Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1689

“There haven’t been any specific complaints.”

Lee Hyun-soo, sitting across from Ko Han-bong, nodded with a stern expression.

“That’s a relief.”

Ko Han-bong also showed agreement.

“However, it’s not a situation to be completely at ease about. The undercurrents are definitely shifting.”

“…Undercurrents?”

“Yes.”

Ko Han-bong reached for water, as if his throat was dry, and took a sip.

“Diplomats aren’t just there to relay messages. Their primary role is to discern the subtle shifts in the atmosphere.”

Ko Han-bong’s cold gaze pressed down heavily on Lee Hyun-soo.

“There are reports that the atmosphere in Beijing has changed since your visit to China. Their attitude towards Korea has also subtly shifted.”

Lee Hyun-soo frowned.

‘That’s plausible.’

No, perhaps it’s to be expected.

Given that the military has already been mobilized, it’s practically a given that Changwang and the Chinese government have joined forces. In other words, the Chinese government has clearly identified the Assembly as an ‘enemy.’

An enemy’s ally is also an enemy.

Naturally, their attitude towards the Korean government would have to change.

“Are there any specific actions?”

“Apart from being less cooperative on a few discussions, there haven’t been any direct actions yet. As you know, their situation isn’t great either.”

Lee Hyun-soo nodded quietly.

“Either way, I apologize for causing trouble because of our affairs. Though I’m not in a position to say this, I apologize on behalf of the Assembly.”

“No, no. There’s no need to apologize.”

Ko Han-bong smiled faintly.

“Ultimately, we’re in a position where we have to play a balancing act and then choose a side. We’ve gained favor with the US by distancing ourselves from China, so we haven’t lost anything. You could even say it’s a net gain.”

Lee Hyun-soo nodded lightly.

‘I definitely like this aspect of him.’

If Kim Myung-chan, not Ko Han-bong, were sitting in front of him, he would be complaining about the difficulties they were facing.

And then, a sharp negotiation would begin to extract as much as possible from the Assembly.

But Ko Han-bong doesn’t do that.

‘Of course, that’s also one way to do things.’

While Kim Myung-chan is the type to sharply distinguish between gains and losses in every single matter, Ko Han-bong looks at the bigger picture. He knows that building a solid relationship is much more beneficial, even if it means taking a slight loss now.

Of course, Kim Myung-chan’s case served as a cautionary tale, but being able to put what you know into practice is also a remarkable thing.

Of course, if you slowly get used to the other party’s way of doing things, there will be times when you lose out, but Lee Hyun-soo was not an easy opponent either.

“Anyway, thank you for understanding.”

“You’re welcome.”

Ko Han-bong gave a genial smile.

“However, even if there haven’t been any problems so far, we can’t assume that there won’t be any in the future.”

“I suppose so.”

“China can’t completely ignore outside opinions, so there won’t be any military provocations. If they provoke us militarily now, it would only give the US, who is watching closely, a reason to intervene.”

Lee Hyun-soo nodded quietly.

Lee Hyun-soo prides himself on having more knowledge than the average person in most fields, but he can’t be better than the Prime Minister of Korea in international relations.

It’s not a matter of ability, but a matter of specialization.

“However, there’s one thing that’s a bit bothersome…”

“Yes?”

Ko Han-bong frowned as he spoke.

“As I mentioned, the Chinese government isn’t showing any major movements. However, in my opinion, these actions don’t seem to be driven by some hidden agenda, but rather because they’re simply unable to figure out what to do.”

Lee Hyun-soo looked at Ko Han-bong with a strange expression.

‘He’s definitely not someone to underestimate.’

What he said was probably right. The Chinese government is likely waiting for Changwang’s response.

It would be an exaggeration to use the word ‘instruction.’ No matter how much power the Murim world [a martial arts society] has, it doesn’t have enough influence to directly pressure the government.

However, the entity that will be the main driver of all future actions by China is not the government, but Changwang’s faction. Naturally, they have no choice but to proceed based on Changwang’s policies.

The problem is that Changwang is not a very accommodating person.

His ideas, which go beyond common sense, cause great confusion not only to his enemies but also to his allies.

Changwang’s subordinates can avoid this confusion by completely following his orders, whether it’s jumping into fire or off a cliff, but the government can’t possibly choose such a method.

Then, the current situation is one of two things.

‘Either Changwang demanded something absurd, or he’s not giving them any information at all.’

Which is more likely?

‘The latter, probably.’

The reason is simple.

“Prime Minister, this might be a bit sensitive, but…”

Ko Han-bong smiled gently.

“Is there any question that would be sensitive between us? Please, feel free to speak.”

Lee Hyun-soo nodded and asked.

“Does the Chinese government have a Korean spy?”

At that moment, Ko Han-bong closed his mouth.

Then, without a word, he looked around.

After confirming that no one was around, Ko Han-bong took a sip of cold water and nodded.

