Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1725

A Bitter Taste (9)

‘That explains it.’

Only then did Ko Han-bong understand Lee Hyun-soo’s excessively submissive attitude. It seemed Kang Jin-ho was planning to come from the start.

But somehow…

The sense of satisfaction wasn’t that great.

Watching Lee Hyun-soo being shaken around with his neck gripped in one hand, Ko Han-bong felt more sorry for him than satisfied.

It was as if he was feeling the sadness of a working-level employee who was ultimately at the mercy of his superiors.

“What should we do?”

“Pardon?”

“Since this is a mistake made on our side, we’ll handle it. If you wish, we can hang him upside down for a few days.”

“…Ah, no, thank you, Assembly Leader.”

Ko Han-bong waved his hands in alarm.

“When negotiating, these things can happen.”

“Still, one shouldn’t speak carelessly…”

“No, no. I’m really okay.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho glanced at Lee Hyun-soo, as if he was still not pleased. His eyes flashed slightly.

Ko Han-bong could clearly see the desire to get a negative response and punish Lee Hyun-soo.

Lee Hyun-soo closed his eyes tightly as he received that gaze.

‘He really ratted me out!’

This was 100% Wiggins’ doing. He probably ran to Kang Jin-ho and persuaded him that he had to apologize to the Prime Minister.

Lee Hyun-soo felt a bit sad, even though he knew he was in the wrong and had no excuse.

“Thank you for understanding.”

“…No problem, Assembly Leader.”

Ko Han-bong laughed, as if he was dumbfounded.

‘How strange.’

Even in the political world, those who have maintained relationships since their student days often remain friends even when they meet in a superior-subordinate relationship later on. But even then, they maintain a certain level of formality.

However, that formality was absent between these two.

Considering the power and importance of the Assembly [a legislative body], they should be at least somewhat conscious of how others see them, but they still seemed pure.

‘Of course, they can’t be truly pure.’

Depending on how you look at it, their behavior could be seen as arrogance, as if they were saying no one could touch them no matter what they did. But even if it was an expression of arrogance, Ko Han-bong didn’t find it that bad.

“Did you come all this way just because of that?”

“It’s only right for a superior to apologize for the actions of their subordinates.”

“Haha, then I should never make a mistake.”

Ko Han-bong was afraid that Kang Jin-ho might demand an apology from his superiors. He thought that Kang Jin-ho was capable of doing that.

“That won’t happen.”

However, Kang Jin-ho’s answer was slightly unexpected.

“The higher-ups would like to meet you once…”

“It’s alright.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

“There are relationships where it’s better to keep a distance. The moment you know someone’s face and feel you understand each other, the sense of distance and difficulty disappears.”

Ko Han-bong’s eyes lit up.

Kang Jin-ho’s statement just now had two meanings.

One was that he wanted to respect the highest authority, even if not the government.

The other was that Kang Jin-ho also had difficulties with his superiors.

‘How strange.’

He was incredibly arrogant, yet he adhered to certain principles in strange ways. Although they had met several times, Ko Han-bong still couldn’t fully grasp who Kang Jin-ho was.

And of course…

‘That’s enough.’

His curiosity about the other person and his liking for his actions.

Ko Han-bong knew how dangerous Kang Jin-ho was. He also knew very well what had happened to his predecessor, Kim Myung-chan.

As Kang Jin-ho had said earlier, there are relationships where maintaining a proper distance is the best option. Just as Kang Jin-ho wanted to maintain such a relationship with the higher-ups, Ko Han-bong also wanted such a relationship with Kang Jin-ho.

“Assembly Leader.”

Ko Han-bong swallowed hard.

“Since I’ve had the chance to meet someone so hard to see, I’d like to say a few things.”

“Ah, before that…”

“Yes?”

“Is smoking allowed here?”

Ko Han-bong stared blankly at Kang Jin-ho. But Kang Jin-ho was looking serious, as if it was a very important matter.

“Smoking is naturally prohibited inside the building. You should ask about…”

“Of course, it is.”

Lee Hyun-soo and Ko Han-bong’s words clashed.

Lee Hyun-soo looked sullenly at Ko Han-bong. Then, Ko Han-bong forced an awkward smile.

“W-well, the law says so, but this is private property, and… anyway, it should be fine.”

“A Prime Minister-level person…”

Click.

Kang Jin-ho put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it. Then, he slowly exhaled smoke and scratched his head.

“Continue.”

“Ah, yes.”

Ko Han-bong coughed awkwardly. The atmosphere he had built up felt a bit lighter, but… it didn’t matter.

“The government will provide the best support it can.”

“Thank you.”

“But there are two problems.”

“Two?”

“Yes.”

Ko Han-bong swallowed hard.

“To support the Assembly, a huge budget is needed. There isn’t anything among the things the Assembly is expected to request that can be handled with a reasonable amount of money.”

O Q.W
M..•

“Of course, I know. This is a war for survival. But no matter how a war starts, the winner always expects a reward. Reparations, rights, and so on.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

That was only natural.

