Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1713

“It won’t be easy.”

“That’s obvious.”

Chai Ke-chang watched Lee Hyun-soo exhale cigarette smoke. Looking at that nonchalant face, he felt a surge of irritation.

‘It’s a long life, indeed.’

Who would have thought that he and Lee Hyun-soo would be in a meeting together? The world is a place where anything can happen, but this was beyond Chai Ke-chang’s imagination.

“There will be a lot of resistance too.”

“They’ll eventually understand.”

“Hmm?”

Lee Hyun-soo leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. After a while, he spoke again.

“Once the Chairman approves, there will be almost no resistance.”

“Does that mean the power structure is solid?”

“No. That guy doesn’t seem like it, but he’s surprisingly cautious.”

“And he’s quick with calculations. The fact that the Chairman approved means he’s decided there’s no other way. The directors know that too.”

Chai Ke-chang’s expression turned strange.

‘Is it a relationship of trust, not a power structure?’

He didn’t know.

Sometimes, when he observed how the Assembly operated, he found it hard to understand what it was based on.

This organization had both absurd strictness and a laxity that he could never understand.

But there was one thing.

‘Could I make such a decision?’

Chai Ke-chang bit his lip slightly.

If the positions of the Hong King Group and the Assembly were reversed, could Chai Ke-chang have decided to invade China like Lee Hyun-soo?

No.

No matter how much he thought about it, it was impossible.

Even if the strategic direction was clearly correct, his subordinates would not follow his strategy in reality.

But Lee Hyun-soo was confident that the Assembly would move according to his opinion.

He didn’t want to admit it, but in terms of control over each organization, Chai Ke-chang’s control was incomparable to Lee Hyun-soo’s.

‘It’s really strange.’

Looking at their experience and time spent working, Chai Ke-chang had definitely built a career beyond Lee Hyun-soo’s. Yet, there were still many within the organization who ignored Chai Ke-chang.

However, Lee Hyun-soo had come to the Assembly from an opposing position, a huge handicap, yet those with more experience were following his words.

‘It’s so frustratingly enviable.’

He didn’t know where this difference came from, but from Chai Ke-chang’s perspective, it was very envious.

“So, are you confident that you can push this through?”

“It’s not a situation where I can talk about confidence. This is something we have to push through no matter what.”

A coldness like frost settled on Lee Hyun-soo’s face.

“Or there’s no future.”

“Hmm.”

Chai Ke-chang nodded quietly.

“You know, right? The situation has come this far because you and I were lacking.”

“…Of course, I know.”

Chai Ke-chang bit his lip.

Of course, the Chang King Group’s power was fundamentally superior to the Hong King Group’s. But if Chai Ke-chang had properly understood the danger of the Chang King, this disastrous defeat would not have happened.

“If our power is lacking, it’s my job to overcome it.”

“You know it well.”

Lee Hyun-soo continued with cold eyes.

“They’re not opponents you can win against by backing off. If you’re not prepared to roll in the mud and jump into the manure pile, the result is obvious.”

Chai Ke-chang nodded silently.

“But even if the push is decided, it doesn’t solve anything. This is a strategy of walking on a knife’s edge. One slip and we all die.”

“But if it works just once, we can cut off that bastard’s head.”

Chai Ke-chang sighed deeply.

‘Damn it.’

He felt like his fingertips were tightening.

Sometimes, you have to jump into the tiger’s den to survive, but the price of gambling is usually ruin.

“What’s the success rate?”

“Hmm…”

Lee Hyun-soo chuckled.

“If we’re being generous, maybe one in ten?”

“…Just one in ten?”

In Chai Ke-chang’s calculations, there was at least a 30% success rate. But one in ten?

“That’s if we’re being generous. Basically, we have to assume that about half of our movements are known to them.”

“Couldn’t you remove the spies?”

“They’re like dust that accumulates in a house. No matter how much you clean it, it always reappears. Moreover…”

Lee Hyun-soo took a deep drag of his cigarette.

“Hoo.”

Lee Hyun-soo, who roughly exhaled the smoke, frowned and said.

“Who wouldn’t know that this attempt is close to gambling? Even those who were once persuaded and cleanly refused could be shaken. The moment we cross into China, the amount of information they process will increase exponentially.”

Chai Ke-chang stared blankly at Lee Hyun-soo.

‘What kind of bastard is this?’

What he said made sense.

But wasn’t that assuming that his own allies would leak information to the enemy?

To say such things so casually in front of Chai Ke-chang, of all people?

‘What the hell is wrong with this guy’s brain?’

Honestly, Chai Ke-chang had thought that he had a lot in common with Lee Hyun-soo, but that was only in terms of their working style. Lee Hyun-soo’s way of thinking was something that even the great Chai Ke-chang couldn’t understand.

“Isn’t that a matter of organization management?”

“Do you think it’ll work?”

Lee Hyun-soo said indifferently.

“Humans are inherently impossible to manage. There has never been an organization in history that has perfectly succeeded in managing humans. The dangerous thing isn’t when you can’t manage them, but when you believe you have complete control over the organization.”

Lee Hyun-soo shrugged.

“I’m not an idiot.”

Chai Ke-chang shook his head.

“Considering that, is it one in ten?”

“Yes.”

“So, you’re going to rush in believing in that one in ten chance?”

“Yes.”

“I apologize.”

“Huh?”

Chai Ke-chang nervously took out a cigarette and lit it.

