Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1395

Lee Jong-wook swallowed hard.

He knew Kang Jin-ho’s anger wasn’t directed at him. But even knowing that, continuing to speak in front of an enraged Kang Jin-ho was no easy task.

“Chairman…”

“Did Kim Myung-chan do everything?”

“It wouldn’t be just him, would it? Or is it?”

“That’s how power works. Everyone is involved, but only a few take responsibility. If everyone had to bear the consequences of their involvement, no one would survive.”

“So, you want us to cooperate?”

“Chairman.”

Lee Jong-wook spoke heavily.

“Who can deny that this regime has wronged you? I knew it too, and that’s why I wanted to prevent this situation at all costs. But… the deed is done.”

“But if this incident leads to the collapse of the regime, too many innocent people will suffer. You know, most of those involved were just following orders from above.”

Kang Jin-ho stared at Lee Jong-wook and then opened his mouth.

“Enough with the theatrics.”

“Yes?”

“You know that those aren’t the people I’m after, don’t you?”

“…Chairman.”

Lee Jong-wook hesitated before nodding.

“Indeed, that’s who you are.”

Kang Jin-ho slowly exhaled cigarette smoke, his eyes cold as he stared at Lee Jong-wook.

“Kim Myung-chan can’t be the end of it. Isn’t that right?”

“It’s not something he could do alone. Of course.”

Lee Jong-wook closed his eyes.

Lee Jong-wook was not ignorant of who Kang Jin-ho’s words were referring to. He had come here himself because he wanted to prevent the situation from escalating this far.

Bringing an absurd negotiation proposal.

But unlike Lee Jong-wook’s intentions, Kang Jin-ho showed no sign of yielding.

“Chairman.”

Lee Jong-wook bit his lip and spoke.

“As you said, there are three key figures involved in this matter. One is Kim Myung-chan, another is the Director of the National Intelligence Service, and lastly…”

After a long pause, Lee Jong-wook spoke as if spitting out the words.

“Code One.” [A high-ranking official, possibly the president or a very powerful figure.]

“We will give you what we can. But Code One is off-limits. If the state cannot protect Code One, everything will collapse.”

“You’ve already impeached him once, it shouldn’t be that difficult, right?”

“We can’t do it twice, can we?”

“Chairman, it’s true that Code One was involved in this matter. It’s also true that he gave Kim Myung-chan the authority to act as he pleased and provided support accordingly. But I can objectively say that Code One was merely following Kim Myung-chan’s judgment.”

“You’re good at talking nonsense.”

“You may think it’s nonsense, but this is the truth. That’s Code One’s style. He fully trusts and supports those he considers his people. He knows his own shortcomings and, if there are people who can do better than him in certain areas, he pushes them beyond his own understanding.”

“So, he bears no responsibility?”

“I can’t say that. Pushing them is also a responsibility. But at least there’s room for negotiation, isn’t there?”

Lee Jong-wook didn’t think Kang Jin-ho would rush to the Blue House [The presidential residence in South Korea] right away. But Kang Jin-ho could destroy the regime without having to do so.

Now that Kang Jin-ho and China had joined forces, the regime would be shattered just by releasing a few stories after his release.

‘To be in a situation where we have to beg the victim to lie so we don’t die.’

That’s why no one but Lee Jong-wook could come. At least Lee Jong-wook could speak honestly in front of Kang Jin-ho.

“You must have thought this far, right?”

“Or not?”

“…You’re right.”

Lee Jong-wook was once again reminded that the man in front of him was Kang Jin-ho.

The feeling he had when he saw Kang Jin-ho at the General Assembly in the past.

A man with the body of a beast and the mind of a fox.

Those who faced Kang Jin-ho were captivated by his overwhelming presence. So, they overlooked the fact that Kang Jin-ho was surprisingly intelligent.

That’s how they were destroyed.

But Lee Jong-wook knew. He couldn’t deceive Kang Jin-ho with his abilities.

So, it was better to admit everything.

“Spit it out. I’ll listen. It’s the least I can do for someone who tried to help me. But…”

Kang Jin-ho said with a calm gaze.

“Let’s consider that debt from back then paid in full with this.”

“Of course. I’m rather grateful, Chairman.”

Lee Jong-wook bowed deeply, took a deep breath, and then spoke.

“In exchange for resolving this matter, we will announce through the media that you were framed. And the compensation will be more than sufficient. We will also promise compensation for other matters. For MK, as well as the General Assembly…”

*Click.*

Kang Jin-ho stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

The way he crushed the still-burning cigarette showed how he was feeling right now.

But Kang Jin-ho didn’t speak right away. He leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed. Lee Jong-wook quietly held his breath, not wanting to upset Kang Jin-ho.

After thinking for a while, Kang Jin-ho opened his eyes.

“That compensation is going to be money, isn’t it?”

“…It’s the fastest and most reliable compensation.”

“Who’s going to pay that compensation?”

“Of course, Code One…”

“With whose money?”

Lee Jong-wook closed his mouth.

This was something he hadn’t considered.

Kang Jin-ho grinned, showing his teeth.

