Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1376

“Please be careful going in.”

“Shouldn’t we escort you all the way home?”

“Are you even able to drive?”

Kang Jin-ho sighed.

Being cared for and receiving attention was a good thing. To be honest, he had missed that a little when he was in the Central Plains [a term often used to refer to the martial arts world or ancient China].

But Kang Jin-ho wasn’t a three-year-old.

Was driving home something that warranted such a reaction?

“Don’t make such a fuss.”

“Lord, you are injured!”

“My Lord, this is not a fuss! Isn’t the Lord’s body damaged! I will escort you.”

“…You?”

“Yes, my Lord!”

“Driving?”

“I’m a good driver.”

At that moment, Kang Jin-ho understood why his friends didn’t want to ride in his car.

‘So this is how it feels.’

He’d rather die than entrust his life to Jang Min. Even Kang Jin-ho, who was unlikely to die even in an accident, felt this way.

“I’ll go on my own.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed and headed towards his beloved car. Seeing that it was spotless even after a long time, it seemed the General Assembly had been taking care of it in his absence.

‘They’re so considerate in unnecessary ways.’ Kang Jin-ho chuckled and got into the car.

“Are you really going to be alright?”

Even Lee Hyun-soo was making a fuss, causing Kang Jin-ho’s face to turn a bit serious.

“Is there a problem?”

“…To be honest, I don’t want to leave you alone, Lord. It’s one thing if you’re at the General Assembly, but the moment you leave, who knows what might happen.”

“Weren’t you saying the war was already over?”

“Even after a war ends, it’s common for crazy people to form suicide squads and make a last stand.”

Kang Jin-ho gave a bitter smile.

“You all seem to be worrying too much.”

“It’s not worry, it’s…”

“There’s no need. They’re not that stupid.”

No one would try to cut down a tree that can’t be felled by an axe with a pocketknife.

He understood their concern, but staying here might be a bad decision right now.

“I might not be coming to work for a while.”

“Yes?”

“If I were them, I wouldn’t make a last stand like that.”

Lee Hyun-soo and Wiggins’ faces hardened simultaneously.

“I suppose you’re right.”

“I’ll strengthen the security a bit more.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

If Kang Jin-ho were Kim Myung-chan, he would try to capture Kang Jin-ho’s family no matter what. He wouldn’t kill them, but capture them alive. Then, he would use his family as hostages to negotiate with Kang Jin-ho.

Kang Jin-ho would never allow that situation, but it was a method Kim Myung-chan could try if he was desperate.

To prevent that situation, he had to go home for now.

“I’m going.”

“Please be careful going in.”

“Take care!”

Brummm.

The car carrying Kang Jin-ho began to leave the General Assembly. Those who watched him go let out a low sigh.

“It seems like we’ve gotten over one hurdle.”

Bang Jin-hoon scratched his head.

“Since that bastard Kim Myung-chan disappeared, I don’t feel good. We need to catch him and beat him to a pulp.”

“That’s how the world is.”

Wiggins also gave a bitter smile.

‘Most of all, it’s encouraging that the Lord is calm.’

Considering Kang Jin-ho’s personality, it wouldn’t be strange if he went to kill Kim Myung-chan as soon as he returned to Korea, without even taking care of himself. No, that was several times more likely.

After rescuing Kang Jin-ho, the next thing that gave him a headache was how to calm Kang Jin-ho down after he returned to Korea. That should say it all.

But surprisingly, Kang Jin-ho was very calm.

Wiggins couldn’t tell if this was calmness or if his anger had reached its peak and he had become cold, but at least the situation wasn’t getting any more urgent.

“I understand how you feel.”

“Why are you saying that to me? Aren’t you going to nag me like usual?”

“I’m frustrated too.”

Wiggins bared his teeth.

“But there’s no need to feel that way. This isn’t about holding back. It’s about being certain. I don’t intend to let this go lightly this time either. I’m going to make sure not a single ant related to this is left alive.”

