Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1556

“So, you’re saying you went out there and called him a ‘J 쪽발이’ [J 쪽발이 is a derogatory term for Japanese people, often used in Korea]?”

“What do you mean ‘called him’? Is calling a dog a dog an insult? Why is calling a 쪽발이 a 쪽발이 an insult?”

Kang Jin-ho closed his mouth.

Well, it wasn’t exactly wrong…

Calling a dog a dog isn’t an insult, but calling it a son of a bitch might be?

Hwang Jeong-hu took a sip of his coffee and put the cup down.

“Anyway, I didn’t like seeing that pro-Japanese bastard acting all high and mighty as chairman, so it worked out well. If not for this opportunity, what reason would I have to even talk to that guy?”

Kang Jin-ho gave a wry smile.

Even so, he didn’t forget what he had to do.

“Thank you, Chairman.”

Hwang Jeong-hu chuckled as Kang Jin-ho bowed his head.

“Thank you, my ass. Do you think you’re the type to bat an eye over something like that? I know it’s a pointless endeavor. I just went there to curse at him.”

This was half true.

Hwang Jeong-hu didn’t think Kang Jin-ho would be shaken by something like this. Considering what he had been through, this was just a minor incident.

If a distributor refused to supply goods, he was the type to start his own distribution company.

He could easily endure any minor losses or inconveniences that arose in the process. If they were planning to go up against Kang Jin-ho, they had chosen the wrong method.

“Anyway, that guy is useless. His head is full of jealousy and pride, a complete show-off. It’s a sad state of affairs for Korea that a guy like that managed to grow a company to that size.”

Hwang Jeong-hu kept pursing his lips as if he was truly displeased.

“However, remember one thing.”

“Yes.”

Hwang Jeong-hu spoke with a serious expression.

“The reason that guy was able to build such a large company is very simple. His obsession is beyond what ordinary people can imagine. Since that kind of guy is holding a grudge, it won’t end this easily.”

“I am aware.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded with a calm expression, and Hwang Jeong-hu let out a hollow laugh.

“You look like someone who has flies buzzing around his face. Hey, you bastard. Still, it’s Taekwang, and it’s still Jeong Hong-geun. If you underestimate him, you’ll get a big surprise.”

“I’m not underestimating him. It’s just….”

“Just?”

Kang Jin-ho answered nonchalantly.

“I’m trying to decide whether to consider him an enemy or just a bothersome old geezer.”

“What?”

Hwang Jeong-hu burst out laughing.

In all of Korea, Kang Jin-ho was probably the only person who could talk about Jeong Hong-geun like that.

What was even more interesting was that Kang Jin-ho didn’t sound like he was bluffing at all.

‘I can’t even act like an adult anymore.’

After all, Hwang Jeong-hu knew that Kang Jin-ho had a similar level of experience as him. The reason he could still give him advice was because Hwang Jeong-hu had far more experience with the modern world than Kang Jin-ho.

However, Kang Jin-ho, who had now fully adapted to the modern world, had firmly established his own territory and was wielding influence that surpassed even Hwang Jeong-hu.

‘He was such a little kid….’

Of course, he only looked young.

The fact that all he could do now was nag at Kang Jin-ho made Hwang Jeong-hu feel a little sad.

“Alright, I guess you know what you’re doing.”

“Don’t worry.”

“But don’t commit too many illegal acts.”

Hwang Jeong-hu frowned.

“I don’t want to criticize your methods. I’m not someone who can say I’ve lived my whole life with integrity either. But… it’s different from before. You don’t need to resort to such methods now, do you?”

Kang Jin-ho quietly nodded.

Whether he agreed with the words or not, he didn’t want to argue with Hwang Jeong-hu.

To him, Hwang Jeong-hu was like a mentor, regardless of age. Thanks to him, not only Kang Jin-ho but also his family had found happiness.

If you receive something, you have to repay it.

Of course, Hwang Jeong-hu probably thought that Kang Jin-ho had already repaid him enough by curing and managing his illness.

“I’ll be careful.”

“Tsk.”

Hwang Jeong-hu clicked his tongue, looking slightly embarrassed.

“I was just saying unnecessary things.”

“No, you weren’t.”

Kang Jin-ho looked directly at Hwang Jeong-hu and opened his mouth.

“It’s always helpful.”

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes showed that his words were sincere.

Hwang Jeong-hu, feeling awkward, cleared his throat and took out a cigarette. Kang Jin-ho wouldn’t know how much strength those words gave him.

Being revered as chairman by countless people didn’t fill the void. Only the evaluations of those he acknowledged proved that he was living properly.

“Okay, let’s stop talking about this. Min-soo, how is he doing? Is he doing well?”

Kang Jin-ho narrowed his eyes.

“He’s not good at his job.”

“Huh…?”

“He’s really not good.”

Hwang Jeong-hu’s face hardened.

“Oh, is that so…”

“So, don’t think about bringing him back to Jaekyung. We’ll keep him with us.”

“Ha… this guy.”

Only then did Hwang Jeong-hu’s face relax, and he leaned back in his chair as if relieved. Even if he didn’t say it, he seemed to be very concerned about Hwang Min-soo.

Lee Hyun-soo, who had been quietly standing behind Kang Jin-ho, smiled and opened his mouth. He couldn’t carelessly interrupt their conversation, but now was the time for him to step in.

“The president is doing a really great job.” Lee Hyun-soo added slightly.

