Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1690

Crack!

“Aaaagh!”

A sharp scream echoed. The person who had fallen to the floor clenched their teeth and grabbed the floor, then looked up with bloodshot eyes.

“You son of a bitch!”

“…Sorry.”

Lee Myung-hwan, who had unknowingly twisted the other person’s arm, lowered his head with a sullen expression.

“…Damn it.”

The person whose arm was twisted grabbed their shoulder. Those who were training nearby approached him and checked his shoulder.

“It’s not completely dislocated.”

“Why is this guy being so dramatic?”

“Dramatic? Do you want to try having your arm twisted?”

A fierce aura spread left and right, but the surrounding demonic flames didn’t particularly react to it.

However, they didn’t forget to look at Lee Myung-hwan with slightly embarrassed eyes.

“Why did you do that, man?”

“This guy isn’t having some kind of tantrum, why is he being so violent!”

Lee Myung-hwan let out a deep sigh.

‘Damn it.’

Lee Myung-hwan, who roughly rubbed his face with both hands, turned and left the training ground.

“That guy, he’s…”

“Leave him alone.”

The furious people tried to chase after Lee Myung-hwan, but others stopped them.

“He must be in a bad state of mind.”

“Tsk.”

Swoosh.

Lee Myung-hwan, who put his head under the faucet, felt the cold water and bit his lip.

‘What am I doing?’

He felt utterly pathetic.

There was no way that hurting a colleague was acceptable just because he was feeling frustrated. Especially for Lee Myung-hwan, it was something he should never have done, even if it was another demonic flame [a member of the Demonic Cult].

Swoosh.

Cooling his head with cold water made him feel a little more clear-headed.

Lee Myung-hwan, who shook his head to get rid of the water, lifted his head with a slightly agitated motion.

“Ah!”

Then he stepped back as if he was terrified.

“…Lord Kang.”

Kang Jin-ho, with a look as if he had bitten into something unpleasant, looked at Lee Myung-hwan with a sullen face.

“Did you come to find me?”

“No. I was just passing by.”

“Ah…”

Then that expression makes sense. He was just surprised to see someone who was walking by.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah, well…”

Lee Myung-hwan hesitated slightly. Kang Jin-ho, who glanced at his expression, chuckled.

“Want to have a cup of coffee?”

After a moment of hesitation, Lee Myung-hwan finally nodded readily.

“Yes.”

Pour, pour.

Lee Myung-hwan watched Kang Jin-ho make coffee with a subtle expression.

‘It’s really amazing.’

Of course, he knew that everyone had their own hobbies.

Isn’t the field where the phrase ‘respect for preferences’ fits best is hobbies?

But no matter how many times he looked at it, he could never get used to Kang Jin-ho making coffee. Especially the way he made hand-drip coffee with such skillful movements.

Pour, pour.

Kang Jin-ho, who poured the coffee into a cup, handed the cup to Lee Myung-hwan.

“Here.”

“Thank you.”

Lee Myung-hwan received the cup that Kang Jin-ho handed him with both hands. Then he bowed his head as if he was grateful.

“Drink it.”

“Yes.”

Lee Myung-hwan carefully brought the coffee cup to his mouth. After taking a sip of coffee, Lee Myung-hwan’s eyes widened.

“Is it okay?”

“…It’s bitter.”

“Sugar… or syrup, something like that.”

Kang Jin-ho silently found some sugar cubes and handed them to Lee Myung-hwan. Lee Myung-hwan, who threw three sugar cubes into the cup, took a sip and then nodded as if it was finally palatable.

“It’s good.”

It was a situation where Kang Jin-ho could feel a strange dissatisfaction, but everyone’s tastes are different.

“Did you learn how to make coffee separately?”

“My father runs a cafe.”

“Ah… that’s right.”

Kang Jin-ho glanced at Lee Myung-hwan.

The fact that Kang Jin-ho had jumped into the cafe franchise based on his father’s store was something everyone in the General Assembly knew.

But Lee Myung-hwan didn’t know that fact.

In other words…

“You must have been very busy in Japan.”

“No. It’s my duty.”

Lee Myung-hwan’s voice was firm.

But Kang Jin-ho didn’t believe those words at face value.

“You seem restless.”

“Are you upset that you couldn’t go to China with me this time?”

