Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1990

It was a peculiar tone.

Just moments ago, the Black King had delivered a passionate speech. He had poured his soul into his words, moving everyone present to their core.

But…

The moment Baek Yeon-hong heard that low, nasal sound, she couldn’t help but think that compared to this, the Black King’s voice until now had been nothing more than a stiff monotone.

‘Just by looking at his expression, I can tell who’s calling.’

It felt strange.

They had given everything for the Black King. Yet, they could never be the most important person to him.

At this moment, Baek Yeon-hong had to feel that fact to the bone.

“Hmm.”

The Black King scratched his cheek as he looked at his phone.

Was it just Baek Yeon-hong’s imagination, or did his eyes seem to sparkle?

However, unlike his lively expression, the Black King didn’t easily reach for his phone.

Woo-woo-woo-woong!

Woo-woo-woo-woong!

No one could open their mouths.

A phone call wasn’t a big deal, but the Black King’s reaction silenced them.

And then,

The phone stopped ringing.

Baek Yeon-hong, who had been staring blankly at the phone, turned to the Black King with a dumbfounded look.

“Aren’t you going to answer it?”

“It’s frustrating.”

“Huh?”

When Baek Yeon-hong asked back with a puzzled expression, the Black King chuckled.

“That guy needs to feel some frustration too. If he calls a couple more times, I’ll think about answering.”

Baek Yeon-hong’s eyes twitched slightly.

He knew that the guy had a childish side, but this was a bit much…

Woo-woo-woo-woong!

The phone started ringing again.

But this time too, the Black King didn’t answer the phone.

“Just answer it already! You’re not a kid!”

“He needs to sweat a little! Compared to how much I’ve suffered, this is nothing!”

Damn it.

The lingering feeling of that heart-stirring speech from just a moment ago was completely gone. Even if you poured mouthwash down your throat and scrubbed it with a brush, it wouldn’t be this clean!

Woong.

The vibration stopped again.

“Don’t worry. I’ll answer it this time.”

“…” Sigh.”

Baek Yeon-hong shook her head.

On one hand, she couldn’t help but think he was amazing. To have the composure to joke around with a phone call in a situation where he was literally betting everything.

Wasn’t this beyond the realm of boldness and into the realm of indifference?

“Hmm.”

The Black King rubbed his hands together as if he was amused. He seemed to be thinking about what to say when the phone rang again.

But…

The Black King’s eyes trembled slightly as he stared at his phone.

“…Why isn’t it ringing?”

“Uh…”

Baek Yeon-hong’s face fell.

What tormented him wasn’t the fact that the phone wasn’t ringing, but the truly bewildered look on the Black King’s face.

‘Can I really trust this guy?’

Sometimes, there was no one more reliable, and other times, he was the most pathetic person in the world. How did such a person even appear?

“Ah, it’s not ringing?”

“Then just leave it alone.”

“It could be important.”

“Then you should call him…”

“Then my pride will be hurt. I’ll look pathetic, won’t I?”

Do whatever you want.

Please, just do whatever you want, and leave me alone.

“Ugh, damn it!”

In the end, the Black King couldn’t hold back and snatched the phone.

Then, he quickly started calling back the number that had called him.

The Black King’s face, which had been anxiously waiting for the call to connect, was now filled with bewilderment.

“He’s not answering?”

Baek Yeon-hong looked at the ceiling with a resigned expression.

‘Where am I, and who am I?’ Is this really okay?

The Black King called again.

“That damn bastard!”

Watching the Black King grind his teeth, it felt like they had lost before even fighting.

Fortunately, this time the call connected, and the Black King shouted.

“Why aren’t you answering the phone?”

[I went out for a smoke.]

“How can you call and then go out for a smoke?”

[Because you weren’t answering.]

“You have no patience, none at all!”

Baek Yeon-hong’s head slowly turned to the side.

The Twelve Flying Blades, as well as Liu Yang, had indescribable expressions on their faces.

“What’s going on? Why are you suddenly calling?”

[There are a few things I want to talk about.]

“Talk?”

[To be precise, there are things I want to confirm.]

“Confirm…”

The corners of the Black King’s mouth curled up slightly.

“Weren’t we done talking? I believe I made my position very clear.”

[…]

“Ah, if you want to hear it again to come over to our side, you’re more than welcome.”

[Cut the crap.]

Kang Jin-ho’s voice became slightly agitated, and the Black King’s smile deepened.

“What do you want to say?”

[Do you still feel the same way?]

“Of course.”

The Black King answered without a moment’s hesitation.

[You will gain power by force, and everyone will enjoy that power?]

“That’s how history has changed. Revolutions have always been accompanied by blood. The reason a revolution can be a revolution is because it has the power to overthrow the strong who rule the world. A revolution without power is just a rebellion.”

[I see.]

A voice of agreement was heard.

The Black King frowned slightly at those words.

[That doesn’t matter. The important thing is that you haven’t changed your mind about using force to intimidate the outside world and create a world only for martial artists.]

“Because there is no other way.”

[Do you remember what you said last time we talked?]

“…What are you referring to?”

[That everything you do is for the future of martial artists. Without any personal gain.]

“Ah, you’re talking about that. Of course, I remember.”

[Is it still the same now?]

“The Sect Leader knows that better than I do.”

[Answer me.]

“Of course. Martial artists are not my enemies. If I could, I would want to make even one more person my ally. That feeling hasn’t changed.”

