Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1631

“All the forces transferred from the Round Table have completed their deployment.”

“Already?”

The report was directed to Kang Jin-ho, but it was Lee Hyun-soo who asked the question.

“It’s not particularly difficult. It’s different from the days when we had to secretly travel back and forth to Korea. We just send the equipment through the gate and transport the troops by plane.”

“Even so, it’s excessively fast.”

Wiggins shrugged.

“It’s best to discard the stereotype that Europeans are laid-back. We just prefer leisure more than Koreans. We don’t pretend to be relaxed when we need to be busy.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“You sound like a damn racist.”

“…That’s not it.”

Lee Hyun-soo retorted, and Wiggins chuckled softly.

“It’s true that looking at the European knights now, they seem to have many shortcomings, but they will definitely be a great asset, Lord.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

‘They’re more than just a great asset.’

It was a situation where he would want to borrow even a cat’s paw. If that much power came, it would be like having a thousand troops and ten thousand horses.

“The second force is scheduled to be led by the Master himself.”

“There’s a second one too?”

“Of course, Lord.”

Kang Jin-ho slightly narrowed his brows.

“Isn’t that too much of a strain?”

“Which side are you referring to? Me, or the Master?”

“Both.”

Wiggins smiled.

“To answer, it’s true that both of us are pushing ourselves.”

“Then…”

“But that’s only natural, Lord.”

Wiggins spoke in a low, calm tone.

“I don’t want to discuss the dangers of war. That’s too obvious. What I want to talk about is something else, Lord.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Wiggins with a questioning gaze.

“Don’t think that you have to push yourself alone, Lord. War takes lives. I understand your desire to protect our lives until the war, but you can’t win while worrying about such things. You know that, don’t you?”

“Put aside your worries about us, Lord. We are prepared to sacrifice ourselves solely for your glory. Use us like tools, and throw us away like trash. And the reward for that can be given generously to those who survive after the war.”

Kang Jin-ho gave a wry smile.

“I don’t know if I’ll have that much to give.”

“Of course, you will. If we win this war, all of that vast Chinese land will be under the control of the General Assembly.”

“Vast Chinese land…”

Kang Jin-ho glanced at Lee Hyun-soo. Even Lee Hyun-soo had a slightly excited look on his face at the mention of the vast Chinese land.

‘Is it that great?’

Kang Jin-ho couldn’t bring himself to say in front of them, ‘I’ve been there, and it’s not that great.’

Lee Hyun-soo, who had been subtly watching Kang Jin-ho’s reaction, continued.

“Then, when will the Master’s second support be available?”

“It’s hard to pinpoint an exact time yet.”

“Hmm.”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

Lee Hyun-soo shrugged.

“I’m considering directly invading China if the opportunity arises. Reinforcements are an important factor, so we need to figure it out in advance.”

“…Invasion?”

“Doesn’t it make us sound like villains when you say it like that?”

“Well, it’s not much different.”

“That’s true, but…”

Wiggins smiled as if he found it amusing.

“Invasion, invasion… Well, I guess.”

Wiggins looked at Kang Jin-ho and said,

“Actually, there was one thing that bothered me.”

“What is it?”

“If their battle is decided, then naturally, our next opponent will be them.”

“That’s right.”

“If they attack right away, it would be manageable. But what if they stop in that situation and slowly gather their strength again?”

“It would be a grueling wait. Watching the enemy recover and rebuild their strength while we have to fight them.”

“Hearing that makes it sound like hell.”

“Rather than seeing that, it might not be a bad choice to strike at the right time. I agree with Chief Lee’s opinion.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

The only two people who could be considered brains in the General Assembly were these two. Bator wasn’t lacking in intelligence either, but he didn’t want to get involved in planning strategies like this in the first place.

If these two agreed on something, it would be safe to follow it.

“You don’t need any special permission. Attack when you need to attack.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Wiggins nodded deeply. He liked this aspect of Kang Jin-ho. Basically, absolute beings tend to look down on others.

Those who have achieved feats that are difficult for humans to accomplish do not treat ordinary humans, who are incomparable to them, as equals.

Perhaps that is only natural.

Would anyone try to entrust something to someone who can’t even memorize the multiplication table?

How would ordinary humans look in the eyes of those who have transcended the realm of humans with talent, effort, and unbelievable mental strength?

Even if they have outstanding skills in certain fields, absolute beings would just think that they haven’t achieved such feats because they haven’t delved into those fields themselves.

But Kang Jin-ho is different.

Kang Jin-ho doesn’t overrate himself.

He cleanly acknowledges his shortcomings and completely entrusts the areas where he is lacking to his subordinates.

Being able to entrust is not the amazing thing.

Admitting that you are lacking is the amazing thing.

Especially, being able to entrust even the huge matters that can determine one’s fate to others and trust them is truly amazing.

‘The Master mentioned an emperor.’

But Master.

You don’t know.