Lee Myung-hwan lowered his head slightly.

“Lord Kang.”

“Tell me.”

“…It’s a little different from ‘upset’.”

“Then?”

Lee Myung-hwan sighed.

“Our mission is to protect you, Lord Kang. But recently, we haven’t been able to stay by your side.”

“Even when you go to dangerous places, we’re just here training and guarding our positions. If that’s the case, why are we even training?”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

“So, you’re just restless after all.”

“…It’s a little different from that,” Lee Myung-hwan mumbled.

They also have ears, so they couldn’t not know what Kang Jin-ho had gone through in China.

The General Assembly is not a place that hides such information.

After all, they will eventually have to face the Changwang Realm [a hostile faction]. The more information they have about the enemy they have to fight, the better.

“I heard that you were in great danger this time as well.”

“…It wasn’t that bad.”

“Chief Lee’s words were different.”

Anyway, Lee Hyun-soo!

That guy has a big mouth!

Lee Myung-hwan looked at Kang Jin-ho with fire in his eyes.

“Of course, I know that it couldn’t be helped this time. I know that as few people as possible had to go. But… Lord Kang, it’s not like all the demonic flames have to take on a mission at once. In cases like this, you should have taken at least a couple of guards with you.”

Lee Myung-hwan’s eyes grew stronger and stronger.

Even the mighty Kang Jin-ho flinched at that force.

“No, I…”

“Lord Kang.”

“Huh?”

“Our mission is to protect you. We are your hands and feet, and your guards. But if you go alone like that and something happens to you, what does everything we’ve done become?”

“Please, don’t do that anymore.”

“Ah, okay.”

“Is that a promise?”

“I said okay.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed.

‘Why are there more and more people asking things of me as time goes on?’

When he was the leader of the Demonic Cult in the past, he could do whatever he wanted.

No, to be precise, no one stopped him or interfered with what he did.

The only person who advised him was Chungma, and even Chungma didn’t try to restrict Kang Jin-ho’s actions.

But in the General Assembly, everywhere he goes, there are only people who nag at him.

However…

The reason why he doesn’t feel bad about it is probably because he can feel that they truly care about him.

“Well, there’s no need to be so anxious.”

“…Yes?”

“From now on, you’ll be fighting to your heart’s content.”

Lee Myung-hwan looked at Kang Jin-ho with a stern gaze.

“From the beginning, I intended to use you as my hands and feet. However, things happened faster and more violently than I thought.”

He thought that at least five years of training would be necessary.

But the rapidly changing world didn’t give the demonic flames enough time to train leisurely.

Jang Min, who knew that fact, had accelerated the demonic flames’ skills, but even so, it was still not easy to completely trust and entrust them.

But now there is no choice.

‘If we can’t defeat the Changwang Realm anyway, it’s all over.’

The demonic flames are the best force of the General Assembly. If they don’t play an active role in this war, the General Assembly’s victory will be a distant dream.

“You are my guards.”

“That’s obvious.”

“But that doesn’t mean you have to stay by my side and protect me. Just as the best defense is offense, the best guard is to eradicate the enemy’s existence.”

Lee Myung-hwan nodded with a firm face.

“We have been training until now for that role.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled.

He also knew how hard the demonic flames had worked. There would be no warriors in the entire General Assembly who had pushed themselves harder than them.

“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely let you go wild this time.”

“As I said earlier…” Lee Myung-hwan said with a resolute look.

“It’s not that we’re disappointed that we can’t play an active role. We can’t stand the thought of you being in danger where we’re not.”

“You may not think so, but we have been training to become your sword. But what’s the point if there’s no one to wield the sword?”

“At this point, it feels like nagging…”

“That’s not my intention.”

Lee Myung-hwan let out a deep sigh.

“Anyway, I understand. I understand now.”

“…What?”

“No matter how much I talk, nothing will change.”

Why did it come to that conclusion? Lee Myung-hwan said, looking at Kang Jin-ho.

“A person’s nature doesn’t change so easily. You may say this now, but when something dangerous happens again, you’ll push everyone else behind you and step forward to fight. In the most dangerous place.”

“…That’s not necessarily true.”

“No, you will.”

Lee Myung-hwan frowned.

“Then, instead of us protecting you, it will end up with us being protected by you again. This was wrong from the start.”

