Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1610

“Ugh!”

A fierce blast of energy, a ‘Jo Gang’ [a concentrated burst of inner energy], shot towards Lee Myung-hwan’s face.

It was clear that even a graze from that Jo Gang would tear flesh and crush bone.

Lee Myung-hwan’s fist was coated in dark demonic energy.

Clang!

Ugh…

An unbearable groan escaped him. His hand, which could block even anti-tank rifle bullets without a scratch, cracked open, and blood gushed out.

But there was no time to dwell on the pain.

A red, claw-like energy blade, extending over a meter, came at him again.

‘Like a monster!’

That immense inner power.

And that absurd strength.

The more he experienced it, the more he felt the unbelievable gap, which made Lee Myung-hwan shrink even further.

“Krrrrrr!”

A beast-like roar escaped his throat.

With eyes that had turned bloodshot in an instant, Lee Myung-hwan charged towards Jang Min.

“Kaaaaaaah!”

He unleashed a punch with a roar.

The demonic energy, pushed to its limit, covered his entire arm as he aimed for Jang Min.

But…

Bang!

Lee Myung-hwan was thrown back faster than he had charged. At the same time, the demonic flames that had been targeting Jang Min along with Lee Myung-hwan were also cleanly repelled.

“Tsk, tsk.”

Jang Min, lowering his hand and retrieving the Jo Gang, looked at them with a pathetic gaze.

“You fools, I’ve told you so many times that if you lose your reason and give in to demonic energy, you’ll only feel like you’ve become stronger for a moment!”

Jang Min’s face contorted.

“A demon is someone who uses demonic arts, not someone who is controlled by them. I’ve told you countless times that those who habitually give in to demonic energy will eventually lose control of their madness and become lunatics, you fools!”

The demonic flames lowered their heads at Jang Min’s words.

“Demonic arts are a martial art that walks a tightrope. You can only truly control demonic arts when you can maintain the coexistence of reason and demonic nature, right before you lose your mind to demonic energy, with your own will.”

Lee Myung-hwan, clutching his side and gasping for breath, raised his hand slightly.

“Speak.”

“Elder, there’s something I don’t understand…”

“Hmm?”

Confusion clouded Lee Myung-hwan’s face.

“We thought we had almost caught up to you recently, Elder. Of course, we’re no match alone, but we thought that if we worked together, we could beat you.”

“So?”

“But I don’t understand why the gap is so huge. To be honest, these days, it feels like you’re stronger than the Assembly Head. Even the Assembly Head wouldn’t be this…”

At that moment, a murderous gaze was directed at Lee Myung-hwan.

Lee Myung-hwan flinched, shut his mouth, and lowered his head.

He had momentarily forgotten that saying such things to Jang Min would provoke him.

“You have a very glib tongue. Would you come to your senses if I cut it off?”

“I’m sorry. I was out of my mind for a moment…”

“You foolish fool.”

Jang Min clicked his tongue.

“It’s not unreasonable that you, with your crude skills, would feel that way. But it’s not because someone like me can be compared to the Demon Lord. Even if ten of me gathered, we wouldn’t dare to withstand the Demon Lord’s great martial prowess.”

Jang Min, glaring at everyone with cold eyes, continued as if spitting out words.

“The reason you feel that way is simple.”

Jang Min looked directly at Lee Myung-hwan.

“Lee Myung-hwan.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Can you fight an ant?”

Lee Myung-hwan tilted his head.

What kind of absurd analogy was that?

“Can’t I just crush it with my finger?”

“That’s right. It’s simple. Then, can you train an ant to be stronger?”

Lee Myung-hwan’s face hardened slightly. He understood what he meant, but…

“It’s not too difficult…”

“Then, what if there were dozens of ants?”

This time, he had no choice but to shake his head.

That was truly impossible.

“The Demon Lord dealing with you is like that. You’re so weak that your limbs could fly off with a slight mistake, so he’s constantly walking a tightrope, maintaining a proper balance.”

“If he takes away too much power, you won’t be trained. He has to find the exact point where you feel very strained but don’t suffer major injuries.”

“That must be really difficult.”

“That’s not all.”

Jang Min frowned.

“The Demon Lord even uses different amounts of power when dealing with each of you. He not only adjusts to your level but also to each individual’s level. And yet, you dare to doubt his power?”

Lee Myung-hwan quickly shook his head.

“That’s absolutely not it. It’s just that what I feel is so different…”

“He is infinitely stern, but also infinitely benevolent. I cannot dare to reach his level. However, the reason I can train you more easily is because the time he and I can invest is different.”

Of course, Kang Jin-ho had too many things to do.

“All of you, remember this.”

“Yes, Elder.”

Jang Min’s eyes cooled down.

“It’s good to have ambition. It’s also good to have the desire to climb higher. But those who are consumed by ambition and desire often forget who they owe their success to. Is what you have achieved now entirely due to your own efforts?”

Lee Myung-hwan closed his mouth.

Forget?

There was no way.

As humans, they could not forget what Kang Jin-ho had done for them.

