Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1379

“Sacrifice?”

Kang Jin-ho tilted his head slightly.

“You don’t know what sacrifice is?”

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes narrowed.

How much did this man truly know about him? Did he have any idea how much Kang Jin-ho had given up and sacrificed to build and maintain his current life, to be spouting such nonsense?

As if reading Kang Jin-ho’s thoughts, Kim Myung-chan made the first move.

“I understand it must be difficult for you to comprehend.”

Kim Myung-chan released his clasped hands and picked up a paper cup. He took a sip of the still-hot coffee, his gaze unwavering as he looked at Kang Jin-ho.

“Because you think you’ve given up a lot.”

“But, Chairman, you misunderstand the concept of sacrifice.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Of course. It’s something those who live ordinary lives don’t consider.”

“Ordinary lives?”

“Ah, of course, I’m not saying that your life hasn’t been extraordinary. However, haven’t you ever had to lower yourself before an overwhelming force that you couldn’t resist?”

Kang Jin-ho frowned.

He might not realize it, but Kim Myung-chan’s words were hitting a nerve, striking at the core of Kang Jin-ho’s life.

“So, you’re saying I should lower myself?”

“No. I just wanted to point that out. Chairman, you may think you’ve sacrificed a lot for your current life, but in reality, you haven’t sacrificed anything at all.”

“Why is that?”

“What do you think sacrifice is?”

Kim Myung-chan posed the question as if it were a Zen riddle.

Then, without waiting for an answer, he continued.

“It’s giving up something precious.”

“But people often mistake sacrifice for suffering a loss themselves. You’re the same, Chairman.”

Kim Myung-chan’s voice grew more serious.

“Sacrifice has to hurt. But you only endure pain for those around you. For it to be a true sacrifice, you have to value yourself more than those around you. But what is it? From what I see, it doesn’t seem like that at all.”

Kang Jin-ho couldn’t answer.

Because it was true.

“If enduring a certain amount of pain and frustration for those around you is called sacrifice, then those who overwork for money are also making sacrifices, and athletes who play through injuries are also making sacrifices. But what is it? People don’t call that sacrifice. Isn’t that right?”

Kim Myung-chan grinned slyly.

“So, you’re a greedy person. You act like you’re sacrificing, but in reality, you don’t try to let go of anything you consider precious. From my perspective, that’s very fortunate.”

Kang Jin-ho’s lips curled into a slight smile.

“I admit it.”

“…What do you mean?”

“It seems I was quite underestimating you. I kept saying I should be wary, but it seems I was the one who was underestimating you the most.”

Kim Myung-chan chuckled and pushed up his glasses.

“I don’t know how to react. Should I be offended, or should I be grateful that you’re finally seeing me in a better light?”

Kang Jin-ho also smiled back at Kim Myung-chan.

“So…”

“What do you think I’m going to do now, from your perspective?”

Kang Jin-ho glared at Kim Myung-chan with narrowed eyes, as if he would jump at him and break his neck right then and there.

“Does my prediction even matter?” Kim Myung-chan joked.

“However, there is one thing I hope for. I hope you don’t do anything.”

“You think I’ll do that?”

“Yes. Because that’s the best option.”

“The best?”

Kim Myung-chan smiled gently.

“The best option for you isn’t to enjoy wealth and prosperity. It’s for your loved ones and family to be happy, even if you’re in a slightly lower place.”

“This place is a low place. If you endure a little discomfort, the others can continue their ordinary lives. But if you have other ideas, you might be a little more comfortable, but the happiness of others will disappear. Because they will become the family and friends of an escaped criminal.”

Kang Jin-ho’s lips curled up further.

“So, I have to endure it?”

“I’m not forcing you. It’s your choice. You can kill me right now and leave.”

Kim Myung-chan showed no hint of mockery.

It wasn’t the attitude of a victor.

“But I believe you won’t make that choice. Because that would lead everyone to ruin.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed softly.

At that moment, Kim Myung-chan took out a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket and offered them to Kang Jin-ho.

“Have one.”

“Is it okay to give this to an inmate?”

“What could possibly happen?”

Kang Jin-ho put the cigarette in his mouth and lit it. Thick cigarette smoke began to fill the room.

The thick cigarette smoke entering his lungs made him feel a little relieved.

“Chairman.”

Kim Myung-chan stared at Kang Jin-ho for a moment before speaking.

“Please stay here.”

“This isn’t a recommendation. It’s a request. As you know, the relationship between the General Assembly [a legislative body] and the government has become extremely strained. If you’re outside, it’s impossible to resolve.”

“You’re talking as if I’ve done something wrong.”

“I know. We’re the ones who made the mistake. So, I have no choice but to be unreasonable.”

Kim Myung-chan bowed his head slightly.