It was a subtly undeniable statement.

Because that was the truth.

If the same thing happened again, could Kang Jin-ho really put them in front of him and watch from behind?

‘Impossible.’

Kang Jin-ho knew himself well. This was an impossible mission for him.

“When will we go to war with China again?”

“It hasn’t been decided yet, but it won’t be too long.”

Lee Myung-hwan nodded.

“Then please train us a little more during that time.”

“Huh?”

“Please come to the training sessions. We need to get stronger. Now we know what we have to do.”

“…What do you have to do?”

“You said it earlier. The best guard is to annihilate the enemy.”

Lee Myung-hwan gritted his teeth.

“If we catch and kill all the bastards who are hostile to you, there will be no need to guard you. Wouldn’t that be accomplishing our mission?”

Lee Myung-hwan’s eyes turned bloodshot.

Ah…

They are also demonic.

“So, please come to training starting tomorrow. Please! I beg you!”

“…Okay.”

Whether it was a request or a threat, he wasn’t sure, but it was certain that the demonic flames needed to be trained more.

“But it seems like there’s a better person for that than me.”

“Yes?”

Kang Jin-ho shrugged.

“The ones you have to fight from now on are not demonic, and it’s not good to get into the habit of fighting demonic beings. There’s a perfect guy right now. Someone who’s not demonic and can fight all of you.”

“Lord Bator… no, could it be?”

“That’s right.”

Kang Jin-ho curled up the corners of his mouth.

“He also eats a lot, so he should earn his keep. So… are you confident in facing Heungwang?”

Lee Myung-hwan curled up the corners of his mouth.

“Is it okay to kill him?”

Kang Jin-ho smiled brightly at those words.

“Just don’t die.”

That’s how Heungwang’s mission was decided.

“You want me to fight your subordinates?”

“Yes.”

Heungwang’s eyebrows twitched.

“Demon King, even if I am in a situation where I’m entrusted to you, I am Heungwang.”

“I know.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Heungwang with a nonchalant expression.

And at that reaction, Heungwang wore a displeased look.

“Do I look like someone who would play with children?”

“You’re underestimating them too much.”

Kang Jin-ho leaned back in his chair.

“They are the ones I personally trained. If you take them lightly, you’ll be in for a big surprise.”

“Ha…”

Heungwang looked at Kang Jin-ho with a dumbfounded expression.

Then, Kang Jin-ho shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, don’t take it so seriously. It’s just a suitable match for you to get back into the swing of things.”

“Hmm…”

“It’s not a bad offer for you either. You’ll want to know more about demonic energy, won’t you?”

Instantly, Heungwang’s eyes flashed slightly.

“I won’t deny that. But if my understanding of demonic energy increases, wouldn’t that be troublesome for you?”

“Maybe.”

Kang Jin-ho took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it.

“Hoo…”

Kang Jin-ho, after exhaling a short puff of smoke, looked at Heungwang with calm eyes.

“But I have no intention of hiding my full power to prevent that. After all, you and I will clash many times. A victory gained from an information advantage will be gone sooner or later.”

“Hmm.”

Heungwang, who had been unable to hide his displeasure, began to look interested.

‘Is it pride?’

Now, his relationship with Kang Jin-ho is hard to define.

They are not complete enemies like before, but they are also not quite comrades. It’s an ambiguous relationship.

However, regardless of their relationship, both he and Kang Jin-ho are individuals who pursue the pinnacle of martial arts, and they are rivals competing on that path.

‘This attitude is excellent.’

Many factors influence victory or defeat.

Not only the condition of the day, but even small pieces of information about the opponent, as Kang Jin-ho said, can have a significant impact on the outcome.

However, Kang Jin-ho says he will walk a greater path rather than worry about such things. As if he could crush all variables if he had overwhelming power.

Arrogant and conceited.

But…

‘That’s why I like it.’

From the past, he has highly valued this aspect of Kang Jin-ho.

“Good.”

Heungwang nodded readily.

“If I’m a guest, I should earn my keep. But, Demon King, I don’t have the knack for going easy on your subordinates. No matter what the result, don’t blame me.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

“That’s what I wanted.”

“However, one thing…”

“Huh?”

Heungwang wore a subtle smile.

“If you’re going to make such a request, you know you have to bear one thing, right?”