It’s not exactly a secret.

If the Korean government hadn’t deployed personnel to extract information from China, it would be nothing short of dereliction of duty.

Yet, the fact that he was so exaggeratedly looking around was a warning that China’s ears could be everywhere.

“And of course, the Chinese side knows that as well.”

“That’s probably true. There must be people within the Korean government who are on the Chinese side.”

“Then Changwang isn’t passing information to the Chinese government.”

“…Yes?”

“Changwang is someone who extremely dislikes his information being passed on to others.”

“…Does that make sense? If he doesn’t pass information to those he’s cooperating with, what are they supposed to discuss?”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled faintly.

‘They don’t discuss.’

Changwang doesn’t need allies.

What he wants are not allies or partners, but chess pieces that will move according to his will.

His perfect plan begins with the premise that all the pieces will move according to his intentions. Changwang is the one who has realized this impossible feat in reality.

‘That’s why he’s a monster, but…’

Conversely, Changwang’s weakness lies in that very extremity.

“You’ve probably heard that Changwang tried to recruit us, right?”

“Yes, last time.”

“From their perspective, it was a decent offer, but… there were some aspects that bothered me. But after coming back and thinking about it, I realized why he made that offer.”

“Why is that?”

“Because he can control the variables.”

“…Yes?”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled.

“Changwang extremely dislikes unexpected variables. But our Chairman is like a walking mass of variables. I know from dealing with him that you can’t predict what this man will do. So, Changwang got played.”

Ko Han-bong stared at Lee Hyun-soo, speechless.

‘No, does he usually talk about his boss like that?’

He probably doesn’t even have the confidence that Ko Han-bong will keep the secret for life….

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Oh, no. I just thought your statement was a bit harsh. It could leak out, you know?”

“It’s okay. The Chairman knows too.”

The more you look at this Assembly, the stranger it is. There’s no hierarchy, no system, but somehow, it runs efficiently….

“Anyway, that’s the kind of person he is. For Changwang, he’s the person he wants to avoid getting involved with the most. But if he forms an alliance with the Assembly, Changwang can control when our Chairman gets involved.”

“Ah…”

“That merit must have been significant.”

Ko Han-bong nodded. As a politician, he couldn’t perfectly understand the Murim world, but he seemed to understand the gist of it.

“But why are you telling me this?”

“That’s where we need to start.”

“…Yes?”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled.

“Changwang’s weakness is there. Just as we don’t know Changwang, the Chinese government doesn’t know Changwang either. But unlike Changwang, the Chinese government can’t remain silent when something happens. They must respond.”

“Ah…”

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes gleamed.

“We can’t turn back from China now anyway. So, the government needs to pressure China as well.”

“Then…”

“Poke them.”

“I’m not asking for anything big to start with. Just poke them with small things that would have provoked an immediate reaction in the past. They definitely won’t be able to respond the way they used to.”

Ko Han-bong wore a subtle smile.

‘This man would do well in politics too.’

He’s not the type to climb to the very top, but he’s the type who would survive for a long time by crushing all his political rivals and seizing power.

“Then, you can gradually increase the poking.”

“Hmm.”

Ko Han-bong’s eyes lit up as he spoke.

“That’s a good idea, but wouldn’t there be risks for us as well? If China loses its temper, we’ll be the ones getting burned… I can’t act like a merchant, but what can we get out of it?”

“China.”

“…Yes?”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled.

“You know what we’re doing in Japan, right?”

“…Of course. We’re providing support in various ways.”

“We’re planning to do something similar in China.”

Ko Han-bong closed his mouth.

Currently, MK is openly dominating the distribution network in Japan. They are gradually encroaching on the distribution sector, where Japan’s wealthiest tycoons are concentrated, and securing massive stakes.

Although it’s still in the investment phase and not generating significant profits, the stakes they’ve already secured are enough to generate huge profits for decades to come.

And… they could enter China, which has a market several times larger?

“The winner takes all. The war in the Murim world doesn’t end with just them, as proven in Japan. There’s no reason why the nation shouldn’t support us, right?”

“…This isn’t something I can decide on my own.”

“Of course. Please discuss it thoroughly and contact me.”

“…Yes.”

Lee Hyun-soo curled up the corners of his mouth.

‘He took the bait.’

Ko Han-bong acted as if he was calm, but Lee Hyun-soo didn’t miss the glimpse of greed in his eyes.

The government is currently boasting about MK’s growing distribution network in Japan as their achievement. And the intangible MK is silently agreeing with their words.

What if that achievement spreads to China?

‘It’s an achievement that would allow them to stay in power for another 10 years.’

For politicians, honor is sometimes more important than practical gains. The Assembly has the practical gains, and they have the honor. This is a good enough deal.

‘So move, you bastards.’

Lee Hyun-soo’s lips twisted further.

‘I’ll move all the pieces to corner Changwang. And then…’

He will drive a knife into his neck.

Definitely.