Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1819

“My Lord.”

Jang Min, having entered the room, bowed to Kang Jin-ho.

“…Do you ever consider simplifying the rituals a bit?”

“According to the sect’s rituals, one should originally perform a full prostration, striking their head on the floor nine times. While we have simplified the rituals as much as possible, as we cannot go against the times and because you, my Lord, do not wish it, I worry that simplifying them further might diminish the disciples’ loyalty to you. Therefore, my Lord…”

“Th-that’s enough.”

If left unchecked, he would go on for three days and three nights.

Kang Jin-ho waved his hand, looking utterly fed up.

“Enough, come and sit down.”

“Yes!”

Watching Jang Min take a seat, Kang Jin-ho sighed deeply.

‘No one listens to me.’

It seemed to be getting worse with each passing day. He didn’t think he had done anything particularly wrong…

“How is it?”

It was a question that cut off the beginning and end, but Jang Min understood Kang Jin-ho’s words perfectly.

“It’s not easy.”

Jang Min lowered his head, looking somewhat apologetic.

“Raising them to the level of the Three Kings [a very high level of martial arts mastery] is impossible for me. I myself do not reach the level of the Three Kings, so how could that be possible?”

“You’re saying something unlike yourself.”

Kang Jin-ho spoke with a slightly indifferent look.

“If that were true, the saying ‘a student surpasses their teacher’ wouldn’t exist. Teaching and leading people has nothing to do with being strong yourself.”

“Your words are absolutely correct, my Lord.”

Jang Min nodded and continued.

“I understand that if they cannot stand properly, it will be difficult to overcome the current situation. That is why I am doing my best.”

“Ugh…”

“…But pushing those who have already reached their limits to the next level is truly not an easy task. I am not sure if it will be effective.”

“Then that’s fine.”

Jang Min did not make any promises.

When it came to risking his own life, he spoke with more certainty than anyone, but when it came to matters of the sect or other things, he was a man who tried to avoid speaking as much as possible.

In other words…

‘The fact that such a person is taking the lead like this means that the situation is not good.’

Kang Jin-ho sighed quietly.

Lee Hyun-soo had told him to be stubborn, but he couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling.

If he at least knew the enemy’s strength, it would be a little easier to think, but it felt like he was struggling alone against an unknown enemy hidden in the fog.

Seeing Kang Jin-ho’s face, which seemed lost in thought, Jang Min groaned.

“I am sorry, my Lord.”

“…Why all of a sudden?”

“It is because we are incompetent that we have caused you concern. If we were just a little stronger, you would not have to feel burdened by that wicked person.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled dryly.

“You’re saying all sorts of things.”

“My Lord.”

Jang Min looked directly at Kang Jin-ho.

“The disciples have found peace in their lives since they began serving you.”

“They are disciples who have never had a peaceful day. Because you took them in, my Lord, they are now living like human beings.”

“Let’s skip the embarrassing talk.”

“It is the truth, my Lord.”

Jang Min bowed his head deeply.

“It is something that cannot be done with force or wealth alone. I tried to cultivate myself and save them, but all I felt was despair. If you had not appeared, my Lord, I would have collapsed someday.”

“I just had some free time…”

“That is it, my Lord.”

“The disciples are not of much help to you right now. You knew that fact beforehand. Isn’t that why you are selecting new demonic flames [a type of martial arts technique] and teaching them new demonic arts?”

Kang Jin-ho, feeling burdened by Jang Min’s gaze, slightly turned his head.

“Ugh…”

“…Taking care of those who are not helpful is several times more difficult than taking care of those who are. The disciples are well aware of that fact.”

“But what is there to fear now? If you wish it, my Lord, none of the ten thousand disciples will hesitate to give their lives. Rather, they will gladly accept death, seeing it as a way to repay your grace.”

“…That’s nonsense.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

To him, it was nonsense. No matter how much Kang Jin-ho had given them a stable life and opened a way for them to become stronger, it was impossible for them to risk their lives for that alone.

“My Lord.”

Jang Min said, looking at Kang Jin-ho.

“In the past, when you ruled the Central Plains [a region in ancient China], did you worry about those who risked their lives for your orders?”

“The enemy is clearly stronger and more cruel than in the past. It is deeply moving that you have a heart that cherishes and loves the disciples, my Lord, but that heart is not always right.”

“Give us your orders. We will pave the way.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed.

“I understand what you’re saying. But that’s not what’s important right now.”

“Yes.”

“It’s not just them.”

Kang Jin-ho looked directly at Jang Min.

“Jang Min, you need to become stronger too.”

“My Lord…”

Jang Min’s eyes darkened.

“My body has almost reached its limit. It is not even easy to move this old body anymore.”

“I know.”

Kang Jin-ho’s gaze went to Jang Min’s slightly trembling hand. The aftereffects of overexerting himself against the Bator yesterday had not yet recovered.

“If you command it, my Lord, I will work and work until my body turns to dust. But whether I can reach the level you desire, my Lord…”

“That’s my job.”

Kang Jin-ho said, looking at Jang Min.

“Jang Min.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“I am always grateful to you.”

“M-My Lord!”

“I am grateful that you stepped forward first this time as well. Come to think of it, I have never once said thank you to you.”

“It is not even a thousandth of the glory I have received from you, my Lord! How can you say such things? It is too much for me to bear.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled bitterly.

“Let’s stop there for now.”

Kang Jin-ho glanced towards the door.

“Come in.”

Then, the door opened, and Bator poked his grim face in.

“Is it over?”

“…More or less.”

“Damn it, the old geezer was about to start crying, so I couldn’t even knock.”

