That’s the irony of history.”

“Shut that mouth of yours!”

Kim Myung-chan’s shout echoed through the room.

Knock knock.

Kim Myung-chan realized his mistake at the sound of the knock on the door.

“It’s nothing.”

Kim Myung-chan calmed the person outside the door and took a deep breath.

“Lee.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“You might be right. Maybe I used extreme methods. But you know, there was no other way.”

“Prime Minister.”

Lee Jong-wook looked at Kim Myung-chan quietly and opened his mouth.

“Finding that other way is the job of a politician.”

“There’s always a way. There’s always a better way. If you’re going to choose the obvious and easy way, you don’t need a politician. Anyone could find that way. Giving up on finding a better way in the name of reality is incompetence.”

Kim Myung-chan closed his eyes.

There was no point in continuing the conversation. No words would convince Lee Jong-wook. He was certain that what he was doing was justice…

Kim Myung-chan flinched.

Justice.

His own justice.

A perfect justice that wouldn’t waver no matter how much others shouted.

Wasn’t Kim Myung-chan the same?

“…What do you think I should have done?”

“What’s the point now? It’s already over.”

Kim Myung-chan sighed softly.

“Go back to your home.”

“Pardon?”

“If I leave here, you’ll be released. I can’t reinstate you to your position, but I’ll put you under house arrest for now.”

“Nothing will change even if you do that.”

“Do you think I’m doing this to change the situation by showing you favor? I’m not that stupid yet.”

“I’m just acknowledging that you’re right. You didn’t betray the nation, you betrayed me. Yes, maybe that’s right. Then this isn’t a personal sanction.”

Kim Myung-chan chuckled and turned around.

“See you next time.”

“Prime Minister.”

Lee Jong-wook called out to Kim Myung-chan urgently.

Kim Myung-chan glanced back.

“What are you planning to do…”

“You called me an incompetent politician.”

“…I wasn’t specifically referring to you, Prime Minister.”

“There’s no need to make excuses. I admit it too. I used to think I was quite capable, but a capable politician wouldn’t have let the situation get this far.”

Kim Myung-chan wore a bitter expression.

“But even an incompetent politician can do something. Do you know what that is?”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

“Taking responsibility.”

Lee Jong-wook’s eyes trembled.

“Prime Minister?”

“Don’t misunderstand. I don’t mean I’m going to offer my neck to Kang Jin-ho and beg for forgiveness. I still believe what I’m doing is right. But thanks to you, I’ve realized one thing for sure. If I’m a politician, not a champion of justice, I need to think about how to handle things when I fail.”

Kim Myung-chan wore a subtle smile.

“Isn’t that my role?”

“You’ve kept a sick man from resting. I’ll be going now.”

Kim Myung-chan left the room without looking back and closed the door.

Lee Jong-wook stared at the door for a long time after Kim Myung-chan left.

“Release Lee Jong-wook. Change it to house arrest.”

“Prime Minister, then we need to guard the perimeter of his house…”

“There’s no need to guard it. He won’t try to come out himself.”

“Then it’s no different from releasing him.”

“You’ve become quite talkative.”

“…I apologize.”

Kim Myung-chan chuckled and started walking.

He hadn’t intended to seek out Lee Jong-wook for this purpose, but it seemed like he had gained some insight thanks to him.

‘Responsibility…’

To embrace and die with it.

That was the best Kim Myung-chan could do right now. But thanks to the conversation with Lee Jong-wook, he had learned something new.

‘That’s right. There’s always a way.’

Kim Myung-chan quietly stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.

His lips glistened under the dim light.

‘He said finding a way is what makes a politician capable.’

If so, Kim Myung-chan had no intention of giving up on being capable. To give up and just shout when all sides are blocked is a sign of incompetence. Thanks to Lee Jong-wook, he now had a clear understanding of his situation.

“Prepare the car.”

“Yes. Where should I take you?”

“To the main house.”

“Yes!”

As the secretary ran ahead, Kim Myung-chan narrowed his eyes.

‘Lee, I don’t know if you know this, but there are many ways to take responsibility.’

Seeing his eyes waver at just a few words, Lee Jong-wook was still young.

Lee Jong-wook didn’t know.

What it meant to resist power in that brutal era. What kind of mindset those who rushed in like moths to a flame, knowing that the damage could extend not only to themselves but also to their families, lived with.

Compared to that?

‘This is nothing.’

How tenacious humans could be, how extreme humans could become.

He was going to see it.

Kim Myung-chan’s eyes, shadowed with darkness, narrowed.

‘You must think it’s all over now, right?’ Kang Jin-ho.

He admitted one thing.

He could no longer deal with him through force. But Kim Myung-chan knew. The power of the world wasn’t just violence.

Wealth, power, and even public opinion.

The power he could mobilize was limitless.

It was a mistake from the start to try to fight Kang Jin-ho with force. What could be more foolish than fighting using the opponent’s strengths?

Kim Myung-chan’s mind began to race.

Shaking off his fatigue and regaining his usual expression, Kim Myung-chan headed towards the elevator at a brisk pace.

“Prepare a cup of coffee. Double shot. I need to wake up my mind.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

Kim Myung-chan’s eyes darkened as he got into the elevator.

‘A scheme like using a knife to kill someone else won’t work. In the end, I have no choice but to fight with the power I have.’

If it was wrong from the start, he could just correct the situation now. Kim Myung-chan licked his lips.

‘If it’s like this, I’m actually looking forward to Kang Jin-ho coming to Korea. I wonder what kind of expression he’ll make.’

The elevator slowly began to rise.

Just like Kim Myung-chan’s mood.