Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1641

Unstoppable force.

What other words could describe it?

Chai Kecheng trembled as he watched the Hong King walk as if on a stroll.

The only emotion he could feel towards the Hong King right now was one thing.

Respect.

No, that wasn’t it.

Such a lukewarm word couldn’t express the overwhelming emotion rising from the depths of his heart.

It would have to be at least reverence.

‘He has truly ascended to godhood.’

The martial arts the Hong King had shown so far were completely beyond human capabilities.

With one fist, he split mountains, and with one step, he cleaved the earth.

Yes, it was truly an unstoppable force.

In just three days.

In a mere three days, the Hong King had traversed from Wuhan to Zhengzhou in one fell swoop.

A march that bisected the continent.

He had not only reclaimed the lost territories of the Hong King faction in an instant but was now pushing into the territories of the Chang King faction, which they had never even set foot in before.

Chai Kecheng felt both awe and helplessness as he watched the Hong King’s advance.

Awe at the martial prowess that reached the heavens.

And helplessness at the fact that such a martial artist existed in the world.

He had dedicated his entire life to unifying China under the Hong King faction.

He had devised countless schemes and created numerous strategies. Thanks to that, the Hong King faction, while not able to swallow the other three king factions, had completely seized Jiangnan [a region south of the Yangtze River], creating the most solid power.

But.

‘What does it all mean?’

Looking at the Hong King, it felt like all of that was meaningless.

If he were in the Chang King faction right now, could he have stopped the Hong King?

By what means?

Before a martial artist who had achieved absolute martial arts, strategy and military strength were meaningless. They would only result in slightly slowing him down.

If the outcome of a war ultimately depended on the ability of an absolute being, then what was his value?

The Hong King, who had been walking with an indifferent expression, glanced back at Chai Kecheng.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing, Hong King. I am just… just marveling.”

The Hong King smiled as if he knew what Chai Kecheng was thinking.

“Chai Kecheng.”

“Yes, Hong King.”

“Could I have reached this level without you?”

Chai Kecheng’s eyes trembled.

“H-Hong King, how could I have been of any help? You are self-sufficient. I am merely following you.”

The Hong King shook his head.

“That is not true.”

“If I am the one who leads you, then you are the one who made me.”

“…Hong King.”

“Sometimes, people make a mistake. They think that a martial artist is simply someone who is created through solitary training. That is not true. It cannot be.”

“You can understand it just by looking at history. There are always those who seclude themselves in remote mountain areas and reach the position of an absolute being through solitary training. Their stories are widely circulated.”

“That is true.”

“The reason why they are so widely circulated is because it is a special case. In most cases, the top experts come from the great sects that dominate the world. Isn’t that so?”

“That is correct, Hong King.”

The Hong King smiled.

“You have arranged everything for me. If it weren’t for you, I would still be busy dealing with that Chang King. I wouldn’t have been able to entrust the Hong King faction to you and focus on my training. I am always grateful to you.”

Chai Kecheng trembled.

Grateful.

Grateful, he said.

The gratitude coming from this absolute being could not have the same meaning as the common gratitude that was everywhere.

“I… I am merely dedicating my life to you, Hong King.”

“Yes, that is good enough.”

The Hong King’s face slightly smiled.

“Do not forget that heart, Chai Kecheng. Then I will lead you to the position of being second to none.”

“I humbly wish and hope for that.”

The Hong King slightly raised his head.

“It seems the Chang King is in a hurry.”

At those words, Chai Kecheng turned his head sharply.

‘Is something coming?’

He couldn’t feel it yet. It was only natural. The difference between his perception and the Hong King’s perception was greater than that of a rat on the ground and an eagle soaring in the sky.

Fortunately for Chai Kecheng, the speed of those approaching was extremely fast, and thanks to that, Chai Kecheng was able to recognize the identity of the opponent soon enough.

Hundreds of martial artists wearing blue robes and masks all over their bodies.

The Hong King opened his mouth quietly as he looked at them.

“Is that the Azure Kill Squad?”

“It seems so.”

“What a bad taste. In this day and age, they still make them wear such clothes.”

Just by looking at their appearance, it was like a scene from a historical drama. It wouldn’t be out of place even if it were a movie set.

“The Chang King is a bit old-fashioned.”

“I feel sorry for his subordinates. They wouldn’t even be able to walk around in those clothes.”

Chai Kecheng chuckled.

‘Hong King’s fashion isn’t exactly modern either.’

It wasn’t that there weren’t people who wore modified cheongsams [a traditional Chinese dress], but it was a bit niche. But well, it was true that it was better than the Azure Kill Squad.

“It seems the Chang King was in a hurry. He must know what it means for an assassination squad to come to the front lines.”

“But they are the ones the Chang King has raised with great care.”

“Futile.”

The Hong King shook his head.

“It’s not that I’m ignoring them. But what I have built is too high to acknowledge them. The Chang King probably doesn’t think they can stop me either. He’s just trying to buy some time.”

Chai Kecheng agreed with that thought.

“It’s a pity.”