“If the president hadn’t been there, it would have been absolutely impossible to establish the franchise. Even if it had succeeded, it wouldn’t have been in this form. He’s done so much.”

“Well, how much can a lacking guy do?”

Hwang Jeong-hu, slightly annoyed, continued.

“Still… uh, well, yeah. That guy did learn a lot under me. His personality is messed up, but if you only look at his abilities, he wouldn’t be bad to use anywhere. Hmm, hum!”

Kang Jin-ho bit his lip, watching Hwang Jeong-hu cover his mouth, his face slightly flushed. It was hard to hold back his laughter.

‘If you like him so much, just call him.’

If Hwang Jeong-hu called, Hwang Min-soo would probably drop everything and come running. But it seemed that neither Hwang Jeong-hu nor Hwang Min-soo had any intention of doing so yet.

“He’s not only good at what he does, but he also works really hard. I even want to emulate his passion.”

“A person is worthless if they don’t work hard. If they can’t even properly use their abilities, what’s the point! Working hard isn’t something to be praised, it’s the people who don’t work hard who should be ashamed!”

“…Anyway, that’s how it is.”

Lee Hyun-soo closed his mouth and took a step back.

Pushing too hard would be counterproductive. It seemed best to step back at this point.

Kang Jin-ho smiled wryly and opened his mouth.

“What about your eldest son…”

“Leave him be. He’ll find his own path.”

Hwang Jeong-hu took a long drag of his cigarette and sighed.

Talking about his children seemed to make him feel a little complicated. His children were his biggest sore spot, even though Hwang Jeong-hu prided himself on living a life without shame.

Hwang Jeong-hu, who had been puffing on his cigarette, glanced at Kang Jin-ho. Then, he said bitterly.

“You were right before. I was the one who messed up.”

Kang Jin-ho’s head snapped up at Hwang Jeong-hu’s words.

“Huh?”

He never expected to hear such words from Hwang Jeong-hu. It was more surprising than hearing that Japan was invading.

“Seeing Min-soo working at MK this time, I realized. The environment of Jaekyung wasn’t a good place for them. They were spoiled everywhere they went because they were my kids, so it was inevitable.”

“…Huh?”

His words were a bit strange?

“I should have kicked them out of the company a long time ago and made them experience the harshness of society! They say a lion pushes its cubs off a cliff!”

“They’ll die then…”

Hwang Jeong-hu was saying something that would make a lion faint if it heard it.

Kang Jin-ho thought that people really didn’t change easily and cautiously opened his mouth.

“I was half-joking earlier, but…”

“Hmm?”

“If you need President Hwang, please tell me anytime. I’ll send him right away.”

“Why would I need that guy?”

Hwang Jeong-hu looked at Kang Jin-ho as if he was absurd.

“Do you not know how well our company is doing? Our sales increased by 5% last year!”

“I know.”

After Hwang Jeong-hu normalized the management, Jaekyung was growing day by day. Of course, it wasn’t growing as rapidly as it had in the past, but at least it was progressing steadily.

In the meantime, they were securing the soundness of management and finance.

“Those guys are the ones who almost ruined the company. No way, no way. I’d rather sell the company than use them again.”

“Do you have a place to live?”

“The Chinese would like it.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed slightly at Hwang Jeong-hu’s words.

“Chairman.”

“Hmm?”

“People don’t live forever.”

Hwang Jeong-hu narrowed his eyes slightly at the heavy tone.

“Everyone knows that fact, but everyone lives as if they don’t. By the time they realize it, it’s already too late.”

Those were words that carried experience.

That’s why they were heavy, and that’s why they were true.

“I know what you mean, but…”

“You should start thinking about a successor.”

“I’m still fine.”

“People can die tomorrow.”

Hwang Jeong-hu frowned as if he was uncomfortable. But not blocking good advice was another of Hwang Jeong-hu’s principles.

“Dying from disease, dying from old age… those aren’t the only ways to die. People can die tomorrow if the ceiling collapses and crushes them. Especially someone like you, Chairman, who leads so many people, you need to think about a successor.”

After Kang Jin-ho collapsed.

The Demonic Cult was literally shattered.

The Demonic Cult had the entire Central Plains under its feet. No other sect or force had ever achieved such a feat. In other words, even the Demonic Cult, which had boasted the strongest power in history, was unable to withstand Kang Jin-ho’s absence and had fallen to the level of a third-rate sect.

Just as Kang Jin-ho’s influence had been enormous, the void left by Kang Jin-ho was just as great.

Then what about Jaekyung?

What would happen to Jaekyung if Hwang Jeong-hu suddenly collapsed?

There were limits to what could be supplemented by the system.

“You said that Jaekyung isn’t just yours, Chairman. Even if you’re not there, the employees of Jaekyung need to make a living. Preparing for that is your duty.”

“Hey, do I look like I’m that thoughtless? I have it all figured out!”

“Oh, really?”

Kang Jin-ho’s face brightened slightly.

“So, about that…”

Hwang Jeong-hu smiled slightly.

Seeing his bright face, Kang Jin-ho felt a little uneasy.

If it was about Hwang Min-jae or Hwang Min-soo, Hwang Jeong-hu wouldn’t have this expression.

‘What kind of absurd thing is he going to say again?’

Just as Kang Jin-ho was about to change the subject, Hwang Jeong-hu cornered him so he couldn’t escape.

“About that successor, have you ever thought about doing it?”

“Huh?”

Kang Jin-ho’s face was filled with bewilderment.