It’s wrong to say that a wise ruler cannot exist if there is a treacherous subject by his side. Because a true overlord cannot have treacherous subjects clinging to him.

Wiggins, who had been smiling quietly, looked at Kang Jin-ho.

“Lord.”

“Speak.”

“There is one thing I would like to ask.”

“Anything.”

Wiggins swallowed hard, unlike his usual self.

“Now that things have come this far, I’m asking… Are you confident in facing the Three Kings, Lord?”

“I know. I know that it’s not an easy question to answer. You haven’t directly experienced the other two kings, and the Crimson King is not the same as he was in the past.”

“That’s right.”

“But Lord, someone who has reached your level should be able to see things that we can’t. And you’ve already come to some conclusion in your mind, haven’t you?”

Kang Jin-ho didn’t answer.

“Please tell us, Lord. This is an element that we must consider when planning our strategy. We have already created roadmaps for what to do if you win or lose, but it’s time to decide where to focus more.”

Lee Hyun-soo quietly nodded.

He also wanted to ask, but Wiggins was asking the question for him now.

Until recently, it was a question that could be asked jokingly, but now the situation is too sensitive and difficult.

Kang Jin-ho, who received the question, thought for a long time with a troubled expression before opening his mouth.

“I’ve been thinking about it…”

“Yes, Lord.”

“I just can’t picture a scenario where I lose.”

Wiggins slightly frowned.

“Of course, I would expect that. A martial artist of your caliber is bound to be filled with an unimaginable ego. If someone even considered their own defeat, they wouldn’t be able to live like a runaway train.”

“…Is that an insult?”

“It’s a compliment.”

If you say so, then it must be.

“However, now you need to push that ego aside and think calmly.”

“Even if I think calmly, it’s the same.”

Kang Jin-ho leaned back on the sofa. Wiggins was mistaken about something.

That statement would apply to the Crimson King and those like him. He is a human being who seems to be forged from pure ambition.

But Kang Jin-ho is different.

Kang Jin-ho is a human being who is the opposite of them. While they love and admire themselves so much, Kang Jin-ho is someone who has lived his life thinking that he is not important.

“Even if I think calmly, it’s the same. If the other three kings’ abilities are comparable to the Crimson King, there’s no reason for me to lose.”

Kang Jin-ho lightly clenched and unclenched his fist.

This is not arrogance.

He also knows. He knows that the Crimson King is breaking through the wall and reaching a new level.

But….

‘That’s a place I’ve already been.’

Now Kang Jin-ho knows.

By looking back at himself and facing the past, he knows exactly where he stands.

His goal is to surpass the Heavenly Demon Lord [a legendary figure of immense power].

The Crimson King wouldn’t even last a hundred breaths against the Heavenly Demon Lord before being torn to shreds.

Now, Kang Jin-ho is someone who can fight the Heavenly Demon Lord on equal terms, even if only in his mind.

What he is worried about is the lack of numbers and quality of troops compared to the Three Kings, not the Crimson King.

Even though the balance of power in the martial world is greatly influenced by who the strongest is, it is also true that one hand cannot defeat ten hands.

“Are you confident in victory?”

Kang Jin-ho nodded and took out a cigarette.

“At least I’m confident that no one will say we lost because of me.”

Wiggins smiled and snapped his fingers, lighting Kang Jin-ho’s cigarette.

“Then we will trust you, Lord, and proceed with all the plans. Please bear that burden.”

“Anything.”

Wiggins quietly nodded.

‘We might lose.’

Or we might win.

But even if they lose, Wiggins will not resent Kang Jin-ho.

His choice is not completed by Kang Jin-ho and the General Assembly’s victory. Just by coming this far, his choice has already been proven right.

Even if the moment comes when he dies by the enemy’s blade in this war, he will not have a single regret.

‘I’ll gladly die with a smile.’

“Lord.”

“Hmm?”

“Remember this, Lord.”

Wiggins said with a forceful voice.

“Whatever the outcome of this war, you have done your best. Even if we all die under their feet, no one will blame you. So…”

Wiggins’ voice pierced Kang Jin-ho’s ears.

“Be proud of yourself. You have been magnificent, Lord.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

“You’re already thinking about losing before we even fight.”

“It’s not like that.”

“There’s nothing to be proud of, nothing to be confident about.”

“If we lose, we’ll die, so there won’t be time to think, and if we win, there’s no need to regret it.”

Kang Jin-ho’s voice was sharp.

“That’s what war is. There’s no need for pride or confidence. All that remains is the result. Whether you’re rolling in the mud or holding your spilled guts, you just need to win. And…”

A smile formed on Kang Jin-ho’s lips.

“I’ve never lost in such a war. You’ll soon find that out.”

Wiggins, overwhelmed by Kang Jin-ho’s aura, nodded unconsciously.

Yes.

They will soon find out.

The sight of Kang Jin-ho fighting with everything on the line.