“…Why are you suddenly like this? You’re scaring me.”

“I just agreed with the Elder’s words. If you let someone throw cigarette butts in your yard, they’ll eventually throw stones and even push in trash. You have to break the head of the one who threw the cigarette butt to prevent it from happening again.”

“Are you telling me not to smoke?”

“…Never mind.”

Wiggins clicked his tongue and turned away. Lee Hyun-soo followed beside him.

“I’ll check the information lines as soon as Jang Pil-jae wakes up.”

“Are there any information lines related to the National Intelligence Service among the ones the General Assembly has?”

“That side is very difficult to access…”

“Try using politicians. We should be able to use the Minister of Economy and Finance.”

“Understood.”

Wiggins slightly bit his lip.

‘I won’t let them get away.’

The punishment must be certain. So that no one ever dreams of targeting the General Assembly again.

“I’m home.”

“Son!”

As Kang Jin-ho opened the door, Baek Hyun-jung walked over with a bright smile.

“You’re home?”

Baek Hyun-jung opened her arms.

Kang Jin-ho smiled slightly, took off his shoes, and approached Baek Hyun-jung.

‘This is what family is…’

Whack!

“Ouch!”

Kang Jin-ho was startled by the hand that flew at his back and took a step back.

The gentle and kind mother had disappeared, and a furious woman was standing there.

“You crazy son!”

“You said you were going to China, but you didn’t contact us! You didn’t answer your phone! You’re way past the day you were supposed to come back! Are you in your right mind?”

“Something unexpected happened…”

“So you couldn’t contact us?” Kang Jin-ho scratched the back of his head.

“I’m sorry.”

Baek Hyun-jung scanned Kang Jin-ho up and down, then let out a deep sigh.

“Nothing happened, right?”

“Yes.”

“If your company hadn’t contacted us to say that the chairman was fine, I would have gone to the police station. How can you be so heartless? You’re my own son, but sometimes I just don’t understand you, you rascal.”

“I’m sorry.”

Kang Jin-ho stood awkwardly, fidgeting with his fingers.

Being scolded by his parents was still something he hadn’t gotten used to. Even the mighty Kang Jin-ho had no way to respond in these situations.

“Come in! Let’s eat first!”

“Yes!”

Kang Jin-ho quickly ran inside. Kang Eun-young and Kang Yu-hwan, who were sitting on the sofa, clicked their tongues.

“I knew he’d get scolded.”

“Big brother deserves to be scolded. Mom was so worried.”

As always, he had no allies in these situations.

“That wasn’t my intention…”

“That, that…”

Kang Yu-hwan clicked his tongue quickly.

“You’re already making excuses. If a man is wrong, he should admit it and apologize, but you’re still… Ugh!”

Kang Jin-ho shrank more and more.

“See, Dad? Our son is useless. But it’s okay. We have a pretty daughter.”

“Pretty… Yeah, you’ve become pretty. Very pretty.”

“What does that mean, Dad?”

“Honey, he must be hungry, let’s feed him first. I’ll set the table.”

“No, Dad. What does that mean! Dad?”

Kang Yu-hwan cleared his throat, got up from the sofa, and approached Kang Jin-ho, patting him on the shoulder.

“Go wash up first, change your clothes, and come out. You must be tired.”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. You’re a man.”

Kang Yu-hwan patted Kang Jin-ho on the back and pushed him into the bathroom.

“Wash up for a long time so Mom will calm down. Okay?”

Kang Jin-ho smiled without realizing it as he heard the soft whisper.

“Yes.”

“Go in quickly.”

“First, some clothes to change into…”

Kang Jin-ho went to his room to get some clothes to change into and then went into the bathroom. Kang Jin-ho closed the door, smiled slightly, and took off his clothes.

As he stood under the warm water from the shower, he felt his whole body relax.

