Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1439

‘This is certainly interesting.’

Military experts wouldn’t say such things, even out of pride. They would rather offer complete obedience than fully align themselves with another.

‘He’s not a military expert.’

But it doesn’t matter.

Kang Jin-ho can no longer live solely in the world of martial artists. If he were to maintain the stance that only the qualified can converse with him, as in the past, he shouldn’t hold the position of the General Assembly’s head.

Kang Jin-ho understands that much.

“What we want?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve got the story wrong.”

“Yes?”

Kang Jin-ho said indifferently.

“Before we discuss what we want, shouldn’t we address what you requested first? The situation has changed, hasn’t it?”

“Ah…”

Willie sighed.

“I tried to mention this before, but when we said we wanted to break our alliance with China, that wasn’t what we meant.”

“Then?”

“In our opinion, the General Assembly has no intention of forming a permanent alliance with the Chinese government. Isn’t this just a temporary cover?”

Kang Jin-ho didn’t bother to answer.

But his silence was answer enough.

“But what we want is to maintain a continuous alliance.”

“You seem to think that’s possible?”

“Yes, it is possible.”

Willie’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“We also know why you don’t trust us. It’s because you think we’re a hegemonic power. That we’ll try to devour the whole world someday. That we’ll try to cut ties once we’re no longer useful. Isn’t that right?”

“I can’t exactly deny that.”

“That’s wrong. Because no matter what we do, it’s impossible to completely dominate the martial world of other countries. Even the regular forces of the United States, which have overwhelming power compared to the martial world, can’t even handle the Middle East.”

“Hmm.”

This statement piqued his interest a little.

He glanced at Wiggins, who nodded as if to say the statement was correct.

“So?”

Willie gulped down the coffee in front of him, as if his throat was parched.

It was absurd that such a conversation was taking place in a burger joint, but absurdity was absurdity, and he had to make this conversation a success no matter what.

“Frankly, we have no choice but to intervene in East Asia. If that place explodes, the world will shake.”

“So, stability rather than destruction?”

“It’s similar to why we focus on North Korea, which is just a small country. In fact, the United States doesn’t want the world to fall into chaos. Chaos only brings instability.”

To maintain their hegemony stably, it was better for the world to be stable.

“Then wouldn’t it be better to support one of the Three Kings [referring to the three powerful martial arts leaders in China]?”

“Not at all. Because fundamentally, the moment the Three Kings unify their own countries, they will immediately turn their eyes overseas.”

“Ugh…”

Kang Jin-ho tilted his head.

“That’s because of the basic nature of China. They want to gain hegemony, and they want to establish that hegemony as a definite territory. If it’s the martial world, where borders aren’t clearly defined, they’ll invade without hesitation and try to devour it without hesitation.”

He understood.

‘Indeed.’

Would that Red King leave Korea alone after unifying the Three Kings’ world?

That would never happen.

This has nothing to do with the Red King’s personal greed or tendencies. No matter what the Red King thinks of Korea, the General Assembly, or Kang Jin-ho, if he swallows China, he will naturally extend his reach to Korea.

“But you are different, Lord.”

“As far as we know, you have never attacked another country unless someone attacked you first. Even within Korea, you haven’t really attacked others first. What you want is stability and peace. Isn’t that right?”

“Maybe.”

It could be a little different.

“Even if there are minor differences, we want you to be the one who takes control of East Asia. It shouldn’t be the Three Kings.”

“Hmm, that’s…”

Wiggins interjected.

“That makes perfect sense. I would have thought the same if I were at the Round Table [a reference to a powerful organization].”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“But that’s only if it’s mutually beneficial. As far as I can see now, it doesn’t seem like you can do anything to help us?”

Willie, at a loss for words, let out a groan.

Originally, they should have been able to easily resolve the negotiations based on the powerful forces of H27. But now that it’s been confirmed that those forces can’t actually play a significant role, it’s like gambling without any stakes.

“That’s why I’m saying this. We need to discuss how we can help you and how we can build a good relationship with your side.”

“Heh heh.”

Wiggins shrugged, looking perplexed.

“This isn’t a negotiation, is it?”

It wasn’t a negotiation where they were showing their cards to each other, but a matter of circumstances.

‘It’s not pathetic.’

Some might think this is pathetic, but Wiggins was actually a little scared by this sight.

Could he have given up everything like this and set out to achieve only one goal?

No, there’s no way he could have.

They thoroughly utilize their advantages where they have them, and where they are at a disadvantage, they give up and try to lead the conversation. This is just the result of thorough rationality.

Rationality where emotions can’t interfere.

Kang Jin-ho shrugged.

“That’s not something you should be discussing with me. As you probably already know, there’s an expert in that area.”

“Then…”

“There’s only one thing I’m asking for. If you’re going to keep them stationed in Korea like this…”

“Yes.”

“I’ll have command authority.”

“Yes? But that’s…”

Willie looked at Kang Jin-ho with a face as if he had been hit. This was something he had never even considered.

Giving command authority meant handing over military power. The proud American troops would become Kang Jin-ho’s private soldiers. Who would approve of that?

