Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1396

“Don’t come to a place like this next time.”

“Yes.”

“Of course, there may be many unfair aspects, but that’s how the world is. It’s best not to create trouble in the first place.”

“Yes.”

A clueless guard looks at Kang Jin-ho with a pitiful expression. Kang Jin-ho, seemingly half-mute, could only give short answers.

Well, of course, he had committed many crimes, but he wasn’t here because of those crimes.

“You’ve worked hard. Goodbye.”

“Ah… Yes.”

Screech.

Clang.

Kang Jin-ho walked out of the detention center with an awkward expression.

‘Why is this so sudden?’

Less than a day after sending Lee Jong-wook back, Kang Jin-ho was released.

Kang Jin-ho didn’t particularly want to leave, but he couldn’t refuse to leave the detention center when they told him to. If they told him to leave, he had to leave.

“Jin-ho!”

Kang Jin-ho turned his head. He saw Baek Hyun-jung running towards him.

“Oh?”

Kang Jin-ho hugged Baek Hyun-jung and smiled lightly.

“How did you know to come?”

“They contacted us, saying you’d be released today.”

“…I didn’t even know.”

“We heard about it this morning.”

Kang Jin-ho scratched his head.

Kang Yu-hwan approached with a pleased expression and patted Kang Jin-ho’s shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Worked hard? Father, you’re the one who worked hard.”

It wasn’t just a polite remark; Kang Jin-ho really hadn’t worked hard. It was a detention center, but there wasn’t anything particularly uncomfortable about it.

Having to confine himself in a place where he could leave at any time was quite terrible, but he could endure that much.

“Here.”

“Huh?”

“Tofu.”

Kang Eun-young held out the tofu in her hand to Kang Jin-ho.

Kang Jin-ho frowned.

“…Do I have to eat it?”

“Then are you going to throw it away?”

“I think I can just grill it at home.”

“Stop talking and eat it quickly. This is an old Korean tradition.”

He didn’t know when this tradition started, but Baek Hyun-jung and Kang Yu-hwan were pressuring him with their eyes. It felt like he had to eat it.

“I don’t like raw tofu…”

“How old are you to be picky about food!”

“Eat it. So you don’t come back here.”

“Yes.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed and bit into the tofu.

Still, after eating a bite of tofu, he realized he was released.

“Is it all over now?”

“They said they’re switching to a non-custodial investigation for now. I don’t know much about the legal issues. I heard the explanation, but I don’t understand what they’re saying.”

Kang Jin-ho vaguely mumbled.

These series of events had nothing to do with the law anyway.

The higher-ups who agreed to negotiate with Kang Jin-ho quickly released him to avoid upsetting him. After all, there was nothing they could do even if they kept Kang Jin-ho locked up.

‘I didn’t expect it to be this fast, though.’

Kang Jin-ho chuckled softly.

Getting out of that place wasn’t a big deal.

The important thing was that he had won this fight without using force, without violence.

“Let’s go home, Jin-ho. Mom made food.”

“We could just buy something.”

“No. You must be exhausted, you need to eat home-cooked food. Oh my, my baby. Your face has become so thin.”

‘It’s the same.’

Kang Jin-ho laughed.

It felt strangely warm. As he was about to say something to Baek Hyun-jung, who was constantly wiping her eyes, Kang Jin-ho unknowingly turned his head to one side.

A head that had been sticking out from the end of the long wall quickly retreated inside.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, nothing.”

Did he just see something? Kang Jin-ho turned his body with an awkward expression.

However, his senses vividly felt the head that had gone inside slowly coming out again.

This all too familiar sensation….

“Huh?”

At that moment, Kang Eun-young tilted her head.

“Hey, that….”

“Huh? What is it?”

“I think I just saw a familiar face peek out and then go back in?”

They should at least try not to get caught.

Just as Kang Jin-ho was wondering what to do about this situation, Kang Eun-young made the first move.

“It looks like Yeon-ha unnie [older sister] is here, Mom?”

“Huh? Choi Yeon-ha?”

“Yeah. I only saw her briefly, but that kind of figure can only be her.”

She’s like a ghost.

“Where?”

Baek Hyun-jung looked around. Then, Kang Eun-young kindly pointed out where Choi Yeon-ha was hiding.

“She’s hiding behind that corner over there.”

“Why?”

“She’s probably scared of being seen by Mom.”

Baek Hyun-jung looked at the corner with a strange expression.

“Jin-ho.”

“…Yes.”

“Go and tell her to come over.”

“Yes?”

“She seems to have come all the way here because you’re being released, so she shouldn’t leave without seeing you properly. Go and tell her to come over.”

“Go on.”

“Yes.”

Kang Jin-ho turned his body with an awkward expression.

Then, he slowly walked along the detention center wall and reached the corner. When he stuck his head out to look, he saw Choi Yeon-ha clinging to the wall.

“…What are you doing?”

“Oh my.”

Choi Yeon-ha, who had discovered Kang Jin-ho, quickly spoke in surprise.

“Why are you here! What if you get caught?”

I’ve already been caught.

How could she think she wouldn’t get caught? This isn’t some spy movie. No, before that, why shouldn’t she get caught in the first place? It’s not like she committed a crime.

“My mother told you to come over.”

“What did you say?”

“My mother said not to stay here and to come over.”

“…Have I already been caught?”

“Yes.”

Choi Yeon-ha sighed deeply.

“Why didn’t I think that your mother and father would come? I thought I was the only one who knew.”

“How did Choi Yeon-ha know?”

“Chief Lee called me. He said they wouldn’t like it if they went.”