“I’m not trying to get away with an apology. If you want my head, you can have it. But this isn’t my personal matter. This is a matter of the state.”

“I guarantee it. The safety of your family outside, support for MK [likely referring to a company or organization], and the safety of the General Assembly. I will guarantee everything. And I will make sure you have no discomfort in your prison life. I will use my authority to grant you permission for outings and even things that are not allowed in prison.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

“Does the Prime Minister of South Korea have that much power?”

“Of course, it’s normally impossible.”

“Who was it that said all people should be equal under the law?”

“…It’s true that you didn’t violate the National Security Law, isn’t it? You were framed for a crime you didn’t commit, so you deserve to be treated this well.”

“You’re spouting such words without any conscience?”

“Yes. Not at all. After all, aren’t you a murderer?”

Kim Myung-chan’s eyes turned cold.

“According to the law, you should have been executed a long time ago. What’s the big deal about framing someone like that for one more crime?”

Kang Jin-ho laughed.

It wasn’t entirely wrong. Of course, that crime and this crime were separate issues, but Kang Jin-ho’s conscience wasn’t so weak that he would nitpick about such things.

“So, you just have to endure it a little. It’s not that different from your life so far, is it? If you just endure it, everything will be resolved.”

Kang Jin-ho leaned back in his chair and slowly took a drag of his cigarette.

He thought he would lose his reason with anger if he met Kim Myung-chan. But when he actually met Kim Myung-chan, he became calm rather than angry.

“If I just step aside, everything will be resolved?”

“Chairman.”

Kim Myung-chan sighed softly and spoke.

“You are the cause of everything. The world has been shaken since you appeared. Of course, even if you disappear now, it won’t be completely resolved. But it won’t be like it is now.”

“That sounds like you’re underestimating the General Assembly too much?”

“That statement shows that you’re taking your influence too lightly. Your influence is greater than you think.”

Kang Jin-ho let out a hollow laugh.

“You’ve made me look like this, and you can still say such things.”

“If you hadn’t intended to be captured, who could have captured you?”

Kang Jin-ho threw the cigarette into the coffee.

Then, he quietly stared at Kim Myung-chan.

Kim Myung-chan, pressured by that gaze, spoke first.

“I know you’re not settled yet. I know you’re not listening to what I’m saying right now. But Chairman, there’s only one way for us to live together. If you accept my proposal, I will pardon you and restore your rights as soon as things are settled. I also promise a huge compensation.”

“That’s enough.”

Kang Jin-ho cut off Kim Myung-chan’s words in a calm voice.

“It’s better if you don’t talk anymore. Your voice is starting to get on my nerves.”

Kim Myung-chan closed his mouth.

Kang Jin-ho wasn’t a man of many words. The moment his voice truly got on his nerves, he might grab Kim Myung-chan’s neck and twist it.

Kang Jin-ho was the one who had fallen into the trap, but Kim Myung-chan was the one walking the tightrope. From the beginning, this wasn’t a fair deal or a fair negotiation. One side was risking his neck, while the other was just betting time in an unfair trade.

“Go back.”

“Chairman.”

“I’ve heard your nonsense. I know what you’re thinking, so now it’s my turn. Go back. And wait. You’ll see what decision I make, the moment I make it.”

Kim Myung-chan’s face turned slightly pale.

He wasn’t someone who couldn’t guess the hidden meaning in Kang Jin-ho’s words. If Kang Jin-ho decided not to accept Kim Myung-chan’s proposal, it meant that he would appear before him at that moment.

He would come.

A death that could not be avoided.

With a slightly haggard face, Kim Myung-chan nodded.

“…I will go back. I will visit you again when you have finished settling things. In the meantime, I will do everything to make sure you are comfortable, so if you have any inconveniences, please tell the prison guards immediately.”

Kang Jin-ho got up from his seat without answering.

Then, he walked towards the door.

Kang Jin-ho, who was about to knock on the door, stopped for a moment. Then, without turning his head, he said.

“Just one question.”

“One thing is missing from all those proposals.”

Kang Jin-ho slowly turned his head.

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes, like those of a hungry beast, captured Kim Myung-chan as if he had spotted his prey.

“Do you think you can live?”

Kang Jin-ho bared his teeth.

“Go back. I’ll come for you. Whenever that is, you won’t die easily. I promise.”

Kang Jin-ho knocked on the door.

Then, the guard who had been waiting opened the door and took Kang Jin-ho out.

Kim Myung-chan, left alone in the room, picked up the cigarette on the table.

The hand that took the cigarette from the pack trembled. With a trembling hand, Kim Myung-chan put the cigarette in his mouth and tried to light it several times before slumping down.

His forehead was already soaked with cold sweat.

‘It’s just the beginning.’

He had only put his head in the tiger’s mouth. There were many things to do in the future to catch the real tiger.

Kim Myung-chan rubbed his face with both hands.