“Why? Didn’t you say you were stationing them here to help the General Assembly?”

“But that’s a little different, isn’t it? Support troops and main troops can’t be the same.”

“It’ll be beneficial to you too, so it’s fine.”

Willie tilted his head.

Beneficial? What benefit?

“What do you mean by beneficial?”

“I don’t leave those I use like that. You can’t fix them in the short term with your methods anyway. If you hand them over to me, I’ll make them martial artists.”

“…Ah!”

This changes things a bit.

‘Instead of giving up military power, they become a reliable force.’

There’s value in the deal.

“I’ll have to propose this to my superiors. This isn’t something I can decide on my own.”

“Do that.”

“Then…”

Wiggins nodded.

“This is a premise. What I’m about to say is based on the premise that this deal has been made. If this isn’t accepted, there’s nothing we can do anyway.”

“I understand.”

“There are only a few things I’m asking for. If an alliance is formed, maintain at least three teleport gates to the United States, and in case of emergency, dispatch troops from the US mainland to Korea.”

“That’s a given.”

“And there are a few materials I need, so it would be good if you could hand them over. It’s getting difficult to get them from the Round Table now.”

“We’ll help as much as we can.”

Once the premise was set, the conversation progressed smoothly.

Willie’s mood began to rise rapidly.

‘Maybe the conversation will end on good terms…’

That’s when it happened.

“Then, um…”

Wiggins scratched his head and slowly got up from his seat.

“It’ll be hard to talk, so I’ll leave you two alone. Good luck.”

“Yes?”

Kang Jin-ho also got up from his seat without a word.

“Shall we continue the tour?”

“Yes, Lord.”

“What? Why all of a sudden…”

As Willie awkwardly got up from his seat, a soft voice was heard.

“Please, sit down.”

Willie’s head slowly turned.

There, with a completely different office worker’s face than before, was Lee Hyun-soo.

‘A vicious lawyer.’

The moment he saw his face, that was the only phrase that came to mind.

Lee Hyun-soo smiled and pointed to the seat.

“From now on, you can talk to me.”

“What kind of talk…”

“Isn’t this the main point now? It seems like the secondary things have been roughly resolved, so now we should have a serious conversation.”

“No, I mean, what kind of serious conversation?”

“Ha, why are you like this?”

Lee Hyun-soo frowned and leaned back in his chair. Then, with a face that showed he was not pleased, he spoke in an overbearing tone.

“What, do you think it’s all over just because we talked about a few minor things? It’s time to make the real conditions.”

“Yes?”

Lee Hyun-soo adjusted his posture.

“Since ancient times, there’s always a basic rule for all transactions.”

Lee Hyun-soo winked and made a circle with one hand.

Willie saw it.

The most radiant smile blooming on Lee Hyun-soo’s face.

“I’m very much looking forward to it. The world’s strongest power, a great power that moves the world with its economic power alone. How big will that scale be? So, let’s talk about money now.”

With that, an absurd direct hit landed directly on Willie’s solar plexus.

“How much are you going to pay?”

“I’ll give you a good deal, a good deal. Make an offer first.”

It seems like something went wrong.

“Why is he like that?”

“It seems like he’s been stripped down to his underwear.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled as he looked back and forth between Lee Hyun-soo, who was whistling, and Willie, who was dumbfounded.

“You should have been moderate.”

“I was really moderate. It’s just that he was so small-minded that it took some time to make him realize reality.”

“…Good work.”

“You’re welcome.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s face looked very refreshed. He had been accumulating fatigue from living abroad, but it seemed like he had sucked not only money but also energy from Willie.

Or maybe Lee Hyun-soo’s pleasure was in the suffering of others.

‘It’s probably the latter, right?’

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

“Nothing’s been decided yet, but why are they so serious…”

“I know, right? There’s still a lot to fleece.”

…That’s not what I meant.

Kang Jin-ho gave up on talking to Lee Hyun-soo. He had already realized that there was no way to stop Lee Hyun-soo in this area.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Just as they were about to board the plane on the runway, they suddenly saw someone running towards them.

“Huh?”

“W-wait a minute!”

Jimmy ran up with a desperate look on his face, panting. Then, he looked at Kang Jin-ho and said.

“Lord.”

“Tell me.”

“What do we have to do to become stronger, to become real martial artists, not half-baked ones?”

Kang Jin-ho stared at Jimmy with interest.

‘Interesting.’

He didn’t expect to hear such words from someone who had been a soldier.

“I don’t think you need to go that far. A soldier has his own duty.”

“…I know that, but…”

“If there’s anyone who wants to go further, tell them to come to Korea.”

“…Yes?”

“I’ll make it happen.”

As they wish.

Kang Jin-ho smiled at Jimmy once and boarded the plane. After him, Wiggins and Lee Hyun-soo followed, and finally, Willie, who still hadn’t come to his senses, boarded.

And Jimmy blankly watched the plane carrying Kang Jin-ho disappear into the distance.

“Korea…”

Maybe he should prepare for a journey to a distant land.