In the past, when he led the Demonic Cult [a fictional martial arts sect] and attacked the Central Plains [a region in Chinese wuxia novels], the defeated had to give up everything. War doesn’t happen if there is no gain to be had.

“Therefore, if we win this war, the government should also gain something.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

“Chief Lee.”

“Yes, Assembly Leader.”

“Talk to Hong Wang-gye and get what we can from the Chinese side.”

“Understood.”

Kang Jin-ho didn’t have any particular attachment to China, but the government’s affairs were a separate matter. Just because he was satisfied with Korea didn’t mean others had to be. If it was a legitimate gain, using it was a natural right.

“Thank you for understanding, Assembly Leader.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

To have to hear thanks for such a thing, he could tell how much they thought of him as an irrational and autocratic person.

‘Well, it’s not entirely wrong.’

Right now, what they were asking for was not particularly needed by him, and it was something he could easily agree to.

‘And Lee Hyun-soo will handle the annoying stuff.’

Thinking about what they wanted and discussing it with Hong Wang-gye would be a series of annoyances. But Kang Jin-ho wouldn’t have to deal with any of it.

“One more thing…”

Ko Han-bong glanced around cautiously.

“We will provide as much support as possible. But if this matter goes in a direction we don’t expect… we also need to minimize our risks. So…”

“You’ll deny it?”

“I’m sorry.”

Ko Han-bong’s voice trembled slightly. It seemed it wasn’t easy to say such things in front of Kang Jin-ho.

Kang Jin-ho stared at Ko Han-bong for a moment before nodding.

“Not bad.”

“Thank you.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded, as if he didn’t care. He had expected this much.

And Kang Jin-ho also didn’t want to be dragged down with them.

“Take what you want. But you also have to do your part properly.”

“Of course, Assembly Leader.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded and got up from his seat.

“Already?”

“You’re a busy man.”

Ko Han-bong stood up and extended his hand to Kang Jin-ho.

“Thank you.”

“Let’s do well.”

The two lightly shook hands.

Whoosh.

Lee Hyun-soo changed lanes and glanced at Kang Jin-ho in the passenger seat.

“Why?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Speak up.”

Lee Hyun-soo pouted.

“It’s kind of messed up.”

“What is?”

“…Isn’t it? Those guys, they want to get everything if they win the war, but if they think they’re going to lose, they don’t want to take any damage.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

Kang Jin-ho, who exhaled cigarette smoke through the lowered window, shrugged.

“That’s how people are.”

“I know, but… it’s still messed up.”

“That’s also true.”

He understood that they had no choice. But understanding didn’t mean he was happy about it.

“We’ve thrown them a bone, so they’ll do their best to support us.”

“I guess so.”

Lee Hyun-soo frowned slightly.

“That negotiation with Cha Yi-kechang…”

“Hmm?”

“That, I can handle it myself, right?”

“…I guess so?”

“Understood.”

A strange light flashed in Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes.

Kang Jin-ho knew what that look meant, but he didn’t bother to ask. Anyway, Kang Jin-ho just needed to get the support. What happened after that didn’t matter.

Whether the country benefited or Lee Hyun-soo betrayed them.

By then, Kang Jin-ho wouldn’t feel the need to continue such a meaningless relationship.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“It’s nothing.”

The apology was just an excuse.

Just by Kang Jin-ho showing his face, Ko Han-bong’s reaction would change. Then, he would be a little more cooperative.

“I don’t know how politicians live. Every day must be a repeat of these kinds of things.”

“That’s why it’s a place where monsters live. The political and business worlds are not places for people to step into. You either go in as a person and become a monster to survive, or you get kicked out as a person.”

And in that sense, you’re quite the monster yourself?

Kang Jin-ho shook his head and opened his mouth.

“In the past, wars were just about when to start.”

“What is this, the Joseon era [a Korean dynasty]… Oh, right. That’s right. It was that time.”

He thought he was telling an old story, but it was a real old story.

“That also requires power. Now, we have to squeeze out every last bit of strength.”

“I know.”

Kang Jin-ho glanced out the window and opened his mouth.

“So, can we go back now?”

“What nonsense are you talking about? We have to go to the US military now. And we have to stop by a few more places.”

“Sales is like that. It’s dirty, pathetic, and doesn’t show much. But it’s something you can’t do without. Assembly Leader, you need to feel a little of this hardship.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

Lee Hyun-soo slightly narrowed his eyes as he watched Kang Jin-ho cover his face with one hand.

‘He’s trying so hard.’

This kind of work wasn’t suited for Kang Jin-ho in the first place. But right now, there was no other choice. War wasn’t something that could be done with one person’s strength.

They had to do anything that could increase their chances of winning, even a little.

“Please bear with it a little longer.”

“Huh?”

“This is the last one. This is really the last one. Once this war is over, you can live as you wish, Assembly Leader.”

“As I wish…”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

I don’t even know how I want to live.

“It would be nice if that were possible.”

“It will be. Definitely.”

Listening to Lee Hyun-soo’s affirmation, Kang Jin-ho smiled.

“Okay. Then let’s work a little harder.”

“Yes!”