Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1470

“The building’s condition is terrible…”

Kang Jin-ho’s forehead was dripping with cold sweat.

“I don’t even want to talk about the bathrooms.”

“The building is five stories, and there’s no elevator.”

No, this is a place where only martial artists stay, why would they need an elevator?

…Those words popped up in his mind, but Kang Jin-ho suppressed them.

“How can anyone feel good working in a place like this?”

“Ahem.”

Kang Jin-ho coughed once and gave an awkward smile.

“It’s a workplace, so it should be fine, right?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

Lee Hyun-soo slightly clenched his fist.

‘Good job, Director!’

That’s right! That’s right!

Kang Jin-ho’s head slowly turned towards Lee Hyun-soo. His eyes seemed to say, ‘You’re the one who caused this, right?’

Of course, that was true, but Lee Hyun-soo resolutely avoided Kang Jin-ho’s gaze.

If not now, this building would remain the same even after 50 more years. By then, it might even be designated as a cultural heritage site.

Lee Hyun-soo had no intention of seeing that happen.

“I don’t really see why the building is so important.”

Kang Jin-ho made a timid protest.

However, Choi Yeon-ha didn’t get angry; instead, she smiled gently.

“Jin-ho.”

“…Yes?”

“You said something before, right?”

“What was it?”

“That the people of the Assembly are like another family to you.”

“Ah…”

Kang Jin-ho’s face flushed slightly.

It was true that he had said that, but it was a bit embarrassing to have it brought up in front of the Assembly members.

“You did, right?”

“Ah… yes, well, I did.”

“Right?”

Choi Yeon-ha’s smile deepened.

Kang Jin-ho shivered slightly at the sight.

‘What is she trying to say?’ What does that have to do with this…

“Jin-ho, what was the first thing you did after making money?”

“Huh?”

“When you made money before, what did you spend it on?”

“Well…”

Kang Jin-ho closed his mouth.

He instantly realized how deep he had fallen into a trap.

“You bought a house and set up a shop for your father, right?”

“…Yes.”

“You immediately bought a house so that your family could live in a good environment, and you got a shop so your father could work comfortably… but you’re letting your family here live in a 50-year-old building. Seriously, I didn’t think you were that kind of person.”

Cold sweat began to pour down Kang Jin-ho’s forehead.

How was he supposed to get out of this?

“You wouldn’t deny what you said yourself, would you? I’d be disappointed if you did.”

Lee Hyun-soo quickly stepped in to support Kang Jin-ho.

“Please, watch your words. Our Assembly Head is not that kind of person.”

No, he was supporting Choi Yeon-ha.

Kang Jin-ho stared blankly at Lee Hyun-soo and Choi Yeon-ha.

Since when did those two get along so well?

Ah, no, it’s good that they’re getting along…

If he had to pick the two people closest to Kang Jin-ho besides his family, it would be Choi Yeon-ha and Lee Hyun-soo. Of course, there were also his friends Park Yu-min and Joo Young-gi, but these two were the people he spent more time with and worked with more often.

It would be great if those two got along well.

‘But not like this…’

Don’t team up!

No, what is even going on?

“The Assembly Head really considers us family.”

“But he’s blatantly discriminating against us?”

“There must have been circumstances! He wouldn’t have intended to keep it that way.”

“Right? Surely a person has some decency?”

“Of course.”

Yes. Play with me as you please. And when you’re done, please put me back in my place.

Kang Jin-ho sighed deeply.

“…So, what is it that needs to be done?”

“Remodeling!”

“New construction! New construction!”

The two had slightly different opinions here.

“Wouldn’t remodeling be enough?”

“The structure is terrible, so I think we should build new.”

“I think we can salvage it with remodeling?”

“The framework doesn’t cost that much anyway, so there’s not much difference.”

“Hmm.”

Choi Yeon-ha nodded.

“Then let’s build new.”

“Kuh, thank you for your wise decision.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at the two with a sullen gaze.

I don’t know why you two are deciding this… but if you say so, then I guess that’s how it is.

Choi Yeon-ha wiped the smile off her face and said,

“But this place is a bit much. The bathrooms are too old, and it doesn’t seem like the people working here have any energy.”

“Unless the company doesn’t have money, a company that doesn’t invest in its employees can’t do well.”

To be precise, the Assembly wasn’t a company. But there was some truth to what she said. Kang Jin-ho hadn’t felt any discomfort, so he hadn’t thought that others might be uncomfortable.

‘If it’s uncomfortable, it should be changed.’

Those who practice martial arts should be able to focus on their training. And those who handle administrative tasks should also be able to focus on their work. It’s the role of the leaders to create that environment.

“Is that kind of thing important for work?”

“If you’re going to be like that, why even build a building? We could just work under tents!”

Oh? That’s also a valid point.

“…I’ll change it.”

In the end, Kang Jin-ho had no choice but to surrender.

“Director Lee.”

“Yes, Assembly Head!”

“…Go ahead with it.”

“Hehehe, don’t worry. I knew this day would come, so I had the blueprints prepared in advance.”

“You did?”

“No. I paid someone to do it?”

The company is doing great.

Choi Yeon-ha continued, as if she wasn’t satisfied with just that.

“The parking lot is too small too. How can there be so few parking spaces when there are so many people here? Let’s expand the parking lot while we’re building new.”

“There aren’t that many cars…”

“It’s not that there aren’t cars, it’s that people can’t drive their cars because there’s no parking lot. How can a company in this remote mountain area not allow people to drive their cars freely?”