But…

‘It’s also true that the gratitude has faded a lot compared to before.’

He couldn’t deny that he had become arrogant after training with Jang Min and gaining the reputation of being the strongest martial group in the Assembly.

“He didn’t teach you hoping for that. However…”

Jang Min’s gaze turned infinitely cold.

The demonic flames trembled involuntarily at that chilling gaze.

“If anyone dares to show arrogance in front of him, I will personally show them how merciful death is. Never forget one thing. Everything in the cult is dedicated solely to him. If anyone forgets that duty, I will never forgive them.”

It wasn’t exactly a threat, but a calm voice.

But that made it even more frightening.

Everyone knew that Jang Min was more than capable of doing that.

Where did that unwavering faith come from?

Although the Demonic Cult had the name of a religion, it did not worship a separate god. What the Demonic Cult worshiped was not a god of concept but a human. It was a place where they gave divinity to humans and worshiped humans as gods.

To Jang Min, Kang Jin-ho was no different from a god in human form.

Sometimes, Lee Myung-hwan couldn’t understand that fact at all.

‘Since it has come to this…’

Lee Myung-hwan raised his hand slightly.

“Speak.”

“To be honest, I’m a little scared to ask this question…”

“Hmm?”

Lee Myung-hwan swallowed hard.

“Since we’re already talking about it, let me ask one more question.”

“Speak.”

“Yes. Why do you believe in and follow the Demon Lord so much, Elder?”

“•…What?”

Jang Min tilted his head as if he had received a completely unexpected question.

“Ah, no, it just seems to me that you worship the Assembly Head almost like a god…”

“That’s right.”

“Honestly, until recently… I thought it was possible because you were an old-timer and older. But after actually experiencing you, it’s like… what should I say…”

He was someone who directly created a smartphone app to manage the cult members and put it on his phone. He managed the training schedule on a webpage and always wore the latest luxury fashion.

He was someone who didn’t fit the image of a religious fanatic at all.

“You find my blind faith strange?”

“Yes.”

Jang Min chuckled.

“That’s the most foolish thing I’ve heard in my life.”

“Listen, you insignificant things. What is a god?”

“A god is…”

Jang Min raised his voice without even thinking of listening to the answer.

“The reason humans worship gods is because of their absoluteness and benevolence. Simply put, it’s because they think that a god with absolute power will make them happy and help them. Whether it’s in this life or the next!”

“…Yes.”

“Then, what reason is there for the Demon Lord not to be my god?”

Lee Myung-hwan’s eyes widened slightly.

“He has absolute power and is the one who changed my life. After a long wait, I ask, what reason is there for the one who finally descended not to be my god?”

He was at a loss for words.

“But the Assembly Head isn’t a god, is he?”

“Do you know what a god is?”

Jang Min clicked his tongue.

“That’s what religion is. It’s about believing what you want to believe. Who someone worships is just their choice. There’s no need to belittle other people’s religions, nor is there a need to doubt my god. I simply serve him.”

It was unwavering.

It was a logic so firm that a needle couldn’t penetrate it.

‘Should I say he’s amazing?’

What was certain was that the day Jang Min’s faith would crumble would never come.

“The same goes for you. If you cannot serve him with all your heart, at least you must become a useful tool for him. Even if you cannot worship him as a god, you must at least think about repaying the grace you have received from him.”

The demonic flames nodded their heads deeply.

“Of course.”

Crack.

Jang Min clenched his fist tightly.

“To do that, you must become stronger, right?”

“Yes!”

“If you’ve rested enough, let’s start again. Today, you should forget about walking back.”

At those words, the demonic flames’ eyes began to gleam with killing intent again.

Jang Min looked at those demonic flames with a pleased expression.

‘Good.’

It was definitely satisfying to teach them.

The Demon Lord had said that when he chose them, he prioritized their will to become stronger over anything else, and indeed.

Although the talent they possessed was lacking, their will made their lack of talent pale in comparison. At this rate, they would soon be complete. The Assembly Head’s personal guard, the true ‘Demonic Flames,’ would be recorded in the history of the Demonic Cult.

‘You must become stronger.’

Jang Min already knew.

The war with the Three Kings was approaching to the point where it was unavoidable. The moment he realized that, he almost gave up on growing the Demonic Cult and focused on nurturing the Demonic Flames.

The reason was simple.

To him, Kang Jin-ho’s safety was more important than the safety of the entire Demonic Cult.

If only Kang Jin-ho survived, the Demonic Cult could be revived at any time. But if Kang Jin-ho was lost, no matter how many Demonic Cult members remained, the cult would fall apart again and disappear into history.

‘I will definitely protect him.’

The Demonic Flames were the Assembly Head’s personal guard.

They were the ones who had to stay by the Demon Lord’s side during this war and protect him with their lives.

The stronger they became, the safer Kang Jin-ho would be.

“If you can’t become stronger, you might as well die!”

“Waaaaaaaah!”

Lee Myung-hwan roared and charged at Jang Min.