Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1397

“So, did you go home?”

“…Yeah.”

“Oh.”

Lee Hyun-soo grinned.

“As expected, Choi Yeon-ha is a master strategist.”

“Huh?”

“If you had gone on a date with the Guild Leader there, your mother wouldn’t have been happy. She was preparing a home-cooked meal for her released son.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. I think it was the best course of action. You definitely scored some points, didn’t you?”

“I’m not so sure.”

Lee Hyun-soo extended his index finger and wiggled it left and right.

“That’s the problem with the Guild Leader. A woman’s heart is sensitive. If you just do as I say, you won’t lose out.”

Wiggins entered, chuckling.

“Someone who knows so much is still getting bossed around?”

“Hey, I’m not getting bossed around! I’m yielding!”

“Yeah, that’s what they usually say.”

“In this day and age, is it a crime to yield a little?”

“No one said it was a crime. It’s just funny to see you giving advice.”

“Ugh.”

Lee Hyun-soo tried to say something, looking wronged, but Wiggins cut him off.

“Go ahead and tell me. I’ll cross-check it.”

“…What story? I have nothing to say.”

“Tsk, tsk, pathetic.”

Lee Hyun-soo subtly turned his head.

In fact, when it came to women, both he and Kang Jin-ho were in the same boat.

“Lord, congratulations on your release.”

“…It’s not like I was fighting for independence, no need for congratulations.”

Kang Jin-ho waved his hand with an awkward expression.

“On the other hand, I am very sorry. We couldn’t be of help this time.”

Wiggins sighed deeply.

Not only were they unable to help, but they were also late in meeting Kang Jin-ho after his release from detention. He wanted to go to his house right away, but Wiggins had his own things to take care of.

“Enough with the useless words,” Kang Jin-ho said with a stern face.

Sip, sip.

But watching him continuously gulp down his iced Americano, it was hard to stay tense.

“How many cups of coffee is that…”

“I craved it after getting out.”

“…I understand, but still.”

He hadn’t been able to properly drink his daily coffee, so it was understandable that he craved it.

“Did you have enough cola?”

“Strangely, I don’t crave that after getting out.”

Wiggins thought this guy was definitely strange.

“So…”

Kang Jin-ho looked around.

“Is everyone here?”

Looking at the board members sitting on either side, Kang Jin-ho sighed.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you all outside.”

“We had a good show,” Bang Jin-hoon chuckled.

“I never thought I’d see the Guild Leader in a prison uniform in my life. Wow, it was like a movie. You could film a noir film.”

“Get out.”

“I’m sorry.”

The directors snickered.

Normally, there wouldn’t be anything to laugh about, but now, everything was funny. Just the fact that Kang Jin-ho was released and sitting here made them feel relieved.

“So, first of all…”

Slurp.

“Ah, more coffee!”

A disgruntled voice was heard, but Kang Jin-ho ignored it and leisurely finished his coffee in one shot.

How would those who had never been in detention know how a released person felt?

Thud, Kang Jin-ho put down his coffee cup and leaned back on the sofa, opening his mouth.

“Report. There must have been things you didn’t tell me.”

You couldn’t tell everything to someone in detention. It would only make them more frustrated.

As Kang Jin-ho spoke first, it became easier for the others to speak.

Wiggins cleared his throat and continued.

“There was some commotion on the Round Table side.”

“Round Table?”

“Yes. After learning that you were unable to go to Europe, some Knights began to oppose the Master. Of course, it wasn’t severe, but they were subtly hindering the Master’s work…”

“Root them out.”

“Lord, as I said, it wasn’t blatant. It was just subtle obstruction, so it’s hard to punish them separately…”

“It’s fine.”

“Lord?”

Kang Jin-ho took out a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth. Then, he curled up the corners of his lips.

“That’s just right.”

“I think I’ve said this before, but those who follow the rules don’t feel fear from those who don’t touch them. Fear is fear because it comes regardless of my will.”

“One…”

“Once the principle of punishment is set, people move according to that line. Conversely, it means that as long as they don’t break the rules, they believe they are safe. Then there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Wiggins nodded heavily.

Kang Jin-ho usually seemed far from common sense, but when he talked about these things, the dignity of the former leader of the Demonic Cult, who had led so many people, was revealed.

“They were just subtly obstructing?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then we should cut off the hand that was obstructing.”

Wiggins bit his lip.

“I will do as you say, Lord. I will properly investigate the situation and report back.”

“Next.”

Lee Hyun-soo quickly opened his mouth.

“All the seizures and trade blockades imposed on MK have been lifted. We expect to complete normalization within three days.”

“Report?”

“Of course, to you, Guild Leader. Who am I to receive a report?”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

“Any other problems?”

“Actually, when you think about it, the only problem was that you were in detention. We suffered almost no damage. The problems were all resolved when you were released.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded at Wiggins’ words.

From the beginning, this was not a fight between the General Assembly and the government, but a fight between Kang Jin-ho and the regime.