That’s true. They’re tired of seeing their faces.

“Ah, what should I do? It doesn’t seem polite to meet them for the first time in a place like this, and I’m not prepared at all!”

“…Shall I say you’re not coming?”

“Are you out of your mind?”

Choi Yeon-ha glared at Kang Jin-ho and then jumped up from her spot. Then, she took out a mirror from her handbag and checked her makeup. After touching up her makeup with lightning-fast movements, Choi Yeon-ha finished all her preparations and straightened her back.

Then, she took a deep breath.

“Hoo…”

Choi Yeon-ha, with a solemn face like a general facing a battlefield, nodded.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

“Ah, wait.”

“Yes?”

Choi Yeon-ha narrowed her eyes.

“Just in case, I’ll say this in advance, no matter what I hear, don’t try to help me by opening your mouth. That’s not helping, that’s burying someone.”

“Kang Jin-ho, you’re so clueless that it’s better to just stay quiet in these situations. Got it?”

“…Yes.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded with a sullen expression.

It’s strange. Today was supposed to be the day Kang Jin-ho was released, so he should be receiving congratulations, but why does he feel like he’s being scolded?

Thanks to Choi Yeon-ha pushing him, Kang Jin-ho started walking without having time to resolve his doubts.

Kang Jin-ho, who was standing next to Choi Yeon-ha after passing the corner, started walking towards his parents.

Kang Jin-ho’s expression subtly changed as he glanced sideways.

Choi Yeon-ha, who was usually so confident that she was said to walk like a model on a runway even when going to the bathroom, was walking with the most polite posture in the world.

“Yeope beu•ji meulreugeu [Don’t make a fuss].”

Kang Jin-ho, feeling a murderous intent in her voice, quickly turned his head forward.

Choi Yeon-ha, who had arrived in front of Kang Jin-ho’s family, bowed gracefully.

“Nice to meet you, Mother. I should have greeted you sooner, but I’m embarrassed and sorry to meet you like this…”

At that moment, Baek Hyun-jung stepped forward and reached out to grab Choi Yeon-ha’s hands. Choi Yeon-ha, slightly flustered, tried to pull her hand away, but after seeing Baek Hyun-jung’s face, she held her hand back.

“Thank you, Choi Yeon-ha.”

Choi Yeon-ha couldn’t find the words to answer for a moment and just smiled.

“It must have been difficult, but thank you so much for speaking up like that on the broadcast.”

“I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. I should have said that.”

“Thank you so much.”

Baek Hyun-jung looked at Choi Yeon-ha with an extremely pleased expression.

In a situation where he was being framed as a spy, it was truly impossible for a big star like Choi Yeon-ha to reveal her relationship with Kang Jin-ho without a great deal of determination.

How many of Choi Yeon-ha’s fans must have left because of that?

While Baek Hyun-jung and Kang Yu-hwan were just worried about Kang Jin-ho’s imprisonment, Choi Yeon-ha was directly affected. Baek Hyun-jung couldn’t help but be grateful.

“I felt like the sky was falling, but I was able to gain a lot of strength thanks to Choi Yeon-ha. It seems that our family isn’t the only one who believes in our Jin-ho.”

Choi Yeon-ha smiled brightly.

Her already beautiful face seemed to shine even more when combined with her smile.

“I’m not the only one. Jin-ho is lucky to have good people around him, and everyone he knows tried their best to help him.”

“They’re all good people, because they’re good people.”

Baek Hyun-jung wiped her eyes.

Kang Jin-ho, who was watching the scene from the side, felt like he was breaking out in hives.

It was better to fight an enemy, it was better to be locked up in prison. Enduring this kind of atmosphere with a clear mind was too painful for Kang Jin-ho.

Just as he was about to intervene and end this conversation, Baek Hyun-jung said something shocking.

“How about we have a meal together?”

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes widened as he turned to look at Choi Yeon-ha. Please say no.

“Yes. I’d love to, Mother. Would it be rude if I joined you?”

“Rude? Of course not.”

Just as Kang Jin-ho was feeling suffocated, a savior appeared.

“Hey, Mom.”

Kang Eun-young intervened.

“Let’s let them eat comfortably. How can they eat in front of you?”

“Why? I can eat well.”

“It’s okay, unnie [older sister]. You can eat better alone.”

Kang Eun-young chuckled.

“But you’re really devoted. I heard on social media that you’ve been coming and going all the time, did you come today too?”

“I, I just had some time…”

“Does unnie ever have free time?”

“No. I really have free time. My CF [commercial film] was canceled.”

“Ah…”

It was a statement that Choi Yeon-ha made as an excuse, but everyone who heard it couldn’t help but feel somber.

“Ah, I misspoke…”

Choi Yeon-ha covered her mouth.

Then, Kang Eun-young glared at Kang Jin-ho with sharp eyes.

“You’re such a nuisance.”

“I know, right!”

Kang Eun-young was one thing, but even Baek Hyun-jung joined in on the criticism. Kang Jin-ho was very wronged, but he knew enough not to open his mouth right now.

“Then…”

Baek Hyun-jung glanced at Choi Yeon-ha and said.

“It can’t be helped. You can have fun with Jin-ho today. Just don’t send him back too late.”

“No, Mother! On a day like today, he should definitely go home!”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m the one who allowed it.”

At that moment, Kang Yu-hwan, who had been subtly watching the situation, cautiously opened his mouth.

“Honey, I think…”

“You, don’t open your mouth. You should have some shame. In front of Choi Yeon-ha.”

Kang Jin-ho, seeing his father instantly shrink back, thought it was a good thing he didn’t open his mouth.