A low silence followed.

[You will protect martial artists and threaten those who are not to achieve your goals. And once you achieve your goals, it doesn’t matter what happens after that.]

“It’s not bad to think about the aftermath when the time comes. I know, Sect Leader. That I might fail. But the real failure isn’t being defeated and having your head cut off. It’s doing nothing and giving up.”

[…]

“Even if I fail, the world will be a little better than it is now.”

A low chuckle was heard from the other end of the phone.

The Black King knew.

That the chuckle wasn’t a sneer.

Kang Jin-ho was seriously listening to his words.

[Then let me ask you.]

“Yes.”

[Who are your nuclear weapons currently aimed at?]

“Of course, it’s those with power in the outside world. It could be a nation, or it could be power. Or it could be ordinary people who hide behind the weapon of ignorance and exercise invisible violence.”

[So, at least not at martial artists.]

“Of course.”

The Black King answered as if it was obvious.

[Can you take responsibility for that statement?]

The Black King frowned slightly.

‘What is he trying to say?’

Kang Jin-ho wasn’t someone who would stir people up like this. He was someone who proved himself through actions rather than words. At first, he thought that Kang Jin-ho might be trying to agree with his opinion, but this was different.

“Sect Leader, I’m not a fool who believes that I must keep every word I say.”

[I know.]

“But this is different. This is a principle that must be kept before any means. I will not fight martial artists. Fighting martial artists would prove that I am moving for power. Then this autonomous region will collapse from the start.”

[…]

“What I want is a world where martial artists can live together, not to be a king in that small land.”

When trying to achieve something small, greed is necessary.

But when trying to achieve something big, greed must be abandoned. What the Black King wanted wasn’t his own safety or power. It was something bigger, something he had been looking for for a long time: the world.

[So, those nukes are only aimed at the outside world.]

“Of course.”

[Then that’s enough.]

A deep exhale was clearly heard from the other end of the phone.

[Then let me tell you. I do not agree with you.]

The Black King’s face hardened slightly.

[I have no intention of agreeing with your crazy plan. What is gained by force can only be broken if that force disappears. Unless you plan to live with those nukes forever. The price of threatening everyone now will surely come back to the martial artists.]

“…That’s why I need you to change it.”

[No. If the button is buttoned wrong from the start, there is no way to fix it. The only way is to unravel everything and start over.]

Disappointment clouded the Black King’s face.

If he was going to say such obvious things, why did he waste time confirming his position again?

“Then it seems we have no choice but to see if I am right or if the Sect Leader is right.”

[No. What we need to confirm now is something else.]

“…What do you mean?”

[What we need to confirm now is whether you are strong or I am strong. In the end, martial artists can only prove their righteousness through strength. That’s the way of martial artists, the way of the Jianghu [the martial arts world], and the way of the Demonic Cult. You haven’t forgotten that, have you?]

“Sect Leader.”

The Black King shook his head.

“You cannot come here.”

[No. You will welcome me.]

“It seems you don’t understand.”

[You’re the one who doesn’t understand.]

Just as the Black King was frowning, the door was violently opened, and someone rushed inside.

“B-Black King! Now!”

“…What is it?”

“Y-You have to see this! This!”

The person who rushed in handed the Black King a tablet.

The Black King’s face hardened instantly as he saw the scene on the screen.

“…Did you broadcast this?”

[Yes. To the whole world. Just like you did.]

The screen clearly showed Kang Jin-ho sitting in a chair.

“This…”

He couldn’t have imagined it.

Or perhaps he could have imagined it.

The only reason he hadn’t considered this possibility was that Kang Jin-ho was someone who extremely disliked revealing the fact that he was a martial artist to the outside world.

But who would have imagined that he would openly tell the whole world who he was and what kind of person he was, just like the Black King had done?

Kang Jin-ho on the screen wore a twisted smile.

Kang Jin-ho, sitting in a chair with his legs crossed, looked like the Demonic Heavenly Sovereign sitting on the throne of the Demonic Cult in the past. He was that decadent and domineering.

[You said it yourself. Your weapons are not aimed at martial artists, and your enemies are only the people of the outside world.]

[If that’s the case, then me going there wouldn’t be a reason to fire those weapons. Because that would mean I am also an enemy. Surely you’re not going to change your mind and say that any martial artist who opposes you is your enemy?]

“What kind of sophistry…”

The Black King closed his mouth.

It was sophistry.

But it wasn’t wrong. Firing the nukes in a conflict with martial artists would prove that the utopia he spoke of could only be achieved by trampling on other martial artists.

[Prove it, Cheongma [Black Horse, a name for the Black King]. No, Black King!]

Kang Jin-ho slowly rose from his chair.

[Prove that you are qualified to represent all martial artists. I will not tolerate someone who uses the weapons they created as a shield while flapping their jaws representing martial artists. If you truly want to represent everyone and negotiate with the world. Then defeat me first.]

Kang Jin-ho on the screen looked directly at the Black King.

[Now.]

[I’m coming.]

“Ha…hahaha…”

The Black King burst into wild laughter.

“Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!”

Madness and madness.

Just like when they first started everything…

In the end, the fate of the world was decided by these two people alone.

“I’ll be waiting. No. I’ll be waiting, Kang Jin-ho. Come quickly.”

Two people who couldn’t see each other.

They smiled at each other. Twisted and desperate.