“You commit the wrong and then compensate with taxes? How convenient. Is that how those in power take responsibility?”

“Chairman, we…”

“It seems like I look like I’m short on money. That’s surprising. Do you people think differently? Is the money I have so insignificant that it looks like pocket change?”

Lee Jong-wook lowered his head.

He knew it too. How absurd it was to talk about money with Kang Jin-ho. Kang Jin-ho was still one of the richest men in South Korea. If he used the influence he had over Japan and the Round Table, making money would be nothing.

How much money would it take to give him satisfactory compensation?

All that money would be taxes.

‘That damn Kim Myung-chan bastard.’

He couldn’t help but think about how absurd Kim Myung-chan’s actions were. That’s why he tried so hard to stop him, but instead of fixing the problem, he made it worse.

If he could tear Kim Myung-chan to pieces to resolve the situation, he would have done it many times over. But now, it was beyond that stage.

“Chairman.”

Lee Jong-wook got up from his seat and knelt down.

“What are you doing?”

“I believe that I have received the price for what I have done by you listening to my words. So, now I can only ask for a favor.”

Lee Jong-wook bowed his head deeply.

“To be honest, I really don’t know how to quell your anger. No, not just me, no one knows how to resolve this situation. So, I’ll just be frank. Please tell us the way. How can we stop this matter at this point?”

Kang Jin-ho quietly looked at Lee Jong-wook.

Why was this man bowing his head in front of him?

Lee Jong-wook had rebelled against Kim Myung-chan to protect Kang Jin-ho. As a result, he lost everything he had and was imprisoned. But now, he was bowing his head to Kang Jin-ho to protect those who had sided with Kim Myung-chan.

How could he do that?

“Let me ask you one thing.”

“Yes.”

“Is this regime worth protecting that much?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then?”

Lee Jong-wook seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking.

“What I’m trying to protect isn’t the regime. It’s the country and the people. It may sound foolish and like a pipe dream, but… that’s why I joined the National Intelligence Service and dedicated my youth to it.”

“I don’t want to defend those people. I just don’t want more people to suffer as this matter escalates.”

“Is it a problem to replace the rotten ones?”

“How clean do you think the ones who will come in place of the ones you replace will be?”

Lee Jong-wook sighed.

“Please, think about it just once, Chairman.”

Kang Jin-ho put a new cigarette in his mouth and lit it.

‘I’m tired.’

He felt fatigue washing over him even though they hadn’t exchanged many words. In other words, Kang Jin-ho couldn’t just dismiss what Lee Jong-wook was saying as nonsense.

If he wasn’t conflicted, he wouldn’t be tired.

So, would he forgive them?

Of course not.

“Get up and sit down.”

“…Yes.”

Lee Jong-wook got up from his seat and sat back down on the chair. Kang Jin-ho handed a cigarette to Lee Jong-wook.

“Smoke.”

“Ah, it’s okay.”

“Smoke.”

“Then just one…”

As Lee Jong-wook took the cigarette, Kang Jin-ho reached out and lit it for him. Then, he leaned back in his chair and quietly looked at Lee Jong-wook.

“You asked me to show you the way, right?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not that difficult.”

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

“I’ll tell you how to appease my anger, so go and tell them.”

“…What?”

“As you said, I’ll spare one of them. But not the other two. And they need to provide proper proof that they are reflecting on this matter.”

“Of course. We will do our best…”

“Kim Myung-chan, and the Director of the National Intelligence Service.”

“Yes?”

Lee Jong-wook looked puzzled at the mention of the two names.

What was he trying to say?

“You destroy them.”

Lee Jong-wook, who didn’t understand the meaning of the words for a moment, stared blankly at Kang Jin-ho.

“The, the Director of the National Intelligence Service is one thing, but Kim Myung-chan is already!”

“Is that all?”

Kang Jin-ho laughed.

Quietly, and like a demon.

“That’s not enough. It’s just the beginning. Destroy everything they have, to the point where they’d rather die. There are things that you can do that I or China can’t.”

Lee Jong-wook’s body trembled.

This was malice. And hatred.

“Destroy everything to the point where they regret being alive. To the point where they’d rather gouge out their eyes and cut off their ears. I’ll consider it depending on how much you do.”

“Ch, Chairman, that’s…”

“Can’t you do it?”

Lee Jong-wook bit his lip.

“…It’s not something I can decide.”

“Then go and tell them. Tell them that I don’t want anything. What I want is for those who targeted me to be destroyed, and for those who destroyed them to be brought before me. Those are the two things.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled softly.

“I promised.”

“…What?”

“To see them again at the end. If you do that, I’ll stop here. But if you don’t…”

Kang Jin-ho growled like a beast.

“I’ll go all the way. You better remember that. Once I start, I never stop halfway. Until one of us dies, until there’s a conclusion.”

Kang Jin-ho got up from his seat.

Then, he turned and headed for the door.

Lee Jong-wook silently watched Kang Jin-ho’s back.

There was a time when he was overwhelmed by that back.

But Lee Jong-wook realized that even then, he knew nothing about Kang Jin-ho.

This was a person who should never be turned against. Never.