“Huh?”

What is he talking about?

“Why isn’t it me, Master!”

Clang! Clang!

The windows shattered all at once, and Kang Jin-ho grabbed his head with both hands.

“If the word gets out that I’m fighting your subordinates, that Bator won’t stay still. I hope you’ll take care of the aftermath.”

‘I was stupid.’

I knew that this guy’s obsession with the strong was almost in the realm of mental illness…

Just the fact that Heungwang was in the same space would have made him restless and half-crazed. Still, Heungwang was injured, and the situation was what it was, so he must have been forcibly holding back.

“Master!”

“…Calm down.”

“Why are you putting those youngsters against Heungwang instead of me! If you need to strengthen your forces, shouldn’t I be first! No, it’s not about strength or anything! Why aren’t you giving me a chance to fight Heungwang!”

Bator was raging as if he was about to breathe fire.

Kang Jin-ho pressed his temples.

‘A migraine…’

It’s strange.

In the past, it seemed like the people around Kang Jin-ho were the ones who were usually in trouble when he did something, but why is it that Kang Jin-ho is suffering more and more as time goes on?

“It’s not that I’m telling you not to fight…”

“Master!”

Bator shouted again.

“There is no master of orthodox martial arts like Heungwang in the entire world! You must know that, right?”

I know.

He’s one of the Three Kings [a title given to the strongest martial artists]. Of course, I know.

“There is no opportunity to fight a master of orthodox martial arts like him at the General Assembly. Master, you know that the depth of martial arts depends on how many different people you can fight!”

Uh…

Yeah, I know that too.

“You said you fought him several times before, right?”

“It’s different from then! You must know that what I couldn’t see with my level then, I might be able to see now!”

Kang Jin-ho subtly avoided Bator’s gaze.

‘He’s going to shoot rockets from his eyes.’

I didn’t do anything particularly wrong, but anyone would feel burdened by such passionate eyes from someone like Bator.

No, this isn’t about being strong or not. Look at that. Look at the oil dripping from his eyes.

“I can’t accept it!”

“…Okay, okay.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed deeply.

“After you fight the demonic flames, you can ask me to let you fight him too.”

“Definitely!”

“…I said I understand.”

Kang Jin-ho rubbed his forehead.

‘There isn’t a single one of them who is sane.’ That’s not something Kang Jin-ho should be saying, though.

* * *

Lee Myung-hwan took a deep breath.

‘Heungwang, huh…’

I think I know.

Even without hearing about his identity.

On the surface, he’s just a slightly larger East Asian man.

But…

‘Can that be expressed in such words?’

He didn’t exactly threaten or raise his energy. But, how should I put it…

Just by existing there, the air became thick, and it felt like it was suffocating me.

A presence that is beyond overwhelming.

Cold sweat trickled down Lee Myung-hwan’s back.

‘He’s different from the Clan Lord…’

If we’re talking about presence, is there anyone else in the world who can surpass Kang Jin-ho?

However, if Kang Jin-ho’s presence feels like a black tide spreading from under your feet, Heungwang’s presence was like the sun in the desert.

‘I have to face this monster?’

It feels like my brain is being bleached white.

It wasn’t just because of fear. Of course, I can’t deny the fear that is spreading from the tips of my toes.

But something hotter than that was stirring inside Lee Myung-hwan.

“…Hey.”

The people standing behind Lee Myung-hwan gritted their teeth and said.

“I was wondering where you were spacing out, but you brought back something like that?”

“Isn’t this guy completely insane?”

“We’re supposed to fight that guy… no, that person?”

Lee Myung-hwan laughed.

Looking at the subtle excitement in their trembling voices, it’s clear that these guys are definitely crazy.

“I begged the Clan Lord to get this.”

“…You don’t have to worry about anything.

If you don’t die by that man’s hands, you’ll die by ours.”

“I’m going to grind you to dust, you bastard.”

They say that, but they can’t take their eyes off Heungwang.

Why wouldn’t they?

It’s become too natural now, but they are the ones who passed Kang Jin-ho’s test to become stronger and threw themselves into the path of endless training.

Strength.

For that one thing alone.

Now, many things have been added to their purpose in life, but what they wanted at first was strength, only that.

And now, the worst enemy they could imagine is standing in front of them.