“Y-you!”

“Bator… It’s good that you haven’t lost your spirit, but say those things after the bruises on your face have healed a bit.”

“It’s much better now! Yesterday, I was completely black and blue, like a panda!”

“…That’s something to be proud of.”

The directors of the General Assembly, led by Bator, entered. They looked at each other with awkward expressions and sat down on the sofa side by side.

“What is it, Master?”

Kang Jin-ho looked at everyone and slightly lowered his head.

“Thank you.”

“…Are you crazy?”

“Why are you suddenly like this, Lord?”

“Did you embezzle something?”

Everyone’s gaze landed on Bang Jin-hoon, who had spoken last.

“Ah, no, if not, there’s no way that guy would act like this.”

“Why would a man with so much money embezzle anything!”

“You don’t know! People with a lot of money are usually greedier! That’s why they have so much money!”

“Now that I think about it…”

Kang Jin-ho closed his eyes tightly at Bator’s suspicious gaze.

That guy was getting stranger by the day.

“I am grateful that you stepped forward and took the initiative in something that can’t really be called the General Assembly’s work. Come to think of it, I have received help from everyone so far, but I haven’t really expressed my gratitude.”

“Are you going through menopause? What are you saying that’s so embarrassing?”

“…Is it time for me to die?”

“It’s a bit strange, Lord.”

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes twitched.

‘I was a bit mistaken.’

This is what it was like here, wasn’t it?

“I’ll just get to the point.”

“Yes.”

“Please do.”

Kang Jin-ho, with a distorted face, opened his mouth.

“After discussing countermeasures with Lee Hyun-soo, it seems that we need to make some preparations.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Lee Hyun-soo, who was at the back, and Lee Hyun-soo nodded and began to explain.

“The enemy’s strength is still a mystery. Chaikeochang of the Hongwang faction is investigating, but honestly, I don’t think he’ll find anything.”

“Does that guy have a grudge against the Hongwang faction?”

“He does have a grudge.”

“…R-right. He does. He always had a grudge.”

Bang Jin-hoon, who had brought up the topic for no reason and gained nothing, coughed and turned his head.

“I will continue. Therefore, we must prepare by assuming the enemy’s strength is at its highest. In the worst-case scenario, there could be about six individuals with the power of the Three Kings among the enemies.”

“…Isn’t that too much?”

“It’s the worst-case scenario.”

Lee Hyun-soo spat out the words.

“Rather than underestimating the enemy and seeing hell, it’s better to start with the highest level from the beginning. You’ve already experienced it during the Changwang era, haven’t you?”

“Don’t even mention that bastard.”

Bang Jin-hoon gritted his teeth.

“So, what are we going to do?”

“If there are about ten individuals with the power of the Three Kings, it is impossible for us to fight them. Not as we are now.”

“…So?”

Lee Hyun-soo looked at the directors.

“We need to prepare a special method for them. The biggest problem with the General Assembly right now is not the lack of power. It’s the complete lack of experience in fighting a group battle against an absolute powerhouse.”

“…That’s inevitable. The Lord has always taken care of the strong ones.”

“Ahem.”

Kang Jin-ho coughed for no reason.

“So, the conclusion is…”

Lee Hyun-soo’s gaze turned to Jang Min.

“If the Elder leads the Demonic Cult, can you defeat the Hongwang?”

“Hmm.”

Jang Min frowned.

“It won’t be easy, but it’s worth a try.”

“If Bator leads his disciples?”

“…Of course, it’s possible!”

“Please speak calmly without bluffing.”

“…Honestly, I don’t know.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s gaze turned to Wiggins. Before he could speak, Wiggins spoke first.

“It’s impossible. Even if I mobilize all my disciples and the Cavaliers, it’s impossible.”

“What if you bring all the Knights of the Round Table?”

“…That depends on the situation.”

Bang Jin-hoon scratched his head.

“Damn it, this is the most disadvantageous for me. Then, will I at least get some demonic flames?”

“You have the most people, what are you talking about?”

“Is it something that can be done just because there are a lot of people!”

Everyone understood what Lee Hyun-soo was trying to say.

“While cultivating ourselves… if we can mobilize everyone we have raised so far and stop just one person, then that’s enough?”

“Yes. That’s the most realistic thing to do.”

Bator snorted.

“Easier said than done.”

“I never said it was easy. Of course, it’s difficult. We will have to make considerable sacrifices. But!”

Lee Hyun-soo gritted his teeth and spoke.

“This is the best path the General Assembly can take.”

“Whether we become true enemies with them or not, it is not the way of the Assembly to do nothing in the face of an enemy we cannot face.”

“…Is it possible?”

“We have to make it possible. Above all…”

Lee Hyun-soo’s head turned to Kang Jin-ho.

“We have the perfect practice partner. A living teaching material.”

“…Isn’t there a better way to put it?”

“A human tutorial?”

“Let’s go with living teaching material.”

Dry laughter came from the directors.

“That’s an absurd strategy. It would be better to drop a nuke on their heads.”

“There’s no way that’s possible.”

“But…”

Wiggins nodded.

“Among the countermeasures we’ve considered so far, this is the only one that shows any possibility. If it’s the disciples we’ve raised in our own ways, it might be meaningful.”

“Yes. In the old Central Plains, they used formations to fight the strong. The method may be a bit different, but we need to find that kind of format.”

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

“We will put all the General Assembly’s resources into this. So, please trust and follow me.”

“It sounds like nonsense, but…”

A chilling light flashed in the eyes of the directors.

“If that’s the only way, we’ll have to risk our lives.”

The faces of those who had found a clue were filled with determination.