Kang Jin-ho, who proudly drove his own car, had nothing to say.

“…Okay, then.”

“There are so many other things to fix. Ugh, seriously. I’m so busy, but I have to worry about this too.”

No one asked you to.

Wiggins, who had been listening to the conversation quietly, opened his mouth with a smile.

“Actually, it’s not wrong. Compared to other countries, the Korean Assembly is too old and uncomfortable.”

Kang Jin-ho closed his mouth.

Now that he thought about it…

The difference was indeed extreme. H27, which even operated franchises within its special facilities and cared about the welfare of its soldiers, was one thing, and even the Round Table was incomparable to the Assembly in terms of environment.

“That Hong Wang or whatever his name is, his place is almost like the Forbidden City.”

Ah…

Come to think of it, Choi Yeon-ha had also been to the place where Hong Wang lived.

Considering that the Hong Wang faction would be gathered there…

“It’s incomparable to here.”

Now that he heard it, it was true.

‘I was a bit careless.’

How he appeared to others was not important, but the fact that even the interior was old was definitely a problem.

“I’ll pay attention to it.”

When he was just talking about the Assembly, he wondered if it was really necessary, but when he heard about other countries, he understood. Each of those things would affect morale.

“There are many other things I want to say, but I think smoke will come out of Jin-ho’s ears, so I’ll stop here for today. Let’s talk again next time. I’ll be coming here often now.”

Huh?

Why are you coming here often?

“Director Lee, please make me a room first before we start the new construction.”

“Hehehehe, of course.”

Kang Jin-ho’s gaze turned to Lee Hyun-soo. But Lee Hyun-soo neatly turned his head away, avoiding Kang Jin-ho’s gaze.

“Improving the environment is not something to be taken lightly. It’s not for nothing that large corporations, who are obsessed with saving money, spend a lot of money to build new headquarters. It’s definitely effective in increasing efficiency.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded at Wiggins’ words.

Kang Jin-ho didn’t really understand it, but there must be a reason why Choi Yeon-ha, Lee Hyun-soo, and even Wiggins were all saying the same thing.

“Anyway, all of this…”

That’s when it happened.

Bang!

The door was violently opened, and a person rushed into the room.

“Huh?”

“Demon Lord! I, Jang Min, have carried out all of the Demon Lord’s orders and have finally returned!”

Jang Min rushed inside and knelt before Kang Jin-ho.

“Please forgive this subordinate for being foolish and only now completing your orders. Demon Lord, as you commanded, I have completed all control over the Wa country [Japan]. They will no longer dare to oppose the Demon Lord. Regarding the issue of funds you mentioned…”

Kang Jin-ho sighed and interrupted Jang Min.

“Jang Min.”

“Yes, Demon Lord!”

“Give your report later. We’re in a meeting right now.”

“This subordinate was short-sighted! Please punish me!”

Kang Jin-ho covered his forehead.

Why did he have to return now of all times?

And Choi Yeon-ha, who was watching the scene, felt like her soul was leaving her body.

‘Who the heck is that old man?’

No, what is that ridiculous white two-block haircut? And what’s with that neatly slicked-back hair with pomade?

‘Earrings?’

And those clothes… those are… Gucci, right? Seriously?

Choi Yeon-ha’s eyes widened at the bizarre character she was seeing for the first time. The bigger problem was that those bizarre fashions somehow harmonized together.

‘Is he a fashionista?’

I want to use him as a model.

If I sign him to my agency and send him out as a model, he could have some impact…

‘Come to think of it, there’s also that flower old man here.’

Choi Yeon-ha glanced at Wiggins and was planning various things in her head when…

“But…”

Jang Min turned his head sharply.

“Who is this person doing here?”

Jang Min’s eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of the unfamiliar woman sitting in the meeting room. He didn’t like the fact that she was sitting in a position equal to Kang Jin-ho.

“Ah, this person is…”

“First, get up from your seat. That’s not a place where just anyone can sit. The discipline of the Assembly has collapsed while I was gone. Lee Hyun-soo, this is your…”

Lee Hyun-soo jumped up from his seat and ran to Jang Min.

Then, he began to whisper something quickly into his ear.

Jang Min’s face twisted strangely and then relaxed as he listened.

Jang Min looked at Choi Yeon-ha with an unreadable expression. And then, finally…

Trickle.

‘Why, why is he crying?’

Choi Yeon-ha was horrified.

Suddenly, Jang Min began to shed tears like raindrops. It was as if he was too overwhelmed with emotion to control himself.

“M… M…”

“M?”

“Motherrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!”

“Hic?”

“Mother! It is an honor to meet you like this! To finally meet the Mother (主母) [A respectful term for the wife of a leader or head of a household]… this subordinate cannot express his emotions. I should have sought you out and greeted you sooner, please forgive this foolish one for only greeting you now.”

“P-please, don’t do this, grandpa!”

Choi Yeon-ha grabbed Jang Min’s shoulders, who was prostrating on the floor, with a pale face. Then, she began to struggle to lift him up.

Even though Choi Yeon-ha was known for being someone who ate her manners for breakfast, how could she remain calm when an old man who looked at least 50 years older than her was bowing his head to the floor?

“Mother, from now on, this Jang Min will serve the Mother! Please continue the Demon Lord’s reign…”

“Stop it! Please get up! Aaaah! I’m going crazy?”

Kang Jin-ho, who was watching the scene, rested his chin on his hand with an amused expression.

“Hoo?”

It felt like he had unintentionally found Choi Yeon-ha’s weakness.

Eureka!