So, how could they not be excited?

They’ve just met the perfect opponent to prove their strength.

It’s a situation that anyone walking the path of martial arts would dream of.

The hair on their heads stands on end, and their hearts begin to beat wildly with excitement.

Heungwang and the demonic flames, standing face to face in the vast training ground, look at each other.

“You are…”

Then, Heungwang opened his mouth in a small voice. Although it was clearly not a loud voice, it spread loudly and pierced the ears of the demonic flames.

“You are the limbs that the Demon King spoke of.”

Heungwang’s eyes slowly scanned the demonic flames.

A subtle disappointment arose in his eyes.

“For what the Demon King boasted, you don’t seem that strong. Mixing hands with the likes of you would be a waste of time.”

Lee Myung-hwan grinned, revealing his teeth.

Since being personally trained by Kang Jin-ho, no one has ever looked down on them like this.

But isn’t it interesting?

Even though they are hearing such direct belittlement right in front of them, they don’t feel bad at all.

‘Of course.’

The opponent is Heungwang.

One of the people at the pinnacle of this world.

‘There’s no reason to feel bad even if we’re treated like maggots.’

If Lee Myung-hwan were to face Heungwang alone, Heungwang would literally crush him to death with a single finger. Why would they feel bad about being looked down upon by an opponent who is that much stronger?

However…

“In Heungwang’s eyes…”

“Hmm?”

“…It’s true that we are weak. But…”

Lee Myung-hwan bared his teeth.

“You’d better be careful. Even bugs have mouths. If you get bitten by a bug and get hurt, wouldn’t your high dignity fall to the ground?”

Heungwang looked straight at Lee Myung-hwan.

“It seems…”

Heungwang took a light step forward.

“The Demon King seems to have raised you to be aggressive. Such provocation might have looked cute to the Demon King, but I don’t find it particularly pleasing.”

Then, his posture lowered slightly.

“Come, Demon King’s subordinates. I’ll let you know where your confidence and certainty come from. And how much you’ve been spoiled all this time.”

Lee Myung-hwan’s eyes turned dark red.

Not only Lee Myung-hwan, but the eyes of the demonic flames behind him all began to turn dark red. At the same time, dark red demonic energy rose from their bodies like a haze.

The demonic energy emitted by a hundred demonic beings at the same time filled the training ground like black smoke rising from a burning flame.

“Then, dare…”

Whoo-oong.

The demonic flames all drew their weapons and glared at Heungwang.

“We’ll learn just how strong the great Heungwang is.”

“Hmm.”

Heungwang nodded with his eyes lowered.

“I won’t take responsibility if you die.”

“That’s what we want!”

Lee Myung-hwan screamed and rushed at Heungwang.

At the same time, the demonic flames all emitted a fierce demonic energy and charged towards Heungwang.

It was like a pack of wolves surrounding a huge tiger.

“Insignificant!”

Heungwang’s entire body was dyed gold.

The majestic aura collided with the black demonic energy, emitting shockwaves in all directions.

Crack, tap.

The end of the cigarette burns red.

Kang Jin-ho, watching the collision between Heungwang and the demonic flames from a distance, slightly curled up the corners of his mouth.

“Demon Lord.”

Jang Min, who was guarding his side, spoke in a slightly worried tone.

“Are you sure about this? They are still…”

“There’s nothing to worry about. They’re not that weak.”

“Heungwang is strong.”

“He’s not that stupid. More than that…”

Kang Jin-ho glanced at Jang Min.

“How about it? Do you want to join in?”

“Demon Lord, I’m old.”

“Is that so…”

“However…”

Jang Min wore a chilling smile.

“If it’s not me, who else will make Heungwang’s blood run cold?”

Kang Jin-ho laughed.

‘Heungwang will probably gain something too.’

Experiences like this, where you can fight against such people, are rare. Even if there are masters of similar level in Heungwang’s faction, they wouldn’t be able to fight Heungwang with all their heart.

But…

‘It’s nothing compared to what we’ll gain.’

Kang Jin-ho curled up the corners of his mouth. He needs to make the most of this golden goose called Heungwang.

Without cutting open its belly.

“More than that, where’s Bator?”

“…He’s already preparing, saying it’s his turn next.”

There’s no answer, really.

There’s no answer.