Therefore, they couldn’t touch the General Assembly.

Even after Kang Jin-ho was ousted, the General Assembly would have to continue its cooperation with the government.

“Then it depends on how they react now.”

“How do you think they’ll react?”

“Is there any other way?”

Wiggins gave a subtle smile.

“You gave too easy of an answer, Lord.”

“I did?”

“Yes. You probably thought that destroying a colleague who had been with you would be quite painful for them.”

“But you’re wrong. They will probably destroy Kim Myung-chan more cruelly and thoroughly than you think. Politicians are people who will smile and shake hands with their enemies for their own purposes, and they won’t hesitate to stab a colleague in the back for even the smallest gain.”

“Ugh…”

“Wouldn’t that be too little of a punishment for them?”

Kang Jin-ho turned his head and looked out the window.

“Is it too little?”

“Yes.”

Kang Jin-ho lit a cigarette, slowly exhaled the smoke, and curled up the corners of his lips.

“Well, I don’t think so.”

“Lord?”

Wiggins looked at Kang Jin-ho with a questioning look at his meaningful smile.

“That’s not what I wanted.”

“Then what?”

Kang Jin-ho smiled lightly without answering.

“I guess so. They will thoroughly destroy Kim Myung-chan. Because they think that’s how they survive.”

“Of course.”

“And as Lee Jong-wook said, directly touching the higher-ups is a burden for me too.”

Wiggins closed his mouth and nodded.

That was definitely a big burden.

“Can’t we just take them down?” Bang Jin-hoon grumbled with a dissatisfied tone.

“What about the aftermath?”

“Screw the aftermath, isn’t this a bit unfair? They can stab us as they please, but we get beaten up and can’t even retaliate.”

“It’s not like we couldn’t retaliate.”

“What do you mean it’s not? We haven’t even landed a single blow. It’s like those Joseon era noblemen whipping the servants when the wrongdoer is someone else.”

“…Was there such a culture?”

“No, this guy was more Korean than a Korean, and he doesn’t know that?”

Lee Hyun-soo asked in disbelief.

“He’s British, how would he know that?”

“That’s because he doesn’t seem British! We need to see his ID.”

I don’t have an ID!

Why would I have an ID if I’m not Korean, you idiot!

“Anyway!”

Bang Jin-hoon forcefully changed the subject again.

“I don’t like it. Even if we get beaten up a bit, I wish we could at least land one good blow.”

“It’s a big improvement that you’re not saying to kill them.”

“Kill who? What about the aftermath?”

Wiggins felt wronged hearing those words from Bang Jin-hoon.

“We will.”

“…Yes?”

Bang Jin-hoon turned his head at Kang Jin-ho’s sudden answer.

“We will land a blow.”

“Do you have something in mind?” Kang Jin-ho shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s as I said. We can’t do it directly. It’s a burden, and the aftermath is difficult.”

It wasn’t that he was afraid of the regime’s retaliation, but the world’s eyes were a burden. He might be able to deal with the Prime Minister, but he couldn’t touch the higher-ups carelessly.

The level of interest was different.

The Prime Minister’s position was one where resignations happened frequently for various reasons, but the higher-ups were different. Even a small incident would draw the public’s direct attention.

“That’s right.”

“Then, can’t we just not do it?”

“Are you thinking of using China?”

“That’s not a good method either.”

“Then what?”

At Bang Jin-hoon’s question, Kang Jin-ho smiled and turned to Wiggins.

“Wiggins just said it. Politicians think nothing of stabbing their colleagues in the back for a little gain.”

“That’s right.”

“Then the regime will destroy Kim Myung-chan more cruelly than anyone to resolve this situation. Isn’t that right?”

“Ah, stop beating around the bush and just tell us.”

“Then will Kim Myung-chan stay still?”

“…Ah!”

Kang Jin-ho smiled.

“If someone he thought was a colleague turns into a complete enemy, would Kim Myung-chan be the type to keep his loyalty? I don’t think so.”

“If he were that kind of person, he wouldn’t have started this in the first place.”

“I don’t think so either. Indeed.”

The directors nodded vigorously.

“The more cruelly they push him, the more complicated Kim Myung-chan’s mind will become. And the more he is destroyed, the less he will see. Dying with guilt is a path that someone who can return can choose. If someone has nothing to lose, why would they protect those who are attacking them?”

They die together.

Kang Jin-ho would do that.

Then what about Kim Myung-chan?

‘He’s probably similar.’

The Kim Myung-chan that Kang Jin-ho had seen was someone who was second to none when it came to venom. There was no way such a person would be easily buried. He would try everything he could… and if there was no way?

“Let’s watch the power-hungry ghouls tear each other apart. It’s not often that we get to see such a spectacle.”

Kang Jin-ho leaned back on the sofa and smoked his cigarette leisurely.

Wiggins, who was watching him, smiled without realizing it.

As expected, Kang Jin-ho looked better like that.