“I’ve been thinking of you as a madman, but I think I need to apologize. You’re crazier than I thought.”

“…I wouldn’t care if it was anyone else, but hearing that from you makes me feel like shit.”

Lee Hyun-soo chuckled.

“What’s the reason for pushing forward with a one in ten plan?”

“What kind of stupid thing are you saying?”

Lee Hyun-soo growled.

“It’s because there’s no other way with a higher chance than that one in ten.”

Chai Ke-chang sighed.

He didn’t ask because he didn’t know. He just wanted to hear it one more time.

“It’s a really shitty situation.”

“Don’t be scared.”

Lee Hyun-soo bared his teeth.

“Probability is just probability. It’s something that can be shaken by a single minor variable. From now on, we have to increase that probability.”

“And that means we have to lay down those variables like crazy.”

“Correct.”

Chai Ke-chang pressed his forehead with one hand as if his head was throbbing.

“If I could go back to the past, I would have killed you first.”

“Then you’d be dead by now too.”

“You little bastard.”

Chai Ke-chang’s face twisted in annoyance.

But that was only for a moment. Soon, Chai Ke-chang straightened his posture.

“It’s a shitty thing to say, but it’s not wrong. There’s no other way anyway.”

As time passed, he became more and more desperate.

He did everything he could.

He held on, dragged his feet, and shamefully ran away.

But even while doing all of that, Chai Ke-chang couldn’t figure out how to deal with the Chang King.

It was like being trapped in a fog, waiting for the enemy to come. He didn’t know how many enemies there were or how they would attack, he was just waiting.

‘This is the worst.’

Who could win in this situation?

In such a situation, Lee Hyun-soo’s plan was like a ray of light. It was too weak and faint, but in a world that had turned monotone, even that weak light was too dazzling.

“Then don’t waste time and start right away. Even this time is precious.”

“I will. But before that…”

“…What?”

“There’s one thing I need to confirm, Chai Ke-chang.”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled and looked at Chai Ke-chang.

Chai Ke-chang didn’t miss the fact that Lee Hyun-soo’s smiling eyes were actually cold.

“I told you not to waste time.”

“Of course, I’ll ask right away. It’s a necessary element in planning, so I’m asking…”

“What is it?”

“How much can you handle?”

“…Huh?”

Chai Ke-chang tilted his head at the incomprehensible question.

How much can he handle?

“I’m talking about the Hong King Group.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s voice lowered.

“How much sacrifice can you accept?”

Silence fell.

“…You.”

“Don’t misunderstand. It doesn’t mean I’m going to reduce the numbers.”

“But this is a profitable deal if you just survive. Even if the Hong King Group is completely destroyed, if the opponent is annihilated, you can reign over China, which has become a no-man’s land. Unlike us, who have to return without any gains.”

“…Enough with the obvious.”

Chai Ke-chang’s face twisted.

He felt like he was burning inside, but there was nothing wrong with what Lee Hyun-soo said. He could never win against the Chang King Group without sacrificing something.

But vaguely hardening his resolve and setting the number were clearly different issues.

‘Is he telling me not to talk nonsense with a half-hearted resolve?’

How much can he accept?

Is he asking him to choose whether to kill thousands or tens of thousands?

Chai Ke-chang bit his lip at the malice hidden in Lee Hyun-soo’s words.

“Half. No more than that.”

“Weak.”

“You bastard. I don’t think you’ll follow my words.”

“And don’t be mistaken. I don’t trust you. If only the Hong King Group is weakened, you’ll try to kill us all and take China at any time. Whether Kang Jin-ho opposes it or not.”

“Haha, you see it accurately. But… you’re completely wrong about one thing.”

“…What is it?”

“I don’t do things that the Chairman opposes.”

“You should say you can’t do it. Chai Ke-chang, don’t be mistaken. You seem to have become complacent in this somewhat peaceful atmosphere, but the one in ten chance in my head is always allocated to not crossing the line that the Chairman has drawn. That guy… he’s not as naive as you think.”

Chai Ke-chang nodded quietly.

“Anyway, half. I’ll accept that much.”

“I’ll try. But it’s impossible with my plan.”

“Then? How far are you thinking?”

“Nine in ten.”

“…What?”

“Nine in ten of the Hong King Group will die.”

Chai Ke-chang’s eyes twitched.

“That’s about the level where there’s a slight chance of winning. Anything less is impossible.”

“You crazy bastard!”

Chai Ke-chang rushed at Lee Hyun-soo and grabbed his neck. If he gave a little more strength, Lee Hyun-soo’s neck would break.

But Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes, with his neck in his grasp, didn’t even flinch.

“I don’t understand. Isn’t it better to have at least one in ten survive? Or will you be annihilated by the Chang King?”

“This…”

“Let go, Chai Ke-chang. You can’t kill me anyway. If I’m not here, you can’t handle the Chang King.”

Chai Ke-chang’s body trembled slightly at that cold voice.

“You… what the hell are you trying to do?”

“It’s nothing much.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes gleamed eerily.

“I’m creating results. Increasing their variables and reducing ours. If we reduce them one by one, won’t it become very clean? Hahahaha!”

Chai Ke-chang let go of Lee Hyun-soo’s neck and stepped back.

Watching Lee Hyun-soo laugh heartily, he felt goosebumps all over his body.

‘Maybe I…’

‘Maybe I’ve taken the hand of someone I shouldn’t have.’

Maybe.