The Hong King shook his head.

“As someone who also leads a sect, I don’t want to belittle their loyalty. But in the end, aren’t they the ones who have to live together after everything is over?”

“To be deprived of that opportunity is a sad thing.”

Chai Kecheng looked at the Hong King with a renewed gaze.

The reason was one thing.

‘The Hong King is talking about the future.’

Until now, the Hong King had never talked about what would happen after unification. Of course, he had said that he would conquer Korea after organizing China, but that was just part of the unification process, not a discussion about the future.

That Hong King was now talking about the future for the first time.

That fact made Chai Kecheng more excited than ever.

“Then, should we show mercy?”

“Absolutely not.”

The Hong King shook his head firmly.

“They are also martial artists. Martial artists who have risked their lives on the battlefield. To show mercy is nothing more than an insult to them.”

The Hong King raised both hands.

“To face them with all our might will make their deaths more valuable.”

Golden aura began to emanate from his fingertips.

Chai Kecheng unconsciously stepped back.

The Hong King’s figure, emitting golden light, was like a celestial being descended into the mortal world.

Whoooooooosh!

The aura spread out like a wave, engulfing the Azure Kill Squad rushing towards him.

Not even a scream was heard.

Chai Kecheng stared at the place where the light had disappeared with wide eyes.

‘It’s gone.’

Nothing was left.

It was as if the scene of the Azure Kill Squad rushing in was an illusion, and the scenery was the same as before, with nothing changed.

Only the humans had disappeared from that space.

Without leaving a trace.

“They must have gone peacefully, so there will be no regrets.”

The Hong King looked ahead with a stern face.

“Hong King, I don’t understand why the Chang King is continuing this reckless war of attrition. The time gained by sending them all is only a few seconds, isn’t it?”

“He must think that the outcome will be decided in those few seconds.”

The Hong King opened his mouth with a stern face.

“Don’t try to understand him.”

“A martial artist who has overcome wall after wall is like a madman to ordinary people. Their way of thinking is completely different from ordinary people. To the Chang King, their value is probably only enough to be used to buy a few seconds.”

“How could…”

The Hong King shook his head as if he didn’t like it either.

“I have been waiting until now for a complete victory. But having come this far, I have come to think this. If I had made a move before the situation became entrenched, there might have been fewer sacrifices.”

“Please don’t say that, Hong King.”

Chai Kecheng said firmly.

“The blood spilled in the war might have been reduced. But that blood is not everything. If the Chang King or the Black King were to seize the Central Plains, the blood spilled in the war would be nothing more than a drop in the bucket. Wouldn’t countless people collapse under their rule?”

“Are you saying that I am different?”

“You are different, Hong King. You are not the kind of person who kills those who do not follow you, are you?”

The Hong King chuckled softly.

“You are cunning, Chai Kecheng. But there is nothing to worry about. Many monarchs have turned into tyrannical dictators after gaining the world, but I will not become such a person.”

“Of course, you will not. You will become a wise ruler who will go down in history.”

“That’s ticklish. Enough is enough.”

“Yes!”

As Chai Kecheng quietly closed his mouth and stood at attention, the Hong King smiled wryly.

‘This is why I need to keep Chai Kecheng by my side.’

Chai Kecheng’s existence was like a thorn stuck in the back of his chair. If he tried to lean back comfortably, it would prick him sharply.

Sometimes, he was an annoying and irritating presence.

But.

A person who claims to be a monarch should not seek comfort. If a monarch seeks comfort, others will suffer.

“Chai Kecheng.”

“Yes, Hong King.”

“You must not change.”

“That will never happen.”

“Yes. That is good enough.”

The Hong King moved his feet.

‘Chang King.’

Chai Kecheng said he couldn’t understand the Chang King. But the Hong King was now slowly beginning to understand what the Chang King was thinking.

‘Is he telling me to come into his belly?’

He was releasing bait.

Delicious bait.

The Chang King must know that the Hong King’s martial arts were becoming more complete with each battle. Therefore, even though it would be more rational to use all his power to deal with the Hong King in one fell swoop, he was deploying martial artists that the Hong King would be tempted by, as if he were seducing him.

He was openly seducing him, but the Hong King couldn’t resist the temptation. Because the Hong King had a firm belief that his own strength would lead to the strength of the entire Hong King faction.

‘I wonder what’s in your belly.’

Is it poison?

Or a snake?

Whatever it is, it’s fine.

“If I overcome it, I will have the Central Plains in my hands.”

What if he doesn’t overcome it?

That would be fine too.

Even if he doesn’t achieve his goal, he would have done his best.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

The Hong King slowly moved his feet. Then, Chai Kecheng slightly turned his head back.

‘They’re here.’

Chai Kecheng’s smile deepened.

The martial artists of the Hong King faction, who had completely reorganized their ranks and reorganized their formations, were running from the end of the horizon.

Thanks to the Hong King’s efforts, the Hong King faction had finally regained its full strength.

Chai Kecheng looked north with cold eyes.

‘You missed your chance, Chang King.’

The price will be paid with your life.