His body wouldn’t change with this level of warmth, but no matter how strong he became, he was still human. His body might become stronger, but his mind wouldn’t change. It would just become more steadfast.

Smelling the food coming through the crack in the door, he finally felt like he was home.

‘I was careless.’

This was something to reflect on.

There were many reasons. He didn’t want to show that he was worried about his family by calling Korea, in case they were being bugged. It could be dangerous.

But no matter what reason he gave, it was true that he was careless. It wasn’t like there was no way to contact them.

He only thought about protecting his family’s safety, and didn’t think much about how worried they would be about him. Kang Jin-ho still needed to be more sensitive.

After showering, Kang Jin-ho looked at the wounds on his body. Fortunately, the wounds were only on areas that could be covered by clothes. The long, split skin and the parts distorted by burns were unsightly, but if he was careful for a few days, they wouldn’t be noticeable.

Kang Jin-ho changed his clothes and opened the door to go outside.

His father was wearing an apron and moving the stew.

“…Why is there so much?” Kang Yu-hwan gave a bitter smile.

“Your mother kept making new dishes because she thought you’d want to eat Korean food after living abroad for so long. I thought I was going to die trying to eat it all.”

“I gained weight!”

Kang Yu-hwan frowned at Kang Eun-young’s words.

“Isn’t that because of the snacks?”

“Dad, sometimes I don’t understand how you married Mom.”

“I’m handsome.”

“…I’m really starting to not understand.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled and sat at the table. Baek Hyun-jung divided the stir-fried bulgogi [a Korean dish of marinated beef] in the frying pan onto a plate and placed it in front of Kang Jin-ho with a thud.

“I’m not giving this to you because you’re pretty. I’m giving it to you because I’m angry.”

“What about the rice cakes?”

“You’re joking, our son? I’m thinking about frying you in the pan.”

Kang Jin-ho quietly lowered his head and grabbed his rice bowl.

He had tried to make a joke, but it seemed like he wouldn’t get anything out of it.

“Eat a lot.”

“Yes.”

But what should he say…

The sense of relief that he hadn’t felt even when he returned to Korea was seeping into Kang Jin-ho’s heart.

He finally felt like he was home.

Just as Kang Jin-ho was about to take a spoonful of rice, the doorbell rang.

Ding dong.

“Who is it at this hour?”

Kang Yu-hwan tilted his head and got up from his seat. It wasn’t very late, but it was late for someone to visit.

Kang Yu-hwan picked up the intercom and looked at the screen.

“Who is it?”

[Is this the residence of Kang Yu-hwan?]

“Yes, it is.”

[We’re here for a gas inspection. Please open the door.]

“A gas inspection at this hour?”

[We’re very backed up. We apologize.]

Kang Yu-hwan stared at the woman on the screen for a moment, then pressed the button to open the door.

After a short time, the front door opened.

But the person who came in was not the woman he had seen on the screen. A group of six or seven burly men rushed in.

“Who are you?”

Just as a flustered Kang Yu-hwan was about to block them.

“We’re the police. Kang Jin-ho!”

The man at the front took out a police badge from his pocket and held it out.

The men behind him were wearing police uniforms. There was no room to doubt their identities.

“Police? Why are the police here?”

The man at the front silently pushed Kang Yu-hwan aside and walked straight towards Kang Jin-ho.

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

‘So this was it.’

He knew things wouldn’t stay quiet. But this was a response that Kang Jin-ho hadn’t expected at all.

The police officer standing in front of Kang Jin-ho took out handcuffs from his pocket.

“Kang Jin-ho, you are under arrest for violating the National Security Law.”

Click.

The handcuffs were placed on Kang Jin-ho’s hands.

The corners of Kang Jin-ho’s mouth curled up even more.

“Very…”

The corners of his mouth slightly parted, revealing his white teeth. Like a beast growling.

“You’re doing something interesting.”

The situation began to flow rapidly in an unexpected direction.